the Iaponians he conuerteth many of them pag. 320. Chap. 9. Going to the King of Bungo at his inuitement he is honourably receiued by the Portugheses pag. 331. Chap. 10. He is conducted to the Kings Court in great pompe by the Portugheses pag. 336. Chap. 11. The King of Bungo vseth Francis with honourable respect although the Bonzies were agaynst it pag. 339. Chap. 12. Xauerius instructeth the King and people in the misteries of the Christian faith and curbeth the audacity of the Bonzies pag. 346. Chap. 13. In a disputation before the King he ouercommeth the most learned of the Bonzies pag. 351. Chap. 14. Francis his constancy whilst the Bonzies be vp in tumult pag. 357. Chap. 15. Xauerius getteth a new victory ouer the Chiefe of the Bonzies pag. 361. Chap. 16. He procureth the Kings of Amangucium and Bungo to fauour Christianity pag. 367. THE FIFTH BOOKE CHAP. 1. Intending to passe into China he determineth first to returne into India pag. 373. Chap. 2. Going into China he recouereth by his prayers a Cocke-boate which was carryed away by the violence of a tempest pag. 376. Chap. 3. He maketh the Port of the Chineses and his voyage to Malaca very famous by his Prophesies pag. 383. Chap. 4. At Goa he cureth one that was ready to dye taketh account of what the Society had done since his departure pag. 389. Chap. 5. Hauing procured the Embassage before spoken of he goeth himselfe to China pag. 397. Chap. 6. He Excommunicateth the Gouernour of Malaca pag. 403. Chap. 7. The designe of going with the Embassadour into China being broken of Xauerius notwithstanding setteth forward thither pag. 413. Chap. 8. He endeauoureth though all in vaine to open a passage into China pag. 417. Chap. 9. He agreeth with a Chinese to carry him priuately to Cantona pag. 423. Chap. 10. His transporting into China being differed he â—ortelleth his owne death pag. 429. Chap. 11 He endeth his life in most holy maÌ„ner pag. 434. Chap. 12. His body is buried in quicke Lime pag 440. Chap. 13. His body being found whole and incorrupt is carryed to Malaca and there agayne interred pag. 443. Chap. 14. His Body is translated from Malaca into India pag. 449. Chap. 15. His Funerall is kept at Goa with all solemnity pag. 457. Chap. 16. The great Concourse of people to behould his Holy Body pag. 462. THE SIXT BOOKE CHAP. 1. By the King of Portugall his command Francis his deeds and miracles are committed to writing pag. 468. Chap. 2. How Xauerius fortelleth things future and absent and seeth mens inward Thoughts pag. 472. Chap. 3. In his life time he worketh miracles of all kinds pag. 479. Chap. 4. Miracles wrought by him after his death pag. 486. Chap. 5. Xauerius his feruent loue to Prayer pag. 498. Chap. 6. His purity of Hart and Chastity pag. 508. Chap. 7. His Loue of the Crosse and Euangelicall Poâ—erty pag. 511. Chap. 8. His Obedience and Humility pag. 518. Chap. 9. His magnanimity of Mind and Confidence in God pag. 527. Chap. 10. His charity to God and his Neighbours pag. 534. Chap. 11. His sweetnesse of Behauiour and ConuersatioÌ„ ioyned with Grauity pag. 546. Chap. 12. His Prudence and the Precepts he gaue to the Rectour of the Colledge of Goa and to Gaspar the Low-countryman pag. 550. Chap. 13. Precepts giuen by Xauerius to Iohn Brauius and others of the Society pag. 565. Chap. 14. What kind of Gouernours and Superiours he required in the Society pag. 572. Chap. 15. What kind of men Xauerius wished should be in the Society pag. 580. Chap. 16. What manner of Preachers he required in the Society pag. 586. Chap. 17. What manner of Confessours Xauerius required in the Society pag. 599. Chap. 18. What kind of persons Xauerius required for the instruction of soules pag. 608. THE PREFACE COVRTEOVS READER I purpose heere to set downe the admirable renowned Lyfe of S. Francis Xauier a man specially borne for the saluation of India and the furthest Easterne world Of all the nine first Disciples of our Holy Father S. Ignatius of Loyola he most resembled his Mayster and of the Society was the first who laboured in India Iaponia those barbarous Countries opening the way both for the Indians vnto heauen for the Society into India wherby he brought no lesse renowne then left example to his Order For which cause the whole Society not without good reason desired long since to haue so fayre a Pourtraicte beautified with such admirable vertue liuely drawne in colours for Ours to behold seeing the glorious exploits of Predecessours do coÌ„monly inflame the harts of generous spirits with a certaine kind of heauenly fire which hardly can be quenched vntill by imitation they become true patternes of their noble Vertues Now as on the one â—ide I perceaued that other Authors in their Histories had with great honour touched Xauerius chiefest acts so was I on the other â—ide not a little grieued that for the space of aboue 35. yeares there had bin none who thought vpon the setting forth his life then shining with so many and so illustrious vertues in a proper volume by it selfe either by giuing that charge to some other or by vndertaking it themselues VVherfore being moued of late as well through perswasion of some dearest friends as which is more by the command of Superiours to vndertake the same I was put in some hope to performe what others had conceaued of my ability therin for my deuotion to Xauerius I was not only not vnwilling but very willing also as tyme should afford to set vpon this taske to th' end the memory of a man so worthy yea euen of immortality it self who triumpheth now in heauen might be renewed not only to the minds of our owne Religious but to Posterity also Moreouer it seemeth vnto me this falleth out not so much by humane as diuine prouidence that euen at this tyme his most industrious and laborious manner of life should be layd open to the view of Ours when as we behould such a glorious haruest of soules brought in from those far countries which by him were first cultiuated manured For now the newes is brought vnto vs of the conuersion of many great Princes Kings of Iaponia with almost all their people to the Christian faith and of a passage also through Gods assistance made into China for the preaching of the Ghospell there which was hertofore by the Diuels craft wholy stopped euen raÌ„pier'd vp aswel with walles as lawes Both which certainly next after God we must attribute to holy Xauerius who not only lead the way to our Society for the coÌ„uersion of those Nations but left that enterprize also fully ready and easy to be compassed VVherfore my intention is to set downe heere in writing the life of this most Blessed man being full of all variety of matter And though my VVill and Desire be more ready to obey then either Ability or Hope
become Christians and many also by seeing the truth were drawen to imbrace the fayth of Christ when as the Bonzies which thing Francis had long for seene hindred the course of the Ghospell For when they perceaued that by bringing in and increase of Christian Religion the respect both to their Gods and their owne authority came to be set at naught they began in good earnest to be all on fire with rage anger And so thrust forward as well with madnes as by the Deuill himselfe they come in great troopes to their king telling him very resolutely and plainly That he should looke very warily what he did and should prouide both for his owne safety and of the common good whilest it was in his power If he did permit his subiects to entertayne strange Religious their Countrey Gods would certaynly become a mocking stocke euery where and if they were once incensed what could he expect els but that Cangoxima and his whole kingdome would within a while be vtterly ouerthrowne Did not he see that the Christian Religion was wholy repugnaÌ„t to that of Iaponia how it lost euery day so much as the Christian Religion gayned Neyther could he be ignoraÌ„t that where strange ceremonies should be preferred before those of their owne couÌ„try there would be caused extreme sorrow to the country Gods And certaynely it was a lesse fault for the people to offend therein then for the King to winke at others offences The slower that Heauen was in punishing the more enraged would the wrath thereof be when it came For no doubt but the first founders of the Iaponian Religion would be reuenged of Cangoxima for so great a disgrace and that both he his kingdome would be vtterly destroyed for the impiety of a few Wherefore if he had any respect or reuerence of his Country ceremonies or Gods it were wisedome to looke eyther for their fauour or stand in feare of their anger The King being stroken with this speach of the Bonzies being also out of hope of commercement with the Portugheses published presently an Edict or Proclamation prohibiting vnder payne of imprisoment death that all men should keep their CouÌ„try Religion that heerafter none should become Christians But Xauerius hoping euery day that times might grow better calmer tooke great care in looking to his yong flocke And all the rest of his tyme which he did not imploy therin he was accustomed to bestow vpon God with whome he conuersed more then with men esteeming such diuine conferences to be not only an incouragement to vertue but a comfort also in the time of persecution and labour He therfore being a stranger in a Barbarous Citty and which was wholy bent against him endured with wonderfull quiet of mind many and grieuous miseries as well of hungar and cold as of other extreeme difficulties But hauing passed a whole yeare in these labours incommodities when he perceiued there was small or no hope left for increase of the Ghospell at Cangoxima he resolued to depart from thence to some other place Wherfore bidding farewell to his Neophytes he left the protection of them to Paul of the holy Faith togeather with Cosmas Turianus and Iohn Fernandez raysed vp with new hopes intended to passe into the kingdome of Figua whither now the Portugheses had resorted for traffique It is incredible to be spoken what aboundance of teares the new Christians shed vpon Francis his departure from them for al did beare him extraordinary affection as well for many other respects as chiefly for his singular sanctity of life Wherfore weeping in lamentable manner calling him Maister Guide and Father they tooke at last their leaues with infinite thankes for the great paynes he had taken in shewing them the way to eternall saluation There were well-â—eere 800. Neophytes so well instructed that though â—ey were within a few months after bereaued of Paulâ—eir â—eir maister yet they perseuered euery one of them 〈◊〉 the Christian faith seauen whole yeares without â—â—y other guide vntill some of the Society came thiâ—er againe The kingdome of Figua is in that Iland of Iaponiaâ—hich â—hich as we sayd is called Ximus In this Kingâ—ome there is a towne called Firandum about â—00 â—iles from Cangoxima whither he repayed and was â—ourteously entertayned by the Portugheses and by â—heir meanes also by the King himself with whome â—emayning for some dayes he brought well nigh an â—00 of the Cittizens to the faith of Christ And although he repented not himselfe of the paines which he had taken amongst the Portugheses and those of Firandum for he had in few dayes made more Christians in Firandum then he had done in Cangoxima in many monthes yet hauing greater matters in hand and committing the charge of the Neophytes to Cosmas Turianus and taking Iohn Fernandez with him he passeth ouer into the Iland of Iapon intending to go to Meaco But vnderstanding by those who were experienced in those parts that Amangucium a Towne of good note lay in his way he presently goeth thither to sound out and try the disposition and incâ—â—nation of the King of that Country Amangucium is a very ample and famous sea Towne scituated in that part of Iaponia which as we said is properly called Iapon For there the King of that Country hath his Royall seate who being very wealthy potent striueth for the Empire with the King of Meaco who is accounted the greatest King of all the rest That towne of Amangucium according to the fashion of that country is built of tymber conteyning in it to the number of 10000. families and is distant from Firandum almost 300. miles As soone therfore as Xauerius came thither he found very many of the Nobility and more of the vulgar sort desirous to know the Christian Religion wherof they had long since heard many things by report He therfore obserued this order that twice euery day at the corners of streetes and in crosse wayes before a great concourse of people he explicated the Ghospel of Christ out of a written paper for he had not yet gotten the Iaponian language perfectly yet all did not with the like prosperous successe giue eare vnto the word of God many did indeed hearken very willingly thereto but more contemned the same some also laughed thereat in skornefull manner In so much that when Xauerius went along in the steetes a great company of boyes and baser people followed and mocked him as though he had byn out of his wits repeating also in a scoffing manner many words of the sacred mysteryes and Christian lawes which he had read vnto him All which things he bare patiently ioyfully not considering so much the reproach as the cause thereof so as he did much more good by his patient suffering then by words For the wiser sort of his auditours seeing playnly that he was no foole admired at his singular patience and quietnesse of mynd in the
wholy at his dispose Then conforting the inhabitants he promised them that he would alwayes whersoeuer he was haue a great care of their saluation And exhorting them to keep in the meane time the true religion in the midst of a corrupted generation he gaue them assured hope of speedy help In which promise he did not fayle For after he was departed from them by the first occasiō which was offered him he directed letters to Iohn King of Portugall wherin he earnestly commended to his kingly prouidence the Christians of Socotora who straying like sheep without a pastour abandoned of al were greatly oppressed by tyranny For in that Iland there was a Saracen Prince who cōtrary to al right equity tyrannizeth ouer the inhabitants who be eyther Christians or affected to the Christian fayth hauing had their first beginning from the disciples of S. Thomas the Apostle vexing oppressing them in a miserable manner yea taking the children by violence out of their parents bosomes he endeauoureth to make them slaues to Mahomet the Deuill He therefore intreated his maiesty as a most religious King not to permit them by litle litle to fall away from the grounds of Christianity to the customes and rites of the Saracens and that they might not willingly giue their soules to him who had by force gotten dominion ouer their bodyes They were in danger vtterly to be vndone vnlesse his Maiesty from Portugall would help them And there was no doubt but God who had giuen him such ability that he alone of all the Kings in Christendome was able to performe it would also giue him the will and desire to protect defend those miserable and afflicted soules Wherefore he should with all speed endeauour by his Royall assistance to maintayne them in the faith of their Sauiour who had redeemed both them and vs with his most pretious bloud Especially seeing that all this might be done without any danger or charges at all For he needed only to command his Royal Nauy which was yearly to passe that way to deliuer the Socotoreans by force from the most barbarous Tyranny of that Saracene Lord. These letters and requests of Francis lost not their desired effect For the cause seemed no lesse worthy of consideration to the King then it had done vnto him neither did he take it lesse to the hart Wherfore with that speed which beseemed his religious Piety he sent thither a nauy and the warre was as fortunate as pious For they taking Socotora by force beate out the Saracens and freed the inhabitants from the subiection of their Tyrannicall Lord and moreouer placed a strong garrison in the Iland that their liberty might be no lesse gratefull then secure But Xauier not content with this bestowed vpon them afterward a benefit greater then their liberty For he sent some of the Society into that Iland who might againe cultiuate that ouergrowne vineyard of our Lord and deliuer them also from the Tyranny of the Deuill who were already freed from the Saracens As soone as the ship departed from Socotora Francis setled himselfe agayne to his former taske of helping the sick and at last with the same laborious and charitable exercises as he began his Indian voyage hauing passed the coastes of Arabia and Persia he arriued at Goa a famous Citty of India vpon the VI. of May 1542. which day being the feast of Saint John ante portam Latinam is very memorable among the Indians For vpon that very day Xauerius who by the speciall benefit fauour of God was borne for the good of those nations brought with him great light and saluation into India togeather with the light of the Gospel and by himselfe reuiued those lost countries opened a way to others of the Society for the conuersion of other nations the which shal be plainly seene by that which followeth in this History For heerafter I well set downe Xauiers actes more at large then hitherto I haue done Because those things which I haue already spoken of are although not doubtfull yet a litle obscure because for the most part they want the cleere testimony of letters But henceforward I will speake of such things which were left written partly by himselfe and partly by those who through long and familiar conuersation with him in India did not only obserue them whilst he liued but had also particular knowledge of them after his death OF THE LIFE OF S. FRANCIS XAVIER THE II. BOOKE In vvhat state be found India CHAP. I. INDIA being a place much spoken of by Poets and Historiographers is a Country of Asia almost twice as long as broad somwhat like in proportion to a mans tongue Towards the North it butteth vpon the Mount Caucasus in the West it is inuironed with the Riuer Indus from whence it taketh its name as the East in like manner is with the riuer Ganges and from the temperate Zone it stretcheth it self out euen vnto the Southern Ocean The forsaid riuers issuing from the mountaines of Scythia and deuiding themselues into two mayne Torrents the further they runne the broader they leaue the land betweene them and hauing run almost a thousand miles that is very neere halfe the length of India they fall finally into the sea Betwixt the mouths of these riuers where India is broadest it hath 800. miles or there about in breadth From thence by litle little it groweth narrower vntill it commeth vnto the Promontory of Commorinum where in forme of a wedge it shooteth out a mighty way towards Asia India in the inward partes of the land is inhabited by Pagans of the same Country Towards the coast which lyeth vpon the riuer Indus they haue for the most part Kings of their own nation but towards Ganges they be Saracens For the Saracens hauing now long since gotten thither out of Arabia Persia by litle and litle partly by policy and partly by force haue brought many of the Indians vnder their subiection The Portugheses also hauing free passage thither by sea and by occasion of their often going to those Countries vnknowne to others haue in ech Coast therof taken the possession of many Townes of good note for which cause they are very famous throughout India the whole East The sea coast of India which for a great part lyeth vnder the Torrid Zone is continually almost so beaten vpon with the sunne that it remaineth euen parched withered vp all the yeare long Yet the heat is so tempered by seasonable raynes and Eastern windes that it is inhabited without any great incommodity although in summer which they haue twice a yeare by reason the sunne passeth yearely the Equinoctiall line twice all things are burnt vp with the forsayd scorching heates The Country is fertile especially of Rize which they vse insteed of wheat next to Rize they haue a certayne Palme-tree whereof they gather not only greene and dry fruite but also which may seeme
Xauerius being ouercome by reasons inspired by the diuine goodnes yielded himselfe captiue to the truth Wherfore not thinking vpon any thing els then the truth which was offered him from Heauen he publikely in the midst of the market place before an infinite assembly of people falleth downe vpon his knees and lifting vp his hands and eyes to heauen with teares falling from his cheekes cryeth out with the lowdest voyce he could Behold O Iesu Christ eternall Sonne of Almighty God I yield and dedicate my selfe wholy vnto thee And what I haue conceyued in my hart I 〈◊〉 freely profâ—ssâ— with my mouth Do not thou I 〈◊〉 thee who of thyne own accord lâ—ast called me â—â—peâ—l me now when I come vnto thee Then with â—eeping eyes looking vpon the multitude who stood â—ound about him he added And yee O Cittizens I â—â—treate beseech you that you will both your selues â—ardon me and desire also others to do the like for my 〈◊〉 often setting to sale those things vnto you for true â—hich now I vnderstand to be false This Confession of that famous Bonzy wonderâ—ully moued the affections of that Country people â—as an example to many of imbracing the Christian Religion For it is well knowen that Xauerius himâ—elfe often affirmed to the Portug â—eseâ— with whome 〈◊〉 there liued that if he would he could haue baptiâ—ed more then 500. Iaponians one day But which â—as very rare in such feruour of spirit he was more prudent then forward in the making vp of the matâ—er and also very circumspect that nothing might 〈◊〉 done rashly or in passion which might giue aduanâ—age to the Bonzies fury beeing now ready to burst â—orth For that being mortall enemies to the Chriâ—tian cause they were long since incensed against Xauerius and his friends and had persuaded the people that seeing they would needs cast away themselâ—es they should damaund of Francis a great summe of â—mony in recompence for changing their Religion that they might not perish for nothing Which plot of the Bonzies had this drift that the vulgar sort taking notice of Xauerius pouerty might haue lesse esteeme of his sanctity so great a disgrace was pouerty amoÌ„gst the Iaponians Yet little or nothing did they preuaile by this calumniation against the knowne tryed truth but rather like water cast vpon hoat burning coales it made Xauerius zeale flame out with greater force vehemency Whereupon the enraged Bonzies being put to the plunge not knowing what to do left nothing vnattempted which might seeme for their purpose But wheÌ„ they perceaued their endeauours not to correspond to their desirs they resolued to try their very vttermost They had now oftentimes by entring into disputation with Francis byn so foyled euen driuen out of the field that they durst not open their mouth before him Therefore they falsly slaundred him behind his backe but in vayne For that the threats which they had denounced of the Heauens Wrath agaynst the people were now accounted idle Wherefore seeing their ancient authority to be worne out in the estimation of the Cittizens turning their passion into fury they began to waxe mad indeed And first they heaped vpon Xauerius all the reproaches and maledictions they could deuise calling him in scorne A foule stinking dogge the most beggarly fellow aliue and a deuoâ—rer of dead mens carkasses Then they cast forth threatning words against him and his company that they would make them repent it vnlesse they presently desisted from their enterprise At last their passion fury went so farre that they plotted to make a tumult in the market-place and therein vpon a suddain to kill both Francis and the Portugheses Yet were not these things kept so secret but that Xauerius and the â—ortugheses had notice thereof But he accounted it â—he greatest fauour which God had bestowed vpon â—im to be threatned by his enemies taking heed withâ—ll that he might not vnaduisedly prouoke those who â—ad no stay ouer their owne enraged passions As for â—e Portugheses they hauing the Kinges guard to seâ—re them contemned the vayne threats and plottes â—f such mad-brayne fellowes Wherupon the Bonziesâ—eing â—eing violence would not serue the turne they bent â—eir designes another way CHAP. XIII â—n a disputation before the King he ouercommeth the most learned of the Bonzies THERE was a certayne Bonzy called Ficarondono the only esteemed man for learning among them who carryed the bell away from al the rest For he had for thirty â—eares togeather taught their profoundest deepest â—ciences in the most famous Vniuersity of Iaponia He â—as at that time President of a Conuent of Bonziesâ—ome â—ome 40. miles distant The Bonzies therfore of Bungoâ—erswaded â—erswaded him without much difficulty to dispute with Francis thinking it would be a great honour if as to him it seemed easy he could in the presence of the King confute that strange Priest who as al knew â—ad already beaten downe the rest of the Bonzies He â—hasteth therfore with all speed to the Royall Citty with six or seauen other famous Doctours in his company It fell out very opportunely that at the same time Xauerius the Portugheses were gone to Court to take their leaue of the King being the next day to depart And whilst they were rendring his Maiesty thankes and requesting his passe-port for their iourney newes was suddainly brought vnto the King that Ficarondono was arriued with a coÌ„pany of choice Bonzies The King as might be noted by his countenance was not very ioyfull at this newes fearing least Xauerius the truth might be beaten downe by his great learning Xauerius therefore seeing the King troubled doubtful what to resolue vpon trusting in the goodnes of his Cause humbly intreated his Maiesty to let Ficarâ—dono that pillar of the Bonziâ—â— race be brought in knowing for certayne that although learning could do much yet Truth could do more Wherupon the King being at last content the Bonzy was admitted After he had made due reuerence according to the vsuall custome when the King demaunded the cause of his comming to Court he answered That he came to see a strange Priest who was sayd to be come out of another world and to know what manner of man he was and the newes he had brought thence This he thundred out with such boldnesse and arrogaÌ„cy that one might easily descry what a most proud and diuelish mayster he serued And presently fixing his eyes vpon Xauerius who courteously saluted him and making an end of his ceremonious complements whereof the Bonzies are very liberall with a â—ookeâ—â— â—â—n aboue the Bonzian strayne he demaundeth of 〈◊〉 if he knew him and when Xauerius told him No cause he had neuer seene him before he turned to 〈◊〉 companions and sayd I perceiue we shall haue 〈◊〉 great difficulty with this fellow who knowes not â—arondono by his lookes Fixing then his eye vpon â—ancis Dost thou quoth he remember what
his departure but for as much as he doubted not but that his going would be for the Paraua's soules good the grief which his abseÌ„ce would cause would be therby made more tolerable and withall commaunded him to be bouÌ„tifully freely prouided of whatsoeuer his iorney should require Xauerius thanked him for his so great courtesy telling him that he wanted nothing but only conueniency of transporting thither for seeing it was dangerous to go by land in respect of the many enemies he intreated with all speed to go by sea Sosa presently granteth his request giueth him a shippe and also coÌ„mandeth his officers to furnish him of al things necessary But Xauâ—rius was still like himselfe in resolutely and constantly refusing al commodities either for his sustenance or iorney So as when the officers offred yea euen thrust vpon him necessary prouisions he thanked them kindly and returned them all back agayne But when they pressed him earnestly and would haue no deniall he condescended somwhat to their importunities with no lesse commendations for his courtesy in yielding then for his parsimony in taking and accepted of a Iacket of leather a payre of bootes to defend him from the heate of the sunne which in those places being neere to the Equinoctiall line he knew to be exceeding great These things being known his friends began euery one to bring him other necessaries for his iourney but he corteously returned all backe agayne because as he sayd they were rather hindrances then helps vnto him And so he departed together with the Gouernor of the Coast of Piscaria who went thither also in the month of October of this present yeare 1543. CHAP. VI. He laboureth in the Promontory of Comorinum THE Promontory of Comorinum being almost of equall distance from the Riuers Indus and Ganges stretcheth forth to the Equinoctiall line 400. miles almost from the Citty of Goa Hence India bending it selfe elbow-wise from the same place the coast of Piscaria lying betweene the East and the West runneth out almost 200. myles towards Ganges The whole country is as poore in victuals as it is rich in pearles For the inhabitaÌ„ts liue vpon rice milke fish some flesh but they want bread wine fruites and such like things and commonly there is among them no vse of Phisitians or medicins The people according to the capacity of Barbarians are of reasonable temperate and quiet dispositions but very rude There is not any country in India more scorched with the sunne then this For when the sunne beateth vpon the plaine sands there is such an intollerable heate that it burneth vp all things like a fire Yet all this great inteÌ„peratenes both of the ayre place together with the like want of victualls and phisick Xauerius with an vndaunted courage vnderwent of his owne accord thirsting more after soules then others did after pearles Now some who hauing passed a few labours and incommodities and may perhaps please and sooth vp themselues as though they had suffered all the inconueniences that could be for Christs sake shall do well to obserue what we shall heerafter set downe of Xauerius extreme and infinite labours vnspeakable miseries and want of all things in the Promontory of Comorinum For we may be very much ashamed of our selues if we coÌ„pare our labours with his toyles in this new vineyard of Christ This long and vncoth Tract was inhabited by fishermen who dwelt partly in Villages and partly in Townes to the number of thirty whereof twenty belonged to the Christians in which besides the forsayd 20000. newly christned who were yet to be instructed in the preceps of their fayth there were very many others both yong and old to be baptized He was also oftentymes to combat both with the heat of the sunne and with the sand which in that parching shore did not only sinke vnder him but sorely scorched his feete as he trauayled But he discouraged at nothing went through with that so hard an enterprises with as great a fortitude as he had vndertaken it For he alone as if he had had the courage forces of many Priests nothing regarding the heate of the sun imploied himself continually in trauersing the villages and townes of that Coast going oftentimes euen barefoot through those scorching sands after his bootes were worne out and daily baptizing of infants children and others whome he found willing to become Christians inuenting many strange meanes to hinder them from sacrificing vnto Idols in ioyning men and women together with the lawfull bands of marriage cathechizing euery one according to their capacity and making friends those who were at variance being almost consumed and burnt vp with intollerable heat and sweat without any compassion of himselfe or care of his owne body His vsuall custome was to sleepe vpon the barâ— ground to liue vpon a little Rice according to the country fashion that but ill dressed also by himself among so many great employments Sometimes also although very seldome he vsed a little fish with his Rice or a little sower milke which the Neophytes oâ— new Christians of themselues brought vnto him Besides this he encountred with many great difficulties which the want of things necessary and the incommodity of those places could not but cause in him being a stranger yet aboue all other difficulties the want of language did most trouble him For when he questioned the inhabitaÌ„ts of matters belonging to ReligioÌ„ they answered they were Christians but being wholy ignorant of the Portughese language they had not learned the instructions and precepts of the Christian fayth Xauerius had brought with him two schollers from the Colledge of Goa who were of ripe yeares skillfull both in the Portughese the Malauarian tongue which those country people vsed But finding by experieÌ„ce that to instruct children ignorant people by an interpreter to be a thing both very tedious and of small profit he choose rather to learne himselfe their language then to vse interpreters so great desire he had of their conuersion Therefore he caused his sayd Interpreters to turne the principles of the Christian doctrine into the Malauarian tongue Then he although he were now grown into good yeares becomming agayne as it were a child for Christ getting the same by hart went vp downe the streetes with a little bell in his hand calling the children and people together in some conuenient place and there taught them those principles he had learned in their owne language His feruour in teaching made the people learne with more alacrity And in the space of a month the childreÌ„ which before were rude and knew nothing had gotten almost by hart all what he had taught theÌ„ so that Francis neither repented himselfe of his labour in teaching them nor they of their diligence in learning Nay they were so set vpon learning that they neuer ceased to solicite him to giue them set prayers one
called vnto him He the more to dissemble the matter made shew of ready Obedience and came vnto him presently Francis taking him asyde with great sorrow and griefe in his countenance sayd Thou hast sinned Durus thou hast sinned At which words he being stroken to the hart stood like one distracted and amazed wondring with himselfe how Xauerius came to know that which no mortal creature but himself could haue suspected Then being filled with shame and teares his conscience also accusing him he cryed I haue sinned Father I haue sinned Then Francis againe with a ioyfull countenance replyed Confession therefore Child Confession is requisite WherupoÌ„ Durus hauing his hart softned by Xauerius words and by the dew of diuine grace taking againe courage and some respite to examine himself maketh his coÌ„fession Which remedy he found no lesse expedient then wholsome For by the benefit of that holy Sacrament he was not only pardoned his offence but also constantly restored to his former good resolution Wherfore without delay faithfully distributing his goods amongst the poore he constantly adhered to Xauerius as before he had promised fortifying this his resolution with the remembrance of his former lightnes and inconstancy At the same time also came vnto Xauerius a new thought small supply of Companions For that F. Antony Criminalis of Parma F. Iohn Beira of Galliaco of the Society of Iesus being sent out of Portugall were very fitly arriued in India of whose coÌ„ming Xauerius being certified by letters greatly reioyed as being the first supply which had come vnto him out of Europe determining to set them presently a worke by reason of so great want of Priests And he himself that his labours might not be restrained within the bounds of India intended with the first occasion of shipping to visit the furthest parts of the East CHAP. XVII He reformeth the bad liues of the people of Malaca HE departed from Meliapora the Citty of S. Thomas towards Malaca by sea in the yeare of our Lord 1545. The cause of this his iorney was that hauing now holpen the Portugheses who dwelt in that Citty he might passe on to instruct the MacazariaÌ„s in the precepts of the Christian faith Malaca is a country compassed almost rouÌ„d with the sea beyond India and the riuer Ganges called in times past as some thinke the Golden Chersonesus For being ioyned to the continent by a small part of land stretching out into the sea runneth forth in length towards the Iland of Somatra formerly named Taprobana famous for Gold mines In this Country right ouer against Somatra standeth the citty of Malaca beloÌ„ging to the Portugheses a place very rich and of great note from whome that country hath its name distant from the citty of Goa neere 600. leagues It lyeth almost vnder the Equinoctiall Line yet by reason of the frequent showres of raine which fall commonly euery day there is as it were almost a perpetuall spring which doth greatly allay the heates For they haue alwayes two summers and as many haruests both of corne fruit But the Country is more pleasant and fertill then wholsome for that the fruitfulnes of the place and the vnwholsomnes of the ayre proceed from the same causes And besides this they haue another inconuenience which doth more encumber them to wit the Saracens and Ethnickes who border vpon them None of these difficulties did any wayes affright Xauerius to go on with his resolution Nay rather the latter set him forward to help them with more feruour seeing them in danger by reason of their bad neighbours As soone as he arriued at Malaca he goeth to the Gouernour of the Citty and certifieth him of his determination of passing to Macazaria Wherupon he againe told Xauerius how he had lately sent thither a stronge band of Portugheses togeather with a Priest of eminent vertue to assist and guard the Christians if any commotion should by chance be raysed there against theÌ„ And therfore he wisheth him if he thought good to abide a while at Malaca vntill the ship were returned and should bring newes how matters went in Macazaria Francis followed the Gouernours counsaile and in the meane time taking no rest himselfe begaÌ„ to employ his endeauours for the spirituall good of the Portugheses The Malacensians were at this time wholy corrupted with the bad customes of their bordering neighbours liuing indeed more like to Saracens and Ethnickes then to Christians For that through their owne carelesnesse rather then want of Priests al good order by little little was fallen to decay and their behauiours also growing daily worse they began to runne headlong vnto ruine For hauing now lost all memory either of saluation or honesty they for the most part thought that they might do whatsoeuer seemed pleasing or profitable to their sensuality So forcible is the contagion of bad company to infect others with the same vice Francis therfore perceiuing them to 〈◊〉 extremely corrupted that now they had neither any feeling of their sinnes nor could endure any remedy to be applyed thereto setteth vpon their lost soules after a strange and artificiall manner First as his custome was he insinuatâ—th himselfe sweetly into their familiarity winketh at their sinnes and hideth his desire of curing them Then hauing wonne them by custome friendly vsage he by litle and litle prepareth the way to cure their inueterate diseases somtymes laying before them their heinous sinnes and offences by propouÌ„ding vnto them Gods diuine lawes at other tymes striking into them a terrour of Gods fearefull iudgements by vrging of the variable casualities of mans life And at last hauing disposed their minds he setteth his hand to worke he cutteth off auarice taketh away the occasions of lust mollifyeth and healeth their sore wounded consciences wherof then they began to haue some feeling with the sweet oyle of Gods mercies The fruite which he reaped therby well shewed that his labours were not imployed in vayne For it is certaynly knowne that by his meanes many made restitution of goods vnlawfully gotten many put away their Concubines and those that made difficulty to put them away were persuaded to marry them a great number also cleaÌ„sed their guilty consciences by frequenting the holy Sacrament of Confession and were brought to leade a good and vertuous life Neyther did Xauerius profit the people more by the sweetnes of his priuate discourse then by the grauity of his publicke Exhortations Vpon Sundayes he preached in the great Church with no lesse fruite then applause of his Auditors And to moue theÌ„ the more and better to imprint wholesome feare in their minds he with great feruour of spirit foretould what heauen threatned agaynst that Citty It was obserued by many that he was wont oftentimes when in his sermons he reprehended with greatest vehemency the loose and wicked liues of the Malacensians to beseech God to turne from them the wrath which hung ouer their heads from heauen and
his dissembled all vntill he came to be throughly acquainted with the man and hauing found out his inclinatioÌ„ which of those Concubines he loued best when he saw a fit tyme for the purpose in a friendly manner as his custome was Why quoth he haue you so many maydes seeing you haue no men If you will follow my connsayle you shall do well to put away one or two of them And when condescending to Francis his gentle instance he had put away one Xaueriuâ— being by him inuited another day to supper by commending what he had done drew him without any great difficulty to put away another In the meane tyme he ceased not priuately to vse all the industrious meanes he could deuise to rid away his deerest minioÌ„ that so hauing weakened his loue to her he might the more easily batter the chiefe hould in which his Incontinency dominiered Some dayes after therfore being agayne inuited to supper he withdraweth from him the third and afterwards the fourth and by litle litle all the seauen one after another and finally bringeth the merchant himselfe being now moued thereto by diuine power to cleanse his soule of his sinnes by Confession and to prouide honest places for the forsayd women vsing heerein no lesse discretion in curing a disease of many kinds then in wholy taking away the causes and occasions thereof The same course he tooke also not only in the Citty but likewise in the ship with men who had no gouernment ouer their â—â—ngue For if at any tyme he heard any one cast forth base or contumelious words he dissembled for the present making no shew of being displeased thereat neyther would he straightwayes reprehend the same but expect alwayes a fit tyme occasion to admonish the offenders least his admonition might therby as oftentymes it hapneth rather increase the sores of festred wounds then cure them He being therefore a Phisitian very skillful in curing of such euils to the end that his patients might quietly abide the applying of his remedy he would first gently insinuate himselfe into his friendship who was to be thus cured then would he take him a side and all alone reprehend him in so sweet a manner as a friend once tould him that he wondred how such mild words proceeded froÌ„ his mouth And by this meanes he so brought the matter about that the offenders not only acknowledged their fault but did sincerely amend it CHAP. XVIII Being carryed in a Pirats barke he arriueth at last in Iaponia in despite both of the Pilot and the Deuill WHILEST he was thus imployed at Malaca in the exercises of Christian charity the tyme approached for his departure towards Iaponia Wherupon eyther through want of a greater Portughese ship or else to prouide for the more security of his Neophites who were to accompany him he ventured to go with a Barbarian Pyrate so secure he esteemed all things with those who rely wholy vpon God For he was afrayd least the three Iaponian Neophytes who went along with him in that iourney might be much scandalized at the Portugheses if they should perceiue them being Christians to offend in any thing Wherefore meeting with an Ethnicke Pirate of China who was not without cause surnamed the Robber he agreed with him that passing by China he should carry him and his companions directely into Iaponia And taking pledges for security yet trusting more vpon the diuine assistance then vpon the fidelity of that Barbaran he aduentureth himself and his company in a litle Barke which they call in their language Iuncus He departed from Malaca in the month of June â—pon the Natiuity of S. Iohn Baptist and had a reasoâ—able prosperous and commodious nauigation alâ—ough his Pilot were neyther industrious nor faythâ—â—ll towards him For he as Ethnickes make no great â—nscieÌ„ce of their promise hauing on a suddain chanâ—d his mind was not willing to go into Iaponia and â—erfore to trifle away the time he stayd at euery IlaÌ„d 〈◊〉 met withall without any reason or occasion Xaueâ—â—s therfore being sollicitous about his iorney when 〈◊〉 saw him of set purpose by making delayes loose 〈◊〉 tyme which was most conuenient for them beâ—â—n to be afrayd least the summer once past he might 〈◊〉 constrayned to stay all winter in some Hauen of â—â—ina Wherupon he earnestly expostulated with the â—â—ayster of the ship put him in mynd of his pledges 〈◊〉 lastly besought and intreated him that he would â—ot breake his promise made vnto the Portugeses But â—hen he could nothing preuayle with the Pyrate alâ—â—ough he was much grieued in mynd yet he suppresâ—d the same casting all vpon the diuine Prouidence which he had alwayes found to be fauourable vnto â—im notwithstanding the detestable Superstitiâ—â—n of the Pilot and marriners did mooue him much â—ore then their perfidiousnes had done For they had 〈◊〉 the ship an Idol to which they very often offred exeâ—rable sacrifices They also oftentymes by casting â—â—otts asked aduise of the Deuill and specially wheâ—â—her they should haue a prosperous iourney if they â—ayled into Iaponia Xauerius was indeed much incenâ—ed heerat could in no case brooke that they should thinke his voyage into Iaponia which he vndertooke for gods sake should depend vpon the Deuils lot pleasure yet relying wholy vpon the diuine Goodnes he contemned whatsoeuer the Deuill could act agaynst him and so by Gods all-ruling disposition they driect their course towards Iaponia By the way there hapned two things worthy of note The first was that Emanuel a Chinese one of Xauerius company being in a tempest cast downe by the extreme tossing of the ship fell headlong into the pumpe which was by chance open and the fall was not without great danger of his life for that he fell both very high and besides stucke fast in the pumpe with his head downeward Euery one therefore thinking him to be dead he was at last with much adoe drawen out and a litle after by Gods help and Francis his prayers came to life agayne In the fall he receyued a wound in his head but the feare therof was more then the daunger for within a few daies he was perfectly cured Not long after this there hapned another chance with the like danger but different in the effect Whilst Emanuel was in dressing his wound by the surgeoÌ„ the ship being suddaynly tossed cast the Pylots daughter ouer board into the sea and being driuen on with a violeÌ„t wind a cruel tempest that immediatly arose there was found no meanes possible to saue her crying out for help And so in sight of her Father and the rest of the marriners the vnfortunate mayde is swallowed vp by the raging billowes Vpon this mischance there ariseth a doleful cry intermingled with a certain howling out and lamentation of the Barbarians which â—ontinued all that day and the next night Now the â—euill who had bin long since spitefully bent against
be accounted a lyar or else that Francis disdayned to come vnto his house he departed in a chafe As he was in the way homeward one of his family meeteth him and bringeth him tydings that the mayd was aliue and in good health Wherupon the man feeling his sorrow in an instant turned into ioy hasteth home with great desire to see his daughter whome he so dearely loued When he entred into his house beheld her aliue and in health he could hardly belieue his owne eyes and with teares trickling downe for ioy asked her by what meanes she was restored againe to life As soone quoth she as I was dead there stood ready at hand certaine cruel executioners who snatching me vp went to cast me headlong into an horrible pit of fire but vpon the suddain there appeared two other singular men by whose meanes I was deliuered out of those executioners hands restored to life againe At this relation of the maid the father stood a while astonished through admiration Then perceiuing manifestly that it was done by Xauerius help he leadeth his daughter to him to giue him thankes Assoone as she saw Francis his companion she stood at first amazed then turning to her father she cryeth out Behould Father these be the two men that rescued me from Hell Then he with the mayd falling downe at Xauerius feete with aboundance of teares gaue him humble thanks who presently taking them vp with ioy of hart willeth them to giue thaÌ„kes to Christ the sonne of God and Author of mans saluation Neither was this great miracle done in vaine For this one mayds restoring to life caused the saluation of many others And the Father daughter and all the rest of that family presently became Christians Others also were by this example mooued to implore Xauerius ayde desired to receaue the faith of Christ Amongst whome there was a certaine Leaper borne of good parentage who had sent one to Francis reâ—uesting him to come cure him But he receiuing the â—â—essage excuseth himselfe in a courteous manner by â—â—eason of his so many other imployments yet sendeth â—ne of his companions to him with instructions what â—â—o do When he came thither he saluteth the sick man â—erylouingly asketh him three times as Xauerius had â—ppointed whether he would become a ChristiaÌ„ And â—â—uing a signe that he would the other presently maâ—â—eth vpon him the signe of the Holy Crosse A wonâ—erfull thing He had no sooner done but the Crosse â—â—stantly wiped cleane away the leaprosy Wherupon â—â—e man was instructed in the Christian faith a litâ—â—e after baptized These things being done in the view â—â—f the whole Citty of Cangoxima were straight carriâ—â—d into India and related to Francis his companions â—â—here not only by Vincent Pereira a Portughese merâ—hant and Xauerius familiar friend a man worthy of â—ll credit although in a matter of such importance â—â—ut by many others also CHAP. IIII. He receaueth nevves of the Martyrdome of Fa. Antony Criminalis NOW whilst Xauerius was reioycing at the happy successe of Christian affayres in Iaponia there came vnto him letters out of India that did somewhat afflict him by which he vnderstood of the death of Fa. Antony Criminalis This man as we said before was by Francis made superiour in the Promontory of Comorinum hauing for the space of foure yeares with great fruit of his labours managed the affayres of Christian Religion in that Coast in the yeare 1549. a little before Xauerius entred into Iaponia obteined the crowne of Martyrdome a reward due to his paynes For when a great band of the Badages inflamed with hatred against Christian Religion had from the bordring kingdome of Bisnaga broken into the coast of Comorinum spoiling destroying all before them the Christians in such a fearefull tumult presently forsooke their villages and houses and began to fly to the Portughese shippes which at that time lay there at anker Antony therfore being in a great throng of women and children and troubled with many cares incouraged those who were afraid to make hast away and withall affoarded his help and assistance to others that were weake and cold not fly so fast In the meane time the enemy approached he fearing least some of the Neophytes being intercepted by the Barbarians might through payne of torments be drawne from the faith of Christ resolued like a good Pastour there to spend his life for his sheep if need required The Portugheses inuited and intreated him to come into their shippes to auoid the preseÌ„t danger but he wholy forgetting himselfe prouided more for the safety of those that were with him then his owne by ridding out of the way those especially women children who by reason of their weakenesse were most in danger Now whilst he freeth others from the cruelty of the Barbarians being himselfe stopped from recouering the shippes for that the enemy had gotten betweene him the shore he fel into their hands Then all burning with the loue of God and hauing his cogitations fixed rather vpon Eternity then vpon this mortall life kneeling downe vpon the ground and lifting vp his hands to heauen offereth himselfe to death with incredible courage and constancy Nor was the Barbarians cruelty lesse then his valour For being thrust through the body with three launces he fell downe dead And it is reported that when they were stripping him as he lay thus grieuously wounded he helped those cruell robbers to draw off his owne cloathes that he might not seeme to hold his apparell faster then his life This newes which could not otherwise choose caused in Xauerius diuers affections For as it grieued him that he was depriued of so notable a subiect so was he greatly ioyed for the Fathers good fortune in receauing the reward of his labours by so noble a Crowne So as honouring the memorable death of this holy man both with teares and prayses he began to hope firmely that the sterility of that field being now watered with the bloud of this Martyr would dayly yield more plenty of fruite Neyther was his hope heerein frustrate For since that tyme the Ghospell hath no where yielded a more plentiful haruest then in the coast of Comorinum so abundant hath byn the increase of Neophytes in that coast no lesse eminent in piety that in sweetnesse of manners CHAP. V. The course of Christian affayres being hindred at Cangoxima he goeth to preach the Ghospell at Firandum Amangucium FRANCIS hauing the like occasion in the citty of Cangoxima met with a farre different condition For when he thirsting after Martyrdome had weakned beaten downe the authority of the Bonzies and that the forward spring of neophites begaÌ„ to make now a glorious shew behold vpon the suddaine a tempest was raysed by the Bonzies which brought great calamity to the Christian cause and which was more heauy to Xauerius then euen death it selfe Many were now by diuine instinct
vtter Court thereof 600. Souldiars of the Guard all well appointed and by and by â—n a large Gallery he meeteth with many more of the Kings Attendance Heere those fiue Portughese yongmen whereof we spake before bowing downe â—heir knees offered to Xauerius with great reuerence that which euery one carryed wherat the Iaponiâ—ns were so stroke with admiration that presently they muttered out these and the like words Let the Bonzies now be gone with a mischiefe and neuer heerafter haue the face to appeare in the sight of men idle companions as they were For certainly this man is not such a one as they haue described vnto vs and the King but rather indeed one as we may thinke sent hither by God himselfe to curbe the slaunders of malicious tongues From this Gallery there opened a fayre spatious Hall ful of Noblemen where a Child of seauen yeares of age but of a rare wit as might easily be perceaued being led by a Venerable old man meeteth with Xauerius and saluteth him according to the Country fashion telling him that his fortunate arriuall at the Court would be as deare and pleasing to the King as a seasonable showre of rayne is to a thirsty field of corne in the summer tyme. Wherefore he willed him to enter with ioy to know that he was as welcome to the good as odious to the bad To whome when Francis had courteously saluted and kindly returned answere O Father quoth the Child agayne happy are you who are come out of another world into forrayne countryes desiring to carry hence no other merchandize but the ignominy of Pouerty O infinite goodnes of the God whome you serue O hidden wisedome of his who is comforted with the Want Pouerty of his Priests Behould our Bonzies do so abhorre the disgrace of Pouerty that conspiring all together they auouch openly that the way to heauen is stopped and rampierd vp agaynst poore people Heere Francis replyed that he was in good hope that God the most mercifull Lord of Heauen and Earth would at last driue away the cloude of errous which â—ad blinded the Bonzies vnderstandings and bestow vpon them the light of truth and that they would alâ—o when they saw that heauenly splendour once arise forsake their peruerse and ignorant opinions Then the Child discoursing a while vpon very weighty matters far beyond his age brought Francisâ—nd â—nd the Portugheses into a further Hall where the Noblemens sonnes sate all together Who as soone as â—hey saw Xauerius enter rose vp presently euery one â—nd bowing their heades thrice downe to the ground â—ccording to the Country fashion make reuerence â—nto him Then two of them made a speach in the â—ame of all the rest which I will heere set downe in â—riefe wherby it may appeare what kind of eloquence â—he Iaponians are delighted in Thus therefore they â—re sayd to haue spoken Your happy comming Saâ—red Priest will be as gratefull to the King as the smile of the sweetest infant is to the mother when she giueth it the pappe to suck And what woÌ„der seeing â—hat the very walles which heere you behold reioyâ—cing as it were at your presence command vs to celebrate your comming with great loue and affection this for the honour and glory of that God of whome as the report goeth you haue declared certayne strange things at Amangucium After this they passed into another spacious Gallery leading into an inward Hall where Ficharondono the Kings Brother remayned with the chiefe of the Nobility As soone as he saw Francis he recâ—iued him courteously with the rest after mutuâ—ll 〈…〉 betweene ech other he tould him that the Court neuer saw a more ioyfull day and with good reason since the King accounted himself more happy by the arriual of so worthy a maÌ„ then if he were Lord of the 33. Treasuries of China for so many there are sayd to be At last Xauerius being brought by Ficharondono into the inmost Hall which for richenesse of furniture surpassed all the rest he there findeth the King himselfe who expected his comming The fame of his worthy actes had long before this caused in the King a great admiratioÌ„ but now vpon his meeting he conceyued a much greater esteeme of him so farre did Francis his presence surpasse the imagination how great soeuer it were which the King had conceyued of him in his owne vnderstanding For his maiesticall and venerable aspect which Nature and Age had now bestowed vpon him was also much graced by the splendour of his sanctity which euen dazeled the eyes almost of all that beheld it The King therefore seeing Xauerius came on a litle towards him and receyued him both in a respectfull and courteous manner And when Francis according to the custome was kneeling down he presently forbad him by lifting him vp by the hand And forthwith making himselfe reuerence vnto Xauerius by thrice inclining of his head as the couÌ„try fashion was caused him to sit downe on the same seate by him After these salutations gratulations past on both sides the King looking vpon Ficharondono his brother and the other Noblemen began with a lowd voyce that all might heare to speake in this manner O that â—â—ere lawfull for vs to demaund of God the maker â—â—d Lord of Heauen and earth his secret iudgments â—â—d to aske what the cause hath byn why he hath eyâ—â—er suffered vs to lye so long buried in such darknes â—else bestowed such light and wisedome vpon these â—â—en who come out of another world For we all maâ—festly see that whatsoeuer they say although it be â—aynst our Religion is confirmed which such solid â—asons that we are not able to contradict it if we â—ill follow the light of reason or vnlesse we be whoâ—â— voyd of all vnderstanding Contrariwise we see â—â—r Bonzies to keep a stammering when they are to â—â—plicate any difficultyes of our Religion and to be 〈◊〉 variable and inconstant as neuer to stand fast to â—hat they say in so much that if they be now of one â—â—ynd and opinion presently they wil be of another Wherby it sufficiently appeareth that their doctrine â—nd Religion is nothing els but a rabble of confusion â—nd vncertainties so that one cannot with any discretion hazard therein the euerlasting saluation of his â—oule At this speach of the Kings a certayne Bonzy nobly borne called Faciandono being by chance present and finding himselfe touched to the quicke rose vp answered the King very boldly and freely That the cause of Religion was not of that nature that it might be determined by him who was ignorant of the doctrine therein conteâ—ed Wherfore if he Maiesty had any doubt in his mind he had those present there who could easily resolue him And euen he himselfe would vndertake not only to ridde him of his scruple but also to make whatsoeuer he doubted of more cleare vnto him then the sunne that shines
excessiue ioy that euen the memory â—f Xauerius who first of all brought the Ghospel into â—aponia might also seeme heerin to triumph Yet was there one thing which did not a little â—ouble Xauerius mind for that he had wrought so â—â—all good amongst the Nobility of Iaponia whose â—â—thority euer beareth great sway among the people â—nd that neuer a one of them had receiued his wholsome counsayles That which most hindred this businesse was the great authority of the Chineses from whome the Iaponians had receaued their Religion which the Bonzies of Bungo and Amangucium commonly vsed for their starting hole when they were ouerpressed by Xaucrius saying If the Christian Religion were true why did not the Chineses approue of it Moreouer the King of Bungo his example was no small blocke in their way who being very famous both for prudence and learning seemed in his iudgment to disallow therof all that tyme because he did not imbrace it When Francis therfore saw that the Iaponians could not be won to submit their vnderstanding to the true Faith vnlesse the superstition of the Chineses were first ouerthrowne he resolued to lay his battery to the principall Fort it selfe with great hope and confidence that if he could once draw the Chineses to the standart of Christ the Iaponians would easily follow their example OF THE LIFE OF S. FRANCIS XAVIER THE V. BOOKE Intending to passe into China he determineth first to returne into India CHAP. I. THE Confines of China are distant from Iaponia where the sea is narrowest not aboue 200. miles This kingdome in the continent is far the greatest peaceablest of all the East It is a Countrey inferiour to none for number of goodly wealthy Cittyes and Townes replenished not only with store and plenty of people and all other things but also with excellent wits and liberall sciences It is ruled by one sole Monarch whose becke all do obay And certayne it is that there is not any Prince in the whole world who hath eyther his subiects or officers more at command then â—e The King himself attendeth rather to moderation in his gouernement then Power ruling wholy by the aduise of the Senate according to the lawes of the Kingdome You would thinke it to be rather a Commonwealth then a Kingdome so great a sway doth counsayle and equity beare therein The people of the Country in fauour are like to the Iaponians white of complexion and ingenious but not so much giuen to warre As for the Bonzies the Priests of their Gods they are of litle or no reputation and esteeme amongst theÌ„ for that the opinion of their sanctity is long since worne out of date There is almost no Nation more apt then they to receyue the Christian Religion were it not that Luxury and the craft of the Diuel did hinder the same For by Sathans meanes who is there euen afrayd of himselfe the whole country is so kept as it were locked vp that it affoardeth no entrance at all to Preachers of the Ghospell it being enacted by the most ancient Lawes of the Realme that all strangers whatsoeuer be excluded excepting only the Embassadours of Princes In so much that it is a death for any one to come thither without commaund from the King Xauerius vnderstanding this began to thinke how he mightworke himselfe in amongst them And it came to his mynd to returne agayne into India there to deale with the Viceroy and Bishop of Goa concerning the sending of an Embassage to the King 〈◊〉 the China and so he going as companion to the Emâ—ssadour when he had gotten entrance might bring 〈◊〉 the Ghospell amongst the Chineses And because so 〈◊〉 any People and Prouinces were gouerned by the â—â—mmand of one King it seemed as an euident token â—oÌ„ God that the propagation of ReligioÌ„ there would 〈◊〉 the more easy Wherefore he was not out of hope â—â—t that as it had in tymes past happened in the Roâ—â—an Empire Religion begining with the King himâ—â—â—fe who was head of the whole Country it might 〈◊〉 conueyed to all the rest of the Prouinces of China 〈◊〉 members of the same Kingdome He had now remayned two whol yeares in Iaponia â—â—d had not only vnited many to the flocke of Christ 〈◊〉 the chiefe kingdomes therof but procured places â—â—so of abode for those of the society when as he begaÌ„ 〈◊〉 thinke of returning into India Besides the cause â—â—herof we now spake of procuring an Embassage to â—â—e sent into China the sollicitude care of his owne â—â—ociety inuited him also home not that he was so â—â—uch troubled for the great distance of place from â—â—em or for any longing desyre he had to see them â—â—ut that he deemed he ought not so to employ himâ—â—lfe in gaining of Ethinckes to Christ as wholy to â—bandon the flocke company which was commitâ—d to his charge both by Christ and Ignatius For â—â—lthough he often vnderstood by letters from Indiaâ—hatsoeuer â—hatsoeuer was done by those of the society there yet â—â—e remembred well the Prouerbe that sayth The â—â—ore part of the head is better then the hinder that â—igilant pastours ought to viâ—it their flockes with their owne eyes rather then with other mens He therfore determined hauing now bin long absent to visit the Society in India wherof he was Superiour to send some thence into Iaponia and after hauing setled all things there and procured the forsaid Embassage to go presently into China CHAP. II. Going into China he recouereth by his prayers a Cocke-boate vvhich vvas carryed avvay by the violence of a tempest BEING therfore inuited to China by the opportunity of a Portughese ship which was going thither he togeather with the King of Bungo his Embassadour who weÌ„t with presents to the Viceroy of India imbarketh in the moneth of Nouember yeare of our Lord 1551. He tooke with him out of Iaponia Matthew and Bernard two of that Country whome he had there baptized inteÌ„ding afterwards to send them to Rome that others might behold them as a patterne of the Iaponian Nation and they likewise benefit themselues by seeing the dignity Maiesty of the Church of Christâ— that so hauing byâ— eye witnesses of the glory and riâ—â— ches of that Church especially at Rome they might returning home agayne cause the Iaponians to coâ—â— â—â—yue a worthy esteeme of the Christian Religion â—â—y relating vnto them what themselues had seene Departing therefore from Iaponia with a prospeâ—ous wynd they found this their nauigation afterâ—ards very various remarkable for miracles The â—â—auenth day after they had put to sea there arose vâ—â—on a suddaine a cruell tempest which by mayne forâ—â—e violence carryed away their ship into a sea whoâ—â— vnknowne to the marriners And as they wandred â—â—p and downe amongst the billowes without once â—â—nowing where they were or whither they weÌ„t they were so tossed with crosse waues that they were in â—mminent daunger to
After the Portughese ships were gone Francis as the property of hope is neuer to giue ouer still expecting the Chinese merchant employed himselfe with neuerthelesse diligence in his accustomed exercises of Charity to gayne thereby by Gods holy assistance the victory ouer Sathan who as he perceyued vsed all the stratagemes he could to defeate his endeauours But God whose counsayles are vnsearchable wayes incomprehensible had otherwise determined of the busines and being content with Francis his endeauour reserued the glory of conuerting the Chineses vnto others who were to come after God being therefore greatly delighted with the inflamed hart and desyre which Xauerius had both to labour and suffer pleased to bestow vpon him rather the reward of all his trauayles formerly taken for his sake which were both many and great then to open the way for him to new And so vpon the very same day which was appointed for his passing ouer into China he fell into a sicknes whereof soone after he dyed His disease was caused by themhumanity of his Host For when the ships departed towards India Francis his Host also changing his mynd and violating the right of Hospitality being eytheâ— taken with some toy the head or prickt forward with desire to be gone departed in all hast without euer taking his leaue of Xauerius his old friend and guest nâ— not expecting a ship which himselfe had lately boughâ— in another Iâ—and of China For Francis according tâ— â—â—is custome going to say Masse was accompanied with â—â—is said Host who leauing that sacred mystery wherat â—e was present and forsaking his guest departed the â—land more like a fugitiue then a friend Xauerius as soone as he had done Masse and made â—â—is accustomed recollection sayd the prayer for the â—ead looking about perceyued that his Host was abâ—ent and inquiring what was become of him anâ—were was made that he was shipt in all hast with the â—est for Malaca Then Xauerius Verily quoth he I am â—frayd that his conscience being guilty of some heiâ—ous sinne suffereth him not to rest in quiet through â—he wrath of God towards him For what meaneth â—his ouerhasty speed Behould the ship which he hath â—ately procured to be bought is hourly looked for yet â—s he loath to expect her But let him go in Gods name â—o Malaca from whence he shal neuer depart for there â—he wretch will soone end his dayes Of these two Prophecies the one was presently verified and the other not long after For they who were present were scarcâ—â—y come out of Church when the ship he had bought vpon a suddayne appeared in sight wherat they were all stroken into admiration and esteemed Xauerius as a â—man sent from God And his Host as was afterward verifyed a few dayes after his ariuall at Malaca goâ—ng into the forrest to prouide himselfe of wood was murdered there by theeues and so made a miserable â—â—nd for that he had byn the cause of Francis his vntimely death But Xauerius knowing he was not long to liue fortold the same to some familiar friends yet after a manner no lesse profitable then admirable As he was one day in an assemby of Portugheses Let vs see sayd he how many we are heere for within a yeare most of vs shall dye This Prophecy was more true then ioyfull For of seauen who were then present fiue dyed that very yeare whereof Xauerius himselfe was one who certaynely both foresaw and foretould that his owne death was at hand For that about the same tyme also he by diuine instinct no doubt 〈◊〉 forgetting all humane things began to haue a great desire to see God which was no small token of theâ— beatitude wherunto he was now approaching Wherupon he wrote in a certayne Epistle That although he had vntill that tyme desired to haue lyfe graunted him for the seruice of Christ and the propagation oâ— his Ghospell yet now those liuely sparkes were grow 〈◊〉 en but cold in him through a burning desire he had oâ— seeing and inioyning the diuine Maiesty CHAP. XI He endeth his life in a most holy manner THE suddayne and vnfriendly departurâ—â— of Xauerius Host constrained him to beggâ— his victuals And so much the more 〈◊〉 his pouerty afflict him by how much 〈◊〉 more scarse all things were made by reason of thâ— strict watch which the Manderino's made who peâ—mitted no man to transport any victualls out of Châ—◠〈◊〉 Which incommodity he most patiently indured â—auing his mynd fixed more vpon Euangelicall poâ—â—erty then vpon his owne necessity wherefore he â—â—ought good not to seek out any new Host but heerâ—fter to prouide his victualls by begging But now alâ—â—ough his mynd being wholy desirous to suffer did â—â—aliantly encounter with so great difficultyes disâ—ommodities of all things yet his body could not â—hoose but be much broken therby being euen worne â—ut as well with age and continuall labours as with â—is late sicknes also whereof he was not as yet perâ—ectly recouered Besides this he was greatly afflicted 〈◊〉 mynd through the care and sollicitude which his â—esire of going into China caused in him Being therefore sicke not in body only but alâ— in mynd earnestly wishing his soule might by â—eath be freed of all her anxietyes about the twelfth â—f Nouember he fell agayne into his former sickâ—es He had scaresly made an end of saying Masse for â—he dead when as a mortall feuer came vpon him to â—pen him the way to lyfe eternall Wherfore sicke â—s he was he withdrew himselfe into the same ship which brought him thither partly to visit the sicke â—herein as his custome was and partly also to take vp â—is lodging there among them yet some few daies afâ—er his sicknes grew so violent that being not able to â—ndure the tossing of the ship he was constrained to â—o agayne to land A Portughese Merchant therefore â—â—eing such a man as he so pittifully tormeÌ„ted with an â—oat burning feuer and lying abroad in the open ayre â—moued to compassion towards him inuiteth him presently in a courteous manner to take a lodging with him and bringing him home to his house which stood alone vpon a litle hill being indeed more turly a cottage then an house vsed him very liberally considering the want of all things at that present And taking a great care of his health he intreated him to suffer himselfe to be let bloud Xauerius although he knew well inough what kind of Phisitians that desert Iland could affoard sayd notwithstanding that for all things which belonged to the cure of his body he would most willingly put himselfe into the Phisitians hands And this he performed with all alacrity and resignation seeking all occasions whereby to exercise his obedience He therfore was let bloud not without great paine and conuulsion of his nerues After which there followed in him a certayne loathing of all meates although indeed there was not any meate to be gotten in the
humane assistaÌ„ce For in his iorney to Trauancoris when he passed through the midst of his enemies he seemed to thrust himselfe into manifest danger But far morâ— euident was that perill when he attempted to instruct the inhabitants of Maurica a Nation extraordinary fierce and cruell hauing no other defence agaynst those barbarous and sauage people but his confidence in God He also aduentured to passe in a Pyrates ship into Iaponia the furthest part of the East without any feare of danger although his deerest friends and such as were most expert therein presented before his eyes how many extreme difficulties there were Concerning which thing he wrote himself vnto the Prouinciall of Portugall in these words All my well-willers and friends are amazed that I am not afrayd to vndertake so long and dangerous a iorney They lay before me many dangers of teÌ„pests quicksands and Pyrates But I am no lesse amazed at them that they haue so little confidence in God in whose hands and power all those things are placed I for my part knowing for certaine that al things are gouerned according to God Almighties beck and commandment do feare nothing else but God himselfe least he should punish me according to the deâ—erts of my negligence and sloth in his seruice and â—f the obseruance of my Religion But as for other â—errours dangers miseries and crosses I do not at â—ll weigh them For I feare only God the maker and â—oderatour of all things because other things how â—urtfull soeuer they be cannot annoy vs but on â—y so farre forth as God permits them It is wonderfull also what Confidence he repoâ—ed in the diuine assistance So as hauing only God for â—is guide through so many dangers both by sea and 〈◊〉 and through so many Nations different in language and manners he penetrated to the furthest parts of the East and by his often passing ouer the Ocean â—e instructed those sauadge and barbarous Nations in the mysteries of the Christian faith and brought them at last to a ciuill life And indeed his Confidence in God did neuer fayle but alwayes freed him from the dangers both of enemies tempests and other calamities For to pretermit with silence other things wherof we haue already spoken in their proper places in passing ouer the Iaponian seas when as the Barbarians bent all their fury agaynst him he by diuine Assistance escaped all their machinations without any hurt or danger at all He also in the sea of Moluca suffered ship wrack thrice and once also he miraculously escaped by lying vpon a plancke after shipwracke tossed vp downe the sea without any hurt at all for the space of two or three dayes Moreouer he auoyded the fury of the Saracens who were set in armes against him by lying secret for many dayes togeather in a wood hard by Also he did not only defeate the strategems which his enemies had plotted against him by the force of armes but discouered their secret inuentioÌ„s also when as they sought to poison him And besides all this he very often escaped the incursions of Pyrates by sea as likewise of theeues by land Agayne being wholy inflamed with the loue of God he did not only contemne difficultyes and dangers but seemed also to imbrace them willingly Wherfore as desirous to suffer in the very midst of incommodities dangers he earnestly besought God not to free him from them vnlesse it were to vndergo greater for the glory of his diuine Maiesty And the diuine Goodnes corresponding sweetly to the magnanimity of his mind heaped vpon him store of sufferings and merits with no lesse approbation in the sight of Heauen then ioy comfort to himselfe He likewise in that most hard and difficile expedition into China shewed no lesse courage For notwithstanding as we haue sayd before that no stranger could enter the bounds of that Countrey without certayne danger of his lyfe or liberty the same penalty being designed as well for the stranger that entreth in as for him that bringeth him yet hauing an admirable coÌ„fidence in God who had moued him to that resolutition and to the vndertaking of that iourney he determined to commit his lyfe to the trust of a Chinese merchant which was no lesse doubtfull and dangerous then the entrance itselfe into China Concerning which he wrote himself to Francis Peren at Malaca to this tenour In this busines my friends bring two daÌ„gers against me the one least the merchant hauing already receyued his money may breake his promise and eyther leaue me in some desert Iland or else cast me headlong into the sea that so his bargayne of passing me ouer may not come to light The other is supposing he stand to his promisse least the Gouernour of the Citty may make me being a stranger an example to others of comming into China agaynst the Kings Edict without publicke warrant eyther put me to death by torments or else cast me into perpetuall prison Against these dangers I obiect others farre greater which themselues do not perceyue And the first is least we distrust the diuine Goodnes and Prouidence For we come hither for Gods only Cause to preach to these Countryes his sacred Law and his sonne Christ Iesus the Redeemer of mankind whereof God himselfe who gaue me this mind is my witnesse So as now to cast off our hope and confidence in his Diuine Prouidence and power for the dangers we are said to be subiect vnto in labouring for his cause ought certaynly to be esteemed a far greater danger then whatsoeuer the enemyes of God and Men are euerable to bring vpon me Especially seeing that neither the Diuels themselues nor their ministers can hurt vs at all but only by the permission and will of God What can we say to this That if God do approue and further our endeauours we shall by his fauour not only be deliuered from dangers but also follow the admonition of our Sauiour Christ who sayeth He that shall looâ—se his lyfe in this world for me shall find it Wherefore for as much as we hould these dangers of the soule farre greater theÌ„ those of the body we esteeme it far better and more secure to breake through those of this lyfe rather then to hazard the saluation of our soule I am fully resolued God willing to go into China in despite of all his enemies For if God be with vs who shal be against vs We do without all doubt go vpon great danger although there were nothing else but perpetuall seruitude But this consideration comforteth me that it is much better to serue in captiuity for Gods cause then to enioy liberty by running away froÌ„ the Crosse c. In which words he doth indeed sufficiently shew an vndaunted courage against all dangers And how much Xauerius contemned all the miseries of this world appeared also by another letter of his to Iames Perera whereof we haue inserted a clause in its
of Conuersation accompanyed with extraordinary Grauity was of special force which two Vertues being different in shew were yet so combined togeather in him as neyther of them detracting from the others force he was both very graue and also incomparably sweet in his conuersation For as we sayd before there playnely appeared in Xauerius Countenance Gesture Speach and Conuersation a most incredible sweetnesse which being engrafted in him by nature and augmented by Grace could easily draw and conserue also the affection of any one He was wondrous cheerfull in his countenance tractable in his discourse and most sweet in his conuersation and behauiour His lookes were so gracious and pleasant that they gaue great comfort to the sick and ioy to all those that were in health And oftentymes many of the Society came to visit him for no other cause then that receiuing comfort from his heauenly aspect they might by the remembrance of his extraordinary alacrity and admirable feruour be the more enflamed towards the pursuite of a blessed life For so often as they could get but an essay of this his alacrity or euen but a breathing only of so couragious an hart they neuer came away sad or heauy from him Againe the singular sweetnesse of his countenance and speach drew vnto him as wel the bad as the good great and little and got such firme hold ouer the affections of their harts that he was able to drawe them which way he pleased so as he neuer demaunded any thing of any one how great or hard soeuer which he did not at last obteyne His ordinary discourse also he was wont to season with great dexterity and to intermingle with wonderfull variety that it might not cause any tediousnesse in the hearer He was very skilfull both in Astrology and Philosophy therfore alwayes when he trauailed by the way to relieue the wearisomnesse of the iorney he would oftentimes bring in discourse of the motions of the celestiall Globes the Planets Also the Eclipse of the Sunne and Moone he would foretell long before it hapned Againe he would declare the causes of those things which we behould to be admirable both in the heauens and the world what the cause or origen of Hayle Frost Snow and Rayne was whence clowdes mystes winds and thunder proceeded what that was which caused the swelling and raging of the seas Many other things also he would adde of the same kind which as they were very admirable so were they delightfull to the hearers and in the end of all he would referre them to the honour and feare of God Of these things therfore he discoursed so learnedly and pleasantly amongst the Iaponians who are wholy ignorant of such matters that they were wont vsually to say that in Xauerius company one might trauaile all Iaponia ouer without being once a weary and this delight of his discourse carryed his companinons along in such sort that he ordinarily wonne them both to himselfe and to God Yea this sweetnes of his Conuersation was tempered with so weighty a Grauity that in the height of his most pleasant discourses what he sayd or did breathed forth a most sweet odour of sanctity Wherof al men had now gotten such an opinion that although he conuersed often very familiarly euen with the most vitious yet the same was neuer any staine to his reputation since the constant fame of his sanctity defended him not only from euill tongues but also from the least suspicion of euill it self Moreouer Xauerius had this property that his familiarity did not any whit diminish but rather increase a most reuerend religious respect of all sorts of people towards him in so much as one would haue said that his sanctity like a pretious stone grew daily brighter and brighter by continuall vse and exercise Consaluus Fernandez a Maister of a shipp and a man of good account was very conuersant familiar with Xauerius in that he oftentymes went in his ship and lodged also in his house at Goa yet he bare such reuerence and respect vnto him that whensoeuer he came vnto his house he with his whole family would go out to meete him and casting themselues prostrate on the ground did alwayes receiue him in that manner And although Consaluus were oftentimes intreated by Francis not to vse that respect vnto him yet he would neuer refraine there from such possession had the Reuerence of his holy person taken of his hart Iames Perera also who was so great and familiar with Xauerius as no man more was wont to say that he could neuer stād before him with his head couered although Xauerius himselfe intreated the same protesting that whensoeuer he spake vnto him he vsed to be taken with such reuerend and religious a respect towards him that he seemed to behould God in his person Yet as occasion required Francis wanted not Seuerity also the sting of Grauity which we shall heere recount by an example or two A certayne deuout Matron of good esteeme was wont alwayes to to confesse to Francis when he was at hand This woman as herselfe afterward recounted to a Religious man Xauerius sharply reprehended because she had vpon occasion cast her eye vpon an handsome proper man and well attyred Hast thou quoth he looked vpon a mā Thou deseruest that God should not looke on thee Which words so stroke her chast and pious heart that she could neuer after throghout her whole life endure to looke any man in the face He was also aboue all other things a most seuere reuenger of obstinacy In the Promontory of Comorinum vnderstanding that a certaine Neophyte had blessed an Idoll he was so greatly moued with the indignity of such an abominatiō that he presently caused the house to bet on fire to the end the seuerity of the punishment might make others afrayd to commit the like offence And when as many persons of worth requested him to mitigate the penalty he only permitted that the dwellers might carry out their household stuffe but the house it selfe which was the receptacle of that sacrilegious Monster he would by all meanes haue consumed euen to the ground CHAP. XII His Prudence and the Precepts he gaue to the Rectour of the Colledge of Goa and to Gaspar the Lovv-countryman MOREOVER Prudence the Moderatresse of other Vertues shined not a little in Xauerius as wel in his dexterous gaining and conuerting of soules which euidently appeared throughout his whole lyfe as in his propagating also of Religion gouernment of those of the Society committed to his charge For he knowing well that nothing so much hindred the Christiā faith as the bad examples and vices of euill Christians he would not set vpon Ethnicks to instruct them in matters of fayth vntill he had reclaymed the ancient Christians from their vicious and sinnefull life And those Neophites also which he had broght vnto Christ with infinite labour and patience he first of all instructed them himselfe
belonged to the Common-wealth deeming them a great distraction and hindrance to their proper and domesticall charges For no man who is a souldiar of Christ vseth to intangle himselfe in secular businesse Wherefore their chiefe care should be to performe well and daily their owne office and also to assist looke to those who were committed to their charge And when they had performed that with care diligence if they had any tyme to spare they might employ it vpon others whereto he applyed that sentence of our Sauiour Christ These things you ought to doe and not to omit those This principall Precept therfore he gaue to Gaspar his Vicar Your first and chiefe care must be rather concerning your selfe then those who are vnder your charge For he that is bad to himselfe to whome will he be good Let your owne saluation I say and theirs who are of your house-hold be more deare vnto you then others because we must chiefly giue an account to God of our selues and for those also that be committed to our charge And they who omit their owne domesticall affayres and busy themselues about others do erre no lesse then they who being vnmindfull both of God and themselues seeke to please and content men Wherfore you shall first take care of your owne Househould and afterwards of others if you haue any leasure As for your manner of helping them the more generall it is the more profitable it will be such are the exercises of often preaching explication of the Catechisme and hearing Confessions He would also haue Superiours to go before others no lesse in humble submission of mind temperance charity and prudence then in power and authority with a fatherly affection to beare as well with their subiects weakenesse and imbecility as to ease them of vexations troubles This likewise he much insisted vpon that they should alwayes desire to beloued rather then feared and endeauour in all they could to be as a louing Father vnto them all by which meanes it would easily come to passe that themselues should be sure to imploy their admonitions with profit for the reformation of bad habits and the other could not choose but take all such things in good part also Wherefore in their gouernement they should vse rather lenity gentlenes then authority and command lest they should feed their flocke as dominiering ouer the Clergy which S. Peter forbiddeth And this course they should hold especially with the quiet humble Now for such as were turbulent arrogant and immoderate praysers of themselues they ought to be sharpely reprehended for their abuses and punished also if need were that the rod of discipline might bring vnder the haughtines of such dispositions In which kind he gaue to Gaspar certayne precepts in these words To the Fathers and Brethren who be committed to your charge carry your selfe rather gently and with moderation then seuerely and with too much grauity vnlesse any one chance to abuse your benignity for then to prouide for his good you must take vpon you some seuerity the which if you perceyue â—ny one to be puffed vp with arrogancy and pride will be to good purpose to beate downe and abate his â—ll-distempered spirits For as it is expedient to beare with those who fall out of some inconsideration or forgetfulnesse so lykewise it is necessary to represse and keepe those vnder who through arrogancy become insolent and contumacious And by no meanes must you giue any one cause to thinke that you being his Rectour and ouercome by his insolency and stubbornes do giue therby way vnto his abuses For there can no greater mischiefe euer happen to stubborne natures then if you wincke at them by treating them â—imorously gently in their errours and obstinacies seeing the giuing way to such persons causeth them to take more stomake putteth them oftentimes in hope to do what they list without any to correct or punish them Neither would he haue the Rulers and Superiors of the Society to be ouer hasty or too facile in receiuing any into their company without choice but out of many to choose few those fit members because there is farre greater strength in a choice band of men then in an infinite multitude of the vulgar sort And such indeed were wished to be admitted into the Society who seeme to be borne and framed as it were for that course of life and vpon whose vertue one might assuredly rely both at home and abroad But for such as should come vnto the Society inforced rather by some difficulty or necessity then out of deuotion or desire to serue God to such the Society should in no case giue way And this opinion was so grounded in Xauerius mynd that he had rather haue seruants either hyred for wages or procured by some â—ther meanes then to admit such into the Society as were not fit for the manage of domesticall affayres Wherfore he gaue Gaspar this charge Do not easily and without choice receiue many into the Society but a few and such as may be fit For both the nature of the Society requireth it and a few extraordinary spirits are more profitable then a thousand of the vulgar sort Such therefore as are weake dull and of no spirit you shall not admit as very vnfit members for the Society which requireth men that be industrious generous and indowed with extraordinary vertue and who performing great matters are contented with a little And as for such to whome a pious and vertuous disposition had giuen a sufficieÌ„t commendation and were iudged fit men for the Society those he would haue to be long and well exercysed and tryed vntill their vertue were sufficiently made knowen by many and great proofes He commaunded also that their Vertue should be tryed rather by ouercoÌ„ming themselues and suppressing the turbulent motions and appetits of their mind then by any shew of deuotion by teares sighes or rigorous mortification of the body Wherfore he gaue order so to mortify their members which were vpon the earth that the same might serue to cast off the old maÌ„ and put on the new And therfore he prescribed this method least by giuing way to new inuentions the â—â—wonted nesse of the thing might displease the eyes 〈◊〉 minds of the behoulders Concerning which matâ—â— he giueth this command to Gaspar Those whome you shall admit into the Society I â—inke it better to exercyse them in the ouercomming 〈◊〉 their vnbridled passions and affections then in corâ—â—rall mortifications and such like new inuentions â—â—t if any exteriour mortification be applyed to reâ—raine the inward motions of the mind let it be alâ—aies such as may not cause laughter in the beholâ—ers but be approued As for example continuall â—ruing of the sick in the Hospitals begging of money 〈◊〉 other almes for the relieuing of poore prisoners â—he like It much auaileth some also to Humility to â—eclare publikely to
manner the offences of your owne former lyfe For how good a meanes this is tyme and experience will teach you This course he prescribed against such as were fearefull and bashfull and that other against such as were inthralled in crimes and abominations of long continuance And vntill the penitent had so declared all his sinnes whilst perhaps he standeth wauering betwixt hope and feare they should encourage him by putting him in mind of the diuine clemency mercy and namely they should produce some for an example who hauing byn notorious for their abominable wickednesse were afterwards receyued into Gods fauor of which company he should also make one if he would but confesse his sinnes with the lyke sincerity and sorrow of hart At last when the Confessour had throughly examined all the soares and wounds of the penitents conscience then he should liuely present before him the heynouslesse and foulenesse thereof and by terrifying his staggering spirit with the indignation of God hanging ouer his head the punishments which miraculously haue byn inflicted vpon great sinners draw him to a detestation and sorrow for his sins differring also his absolution if it were thought conuenient vntill another tyme. But now to such as were obstinate hard-harted he would haue to be propounded not only the euerlasting torments of the damned in hell but also the punishments which haue bin inflicted vpon the like offeÌ„ders in this life and especially vpon such and such as themselues had knowne who had receyued grieuous and bitter torments for their sinnes and wickednesse to the end they might be a warning vnto others lyke vnto themselues For he sayd that he had learned by experience that such kind of persons are sooner mooued by the present detriment which they maysuffer eyther in their body or goods then by the future torments of their soules which seeme to be absent a farre off If there should at any tyme come to Confession rich and wealthy merchants Magistrates or Gouernours of a loose lyfe he iudged it fitting before all other things seriously to admonish them that making diligent inquiry into their former lyfe for the space of two or three dayes they should if they distrusted their memory note down their sins in writing humbly craue of God with great feeling sorrow and contâ—â—tion for the same Then at the beginning of their CoÌ„fession they were to aske of them an account of such offices and charges whereof they had the care of the affayres wherein they were imployed how diligently they did or had carryed themselues therein For by these interrogations they might more easily find whether there were any thing to be restored then if they were demaunded in generall whether they ought to make restitution to any one because to such interrogations they vse coÌ„monly to giue a negatiue answere either out of auarice or else through ignorance of the thing Now when they haue heard their Confessions they must apply certaine admonitions and remedies for the cure of their soules nor must they be absolued presently after their confession but rather when they haue restored those things they ought Wherfore of such persons he giueth F. Gaspar this instruction They shal not presently be absolued as soone as they haue made their Confession but two or three dayes shall be giuen them to prepare their hart by certayne meditations that in the meane time they may wash away the spots of their sinnes by teares and voluntary pennance If they owe any thing to any one let theÌ„ make restitution if they haue any grudge against any let them put it away and be made friends with their enemies let them also be freed from libidinous customes and all other vices wherwith they were intangled These things ought rather to go before absolution then to follow it For such kind of men when they are at confession promise that they will do all things but after absolution is giuen them as carelesse of their promise they do nothing Wherefore all diligence is to be vsed to cause them to performe before they be absolued what they ought to do after Moreouer concerning the meanes how to confirme such as are staggering in their fayth these documents he gaue to the same Gaspar You shall fynd some also and I would to God they were not many who are very weake concerning their beliefe of the Sacraments especially that of the Holy Eucharist eyther because they haue now byn depriued of the fruit thereof or by reason of the great conuersation which they haue with the Ethnickes or else because the impure life of some Priests maketh the vulgar and ignorant sort not to esteeme so highly of this Sacrament With these therefore you shall deale in this manner First you shall get out of them their suspicions and doubtes then you shall confirme them in their fayth by instructing them so that they may belieue for certayne that the true body of Christ is conteyned in that mystery Neyther is there any more present remedy for the curing of this malady then a pious and diligent frequenting of the sacred Eucharist it selfe But now because for the most part in conuersing with women there is more danger then profit he seriously aduised such as were Ghostly Fathers that in hearing their confessions in discoursing and conuersing with them and in reconciling them to their husbands they should be very wary and attentiue to auoyd not only all offence and sinne but also the suspicions rumours of the people Concerning which he left to F. Gaspar his Vicar very notable and wholesome instructions which I thought good to insert in this place You shall not sayth he speake with women of what condition soeuer vnlesse it be by day-light and in publicke that is in the Church And you shall neuer go home vnto them vnlesse it be vpon some vrgent occasion as to heare the confession of one that is sicke And then also you shall take great care that her husband or some other kinsman or at least some honest neighbour be by If you haue occasion to speake with some Virgin or widdow you shall go to their house accompanyed by men of approued integrity of lyfe in whose company there may be not only no scandall but also no suspicion Yet these visits of women shall be both very seldome and also not at all but vpon necessary occasions For it is a ticklish piece of businesse where smal profit is made with a great deale of perill And forasmuch as women for such is the inconstancy and leuity of their disposition do for the most part cause to their ghostly Fathers a great deale of trouble this warinesse is principally to be held with them You shall with more diligence labour about the instruction of Christian men then of their wyues For seeing that men are more constant by nature and the ordering of the house dependeth vpon them it is certaynly better more profitable to imploy ones labour vpon theÌ„ For
the chiefe of the Kingdome and afterwards when it had gotten many graue abettors and furtherers at last is brought into the King Then the Noblemen euery one of them shewed how much benefit that Royall Citty had â—eaped by Ignatius his companions in so short a space and what great help all Portugall might hope from them if it could enioy them not as strangers for a â—yme but as perpetuall inhabitants thereof And that â—he good of Portugall and of that Princely Citty as â—eing his chiefe and Royall seate ought to be dearer â—nto his Maiesty then India Why therefore for the succour of barbarous Nations should he depriue his owne natiue Country of so excellent helps Why â—hould India abroad rather then Portuall at home be â—ore deare vnto him Wherfore if it seemed good vnâ—o his Maiesty as it did to them he should plant those worthy men as seeds of that generation in Portugall â—nd so erect a Seminary at hand which might supply â—hem with fit Priests to send into India The King approuing his Nobles opinion iudging it meet to prouide first for theÌ„ who were neerest to him leauing off for the present his determination of helping India resolued to detaine them both in Portugall to begin a Seminary of the same Institute Which as soone as Rodriguez Xauerius vnderstood by their friends being indeed moued at the vnexpected newes they presently certify Ignatius by letters of the Kings new determination asking him what they should do Who hauing acquainted his Holines with the busines thought it good to leaue it wholly to the Kings arbitrement nothing doubting but the treating thereof before him would make him thinke better of it Letters are at the same tyme dispatched from his Holines to the King and from Ignatius to his companions wherin the matter was left wholly to his maiesty But if he would know what Ignatius his opinion was therin it seemetd to him most conuenient that a separation should be made so as Rodriguez might stay in Portugall Francis go forward into India The King therfore following Ignatius his Counsaile sendeth for thâ—m both who being vncertayne what would be resolued off depended wholy vpon the diuine prouidence Then the King in a courteous manner as his custome was shewing them first what was granted to him from Rome concerning their disposall declareth what he had now resolued to wit That Simon should stay in Portugall to begin a Colledg at Conimbria which might be a Seminary for members to be sent into India and that Francis should go into his designed Prouince of the East Wherefore they should both with all speed prepare themselues with like diligence to their offices although they were different knowing that many times equall rewards are assigned for vnequall seruices God not respecting so much the worke as the good will wherwith it is done Heereupon Xauerius being presently changed from his great feare into great ioy gaue the King many thankes that he had granted his desire and had so prudently tempered the want of his companionâ— with the ioy he gaue him of the diuision that he promised not only to be gratefull but also to vse all care and diligence to be answerable for so great a benefit But Rodriguez being frustrated of his hope and desire and at the first stroken with such an vnexpected declaration shewed by his lookes and countenance to be somewhat troubled but presently recollecting himselfe he answered grauely and quietly almost to this effect That the taking of India from him had stroke him with such griefe to the hart that he was not able to coÌ„ceale it yet since Ignatius the King and his Holinesse agreeing all in one thing sufficiently declared it to be Gods holy will he would most willingly at his Maiesties commaund leaue off that employment for whose sake he had vndertaken it Wherfore he remained wholly at the Kings disposall and was glad that by beginning a Seminary he might also in some sort labour for India since he might hope to help them by his schollers whome he could not by himselfe Thus departing from the King each of them addressed their cares for the performance of their charge CHAP. XII Being ready to take shipping for India he receiueth from the King the Popes Letters patents of Legate Apostolicall refuseth to take any thing for the charges of his iourney FRANCIS therfore seeing his iorney to be approued by such euident signes both from God and men began to furnish himselfe for it not with prouision of victualls and other things necessary and conuenient but with pious meditations and profitable considerations For he would not vndertake so weighty a charge rawly vnprouidedly but with serious ponderation preparation and by thinking with himselfe now whilst he was at leasure of what he was afterwards to make vse that so he might not spend his tyme in speculation of that wherein he was to employ himselfe in the practise When the tyme drew neere for his iourney into India the King calling him is sayd to haue spoken vnto him particularly to his effect Francis Xauier our ships are ready the tyme that you haue so earnestly desired of going into India is now come For my part â— haue hitherto had so many and so great arguments both of your vertue prudence that I hould it needlesse to vse any exhortation vnto you presaging what will follow by that which is already past Yet that we may not seeme to be wanting in our duty we will as the saying is spurre on him who runneth already First therfore I commend vnto you the Ethincke Nations which are vnder our subiection endeauouring to vnite them to the Church that my dominions may not be further extended then Gods Religion Then out of our fatherly affection towards them I deliuer commit the Portugheses that remaine in those places to your trust in such sort that I would haue you supply the place of our beneuolence towards them You are not ignorant I know that Kings haue need of many hands and eyes for the gouernment of their kingdomes Wherfore I pray beseech you by that very God who is your guide and companion in this iorney â—hat as farre as you may with conueniency you â—ould diligently visit our garrisons there and afterwards certify vs of all things appertaining to Religiâ—n that so all impediments if there be any being â—eedily remoued the Christian Religion by your adâ—â—se and labour and by our assistance and authority â—ay spread it selfe ouer India and the East As for my â—â—lfe I will loose my kingdome before I will leaue off â—y desire to aduance Religion For I am resolued to â—mploy all the meanes and forces I am able for the â—ropagation therof It is your part to be answerable â—oth to the charge you haue vndertaken and to our â—esire What ayde or help soeuer either the honour of God or the Christian cause shall seeme to require â—emaund it confidently and it shall be granted
and I shall thinke my expences a gayne for Religion sake Wherfore proceed cheerfully and seeing that you go no doubt by diuine instinct and conduct vpon an enterprize which of al others is hardest maintayne still that couragious mynd which hitherto you haue borne and carry with you into India that vertue and sanctity of which all Portugall speaketh to be in you Then the King taking out of his bosome the Popes Breue said further And that you may know what most ample power is granted you towards the effecting of what you take in hand not only by mee but also by Christ his Vicar vpon earth behold heer his Holines Breue wherin he maketh you his Legate Apostolical in India which may be both a testimony of your power and an incitement to your vertue Then Xauier who had all this while blushed to to heare his owne prayses receiuing the Breue with no lesse reuerence then modest bashfulnesse replyed If I most excellent Prince could find that your esteeme of me were as true as it is good I should very much reioyce for the opinion of so noble a Person 〈◊〉 your Maiesty is the giue great thaÌ„kes to God the giueâ— of all good things But assuredly your singular Goodnes is much deceyued the by opinion of anothers vertue I knowing mine owne weakenes and imperfections should I not be thought a mad man if concerning my selfe I should belieue others before my selfe Verily Syr I being a sinnefull man and wholly vnfit for this godly enterprize which I say because it is true and not for humilities sake both your Maiesty and his Holines do impose a farre greater burden vpoâ— â—â—ee then my feeblenes is able to susteine yet had I raâ—her be oppressed with the weight of the burden then â—yther refuse or cast off that charge through pusilâ—animity which by Gods will is layd vpon mee For God when imposeth a burden he affoardeth also forces to beare it with power giueth also ability for the execution therof Wherfore by the helpe of his heaâ—enly assistance I will do my best to make it appeare that I remember what person I present in this weaknesse of myne since the charge is imposed vpon me by God his Holines your maiesty And my life shall leaue mee sooner then I will violate my fidelity eyther in word in deed Hauing sayd thus the King aduiseth him in a most courteous manner to thinke well with himselfe what 〈◊〉 might stand in need off in Portugall or India for he â—â—d giuen charge to his officers in ech kingdome that â—ey should carefully procure him whatsoeuer he desired And withall he giueth him his Letters Royall conteyning no lesse authority then commendations Francis then hauing giuen thankes to the King 〈◊〉 kissed his hand as the custome is went home to 〈◊〉 his friends farewell that he might embarke himâ—â—fe And the King was no lesse liberall in deeds then 〈◊〉 had byn in words for he gaue very strayte comâ—and to his Captaynes and Officers and that they â—â—ould furnish Francis and his companions both in â—ortugall and India with all things needfull for their owne maintenance and for the increase of Gods honour and glory So as Xauerius and others of the Society from that tyme forward dilated the fayth of Christ in India Malaca the Moluca's and Iaponia maintayned by the Kings liberality But albeyt all things were plentifully afforded vnto them yet their modesty so contended with the kings bounty that they would take nothing but what was merely needfullâ— iudging it good to draw sparingly of anotheâ— mans liberality that it might the longer continue Wherfore in procuring their owne commodities they in all places spared the Kings treasure but especially vpon their iorney into India And when Francâ— more for the loue of pouerty then for bashfulnes abstained wholy from asking any thing at all the Officers of their owne accord shewed him what a straâ—â— charge the King their maister had layd vpon them to furnish him abundantly with whatsoeuer he shoulâ— want or desire for his iorney And withall intreated him to giue them as soone as might be a note of what things he required that they might be procured 〈◊〉 time Francis hartily thanked both the King for his â—â—berality and them for their diligent care but indeâ—â— for his part he required or desired nothing at all 〈◊〉 the Officers had often done thus receaued alwayâ— the same answere from Francis they pressed him by intreaties were very earnest with him that he would at least take some prouision At last to satisfy their importunity least his too much staÌ„ding out might make him seeme obstinate he so yielded vnto theÌ„ that with all he still kept his former resolution Then he asked to haue a course rugge or mantle to keepe him from the extreme cold which he knew they were to endure when the sayled about the Promontorium bonae Spâ—i a few litle bookes whereof he should haue great need in India And besides this he could not be brought by any intreatie to permit any thing els to be prouided for him Therfore Count CastaÌ„nerius Generall of the Nauy seeing Francis in the Admirall-ship as the King had commaunded without any prouision for his iourney taking compassion on him tould him that the King had sent a Page vnto him with great charge to see him aboundantly prouided of all things fitting for his voyage But Francis earnestly intreated the Generall that nothing might be giuen vnto any for his prouision Notwithstanding the Count was earnest with him to take at least a seruant to assist him vpon necessary occasions Nay quoth Francis as long as I haue the vse of these hands I hope I shall not need of any other seruant At which answere of Xauerius the Count had no more to say as he himselfe affirmed afterward when he related this passage to others and withall highly extolled him for his singular abstinence Thus furnished with no other prouision then his confidence in God at the beginning of the spring he setteth forth for India CHAP. XIII In his iourney to India he giueth admirable tokens of his vertue IN tymes past when the Romane Empire stood entire and Christian Religion flourished in Asia for India is a part of Asia there were most commonly two beateâ— rodes into India the one through Syria by the riueâ— Euphates Tigris the Persian gulf the other througâ— Aegypt by the gulfe of Arabia and the Red sea But noâ— those countries being possessed by the forces and superstitioÌ„ of the Saracens the passage is not so secure it is short for the Christians of Europe through places annoyed with their enemies Wherfore the 〈◊〉 gheses coasting about by Affricke which lyeth vpon the Mediterranean Ocean and from Affricke as vast as iâ— is winding about by Arabia and Persia sayle intâ—â— India fetching thereby a mighty circuit For by theâ— turnings of the sea India in distant from Portugal moâ—â— then foure thousand