clearing iâ— Distribute to the Poor those Collections which are made for them in the Churches by the Charity of the Congregation and beware of taking any part of them for your own uses Fail not every Saturday and Sunday to put the Faithful in mind of giving you notice when any one falls sick to the end you may visit them And give them to know that if they do not advertise you and that the sick person dies you will not allow him burial amongst Christians in punishment of their neglect When you visit the sick take especial care that they repeat to you the Apostles Creed in their Mother Tongue Interrogate them on every Article and ask them if they believe sincerely After this make them say the Conâ—â—teor and the other Catholick Prayers and then read the Gospel over them For the burial of the dead you shall assemble the Children and coming out of the Church with them the Cross being at the head of the Procession you shall sing the Christian Doctrine coming and going You shall say the Prayers of the Church at the House of the dead person and before he is put into the ground You shall also make a short Exhortation to the Assembly before the Corps upon the necessity of death the amendment of life and the practice of Vertue You shall give notice to the Men on Sunday and to the Women on Saturday to bring their sick Children into the Church that you may read the Gospel over them for their cure and that the Parents from thence may receive increase of Faith and respect to the Temples of our Lord. You shall your selves determine all litigious causes and if you cannot end them on the place defer them to the next Sunday and after Divine Service cause them to be expedited by the principal Inhabitants of the place Yet I will not that these sort of Affairs shou'd take up too much of your time Nor that you prefer the care of your Neighbour's temporal Concernments before works of Charity which respect the Salvation of Souls and am of opinion That when any important business of that kind shall happen you shou'd remit it to the Portuguese Commandant Do all things in your power to make your selves belov'd by those people for by that you will be able to do more good upon them than by being fear'd Decree no punishment against any person but by the advice of Father Antonio Criminal And if the Commandant of the Portuguese be present do nothing without his order In case any Man or Woman shall make a Pagod or Idol banish them from the Village if Father Criminal consent to it Testify great affection to the Children who frequent the Christian Schools pardon and wink at their faults sometimes lest a severe usage shou'd fright them from us In presence of a Portuguese abstain from reproving and condemning the Natives of the Countrey who are Christians on the contrary commend and excuse them on all occasions For considering how lately they have embrac'd the Faith and what assistance is wanting to them to live like good Christians 't is only to be admir'd that they are not more vicious Be serviceable in all you can to the Malabar Priests in what relates to their Spiritual Advantage take care that they confess themselves and say Mass and give good Examples and write nothing against them to any person whatsoever Live so well with the Portuguese Commandants that no misunderstanding be ever perceiv'd betwixt you and them For the rest of the Portugueses use all sort of means to make them your Friends Have never any quarrel with any of them though they shou'd bring you into Law or quarrel with you without the least provocation on your part If they use the new Christians hardly oppose them but with much mildness and if you find your opposition may be likely to succeed make your Complaint to the Portuguese Commandant with whom I once again beseech you never to have any difference Let your Conversation with the Portugueses be alwaâ—s confin'd to Spiritual Subjects of Death of Iudgment of Purgaâ—â—ry of Hell of the frequentation of Sacraments and the exact observation of Gods Commandments For if you never speak to them but concerning these matters they will never rob you of those hours which are set apart for your Function Fail not to write to Goa to the Fathers and Brâ—thers of our Society giving them an account of the Fruit of your Labours and proposing to them what you think may be to the advancement of Piety You shall write also to the Bishop but with much Reverence and Submission as to the Common Father and Pastor General of this new World. What 〈◊〉 all things I recommend to you and which I can never sufficiently repeat 〈◊〉 That whatsoever Voyage you make and wheresoever you shall be 〈◊〉 shall endeavour to gain the love of all pâ—â—ple by your good Offices and fair demâ—â—nour by which means you will have greater opportunities for the gaining of Sâ—â—ls which God Almighty grant you all the Grace to do and abide for ever with you Things being thus regulated on the Cost of Fishery the â—ather wou'd pass into the Isle of Ceylan before his return to Goa His design was to gather the fruit of that precious Blood which two years before was shed by the King of Iafanatapan or at least to see what inclination those people had to receive the Gospel who had beheld the constancy of the Martyrs Indeed the death of the two young Princes converted who pretended to the Crown of Iafanatapan destroy'd almost all hopes of planting Christianity in that Isle Notwithstanding which Xavier converted the King of Candè who is one of the Kings of Ceylan After which he went to the Tyrant who had treated the Christians with so much cruelty to try if he cou'd work him though against all humane appearances to suffer the Law of Iesus Christ to be preach'd in his Dominions and to bring him also to be a Christian. As Reasons of State prevail most with Princes so the Father represented to this Infidel That his Throne cou'd never be establish'd but by the Arms of the Portugueses that if he once contracted with them a strict alliance he had nâ—thing farther to apprehend either from his Enemies or his Subjects The Barbarian who fear'd all things both from within and from without forgetting that Dâ—â— Alphonso de Sosa wou'd have made War upon him in favour of the two baptis'd Princes hearken'd to the Propositions of Peace and even permitted the Father to explain to him the Mysteries of the Christian Faith. The instructions of the Saint wrought so much upon the Tyrant that being chang'd in a very short space of time he promis'd to embrace the Faith and labour to bring his Subjects into it offering for the pledge of his word to put his Kingdom into the Hands of the King of Portugal and to pay him such Tribute as shou'd be thought sitting without
to Prayers and allow'd himself at the most but four hours of Sleep and even this little repose was commonly disturb'd For lodging in the Hospital and lying always near the sick as his custom had been at Mozambique his slumber was broken by their least complaint and he fail'd not to rise to their relief He return'd to his Prayers at break of day after which he celebrated Mass He employ'd the forenoon in the Hospipitals particularly in that of the Lepers which is in one of the Suburbs of Goa He embrac'd those miserable Creatures one after the other and distributed amongst them those Alms which he had been begging for them from Door to Door After this he visited the Prisons and dealt amongst them the same effects of Charity In coming back he made a turn about the Town with his Bell in his hand and gave a loud Summons to the Fathers of Families that for the love of God they wou'd send their Children and their Slaves to Catechism The holy Man was convinc'd in his Heart that if the Portuguese Youth were well instructed in the principles of Religion and form'd betimes to the practice of good Life Christianity in a little time wou'd be seen to revive in Goa but in case the Children grew up without instruction or discipline there was no remaining hope that they who suck'd in Impiety and Vice almost with their Milk shou'd ever become sincere Christians The little Children gather'd together in Crowds about him whether they came of their own accord through a Natural Curiosity or that their Parents sent them out of the respect which they already had for the holy Man howsoever vicious themselves He led them to the Church and there expounded to them the Apostles Creed the Commandments of God and all the practices of Devotion which are in use amongst the Faithful These tender Plants receiv'd easily the impressions which the Father made on them and it was through these little Babes that the Town began to change its Face For by daily hearing the Man of God they became modest and devout their Modesty and Devotion was a silent censure of that debauchery which appear'd in persons of riper age Sometimes they even reprov'd their Fathers with a liberty which had nothing of childish in it and their reproofs put the most dissolute Libertines to the bluâ—h Xavier then proceeded to publick Preaching whether all the people slock'd and to the end that the Indians might understand as well as the Portuguese he affected to speak that Language in a gross and clownish dialect which pass'd at that time amongst the Natives of the Country It was immediately seen what power a Preacher animated by the Spirit of God had over the Souls oâ— perverted men The most scandalous Sinners struck with the horrour of their Crimes and the fear of eternal Punishment were the first who came to Confession Their example took away from others the shame of confessing insomuch that every one now strove who shou'd be formost to throw himself at the Fathers Feet knocking their Breasts and bitterly lamenting their offences The fruits of Penitence accompanying these Tears were the certain proofs of a sincere Conversion They cancell'd their unlawful Bonds and Covenants of Extortion they made restitution of their ill gotten Goods they set at liberty their Slaves whom they had opprest or had acquir'd unjustly and lastly turn'd away their Concubines Whom they were unwilling to possess by a lawful marriage The Saint acted with the Concubinarians almost in the same manner as our Saviour dealt with the Publicans and Harlots Far from treating them severely the deeper they were plung'd in that darling Vice the more tenderly he seem'd to use them On all occasions he declar'd himself their Friend he made them frequent visits without fear of being upbraided with so infamous a Conversation He invited himself sometimes to eat with them and then assuming an Air of gayety he desir'd the Master to bring down the Children to bear him company When he had a little commended their prettiness he ask'd to see their Mother and shew'd her the same Countenance as if he had taken her for an honest Woman If she were beautiful or well shap'd he prais'd her and said she look'd like a Portuguese After which in private Conversation â—ou have said he to the Master a fair Slave who well deserves to be your Wife But if she were a swarthy ugly Indian Good God! he cry'd out what a Monster do you keep within your doors and how are you able to endure the sight of her Such words spoken in all appearance without design had commonly their full effect The Keeper marry'd her whom the Saint had commended and turn'd off the others This so sudden a change of manners was none of those transient sits of Devotion which pass away almost as soon as they are kindled Piety was establish'd in all places and they who formerly came to confession once a year to speak the best of it now perform'd it regularly once a month They were all desirous of confessing themselves to Father Xavier so that Writing from Goa to Rome on that Subject he said that if it had been possible for him to have been at once in ten places he shou'd not have wanted for emploâ—ment His Catechising having had that wonderful success which we have mention'd the Bishop Don Iohn d' Albuquerque ordain'd that from thence forward the Children shou'd be taught the Christian Doctrin in all the Churches of the Town The Gentlemen and Merchants applyed themselves to the regulation of their Families and banishment of vice They gave the Father considerable Sums of Money which he distributed in their presence in the Hospitals and Prisons The Viceroy accompanied the Saint thither once a week to hear the complaints of the Prisoners and to relieve the Poor This Christian practice was so pleasing to the King of Portugal Iohn the Third that afterwards he writ to Don Iohn Don de Castro Governour of the Indies expresly ordering him to do that once a month which Don Martin Alphonso de Sosa never fail'd of doing every week in short the Portuguese of Goa had gain'd such an habitude of good Life and such an universal change of manners had obtain'd amongst them that they seem'd another sort of People This was the state of affairs when Michael Vaz Vicar General of the Indies a Man of rare virtue and wonderful zeal for the propagation of the Faith gave Xavier to understand that on the Oriental Coast which lies extended from Cape Comorin to the Isle of Manar and is call'd the Coast of Fishery there were certain People call'd Paravas that is to say Fishers who had caus'd themselves to be Baptiz'd some time since on occasion of succours which had been given them by the Portuguese against the Moors by whom they were cruelly opprest That these People had nothing more of Christianity than Baptism and the name for want of Pastours to
Christians be confin'd to one only Wife since God has permitted the Saracens to have so many Yet sometimes he chang'd his Language and said that he wou'd not lose his Soul nor the friendship of Father Xavier for so small a matter But in conclusion not being able to contain himself within the bounds of Christian purity nor to make the Law of Iesus Christ agree with that of Mahomet he continu'd fix'd to his pleasures and obstinate in his errours Only he ingag'd his Royal word that in case the Portugueses wou'd invest one of his Sons in the Kingdom of the Isles del Moro he wou'd on that condition receive Baptism Father Xavier obtain'd from the Vice-Roy of the Indies what ever the King of Ternate had desir'd but the Barbarian far from keeping his promise began from thence-forward a cruel Persecution against his Christian Subjects And the first strokes of it fell on the Queen Neachile who was dispossess'd of all her Lands and reduc'd to live in extream poverty during the remainder of her days Her Faith supported her in these new misfortunes And father Xavier who had baptis'd her gave her so well to understand how happy it was to lose all things and to gain Christ that she continually gave thanks to God for the total overthrow of her Fortune In the mean time the Labours of the Saint were not wholly unprofitable in the Court of Ternate He converted many persons of the Blood Royal and amongst others two Sisters of the Prince who preferr'd the quality of Christians and Spouses of Christ Iesus before all earthly Crowns and chose rather to suffer the ill usage of their Brother than to forsake their Faith. Xavier seeing the time of his departure drawing near compos'd in the Malaya Tongue a large Instruction touching the Belief and Morals of Christianity He gave the People of Ternate this Instruction written in his own Hand that it might supply his place during his absence Many Copies were taken of it which were spred about the neighbouring Islands and even through the Countries of the East It was read on Holidays in the publick Assemblies and the Faithful listen'd to it as coming from the Mouth of the holy Apostle Besides this he chose out some vertuous young Men for his Companions in his Voyage to Goa with design to breed them in the Colledge of the Company and from thence send them back to the Moluccas there to preach the Gospel These things being thus order'd and the Caracore which was to carry him to Amboyna in a readiness it was in his thoughts to depart by night in the most secret manner that he cou'd not to sadden the Inhabitants who cou'd not hear of his going from them without a sensible affliction But whatsoever precautions he took he cou'd not steal away without their knowledge They follow'd him in Crowds to the Shore Men Women and Children gathering about him lamenting his loss begging his Blessing and beseeching him with Tears in their Eyes That since he was resolv'd on going he wou'd make a quick return The holy Man was not able to bear these tender farewels without melting into Tears himself His Bowels yern'd within him for his dear Flock and seeing what affection those people bore him he was concern'd lest his absence might prejudice their spiritual welfare Yet reassuring himself by considering the Providence of God which had dispos'd of him another way he enjoin'd them to meet in publick every day at a certain Church to make Repetition of the Christian Doctrine and to excite each other to the practice of Vertue He charg'd the new Converts to learn by Heart the Exposition of the Apostles Creed which he had left with them in Writing But that which gave him the greatest comfort was that a Priest who was there present promis'd him to bestow two hours every day in instructing the People and once a week to perform the same to the Wives of the Portugueses in expounding to them the Articles of Faith and informing them concerning the use of the Sacraments After these last words Father Xavier left his well-belov'd Children in Iesus and immediately the Ship went off At that instant an universal cry was rais'd on the Shore and that last adieu went even to the Heart of Father Xavier Being arriv'd at Ambâ—ynâ— he there found four Portuguese Vessels wherein were only Mariners and Souldiers that is to say a sort of people ill instructed in the duties of Christianity and little accustom'd to put them in practice in the continual hurry of their life That they might profit by that leisure which they then enjoy'd he set up a small 〈◊〉 on the Sea-side where he convers'd with them sometimes single sometimes in common concerning their eternal welfare The Discourses of the Saint brought over the most debauch'd amongst them and one Souldier who had been a Libertine all his life dy'd with such evident signs of true Contrition that being expir'd Father Xavier was heard to say God be prais'd who has brought me hither for the Salvation of that Soul which caus'd people to believe That God Almighty had made a Revelation of it to him By the same supernal illumination he saw in spirit one whom he had left in Ternate in the vigour of health now expiring in that place for preaching one day he broke off his Discourse suddenly and said to his Auditours Recommend to God James Giles who is now in the 〈…〉 the news of his death cam◠〈◊〉 long after which entirely 〈◊〉 the words of Xavier The four Ships continu'd at Amboyna but twenty days after which they set Sail towards Malacca The Merchant-Ship which was the best equipp'd and strongest of them invited the Saint to imbark in her but he refus'd out of the horrour which he had for those enormous Crimes which had been committed in her And turning to Gonsalvo Fernandez This Ship said he will be in great danger God deliver you out of it Both the Prediction and the Wish of the Saint were accomplish'd for the Ship at the passage of the Streight of Saban struck against a hidden Rock where the Iron-work of the Stern was broken and little wanted but that the Vessel had been also split but she escap'd that danger and the rest of the Voyage was happily perform'd The Father staying some few days longer on the Isle visited the seven Christian Villages which were there caus'd Crosses to be set up in all of them for the Consolation of the Faithful and one of these Crosses in process of time became famous for a great Miracle of which the whole Country was witness There was an extream drought and a general dearth was apprehended Certain Women who before their Baptism were accustom'd to use Charms for Rain being assembl'd round about an Idol ador'd the Devil and perform'd all the Magick Ceremonies but their Enchantments were of no effect A devout Christian Woman knowing what they were about ran thither and having
they shew'd him a young Man a Native of the Country who having imbark'd in company of a Portuguese had been cast by Tempest on the Coast of Malabar The Saracens who inhabit that place having murther'd the Portuguese wou'd have forc'd his Companion to renounce his Faith Thereupon they brought him into a Mosquee where they promis'd him great store of Money and Preferments in case he wou'd forsake the Law of Iesus Christ and take up that of their Prophet Mahomet But seeing their Promises cou'd not prevail they threatn'd him with Death and held their naked weapons over his Head to fright him But neither cou'd they shake his Resolution with that dreadful spectacle then they loaded him with Irons and us'd him with extraordinary cruelty till a Portuguese Captain inform'd of it came suddenly upon them with a Troop of Souldiers and rescu'd the young Man out of their hands Xavier imbrac'd him many times and bless'd Almighty God that his Faith was imprinted so lively in the Heart of a Barbarian He heard also with great satisfaction of the constancy of some Slaves who having fled from the Houses of their Portuguese Masters and living amongst Gentils far from being corrupted with the superstitions of the Infidels comply'd exactly with the obligations of their Baptism and liv'd in a most religious manner It was reported to him of these Slaves that when any of them died they suffer'd not his Body to be burnt according to the custom of the Pagans neither wou'd they leave it without Sâ—pulture but buried it according to the Ceremonies of the Church and set up a Cross over the Grave Though these Infidels whom they serv'd did not hinder them from continuing in Christianity and that every one of them in particular was resolv'd to persevere in his Faith even in the midst of Idolatry yet they had a longing desire to return into the company of the Faithful where they might be supply'd with those Spiritual Succours which they wanted and lead a life yet more conformable to their Belief So that as soon as they had the news of Father Xavier's return who had baptis'd the greatest part of them they came to desire him That he wou'd make their peace with their Masters whom they had left to free themselves from slavery and declar'd that they were content once more to lose their Liberty in prospect of the Salvation of their Souls Xavier receiv'd them with open Arms as his well-belov'd Children and afterwards obtain'd their Pardon After he had visited all the Villages he made some stay at Manapar which is not far distant from Cape Comorine As the only end which he propos'd to himself was to plant the Gospel in the Indies and that in order to it he must there establish the Society he began to regulate all things according to the Principles and in the Spirit of Father Ignatius General of the Order Having reassembled all the Labourers in the Gospel of that Coast he examin'd their several Talents and Vertues in familiar conversation with them by causing them to give an account of what pass'd betwixt God and them in their own Hearts After he had assign'd to each of them the places which were most convenient for them both in regard of their bodily strength and of their spiritual endowments He constituted Father Antonio Criminal superiour of all the rest And to the end they might be more capable of serving that people he order'd every one of them with all possible care to apply himself to the study of the Malabar Language which obtains through all that Coast. Upon this account he commanded Father Francis Henriquez to reduce that Tongue into the Rules of Art and to compose an exact Grammar of it according to the method of the Greek and Latin Grammars The work seem'd impossible especially to one who was newly come from Europe and who had little knowledge in the Indian Tongues Nevertheless Henriquez compass'd it in a small time which was apparently a Miracle of Obedience In the mean while Xavier judging that the Exposition of the Christian Doctrine which he had made for those of Molucca might be of use to his dear Paravas order'd a Malabar Priest who was well vers'd in the Portuguese to translate it into his own Language But to the end that the conduct of the Missioners might be Uniform and that the same Spirit might animate all of them besides the instructions which he gave them by word of Mouth he gave them the following Rules in writing In the first place Where ever the lot of your Ministry shall fall be mindful of baptising Infants newly born and perform it your selves without trusting the care of it to any other person There is nothing at present of more importance Do not wait till the Parents bid you come as they may easily neglect it it behoves you to run through all the Villages to enter into the Houses and to Christen all the Infants you can find After the great concernment of giving Baptism you ought to be careful of nothing more than of entring those little Children into the principles of Faith who are grown capable of Instruction Not being able to be in all places you shall cause the Canacapoles and the Teachers of the Catechism to perform their duty and religiously to observe the Customs establish'd To which purposes when you visit the Villages to take an account of what passes there assemble the Masters with their Scholars and know from the Children in the presence of those who are accustom'd to instruct them what they have learnt or forgotten since your last visit this will double the ardency of the Scholars and the diligence of their Teachers On Sundays gather the Men together in the Church to repeat their Prayers and observe well whether the Pantagatins or chief of the people are there present You are to expound the Prayers which they repeat and reprove them for the Vices then in fashion which you are to make them comprehend by using familiar Examples In fine you are to threaten the more stubborn sinners with the wrath of God and tell them that if they do not reform their lives their days shall be shorten'd by all manner of Diseases that the Pagan Kings shall inslave them and that their immortal Souls shall become fuel to the everlasting flames of Hell. When you come to any place you shall inform your selves what quarrels are stirring in it and who are the parties after which you shall endeavour to reconcile them These Reconciliations are to be made in the Church where it will be fitting to assemble all the Women on Saturdays as the Men on Sundays When the Malabar Priest shall have translated the Exposition of the Creed you shall take Copiâ—s of it which you shall cause to be carefully read to the Women on Saturdays to the Men on Sundays If you are there present you shall read it your selves and add to the Exposition what you think convenient for the farther
not to frequent the Palaces of the Great nor to attend whole days together for the favourable minutes of an Audience which is always difficult to obtain You shall add that when you shou'd have the leisure to make your Court and that all the doors of the Palace were open to you at all hours you shou'd have little hopes of any fruit from your remonstrances and that if the Governour be such a man as they report ' he will have small regard to you as being â—o way touch'd either with the fear â—f God or the duties of his own Conscience You shall employ in the Conversion of Inâ—idels all the time you have free from your ordinary labours which indispensably regard Christians Always prefer those Employments which are of a larger extent to those which are more narrowly conâ—in'd According to that Rule you shall never omit a Sermon in publick to hear a private Confession You shall not set aside the Catechising which is appointed every day at a certain hour to visit any particular person or for any good work of the like nature For the rest an hour before Catechism either you or your Companion shall go to the places of most concourse in the Town and invite all men with a loud voice to come and hear the exposition of the Christian Doctrine You shall write from time to time to the Colledge of Goa what Functions you exercise for the advancement of God's glory what order you keep there and what blessing God gives on your endeavours Have care that your Relations be exact and such that our Fathers at Goa may send them into Europe as so many authentique proofs of what you perform in the East and of what success it shall please God to bestow on the labours of our little Society Let nothing slip into those accounts which may reasonably give offence to any man nothing that may seem improbable nothing which may not edify the Reader and give him occasion to magnify the name of God. When you are come to Ormuz I am of opinion that you shou'd see particularly those who are of greatest reputation for their probity the most sincere and who are most knowing in the manners of the Town From such inform your self exactly what Vices are most reigning in it what sorts of Cheats enter most into contracts and Societies of Commerce that so understanding all things thoroughly and truly you may have your words and reasons in a readiness to instruct and reprove those who being guilty of covert Vsuries false Bargaining and other wicked actions so common in a place which is â—â—'d with such a concourse of different Nations shall treat with you in familiar Conversation or in Sacramental Confession You shall walk the Streets every night and recommend the Souls of the Dead to the Prayers of the Living But let those expressions which are us'd by you be proper to move the compassion of the Faithful and to imprint the thoughts of Religioâ— in the bottom of their Souls You shâ—ll also desire their Prayers to God for such as are in mortal Sin that they may obtain the grace of coming out of so deplorable a condition Endeavour at all times to make your humour agreeable keep a gay and serene Countenance without suffering the least shadow of choler or sadness to appear in it otherwise those who come to visit you will never open their hearts to you and will not repose all that confidence in you which 't is necessary they shou'd have to the end they may profit by your discourse speak always with civility and mildness even in your reprehensions as I have already told you and when you reprove any one do it with so much charity that it may be evident the fault displeases you and not the Person On Sundays and Saints days you shall preach at two of the Clock in the Afternoon At the Church of the Misericordia or in the Principal Church of the Town sending first your Companion about the Streets with his Bell in his hand to invite the People to the Sermon If you had not rather perform that Office in your own Person you shall carry to Church that Exposition of the Apostles Creed which I have put into your hands and the practice which I have compos'd how to pass the day in Christian duties You shall give Copies of that Practice to those whose Confessions you hear and shall enjoyn them for their holy Penance to do for certain days that which is contain'd in it By this means they shall accustom themselves to a Christian Life and shall come to do of their own accord by the force of custom that which they did at the first only by the command of their Confessour But foreseeing that you cannot have Copies â—now for so many People I advise you to that Practice written out in a fair large hand and expose it in some publick Place that they who are willing to make use of it may read and Transcribe it at their own convenience They who shall be desirous of being receiv'd into the Society and whom you shall judge to be proper for it you may send them to Goa with a Letter which shall point out their Design and their Talents for it or else you may retain them with you In this last Case after you have caus'd them to perform the Spiritual Exercises for a month together you shall make a tryal of them in some such manner as may edify the People without exposing them to be ridiculous Order them therefore to serve the Sick in the Hospitals and to debase themselves to the meanest and most distastful Offices Make them visit the Prisoners and teach them how to give comfort to the miserable In fine Exercise your Novices in all the practises of humility and mortification but permit them not to appear in publick in extravagant habits which may cause them to be derided by the multitude suffer it not I say far from imposing it upon them Ingage not all the Novices indifferently to those tryals which their nature most abhors but examine well the strength of each and sute their mortification to their temper to their education to the advance they make in Spirituals in such sort that the tryal may not be unprofitable but that it may produce its effect according to that measure of grace which is given them If he who directs the Novices has not all these considerations it will fall out that they who were capable of making a great proficience in Verâ—ue with good management will lose their courage and go backward And besides those indiscreet tryals too difficult for Beginners take off the love of the Master from his Novices and cause his Disciples to lessen their confidence in his directions In the mean time whoever forms young People to a Religious Life ought to leave nothing untry'd to bring them to a candid and free discovery of their evil inclinations and the suggestions