landed and leâ—t upon the Sands expos'd to the injury of the air and the inclemency of the season especially to the blasts of a piercing North-wind which then arose He had there dy'd without relief had not a Portuguese more charitable than the rest whose name was George Alvarez caus'd him to be carry'd into his Cabin which yet was little different from the naked shore as being open on every side The Indications of his disease being an accute pain in his side and a great oppression Alvarez was of opinion that they ought to breathe a Vein and the Father was consenting to it by a blind submission to the Judgment of his Host though he knew before hand that all manner of Remedies were in vain A Chirurgeon of the Ship who was awkward at his work and of small experience in his Art bled him so unluckily that he hurt the Nerves and the Patient fell immediately into swooning Convulsions Yet they drew Blood from him a second time and that operation had all the ill accidents of the former Besides which it was attended with a horrible nauseousness insomuch that he cou'd take no nourishment at least the little which he took consisted only of some few Almonds which the Captain of the Vessel sent him out of Charity The disease encreas'd hourly and he grew weaker every day But his Countenance was still serene and his Soul enjoy'd a perpetual calmness Sometimes he lifted up his Eyes to Heaven and at other times six'd them on his Crucifix entertaining Divine Conversations with his God and not without shedding abundant tears He remain'd in this condition till the twenty eighth of November when the Fever mounted into his Head. During this delirium he talk'd of nothing but of God and of his passage into China but in terms more tender and ardent than ever formerly At length he lost his Speech and recover'd not the use of it till three days afterwards His strength then left him all at once so that it â—as expected every moment that he wou'd pass away Which notwithstanding he once more recover'd and having the free exercise both of his Reason and his Speech he renew'd his Entertainments with his Saviour in an audible manner Nothing was to be heard from him but devout Aspirations and short Ejaculations of Prayer but those full of life and of affect on The Assistants understood not all he said because he continually spoke in Latin And Antonio de Sainte Foy who never 〈◊〉 him has only reported That the man of God made frequent Repetition of these words Iesu fili David miserere mei and these also which were so familiar to him O sanctissima Trinitas Besides which invoking the blessed Virgin he wou'd say Monstra teesse Matrem He pass'd two days without taking any food and having order'd his Priestly 〈◊〉 and the other Church-stuff which 〈◊〉 in saying Mass to be carry'd aboard â—he Ship together with those Books 〈◊〉 he had compos'd for the instruction of the Eastern people he dispos'd himselâ— for his last hour which was near approaching Besides Antâ— nio de Sainte Foy he had near his person a young Indian whom he had brought with him from Goa The Saint dying as he was cast his Eyes on the young man and appear'd discompos'd in looking on him afterwards with a compassionate regard he twice pronounc'd these words Ah miserable man and afterwards shed tears God at that moment was pleas'd to reveal to Xavier the unhappy death of this young Indian who five or six months afterwards falling into most horrible debauches was kill'd on the place by the shot of an Arquebuse So that the Spirit of Prophecy accompany'd the holy Man even to his last breath At last on the second of December which fell on Friday having his Eyes all bath'd in tears and fix'd with great tenderness of Soul upon his Crucifix he pronounc'd those words In te Domine speravi non confundar in aeternum and at the same instant transported with Coelâ—stial joy which appear'd upon his Countenance he sweetly gave up the Ghost towards two of the Clock in the afternoon and in the year of God 1552. He was six and forty years of age and had pass'd ten and a half of them in the Indies His stature was somewhat above the middle size his Constitution strong his Air had a mixture of pleasingness and Majesty He was fresh colour'd had a large Forehead a well proportion'd Nose his Eyes were blew but piercing and lively his Hair and Beard of a dark Chesnut his continual labours had made him gray betimes and in the last year of his life he was grizzled almost to whiteness This without question gave occasion to his first Historians to make him five and fifty years old before the certain proofs of his age came at length to be discover'd When it was known that Father Francis was expir'd many of the Ship and even the most devoted to the Governour ran to the Cabin They found the same fresh colour on his Face as he had when living and at the first sight cou'd hardly perswade themselves that he was dead When they had look'd on him at a nearer distance Piety began to be predominant over all their other thoughts they kneel'd down by him and kiss'd his Hands with reverence recommending themselves to him with tears in their Eyes as nothing doubting but that his happy Soul was perfectly enjoying God in Heaven His Corps was not laid into the ground till Sunday towards noon His Funerals were made without any Ceremony and besides Antonio de Sainte Foy Francis d'Aghiar and two others there were not any more Assistants An Historian of the Indies has written That the insupportable coldness of that day was the occasion of it But in all probability the apprehension which the Ships Company had of drawing on themselves the displeasure of the Governour Don Alvarez had at least as great a share in it as the sharpness of the season They took off his Cassock which was all in tatters and the four who had pay'd him those last duties divided it amongst them out of devotion after which they array'd him in his Sacerdotal Habits George Alvarez took upon himself the care of bestowing the Body in a large Chest made after the Chinese fashion he caus'd this Chest to be fill'd up with unslak'd Lime to the end that the Flesh being soon consum'd they might carry the Bones in the Vessel which within some few months was to return to India At the point of the Haven there was a little spot of rising ground and at the foot of this Hillock a small piece of Meadow where the Portugueses had set up a Cross. Near that Cross they interr'd the Saint they cast up two heaps of Stones the one at his Head the other at his Feet as a mark of the place where he was buried In the mean season God made manifest the holiness of his Servant
was one of those Men of Quality whose Fortunes are not equal to their Birth was thinking to remove him from his Studies after having allow'd him a competent maintenance for a year or two He communicated these his thoughts to Magdalen Iasso his Daughter Abbess of the Convent of St. Clare de Gandia famous for the austerity of its Rule and establish'd by some holy Frenchwomen of that Order whom the calamities of War had forc'd to forsake their Native Country and to seek a Sanctuary in the Kingdom of Valencia Magdalen in her younger days had been Maid of Honour and Favourite to the Catholick Queen Isabella The love of Solitude and of the Cross had caus'd her to forsake the Court of Arragon and quit for ever the pleasures of this World. Having chosen the most reform'd Monastery of Spain for the place of her retreat she apply'd her self with fervour to the exercises of Penitence and Prayer and became even from her noviciate a perfect pattern of Religious Perfection During the course of her life she had great Communications with God and one day he gave her to understand that she shou'd dye a sweet and easie death But on the contrary one of her Nuns was preordain'd to dye in strange torments The intention of God was not thereby to reveal to the Abbess what was really to happen but rather to give her an opportunity of exercising an heroick act of Charity She comprehended what her Heavenly Father exacted from her and petition'd him for an exchange God granted to her what himself had inspir'd her to demand and was pleas'd to assure her by a new Revelation that he had heard her Prayers She made known to her Ghostly Father what had pass'd betwixt God and her and time verify'd it For the Sister above mention'd dy'd without sickness and appear'd in dying to have had a foretaste of the Joys to come On the other side the Abbess was struck with a terrible disease which took all her Body as it were in pieces and made her suffer intolerable pains yet even those pains were less cruel to her than those inward torments which God at the same time inflicted on her She endur'd all this with wonderful Patience and Resignation being well assur'd that in the whole series of these Dispensations there was somewhat of Divine For what remains concerning her from the first years of her entry into a Religious Life the gift of Prophecy shone so visibly in her that none doubted but that she was full of the Spirit of God and 't is also probable that she left a Legacy of her Prophetick Gifts to her Spiritual Daughters For after her decease the Nuns of Gandia foretold many things which afterward the event confirm'd As amongst others the unhappy success of the Expedition to Algier of which the Duke of Borgia Viceroy of Catalonia gave the Advertisement from them to Charles the Fifth when he was making his Preparations for that Enterprise It was six years before the death of Magdalen that Don Iasso her Father writ to her concerning Xavier After she had receiv'd the Letter she was illuminated from above and according to the dictates of that Divine Light she answer'd Don Iasso That he shou'd beware of recalling her Brother Francis whatsoever it might cost him for his Entertainment in the University of Paris That he was a chosen Vessel preordain'd to be the Apostle of the Indies and that one day he shou'd become a great Pillar of the Church These Letters have been preserv'd for a long time afterwards and have been view'd by many persons who have depos'd the truth judicially in the process of the Canonisation of the Saint Don Iasso receiv'd this Answer from his Daughter as an Oracle from Heaven and no longer thought of recalling his Son from his Studies Xavier thereupon continued his Philosophy and succeeded so well in it that having maintain'd his Theses at the end of his course with a general applause and afterwards taking his degree of Master in Arts he was judg'd worthy to teach Philosophy himself His Parts appear'd more than ever in this new Employment and he acquir'd an high Reputation in his publick Lectures on Aristotle The Praises which universally were given him were extreamly pleasing to his Vanity He was not a little proud to have augmented the Glory of his Family by the way of Learning while his Brothers were continually adorning it by that of Arms and he flatter'd himself that the way which he had taken wou'd lead him onward to somewhat of greater consequence But God Almighty had far other thoughts than those of Xavier and it was not for these fading Honours that the Divine Providence had conducted him to Paris At the same time when this young Master of Philosophy began his course Ignatius Loyola who had renounc'd the World and cast the model of a learned Society wholly devoted to the Salvation of Souls came into France to finish his Studies which the obstacles he found in Spain after his Conversion had constrain'd him to interrupt He had not continued long in the University of Paris before he heard talk of Xavier and grew acquainted with him Our new Professour who taught at the Colledge of Beauvois though he dwelt in the Colledge of St. Barbe with Peter le Fevre a Savoyard was judg'd by Ignatius to be very proper for the preaching of the Gospel as well as his Companion To gain the better opportunity of insinuating himself into their acquaintance he took Lodgings with them and was not wanting to Exhort them to live up to the Rules of Christianity Le Fevre who was of a tractable nature and was not enamour'd of the World resign'd himself without opposition But Xavier who was of a haughty Spirit and whose head was fill'd with Ambitious thoughts made a fierce Resistance at the first The Discipline and Maximes of Ignatius who liv'd in a mean Equipage and valued nothing but that Poverty made him pass for a low minded Fellow in the Opinion of our young Gentleman And accordingly Xavier treated him with much contempt rallying him on all occasions and making it his business to ridicule him This notwithstanding Ignatius omitted no opportunities of representing to him the great consequence of his Eternal welfare and urging the words of our Blessed Saviour What profit is it to a Man to gain the whole World and to lose his owâ— Soul But perceiving that he cou'd make no impression on a heart where self-conceit was so very prevalent and which was dazled with vain-glory he bethought himself of assaulting him on the weaker side When he had often Congratulated with him for those rare talents of Nature with which he was endow'd and particularly applauded his great Wit he made it his business to procure him Scholars and to augment his Reputation by the crowd of his Auditours He conducted them even to his Chair and in presenting them to their Master never fail'd to make his Panegyrick Xavier was too
because they lead a hard and solitary life having very often no other Lodging than the hollow of a Tree or a Cave and sometimes living expos'd to the Air on a bare Mountain or in a Wilderness suffering all the hardships of the weather keeping a profound silence fasting a whole year together and making profession of eating nothing which has had Life in it But after all there was not perhaps a more wicked nation under the Canopy of Heaven The fruit of those austerities which they practice in the desart is to abandon themselves in publique to the most brutal pleasures of the Flesh without either shame or remorse of conscience For they certainly believe that all things how abominable soever are lawful to be done provided they are suggested to them by the light which is within them And the People are so 〈◊〉 with them that they believe 〈…〉 become holy by partaking in 〈◊〉 â—â—mes or by suffering any outrage 〈◊〉 them On the other side they are the greatest Impostours in the world their talent consists in inventing new Fables every day and making them pass amongst the vulgar for wonderful misteries One of their cheats is to perswade the simple that the Pagods eat like men and to the end they may be presented with good cheer they make their Gods of a Gigantique figure and are sure to endow them with a prodigious paunch If those offerings with which they maintain their Families come to fail they denounce to the People that the offended Pagods threaten the Country with some dreadful judgment or that their Gods in displeasure will forsake them because they are suffer'd to die of hunger The Doctrin of these Brachmans is nothing better than their Life one of their grossest errours is to believe that 〈◊〉 have in them somewhat of Sacred and Divine That happy is the man who can be sprinkled over with the ashes of a Cow burnt by the hand of a Brachman but thrice happy he who in dying lays hold of a Cow's tail and expires with it betwixt his hands For thus assisted the Soul departs out of the Body purified and sometimes returns into the Body of a Cow. That such a favour notwithstanding is not confer'd but on Heroick Souls who contemn life and dye generously either by casting themselves headlong from a Precipice or leaping into a kindled Pile or throwing themselves under the Holy Chariot-wheels to be crush'd to death by the Pagods while they are carried in Triumph about the Town We are not to wonder after this that the Brachmans cannot endure the Christian Law and that they make use of all their credit and their cunning to destroy it in the Indies Being favour'd by Princes infinite in number and strongly united amongst themselves they succeed in all they undertake and as being great Zealots for their antient superstitions and most obstinate in their Opinions 't is not â—asie to convert them Father Xavier who saw how large a Progress the Gospel had made amongst the People and that if there were no Brachmans in the Indies there wou'd consequently be no Idolaters in all those vast Provinces of Asia spar'd no labour to reduce that perverse Generation to the true knowledge of Almighty God. He convers'd often with those of that Religion and one day found a favourable occasion of treating with them passing by a Monastery where above two hundred Brachmans liv'd together he was visited by some of the chiefest who had the curiosity to see a man whose Reputation was so universal He receiv'd them with a pleasing countenance according to his custom and having engag'd them by little and little in a discourse concerning the eternal happiness of the Soul he desir'd them to satisfie him what their Gods commanded them to do in order to it after death They look'd a while on one another without answering At length a Brachman who seem'd to be fourscore years of age took the business upon himself and said in a grave tone that two things brought a Soul to glory and made him a companion to the Gods the one was to abstain from the murther of a Cow the other to give Alms to the Brachmans All of them confirm'd the Old man's answer by their approbation and applause as if it had been an Oracle given from the mouths of their Gods themselves Father Xavier took compassion on this their miserable blindness and the tears came into his eyes He rose on the suddain for they had been all sitting and distinctly repeated in an audible tone the Apostles Creed and the ten Commandments making a pause at the end of every Article and briefly expounding it in their own language after which he declar'd to them what were Heaven and Hell and by what actions the one and other were deserv'd The Brachmans who had never heard any thing of Christianity before and had been listning to the Father with great admiration rose up as soon as he had done speaking and ran to embrace him acknowledging that the God of the Christians was the true God since his Law was so conformable to the Principles of our inward light Every one of them propos'd divers questions to him if the Soul were immortal or that it perish'd with the Body and in case that the Soul died not at what part of the Body it went out if in our sleep we dreamt we were in a far Country or convers'd with an absent Person whether the Soul went not out of the Body for that time of what colour God was whether black or white their Doctours being divided on that point the white Men maintaining he was of their colour the black of theirs the greatest part of the Pagods for that reason being black The Father answer'd all their questions in a manner to suitable to their gross understanding which was ignorant alike of things divine and natural that they were highly satisfied with him Seeing them instructed and dispos'd in this sort he exhorted them to embrace the Faith of Iesus Christ and gave them to understand that the truth being made known to them ignorance cou'd no longer secure them from eternal Punishment But what victory can Truth obtain over Souls which find their interest in following Errour and who make profession of deceiving the common people They answer'd said the Saint in one of his Letters that which many Christians answer at this day what will the world say of us if they see us change and after that what will become of our Families whose only subsistence is from the offerings which are made to the Pagods Thus humane interest and worldly considertions made the knowledge of the truth serve only to their greater condemnation Not long afterwards Xavier had another conference with a Brachman who liv'd in the nature of an Hermite He pass'd for the Oracle of the Country and had been instructed in his youth at one of the most famous Academies of the East He was one of those who was knowing in their most
for the love of whom I undertake this Voyage that if there shou'd only pass this way some little Bark of Malacca I shou'd go aboard without the least deliberation All my hope is in God and I conjure you by his Love to remember always in your Prayers so great a sinner as my self Though his intentions in coming to Meliapor were only to receive the instructions of Heaven in his solitude yet he employ'd some part of his time in the good of others His holy Life gave a lustre and value to his Discourse and the sight of him alone was of efficacy to touch the Heart The people had receiv'd it as a Maxim That whoever follow'd not the Counsel of Father Francis shou'd dye an Enemy of God. And they related the unhappy end of some sinners who being urg'd by Xavier to make a speedy Repentance had deserr'd the work of their Conversion This popular Opinion contributed much to the change of Manners in the Town and the fear of a disastrous death serv'd frequently to break off in one moment the criminal commerce of many years There was in Meliapor a Portuguese Gentlemen who liv'd a debauch'd and scandalous life His House was a Seraglio in little and the greatest part of his business was making a Collection of beautiful Slaves Xavier went one day to visit him about Dinner time Are you willing said the Father that we shou'd begin an acquaintance by dining together The Portuguese was somewhat discompos'd both at the Visit and the Compliment yet he forc'd himself into good humour and made shew of being very glad of the honour which the Father had done him While they were at Table Xavier spoke not one word to him concerning his debauchery and only entertain'd him with ordinary talk though they had been serv'd by young Damsels whose Habit was not over modest and whose Air was very impudent He continu'd in the same way he had began after they were risen from Dinner and in conclusion took his leave without making him the least reproach The Gentleman surpris'd at the conduct of Father Francis believ'd his silence to be a bad omen to him and that he had nothing else to expect but an unhappy Death and a more unhappy Eternity In this thought he went with all diligence to find the Father and falling down before him Tour silence said he has spoken pow'rfully to my Heart I have not enjoy'd one moment of repose since you parted from me Ah Father if my everlasting Damnation be not already sfix'd I put my self into your hands do with me what you shall judge necessary for the Salvation of my Soul behold me ready to pay you a blind obedience Xavier embrac'd him and after he had given him to understand that the mercies of the Lord are infinite that it is our duty never to despair that he who sometimes refuses to Sinners the hour of repentance always grants pardon to the Penitent he caus'd him to put away those occasions of his sin and dispos'd him to a general Confession the fruit of which was a chast and Christian Life In short the Father did what he cou'd desire to be done at Meliapore and Witnesses of known Integrity have depos'd on Oath that he left the Town so different from what it was at his coming thither that it was hardly to be known for the same place which also gave him so entire a satisfaction that giving it a thousand Benedictions he said that there was not in all the Indies a more Christian Town And at the same time he Prophecy'd that one day it shou'd become flourishing and wealthy which Prediction was accomplish'd some few years afterward Though all these Conversions drew the publick veneration on Father Francis it seem'd that God took pleasure in making the name of his Servant yet more illustrious by certain wonderful events A Merchant of Meliapore being just ready to imbark for Malacca went to take his leave of him In receiving his blessing he beg'd of him some little token of his friendship The Father who was very poor cou'd find nothing to give him but the Chaplet which was hanging at his neck This Chaplet said he to the Merchant shall not be unprofitable to you provided you repose your trust in the Virgin Mary The Merchant went away in full assurance of the Divine Protection and without fear of Pyrates Winds or Rocks but God wou'd make a tryal of his Faith. He had already almost cross'd without the least hazard the great Gulph which is betwixt Meliapore and Malacca when suddenly there blew a furious Storm the Sails were torn the Rudder broken and the Mast came by the Boord and the Vessel afterwards being driven against the Rocks was split The greatest part of the Seamen and Passengers were drown'd some of them held upon the Rocks where they were cast away and the Merchant himself was of that number But being upon the wide Sea and not having wherewithal to supply Nature to avoid dying by hunger they took a resolution which only despair cou'd have inspir'd having gather'd up some floating Planks of their wreck'd Vessel and joyning them together the best they cou'd they put themselves upon thâ—m and abandon'd their safety to the mercy of the Waves without other hope than of lighting on some current which might possibly carry them on shore The Merchant full of confidence in the Blessed Virgin had still preserv'd the Chaplet of Xavier and fear'd not drowning while he held it in his hand The float of Planks was hardly adrift upon the waves when he found he was transported out of himself and believ'd he was at Meliapore with Father Francis. Returning from his extasie he was strangely surpriz'd to find himself on an unknown Coast and not to see about him the Companions of his Fortunes nor the Planks to which he had intrusted his Life He understood from some People who casually came that way that it was the Coast of Negapatan and in a transport mix'd with joy and amazement he told them in how miraculous a manner God had deliver'd him from death Another Portuguese by profession a Souldier call'd Ierome Fernandez de Mendoza receiv'd a considerable assistance from Xavier in a different manner but full as marvelous Fernandez having put off from the Coast of Cormandel in a Ship belonging to him wherein was all his wealth to go to another Coast more westward was taken near the Cape of Comorin by the Malabar Pyrates equally covetous and cruel To save his life in losing his goods he threw himself into the Sea and was happy enough in spight of his ill fortune to swim to land on the Coast of Meliapore Meeting there Father Francis he related his misfortune to him and beg'd an Alms. The Father was almost sorry at that time for his being so poor himself that he had not wherewithal to relieve the miserable man yet he put his hand into his Pocket as if he were searching there for
and Men Women and Children attracted by the novelty of the sight as much as by the expected succour he offer'd to God the death of his only Son and pray'd him by the merits of that Crucify'd Saviour who had pour'd out his blood for the sake of all Mankind not to deny a little water for the Salvation of an Idolatrous People Scarcely had the Saint begun his Prayer when the Sky began to be overcast with Clouds and by that time he had ended it there fell down Rain in great abundance which lasted so long 'till they had made a plentiful provision of water The Enemy now hopeless of taking the Town immediately decamp'd and the King with all his People receiv'd Baptism from the hand of Father Xavier He commanded also that all the neighbouring Islands who held of him shou'd adore Christ Iesus and engag'd the Saint to go and publish the Faith amongst them Xavier employ'd three months and more in these little voyages after which returning to Amboyna where he had left his Companion Iohn Deyro to cultivate the new growing Christianity and where he left him also for the same intention embarqu'd on a Portuguese Vâ—ssel which was setting Sail for the Molucca's That which is commonly call'd by the name of the Molucca's is a Country on the Oriental Ocean divided into many little Islands scituate near the Equator exceeding fruitful in Cloves and famous for the Trade of Spices There are five principal Islands of them Ternate Tidor Motir Macian and Bacian The first of these is a degree and half distant from the Equinoctial to the North the rest follow in the order above nam'd and all five are in sight of one another These are those celebrated Islands concerning which Ferdinand Magellan rais'd so many disputes amongst the Geographers and so many quarrels betwixt Spain and Portugal For the Portuguese having discover'd them from the East and the Spaniards from the West each of them pretended to inclose them within their Conquests according to the Lines of Longitude which they drew Ternate is the greatest of the Molucca's and it was on that side that Father Xavier took his course He had a Gulph to pass of ninety Leagues exexceeding dangerous both in regard of the strong Tides and the uncertain Winds which are still raising Tempests though the Sea be never so calm The Ship which carried the Father was one of those Vessels which in those parts are call'd Caracores of a long and narrow built like Gallies and which use indifferently Sails and Oars Another Vessel of the same make carried a Portuguese call'd Iohn Galvan having aboard her all his goods they set out together from Amboyna keeping company by the way and both of them bound for the Port of Ternate In the midst of the Gulph they were surpriz'd with a storm which parted them so far that they lost sight of each other The Caracore of Xavier after having been in danger of perishing many times was at length sav'd and recover'd the Port of Ternate by a kind of Miracle As for that of Galvan it was not known what became of her and the news concerning her was only brought by an evident Revelation The first Saints day when the Father Preach'd to the People he stop'd short in the middle of his discourse and said after a little pause Pray to God for the Soul of John Galvan who is drown'd in the Gulph Some of the Audience who were friends of Galvan and interessed in the Caracore ran to the Mariners who had brought the Father and demanded of them if they knew any certain news of this tragical adventure They answer'd that they knew no more than that the storm had separated the two Vessels The Portugueses recover'd courage at those words and imagin'd that Father Francis had no other knowledge than the Seamen But they were soon undeceiv'd by the testimony of their own eyes for three days after they saw wash'd on the shore the Corps of Galvan and the wreck of the Vessel which the â—ea had thrown upon the Coast. Verâ— near this time when Xavier was saying Mass turning to the People to say the Orate Fratres he added pray also for Iohn Araus who is newly dead at Amboyna They who were present observ'd punctually the day and hour to see if what the Father had said wou'd come to pass ten or twelve days after there arriv'd a Ship from Amboyna and the truth was known not only by divers Letters but confirm'd also by a Portuguese who had seen Araus dye at the same moment when Xavier exhorted the People to pray to God to rest his Soul. This Araus was the Merchant which refus'd to give Wine for the succour of the Sick in the Spanish Fleet and to whom the Saint had denounc'd a sudden death He fell sick after Xavier's departure and having neither Children nor Heirs all his Goods were distributed amongst the poor according to the custom of the Country The Shipwrack of Galvan and the death of Araus gave great Authority to what they had heard at Ternate concerning the Holiness of Father Francis and from the very first gain'd him an exceeding Reputation And indeed it was all necessary I say not for the reformation of Vice in that Country but to make him even heard with Patience by a dissolute people which committed without shame the most enormous crimes and such as Modesty forbids to name To understand how profitable the Labours of Father Xavier were to those of Ternate 't is sufficient to tell what he has written himself That of an infinite number of debauch'd persons living in that Island when he landed there all excepting two had laid aside their wicked courses before his departure The desire of Riches was extinguish'd with the love of Pleasures Restitutions were frequently made and such abundant Alms were given that the House of Charity set up for the relief of the necessitous from very poor which it was formerly was put into stock and more flourishing than ever The change of Manners which was visibly amongst the Christians was of no little service to the Conversion of Saracens and Idolaters Many of those Iâ—fidels embrac'd Christianity But the most illustrious conquest of the Saint was of a famous Saracen Lady call'd Neachile Pocaraga Daughter to Almanâ—or King of Tidore and Wife to Boliefe who was King of Ternate before the Portuguese had conquer'd the Island She was a Princess of great Wit and Generosity but extreamly bigotted to her Sect and a mortal Enemy to the Christians that is to say to the Portuguese Her hatred to them was justly grounded for having receiv'd them into her Kingdom with great civility and having also permitted them to establish themselves in one part of the Island for the conveniâ—nce of their Trade she was dealt with so hardly by them that after the death of the King her Husband she had nothing left her but the bare Title of a Queen And by their
to shut up the passage of the Indies to the Turks and Saracens who go thither by the red Sea and from this consideration it was that Albuquerque the Great endeavour'd to have Master'd it in the year 1513 but the vigorous resistance of the Achenois forc'd him to forsake the Siege After that time they were desirous of their own accord to have deliver'd it up to the Portugueses thereby to free themselves from the tyranny of the Turks Yet it was not then done through the fault of a Captain call'd Soarez who having no Orders to take Possession of the Town was so weak a Politician as to refuse it when it was offer'd to the Crown of Portugal That People whom the Turk us'd worse than ever testifi'd the same inclination under the Government of Castro and it was on that occasion that he sent a Fleet towards the Streight of Mecca under the Command of his Son Alvarez de Castro Eight Foysts of Goa full of Souldiers set out for the Expedition of Aden Amongst these there was one very brave Fellow renown'd for his Military Actions but blacken'd with all sorts of Crimes and more infamous by his Debauch'd Manners than known by his Valour He seem'd a kind of salvage Beast who had no more of Man in him than the bare Figure nor any thing of a Christian besides the name Above eighteen years he had abstain'd from Confession and that he once presented himself to the Bishop of Goa was less to reconcile himself to God than to take off the imputation of being either a Mahometan or an Idolater Father Xavier had cast an eye upon this wretch and waited only an opportunity to labour in so difficult a Conversion Understanding that this Souldier was imbarking on one of the Foysts which were going to joyn the Fleet he went out of the Colledge of St. Paul at the first notice of it taking nothing with him besides his Brâ—viary and enter'd into the same Vessel It was believ'd by those who saw the Father that he had Orders from the Viceroy to accompany his Son Alvarez and every one was glad of it excepting only he for whose sake he came He drew near the Souldier and when they had weigh'd Anchor began to make acquaintance with him and grew familiar to that degree that the rest of the Souldiers who were less debauch'd cou'd not sufficiently admire it and some of them said of Xavier what a Pharisee said formerly of our Lord If this Man were indeed a Prophet he wou'd discern what manner of man he was in whom he takes so much delight These Discourses did not at all daunt the Father He saw his Souldier playing whole nights together for he was a great Gamester He took no notice of his extravagancies and sometimes heard him Swear without seeming to regard it Only one day he said to him that Gaming requir'd a Compos'd Spirit and if he took not the better heed that Passion which he had in Play wou'd make him lose The Souldier brutal as he was grew insensibly to have a kindness for a man who was so much concern'd in his advantages and took pleasure in hearing him discourse not only of War and Sea Affairs but also of Religion and Morality In conclusion he made some reflections on the horrour of his life and felt even some remorse of Conscience for it Being one day together with the Father in a private part of the Ship Xavier ask'd him to whom he had Confess'd himself before he went on Ship-board Ah Father said the Souldier I have not been at Confession these many years And what do you imagine wou'd become of you said the holy man supposing you shou'd be kill'd in this action and in the condition you now are I wou'd once have Confess'd my self reply'd the Souldier at least for fashion and decency but the Vicar of Goa wou'd not so much as hear me but told me I was a Reprobate and deserv'd nothing but Hell-Fire The Vicar was in my Opinion said Xavier somewhat too severe to treat you in that manner He had perhaps his Reasons for that usage and I have mine to treat you otherwise For indeed the Mercies of our Lord are infinite and God wou'd have us as indulgent to our Brethren as he himself is to us Thus when the Sins of which you find your self guilty were a thousand times more numerous and more crying than they are I shall have the patience to hear them all and shall make no difficulty of giving you absolution provided you take those thoughts and resolutions which I shall endeavour to inâ—uâ—e into you By these words he brought the Souldier to a general Confession he dispos'd â—im for it by causing him to recall into his memory his past life and drawing him into the particulars of those Sins which a man of his Character and Profession might possibly have committed While they were upon these terms the Ship cast Anchor at the Port of Ceyâ—an for refreshment Many of the Fleet went on shore and amongst the rest the Father and the Souldier they went together to a wild solitary place there the Souldier made his Confession with abundance of tears resolv'd to expiate his Crimes with whatsoever Penance the Father shou'd enjoyn him were it never so rigorous Buâ— his Confessour gave him only a Pâ—ter Noster and an Ave to say Whereat the Penitent being much amaz'd from whence proceeds it my Father said he that being so great a Sinner as I am you have given me so light a Penance Be content answer'd Xavier O my Son we shall appease the Divine Justice and at the same instant he withdrew into a Wood while the Souldier perform'd his Penance There he did what he had formerly done on the like occasion he bar'd his Shoulders and disciplin'd himself so rigorously that the Souldier heard the noise of the strokes and came running to him beholding the Father all in blood and rightly judging what was the motive of so strange an action he snatch'd the Discipline out of his hands and crying out it was the Criminal who ought to endure the punishment and not the innocent to bear the pains of Sin he immediately strip'd himself and chastis'd his body with all his strength Xavier often-times embrac'd him and declar'd that it was for his sake alone that he came on Ship-board So having given him wholsome Admonitions to confirm him in the Grace of God he left him and return'd to Goa on the first Vessel which went out of the Port where they made the stay As for the Souldier he follow'd the Fleet and after the Expedition of Aden was ended he enter'd into Religion chusing one of the most austere Orders where he liv'd and dy'd in extraordinary holiness Not long after the Father was return'd to Goa the Governour Don Iohn de Castro return'd also but very ill of a Hectick Fever which had been consuming him for some months before Finding himself in a daily decay
waited for him a Sâ—ip which was to go towards Malacca He took for Companions Father Cozmo de Torrez and Iohn Fernandez besides the three Iaponneses Paul de Sainte Foy and his two Servants Iohn and Anthony 'T is true there imbark'd with him in the same Galley Emanuel Moralez and Alphonso de Castro but it was only that the Father might carry them to Malacca from whence both of them were to be transported to the Molucca's The Ship which attended the Father at Cochin being just ready to set sail they made but a short stay in that place but it was not unprofitable The Saint walking one day through the Streets happen'd to meet a Portuguese of his acquaintance and immediately ask'd him how he was in health The Portuguese answer'd he was very well yes reply'd Xavier in relation to your body but in regard of your Soul no man can be in a worse condition This man who was then designing in his heart a wicked action knew immediately that the Father saw into the bottom of it and seriously reflecting on it follow'd Xavier Conâ—ess'd himself and chang'd his evil life The Preaching of Castro so charm'd the People that they desir'd to have retain'd him at Cochin there to have establish'd the Colledge of the Society But Xavier who had design'd him for the Molucca's oppos'd it And Providence which destin'd the Crown of Martyrdom to that Missioner suffer'd him not to continue in a place where they had nothing but veneration for him They left Cochin on the 25th of April and arriv'd at Malacca on the last of May. All the Town came to meet Father Xavier and every particular Person was overjoy'd at his return Alphonso Martinez grand Vicar to the Bishop at that time lay dangerously Sick and in such an Agony of Soul as mov'd compassion For having been advertis'd to put himself in condition of giving up his Accounts to God of that Ministry which he had exercis'd for thirty years and of all the actions of his life he was so struck with the horrour of immediate death and the disorders of his life which was not very regular for a man of his Profession that he fell into a deep Melancholly and totally despair'd of his Salvation He cast out lamentable cryes which aâ—â—righted the hearers they heard him name his Sins aloâ—d and detest them with a furious regret not that he might ask Pardon for them but only to declare their enormity When they wou'd have spoken to him of Gods infinite mâ—â—câ— he broke out into a rage and â—râ—'d out as loud as he was able that there was no forgiveness for the Damn'd and no mercy in the Bottomless Pit. The sick man was told that Father Francis was just arriv'd and was ask'd 〈◊〉 he shou'd not be glad to see him Martinez who formerly had been very nearly acquainted with him seem'd to breathe anew at the hearing of that name and suddenly began to raise himself to go see said he the man of God. But the attempt he made serv'd only to put him into a fainting Fit. The Father entring at the same moment found him in it It had always been his custom to make his first visit to the Ecclesiastical Superiours but besides this the sickness of the Vicar hasten'd the Visit. When the sick man was come by little and little to himself Xavier began to speak to him of Eternity and of the conditions requisite to a Christian death This discourse threw Martinez back again into his former terrours and the Servant of God in this occasion found that to be true which he had often said that nothing is more difficult than to perswade a dying man to hope well of his Salvation who in the course of his life had â—latter'd himself with the hopes of it that he might Sin with the greater boldness Seeing the evil to be almost past remedy he undertook to do violence to Heaven that he might obtain for the Sick man the thoughts of true repentance and the grace of a religious death For he made a Vow upon the place to say a great number of Masses in honour of the most Holy Trinity of the Blessed Virgin of the Angels and some of the Saints to whom he had a particular devotion His Vows were scarcely made when Martinez became calm began to have reasonable thoughts and receiv'd the last Sacraments with a lively sorrow for his Sins and a tender relyance on Gods Mercies after which he dy'd gently in the arms of Xavier calling on the name of Iesus Christ. His happy death gave great consolation to the Holy man but the Apostolick labours of Francis Perez and Roch Oliveira increas'd his joy He had sent them the year before to Malacca there to found a Colledge of the Society according to the desire of the People and they had been very well receiv'd Perez had begun to open a publick School for the instruction of the youth in Learning and Piety according to the Spirit of their Institute Oliveira had wholly given himself to the Ministry of Preaching and the conduct of Souls but tying himself more especially to the care of Turks and Iews of which there was always a vast Concourse in the Town For the first came expresly from Mecca and the last from Malabar to endeavour there to plant Mahometism and Iudaism where Christianity then flourish'd The Example of the two Missioners drew many Portugueses to that kind of life of which they both made profession The most considerable of all was a young Gentleman whose name was Iuan Bravo who by his noble Birth and Valour might justly hope to raise his fortunes in the World. But he preâ—erring Evangelical Poverty and Religious Humility before all those earthly expectations and establishments was just then ready to have taken Ship for Goa there to execute those thoughts with which Heaven had inspir'd him when he was inform'd that Xavier wou'd take Malacca in his way He therefore waited for him and in the mean time liv'd with Perez and Oliveira as if he had been already of the Society At least he conform'd himself as much as he was able to their manners and habited himself like them that is to say instead of rich Garments he put on an old threed-bare Cassock with which he look'd the World in the face without having yet forsaken it He perform'd the Spiritual Exercises for a month together and never came out of his retirement but to employ himself in works of Charity in the Hospital There for three months he attended the Sick living in Poverty and begging his Bread from door to door even in the sight of Iames Sosa his Kinsman Admiral of the Fleet which was Rigging out for the Molucca's These Tryals oblig'd the Father to receive Bravo into the Society He admitted him almost immediately to take the first Vows and finding in him an excellent foundation for all the Apostolical Vertues he took care to cultivate him even so far as
in question and that a little to save his Reputation he chang'd the Subject but to no purpose for ever there too he was confounded for forgetting those decencies which even Nature prescribes to Men and common Custom has taught us in civil Conversation he advanc'd infamâ—us Propositions which cannâ—t be related without offending Modâ—sty and these he maintain'd with a strange impudence against the Reasons of the Father though the King and the Noble Auditory thought the Christian Arguments convincing But the Bonza still flying out into Passion and continuing to rail and â—awl aloud as if he were rather in a Bear garden than at a solemn Disputation one of the Lords there present said smiling to him If your business be fighting why did not you go to the Kingdom of Amanguchi when they were in Civil-Wars there you might have found some one or other with whom you might have 〈◊〉 to hâ—rd-heads What make you â—ere where all things are at quiet But if you came hither to dispute why do you not carry on your Argument with mildness and good manners according to the Copy which is set you by the European Bonza This sharp raillery had no effect upon Fucarandonâ— He reply'd to the Lord with so much impudence and haughtiness that the King whose Patience was tir'd with so much insolence caus'd him to be put out of the Hall saying That his Coat of a Bonza was the only protection of his life The affront which Fucarandâ—no had receiv'd was interpreted by the Bonza's as an injury done to the Gods and as such they declar'd it to the People saying That Religion was prâ—fan'd and that the King the Court and the whole Nation had incurr'd the wrath of Heaven Upon which pretence they shut up the Temples and wou'd neither offer Sacrifice nor accept of Alms. The Multitude which had already been dispos'd to rise began to get together and had certainly taken Arms if the King by good management had not somewhat calm'd their Spirits In the mean time the Portugueses not believing themselves to be secure against the rage of a Superstitious People and having just grounds of apprehending that the affront which Fucarandono had receiv'd might be reveng'd on their persons return'd with all expedition to their Ship designing to set Sail with the benefit of the first fair Wind At their departure from the Town they inâ—reated Father Xavier to follow them but he cou'd not resolve to run off like a Fugitive or to forsake those new Christians whose ruine had been sworn by the Heathen Priests How eager soever those Merchants were to get out of a Countrey where their lives were in so little safety yet their fear for Father Xavier kept them lingring there some days longer they deputed the Captain of the Vessel to him who was to desire him in their name to make haste to them Edward de Gama after a long enquiry found him at last in a poor Cabin with eight Christians who having been the most zealous in opposition of the Bonza's were in reason to expect the more cruel usage at their hands and were content to offer up their lives provided they might die in the Arms of the Man of God. The Captain urg'd him with the strongest Reasons which he cou'd invent and set before him all the dangers which attended him that being at the mercy of the Bonza's his death was inevitable and that the means of escaping wou'd be lost when once the Tempest shou'd begin to rise The Father far from yielding to these Arguments was offended at the Captain and the Merchants for desiring to hinder him from the Crown of Martyrdome which he had taken so long a Journey to obtain My Brother said he to Gama with a servour which express'd the holy ambition of his Soul how happy shou'd I be if I cou'd receive what you reckon a disgrace but what I account a Soveraign Felicity but I am unworthy of that favour from Almighty God yet I will not render my self more unworthy of it which assuredly I shou'd if I embark'd with you For what scandal shou'd I give by flying hence to my new Converts Might they not take occasion from it to violate their promises to God when they shou'd find me wanting to the duty of my Ministry If in consideration of that Money which you have receiv'd from your passengers you think your self oblig'd to secure them from the danger which threatens them and for that reason have summon'd them on Board ought not I by a stronger motive guard my Flock and die with them for the sake of a God who is infinitely good and who has redeem'd me at the price of his own life by suffering for me on the Cross Ought not I to seal it with my Blood and to publish it by my death that all men are bound to sacrifice their Blood and Lives to this God of Mercies This generous answer wrought so much upon the Captain that instead of doubling his solicitations on Father Xavier he resolv'd to partake his Fortune and not to leave him Having taken up this Resolution without farther care of what might happen to his Ship or what became of his own person and accounting all his losses for a trifle while he enjoy'd the Company of Xavier he return'd indeed to his Merchants but it was only to declare to them the determination of the Father and his own also that in case they wou'd not stay he gave up his Vessel to them they were supply'd with Mariners and Souldiers and had plentiful Provisions laid in both of Food and Ammunition for War. They might go at their pleasure wheresoever they design'd but for his own particular he was resolv'd to live and die with the Man of God. Not a Man of them but subscrib'd to the Opinion of the Captain and they were one and all for following his Example and the Fortune of the Saint Suddâ—nly they put into the Port again for the Ship had lain off at a good distance for fear of some attempt which might be made upon it from the Town Souldiers were left for its defence and the Captain and Merchants came in Company to Fucheo Their return gave new vigour to the Christians and amaz'd the People who cou'd not but wonder that so poor a man shou'd be had in such esteem by his Country-men that they chose rather to run the hazard of their wealth and of their lives than to lose the sight of him This prompt return broke all the measures of the Bonza's whose courage had been swell'd by the â—light of Gama which had given them the opportunity of making their Cabals against the Christians but when they found that those designs mightâ— possibly miscarry and that on the other side they were again desy'd to a new Conference on the Subject of Religion they thought good to accommodate themselves a little to the times and to renew the dispute betwixt Xavier and Fucarandono before the Court. To
apt to receive the instructions which vvere given him by Father Antonio Heredia who endeavour'd his Conversion with great Zeal But his fear of farther exasperating his Rebellious Subjects in case he chang'd his Religion caus'd him to defer that change from time to time and perhaps he had never forsaken the Law of Mahomet if Father Francis had not arriv'd to compleat that work which Heredia had begun The holy Apostle preach'd the word vvith so much eâ—â—icacy to the King of the Maldivia's that at length he reduc'd him to the obedience of Christ notwithstanding all the motives of worldly interest to the contrary Having instructed him anew in the Mysteries of Christianity he solemnly baptis'd him In sequel of which he excited the Portugueses to replace him on the Throne and nominated some of the Fathers to accompany the Naval Army which shou'd be sent to the Maldivia's His intention was that they shou'd labour in the Conversion of the whole Kingdom when once the King shou'd be establish'd But because it was of small importance to the Crown of Portugal that those Islands which produce neither Gold nor Spices nor Perfumes shou'd be made tributary to it the Governours did nothing for that exil'd Prince who despairing to recover his Dominions marri'd a Portuguese and liv'd a private life till the day of his death Happy only in this that the loss of his Crown was made up to him by the gift of Faith and the Grace of Baptism When the holy Man was ready to depart an opportunity was offer'd him of writing into Europe which he laid hold on thereby to render an account of his Voyage to Iapan both to the King of Portugal and to the General of his Order Then imbarking for Goa he had a speedy Voyage and arriv'd there in the beginning of February So soon as he was come on shore he visited the sick in the Town-Hospitals and then went to the Colledge of St. Paul which was the House of the Society After the ordinary embracements which were more tender than ever he enquir'd if none were sick within the Colledge He was answer'd there was only one who was lying at the point of death Immediately Xavier went and read the Gospel over him At the sight of the Father the dying man recover'd his Spirits and was restor'd to health The Physicians had given him over and all things had been order'd for his burial But he himself had never despair'd of his recovery and the day when Xavier arriv'd he said with a dying voice That if God wou'd grant him the favour of beholding their good Father he shou'd infallibly recover The Relation which Xavier made to the Fathers of Goa concerning the Church of Iapan was infinitely pleasing to them And he himself was fill'd with equal consolation in learning from them the present condition of Christianity in the Indies The Missioners whom he had dispers'd before his departure were almost all of them united at his return Some of them were come by his command and others of their own motion concerning urgent business as if the holy Spirit had re-assembl'd them expresly that the presence of the Man of God might redouble in them their Apostolick Zeal and Religious Fervour God had every where blest their labours The Town of Ormus which fell to the lott of Father Gaspar Barzaeus had wholly chang'd its Countenance Idolaters Saracens and Iews ran in multitudes to Baptism The Temples of Idols were consecrated to Christ the Mosques and Synagogues were dispeopled ill Manners were reform'd and ill Customs totally abolish'd Christianity flourish'd more than ever in the Coast of Fishery since the death of Father Antonio Criminal who had cultivated it with care and in that cultivation was massacred by the Badages The blood of the Martyr seem'd to have multiply'd the Christians they were reckon'd to be more than â—ive hundred thousand all Zealous and ready to lay down their lives for their Religion The Gospel had not made less progress at Cochin and at Coulan at Bazain and at Meliapore at the Molucca's and in the Isles del Moro. Put it is almost incredible with what profit the Gospel Labourers preach'd at Goa All the Priests of Idols had been driven out of the Isle of Goa by Order from the Governour and at the solicitation of one of the Fathers belonging to the Colledge of St. Paul. It was also prohibited under severe Penalties to perform any publick action of Idolatry within the District of Goa and those Ordinances by little and little reduc'd a multitude of Gentils As for the Portugueses their lives were very regular amidst the liberty of doing whatsoever pleas'd them they refrain'd from all dishonest actions and Concubines were now as scarce as they had been common The Souldiers liv'd almost in the nature of men in Orders and even their Piety edify'd the People But nothing was more pleasing to Xavier than the Conversion of two Princes who during his absence had been at Goa The first was King of Tanor a Kingdom scituate along the Coasts of Malabar betwixt Cranganor and Calecuâ— This Prince who was party-per-pale Mahometan and Idolater but prudent a great Warriour of a comely shape and more polite than was usual for a Barbarian had â—â—om his youth a tendency to Christianity without being well instructed in it He was enamour'd of it after he had been inform'd to the full concerning the Mysteries of our Faith by a Religious of the Order of St. Francis who frequented his Palace In the mean time the wars which he had with other Princes for ten years together hinder'd him from receiving Baptism At length he was Christen'd but very secretly so that in appearance he remain'd an Infidel to keep the better correspondeâ—ce with his People Yet he was not without some scruple concerning the manner of his Life and in order to satisfie his Conscience on so nice a Point he desir'd the Bishop of Goa to sâ—nd him an Apostle for by that name the Fathers of the Society were call'd by the Indiâ—ns as well as by the Portâ—gueses Father Gomez who was sent to the King of Tanor told him positively that God wou'd be serv'd in spirit and in truth that dissembling in Religion was worse than irreligion and that Iesus wou'd disown before his Angels those who disown'd him before men The King who preferr'd his Salvation before his Crown believ'd Gomez and resolv'd to declare himself solemnly a Christian as soon as he had made a Treaty with his Enemies Having concluded a Peace through the mediation of the Father who had advis'd him to it he came to Goa in despight of all his Subjects who not being able to gain upon him either by their reasons or their desires had seiz'd upon his Person and shut him up in one of the strongest Citadels of the Kingdom He escap'd out of his Prison swam a River and having found eight Foysts or half Galleys belonging to Goa which were purposely sent
fourteenth day of April The Sea was calm enough till they came to the height of the Islands of Nicubar which are somewhat above Sumatra towards the Nortâ— Thereabouts the Waves began to swell and presently after there arose so furious a Tempest that there scarcely remain'd any hopes of saâ—ety That which doubled their Apprehension was that two Foysts which bore them company unable to sustain the fury of the Waves sunk both by one another The â—hip which carry'd Xavier and his Companians was a Royal Vessel very large and deep laden so that her unwâ—ldy bulk and heavy fraight hinder'd hâ—r â—ailing and her steering It was tâ—ought necessary to ease her and the Merchandises were ready to be cast over-board when Father Francis desir'd the Captain not to be too hasty But the Sailours saying that the Tempest increasing as usually it does towards evening the Vessel cou'd not so conveniently be disburden'd in the dark he bid them not disturb themselves about it for the storm shou'd cease and they shou'd make Land before Sun-set The Captain who knew how certain the Predictions of Xavier were made not the least scruple of believing him and the event verify'd the Prophecy The Sea grew calm and Land appear'd before the setting of the Sun. But while every one was rejoicing at the nearness of the Port the holy Man had sadness in his Countenance and often sigh'd Some of them enquir'd the cause and he bade them pray to God for the City of Malacca which was visited with an Epidemical disease Xavier said true for the sickness was so general and so contagious that it seem'd the beginning of a Pestilence Malignant Fevers rag'd about the Town which carry'd off the strongest Constitutions in a little space and the infection was caught almost at sight In this condition the Ship sound Malacca and never was the sight of the holy Man more pleasing to the Inhabitants Every one promis'd himself ease of Body and consolation of Mind from him and they were not deceiv'd in their expectation So soon as he was set on shore he went in search of the Sick and found employment enough amongst them for the exercise of his Charity Not a man of them but desir'd to confess to Father Francis and to expire in his Arms according to the popular opinion that whoever dy'd in that manner cou'd not fail of being sav'd He ran from Street to Street with his Companions to gather up the poor who lay languishing on the ground for want of succour He carry'd them to the Hospitals and to the Colledge of the Society which on this occasion he chang'd into an Hospital And when both the Colledge and the Hospitals were full he order'd Cabins to be built along the Shore out of the remainders of rotten Vessels for Lodgings and necessary uses of those distress'd Creatures After which he procur'd them Food and Medicines which he begg'd from the devouter sort and himselâ— attended them both day and night That which appear'd most wonderful was that though the sick cou'd not be serv'd nor the dying assisted nor the dead bury'd without taking the infection and it was death to take it yet Xavier and his Companions enjoy'd their perfect health in tâ—e midst of such dangerous employments This indeed was wonderful but there was also an undoubted miracle which it pleas'd Almighty God to work by the Ministry of his Servant on a young man whom at that time he restor'd to liâ—e This young mâ—n nam'd Francis Ciavus the only Son of a devout Woman who had long been under the conduct of Xavier having put into his mouth without thinking of it a poison'd Arrow such as are us'd in those Eastern parts dy'd suddenly so subtile and so mortal was the venome They were already burying him when Xavier came by chance that way He was so mov'd with the cries and lamentations of the Mother that taking the dead by thâ— hâ—nd he reviv'd him with these words Francis in 〈◊〉 name of Jesus Christ arise The youth thus rais'd believ'd from that moment that he was no more his own and that he was oblig'd to consecrate that liâ—e to God which was so miraculâ—usly restor'd In effect he did it and out of acknowledgment to Xavier took the Habit of the Society When the Mortality was almost ceas'd the Saint pursu'd his design of the Embassy to China and treated with Don Alvarez'd Atayda the Governour of Malacca on whom the Viceroy had repos'd the trust of so important an Affair Don Alvarez had much approv'd this enterprise when Xavier had first open'd it at his return from Iapan and had even promis'd to favour it with all his power But Envy and Interest are two passions which stiflxse the most reasonable thoughts and make men forget their most solemn Protestations The Governour had a grudging to Pereyra who the year before had refus'd to lend him ten thousand Crowns and cou'd not endure that a Merchant shou'd be sent Ambassadour to the greatest Monarch in the World. He said That certainly that Pereyra whom the Viceroy had impower'd by his Letters was some Lord of the Court of Portugal and not James Pereyra who had been Domestick Servant to Don Gonsalvo de Cotigno But that which most disturb'd him was that besides the honour of such an Embassy the Merchant shou'd make so vast a proâ—it of his Wares which he wou'd sell off at an excessive rate in China The Governour said That in his own person were to be consider'd the services of the Count his Father and that those hundred thousand Crowns which wou'd be gain'd at least by Pereyra were a more suitable reward for the Son of Atayda than for the Valet de Chambre of Cotigno With such grating thoughts as these he sought occasions to break off the Voyage yet he wou'd not declare himself at first and the better to cover his design or not to seem unthankful to Father Xavier he fed him with fair promises For the holy Man had procur'd him the command of Captain Major of of the Sea and himself had brought him the provisions for that place because when first the Father had open'd his purpose of going into China Atayda seem'd to have espous'd the project with great affection and ingag'd himself to make it succeed in case the Ports and Navigations of the Portuguâ—ses were once depending on him To oblige him yet farther the Saint had procur'd from the Viceroy and brought along with him certain extraordinary priviledges which had not been compris'd in the provisions of the Command And lastly That he might wholly gain him at his arrival finding the Governour very sick he attended him with great diligence and made himself at once both his Nurse and his Chaplain watching by him all the night and saying Mass for him in the morning But all these Offices of friendship wrought nothing on a heart where Jealousy and Avarice were predominant What care soever Don Alvarez took to
to discover the neighbouring Coast. She was three days before she came back and all the Ships Company imagin'd that she had been overtaken by some Hurrican but Xavier assur'd them that she shou'd suddenly return with refreshments sent them by the Portugueses of Sancian and that also she shou'd be follow'd by some Vessels which shou'd come to meet them on their way and conduct them into the Port. All happen'd as the Father had foretold and the Santa Cruz. guided by the Vessels of Sancian arriv'd at that Island twenty three days after her departure from Malacca There are three Islands so little distant from each other that they appear but one for which reason the Chineses in their language call them Samceu a word compos'd of Sam which signifies three and Ceu which is to say an Island The chief of these Islands which the Portugueses have nam'd Sancian has a convenient and safe Port all Crown'd with Mountains and forming a semicircle on that side which looks towards Macâ—â— It has few Inhabitants who are Natives almost no Provisions and is so barren of it self so uncultivated and so wild that it seems rather a place of Banshment than of Commerce The Chineses had permitted the Portugueses to trade thither to buy their Commodities and sell their own to them without breaking their fundamental Law of suffering no stranger to set foot within their Country So that the Portugueses durst come no nearer the main Land for fear of hazarding their lives or at least their liberty Neither was it permitted them to build solid Houses in the Isle they were only allow'd to set up slight Cabins cover'd with Matts and dress'd about with boughs of Trees that they might not always be shut up within their Vessels Amongst these Merchants there was one who was very rich and infinitely charitable but of a gay humour and pleasant in Conversation addicted to all pleasure which decency permits and loving not to deny himself any thing which will make life comfortable For the rest most affectionate to Father Xavier his name was Peter Veglio the same Veglio who was with the Saint at Iapan and who return'd in his Company Xavier being very desirous of his Friends Salvation exhorted him from time to time to mortify his natural Inclinations even sometimes to chastise his Body for the expiation of his Sins Veglio understood not that Latin whether he was too tender of his own person or thought his Sins were not of a nature to deserve such severities he cou'd never find in his Heart to take up the Discipline but instead of Macerations and Penances he gave great Alms and Father Francis receiv'd from him very large supplies for the relief of such as were in want One day the Father having need of a certain sum of Money to marry a young Orphan Virgin who was poor and handsome and consequently in danger of being ruin'd had recourse to Veglio according to his Custom He found him ingag'd in play with another Merchant but the business being urgent he forbore not to request his Charity Veglio who lov'd to be merry made as if he were angry with him and answer'd thus Father Francis when a man is losing he is in no condition of giving Alms and for a wise man as you are you have made a very gross miâ—â—ake in this unseasonable demand 'T is always in season to do good reply'd Xavier and the best time for giving Money is when a man has it in his hand The Merchant continuing in the same tone and seeming to be displeas'd with the Fathers company added as it were to be rid of him Here take the Key of my Chest take all my Money if you will and leave me to play my Game in quiet In the Merchants Chest were thirty thousand Taës which amount to forty five thousand Crowns of Gold. The Father took out three hundred Crowns which were sufficient to marry the Orphan Mayden Some time afterward Veglio counting over his Money and finding the sum was still entire believ'd the Father had not touch'd it and reproach'd him with want of friendship for not making use of him whereupon Xavier proteâ—ted to him that he had taken out three hundred Crowns I swear to you said Veglio that not one of them is wanting But God forgive you added he my meaning was to have parted the whole sum betwixt us and I expected that of my forty five thousand Crowns you shou'd at least have taken the one moity Xavier finding that Veglio had spoken very sincerely to him and out of a pure principle of Charity said as a Man transported out of himself by the Spirit of God Peter the design you had is a good work before the Eyes of him who weighs the motions and intentions of the Heart he himself will recompence you for it and that which you have not given shall be one day restor'd to you an hundred-fold In the man time I answer for him that temporal gâ—ods shall be never wanting to you and when you shall have misfortunes to put you backwards in the World your Friends shall assist you with their Purses I farther declare to you that you shall not die without being first advertis'd of the day of your death After these predictions Veglio was quite chang'd into another man applying himself wholly to exercises of Piety and in the condition of a Merchant liv'd almost the life of a Religious What had been foretold him that he should have warning of his death came frequently into his remembrance and he cou'd not hinder himself one day from asking the Saint at what time and in what manner it shou'd be The Saint told him without pausing When you shall find the taste of your Wine bitter then prepare your self for death and know that you have but one day more to live The Merchant liv'd in Opulence and Splendour even to an extream old age He had several losses in his Trade according to the chance of things which are depending on the Sea. But his Friends continually reliev'd him in his necessities and gave him wherewithal to set up again At length being one day at a great Entertainment and more gay than ever having ask'd for Wine he found the taste of it was bitter Immediately remembring the Prophecy of Father Xavier he was seiz'd with an inward horrour which begining from the Soul spread over his Body as if death had been pronounc'd against him or the Image of death presented to his Eyes Nevertheless somewhat recovering his Spirits for his farther satisfaction in the point he desir'd his fellow Guests at the Table to taste the Wine out of his Glass All judg'd it to be excellent besides himself who made divers tryals of it on his Palat. He call'd for other Wines and another Glass but always found the same bitterness Then no longer doubting but that his last hour was coming after he had made an interiour Sacrifice of his life to
and if the Gospel enter with me 't is to you next to Almighty God to whom both the Chineses and my self shall be owing for it You shall have the merit of it in the sight of God and the glory in the sight of men Thus both the Chineses who shall embrace the Faith and those of our Society who shall go to China shall be oblig'd to offer without ceasing their Vows to Heaven in favour of you God grant us both the happiness once to meet in the Court of China As for my self I am of opinion if I get into that Kingdom and that you come thither you will either find me a Prisoner at Canton or at Pequin which is the Capital City of that Empire and I beseech the Lord out of his infinite mercy that we may be joyn'd together either in the Kingdom of China or at least in the Kingdom of Immortal Glory He wrote by the same conveyance to Father Francis Perez Superiour of Malacca He commanded him in vertue of holy obedience to depart with the soonest out of that unhappy Town and to conduct his inferiours to Cochin where he establish'd him Rectour of the Colledge in the place of Antonio Heredia whom he sent to Goa Though Father Xavier deplor'd a-new the wrâ—tâ—hed condition of Don Alvarez it hinder'd him not from enjoyning Father Barzaeus in his Letter to him that he shou'd work the Bishop to send his Orders to the Grand Vicar of Malacca therein declaring the Governour to be Excommunicated And he took this way not only because harden'd and scandalous Offendours such as Don Alvarez ought to incurr a publick dishonour by that means to induce them to a serious consideration of their own estate and that others might take warning by them but also that succeeding Governours might fear by the example of his punishment to set themselves in opposition to any intended Voyage of the Missioners who shou'd be sent hereafter to the Molucca's Iapan or any other places He desir'd Father Barzaeus in the same Letter to receive few persons into the Society and to make an exact trial of those whom he shou'd receive For I fear said he that many of them who have been admitted and daily are admitted were better out of our walls than within them You ought to deal with such people as you have seen me deal with many at Goa and as I have lately treated my Companion whom I have dismiss'd from the Society not having found him proper for our business He meant Alvarez Pereyra whom he had brought with him from the Indies and whom he sent back from Sancian with the Portuguese Vessels Amongst those Merchants who went off from Sancian there was one who made more haste than any of the rest without giving notice of his departure to the Father whom he had lodg'd in his Cabin or without waiting for a Chinese Vessel which he had bought at the Port of Canton One morning while the Father was saying Mass very early this Merchant had put off from shore and fled with as much precipitation as if the Island was ready to be swallow'd by the Sea. After Mass was ended he look'd round him and not seeing him for whom he search'd What is become of my Host said he with the looks and gesture of a man inspir'd Being answer'd that he was already in open Sea what cou'd urge him continu'd he to so prompt a resolution why did he not expect the Ship which comes from Canton and whither is he dragg'd by his unhappy destiny That very evening the Chinese Vessel was seen to arrive as for the â—ugitive Merchant he was no sooner landed at Malacca when going into a wood to seek materials for the refitting of his Ship he was ponyarded by Robbers All the Portuguese Vessels being gone saving only that which belong'd to the Governour of Malacca or rather of which the Governour had possess'd himself by violence Xavier was reduc'd to so great a want of all necessaries that he had scarcely wherewithal to sustain Nature 'T is certainly a matter of amazement that they whose lives he had preserv'd by changing the salt Sea-water into fresh shou'd be so hard-hearted as to abandon him to dye of hunger Some have thought that Don Alvarez had given Orders that all things shou'd be refus'd him but I rather think that Providence wou'd try him in the same manner as sometimes God is pleas'd to prove those whom he loves the best and permitted that dereliction of him for the entire perfection of the Saint That which most afflicted him was that the Chinese Interpreter who had made him such advantageous offers recall'd his word either of himself for fear of danger or at the sollicitation of those who were devoted to the Governour of Malacca Yet the Father did not lose his courage he still hop'd that God wou'd assist him some other way and that at the worst Antonio de Sainte Foy might serve his turn for an Interpreter But for the last load of his misfortunes the Merchant who had ingag'd to land him on the Coast of China return'd not at the time appointed and he in vain expected him for many days Despairing of any thing on that side he still maintain'd his resolution and another expedient seem'd to promise him success News was brought him that the King of Siam whose Dominions are almost bordering on Malacca and who also was in league with Portugal was preparing a magnificent Embassy to the Emperour of China for the year following Whereupon Xavier resolv'd on returning to Malacca by the first opportunity and to use his best endeavours that he might accompany the Ambassadour of Stam to China But the Eternal Wisdom which sometimes inspires his Servants with great designs does not always will the performance of them though he wills that on their side nothing be omitted for the execution God was pleas'd to deal with Xavier as formerly he had dealt with Moses who dyed in view of that very Land whither he was commanded to conduct the Israelites A Fever seiz'd on Father Francis on the 20 th of November and at the same time he was endu'd with a clear knowledge of the day and hour of his death as he openly declar'd to the Pilot of the Vessel Francis d' Aghiar who afterwards made an authentique deposition of it by solemn Oath From that moment he perceiv'd in himself a strange disgust of all earthly things and thought on nothing but that Coelestial Country whither God was calling him Being much weaken'd by his Fever he retir'd into the Vessel which was the common Hospital of the sick that there he might die in Poverty and the Captain Lewis Almeyda receiv'd him notwithstanding all the Orders of his Master Don Alvarez But the tossing of the Ship giving him an extraordinary head-ach and hindring him from applying himself to God as he desir'd the day ensuing he requested that he might be set on shore again He was
favour not only of the Concubinarians bâ—t of thâ—â—r Mistresses and he compass'd this by the mildness of his Aspect by the obligingness of his Words and sometimes by good Offices Yet we cannot think that the Conversions of Sinners cost him only these Addresses Before he treated with them concerning the important business of their Souls he treated with God at the holy Altars but to render his Prayers more efficacious he join'd them with all manner of Austerities Having notice that three Portuguese Souldiers belonging to the Garrison of Amboyna had liv'd for five years past in great debauchery he got their good Wills by his ingaging carriage and wrought so well that these Libertines as wicked as they were lodg'd him in their Quarters during a whole Lent so much they were charm'd with his good humour But while he appear'd thus gay amongst them in his outward behaviour for fear of giving them any disgust of his Society he underwent most rigorous Penances to obtain the Grace of their Conversion and us'd his Body so unmercifully that he was languishing for a moneth of those severities When Xavier had reduc'd his Penitents to that point at which he aim'd that is when he had brought them to Confession they cost him not less pains than formerly He always begg'd of God their perseverance with his tears and frequently when he had enjoin'd them some light Penance pay'd for them the remainder of their debts with bloody disciplining of his own Body But when he lighted on intractable and stubborn Souls he left them not off for their contumacy but rather sought their good opinion and on occasion shew'd them a better Countenance than usual that thence they might be given to understand how ready he was for their reception When he went from Ternata to Amboyna he left but two persons who were visibly ingag'd in Vice The first opportunity which the Vessels had of repassing to Ternata he writ expresly to one of his Friends that he shou'd salute those two scandalous sinners with all tenderness from him and let them know that upon the least sign which they shou'd make him he wou'd return to hear their Confessions But these Condescentions and this Goodness of the Apostle had nothing in them of meanness or of weakness and he knew well enough to make use of severity when there was occasion for it Thus a Lady who had accus'd her self in Confession to have look'd upon a Man with too alluring an Eye was thus answer'd by him You are unworthy that God shou'd look on you since by those incouraging regards which you have given to a Man you have run the hazard of losing God. The Lady was so pierc'd with these few words that during the rest of her life she durst never look any Man in the Face By all these Methods Xavier made so many Converts But whatever he perform'd he look'd on it as no more than an Essay And he wrote in the year 1549 that if God wou'd be pleas'd to bestow on him yet ten years more of life he despair'd not but these small beginnings wou'd be attended with more happy Consequences This ardent desire of extending farther the Dominion of Iesus Christ caus'd him to write those pressing Letters to the King of Portugal and Father Ignatius that he might be furnish'd with a larger supply of Missioners he promis'd in his Letters to sweeten the Labour of the Mission by serving all his fellows and loving them better than himself The year he dy'd he writ that when once he had subdu'd the Empire of China and that of Tartary to the Scepter of Iesus Christ he purpos'd to return into Europe by the North that he might labour in the reduction of Hereticks and restoration of Discipline in Manners that after this he design'd to go over into Africa or to return into Asia in quest of new Kingdoms where he might preach the Gospel For what remains though he was ever forming new designs as if he were to live beyond an Age yet he labour'd as if he had not a day to live and so tugg'd at the work which he had in hand that two or three days and nights pass'd over his head without once thinking to take the least manner of nourishment In saying his Office it often happen'd to him to leave for five or six times successively the same Canonical-hour for the good of Souls and he quitted it with the same promptitude that afterwards he resum'd it He broke off his very Prayers when the most inconsiderable person had the least occasion for him and order'd when he was in the deepest of his retirements that if any poor Man or even but a Child shou'd desire to be instructed he might be call'd from his Devotions No Man perhaps was ever known to have run more dangers both by Land and Sea without reckoning into the account the Tempests which he suffer'd in ten years of almost continual Navigation 't is known that being at the Molucca's and passing from Isle to Isle he was thrice Shipwrack'd though we are not certain of the time or places and once he was for three days and nights together on a Plank at the mercy of the Winds and Waves The Barbarians have often shot their Arrows at him and more than once he fell into the hands of an inrag'd multitude One day the Saracens pursu'd him and endeavour'd to have ston'd him and the Brachmans frequently sought after him to have murther'd him even to that point of merciless barbarity as to set Fire on all the Houses where they imagin'd he might lie conceal'd But none of all these dangers were able to affright him and the apprehension of dying cou'd never hinder him from performing his ordinary Functions It seem'd that even dangers serv'd to the redoubling of his Courage and that by being too intrepid he sometimes enter'd into the extream of rashness Being at Iapan he reprehended the King of Amanguchi so severely for the infamy and scandal of his Vices that Father Iohn Fernandez who serv'd him for Interpreter as being more conversant than the Saint in the Language of the Court was amaz'd and trembled in pronouncing what the Father put into his mouth as we are given to understand in a Letter written by the same Fernandez Xavier one day perceiving the fear of his Companion forbade him absolutely either to change or soften any of his words I obey'd him says Fernandez but expected every moment when the Barbarian shou'd strike me with his Cymetar and confess my apprehensions of death were as much too great as the concernment of Father Francis was too little In effect he was so far from fearing death that he look'd on it as a most pleasing Object If we dye for so good a Cause said Xavier on another occasion we ought to place it amongst the greatest benefits we receive from God and shall be very much oblig'd to those who freeing us from a continual death such as is this mortal life
â—olledge of Goa to read frequently the Instructions which I have left with you particularly those which concern Humility and take an especial care in considering what God has done by you and by all the Labourers of the Society that you do not forget your self For my own particular I shou'd he glad that all of you wou'd seriously think how many things God leaves undone because you are wanting to him in your Fidelity and I wou'd rather that consideration shou'd employ your thoughts than those great works which it has pleas'd our Lord to accomplish by your Ministry for the first reflection will cover you with Confusion and make you mindful of your weakness but instead of that the second will puff you up with Vanity and expose you to the danger of having thoughts of Arrogance This well grounded humility in Xavier was the Principle of a perfect submission to the Will of God. He never undertook any thing without consulting him before-hand and the Divine Decrees were his only Rule I have made continual Prayers says he speaking of his Voyage to Macassar to know what Heaven requires of me for I was firmly resolv'd not to be wanting on my part to fulfil the Will of God whensoever it shou'd be made known to me May it please our Lord said he on the same subject that out of his goodness we might understand what he designs by us to the end we might entirely conform our selves to his holy Will so soon as it shall be discover'd to us For he commands us to be always in a readiness to obey him at the first signal and it becomes us to be as strangers in this World always prepar'd to follow the voice of our Conductor I wish said he in another place that God wou'd declare to us his most holy Will concerning the Ministries and Countries where I may best employ my labours for his glory I am ready by his Grace to execute those things which he makes me understand to be most pleasing to him of whatsoever nature they may be and undoubtedly he has admirable means of signifying his good pleasure to us such as are our inward Sentiments and heavenly Illuminations which leave no remaining scruple concerning the place to which he has design'd us nor what we are to undertake for his Service For we are like Travellers not fix'd to any Country through which we pass 'T is our duty to be prepar'd to fly from one Region to another or rather into opposite Regions where the Voice of Heaven shall please to call us East and West North and South are all indifferent to me provided I may have an opportunity of advancing the Glory of our Lord. He says elsewhere I cou'd wish that you had ever in your mind this Meditation that a ready and obedient Will which is entirely devoted to Gods service is a more pleasing sacrifice to the Divine Mâ—jesty than all the pomp and glitter of our noisy actions without that interiour disposition Being throughly convinc'd that the perfection of the Creature consists in willing nothing but the Will of the Creator he spoke incessantly of God's good pleasure and concluded almost all his Letters with his desires of knowing and fulfilling it He sacrifiâ—'d all to that Principle even his ardent wishes to die for Iesus by the hands of thâ— Barbrians for though he breath'd after Mâ—â—tyrdom he well understood tha◠〈◊〉 tender of our life is not 〈◊〉 to God when he requires it not and he was more fearful of displeasing him than desirous of being a Martyr for him So that he dy'd satisfy'd when he expir'd in a poor Cabin of a natural death though he was at that very time on the point of carrying the Faith into the Kingdom of China Anâ— it may be therefore said That he sacrifis'd not only his own Glory but even that of Iesus Christ to the good pleasure of God Almighty A man so submissive to the Orders of Heaven cou'd not possibly want submission in regard of his Superiour who was to him in the place of God. He had for Father Ignatius General of the Society of Iesus a Veneration and Reverence mix'd with Tenderness which surpass Imagination He himself has express'd some part of his thoughts on that Subject and we cannot read them without being edify'd In one of his Letters which begins in this manner My only dear Father in the Bowels of Jesus Christ he says at the Conclusion Father of my Soul for whom I have a most profound respect I write this to you upon my Knees as if you were present and that I beheld you with my Eyes It was his Custom to write to him in that posture so high was the place which Ignatius held within his heart God is my witness my dearest Father says he in another Letter how much I wish to behold you in this life that I might communicate to you many matters which cannot be remedy'd without your aid for there is no distance of places which can hinder me from obeying you I conjure you my best Father to have some little consideration of us who are in the Indies and who are your Children I conjure you I say to send hither some holy Man whose fervour may excite our lazy faintness I hope for the rest that as you know the bottom of our Souls by an illumination from Heaven you will not be wanting to supply us with the means of awakening our languishing and drowzy Vertue and of inspiring us with the love of true perfection In another of his Letters which is thus superscrib'd To Ignatius my holy Father in Jesus Christ he sends him word That the Letter which he receiv'd from his holy Charity at his return from Iapan had replenish'd him with joy and that particularly he was most tenderly affected with the last words of it I am all yours yours even to that degree that it is impossible for me to forget you Ignatius When I had read those words said he the tears came flowing into my Eyes and gushing out of them which makes me that I cannot forbear writing them and recalling to my Memory that sincere and holy Friendship which you always had and still have for me nothing doubting but that if God has deliver'd me from so many dangers it has principally proceeded from your fatherly intercessions for me He calls himself his Son in all his Letters and thus subscribes himself in one The least of your Children and most distant from you Francis Xavier But the high Idea's which Francis had of Ignatius caus'd him frequently to ask his advice in relation to his own conduct You will do a charitable work said he in writing to me a Letter full of spiritual Instructions as a Legacy bequeath'd to one who is the least of all your Children at the farthest distance from you and who is as it were banish'd from your presence by which I may partake some part of those abundant treasures which Heaven has heap'd