the liberality of the King of Portugall Loue of pouerty in his iourney Wayes into India A league of Portugall Prince Henry openeth a new way into India The Gardens of the Hesperides He instructeth the marriners the Soldiars in the ship He winneth by his sociable behauiour great sinners The difficulties of the Indian nauigation His incredible courage of mind In the ship he liueth by begging His constancy in keeping of pouerty His enduring of labour The discommodities of the torrid Zone The Promontory of Good Hope The IlaÌ„d Mozambicum His strength of body mind New labour in the wintering places His care of soules He falleth sick He refusâ—th to be carried out of the hospitall in to priuat houses 〈◊〉 sick he â—â—lpeth the sick A marriner being mad seemeth to be restored to his sensâ—s by F. his bed The opinion of Francis his sanctity The Citty Mâ—â—inda The Crosse in honour amongst the Saraâ—ens Mahomets Religion going to dâ—cay He lends his chamber and bed to the sick A cable rope is his bed The IlaÌ„d Socotora Gacizes like Curates Cacizes famous for abstinence The miserable conditioÌ„ of the Socotoreans He endeauours to instruct the Socotoreans by signes He baptizeth a great nuÌ„ber of children He desires to stay in Socotora Francis his letter to the King of Portugal They Socotoreans at Francis his intreaty are deliuered from the Saracens tyranny The description of India Goa the chiefe Citty of India The FraÌ„ciscans zeale of Religion The beginning of a Colledge in Goa The miserable conditioÌ„ of the Neophites The loose behauiour of the Portugheses in India He goeth to the Bisshop of India By great humility he wynneth the Bishop of Goas good will Francis lyeth hard by theÌ„ that are dangerously sicke His loue of pouerty in his apparell He vseth a coate of black linnen without either girdle or cloake He refuseth to change his old and ill-fauoured shoos for new He refuseth to change his torne ill fauoured shoos for new He helpeth prisoners with almes He serueth leapers He preacheth His priuate conferences The fruite of his sermons He causeth som to marry their concubines others to put them away He 〈…〉 to marry il fauoured wiues thereby to keep them froÌ„ adultery and concubines He calleth children and seruants together with a litle bell and teacheth them the ChristiaÌ„ doctrine He speaketh homely of set purpose The fruit of Catechizing Flying of honour He is called the Apostle in India He refuseth the gouernement of the Seminary Piscaria A deadly warre vpon a slight occasion Iohn de Cruz. CocinuÌ„ The Comorines are baptized The Comorines are forsaken by the Priests The Bishops loue to Xauerius The Viceroyes respect to him His loue of pouerty The Comorine PromoÌ„tory Intollerable heate of the sun Xauiers labours He dresseth rice for himselfe The Comorensians ignorance Their forwardnes in learning He vseth children for the instruction of their Parents and others The ChristiaÌ„ law in the iudgmeÌ„t of the very Ethnikes theÌ„ selues is conformable to reason He baptizeth whole villages His vertue ouer come by labour His teaching of yong children A womaÌ„ is by baptisme deliuered from the danger in child-birth He bapzeth a whole village He healeth the sicke dliuereth possessed persons A youth is raysed from death He suppresseth his miracles A boy drowned in a well is raysed agayne to lyfe Two restored to life He cureth the sicke by children He deliuereth a possessed person by the children Xauiers humility He is called Holy Father He taketh children to teach the catechisme with him His letter to the Queene of Portugall The liberality piety of the Queene of Portugall The Brachmans their religion The Brachmans wickednes and lewdnesse The Brachmans desire Francis his frieÌ„dship Pagods Francis his conference with the Brachmans The Brachmans approue of the ChristiaÌ„ ReligioÌ„ The ridiculous questioÌ„s of the Brachmans The Brachmans thinke God to be black Marc. 16. Math. A Brachman baptized teacheth children the Catechisme An iniury done to Francis is reuenged by God Aboundance of heauenly ioyes The multitude of those that were baptized Paul Camerts the first Rectour of the Colledge of Goa His notable shamefastnes at his owne prayses His concealing of miracles He bringeth some to help him in the coast of Piscaria He teacheth meÌ„ and womeÌ„ their Catecchisme apart What a care he had of baptizing infantes The Badages a sauage nation The calamity of the Comorinensians Francis his succour to relieue the neophyts in their misery The cost Trauancoris His notable courage of mind Gods prouidence The nuÌ„ber of those he baptized His maÌ„ner of baptizing He ouer throweth the temples Idols Atumult amongst the TrauancoreÌ„sians A memorable deed of his By the goodnes of God he escapeth death He is called great Father The multitude of those who followed him wheÌ„ he preached The vpland couÌ„try of India not fit to receiue the fayth of Christ The towne of Nagapatana The IlaÌ„d of Macazaria The Kings sonne with 600 more are slaine for Religion Prodigious signes of the Crosse They Iland Ceilanus Iob. 5. PrudeÌ„ce in taking away horrour in Confession He passeth 7. dayes without eating any thing He fortelleth the marriners a tempest neere at hand Meliapora the towne of S. Thomas The body of S. Thomas the Apostle Ananiuersary miracle A manner how to gayne help friends Xauiers Virginal chastity By diuine instinct he determineth to go to the furthest part of the East His confidence in God His constancy whilest the Deuils whip him He is sicke of the stripes His patience in suffering scoffes from those of the house His courage in combating with the Deuill The Deuills make a noise in tyme of Xauiers prayer He deliuered a possessed man by a child He hardly admitteth Iohn Durus into the Soety Luc. 9. His determination of flying away secretly is opened to Xauerius from heauen Malaca Conuersation of Ethnickes pernicious to Christians A wonderfull art to gaine lost soules His Prophecyes A possessed sick-man is freed froÌ„ the Deuill and cured of his diseases A Prophesy He commeÌ„deth in the night tyme to the peoples prayers the soules in Purgatory and men in deadly sinne The preparation of the Macazarians to receiue the Ghospel A Prophesy The wind obeyeth Xauerius Another Prophesy Amboynum Of his manner of going about FerdinaÌ„d Soza a Captaine of the Spaniards He relieueth the calamity of the Spanish nouy He foretels that Arausius will shortly dye The fruite which the Spanish nauy yielded Moluca Ilands Ternate the chiefe of the Moluca Ilands Prudence in recalling wicked men The barbarousnes of the Mauri The incommodities of the couÌ„try of Maurica Zeale soules Matt. 10. They go aboue to terrify him froÌ„ his resolution of going to that barbarous nation The intreaties of his friends Act. 21. Machab. lib. 1. He protesteth that if he caÌ„not get a ship he will swimme ouer He giueth to his friâ—ds backe agayne their me dicines against poyson Maurica Burning rockes Ashes are cast out of the rockes
vertue but also with Christian humility he was now commonly called the Holy Father Thus hidden Vertue becometh more glorious CHAP. VIII He substituteth Deputies in his place to teach the Christian doctrine and procureth for them a certaine stipend of the King of Portugall THIS approued fidelity and industry of the neophytes in curing diseases made Xauerius desirous to make theÌ„ his fellow-labourers in instructing the people Wherfore making choice of such as were no lesse diligent then vertuous he sent them abroad bidding them teach the Cathechisme to the rude and ignorant in houses wayes and streetes in manner as he had instructed theÌ„ When he saw this course which he had inuented was able to go on by it selfe he with the children went to another Village intending in the same manner to instruct the rest of the townes All which when he had once gone ouer neuer thinking of rest but as it were dallying with his labours he againe returned to the first village there to amend what he should find amisse and in the same manner went ouer all the rest which before he had visited In the meane time also thinking it necessary to establish the Christian faith nor only for the present but also for the time to come he left in euery towne village a Copy of the Christian doctrine willing those that could write to copy it out and the rest to learne it by hart and to repeate it ouer euery day He ordayned also in all the forsaid villages that vpon all holydayes the Neophytes should assemble themselues into one place and there all togeather sing the Christian doctrine And that these things might be well and duely obserued thinking it expedient to leaue some in his place he appointed in euery Towne and Village one to haue a care of matters concerning Christian religion whome in their language they called the Canacaple And that this order which was so necessary might neuer cease or decay he procured of the Viceroy of India an yearly stipend for the Canacaples The reason of this was that in tyme of necessity there might alwayes be some to baptize the infants newly borne when they should be in any danger of death and to supply in other things that which could not be well differred and withall to assist the Neophytes when Francis was farre of and could not so speedily come vnto them So as in euery place he appointed one or two who excelled the rest in the vnderstanding of the Christian doctrine graue carriage feruour of piety and integrity of life teaching them the manner and forme of baptisme and giuing them in charge that if at any tyme necessity should require they should with all speed baptize litle infants and if any matter of importance besids chanced to happen they should presently certify him thereof These euery one in his Village for want of Priests being as it were the Curats or Pastours had the care of the Church and twice euery day they taught the Catechisme both in Latin and in their owne country language in the morning to the men and in the afternoone to the women They also as the Christian custome is denounced the Banes of Matrimony making enquiry what impediments there might be to hinder any from lawfull marriage but their principall charge was to baptize litle infants who through weakenes might be in danger of death And when Xauerius made his visit in the sayd Villages these his substitutes presently deliuered vp vnto him the number of childreÌ„ which were borne that yeare of those who kept concubines in their houses and of such as had any emnity or discord amongst themselues that therby he might with all speed apply remedy therto And by this meanes he knew composed all difficulties euery where so that making very litle stay any where he might passe on to other places To these Canacaples at Xauerius request were assigned 400 crownes yearely out of the publicke Treasury by the viceroy of India and afterward confirmed by the King of Portugal This said mony was accustomed to be payd to Queene Catherin of Portugal to buy her shoes and Pantofles Wherfore Francis wrote vnto her maiesty very pleasantly and piously that she could haue no fitter shoes or Pantofles to climbe to heauen then the Christian children of the Piscarian coast and their instructions Wherefore he humbly intreated her to bestow her shoes and Pantofles as a Tribute vnto their teachers and instructors therby to make her selfe a ladder to heauen for she might be glad of such an occasion then the which she could not perhaps haue wished a better The Queene as a woman of notable piety approued of his request and very willingly and freely assigned the same to the Canacaples and maisters of the Neophytes And thus by Xauerius meanes by the Queenes liberality the Kings authority this order was instituted and established with no lesse merit of the benefactors then profit to the Christian cause CHAP. IX He conuinceth the Brachmans and conuerteth some of them IN this meane while Francis had no small ado with the Brachmans These Brachmans descending froÌ„ the race of Kings Priests â—re amongst all the nations of India the chiefe both â—or Nobility and Wisedome They worship one God whome they call Parabram the begining of al things and perfect in euery respect as being Creatour of heaueÌ„ earth But togeather with this truth they mingle in numerable fables to deceiue the common people They say he hath three sonnes who gouern the world and yet haue all the same nature and diuinity This forsooth is signified by the girdle the Brachmans theÌ„selues weare at the end wherof there be three little cords hanging from one knot hauing in this manner either through the malice of men or craft of the Diuel corrupted the mistery of the B. Trinity which was ancieÌ„tly receiued among them They haue also goodly Temples dedicated to these Gods with three Towres which being separated at the basis by little little do ioyne altogeather in the toppe They haue their images drawen out in diuers shapes which in times past they tooke vpon them which they call Pagods These Brachmans whome among the Indians are indeed famous for their learning and abstinence are in the Promontory of Comorinum most notorious for their ignorance and lewdnes For not enduring the pouerty which that part of India sustayneth they couer their naturall lewdnes with abhominable deceipt and whilst themselues in priuate sit at their banquets with solemne musick of tabers and pipes they perswade the simple people that their Gods are a feasting and withall demaund of them in their Gods name whatsoeuer they want for the maintenance of themselues and their families denouncing the vengeance of the Gods against them vnlesse they presently performe what they be commanded Xauerius therfore conuincing them openly of deceipt began to accuse them to the people and to manifest their false dealing which occasion caused the saluation
wherwith the Name of the Bonzies was for euer branded droue them presently into a tumult and vprore Wherupon the dores of all the Temples in the Royall Citty were shut and an Interdict put vpon the people Nobility so as now the businesse was come vnto a commotion amongst the vulgar when as the King by his prudent dissembling the matter did easily allay both the tumult of the one and sedition of the other In this meane time the Portugeses partly fearing the vprore of the common people and partly the Bonzies rage had with-drawne themselues into the Hauen counsayling Xauerius also to giue way vnto the time quit himself of the present danger But he alleadging that the Cathecumens would be therby left succourlesse and desolate vtterly refused Wherupon the Portugheses being in great care and sollicitude least they should leaue so worthy a man in the hands of Barbarians thought it very expedient that Gama himself should go backe into the Citty to draw him thence before any mischance hapned vnto him and in the meane tyme they would expect him in the Road vntill he returned backe with Xauerius 〈◊〉 therfore hastning to the Citty in a little boate findeth Francis in a poore Cottage instructing one of that Country who was preparing himselfe for baptisme and sheweth him the charge which the Portugheses had giuen him to fetch him away sometimes alleadging reasons for the same then againe intreaâ—ing him that he would auoyd the present storme of persecution which was comming vpon him from the Bonzieâ— But Xauerius being endowed not only with an vndaunted courage against dangers out desirous also to encounter euen with death it selfe for Christ his sake O how fortunate quoth he would he be if any one of vs should chance to suffer that which you are so much afrayd of I for my part know well inough that I 〈◊〉 not worthy of so great an honour yet if the diuine bounty please to bestow such a fauour vpon me although not deseruing it God forbid I should refuse it Wherfore in that you aduise me so earnestly to prouide for my selfe by flying away I thanke you acknowledge my selfe much obliged to you for your great loue but I neither may nor can in conscience do as you counsaile me For what greater calamity caÌ„ befall those whome we haue lately begotten vnto Christ then being forsaken by their Father to be exposed to the rage and fury of the Bonzies And what can be more gratefull to the Bonzies then for him to giue backe to their threats who neuer shruncke at their arguments and by disgracefully flying away to loose the honour of the victory already gotten against them and to leaue the spoyle behind vs As for my selfe I will neuer by Gods grace suffer that my feare may be an incouragement to the wicked atteÌ„pts of Christ enemies For we haue to deale with those who be terrified by our confidence and confirmed in their presumption when they perceiue vs once to be afrayd G. e too therfore since now you know what my absolute determination resolution is returne backe to your Companions who expect you I see well how much you are bound to assist them in their merchandize but I know withall what obligation I haue to so bountiful and mercyfull a God who for my sake other mens saluation hath suffred death yea the death of the Crosse This he spake with weeping eyes and with such forcible words and so inward a feeling that Gama not daring to reply one word to the contrary like a man wholy amazed returned backe vnto the ships When therefore he had related to the Portugheses how all had passed betweene him and Francis he tould them plainely that since he was bound by the agreement he had made with them to carry their merchandize to Cantona an hauen towne of the Chineses he would there leaue them his ship to do with it as they pleased But for himselfe he was absolutely and fully resolued to come backe agayne to Bungo and eyther to defend Xauerius or els to dye with him This incomparable fidelity of the Gouernour wrought very affectually in the pious mynds of the Portugheses Whereupon when they had all togeather commended his resolution they also offer themselues to accompany him in so glorious an aduenture striuing withall who should be most forward therin so as presently they returned backe agayne with their ships into the hauen intending there expect the euent of the businesse This newes greatly comforted both Xauerius and the Cathecumens and withall tormented and euen brake the Bonzies harts being a people very audacious where they see others fearefull and very cowards when they perceyue them resolute CHAP. XV. â—auerius getteth a nevv victory ouer the Chiefe of the Bonzies THE Bonzies therefore falling from open violence to priuate plottes came togeather in great troupes to the King making earnest suite vnto him that he would coÌ„â— and the disputation betweene Ficarondono Francisâ—oncerning â—oncerning Religion which had byn broken of to be â—gaine renewed The King at first was no wayes incliâ—ed therto but yet vpon certaine conditions he at last â—ondescended To wit that the busines might be carâ—â—ed without clamours falling into chollar That â—or deciding of matters which might occurre in any â—oÌ„trouersy there should be appointed certaine arbitraâ—ours not any of the Bonzies but of other indifferent moderat men whose office should be to iudge what was granted and confirmed on eyther part and to see â—hat the arguments were made according to the rule â—f reason That the disputation ended the said arbitraâ—ours and the other Auditours should giue their senâ—ence of euery article of Religion disputed and that which was confirmed by the greater part of voyces â—hould be held for certaine ratified And lastly that the Bonzies should neyther by themselnes nor others hinder any froÌ„ being Christians that desired the same There conditioÌ„s were not so much approued as acceted off by the Bonzies because they could not indeed refuse them The next day therfore commeth Ficarondono to the Court with aboue 3000. other Bonzies in his company so as one would haue thought he had bin going into the field with an army But the King out of his prudence admitted only foure of al that nuÌ„ber alleaging the danger of a tumult and the disgrace also which might come therof vnto the Bonzies for whome it could not be any credit if it should be spread abroad that 3000. Bonzies had disputed with one only forreine Priest Neither were the Portugheses failing in their affections towards Francis For being aduertised of this his new combat with the Bonzies they came againe vnto the Citty in a brauer maÌ„ner theÌ„ before in so much that the pompe they came in and the singular reuerence which they vsed towards Xauerius did greatly amaze the Bonzies When the company was assembled the King first asketh of Ficarondono what reason he could alledge why a new
magistrates of whole power they stand in great feare by reason of their extraordinary seuerity There be indeed many other things and those not of common note recounted of the manners and customes of the Chineses which because they make nothing to our present purpose I willingly heere passe ouer Yet I can hardly say whether that custome of theirs be more inhumane or imprudent whereby contrary to other Nations which haue entercourse with one another they debarre all strangers from comming into theiâ— Country vnder payne of death There is adioyning to the sea coast of China an Iland called Sanciana a desert place and without any tillage lying about 70. miles from the Continent In this Iland the Portugheses and Chineses meeting togeather for traffique sake had sleightly built themselâ—â— certayne cottages of straw and boughes to serue them for their present vse Xauerius therfore tending â—o this place for his traffique also as they sayled along by the coast of the Iland the mayster began to doubt whether he were not already past the Port of CunianuÌ„ or no whither he had directed his course to land Yet thinking he was still short thereof sayled forward with good speed when as Francis seeing him in that doubt telleth him that he was already past the Port. Whereat not knowing what to thinke he presently stroke sayle for that Xauâ—rius had yet neuer deceyued him in any thing he affirmed so as deeming that he ought to giue more credit to â—auerius then to himself casteth ancker and causeth the Cock-boate to be let downe into the sea wherin he sent certaine marriners with all speed to make enquiry of the truth Within a few houres after they returned backe together with certain Portugeses in their boat who remained in the Iland certifying them that they were past the Port of Câ—nianuÌ„ as Xauerius had affirmed At which newes the marriners being all stroken into admiration cryed out and sayd that certaynly Xauerius had it reuealed to him from heauen Then weighing ancker and turning their course backe agayne they sayled towards the Port. As soone as it was bruited amongst the inhabitants of the Iland that Francis Xauerius for his name was also famous in those places was coÌ„ming thither presently all the Portugheses runne with ioy to the shore side to meete him When he was landed after they had courteously saluted ech other they contended amongst themselues who should haue so worthy a man for his guest But Xauerias soone decided the coÌ„trouersy without wrong to any and lodged with George Aluarez his ancient and deere friend Then he desired the Portugheses in generall that they would build him vp a litle Chappel of straw and boughes with the least expence they could wherin he might say Masse administer the Sacraments instruct children and seruants in their Catechisme according to his custome They condescended most willingly to what he required and very diligently set vpon the businesse so that within two dayes there was built a chappell for him vpon a hill which runneth downe with equall descent vnto the Port. Xauerius therefore as his ancient custome was began presently to exercise therin his sacred functions with all diligence by comforting sometymes those that were sicke in the ships and at other tymes relieuing the poore with almes which himselfe would beg of the richer sort Sometymes also would he dispute with the Chinese merchants concerning their owne the Christians Religion And in these labours exercises he spent two moneths a halfe with extraordinary feruour of spirit which made him also renowned euen amongst the Chineses themselues no lesse for wisedom then for sanctimony of lyfe In the meane tyme he inquired of the Portugheses Chineses if there could be any meanes possibly found to bring in the Ghospell into China They both answered that it was a very hard matter full of danger seeing that by special coÌ„mand of the King himself al entrances into 〈◊〉 Kingdome were kept with a most strict watch 〈◊〉 al strangers debarred froÌ„ accesse thither vnder paiâ—e of death no lesse to the commers themselues then 〈◊〉 the bringers of them in Moreouer it was not lawâ—ull for any forreyner to touch vpon the Continent â—ithout expresse command of some of the Gouerâ—ours neyther durst the Chinâ—ses aske leaue of them â—y reason of their rigorous gouernement nor were â—he Portugheses able to do it being excluded no lesse â—hen other strangers Wherefore there was neyther â—ortughese nor Chinese to be found who durst vnderâ—o so manifest a daÌ„ger as death or certayne captiuity But Francis as he was of an vndaunted courage eueÌ„ 〈◊〉 those attempts which ordinarily strike terrour into â—thers was notwithstaÌ„ding greatly inflamed through â—he continuall good successe of his indeauours to enâ—ounter with this danger Wherfore seing there was â—o other way to compasse the busines he resolued to â—duenture euen vpon the dangers themselues and to â—ontriue by one meanes or other to be conueyed seâ—retly into some Citty of China that so he might haue â—ccesse vnto the Gouernour deale his busines with â—im himselfe This deuise of Xauerius was generally â—iâ—liked of by all the Portugheses as ouer bold and teâ—erarious Wherfore there wanted not some who out of their friendship and familiarity with him endeauoured al they could to terrify him froÌ„ that desigâ—e dissuading him not to cast himself wilfully into so manifest a danger either of death or perpetuall seruitude For the Gouernours whome the Inhabitants call Lutij and the Portugheses Mandarino's were so seuere or rather harsh and cruell in keeping their Lawes that euen for the least fault they do without any difference of persons beate to death as well Inhabitants as Forreiners Of which cruelty they had lately had a domesticall example of certaine Portugheses who hauing the yeare before bin by a tempest driuen vpon the shore of China had found the Chineses dispositions farre more cruell then the waueâ— of the Ocean where they lay vntill that day in prison and misery cruelly rent and torne with stripes without any hope of deliuery What reason therfore could Xauerius haue to leaue of labouring amongst other nations with certaine and secure hope of great good which might be done to hazard his owne liberty only to intrude by force the Ghospell vpon a nation fierce cruel and this which the Portugeses said was also confirmed by the general consent of the Chinesâ—s But Francis being vndaunted at these things so much doth the force of diuine loue ouercome all humane feare replied That he desired nothing more from the bottome of his hart then euen with his owne death to bring the Chineses to euerlasting saluation For do you not know quoth he being euen taught by experience that feare giues way to hope where the rewards are greater then the dangers can you make any question but that the Citties of Chinâ— if they should once receiue the seed of the Ghospell would yield most plentifull fruit by
reason of their most exact manner of discipline and gouernement And as it is doubtful whether my endeauor may haue prosperous successe or no so is it certayne that my seruice will be gratefull to God For fetters tormeÌ„ts and death it selfe for Christs sake ought to be to me as a beatitude and immortality He had now put his friends to silence with these and the like speaches when as being much troubled with cares he was taken some what suddainly with â—an ague which held him 15. dayes but by Gods fauourable assistance soone cured yet in such maÌ„ner as that the same seemed the forerunner of his death which was so neere at hand As soone as he was recouered he returned presently to his former exercyses hating nothing more then idlenesse and rest CHAP. IX He agreeth vvith a Chinese to carry him priuately to Cantona NOtwithstanding all that could be alleaged against his going he neuertheles diligeÌ„tly sought how he might be transported into China And first he began by all the art he could inuent to try the Portugheses and afterwards the Chineses propounding many wayes vnto them how they might conceale the businesse intreating them to pleasure him in so reasonable a request But they being absolutly resolued to take heed of themselues could not be wonne therto by any meanes or intreaties since Feare had wholy shut vp their eares against the same being not willing to expose their fortunes and liues to so manifest a danger Francis therfore being not only depriued of all help but also not knowing what to resolue vpon had many different cogitations in his mind And that no mortification might be wanting vnto him both his companions lay very sicke Besides Anthony of the holy Faith a Chinese borne and Schollar of the Colledge of Goa whome he had brought with him from India for his Interpreter hauing through want of vse almost forgotten the Chinese language could now staÌ„d him in little steed especially seing he was wholy ignorant and vnskilfull of that ciuill and gentile language which the Gouernours there are wont to vse But Xauerius hauing an inuincible hart courage thinking with himselfe that he was bound to leaue nothing vnattempted persisted neuerthelesse to follow on the busines very hard hoping that yet at last he might through Gods assistance ouercome the difficulty In the meane time there fell out no small accident which set on fire and inflamed his hope desire For he vnderstood that he King of China at that very tyme had sent abroad Embassadours vnto all places round about to make diligent inquiry after the Lawes and Customes of other Kingdomes Wherefore there was great hope that it would be a gratefull and comfortable thing vnto his Maiesty to vnderstand also of the Christians Lawes manner of lyfe There were also some of the Chineses men of good worth and Fracis his familiar friends who did earnestly persuade him to go to China thinking very wel of the Christian Reâ—â—gion by the sanctity of his life persuading themselâ—â—s that there was conteyned in those Bookes which 〈◊〉 carryed with him some excellent Law and far betâ—r then theirs Heerupon Xauerius being more stirred 〈◊〉 then before vnto this noble enterprize thought â—â—erily that God had thus disposed the Chineses their â—ings mind to the end the Ghospell might at last â—eceaue entrance into that Kingdome and spread it â—lfe ouer those most populous Citties Wherfore ful 〈◊〉 hope and confidence in God he determined to try 〈◊〉 manner of wayes to hasten on the matter For he â—oubted not but that either without much danger â—nd with great aduancement to the Christian cause â—e should get accesse vnto the King or els if any hard â—ishap should fall vnto him he would esteeme it for â—n extraordinary gayne For to be tormented and â—aine for Christ which seemed was the greatest danâ—er that could befall him he thought it indeed the â—reatest benefit that God could euer bestow vpon â—im But all these difficulties giuing way at last vnto â—is Constancy as commonly it happeneth within a â—ittle while there was another who offred himselfe for â—â—s interpreter Then finding out a merchant of China who seemed a couragious man he solliciteth drawâ—th him on by hopes and promises to vndertake that â—ardy enterprize And when as nothing could be â—ffected without present money he beggeth of the Portughese merchants and for a certaine quantity of Pepper to the valew of about 300 crownes agreeth with the merchant to carry him with his interpreter and his bookes very secretly in the night and to set him a land in China neere to the Port of Cantona This Cantona is a famous port Towne standing in the Continent about 80. miles from Sanciana The merchant therfore to keep the matter secret least he shold venture his life vpon the fidelity of his marriners of whome he was not secure had thought to haue vsed his owne children and the most trusty of his seruants for that purpose and to transport Xaueriuâ—â— the night in a small vessell Moreouer he had of his owne accord promised to harbour him in his howâ—â— and keepe him secret for the space of two or three daies till he might by some meanes or other declare to the Gouernour of Cantona the cause of his comming into China Now there were in this businesse two dangers obiected vnto Xauerius by his friends The one least the merchaÌ„t hauing fraudulently taken the money should breake his promise to conceale the matter might either expose him vpon some desart Iland or els caâ—â— him ouer board into the Sea The other was thaâ— though the Barbarian should keep his word and seâ— him a shore neere the Port of Cantona the Gouernouâ— of the Citty finding he had gotten in thither being 〈◊〉 stranger against the Kings Edict without any publike warrant might to make him an example vntâ— others cruelly whippe murder him or els cast hiâ— into perpetuall prison Against these obiections Xauerius opposed farre greater dangers which they werâ— not aduised of First said he it was rather to be feareâ— least his owne diffidence more truly then his wariâ—â— â—esse might be iniurious to the Goodnes and Prouiâ—ence of God if the fearefulnesse of mortall men â—â—ould cause him to leaue off that which he had vnâ—ertaken by diuine instinct and motion Secondly 〈◊〉 quoth he I should proue my selfe an vnworthy Disciple of Christ if I did not heare him denouncing â—nto me Who so looseth his life for me shall find it Wherâ—ore seeing that the daungers of the body were farre â—ghter then those of the soule he thought it more seâ—ure to breake through those which might put his â—yfe in hazard then to hazard the saluation of his â—oule seeing that to go to the Chineses and to subdew â—hem to the faith of Christ maugre the enuy of those â—hat went about to hinder it carryed not by Gods grace more difficulty with it then Glory At the same time also there hapned