thing as was related some of the company â—ho had bin either niggard in giuing to Xaueriusâ—ings â—ings necessary for his sustenance when he was liâ—ng or els had spoken som what disgracefully of him â—fter his death began to powreforth aboundance of â—ares to be â—t themselues vpon the face with their â—sts for shame and sorrow of their fault Others gaue â—rayse to God who tooke such care euen of his serâ—nts dead corps This done the Maister of the ship commanded â—he body to be presently carryed aboard as it lay in â—he Coffin intending to make more certaine try all thereof himselfe that so the miracle might be published to others And hauing throughly searched the body and found it sound and incorrupt with great reuerence he putteth in the lyme againe into the Coffin as before and hoysing vp sayle departed from Sanciana in the month of March with a very prosperous wynd towards Malaca where he soone arriued so as one would haue thought the winds themselues had obeyed Francis They sent their little boat before to Malaca to carry newes that Xauerias body was fouÌ„d intier and incorrupt was comming towards them At which tidings the Malacensians being stirred vp with deuotion and desirous to make satisfaction for their former iniury done vnto him resolued to receiue his dead corps with all the honour reuerence that they could whome whilst he liued they had cast out with no small disgrace Then they began to cal to mynd and seemed euen to behould with their eyes the feruour and countenance where with Xauerius was wont to preach vnto the people and wherwith he sought to draw men frâ— their euill life to seeke their saluation to cure their sick and possessed persons lastly to foretell thingâ— far absent and to come Wherfore turning their contumacy into reuerence towards him they all setleâ— themselues with greatioy to solemnize the funerallâ— of so worthy a man But Iames Perera who had alâ— that tyme remayned in Malaca out went all the resâ— in his loue to Francis and which he shewed also by hiâ— deeds For he mitigating the griefe which he had conceiued for his friends losse by the comming of his body presently prouideth with extraordinary diligence 〈◊〉 abouÌ„dance of torches all other things necessary â—r the funerall pompe In this meane tyme the shippe â—as come into the hauen and they had put the Coffin 〈◊〉 to a Church neere by there expecting vntill the â—itty came forth to meete them Now as soone as it was knowne in the Citty â—at Xauerius Body was landed all the people preâ—â—ntly thronged out of the gates to meete it partly to â—e and partly to touch the same with their beades â—he Vicar also of the Citty with his Clergy came thiâ—er in Procession who opening there the coffin beâ—re the people findeth the body entiere fresh withâ—ut any the least corruption whatsoeuer breathing â—ut a most sweet and pleasant sauour Heerupon the â—eople that were present with great admiration beâ—an to extoll Gods diuine power to kisse the sacred â—liques and touch them with their beades especiâ—ly Iames Perera who hauing heerby his long sorrow â—hanged into a suddayne excessiue ioy celebrated â—e arriuall of his dead friend with the greatest affeâ—ion of hart that possibly he could And that Gods â—probation might adde more credit to humane iudâ—ments a certaine sick man by touching of the body â—as instantly restored to his health The next day therfore in the morning the whole â—lergy of the Citty together with al the people come â—gaine in processioÌ„ to meet the body with burning taâ—ers torches in theirs hands as also with extraordiâ—ary feeling of ioy deuotion There was not at that â—ime any of the Society remayning in Malaca for they were all departed lately thence by Francis his expresse order Yet the Citty thought good to haue his body carryed into the Church which had formerly belonged to the Society wherby they might haue Xauerius in the meane tyme as a pledge of their returne Wherfore with a most solemne procession aboundance of lights the coffin was coÌ„ueyed to the Church aforsaid And there after they had with all solemnity sung masse the body being separated from the lyme was put into a new Coffin and buried in a most eminent place of the same Church causing all that were present to burst forth agayne into new teares partly through ioy of the late miracle partly also through the griefe which the want of such a man had caused in them and presently there followeth one miracle vpon another The shortnesse of the new Coffin had constrayned those who put him therinto so to bend strayten the Body as that there presently issued fresh bloud from out his shoulders breathing forth a most sweet odoriferous sauour Which the behoulders perceauing and attentiuely considering were driuen into admiration at the strangenesse of the miracle in thaâ— a body which had bin now fiue monthes without 〈◊〉 soule so rare perseuerant was the miracle shoulâ— still retayne not only the flesh moysture and colour but also euen bloud it selfe and that so sweet as it seemed to be the odour not of his bloud but of his sanctity Wherfore thinking good to keep it without a Coffin it was taken forth againe and by the Malacensians not only honourably interred but preserueâ— â—lso as a pledg of the diuine Clemency towards them Wherein they were not frustrate of their hope At the same time there was through God heauy wrath towards theÌ„ a most contagious sicknes spread â—uer all the Citty which hauing almost vnpeopled 〈◊〉 great part therof had put them all into a wonderful â—eare Wherfore being much perplexed and through â—emorse of conscience calling to mind the predictioÌ„ which Xauerius had pronounced agaynst them for the wronge they had done vnto him they verily thought there was no other cause of Gods indignation against â—hem but that But this pestilence wholy ceasing vpon the very day that his funerals were kept shewed sufficiently that God was now pacified agayne by the merits of Xauerius by whose intercession the sicknes was remitted CHAP. XIIII His Body is translated from Malaca into India AFTER this vpon the 13. of August Iohn Beira a Priest of the Society of Iesus going with some other Companions to Moluca tooke Malaca in his way He for the reuerence and deuotion which he bare vnto Xauerius hauing heard by report that his body was incorrupted greatly desired to visit behould the same Wherfore going priuatly into the Church with his companions in the night and opening the Sepulcher he findeth Francis like one aliue no lesse intier and incorrupt in the ground then he was before in the lime it being now nine monthes after his death Wherfore ioyntly giuing prayse to God who is admirable in his Saints with great veneration and many teares they kisse and adore his sacred body Neither was there wanting at the same
The Noblemens children make reuerence to Xauerius What kind of eloquence the Japonians haue The King of Bungo standing vp expecteth Francis his comming Xauerius maiesticall couÌ„tenance The King of Bungo his testimony of the Christian fayth A Bonzies arrogancy The Bonzies fooleries The Kings temper The pride inteÌ„perate tongue of a Bongy The King inuiteth Xauerius to dinner The King giueth to Xauerius from his owne table The King by Xauerius persuasion reformeth both his owne his subiects maÌ„ners Not minding his meate he attends to the sauing of soules A noble Bonzie being conuinced and conuerted to Christ professeth his fayth in in the market place 500. Iaponians wonne to Christ in one day Xauerius prudence Pouerty a disgrace amoÌ„g the Iaponians A crafty deuise of the Bonzies The pride of a Bonzy The Bongies PythagoreaÌ„ fooleries concerning the transmigration of soules He conuinceth the Pythagoricall fables The peeuish pertinacy of a Bonzie The King of Bungo his prudeÌ„ce Xauerius couragious spirit By the Gouernours meanes the Portugheses vndergo the danger with Xauerius The CoÌ„ditions of the disputation The Portugheses new affections to Xauerius The Bonzies bills of Exchange The Bonzies shut out of heauen poore people and women New disputation with other Bonzies The King leadeth Xauerius to his lodging The Bonzies rage The King of Bungo giueth an house to the Society of IESVS The King weeping at Xauerius departure Francis his exhortatioÌ„ to the King The King of Bungo his desire to protect and propagate the ChristiaÌ„ ReligioÌ„ When the King of Bungy was baptised he would be called Francis Why he determined to go into China The descripâ—ion manners of the Chineses The couÌ„try of China shut vp against Christs Ghospel His care of the Society Francis imployeth himselfe to help the ship being in danger He deliuereth out of danger the ship almost cast away A prediction of the boates returne to the ship The boate of her selfe cometh to the ship side Francis being in the ship was seene at the same time also in the boate He foretels a calme sea Iames Pererias notable bounty Peter Vellius his great liberality A notable Prophecy A double Prophecy The Hauen Sincapura A Prophecy At Malaca he is receiued with great ioy gratulation of all As soone as he came to Goa he visiteth the sicke He recouers one of the Society ready to dye The FraÌ„ciscans Dominicans industry The King of Tanoris baptized In the PromoÌ„tory of ComorinuÌ„ there are numbred 400000 ChristiaÌ„s A memorable fact of Father Gaspar Barzaeus The force of the Crosse The Dominicans commended Cyprians notable vertue An IndiaÌ„ like another Simeon dyeth after he had imbraced Christ The piety and liberality of James Perera Gaspar the low countryman FraÌ„cis his vicar The Towne Diu. The summe of Francis his letters to the King of Portugall An exaÌ„ple of ChristiaÌ„ humility A triple Prophecy A teÌ„pest by Xauerius is calmed through Gods helpâ— Francis notable moderatioÌ„ when he was iniured His moderation in excoÌ„municating He dealeth with the Gouernour by a third per son as the Iapouians vse to do The Embassage into China hindred Xauerius opinion of excoÌ„municated persons A grieuous prophecy He by his prayers obteyneth of God paÌ„nance for the Gouernour of Malaca His desire to propagate the faith He shaketh of the dust of his shooes A denouncing of calamities He auoideth by all meanes speaking with an excommunicated person CoÌ„forts in sadnes and miseries are to be obtained of God by the Sacraments The description of China The customes of the Chineses The IlaÌ„d SaÌ„ciana The Chineses exclude strangers Francis his inuincible courage in time of daÌ„ger The Magistrates of China's cruelty towards strangers His zeale of soules The loue of the Crosse Math. 10. Xauerius humanity towards the Portugheses Francis being left by his host falleth sicke A double Propheâ—ey Xauerius liues by begging He agayne falleth into his former sicknes He is entertained by a Portughese in a cottage He promptyly obeyeth the Physitian The grieuous paines of his sicknes His Ioathing of his meate His excellent patience He departteh this lyfe When he was dead he opened away into China The Portugheses feeling of Xauerius death He is pur into the ornameÌ„ts of a Priest vnsleâ—kt Lime is put into the Coffin Francis his body is found entier 4. monthes after The Malacensians zeale in receauing Xauerius body Xauerius funerals at Malaca A sick-man is healed by touching his body Bloud floweth out of Xauerius dead body the 5. month after Francis his body intier the 9 month after his death The veile died with fresh bloud The zeale which the Cocinensians shewed in going to visit Xauerius body Honour giuen to Xauerius by the mariners others Francis his body is intier 16. monthes after his death Francis his shirt also nothing the worse after so many monthes buriall His funerall at sea A great concourse to Xauerius body His land funerall An incredible coÌ„course to Xauerius body By order from the Viceroy a Physitian examineth the integrity of his body The Bishops Vicar againe examineth the matter The King of Portugall maketh meanes to haue Francis Canonized The King of Portugal letters to the Viceroy of India The Viceroyes Inquisition after Xauerius acts He being at Malaca foreseeth a danger which the Society vnderwent in Portugall A Prophecy of fayre weather in the feare of shipwracke He foretels the speedy death of theÌ„ that were in good health A prophecy of a ship to perish in the haueÌ„ By diuine light he seeth his frieÌ„ds sinnes how loÌ„g he had abstained from coÌ„fession He seeth that his friend was in his hart plotting a great sinne He being ready to dy foretelleth destruction of one that accompanied him He miraculously cureth the stone By miraculously repreheding a very wicked man he makes him become a Francisciscan He with one answere satisfyeth many of the Iaponian questions He giueth gould which he had miraculously receiued to one that had suffered shipwracke He vseth strange meanes to make a gamester at dice detest that play The oyle vessell which was emptyed was miraculously filled agayne He by his prayers curreth a childfull of vlcers The Inquisitors and Vicars testimony of Xauerius sanctity His testimony also of them tegrity of his body An excellent PhisitiaÌ„s testimony of the integrity of his body A sick woman by doing reuereÌ„ce to FraÌ„cis his body is cured Xaâ—erius girdle cureth many great diseases A GeÌ„tle man recouereth his sight by applying Francis his haÌ„ds to his eyes The key of his shrine driueth away the rheume A principal woman desiring to visit Xauerius is recouered of a great sicknes Francis his discipline restoreth many to their health Two Fathers in Europe recouer their health by calling vpon Francis Being called vpon at Paris he obteineth an easy deliuery for a woman in child-birth His night prayer As often as opportunity serued he prayed in the Church He goeth into solitary places to pray His prayer in the ship His feruour in prayer
the same place Neyther is the constant report hereof vayne or doubtfull This auncient opinion which both they of that Country and strangers haue of the Body and Martyrdome of the Apostle S. Thomas is by God confirmed by an yearely and perpetuall miracle For they haue a stone sprinkled with the bloud of the Apostle which retaineth the prints as it were of fresh bloud and three dayes before the feast day of S. Thomas on which day they say he was martyred whilst Masse is sayd there the sayd stone being naturally white by litle litle waxeth red and sweateth as though droppes of bloud distilled from it on all sides and at last when Masse is ended it returneth agayne to the former colour For which respect the Apostles Sepulcher is had in great veneration as wel of the Ethnickes as the Christiās For that there come vnto this place from all parts a great cōcourse of Pilgrimes euen Ethnickes themselues who beare great esteeme to the Martyrdome Sepulcher of the sayd Apostle Hither therefore Xauerius out of deuotion to S. Thomas the Patron of India came in the guize and habit of a Pilgrime therby both to honour the Apostles Sepulcher and to assist the bordering neighbours in matters concerning their saluation He found in that towne besides many inhabitants about 100. families of Portugheses who had there setled themselues and their meanes Xauerius therefore presently vpon his arriuall to this place visited no lesse religiously then affectionately the Apostle of the Indians admiring his singular glory whose vertue he emulated as farre as a mortall man was able And first he earnestly besought God that since he being a poore wretch was called from heauen to imitate though neuer so weakely so great an Apostle in conuerting of the Indians to the faith of Christ he would inspire him with some of his Apostolicall vertues Thē he instantly requested S. Thomas for the care and patronage which he had ouer the Indians that through his intercession he might neither want courage to vndergoe the dāgers nor forces to endure the labours in trauailing ouer manuring India other barbarous Countryes and that neither his owne nor others sinnes might be any hindrance of his following the Mowers steppes as Ruth the Moabitesse did in gathering vp the gleanings of that our Lords field and to his poore ability reposing the same in Christs sacred granary When he had satisfied his deuotion to the Apostle he lodged with the Bishops Vicar which he was accustomed to do where there was no publicke Hospitall for the sicke nor place of abode for Religious mē who was much edified with the great respect he saw him beare to Ecclesiastical persons with his natural affability of speech true simplicity So as making himselfe wholly knowne vnto the Prelate by laying open his hart before him he easily wonne his fauour and good will This manner of courtesy as I sayd before Xauerius vsed not so much to gayne friends as to help those whome he iudged worthy of friendship For when he had once found out their dipositions he would by litle and litle draw them to whatsoeuer was requisite both for their owne saluation and the diuine seruice This good Prelate therfore of Meliapora requited Xauerius courtesy by returning him the like imbracing him as a worthy person whome he vsed thence forwards with much affection and respect especialy after he perceaued in him most euident markes of sanctity For by the conference which he had with Xauerius and by hearing his Confessions he playnely found as he afterward testified vpon his oath which testimony we haue now in our hands iuridically signed that he had kept vnspotted the flower of Virginall Chastity wherwith he was borne He remained in the Vicars house three or foure months to the great profit both of the townes men and himselfe For he drew many out of the sinck of grieuous sinnes many dishonest louers whome he could not well separate he ioyned togeather in wedlock He reconciled also to friendship such as before were at deadly hatred one with another He freed many who had bin long entangled with heinous offēces and abominations Yet for all this whilst he so much profited others he neglected not his owne giuing himselfe very much to contemplation of heauenly things especially in the night when he was free from other employments And it hapned very often that when he was sought for by his cōpanions he was found praying in some corner of the Apostles Church For being at that time doubtfull what to do and very vncertaine whether he should go forward to the Macazarians or returne back into India he consulted with God in the holy Apostles Church so as there spending almost whole nights in cōtinuall watching with great feruour of spirit he craued the intercession one while of the most B. Virgin mother of God and another while of S. Thomas other Saints And at last being replenished with incredible ioy from heauen he perceiued it to be Gods will that he should go forward to the Macazarians not so much to instruct them as afterwards he vnderstood as to help some others who were in the way vnknowne to him and standing more in need of his assistance Wherfore being very desirous to performe the will of God he began to cast about for some opportunity to passe ouer to Malaca as soone as might be intending to make vse of a Saracen or Ethincke ship if no Portughese could be gotten nay he said morouer that he had such confidence in God that if no ship of burthen cold be had and there were but any little boat to go to Malaca he would make no doubt by Gods helpe to passe well ouer therin such a firme and constant resolution he had presently to performe what he had by Gods instinct vndertaken CHAP. XV. Being beaten by Diuels he notvvithstanding spendeth a vvhole night in Prayer WHILEST he thus remained as we haue said in the Vicars house there hapned one thing very worthy to be noted in that kind This howse ioyned close to the Apostles Church into which was made a little dore for the vicar to enter priuatly Now Xauerius had a custome when he perceiued the vicar to be asleepe for he lay also in his chamber to steale secretly and without noise from of his bed and to creepe along with great warines into the Apostles church yet did he not wholy deceaue the vicar who often awaking on a suddain perceiued him to be absent Wherfore he first dissēbled the matter but afterwards out of the friendly confidence which was betweene them aduised him not to go into the Church in the night time nor to hazard himselfe by going that way which was knowne to be haunted with bad spirits for he might perhaps meete with them in their vgly shapes when he least thought of them At this Xauerius smiled thinking he had said it to make him afrayd and so putting the Prelate
yeares before Xauerius came thither The Country is very cold vnpleasant to the eye in many places mountanous and barrayne yet for the most part chaÌ„pion enterlaced with many fayre riuers by nature fertile although they do not till the ground by reason of their continuall warres so as it is more fit for vines oliues if it were ther with planted for want whereof there be very few vineyards and no oliues at all and yieldeth rather Rice then Corne. Neyther do there want mines of gold but skill to make it yet chiefly it excelleth in siluer mines for which cause it is called Argentaria Notwithstanding for that the Inhabitants are debarred from trafficque with the Chineses in tymes past it wanted many things which now the Portugheses haue by their commercement lately supplyed not without great profit to theÌ„selues And although there be frequent Hauens in the whole Country yet the Iland Ximus both because it hath more store of Port Townes and lyeth most commodious for the shippes that come from India is most of all frequented by the Portughese merchants There was at that tyme one King who ruled ouer all Iaponia called by the inhabitantes Dayrus whose raygne because Kingly Maiesty was now â—worne out amongst the Nobles began to depend vpon their pleasures The people of Iaponia compared with the Indians are white of complexion by nature most warlike and in vertue and vprightnesse doe farre exceed all other Nations which haue â—byn found out of late Xauerius therefore making his â—abode at Cangoxima which is the principall Citty of Saxuma before he would aduenture to set vpon the Iaponians soules thought best to seek out first all kind of wayes meanes how to do it chiefly to inquire of their manners religions And hauing diligently sounded them all out he found the matter for the most part thus to stand to wit that the whole Nation was of a very tractable disposition and for the most part cannot endure any double dealing They haue no great store of gold riches or wealth and therfore as most commonly where there is least money there also is least seeking after it their study is least about such kind of things Neyther do they account any thing more dishonourable then to increase their wealth substance by trafficque or any other art So as their manner of lyfe is vpheld by the direction of pouerty yet in such sort that they hyde the same with a neat and handsome adorning of their bodyes They stand very much vpon their dignity and reputation so that you would thinke them therin most perfectly to resemble the auncient Romans They do all for the most part euen children place their greatest delight in martiall affayres nor do they ordinarily take content in any thing else Notwithstanding which is incredible to be spoken or heard although they be of such couragious spirits and so much giuen to bearing of armes yet they absteyne from all quarrels amoÌ„g themselues reseruing the vse of their weapons for tyme of warre agaynst their enemies For the Iaponians haue such gouernement ouer themselues and their passions that they seeme therein to be of the sect of Stoickes And to see a Iaponese brawling chafing or wrangling one with another is amongst them accounted a monstrous thing Wherfore the better to auoid all occasion of contentions they neuer deale about any businesse of importance or coÌ„trouersy by themselues but by a third person And this they obserue not only with strangers but also with their friends and those of the same household with them wherby they conserue quiet of mynd in themselues and peace with others They take very great delight in hunting in so much that they eate no flesh which is not gotten by that meanes They can no more endure mutton swines-flesh beefe or veale then we can dogges or horse-flesh They absteine from milke and cheese as we do from raw bloud They keep hennes and geese not so much to eate as for their recreation pleasure They do therefore seldome eate flesh which when they doe is alwayes Venison They feed for the most part on fish fruite herbes and rice and by the meanes of their temperate dyet they are very sound and healthfull liuing ordinarily vntill they be very old vnlesse they meete by chance with some violent or vntimely death At least we may learne by this their liuing so well vpon a little that Nature is content with few things although sensuality be neuer satisfied Adulteries are with them most seuerely punished They absteine altogeather from dyce-playing and such like games deeming that by those meanes men become desirous of others goods They are also so farre from theft and robbery that they iudg nothing more vnworthy in a man for which cause they condemne felons to the gallowes the most disgracefull of all punishments amongst them They vse cleanlinesse in their dyet neatnesse in their attyre and most courteous ciuility in all their meetings salutations and conuersation wherein the men are not more exact then the children nor the Nobility then the Country people You would belieue they were all trayned vp togeather to ciuill and courtly behauiour in the same Kings Court But these guifts of nature are obscured by pride a malady deeply rooted in this Nation For they so contemne other nations in respect of themselues that they are for the most part very arrogant and insolent in their carriage towards strangers This one thing only excepted they want nothing but the light of the Ghospell being of themselues a nation if there be any in the world borne and in a manner framed to al ciuility For euen the country people themselues are very ingenious desirous of learning in so much that as euery thing seemeth most conformable to reason so they do most willingly imbrace it They are very attentiue to discourses especially of God and diuine matters They are moreouer commonly very good schollers therfore so much the more apt to receiue Christian discipline Now when Xauerius had vnderstood these and many other things which for breuities sake I omit of the disposition manners of the Iaponians making also iniquity after their Priests Religions he found things standing almost in this manner to wit that they account those things most of all their Gods by whose meanes they receiue help Some therefore do worship the Sunne others the Moone and others other Gods There be also among them certayne Men held for Gods which they had from the Chineses Amongst whome are Xacas and Amidas But there is no greater villanny or impurity then among their Priestâ— whome they call Bonzies so that you may easily know whose Ministers they be For hauing brought in that heynous sinne which is not heere to be named of preposterous lust they haue cast such a thicke mist before the Iaponians eyes that being not able to discerne such impurities they commonly account that most detestable crime of al
After the Portughese ships were gone Francis as the property of hope is neuer to giue ouer still expecting the Chinese merchant employed himselfe with neuerthelesse diligence in his accustomed exercises of Charity to gayne thereby by Gods holy assistance the victory ouer Sathan who as he perceyued vsed all the stratagemes he could to defeate his endeauours But God whose counsayles are vnsearchable wayes incomprehensible had otherwise determined of the busines and being content with Francis his endeauour reserued the glory of conuerting the Chineses vnto others who were to come after God being therefore greatly delighted with the inflamed hart and desyre which Xauerius had both to labour and suffer pleased to bestow vpon him rather the reward of all his trauayles formerly taken for his sake which were both many and great then to open the way for him to new And so vpon the very same day which was appointed for his passing ouer into China he fell into a sicknes whereof soone after he dyed His disease was caused by themhumanity of his Host For when the ships departed towards India Francis his Host also changing his mynd and violating the right of Hospitality being eytheâ— taken with some toy the head or prickt forward with desire to be gone departed in all hast without euer taking his leaue of Xauerius his old friend and guest nâ— not expecting a ship which himselfe had lately boughâ— in another Iâ—and of China For Francis according tâ— â—â—is custome going to say Masse was accompanied with â—â—is said Host who leauing that sacred mystery wherat â—e was present and forsaking his guest departed the â—land more like a fugitiue then a friend Xauerius as soone as he had done Masse and made â—â—is accustomed recollection sayd the prayer for the â—ead looking about perceyued that his Host was abâ—ent and inquiring what was become of him anâ—were was made that he was shipt in all hast with the â—est for Malaca Then Xauerius Verily quoth he I am â—frayd that his conscience being guilty of some heiâ—ous sinne suffereth him not to rest in quiet through â—he wrath of God towards him For what meaneth â—his ouerhasty speed Behould the ship which he hath â—ately procured to be bought is hourly looked for yet â—s he loath to expect her But let him go in Gods name â—o Malaca from whence he shal neuer depart for there â—he wretch will soone end his dayes Of these two Prophecies the one was presently verified and the other not long after For they who were present were scarcâ—â—y come out of Church when the ship he had bought vpon a suddayne appeared in sight wherat they were all stroken into admiration and esteemed Xauerius as a â—man sent from God And his Host as was afterward verifyed a few dayes after his ariuall at Malaca goâ—ng into the forrest to prouide himselfe of wood was murdered there by theeues and so made a miserable â—â—nd for that he had byn the cause of Francis his vntimely death But Xauerius knowing he was not long to liue fortold the same to some familiar friends yet after a manner no lesse profitable then admirable As he was one day in an assemby of Portugheses Let vs see sayd he how many we are heere for within a yeare most of vs shall dye This Prophecy was more true then ioyfull For of seauen who were then present fiue dyed that very yeare whereof Xauerius himselfe was one who certaynely both foresaw and foretould that his owne death was at hand For that about the same tyme also he by diuine instinct no doubt 〈◊〉 forgetting all humane things began to haue a great desire to see God which was no small token of theâ— beatitude wherunto he was now approaching Wherupon he wrote in a certayne Epistle That although he had vntill that tyme desired to haue lyfe graunted him for the seruice of Christ and the propagation oâ— his Ghospell yet now those liuely sparkes were grow 〈◊〉 en but cold in him through a burning desire he had oâ— seeing and inioyning the diuine Maiesty CHAP. XI He endeth his life in a most holy manner THE suddayne and vnfriendly departurâ—â— of Xauerius Host constrained him to beggâ— his victuals And so much the more 〈◊〉 his pouerty afflict him by how much 〈◊〉 more scarse all things were made by reason of thâ— strict watch which the Manderino's made who peâ—mitted no man to transport any victualls out of Châ—◠〈◊〉 Which incommodity he most patiently indured â—auing his mynd fixed more vpon Euangelicall poâ—â—erty then vpon his owne necessity wherefore he â—â—ought good not to seek out any new Host but heerâ—fter to prouide his victualls by begging But now alâ—â—ough his mynd being wholy desirous to suffer did â—â—aliantly encounter with so great difficultyes disâ—ommodities of all things yet his body could not â—hoose but be much broken therby being euen worne â—ut as well with age and continuall labours as with â—is late sicknes also whereof he was not as yet perâ—ectly recouered Besides this he was greatly afflicted 〈◊〉 mynd through the care and sollicitude which his â—esire of going into China caused in him Being therefore sicke not in body only but alâ— in mynd earnestly wishing his soule might by â—eath be freed of all her anxietyes about the twelfth â—f Nouember he fell agayne into his former sickâ—es He had scaresly made an end of saying Masse for â—he dead when as a mortall feuer came vpon him to â—pen him the way to lyfe eternall Wherfore sicke â—s he was he withdrew himselfe into the same ship which brought him thither partly to visit the sicke â—herein as his custome was and partly also to take vp â—is lodging there among them yet some few daies afâ—er his sicknes grew so violent that being not able to â—ndure the tossing of the ship he was constrained to â—o agayne to land A Portughese Merchant therefore â—â—eing such a man as he so pittifully tormeÌ„ted with an â—oat burning feuer and lying abroad in the open ayre â—moued to compassion towards him inuiteth him presently in a courteous manner to take a lodging with him and bringing him home to his house which stood alone vpon a litle hill being indeed more turly a cottage then an house vsed him very liberally considering the want of all things at that present And taking a great care of his health he intreated him to suffer himselfe to be let bloud Xauerius although he knew well inough what kind of Phisitians that desert Iland could affoard sayd notwithstanding that for all things which belonged to the cure of his body he would most willingly put himselfe into the Phisitians hands And this he performed with all alacrity and resignation seeking all occasions whereby to exercise his obedience He therfore was let bloud not without great paine and conuulsion of his nerues After which there followed in him a certayne loathing of all meates although indeed there was not any meate to be gotten in the
both a great incitement to the Christian Religion also a pledge of the Portugheses friendship vnto his person When the Viceroy had perused the Kings letters he easily persuaded Fa. Melchior Nunius who was one of the chiefe Fathers of the Society in India to go himselfe with all speed vnto the King of Bungo In this meane tyme Xauerius Body was exposed at Goa not only to the view but also to the admiration of all the behoulders But the great desire of the people was not satisfied by seing him but rather more inflamed Yea the selfe same persons did oftentymes returne agayne to looke vpon him others came flocking almost euery moment to behould him The Fathers therefore through necessity were constrayned to change their determination And so to satisfy the longing desire of such an infinite multitude the body was exposed three dayes in a Chappell well fenced with strong Cancells to the full view of all and euery one that would might looke vpon it at their leasure So as there came from all parts an infinity of people to behold touch the same with their beades which they performed with aboundance of teares and much inward feeling of deuotion Now whilst some became doubtful of the incorruption of his body the same was made therby not only more certayne but more glorious also For seeing the miracle did surpasse all humane beliefe there were not wanting some yea Religious persons men of good authority who gaue out that Francis his body being bowelled was by art certayne precious embalmings kept thus liuely The Viceroy therefore to examine the truth of the thing commaunded Cosâ—as Saraina a Physitian of great fame and experience to try and looke into the Body But he beginning to launce the belly with an instrument when he perceyued fresh bloud to issue thence being astonished â—t the miracle gaue ouer his designe Then putting his finger into the hole he had made he findeth his bowels intiere sound without any signe of balme or other preseruatiue applied which he coÌ„firmed by publicke testimony vpon his oath Wherfore the matter being throughly examined and diuulged abroad Xauerius Body began to be greatly honoured reuerenced not more by others then by those who had byn authours of the false rumour aforesayd euery one kissing his feete and hands and touching them with their beades And so great was the opinion of Xaueuerius sanctity that euery one did striue to get yea purloyne some small particle of his body or garments in so much that all the care and vigilancy the Fathers could vse to looke vnto it did hardly hinder the violence of the deuout pepole In the meane tyme Xauerius prayses were spread all abroad his worthy actes prophecyes and miracles were blazed far and neere not only by those who had themselues byn eye-witnesses thereof but by others also who had heard the same from credible authours so as all India sounded forth his sanctity as it were with one mouth And likewise for the confirmatioÌ„ of the former miracles there were many others added anew For that many who went to behould that sacred spectacle affirmed vpon their oath that there came thither many persons who hauing eyther lost the vse of some of their lymmes or otherwise sick of some disease were by touching Francis his body healed returned home sound and in perfect health Now when these three dayes were past although the people had not yet their fill of behoulding contemplating the sacred Body the shrine was for a time placed in a Sepulcher which they had prepared for the purpose vpon the right hand of the high Aultar vntil a fayrer monument were erected and adorned fitting the dignity of so worthy a man according to the Fathers desires and deuotion of the Cittizens of Goa if the King of Portugall as they hoped would procure his Canonization from the Pope About the tenth day after his buriall Doctour Antony Ribera the Bishops Vicar and Inquisitour Generall determined in respect of his charge and office to examine the matter with his owne eyes and see whether those things were true which had byn diuulged abroad of Francis his incorruption Wherefore opening the Sepulcher about Midday himselfe with many lighted torches attending throughly felt and viewed the whole body all ouer And finding nothing which was not entiere he gaue testimony therof vnder his hand and seale to all posterity This caused the reuerence and deuotion to Xauerius dayly to increase There were all most none who came not with veneration to his sepulcher many brought thither flowers and garlands and the number of white wax tapers to burne continually before it were exceeding great And this deuotion of the people towards his seruant was by God himselfe approued also For there is euident proofe that a wax Candle of a â—ubit long only being lighted before the Sepulcher â—id burne perpetually for the space of 18. whole daies â—nd nights togeather The King of Portugall being moued by these reâ—tions gaue order presently to the Viceroy of India 〈◊〉 make exact inquiry of Xauerius worthy facts and â—iracles to set them carefully downe in writing â—e which he afterward sent to Rome to his Embassaâ—our that he might deale with his Holines about his Canonization But this most Excellent Kings pious â—deauours were hindred by his vntimely death The â—thers therefore hauing finished their new Church â— Goa and dissolued the old remoued Xauerius Body â— to a priuate Chappell within their house where 〈◊〉 this day his memory and name is honoured vntill 〈◊〉 Holinesse shall graunt if it please God that soâ—mne Honour and Veneration may be publikly exâ—â—bited vnto him OF THE LIFE OF S. FRANCIS XAVIER THE VI. BOOKE By the King of Portugall his command Francis his deeds and miracles are committed to vvriting CHAP. I. ALTHOVGH the guifts and fauours which the Goodnes of God had already heaped vpon Francis shined forth at sundry times in al thâ—â— parts of his life as we haue demonstrated before yet will it not be amisse heere to propound those things to be maturely coÌ„sidered which haue byn touched by the way and as it were in an obscure manner that so by vnfoulding the chiefe heads of matters we may at once behould all whatsoeuer appertaineth thereunto And to the end we may first of all speake of such passages which ordinarily cause most admiration and are essteemed both by good and bad-willers many things not only through the whole course of his lyfe but much more at the very tyme of his funeralls haue by diuine power happened vnto Xauerius which no natural cause can any way excuse froÌ„ being miraculous Wherefore we will heere in a more exact manner treate of these signes and testimonies of his sanctity will cite for euery thing such authors witnesses whose authority and fidelity cannot iustly be called into question Iohn the third King of Portugall by whome as we haue sayd before Xauerius was sent
deuotion to his holy Body that euery one did â—riue to touch the same with their beades and to get â—way euen by stealth some Relique thereof Lastly this miracle of his Body hath as after we â—all declare bin honoured by God himselfe with so â—any and euident signes that all men yea euen the â—aleuolous haue bin satisfyed therby concerning the â—â—atitude of his soule And these things which we â—aue recounted of Francis his body haue bin so testyfied that there were as many witnesses therof as were people at that time in the Citty of Goa that is to say almost all India But least perhaps such wonderfull fauours of Almighty God might seeme to some more admirable then credible both humane and diuine Prouidence hath so concurred in this busines that these priuate testimonyes haue byn confirmed by publick Records For Ambrose Ribera the Inquisitour and Vicar Generall of the Bishop of Goa when the fame of that great miracle was spread ouer India iudging it to be a matter which belonged to his office togeather with certaine most skillfull Physitians went to visit Xauerius body before it was buryed to try whether the same were wholy intiere and incorrupt as was reported or no. He therfore hauing with his owne eyes throughly beheld the integrity of the same surpassing all humane faith and then by making inquiry therof as the King of Portugall had commanded hauing found out his incomparable sanctity confirmed the truth with a most worthy testimony which I haue thought good heere to insert in the selfe same words wherein he gaue it I D. Ambrose Ribera Inquisitour Vicar Generall and Assistant of the Bishop of Goa and India do testify that Francis Xauerius for the space of nine whole yeares for so many haueâ— byn resident in this place hath gone vp downe to the townes and villages of India Malaca the Moluca's Iaponia and other farre remote places of the Barbarians preaching and teaching the mysteries precepts of the Christian faith as well to the Portugheses as to other People and Nations and hath in the same places coÌ„uerted an exceeding great number of Ethnickes to the Christian Religion building euery where Churches and for the effecting thereof hath endured very many great miseries and labours euen to his dying day And that his body hauing bin brought â—o Goa and there receiued with all solemnity was â—y the whole Clergy and Citty conueyed to the Colâ—edg of S. Paul and there buryed But for that there was a certayne rumour spread abroad of the integriâ—y of his Body which seemed to surpasse the forces of Nature and to be euidently a diuine Miracle since a Body that had byn dead so long and layne â—uryed an eleuen monethes before to wit three in China and eight at Malaca as the Viceroy of India Alphonsus Noronia and my selfe haue proued by â—ndoubted witnesses should remayne the space of â—6 moneths free and entiere from all corruption â— thought it belonged vnto my office to examine â—nd make tryall of the same Wherefore I went into â—he Church where he lay caused the Coffin to be opeâ—ed looked vpon his body with lighted torches about â—n houre before midday and I felt and handled for 〈◊〉 good while his armes legges his knees thighs the greatest part of his body so that by those parts which lay open a coniecture might be easily made of â—hat which was not seene and found the Body enâ—ere wholy free from all kind of corruption with â—he flesh altogether fresh and solid euen reteyning â—he naturall moysture and colour Moreouer I saw in â—is left thigh a litle aboue the knee as it were a wouÌ„d â—rom whence there had byn a little piece of flesh taken about the biggnes of a fingar And another wound also in the belly whereinto I putting my fingars found all entiere and incorrupt and without any kind of ill smell And moreouer I layd my mouth to his month and felt and looked vpon his face all ouer with the greatest diligence I could Whereupon after examination made of all these things as I found them I commanded my Notary to set them downe in writing In testimony whereof I haue heerunto set my owne hand and seale the first of December 1556. The Viceroyes Phisitian also one of excellent skill hauing by his Lords command throughly examined the body gaue no lesse euident a testimony of the integrity thereof which was this I Cosmas Saraina Physitian to Alphonsus Norâ—nia Viceroy of India do testify that when Francis Xauerius body was brought to Goa I looked very diligently vpon it and felt it all ouer especially the belly which vseth to be most subiect to corruption and I found his entrayles wholy sound solide notwithstanding it was manifest that there had neyther balme oyle or any other thing agaynst putrefaction byn applyed thereto Afterwards when by my aduise one of the Society of IESVS did put his fingar into a wound which was open in his left side close to his hart there issued out bloud and water togeather to which I smelling found no kind of bad sauour at all I also found his thighes and the other parts of his body entiere with the flesh so solid and naturall that it could not by art of Physicke be in that manner preserued For the body had byn now dead almost a yeare a halfe had â—yne well neere a yeare in the Sepulcher These â—â—ings according to the charge which is giuen me in his businesse I do testify vpon my oath Giuen at Goa the 18. of Nouemb. 1556. And these humane testimonyes were also confirâ—ed by diuine For about the same tyme there were many miracles wrought to testify as well Xaueriusâ—anctity â—anctity as the happines of his soule in heauen Iohn Mendoza his ship which brought Xauerius body back â—nto India miraculously escaped many great dangers especially in the Iland of Ceilanum From thence when it came to Baticala a towne in India Mary Sarra a Portughese woman of good note and wyfe to the Kings Solicitour there lay very sick of a daÌ„gerous infirmity who being certifyed of the coÌ„ming of Xauerius body caused herself presently to be carryed to it where she â—imploring the holy mans assistance with no lesse confidence then deuotion was forthwith by Xauerius intercession the diuine goodnes cured recouered her health She also hauing obtayned by earnest intreaty a litle piece of the girdle wherwith he was girt enclosed it in a siluer reliquary and wore it about her necke eyther as a remembrance of him or as a preseruatiue agaynst sicknesse And heerein her deuotion fayled her not For her litle sonne who had byn then grieuously afflicted for the space of six moneths with an ague was cured by applying the sayd reliquary vnto him the which also recouered him afterwards of an Apoplexy wherewith he was greatly vexed It being also hung about the necke of a womaÌ„-seruant who was very dangerously in trauayle caused
time a new miracle For they perceiued that the veile wherwith his face was couered was by reason of the heauines of the earth which was throwne vpon him besprinkled as it were with fresh bloud Wherefore Beira being moued by the euidency of the miracle bethinketh with himself of doing greater honour to Xarius And conferring the matter with Iames Perera they iudged it conuenient that his body should be taken vp and kept in the Sacristy of the Church and Perera himselfe procureth a new Coffin to be made and lined within with rich Damaske and couered on the out-side with cloath of gould Beira hauing thus inclosed Xauerius in his new Coffin departed to Moluca and leaueth Emanuel Tabera one of the Society at Malaca with order to transport that rich and precious Treasure with the first opportunity vnto Goa In the meane Iohn Mendoza a noble and wealthy Portugese-merchant had a ship newly arriued at Malaca fraught with Chinese merchandize His factour hauing vnladen the wares kept them in the Citty expecting a fit season to transport them to Goa But when the time for nauigation came he could not get a ship for that there was but only one in the Hauen that not fit for sea as being old halfe rotten her keele specially so very weake that she was ready to fall asunder So as the sea men and marriners gaue their opinion absolutly of her that she would not be able to brooke the seas but straight grow loose in her ioynts and leake and so be quickly cast away Wherfore the factour being sad knew not what to do But when he vnderstood that Xauerius holy Body was to be transported vnto Goa he ventured in her not only all his merchandize but his person and life also hauing assured confidence in God that by the merits of Xauerius of whose admirable vertue he had had sufficient experience the ship would arriue safe In the meane time Peter Alcaceua of the Society of Jesus being sent by Cosmas Turrianus was come vnto Malaca to bring away those sacred Reliques vnto Goa Wherfore he togeather with Tabera conuey the holy shrine into the ship to the exceeding ioy both of the marriners and passengers as thinking themselues strongly armed therby against al tempests There was a chamber in the ship prepared of purpose for the sacred Body richly hung with silke wherin the shrine was placed togeather with store of excelleÌ„t perfumes and waxen tapers All which dutifull seruices Xauerius did aboundantly requite For when they were in the midst of their course the ship running vpon certayne vnknowne rockes stuck so fast amongst them that she could be haled neither forward nor backward but remayned immoueable as if she had bin fast nayled thereto At length after the Marriners had laboured for many houres to get her loose but al in vayne they begaÌ„ to despayre Wherfore hauing no hope in humane they implored the diuine assistance And presently they came to Father Alcaceua intreating him earnestly to set forth Xauerius Body He without any difficulty yieldeth to their request that they might all togeather call vpon the Saint for help There was no delay made and so all with burning tapers in their hands fell downe vpon their knees and in most suppliant wise and with may teares began to call vpon Xauerius beseeching his ayde in this their distresse And not in vaine For as they were thus seriously imploring his help the Rock vpon a suddaine leauing its fast hold the ship got loose and gaue withall a great cracke then by little and little wynding her selfe froÌ„ out the shallowes held on her course with a prosperous gale At other times also being in manifest danger of casting away she escaped miraculously by the passengers marriners calling vpon Xauerius whose holy Body was there present and so at last arriued â—afe at Cocinum Where as soone as it was knowne that Francis his body was comming thither whole and incorrupt the whole Citty was so stirred vp with the strangenesse of the thing that yow might presently see the hauen full of people and many also making hast in smal boates to meet the ship therby to satisfy their longing eyes Then climing vp vnto the â—ecke they came into the chamber where the body lay and there one after another touch and kisse his sacred reliques admiring to behould the body intiere and sound and extolling the diuine Bounty of Almighty God who had shewed it selfe so admirable euen in â—he dead corps of holy men The ship hauing made some few dayes stay at Cocinum departeth thence for Goa yet stayed a little â—y the way at a towne of India called Baticala some â—o miles from Goa with no smal benefit to the inhaâ—itants of that place For there by Francis his merits 〈◊〉 principall Portughese woman was deliuered of a â—reat sicknes many other miracles wrought besides which we shall afterwards set downe in their proper â—ace But now for that the wynd was ful against theÌ„â—hey were forced to stay their course at Baticala for â—ty me Wherfore the gouernour of that place taking â—small gally maketh hast to Goa before and there deâ—lareth the whole busines vnto those of the Society Their desire as often it hapneth was by that delay 〈◊〉 expectation more inflamed nor could they satisfy themselues to make any longer stay Wherefore Melchior NuÌ„nius Rectour of the Colâ—dge went vnto the Viceroy and easily obtained of â—m a light barke of fetch away the sacred shrine with 〈◊〉 speed The barke belonged to one Alphonsus Noâ—nta a vertuous man and one that alwayes much eâ—eemed of Xauerius who lent the same far more wilâ—ngly then it was demaunded moreouer imployed â—s owne indeauours carefully therein But the mayâ—er of the ship who had brought Xauerius body from â—alaca opposed himselfe and earnestly requested â—at seeing his ship was not now farre from Goa she â—ight not be despoyled of so sure and safe a guard Yet the great desire they had to see their Father Xauerius ouerswayed his iust request Melchior therfore leauing many of the Colledge behind who desired to accompany him with certaine of the principall Fathers and a company of Orphane Children taketh boat with al the speed that might be hasteth to the ship And when he was arriued he forth with went aboard and entring into the chamber where the shrine was kept findeth Xauerius body wholy sound and vncorrupt retayning still the selfe same countenance which he had yet liuing so that 〈◊〉 seemed to be but newly dead or rather still aliue Wherefore shedding teares for ioy after he had 〈◊〉 while contemplated his holy visage as an euident to ken of his heauenly felicity he sweetly kisseth his sacred hands and feete with extraordinary feeling oâ— deuotion and the like also did all the rest euery on striuing who should be most forward therein In the meane while the Maister had commandeâ— his ship to be set out with many flagges and tapestâ— hangings and the