little about their necks They chiefly venerate St. Thomas and it is an ancient Tradition amongst them that this Holy Apostle in going to the Indies was cast by a Tempest on their Coast that being come ashore he Preach'd Iesus Christ to those of Socotora and that from the wreck of that Ship which brought him thither they built a Chappel in the middle of their Island The condition of these Islanders sensibly afflicted Father Xavier yet he despair'd not of reducing them to a right understanding of the Faith because as barbarous as they were they still preserv'd some footsteps of Christianity amongst them Having no knowledge of their Tongue which bears not the least â—esemblance to any of our European Languages and is also wholly different from the Ethiopian and Arabique at the first he was constrain'd to testiâ—ie his sorrow to them by dumb signs for their ignorance and errours Afterwards whether it were that some one amongst them understood the Portuguese and serv'd as Interpreter to all the rest or that counting from this very time he began to receive from above the first fruits of the gift of Tongues which was so abundantly bestow'd 〈◊〉 him in the Indies on sundry occasions he spoke to them concerning the necessity of Baptism and let them know that there was no possibility of Salvation without a sincere belief in Iesus Christ but that the Faith allow'd of no mixture and that to become Christians they must of necessity cease to be Iews or Mahometans His words made a wonderful impression on the Souls and Hearts of those Barbarians Some of them made him presents of their wild Fruits in token of their good will others offer'd him their Children to be Baptiz'd All promis'd him to receive Baptism themselves and to lead the Life of true Christians on condition he wou'd remain with them But when they beheld the Portuguese Galeon ready to depart they ran in crouds to the Water-side and besought the Holy man with tears in their eyes not to forsake them So moving a Spectacle wrought compassion in Xavier he was earnest with the Viceroy for leave to stay upon the Isle at least till the arrival of the Vessels which he had left at Mozambique But he cou'd obtain no part of his request and Sosa told him that Heaven having design'd him for the Indies it was to be wanting to his Vocation if he endeavour'd this Exchange and stop'd in the beginning of his race That his Zeal wou'd find a more ample field wherein to exercise it self than in Socotora and People of better inclination than those Islanders naturally unconstant and as ready to forsake the Faith as they were easie to receive it Xavier submitted to these reasons of the Viceroy which on this occasion seem'd to interpret to him the good pleasure of Almighty God. Instantly they hoisted Sail but the Saint was pierc'd with sorrow to behold those poor creatures who follow'd him with their eyes and held up their hands from aâ—ar to him while the Vessel was removing into the deep he turn'd his head towards them breathing out profound sighs and looking mournfully upon them But that he might leave nothing upon his conscience to upbraid him concerning the Socotorins he engag'd himself solemnly before Almighty God to return to them so soon as possibly he cou'd or in case he cou'd not to procure for them some Preachers of the Gospel to instruct them in the way of their Salvation This last part of his Navigation was not long After having cross'd the Sea of Arabia and part of that which belongs to India the Fleet arriv'd at the Part of Goa on the sixth of May in the year 1542 being the thirteenth Month since their setting out from the Port of Lisbonne The Town of Goa is scituate on this side of the Ganges in an Island bearing the same name 'T is the Capital City of the Indies the Seat of the Bishop and the Viceroy and the most considerable place of all the East for Traffick It had been built by the Moors forty years before the Europeans had pass'd into the Indies and in the year 1510 Don Alphonsâ— d'Albuquerque surnam'd the Great took it from the Infidels and subjected it to the Crown of Portugal At that time was verify'd the famous Prophecy of St. Thomas the Apostle that the Christian Faith which he had planted in divers Kingdoms of the East shou'd one day flourish there again which very Prediction he left graven on a Pillar of living Stone for the memory of future Ages The Pillar was not far distant from the Walls of Meliapore the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Coromandel and it was to be read in the Characters of the Country That when the Sea which was forty Miles distant from the Pillar shou'd come up to the foot of it there shou'd arrive in the Indies white Men and Foreigners who shou'd there restore the true Religion The Infidels had laugh'd at this Prediction for a long time not believing that it wou'd ever be accomplish'd and indeed looking on it as a kind of impossibility that it shou'd Yet it was accomplish'd and that so justly that when Don Vasco de Game set foot on the Indies the Sea which sometimes usurps upon the Continent and gains by little and little on the dry land was by that time risen to the Pillar so as to bathe its lower parts Yet it may be truly said that the Prophecy of St. Thomas had not its full effect till after the coming of Father Xavier according to another prediction of that holy Man Peter de Couillan a Religious of the Trinity who going to the Indies with Vasco de Gama in quality of his Ghostly Father was Martyr'd by the Indians on the seventh of Iuly 1497 forty three years before the beginning of the Society of Iesus who being pierc'd through with Arrows while he was shedding his Blood for Christ distinctly pronounc'd these following words In few years there shall be borâ— in the Church of God a new Religious Order of Clergy-men which shall bear the name of Jesus and one of its first Fathers conducted by the Spirit of God shall pass into the most remote Countries of the East-Indies the greatest part of which shall embrace the Orthodox Faith through the Ministry of this Evangelical Preacher This is related by Iuan de Figueras Carpi in his History of the Order of the Redemption of Captives from the Manuscripts of the Trinity Convent in Lisbonne and the Memoirs of the King of Portugal's Library After Xavier was landed he went immediately to the Hospital and there took his Lodging notwithstanding the instances of the Viceroy who was desirous to have had him in his Palace But he wou'd not begin his Missionary Function till he had paid his respects to the Bishop of Goa whose name was Iuan d' Albuquerque of the Order of St. Francis a most excellent person and one of the most vertuous Prelates which the Church has ever
of Xavier But no one in process of time sollicited with more splendour than the King of Bungâ— This Prince who was upon the point of being converted when Xavier left Iapan had no sooner lost the holy man but he was regain'd by the Bonza's and fell into all the disorders of which a Pagan can be capable He confess'd the Christian Law to be the better but said it was too rigorous and that a young Prince as he was born in the midst of pleasures cou'd not brook it His Luxury hinder'd him not from the love of Arms nor from being very brave and he was so fortunate in War that he reduc'd four or five Kingdoms under his Obedience In the course of all his Victories the last words which Father Francis had said to him concerning the vanity of the World and the necessity of Baptism came into his remembrance he made serious reflections on them and was so deeply mov'd by them that one day he appear'd in publick with a Chaplet about his neck as it were to make an open profession of Christianity The effects were correspondent to the appearances he had tow Idols in his Palace of great value which he worshipped every day prostrating himself before them with his forehead touching the ground these Images he commanded to be thrown into the Sea. After this applying himself to the exercises of Piety and Penitence he totally renounc'd his sensual pleasures and was finally Baptis'd by Father Cabira of the Society of Iesus At his Baptism he took the name of Francis in memory of the holy Apostle Francis Xavier whom he acknowledg'd for the Father of his Soul and whom he call'd by that title during the remainder of his life The King of Bungo had hitherto been so fortunate that his Prosperity pass'd into a Proverb But God was pleas'd to try him Two Months after his Baptism the most considerable of his Subjects entring into a. Solemn League and Covenant against him out of hatred to Christianity and joyning with his neighbouring Princes defeated him in a pitch'd Battle and despoyl'd him of all his Estates He endur'd his ill fortune with great constancy and when he was upbraided by the Gentiles that the change of his Religion had been the cause of his ruine he made a Vow at the foot of the Altar to live and dye a Christian adding by a holy transport of Zeal that if all Iapan and all Europe if the Fathers of the Society and the Pope himself shou'd renounce our Saviour Iesus Christ yet for his own particular he wou'd confess him to the last gasp and be always ready with God's assistance to shed his Blood in testimony of his Faith. As the Piety of this Prince diminish'd nothing of his Valour nor of his Conduct having gather'd up the remainder of his Troops he restor'd himself by degrees partly by force of Arms and partly by amicable ways of Treaty His principal care after his re-establishment was to banish Idolatry out of his Estates and to restore the Catholick Religion His Devotion led him to send a solemn Embassy to Pope Gregory the Thirteenth who at that time govern'd the Church Don Manciâ— his Embassadour being arriv'd at Rome with those of the King of Arima and the Prince of Omura was not satisfy'd with bringing the Obedience of the King his Master to the Vicar of Iesus Christ by presenting him the Letters of Don Francis full of submission and respect to the holy See but he also petition'd him in the name of his Sovereign to place the Apostle of Iapan amongst those Saints whom the Faithful honour and declar'd to his Holiness That he cou'd not do a greater favour to the King of Bungo In the mean time the Memory of Xavier was venerated more than ever through all Asia An Embassadour from the great Mogul being come to Goa to desire some Fathers of the Society might be sent to explain the Mysteries of Christianity to that Emperour ask'd permission to see the Body of Father Francis but he durst not approach it till first himself and all his train had taken off their Shoes after which Ceremony all of them having many times bow'd themselves to the very ground pay'd their respects to the Saint with as much devotion as if they had not been Mahometans The Ships which pass'd in sight of Sancian saluted the place of his death with all their Cannon sometimes they landed on the Island only to view the spot of Earth where he had been buried for two months and a half and to bear away a turff of that holy ground Insomuch that the Chineses entring into a belief that there was some hidden treasure in the place set guards of Souldiers round about it to hinder it from being taken thence One of the new Indian Converts and of the most devoted to the Man of God not content with seeing the place of his death had also the curiosity to view that of his Nativity Insomuch that travelling through a vast extent of Land and passing through immense Oceans he arriv'd at the Castle of Xavier Entring into the Chamber where the Saint was born he fell upon his Knees and with great devotion kiss'd the Floor which he water'd also with his tears After this without farther thought or desire of seeing any thing besides in Europe he took his way backwards to the Indies and counted for a mighty treasure a little piece of Stone which he had loosen'd from the Walls of the Chamber and carry'd away with him in the nature of a Relick For what remains a series of Miracles was blaz'd abroad in all places Five or six passengers who had set sail from Malacca towards China in the Ship of Benedict Coeglio fell sick even to the point of death So soon as they were set on shore at Sancian they caus'd themselves to be carried to the Meadow where Xavier had been first interr'd and there having cover'd their heads with that Earth which once had touch'd his holy Body they were perfectly cur'd upon the spot Xavier appear'd to divers people on the Coast of Travancor and that of Fishery sometimes to heal them or to comfort them in the agonies of death at other times to deliver the Prisoners and to reduce Sinners into the ways of Heaven His name was propitious on the Seas in the most evident dangers The Ship of Emanuel de Sylva going from Cochin and having taken the way of Bengala in the midst of the Gulph there arose so furious a Tempest that they were constrain'd to cut the Mast and throw all the Merchandises over-board when nothing less than Shipwrack was expected they all implor'd the aid of the Apostle of the Indies Francis Xavier At the same instant a Wave which was rolling on and ready to break over the Ship like some vast Mountain went backward on the sudden and dissipated into Foam The Seamen and Passengers at the sight of so manifest a Miracle invok'd the Saint with loud
usage which was given to the Man in the Parable of the Gospel Who dar'â— to appear â—n the Wedding-Room without Cloathing himself in Wedding-Garments By meditating at his leisure on the great truths of Christianity and especially on the Mysteries of our Saviour according to the Method of Ignatius he was wholly chang'd into another Man and the humility of the Cross appear'd to him more amiable than all the Glories of the World. These new insights caus'd him without the least reâ—ugnance to refuse a Canonry of Pampeâ—una which was offer'd him at that time and was very considerable both in regard of the Profits and of the Dignity He form'd also during his solitude the design of glorifying God by all possible means and of employing his whole Life for the Salvation of Souls On these foundations having finished the course of Philosophy which he read and which had lasted three years and a half according to the custome of those times he studied in Divinity by the Counsel of Ignatius whose Scholar he openly declar'd himself to be In the mean time Ignatius who found in himself an inward Call to the Holy-Land for the Conversion of Iews and Infidels discovered his intentions to Xavier which he had already communicated to Le Fevre and four other Learned young men who had embrac'd his form of Life All the seven engag'd themselves by promise to each other and by solemn Vows to God Almighty to forsake their worldly goods and undertake a Voyage to Ierusalem or in case that in the compass of a Year they cou'd not find an accommodation of passing the Seas that they would cast themselves at the feet of our Holy Father for the Service of the Church into what ever part of the World he would please to send them They made these Vows at Montmartre on the day of our Ladies Assumption in the year 1534. That holy place which has been water'd with the Blood of Martyrs and where their Bodies are still deposited inspir'd a particular Devotion into Xavier and possess'd him with a â—ervent desire of Martyrdom Towards the end of the year following he went from Paris in the Company of Le Fevre Laynez Salmeron Rodriguez Bobadilla and three other Divines whom Le Fevre had gain'd in in the absence of Ignatius who for important Reasons was oblig'd to go before and who was waiting for them at Venice Somewhat before their departure Xavier who was sometimes too far transported by the servency of his Soul had tied his Arms and Thighs with little Cords to mortiâ—ie himself for some kind of vain satisfaction which he took in out-running and overleaping his young Companions for he was very active and amongst all the Recreations us'd by Scholars he lik'd none but the exercises of the Body Though the Cords were very straight about him yet he imagin'd they wou'd not hinder him from travelling on foot But he had scarcely begun his journey when he was taken with extream pains He bore them as well as he was able and dissembled them till his strength fail'd him His motion had swell'd his Thighs and indented the Cords so deep into his flesh that they were hardly visible Insomuch that the Chirurgions to whom his Fellows discover'd them plainly said that any incisions which cou'd be made wou'd serve onely to increase his pains and that the ill was incurable In this dangerous conjuncture Le Fevre Laynez and the rest had recourse to Almighty God and not in vain Xavier waking the next morning found the Cords fallen down the swelling wholly taken away from his Thighs and the marks of the Cords only remaining on his Flesh. They joyn'd in actions of Thanksgiving to the Almighty for his providential care already shewn in their behalf and though the ways were very rugged in the inclemency of that Season yet they chearfully pursu'd their Journey Xavier was serviceable to his Companions on all occasions and was always before hand with them in the duties of Charity whether it were that being naturaly officious and of a warm temper he was more eager to employ himself for them or that his health miraculously restor'd render'd him more obligeing and charitable towards those by whose prayers it was recover'd When they were arriv'd at Venice their breathings were only after the holy places Ignatius whom they were ravish'd to see again and whom they acknowledg'd for their common Father was of opinion that while they were waiting the opportunity of going to receive the Pope's blessing for their Voyage to Ierusalem each of them shou'd employ himself on works of Charity in the Hospitals of the Town Xavier whose lott fell in the Hospital of the Incurable was not satisfied onely with busying himself all day in dressing sick men's sores in making their Beds and doing them more inferiour service but also pass'd whole nights in watching by them But his care and pains were not confin'd to the succour of their Bodies Tho' he was wholly ignorant of the Italian Tongue he frequently spoke of God to them and above all things exhorted the greatest Libertines to repentance by causing them to comprehend in the best manner he was able that though their corporal maladies were incurable yet the diseases of their Souls were not so that how enormous soever our offences were we ought always to rely on God's mercy and that a desire of being sincerely converted was onely requisite in Sinners for obtaining the grace of their Conversion One of these sick Alms-men had an Ulcer which was horrble to the sight but the noysomness of the stench was yet more insupportable Every one shun'd the miserable Creature not enduring so much as to approach him and Xavier once found a great Repugnance in himself to attend him But at the same time he call'd to his remembrance a Maxim of Ignatius that we make no progress in Vertue but by vanquishing our selves and that the occasion of making a great Sacrifice was too precious to be lost Being fortify'd with these thoughts and encourag'd by the example of St. Catharine de Sienna which came into his Mind he embrac'd the sick person apply'd his Mouth to the Ulcer surmounted his natural loathing and suck'd out the Corruption at the same moment his Repugnance vanish'd and after that he had no farther trouble in the like cases of so great importance it is to us once to have throughly overcome our selves Two Moneths were pass'd away in these exercises of Charity After which he set forward on his Journey to Rome with the other Disciples of Ignatius who himself stay'd behind alone at Venice They underwent great hardships in their way It rain'd continually and Bread was often wanting to them even when their strength was wasted Xavier encourag'd his Companions and sustain'd himself by that Apostolick Spirit with which God replenish'd him from that time forwards and which already made him in love with pain and sufferings Being arriv'd at Rome his first care was to visit the Churches
and to conseâ—rate himself to the Ministry of the Gospel upon the Sepulchre of the Holy Apostles He had the opportunity of speaking more than once before the Pope For the whole Company of them being introduc'd into the Vatican by Pedrâ— Ortiz that Spanish Doctor whom they had formerly known at Paris and whom the Emperour had sent to Rome for the Affair concerning the marriage of Catharine of Arraâ—on Queen of England Paul the Third who was a lover of Learning and who was pleas'd to be entertain'd at his Table with the Conversation of learned Men commanded that these Strangers whose Capacity he had heard so extreamly prais'd shou'd be admitted to see him for many dâ—ys successively and that in his presence they shou'd discourse concerning divers points of School-Divinity Having receiv'd the Benediction of our Holy Father for their Voyage to the Holy Land and obtain'd the permission for those amongst them who were not in Sacred Orders to receive them they return'd to Venice Xavier there made his Vows of Poverty and perpetual Chastity together with the rest in the hands of Ieronimo Veralli the Popes Nuncio and having again taken up his Post in the Hospital of the Incurable he resum'd his Offices of Charity which his Journey to Rome had constrain'd him to interrupt and continued in those Exercises till the time of his Embarquement In the mean time the War which was already kindled betwixt the Venetians and the Turk had broken the Commerce of the Levant and stopt the passage to the Holy Land. Insomuch that the Ship of the Pilgrims of Ierusalem went not out that year according to the former Custom This disappointment wonderfully afflicted Xavier and the more because he not only lost the hope of seeing those places which had been Consecrated by the presence and the Blood of Iesus Christ but was also berest of an occasion of dying for his Divine Master Yet he comforted himself in reflecting on the method of Gods Providence and at the same time not to be wanting in his duty to his Neighbour he dispos'd himself to receive the Orders of Priesthood and did receive them with those considerations of awful dread and holy confusion which are not easy to be express'd The Town appear'd to him an improper place for his preparation in order to his first Mass. He sought out a solitary place where being separated from the communication of Man he might enjoy the privacies of God He found this convenience of a retirement near Monteselice not far from Padoua It was a miserable Thatch'd Cottage forsaken of Inhabitants and out of all manner of repair Thus accommodated he pass'd forty days expos'd to the injuries of the Air lying on the cold hard Ground rigidly disciplining his Body fasting all the day and sustaining nature only with a little pittance of Bread which he begg'd about the Neighbourhood But tasting all the while the sweets of Paradise in contemplating the Eternal Truths of Faith. As his Cabin did not unfitly represent to him the Stable of Bethlehem so he propos'd to himself frequently the extreme poverty of the Infant Iesus as the pattern of his own and said within himself That since the Saviour of Mankind had chosen to be in want of all things they who labour'd after him for the Salvation of Souls were oblig'd by his example to possess nothing in this World. How pleasing soever this loneliness were to him yet his forty days being now expir'd he left it to instruct the Villages and Neighbour-Towns and principally Monteselice where the People were grosly ignorant and knew little of the duties of Christianity The Servant of God made daily Exhortations to them and his penitent Aspect gave authority to all his words insomuch that only looking on his Face none cou'd doubt but he was come from the Wilderness to instruct them in the way to Heaven He employ'd himself during the space of two or three Months in that manner For though there was no appearance that any Vessel shou'd set â—ail for the Holy Land yet Ignatius and his Disciples who had oblig'd themselves to wait one Year in expectation of any such opportunity wou'd not depart from the Territories of the Republick till it was totally expir'd that they might have nothing to upbraid themselves in relation to the Vow which they had made Xavier being thus dispos'd both by his Retirement and his exteriour Employments at length said his first Mass at Vicenza to which place Ignatius had caus'd all his Company to resort And he said it with Tears flowing in such abundance that his Audience cou'd not refrain from mixing their own with his His Austere Laborious Life joyn'd with so sensible a Devotion which often makes too great an impression on the Body so much impair'd the strength of his Constitution that he fell sick not long after his first Mass. He was carry'd into one of the Town-Hospitals which was so crouded and so poor that Xavier had in it but the one half of a wretched Bed and that too in a Chamber which was open on every side His Victuals were no better than his Lodging and never was sick Man more destitute of Humane Succours but in requital Heaven was not wanting to him He was wonderfully devoted to St. Ierome and had often had recourse to that blessed Doctor of the Church for the understanding of difficult places in the Scripture The Saint appear'd to him one night refulgent in his Beams of Glory and gave him Consolation in his Sickness Yet at the same time declaring to him that a far greater affliction than the present was waiting for him at Bolognia where himself and one of his Companions were to pass the Winter that some of them shou'd go to Padoua some to Rome others to Ferrara and the remainder of them to Sienna This Apparition fortify'd Xavier so much that he recover'd suddainly yet whether he had some doubts concerning it or was of opinion that he ought to keep it secret he said nothing of it at that time But that which then happen'd to him made it evident that the Vision was of God. For Ignatius who was ignorant of what had been reveal'd to Xavier having assembled his Disciples gave them to understand That since the Gate of the Holy Land was shut against them they ought not any longer to deâ—er the offering of their Service to the Pope that it was sufficient if some of them went to Rome while the rest of them dispers'd themselves in the Universities of Italy to the end they might inspire the fear of God into the Scholars and gather up into their number some young Students of the greatest parts Ignatius appointed them their several stations just as they had been foreshewn by St. Ierome and that of Bolognia fell to the share of Xavier and Bobadilla After their arrival at Bolognia Xavier went to say a Mass at the Tomb of St. Dominick for he had a particular Veneration for the Founder
go himself In going from him one took his Chapelet another his Crucifix a third his Reliquiary and all being animated with a lively Faith dispers'd themselves through the Towns and Villages There gathering about the sick as many people as they cou'd assemble they repeated often the Lords Prayer the Creed the Commandments and all they had learnt by heart of the Christian Faith which being done they ask'd the Sick If he believ'd unfeignedly in Jesus Christ and if he desir'd to be baptis'd When he had answer'd â—es they touch'd him with the Chaplet or Cruciâ—ix belonging to the Father and he was immediately cur'd One day while Xavier was preaching the Mysteries of Faith to a great Multitude some came to bring him word from Manapar that one of the most considerable persons of that place was possess'd by the Devil desiring the Father to come to his relief The Man of God thought it unbecoming of his Duty to break off the Instruction he was then making He only call'd to him some of those young Christians and gave them a Cross which he wore upon his Breast after which he sent them to Manapar with Orders to drive away the Evil Spirit They were no sooner arriv'd there than the possess'd person fell into an extraordinary fury with wonderful contorsions of his Limbs and hideous yellings The little Children far from being terrify'd as usually Children are made a ring about him singing the Prayers of the Church After which they compelled him to kiss the Cross and at the same moment the Devil departed out of him Many Pagans there present visibly perceiving the Vertue of the Cross were converted on the instant and becâ—me afterwards devout Christians These young Plants whom Xavier employ'd on such occasions were in perpetual Disputations with the Gentils and broke in pieces as many Idols as they cou'd get into their power and sometimes burnt them throwing their Ashes into the Air. When they discover'd any bearing the name of Christianity and yet keeping a Pagod in reserve to adore in secret they reprov'd them boldly and when those rebukes were of no effect they advertis'd the holy Man to the end he might apply some stronger remedy Xavier went often in their company to make a search in those suspected Houses and if he discover'd any Idols they were immediately destroy'd Being inform'd that one who was lately baptis'd committed Idolatry sometimes in private and that the admonitions which he had receiv'd were useless he bethought himself to frighten him and in his presence commanded the Children to set Fire to his House that thereby he might be given to understand how the the worshipers of Devils deserv'd eternal burning like the Devils they ran immediately to their task taking the Command in a literal sense which was not Xaviers intention But the effect of it wâ—s that the Infidel detesting and renouncing his Idolatry gave up his Pagods to be consum'd by Fire which was all the design of the holy Man. Another Inâ—idel was more unhappy He was one of the first rank in Manapar a Man naturally Violent and Brutal Xavier one day going to visit him desir'd him in courteous words that he wou'd listen to what he had to say to him concerning his eternal welfare The Barbarian vouchsafed not so much as to give him the hearing but rudely thrust him out of his House saying That if ever he went to the Christians Church he was conteâ—t they shouâ—d shut him out Few days after he was assaulted by a Troop of arm'd Men who design'd to kill him All he cou'd do was to disingage himself from them and fly away Seeing at a distance a Church open he made to it as fast as he cou'd run with his Enemies at his heels pursuing him The Christians who were assembled for their exercises of Devotion alarm'd at the loud cries they heard and fearing the Idolaters were coming to plunder the Church immediately shut their Doors insomuch that he who hop'd for safety in a holy place fell into the hands of Murderers and was assassinated by them without question by a Decree of the Divine Justice which reveng'd the Saint and suffer'd the Wretch to be struck with that imprecation which he had wish'd upon himself These Miracles which Xavier wrought by the means of Children rais'd an Admiration of him both amongst Christians and Idolaters but so exemplary a punishment caus'd him to be respected by all the World and even amongst the Brachmans there was not one who did not honour him As it will fall in our way to make frequent mention of those Idol-Priests it will not be from our purpose to give the Reader a description of them The Brachmans are very considerable amongst the Indians both for their Birth and their Employment According to the ancient Fables of the Indies their Original is from Heaven And 't is the common Opinion that the Blood of the Gods is running in their Veins But to understand how they were born and from what God descended 't is necessary to know the History of the Gods of that Country which in short is this The first and Lord of all the others is Parabrama that is to say a most perfect Substance who has his Being from himself and who gives Being to the rest This God being a Spirit free from matter and desirous to appear once under a sensible Figure became Man by the only desire which he had to shew himself he conceiv'd a Son who came out at his Mouth and was call'd Maiso He had two others after him one of them whose name was Visnu was born out of his Breast the other call'd Brama outâ— of his Belly Before he return'd to his invisibility he assign'd Habitations and Employments to his three Children He plac'd the eldest in the first Heaven and gave him an absolute Command over the Elements and mix'd Bodies He lodg'd Visnu beneath his elder Brother and establish'd him the Judge of Men the Father of the Poor and the Protectour of of the Unfortunate Brama had for his Inheritance the third Heaven with the superintendance of Sacrifices and other Ceremonies of Religion These are the three Deities which the Indians represent by one Idol with three Heads growing out of one Body with this mysterious signification that they all proceed from the same principle By which it may be inferr'd that in former times they have heard of Christianity and that their Religion is an imperfect Imitation or rather a Corruption of ours They say that Visnu has descended a thousand times on earth and every time has chang'd his shape sometimes appearing in the figure of a Beast sometimes of a Man which is the Original of their Pagods of whom they relate so many Fables They add that Brama having likewise a desire of Children made himself visible and begot the Brachmans whose Race has infinitely multiplied The People believe them demi-Gods as poor and miserable as they are They likewise imagine them to be Saints
thought good I therefore beg your Majesty by that fervent Zeal which you have for the Glory of our Lord and by the care which you have always testifyâ—d of your Eternal Salvation to send hither a vigilant and resolute Minister who will bend his Actions to nothing more than to thâ— Conversion of Souls who may act independantly to the Officers of your Treasury and who will not suffer himself to be led and govern'd by the pâ—liticks of worldly men whose foresight is bounded with the profit of the State. May your Majesty be pleas'd a little to inspect your Incomes from the Indies and after that look over the Expences which are made for the advancement of Religion that having weigh'd all things equally on either side you may make a Iudgment if that which you bestow bears any proportion with that which you receive And then perhaps you will find a just Subject to apprehend that of those immmense Treasures which the Divine Goodness has heap'd upon you you have given to God but an inconsiderable pittance For what remains let not your Majesty defer any longer the payment of so just a debt to so bountiful a giver nor the healing of so many publick wounds What remedy soever you can apply what diligence soever you can make all will be too little and of the latest The sincere and ardent Charity of my Heart towards your Majesty has constrain'd me to write to you in this manner especially when my imagination represents to me in a lively sort the complaints which the poor Indians send up to Heaven that out of so vast a Treasure with which your Estate is inrich'd by them you employ so little for their Spiritual necessities The Letter ended in begging this favour of Almighty God that the King in his Life time might have those considerations and that conduct which he wou'd wish to have had when he was dying Michael Vaz negotiated so well with King Iohn the third pursuant to the instructions of Father Xavier that he obtain'd another Governour of the Indies and carried back such Orders and Provisions sign'd by his Majesties own hand as were in a manner the same which the Father had desir'd These Orders contain'd That no Toleration shou'd be granted for the Superstition of the Infidels in the Isle of Goa nor in that of Salseta That they shou'd break in pieces all the Pagods which were there and make search in the houses of the Gentils for conceal'd Idols and whosoever us'd or made them shou'd be punish'd according to the quality of his Crime That as many of the Brachmans as were found to oppose the publication of the Gospel shou'd be Banish'd That out of a yearly Rent of three thousand Crowns charg'd on a Mosquee at Bazain a subsistence shou'd be made for the Poor newly converted from Idolatry That hereafter no publick Employment shou'd be given to Pagans That no exaction shou'd remain unpunish'd That no Slaves shou'd henceforth be sold either to Mahometans or Gentils That the Pearl-sishing shou'd only be in the hands of Christians and that nothing shou'd be taken from them without paying them the due value That the King of Cochin shou'd not be suffer'd to despoil or oppress the Baptis'd Indians and last of all That if Sosa had not already reveng'd the Murther of the Christians in Manar who were Massacred by the King of Iafanatapan's Command Castro who succeeded in his place shou'd not fail to see it done To return to Father Xavier he put to Sea at Cochin and sail'd towards Cambaya in the Ship there was a Portuguese Gentleman much a Libertine and one of those declar'd Atheists who make a boast of their impiety This was motive enough for the Holy man to make acquaintance with him He kept him company and was even so complaisant as to entertain him with pleasant conversation The Portuguese was much delighted with his good humour and took pleasure in hearing him discourse on many curious Subjects But if Xavier offer'd to let fall a word concerning the Salvation of his Soul he laught it out and wou'd hear no more If the Father mildly reprov'd him for his profane and scandalous way of living he flew out into a fury against the holy practice of the Church and swore he wou'd never more come to Confession These ill inclinations did not at all discourage Xavier from his undertaking He treated this harden'd Sinner after the manner that Physicians use a Patient raving in his Sickness with all manner of compassion and soft behaviour In the mean time they came to an Anchor before the Port of Cananor and going ashore together they took a walk into a Wood of Palm-Trees which was near their place of Landing After they had made a turn or two the Saint stripp'd himself to the wast and taking a Discipline pointed at the ends with wire struck so hard and so often on his naked body that in a very little time his back and shoulders were all bloody 'T is for your sake said he to the Gentleman who accompanied him that I do what you see and all this is nothing to what I wou'd willingly suffer for you But added he you have cost Christ Iesus a much dearer price will neither his passion his death nor all his blood suffice to soften the hardness of your heart After this addressing himself to our blessed Saviour O Lord said he be pleas'd to look on thy own adorable blood and not on that of so vile a Sinner as my self The Gentleman amaz'd and confounded both at once at such an excess of charity cast himself at the feet of Xavier beseeching him to forbear and promising to confess himself and totally to change his former life In effect before they departed out of the Wood he made a general Confession to the Father with sincere contrition for his Sins and afterwards liv'd with the exemplary behaviour and practice of a good Christian. Being return'd to the Port they went again on Shipboard and continu'd their voyage to Cambaya When they were arriv'd at that place Xavier went to wait on the Viceroy and easily perswaded him to what he desir'd in reference to Iafanatapan For besides that Sosa reposâ—d an entire confidence in Father Xavier and was himself zealous for the faith the Expedition which was propos'd to him was the most glorious that the Portuâ—uese cou'd undertake since the consequence of it was to punish a Tyrant to dispossess an Usurper and to restore a lawful King. The Viceroy therefore wrote Letters and dispatch'd Couriers to the Captains of Comorine and of the Fishery commanding them to assemble all the Forces they cou'd make at Negapatan and make a sudden irruption into the Tyrant's Country without giving him time to provide for his defence He gave them also in charge to take the Tyrant alive if possibly they cou'd and put him into the hands of Father Francis who desir'd his Conversion not his death and hop'd the blood
to withstand the Tempest and was often in danger of sinking and the Mariners were constrain'd to make towards the Port of Negapatan from whence they set out which with much ado they at length recover'd The impatience of Father Xavier to visit the Tomb of the Apostle St. Thomas caus'd him to make his Pilgrimage by Land and he travell'd with so much ardour through the rough and uncouth ways that in few days he arriv'd at Meliapor That City is now commonly known by the name of St. Thomas because that bless'd Apostle liv'd so long in it and there suffer'd Martyrdom If we will give credit to the Inhabitants it was once almost swallow'd by the Sea and for proof of this Tradition there are yet to be seen under Water the Ruines of great Buildings The new Town of Meliapor was built by the Portuguese near the Walls there is a Hill which they call'd the little Mount and in it a Grott wherein they say St. Thomas hid himself during the Persecution At the entry of this Cave there is a Cross cut in the Rock and at the foot of the Mountain there arises a Spring the Waters of which are of such vertue that sick people drinking of them are ordinarily cur'd From this small ascent you pass to a higher and much larger Mountain which seems form'd by nature for a lonely contemplative life For on one side it looks upon the Sea and on the other is cover'd with old Trees always green which at once make a fruitful and a pleasing Object Hither St. Thomas retir'd to pray with his Disciples and here it was also that he was slain by a Brachman with the thrust of a Spear The Portuguese who rebuilt Meliapor found on the top of the Mountain a little Chappel of Stone-work all in Ruins They were desirous to repair it in memory of the holy Apostle and as they were rummaging all about even to the Foundations of it they drew out a white Marble whereon was a Cross with Characters grav'd round about it which declar'd That God was born of the Virgin Mary that this God was Eternal that the same God taught his Law to his twelve Apostles and that one of them came to Meliapor with a Palmers Staff in his hand that he built a Church there that the Kings of Malabar Coromandel and Pandi with many other Nations submitted themselves to the Law preach'd by St. Thomas a man holy and penitent This Marble of which we make mention having on it divers stains of Blood the common Opinon is that the Apostle suffer'd Martyrdom upon it Howsoever it be the Marble was plac'd upon the Altar when the Chappel was rebuilt and the first time that a solemn Mass was said there the Cross distill'd some drops of Blood in the sight of all the people which also happen'd many times in the following years on the day whereon his Martyrdom is clebrated When Xavier was come into the Town the Vicar of Meliapor who had heard speak of him as a Successour of the Apostles and a Man sent from God for the Conversion of the Indies came to offer him a Lodging in his House The Father accepted of it because it was adjoining to the Church wherein were kept the Relicks of St. Thomas and that he cou'd easily step from thence by night to consult the Will of God concerning his intended Voyage to Macassar In effect as soon as the Vicar was laid to Sleep for they were lodg'd in the same Chamber Xavier rose as softly as he cou'd and went to the Church through a Church-yard which parted it from the House The Vicar perceiv'd it and advertis'd Xavier that this passage was not over-safe by night and that horrible Phantomes had been often seen in it The Saint believ'd this only said to frighten him and hinder him from rising before day so he continued his usual Prayers but it was not long before he found that the advice was true For the nights ensuing as he pass'd through the Church-yard he saw those dreadful Specters which endeavour'd to have stop'd him yet he sav'd himself from them and even laught at them as vain Illusions The Demons are too proud to bear contempt without revenge when God permits them One night when the Saint was at his Devotions before the Image of the bless'd Virgin they assaulted him in great numbers and beat him so violently that he was all over bruis'd and forc'd to keep his Bed for some days together He said nothing of his adventure to the Vicar but it was discover'd by a young Man of Malabar who lodg'd with the Church and was awaken'd with the noise rising from his Bed he heard the Blows distinctly and what Father Xavier said to the holy Virgin invoking her assistance against the Infernal Powers Insomuch that the Vicar to whom the young Man had related the words which he had heard sometimes repeated them to Xavier with an inoffensive kind of Railery The Servant of God having recover'd some little strength return'd to the Church and there continued all the night What rage soever the Devils had against him they durst no more attempt his person nor so much as endeavour to affright him They only made a noise to distract him in his Prayers and one time disguis'd in the Habit of Canons they counterfeited so well the mid-night Matins that he ask'd the Vicar Who were those Chaâ—ters who sung so admirably But the favours which Xavier receiv'd from Heaven made him large amends for all the injuries of Hell. For though the particulars of what pass'd betwixt God and him were kept secret 't is known at least in regard of the principal affair for which he consulted God that he had an Interiour Light which gave him clearly to understand that he was commanded to pass to the more Southern Islands and to labour in their Conversion The Christian strength with which he found himself animated at the same time caus'd all the dangers which naturally he might apprehend to disappear as is manifest by what he wrote from Meliapor on that occasion to two of his Friends at Goa Paul de Camerin and Iames Borba of whom we have made so frequent mention I Hope that God will conferr many favours on me in this Voyage since through his infinite mercy I have learnt with so much spiritual joy that it is his holy pleasure I shou'd go to those Kingdoms of Macassar where so many Christians have been made in these latter years For what remains I am so much resolv'd on executing what our Lord has reveal'd to me that if I should be wanting on my part I shou'd go to my thinking in direct opposition to his Orders and render my self unworthy of his Favour both in this life and in the next If I cannot find this year any Portuguese Vessel bound for Malacca I will â—mbark my self on any Ship belonging to the Gentils or the Saracens I repâ—se withal so great a confidence in God
formerly Another Christian bore them company that Laurence â—irnam'd the Squint-ey'd because of that imperfection in his sight The Father walk'd chearfully with his five Companions as far as Pinlaschau a Village distant a League or two from Figen Arriving there he found himself so spent with travelling that his Feet were swollen and he was seiz'd with a violent Headach so that the cou'd go no farther Matthew Laurence and Bernard went on to carry news of him to the Vessel When Edward de Gama understood that the holy Man was so near he call'd together all the Portugueses who resided at Fucheo and having chosen out the Principal amongst them got on Horseback with them to pay him their Respects in Ceremony Xavier whom a little rest had now recruited and who was suspicious of the Honour which they intended him was already on his Journey but fell into that Ambush of Civility which he wou'd willingly have shunn'd The Cavalcade came up to him within a Leagues distance of Figen and found him walking betwixt the two Lords of Amanguchi who had never left him and himself carrying his own Equipage Gama was surpris'd to see a person so considerable in the World in such a posture and alighting from his Horse with all his Company saluted him with all manner of respect After the first Complements were over they invited the Father to mount on Horseback but he cou'd not be perswaded so that the Portugueses giving their Horses to be led after them bore him company on foot even to the Port. The Ship was equipp'd in all its flourish with Flags hung out and Streamers waveing according to the Orders of the Captain They who were remaining in her appear'd on the Decks and stood glittering in their Armour They gave him a Volley at his first approach and then discharg'd all their Cannon Four rounds of the Artillery being made the noise of it was heard so distinctly at Fucheo that the City was in a fright and the King imagin'd that the Portugueses were attack'd by certain Pyrates who lately had pillag'd all the Coasts To clear his Doubts he dispatch'd away a Gentleman of his Court to the Ship 's Captain Gama shewing Father Francis to the Messenger told him that the noise which had allarm'd the Court was only a small testimony of the honour which was owing to so great a Person one so dear to Heaven and so much esteem'd in the Court of Portâ—gal The Iapanner who saw nothing but poverty in the person of the Father and remember'd what had been written of him from Amanguchi stop'd a little without speaking then with amazement in his face I am in pain said he what answer I shall return my Prince for what you tell me has no correspondence either with that which I behold or with the account we have receiv'd from the Bonza's of Amanguchi who have seen your Father Bonza entertain a familiar Spirit who taught him to cast lots and perform certain magical operations to delude the ignorant They report him to be a Wretch forsaken and accurst by all the World that the Vermin which are swarming all over him are too nice to feed on his infectious flesh besides which I fear that if I shou'd relate what you say concerning him our Priests wou'd be taken either for Ideots or men of false Understanding or for envious Persons and Impostours Then Gama replying told the Iaponian all that was necessary to give him a good impression of the Saint and to hinder him from contempt of his mean appearance On this last Article he declar'd to him that he who had so despicable an outside was of noble blood that fortune had provided him wâ—th wealth but that his vertue had made him poor and that his willful want of all things was the effect of a great Spirit which despis'd those empty pomps that are so eagerly desir'd by Mankind This Discourse ravish'd the Iapanner with admiration he made a faithful relation of it to his King and added of himself that the Portugueses were more happy in the possession of this holy man than if their Vessel were laden with Ingots of Gold. The King of Bungo had already heard speak of Father Francis and gave no credit to what the Bonza's of Amanguchi had written of him He was a Prince of five and twenty years of age very judicious generous and civil but too much ingag'd in carnal pleasures after the manner of the Iaponian Princes What he had heard from the relation of the Messenger increas'd his longing to behold Xavier and the same day he writ to him in these very terms FATHER Bonza of Chimahicoghin for by that name they call Portugal may your happy arrival in my Estates be as pleasing to your God as are the Praises wherewith he is honour'd by his Saints Quansyonoâ—ama my Domestick Servant whom I sent to the Port of Figen tells me that you are arriv'd from Amanguchi and all my Court will bear me witness with what pleasure I receiv'd the news As God has not made me worthy to command you I earnestly request you to come before the rising of the Sun to â—orrow and to knock at my Palace Gate where I shall impatiently attend you And permit me to demand this favour of you â—ithout being thought a troublesome Beggar In the mean time Prostrate on the ground and on my knees before your God whom I acknowledge for the God of all the Gods the Soveraign of the best and greatest which inhabit in the Heavens I desire of him I say to make known to the haughty of the world how much your poor and holy life is pleasing to him to the end that the Children of our flesh may not be deceiv'd by the false promises of the earth Send me news of your holiness the joy of which may give me a good nights repose 'till the Cocks awaken me with the welcom declaration of your visit This Letter vvas carried by a young Prince of the blood Royal attended by thirty young Lords belonging to the Court and accompani'd by a venerable Old Man vvho was his Governour call'd Poomendono one of the vvisest and most qualifi'd of all the Kingdom and natural Brother to the King of Minato The honour which vvas paid by the Portugueses to Father Xavier so surpriz'd the Prince that turning to his Governour he said aloud The God of these People must be truly great and his counsels hidden from Mankind since it is pleasure that these wealthy Ships shou'd be obedient to so poor a man as is this Bonza of the Portuguese and that the roaring of their Cannon shou'd declare that Poverty has wherewithall to be pleasing to the Lord of all the world even that Poverty which is so despicable of it self and so disgraceful in the general opinion that it seems even a crime to think of it Though we have a horrour for Poverty reply'd Poomendono and that vvâ— believe the Poor unâ—apable of happiness it may
to favour his passage he had the good fortune to arrive safely at the Town The Bishop and the Viceroy conducted him to the Cathedral amidst the acclamations of the People and at the â—oot of the Altar he made a publick profession of his Faith with such expressions of true devotion as melted the Assistants into tears The other Prince whose Conversion gave so much joy to Father Xavier was the King of Trichenamalo who is one of the Soveraigns of Ceylan This King while he was yet an Infant was set upon the Throne and afterwards dispossest by an Usurper when he was but eight years old The Tyrant not content to have taken the Crown from him wou'd also have murther'd him but was prevented by a Prince of the Blood Royal who carri'd him out of his reach being accompany'd by forty Lords of the loyal Party and sought sanctuary for him on the Coasts of Fishery The Paravas receiv'd him with all the charitable compassion which was due to his illustrious Birth to the tenderness of his years and to his misfortunes They also promis'd his attendants to serve him what was in their power But at the same time advis'd them to procure him a more durable and more glorious Crown and withal inform'd them of what they had been taught concerning the adoption of the Sons of God the Kingdom of Heaven and inheritance of the Saints Whether those considerations prevail'd upon the Prince of the blood Royal or that the Spirâ—â— of God wrought powerfully on his heart 〈…〉 to what the Paravas desir'd 〈◊〉 put himself into the hands of Father Henriquez to be instructed The rest of the Lords follow'd his example and were all Baptis'd together with the King who seem'd at his Baptism to have an understanding much above his years The Rulers of the Christians on the Fishing Coast having afterwards made up an Army supply'd with what Ammunitions of War and other Provisions which the Country cou'd furnish pass'd over into the Isle of Ceylan under the conduct of the Prince and the forty Lords but the Usurper was so well establish'd in his possession that the Paravas were forc'd to retire with speed into their own Country As for the young King he was brought to Goa and the Portugueses who took the conduct of him into their hands put him into the Colledge of St. Paul where he was vertuously educated by the Fathers of the Society Xavier prais'd Almighty God to see the great Men of the Earth subjected to the Empire of Iesus Christ by the Ministry of the Children of Ignatius and rejoic'd with his Brethren so much the more because the Bishop of Goa Don Iuan de Albuquerque was so well satisfy'd of their conduct This wise and holy Prelate communicated to the Father a Letter which he had written on that Subject during his absence to the General of the Society The Letter was in Portuguese dated from Cochin Nov. 28. in the year 1550. And is thus translated into our Language The great performances of your Children and Subjects in all the Dominions of the East the holiness of their lives the purity of their Doctrine their Zeal in labouring the reformation of the Portugueses by the Ministry of Gods word and the Sacrament of Penance their unâ—eary'd Travels through all the Kingdoms of India for the conversion of Idolaters and Moors their continual application to study the Tongues of this new World and to teach the Mysteries of Faith and principally at the Cape of Comorin all this obliges me to write to your Reverence and to give testimony of what I have beheld with my own Eyes Indeed the Fathers of your Society are admirable labourers in our Lords Vineyard and are so faithfully subservient to the Bishops that their endeavours for the good of those Souls with which I am intrusted give me hope of remaining the fewer years in Purgatory I dare not undertake the relation of all their particular Actions and if I durst adventure it want time for the performance of it I will only tell you that they are here like Torches lighted up to dissipate the thick darkness wherein these barbarous people were benighted and that already by their means many Nations of Infidels believe one God in three persons For what remains I freely grant them all they require of me for the good of Souls Every one of them partakes with me in my Power and Authority without appropriating any of it to my self and I look upon my self as one of the Members of that holy Body though my life arises not to their perfection In one word I love them all in Jesus Christ with a fervent and sincere Charity The rest of the Letter is nothing appertaining to our purpose and therefore is omitted The man of God receiv'd intelligence at the same time that the Ministers of Portugal at Goa had sent word to Lisbonne of the great progress which the Society had made and that in particular the new Viceroy Don Antonio de Norogna had written That the Indies were infinitely satisfy'd with the Iesuites that none cou'd look on the good effects of their labours without blessing the name of God for them and that their Lives were correspondent to their Calling The Saint also was inform'd that the King of Portugal had sent word of all these proceedings to the Pope especially the conversion of the King of Tanor and the Martyrdom of Father Antonio Criminal That he had communicated to his Holiness his intentions of founding many Colledges for the Society to the end the East might be fill'd with Apostolical Labourers and that in the mean time he had ordain'd that all the Seminaries establish'd in the Indies for the education of youth shou'd be put into the hands of the Society in case it was not already done Lastly it was told to Father Xavier that the Viceroy of the Indies and the Captains of the Fortresses had Orders from King Iohn the Third to defray the charges of the Missioners in all their Voyages and that this most religious Prince had discharg'd his Conscience of the care of Souls by imposing it on the Society obliging the Fathers in his stead to provide for the instruction of the Inâ—idels according to the ancient agreement which had been made with the holy See when the Conquests of the East were granted to the Crown of Portugal Amidst so many occasions of joy and satisfaction the ill conduct of Antonio Gomez gave Xavier an exceeding cause of grief Before his Voyage to Iapan he had constituted him Rectour of the Colled of St. Paul according to the intention or rather by the order of Father Simon Rodriguez who had sent him to the Indies three years after his Noviciat and who in relation to these Missions had an absolute authority as being Provincial of Portugal on which the Indies have their dependance Gomez was Master of many eminent qualities which rarely meet in the same person He was not only a