although they were Christians yet through ignorance of the mysteries of the Christian fayth were entangled with the superstition of the Pagans and Saracens And their children were like their parents or rather worse This was the state of matters in India when Xauerius came thither who being very ioyfull that he was at last according to his hartes desire arriued there vnderstanding of the foresayd things bent all his endeauours for the remedying of so many and great euils And which is to be much admired in so great feruour of spirit he carried himselfe no lesse warily then diligently CHAP. II. Hauing gotten the good vvil of the Bishop he beginneth to labour in India HE was not ignorant that many Controuersies and contentions with no lesse doÌ„mage then scandall to the people might easily arise betweene Bishops and other Ecclesiasticall Pastours if ech of them should stand to â—â—fend the vttermost of their right without yielding my thing at all therein First of all therefore thinking it good to cut of all occasion of debate and strife and â—â—hat he might prouide good things not only before God but 〈◊〉 so before all men he resolued by all meanes to gayne â—e good will liking of the Bishop Calling therfore â—â—on God and the Archangell Patron of India as his â—ustome was he goeth to the Bisshop and hauing salutâ—â— him in an humble and most reuerend manner he sheweth that he was come into India sent by Pope Paul 〈◊〉 III. and Iohn III. King of Portugall to conuert the â—thâ—nickes to the Fayth of Christ and to instruct the â—â—eophites or yong beginners and the Portugheses in â—â—atters of Christian piety But being accustomed 〈◊〉 to obey then to command he had rather follow â—â—others mans iudgement then his owne and for that 〈◊〉 Grace being the chiefe Prelate he desired to be wholy at his command to attempt nothing but with his Lordships aduice good liking Then shewing the Popes and the Kings Letters which testifyed him to be Legate Apostolicall he cast himselfe at the Bishops feete giuing vp all into his Lordships hands and desiring to make no other vse of them then he should thinke conuenient Neuer peraduenture was it more euidently seene how soone true Humility winneth mens affections Alhoquercius admiring to see so great humility modest behauiour in such a man answered to his gentle submission with the like courtesy for presently he taketh him vp in a friendly maÌ„ner giueth him againe both the Patents and the Letters telling him that 〈◊〉 would be very gratefull to him that he being Legatâ— Apostolicall should vse the authority which was giuen him according to the Popes and the Kings pleasure neyther did he doubt but he would make sucâ— vse of it as might make good the opinion which such worthy personages had conceyued of him And from that time forward there was engendred betweene the Bishop Xauerius so great a loue and respect towards one another that in most friendly manner they imparted to ech other their most priuate counsayles Francis therfore being glad that the Bisshop would assist him in the aduancement of the Christian cause began more cheerfully to employ all his forces in helping the sicke at Goa as being the taske which he had vndertaken Wheâ—fore out of hand taking vp his aboad in the Kings Hospitall he neuer gaue ouer seruing them who were extreme sicke with all the diligence he possibly could sometimes speaking to them a part sometymes exhorting them all togeather and sometymes admienistring to them the Sacraments of pennance and thholy Eucharist vntill their change of behauiour gaue him hope of amendment in their liues His chiefe labour was to help theÌ„ that were grieuously sicke vpon whome he attended very diligently not only in the day but also in the night which made all to admire his singular charity and more then fatherly loue towards them who were meer strangers vnto him For Francis his bed was commonly sayd to be at his feete who was sickest in the Hospitall choosing to lye there all night that he might be presently ready to help if any occasion of suddaine death should chance to happen And among all these employments he had no lesse care in the obseruance of holy pouerty then in exercising actes of charity Xauerius had yet the same apparell which he brought vpon his backe out of Portugall much like to that which the poorer sort of Priests vse to weare in Portugall But fearing least his difference in apparel might auert the Indians affections from him he resolued to cloath himselfe according to the custome of the Priests in those countries Wherfore knowing that the Society of IESVS hath no particular and proper habit but such as the Priests where they liue are wont to weare out of the familiarity which he had with the steward of the Hospitall he friendly intreatech him to get him an ordinary Cassocke such as the poore Priests of that Country were wont to weare But he not attending so much to what was requested him as what he thought conuenient hauing regard of Francis his dignity and authority bringeth him an habit of Water-chamlet and this liberality of his he secondeth with a more liberall speach telling him that the Priests do there vse such king of habits by reason of the extreme heateâ— of India and that although it were Chamlet yet iâ— was a playne and homely weare amongst them But Xauerus not liking such curious apparell You may quoth he then if you please giue this Chamlet habit to some of the Priests you speake of as for me one ofcourse black linnen if you thinke good will be sufficient for it is meet for him who hath vowed pouerty to haue such an habit as may be a token signe therof The Steward being ouercome with the verity of this answere caused presently an habit to be maâ—â— for him of course hempeÌ„ linnen downe to the ankles such a one as he desired Francis euer after wore this habit according to the fashion of those couÌ„try Priests without either girdle or cloake choosing rather to abate of his apparel then any whit of his pouerty And in this his moderation was not more apparent then his constancy For the same kind of habit he vsed alwayes afterwards in India which practise of his bare such authority amongst others of the Society that according to his example they kept the same kind of habit a great while But now adayes they vse both girdle and cloake as the Portugheses do accustome which fashion many of the Priests in India do also follow Afterwards the Maister of the Hospitall perceiuing Francis his shoes to be worne out and broken the vpper-leather and soales to be clowterly sowen togeather brought him a new prayre But he being euery where like vnto himselfe could by no meanes be intreated to change his old shoes for new saying that his owne would still serue him well inough so immoueable he was
into India wheÌ„ he had vnderstood made tryall of his sanctity honoured him no lesse dead theÌ„ aliue For as soone as the newes of his death was brought vnto him moued as indeed he had reason for the losse of so worthy a man he was inwardly grieued at the blow which the whole East had receyued thereby then the which there could not perhaps an heauier haue byn giuen by the wrathfull hand of God When his griefe was something ouerpast as his owne singular piety and prudence admonished him he sought a remedy for the same from that source which had caused it For hauing vnderstood of the many miraculous thinges which had byn wrought by Francis as well aliue as dead and being inflamed with deuotion towards the blessed man out of his feruour to Religion he giueth order by Letters Patents vnto Francis Barret his Viceroy of India to make all diligent inquiry after his illustrious actes and miracles and to send them to him with expedition for that he determined to present the same to his Holinesse that he might according to the custome of Holy Church if he thought it expedient decree a publike honour and reuerence to be exhibited vnto him who was famous both for sanctity and miracles But to the end this Religious Kings opinion of Xauerius vertues may be knowne and testifyed to all the world we iudge it not amisse heere to set downe a Copy of his Letters Royall Friend Viceroy I the King send you harty greeting Francis Xauerius lyfe and labours haue byn so profitable by their exemplar edification that we iudge it will be most acceptable vnto God to haue them brought to light to the honour and glory of his Diuine Maiesty Wherefore being published abroad to the end they may receaue that full authority and credit as it is meet they should We giue you all charge and commission that whersoeuer throughout India it shall be thought that good and substantiall witnesses of these matters may be found I meane of such as haue liued and conuersed with him you will procure with the greatest diligence you can publicke instruments testimonialls to be iuridicially made thereof and vnder the witnesses oathes both of his life behauiour as well of all thinges which he hath worthily performed for the saluation example of mortall men as of those things also which he hath miraculously wrought either aliue or dead These instruments togeather 〈◊〉 all the testimonialls and authorities subscribed with your owne hand and signed with your seale you shal send ouer vnto vs three sundry wayes This if you carefully and speedily performe you shall receaue great thankes from vs. From Lisbone this 27. of March 1556. As soone therfore as the Viceroy had receaued these letters he by fit persons expressely ordained for that purpose presently commanded exact inquiry to be made of such things accordingly not only at Goa the Metropolitan Citty of India but in euery part of that Country and also at Malaca and in all places where it was knowne Xauerius had euer bin Wherupon very many things were found by the testimony of vndoubted witnesses which Francis had both in his life and after his death eyther performed with great profit or else wrought miraculously by diuine power Of which the Viceroy hauing caused publicke instruments to be made subscribed signed the same with his owne hand and seale and sent them speedily vnto the King his Lord and Mayster The matter now was come thus farre that the King had sent the Instruments aforesayd to Rome and dealt by his Embassadour with his Holinesse for the proceeding therein to his Canonization when as his vntimely death brake of that his pious determination An authenticall Copy of all which instruments iuridically sealed signed by the Viceroy we haue at this present in our hands from whence for the most part we haue taken those things which we haue hitherto mentioned and shall heerafter also recount And for that we haue in these our former Bookes comprized most of them already we will therefore in this last relate only those which we haue of set purpose reserued vnto this place as not seeming good for diuers reasons to haue put them downe before CHAP. II. Hovv Xauerius foretelleth things future and absent and seeth mens invvard Thoughts XAVERIVS was indeed remarkable for many worthy fauours which God Almighty had bestowed vpon him yet for nothing more then for his manifold guift of Prophecy Whereof many vndoubted signes are clerly to be seene throughout the whole passage of his lyfe But these which heere ensue are of most particular note One Cosmas Ioannes Procuratour of the King had bought in India a Diamond of extraordinary bignesse for 8000. crownes which would be worth foure times as much in Portugall This Iewell he had deliuered vnto one Ferdinand Aluarez at his departure for Portugall to be carryed vnto the King his Mayster At the same tyme Francis commeth to Goa and out of familiarity with Cosmas asked him how his trafficque went forward He recounteth all vnto him and in particuler concerning the said diamond which he had sent vnto the King hoping all things went very prosperously with him Then Xauerius asked him againe in what ship he had sent so precious a Iewell And when he had told him the name of the Ship I would to God quoth Francis you had not sent it in that ship Why quoth Cosmas is it because she was almost cast away this last yeare by a contrary tempest No quoth Francis for she is to vndergo a greater danger Vpon this speach he began to intreat Xauerius earnestly that he would not giue ouer praying to God for that ship seeâ—ing that he had vpon his owne hazard sent the Diamond vnto the King And being thus pensiue for his â—ewell newes was brought vnto him that the ship hauing one of her chiefe planckes rent away by the violence of a tempest was euen at the point to haue byn drowned but that by the prayers of Xauerius she miraculously escaped was safely arriued in Portugall The day also before Francis put to sea from Maâ—aca towards China as they of the Society who were then present haue recounted lying after an vnusual â—aÌ„ner vpon his bed all along vpon his belly like one betweene sleep and awake he continued a great whiâ— in the same posture without euer mouing wholy â—lienated from his senses Whereat those of the Sociâ—ty that were by chance present being astonished at â— strange a posture durst not for the great reuerence which they bare him eyther awake or speake vnto â—im Wherefore turning their admiration into care â—hey with solicitous and perplexed mynds expected the euent of the thing At last awaking as it were out of a deepe sleepe and like one that had escaped some great trouble called vpon a certaine person by name who was then in Portugall oftentimes cryed God pardon thee c. so as for the present except himselfe only
vpoÌ„ the sodain to faint â—nd languish in that manner but when the palenesse of his countenance discouered the greatnes of his interiour paine they held him vp as he fainted and asked him what new accident was befallen him Then he taking breath awhile which was before stopped through griefe was enforced to open vnto them the whole matter They all condoling his case but secretly admiring his vertue intreated him to rest awhile vnâ—il the violence of the paine were a little asswaged then as soone as they thought he had rested inough recouered a little strengh they brought him fayre and softly to the next Inne and presently sent for a Physitian who hauing diligently viewed and considered of the soare resolutely answereth that the cords could not be seene much lesse cut And although the ends of the cords did appeare yet they had made such vlcers that they could neither be vnloosed or cut without most extreme paine Therfore because the disease surpassed art the cause therof went beyond all custome he stood awhile in a maze like one that knew not what to say At last fearing the successe he could not be persuaded eyther by Francis or his companioÌ„s to medle with it there was such danger in the Cure And so departed without so much as making the least triall The Fathers his companions then were in great solicitude and anxiety not only for what would become of the Patient but also for their owne iorney which was hindred by this vnexpected chance to the great hindrance of them all And Francis grieued no lesse that his companions were enforced to stay for him then for his owne infirmity Despayring therefore of humane they had recourse to diuine help ech one humbly imploring assistance from Heauen Their prayers were not in vayne for God himselfe played the Phisitian and presently applyed a remedy to that desperate Cure A strange thing the next morning Francis rising out of his bed found all the cordes broken asunder fallen of all the swelling gone nothing to remaine of the soares but certaine markes where the ropes had byn Then being stroken into admiration reioycing not so much for himselfe as for his companions sake with a lowde voyce gaue thankes to Almighty God wherat his companions came running to him asking him the cause of that new ioy Which hauing vnderstood and being astonished at the euident miracle gaue as reason was all due praise and thankes to God and lifting vp their handes to heauen weeping for ioy began presently to extoll the heauenly Fathers prouidence and singular bounty towards them Then they presently set on againe to their trauaile most ioyfull for that good successe inciting one another to employ al their labours in the seruice of so sweet a Lord And Francis throughout the whole iorney as he was alwayes before wont to do applied himselfe with such diligence alacrity in helping seruing his coÌ„panions as was wonderfull For as they all stroue to the vttermost this only being the emulation among them to excell one another in courâ—esy he either out of feruour of spirit or naturall ciâ—ility farre outwent the rest And this care and desire â—f his was no greater to helpe his companions then to procure the saluation of others Whersoeuer occasion was giuen him of helping his neighbours either with counsel aduise or example he with great zeale made his commodity therof and imbraced the same as opportunity serued And herein his labour was not in vaine for many Catholiques were therby reclaimed to a good life and some Heretiques also reduced to the wholsom way of truth Which way soeuer they passed they left behind them tokens of sanctity for all to behould and Catholiques to imitate And so it hapned oftentimes that euen Hereticks themselues taken with admiration at their sanctity would courteously shew them their way tell them what difficulties they were to passe and when need was would themselues freely conduct them in their iorney Thus true and kindly vertue sheweth it selfe and putteth euen sauage people in mind of humanity Francis therfore by the aide both of heauen and earth hauing waded through all the incoÌ„modities dangers of the way vpon the tenth day of Ianuary the yeare following arriued safe with his companions at Venice There he fouÌ„d Ignatius of Loyola with the greatest desire expecting his deerest sonnes coÌ„panions Then according to the custome of the society they salute and imbrace one another most ioyfully with the greatest demonstration of loue that might be imagined And this their ioy made them forgetfull of all their toylsome passed labours CHAP. V. At Venice he serueth in the Hospitall of the Incurable and from thence goeth to Rome to the Pope THE Fathers had already agreed al togeather to go to Rome there to aske leaue of the Pope to go to Hierusalem to preach the Gospell and there to remayne at their owne liberty It seemed therfore good vnto theÌ„ that vntill the extremity of the winter were ouer past that they should begin to practise theÌ„selues at Venice in that kind of spiritual warfarre which afterward they were to undertake Wherfore deuiding themselues to the publike seruice of the Hospitals of that Citty as into so many Prouinces Francis requested that he might haue the care of the Incurable a fit meanes to gayne as he desired a most noble conquest ouer himselfe the which office he performed with no lesse feruour of spirit then he had desire thereunto As soone therfore as he came thither he begaÌ„ to go about the beds couches of those poore soules speaâ—ing comfortably and sweetly to the afflicted encouraging them that were giuen ouer by the surgeons with hope of life euerlasting hartening them that lay â—dying mouing all most affectionatly to patience modesty vertuous life endeauouring by all meanes possible to cure their minds whose diseases were incurable And considering moreouer that if he serued them in things belonging to their bodies he might the more easily helpe them in their soules He therefore would himselfe sweep the hospitall make the beds rid away the filth performe euen the most base and abiect offices of the place those being the first grouÌ„ds of Christian humility finally as the custome is wash the bodies of the dead bury theÌ„ as they ought to be And in the midst of all these imployments there appeared in his countenance and lookes such and so eminent a Piety that you would haue thought he had seene Christ with his eyes in those poore sicke persons and employed all his labours in seruing of him These things were done in the sight of a most frequented Hospitall in the view of a most noble Citty with such vnusuall cheerfulnes and ioy that many flocking thither through the reporte of so new a thing Francis became a spectacle not only to God his Angels but to men also In so much that his care charity towards the sicke renewed agayne
the most comfortable memory of S. Rocke whose Name is most famous at Venice for his singular benignity in that kind In the meane time his vertue breathed forth most delightful odour in the Celestial Court. For hauing gotten the care of one that was sick of a consuÌ„ption and the Pox the more horrour he had of him aâ— being delicate both by nature and custome the more diligence he vsed in tending and seruing him VpoÌ„ this occasion he fought many noble combats got most glorious victories ouer himselfe For though Reason did withhold the vnbridled contradiction of nature and diuine grace ouercome the horrour of that pestilent disease yet for all that the loathsomnesse of the vlcers and the intollerable stench therof did sometimes so ouercharge his stomacke as it often falleth out that he had euen an auersion from his said Patient But neither could the Deuils nor Natures affront beguile Xauerius For as soone as he perceiued his charity to waxe somewhat cold sharpely rebuking himself of cowardize want of courage in this kind he resolued by way of reuenge to rid himselfe of that dainty disposition And without further delay armed with the loue of Christ his Sauiour after the example of S. Catherine of Sienna he nobly ouercommeth himselfe and sucketh out once againe with his mouth the putrified matter out of his Patients loathsome vlâ—ers This extraordinary vertue was recompensed by God with an extraordinary reward For he did not only giue him conquest ouer himselfe for that present but euer after gaue him strength and courage to beare all annoyances euen of the most vlcerous leaprous â—n so much as from thenceforward he would not only without difficulty but with a kind of delight also â—aÌ„dle dresse such loathsome diseases as others durst â—ot without horrour once looke vpon so important 〈◊〉 thing it is for the obtaining of true freedome of spirit but once nobly to ouercome ones selfe Wherfore â—hroughout the whole course of Francis his life there appeared a perpetuall victory ouer himselfe in all things and an extraordinary charity towards poore sicke and needy persons Hauing layd this foundation he bent all his cares for his intended voyage Now therfore the spring comming on the Fathers thought good to make no delay but according to their vow as speedily as they could hasten towards Rome But there fell at that time so extraordinary great raynes that the wayes became very foule and Lent was also at hand a very incommodious time foâ— religious men to trauaile in Yet for feare delay should make that lesse grateful in the sight of almighty God which was of it selfe most acceptable vnto him they all had so religious a care of performing their vow that they thought it by no meanes fitting to expect any longer but presently to set forwards Thus diâ— they accommodate not their vowes to themselues but themselues to their vowes At the beginning therfore of Lent they all togeather make hast to Rome by thus much now more poore then in their former iorney in that without any penny of Viaticum for their expences they puâ— theÌ„selues on the way depeÌ„ding only vpon Gods prouidence In their iorney they dayly obserued theiâ— former practise of Piety and the rather because of thâ— holy time of Lent although by reason of their trauailing on foote they endured great difficulties whaâ— by the painfulnes of the iorney and their very poorâ— diet which they also begged as they went yet euery day did they strictly obserue their fast so that it is harâ— to say whether they obserued with more deuotion the Precept of Fasting or the Euangelicall Counsell of Pouerty Yet through Gods prouideÌ„ce their religious confidence was not any way frustrated For although they were much combred with raine and ill weather yet kept they on their iourney passing on foote through Lombardy where the wayes especially at that time of yeare were very fowle troublesome And sometimes also they were forced with all patience and cheerfulnes bare-footed to trauayle thirty miles a day refreshing themselues only with a piece of browne bread and water in most rayny weather when the fields were so swelled ouer flowen with flouds of water that in some places they waded euen vp to the neeke At last by the speciall prouidence of God who gaue them sufficient forces and deliâ—ered them from all dangers in this their iourney he brought them safe vnto the place they desired As soone as they came to Rome the first thing they did was to visit the Churches of S. Peter and S. Paul and to humbly beseech those most holy Patrones both of the Citty and whole world that God would through their intercession giue prosperous successe to their Intentions Then confiding in the patronage and fauour of so mighty Protectours they sought meanes to haue accesse vnto his Holines who at that â—â—me was Paul the third of the noble family of the Farâ—â—esi a man right eminent both for grauity and pruâ—ence and to desire his approbation of that which â—hey had at first determined There was at the same â—â—me in Rome Embassadour for the Emperour Peter Orttizius a Spaniard a man of no lesse authority then courtesy He hauing brought them to the Pope and earnestly commended them vnto him his Holynes as the custome is benignely and courteously admitteth them to the kissing of his feet Then to make triall of their learning he caused them to dispute sometimes in Philosophy and sometymes in Diuinity in tyme of dinner as that most worthy Princes custome was Wherin when all of them but especially Xauerius had giuen great demonstratioÌ„ both of their ability vertue presenting their petition concerning their iorney to Hierusalem the Pope without any difficulty yea with great approbation granteth them what they demaund and out of his Fatherly charity to all Nations tooke such affection to their vertuous desires although meere strangers to him that for his singular bounty liberality he dismissed them not only with his benediction but also with a large Viaticum to beare their charges in that long and tedious iourney But they not forgetfull of pouerty euen amidst such pleÌ„ty put that money giuen theÌ„ for their vowed pilgrimage into a Bankers hands to be kept vntill they were ready to go And in the meane time they liued by begging publickly vp downe the Citty more knowne now for their Religious modesty then their learning by reason that abandoning of their owne accord the familiarity of great and noble Personages they had vndertaken that abiect and humble course of life CHAP. VI. At Vincenza he saith his first Masse hauing first prepared himselfe thereto WHEN they had dispatched all things at Rome with fortunate and speedy successe in the same manner almost as they came thither they returne againe to Venice intending with the first occasion to imbarke themselues for Hierusalem There inflamed with a longing desire of â—n heauenly life to
streets and borrowing â—â—stoole out of some shoppe standing theron he would â—â—eake of vertuous and godly life with more feruour 〈◊〉 spirit then flourish of words to such as either stood â—â—ere idle or else were in their playes and pastimes 〈◊〉 so much as some who came to his sermon only to get something to laugh at being moued by the weight of his speach the diuine force wherwith he spake in steed of laughing went away weeping Nothing caused him to be more admired or helped on his busines better then refusing to take money a token of sanctity most pleasing to all men For when all saw that he neyther asked any thing of the people about him nor would take any thing which was offered him they could not but think that he sought the saluation of others more then his owne commodity Hauing thus employed his labours and indeauours in Mont Celsus with no lesse good successe in helping of others then in the perfection of himselfe he went to Vincenza sent thither by Ignatius Where hauing agayne recollected himselfe in most diligent mannâ—r and thinking it now time to performe that for which he had long prepared himself this our new Priest with plentifull teares of ioy offereth his first heauenly wholsome sacrifice to the diuine Maiesty Yow would say that he did not so much belieue that which is conteyned vnder those sacred mysteries as he saw and beheld it with his eyes And such indeed was the ardent fire which inflamed both his soule and body that they who beheld the teares streaming so sweetly from his eyes could not themselues absteine from weeping And this singular feeling of deuotion he froÌ„ thence forward reteined throughout his whole life in such sort as if comming euery day like a new Priest to the Aultar he had tasted that first sweetnes of those sacred mysteries CHAP. VII He assisteth the Cittyes of Bononia and Rome vvith his Sermons THE day appointed for their Pilgrimage to Hierusalem was now past yet there was no hope of passage the Enemies nauy still keping the seas Therfore they were according to the tenour of their vowes to leaue themselues to the disposition of the Pope And for this cause the â—athers agreed among themselues that Ignatius Loyola â—â—ter Faber Iames Laynes should go to Rome in name of the rest offer to his Holines their endeauours â—â—bours for the help of soules In the meane time the â—â—hers dispersing themselues throughout the most faâ—â—â—ous Academies of Italy should instruct the students â—â—â—vertue draw more to be of their Company if it â—â—ould so please God In this diuision the vniuersity of â—â—â—onia fell to Xauier his lot with no small benefit toâ—â—â—at Citty For as soone as he came thither he went 〈◊〉 say Masse at the Sepulcher of S. Dominick to whome 〈◊〉 was euer especially deuout And it hapned that â—â—ere was present at his Masse Elizabeth Casiline of Boâ—â—nia a religious woman of the most holy Order of 〈◊〉 Dominick who perceauing Francis his great deuoâ—â—on desired so speake with him Their discourse was â—â—ch that she was wholy possessed with an opinion of â—â—s sanctity This Elizabeth had an Vncle called Hierome Casiline a man both learned and noble who was also Chanon of S. Petronius Rectour of S. Lucies Colledge where he then dwelt Francis at her request went vnto him and by his courteous speach and candide behauiour got his affection so that he most willingly and freely inuited him to his house Xauieâ— humbly accepted of so worthy a mans courtesy for his lodging but to eate there he absolutely refused because he begged his meate as he was accustomed Iâ— the meane time Casiline obserued him greatly admiring his vertues wherof he gaue also publicke testimony Francis therfore although his courage waâ— greater then his forces because he was at that timâ— sickly and weake yet his admirable feruour of spiriâ— abundantly supplied what he wanted in strength Foâ— such was his great desire of doing good to all thâ—â— there was almost no worke of Christian charity wherein he had not a sweet and louing hand no otherwise then if he had enioyed the greatest health thâ— could be Hauing said Masse euery day as his custome was he afterwards employed himselfe in seruing the siâ—â— in the Hospitals and the poore that were in prison 〈◊〉 teaching children and ignorant persons the principles of Christian doctrine in hearing Confessions He moreouer preached to the people in the streets anâ— publicke high wayes and that not more frequently then profitably For he vsed not the then new flourishing and Rhetorical kind of speach but followed aâ— togeather that old feruent and Apostolicall manneâ— of preaching There was in him no curious setting â—orth of arguments nor ornament of words but all â—eruour of mynd and spirit intermixed with most pithy and graue sentences wherto his plainesse and as it were neglect of speach an euideÌ„t marke of truth â—â—â—ue great lustre and force The modest and humble â—â—mposition both of his countenance whole body â—â—â—eathed out that saÌ„ctity which lay hiddeÌ„ in his soule The piety which shined forth from his face lookes euidently demonstrated that whatsoeuer he said came from the bottome of his hart and from the fire of Charity which inflamed his brest Wherupon his words carrying more feruour with them then eloâ—â—â—ence were like burning torches to the vnderstanding of those that heard him and like a flame of fire 〈◊〉 their affections so as therby might manifestly apâ—â—are how fiery the diuine word is when men speake 〈◊〉 as God alwayes supplieth them with matter For â—â—â—uiers drift was not to haunt after fauour and vulâ—â—â—â— applause of the people but to cause in his audiâ—â—â—rs affections a feare and loue of God and indeed â—â—â—eeke truly the saluation of soules not his owne â—â—â—eeme In fine the substance of his sermons was to lay beâ—â—â—e the people the most bitter euerlasting tormeÌ„ts hich are ordained for the reprobate in hell and the â—ost sweet neuer-ending rewards layd vp for the â—â—t in heauen as also to shew the deformity of sinne â—â—d the beauty and louelynesse of vertue not in cuâ—â—â—us but in weighty and substantiall words And â—â—â—ds word being cast and sowen in this manner was receiued by the hearers with proÌ„pt willing minds yielded that fruite which Francis desired For many were by the grace of God drawne out of the sinke of sinne many also brought to frequent the Sacraments great store of money was likewise giuen in Almes wherof notwithstanding he touched not a farthing but causing it to be distributed amongst the needy himselfe begged from dore to dore prouiding therby both for the necessity of the poore mantaining the dignity of a Preacher WheÌ„ce it came to passe which he chiefly aymed at that not only very many being penitent for their sinnes lead afterwards a pious and Christian life but also which he cared not for that
God What Kingdomes what Nations what people did not they make subiect to the Crosse And to say nothing of others how wel did S. Thomas the Apostle carry the matter for the Christian cause in India whither you now goe vnder the conduct of the same God How many barbarous nations did he win to ciuility How many Aultars of false Gods did he ouerthrow How many kingdoms did he bring vnder the sweet yoke of Christ Neyther ought the terrour of miseries or death it selfe make you slacke in adâ—enturing For to one that thinketh vpon life euerlasting this life is vile and to a mortall man nothing is more to be desired then a good and happy death To one therfore who contemneth nay desireth death what can seeme hard bitter or horrible Go one therfore and by Gods holy conduct and S. Thomas his example extend farre and wide in the east the bounds of Christian Religion The hand of God is not abbreuiated He that in times past founded the Church by Apostles increased and adorned it afterward by Apostolicall men Then Francis shewing by his countenance his submission of mind answered almost in this manner For my part most holy Father I do not know what I can do in this kind why I aboue al others should be chosen for this great worke This I leaue to them to iudge of who haue chosen me For it belongeth not to him that obeyth to iudge what he can do but to them that command But I by how much I distrust in my owne forces by so much I confide in the assistance and prouidence of God who choseth weake things of the world to confound the stronge that all flesh may not glory in his sight Therfore I assuredly hope that he who hath layd this charge vpon me wil also giue me forces for the performance therof according to his pleasure The Pope when he perceiued in his countenance and by this speach a token of great worth in Xauerius iudging that he who was to propagate the faith among the Indians had need of greater authority of his owne accord gaue vnto him his owne power as farre as should be needfull For he made Francis his legate Apostolicall in India And therof gaue letters patents to the King of Portugals Embassadour to be deliuered to his King wherewith if he thought it good he might honour Francis at his departure into India Francis therfore who thought himselfe not sufficient to vndergo so great a burthen returned home more glad that that Honour was differred then if it had presently been giuen vnto him Thence he tooke leaue of his friends not without many teares on both sides all being very sory for his departure and with him he carryed nothing at all but his ordinary habit a Breuiary He went from Rome to Portugall in company of Mascarenas the Kings Embassadour in the yeare of our Lord 1540. hauing for his coÌ„panion Paul Camertes who about that tyme had byn by Ignatius receaued into the Society In his iourney he gaue no lesse signes of modesty then of sanctity For although he were giuen to the â—ontemplation of heauenly things yet being not altoâ—ether vnmindfull of humane he shewed himselfe so â—ourteous vnto all that when he came to the Inne he would leaue the best chambers beds to other of his company contenting himselfe with the worst things And when the seruants neglected to looke vnto their â—aisters horses or discharge other inferiour seruile â—ffices he would himselfe do them all shewing himâ—lf therin rather a seruant indeed then a companion â—et none was more pleasant in coÌ„uersation then him â—lfe none more ready in all kind of courtesies He â—ught by all meanes to deserue well of all he spake 〈◊〉 euery one louingly and friendly he would himself â—sit others in a courteous manner and alwayes bid â—â—em welcome with a cheerfull countenance who came vnto him he did easily and willingly yield vnto others his discourse was seasoned with a sweete and pleasing affability But which is hardest of all he kept such a meane in all these things that tempering courtesy with grauity both his actions and wordes sauoured all of sanctity It was his proper and continuall custome to discourse of matters which were eyther pious in themselues or els seasoned with piety and to incite all with whome he conuersed by occasion eyther of speach or otherwise to the hatred oâ— vice amendment of life shewing them that it was harder to endure vices then the remedies thereof And the wholsome bitternes of these discourses he alwayes allayed with the sweet sawce of many courteous offices Diuers accidents also made Xauerius his paynefulâ— care no lesse admirable for his deeds then for his words Vpon a tyme the Embassadour being angry with his Harbinger because he had byn negligent in preparing his lodging reprehended him sharpely for it but being gotten from his Maister as he waâ— intemperate both in his passion and speach he inueighed vehemently agaynst him to his companions iâ— Francis his hearing who thinking it best to dissemble the matter for the present whilest he was yet in choller forbare to speake vnto him that his mind being pacifyed he might the easier be cured The next day therfore he obserued the man watching an occasion to reprehend him and when it grew towards night the Harbinger as the custome was began to ride on before to prouide lodging whereupon Francis getting presently on horse-backe for most commonly he went on foote for pouerty sake although he might haue had a horse set spurres to his side and made hast after him When he had almost ouertaken him the Harbingers horse by chance yet very fitly for his purpose falling downe lay vpon the man with all his weight by which misfortune he was in daunger to haue byn slayne but that Xauerius came at the very point and saued his life Then taking that as an occasion to tell him of his former fault What quoth he would haue byn come of thee if suddaine death which was not farre of had surprized thee being out of the state of grace by reason of thy anger yesterday and intemperancy of thy tongue for which thou hast not yet satisfyed These wordes so stroke the Harbinâ—er who now saw manifestly the daÌ„ger which he had â—scaped to the hart that he was sory for his fault â—nd being put in mynd of his fury the day before acâ—nowledged his vnbridled passion and intemperanâ—e of tongue and then by Xauerius persuasion gaue saâ—sfaction to his companions whome he had scandaliâ—ed Francis also did not only comfort and assist with â—ll courtesy his companions when they were weary with trauayling but also in their daungers gaue them â—uccour with his prayers when he could not with â—is hands One of the Embassadours chiefe pages alâ—hough dissuaded by the rest aduenturing to ride ouer a swift riuer was brought euen to the point to be cast away for being now carryed into the violent â—streame and not
the chiefe of the Kingdome and afterwards when it had gotten many graue abettors and furtherers at last is brought into the King Then the Noblemen euery one of them shewed how much benefit that Royall Citty had â—eaped by Ignatius his companions in so short a space and what great help all Portugall might hope from them if it could enioy them not as strangers for a â—yme but as perpetuall inhabitants thereof And that â—he good of Portugall and of that Princely Citty as â—eing his chiefe and Royall seate ought to be dearer â—nto his Maiesty then India Why therefore for the succour of barbarous Nations should he depriue his owne natiue Country of so excellent helps Why â—hould India abroad rather then Portuall at home be â—ore deare vnto him Wherfore if it seemed good vnâ—o his Maiesty as it did to them he should plant those worthy men as seeds of that generation in Portugall â—nd so erect a Seminary at hand which might supply â—hem with fit Priests to send into India The King approuing his Nobles opinion iudging it meet to prouide first for theÌ„ who were neerest to him leauing off for the present his determination of helping India resolued to detaine them both in Portugall to begin a Seminary of the same Institute Which as soone as Rodriguez Xauerius vnderstood by their friends being indeed moued at the vnexpected newes they presently certify Ignatius by letters of the Kings new determination asking him what they should do Who hauing acquainted his Holines with the busines thought it good to leaue it wholly to the Kings arbitrement nothing doubting but the treating thereof before him would make him thinke better of it Letters are at the same tyme dispatched from his Holines to the King and from Ignatius to his companions wherin the matter was left wholly to his maiesty But if he would know what Ignatius his opinion was therin it seemetd to him most conuenient that a separation should be made so as Rodriguez might stay in Portugall Francis go forward into India The King therfore following Ignatius his Counsaile sendeth for thâ—m both who being vncertayne what would be resolued off depended wholy vpon the diuine prouidence Then the King in a courteous manner as his custome was shewing them first what was granted to him from Rome concerning their disposall declareth what he had now resolued to wit That Simon should stay in Portugall to begin a Colledg at Conimbria which might be a Seminary for members to be sent into India and that Francis should go into his designed Prouince of the East Wherefore they should both with all speed prepare themselues with like diligence to their offices although they were different knowing that many times equall rewards are assigned for vnequall seruices God not respecting so much the worke as the good will wherwith it is done Heereupon Xauerius being presently changed from his great feare into great ioy gaue the King many thankes that he had granted his desire and had so prudently tempered the want of his companionâ— with the ioy he gaue him of the diuision that he promised not only to be gratefull but also to vse all care and diligence to be answerable for so great a benefit But Rodriguez being frustrated of his hope and desire and at the first stroken with such an vnexpected declaration shewed by his lookes and countenance to be somewhat troubled but presently recollecting himselfe he answered grauely and quietly almost to this effect That the taking of India from him had stroke him with such griefe to the hart that he was not able to coÌ„ceale it yet since Ignatius the King and his Holinesse agreeing all in one thing sufficiently declared it to be Gods holy will he would most willingly at his Maiesties commaund leaue off that employment for whose sake he had vndertaken it Wherfore he remained wholly at the Kings disposall and was glad that by beginning a Seminary he might also in some sort labour for India since he might hope to help them by his schollers whome he could not by himselfe Thus departing from the King each of them addressed their cares for the performance of their charge CHAP. XII Being ready to take shipping for India he receiueth from the King the Popes Letters patents of Legate Apostolicall refuseth to take any thing for the charges of his iourney FRANCIS therfore seeing his iorney to be approued by such euident signes both from God and men began to furnish himselfe for it not with prouision of victualls and other things necessary and conuenient but with pious meditations and profitable considerations For he would not vndertake so weighty a charge rawly vnprouidedly but with serious ponderation preparation and by thinking with himselfe now whilst he was at leasure of what he was afterwards to make vse that so he might not spend his tyme in speculation of that wherein he was to employ himselfe in the practise When the tyme drew neere for his iourney into India the King calling him is sayd to haue spoken vnto him particularly to his effect Francis Xauier our ships are ready the tyme that you haue so earnestly desired of going into India is now come For my part â— haue hitherto had so many and so great arguments both of your vertue prudence that I hould it needlesse to vse any exhortation vnto you presaging what will follow by that which is already past Yet that we may not seeme to be wanting in our duty we will as the saying is spurre on him who runneth already First therfore I commend vnto you the Ethincke Nations which are vnder our subiection endeauouring to vnite them to the Church that my dominions may not be further extended then Gods Religion Then out of our fatherly affection towards them I deliuer commit the Portugheses that remaine in those places to your trust in such sort that I would haue you supply the place of our beneuolence towards them You are not ignorant I know that Kings haue need of many hands and eyes for the gouernment of their kingdomes Wherfore I pray beseech you by that very God who is your guide and companion in this iorney â—hat as farre as you may with conueniency you â—ould diligently visit our garrisons there and afterwards certify vs of all things appertaining to Religiâ—n that so all impediments if there be any being â—eedily remoued the Christian Religion by your adâ—â—se and labour and by our assistance and authority â—ay spread it selfe ouer India and the East As for my â—â—lfe I will loose my kingdome before I will leaue off â—y desire to aduance Religion For I am resolued to â—mploy all the meanes and forces I am able for the â—ropagation therof It is your part to be answerable â—oth to the charge you haue vndertaken and to our â—esire What ayde or help soeuer either the honour of God or the Christian cause shall seeme to require â—emaund it confidently and it shall be granted
among them a Christian Knight called Iohn de Cruz a man of good account in his own Country a Malabar by birth yet more resembling a Portughese then his owne Nation who for his valour hauing byn made a ChristiaÌ„ Knight by the King of Portugall had brought at that very tyme certayne horses for a present to the Kings of the Paraua's The chiefe therfore of the Paraua's by reason of their former familiarity go vnto him lay open the whole matter before him asking his counsayle and aduise what they should do Cruz being a man both graue and pious and hoping this feare of theirs might be an occasion to bring in the Gospell of Christ among them so as at once they might be set free from the misery both of their warre and their superstition tould them his opinion was that in this extremity of danger they were to fly to extreme remedyes and seeing contrary to all iustice and equity they were betrayed by their owne Kings and hardly charged on all sides by their enemies forces they should implore ayde of the Almighty King of HeaueÌ„ of the Portugheses their friends who were his deuoted and religious seruants that so protected by the Portugheses and the diuine assistance they might not only defend themselues but also triumph ouer their enemies For if they would yield themselues subiect to the ChristiaÌ„ Religion to the Portugheses they certainly would fight with all their forces for them both in regard of religion and because they were now become their suiects and would also by the help of God carry the whole businesse with as good successe as valour And hauing conquered ouerthrowne the Saracens the deadly enemyes of Christians they might also perhaps giue vp the fishing of pearles as taken from the Saracens by right of warre vnto the Paraua's in respect they were become Christians as a pledge of their Religion To this counsaile they gaue willing eare And the Paraua's were neyther deceyued by the Knight nor the Knight by them for all things came to passe as he had fortold Now when the feare of their enemies the authority of that vertuous knight had driuen them to enter league with the Portugheses presently their chiefe Magistrates whome they call Pantagarines dispatch an Embassage of certayne principall men amoÌ„g them to the Portugheses at Cocinum to whome they gaue in charge that as soon as they came thither with the first occasion they should become Christians then putting the Paraua's vnder the protection of the Portugheses they should demaund succour of them agaynst the imminent fury of the Saracens and withall Priests to instruct and make the rest Christians Cocinum is a goodly Citty belonging to the Portugheses scituated on the sea betweene the Promontory of Comorinum and Goa the chiefe of all India both for extent and worth next vnto Goa As soone therfore as the Paraua's Embassadours arriued at Cocinum after almost two hundred myles iourney they very fortunately find there present Michael Vasaeus the Suffragan or Bishops Vicar-generall a man very zealous for the propagation of Religion who courteously receiuing them led them to the Gouernour and commended them and their busines no lesse seriously then effefectually vnto him The Gouernor hauing in a friendâ—ly maÌ„ner heard the Paraua's embassage he both shewed them all courtesy for the present and promised them also to deale their matter with the Viceroy of India And what he sayd he performed in a more example manner after that the Embassadours had desired to be â—aptized The Viceroy being certifyed of the whole â—usinesse by the Gouernour of Cocinum as he was a â—â—an of extraordinary zeale was very glad of that occasion and commaunded forthwith that ayde should be sent to the Paraua's In the meane tyme the Paraua'sâ—mbassadours â—mbassadours being all baptized were called de Cruz of the Crosse for Iohn de Cruz his sake who had giuen them that counsaile And so great is the reward which good counsaile deserueth that the other chiefe men also of that nation did afterwards take the same name The Gouernor therfore by commaund from the Viceroy prepareth out of hand a stroÌ„g nauy hastneth to the coast of Piscaria ioyneth battayle with the enemy where the matter seemed to surpasse all humane forces For the Saracens were ouerthrowen at the first onset and entirely conquered by one battaile Then the Paraua's being deliuered from all feare of warre the Gouernour turned his care to procure the saluation of their soules and sending thither Priests there were baptized to the number of 20000. Now the Portugheses returning Conquerours were not content with the protection safegard of their subiects but gaue them moreouer as Cruz had foretould the fishing of pearles for congratulation of their becomming Christians Wherby the case was now so altered that the Saracens might not fish without the Paraua's gaue them leaue Thus God drawing good out of euill by the tearing of one eare was an occasion of the saluation of a whole Nation But humane frailty was not answerable to the will and ordinance of God For the Priests I spake of when they had baptized a great number of the Paraua's being dismayed through the intemperatnesse of the ayre and want of victualls returned home agayne And so those poore new Christians who perchance had not byn conuerted to the fayth of Christ so much for the loue of true Religion as for the feare of daunger they were lately in being left destitute of Pastours and wholly ignorant fell agayne into their old superstitions and customes Xauerius being certifyed hereof by Michael Vasaeus the Suffragan his mynd was possessed with various affections for as he much reioyced at so great an aduancement of the Christian cause so was he extremly grieued for their succourlesse estate yet was he agayne comforted through firme hope that himselfe might be able shortly to help comfort theÌ„ For now the Ethnicks and Neophites that were about the Citty of Goa and who at that tyme vsed his help were very well prouided through the endeauours of F. Borban others and therfore he much desired to succour these who were left destitute of all assistance Whereupon forthwith he resolued to go to Piscaria to fish for the soules of the fisher-men themselues which were farre more precious then their pearles And presently he goeth to the Bishop as his custome was to whome he declareth what determination he had made but withall leaueth the whole matter to his discretion Who approuing of what he had determined wished him a happy iorney with al courtesy dismissed him At whose departure the teares which stood in Alboquercius eyes shewed euidently how much he loued Xauerius for his humility TheÌ„ Francis hauing gotten the Bishops approbation goeth to Sosa the Viceroy and opening the matter vnto him earnestly equesteth his furtherance for the accomplishment therof if he thought it fitting The viceroy theÌ„ tooke God to witnesse that he was very sory for
his departure but for as much as he doubted not but that his going would be for the Paraua's soules good the grief which his abseÌ„ce would cause would be therby made more tolerable and withall commaunded him to be bouÌ„tifully freely prouided of whatsoeuer his iorney should require Xauerius thanked him for his so great courtesy telling him that he wanted nothing but only conueniency of transporting thither for seeing it was dangerous to go by land in respect of the many enemies he intreated with all speed to go by sea Sosa presently granteth his request giueth him a shippe and also coÌ„mandeth his officers to furnish him of al things necessary But Xauâ—rius was still like himselfe in resolutely and constantly refusing al commodities either for his sustenance or iorney So as when the officers offred yea euen thrust vpon him necessary prouisions he thanked them kindly and returned them all back agayne But when they pressed him earnestly and would haue no deniall he condescended somwhat to their importunities with no lesse commendations for his courtesy in yielding then for his parsimony in taking and accepted of a Iacket of leather a payre of bootes to defend him from the heate of the sunne which in those places being neere to the Equinoctiall line he knew to be exceeding great These things being known his friends began euery one to bring him other necessaries for his iourney but he corteously returned all backe agayne because as he sayd they were rather hindrances then helps vnto him And so he departed together with the Gouernor of the Coast of Piscaria who went thither also in the month of October of this present yeare 1543. CHAP. VI. He laboureth in the Promontory of Comorinum THE Promontory of Comorinum being almost of equall distance from the Riuers Indus and Ganges stretcheth forth to the Equinoctiall line 400. miles almost from the Citty of Goa Hence India bending it selfe elbow-wise from the same place the coast of Piscaria lying betweene the East and the West runneth out almost 200. myles towards Ganges The whole country is as poore in victuals as it is rich in pearles For the inhabitaÌ„ts liue vpon rice milke fish some flesh but they want bread wine fruites and such like things and commonly there is among them no vse of Phisitians or medicins The people according to the capacity of Barbarians are of reasonable temperate and quiet dispositions but very rude There is not any country in India more scorched with the sunne then this For when the sunne beateth vpon the plaine sands there is such an intollerable heate that it burneth vp all things like a fire Yet all this great inteÌ„peratenes both of the ayre place together with the like want of victualls and phisick Xauerius with an vndaunted courage vnderwent of his owne accord thirsting more after soules then others did after pearles Now some who hauing passed a few labours and incommodities and may perhaps please and sooth vp themselues as though they had suffered all the inconueniences that could be for Christs sake shall do well to obserue what we shall heerafter set downe of Xauerius extreme and infinite labours vnspeakable miseries and want of all things in the Promontory of Comorinum For we may be very much ashamed of our selues if we coÌ„pare our labours with his toyles in this new vineyard of Christ This long and vncoth Tract was inhabited by fishermen who dwelt partly in Villages and partly in Townes to the number of thirty whereof twenty belonged to the Christians in which besides the forsayd 20000. newly christned who were yet to be instructed in the preceps of their fayth there were very many others both yong and old to be baptized He was also oftentymes to combat both with the heat of the sunne and with the sand which in that parching shore did not only sinke vnder him but sorely scorched his feete as he trauayled But he discouraged at nothing went through with that so hard an enterprises with as great a fortitude as he had vndertaken it For he alone as if he had had the courage forces of many Priests nothing regarding the heate of the sun imploied himself continually in trauersing the villages and townes of that Coast going oftentimes euen barefoot through those scorching sands after his bootes were worne out and daily baptizing of infants children and others whome he found willing to become Christians inuenting many strange meanes to hinder them from sacrificing vnto Idols in ioyning men and women together with the lawfull bands of marriage cathechizing euery one according to their capacity and making friends those who were at variance being almost consumed and burnt vp with intollerable heat and sweat without any compassion of himselfe or care of his owne body His vsuall custome was to sleepe vpon the barâ— ground to liue vpon a little Rice according to the country fashion that but ill dressed also by himself among so many great employments Sometimes also although very seldome he vsed a little fish with his Rice or a little sower milke which the Neophytes oâ— new Christians of themselues brought vnto him Besides this he encountred with many great difficulties which the want of things necessary and the incommodity of those places could not but cause in him being a stranger yet aboue all other difficulties the want of language did most trouble him For when he questioned the inhabitaÌ„ts of matters belonging to ReligioÌ„ they answered they were Christians but being wholy ignorant of the Portughese language they had not learned the instructions and precepts of the Christian fayth Xauerius had brought with him two schollers from the Colledge of Goa who were of ripe yeares skillfull both in the Portughese the Malauarian tongue which those country people vsed But finding by experieÌ„ce that to instruct children ignorant people by an interpreter to be a thing both very tedious and of small profit he choose rather to learne himselfe their language then to vse interpreters so great desire he had of their conuersion Therefore he caused his sayd Interpreters to turne the principles of the Christian doctrine into the Malauarian tongue Then he although he were now grown into good yeares becomming agayne as it were a child for Christ getting the same by hart went vp downe the streetes with a little bell in his hand calling the children and people together in some conuenient place and there taught them those principles he had learned in their owne language His feruour in teaching made the people learne with more alacrity And in the space of a month the childreÌ„ which before were rude and knew nothing had gotten almost by hart all what he had taught theÌ„ so that Francis neither repented himselfe of his labour in teaching them nor they of their diligence in learning Nay they were so set vpon learning that they neuer ceased to solicite him to giue them set prayers one
the Catechisme There was at the same time in that Towne a great mortality and sicknes among the people so as very many came daily vnto him froÌ„ all places requesting him to visit their houses say some prayers ouer the sicke And many also who had none to sollicite for them being extremely sick crept vnto him as well as they could for the same cause Xauerius being moued as well out of his owne compassionate nature as by that pittyful spectacle had a scruple to deny those poore soules so iust requests fearing lost if he should be â—lacke therin the Christian Religion might receiue some detriment therby Therfore he spent much time and tooke great paines in visiting them reading the holy Gospell ouer the sick not in vayne For it is well knowne that very many sick in that sea coast were by him cured many possessed persons deliuered And it is certainly reported that he there restored three dead men to life besides a yong maide of Cangoxima of whome I will speake in her proper place Pun call as we said is a towne of good note in the coast of Comorinum In this towne there dyed a certaine yong man of a good family who being by his frinds brought to Francis and layd at his feete with great lamentation the good Father tooke him by the hand and commanded him in the name of Christ to aryse wherupoÌ„ he presently rose vp aliue This act Xauerius out of his true humility suppressed as much as possibly he could by dissembling the matter but all in vaine For there wanted not witnesses therof nor men to spread it abroad although it were a matter of great moment wherof they were to be the authors And this miracle was afterward confirmed by another the like In the same towne a Christian woman went to Francis and with teares bewayling her misfortune of being left desolate most humbly besought him that he would be pleased to go to her little sonne who had bin lately drowned in a well He bad the woman be of good courage for her child was not dead and presently goeth along with her as she desired As soone as he came to the house he fell downe vpon his knees and hauing prayed a while he made the signe of the crosse vpon the dead body wherupon the child presently start vp from the beere wheron he lay not only aliue but also sound and in perfect health At which miraculous accident the Christians who stood about were all astonished and cryed out for ioy But Xauerius earnestly intreated them by al meanes possible to make no words therof so secretly retyred himselfe from thence They people could not ouercome theÌ„selues as he requested to keep silent so miraculous an euent and besides that Xauerius his dissembling the matter made his sanctity the more to appeare Moreouer to speake nothing of others Iohn Triaga a Portughese a deuout and graue man very familiar with Xauerius being demanded iuridically by the Bishop of Goa his Vicar after the Fathers death testified that himselfe was present at Punicall when Francis raysed to life a certaine boy and also a little girle And withall testified that he had vnderstood by many that Xauerius had restored another to life in â— village called Bembari wherof himselfe had sometymes asked Xauerius although out of humility he seemed so suppresse the matter yet he might easily perceaue it was true which he went about to coÌ„ceale And all this is very sufficiently testified vnder the deposition and seale of the Viceroy of India by the King of Portugals command Now whilest Xauerius thus laboureth about the sick and the dead there wanted not other many and dayly imployments to instruct children conuert the Ethnickes baptize those that were conuerted bury the dead and satisfy those who asked his aduice But the cumbersomnes of the sick by reason of their great â—umber and the bruit which was now spread abroad of those that were cured did so greatly increase daily that it was not possible for one to satisfy all Moreoâ—er as many times it hapneth there arose contentions among the people whilst euery one did striue to get Francis first to their house Therfore to condescend to their iust demaunds without any breach of peace he found out an inuention which was as profitable as necessary to send in his place certaine Christian childreÌ„ fit for that purpose These children by Xauiers appointment going about to the houses first called togeather those of the family and their neighbours then â—auing recited the Creed all togeather they exhorted the sick to haue an assured hope and confidence in God by whose help they were to recouer their health all last when they had stirred vp all that were present to deuotion then they added certaine pious and godly prayers This inuention of his was not in vayne For what by the fayth of the children of the standers by and the sicke and of Francis Author thereof it caused in the diseased health both of body and soule In so much that very many Neophites were therby confirmed in their beliefe many Ethnickes brought to the faith of Christ the force whereof they had experienced by the recouery of their health But if any of the said children could get Xauerius Beades he thought himselfe highly honoured for that infallibly they cured all the sick who were touched therwith wherfore as iewels famous for the wonders wrought by theÌ„ euery one did striue to get them so as being carryed about continually to the sicke they seldome brought them backe to Francis seruing rather to worke miracles theÌ„ to pray vpon And by the meanes of these children he did not only help those who were sicke but assisted also possessed and obsessed persons There was one who being possest was wonderfully tormented by the Deuill to whome Francis being requested to go but could not by reason of other employments sent in his place certayne Children who assisted him in teaching the Christian doctrine with a crosse and tould them what they should do The children went to the possest man and as Xauerius had instructed them gaue him the crosse to kisse and they themselues recited certayne prayers which they knew by hart Whereupon presently to the astonishment of all that were present the possest man was deliuered not so much by the fayth and sanctity of the children as of Francis himselfe The report heereof being spread far and neere with great applause to Xauerius his fame became more remarkable by his humility For these miracles which he wrought by diuine power by sending children vp downe he would not acknowledge as done by himselfe but ascribed them to the faith of the children of the sick persons so as endeauouring by all meanes to debase himselfe and to hide his owne vertue he made the splendour of his sanctity the more appeare Wherfore shining as he did not only with that eminency of
off with a iest stoole notwithstāding the next night priuately into the Church when he perceiued him to be fast asleepe At this deuotion of Francis the enemies of mankind were mad with rage and hatred intending to driue him by terrour from that custome so at midnight as he was praying before the Aultar of our B. Lady they furiously set vpon him on a suddaine filling the Church with horrible roarings confused cryes and hydeous noyses But finding him nothing afraid at these their threates they fal vpon him altogeather and beate him most cruelly with scourges exercising their malice vpon him both in railings blowes Amidst all these their violent strokes he hauing more care how to remaine constant then how to defend his owne backe called vpon the mother of God who beheld this combat and so with vndaunted courage deluded at last the Diuells vaine assaults and continued on his prayer not only without feare but also with greater constancy So as by this his manly inuincible perseurance a most deadly weapon against all diuellish incursiōs he easily droue away these troublesome outragious spirits And most certaine it is that he by this victory so brake their forces that they neuer afterward durst attempt any thing in that kind against him There lay a certaine yong man in a chamber ioyning to the Church who being waked out of his sleep with that noise heard Xauerius crying out as the Deuils tormented him and oftentimes calling vpon the B. Virgin for help And he obserued that he very often repeated these words Helpe me O Lady Wilt not thou helpe me O Lady This yong man recounted what he had heard vnto the Vicar others of the house wherat as often it hapneth they all fell into a laughter and the tale was iested on ouer all the house vnknowne to Francis who the next day finding himselfe very sore with those cruell strypes desiring to rise was not able to get out of his bed so lay there three dayes all wearyed tyred out feigning himself to be sicke so therby to hyde what had hapned The vicar hearing this came to visit him asked him whether he were sicke Xauerius answered that he was Then demanding what his sicknes was he answered wholy from the purpose turning his speach another way The Vicar knowing well the matter indeed began to iest with him and repeated the same words which he had vttered whilst the Diuells beate him Helpe me O Lady Wilt not thou helpe me O Lady Francis when he perceiued that all was knowne began to blush indeed but yet with a smiling countenance was no lesse couragious in enduring the speaches of men then the blowes of the Diuels As soone as he was recouered knowing very wel that the Deuills terrour is greater then his forces and that like a cowardly Curre he barketh fiercely at those who giue backe but runneth straight away when one resisteth he resolueth like a Conquerour voluntarily to returne agayne to his old place of combat with more alacrity then before Trusting therefore in Gods assistance who especially restraineth the Deuils forces he went oftentimes most couragiously alone euen in the dead night to pray in the same Church and place did so contemne those hellish mōsters their deuises as well shewed that nothing is more shameful and weake then the Deuils if one haue the courage to contemne them For being thus stoutly vanquished and perceiuing their open assaults had ill successe they vsed other deceiptfull tricks endeauoured at least to distract him in his prayer if they could not breake it of Whilest therfore he was at his praier in the Church at midnight as his custome was they in hatred against him come together in troupes make a horrible noise in a scoffing manner imitating the Clergy men sing as it were Mattins in the Quire thereby at least to distract him whome they could not otherwise afright But how litle they profited heerin did euidently appeare For Xauerius not regarding who they were nor what they sung thought they had byn the Church men comming to sing their mattins The next day therefore he demaunded of the Vicar who those Clergy men were who last night sung their Mattins with the doores shut He at first wondring what Clergy men and what mattins he meant perceiued afterwards that they were Diuels and scoffers of Clergy-men Which thing after Francis his death he often declared to many CHAP. XVI He deliuereth a possessed person and taketh Iohn Durus for his companion IN the meane tyme Xauerius that he might not leaue Meliapora without some monument of his labours taken therin he employed himselfe as his custome was to help the people of riper yeares both by priuate publike exhortations and to instruct children in their Catechisme Neyther was there matter wanting for him to worke vpon In which kind this accident happened worthy of memory There was a Cittizen of great wealth who was possessed and most miserably vexed by the Diuell To whome Francis being called for ayde he sent in his place one of the children that helped him in teaching the Catechisme with a Crucifixe who reading the holy Ghospell ouer the possessed man as the Father had instructed him to do cast out immediately the infernall monster who was the more enraged because he was driuen out by a child that a Neophyte There is also recounted another thing in a different kind yet perhaps no lesse admirable then the former There was a certayne yong man a merchant called Iohn Durus who came to Francis to confession and hearing him discourse of diuine matters found there were certaine other merchandize farre richer then those with which he traffiked and of which he neuer heard before Wherfore giuing ouer his former trading and desirous to become a merchant of more precious wares intreateth Francis to receiue him for his cōpanion He at first refused him absolutely because perhaps he saw in him a secret inconstancy intractable disposition yet at last by much intreaty he obteined his desire and so setling his affayres began to distribute his goods among the poore But in executing of this his good purpose he was more forward then constant For whilst he was busied about selling of his wares he was vehemently sollicited by the common Enemy of mankind who did so worke him vpon that hauing set his hād to the plough on a suddaine be began to looke backe and sought againe most greedily after those things which a little before he had contemned Being thus wholy changed in mind he packed vp his merchandyze in the most priuat manner he could and conueied them into a ship intending to be gone But although he deceiued others yet he could not deceiue Francis the which he most of all sought to do Now hauing gotten al things togeather which he thought requisite as he was about to take shipping Xauerius vpon a suddaine causeth him to be
they could be set forth for such an enterprize Besids they were not only out of order but wanted tackling and other furniture necessary As the Gouernour therfore was telling him the want of shippes I esteeme it quoth he a matter of much importance to be forward in the vndertaking of this great Busines in which not only the Kings but God Almightyes Maiesty is interessed And seeing in this fearefull enterprize you are amazed not knowing what to resolue vpon I desire with your good leaue I may haue the charge of preparing the Nauy Then turning to the soldiars Brethren quoth he God certainly stadeth for vs in whose name I warne you all before hand that you suffer neither feare nor any thing else whatsoeuer to diuert you from hauing a part in this glorious action to which he vndoubtedly calleth you Behould heere I offer my selfe to go along with you to this noble and Christian combat and to be your fellow and companion in what danger soeuer may happen that we may reuenge our selues vpon these Barbarians Enemies of most our Vertuous King and Aduersaryes of the Crosse of Christ These words so inflamed the souldiars harts that al of them being as it were suddainly inspired by God stroue to giue in their names to fight in so religious a warre nothing doubting but it would haue a prosperous issue hauing Xauerius for the author and furtherer therof And the Gouernour being glad to see such consent of the Captains soldiars left al things to Francis discretion who with no lesse prudence then courage managed a busines which to all mens iudgmeÌ„t seemed most ful of difficulty as was to prepare a nauy so presently vpon the losse of so many ships for that the Armoury was wholy empty small help could be expected from the publicke treasury Xauerius therfore out of all the maisters of the ships maketh choice of seauen excelling the rest both in esteeme wealth He calleth them euery one by their names and intermingling gentle words with imbracements earnestly requesteth them that they would both for the honour of their King of Christ our common Lord and of the Christian Name vndertake this busines how laboursome or chargeable soeuer it seemed that they would with al speed cause seauen of those shipps that lay in the hauen to be speedily repayred and they should infallibly be repayed shortly all their expences with an 100. fould The ship-maisters were by these words so set on fire that euery one striuing who should make most hast the nauy within foure dayes stood ready in the Port well appointed of all things One Francis Saa a kinsman of Mello the Gouernour was made Generall therof to whome there were also assigned 180. Portughese souldiars Xauerius was to go with them but that the Malacensians out of their great affection to him hindred it For they came flocking to the Gouernour and what by lamenting their fatherlesse desolate state what by protesting vnto him that they would abandon the Citty if Francis their only comfort and vphoulder should depart they got at last both the Gouernour of the Citty and Generall of the fleet to intreat him being himselfe doubtfull what to do in this affaire since the people were of such different affections to remaine at Malaca Xauerius therfore calling togeather the Captaines and souldiars into the Church and making to them a comfortable exhortation bad them be of good courage and he for his part because he could not accompany them in person would be present with them with his best wishes and prayers and that they should so dispose themselues both in mynd and affection to esteeme nothing more pretious vnto them then to dye for Christ the sonne of God who dyed vpon the Crosse for their sakes That they should haue before their eyes that amiable and deuout spectacle of their Sauiour and imprinting it in their harts should most couragiously take vpon them the battaile and enter into combat with the Barbarians Moreouer in the midst of the battayle they should cal vpon God imploring his diuine assistance and confidently hope that he will be ready to helpe those who fight for him Hauing said this he began to heare their Confessions and when he had reconcyled them and armed them with the holy Eucharist he animateth theÌ„ againe to set forward against the Enemy vnder Gods conduct not doubting of the victory They all by diuine instinct of their owne accord in presence of God striuing at it were who should do best make a solemne protestation that if occasion required it they would spend their liues for Christ in that quarâ—ell In respect wherof and for that they had thus coÌ„ secrated themselues to Christ they were by Xauerius called The Army of Iesus Christ a Title very honourable And thus full of good hope and courage they were by the Cittizens accompanied to the Nauy CHAP. IX Hauing lost their Admirall he foretelleth the comming of tvvo other ships vnto them stirreth vp the slouthfull vvho drevv backe to fight couragiously BVT now when they were all ready and prepared for this warre there fell out a disastrous accident to the end that Francis his vertue and sanctity might the better appeare which did not a little hinder the businesse The ships were now afloat with their sayles banners all displaied and their Ordinance playing in a triumphant manner and the shore thicke beset with the people of Malaca desiring to see them depart when behould on a suddaine the Admirall in view of the whole Citty in the very hauen by what chance no man knoweth is sunke and ouer whelmed in the sea together with the losse of all that was in her except the marriners souldiars Which accident was held by all for a prodigious token of something else to follow Wherupon the Cittizens fell a murmuring that it was certainly a manifest presage of Gods wrath haÌ„ging ouer the Portugheses heads if the fleete should hould on her course against the enemy Morouer they cast forth bitter words against the Gouernour of the Citty and Generall of the fleete as though they had bin the authors of that disastrous warre neither did some spare Xauerius himselfe saying Who could euer haue thought that the flower and strength of the Portughese garrison should be thus sent away to their certain destruction seing that their enemies farre exceed them not only in number but also in strength of shipping and souldiars Behould how God hauing set before our eyes the danger both of the General and whole Fleete there wanteth nothing but plaine words to tell vs that this expedition is not pleasing to him Whereupon Mello being not able to endure this extreme grudging and exorbitant complaynts of the people sendeth presently a messenger vnto Xarius to intreat him he would please to come vnto him with all speed He finding Francis at Masse in the Hospitall Church would haue instantly deliuered his message vnto him But being stayed
not able to take sure footing by reason of the slyppinesse of the yce and roughnesse of the way he receaued many a sore and painefull fall All which intollerable difficulties he not only ouercame with great quiet of mynd but had with withall his cogitations so firmely fixed vpon God that euen at that very tyme he became wholy abstracted from his senses For such was the force of his heauenly contemplation and so greatly was he ouercome with the sweetnes thereof that scarsely knowing what he did he many tymes ran among the brambles and bushes and strooke his feete agaynst the stones euen till the bloud came out without any feeling or payne at all Now at night he was commonly in as bad a plight as in the day For oftentymes being all wet and euen wholy spent with cold and hungar he came at night to his Inne where there was no humane comfort to be had nor any ease for these his miseries Wherof this may be a sufficient proofe that during all that iorney he eate nothing but only ryce which himselfe also begged as he trauailed with no lesse want of food then payne of body Moreouer the insolency of the Country people to these his miseries which he suffred in the way added sauce of the same nature For the Iaponians being of a proud and haughty spirit seing him a stranger contemptible vnexpert in their complements and behauiour one that contemned himselfe vsed him euen like a poore foole or sotte so as in townes and villages where he was to passe in boates as also vpon the way and in the Innes he was the subiect for euery one to play vpon But all this he bare not only patiently but cheerfully also reioycing with the Apostle to be for Christ his sake reputed a foole the outcast of all And hauing thus spent two whole months vpon the way after innumerable miseries passed both by water and land at last through the goodnes of God he arriued safe and sound at Meaco Meaco is the royall Citty and the greatest and most famous of all Iaponia This Citty when it flourished if we will belieue what is reported therof conteined well neere two hundred thousand families but hauing bin oftentimes destroyed by warres pillage fire it is now little more then halfe so great The Circuit indeed of the walls and the vastnes of the Citty do yet well shew to haue byn no lesse in forme times â—â—hen that which hath byn sayd therof but now when â—auâ—rius came thither it had only about one hundred â—â—ousand houses There is in this Citty a very famous Academy fiue principall Colledges of Schollers and â—nnumerable Conuents of men and women so as â—â—here seemed to be offered to Xauerius abundant matâ—â—r to worke vpon But so secret are the iudgments â—f God that his hope wholy vanished away came 〈◊〉 nothing As soone therefore as he came to Meaco he expeâ—â—ed some dayes at the Court wayting for opporâ—â—nity to come vnto the Kings presence and to aske â—â—is licence to preach the Ghospell in his kingdome â—ut in vayne For his ignorance of the Iaponian custoâ—es and behauiour his vulgar and worne-out apâ—arell and his Christian simplicity caused him to be â—erided and wholy reiected by the Kings Guard Finâ—ing therfore all passages vnto the King to be stopped â—n such sort that he could not by any meanes get â—ccesse vnto him and vnderstanding that certayne Noblemen who by reason that the King of Meaco's Regall authority began to grow now out of date had withdrawn themselues from his obedience changing â—â—is determination and leauing off all thought of obâ—ayning the King Letters-Patents began to try the Meacensians themselues how they stood affected towards the Christian Religion But finding the whole Cittty in perplexity and solicitous expectation and feare of warres which were then coÌ„ming vpon them he lost his tyme and labour in speaking to them who had their eares mynds wholy bent another way Moreouer when he preached in the streets to the people that stood round about him which had also hapned to him in other townes the boyes and baser sorte of people threw old shoes and stones also at his head to driue him away so far was obstinate Superstition from opening her eares or vnderstanding to admit of wholesome doctrine But he went away reioycing that he had byn held worthy to suffer reproach for the name of IESVS At last when he saw the saw the Citty to be both disquieted in it selfe wholy auerted froÌ„ the Ghospel it much grieued him that after so loÌ„g painfull a iourney he was to depart without doing any good hauing not so much as reaped one handfull out of so large spacious a field But leauing all to Gods diuine prouidence he returneth agayne to Amangucium comforting himselfe with this consideration That it is a great honour not only to do but also to suffer for Christ CHAP. VII Hauing by Presents obtayned the King of Amangucium his fauour he conuerteth many to the Christian Faith RETVRNING therfore to Amangucium with almost as much trauell and misery as he had gone from thence to Meaco he determined presently to go vnto the King â—o deliuer him certaine letters and presents from the â—iceroy of India and the Bishop of Goa which he had â—â—eft at Firandum He intended to haue presented these â—uifts to the King of Meaco who was sayd to be the â—â—reatest of all Iaponia but when he perceiued that he â—aigned now at other mens pleasures and that his â—uthority was not so great as his Name and withall â—hat the King of Amangucium was very potent and wealthy changing his determination he thought it â—est to present them vnto him deeming it not amisse â—o gaine his fauour by guifts who was by his authoâ—ity best able to helpe the Christian cause So returâ—ing speedily to Firandum he bethinkes himselfe of a â—â—ew meanes to obteine accesse vnto the King the which necessity had forced him vnto He had now learnt by experience that the Iapoâ—ians according to the common corruption of mortalls esteemed men by the outward shew and ornament of their body that any one in poore cloathes was scarce accounted a man amongst them as if the worth of man consisted rather in his outward attyre then in his vertuous disposition Wherefore laying aside his old worne coate he resolued to cloath himselfe in Court-like habit and by the splendour of his ornaments so to feed the eyes of such as were carryed away rather by the exteriour shew of things then by that which was truly good indeed that afterwards he might bring them to conceiue the light of Truth As soone therfore as he came backe againe to Amanguâ—ium putting himselfe into rich apparell and with two or three seruaÌ„ts attending him he went vnto the King And the euent declared his prudence heerein For being presently brought in to the King by his officers he is by him receiued in a very
friendly courteous manner Then making a short speach before hand he deliuereth vnto the King from the Viceroy of India and Bishop of Goa as pledges of their friendship Letters and certaine outlandish Presents among which there was a Musicall Instrument a Watch things very gratefull and much esteemed in those places not so much for the value as for the rarity and curiosity of the workemanship The King therfore being wonderfully glad for these letters guiftes which the Portugheses had sent him presents againe Xauerius very bountifully with a great quantity of siluer gold But he remembring himselfe to be a Priest of God no merchant giueth backe againe the things which were offred him and withall earnestly requested the King that he would by his Royall Edict giue him leaue to publish the diuine Law throughout his dominions and his subiects to receiue the same for that nothing could be more gratefull to his and the Portugheses desire then that At which words the King being stroken with admiâ—ation at his temperance who despised that which oâ—hers sought after with so great dangers both by sea â—and made no difficulty to fauour his Religion whose vertue he admired Wherupon without any further delay he commandeth a Proclamation to be made â—hroughout all the streets of the Citty that it was his Royall pleasure that the Christian Religion should â—e propounded to his subiects and that whosoeuer would might become Christians And that none should either by deed or word offer any affront to the Portughese Priests neither should any of his subiects suffer any detriment or disgrace for hauing forsaken â—is country Religion Besides this also the better to â—nable Xauerius to performe that which was granted vnto him he gaue him for his dwelling place a certaiâ—e Conuent of the Benzies which then was voyd This gayned both credit to Xauerius and esteeme â—o his Religion For many desirous to know the new Religion came flocking to heare him nor was Xaueâ—ius wanting to giue them satisfaction hauing now gotten some pretty skill in their language Twice therefore euery day did he preach vnto the people before a great assembly of the Cittizens After he had â—â—ended his sermon he spent some tyme in conference with his auditours about that which he had propounded vnto them out of the pulpit eyther by answering to their questions or else by questioning them These disputes coÌ„ming one vpon the necke of another held out most commonly till it was very late in the night so that he had scarcely any leasure to prouide for his corporall necessities And in all this businesse nothing hindred him so much as his vnperfectnesse in the Iaponian language For oftentymes when any vnproper word sounded harsh to their nice and delicate eares they laughed at his ignorant pronunciation And there wanted not some also who did load him with questions for no other end but to fynd out something whereat to laugh But such was the spirit which he spake with all such the sanctity of his lyfe and Religion and so farre excelling the lyfe and doctrine of the Bonzies that what he could not effect by words he cleerly demonstrated by deeds Wherefore the Iaponians being an ingenious nation much led by reason saw now well inough that the things he spake had very good sense connexion how soeuer he vttered them in bad language Many therefore came vnto him out of the CoÌ„uents both of Bonzies Bonziesses many also of the Nobility but much greater was the nuÌ„ber of the vulgar sort The house was continually filled with people of all qualities and many tymes it could not conteine the multitude which came thither The questions which were disputed to and fro were so many diuerse that the foggy mist of errour being dispersed and the light of truth spreading abroad its glorious beames many perceiued by Francis his answeres how vaine false their superstitions were and that the diuine Law was true and solid and this diligence of theirs to find out by examination the true Religion was seconded also on their part with as great forwardnesse in receauing the same Some dayes therfore being spent in asking anâ—wering Questions many became Christians wherin â—hose who had bin formerly the chiefe men in obstiâ—ately ouerthwarting and contradicting Xauerius in â—â—is sermons and disputations gaue the first example God turning their spirit of contradiction into a mild 〈◊〉 plyable disposition And heerin Patience and not Learning only carried away the chiefe prize For as â—ernandez Xauerius companion was preaching to the â—eople in the publike street a certaine Iaponian pasâ—â—ng by by chance came to his sermon who being an â—soleÌ„t rude fellow gathering his mouth full of spitle â—â—asteth it forth full into the preachers face in sight of al the people who bare that disgrace with such admirable patience that he was not moued one whit â—herat but only wept his face with a handkercher â—nd so went on with his sermon Wherupon one of â—he Assembly was so moued by that example of Patiâ—â—nce that he verily belieued men endowed with such â—ertue could not teach any Religion but that which was holy And so repayring to Francis was instructed â—â—nd the first of all that was baptized Others afterwards followed his example Amongst whome one Laurâ—ntius Lusko conceiued within his soule such impressions of diuine light that quite aâ—andoning all earthly things he consecrated himselfe wholy to Gods seruice to the great good of Iaponia For being by Xauerius receiued into the Society he became afterwards a notable Preacher and brought very many of his Country-men to the light of the Ghospell After this many of good note were receiued to the sacred fountaine of Baptisme who being therby bound to Francis in the highest degree endeauoured so to gratify his loue that they could neuer satisfy themselues therin When he therfore asked them about the Iaponians Sectes and Religions they discouered all vnto him and that with more freedome and forwardnesse then they were demaunded CHAP. VIII Hauing found out the Sects of the Iaponians he conuerteth many of them BY these men therfore he got a farre more exact knowledge then before he had done of the Iaponians Religions Ceremonies There were in all amongst them nine principall Sectes as well of men as women wherof it was free for euery one to follow that Sect which best pleased him Whence it came oftentimes to passe that there were in the same house almost as many different opinions as there were seuerall persons and all at strife amoÌ„gst themselues euery one endeauouring to preferre their own sect before others Among al these Sects there was not one which taught any thing coÌ„cerning the world or the soules CreatioÌ„ And no mermeruayle since they all togeather held that they had no beginning Yet they all agreed in this that after this lyfe there be two places one for the damned the other for the blessed But what
credit who was present himselfe at those disputations and interrogâ—tions and had together with many others more then once obserued the same No lesse authenticall and wonderfull is that which is recounted to haue happened in a certayne Towne of India called Coramandela Xauerius being there by chance a poore man who had newly suffered shipwracke came vnto him beseeching him to bestow some almes vpon him to relieue his misery Francis although he had not where withall to shew his Charity could not for all that find in his hart to send the poore wretch away without somthing Therfore not thinking of his owne pouerty he put his hand into his pocket but found there nothing at all Yet would he not desist from his determination but began to haue recourse to him who is Lord of all riches Wherefore lifting vp his eyes to heauen he biddeth the poore man put his confidence in the diuine liberality And God neyther frustrated Xauerius hope nor he the poore mans For putting his hand agayne into his pocket he brought it out full of fayre pieces of gold which the inhabitants call Fano'es and presently gaue them all since God had thus affoarded them vnto the poore man putting his whole confidence in the endlesse Treasure of diuine hope A Portughese Souldiar also playing at dyce had lost 600. Crownes wherfore being sad not knowing what to do or course to take he maketh his moane to Francis He iudging it meete to apply a playster fit for the poison of the disease demaundeth of him a Dye and hauing shaked it in his hand giueth it him backe and biddeth him go play againe to recouer his losse Neither was he therin deceiued For on a suddain the fortune of the game began to chaÌ„ge the souldiar hauing good lucke soone recouered all againe When he had got his owne againe he would haue played on stil but Xauerius for bad him nor did the souldiar contradict him but remembring the benefit he had receiued promptly obeyed his wholsome commauÌ„ds and promised furthermore of his owne accord that he would neuer after play at Dyce And he was indeed as good as his word For from that time forward he could neuer indure to handle Dyce such an auersion he had to that game by Francis his meanes It was an ordinary practise with Xauerius that in his voyages by sea whatsoeuer he brought aboard into the shippe for his owne vse or prouision he would strayght distribute it all amongst the poore passengers and marriners and liue himselfe by begging Wherefore on a tyme giuing out his oyle freely to them that asked of him his vessel was within a little space wholy empty Notwithstanding another comming afterward to demand a litle therof Xauerius bad that some should be giuen vnto him His Companion told him there was no more oyle left â—nd that the bottle was now spent for he had turned â—p the bottome and shaken it could not wring so â—uch as one droppe thereout Go yet quoth Francis â—or all that looke againe He doth as he was wilâ—ed and by and by he bringeth word that the bottle was now full againe notwithstaÌ„ding he had but a litâ—le before left it empty But Xauerius taking no notice of the miracle as his custome was Giue therfore â—uoth he liberally to him that asketh Moreouer lighting by chance vpon a child which was sick and very full of vlcers and moued to comâ—assion towards him he made at first a little stand â—hen taking him vp in his armes and hugging him in â—is bosome he began to repeate these words God make â—hee whole which he had scarce pronounced twice or thrice when as he restored the child whole sound to his mother This was witnessed by Vincent Perera a mayster of a ship Xauerius familiar friend whome we haue named in another place and recounted to those of the Society in India But of this kind we haue â—n his lyfe set downe innumerable examples although â—e referred these vnto this place because the tymes wherein they were done were not then sufficiently â—nowne vnto vs. This also is very admirable which hapned in the land of Sanciana Xauerius as he stood baptizing a â—umber of Saracens who were men of extraordinary great stature of body seemed vnto the Portugheses who beheld the thing a far off to be much taller then they Which caused in them such admiration that they approched neerer to see whether he did not baptize out of some pulpit or high place But comming close vnto him they find him standing vpon euen ground Then indeed they perceiued that his greatnes of mind had added so much to his body that he seemed to surpasse the ordinary pitch of the tallest men Neyther is this a small argument of his vertue and sanctity that whereas the Sanciana sea which in former times had bin very dangerous subiect to often shippewracks by reason of a certaine furious wind called Typhon Francis by celebrating the sacred mysteries of the masse there hath as it were so sanctified the Iland and made the sea so calme temperate that the raging Typhon doth very seldom bring any great incoÌ„brance to the ships that sayle therein So great was the force eyther of Xauerius sanctity or the vertue of the Holy Masse CHAP. IIII. Miracles vvrought by him after his death BVT now Xauerius life was not more glorious nor remarkeable by such like signes of sanctity then his death For God who is admirable in his Saints adorned Francis his Body after his death with many illustrious miracles which whilst he liued had bin a Temple of the Holy Ghost For as we said before his dead corps being digged vp after it had layne three moneths in quickâ— lime was found wholy entiere breathing forth â— most pleasant and fragrant odour which was no doubt a perpetuall and manifold miracle seing it reteined the same integrity and fragrant odour after he bad bin interred six months at Malaca in the grouÌ„d without a Coffin This diuine vertue which was imparted to his body redounded likewise euen to his garments and preserued them wholy incorrupt sound from all putrefaction Moreouer which is very admirable fiue moneths after his death when he was interred at Malaca he â—led a fresh the signes whereof remayned liuely to be seene vntill his Funerall at Goa being 16. moneths after his decease Wherupon not only the CittizeÌ„s of Goa but almost all India being stirred vp no lesse by the report of the integrity of his body then by his eminent sanctity came flocking thither to his buriall which indeed as before we haue shewed seemed raâ—her a triumph then a Funerall the multitude wherof from all places was so great as the like was neuer seene or heard so that they were constrained as before we haue said to leaue the Body exposed for three whole dayes to the view of the people to giue them â—atisfaction And besides this they were all so taken with
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
of Conuersation accompanyed with extraordinary Grauity was of special force which two Vertues being different in shew were yet so combined togeather in him as neyther of them detracting from the others force he was both very graue and also incomparably sweet in his conuersation For as we sayd before there playnely appeared in Xauerius Countenance Gesture Speach and Conuersation a most incredible sweetnesse which being engrafted in him by nature and augmented by Grace could easily draw and conserue also the affection of any one He was wondrous cheerfull in his countenance tractable in his discourse and most sweet in his conuersation and behauiour His lookes were so gracious and pleasant that they gaue great comfort to the sick and ioy to all those that were in health And oftentymes many of the Society came to visit him for no other cause then that receiuing comfort from his heauenly aspect they might by the remembrance of his extraordinary alacrity and admirable feruour be the more enflamed towards the pursuite of a blessed life For so often as they could get but an essay of this his alacrity or euen but a breathing only of so couragious an hart they neuer came away sad or heauy from him Againe the singular sweetnesse of his countenance and speach drew vnto him as wel the bad as the good great and little and got such firme hold ouer the affections of their harts that he was able to drawe them which way he pleased so as he neuer demaunded any thing of any one how great or hard soeuer which he did not at last obteyne His ordinary discourse also he was wont to season with great dexterity and to intermingle with wonderfull variety that it might not cause any tediousnesse in the hearer He was very skilfull both in Astrology and Philosophy therfore alwayes when he trauailed by the way to relieue the wearisomnesse of the iorney he would oftentimes bring in discourse of the motions of the celestiall Globes the Planets Also the Eclipse of the Sunne and Moone he would foretell long before it hapned Againe he would declare the causes of those things which we behould to be admirable both in the heauens and the world what the cause or origen of Hayle Frost Snow and Rayne was whence clowdes mystes winds and thunder proceeded what that was which caused the swelling and raging of the seas Many other things also he would adde of the same kind which as they were very admirable so were they delightfull to the hearers and in the end of all he would referre them to the honour and feare of God Of these things therfore he discoursed so learnedly and pleasantly amongst the Iaponians who are wholy ignorant of such matters that they were wont vsually to say that in Xauerius company one might trauaile all Iaponia ouer without being once a weary and this delight of his discourse carryed his companinons along in such sort that he ordinarily wonne them both to himselfe and to God Yea this sweetnes of his Conuersation was tempered with so weighty a Grauity that in the height of his most pleasant discourses what he sayd or did breathed forth a most sweet odour of sanctity Wherof al men had now gotten such an opinion that although he conuersed often very familiarly euen with the most vitious yet the same was neuer any staine to his reputation since the constant fame of his sanctity defended him not only from euill tongues but also from the least suspicion of euill it self Moreouer Xauerius had this property that his familiarity did not any whit diminish but rather increase a most reuerend religious respect of all sorts of people towards him in so much as one would haue said that his sanctity like a pretious stone grew daily brighter and brighter by continuall vse and exercise Consaluus Fernandez a Maister of a shipp and a man of good account was very conuersant familiar with Xauerius in that he oftentymes went in his ship and lodged also in his house at Goa yet he bare such reuerence and respect vnto him that whensoeuer he came vnto his house he with his whole family would go out to meete him and casting themselues prostrate on the ground did alwayes receiue him in that manner And although Consaluus were oftentimes intreated by Francis not to vse that respect vnto him yet he would neuer refraine there from such possession had the Reuerence of his holy person taken of his hart Iames Perera also who was so great and familiar with Xauerius as no man more was wont to say that he could neuer stād before him with his head couered although Xauerius himselfe intreated the same protesting that whensoeuer he spake vnto him he vsed to be taken with such reuerend and religious a respect towards him that he seemed to behould God in his person Yet as occasion required Francis wanted not Seuerity also the sting of Grauity which we shall heere recount by an example or two A certayne deuout Matron of good esteeme was wont alwayes to to confesse to Francis when he was at hand This woman as herselfe afterward recounted to a Religious man Xauerius sharply reprehended because she had vpon occasion cast her eye vpon an handsome proper man and well attyred Hast thou quoth he looked vpon a mā Thou deseruest that God should not looke on thee Which words so stroke her chast and pious heart that she could neuer after throghout her whole life endure to looke any man in the face He was also aboue all other things a most seuere reuenger of obstinacy In the Promontory of Comorinum vnderstanding that a certaine Neophyte had blessed an Idoll he was so greatly moued with the indignity of such an abominatiō that he presently caused the house to bet on fire to the end the seuerity of the punishment might make others afrayd to commit the like offence And when as many persons of worth requested him to mitigate the penalty he only permitted that the dwellers might carry out their household stuffe but the house it selfe which was the receptacle of that sacrilegious Monster he would by all meanes haue consumed euen to the ground CHAP. XII His Prudence and the Precepts he gaue to the Rectour of the Colledge of Goa and to Gaspar the Lovv-countryman MOREOVER Prudence the Moderatresse of other Vertues shined not a little in Xauerius as wel in his dexterous gaining and conuerting of soules which euidently appeared throughout his whole lyfe as in his propagating also of Religion gouernment of those of the Society committed to his charge For he knowing well that nothing so much hindred the Christiā faith as the bad examples and vices of euill Christians he would not set vpon Ethnicks to instruct them in matters of fayth vntill he had reclaymed the ancient Christians from their vicious and sinnefull life And those Neophites also which he had broght vnto Christ with infinite labour and patience he first of all instructed them himselfe