were the Universal Language His first care was to have a little Catechism translated into it being the same he had compos'd on the Coast of Fishery together with a more ample instruction which treated of the principal duties of Christianity He learnt all this without Book and to make himself the better understood he took a particular care of the Pronunciation With these helps and the assistance of Interpreters who were never wanting to him at his need he converted many Idolaters as also Mahometans and Iews amongst the rest a famous Rabbi who made a publick Abjuration of Iudaism This Rabbi who before had taken for so many Fables or juggling tricks all those wonders which are reported to have been done by Xavier now acknowledg'd them for Truths by the Evidence of his own Eyes For the Saint never wrought so many Miracles as at Malacca The Juridical Depositions of Witnesses then living have assur'd us that all sick persons whom he did but touch were immediately cur'd and that his Hands had an healing vertue against all Distempers One of his most famous cures was that of Antonio Fernandez a Youth not above fifteen years of age was sick to death His Mother a Christian by profession but not without some remainders of Paganism in her Heart seeing that all natural Remedies were of no effect had recourse to certain Enchantments frequently practis'd amongst the Heathens and sent for an old Sorceress who was call'd Nâ—i The Witch made her Magical Opeperations on a Lace brayded of many thrids and ty'd it about the Arm of the Patient But instead of the expected cure Fernandez lost his Speech and was taken with such violent Convulsions that the Physitians were call'd again who all despair'd of his recovery It was expected every moment he shou'd breath his last when a Christian Lady who happen'd to come in said to the Mother of the dying Youth Why do you not send for the holy Father he will infallibly cure him She gave credit to her words and sent for Xavier He was immediately there Fernandez who had lost his Sense and lay gasping in death began to cry out and make violent motions so soon as the Father had set his Foot within the Doors but when he came into the Room and stood before the Youth he fell into howlings and dreadful wreathings of his Body which redoubled at the sight of the Cross that was presented to him Xavier doubted not but there was something of extraordinary in his Disease nor even that God for the punishment of the Mother who had made use of Diabolical Remedies had deliver'd her Son to the evil Spirits He fell on his Knees by the Bed-side read aloud the Passion of our Lord hung his Reliquiary about the Neck of the sick person and sprinkled him with Holy Water This made the fury of the Devil cease and the young Man half dead lay without motion as before Then Xavier rising up Get him somewhat to eat said he and told them what nourishment he thought proper for him After which addressing himself to the Father of the Youth When your Son added he shall be in condition to walk lead him your self for nine days successively to the Church of our Lady of the Mount where to morrow I will say Mass for him After this he departed and the next day while he was celebrating the Divine Sacrifice Fernandez on the sudden came to himself spoke very sensibly and perfectly recover'd his former health But how wonderful soever the cure of this Youth appear'd in the Eyes of all Men the Resurection of a young Maid was of greater admiration Xavier was gone on a little Journey somewhere about the Neighbourhood of Malacca to do a work of Charity when this Girl dy'd Her Mother who had been in search of the holy Man during her Daughter's sickness came to him after his return and throwing her self at his Feet all in Tears said almost the same words to him which Martha said formerly to our Lord That if he had been in Town she who was now dead had been alive but if he wou'd call upon the name of Jesus Christ the dead might be restor'd to life Xavier was overjoy'd to behold so great Faith in a Woman who was but lately baptis'd and judging her worthy of that blessing which she begg'd after having lifted up his Eyes to Heaven and silently pray'd to God some little space he turn'd towards her and said to her with much assurance Go your Daughter is alive The poor Mother seeing the Saint offer'd not to go with her to the place of Burial reply'd betwixt hope and fear That it was three days since her Daughter was interr'd 'T is no matter answer'd Xavier open the Sepulchre and you shall find her living The Mother without more reply ran full of Conâ—idence to the Church and in presence of many persons having caus'd the Grave-stone to be remov'd â—ound her Daughter living While these things pass'd at Malacca a Ship from Goa brought Letters to Father Xavier from Italy and Portugal which inform'd him of the happy progress of the Society of Iesus and what it had already perform'd in Germany for the publick service of the Church He was never weary of reading those Letters he kiss'd them and bedew'd them with his Tears imagining himself either with his Brethren in Europe or them present with himself in Asia He had news at the same time that there was arriv'd a supply of three Missioners whom Father Ignatius had sent him and that Don Iohn de Castro who succeeded Alphonso de Sosa in the Government of the Indies had brought them in his company These Missioners were Antonio Criminal Nicholas Lancilotti and Iohn Beyra all three Priests the two first Italians and the last a Spaniard Apostolical Men and of eminent Vertue particularly Criminal who of all the Children of Ignatius was the first who was honour'd with â—he Crown of Martyrdom Xavier dispos'd of them immediately commanding by his Letters That Lancilotti shou'd remain in the Seminary of holy Faith there to instruct the young Indians in the knowledge of the Latin Tongue and that the other two shou'd go to accompany Francis Mansilla on the Coast of Fishery For himself having waited three Months for news from Macassar when he saw the season proper for the return of the Ship which the Governour of Malacca had sent was now expir'd and that no Vessel was come from those parts he judg'd that Providence wou'd not make use of him at present for the instruction of those people who had a Priest already with them Nevertheless that he might be more at hand to succour them when ever it pleas'd God to furnish him with an occasion it was in his thoughts to go to the Neighbouring Islands of that Coast which were wholly destitute of Gospel Ministers God Almighty at that time reveal'd to him the Calamities which threatn'd Malacca both the Pestilence and the War with which it was
God he related to the Company that Prediction which was now accomplish'd and arose from the Table with the thoughts of a Christian who is disposing himself for death Having distributed his Goods betwixt his Children and the Poor he went to see his Friends and to give and take the last farewel Notwithstanding his great age he was in perfect health It was thought he doted and they endeavour'd to perswade him out of his melancholly apprehensions But their Arguments prevail'd so little on his mind that he gave orders for his own Funeral and invited his Friends to do him the last kind Office of accompanying his Corps to burial To content him and to make themselves merry at his folly they attended him into the Church In their presence he receiv'd the Viaticum and the Extream Vnction without being sick afterwards he laid himself upon the Beer and caus'd them to sing the Mass for the Dead The people gather'd in a crowd at the strangeness of the report some drawn by the novelty of the sight the rest to be Eyâ—witnesses how the Prediction of Father Xavier wou'd succeed Mass being ended the Priest attended by his Inferiours perform'd all the Ceremonies of the Church about the Grave and at length sung the last words belonging to a Christian burial over the old man who was alive and bore his part in the Responses There now remaining no more to do the Servant of Veglio coming to help his Master off the Beer he found him dead All the Assistants were witnesses of the matter of fact and evâ—ry one went home full of admiration of Gods Mercy towards this Merchant who had been so charitable and blessing the Memory of the holy Apostle of the Indies This was not the only Prophetical Light which Xavier had in the â—sle of Sâ—ncian A Ship which went from Macao to Iapan appear'd in sight of Sancian to be overtaken by a dreadful Hurricane The Portugueses who had great concernments in that Vessel being allarm'd at so inevitable a danger came running for comfort to Father Xavier But the Father assur'd them they had no cause of fear and that the Ship was safely arriv'd at her Port. They kept themselves quiet upon the assurance of his word till finding that the Ship made no return which was to stay at Iapan but some few days they gave her for lost Xavier reprov'd their want of Faith and positively told them that she shou'd come back before the week were ended In effect she return'd two days afterwards laden with rich Merchandises and proud of her escape from the fury of the Hurricane At the same time Xavier was inspir'd with the knowledge of the quarrel betwixt Don Alvarez de Atâ—yda Governour of Malacca and Don Bernard de Sosa who was newly arriv'd from the Molucca's and told the Circumstances of it to the Portugueses who having afterwards the particulars of it from some of Malacca were astonish'd to find them the very same which the Father had related This miraculous foreknowledge was accompany'd by actions as surprising and without speaking of a dead Infant which Xavier restor'd to life but whose Resurrection is without Circumstances in the Acts of the Saints Canonization he clear'd the Country of the Tygers which laid it waste These furious Beasts came in Herds together out of the Forrests and devour'd not only the Children but the Men also whom they found scatter'd in the Fields and out of distance from the Retrenchments which were made for their defence One night the Servant of God went out to meet the Tygers and when they came near him threw holy Water upon them commanding them to go back and never after to return The Commandment had its full effect the whole Herd betook themselves to flight and from that time forward no Tygers were ever seen upon the Island The joy which the Portugueses had conceiv'd at the arrival of Father Xavier was immediately changd to sadness when they understood that he had only taken Sancian in his way to China They all endeavour'd to dissuade him from it and set before his Eyes the rigorous Laws of that Government That the Ports were narrowly observ'd by vigilant and faithful Officers who were neither to be circumvented nor brib'd with Presents That the Mandarins were cruel to all strangers that the year before some Portuguese Sea-men being cast by Tempest on the Coast of Canton had been severely whip'd and afterwards inclos'd in dark Dungeons where if they were not already dead they were still exercis'd with new punishments that for himself the least he cou'd expect was perpetual imprisonment which was not the business of an Apostle who design'd to run from place to place and propagate the Faith through all the East These Arguments made no impression on the Saint He had fortify'd his Resolution with more potent Reasons and answer'd the Merchants in the same tenour in which he had written to Father Francis Perez That he cou'd not distrust the Divine Goodness and that his distrust wou'd be so much the more Criminal because the powerful inspiration of the holy Spirit push'd him forward to teach the Chineses the Gospel of the living God. I am elected said he for this great enterprise by the special Grace of Heaven If I shou'd demur on the execution or be terrify'd with the hardships and want courage to attempt those difficulties wou'd it not be incomparably worse than all the Evils with which you threaten me But what can the Demons and their Ministers do against me surely no more than what is permitted them by the Soveraign Lord of all the World. Add that in giving up my self in this manner I shall obey my Lord Jesus who declares in his Gospel That whosoever will save his life shall lose it and whoever will lose it for my sake shall find it Our Saâ—iour also says That he who having put his hand to the Plough shall look behind him is not sit for the Kingdom of Heaven The loss of the Body being then without comparison less to be fear'd than that of the Soul according to the Principles of eternal Wisdom I am resolv'd to sacrifice a frail and miserable life for everlasting happiness In fine I have set up my rest I will undertake this Voyage and nothing is capable of altering my resolution Let all the Powers of Hell break loose upon me I despise them provided God be on my side for if he be for us who shall be against us The Portugueses being of Opinion that this fix'd intention of the Man of God was partly grounded on his ignorance of the dangers which he believ'd they magnify'd to him beyond their natural proportion sent some Chinese Merchants with whom they traded to discourse the business calmly with him but the matter went otherwise than they had imagin'd Those Chineses to whom Xavier fail'd not to speak of Christianity and who were men of understanding advis'd him to the Voyage instead of disswading him they
mix'd with saving hope After this the Father kept the promise which he had made to the Physitian and took a greater care of his own preservation insomuch that his Fever abated by degrees and at length left him of it self but his strength was not yet recover'd when the Navy put to Sea again The Viceroy who began to find himself indispos'd wou'd make no longer stay upon a place so much infected nor attend the recovery of his People to continue his Voyage He desir'd Xavier to accompany him and to leave Paul de Camerino and Francis Mansilla to attend the Sick in the Hospital where indeed they both perform'd their duty as became them Thus having made a six months residence on Mozambique they embarqu'd once more on the 15th of March and in the year 1542. But they went not aboard the St. Iames in which they came thither changing her for a lighter Vessel which made better Sail. 'T is here proper to observe that the Father according to the report of the Passengers who came vvith him from Portugal to Mozambique began to manifest that Spirit of Prophecy which he had to the end of his days in so eminent a degree For hearing those of the St. Iames commend that Ship as a Vessel of the strongest built and the best equip'd of all the Fleet he said in express words that she vvou'd prove unfortunate And in effect that Ship which the Viceroy left behind him at Mozambique in the Company of some others pursuing her course afterwards to the Indies was driven against the Rocks and dash'd in pieces towards the Island of Salseta The Galeon which carried Sosa and Xavier had the wind so favourable that in tvvo or three days she arriv'd at Melinda on the Coast of Affrick tovvards the Equinoctial Line 'T is a Town of Saracens on the Sea side in a flat Country well cultivated planted all along with Palm-trees and beautified with fair Gardens It has a large enclosure and is fortify'd with Walls after the European fashion Tho the building is Moresque the Houses notwithstanding are both pleasant and convenient The Inhabitants are warlike they are black and go naked excepting only that they are cover'd with a kind of an Apron of Cotton or Linnen from the wast to the mid thigh And indeed the heat of their Clymat will permit them to wear no more Melinda being distant from the Line but three degrees and some few minutes They have always maintain'd a good correspondence with the Portuguese by reason of the Commerce establish'd betwixt them The Flag of Portugal was no sooner seen but the Saracen King came down to the Port attended by the most honourable Persons of his Court to receive the new Governour of the Indies The first object which presented it self to Father Francis when he stept ashore drew tears from his eyes but they were tears of joy and pity mingled together The Portuguese having there a constant trade and now and then some of them hapning to dye are allow'd a Burying-place near the Town full of Crosses set upon their Graves according to the custome of the Catholiques And above the rest there was a very large one of hewn stone plac'd in the middle and all over gilded The Saint ran to it and ador'd before it receiving an inward consolation to behold it rais'd so high and as it were triumphing amongst the Enemies of Iesus Christ. But at the same time he was sensibly afflicted that this sign of our Salvation serv'd less to â—diâ—iâ— the Living than to honour the memory of the Dead And lifting up his hands to Heaven he besought the Father of all Mercies to imprint in the hearts of the Infidels that Cross which they had suffer'd to be planted on their ground His next thoughts prompted him to conâ—er of Religion with the Moors that he might endeavour to shew them the extravagancies of the Mahometan Belief and gain an opportunity of revealing to them the eternal truths of Christian faith One of the Principal Inhabitants and wonderâ—ully bigotted to his Sect prevented him and immediately demanded of him if Piety were not wholly extinguish'd in the Towns of Europe as it was in Melinda For to confess the truth said he of seventeen Mosques which we have fourteen are quite forsaken there are but three remaining at which we pay our Devotions and even those three are but little visited and by few Persons This proceeds without all question added the Mahometan from some enormous sin but what it is I know not and whatsoever reflections I can make I am not able to find what has drawn upon us so dreadful a misfortune There is nothing more clear reply'd Xavier God who detests the Prayer of Insidels has permitted a worship to moulder away which is displeasâ—ng to him and gives you thence to understand that he condemns your Sect. The Sacraâ—en was not satisfy'd with this reason nor with any other argument which Xavier us'd against the Alcoran While they were thus disputing a Caciz or Doctour of the Law join'd company with them having made the same complaint concerning the Mosquees how little they were frequented and how cold was grown the devotion of the People I have taken my measures said he and if in two years Mahomet comes not in Person to visit the Congregations of the Faithful who acknowledge him for God's true Prophet I will certainly look out for some other Religion Xavier took pity on the folly of the Caciz and endeavour'd all he cou'd to convert him at that instant from Mahometanism but he cou'd not prevail upon an obstinate mind blinded with the opinion of its own reason and therefore the Father acquies'd in the Decrees of that Providence which hasfix'd the times and revolutions for the conversion of Inâ—idels and Sinners Having left Melinda where they continued but few days and still coasting Affrica they cast Anchor at Socotora which is beyond Cape Guardafu and over against the Streight of Mecca The Moors of that Country call it the Isle of Amazons and the reason they alledge is because it is govern'd by Women The Inhabitants believe their Isle to be the Earthly Paradise which notwithstanding there is scarcely to be found in all the World a spot of ground less deserving that glorious Title The Air is in a perpetual â—ultry heat the Soyl is dry and barren and excepting only for the Aloes which is there produc'd and is indeed the best which grows in those Eastern Parts even the name of Socotora wou'd not be mention'd 'T is not certainly known what Religion they prosess so monstrous is their Belief They hold from the Saracens the Worship of Mahomet from the Iews the use of Circumcision and Sacrifices and yet give themselves the name of Christians The Males bear the name of some or other of the Apostles the most part of the Women are call'd Mary and yet they have no knowledge of Baptism They adore the Cross and hang it in
to leave him in writing these following Rules before his departure to Iapan See here my dear Brother the from of life which you are constantly to practise every day In the morning as soon as you are awaken'd prepare your self to meditate on some Mystery of our Lord beginning from his holy Nativity and continuing to his glorious Ascension the Subjects of the Meditations are mark'd and put in Order in the Book of Exercises Employ at the least half an hour in Prayers and apply your self to it with all those interiour dispositions which you may remember you practis'd in your retirement of a month Consider every day one Mystery in such manner that if for Example on Monday the Birth of our Saviour was the Subject of your Meditation that of his Circumcision shall be for Tuesday and so in course 'till in a months time having run through all the actions of Iesus Christ you come to contemplate him ascending into Heaven in Triumph You are every Month to begin these Meditations again in the same order At the end of every Meditation you shall renew your Vows of Poverty Chastity and Obedience to which you have oblig'd your self You shall make them I say a-new and offer them to God with the same servenâ—y wherewith you first made them This renewing of your Vows will weaken in you the motions of Concupiscence and render all the Powers of Hell less capable of hurting you for which reason I am of opinion that you ought never to omit them After Dinner you shall resume your mornings Prayer and reflect on the same Mystery half an hour you shall also renew your Vows at the end of your Meditation You are to employ your self in this manner interiourly through all the variety of your outward business giving an hour in every day to the consideration of the most holy life of our Lord Iesus in whatsoever Affair or in whatsoever Incumbrance you are ingag'd You may practise this with most convenience by allowing half an hour in the morning and another half in the afternoon according to my direction Before you lie down at night examine well your Conscience in calling over your thoughts words and actions of all the day and even observing if you have not fail'd of doing something which it was your duty to have done let this discussion be as exact as if you were just ready to Confess your self After you have conceiv'd a most lively sorrow for your faults by the motive of God's love you shall humbly ask Pardon of Iesus Christ and vow amendment to him In fine you shall so dispose your self to rest that your sleep may come upon you in thoughts of Piety and in resolutions of passing the next day with greater holiness On the morrow at your waking think on the Sins which you observ'd in the examen of the night before and while you are putting on your Cloaths ask the assistance of Gods Grace that you may not that day relapse into your yesterdays offences Then perform your mornings Meditation and proceed through your whole days work as I have order'd you â— But be so punctual and so constant in all these spiritual practices that nothing but sickness cause you to forbear them For if when you are in health you shou'd deferr or leave them off under some pretence of business be sure you make a scruple of it and let not the day pass over you till in the presence of your Brethren you confess your fault and of your own free motion demand Penance for having omitted or neglected that which was so strictly commanded by your Superiour For what remains whatsoever you do or in whatsoever condition of Spirit you may be labour with all your power still to overcome your self Subdue your Passions embrace what is most abhorring to your sense repress all natural desire of Glory most especially and spare not your self in that particular till you have torn out of your Heart the very Roots of Pride not only suffering your self to be debas'd beneath all men but being glad to be despis'd For hold this for certain that without this Humility and Mortification you can neither advance in Vertue nor serve your Neighbour as you ought nor be acceptable to God nor to conclude all persevere in the Society of Iesus Obey in all things the Father with whom you live and however displeasing or difficult the things may be which he commands you perform them with much chearfulness never opposing his Orders nor making any exceptions on your part on any account whatsoever In fine hearken to him and suffer your self to be directed in all things by him as if Father Ignatius were personally present speaking to you and directing you With whatsoever temptations you shall find your self assaulted discover them all sincerely to him who governs you and remain perswaded that this is the only means of subduing them Besides this advantage there accrue other spiritual proâ—its in making known the secret motions of your Heart for the violence which you do to your self to surmount that natural shamefac'dness which hinders you from acknowledging your Imperfections and Frailties draws down the Grace of God upon you And on the other side This Overture and Franckness of your Heart ruins the designs of the evil Spirit who can never do mischief but when he is in disguise but when once discover'd is so far disarm'd and despicably weak that they for whom he lies in ambush laugh at him ' â—was in this manner that the holy Apostle Francis Xavier instructed the young men of the Society and nothing perhaps cou'd better explain to us the great resemblance that was betwixt the Souls of Xavier and Ignatius At this time there came news from Iapan and some Letters reported That one of the Kings of that Island had desir'd some Preachers to be sent to him by an express Embassy to the Viceroy of the Indies That this King had learnt somewhat of the Christian Law and that a strange accident had made him desirous of knowing more This accident was related in those Letters after this following manner Some Portuguese Merchants being landing at the Port belonging of the Capital City of one of those Kingdoms of Iapan were lodg'd by the King's order in a forsaken House which was thought to be haunted by evil Spirits the common opinion was not ill grounded and the Portugueses soon perceiv'd that their Lodging was disturb'd They heard a horrible rumbling all the night they felt themselves pull'd out of their Beds and beaten in their sleep without seeing any one One night being awaken'd at the cry of one of their Servants and running with their Arms towards the place from whence the noise was heard they founâ— the Servant on the ground trembling for fear They ask'd him the occasion of his out-cry and why he shook in that manner He answer'd That he had seen a frightful Apparition such a one as Painters use to draw for the picture of the
formerly Another Christian bore them company that Laurence â—irnam'd the Squint-ey'd because of that imperfection in his sight The Father walk'd chearfully with his five Companions as far as Pinlaschau a Village distant a League or two from Figen Arriving there he found himself so spent with travelling that his Feet were swollen and he was seiz'd with a violent Headach so that the cou'd go no farther Matthew Laurence and Bernard went on to carry news of him to the Vessel When Edward de Gama understood that the holy Man was so near he call'd together all the Portugueses who resided at Fucheo and having chosen out the Principal amongst them got on Horseback with them to pay him their Respects in Ceremony Xavier whom a little rest had now recruited and who was suspicious of the Honour which they intended him was already on his Journey but fell into that Ambush of Civility which he wou'd willingly have shunn'd The Cavalcade came up to him within a Leagues distance of Figen and found him walking betwixt the two Lords of Amanguchi who had never left him and himself carrying his own Equipage Gama was surpris'd to see a person so considerable in the World in such a posture and alighting from his Horse with all his Company saluted him with all manner of respect After the first Complements were over they invited the Father to mount on Horseback but he cou'd not be perswaded so that the Portugueses giving their Horses to be led after them bore him company on foot even to the Port. The Ship was equipp'd in all its flourish with Flags hung out and Streamers waveing according to the Orders of the Captain They who were remaining in her appear'd on the Decks and stood glittering in their Armour They gave him a Volley at his first approach and then discharg'd all their Cannon Four rounds of the Artillery being made the noise of it was heard so distinctly at Fucheo that the City was in a fright and the King imagin'd that the Portugueses were attack'd by certain Pyrates who lately had pillag'd all the Coasts To clear his Doubts he dispatch'd away a Gentleman of his Court to the Ship 's Captain Gama shewing Father Francis to the Messenger told him that the noise which had allarm'd the Court was only a small testimony of the honour which was owing to so great a Person one so dear to Heaven and so much esteem'd in the Court of Portâ—gal The Iapanner who saw nothing but poverty in the person of the Father and remember'd what had been written of him from Amanguchi stop'd a little without speaking then with amazement in his face I am in pain said he what answer I shall return my Prince for what you tell me has no correspondence either with that which I behold or with the account we have receiv'd from the Bonza's of Amanguchi who have seen your Father Bonza entertain a familiar Spirit who taught him to cast lots and perform certain magical operations to delude the ignorant They report him to be a Wretch forsaken and accurst by all the World that the Vermin which are swarming all over him are too nice to feed on his infectious flesh besides which I fear that if I shou'd relate what you say concerning him our Priests wou'd be taken either for Ideots or men of false Understanding or for envious Persons and Impostours Then Gama replying told the Iaponian all that was necessary to give him a good impression of the Saint and to hinder him from contempt of his mean appearance On this last Article he declar'd to him that he who had so despicable an outside was of noble blood that fortune had provided him wâ—th wealth but that his vertue had made him poor and that his willful want of all things was the effect of a great Spirit which despis'd those empty pomps that are so eagerly desir'd by Mankind This Discourse ravish'd the Iapanner with admiration he made a faithful relation of it to his King and added of himself that the Portugueses were more happy in the possession of this holy man than if their Vessel were laden with Ingots of Gold. The King of Bungo had already heard speak of Father Francis and gave no credit to what the Bonza's of Amanguchi had written of him He was a Prince of five and twenty years of age very judicious generous and civil but too much ingag'd in carnal pleasures after the manner of the Iaponian Princes What he had heard from the relation of the Messenger increas'd his longing to behold Xavier and the same day he writ to him in these very terms FATHER Bonza of Chimahicoghin for by that name they call Portugal may your happy arrival in my Estates be as pleasing to your God as are the Praises wherewith he is honour'd by his Saints Quansyonoâ—ama my Domestick Servant whom I sent to the Port of Figen tells me that you are arriv'd from Amanguchi and all my Court will bear me witness with what pleasure I receiv'd the news As God has not made me worthy to command you I earnestly request you to come before the rising of the Sun to â—orrow and to knock at my Palace Gate where I shall impatiently attend you And permit me to demand this favour of you â—ithout being thought a troublesome Beggar In the mean time Prostrate on the ground and on my knees before your God whom I acknowledge for the God of all the Gods the Soveraign of the best and greatest which inhabit in the Heavens I desire of him I say to make known to the haughty of the world how much your poor and holy life is pleasing to him to the end that the Children of our flesh may not be deceiv'd by the false promises of the earth Send me news of your holiness the joy of which may give me a good nights repose 'till the Cocks awaken me with the welcom declaration of your visit This Letter vvas carried by a young Prince of the blood Royal attended by thirty young Lords belonging to the Court and accompani'd by a venerable Old Man vvho was his Governour call'd Poomendono one of the vvisest and most qualifi'd of all the Kingdom and natural Brother to the King of Minato The honour which vvas paid by the Portugueses to Father Xavier so surpriz'd the Prince that turning to his Governour he said aloud The God of these People must be truly great and his counsels hidden from Mankind since it is pleasure that these wealthy Ships shou'd be obedient to so poor a man as is this Bonza of the Portuguese and that the roaring of their Cannon shou'd declare that Poverty has wherewithall to be pleasing to the Lord of all the world even that Poverty which is so despicable of it self and so disgraceful in the general opinion that it seems even a crime to think of it Though we have a horrour for Poverty reply'd Poomendono and that vvâ— believe the Poor unâ—apable of happiness it may
in favour of the dead since the Rich found their accompt in them and that they had their return of their money with Usury in Heaven The Father answer'd that the right we had to a better world was founded not on those deceitful Letters but on the good works which are practis'd with the Faith and Doctrine which he preach'd That he who inspir'd it into our Souls was Iesus Christ the true and only Son of God who was Crucify'd for the Salvation of Sinners and that they who preserv'd that living Faith 'till death shou'd certainly obtain Eternal happiness that for what remain'd this holy Law was free from worldly interest and that it excluded not from Heaven either the poor or Women that even poverty which is patiently endur'd was a means of gaining the Kingdom of Heaven and that the weaker Sex had greater advantages than ours by reason of that modesty and piety which is almost inherent in their nature The applause which follow'd this discourse was general only Fucarandono and his Companions who had not wherewith to reply and yet were too obstinate to recant kept a discontented silence It was judg'd that Xavier's Opinion was the more reasonable and the dispute adjourn'd to the day following These ill successes wou'd have driven the Bonza to despair if his presumption had not kept up his Spirits he return'd at the time appointed but as if he distructed his own strength as presuming as he was he brought with him six other Bonza's the most learned amongst them and chosen out of all their Sects not to be bare Spectatours of the Combat but to relieve each other and to charge every one in his turn At the first they propounded very subtile questions concerning the Mysteries of our Faith Father Xavier was surpris'd at the hearing of them and as those questions which are not reported by the Portuguese particularly were in all likelihood above the knowledge of the Pagans he was almost induc'd to think the Devil had suggested them at the least he acknowledg'd that to solve them he needed an extraordinary assistance from above and desir'd the Portugueses to second him with their Prayers during the disputation whether he receiv'd that supernatural assistance or that those difficulties did not so much surpass his knowledge as he had thought he answer'd to the satisfaction of the whole Assembly When Judgment was pass'd that those questions were fully decided one of the Bonza's whose heart was wholly set on riches and who believ'd that there was nothing more charming in the World than Gold and Silver undertook to prove that God was an Enemy to the Poor For said the Bonza since he denys them those blessings which he bountifull gives the Rich and in causing them to be born in a mean condition exposes them to all the Miseries and ignominy of life is it not a sign that he has neither kindness nor value for them Xavier deny'd the Consequence of that proposition and argu'd both from the Principles of Morality which look on Riches as false goods and out of the grounds of Christianity which in respect of Salvation count them true evils he reason'd thereupon so justly and withal so clearly that his Adversaries were forc'd to give up the cause according to the Relation of the Portuguese who was witness of it After this they advanc'd such extravagant and mad Propositions that they cost the Father no trouble to confute for they destroy'd themselves But the most pleasant part of this days work was that the seven Bonza's not being able to agree on some points of Doctrine fell â—oul on each other and wrangled with so much heat and violence that at last they came to down-right railing and had proceeded to blows if the King had not interpos'd his Authority which frighten'd them into quiet This was the end of that days disputation and nothing more confirm'd the minds of the Auditors on the side of Xavier than to see his Adversaries at Civil Wars amongst themselves The King going out of his Palace the next morning with a great attendance to walk in the Town according to his custom and passing by the house where the Portugueses lodg'd sent a message to the holy man desiring him to come to his Gardens where he wou'd shew him sport provided he came well arm'd for he was to kill with one blow two Kites or Puttocks at the least out of those seven which yesterday endeavour'd to have pull'd out his eyes Xavier who easily understood his meaning came out to pay him his respects and to acknowledge the honour which was done him The King took him by the hand and led him to the Palace amidst the acclamations of the People The seven Bonza's represented by the seven Kites were already in the Hall with a confirm'd impudence and so much the more haughty as they had the less reason so to be according to the usual character of vain and self-opinion'd men The first step they made in order to a new dispute was to enter a protestation in writing against the judgment and proceedings of the former day wherein they declar'd void the sentence of the Umpires appeal'd from them and set forth new objections and difficulties upon the questions formerly debated The King answer'd himself that those Points which had been decided had no need of any further explanation and that they were already ty'd up by the Conditions of the Conference which both Parties had accepted He added that Father Xavier was ready to go on Ship-board and that it was not reasonable to lose time by fruitless repetitions but if they had any nâ—w questions to propose let them begin and they shou'd be heard if not they had free licence to depart This positive answer constrain'd them to supersede their writing and to pitch on other matters Fucarandono affecting an air of devotion and modest ask'd Why the Christians gave obsceâ—e names tâ— the Saints in Paradise whensoever theâ— invok'd them in their publick Prayers giving him to understand that Sancte in the Japonian Language signify'd something too dishonest to be spoken The Father declar'd that the word in Latine had only a pure and pious meaning Nevertheless that it might not give scandal nor pollute the imagination of the Iapâ—nians by an equivocal sound he order'd the new Christians from thenceforward to use the word Beate instead of it and to say Beate Petre Beate Paule in the room of Sancte Petre Sancte Paule Concerning the name of God the Bonza's wou'd also have fastned a quarrel on the Father because Dajus in their Tongue signifies a Lie. He laugh'd at this ridiculous exception which was in effect a meer jingle and the Judges and Audience concluded it to be no more Three other points on which the Boza's more insisted were thought to be more solid and of greater consequence The first was propos'd on this manner Either God foresaw that Lucifer and his Accomplices wou'd revolt and be
satisfy'd of the holiness of the Saint and not being able to endure that it shou'd be doubted in the least In like manner neither wouâ—d they stay till all the Ecclesiastical proceedings were wholly ended nor till the holy See had first spoken of rendring him the worship due to Saints they invok'd him already in their necessities and particularly in all sorts of dangers Some of them plac'd his Picture in their Oratories and even the Archbishop of Goa Don Christopher de Lisboâ—ne for the Episcopal See had been erected into an Arch-bishoprick the Archbishop I say wore on his Breast an Image of Xavier in little which he often kiss'd with a reverent Aâ—â—ection and his Devotion was not without Reward for having been cruelly tormented with the Stone for a Month together he was freed immediately from it and felt not any farther pains It also happen'd that in many places of the Indies the new Converts built Churches in honour of Father Francis through a precipitate and indiscreet Devotion which their good meaning and their zeal are only capable of excusing Amongst those Churches there was one much celebrated on the Coast of Traâ—â—â—cor The Saracens having demolish'd it together with eleven other ancient Structures of Piety the Christians who by reason of their poverty were not able to rebuild them all restor'd only this one Church which was dearer to them than any of the rest For what remains in what place soever any Churches wâ—re dedicated to the Father there never â—ail'd a wonderful concourse of people to honour the Memory of the holy Man and according to the relation of Francis Nugnez Vicar of Coulan they were oblig'd to sink a Well â—or the relieâ— of poor Pilgrims near the Church which was built in honour of him at that Town Nugnez also reports That those which had been consecrated to the Apostles and other Saints in a manner lost their Titles when once the Image of St. Xavier was there expos'd and that the people turning all their Devotion towards him were wont to call them the Churches of Father Francis. But what was most to be admir'd even the profest Enemies of Iesus Christ pay'd him reverence after his decease as well as during his life calling him the Man of Prodigies the Friend of Heaven the Master of Nature and the God of the World. Some of them undertook long Voyages and came to Goa expresly to behold his Body exempted from Corruption and which only excepting motion had all the appearances of life There were amongst the Gentiles who spoke of raising Altars to him and some people of the Sect of Mahomet did in effect dedicate a Mosque to him on the Western Coast of Comorine The King of Travâ—â—cor though a Mâ—hometan built a magnificent Temple to him and the Infidelâ— had so great a veneration for that place where the Great Father was ador'd that they durst not spet upon the ground iâ— we may believe the Testimony of those who were Natives of the Country The Pagans had a Custom that in confirmation of a Truth they wou'd hold a red hot Iron in their Hands with other Superstitions of the like nature but after that Father Francis came to be held in so great veneration through the Indies they swore solemnly by his name and such an Oath was generally receiv'd for the highest attestation of a truth Neither did any of them forswear themselves unpunish'd after such an Oath And God authoris'd by many proofs this religious practice even by manifest prodigies Behold a terrible example of it An Idolater ow'd a Christian a considerable sum of Money But as he deny'd his debt and no legal proof cou'd be made of it the Christian oblig'd him to swear in the Church upon the Image of St. Francis The Idolater made a false Oath without the least scruple but was scarcely got into his own House when he began to void Blood in abundance at his Mouth and dy'd in a raging fit of madness which had the resemblance of a Man possest rather than of one who was distracted Neither was his Memory less honour'd in Iapan than in the Indies The Christians of the Kingdom of Saxuma kept religiously a Stone on which he had often preach'd and shew'd it as a precious rarity The House wherein he had lodg'd at Amanguchi was respected as a sacred place and was always preserv'd from ruine amidst those bloody Wars which more than once had destroy'd the Town For what remains the Indians and Iaponians were not the only people which honour'd Father Xavier after his decease the Odour of his holy life expanded it â—elf beyond the Seas into other Heathen Countries where he had never been And Alphonso Leon Barbâ—da who has travell'd over all the Coasts of Africk reports that in the Kingdoms of Sofala beyond the great River of Cuama and in the Isles about it the name of Father Francis was in high repute and that those Moors never mention'd him but with the addition of a wonderful Man. So many illustrious testimonies and so far above suspition ingag'd the King of Portugal anew to sollicite the Canonization of the Saint and in that prospect there was made an ample collection of his Vertues of which I present you with this following Extract No exteriour employments how many or how great soever cou'd divert the Father from the contemplation of coelestial things Being at Goa his ordinary retirement after Dinner was into the Clock-house of the Church to avoid the intâ—rruption of any person and there during the space of two hours he had a close communication with his God. But because he was not always Master of himself on those occasions so as to regulate his time and that he was sometimes oblig'd to leave his privacy he commanded a young man of the Seminary of Sainte Foy whose name was Andrew to come and give him notice whâ—n the two hours to which he was limited were expir'd One day when the Father was to speak with the Viceroy Andrew being come to advertise him found him seated on a little Chair his Hands across his Breast and his Eyes fix'd on Heaven When he had look'd on him a while attentively he at length call'd him but finding that the Father answer'd not he spoke yet louder and made a noise All this was to no purpose Xavier continu'd immoveable and Andrew went his way having some scruple to disturb the quiet of a Man who had the appearance of an Angle and seem'd to enjoy the pleasures of the Souls in Paradise He return'd nevertheless about two hours after and found him still in the same posture The young man â—earing that he shou'd not comply with duâ—y if coming the second time he shoâ—â—d not make himself be heard bâ—gan to pull the Father and to jogg him Xavier at length returning to himself was in a wonder at the first that two hours shou'd so soon be slipp'd away but coming to know that he had remain'd in that place
â—olledge of Goa to read frequently the Instructions which I have left with you particularly those which concern Humility and take an especial care in considering what God has done by you and by all the Labourers of the Society that you do not forget your self For my own particular I shou'd he glad that all of you wou'd seriously think how many things God leaves undone because you are wanting to him in your Fidelity and I wou'd rather that consideration shou'd employ your thoughts than those great works which it has pleas'd our Lord to accomplish by your Ministry for the first reflection will cover you with Confusion and make you mindful of your weakness but instead of that the second will puff you up with Vanity and expose you to the danger of having thoughts of Arrogance This well grounded humility in Xavier was the Principle of a perfect submission to the Will of God. He never undertook any thing without consulting him before-hand and the Divine Decrees were his only Rule I have made continual Prayers says he speaking of his Voyage to Macassar to know what Heaven requires of me for I was firmly resolv'd not to be wanting on my part to fulfil the Will of God whensoever it shou'd be made known to me May it please our Lord said he on the same subject that out of his goodness we might understand what he designs by us to the end we might entirely conform our selves to his holy Will so soon as it shall be discover'd to us For he commands us to be always in a readiness to obey him at the first signal and it becomes us to be as strangers in this World always prepar'd to follow the voice of our Conductor I wish said he in another place that God wou'd declare to us his most holy Will concerning the Ministries and Countries where I may best employ my labours for his glory I am ready by his Grace to execute those things which he makes me understand to be most pleasing to him of whatsoever nature they may be and undoubtedly he has admirable means of signifying his good pleasure to us such as are our inward Sentiments and heavenly Illuminations which leave no remaining scruple concerning the place to which he has design'd us nor what we are to undertake for his Service For we are like Travellers not fix'd to any Country through which we pass 'T is our duty to be prepar'd to fly from one Region to another or rather into opposite Regions where the Voice of Heaven shall please to call us East and West North and South are all indifferent to me provided I may have an opportunity of advancing the Glory of our Lord. He says elsewhere I cou'd wish that you had ever in your mind this Meditation that a ready and obedient Will which is entirely devoted to Gods service is a more pleasing sacrifice to the Divine Mâ—jesty than all the pomp and glitter of our noisy actions without that interiour disposition Being throughly convinc'd that the perfection of the Creature consists in willing nothing but the Will of the Creator he spoke incessantly of God's good pleasure and concluded almost all his Letters with his desires of knowing and fulfilling it He sacrifiâ—'d all to that Principle even his ardent wishes to die for Iesus by the hands of thâ— Barbrians for though he breath'd after Mâ—â—tyrdom he well understood tha◠〈◊〉 tender of our life is not 〈◊〉 to God when he requires it not and he was more fearful of displeasing him than desirous of being a Martyr for him So that he dy'd satisfy'd when he expir'd in a poor Cabin of a natural death though he was at that very time on the point of carrying the Faith into the Kingdom of China Anâ— it may be therefore said That he sacrifis'd not only his own Glory but even that of Iesus Christ to the good pleasure of God Almighty A man so submissive to the Orders of Heaven cou'd not possibly want submission in regard of his Superiour who was to him in the place of God. He had for Father Ignatius General of the Society of Iesus a Veneration and Reverence mix'd with Tenderness which surpass Imagination He himself has express'd some part of his thoughts on that Subject and we cannot read them without being edify'd In one of his Letters which begins in this manner My only dear Father in the Bowels of Jesus Christ he says at the Conclusion Father of my Soul for whom I have a most profound respect I write this to you upon my Knees as if you were present and that I beheld you with my Eyes It was his Custom to write to him in that posture so high was the place which Ignatius held within his heart God is my witness my dearest Father says he in another Letter how much I wish to behold you in this life that I might communicate to you many matters which cannot be remedy'd without your aid for there is no distance of places which can hinder me from obeying you I conjure you my best Father to have some little consideration of us who are in the Indies and who are your Children I conjure you I say to send hither some holy Man whose fervour may excite our lazy faintness I hope for the rest that as you know the bottom of our Souls by an illumination from Heaven you will not be wanting to supply us with the means of awakening our languishing and drowzy Vertue and of inspiring us with the love of true perfection In another of his Letters which is thus superscrib'd To Ignatius my holy Father in Jesus Christ he sends him word That the Letter which he receiv'd from his holy Charity at his return from Iapan had replenish'd him with joy and that particularly he was most tenderly affected with the last words of it I am all yours yours even to that degree that it is impossible for me to forget you Ignatius When I had read those words said he the tears came flowing into my Eyes and gushing out of them which makes me that I cannot forbear writing them and recalling to my Memory that sincere and holy Friendship which you always had and still have for me nothing doubting but that if God has deliver'd me from so many dangers it has principally proceeded from your fatherly intercessions for me He calls himself his Son in all his Letters and thus subscribes himself in one The least of your Children and most distant from you Francis Xavier But the high Idea's which Francis had of Ignatius caus'd him frequently to ask his advice in relation to his own conduct You will do a charitable work said he in writing to me a Letter full of spiritual Instructions as a Legacy bequeath'd to one who is the least of all your Children at the farthest distance from you and who is as it were banish'd from your presence by which I may partake some part of those abundant treasures which Heaven has heap'd
Society The Saint was one day publickly expos'd with his Feet bare at the importunity of the people who through Devotion petition'd to kiss them A Woman who passionately desir'd to have a Relick of Xavier drawing near as if it were to have kiss'd his Foot. fasten'd her Teeth in it and bit off a little piece of Flesh. The Blood immediately ran in great abundance out of it and of so pure a Crimson that the most healthful Bodies cou'd not send out a more living colour The Physicians who visited the Corps from time to time and who always depos'd that there cou'd be nothing of natural in what they saw judg'd that the Blood which came from a Body depriv'd of heat and issu'd from a part so distant from the heart as is the Foot cou'd be no other than the effect of a Celestial Vertue which not only preserv'd all parts of it from putrefaction but also caus'd the humours to flow and maintain'd them in the motion which only life infuses in them So many wonders which spread through all the East and were transmitted into every part of Europe so mov'd the Heart of Paul the Fifth that he finally perform'd what his Predecessour had design'd After a Juridical Examen of the Virtues and Miracles above mention'd he declar'd Beatify'd Francis Xavier Priest of the Society of Iesus by an express Bull dated the 25th of October in the year 1619. Gregory the Fifteenth who immediately succeeded Pope Paul the Fifth Canoniz'd him afterwards in all the forms and with all the procedures which the Church observes on the like occasions The Ceremony was perform'd at Rome on the 12th of March in the year 1622. But as death prevented him from making the Bull of the Canonization it was his Successour Vrban the Eighth who finally accomplish'd it This Bull bearing date the sixth of August in the year 1623 is an Epitome and Panegyrick of the miraculous life of the Saint It is there said That the new Apostle of the Indies has spiritually receiv'd the Blessing which God vouchsafed to the Patriarch Abraham that he was the Father of many Nations and that he saw his Children in Jesus Christ multiply'd beyond the Stars of Heaven and the Sands of the Sea. That for the rest his Apostleship has had the signs of a Divine Vocation such as are the gift of Tongues the gift of Prophecy the gift of Miracles with the Evangelical vertues in all perfection The Bull reports almost all the Miracles which we have seen in his Life particularly the Resurrections of the Dead and amongst other miraculous Cures which were wrought after his decease it observes those of Gonsalvo Fernandâ—z Mary Diaz and Emanuel Rodriguez Figheredo It also mentions two famous Cures of which we have said nothing One is of a blind man who having pray'd to God nine days successively by the order of Xavier who appear'd to him instantly recover'd his sight The other was of a Leper who being anointed and rub'd over with the Oyl of a Lamp which burn'd before the Image of Xavier was entirely cur'd The Pope has added in his Bull That the Lamps which hung before the Image which was venerated at Cotata often burn'd with Holy-water as if they had been full of Oyl to the great astonishment of the Heathens The other Miracles which we have related and which are omitted in the Bull are contain'd in the Acts of the process of the Canonization Since the time that the holy See has plac'd the Apostle of the Indies in the number of the Saints 't is incredible how much the publick Devotion has every where been augmented towards him Cities have taken him for their Patron and Protectour Altars have been erected and incessant Vowa have been made to him Men have visited his Tomb with more devotion than ever and the Chamber wherein he was born has been converted into a Chappel to which Pilgrims have resorted in great crowds from all the quarters of the World. For the rest it was not in vain that they invok'd him and if I shou'd take upon me to relate the Miracles which have been lately done through his Intercession they wou'd take up another Volume as large as this Neither shall I go about to make a recital of what things were wrought in succeeding years at Poâ—amo and Naples but shall content my self to say that in those places God was pleas'd to honour his Servant by the performance of such wonders as might seem incredible if those which preceded had not accustom'd us to believe all things of St. Xavier I shall even forbear to speak of the famous Father Mastrilli who being in the agony of death was cur'd on the instant by the Saint and who going to Iapan by the Ordâ—r of the Saint himself to be there Martyr'd built him a magnificent Sepulcher at Goa 'T is enough for us to know that never Saint has been perhaps more honour'd nor more lov'd in the Church than St. Francis Xavier and that even the Enemies of the Society of Iesus have had a veneration and tenderness for him But these Opinions are not conâ—in'd to Catholicks alone the very Hereticks revere Xavier and Baldeus speaks of him in these terms in his History of the Indies If the Religion of Xavier agree'd with ours we ought to esteem and reverence him as another St. Paul yet notwithstanding the difference of Religion his zeal his vigilance and the sanctity of his manners ought to stir up all good men not to do the work of God negligently for the gifts which Xavier had receiv'd to execute the Office of a Minister and Ambassadour of Jesus Christ were so eminent that my Soul is not able to express them If I consider the patience and sweetness wherewith he presented both to great and small the holy and living waters of the Gospel if I regard the courage wherewith the suffer'd injuries and affronts I am forc'd to cry out with the Apostle Who is capable like him of these wonderful things Baldeus concludes the Panegyrick of the Saint with an Apostrophe to the Saint himself Might it please Almighty God says he that being what you have been you had been or wou'd have been one of ours Richard Hackluyt also a Protestant and which is more a Minister of England commends Xavier without restriction Sancian says he is an Island in the confines of China and near the Port of Canton famous for the death of Francis Xavier that worthy Preacher of the Gospel and that divine Teacher of the Indians in what concerns Religion who after great labours after many injuries and infinite crosses undergone with great patience and joy dy'd in a Cabin on a desart Mountain on the 2d of September in the year 1552 destitute of all worldly conveniences but accumulated with all sorts of spiritual blossings having first made known Jesus Christ to many thousands of those Eastern People The modern Histories of the Indies are fill'd with