instructions and promis'd so to mediate in their favour with the Viceroy of the Indies that they shou'd have no occasion of repenting themselves for having abandon'd all things for the sake of Iesus Christ. When the King of Iafanatapan had notice of the flight of his Son and Nephew he broke out into new fury against the Christians and put to death great numbers of them Being apprehensive that his Brother from whom he had usurp'd the Crown and who now led a wandring life might possibly change his Religion also and beg protection from the Portuguese he sent Officers round about with orders to bring him into his Hands or at the least to bring back his Head. But he fail'd of getting him in his power either alive or dead For this unhappy Prince attended by ten Horsmen having pass'd to Negapatan came by Land to Goa after having suffer'd extream hardships in a Journey of more than two hundred Leagues Father Xavier who was inform'd of all these proceedings thought it necessary to make advantage of these favourable opportunities without loss of time He consider'd with what perfection Christians might live in a Kingdom where they dy'd so generously for the Faith with so imperfect a knowledge of it On the other side he judg'd that if the injustice and cruelty of the Tyrant remain'd unpunish'd what an inducement it might be to other Idolatrous Kings for them to persecute the new Converts in their turn That the only means for repairing the past and obviating future mischiefs was to dispossess the Tyrant of the Crown which he so unjustly wore and restore it to his Brother to whom it rightfully belong'd That for these Considerations recourse ought to be had to the Portuguese to ingage them by a principle of Religion to take Arms against the Usurper of the Kingdom and the Persecutour of the Christians In order to this the Father caus'd Mâ—nsilla to be recall'd from the Coast of Fishery and having intrusted him with the care of Christianity in Travancor took his way by Land to Cambaya where the Viceroy of the Indies then resided Besides these reasons relating to the King of Iafanatapan the Saint had other Motives which oblig'd him to take this Journey The greatest part of the Eurâ—peans who were in the Indies and chiefly the Officers of the Crown of Portugal liv'd after so infamous a manner that they made the Christian Faith appear odious and scandaliz'd alike both the Idolaters and the Faithful The publick Worship of the Pagods was tolerated at Goa and the Sect of the Brachmans daily increas'd in Power because those Pagan Priests had brib'd the Portuguese Officers The people profess'd Heathenism freely provided they made exact payments of their Tribute as if they had been conquer'd only for the sake of gain Publick Offices were sold to Saracens and the Christian Natives stood excluded for want of Money which does all things with corrupt Ministers The Receivers of the Kings Revenues who were to pay the Paravas of the Coast of Fishery constrain'd those poor Fishers to deliver their Pearls almost for nothing and thus the exaction of a lawful Tribute in the Constitution became Tyranny and Oppression in the managment Men were sold like Beasts and Christians iâ—slav'd to Pagans at cheap pennyworths To conclude the King of Cochin an Idolater but tributary to the Crown of Portugal was suffer'd to conâ—iscate the Goods of his Subjects who had receiv'd Baptism Father Francis was wonderfully griev'd to perceive that the greatest hindrance to the growth of Christianity in those vast Dominions of Asia proceeded only from the Christians He bewail'd it sometimes to God in the bitterness of his Heart and one day said that he wou'd willingly return to Portugal to complain of it to the King not doubting but so Religious and Iust a Prince wou'd order some remedy for this encroaching evil if he had notice how it spread Xavier had taken the way of Cochin along by the Sea Coast. He arriv'd there the sixteenth of December 1544. where he happend ' to meet with Michael Vaz Vicar General of the Indies In acquainting him with the Reasons of his Journey he made him sensible that the weakness of the Government was the principal cause of the Avarice and Violence of the Officers That Don Alphonso de Sosa was indeed a Religious Gentleman but wanted Vigour that it was not sufficient to will good Actions if at the same time he did not strongly oppose ill ones In a word that it was absolutely necessary for the King of Portugal to be inform'd of all the Disorders in the Indies by a person who was an eye witness of them and whose Integrity was not liable to Suspition Vaz immediately enter'd into the Opinions of the Father and his Zeal carry'd him to pass himself into Portugal in a Vessel which was just ready to set Sail. Xavier prais'd God for those good intentions and wrote a Letter by him to King Iohn the Third the beginning of which I have here transcrib'd YOur Majesty ought to be assur'd and often to call into your Mind that God has made choice of you amongst all the Princes of the World for the Conquest of India to the end he may make trial of your Faith and see what requital you will make to him for all his Benefits You ought also to consider that in conferring on you the Empire of a new World his intention was not so much that you shou'd fill your Coffers with the Riches of the East as that you shou'd have an opportunity of signalizing your Zeal by making known to Idolaters through the means of those who serve you the Creatour and Redeemer of Mankind The Saint after this beginning gave the King to understand the good intentions of Michael Vaz and the ill conduct of the Portuguese who were in the Government of the Indies He suggested to him the means of putting a stop to those disorders and advis'd him above all things not only to recommend by Letters the interest of Religion but rigorously to punish all those Officers who were wanting to their duty in that respect For there is danger said he thâ—t when Gâ—d shall summon your Majesty to Iudgment that will then come to pass 〈◊〉 yâ—u least expect and which is not to be avoided there is danger Great Prince that you may then hear these words of an â—ffended God Why have you not punish'd tâ—ose who under your Authority have made War against me in the Indies you who have pâ—â—ish'd them so severely when they were neâ—ligent in gathering your Revenues â—â—ur câ—â—se will be little help'd by your return of this answer to Jesus Christ Lord I have not wanted yearly to recommend â—y Letters to my Subjects all that câ—ncerns 〈◊〉 honour and thy service For â— ubt nâ—â— it will be thus answer'd But your Orders were nâ—ver put in Execution and you leâ—t your Ministers at their own dispose to do what ever they
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
the same year A Manuscript Letter pretended to be written by Anthony de Sainte Foy Companion to Xavier for the Voyage of China the truth of which I suspect relates that the Saint dyed on a Sunday night at two of the Clock on the second of December 1552. Now 't is most certain that in the year 1552 the second of December fell on a Friday So that it is a manifest mistake to say that St. Xavier dyed that year either on Saturday or Sunday the second of December I shou'd apprehend lest a Life so extraordinary as this might somewhat shock the profaner sort of men if the reputation of St. Francis Xavier were not well establish'd in the World and that the wonderful things he did had not all the marks of true Miracles as the Authour who made the Collection of them has well observ'd The Mission of the Saint gives them an authority even in our first conceptions of them for being sent from God for the conversion of Infidels it was necessary that the Faith shou'd be planted in the East by the same means as it had been through all the World in the beginning of the Church Besides which never any Miracles have been examin'd with greater care or more judicially than these They were not Miracles wrought in private and which we are onely to believe on the attestation of two or three interessed persons such who might have been surpris'd into an opinion of them they were ordinarily publick matters of fact avow'd by a whole City or Kingdom and which had for Witnesses the body of a Nation for the most part Heathen or Mahometan Many of these Miracles have been of long continuance and it was an easie matter for such who were incredulous to satisfie their doubts concerning them All of them have been attended by such consequences as have confirm'd their truth beyond dispute such as were the Conversions of Kingdoms and of Kings who were the greatest Enemies to Christianity the wonderful ardency of those new Christians and the heroical constancy of their Martyrs But after all nothing can give a greater confirmation of the Saint's Miracles than his Saint-like Life which was even more wonderful than the Miracles themselves It was in a manner of necessity that a man of so holy a conversation shou'd work those things which other men cou'd not perform and that resigning himself to God with an entire confidence and trust in the most dangerous occasions God shou'd consign over to him some part of his Omnipotence for the benefit of Souls THE LIFE OF St. FRANCIS XAVIER BOOK 1. I Have undertaken to write the Life of a Saint who has renew'd in the last Age the greatest Wonders which were wrought in the Infancy of the Church and who was himself a living proof of Christianity There will be seen in the Actions of one single Man a New World converted by the power of his Preaching and by that of his Miracles Idolatrous Kings with their Dominions reduc'd under the Obedience of the Gospel the Faith flourishing in the very midst of Barbarism and the Authority of the Roman Church acknowledg'd by Nations the most remote who were utterly unacquainted with Ancient Rome This Apostolical Man of whom I speak is St. Francis Xavier of the Society of Iesus and one of the first Disciples of St. Ignatius Loyola He was of Navarre and according to the Testimony of Cardinal Antonio Zapata who examin'd his Nobility from undoubted Records he deriv'd his Pedigree from the Kings of Navarre His Father was Don Iuan de Iasso a Lord of great merit well conversant in the management of Affairs and who held one of the first places in the Council of State under the Reign of King Iohn the Third The name of his Mother was Mary Azpilcueta Xavier Heiress to two of the most Illustrious Families in that Kingdom for the chief of her House Don Martin Azpilcueta less famous by the great Actions of his Ancestors than by his own Vertue married Iuana Xavier the only Daughter and remaining hope of her Family He had by her no other Child but this Mary of whom we spoke one of the most accomplish'd persons of her time This Virgin equally beautiful and prudent being married to Don Iasso became the Mother of many Children the youngest of whom was Francis the same whose Life I write He was born in the Castle of Xavier on the seventh of April in the year 1506. That Castle scituate at the foot of the Pyrenean Mountains seven or eight Leagues distant from Pampeluna had appertain'd to his Mother's House for about two hundred and fifty years His Progenitors on her side having obtain'd it in gift from King Thibald the first of that name in recompence of those signal services which they had perform'd for the Crown 'T is from thence they took the name of Xavier in lieu of Asnarez which was the former name of their Family This Surname was conferr'd on Francis as also on some of the rest of his Brothers lest so glorious a name now remaining in one onely Woman shou'd be totally extinguish'd with her That Providence which had selected Francis for the Conversion of such multitudes of People indued him with all the Natural Qualities which are requisite to the Function of an Apostle He was of a strong habit of Body his Complection lively and vigorous his Genius sublime and capable of the greatest designs his Heart fearless agreeable in his Behaviour but above all he was of a gay complying and winning Humour This notwithstanding he had a most extreme aversion for all manner of immodesty and a vast inclination for his Studies His Parents who liv'd a most Christian Life inspir'd him with the fear of God from his Infancy and took a particular care of his Education He was no sooner arriv'd to an age capable of Instruction than instead of embracing the Profession of Arms after the example of his Brothers he turn'd himself of his own motion on the side of Learning and as he had a quick Conception a happy Memory and a penetrating Mind he advanc'd wonderfully in few years Having gain'd a sufficient knowledge in the Latin Tongue and discover'd a great propensity to Learning he was sent to the University of Paris the most celebrated of all Europe and to which the Gentlemen of Spain Italy and Germany resorted for their Studies He came to Paris in the eighteenth year of his age and â—ell immediately on the study of Philosophy 'T is scarcely credible with how much ardour he surmounted the first difficulties of Logick Whatsoever his Inclinations were towards a knowledge so crabbed and so subtle he tugg'd at it with incessant pains to be at the head of all his fellow Students and perhaps never any Scholar besides himself cou'd join together so much ease and so much labour Xavier minded nothing more than how to become an excellent Philosopher when his Father who had a numerous Family of Children and who
many Christians even in the Court though contrary to the Example of the Prince But the Miraculous Actions of Xavier finish'd the Conversion of the whole Kingdom Besides his curing all sorts of diseases he rais'd four persons from the Dead two Women and two Men. The Act of Canonization relates no more of the Resurrection of the Women but the bare matter of fact without any Circumstances but the Resurrection of the Men is related at large of which the substance is in the ensuing account Xavier preach'd in one of the Maritime Villages of Travancor call'd Coulan near Cape Comorin Some were converted by his first Sermons but the greater party remain'd in their ancient Superstition after having often heard him The most obstinate 't is true listn'd to him with delight and found the Maxims of the Gospel to be most conformable to the light of Reason but the pleasure which they took in hearing produc'd nothing and they satisfy'd themselves with admiring the Christian Law without troubling themselves to follow it The Father one day finding that he spoke to them of God without working any thing upon their Hearts pray'd fervently to the Almighty in their behalf and with his Eyes lifted up to Heaven his Countenance more than ordinarily inflam'd and with abundance of Tears besought him to take pity on those obstinate Idolaters O Lord said he all Hearts are in thy Hands thou canst bend as it pleases thee the most stubborn and soften the most obdurate do that honour on this day to the Blood and the name of thy beloved Son. Scarcely had he ended his Prayer when he was assur'd it was answer'd turning himself to his Audience with the Air of one inspir'd Well said he since you will not believe me on my word behold that which will make me be believ'd What testimony do you desire from me of those truths which I have declar'd to you At the same instant he recall'd to his remembrance that a Man had been there buried the day before Then resuming his discourse in the same tone that he began it Open said he the Sepulchre which you clos'd yesterday and bring out the Body but observe carefully whether he who was buried be truly dead The most incredulous ran hastily to take up the Corps far from finding any the least sign of life they perceiv'd it began to putrisie with a noisome scent They took off the Linnen in which he was wrapp'd and laid the dead Man at the Feet of the Father who was come to the place of burial The Barbarians gaz'd with astonishment on the dead Body and impatiently expected the event The Saint fell upon his Knees and after a short Prayer addressing himself to the Dead I command thee said he in the holy name of the living God to arise for the confirmation of that Religion which I preach At these words the Dead arose of himself and appear'd not only living but vigorous and in perfect health All who were present cry'd out with a loud voice That the God of the Christians was Omnipotent and that the Law which the great Father preach'd was true In consequence of which they threw themselves at his Feet desir'd Baptism and receiv'd it on the place The other dead person whom the Apostle rais'd to life was a young Man and a Christian who dy'd at Mutan on the same Coast betwixt Carjapatan and Alicale He had been dead above four and twenty hours of a pestilential Fever Xavier met the Corps by chance as they were carrying it to the Grave The Parents of the dead man who were of the greatest quality in all the Country accompanied the Funeral-Pomp with all their kindred according to the custom of that Nation As comfortless as they were yet upon sight of the Saint they recover'd courage and embracing his Knees implor'd him to restore their Son to life being perswaded that what was not to be effected by the power of Nature wou'd cost him only a word speaking Xavier mov'd by their affliction and excited by their Faith beg'd the assistance of the Most High made the sign of the Cross and threw Holy. Water on the Dead after which he took him by the Hand rais'd him up in the name of the Lord and restor'd him living to his Father and Mother To preserve the memory of an Action so wonderful and so authentick the Parents of the Man they rais'd erected a great Cross on the place where the Miracle was done and were accustom'd afterwards to go often thither and pray to God before it These Resurrections were so famous through all the Country and made so great impressions on the Souls of the Inhabitants that the people came thronging from all parts to behold the great Father and to receive Baptism from his hands Insomuch that the whole Kingdom of Travancor was subjected to Christ Iesus in few Months And the King with some few of his chief Courtiers were the only remaining Idolaters in the Land by a terrible Judgment of Almighty God who sometimes abandons Princes to their unruly Passions and departs from the Great while he communicates himself to those of the lowest quality The End of the Second Book THE LIFE OF St. FRANCIS XAVIER BOOK III. THE Reputation of Xavier was not confin'd to the Kingdom of Travancor it was spread abroad through all the Indies and the God of the Christians at the same time was had in so great veneration that the most Idolatrous Nations sent to desire the Saint that he wou'd come and give them Baptism His joy was infinite to find the Gentils of their own free motion searching after the way of Eternal Life but on the other side he was afflicted that he was not sufficient alone to instruct so many vast Countries as were gone astray from it Seeing the Harvest so great and the Labourers so few he wrote earnestly to Father Ignatius in Italy and to Simon Rodriguez in Portugal for a supply of Missioners He had such transports of Zeal on that occasion as to say in one of his Letters I have often thoughts to run over all the Vniversities of Europe and Principally that of Paris and to cry aloud to those who abound more in Learning than in Charity Ah how many Souls are lost to Heaven through your default It were to be wish'd that those People wou'd apply themselves as diligently to the Salvation of Souls as they do to the study of Sciences to the end they might render to Almighty God a good account of their Learning and the Talents which he has bestow'd on them Many without doubt mov'd with thoughts like these wou'd make a spiritual retreat and give themselves the leisure of meditating on Heavenly things that they might listen to the voice of God. They wou'd renounce their Passions and trampling under foot all worldly Vanities wou'd put themselves in condition of following the motions of the Divine Will. They wou'd say from the bottom of their hearts behold me in
and Men Women and Children attracted by the novelty of the sight as much as by the expected succour he offer'd to God the death of his only Son and pray'd him by the merits of that Crucify'd Saviour who had pour'd out his blood for the sake of all Mankind not to deny a little water for the Salvation of an Idolatrous People Scarcely had the Saint begun his Prayer when the Sky began to be overcast with Clouds and by that time he had ended it there fell down Rain in great abundance which lasted so long 'till they had made a plentiful provision of water The Enemy now hopeless of taking the Town immediately decamp'd and the King with all his People receiv'd Baptism from the hand of Father Xavier He commanded also that all the neighbouring Islands who held of him shou'd adore Christ Iesus and engag'd the Saint to go and publish the Faith amongst them Xavier employ'd three months and more in these little voyages after which returning to Amboyna where he had left his Companion Iohn Deyro to cultivate the new growing Christianity and where he left him also for the same intention embarqu'd on a Portuguese Vâ—ssel which was setting Sail for the Molucca's That which is commonly call'd by the name of the Molucca's is a Country on the Oriental Ocean divided into many little Islands scituate near the Equator exceeding fruitful in Cloves and famous for the Trade of Spices There are five principal Islands of them Ternate Tidor Motir Macian and Bacian The first of these is a degree and half distant from the Equinoctial to the North the rest follow in the order above nam'd and all five are in sight of one another These are those celebrated Islands concerning which Ferdinand Magellan rais'd so many disputes amongst the Geographers and so many quarrels betwixt Spain and Portugal For the Portuguese having discover'd them from the East and the Spaniards from the West each of them pretended to inclose them within their Conquests according to the Lines of Longitude which they drew Ternate is the greatest of the Molucca's and it was on that side that Father Xavier took his course He had a Gulph to pass of ninety Leagues exexceeding dangerous both in regard of the strong Tides and the uncertain Winds which are still raising Tempests though the Sea be never so calm The Ship which carried the Father was one of those Vessels which in those parts are call'd Caracores of a long and narrow built like Gallies and which use indifferently Sails and Oars Another Vessel of the same make carried a Portuguese call'd Iohn Galvan having aboard her all his goods they set out together from Amboyna keeping company by the way and both of them bound for the Port of Ternate In the midst of the Gulph they were surpriz'd with a storm which parted them so far that they lost sight of each other The Caracore of Xavier after having been in danger of perishing many times was at length sav'd and recover'd the Port of Ternate by a kind of Miracle As for that of Galvan it was not known what became of her and the news concerning her was only brought by an evident Revelation The first Saints day when the Father Preach'd to the People he stop'd short in the middle of his discourse and said after a little pause Pray to God for the Soul of John Galvan who is drown'd in the Gulph Some of the Audience who were friends of Galvan and interessed in the Caracore ran to the Mariners who had brought the Father and demanded of them if they knew any certain news of this tragical adventure They answer'd that they knew no more than that the storm had separated the two Vessels The Portugueses recover'd courage at those words and imagin'd that Father Francis had no other knowledge than the Seamen But they were soon undeceiv'd by the testimony of their own eyes for three days after they saw wash'd on the shore the Corps of Galvan and the wreck of the Vessel which the â—ea had thrown upon the Coast. Verâ— near this time when Xavier was saying Mass turning to the People to say the Orate Fratres he added pray also for Iohn Araus who is newly dead at Amboyna They who were present observ'd punctually the day and hour to see if what the Father had said wou'd come to pass ten or twelve days after there arriv'd a Ship from Amboyna and the truth was known not only by divers Letters but confirm'd also by a Portuguese who had seen Araus dye at the same moment when Xavier exhorted the People to pray to God to rest his Soul. This Araus was the Merchant which refus'd to give Wine for the succour of the Sick in the Spanish Fleet and to whom the Saint had denounc'd a sudden death He fell sick after Xavier's departure and having neither Children nor Heirs all his Goods were distributed amongst the poor according to the custom of the Country The Shipwrack of Galvan and the death of Araus gave great Authority to what they had heard at Ternate concerning the Holiness of Father Francis and from the very first gain'd him an exceeding Reputation And indeed it was all necessary I say not for the reformation of Vice in that Country but to make him even heard with Patience by a dissolute people which committed without shame the most enormous crimes and such as Modesty forbids to name To understand how profitable the Labours of Father Xavier were to those of Ternate 't is sufficient to tell what he has written himself That of an infinite number of debauch'd persons living in that Island when he landed there all excepting two had laid aside their wicked courses before his departure The desire of Riches was extinguish'd with the love of Pleasures Restitutions were frequently made and such abundant Alms were given that the House of Charity set up for the relief of the necessitous from very poor which it was formerly was put into stock and more flourishing than ever The change of Manners which was visibly amongst the Christians was of no little service to the Conversion of Saracens and Idolaters Many of those Iâ—fidels embrac'd Christianity But the most illustrious conquest of the Saint was of a famous Saracen Lady call'd Neachile Pocaraga Daughter to Almanâ—or King of Tidore and Wife to Boliefe who was King of Ternate before the Portuguese had conquer'd the Island She was a Princess of great Wit and Generosity but extreamly bigotted to her Sect and a mortal Enemy to the Christians that is to say to the Portuguese Her hatred to them was justly grounded for having receiv'd them into her Kingdom with great civility and having also permitted them to establish themselves in one part of the Island for the conveniâ—nce of their Trade she was dealt with so hardly by them that after the death of the King her Husband she had nothing left her but the bare Title of a Queen And by their
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
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
the excellent vertues and miraculous operations of that holy Man. Monsieur Tavernier who is endu'd with all the probity which a man can have without the true Religion makes a step farther than these two Historians and speaks like a Catholick St. Francis Xavier says he ended in this place his Mission together with his life after he had establish'd the Christian Faith with an admirable progress in all places through which he pass'd not only by his zeal but also by his example and by the holiness of his manners He had never been in China but there is great probability that the Religion which he had establish'd in the Isle of Niphon extended it self into the neighbouring Countries and multiply'd by the cares of that holy Man who by a just Title may be call'd the St. Paul and true Apostle of the Indies As to what remains if Xavier was endu'd with all Apostolical virtues does it not follow that the Religion which he preach'd was that of the Apostles Is there the least appearance that a man who was chosen by God to destroy Idolatry and Impiety in the new World shou'd be himself an Idolater and a wicked man in adoring Iesus Christ upon the Altars in invoking of the Holy Virgin in engaging himself to God by Vows in desiring Indulgences from the Pope in using the sign of the Cross and Holy-water for the cure of the sick in Praying and saying Masses for the dead In fine is it possible to believe that this holy Man this new Apostle this second St. Paul continued all his life in the way of perdition and instead of enjoying at this present time the happiness of the Saints endures the torments of the Damn'd Let us then pronounce concluding this Work as we began it that the Life of St. Francis Xavier is an Authentick Testimony of the truth of the Gospel and that we cannot strictly observe what God has wrought by the ministry of his Servant without a full satisfaction in this point that the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Church is the Church of our Saviour Iesus Christ. FINIS His Birth His natural Endowments and first Studies His Father purposes to recall him from his Studies and is diverted from that Resolution 〈…〉 He is preserv'd from falling into Heresie His change of Life His retirement and total Conversion He Conseâ—rates himself to God by a Vow What happen'd to him in his Iourney to Venice What he did at Venice 〈…〉 He prepares himself to celebrate his first Mass. He celebrates his first Mass and falls sick after it St. Jerome appears to him He goes to Bolognia and labours there with great success He relaâ—ses into his sickness and yet continues preaching He is recalâ—â—d to Rome by Father Ignatius and labours there with great succesâ— The occasion of the Mission into the Indies He is nam'd for the Mission of the Indies God mysteriously reveals to him his intended Mission to the Indies 〈…〉 He departs from Rome How he employ'd himself during his journey His letter to Ignatius Some remarkable accidents in his Iourney to Lisbonne He 〈◊〉 by the Castle of Xavier without going to it He arrives at Lisbonne and cures Rodriguez immediately after his coming He is call'd to Court. The manner of his Life at Lisbonne He refuses to visit his Vncle the Doctor of Navarre 〈…〉 The Reputation he 〈◊〉 at Lisbonne They wou'd retain him in Portugal He is permitted to go to the Indies and the King discouâ—ses with him before his departure He refuses the Provisions offer'd him for his Voyage He goes for the Indies and what he said to Rodriguez at parting By what way he â—aâ—â—es to the Indies 〈…〉 He arrives at Mozambique and what he does there He falls sick himself and yet contiâ—â—es to serve the sick His first prediction 〈◊〉 by the success He arriâ—eâ— at Melinda and there comfers with the Mahometâ—us He passes over to Socotora his opinion concerning that People He arrivâ—â— at Goa He visits the Bishâ—p of the Indies The estate of Religion in the Indies at his arrival His first work at Goa 〈…〉 His industry to gain the Concubinarians He is told of the Câ—ast of Fishâ—ry and goes thither This Coast is call'd in the Maps La Pescaria He 〈…〉 Comoâ—â— He Labours in the salvation of the Paravas His manner of teaching the Christian faith He estabâ—shes Câ—techists and Teachers of the Faith to supply his plaâ—â— The fruit of his labours on the Coast of Fishery He maâ—es use of Children to 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Tâ—e Zeal of the Children against Idâ—ls and Idolaters 〈…〉 The Original and Character of the Brachmans He treats with the Brachmans The conference of Xavier with a Famous Brachman He 〈◊〉 divers Miracles He declarâ—â— himself against the Brachmans 〈…〉 He returns to Goa and for what reason The beginning and establishment of the Seminary of holy Faith. 〈…〉 He returns to the Coast of Fishery his actions there He goes to the relief of the Christians on the Coast of Fishery He goes to the Kingdom of Travanâ—or and there 〈◊〉 with great success God communicates to him the gift of Tongues He is Persecuted by the Brachmans 〈…〉 He prevails upon the King of Travancor to favour the Gospel He raises two from death He writes into Europe for a supply of 〈◊〉 The Saints Letter to the Doctours of Sorbonne Ambassadours from the Isle of Manar to the Saint He sends a Missioner to the Isle of Manar â—he constancy of he Christians â—f Manar A miraculous Câ—â—ss and its effects The Enterprise of Xavier against the Persecutour 〈…〉 〈…〉 His Letter to the King of Portugal 〈◊〉 success of the Voyage undetaken by Michael Vaz He converts a debauch'd Portuguese He ingages the Viceroy of the Indies to make War on the King of Jafanatapan Divers Predictions of the Saint * Candè is a Kingdom in the Iâ—land of Ceylan He goes to joyn the Portuguese Fleet and raises one from the dead 〈…〉 The Enterprise of â—afanatapan defeated He designs the Voyage of Macassar and the Conversion of many Kingdoms He 〈◊〉 to the Sepulchre of St. Thomas to consult 〈◊〉 concerning his Voyage to Macassar What happen'd to him in his passage to Meliapor He comes to Meliapor the Monuments which he there finds of the Apostle St. Thomas He is thâ—â—â—ten'd by Dâ—â—ilâ— and afterwards beaten by them He leaâ—ns the Will â—f God 〈◊〉 his desâ—â—n The Conversions which he makes at Meliapor He bringâ— a great sinner to Repentance Divers wonderful events which encrease his Fame * or Beads He peâ—swades a riâ—h Merchant to Evangelical perfection The new Convert falls from grace and becomes suspected to the Saint His Charity to to a Souldier who haâ— lost all his Money at Play. He arrives at Malâ—cca a digression conceâ—nit In what condition he found the Town and what he did in order to reform it He labours with success at Malacca Hee 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 Muâ— He receiâ—es Letters from Eâ—rope by thâ— new Missiâ—ners who are
King told him he shou'd be very glad that all the Members of our Company might be gather'd together and establish'd here tho' on that condition he employ'd a good part of his Revenue for our entertainment This Pious Prince says Xavier in another of his Letters who has so tender an inclination for our Society and who wishes our advancement as much as if he were one of us has thereby engag'd us for ever to his service And we shou'd be guilty of a most horrible ingratitude even to be unworthy of Life if we made not a publick profession of our Service to him and if every day of our Lives we endeavour'd not to acknowledge by our Prayers as far as our weakness will give us leave all the favours of so generous a Protector and so magnificent a 〈◊〉 The Prince Don Henry who was nominated Cardinal not long after and in process of time came to the Crown by the death of Don Sebastian had not less affection for them than the King his Brother Being grand Inquisitor he gave the Fathers an absolute power in his Tribunal and permitted them to disourse freely with all the Prisoners of the Inquisition Some of the Greatest Quality in the Court were so much edify'd with the Apostolique Life of Xavier and Rodriguez that they were desirous to embrace their Institute as some Learned persons of the City had already done In short every thing succeeded with them so that Xavier had some apprehensions concerning this tide of happiness he bemoan'd it sometimes to himself and said that Prosperity was always â—ormidable even in the most pious undertakings that Persecution was more desirable and a much surer mark of Christ's Disciples The two Missioners appointed for the Indies liv'd in this manner and impatiently waited for the proper season of Navigation But the King weighing in his mind the great good which they had done in so short a time both amongst the Nobility and the Common people was desirous to retain them still in Portugal It seem'd reasonable to him that the interest of his own Kingdom ought to be dearer to him than that of foreign Nations and that these new Labourers would produce a larger increase in Catholique Countries than amongst Barbarians Yet that he might undertake nothing without mature deliberation he call'd a Council and himself propos'd it to them All of them approv'd the Kings Opinion excepting only the Prince Don Henry who strongly urg'd that Xavier and Rodriguez having been nominated for the new World by the Vicar of our Saviour it was in a manner to disturb the Order of Providence if he thwarted their intended Voyage that the Indies were equally to be consider'd with Portugal it self since they had been Conquer'd by the Portuguese and were annex'd to the Imperial Crown That those Idolaters had better inclinations towards Christianity than was generally thought and that they wou'd come over to the faith of their own accord when they shou'd see amongst them disinterested Preachers free from Avarice and Ambition As the Opinions of Kings are always prevalent the Reasons of Don Henry were slighted and it was concluded in Council that the two Missioners shou'd not depart the Realm This resolution afflicted them the more sensibly because they both breath'd after those eastern Countries their last recourse was to write to Rome and interpose the mediation of Father Ignatius He accordingly mov'd the Pope in their behalf but His Holiness refus'd to make an absolute decision and remitted the whole affair to Portugal Insomuch that Ignatius sent word to the two Fathers that the King was to them in the place of God and that it was their duty to pay him a blind obedience At the same time he also wrote to Don Pedro Mascaregnas that Xavier and Rodriguez were wholly at the King's Command And that they shou'd always remain in Portugal in case his Majesty desir'd it Notwithstanding which he thought a temperament might be found which was that Rodriguez might be retain'd in Portugal and Xavier permitted to go for India The King was satisfied with this proposal of Ignatius and believ'd it to be inspir'd by God himself Xavier transported with joy at the news of it gave thanks to the Divine Goodness which had chosen him anew for the Mission of the Oriential Parts or rather which had executed its eternal purpose notwithstanding humane opposition The time of embarquement being come he was call'd one day to the Palace The King discours'd fully with him concerning the present condition of the Indies and recommended particularly to him the affairs of Religion He likewise gave him in charge to visit the Fortresses of the Portuguese and take notice how God was serv'd in them and withal to give him an account of what more was requisite to be done for the establishment of Christianity in those new Conquests and to write frequently on that Subject not onely to his Ministers but to his own person After this he presented him the four Briefs which had been expedited from Rome the same year in two of which our Holy Father had constituted Xavier Apostolical Nuncio and endued him with ample power for the extending and maintenance of the Faith throughout the East In the third his Holiness recommended him to David Emperour of Ethiopia and in the fourth to all the Princes who possess'd the Isles of the Sea or the Continent from the Cape of Good-Hope even beyond the Ganges Iohn the Third had requested these Briefs and the Pope had freely granted them with design thereby to make the Mission of Father Francis the more Illustrious and Authentique The Father receiv'd them from the hands of the King with profound respect saying that as much as his weakness was capable of performing he shou'd endeavour to sustain the burden which God and Man had laid upon him Some few days before he went to Sea Don Antonio d' Ataida Count of Castagnera who supervis'd the Provisions of the Naval Army advertis'd Xavier to make a Note of what things were necessary for him in order to his Voyage assuring him from his Majesty that he shou'd be furnish'd to his own desire They want nothing reply'd the Father with a smile who have occasion for nothing I am much oblig'd to the King for his Liberality and to you for your care of me but I owe more to the Divine Providence and you wou'd not wish me to distrust it The Count of Castagnera who had an express Order from the King to make a large Provision for Father Xavier was very urgent with him and importun'd him so strongly to take something for fear said he of tempting Providence which does not every day work Miracles that Xavier not to appear either obstinate or presumptuous demanded some few little Books of Devotion for which he foresaw he shou'd have occasion in the Indies and a thick Cloath Habit against the excessive colds which are to be endur'd in doubling the Cape The Count amaz'd that
of the Martyrs of Manar might obtain the forgiveness of his Crimes Xavier encourag'd by these hopes return'd towards Cochin where he propos'd to himself to follow his Ministerial vocation while the preparations of War were making Coming back by Cananor he lodg'd in the house of a Christian who himself was religious but his Son debauch'd and subject to all sorts of vices The good man sensibly afflicted at the ill conduct of his graceless Son wept day and night and Xavier began at first to comfort him saying those vices were ordinary in youth and riper age wou'd reclaim him from them Having done speaking he stood mute a while and recollected himself then suddenly lifting up his eyes to Heaven Know said he that you are the most happy Father in the world this Libertine Son who has given you so many disquiets shall one day change his manners He shall be a Religious of the Order of St. Francis and at last shall dye a Martyr The event verify'd the Prediction the young man afterwards took the Habit of St. Francis and went to Preach the Faith in the Kingdom of Candè where he receiv'd Martyrdom from the Barbarians Father Xavier being come back to Cochin was very kindly receiv'd by the Secretary of State Cosmo Annez his intimate friend who was there on some important business Being one day together and talking familiarly Xavier ask'd Annez if the year had been good for the Portugal Merchants Annez answer'd him that it cou'd not have been better that not long since seven Vessels had been sent off which were now in their passage to Europe and richly laden He added that himself had sent the King of Portugal a rare Diamond which had cost six thousand Ducats at Goa and wou'd be worth more than thirty thousand at Lisbonne Xavier had a farther curiosity to enquire which of the Ships had carried the Diamond and Annez told him it was the Ship call'd the Atoghia and that he had intrusted the Jewel to Iohn Norogna who was Captain of the Ship. Xavier then enter'd into a profound meditation and after he had kept silence for some time all on the sudden thus reply'd I cou'd have wish'd that a Diamond of so great value had not been intrusted to that Ship. And for what reason answer'd Annez is it not because the Atoghia has once formerly sprung a Leak but Father she is now so well refitted that she may be taken for a new Vessel The Saint explain'd himself no father and Annez upon a second consideration began to conjecture both from the Father's words and afterwards from his silence that there was some danger in the matter whereupon he desir'd him to recommend that Ship to the protection of Almighty God for in conclusion said he the Atoghia cannot be lost without a very considerable dammage to me I have had no order said he to buy that Diamond so that in case it shou'd miscarry the loss will be wholly mine Sitting one day together at the Table and Xavier observing Annez to be in great concernment give thanks to God said he your Diamond is safe and at this very time in the hands of the Queen of Portugal Annez believ'd Xavier on his word and understood afterwards by Letters from Norogna that the Ship open'd in the midst of her Voyage and let in so much water that being upon the point of sinking the Mariners had resolv'd to have forsaken her and thrown themselves into the Sea but after having cut down the main Mast they chang'd their thoughts without any apparent reason that the Leak stop'd of it self and the Ship pursuing her Course with only two Sails arriv'd safely in the Port of Lisbonne The Man of God remain'd about three months in Cochin and towards the end of May set sail for Negapatan where the Portuguese Fleet was now in a readiness passing by the Isle of de las Vaccas which is near the Flatts of Ceylan towards the North he rais'd to Life a Saracens Child which is all that is known of that Miracle He was desirous in his passage to see the Isle of Manar where so many Christians had been Massacred for the Faith and going ashore he often kiss'd the ground which had been sprinkled with the blood of Martyrs at Pasim While he rejoyc'd at the happy destiny of the dead he had cause to be afflicted for the misfortune of the living a contagious Disease laid wast the Island and there died an hundred every day When the Manarâ—is had notice that the great Father so famous in the Indies was at Pasim they assembled together above three thousand of them for the most part Gentils and being come to the Village besought him humbly to deliver them from the Pestilence Xavier ask'd three days wherein to implore of God for that which they had beg'd from him During all which time he only offer'd up to our Lord and set before him the merits of those blessed Martyrs who had suffer'd for his name at Pasim Before those days were ended his Prayers were heard the Plague ceas'd and all the Sick were restor'd to health at the same moment So visible a Miracle wrought on all of them to believe in Iesus Christ and the Apostle Baptiz'd them with his own hand He cou'd make no longer stay with them for the Naval Army then expected him and his presence was necessary to encourage the Souldiers and mind the Captains of the performance of their duty He pass'd over from Manar to Negapatan but there he found all things in a far different condition from what he hop'd The Portuguese Navy diminish'd daily and the Commanders who at the beginning had been so zealous for the Holy War were now the first to condemn it It was in vain for him to set before their eyes the honour of their Nation and that of God Interest did so blind their Understanding that they forgot they were either Portugueses or Chrâ—stians behold in short what overthrew so glorious an expedition While they were equipping the Fleet it happen'd that a Portuguese Vessel coming from the Kingdom of Pegu and laden with Rich Merchandise was driven by Tempest upon the Coast of Iafanatapan The King made seizure of it and possess'd himself of all within it according to the custom of the Barbarians The Captain and the Ships Company foreseeing that if in this conjucture War shou'd be made against the Heathen Prince they shou'd never be able to retrieve their wealth out of his hands corrupted the Officers of the Fleet with large Presents to desist from their undertaking Thus the Tyrant whom Father Xavier design'd to drive out from his ill-gotten Kingdom was maintain'd in it by the covetousness of Christians or or rather by the secret decrees of Providence which sometimes permits the Persecutors of the Church to reign in peace to the end a tryal may be made of such as dare to continue constant in their Faith. As holy men
resign their Will to that of God Xavier wholly abandon'd the Enterprize of Iafanatapan and thought only of returning to the Kingdom of Travancor Being now on Sea he cast back his eyes on the Isle of Ceylan which he saw from far and cry'd out lamenting for it Ah! unhappy Island with how many Carcasses do I behold thee cover'd and what Rivers of blood are making inundations on all sides of thee These words were Prophetical of what happen'd afterwards when Don Constantine de Braganza at one time and Don Hurtado de Mendoça at another destroy'd all those Islanders with the Sword and the King of Iafanatapan being himself taken together with his eldest Son was put to death in his own Pallace As if the Divine Justice had not deferr'd the death of this Persecutor but only to render it more terrible and more memorable Father Xavier was very desirous of returning to Travancor but the Winds blew so contrary that they always drove him from the Coast. By this he judg'd that God had call'd him to some other place and thereupon form'd a resolution of carrying the light of the Gospel from Isle to Isle and from Kingdom to Kingdom even to the utmost limits of the East The news he heard during his Navigation caus'd him suddenly to cast his thoughts on an Island situate under the Equinoctial betwixt the Molucca's and Borneo stretch'd in length two hundred Leagues from North to South and divided into sundry Kingdoms call'd by the Geographers Celebes by the Historians Macassar from the names of the two Capital Cities of the two Principal Kingdoms as to the rest well peopled and abounding in all sorts of Riches It was related to him that about the year 1531 two Brothers both Idolaters as were all the Inhabitants of Macassar going on their private business to Ternate the chief of the Molucca's had some conference relating to Religion with the Governour Antonio Galvan a Portuguese one of the most famous Warriours of his age and celebrated in History both for his Piety and Valour That having learnt from him the Vanity of their Idols they embrac'd the Christian Faith and at their Baptism took the names of Antonio and Michael That being return'd into their Country they themsâ—lves taught publickly the Faith of Iesus Christ That all their Countrey-men with one accord sent their Embassadours to the Governour of Ternate desiring him to send them some to instruct them in the Principles of Faith and that the Heads of this Embassy were the two Brothers known to Galvan that these Embassadours found a very kind reception and that for want of a Priest Galvan gave them a Souldier for their Teacher whose name was Francis de Castro a Man knowing in Religion and of exemplary Piety In conclusion that Castro who was thus chosen to instruct that people imbarking for Macassar was driven by a Tempest another way Besides this Xavier was likewise inform'd that not long before a Portuguese Merchant call'd Antonio Payva going to Macassar in the name of Râ—ys Vaz Pereyra Captain of Malacca for a Ships lading of Sandal a pretious Wood growing in that Island the King of Supa which is one of the Kingdoms of Macassar came in person to see him and ask'd divers questions relating to the Christian Faith that this honest Merchant better acquainted with his Traffick than his Relâ—gion yet answer'd very pertinently and discours'd of the Mysteries of Faith after so reasonable a manner that the King then threescore years of age was converted with all his Family and Court. That another King of the same Island call'd the King of Sion follow'd his Example and that these two Princes who were solemnly baptis'd by the hand of Payva not being able to retain him with them desir'd him to send them some Priests who might administer the Sacraments and baptise their Subjects These pious inclinations appear'd to Father Xavier as an excellent ground-work for the planting of the Gospel He wept for joy at the happy news and ador'd the profound judgments of the Divine Providence which after having refus'd the Grace of Baptism to the King of Travancor when all his Subjects had receiv'd it began the Conversion of Sion and of Supa by that of their Sovereigns He even believ'd that his Evangelical Ministry exacted from him to put the last hand to the Conversion of those Kingdoms In the mean time he thought it his duty that before he resolv'd on the Voyage of Macassar he shou'd ask advice from Heaven concerning it and to perform it as he ought it came into his mind to implore the enlightnings of Gods Spirit at the Sepulchre of St. Thomas the ancient Founder and first Father of Christianity in the Indies whom he had taken for his Patron and his guide in the course of all his Travels He therefore resolv'd to go in Pilgrimage to Meliapor which is distant but fifty Leagues from Negatapan where the Wind had driven him back And imbarking in the Ship of Michael Pereyra on Palm-Sunday which fell that year 1545 on the 29th of March they shap'd their Course along the Coasts of Coromandel having at first a favourable Wind but they had not made above twelve or thirteen Leagues when the Weather chang'd on a sudden and the Sea became so rough that they were â—orc'd to make to Land and cast Anchor under covert of a Mountain to put their Ship into some reasonable security They lay there for seven days together in expectation of a better Wind and all that time the holy Man pass'd in Contemplation without taking any nourishment either of Meat or Drink as they observ'd who were in the Vessel with him and as Iames Madeira who was a Witness of it has depos'd in form of Law. He only drank on Easter-Eve and that at the request of the said Madeira a little Water in which an Onyon had been boil'd according to his own direction On that very day the Wind came about into a favourable quarter and the Sea grew calm so that they weigh'd Anchor and continued their Voyage But Xavier to whom God daily imparted more and more of the Spirit of Prophecy foreseeing a furious Tempest which was conceal'd under that fallacious Calm ask'd the Pilot If his Ship were strong enough to endure the violence of bad Weather and ride out a Storm The Pilot confess'd she was not as being an old crazy Vessel Then said Xavier it were good to carry her back into the Port. How Father Francis said the Pilot are you fearful with so fair a Wind You may assure your self of good Weather by all manner of signs and any little Bark may be in safety 'T was in vain for the Saint to press him farther not to believe those deceitful appearances neither wou'd the Passengers follow his advice but they soon repented of their neglect For far they had not gone when a dreadful Wind arose the Sea was on a Foam and mounted into Billows The Ship was not able
Christians be confin'd to one only Wife since God has permitted the Saracens to have so many Yet sometimes he chang'd his Language and said that he wou'd not lose his Soul nor the friendship of Father Xavier for so small a matter But in conclusion not being able to contain himself within the bounds of Christian purity nor to make the Law of Iesus Christ agree with that of Mahomet he continu'd fix'd to his pleasures and obstinate in his errours Only he ingag'd his Royal word that in case the Portugueses wou'd invest one of his Sons in the Kingdom of the Isles del Moro he wou'd on that condition receive Baptism Father Xavier obtain'd from the Vice-Roy of the Indies what ever the King of Ternate had desir'd but the Barbarian far from keeping his promise began from thence-forward a cruel Persecution against his Christian Subjects And the first strokes of it fell on the Queen Neachile who was dispossess'd of all her Lands and reduc'd to live in extream poverty during the remainder of her days Her Faith supported her in these new misfortunes And father Xavier who had baptis'd her gave her so well to understand how happy it was to lose all things and to gain Christ that she continually gave thanks to God for the total overthrow of her Fortune In the mean time the Labours of the Saint were not wholly unprofitable in the Court of Ternate He converted many persons of the Blood Royal and amongst others two Sisters of the Prince who preferr'd the quality of Christians and Spouses of Christ Iesus before all earthly Crowns and chose rather to suffer the ill usage of their Brother than to forsake their Faith. Xavier seeing the time of his departure drawing near compos'd in the Malaya Tongue a large Instruction touching the Belief and Morals of Christianity He gave the People of Ternate this Instruction written in his own Hand that it might supply his place during his absence Many Copies were taken of it which were spred about the neighbouring Islands and even through the Countries of the East It was read on Holidays in the publick Assemblies and the Faithful listen'd to it as coming from the Mouth of the holy Apostle Besides this he chose out some vertuous young Men for his Companions in his Voyage to Goa with design to breed them in the Colledge of the Company and from thence send them back to the Moluccas there to preach the Gospel These things being thus order'd and the Caracore which was to carry him to Amboyna in a readiness it was in his thoughts to depart by night in the most secret manner that he cou'd not to sadden the Inhabitants who cou'd not hear of his going from them without a sensible affliction But whatsoever precautions he took he cou'd not steal away without their knowledge They follow'd him in Crowds to the Shore Men Women and Children gathering about him lamenting his loss begging his Blessing and beseeching him with Tears in their Eyes That since he was resolv'd on going he wou'd make a quick return The holy Man was not able to bear these tender farewels without melting into Tears himself His Bowels yern'd within him for his dear Flock and seeing what affection those people bore him he was concern'd lest his absence might prejudice their spiritual welfare Yet reassuring himself by considering the Providence of God which had dispos'd of him another way he enjoin'd them to meet in publick every day at a certain Church to make Repetition of the Christian Doctrine and to excite each other to the practice of Vertue He charg'd the new Converts to learn by Heart the Exposition of the Apostles Creed which he had left with them in Writing But that which gave him the greatest comfort was that a Priest who was there present promis'd him to bestow two hours every day in instructing the People and once a week to perform the same to the Wives of the Portugueses in expounding to them the Articles of Faith and informing them concerning the use of the Sacraments After these last words Father Xavier left his well-belov'd Children in Iesus and immediately the Ship went off At that instant an universal cry was rais'd on the Shore and that last adieu went even to the Heart of Father Xavier Being arriv'd at Ambâ—ynâ— he there found four Portuguese Vessels wherein were only Mariners and Souldiers that is to say a sort of people ill instructed in the duties of Christianity and little accustom'd to put them in practice in the continual hurry of their life That they might profit by that leisure which they then enjoy'd he set up a small 〈◊〉 on the Sea-side where he convers'd with them sometimes single sometimes in common concerning their eternal welfare The Discourses of the Saint brought over the most debauch'd amongst them and one Souldier who had been a Libertine all his life dy'd with such evident signs of true Contrition that being expir'd Father Xavier was heard to say God be prais'd who has brought me hither for the Salvation of that Soul which caus'd people to believe That God Almighty had made a Revelation of it to him By the same supernal illumination he saw in spirit one whom he had left in Ternate in the vigour of health now expiring in that place for preaching one day he broke off his Discourse suddenly and said to his Auditours Recommend to God James Giles who is now in the 〈…〉 the news of his death cam◠〈◊〉 long after which entirely 〈◊〉 the words of Xavier The four Ships continu'd at Amboyna but twenty days after which they set Sail towards Malacca The Merchant-Ship which was the best equipp'd and strongest of them invited the Saint to imbark in her but he refus'd out of the horrour which he had for those enormous Crimes which had been committed in her And turning to Gonsalvo Fernandez This Ship said he will be in great danger God deliver you out of it Both the Prediction and the Wish of the Saint were accomplish'd for the Ship at the passage of the Streight of Saban struck against a hidden Rock where the Iron-work of the Stern was broken and little wanted but that the Vessel had been also split but she escap'd that danger and the rest of the Voyage was happily perform'd The Father staying some few days longer on the Isle visited the seven Christian Villages which were there caus'd Crosses to be set up in all of them for the Consolation of the Faithful and one of these Crosses in process of time became famous for a great Miracle of which the whole Country was witness There was an extream drought and a general dearth was apprehended Certain Women who before their Baptism were accustom'd to use Charms for Rain being assembl'd round about an Idol ador'd the Devil and perform'd all the Magick Ceremonies but their Enchantments were of no effect A devout Christian Woman knowing what they were about ran thither and having
stood in great consternation for the hazard they had run so lately The Father re-assur'd them and exhorted them to remain constant in their holy resolution notwithstanding their petty misadventure he remonstrated to them that Heaven had not permitted their Admiral to sink but only to make tryal of their faith neither had themselves been sav'd from shipwrack but only that they might perform their Vow In the mean time the Governour held it necessary to summon the great Council All the Officers of the Town and the principal Inhabitants were of opinion to give over an Enterprise which as they thought was begun rashly and cou'd have no fortunate conclusion But the Captains and Souldiers of the Fleet encourag'd by the words of the holy man and inspir'd with vigour which had something in it of more than humane were of a quite contrary judgment They unanimously protested that they had rather dye than violate that Faith which they had solemnly ingag'd to Iesus Christ. For the rest said they what have we more to fear this day than we had yesterday our number is not diminish'd though we have one Vessel less and we shall fight as well with six â—oysts as we shou'd with seven But on the other side what hopes ought we not to conceive under the auspices and promise of Father Francis Then Xavier taking the word The lost Gally shall be soon made good said he with a Prophetick voice before the Sun goes down there shall arrive amongst us two better Vessels than that which perish'd And this I declare to you from Almighty God. This positive Prediction amaz'd the whole Assembly and caus'd them to put off the determination of the Affair 'till the day ensuing The remaining part of the day was pass'd with great impatience to see the effect of the Father's promise when the Sun was just on the point of setting and many began to fear the accomplishment of the Prophecy in the very minute mark'd out by the Father they discover'd from the Clock-house of our Lady del Monte two European Ships which were Sailing directly from the North. Melo sent out a Skiff immediately to hale them being inform'd that they were Portuguese Vessels one belonging to Iames Soarez Gallego and the other to his own Son Balthazar who came from the Kingdom of Patan but who took the way of Pegu without intentions of casting Anchor at Malacca to avoid paying Customes he went in search of Father Francis who was at his Devotions in the Church del Monte and told him that his Prophecy wou'd be accomplish'd to little purpose if the Ships came not into the Port. Xavier took it upon himself to stop them and going into the Skiff which had hail'd them made directly to the two Vessels The Masters of the Ship seeing the man of God receiv'd him with respect He made them understand the present juncture of affairs and earnestly besought them by the interests of their Religion and their Country to assist the Town against the common Enemy of the Christian name and the Crown of Portugal And to ingage them farther by their particular concernment he let them see the danger into which they were casting themselves in case they shou'd obstinately pursue their Voyage and that they were going without consideration to precipitate themselves into the hands of the Barbarians They yielded to the reasons of the Father and the next morning enter'd the Port amidst the shouts and acclamations of the People After this there was no farther dispute of fighting the Enemy and the most timerous came about to the Opinion of the Captains and the Souldiers All things being in a readiness to set sail the Admiral Francis Doza receiv'd the Flag from the hands of Xavier who had solemnly blessed it and mounted the Ship of his Brother George Deza instead of his own which was already sunk The rest of the Captains who had been on shore return'd on Ship-board and with the two newly arriv'd Vessels the whole Fleet consisted of nine their number also being encreas'd by fifty men they were in all two hundred and thirty Portugueses The Fleet went out of Port the 25th of October with strict Orders from the General not to pass beyond the Pulo Cambylan which is the farthest bounds of the Kingdom of Malacca on the West His reason was that since they were so much inferiour in strength to the Enemy who vastly out-number'd them in men and shipping their glory consisted in driving them from off their Coasts and not in farther pursuit of them That what hope soever we have in God yet it becomes us not to tâ—mpt him because Heaven is not accustom'd to give a blessing to rashness and presumption Thus setting out full of assurance and of joy they arriv'd in four days at Pulo Cambylan without having any news of the Enemy notwithstanding their endeavours to find him out The Admiral in obedience to the Governour was thinking to return though the courage of his Souldiers prompted them to pass beyond the Bounds prescrib'd them and to go in search of the Barbarians into whatsoever corner of the World they were retir'd The Admiral I say was dispos'd to have gone back when the Moon suddenly went into an Eclipse It was one of the greatest which had ever been observ'd and seem'd to them to Prognosticate the total defeat of the Mahometans But the same night there arose so violent a wind that they were forc'd to stay upon their Anchors for the space of three and twenty days successively Their Provisions then beginning to grow short and the Wind not suffering them to turn to the Coast of Malacca they resolv'd on taking in fresh Provisions at Tenasserim towards the Kingdom of Siam In the mean time all things were in confusion at Malacca The hopes which Father Xavier had given the People supported them for some few days But seeing a month was now expir'd without any intelligence from the Fleet they believ'd it was either swallow'd by the Waves or defeated by the Achenois and that none had escap'd to bring the news At the same time the Saracens reported confidently they had it from good hands that the Fleets had met that the Achenois had cut in pieces all the Portugueses and had sent the heads of their Commanders as a Present to their King. This bruit was spread through all the Town and was daily strengthen'd after the rate of false rumours which are full of Tragical Events The better to colour this report they gave the circumstances of time and place and the several actions of the Battel The Sorcerers and Soothsayers were consulted by the Pagan Women whose Husbands and Sons were in the Fleet and they confirm'd what-ever was related in the Town It came at last to a publick rising against Xavier and the Governour himself was not wholly free from the popular contagion But Xavier far from the least despondence in the promises of God and of the knowledge he had given
the King of Pedir was on board was in the first Squadron and with him were three Turkish Galions That fury which transported the Barbarians caus'd them at the first â—ight of the Portuguese Navy to discharge against it their whole Artillery But they aim'd so ill that they did them little or no mischief Immediately after the two Admirals met and stemm'd each other They ingag'd on either side with so much resolution that the advantage was not sâ—â—on till a shot was made from the Vessel of Iohn Soarez and out of the Cannon call'd the Camel. It took place so justly that Soâ—ra's Vessel sunk to rights The three Galions which were in Front with him on the same time immediately chang'd their order and left off fighting to save their General and the principal Lords of his Retinue But these Galions which were a cross the Stream and took up half the breadth of it stopp'd their own Vessels which follow'd File by File Insomuch that those of the second rank striking against the first and those of the third against the second they fell foul on each other with a terrible confusion The Portuguese seeing the Army of the Enemy on a heap together without being able to disingage their Ships incompass'd them and batter'd them with their Cannon They discharg'd every tyre three rounds successively and â—o to purpose that they sunk nine great Ships and disabled almost all the rest Then four of the Portuguese Foysts set upon six Mahometans which the Cannon had us'd more favourably than the rest the Souldiers boarded them with their Swords in their Hands and calling on the name of Iesusâ— in less than half an hour they destroy'd above two thousand Men. The fright and the disorder of the Enemies was redoubled at the sight of this â—laughter and at the thundring of the Guns which did such dreadful Execution Insomuch that the Achenois leapt into the River of their own accord chusing rather to die in that manner than by the hands of the Christians Their General being taken up when he was just drowning and drawing new Courage from despair endeavour'd to have heartn'd up the remainder of those who were about him But having himself receiv'd a Musket-shot he lost all manner of resolution and made away with only two Vessels The five hundred Gentlemen Orobalans were either slain or drown'd with all the Ianisaries None escap'd but those who follow'd Soora in his flight On the side of the Christians there were six and twenty slain of whom four only were Portuguese by Nation The Spoil was great for besides the two Guard-ships which came into the power of the Conquerours and wherein was all the Pillage which the Enemy had gain'd they took at least forty five Vessels which might again be made serviceable There was found amongst the Spoils a prodigious quantity of Saracen and Tâ—rkish Arms three hundred pieces of Cannon of all sorts And what was yet more pleasing sixty two pieces of Ordnance whereon were graven the Arms of Portugal and which had been lost in divers Wars return'd at length to the possession of their lawful Lord and owner The King of Parlez no sooner had notice of the Enemies defeat than issuing out of the Woods where he lay conceal'd he came with five hundred Men and fell upon the Workmen who by Soâ—ra's Orders were building a Fortress and on the Souldiers appointed for their Guard. Having cut them in pieces he went to visit Captain Deza and congratulated the Valour of the Portuguese and their success He own'd the preservation of his Kingdom to their Arms and offer'd by way of acknowledgment a yearly Tribute to the King of Portugal Deza immediately order'd a Frigat to carry the news of his Victory to Malacca but it was fully known in that City with all its Circumstances before the Frigat was sent off and thus it happen'd Father Xavier preaching in the great Church betwixt nine and ten of the Clock on Sunday morning which was the fourth of Ianuary according to the old Calendar at the same time when the two Fleets were actually ingag'd stopp'd short on the sudden and appear'd transported out of himself so manifest a change appear'd both in his Countenance and his whole person Having somewhat recover'd himself instead of following his Discourse inspir'd with a Divine Impulse he declar'd to his Audience the incounter and shock of the two Navies but in a Mysterious and Figurative manner The Assembly not comprehending their Preachers meaning were of Opinion that he was distracted still as the Fight grew warmer and the ingagement came to be more close he seem'd to be more and more inflam'd with all the motions of a Man inspir'd and speaking still Prophetically At the length fixing Eyes on the Crucifix that was before him he said with tears in his Eyes accompany'd with sighs but with an audible and distinct voice Ah Jesus thou God of my Soul and Father of all Mercies I most humbly implore thee by the Merits of thy sacred Passion not to forsake those who sight thy Battle After these words he hung down his Head as overweary'd and lean'd upon his Pulpit without farther speaking Having continu'd in that posture for some time he sprung up on the sudden and said aloud with all the motions of Joy which he cou'd not master My Brethren Jesus Christ has vanquish'd for you At this moment while I am speaking the Souldiers of his bless'd name have compleated their Victory by the entire defeat of the Enemies Navy They have made a great slaughter and we have lost but four of our Portugueses You shall receive the news of it on Friday next and may shortly expect the return of your victorious Fleet. How incredible soever this appear'd yet Melo and the principal persons of the Town there present gave credit to it without the least scrâ—ple considering the manner of his speaking and his Air which had somewhat of Divine in it and bore the testimony of its Truth Yet the Wives and Mothers of the absent Souldiers apprehending still it might be false and fearing the more the more they desir'd it shou'd be true The Father assembled them all in the Afternoon at the Church of our Lady del Monte and there repeated so distinctly the whole series of what he had said in the Morning that they durst no longer doubt of it Even in the beginning of the week they had almost evident signs of the Victory by the â—â—ws which came of the King of Bintan who having sent on all sides to be inform'd whether the Portuguese had been defeated being advertis'd from the River of Parlez of what had pass'd forsook Mâ—ar and retir'd with expedition bewailing the misfortune of his Allies and asham'd of his ill tim'd Enterprise The Frigat dispatch'd away by Deza under the conduct of Emanuel Godigno arriv'd exactly on the day mention'd by the Saint The Fleet follow'd shortly after and made a triumphant entry into
clearing iâ— Distribute to the Poor those Collections which are made for them in the Churches by the Charity of the Congregation and beware of taking any part of them for your own uses Fail not every Saturday and Sunday to put the Faithful in mind of giving you notice when any one falls sick to the end you may visit them And give them to know that if they do not advertise you and that the sick person dies you will not allow him burial amongst Christians in punishment of their neglect When you visit the sick take especial care that they repeat to you the Apostles Creed in their Mother Tongue Interrogate them on every Article and ask them if they believe sincerely After this make them say the Conâ—â—teor and the other Catholick Prayers and then read the Gospel over them For the burial of the dead you shall assemble the Children and coming out of the Church with them the Cross being at the head of the Procession you shall sing the Christian Doctrine coming and going You shall say the Prayers of the Church at the House of the dead person and before he is put into the ground You shall also make a short Exhortation to the Assembly before the Corps upon the necessity of death the amendment of life and the practice of Vertue You shall give notice to the Men on Sunday and to the Women on Saturday to bring their sick Children into the Church that you may read the Gospel over them for their cure and that the Parents from thence may receive increase of Faith and respect to the Temples of our Lord. You shall your selves determine all litigious causes and if you cannot end them on the place defer them to the next Sunday and after Divine Service cause them to be expedited by the principal Inhabitants of the place Yet I will not that these sort of Affairs shou'd take up too much of your time Nor that you prefer the care of your Neighbour's temporal Concernments before works of Charity which respect the Salvation of Souls and am of opinion That when any important business of that kind shall happen you shou'd remit it to the Portuguese Commandant Do all things in your power to make your selves belov'd by those people for by that you will be able to do more good upon them than by being fear'd Decree no punishment against any person but by the advice of Father Antonio Criminal And if the Commandant of the Portuguese be present do nothing without his order In case any Man or Woman shall make a Pagod or Idol banish them from the Village if Father Criminal consent to it Testify great affection to the Children who frequent the Christian Schools pardon and wink at their faults sometimes lest a severe usage shou'd fright them from us In presence of a Portuguese abstain from reproving and condemning the Natives of the Countrey who are Christians on the contrary commend and excuse them on all occasions For considering how lately they have embrac'd the Faith and what assistance is wanting to them to live like good Christians 't is only to be admir'd that they are not more vicious Be serviceable in all you can to the Malabar Priests in what relates to their Spiritual Advantage take care that they confess themselves and say Mass and give good Examples and write nothing against them to any person whatsoever Live so well with the Portuguese Commandants that no misunderstanding be ever perceiv'd betwixt you and them For the rest of the Portugueses use all sort of means to make them your Friends Have never any quarrel with any of them though they shou'd bring you into Law or quarrel with you without the least provocation on your part If they use the new Christians hardly oppose them but with much mildness and if you find your opposition may be likely to succeed make your Complaint to the Portuguese Commandant with whom I once again beseech you never to have any difference Let your Conversation with the Portugueses be alwaâ—s confin'd to Spiritual Subjects of Death of Iudgment of Purgaâ—â—ry of Hell of the frequentation of Sacraments and the exact observation of Gods Commandments For if you never speak to them but concerning these matters they will never rob you of those hours which are set apart for your Function Fail not to write to Goa to the Fathers and Brâ—thers of our Society giving them an account of the Fruit of your Labours and proposing to them what you think may be to the advancement of Piety You shall write also to the Bishop but with much Reverence and Submission as to the Common Father and Pastor General of this new World. What 〈◊〉 all things I recommend to you and which I can never sufficiently repeat 〈◊〉 That whatsoever Voyage you make and wheresoever you shall be 〈◊〉 shall endeavour to gain the love of all pâ—â—ple by your good Offices and fair demâ—â—nour by which means you will have greater opportunities for the gaining of Sâ—â—ls which God Almighty grant you all the Grace to do and abide for ever with you Things being thus regulated on the Cost of Fishery the â—ather wou'd pass into the Isle of Ceylan before his return to Goa His design was to gather the fruit of that precious Blood which two years before was shed by the King of Iafanatapan or at least to see what inclination those people had to receive the Gospel who had beheld the constancy of the Martyrs Indeed the death of the two young Princes converted who pretended to the Crown of Iafanatapan destroy'd almost all hopes of planting Christianity in that Isle Notwithstanding which Xavier converted the King of Candè who is one of the Kings of Ceylan After which he went to the Tyrant who had treated the Christians with so much cruelty to try if he cou'd work him though against all humane appearances to suffer the Law of Iesus Christ to be preach'd in his Dominions and to bring him also to be a Christian. As Reasons of State prevail most with Princes so the Father represented to this Infidel That his Throne cou'd never be establish'd but by the Arms of the Portugueses that if he once contracted with them a strict alliance he had nâ—thing farther to apprehend either from his Enemies or his Subjects The Barbarian who fear'd all things both from within and from without forgetting that Dâ—â— Alphonso de Sosa wou'd have made War upon him in favour of the two baptis'd Princes hearken'd to the Propositions of Peace and even permitted the Father to explain to him the Mysteries of the Christian Faith. The instructions of the Saint wrought so much upon the Tyrant that being chang'd in a very short space of time he promis'd to embrace the Faith and labour to bring his Subjects into it offering for the pledge of his word to put his Kingdom into the Hands of the King of Portugal and to pay him such Tribute as shou'd be thought sitting without
which of necessity are to be known at the beginning for the understanding of the History which I write Iapan was anciently one Monarchy The Emperour whom all those Isles obey d was call'd the Dairy and was descended from the Camis who according to the popular Opinion came in a direct line from the Sun. The first Office of the Empire was that of the Cubo that is to say Captain General of the Army For the raising of this Dignity which in it self was so conspicuous in process of time the name of Sama was added to that of Cubo for Sama in their Language signifies Lord. Thus the General of Iapan came to be call'd Cubo Sama. Above three hundred years ago the Cubo Sama then being beholding the Scepter of Iapan in the hands of a Dairy who was cowardly and esâ—eminate revolted from him and got possession of the Regal Dignity His design was to have reduc'd the whole Estate under his own Dominion but he was only able to make himself Master of Meaco where the Emperour kept his Court and of the Provinces depending on it The Governours of other Provinces maintain'd themselves in their respective Jurisdictions by force of Arms and shook off the yoke as well as he Insomuch that the Monarchy came to be suddenly divided into Sixty six Cantons which all assum d the names of Kingdoms Since these revolutions the King of Meaco took the Title of Cubo Sama and he who had been depriv'd of it still retain'd the name of Dairy and excepting only the Power there was still leâ—t him all the priviledge of Royalty in consideration of the Blood of the Camis his Descendants have had always the same Title and enjoy'd the same advantages This in general was the face of the Government in the times of St. Francis Xavier for some years afterwards Nabunanga one of the Neighbour Kings to him of Meaco defeated the Cubo Sama in a pitch'd Battle and follow'd his blow with so much success that having destroy'd all those petty Princes he reunited the whole Empire of Iapan under his sole obedience As to what concerns a Religion all the Iaponians excepting some few who make profession of Atheism and believe the Soul mortal are Idolaters and hold the transmigration of Souls after the Doctrine of Pythagoras Some of them pay Divine Worship to the Sun and Moon others to the Camis those Ancient Kings of whom we have made mention and to the Potoques the Gods of China There are divers of them who adore some kinds of Beasts and many who adore the Devil under dreadful Figures Besides these they have a certain Mysterious Deity whom they call Amida and say this God has built a Paradise of such distance from the Earth that the Souls cannot reach it under a Voyage of three years But the God Xaca is he of whom they report the greatest Wonders who seems to be a counterâ—eit of the true Messiah set up by the Devil himself or by his Ministers For if one wou'd give credit to them Xaca being born of a Queen who never had the carnal knowledge of Man retir'd into the Desarts of Siam and there under-went severe Penances to expiate the Sins of Men that coming out of his Wilderness he assembled some Disciples and preach'd an Heavenly Doctrine in divers Countries 'T is incredible how many Temples have been built to the honour of Amida and Xaca all the Cities are full of them and their magnificence is equal to their number Nor is it easie to imagine how far their superstition carries the Worshippers of these two Deities They throw themselves headlong down from Rocks or bury themselves alive in Caves and 't is ordinary to see Barques full of Men and Women with Stones hanging at their necks and singing the praises of their Gods after which they cast themselves into the Sea. For what remains the Spirit of Lyes has establish'd in Iapan a kind of Hierarchy not unlike that of the Catholique Church For these People have a Chief of their Religion and a kind of Soveraign Priest whom they call Saâ—o He keeps his Court in the Capital City of the Empire and 't is he who approves the Sects who institutes the Ceremonies who Consecrates if I may be allow'd to say so the Tundi who resemble our Bishops and whose principal Function is to ordain the Priests of Idols by conferring on them the power of offering Sacrifice These Priests who are call'd Bonzes part of them living in Desarts the rest in Towns all affect a rigid austerity of manners and are amongst the Iaponneses what the Brachmans are amongst the Indians unless that they are yet more impious and greater Hypocrites To resume our History immediately after the arrival of Xavier and his Companions Paul de Sainte Foy whom formerly we call'd Anger went to pay his duty to the King of Saxuma on which Congoxlma is depending and whose Palace is about the distance of six Leagues from it That Prince who had heretofore shewn great favour to him receiv'd him with much humanity and with so much the greater joy because he had believ'd him dead This kind reception gave Paul de Sainte Foy the confidence to petition the King for the pardon of that action which had occasion'd his departure and it was not difficult for him to obtain it The King naturally curious as the Iaponians generally are enquir'd much of him concerning the Indies as what was the nature of the Country and the humour of the People and whether the Portugueses were as brave and as powerful as they were represented by common Fame When Paul had satisfy'd him on these and the like Particulars the discourse fell on the different Religions in the Indies and finally on Christianity which was introduc'd by the Portugueses in India Paul unfolded at large the Mysteries of our Faith and seeing with what pleasure he was heard produc'd a Tablet of the Virgin holding the little Iesus in her arms The Tablet was very curious and Xavier had given it to this Iaponnese that he might shew it as occasion offer'd The sight alone of this excellent Painting wrought so much upon the King that being touch'd with thoughts of Piety and Reverence he sell on his knees with all his Courtiers to honour the Persons therein represented which seem'd to him to have an air that was more than humane He commanded it shou'd be carried to the Queen his Mother She was also charm'd with it and prostrated her self by the same instinct with all the Ladies of her Train to salute the Mother and the Son. But as the Ioponian Women are yet more inquisitive than the men she ask'd more inquisitive than the men she ask'd a thousand questions concerning the Blessed Virgin and our Saviour which gave Paul the desir'd opportunity of relating all the Life of Iesus Christ and this Relation so much pleas'd the Queen that some few days after when he was upon his return to
are no more in a possibility of Salvation than the Women May it please the divine goodness of our Lord reply'd Xavier to enlighten those dark and wretched Souls with the beams of his Coelestial truth to the end they may confess their errour both as to that particular and to the rest of their Belief The Child discours'd on other Subjects and spoke with so much Reason and with that sublimity of Thought that the Father doubted not but he was inspir'd by the holy Spirit who when he pleases can replenish the Souls of Infants with Wisdom and give Eloquence to their Tongues before Nature has ripen'd in them the use of Reason In these Entertainments which were surprising to all the Assistants they pass'd into another Hall where there were many Gentlemen richly habited and of good Meen At the moment when the Father enter'd all of them bow'd with Reverence which Action they repeated thrice and so very low that they touch'd the ground with their Foreheads as the Iapoâ—neses are very dextrous at that exercise And this Reverence which they call Gromenare is only perform'd by the Son to the Father and by the Vassal to his Lord. After this two of them separating from the Company to testify their general joy at the sight of him one of them spoke in this manner May your arrival holy Father Bonza â—e as pleasing to our King as the smiles of a Babe are to his Mother who holds him in her Arms which certainly will be for we swear to you by the Hairs of our Heads that every thing even to the very Walls which seem to dance for joy at your desir'd presence conspires to your good reception and excites us to rejoice at your arrival we doubt not but it will turn to the Glory of that God of whom you have spoken so greatly at Amanguchi This Complement being ended these young Lords were following the Father but the Child of whom we made mention and whom Xavier led by the Hand made a sign to them that they shou'd go no farther They mounted on a Terrace border'd with Orange-trees and from thence enter'd into another Hall more spacious than either of the former Facharandono the Kings Brother was there with a magnificent retinue Having done to the Saint all the Civilities which are practis'd to the greatest of Iapan he told him That this day was the most solemn and auspicious of all the year for the Court of Bungo and that his Lord the King esteem'd himself more rich and happy to have him in his Palace than if he were Master of all the Silver contain'd in the two and thirty Treasurieâ— of China In the mean time added the Prince I wish you an increase of Glory and an entire accomplishment of that design which brought you hither from the extrâ—miâ—ies of the Earth Then the Child who had hitherto been the Master of the Ceremonies to the Father left him in the hands of â—acharandono and retir'd apart They enter'd into the Kings Antichamber where the principal Lords of the Kingdom were attending him After he had been receiv'd by them with all possible civilities he was at last introduc'd to his Audience in a Chamber which glitter'd with Gold on every side The King who was standing advanc'd five or six paces at the first appearance of the Father and bow'd himself even to the ground thrice successively at which action all the Company were in great amazement Xavier on his side prostrated himself before that Prince and wou'd have touch'd his Foot according to the Custom of the Country but the King wou'd not permit him and himself rais'd up the Saint then taking him by the Hand he caus'd him to sit down by him on the same Estrade The Prince his Brother was seated somewhat lower and the Portugueses were plac'd over against them accompany'd by the most qualify'd persons of the Court. The King immediately said all the obliging things to the Father which cou'd be expected from a well-bred Man. And laying aside all the pomp of Majejesty which the Kings of Iapan are never us'd to quit in publick treated him with the kindness and familiarity of a Friend The Father answer'd all these Civilities of the Prince with a most profound respect and words full of deference and submission after which taking occasion to declare Iesus Christ to him he explain'd in few words the principal Maxims of Christian Morality but he did it after so plausible a manner that at the conclusion of his Discourse the King cry'd out in a transport of admiration How can any Man learn from God these profound secrets Why has 〈◊〉 suffer'd us to live in blindness and this Bonza of Portugal to receive these wonderful illuminations For in fine we our selves are Witnesses of what we had formerly by report and all we hear is maintain'd by proofs so strong and evident and withal so conformable to the light of Nature that whoever wou'd examine these Doctrines according to the Rules of Reason will find that Truth will issue out and meet him on every side and that no one proposition destroys another 'T is far otherwise with our Bonza's they cannot make any Discourse without the clashing of their own Principles and from thence it happens that the more they speak the mâ—re they intangle themselves Confus'd in their knowledge and yet more confus'd in the explication of what they teacâ— rejecting to day as false what yesterday they approv'd for true Contradicting themselves and recanting their Opinions every moment insomuch that the clearest Head and the most ready Vnderstanding can comprehend nothing of their Doctrine and in relation to Eternal Happiness we are always left in doubt what we shou'd believe A most manifest token that they only follow the extravagancies of their own Fancies and have not for the Rule and Foundation of their Faith any perâ—anent and solid Truth In this manner spoke the King and it was easy to judge by the vehemence of his action that he spoke from the abundance of his Heart There was present a Bonza very considerable in his Sect and of good knowledge but too presuming of his Understanding and as much conceited of his own Abilities as any Pedant in the World. This Bonza whose name was Faxiondono either jealous of the Honour of his Profession or taking to himself in particular what the King had said of all in general was oftentempted to have interrupted him yet he master'd his Passion till the King had done but then losing all manner of respect and not keeping any Measures of Decency How dare you said he decidâ— Matters relating to Religion you who have never studied in the Vniversity of Fianzima the only place where the sacred Mysteries of the Gods are explicated If you know nothing of your self consult the Learned I am here in person tâ— instruct you The Insolence of the Bonza rais'd 〈◊〉 indignation of all the Company the King excepted who smiling commanded him to proceed
mouth that thâ—â— art God Eternal and Omnipotent and I earnestly desire the pardon of all my Auditors that I have so often taught them things for truth which I acknowledge and at this present declare before them were only Forgeries and Fables An action which was so surprizing mov'd the minds of all the assistants and it was in the power of Father Xavier to have Baptis'd thâ—t very day five hundred Persons who being led by the example of the Bonza of Canafama all of them earnestly desir'd Baptism He might perhaps have done this in the Indies where there were no Learned men to oppose the Mysteries of our Faith and to tempt the sidelity of the new Converts by captious queries But he judg'd this not to be practicable in Iapan where the Bonza's not being able to hinder the conversion of Idâ—laters endeavour'd afterwards to regain them by a thousand lying artifices and sophistications and it appear'd necessary to him before he Baptis'd those who were grown up to Manhood to fortifie them well against the tricks of those Seducers Accordingly the Saint dispos'd the Souls of those Gentiles by degrees to this first Sacrament and began with thâ— reformation of their Manners chusing rather not to baptise the King of Bungo than to precipitate his Baptism Or rather he thought that his Conversion wou'd be always speedy enough provided it were sincere and constant Thus the great care of Father Xavier in relation to the Prince was to give him an aversion to those infamous Vices which had been taught him by the Bonza's and in which he liv'd vvithout scruple upon the Faith of those his Masters Now the King attending with great application to the man of God and having long conversations with him began immediately to change his life and to give the demonstrations of that change From the very first he banish'd out of his Chamber a beautiful youth who vvas his Minion and also forbad him the entry of his Palace He gave bountifully to the Poor to whom he had formerly been hard-hearted as thinking it was a crime to pity them and an act of Justice to be cruel to them according to the Doctrine of his Bonza's who maintain'd that poverty not only made men despicable and ridiculous but also Criminal and worthy of the â—everest punishments According to the Principles of the same Doctours Women with Child vvere allow'd to make themselves miscarry by certain Potions and even to murther those Children whom they brought into the World against their will. Insomuch that such unnatural cruelties were daily committed and nothing was more common in the Kingdom of Bungo then those inhumane Mothers Some of them to save the charges of their food and education others to avoid the miseries attending Poverty and many to preserve the reputation of Chastity however debauch'd and infamous they were The King by the admonition of the Father forbad those cruelties on pain of death He made other Edicts against divers Pagan Ceremonies which were lascivious or dishonest and suffer'd not the Bonza's to set a Foot within his Palace As to what remains he was wrapt in admiration at the vertue of the holy man and confess'd often to his Courtiers that when he saw him appear at any time he trembled even to the bottom of his heart because he seem'd to see the Countenance of the man of God as a clear mirrour representing to him the abominations of his Life While Xavier had this success at the Court of Bungo Torrez and Iohn Fernandez suffer'd for the Faith at Amanguchi After the departure of the Saint the whole Nation of the Bonza's rose against them and endeavour'd to confound them in regular disputes Flattering themselves with this Opinion that the Companions of Xavier were not so learned as himself and judging on the other side that the least advantage which they shou'd obtain against them wou'd re-establish the declining affairs of Pagamism It happen'd quite contrary to their expectations Torrez to whom Fernandez serv'd instead of an Interpreter answer'd their questions with such force of reason that they were wholly vanquish'd not being able to withstand his arguments they endeavour'd to decry him by their calumnies spreading a report that the Companions of the great European Bonza cut the throats of little Children by night suck'd their blood and eat their Flesh That the Devil had declar'd by the mouth of an Idol that these two Europeans were his Disciples and that it was himself who had instructed them in those subtle answers which one of them had return'd in their publick disputations Besides this some of the Bonza's made oath that they had seen a Devil darting flakes of fire like Thunder and Lightning against the Palace of the King as a Judgement so they call'd it against those who had receiv'd into the Town these Preachers of an upstart Faith. But perceiving that none of these inventions took place according to their desires and that the people instead of giving credit to their projects made their sport at them partly in revenge and partly to verify their Visions they engag'd in their Interests a Lord of the Kingdom who was as great Souldier and a Malecontent him they wrought to take up arms against the King. This Noble man provok'd with the sâ—nce of his ill usage at Court and farther heighten'd by motives of Religion and interest rais'd an Army in less than three weeks time by the assistance of the Bonza's and came pouring down like a deluge upon Amanguchi The King who was neither in condition to give him Battel nor provided to sustain a Siege and who fear'd all things from his Subjects of whom he was extreamly hated lost his Courage to that degree that he look'd on death as his onely remedy For apprehending above all things the ignominy of falling alive into the power of Rebels push'd on by a barbarous despair he first murther'd his Son and then ript up his own belly with a knife having before-hand left Order with one of his faithful Servants to burn their Bodies so soon as they were dead and not to leave so much as their ashes at the disposal of the Enemy All was put to Fire and Sword within the City During this confusion the Souldiers animated by the Bonza's search'd for Torrez and Fernandez to have Massacred them And both of them had perish'd without mercy if the Wife of Neatondono of whom formerly we have made mention and who though continuing a Pagan Yet had so great a kindness for Xavier that for his sake she kept them hidden in her Palace 'till the publick tranquility was restor'd For as these popular commotions are of the nature of storms which pass away and that so much the more speedily as they had been more violent the Town resum'd her former countenance in the space of some few days The Heads of the People being assembled for the Election of a new King by common consent pitch'd on the Brother of the King
apt to receive the instructions which vvere given him by Father Antonio Heredia who endeavour'd his Conversion with great Zeal But his fear of farther exasperating his Rebellious Subjects in case he chang'd his Religion caus'd him to defer that change from time to time and perhaps he had never forsaken the Law of Mahomet if Father Francis had not arriv'd to compleat that work which Heredia had begun The holy Apostle preach'd the word vvith so much eâ—â—icacy to the King of the Maldivia's that at length he reduc'd him to the obedience of Christ notwithstanding all the motives of worldly interest to the contrary Having instructed him anew in the Mysteries of Christianity he solemnly baptis'd him In sequel of which he excited the Portugueses to replace him on the Throne and nominated some of the Fathers to accompany the Naval Army which shou'd be sent to the Maldivia's His intention was that they shou'd labour in the Conversion of the whole Kingdom when once the King shou'd be establish'd But because it was of small importance to the Crown of Portugal that those Islands which produce neither Gold nor Spices nor Perfumes shou'd be made tributary to it the Governours did nothing for that exil'd Prince who despairing to recover his Dominions marri'd a Portuguese and liv'd a private life till the day of his death Happy only in this that the loss of his Crown was made up to him by the gift of Faith and the Grace of Baptism When the holy Man was ready to depart an opportunity was offer'd him of writing into Europe which he laid hold on thereby to render an account of his Voyage to Iapan both to the King of Portugal and to the General of his Order Then imbarking for Goa he had a speedy Voyage and arriv'd there in the beginning of February So soon as he was come on shore he visited the sick in the Town-Hospitals and then went to the Colledge of St. Paul which was the House of the Society After the ordinary embracements which were more tender than ever he enquir'd if none were sick within the Colledge He was answer'd there was only one who was lying at the point of death Immediately Xavier went and read the Gospel over him At the sight of the Father the dying man recover'd his Spirits and was restor'd to health The Physicians had given him over and all things had been order'd for his burial But he himself had never despair'd of his recovery and the day when Xavier arriv'd he said with a dying voice That if God wou'd grant him the favour of beholding their good Father he shou'd infallibly recover The Relation which Xavier made to the Fathers of Goa concerning the Church of Iapan was infinitely pleasing to them And he himself was fill'd with equal consolation in learning from them the present condition of Christianity in the Indies The Missioners whom he had dispers'd before his departure were almost all of them united at his return Some of them were come by his command and others of their own motion concerning urgent business as if the holy Spirit had re-assembl'd them expresly that the presence of the Man of God might redouble in them their Apostolick Zeal and Religious Fervour God had every where blest their labours The Town of Ormus which fell to the lott of Father Gaspar Barzaeus had wholly chang'd its Countenance Idolaters Saracens and Iews ran in multitudes to Baptism The Temples of Idols were consecrated to Christ the Mosques and Synagogues were dispeopled ill Manners were reform'd and ill Customs totally abolish'd Christianity flourish'd more than ever in the Coast of Fishery since the death of Father Antonio Criminal who had cultivated it with care and in that cultivation was massacred by the Badages The blood of the Martyr seem'd to have multiply'd the Christians they were reckon'd to be more than â—ive hundred thousand all Zealous and ready to lay down their lives for their Religion The Gospel had not made less progress at Cochin and at Coulan at Bazain and at Meliapore at the Molucca's and in the Isles del Moro. Put it is almost incredible with what profit the Gospel Labourers preach'd at Goa All the Priests of Idols had been driven out of the Isle of Goa by Order from the Governour and at the solicitation of one of the Fathers belonging to the Colledge of St. Paul. It was also prohibited under severe Penalties to perform any publick action of Idolatry within the District of Goa and those Ordinances by little and little reduc'd a multitude of Gentils As for the Portugueses their lives were very regular amidst the liberty of doing whatsoever pleas'd them they refrain'd from all dishonest actions and Concubines were now as scarce as they had been common The Souldiers liv'd almost in the nature of men in Orders and even their Piety edify'd the People But nothing was more pleasing to Xavier than the Conversion of two Princes who during his absence had been at Goa The first was King of Tanor a Kingdom scituate along the Coasts of Malabar betwixt Cranganor and Calecuâ— This Prince who was party-per-pale Mahometan and Idolater but prudent a great Warriour of a comely shape and more polite than was usual for a Barbarian had â—â—om his youth a tendency to Christianity without being well instructed in it He was enamour'd of it after he had been inform'd to the full concerning the Mysteries of our Faith by a Religious of the Order of St. Francis who frequented his Palace In the mean time the wars which he had with other Princes for ten years together hinder'd him from receiving Baptism At length he was Christen'd but very secretly so that in appearance he remain'd an Infidel to keep the better correspondeâ—ce with his People Yet he was not without some scruple concerning the manner of his Life and in order to satisfie his Conscience on so nice a Point he desir'd the Bishop of Goa to sâ—nd him an Apostle for by that name the Fathers of the Society were call'd by the Indiâ—ns as well as by the Portâ—gueses Father Gomez who was sent to the King of Tanor told him positively that God wou'd be serv'd in spirit and in truth that dissembling in Religion was worse than irreligion and that Iesus wou'd disown before his Angels those who disown'd him before men The King who preferr'd his Salvation before his Crown believ'd Gomez and resolv'd to declare himself solemnly a Christian as soon as he had made a Treaty with his Enemies Having concluded a Peace through the mediation of the Father who had advis'd him to it he came to Goa in despight of all his Subjects who not being able to gain upon him either by their reasons or their desires had seiz'd upon his Person and shut him up in one of the strongest Citadels of the Kingdom He escap'd out of his Prison swam a River and having found eight Foysts or half Galleys belonging to Goa which were purposely sent
conceal his ill intentions Xavier quickly discover'd them and at the same time wrote to Pereyra who was yet at Sunda advising him to come without any Equipage and to affect nothing of magnificence that he might not farther exasperate an interessed and jealous Soul. But all the modesty of the Ambassadour cou'd not hinder the Governour from breaking out At the first noise of his arrival he sent Officers of Justice and Souldiers to the Port with Orders to make seisure on the Ship call'd Santa Cruz to take away the Rudder and give it into his hands This was the first act of Jurisdiction which was exercis'd by Doâ— Alvarez as Captain of the Sea employing against Xavier himself that Authority which had been procur'd him by Xavier and pushing his ingratitude as far as it cou'd go In the mean time to cover his Passion with the pretext of publick good according to the common practice of men in power he protested â—oudly That the interests of the Crown had constrain'd him to act in this manner That he had receiv'd information from his Spies that the Iavans were making preparations of War to come upon Malacca once again That he cou'd not have too many Ships in readiness against such formidable Enemies and that the Santa Cruz was of absolute necessity to the Kings service This Fable which was the product of his own Brains was soon exploded by the arrival of some other Portuguese Vessels who coming from the Isles of Iava made Oath that these Barbarians being ingag'd amongst themselves in Civil Wars had no thoughts of any Forreign Conquest Don Alvarez not being able any longer to support the credit of his Tale pull'd off the Mask and stood upon no farther Ceremonies Xavier perceiving that the love of Iucre was his governing Passion made oâ—â—ers to him by Pereyra of thirty thousand Crowns in pure gift but the desire of ingrossing all the gain was the reason which prevail'd with Atayda to refuâ—e it The Treasurer with the rest of thâ— Crown-Officers being come to remonstrate to him that the Kings Orders were positive not to stop the Navigation of those Merchants who had pay'd the duties of the Port he threaten'd them with his Cane which he held up against them and drove them out of his Chamber with great fury saying That he was too old to be counsell'd that as long as he continu'd Governour of Malacca and Captain â—f the Seas James Pereyra shou'd not go to China either as Ambassadoâ—r or Merchant and if Father Xavier was intoxicated with the zeal of converting Heathens he might go to Brazile or to the Kingdom of Monomotapa Francis Pereyra who was Auditouâ— Royal and who had great Credit in the Town not being able either by his Intreaties or his Arguments to obligâ— Don Alvarez to restore the Rudder of thâ— Santa Cruz wou'd have forc'd it froâ— him but this was oppos'd by Xavierâ— who foresaw that the Souldiers who kept the Rudder wou'd defend it witâ— the hazard of their lives and that this Affair wou'd have ill Consequences The way which was taken by the holy Man was to send to the Governourâ— the Grand Vicar Iohn Suarez attendeâ— by the most considerable persons of thâ— Town to shew him the Letters of King Iohn the Third which expresly made out his intentions That Father Xavier shou'd extend the Faith as far as he was able through all the Kingdoms of the East and that the Governours shou'd favour him on all occasions Suarez read also to the Governour the Letter of the Vice King Don Alphonso de Norogna in which he declar'd Criminal of State whosoever shou'd hinder or oppose this particular Voyage of the Saint That which ought to have reduc'd Don Alvarez to Reason or at least to have terrify'd him serv'd only to make him more unreasonable and more audacious He rose from his Seat with the action of a Mad-man and stamping with his foot sent back the Grand Vicar with this dutiful expression The Kings Interest you say requires this to be perform'd and I will not suffer it to be perform'd Here I am and will be Master These outrageous dealings of the Governour were not consinâ—d to those who made these Remonstrances to him from the Father they extended even to the Saint himself whom he look'd on as the Author and head of the Enterprise 'T is incredible what injurious words he gave him anâ— how rudely he treated him on several occasions Insomuch that it was the common talk of Malacca that this Persecution might pass for the Martyrdom of Father Xavier The Servant of God resented nothing which was done to his own person He bless'd God continually for giving him occasions of suffering but he was extreamly sensible of what Religion and the progress of the Gospel suffer'd and was often seen to weep abundantly He ceas'd not for a moneth together to sollicite the Governour sometimes beseeching him by the wounds of a Crucify'd Saviour sometimes urging him with the fatal consequences of a miserable Eternity and endeavouring to let him understand what a crime it was to hinder the publication of the Gospel but these Divine Reasons prevail'd as little with Don Alvarez as the Humane had done formerly This strange obduracy quite overwhelm'd the Father when he saw that all these ways of mildness were unsuccessful and the season of Navigation pass'd away after he had well consulted God upon it he concluded that it was time to try the last remedies Ten years were now expir'd since his coming to the Indies and hitherto no one person excepting only the Bishop of Goa was made privy to his being the Apostolick Nuncio He had kept this secret in profound silence and had not once exercis'd his power But now he thought himself oblig'd to own it in a business of so great consequence and to strike with the Thunders of the Church if occasion were the Man who made open War against the Church Which notwithstanding he wou'd not dart the Thunderbolt himself but us'd the hand of the Grand Vicer having sent for him he began with shewing him one of the Briefs of Paul the Third which constituted him his Nuncio in all the Kingdoms of the East After this he requested Suarez to shew this Brief to Don Alvarez and to explain to him the Censures which were incurr'd by those who shou'd oppose the Popes Legats in matters of Religion and to exhort him by what was most holy in the World to suffer the Embassy to proceed In case of refusal to threaten him with Ecclesiastical punishments from the Vicar of Iesus Christ and to adjure him at the same time by the death of the Saviour of Mankind to take compassion on himself Xavier had always hop'd that the Governour wou'd open his Eyes and in that writing which he gave the Vicar to ingage him in that nice Commission there were these following words I cannot believe that Don Alvarez can be so hardâ—n'd but that he will be mollify'd
his departure He departs from Cangoxima He â—oes to the Castle of Ekâ—nâ—â—no He declares the Gospel before Ekandono and the fruits of his Preaching What 〈…〉 of the Faâ—â—h in the nâ—w Châ—istians of the Castle Thoughts of a Christian of Ekandono He leaves a Discipline with the Steward of Ekandono and the use he makes of it He leaves a little Book with the Wise of Ekandono and for what it serv'd He arrives at Firando and what reception he had there He preaches at Frâ—ndâ— with great â—uâ—â—ess He takes Amanguchi in his way to Meaco He stays at Amanguchi his Actions there What hinder'd the fruit of his preaching at Amanguchi He appears before the King of Amanguchi and expounds to him the Doctrine of Christianity He preaches before the King in Amanguchi without success He pursues his Voyage for Meaco Hâ— suâ—â—erings in the Voyage of Meaco He follows a Horseman with great difficulty He instructs the people in pasâ—ing through the Towns. He arrives aâ— Meaco and labours there unprofitably 〈…〉 Being return'd to Amanguchi â—e gains an Auâ—ience of the King. He obtains permissâ—â—n to preach He 〈◊〉 visited by great multitudes The Qualities which he â—â—inks re 〈◊〉 in a Missioner to Japan He answers many men with one only word He preaches in Amanguchi He speaks the Chinese Language without learning it The fruit of his Preaching His joy in observing the servour of the Faithful His occasioâ—s of sorrow amongst his Spiritual joys The Faith is embrac'd notwithstanding the Princes example and by what means 〈…〉 He 〈◊〉 against the Bonza's The Bonza's oppâ—se the Christian Religion He answers 〈◊〉 Arguments of the Bonza's The Bonza's provoke the King against the Christians The number of Christians is augmented together with the Reputatiâ—n of the Saint He sends a Japonian Christian of the Kingdom of Bungo and for what reason He departs from Amanguchi and goes for Bungo He falls sick with overtravelling himself and after a little rest pursues his Iourney He is receiv'd with Honour by the Portugueses and complemented from the King of Bungo He is much esteem'd by the King of Bungo The Letter of the King of Bungâ— to Father Xavier In what 〈◊〉 â—e goes to the Court of Bungo His entry into the Palace of the King of Bungo He receives the Complements of several persons in the Coâ—rt He is introduc'd to an Audience of the King of Bungo and what passes in it What passes 〈◊〉 the King of Bungo and Xavier The Honour of Xavier in the Kingdom of â—ungo and the success of his Labours there 〈…〉 〈…〉 What happens to the Companions of Xavier at Amanguchi The death â—f the king of Amanguchi and the 〈◊〉 of tâ—e Toâ—n The Brother of the King of Bungo it chosen King of Amanguchi the Saint rejâ—yces at it He prepares to leave Japan and takes leave of the King of Bungo 〈…〉 〈…〉 A new Artifice of the Bonza's against the Saint The beginning of the Conference betwixt Xavier and Fucarandono 〈…〉 The fury of the Bonza's 〈◊〉 the Portuguese to retire to their Ship. The Captain of the Ship endeavours to perswade Xavier to return but in vain The Captain takes up a Resolution to stay with Xavier A new Enterprise of the Bonza's against him He returns to the Palace to renew the Conference with Fucarandono The dispute renew'd †An Argument ready cut and dry'd for the use of any Church by Law establish'd The answer of Xavier to the first question of Fucarandono The second question of Fucarandono to which the Father answers with the same success as to the former 〈…〉 of the dispâ—te betwixt Xavier and Fucarandono The 〈◊〉 which the King of Bungo dâ—es to Xavier The Bonza's present a wâ—â—ting to the King but without effect Thâ—â— wrangle abâ—ut the signification of words Tâ—â—â— dispute in the nature of School-Dâ—vinâ—s 〈…〉 The fruit of his Disputation with the Bonza's Hâ—â—eaves Japan and returnâ—â—o the Indies God reveals 〈◊〉 him thâ— Siege of â—â—lacca What happens to him in his return from Japan to the Indies How Xavier bâ—havâ—s himself during the Tempest What happenâ— to the Chalâ—op belâ—nging to the Ship. He expects the return of the Chalop or Cockbâ—at notwithstandingâ— all appearances to the contrary He renews his Prayers for the return of the Chalop He prays once more for the return of the Chalop The Chalop appears and comes up with the Ship. He arrives at the Isle of Sancian anâ— goes off after a little time His Prediction to the Piâ—â—â— A mâ—rvellâ—us effect of the Saints Prâ—phecy He â—ormâ— the deâ—â—gn of 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 â—e takes his measures with Pereyra for the Voyage of China He dissipacâ—â— a Tempest his 〈…〉 concerning the Ship of James Pereyra * The holy Cross. His reception at Malacca The History of the Ship call'd Santa Cruz. He arrives at Cochin and finishes the Conversion of thâ— King of the Maldivia's He writes into Europe and comes to Goa He cureâ— a â—â—ing mâ—n immediatelâ— upâ—n his arrival He hears ioyful news of the progress of Christianity in the Indies The Câ—nâ—ersiâ—n of the King of Tanor The Conversion of the King of Trichenamalo The Letter from the Bishop of thâ— Indies to Father Ignatius He â—ears other comfortable news He is afflicted with the misdemeanours of Father Antonio Gomez How Gomez attacks the Authority of Paul de Camerino The extravagâ—â—ces of Gomeâ— in matters of Religion The violence and injustice of Gomez Xavier repairs the faults committed by Gomez He expelâ— Gomez from the Society He sends out Missioners to divers places He endavours an Embassy to China He appoints Barzaeus Rector of the Colledge of Goa The form by which Barzâ—us was made Rector of the Colledge c. 〈…〉 〈…〉 The new Instruâ—â—ns which he 〈◊〉 tâ— Barzaeus 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 Before his arrival at Malacca he knows the Plague is in the Town 〈…〉 He raises a yâ—ung man tâ— life 〈…〉 of China is crâ—ss'd by the 〈◊〉 of Malacca Xavier endeavâ—urs all he can tâ— gain the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 for the Embass◠〈…〉 The Gâ—â—eâ—nâ—ur flies â—ut into fury against the Father The Father resolves to excommunicate the Governour and what he does in order to it 〈…〉 The Saint imputes the overthrow â—f the Embassy to his own sins In writing tâ— the King of Portugal he makes no complaint of the Gâ—vernour of Malacca 〈…〉 He departs from Malacca withâ—ut seeing the Governour and what he does in going out of the Town He embarques and what happens afterwards He changes the salt-water into fresh He 〈…〉 Maâ— omâ—tan his Sâ—n who was fallen into the. Sea. He appears of an extraordinary height and much above his own statâ—â—e He reassures the Captain of the Santa Cruz and the Mariners â—e arriâ—es at the Isle of Sancian What passes betwixt Xavier and Veglio He fâ—retels to Veglio that he shall be advertis'd of the day of his death The Prediction â—f the Saint is â—ccomplish'd in all its circumâ—â—ances Other wâ—nderâ—ul Iâ—uâ—inations He raises up a dead man and drives the Iygers out of the Island 〈…〉 He takes his measures for the Voyage of China * A Pardo says Tavernier is of the value of 27 Soâ—s French Money ten of which make about a shilling English. The Portugueses of Sancian traâ—erse the design of Xavier He deferrs his Voyage in consideration of the Portuguese Merchants He writes divers Letters to Malacca and to Goa He gives Orders to Father Francis Perez and to Father Gaspar Earzaâ—us He foretels the unhappy death of a Merchant He is reduc'd to an 〈…〉 The means sail him for his passage into China He is still in hope and the expedient which he finds He falls sick again and 〈◊〉 the day of his death The nature of his sickness and how he was inwardly dispâ—s'd He entertains himself with God in the extremity of his sickness He denounces to a young Indian the unhappy death which was attending him The death of the Saint His age and person Of the 〈◊〉 which were pay'd him immediately afteâ— his decease They inter him without any Ceremony The miraculous Crucifix in the Chappel of the Castle of Xavier He is 〈◊〉 and his Body is found without the least 〈◊〉 The body of the Saint is put on Ship-board to be transported into India How the Body is receiv'd at Malacca The punishment of the Governour of Malacca The Town of Malacca is freed fâ—â—m the Pestilence at the 〈◊〉 of the holy Body In what manner the Bâ—dy of the Saint is treated in Malacca They consider of transporting thâ— holy Corps to Goa The Body is put into a craz'd old Ship and what happens to it in the passage 〈…〉 They come from Goa to meet the Corps Hâ—w the Câ—rps â—f the Saint is receiv'd at Goâ— The Miracles which are wrought during the Pâ—ocession 〈…〉 New Mirâ—â—les arâ— wrâ—ught in presence of the Bâ—dy The informations of the Saints liâ—e are gather'd in the Indies 〈…〉 They build Churches in honâ—â—r to him in divers parts of the East Thâ— praises which are giâ—en him by Infidels anâ— the honour they perform to him How much he is honour'd at Japan 〈…〉 〈…〉 His Chaâ—ity tâ—wards hâ—s Neiâ—hbâ—ur His Zeal of Souls The vâ—riâ—us Iâ—dustâ—y of his Zeal 〈…〉 The extent of his Zeal His Intrepidity in dangers and his Câ—nsâ—dence in God. His Humility His Maximes on Humility His submiâ—siâ—n to 〈◊〉 pleasure 〈…〉 His Maximes on obedience and his love for the Society 〈…〉 His purity of Sâ—ul and Body His devotion to the Blessed Virgin His Canonization 〈◊〉 sollicited and what is done in order to it by the King of Bungo 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 remarkable Cures The perpetual Miracle of the Saintâ— Body He is beatify'd and in sequel Canoniz'd The Contents of the Bull of his Canonization The Veneration of the Saint is much increas'd since his Canonization New Miracles are wrought and chiefly in Italy * The principal Navigations Voyages Discoveries c. of the English c 2d part of the 2d Volume * The Reader is referr'd to the Original English for the words themselves the Translatour not having the work by him What 〈◊〉 be concluded from these testimonies and from all the Bâ—ok
damn'd Eternally or he foresaw it not If he had no foresight of it his prescience did not extend so far as you wou'd have us to believe but if he foresaw it the consequence is worse that he did not hinder this Revolt which had prevented their damnation Your God being as you say the Fountain of all goodness must now be acknowledg'd by you for the original cause of so much evil Thus you are forc'd said the Bonza to confess either ignorance or malice in your God. Xavier was so much amaz'd to hear a Bonza reasoning like a School-man that turning to Edward de Gama who was by him See says he softly in Portuguese that he might not be understood by the Iaponians see how the Devil has sharpen'd the Wit of these his Advocates In the mean time one of the Bonza's coming up to the charge said according to the same Principle That if God had foreknown that Adam wou'd sin and cast down together with himself his whole Progeny into an Abyss of miseries why did he create him At least when our first Father was ready to eat of the forbidden Fruit why did not that Omnipotent â—and which gave him being annihilate him at the same moment A third Bonza taking the word urg'd him with another Argument If our Evil be as â—ncient as the World said he subtilly why did God let so many Ages pass away without giving it a remedy Why did he not descend from Heaven and make himself Man to redeem humane kind by his death and sufferings as soon as ever Man was guilty To what degree did thâ—se first men sin to become unworthy of such a favour And what has been the merit of their Descendants that they shou'd be more favourably treated than their Predecessours These difficulties did not appear nâ—w to Xavier who was very learn'd and who had read whatsoever the Fathers and School Divines had said concerning them He answer'd without doubt according to their Doctrine but the Portuguese who relates the Objections durst not undertake to write the Solutions of them if we will believe himself because they surpass'd the Understanding of a Merchant The Bonza's made many Replies to all which the Father gave the proper Solutions in few words and according to the Rules of the Schools whether it were that they comprehended not the Solutions or were it out of their hot-headedness or that they seem'd not to understand them to avoid the shame of being bassled they yeilded not but cry'd out louder than before As they disputed more for Victory than Truth they deny'd all things even to those Principles which are self-evident pretending thereby to encumber their Opponent Xavier knew what use to make of his advantages he turn'd the Confusion upon them by reducing them to manifest contradictions from whence they cou'd never disingage themselves So that instead of answering they gnash'd their Teeth foam'd at Mouth and stamp'd and star'd about like Mad-men The King whose Indignation was rais'd by seeing the obstinacy of the Bonza's said to them in a kind of Passion As for my self as far as I am capable of judging I find that Father Xavier speaks good Sence and that you know not what you say You shou'd either understand better or be less violent than you appear to judge of these Truths without prejudice But if the Divine Law be wanting to you make use of your Reason which of it self will let you see that you are not to deny things which are evident nor to bark like Dogs After these words he rose from his Seat and taking Xavier by the Hand brought him back to his own Lodging The people who follow'd in great multitudes made loud acclamations and the Streets rung with the Praises of the holy Man. While the Bonza's mad with rage and envy cry'd out aloud May the fire of Heaven fall down upon a Prince who suffers himself to be so easily seduc'd by this Foreign Magician Thus concluded the Disputations which he had with Fucarandono and the Bonza's They were very glorious for him and for the Religion which he preach'd but brought not forth the expected fruit amongst the Idolaters who were present at them For neither the Portuguese Author whom we have frequently cited nor other Historians of the Father's Life make mention of any new Conversions which were made and it affords great occasion for our wonder that the Lords of the Court who so much approv'd the Doctrine of Christianity shou'd still continue in the practice of Idolatry and of their Vices If it were not always to be remembred that in Conversion the light of the Understanding avails nothing unless the Heart be also touch'd and that the Philosophers of whom St. Paul speaks having known God did not glorify him as God. Nevertheless we may probably believe that these Disputations in progress of time fail'd not of their due effect And 't is also probable that they were the Seed of those wonderful Conversions which were made in following years Father Xavier went the next morning to take his last farewel of the King who vvas more kind to him than ever and parted from Iapan the same day which was Nov. 20th in the year 1551. having continu'd in that Country two years and four months Not long before God had made known to his Servant that the Town of Malacca was besieg'd by Sea and Land and that the King of Ientana a Saracen was personally before 〈◊〉 with an Army of twelve thousand Men. That neither the Conduct of the Governour Don Pedro de Silva nor the Succours of Don Fernandez Carvalio had been able to defend it against the attempts of the Barbarians that the Iavans a fierce and warlike people had master'd that place that of three hundred Portugueses who were within it above an hundred had been put to the Sword and the rest of them had only escap'd by retiring into the Fortress In short that Malacca was now become a place of horrour and that the Enemy wearied with the slaughter had reserv'd many thousands of the Inhabitants for the Chain The Saint inform'd Gama and the Portugueses of the Ship of these sad tidings before they leâ—t the Port and declar'd to them that the sins of that corrupt City had drawn down the Curse of God upon it as he had foretold and threatn'd but he desir'd them at the same time to supplicate the Father of all Mercies for the appeasing of his Divine Justice and the himself pray'd earnestly in thier behalf Besides the two Iapanners Matthew and Bernard who had constantly follow'd the Father and wou'd never forsake him an Ambassadour from the King of Bungo embark'd with him in the same Vessel The business of this Embassy was to seek the friendship of the Viceroy of the Indies and to obtain a Preacher from him who might finish the Conversion of that Kingdom in the room of Father Xavier They sai'd along the Coasts for the space of six days
and the Navigation was prosperous till they made an Island belonging to the King of Minaco call'd Meleitor From whence crossing a Streight the put out into the main Ocean At that time the change of the Moon alter'd the Weather and there blew a furious South-wind so that the Pilot with all his Art cou'd not bear up against it The Tempest carry'd the Ship into a Sea unknown to the Portugueses and the Face of Heaven was so black with Clouds that during five days and nights there was no appearance of Sun or Stars Insomuch that the Mariners were not able to take the Elevation of the Pole and consequently not to know vvhereabouts they were One day towards the Evening the Wind redoubled with so much fury that the Vessel had not povver to break the Waves so high the vvent and came on with so much violence In this terrible conjuncture they thought sit to cut down the Fore-castle that the Ship might work the better after vvhich they bound the Sloop which follow'd vvith thick Cables to the Ship but night coming on vvhile they were thus employ'd and being very dark abundance of Rain also falling at the same time vvhich increas'd the Tempest they cou'd not draw out of the Sloop five Portugueses and ten Indians as well as Slaves and Mariners which vvere in her Those of the Ship had neither comfort nor hope remaining but in the company and assistance of Father Xavier He exhorted them to lament their Sins thereby to appease the wrath of God and he himself pour'd forth whole showers of Tears before the Face of the Almighty When night was now at the darkest a lamentable cry was heard as of people just upon the brink of perishing and calling out for succour The noise came from the Sloop vvhich the violence of Winds had torn off from the Vessel and which the Waves were hurrying away As soon as the Captain had notice of it he order'd the Pilot to turn towards those poor Creatures without considering that by his endeavour of saving his Nephevv Alphonso Calvo vvho was one of the five Portugueses in the Sloop the Ship must certainly be lost and himself with her In effect as it vvas difficult to steer the Ship when they vvou'd have turn'd her tovvards the Sloop she came across betwixt tvvo Mountains of Water which lock'd her up betwixt them one of those Waves fell upon the Poop and wash'd over the Deck and then it was that the whole Company thought their business was done and nothing but cries and lamentations were heard on every side Xavier who was at his Prayers in the Captain 's Cabin ran out toward the noise and saw a miserable object the Vessel ready to bulge the Seamen the Souldiers and the Passengers all tumbling in confusion on each other deploring their unhappy destiny and expecting nothing but present death Then the holy Man lifting up his Eyes and Hands to Heaven said thus aloud in the transport of his â—ervour O Jesus Thou love of my Soul succour us I beseech thee by those five wounds which for our sakes thou hast suffer'd on the Cross. At that instant the Ship which already was sinking under Water rais'd her self aloft without any visible assistance and gain'd the surface of the Waves The Mariners encourag'd by so manifest a Miracle so order'd the Sails that they had the Wind in Poop and pursu'd their course In the mean time the Sloop was vanish'd out of sight and no man doubted but she was swallow'd by the Waves The Captain lamented for his Nephew the rest shed tears for their lost Companions As for the Father his greatest affliction was for two Mahometan Slaves whom he cou'd not convert to Christianity He sigh'd in thinking of their deplorable condition but in the midst of these anxious thoughts entring into himself or rather wholly recollecting himself in God it came into his mind to intercede with Heaven for the protection of the Sloop in case it were not already lost In this he follow'd the inspiration of the holy Spirit and his Prayer was not yet ended when he perceiv'd that it was heard Insomuch that turning towards Edward de Gama who was oppress'd with sadness Afflict not your self my Brother said he with a chearful Countenance before three days are ended the Daughter will come back and find the Mother The Captain was so buried in his grief that he savv too little probability in what the Father said to â—ound any strong belief upon it Which notwithstanding at break of day he sent one up to the Scuttle to see if any thing were within ken but nothing was discover'd saving the Sea which was still troubled and white with foam The Father who had been in private at his dâ—votions came out two hours after with the same chearfulness upon his Countenance and having given the good day to the Captain and Pilot and six or seven Portugueses who were in Company he enquir'd If they had not yet seen the Chalop they answer'd they had not and because he desir'd that some one might again get up to the Scuttle one of the Portugueses call'd Pedro Veglio reply'd thus bluntly Yes Father the Chalop will return but not 'till another be lost he meant that it was impossible the same Chalop shou'd come again Xavier mildly reprehended Veglio for his little Faith and told him nothing was impossible to God. The confidence which I have in the Divine mercy said he gives me hope that they whom I have put under the protection of the Holy Virgin and for whose sake I have vow'd to say three Masses to our Lady of the Mountain shall not perish After this he urg'd Gama to send up to the Scuttle for discovery Gama to satisfie the man of God went up himself with a Sea-man and after having look'd round him for the space of half an hour neither he nor the other cou'd see any thing In the mean time Xavier whose stomach was turn'd with the tossing of the Ship and who had been two days and three nights without eating was taken with a violent head-ach and such a giddiness that he cou'd scarcely stand One of the Portuguese Merchants call'd Ferdinand Mendez Pinto desir'd him to repose a little while and offer'd him his Cabin Xavier who by the Spirit of mortification usually lay upon the Deck accepted his courtesie and desir'd this further â—avour that the Servant of this Merchant who was a Chinese might watch before the door that none might interrupt his rest The intention of the Father was not to give the least refreshment to his Body he set himself again to Prayers and it was affirm'd by the Chinese Servant that from seven in the morning when he retir'd he had been constantly on his knees 'till the evening groaning in the agony of his Spirit and shedding tears He came out from his retirement after Sun set and once more enquir'd of the Pilot if they had not seen the Chalop