able to guide his horse whereby he became inuolued in the turnings of the waters was by force thereof carryed away without any hope to escape drowning whereat when others were greatly affrighted Francis his vertue ouercame the daÌ„ger For encouraging others to pray with him to God he himselfe began with all attention And his prayers wanted not their desired effect for vpon a suddaine the page getting out of the maine streame with his horse to a shallow place where the water ranne with lesse force and so taking courage by Gods assistance and his companions who called out vpon him he got at last vnto the banke on the further side of the riuer being as all acknowledged by Francis his prayers deliuered from present death Afterwards as they trauayled ouer the Alpes where being not able to take sure footing by reason of the driuing of the snow and the craggy rockes paches their horses being tyred with no small daunger to their maisters the Embassadours Secretary fell by chance from his horse and was suddainly swallowed vp in a huge masse of snow The place was vpoÌ„ a slippery and steepy rocke vnder which ran a swift torrent The greatnes of the danger stroke all his companions into such a feare that none durst vndertake to assist him least he should rather pull them after him who should go to help him then himselfe be pulled vp agayne so they being all amazed stood still looking one vpon another As they thus stood on commeth Xauerius and regarding anothers life more then his owne leapt presently from his horse and by mayne strength drew him vp out of the snow deliuered him from manifest danger with no small perill of his owne life whereupon the Secretary being obliged to Francis for so great a fauour honoured him euer after as the author of his life and saluation The Embassadour also himselfe moued by these wonderfull acts and also by the sweetnes of his most holy behauiour bare great affection vnto him Francis moreouer did not content himselfe with helping his companions but besides he helped all he met in as much as he was able especially at the lodgings and Innes taking all occasions both by instruction and admonition to incite them to an honest Christian life From that tyme also his singular piety hath left behind it an example of Euangelicall perfection both for religious to imitate and others to admire Hauing past the Pyrenaean mountaynes they were come to the borders of Pamplona where his iorney lay not farre from his owne territory his mother kinsfolkes and friends were not farre out of the way if â—e should let slippe that occasion he knew wel inough that by reason of the great distance from India thither â—he should morally neuer after haue opportunity to see them He knew also that there could not come any hindrance of his iourney eyther by his mother she being a vertuous woman for his good Father was now dead or by his knisfolkes His companions importuned him the Embassadour himselfe vrged him to visit and salute them by the way But Xauerius fearing least some of the company through want of consideration might be afterwards deceiued by his example he could by no meanes be drawen thereunto Thus he shewing an holy hate to his friends both proued himselfe to be the true disciple of Christ and also gaue a document to Religious persons that they should with far greater reason hould their friends for enemies if they went about to hinder them in the seruice of God But least this vnusuall thing should offend eyther the Embassadour or any other of the company who were not acquainted with this kind of heauenly Philosophy he endeauoured by his mild speach and solid arguments to make good to them what he had done Hauing therfore passed Spaine with speed he made like hast with the Embassadour vnto Lisbone where the King of Portugall resided But the Embassadour throgh long and inward friendship and familiarity with Xauier had now gotteÌ„ such an opinion of his vertue that he could not withhould himself from sending an expresse messenger with letters before vnto the King to certify him of Francis his comming and prayse-worthy qualities which caused in the King a great desire to see and honour him which soone after he did ariuing at Lisbone where he was already knowne and much desired through report of his vertues CHAP. X. Beeing louingly entertayned by the King of Portugall he exciteth them of Lisbone to deuotion LISBONE is a Citty wherin the Court is kept not farre from the Ocean sea the greatest without comparison of all Portugall and by reason of an excellent Hauen in the mouth of the riuer Tagus which runneth by that Citty it is a place very populous for the comâ—ing thither of Indian merchandise As soone thereâ—re as he was come thither being glad of his ariuall 〈◊〉 the place from whence he was to embarke himselfe 〈◊〉 India he found Simon Rodriguez his companion who as we sayd was come thither before for this â—rney into India still sicke of a quartane ague and â—apned that that was his sick day A strang thing 〈◊〉 comming to him vpon a suddain imbracing the â—ke man caused in him such ioy that his ague neuer â—er came agayne and so whether through the greatâ—s of the ioy or rather by Xauiers vertue he was quite â—de of his sicknes When he had a litle rested himâ—fe after his trauaile being sent for to the Court he â—nt thither togeather with Simon who was now â—ouered offering both himselfe and all he was â—e to do for the help of the Indians The King haâ—g vnderstood much by his Embassadour of Francis 〈◊〉 great vertue after he had courteously receyued theÌ„ both in a great assembly of the Nobility spake vnto them in this manner Fathers quoth he I am very glad of your ariuall in Portugall for the good of India And I do not doubt but you are as glad of it as my selfe For there is opened vnto you to shew your vertue the great and vast Countries of India which as I hope being carefully and faythfully manured giueth great promises of a most plentifull haruest of soules so great an inclination the people euery where seeme to haue to the Christian fayth I for my part as long as I carry this Crowne will preferre Religion before my Kingdome and then shall I account myselfe King of those Nations when I shall heare thaâ— they are obedient to the King of Heauen Wherefore you cannot doe any thing which will be more gratefull to mee and to God also as I hope then to ioyne all your forces with me for reducing of the East to the faith of Christ our coÌ„mon Lord and Father If I were to deale with other kind of men then you I would exhort you not to feare the difficulties which nature may obiect or the threates of the raging Ocean or the miseries of so tedious yea almost infinite iorney or
become Christians and many also by seeing the truth were drawen to imbrace the fayth of Christ when as the Bonzies which thing Francis had long for seene hindred the course of the Ghospell For when they perceaued that by bringing in and increase of Christian Religion the respect both to their Gods and their owne authority came to be set at naught they began in good earnest to be all on fire with rage anger And so thrust forward as well with madnes as by the Deuill himselfe they come in great troopes to their king telling him very resolutely and plainly That he should looke very warily what he did and should prouide both for his owne safety and of the common good whilest it was in his power If he did permit his subiects to entertayne strange Religious their Countrey Gods would certaynly become a mocking stocke euery where and if they were once incensed what could he expect els but that Cangoxima and his whole kingdome would within a while be vtterly ouerthrowne Did not he see that the Christian Religion was wholy repugnaÌ„t to that of Iaponia how it lost euery day so much as the Christian Religion gayned Neyther could he be ignoraÌ„t that where strange ceremonies should be preferred before those of their owne couÌ„try there would be caused extreme sorrow to the country Gods And certaynely it was a lesse fault for the people to offend therein then for the King to winke at others offences The slower that Heauen was in punishing the more enraged would the wrath thereof be when it came For no doubt but the first founders of the Iaponian Religion would be reuenged of Cangoxima for so great a disgrace and that both he his kingdome would be vtterly destroyed for the impiety of a few Wherefore if he had any respect or reuerence of his Country ceremonies or Gods it were wisedome to looke eyther for their fauour or stand in feare of their anger The King being stroken with this speach of the Bonzies being also out of hope of commercement with the Portugheses published presently an Edict or Proclamation prohibiting vnder payne of imprisoment death that all men should keep their CouÌ„try Religion that heerafter none should become Christians But Xauerius hoping euery day that times might grow better calmer tooke great care in looking to his yong flocke And all the rest of his tyme which he did not imploy therin he was accustomed to bestow vpon God with whome he conuersed more then with men esteeming such diuine conferences to be not only an incouragement to vertue but a comfort also in the time of persecution and labour He therfore being a stranger in a Barbarous Citty and which was wholy bent against him endured with wonderfull quiet of mind many and grieuous miseries as well of hungar and cold as of other extreeme difficulties But hauing passed a whole yeare in these labours incommodities when he perceiued there was small or no hope left for increase of the Ghospell at Cangoxima he resolued to depart from thence to some other place Wherfore bidding farewell to his Neophytes he left the protection of them to Paul of the holy Faith togeather with Cosmas Turianus and Iohn Fernandez raysed vp with new hopes intended to passe into the kingdome of Figua whither now the Portugheses had resorted for traffique It is incredible to be spoken what aboundance of teares the new Christians shed vpon Francis his departure from them for al did beare him extraordinary affection as well for many other respects as chiefly for his singular sanctity of life Wherfore weeping in lamentable manner calling him Maister Guide and Father they tooke at last their leaues with infinite thankes for the great paynes he had taken in shewing them the way to eternall saluation There were well-â—eere 800. Neophytes so well instructed that though â—ey were within a few months after bereaued of Paulâ—eir â—eir maister yet they perseuered euery one of them 〈◊〉 the Christian faith seauen whole yeares without â—â—y other guide vntill some of the Society came thiâ—er againe The kingdome of Figua is in that Iland of Iaponiaâ—hich â—hich as we sayd is called Ximus In this Kingâ—ome there is a towne called Firandum about â—00 â—iles from Cangoxima whither he repayed and was â—ourteously entertayned by the Portugheses and by â—heir meanes also by the King himself with whome â—emayning for some dayes he brought well nigh an â—00 of the Cittizens to the faith of Christ And although he repented not himselfe of the paines which he had taken amongst the Portugheses and those of Firandum for he had in few dayes made more Christians in Firandum then he had done in Cangoxima in many monthes yet hauing greater matters in hand and committing the charge of the Neophytes to Cosmas Turianus and taking Iohn Fernandez with him he passeth ouer into the Iland of Iapon intending to go to Meaco But vnderstanding by those who were experienced in those parts that Amangucium a Towne of good note lay in his way he presently goeth thither to sound out and try the disposition and incâ—â—nation of the King of that Country Amangucium is a very ample and famous sea Towne scituated in that part of Iaponia which as we said is properly called Iapon For there the King of that Country hath his Royall seate who being very wealthy potent striueth for the Empire with the King of Meaco who is accounted the greatest King of all the rest That towne of Amangucium according to the fashion of that country is built of tymber conteyning in it to the number of 10000. families and is distant from Firandum almost 300. miles As soone therfore as Xauerius came thither he found very many of the Nobility and more of the vulgar sort desirous to know the Christian Religion wherof they had long since heard many things by report He therfore obserued this order that twice euery day at the corners of streetes and in crosse wayes before a great concourse of people he explicated the Ghospel of Christ out of a written paper for he had not yet gotten the Iaponian language perfectly yet all did not with the like prosperous successe giue eare vnto the word of God many did indeed hearken very willingly thereto but more contemned the same some also laughed thereat in skornefull manner In so much that when Xauerius went along in the steetes a great company of boyes and baser people followed and mocked him as though he had byn out of his wits repeating also in a scoffing manner many words of the sacred mysteryes and Christian lawes which he had read vnto him All which things he bare patiently ioyfully not considering so much the reproach as the cause thereof so as he did much more good by his patient suffering then by words For the wiser sort of his auditours seeing playnly that he was no foole admired at his singular patience and quietnesse of mynd in the
Bonzies authority â—en of a stinking roguish and base fellow CHAP. XVI He procureth the Kings of Amangucium and Bungo to fauour Christianity IN the meane time whilst Francis was glad to see matters fal thus out happily God almighty seasoning his sweet meate with soure sauce he commeth to vnderstand â—ow variously things had bin carried at Amanguciumâ—â—nce â—â—nce his departure thence Cosmas Turianus had al that â—hile imployed himself there with no lesse fortunate â—â—ccesse in refuting the Bonzies then in instructing 〈◊〉 Neophytes when as a ciuill warre breaking forth â—pon a suddain disturbed all For that a certaine â—otent Prince setting vpon his King at vnawares â—ith a great army of souldiars had driuen him out â—f his kingdome who being not ignorant that his life â—as sought for that he might not fall aliue into the â—ands of his enemy being his owne subiect had â—esperatly killed himselfe Vpon this the Citty beâ—ame all in a tumult and all things were turned vp 〈◊〉 downe whilst the souldiars without any restraint had practised their cruelty vpon all that stood in their way without respect eyther of quality age or person wasting also in a furious manner euen the very houses themselues In the middest of these so many slaughters and deuastations by fire the malicious Bonzies intended to haue oppressed the Christians and their Instructors if the diuine Prouidence had not with present ayde protected theÌ„ For presently vpon the newes of the Kings death that dismall warre soone was turned into a ioyfull peace by meanes of the chiefe Nobility of the Kingdome who conspiring all togeather sent forthwith Embassadours to Ficarondono the King of Bungâ— his Brother to demaund him for their King Wherefore Xauerius hoping for a fit opportunity to obtayne the new Kings fauour towards the Neophytes at Amangucium went straight vnto the King of Bungo requested him to commend vnto his brother the Fathers of the Society and the Christians that liued at Amangucium The King did very carefully what Francis requested and the new King of Amangucium also made vnto him a liberall promise of what he desired which heafterward faythfully performed Moreouer the King of Bungo that his deeds might adde force to his words began presently himselfe to practise that in his owne Kingdome which he persuaded his Brother to do in his by fauouring of the Neophytes and appointing a certayne house for such of the Society as should come at any tyme to Bungo Yet himselfe durst not imbrace the Christian Fayth which he so much â—â—proued and fauoured for fearing he might be thrust 〈◊〉 of his Kingdome by sedition Wherefore Francisâ—â—uing â—â—uing done his endeauour although in vaine to draw 〈◊〉 to the fayth of Christ when he saw that he lost 〈◊〉 his labour therein and that the businesse was not 〈◊〉 ripe turneth his thoughts another way Now when Xauerius was to depart the King with â—ares in his eyes looking vpon the Portugheses that â—ccompanyed him I do quoth he in all sincerity â—â—uch enuy you in this your Companion of whome 〈◊〉 being depriued cannot refrayne from teares and 〈◊〉 more because I feare that this is the last tyme 〈◊〉 shall euer see him Then Xauerius giuing the King â—umble thankes for these tokens of his good will towards him told him that he would certaynly if God â—pared his lyfe and gaue him leaue returne vnto him â—gayne ere long by which promise he put the King â—nto some comfort Then entring into speach with his Maiesty about the Christian Religion he put him â—n mynd of those things which he thought most profitable for him aduising him seriously to remember that he was a mortall man and therefore should deeply consider with himselfe how many foule crimes and offences would cry vengeance agaynst him after his death vnlesse he purged himselfe therof whilst he liued And that he should for certayne know that whosoeuer dyed out of the Christian fayth was infallibly to be tormeÌ„ted euerlastingly in Hel but they who were Christians and liued as they ought should by the help grace of Christ enioy euerlasting blisse 〈◊〉 in heauen These words of Francis so stroke the King vnto the hart that in the presence of them he agayne brake forth into aboundance of teares Xauerius now humbly bidding his Maiesty farewel departeth from him at last with much a do Then comforting the Catechumens with hope of his speedy returne or else to send one in his place he departed also the Citty ful of hope and confidence for that he left the King a good part of the people well affected to the Christian fayth Besides he had much confidence that so great a Kings fauour might be a singular defeÌ„ce to the ChristiaÌ„ cause in those places Neyther was he mistaken therein For euer since the King of Bungo entred into amity with the Portugheses and tooke vpon him to protect the Christian Religion he hath alwayes proceeded with very much fauour and friendship towards theÌ„ assigning also a coÌ„modious place for Francis his companions that were after sent thither and by his letters of Commendations opening the way for them to enter into the familiarity and fauour of his neighbour Kings Besides this he furthered also the propagation of the Ghospell and fauoured those of the Society in the greatest mutability of times that might be with extraordinary benefit both to himselfe all Iaponia For by his meanes although an Ethnicke Christianity came afterwards to be exceedingly increased And he by the goodnesse of Christ who rewarding in due time al these fauours of his did not only add foure other kingdomes to that which was left him by his Father but was also made a Christian about the 30. yeare after Francis his death as hauing no small reference vnto his merits For that â—he King when he was baptized eyther out of respect which he bare vnto Xauerius or for that he attributed â—hat benefit vnto his merits would needs be called Francis This most prudent Kings example was by many â—f the Nobility and some Princes also followed yet â—e went beyond them all no lesse in piety then in digâ—ity For God Almighty hath granted this our age 〈◊〉 fauour as to see an Embassadour sent from him 〈◊〉 Gregoâ—y the XIII supreme Pastour of his Church â—hen as certaine yong Noble men of the bloud Royal â—ere solemnely sent to Rome from the Christian â—rinces of Iaponia to acknowledge the Bishop of â—ome for the chiefe Prelate of Gods Church and Faâ—â—er to all Nations Who comming out of another world returning againe into their Country were â—onoured greatly as they deserued not only in Rome â—ut also throughout Italy and Spayne For which way â—euer they weÌ„t they became a most pleasant spectacle â—nto all the like wherof had neuer bin seene or heard 〈◊〉 the memory of man So as they were euery where â—eceiued not only with great concourse admiratioÌ„â—f the people but with applause congratulations â—ther tokens of
Horribly earth quakes People wonderfully sauage Psal 90. He terrifieth the barbarous people with the representation of hell ChristiaÌ„ discipline qualifieth barbarous nature His courage in the time of an earthquake The fruit of soules Psal 94. Heauely â—oÌ„forts in labours afflictions Diuers sermons The King of Molucas 100. wiues He much honoureth Xauerius The Ethnickes of Moluca mislike not Christ so much as Mahomet A Colledge of the Society in Moâ—uca A prophecy The Ternatians loue to Xauerius The towne Tolum reuolting froÌ„ religion is reuenged from heauen The laÌ„d of fertile becometh barraine the waters of wholesome become vnwholsome Prodigious woders giue the Portugheses the Victory A prophecy He buildeth himselfe a cottage vpon the shore His continuall attendaÌ„ce vpon thesicke The Amboynois loue to Françis A presage of what would follow He lodgeth in an Hospitall of the sick He inculcateth to the Neophites the comming of Christ Euening prayers for the dead and those that are in mortall sinne A sharpe punisher of brech of pouerty He by reuelatioÌ„ knoweth things that be secret farre of An example of barbarous cruelty He desires that he may haue the charge of prouiding the Nauy Xauerius putteth spirit into the Portughese soldiers By seaueÌ„ rich maisters of shippes he setteth forth a Nauy Precepts giuen to soldiers at their going to warre The Portughese soldiers called by Xauerius the Army of Iesus-Christ He by reuelation knoweth things absent His conrage wheÌ„ others are afraid A deliberation held about the warre against the Barbarians The Portugheses soldiars renew their oath to dye for Christ 1. Reg. 14. A prophecy The promontori Cambilanum A tempest helped towards the victory Thâ— cherfulnes of the Portugheses when the battaile was at hand Gods prouideÌ„ce turnes that to good which was ill carried The Riuer 〈◊〉 The Poâ—tughese Admirall 〈◊〉 The preparation of the Barbarians nauy to fight A Sea battayle The Turkish galleys are the occasion of the BarbariaÌ„s ouer throw The Barbarians ships intangled one with another are shattred The Portugheses set vpon the Barbarians fleet without any hurt at all to themselues A slaughter of the Barbarians An vnbloudy victory A great prey The nuÌ„â—â— of 〈◊〉 Barbarians slaine in the fight The King of Perlen of his owne accord maketh himselfe tributary to the King of Portugall Francis his prayers for the victory The Malacensians griefe vpon the false newes of the Portugheses ouerthrow He foresees and foretolles the victory gotten by the Portughese fleet A Prophesy The MalacensiaÌ„s ioy for the victory 8. Portughes shippes driue aloÌ„g with them 25. Barbarians shipâ— taken captiue Bonzies Priests of the Iaponians Anger desireth to speake with Xauerius The distance of Malaca from Iaponia Gods Prouidence Xauerius glad for Anger 's comming The Iaponians manner of witing Good life answerable to doctrine A presage His courage in daungerous teÌ„pests Comforts in dangers Documents giuen to those of the Society in Comorinum The good name of Priests is with all care to be preserued All are to be praysed to on another Men are to be gouerby loue Francis his letters to the King of Portugall F. Nicolas Lancelot Rectour of the Colledge at Goa Cosmas Turianus freed froÌ„ perplexity The fruite of the Seminary of Goa He recoÌ„ciles the Viceroy to the Society Afternoones meditation In meditation of diuine matters he is abstracted from his senses To dissemble anothers sinnes in tyme coÌ„uenient doth more good then to repreheÌ„d them Xauerius silence cryeth out His zeale of soules He by all courteous offices winneth a soldiar of very bad life to make his confession He giueth his penitent a small pennaÌ„ce inteÌ„diug himselfe to satisfy for him He prepareth in many places houses for the Society He sent almost none of the Society where he himselfe had not bin Instructions giuen to the Society Anger the Iaponese is baptized He by the way visiteth the Comorinensian Neophytes He comforteth some of the Society in a fatherly manner The difficulties of the Iaponian nauigation The wind Typhon A multitude of Pyrats Francis speech to his frieds who dissuaded him froÌ„ going in to Iaponia Fatherly gouerment His Companyons in the JaponiaÌ„ nauigation In his prayers he is abstracted from his senses He lodgeth with the Franciscans The Vicar of Malaca being out of his senses recouereth them againe He euaseth a merchaÌ„t to leaue his connes PrudeÌ„ce in dissembling matters The Vicar of Malaca being out of his senses recouereth them againe He euaseth a merchaÌ„t to leaue his connes PrudeÌ„ce in dissembling matters PrudeÌ„ce in reprehending The diuine prouidence fauoureth Xauerius The perfidiousnesse of Ethnickes The execrable sacrifices of Ethnicks One of Francis his companions falling into the pumpe is deliuered from death The Pilots daughter is drowned The diuell taketh occasion of treachery His magnanimity against the terrours of the deuil The way how to ouercome the affrights of the Deuill A discription of Iaponia The IlaÌ„d Ximus The Iland Xicus A siluer country What kind of people the Iaponeses be The Japoneses temper in bridling their passions The Iaponeses spare dyet The Japonians ciuility The Iaponians Gods Bonzies Japonian Priests Francis extreme sparing diet in Iaponia The Iaponian language A King of Iaponia humbly adoreth the Image of our B. Lady Paul the Iaponian endeauours to propagate the ChristiaÌ„ fayth The Ninxit or chiefe Priest of the Bonzies Ioan. 11. The Martyrdome of Fa. Antony Criminalis The Bonzies hinder the course the Gospell The Kingdome of Figua The towne FiranduÌ„ Xauerius is vsed like a madmaÌ„ Noblemen sed for him to their houses He preacheth the Gospell to the King The Ethnickes at the hearing of Christs tormeÌ„ts fal a weeping The great King of Meaco Xauerius maketh himself lacky to one that rides on horsebacke The labours and miseries of his iourney to Meaco Xauier is vsed like a foole Xauerius is derided by the Kings guard He is thowne at with stones By putting on rich apparell he procureth to speake with the King He presenteth his guifts to the King He refuseth the Kings guifts The Kings Edict for the Christan ReligioÌ„ FernaÌ„dez vertue at a certayne Iaponians insolency The force of patience to conuert Ethnickes Laurence Lusko a notable preacher The Iaponian sectes Xacas Amidaâ— the IaponiaÌ„ Gods The Bouzies wickednes and auarice The IaponiaÌ„s fables of Xacas Amidas The Iaponians ignoraÌ„t in astrology The Japonians witty interrogations 500. Iaponians baptized The Japonians had receyued no knowledge of Christ his Gospell The Academy of Bandua The Japonian Neophites zeale Within the space of one yeare he baptizeth 3000. Iaponian Beades Francis is sent for by the King of Bungo Xauerius loue of humility and the Crosse Bungo the Royall Citty Xauerius is with all honour receiued by the Portugeses The Bonzies defame Xauerius The Japonians admire at the loue of pouerty The Portugheses preuent the Bonzies caluÌ„niations He is against his will conducted with great poÌ„pe to the King of Bungo A child of seaueÌ„ yeares of a rare wit
the chiefe of the Kingdome and afterwards when it had gotten many graue abettors and furtherers at last is brought into the King Then the Noblemen euery one of them shewed how much benefit that Royall Citty had â—eaped by Ignatius his companions in so short a space and what great help all Portugall might hope from them if it could enioy them not as strangers for a â—yme but as perpetuall inhabitants thereof And that â—he good of Portugall and of that Princely Citty as â—eing his chiefe and Royall seate ought to be dearer â—nto his Maiesty then India Why therefore for the succour of barbarous Nations should he depriue his owne natiue Country of so excellent helps Why â—hould India abroad rather then Portuall at home be â—ore deare vnto him Wherfore if it seemed good vnâ—o his Maiesty as it did to them he should plant those worthy men as seeds of that generation in Portugall â—nd so erect a Seminary at hand which might supply â—hem with fit Priests to send into India The King approuing his Nobles opinion iudging it meet to prouide first for theÌ„ who were neerest to him leauing off for the present his determination of helping India resolued to detaine them both in Portugall to begin a Seminary of the same Institute Which as soone as Rodriguez Xauerius vnderstood by their friends being indeed moued at the vnexpected newes they presently certify Ignatius by letters of the Kings new determination asking him what they should do Who hauing acquainted his Holines with the busines thought it good to leaue it wholly to the Kings arbitrement nothing doubting but the treating thereof before him would make him thinke better of it Letters are at the same tyme dispatched from his Holines to the King and from Ignatius to his companions wherin the matter was left wholly to his maiesty But if he would know what Ignatius his opinion was therin it seemetd to him most conuenient that a separation should be made so as Rodriguez might stay in Portugall Francis go forward into India The King therfore following Ignatius his Counsaile sendeth for thâ—m both who being vncertayne what would be resolued off depended wholy vpon the diuine prouidence Then the King in a courteous manner as his custome was shewing them first what was granted to him from Rome concerning their disposall declareth what he had now resolued to wit That Simon should stay in Portugall to begin a Colledg at Conimbria which might be a Seminary for members to be sent into India and that Francis should go into his designed Prouince of the East Wherefore they should both with all speed prepare themselues with like diligence to their offices although they were different knowing that many times equall rewards are assigned for vnequall seruices God not respecting so much the worke as the good will wherwith it is done Heereupon Xauerius being presently changed from his great feare into great ioy gaue the King many thankes that he had granted his desire and had so prudently tempered the want of his companionâ— with the ioy he gaue him of the diuision that he promised not only to be gratefull but also to vse all care and diligence to be answerable for so great a benefit But Rodriguez being frustrated of his hope and desire and at the first stroken with such an vnexpected declaration shewed by his lookes and countenance to be somewhat troubled but presently recollecting himselfe he answered grauely and quietly almost to this effect That the taking of India from him had stroke him with such griefe to the hart that he was not able to coÌ„ceale it yet since Ignatius the King and his Holinesse agreeing all in one thing sufficiently declared it to be Gods holy will he would most willingly at his Maiesties commaund leaue off that employment for whose sake he had vndertaken it Wherfore he remained wholly at the Kings disposall and was glad that by beginning a Seminary he might also in some sort labour for India since he might hope to help them by his schollers whome he could not by himselfe Thus departing from the King each of them addressed their cares for the performance of their charge CHAP. XII Being ready to take shipping for India he receiueth from the King the Popes Letters patents of Legate Apostolicall refuseth to take any thing for the charges of his iourney FRANCIS therfore seeing his iorney to be approued by such euident signes both from God and men began to furnish himselfe for it not with prouision of victualls and other things necessary and conuenient but with pious meditations and profitable considerations For he would not vndertake so weighty a charge rawly vnprouidedly but with serious ponderation preparation and by thinking with himselfe now whilst he was at leasure of what he was afterwards to make vse that so he might not spend his tyme in speculation of that wherein he was to employ himselfe in the practise When the tyme drew neere for his iourney into India the King calling him is sayd to haue spoken vnto him particularly to his effect Francis Xauier our ships are ready the tyme that you haue so earnestly desired of going into India is now come For my part â— haue hitherto had so many and so great arguments both of your vertue prudence that I hould it needlesse to vse any exhortation vnto you presaging what will follow by that which is already past Yet that we may not seeme to be wanting in our duty we will as the saying is spurre on him who runneth already First therfore I commend vnto you the Ethincke Nations which are vnder our subiection endeauouring to vnite them to the Church that my dominions may not be further extended then Gods Religion Then out of our fatherly affection towards them I deliuer commit the Portugheses that remaine in those places to your trust in such sort that I would haue you supply the place of our beneuolence towards them You are not ignorant I know that Kings haue need of many hands and eyes for the gouernment of their kingdomes Wherfore I pray beseech you by that very God who is your guide and companion in this iorney â—hat as farre as you may with conueniency you â—ould diligently visit our garrisons there and afterwards certify vs of all things appertaining to Religiâ—n that so all impediments if there be any being â—eedily remoued the Christian Religion by your adâ—â—se and labour and by our assistance and authority â—ay spread it selfe ouer India and the East As for my â—â—lfe I will loose my kingdome before I will leaue off â—y desire to aduance Religion For I am resolued to â—mploy all the meanes and forces I am able for the â—ropagation therof It is your part to be answerable â—oth to the charge you haue vndertaken and to our â—esire What ayde or help soeuer either the honour of God or the Christian cause shall seeme to require â—emaund it confidently and it shall be granted
God What Kingdomes what Nations what people did not they make subiect to the Crosse And to say nothing of others how wel did S. Thomas the Apostle carry the matter for the Christian cause in India whither you now goe vnder the conduct of the same God How many barbarous nations did he win to ciuility How many Aultars of false Gods did he ouerthrow How many kingdoms did he bring vnder the sweet yoke of Christ Neyther ought the terrour of miseries or death it selfe make you slacke in adâ—enturing For to one that thinketh vpon life euerlasting this life is vile and to a mortall man nothing is more to be desired then a good and happy death To one therfore who contemneth nay desireth death what can seeme hard bitter or horrible Go one therfore and by Gods holy conduct and S. Thomas his example extend farre and wide in the east the bounds of Christian Religion The hand of God is not abbreuiated He that in times past founded the Church by Apostles increased and adorned it afterward by Apostolicall men Then Francis shewing by his countenance his submission of mind answered almost in this manner For my part most holy Father I do not know what I can do in this kind why I aboue al others should be chosen for this great worke This I leaue to them to iudge of who haue chosen me For it belongeth not to him that obeyth to iudge what he can do but to them that command But I by how much I distrust in my owne forces by so much I confide in the assistance and prouidence of God who choseth weake things of the world to confound the stronge that all flesh may not glory in his sight Therfore I assuredly hope that he who hath layd this charge vpon me wil also giue me forces for the performance therof according to his pleasure The Pope when he perceiued in his countenance and by this speach a token of great worth in Xauerius iudging that he who was to propagate the faith among the Indians had need of greater authority of his owne accord gaue vnto him his owne power as farre as should be needfull For he made Francis his legate Apostolicall in India And therof gaue letters patents to the King of Portugals Embassadour to be deliuered to his King wherewith if he thought it good he might honour Francis at his departure into India Francis therfore who thought himselfe not sufficient to vndergo so great a burthen returned home more glad that that Honour was differred then if it had presently been giuen vnto him Thence he tooke leaue of his friends not without many teares on both sides all being very sory for his departure and with him he carryed nothing at all but his ordinary habit a Breuiary He went from Rome to Portugall in company of Mascarenas the Kings Embassadour in the yeare of our Lord 1540. hauing for his coÌ„panion Paul Camertes who about that tyme had byn by Ignatius receaued into the Society In his iourney he gaue no lesse signes of modesty then of sanctity For although he were giuen to the â—ontemplation of heauenly things yet being not altoâ—ether vnmindfull of humane he shewed himselfe so â—ourteous vnto all that when he came to the Inne he would leaue the best chambers beds to other of his company contenting himselfe with the worst things And when the seruants neglected to looke vnto their â—aisters horses or discharge other inferiour seruile â—ffices he would himselfe do them all shewing himâ—lf therin rather a seruant indeed then a companion â—et none was more pleasant in coÌ„uersation then him â—lfe none more ready in all kind of courtesies He â—ught by all meanes to deserue well of all he spake 〈◊〉 euery one louingly and friendly he would himself â—sit others in a courteous manner and alwayes bid â—â—em welcome with a cheerfull countenance who came vnto him he did easily and willingly yield vnto others his discourse was seasoned with a sweete and pleasing affability But which is hardest of all he kept such a meane in all these things that tempering courtesy with grauity both his actions and wordes sauoured all of sanctity It was his proper and continuall custome to discourse of matters which were eyther pious in themselues or els seasoned with piety and to incite all with whome he conuersed by occasion eyther of speach or otherwise to the hatred oâ— vice amendment of life shewing them that it was harder to endure vices then the remedies thereof And the wholsome bitternes of these discourses he alwayes allayed with the sweet sawce of many courteous offices Diuers accidents also made Xauerius his paynefulâ— care no lesse admirable for his deeds then for his words Vpon a tyme the Embassadour being angry with his Harbinger because he had byn negligent in preparing his lodging reprehended him sharpely for it but being gotten from his Maister as he waâ— intemperate both in his passion and speach he inueighed vehemently agaynst him to his companions iâ— Francis his hearing who thinking it best to dissemble the matter for the present whilest he was yet in choller forbare to speake vnto him that his mind being pacifyed he might the easier be cured The next day therfore he obserued the man watching an occasion to reprehend him and when it grew towards night the Harbinger as the custome was began to ride on before to prouide lodging whereupon Francis getting presently on horse-backe for most commonly he went on foote for pouerty sake although he might haue had a horse set spurres to his side and made hast after him When he had almost ouertaken him the Harbingers horse by chance yet very fitly for his purpose falling downe lay vpon the man with all his weight by which misfortune he was in daunger to haue byn slayne but that Xauerius came at the very point and saued his life Then taking that as an occasion to tell him of his former fault What quoth he would haue byn come of thee if suddaine death which was not farre of had surprized thee being out of the state of grace by reason of thy anger yesterday and intemperancy of thy tongue for which thou hast not yet satisfyed These wordes so stroke the Harbinâ—er who now saw manifestly the daÌ„ger which he had â—scaped to the hart that he was sory for his fault â—nd being put in mynd of his fury the day before acâ—nowledged his vnbridled passion and intemperanâ—e of tongue and then by Xauerius persuasion gaue saâ—sfaction to his companions whome he had scandaliâ—ed Francis also did not only comfort and assist with â—ll courtesy his companions when they were weary with trauayling but also in their daungers gaue them â—uccour with his prayers when he could not with â—is hands One of the Embassadours chiefe pages alâ—hough dissuaded by the rest aduenturing to ride ouer a swift riuer was brought euen to the point to be cast away for being now carryed into the violent â—streame and not
and I shall thinke my expences a gayne for Religion sake Wherfore proceed cheerfully and seeing that you go no doubt by diuine instinct and conduct vpon an enterprize which of al others is hardest maintayne still that couragious mynd which hitherto you haue borne and carry with you into India that vertue and sanctity of which all Portugall speaketh to be in you Then the King taking out of his bosome the Popes Breue said further And that you may know what most ample power is granted you towards the effecting of what you take in hand not only by mee but also by Christ his Vicar vpon earth behold heer his Holines Breue wherin he maketh you his Legate Apostolical in India which may be both a testimony of your power and an incitement to your vertue Then Xauier who had all this while blushed to to heare his owne prayses receiuing the Breue with no lesse reuerence then modest bashfulnesse replyed If I most excellent Prince could find that your esteeme of me were as true as it is good I should very much reioyce for the opinion of so noble a Person 〈◊〉 your Maiesty is the giue great thaÌ„kes to God the giueâ— of all good things But assuredly your singular Goodnes is much deceyued the by opinion of anothers vertue I knowing mine owne weakenes and imperfections should I not be thought a mad man if concerning my selfe I should belieue others before my selfe Verily Syr I being a sinnefull man and wholly vnfit for this godly enterprize which I say because it is true and not for humilities sake both your Maiesty and his Holines do impose a farre greater burden vpoâ— â—â—ee then my feeblenes is able to susteine yet had I raâ—her be oppressed with the weight of the burden then â—yther refuse or cast off that charge through pusilâ—animity which by Gods will is layd vpon mee For God when imposeth a burden he affoardeth also forces to beare it with power giueth also ability for the execution therof Wherfore by the helpe of his heaâ—enly assistance I will do my best to make it appeare that I remember what person I present in this weaknesse of myne since the charge is imposed vpon me by God his Holines your maiesty And my life shall leaue mee sooner then I will violate my fidelity eyther in word in deed Hauing sayd thus the King aduiseth him in a most courteous manner to thinke well with himselfe what 〈◊〉 might stand in need off in Portugall or India for he â—â—d giuen charge to his officers in ech kingdome that â—ey should carefully procure him whatsoeuer he desired And withall he giueth him his Letters Royall conteyning no lesse authority then commendations Francis then hauing giuen thankes to the King 〈◊〉 kissed his hand as the custome is went home to 〈◊〉 his friends farewell that he might embarke himâ—â—fe And the King was no lesse liberall in deeds then 〈◊〉 had byn in words for he gaue very strayte comâ—and to his Captaynes and Officers and that they â—â—ould furnish Francis and his companions both in â—ortugall and India with all things needfull for their owne maintenance and for the increase of Gods honour and glory So as Xauerius and others of the Society from that tyme forward dilated the fayth of Christ in India Malaca the Moluca's and Iaponia maintayned by the Kings liberality But albeyt all things were plentifully afforded vnto them yet their modesty so contended with the kings bounty that they would take nothing but what was merely needfullâ— iudging it good to draw sparingly of anotheâ— mans liberality that it might the longer continue Wherfore in procuring their owne commodities they in all places spared the Kings treasure but especially vpon their iorney into India And when Francâ— more for the loue of pouerty then for bashfulnes abstained wholy from asking any thing at all the Officers of their owne accord shewed him what a straâ—â— charge the King their maister had layd vpon them to furnish him abundantly with whatsoeuer he shoulâ— want or desire for his iorney And withall intreated him to giue them as soone as might be a note of what things he required that they might be procured 〈◊〉 time Francis hartily thanked both the King for his â—â—berality and them for their diligent care but indeâ—â— for his part he required or desired nothing at all 〈◊〉 the Officers had often done thus receaued alwayâ— the same answere from Francis they pressed him by intreaties were very earnest with him that he would at least take some prouision At last to satisfy their importunity least his too much staÌ„ding out might make him seeme obstinate he so yielded vnto theÌ„ that with all he still kept his former resolution Then he asked to haue a course rugge or mantle to keepe him from the extreme cold which he knew they were to endure when the sayled about the Promontorium bonae Spâ—i a few litle bookes whereof he should haue great need in India And besides this he could not be brought by any intreatie to permit any thing els to be prouided for him Therfore Count CastaÌ„nerius Generall of the Nauy seeing Francis in the Admirall-ship as the King had commaunded without any prouision for his iourney taking compassion on him tould him that the King had sent a Page vnto him with great charge to see him aboundantly prouided of all things fitting for his voyage But Francis earnestly intreated the Generall that nothing might be giuen vnto any for his prouision Notwithstanding the Count was earnest with him to take at least a seruant to assist him vpon necessary occasions Nay quoth Francis as long as I haue the vse of these hands I hope I shall not need of any other seruant At which answere of Xauerius the Count had no more to say as he himselfe affirmed afterward when he related this passage to others and withall highly extolled him for his singular abstinence Thus furnished with no other prouision then his confidence in God at the beginning of the spring he setteth forth for India CHAP. XIII In his iourney to India he giueth admirable tokens of his vertue IN tymes past when the Romane Empire stood entire and Christian Religion flourished in Asia for India is a part of Asia there were most commonly two beateâ— rodes into India the one through Syria by the riueâ— Euphates Tigris the Persian gulf the other througâ— Aegypt by the gulfe of Arabia and the Red sea But noâ— those countries being possessed by the forces and superstitioÌ„ of the Saracens the passage is not so secure it is short for the Christians of Europe through places annoyed with their enemies Wherfore the 〈◊〉 gheses coasting about by Affricke which lyeth vpon the Mediterranean Ocean and from Affricke as vast as iâ— is winding about by Arabia and Persia sayle intâ—â— India fetching thereby a mighty circuit For by theâ— turnings of the sea India in distant from Portugal moâ—â— then foure thousand
eyther to put him to death or else to handle him in such māner as Xauerius should iudge expedient and to restore the Kingdome to his brother In the meane tyme whilest Xauerius remayned at Cocinum there was brought thither ioyfull newes of many Ethnikes in the most remote Kingdome of Macazaria conuerted to the Fayth of Christ This Macazaria is a great Iland about a 1000. miles beyond India and the Riuer Ganges and distant from the Moluca's towards the east about 130. In this Kingdom three Noble and principall men besids many others of the people were lately conuerted to the Christian fayth and baptized by a Portughese Merchant called Antony Payua God in that manner bringing in thither his Ghospel euen by the meanes of good vertuous merchants They had therfore sent certayne men to the Citty of Malaca to request of the Portugheses there some Priests who might better instruct them in the Christian Religion for that which the merchant had commanded them was only this that since they had liued like bruite beasts now hauing by baptisme receaued the fayth of Christ they should endeauour heerafter to liue like men and withall to serue one God with purity and sanctity of life The Gouernour of Malaca approuing their demands granted them certayne Priests And although Francis made no doubt but they would worthily behaue themselues for the aduancement of Christian Religion yet had he also a great desire to be partaker of that labour thinking that in so large a Kingdome there would be great occasion of worke and need of many industrious labourers to plant and cultiuate the holy Ghospell At the very same tyme almost there came newes also from the Iland of Ceilanus which at the first seemed heauy and sad but afterwards proued ioyfull The eldest sonne of the King of that Iland being moued by conference with the Portugheses for they endeauoured to bring in the Gospel as well as merchandize into India had together with many others resolued to become a Christian As soone as the barbarous King his Father had notice therof all-mad with rage and fury commanded his sonne with others of his consayle to the number of 600. as was reported to be publikely slaughtered But the enemy of Baptisme baptized them in their owne bloud and whilest he endeauoured to depresse Christian Religion he exalted it For at the very same tyme the Inhabitants saw a great Crosse of Fire in the ayre and in the place where the sayd slaughter was committed the ground opening made a great and plaine signe of the Crosse which remaineth vnto this day although the Ethnikes haue endeauoured oftentymes to stoppe it vp by casting earth into it So as many of the inhabitants and amongst the rest the Kings yonger sonne togeather with his Cousin-german some of the Kings guard moued by these prodigious signes intended to become Christians Xauerius being glad of this newes albeyt he had already resolued to go vnto the Macazarians yet he iudged it not expedient to preferre this busines before the other with which he was then in hand In the yeare therefore 1545. in the month of Aprill taking Fa. Mansilla for his companion he embarked at Cocinum with intention to go to the Iland of Ceilanus to try the disposition of the Inhabitants and from thence with the first occasion to passe ouer to Nagapatana where the Nauy was said to be ready prepared for the foresayd expedition CHAP. XIII Being transported into the Iland of Ceilanus he reclaymeth the maister of the shippe from a bad life CEilanus is an Iland right ouer agaynst the coast of Piscaria of great note both for pearles and other merchandize but especially for the aboundance of Cinnamon which it beareth It is extended in length an 150. miles and in breadth 40. or thereabout Vpon the furthest point thereof butteth the Iland of Manaria where the Neophytes as we sayd were slayne by the King of Iafanapatana Ceilanus is indeed inhabited by the Malauarians whome they call Cingales but by reason of traffique it is much frequented by the Portughese Merchants The Portugheses haue therin a fayre Towne and by the shore are to be seene certaine Chappell 's built by them in tymes past for the exercise of Christian Religion Xauerius being thither arriued there hapned a memorable accident The Gouernour of the ship being moued by the familiarity which he had gotten with Francis had vpon the way freely opened his mind vnto him and told him how for a long tyme he had byn giuen to a certayne notorious sinne from which he could not be absolued by the Priest But Xauerius being a expert Physitian of the soule laying before his eyes the clemency and mercy of Almighty God that passeth all malice which was an ordinary custome in him therby to draw men to Confession made the businesse light and easy and promised him withall that as soone as they were arriued for then there was neyther tyme nor meanes he would vnty those heauy bands of his Hauing thus agreed betweene themselues of the businesse the mayster of the ship as soone as he came to Ceilanus as though he had byn certaine of his saluation cast of all thought of making his confession began to find excuses and withall to auoid the sight and company of Francis that he might not be challenged by him of his promise But Xauerius or rather Gods Prouidence Which as holy Iob sayth taketh the wise in their crafty plots deceyued the mayster with all his sleights For on a suddaine and vnawares he findeth Francis walking by the shore syde with his eyes fixed towards heauen as his custome was and now because he could not auoyd meeting with him hauing byn already espyed that he might not shew himselfe light or vnconstant he resolued to set a good face vpon the matter and by some sleight to delude the others carefulnesse He therfore first saluted him and of his owne accord asketh him How long it would be before he would he are his Confession As soone as he had spoken these words faltring as it were in his speech and shewing himself much troubled in mind Xauerius foūd presently by his countenance and trembling of body that he had a great horrour of that which he required yet did he not let slip the occasion offered him whatsoeuer it were Therfore to free him from that vaine feare merrily and sweetly as he was wont Good Iesu quoth he will you go then to confession I will most willingly heare you if you please euen heere as we walk vpon this shore Wherupō the other being ouercome not so much by the irkesomnes of his foule sinnes as by Francis his exceeding mildnes but indeed by Gods diuine impulse resolued to make a confession of his whole life Xauerius seeing him to begin with feare and bashfulnes hearkened carefully vnto him first as they walked vpon the shore But afterwards when he perceiued him to go on with more
courage and freedome taking him gently by the hand he led him into a chappell neere by The other out of reuerence to the holy place began to kneele downe as the custome is therby to make an end of the Confession which he had begun But Francis perceauing he had some difficulty therin forbad him to kneele for the present and to induce him to confesse the more willingly he spread a mat vpon a banke that they might there sit more commodiously They had not sate long when God so touched his hart that rising vpon a suddain he fell downe at the Fathers feete and with aboundance of teares and sighes layd open all the sins of his whole lyfe And hauing thus waded out of the pudle of sinne disburdened his soule of all filth he began with great feeling to frequent the holy Sacrament of Confession of the fruit and wholesomnesse whereof he had now gotten a tast and seriously to prouide for the saluation of his soule In the meane tyme Xauerius hauing insinuated himselfe into the Ceilanians friendship got accesse to the Kings sonne whome he found perplexed as well by his brothers example as by those prodigious signes whereof we spake before priuately baptized him together with his Cousin-German whereupon he resolued to fly together with some chiefe men of the Kindgdome to the Viceroy of India and to craue his ayde agaynst the sauage cruelty of his Father who had already imbrued his hands in the innocent bloud of his brother kinsmen now thirsted after his also Xauerius was likewise by him informed that most of the Ceilanians being moued by those miraculous signes of the Crosse in the ayre and vpon the ground did already much incline to the Christian fayth but that their good desires were hindred through feare of the Tyrant his Father Francis being very glad of this newes sendeth presently letters to Fa. Paul who remayned at Goa willing him to send two of the Fathers who were euery day expected from Portugall to Ceilanus with those noblemen who where to be restored to their Kingdome to haue a care of the Christian cause in that Iland And sending backe Fa. Mansilla immediatly into the Promontory of Comorinum he himselfe crosseth ouer to Nagapatana for the occasion which we haue already mentioned But all that preparation Francis his expectation when it seemed now to be vpon the point of ioyning battayle and obtayning victory vpon a suddaine falleth to nothing For at the same time a ship of the K. of Portugall which being fraught with rich merchandize was bound back agayne from the Kingdome of Pegu into India being by force of tempest driuen into Iafanapatana was presently set vpon by that barbarous King Wherefore the Viceroy imploying his seruice for the Kings affayres surceased from battaile vntil the Kings goods were recouered And so by making this delay the warre as many tymes it happeneth was by differring broken cleane off Yet God afterwards gaue to Xauerius what he desired For not long after that Tyrant being disconfited by many ouerthrowes which Constantine the Viceroy of India gaue him the Iland of Manaria was taken from him all the inhabitants became ChristiaÌ„s Thus the death of a few for Christ his sake was the cause of liberty and saluation to many Francis therefore not to loose the labour which he had taken in that iourney and also seruing himselfe of the wynd which though contrary for his returne lay yet right for his going forward resolued to make vse of that occasion CHAP. XIV He visiteth the Sepulcher of S. Thomas the Apostle THE Church of S. Thomas the Apostle was not distant from this place aboue 150. miles which was very famous both in regard of his sacred reliques and of the great resort of Indians who came to visit it from remote places He therefore determined to go thither in the guize of a poore Pilgrime that hauing done his deuotion to the Apostle he might go on forward to Malaca from thence vnlesse God should otherwise dispose to Macazaria whither he had byn called by most ioyfull tidings For he had lately vnderstood that the Inhabitants of those places were greatly disposed to receaue the Christian Religion and that nothing hindred the conuersion and baptizing of many but want of Priests About the latter end therfore of Lent he put to sea from Nagapatana with a better wind then good speed He had now sayled about 40. miles when a coÌ„trary tempest constrayned the ship to remaine 7. daies in a certayne hauen which they chanced vpon by the way There Xauerius minding more the pilgrimage which he had vndertaken then humane imbecillity left behind him a worthy example of abstinence For al that time as he that had the care of him testified afterwards vpon his oath he passed without taking any sustenance at all as though being indeed inflamed with a desire to visit the holy Apostle he had byn fed with heauenly food Afterwards when the marriners hoised sayle to be gone he asked of the Maister whether the ship were sound strong inough He replyed that it was an old weake ship Then quoth he we must needs backe agayne to Nagapatana for we shall haue a cruell storme Although little credit was giuen to this prophesy yet it proued most true But the Mayster of the ship being deceaued by the weather the sea went neuerthelesse forward and behould vpon the sudain a terrible tempest rising droue the ship backe againe to Nagapatana as he had fortould them and not without great danger Then the marriners passengers tooke notice of what he had sayd and held â—t for a prophecy And although Francis being thus beaten backe with a contrary wind could not arriue where he intended yet still he perseuered constantly in his purpose and came thither at last on foote with greater labour and more merit There is a towne belonging to the Portugheses called Meliapora rich and much frequented scituated in the sea coast of India almost in equall distance if you consider the turnings of the sea about two hundred leagues from the Promontory of Comorinum the riuer Ganges built perhaps of the ruines of the auncient and famous Citty of Calamina In this Towne there is a Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle where the inhabitants and other Indians say he was buried wherof euen to this day there be extant many remarkable signes There is also to be seene the place where the Apostle is sayd to haue byn martyred a Chappell wherin he sayd masse Which chappell the Portugheses out of deuotion haue adorned and made thereof a sumptuous Church giuing the Towne the name of S. Thomas In this Chappell not long since as they digged very deep to lay the fondation of the new Church there was as thâ—y say the body of the Apostle found with the sword wherewith he was martyred and a litle vessell full of bloudy earth which was agayne with reuerence layd in
â—auerius thinking that he could not haue a fitter occasion to wreake his malice vpon him vsed many deâ—eiptfull stratagemes against him in this busines For when they Infidels damaunded of the Idoll the reason â—hy the Pilots daughter was drowned it was answeâ—â—ed that if Emanuell the Christian had dyed in the â—umpe the maid should not haue bin cast away in the 〈◊〉 Francis presently perceiued that by this answere 〈◊〉 his company were aymed at to make them odiâ—â—s both to the Pilot and the marriners and withall â—â—und himselfe to be oftentimes much tempted inteâ—â—ourly by that horrible beast But calling vpon the â—â—uine assistance he did not only defeate all the plotts 〈◊〉 this most cruell Enemy but freed himselfe also froÌ„â—he imminent dangers in which he was amongst â—hose Ethnickes There was nothing which more cooled the maliâ—â—e of the Deuil and the marriners agaynst him then â—is couragious mynd Neyther did this combat â—â—asse without some fruite vnto Francis For by his â—wne peril he experienced what horrible terrours the â—iuell striketh into others when he is permitted â—ndeth opportunity Concerning which matter there 〈◊〉 extant a notable Epistle of Xauerâ—us to the Society at â—oa the contents whereof are That there is no surer â—ay to defeate the vayne affrights of the Deuill then â—y wholy distrusting in our selues putting our coÌ„fidence in God with a couragious and vndaunted â—art to contemne the feeble assaults and threats of that Monster and by depending vpon the diuine assistance to keep our selues with all the courage we can from being afrayd For in such a case and at such a tyme nothing ought more to be feared then diffidence and distrust in God seeing it is manifest that our Enemy cannot with all his forces dovs any hurt vnlesse God permit him Xauerius hauing thus ouercome the Diuell had now a new combat to fight with men When they were arriued at Cantonium a hauen Towne of China the Pilot and marriners consulted againe with the Idoll by lottes receiuing no comfortable answere from the Diuell concerning their nauigation into Iaponia cast ancker resolued to keep their winter there Which Xauerius perceyuing cast about to help himselfe And first he humbly besought the Pylot to stand to his promisses then when intreatyes could do no good falling from requests vnto threats he layd before him the losse of his pledges and the displeasure of the Gouernor of Malaca the Portugeses to whome he had giuen his word so as at last the Pilot being somwhat moued with what was obiected agaynst him he weighed ancker and began to sayle forward But this coÌ„stancy in him was no more then his fidelity For a litle while after the perfidious Ethnicke fell agayne into his former humour of wintering in those coasts Which perfidiousnesse of his would infallibly haue hindred Xauerius iourney had not the diuine Prouidence turned the Pilots course another way The ship now sayled amaine with a prosperous gale towards Cinceum a hauen towne of China where the â—ylot intended to harbour all the winter for that the â—â—mmer was now almost at an end when as vpon the â—ddaine they meete with a Pinnace which telleth theÌ„â—at the port of Cinceum was much pestred with Pyâ—tes The Pylot being greatly affrighted with this â—ewes called his witts together and began to thinke â—hat was best to be done To go backe agayne to CaÌ„â—nium he could not because the wind was ful agaynst 〈◊〉 and withall lay very right for Iaponia Wherfore â—aking his benefit of necessity he resolued to follow 〈◊〉 wind And so in despite both of the Pilot Marriâ—ers the Diuell himselfe the ship was constrayned 〈◊〉 hould on her course into Iaponia whither at last 〈◊〉 arriued vpon the very day of the Assumption of â—â—ur B. Lady more by the fauour of God and his Hoâ—â— Mother then of the wind or weather Now when â—s they could not well reach to other Hauens as they â—esired they arriued with their ship at Cangoxima a Citty in the Kingdom of Saxuma and the very Counâ—ry of Paul of the Holy Fayth There Francis together with his companions is very courteously entertayned â—oth by Paules friends the rest of the inhabitants â—ea euen of the Magistrates theÌ„selues whose arriuall â—eing diuulged among the people euery one as it ofâ—en hapneth ran with admiration to behold the new Priests that were come from Portugall OF THE LIFE OF S. FRANCIS XAVIER THE IIII. BOOKE He inquireth of the Manners and Religions of the Iaponians CHAP. I. IAPONIA is a Country of the vtmost East and bordereth vpon the furthest part of Asia It consisteth altogeather of Ilandes diuided by strait and narrow armes of the sea Concerning the extent and bignes thereof as much as can be obserued by a Portughese skillfull in such matters who hath lately measured the same we haue for certayne that it is extended in length about 900. miles and in forme not much vnlike to Italy except that Italy ioyneth to the Conâ—inent is almost equall vnto it in greatnes On the North it lyeth towards the furthest part of Scythia which we call Tartary on the west it bendeth towards China and on the East it is opposite to New Spayne â—eing distant from thence lesse then 500. miles From â—oa it is well neere 2000. leagues It conteynes sixty â—ix Kingdomes and which is very strange the whole Nation vseth but one language that not hard to be â—earned But all Iaponia by reason of three Ilands bigger then the rest is diuided into three partes which â—aking their names from the greater Ilands haue maâ—y of the lesser belonging vnto them That part which of all the rest is the greatest without comparison and furthest distant from India is properly called Iapon from whence the rest of the country taketh its name This Iland is in length 750. miles but the breadeth is various yet for the most part it is about 180 miles ouer There be in it 53. Kingdomes which certainly can be of no great extent For euen to Lords Princes of seuerall Cittyes they giue the Title of King of whome many abound in wealth especially those who haue the Dominion ouer many Kingdomes Heerein is scituated Meaco which was anciently the head Citty of all Iaponia but now of many Kingdomes only The next vnto Iapon in greatnes and wealth is Ximus which is sayd to be 150. miles in length and in breadeth 70. This lying neerest of all the other vnto China and lesse distant from India is deuided into nine Kingdomes whereof Saxuma is one and where as we sayd before Xauerius first arriued The third Iland lying betweene both these is called Xicus or Xicocus little more then halfe as great as Ximus and conteyneth only foure Kingdomes This whole country being altogether vnknown to former ages was discouered by the Portugeses who being by tempest of weather driuen thither began by meanes of traffique to haue correspondence with them some ten
be accounted a lyar or else that Francis disdayned to come vnto his house he departed in a chafe As he was in the way homeward one of his family meeteth him and bringeth him tydings that the mayd was aliue and in good health Wherupon the man feeling his sorrow in an instant turned into ioy hasteth home with great desire to see his daughter whome he so dearely loued When he entred into his house beheld her aliue and in health he could hardly belieue his owne eyes and with teares trickling downe for ioy asked her by what meanes she was restored againe to life As soone quoth she as I was dead there stood ready at hand certaine cruel executioners who snatching me vp went to cast me headlong into an horrible pit of fire but vpon the suddain there appeared two other singular men by whose meanes I was deliuered out of those executioners hands restored to life againe At this relation of the maid the father stood a while astonished through admiration Then perceiuing manifestly that it was done by Xauerius help he leadeth his daughter to him to giue him thankes Assoone as she saw Francis his companion she stood at first amazed then turning to her father she cryeth out Behould Father these be the two men that rescued me from Hell Then he with the mayd falling downe at Xauerius feete with aboundance of teares gaue him humble thanks who presently taking them vp with ioy of hart willeth them to giue thaÌ„kes to Christ the sonne of God and Author of mans saluation Neither was this great miracle done in vaine For this one mayds restoring to life caused the saluation of many others And the Father daughter and all the rest of that family presently became Christians Others also were by this example mooued to implore Xauerius ayde desired to receaue the faith of Christ Amongst whome there was a certaine Leaper borne of good parentage who had sent one to Francis reâ—uesting him to come cure him But he receiuing the â—â—essage excuseth himselfe in a courteous manner by â—â—eason of his so many other imployments yet sendeth â—ne of his companions to him with instructions what â—â—o do When he came thither he saluteth the sick man â—erylouingly asketh him three times as Xauerius had â—ppointed whether he would become a ChristiaÌ„ And â—â—uing a signe that he would the other presently maâ—â—eth vpon him the signe of the Holy Crosse A wonâ—erfull thing He had no sooner done but the Crosse â—â—stantly wiped cleane away the leaprosy Wherupon â—â—e man was instructed in the Christian faith a litâ—â—e after baptized These things being done in the view â—â—f the whole Citty of Cangoxima were straight carriâ—â—d into India and related to Francis his companions â—â—here not only by Vincent Pereira a Portughese merâ—hant and Xauerius familiar friend a man worthy of â—ll credit although in a matter of such importance â—â—ut by many others also CHAP. IIII. He receaueth nevves of the Martyrdome of Fa. Antony Criminalis NOW whilst Xauerius was reioycing at the happy successe of Christian affayres in Iaponia there came vnto him letters out of India that did somewhat afflict him by which he vnderstood of the death of Fa. Antony Criminalis This man as we said before was by Francis made superiour in the Promontory of Comorinum hauing for the space of foure yeares with great fruit of his labours managed the affayres of Christian Religion in that Coast in the yeare 1549. a little before Xauerius entred into Iaponia obteined the crowne of Martyrdome a reward due to his paynes For when a great band of the Badages inflamed with hatred against Christian Religion had from the bordring kingdome of Bisnaga broken into the coast of Comorinum spoiling destroying all before them the Christians in such a fearefull tumult presently forsooke their villages and houses and began to fly to the Portughese shippes which at that time lay there at anker Antony therfore being in a great throng of women and children and troubled with many cares incouraged those who were afraid to make hast away and withall affoarded his help and assistance to others that were weake and cold not fly so fast In the meane time the enemy approached he fearing least some of the Neophytes being intercepted by the Barbarians might through payne of torments be drawne from the faith of Christ resolued like a good Pastour there to spend his life for his sheep if need required The Portugheses inuited and intreated him to come into their shippes to auoid the preseÌ„t danger but he wholy forgetting himselfe prouided more for the safety of those that were with him then his owne by ridding out of the way those especially women children who by reason of their weakenesse were most in danger Now whilst he freeth others from the cruelty of the Barbarians being himselfe stopped from recouering the shippes for that the enemy had gotten betweene him the shore he fel into their hands Then all burning with the loue of God and hauing his cogitations fixed rather vpon Eternity then vpon this mortall life kneeling downe vpon the ground and lifting vp his hands to heauen offereth himselfe to death with incredible courage and constancy Nor was the Barbarians cruelty lesse then his valour For being thrust through the body with three launces he fell downe dead And it is reported that when they were stripping him as he lay thus grieuously wounded he helped those cruell robbers to draw off his owne cloathes that he might not seeme to hold his apparell faster then his life This newes which could not otherwise choose caused in Xauerius diuers affections For as it grieued him that he was depriued of so notable a subiect so was he greatly ioyed for the Fathers good fortune in receauing the reward of his labours by so noble a Crowne So as honouring the memorable death of this holy man both with teares and prayses he began to hope firmely that the sterility of that field being now watered with the bloud of this Martyr would dayly yield more plenty of fruite Neyther was his hope heerein frustrate For since that tyme the Ghospell hath no where yielded a more plentiful haruest then in the coast of Comorinum so abundant hath byn the increase of Neophytes in that coast no lesse eminent in piety that in sweetnesse of manners CHAP. V. The course of Christian affayres being hindred at Cangoxima he goeth to preach the Ghospell at Firandum Amangucium FRANCIS hauing the like occasion in the citty of Cangoxima met with a farre different condition For when he thirsting after Martyrdome had weakned beaten downe the authority of the Bonzies and that the forward spring of neophites begaÌ„ to make now a glorious shew behold vpon the suddaine a tempest was raysed by the Bonzies which brought great calamity to the Christian cause and which was more heauy to Xauerius then euen death it selfe Many were now by diuine instinct
not able to take sure footing by reason of the slyppinesse of the yce and roughnesse of the way he receaued many a sore and painefull fall All which intollerable difficulties he not only ouercame with great quiet of mynd but had with withall his cogitations so firmely fixed vpon God that euen at that very tyme he became wholy abstracted from his senses For such was the force of his heauenly contemplation and so greatly was he ouercome with the sweetnes thereof that scarsely knowing what he did he many tymes ran among the brambles and bushes and strooke his feete agaynst the stones euen till the bloud came out without any feeling or payne at all Now at night he was commonly in as bad a plight as in the day For oftentymes being all wet and euen wholy spent with cold and hungar he came at night to his Inne where there was no humane comfort to be had nor any ease for these his miseries Wherof this may be a sufficient proofe that during all that iorney he eate nothing but only ryce which himselfe also begged as he trauailed with no lesse want of food then payne of body Moreouer the insolency of the Country people to these his miseries which he suffred in the way added sauce of the same nature For the Iaponians being of a proud and haughty spirit seing him a stranger contemptible vnexpert in their complements and behauiour one that contemned himselfe vsed him euen like a poore foole or sotte so as in townes and villages where he was to passe in boates as also vpon the way and in the Innes he was the subiect for euery one to play vpon But all this he bare not only patiently but cheerfully also reioycing with the Apostle to be for Christ his sake reputed a foole the outcast of all And hauing thus spent two whole months vpon the way after innumerable miseries passed both by water and land at last through the goodnes of God he arriued safe and sound at Meaco Meaco is the royall Citty and the greatest and most famous of all Iaponia This Citty when it flourished if we will belieue what is reported therof conteined well neere two hundred thousand families but hauing bin oftentimes destroyed by warres pillage fire it is now little more then halfe so great The Circuit indeed of the walls and the vastnes of the Citty do yet well shew to haue byn no lesse in forme times â—â—hen that which hath byn sayd therof but now when â—auâ—rius came thither it had only about one hundred â—â—ousand houses There is in this Citty a very famous Academy fiue principall Colledges of Schollers and â—nnumerable Conuents of men and women so as â—â—here seemed to be offered to Xauerius abundant matâ—â—r to worke vpon But so secret are the iudgments â—f God that his hope wholy vanished away came 〈◊〉 nothing As soone therefore as he came to Meaco he expeâ—â—ed some dayes at the Court wayting for opporâ—â—nity to come vnto the Kings presence and to aske â—â—is licence to preach the Ghospell in his kingdome â—ut in vayne For his ignorance of the Iaponian custoâ—es and behauiour his vulgar and worne-out apâ—arell and his Christian simplicity caused him to be â—erided and wholy reiected by the Kings Guard Finâ—ing therfore all passages vnto the King to be stopped â—n such sort that he could not by any meanes get â—ccesse vnto him and vnderstanding that certayne Noblemen who by reason that the King of Meaco's Regall authority began to grow now out of date had withdrawn themselues from his obedience changing â—â—is determination and leauing off all thought of obâ—ayning the King Letters-Patents began to try the Meacensians themselues how they stood affected towards the Christian Religion But finding the whole Cittty in perplexity and solicitous expectation and feare of warres which were then coÌ„ming vpon them he lost his tyme and labour in speaking to them who had their eares mynds wholy bent another way Moreouer when he preached in the streets to the people that stood round about him which had also hapned to him in other townes the boyes and baser sorte of people threw old shoes and stones also at his head to driue him away so far was obstinate Superstition from opening her eares or vnderstanding to admit of wholesome doctrine But he went away reioycing that he had byn held worthy to suffer reproach for the name of IESVS At last when he saw the saw the Citty to be both disquieted in it selfe wholy auerted froÌ„ the Ghospel it much grieued him that after so loÌ„g painfull a iourney he was to depart without doing any good hauing not so much as reaped one handfull out of so large spacious a field But leauing all to Gods diuine prouidence he returneth agayne to Amangucium comforting himselfe with this consideration That it is a great honour not only to do but also to suffer for Christ CHAP. VII Hauing by Presents obtayned the King of Amangucium his fauour he conuerteth many to the Christian Faith RETVRNING therfore to Amangucium with almost as much trauell and misery as he had gone from thence to Meaco he determined presently to go vnto the King â—o deliuer him certaine letters and presents from the â—iceroy of India and the Bishop of Goa which he had â—â—eft at Firandum He intended to haue presented these â—uifts to the King of Meaco who was sayd to be the â—â—reatest of all Iaponia but when he perceiued that he â—aigned now at other mens pleasures and that his â—uthority was not so great as his Name and withall â—hat the King of Amangucium was very potent and wealthy changing his determination he thought it â—est to present them vnto him deeming it not amisse â—o gaine his fauour by guifts who was by his authoâ—ity best able to helpe the Christian cause So returâ—ing speedily to Firandum he bethinkes himselfe of a â—â—ew meanes to obteine accesse vnto the King the which necessity had forced him vnto He had now learnt by experience that the Iapoâ—ians according to the common corruption of mortalls esteemed men by the outward shew and ornament of their body that any one in poore cloathes was scarce accounted a man amongst them as if the worth of man consisted rather in his outward attyre then in his vertuous disposition Wherefore laying aside his old worne coate he resolued to cloath himselfe in Court-like habit and by the splendour of his ornaments so to feed the eyes of such as were carryed away rather by the exteriour shew of things then by that which was truly good indeed that afterwards he might bring them to conceiue the light of Truth As soone therfore as he came backe againe to Amanguâ—ium putting himselfe into rich apparell and with two or three seruaÌ„ts attending him he went vnto the King And the euent declared his prudence heerein For being presently brought in to the King by his officers he is by him receiued in a very
any of the â—risoners to imbrace the fayth of Christ they would â—fterwards when they were set at liberty bring their owne family to the same fayth and might also if it were Gods blessed will procure his freedome also so to propagate the Christian Religion Now though Xauerius in respect of the peruersity of men found no humane assistance in so hard and difficult a businesse yet for all this placing a firme confidence in the diuine Goodnes he resolued to go forward into China and try what he could do alone hoping at least that if he could not himselfe enter into the kingdome he might yet open a way therinto for others of the Society and leaue an example to them that should come after him of what himselfe intended and desired to haue done He therefore sendeth three of his coÌ„panions to wit Baltazar Gage Edward Silua and Peter Alcaceua into Iaponia departeth himselfe from Malaca with one companion only a Chinese for his Interpreter And at the gate of the Towne shaking off the dust from his feete as Christ had commanded his Disciples to do he denounceth to that Citty wrath from heauen and many other miseries And as he had denounced so it fell out For shortly after the Citty was so wasted and exhausted with warre famine and plague that being before of great resort it was almost left vnpeopled Now Xauerius although he were not ignorant that Perera the Embassadour was much afflicted by reason his Embassage was thus hindred and for the great expences also which he had byn at in setting forth the same yet for al that he could not be induced to speak with him at his departure least by imbracing one another both their griefes might be increased as ordinarily it hapneth Wherefore hauing a greater feeling â—ng of Perera's griefe then his owne he writeth vnto â—im from out the ship a most friendly letter assuring â—im that the contumely togeather with the dommage â—hich he had incurred would one day turne both to â—is great gayne honour Which fel out accordingâ— For that by the King of Portugall to whome â—rancis had most earnestly commended him he was â—fterward raysed to great wealth and dignity Xauerius leauing Perera the Embassadour behind â—im imbarked himselfe for China in a ship of his by â—is permission whereby the very ship it selfe might â—ut him in mind both of the loue to his deerest friend â—nd of the benefit he had receyued from him Now a â—ttle before his going away the Vicar commeth to â—im aboard intreated him that he would salute the Gouernour before his departure from Malaca least â—e might giue occasion to the people to thinke he was â—ot in charity with him if he went away without due saluatations But Francis inflamed rather with the zeale of Gods honour then with any anger whereto notwithstaÌ„ding he was iustly prouoked Shal I quoth he go to salute one that is cast out of the Communion of the faythfull Assuredly I shall neuer heerafter either see him or he me in this life nor after death also but then when I shal accuse him in the valley of Iosaphat before the supreme Iudge for that being blinded by his most wicked and base couetousnes he hath hindred so great an haruest of soules As for the rumours speaches of meÌ„ I do not any whit feare them seing it is manifest that he is excommunicated therfore all men ought to fly his company and conuersation which I desire may be made knowne to all by my authority and example Nay rather quoth he it may be feared least by my saluting an Excommunicate person the Censure wherwith the Pope hath bound him and the paine of the excommunication should be extenuated and so I might perhaps because that others by my example would conuerse with him without any scruple Wherfore I pray yow let him alone with his owne busines for he shall certainly neuer haue me his friend as long as he hath God his enemy When he had dismissed the Vicar with this answere who was not able to make any reply therto he putteth to sea in the moneth of Iuly making all the hast he could from Malaca But comming to make some stay at the straits of Sincapura being not vnmindfull of his friends he againe comforted Iames Perera the Embassador who remained still at Malaca afflicted for this late accident with a letter full not only of affection but piety also earnestly beseeching him to cure the wound which he had receiued with discretion and prudence and from thenceforward by vniting his soule to God more feruently by the Sacraments of Confession and Communion to seeke thereby secure meanes of consolation and to conforme himselfe wholy to the diuine will For there was no doubt but that disgrace griefe would one day turne vnto his honour and comfort Then betaking himselfe againe to sea his two Companions fell into a long and dangerous sicknesse in the tending and curing wherof Francis his charity and patience was continually employed to the end that the Louer of the Crosse might neuer be without his Crosse And so hauing a prosperous nauigation he came to China the third moneth after his departure from Malaca CHAP. VIII He endeauoureth though all invaine to open a passage into China THE Country of China is the furthest part of Asia inferiour to no one RegioÌ„ therof in largenesse of extent nor number of citties and Townes For it is said to be in length â—boue 400. leagues and in breadth 300. And the Cityes therin are so fraught with inhabitants that the â—ultitude being more then they can hould the very â—uers themselues are couered ouer with ships and inâ—abited like Townes Towards the East South it 〈◊〉 compassed with the Ocean On the North side it is â—iuided from those Scythians of Asia whome we call â—artarians with a most vast and almost endlesse wall â—he West side therof lyeth towards the furthest part â—f India The Chineses themselues being a people more inâ—yned to peace then warre liue al vnder the obedieÌ„ce â—f one King There be no petty Kings nor Princes â—mong them as in other Kingdomes but one King only ruleth ouer them all He appointeth Gouernours ouer euery Prouince and is alwaies by them informed of the most important affayres of euery place These Gouernours are not brought vp in the Court but in Academyes For by their Lawes those that be of the Kings bloud and alliance haue neuer any thing to do with the gouernment of the Kingdome Out of these Academies are chosen men famous both for eloquence and knowledge in the Lawes and these are made Gouernours ouer Cittyes and Prouinces but yet neuer of their owne Prouince or Citty They ordinarily esteeme so basely of their Gods that when either their prayers do not take effect or any ill fortune befalleth them they whippe and beate their Houshold Gods like slaues One would thinke there were no Gods among them but their owne
another straÌ„ge â—ccident Peter Gerra a chiefe Maister of a ship was goâ—ng for Iaponia and now the Port which he meant to â—go vnto was in sight when as vpon a suddaine the â—wind wholy ceasing there followed such a calme that â—or two or three dayes the ship could make no way Wherfore being troubled and discontented in mind â—e thought to bend his course towards China when â—s he saw Xauerius comming from China towards him â—n a litle boat for the great ship seemed not to be farre of and saluting him in a friendly manner biddeth him be of good cheere speedily make ready his full â—ayle for that he should by Gods grace haue a prospeâ—ous wind This prediction fayled not For they had â—carce hoysed vp sayle when by a Westerne gale they were carryed into the hauen And to shew manifestly this was a miracle wrought by Xauerius from the hand of God they were no sooner come into the hauen but the wind turned againe Southwest which would certaynly haue driuen them into China had they not already gayned the Port. In the meane tyme whilst Francis expected thereturne of the merchant with whome he had agreed to carry him into China he wrote many letters as wel to those of the Society as to other friends And first he wrote to Fa. Gaspar Rector of the Colledge at Goa that he should with all speed procure the Bishop so far was he from assuming any thing to himselfe although he were Legate Apostolicall solemnely to declare all those of Malaca excommunicated by the Popes authority who had hindred his iourney into China to the end that the wound being agayne renewed might put those wretches in mind to seeke at last for some remedy He wrote also to Francis Perez Superiour at Malaca that seeing the Gouernour had hindred his voyage into China he should togeather with all the rest of the Society there depart from thence with the first occasion into India Neither did he forget his deere friend Iames Perera but eased his griefe now the third tyme by sending him consolatory letters wherof this one clause manifestly declared his notable coâ—rage I would to God quoth he we might one day meete one another in the K. of China's Court although I hope if I can get into China that you shall find mâ— there either made a slaue or else a prisoner in the goalâ— of Cantona or the Kings Castle CHAP. X. His transporting into China being differred he sortelleth his ovvne death BVT now Xauerius thinking vpon the conuersion of China and of obteyning there a crowne of Martyrdome behold new and greater difficultyes are still cast in his way â—or whilst with much ioy for the hope lately conceyâ—ed he prepareth himselfe to his iourney his new â—nterpreter eyther through the secret dealing vnder â—and of the Portugheses or else through feare of torments which he might likely vndergo on a suddaine â—hangeth his mynd so as regarding more the Feare which was represented vnto him then the faythfull promise he had made to Xauerius suddainly forsaketh him who had not the least feare of any such thing Yet Xauerius constaÌ„cy was no whit daunted with this vnâ—xpected disaster but determined notwithstanding â—o set forward with his old Interpreter although as we sayd he were nothing fit by reason of his disconâ—inuance from exercise of the Chinese language Presently therefore the Portughese Merchants not more sollicitous for Xauerius case then for their owne came all flocking vnto him of purpose and compassing him round about besought him most ernestly that now at last he would desist from that so desperate an enterprize if he had no feeling of his owne danger that yet at least he would take some coÌ„passion of his neyghbours for that theron depended not only his but also all the Portugheses liues Becâ—â—se the Gouernours of China if they were once exasperated by so bold an attempt would not perhaps rest coÌ„tent with the punishment of one but might also call all the other Portugheses to account for the same and therefore he ought not togeather with his owne draw the fortunes and liues of all his friends into the same danger But if he were absolutely determined and resolutely bent to try his fortune in this kind that yet at least he would expect a more coÌ„modious tyme and that the Portughese ships might first retyre from that place therby to free themselues from danger Vpon these their speaches Xauerius willeth them to be of good courage for if any daÌ„ger should happen vnto them himselfe being a base miserable wretch worth nothing would vndergo it alone wherfore he was willing to attempt nothing more vntill they had made themselues secure And so whilst the Portugheses hasten to be gone Francis also made himselfe ready for his iourney Yet certaynly it was not thâ— will of God that he should euer enter into China Anâ— that no difficulty heerein might be wanting the Chinese merchant aforesayd with whome he had contracted for his transport deceyued him also For whether by some accident that hapned in the meane time or out of feare of punishment or by the instinct oâ— the Diuell he wholy fayled in his promise So as FraÌ„â—cis hauing a long tyme expected him but all in vayne was at last forced to cast of al hope of being transporâ—â—d thither When therefore he found as little fideliâ—â— in his merchant as he had before done in his Interâ—eter not knowing what to resolue vpon and being â—â—stitute both of all hope and humane assistance he â—â—d recourse vnto the diuine and with his wonted â—â—d vndaunted courage he began to thinke of new â—eanes how to transport himselfe into China not iâ—â—agining that he was so soone to be transported into â—â—eauen Whilst things stood in this manner there happeâ—ed a new occasion which began to put him againe 〈◊〉 good hope but proued nothing to the purpose as 〈◊〉 afterward fell out For he vnderstood that the King 〈◊〉 Sion which is a Kingdome neere to Malaca had â—etermined to send an Embassage the next yeare vnto â—e King of China Wherefore being glad of this good â—ewes which he hoped would be for his purpose he â—esolued that if the Chinese merchant came not to him â—acke in tyme he would take ship for Sion and there â—ndeauour that he might be transported into Chinaâ—ith â—ith the said Kings Embassadour But now the tyme â—pproached when he was not as he thought to beâ—â— in his trauayles and labours but to make an end of â—â—em For whilst he sought for new helpes if his old â—â—ould fayle him and thought of his transport into â—he Kingdome of Sion he was vnexpectedly called â—o the celestiall Sion He had now earnestly commended his sicke comâ—anion that he might not be a burden or hindrance â—o him in his iourney into China to the Portugheses who were to returne into India to go along with them himselfe with Anthony of the holy Fayth and another seruant remayning still in Sanciana