for the love of whom I undertake this Voyage that if there shou'd only pass this way some little Bark of Malacca I shou'd go aboard without the least deliberation All my hope is in God and I conjure you by his Love to remember always in your Prayers so great a sinner as my self Though his intentions in coming to Meliapor were only to receive the instructions of Heaven in his solitude yet he employ'd some part of his time in the good of others His holy Life gave a lustre and value to his Discourse and the sight of him alone was of efficacy to touch the Heart The people had receiv'd it as a Maxim That whoever follow'd not the Counsel of Father Francis shou'd dye an Enemy of God. And they related the unhappy end of some sinners who being urg'd by Xavier to make a speedy Repentance had deserr'd the work of their Conversion This popular Opinion contributed much to the change of Manners in the Town and the fear of a disastrous death serv'd frequently to break off in one moment the criminal commerce of many years There was in Meliapor a Portuguese Gentlemen who liv'd a debauch'd and scandalous life His House was a Seraglio in little and the greatest part of his business was making a Collection of beautiful Slaves Xavier went one day to visit him about Dinner time Are you willing said the Father that we shou'd begin an acquaintance by dining together The Portuguese was somewhat discompos'd both at the Visit and the Compliment yet he forc'd himself into good humour and made shew of being very glad of the honour which the Father had done him While they were at Table Xavier spoke not one word to him concerning his debauchery and only entertain'd him with ordinary talk though they had been serv'd by young Damsels whose Habit was not over modest and whose Air was very impudent He continu'd in the same way he had began after they were risen from Dinner and in conclusion took his leave without making him the least reproach The Gentleman surpris'd at the conduct of Father Francis believ'd his silence to be a bad omen to him and that he had nothing else to expect but an unhappy Death and a more unhappy Eternity In this thought he went with all diligence to find the Father and falling down before him Tour silence said he has spoken pow'rfully to my Heart I have not enjoy'd one moment of repose since you parted from me Ah Father if my everlasting Damnation be not already sfix'd I put my self into your hands do with me what you shall judge necessary for the Salvation of my Soul behold me ready to pay you a blind obedience Xavier embrac'd him and after he had given him to understand that the mercies of the Lord are infinite that it is our duty never to despair that he who sometimes refuses to Sinners the hour of repentance always grants pardon to the Penitent he caus'd him to put away those occasions of his sin and dispos'd him to a general Confession the fruit of which was a chast and Christian Life In short the Father did what he cou'd desire to be done at Meliapore and Witnesses of known Integrity have depos'd on Oath that he left the Town so different from what it was at his coming thither that it was hardly to be known for the same place which also gave him so entire a satisfaction that giving it a thousand Benedictions he said that there was not in all the Indies a more Christian Town And at the same time he Prophecy'd that one day it shou'd become flourishing and wealthy which Prediction was accomplish'd some few years afterward Though all these Conversions drew the publick veneration on Father Francis it seem'd that God took pleasure in making the name of his Servant yet more illustrious by certain wonderful events A Merchant of Meliapore being just ready to imbark for Malacca went to take his leave of him In receiving his blessing he beg'd of him some little token of his friendship The Father who was very poor cou'd find nothing to give him but the Chaplet which was hanging at his neck This Chaplet said he to the Merchant shall not be unprofitable to you provided you repose your trust in the Virgin Mary The Merchant went away in full assurance of the Divine Protection and without fear of Pyrates Winds or Rocks but God wou'd make a tryal of his Faith. He had already almost cross'd without the least hazard the great Gulph which is betwixt Meliapore and Malacca when suddenly there blew a furious Storm the Sails were torn the Rudder broken and the Mast came by the Boord and the Vessel afterwards being driven against the Rocks was split The greatest part of the Seamen and Passengers were drown'd some of them held upon the Rocks where they were cast away and the Merchant himself was of that number But being upon the wide Sea and not having wherewithal to supply Nature to avoid dying by hunger they took a resolution which only despair cou'd have inspir'd having gather'd up some floating Planks of their wreck'd Vessel and joyning them together the best they cou'd they put themselves upon thâ—m and abandon'd their safety to the mercy of the Waves without other hope than of lighting on some current which might possibly carry them on shore The Merchant full of confidence in the Blessed Virgin had still preserv'd the Chaplet of Xavier and fear'd not drowning while he held it in his hand The float of Planks was hardly adrift upon the waves when he found he was transported out of himself and believ'd he was at Meliapore with Father Francis. Returning from his extasie he was strangely surpriz'd to find himself on an unknown Coast and not to see about him the Companions of his Fortunes nor the Planks to which he had intrusted his Life He understood from some People who casually came that way that it was the Coast of Negapatan and in a transport mix'd with joy and amazement he told them in how miraculous a manner God had deliver'd him from death Another Portuguese by profession a Souldier call'd Ierome Fernandez de Mendoza receiv'd a considerable assistance from Xavier in a different manner but full as marvelous Fernandez having put off from the Coast of Cormandel in a Ship belonging to him wherein was all his wealth to go to another Coast more westward was taken near the Cape of Comorin by the Malabar Pyrates equally covetous and cruel To save his life in losing his goods he threw himself into the Sea and was happy enough in spight of his ill fortune to swim to land on the Coast of Meliapore Meeting there Father Francis he related his misfortune to him and beg'd an Alms. The Father was almost sorry at that time for his being so poor himself that he had not wherewithal to relieve the miserable man yet he put his hand into his Pocket as if he were searching there for
damn'd Eternally or he foresaw it not If he had no foresight of it his prescience did not extend so far as you wou'd have us to believe but if he foresaw it the consequence is worse that he did not hinder this Revolt which had prevented their damnation Your God being as you say the Fountain of all goodness must now be acknowledg'd by you for the original cause of so much evil Thus you are forc'd said the Bonza to confess either ignorance or malice in your God. Xavier was so much amaz'd to hear a Bonza reasoning like a School-man that turning to Edward de Gama who was by him See says he softly in Portuguese that he might not be understood by the Iaponians see how the Devil has sharpen'd the Wit of these his Advocates In the mean time one of the Bonza's coming up to the charge said according to the same Principle That if God had foreknown that Adam wou'd sin and cast down together with himself his whole Progeny into an Abyss of miseries why did he create him At least when our first Father was ready to eat of the forbidden Fruit why did not that Omnipotent â—and which gave him being annihilate him at the same moment A third Bonza taking the word urg'd him with another Argument If our Evil be as â—ncient as the World said he subtilly why did God let so many Ages pass away without giving it a remedy Why did he not descend from Heaven and make himself Man to redeem humane kind by his death and sufferings as soon as ever Man was guilty To what degree did thâ—se first men sin to become unworthy of such a favour And what has been the merit of their Descendants that they shou'd be more favourably treated than their Predecessours These difficulties did not appear nâ—w to Xavier who was very learn'd and who had read whatsoever the Fathers and School Divines had said concerning them He answer'd without doubt according to their Doctrine but the Portuguese who relates the Objections durst not undertake to write the Solutions of them if we will believe himself because they surpass'd the Understanding of a Merchant The Bonza's made many Replies to all which the Father gave the proper Solutions in few words and according to the Rules of the Schools whether it were that they comprehended not the Solutions or were it out of their hot-headedness or that they seem'd not to understand them to avoid the shame of being bassled they yeilded not but cry'd out louder than before As they disputed more for Victory than Truth they deny'd all things even to those Principles which are self-evident pretending thereby to encumber their Opponent Xavier knew what use to make of his advantages he turn'd the Confusion upon them by reducing them to manifest contradictions from whence they cou'd never disingage themselves So that instead of answering they gnash'd their Teeth foam'd at Mouth and stamp'd and star'd about like Mad-men The King whose Indignation was rais'd by seeing the obstinacy of the Bonza's said to them in a kind of Passion As for my self as far as I am capable of judging I find that Father Xavier speaks good Sence and that you know not what you say You shou'd either understand better or be less violent than you appear to judge of these Truths without prejudice But if the Divine Law be wanting to you make use of your Reason which of it self will let you see that you are not to deny things which are evident nor to bark like Dogs After these words he rose from his Seat and taking Xavier by the Hand brought him back to his own Lodging The people who follow'd in great multitudes made loud acclamations and the Streets rung with the Praises of the holy Man. While the Bonza's mad with rage and envy cry'd out aloud May the fire of Heaven fall down upon a Prince who suffers himself to be so easily seduc'd by this Foreign Magician Thus concluded the Disputations which he had with Fucarandono and the Bonza's They were very glorious for him and for the Religion which he preach'd but brought not forth the expected fruit amongst the Idolaters who were present at them For neither the Portuguese Author whom we have frequently cited nor other Historians of the Father's Life make mention of any new Conversions which were made and it affords great occasion for our wonder that the Lords of the Court who so much approv'd the Doctrine of Christianity shou'd still continue in the practice of Idolatry and of their Vices If it were not always to be remembred that in Conversion the light of the Understanding avails nothing unless the Heart be also touch'd and that the Philosophers of whom St. Paul speaks having known God did not glorify him as God. Nevertheless we may probably believe that these Disputations in progress of time fail'd not of their due effect And 't is also probable that they were the Seed of those wonderful Conversions which were made in following years Father Xavier went the next morning to take his last farewel of the King who vvas more kind to him than ever and parted from Iapan the same day which was Nov. 20th in the year 1551. having continu'd in that Country two years and four months Not long before God had made known to his Servant that the Town of Malacca was besieg'd by Sea and Land and that the King of Ientana a Saracen was personally before 〈◊〉 with an Army of twelve thousand Men. That neither the Conduct of the Governour Don Pedro de Silva nor the Succours of Don Fernandez Carvalio had been able to defend it against the attempts of the Barbarians that the Iavans a fierce and warlike people had master'd that place that of three hundred Portugueses who were within it above an hundred had been put to the Sword and the rest of them had only escap'd by retiring into the Fortress In short that Malacca was now become a place of horrour and that the Enemy wearied with the slaughter had reserv'd many thousands of the Inhabitants for the Chain The Saint inform'd Gama and the Portugueses of the Ship of these sad tidings before they leâ—t the Port and declar'd to them that the sins of that corrupt City had drawn down the Curse of God upon it as he had foretold and threatn'd but he desir'd them at the same time to supplicate the Father of all Mercies for the appeasing of his Divine Justice and the himself pray'd earnestly in thier behalf Besides the two Iapanners Matthew and Bernard who had constantly follow'd the Father and wou'd never forsake him an Ambassadour from the King of Bungo embark'd with him in the same Vessel The business of this Embassy was to seek the friendship of the Viceroy of the Indies and to obtain a Preacher from him who might finish the Conversion of that Kingdom in the room of Father Xavier They sai'd along the Coasts for the space of six days
usage which was given to the Man in the Parable of the Gospel Who dar'â— to appear â—n the Wedding-Room without Cloathing himself in Wedding-Garments By meditating at his leisure on the great truths of Christianity and especially on the Mysteries of our Saviour according to the Method of Ignatius he was wholly chang'd into another Man and the humility of the Cross appear'd to him more amiable than all the Glories of the World. These new insights caus'd him without the least reâ—ugnance to refuse a Canonry of Pampeâ—una which was offer'd him at that time and was very considerable both in regard of the Profits and of the Dignity He form'd also during his solitude the design of glorifying God by all possible means and of employing his whole Life for the Salvation of Souls On these foundations having finished the course of Philosophy which he read and which had lasted three years and a half according to the custome of those times he studied in Divinity by the Counsel of Ignatius whose Scholar he openly declar'd himself to be In the mean time Ignatius who found in himself an inward Call to the Holy-Land for the Conversion of Iews and Infidels discovered his intentions to Xavier which he had already communicated to Le Fevre and four other Learned young men who had embrac'd his form of Life All the seven engag'd themselves by promise to each other and by solemn Vows to God Almighty to forsake their worldly goods and undertake a Voyage to Ierusalem or in case that in the compass of a Year they cou'd not find an accommodation of passing the Seas that they would cast themselves at the feet of our Holy Father for the Service of the Church into what ever part of the World he would please to send them They made these Vows at Montmartre on the day of our Ladies Assumption in the year 1534. That holy place which has been water'd with the Blood of Martyrs and where their Bodies are still deposited inspir'd a particular Devotion into Xavier and possess'd him with a â—ervent desire of Martyrdom Towards the end of the year following he went from Paris in the Company of Le Fevre Laynez Salmeron Rodriguez Bobadilla and three other Divines whom Le Fevre had gain'd in in the absence of Ignatius who for important Reasons was oblig'd to go before and who was waiting for them at Venice Somewhat before their departure Xavier who was sometimes too far transported by the servency of his Soul had tied his Arms and Thighs with little Cords to mortiâ—ie himself for some kind of vain satisfaction which he took in out-running and overleaping his young Companions for he was very active and amongst all the Recreations us'd by Scholars he lik'd none but the exercises of the Body Though the Cords were very straight about him yet he imagin'd they wou'd not hinder him from travelling on foot But he had scarcely begun his journey when he was taken with extream pains He bore them as well as he was able and dissembled them till his strength fail'd him His motion had swell'd his Thighs and indented the Cords so deep into his flesh that they were hardly visible Insomuch that the Chirurgions to whom his Fellows discover'd them plainly said that any incisions which cou'd be made wou'd serve onely to increase his pains and that the ill was incurable In this dangerous conjuncture Le Fevre Laynez and the rest had recourse to Almighty God and not in vain Xavier waking the next morning found the Cords fallen down the swelling wholly taken away from his Thighs and the marks of the Cords only remaining on his Flesh. They joyn'd in actions of Thanksgiving to the Almighty for his providential care already shewn in their behalf and though the ways were very rugged in the inclemency of that Season yet they chearfully pursu'd their Journey Xavier was serviceable to his Companions on all occasions and was always before hand with them in the duties of Charity whether it were that being naturaly officious and of a warm temper he was more eager to employ himself for them or that his health miraculously restor'd render'd him more obligeing and charitable towards those by whose prayers it was recover'd When they were arriv'd at Venice their breathings were only after the holy places Ignatius whom they were ravish'd to see again and whom they acknowledg'd for their common Father was of opinion that while they were waiting the opportunity of going to receive the Pope's blessing for their Voyage to Ierusalem each of them shou'd employ himself on works of Charity in the Hospitals of the Town Xavier whose lott fell in the Hospital of the Incurable was not satisfied onely with busying himself all day in dressing sick men's sores in making their Beds and doing them more inferiour service but also pass'd whole nights in watching by them But his care and pains were not confin'd to the succour of their Bodies Tho' he was wholly ignorant of the Italian Tongue he frequently spoke of God to them and above all things exhorted the greatest Libertines to repentance by causing them to comprehend in the best manner he was able that though their corporal maladies were incurable yet the diseases of their Souls were not so that how enormous soever our offences were we ought always to rely on God's mercy and that a desire of being sincerely converted was onely requisite in Sinners for obtaining the grace of their Conversion One of these sick Alms-men had an Ulcer which was horrble to the sight but the noysomness of the stench was yet more insupportable Every one shun'd the miserable Creature not enduring so much as to approach him and Xavier once found a great Repugnance in himself to attend him But at the same time he call'd to his remembrance a Maxim of Ignatius that we make no progress in Vertue but by vanquishing our selves and that the occasion of making a great Sacrifice was too precious to be lost Being fortify'd with these thoughts and encourag'd by the example of St. Catharine de Sienna which came into his Mind he embrac'd the sick person apply'd his Mouth to the Ulcer surmounted his natural loathing and suck'd out the Corruption at the same moment his Repugnance vanish'd and after that he had no farther trouble in the like cases of so great importance it is to us once to have throughly overcome our selves Two Moneths were pass'd away in these exercises of Charity After which he set forward on his Journey to Rome with the other Disciples of Ignatius who himself stay'd behind alone at Venice They underwent great hardships in their way It rain'd continually and Bread was often wanting to them even when their strength was wasted Xavier encourag'd his Companions and sustain'd himself by that Apostolick Spirit with which God replenish'd him from that time forwards and which already made him in love with pain and sufferings Being arriv'd at Rome his first care was to visit the Churches
mix'd with saving hope After this the Father kept the promise which he had made to the Physitian and took a greater care of his own preservation insomuch that his Fever abated by degrees and at length left him of it self but his strength was not yet recover'd when the Navy put to Sea again The Viceroy who began to find himself indispos'd wou'd make no longer stay upon a place so much infected nor attend the recovery of his People to continue his Voyage He desir'd Xavier to accompany him and to leave Paul de Camerino and Francis Mansilla to attend the Sick in the Hospital where indeed they both perform'd their duty as became them Thus having made a six months residence on Mozambique they embarqu'd once more on the 15th of March and in the year 1542. But they went not aboard the St. Iames in which they came thither changing her for a lighter Vessel which made better Sail. 'T is here proper to observe that the Father according to the report of the Passengers who came vvith him from Portugal to Mozambique began to manifest that Spirit of Prophecy which he had to the end of his days in so eminent a degree For hearing those of the St. Iames commend that Ship as a Vessel of the strongest built and the best equip'd of all the Fleet he said in express words that she vvou'd prove unfortunate And in effect that Ship which the Viceroy left behind him at Mozambique in the Company of some others pursuing her course afterwards to the Indies was driven against the Rocks and dash'd in pieces towards the Island of Salseta The Galeon which carried Sosa and Xavier had the wind so favourable that in tvvo or three days she arriv'd at Melinda on the Coast of Affrick tovvards the Equinoctial Line 'T is a Town of Saracens on the Sea side in a flat Country well cultivated planted all along with Palm-trees and beautified with fair Gardens It has a large enclosure and is fortify'd with Walls after the European fashion Tho the building is Moresque the Houses notwithstanding are both pleasant and convenient The Inhabitants are warlike they are black and go naked excepting only that they are cover'd with a kind of an Apron of Cotton or Linnen from the wast to the mid thigh And indeed the heat of their Clymat will permit them to wear no more Melinda being distant from the Line but three degrees and some few minutes They have always maintain'd a good correspondence with the Portuguese by reason of the Commerce establish'd betwixt them The Flag of Portugal was no sooner seen but the Saracen King came down to the Port attended by the most honourable Persons of his Court to receive the new Governour of the Indies The first object which presented it self to Father Francis when he stept ashore drew tears from his eyes but they were tears of joy and pity mingled together The Portuguese having there a constant trade and now and then some of them hapning to dye are allow'd a Burying-place near the Town full of Crosses set upon their Graves according to the custome of the Catholiques And above the rest there was a very large one of hewn stone plac'd in the middle and all over gilded The Saint ran to it and ador'd before it receiving an inward consolation to behold it rais'd so high and as it were triumphing amongst the Enemies of Iesus Christ. But at the same time he was sensibly afflicted that this sign of our Salvation serv'd less to â—diâ—iâ— the Living than to honour the memory of the Dead And lifting up his hands to Heaven he besought the Father of all Mercies to imprint in the hearts of the Infidels that Cross which they had suffer'd to be planted on their ground His next thoughts prompted him to conâ—er of Religion with the Moors that he might endeavour to shew them the extravagancies of the Mahometan Belief and gain an opportunity of revealing to them the eternal truths of Christian faith One of the Principal Inhabitants and wonderâ—ully bigotted to his Sect prevented him and immediately demanded of him if Piety were not wholly extinguish'd in the Towns of Europe as it was in Melinda For to confess the truth said he of seventeen Mosques which we have fourteen are quite forsaken there are but three remaining at which we pay our Devotions and even those three are but little visited and by few Persons This proceeds without all question added the Mahometan from some enormous sin but what it is I know not and whatsoever reflections I can make I am not able to find what has drawn upon us so dreadful a misfortune There is nothing more clear reply'd Xavier God who detests the Prayer of Insidels has permitted a worship to moulder away which is displeasâ—ng to him and gives you thence to understand that he condemns your Sect. The Sacraâ—en was not satisfy'd with this reason nor with any other argument which Xavier us'd against the Alcoran While they were thus disputing a Caciz or Doctour of the Law join'd company with them having made the same complaint concerning the Mosquees how little they were frequented and how cold was grown the devotion of the People I have taken my measures said he and if in two years Mahomet comes not in Person to visit the Congregations of the Faithful who acknowledge him for God's true Prophet I will certainly look out for some other Religion Xavier took pity on the folly of the Caciz and endeavour'd all he cou'd to convert him at that instant from Mahometanism but he cou'd not prevail upon an obstinate mind blinded with the opinion of its own reason and therefore the Father acquies'd in the Decrees of that Providence which hasfix'd the times and revolutions for the conversion of Inâ—idels and Sinners Having left Melinda where they continued but few days and still coasting Affrica they cast Anchor at Socotora which is beyond Cape Guardafu and over against the Streight of Mecca The Moors of that Country call it the Isle of Amazons and the reason they alledge is because it is govern'd by Women The Inhabitants believe their Isle to be the Earthly Paradise which notwithstanding there is scarcely to be found in all the World a spot of ground less deserving that glorious Title The Air is in a perpetual â—ultry heat the Soyl is dry and barren and excepting only for the Aloes which is there produc'd and is indeed the best which grows in those Eastern Parts even the name of Socotora wou'd not be mention'd 'T is not certainly known what Religion they prosess so monstrous is their Belief They hold from the Saracens the Worship of Mahomet from the Iews the use of Circumcision and Sacrifices and yet give themselves the name of Christians The Males bear the name of some or other of the Apostles the most part of the Women are call'd Mary and yet they have no knowledge of Baptism They adore the Cross and hang it in
receiv'd Baptism they ran vying with each other to demolish the Temples of the Idols It was at that time properly speaking when God first communicated to Xavier the gift of tongues in the Indies according to the Relation of a young Portuguese of Coimbra whose name was Vaz who attended him in many of his Travels and who being return'd into Europe related those Passages of which himself had been an eye witness The Holy man spoke very well the Language of those Barbarians without having learnt it and had no need of an Interpreter when he instructed There being no Church which was capable of containing those who came to hear him he led them into a spacious Plain to the number of five or six thousand Persons and there getting up into a Tree that he might the farther extend his voice he Preach'd to them the words of Eternal Truth There it was also that to the end the compass of the Plain might serve in the nature of a Church he sometimes celebrated the Divine Mysteries under the Sails of Ships which were spread above the Altar to be seen on every side The Brachmans cou'd not suffer the Worship of the Pagods to be abandon'd in this manner but were resolv'd to be reveng'd on the Author of so strange an alteration In order to execute their design they secretly engag'd some Idolaters to lye in wait for him and dispatch him privately The Murtherers lay in Ambush more than once and in the silence of the night endeavour'd to shoot him with their Arrows But divine Providence wou'd not suffer their malice to take place of all their Arrows one only wounded him and that but slightly as it were rather to give him the satisfaction of shedding some blood in testimony of the Faith than to endanger his Life Enrag'd and desperate for having miss'd their aim they sought him every where and not finding him they set fire on three or four houses where they thought he might possibly be lodg'd The Man of God was constrain'd one day to hide in the covert of a Forest and pass'd the following night upon a Tree to escape the fury of his Enemies who search'd the whole Forest to have found him There was a necessity sometimes that the faithful shou'd keep guard about him day and night and to that purpose they plac'd themselves in Arms about the house where he was retir'd In the mean time the Badages who had ravag'd the Coast of Fishery the year before animated of themselves against the Christians and perhaps push'd forward by the Devils who saw their Empire decaying day by day excited also by the desire of glory and above all things by the hope of booty enter'd into the Kingdom of Travancor on the side of one of those Mountains which confine on the Cape of Comorin Their former success had render'd them so haughty and so insolent that they flatter'd themselves with an imagination that every thing wou'd bend before them But not having now to do as they had before with simple Fishers they were come in good order and well arm'd under the conduct of the Naiche or Lord of Modure a valiant and experienc'd Captain The Inhabitants of the Maritime Villages took fright at the noise of an hostile Army and retiring for the most part with great haste and confusion into the Inland Country carried even to the Court the news of the invasion The King of Travancor whom the Portuguese call the great Monarch because indeed he is the most powerful of all the Kings of Malabar recollecting his Army with all speed put himself at the head of it and march'd towards the Enemy The Battel in all appearance was likely to be bloody and the Victory seem'd assur'd to those Vagabond Robbers who were more in number and better Disciplin'd Father Xavier so soon as he understood that the Badages were drawing near falling prostrate on the ground O Lord said he Remember that thou art the God of Mercies and Protectour of the Faithful give not up to the fury of these Wolves that Flock of which thou hast appointed me the Pastour That these new Christians who are yet so feeble in the Faith may not repent their embracing it and that the Infidels may not have the advantage of oppressing those who repose their confidence in none but thee His Prayer being ended he arose and inspir'd with a more than humane courage which made him incapable of â—ear he takes a troop of fervent Christians and with a Crucisix in his hand runs with them towards the Plain where the Enemies were marching in Battalia When he arriv'd within distance of being heard he stop'd and said to them in a threatning voice I forbid you in the name of the Living God to pass farther and on his part command you to return the way you came These few words cast a terrour into the minds of those Souldiers who were at the head of the Army they remain'd confounded and without motion They who march'd after them seeing the foremost advanc'd not ask'd the reason of it answer was return'd from the first ranks that they had before their eyes an unknown Person habited in black of a more than humane Stature of a terrible aspect and darting fire from his eyes The most hardy were desirous to satisfie themselves concerning what was told them they were seiz'd with amazement at the sight and all of them fled with a precipitate confusion The new Christians who had follow'd Xavier ran to declare to the neighbouring Villages this wonderful event The same of it was suddenly spread abroad and the King who was marching towards the Enemy with great speed heard the report of it on his way He caus'd Xavier to be brought into his presence and embrac'd him as the Redeemer of Travancor and after he had publickly thank'd him for so eminent a service he said thus to him I am call'd the Great Monarch and from henceforth you shall be call'd The Great Father The Saint gave the Kiâ—g to understand that it was only Iesus Christ to whom he ought to pay his acknowledgmenâ—â— and as for himself he ought only to be regarded as a weak instrument who cou'd do nothing of his own power The Pagan King comprehended nothing of his meaning anâ— tâ—e two Vices which are the common Obstacles to the Conversion of the Great that is to say the Concupiscence of the Flesh and Pride of Heart hindred him afterwards from embracing of the Faith which notwithstanding he caus'd an Edict to be publish'd throughout his Kingdom whereby all Men were commanded to obey the Great Father as they wou'd his proper person and that whoever desir'd to be a Christian might be so without any apprehension of danger to ensue He went so far as even to call Xavier his Brother and bestow'd on him large sums of Money 〈◊〉 which the Servant of God employ'd in Charities on the poor An Edict so favourable to the Law of our Belief made
the King of Pedir was on board was in the first Squadron and with him were three Turkish Galions That fury which transported the Barbarians caus'd them at the first â—ight of the Portuguese Navy to discharge against it their whole Artillery But they aim'd so ill that they did them little or no mischief Immediately after the two Admirals met and stemm'd each other They ingag'd on either side with so much resolution that the advantage was not sâ—â—on till a shot was made from the Vessel of Iohn Soarez and out of the Cannon call'd the Camel. It took place so justly that Soâ—ra's Vessel sunk to rights The three Galions which were in Front with him on the same time immediately chang'd their order and left off fighting to save their General and the principal Lords of his Retinue But these Galions which were a cross the Stream and took up half the breadth of it stopp'd their own Vessels which follow'd File by File Insomuch that those of the second rank striking against the first and those of the third against the second they fell foul on each other with a terrible confusion The Portuguese seeing the Army of the Enemy on a heap together without being able to disingage their Ships incompass'd them and batter'd them with their Cannon They discharg'd every tyre three rounds successively and â—o to purpose that they sunk nine great Ships and disabled almost all the rest Then four of the Portuguese Foysts set upon six Mahometans which the Cannon had us'd more favourably than the rest the Souldiers boarded them with their Swords in their Hands and calling on the name of Iesusâ— in less than half an hour they destroy'd above two thousand Men. The fright and the disorder of the Enemies was redoubled at the sight of this â—laughter and at the thundring of the Guns which did such dreadful Execution Insomuch that the Achenois leapt into the River of their own accord chusing rather to die in that manner than by the hands of the Christians Their General being taken up when he was just drowning and drawing new Courage from despair endeavour'd to have heartn'd up the remainder of those who were about him But having himself receiv'd a Musket-shot he lost all manner of resolution and made away with only two Vessels The five hundred Gentlemen Orobalans were either slain or drown'd with all the Ianisaries None escap'd but those who follow'd Soora in his flight On the side of the Christians there were six and twenty slain of whom four only were Portuguese by Nation The Spoil was great for besides the two Guard-ships which came into the power of the Conquerours and wherein was all the Pillage which the Enemy had gain'd they took at least forty five Vessels which might again be made serviceable There was found amongst the Spoils a prodigious quantity of Saracen and Tâ—rkish Arms three hundred pieces of Cannon of all sorts And what was yet more pleasing sixty two pieces of Ordnance whereon were graven the Arms of Portugal and which had been lost in divers Wars return'd at length to the possession of their lawful Lord and owner The King of Parlez no sooner had notice of the Enemies defeat than issuing out of the Woods where he lay conceal'd he came with five hundred Men and fell upon the Workmen who by Soâ—ra's Orders were building a Fortress and on the Souldiers appointed for their Guard. Having cut them in pieces he went to visit Captain Deza and congratulated the Valour of the Portuguese and their success He own'd the preservation of his Kingdom to their Arms and offer'd by way of acknowledgment a yearly Tribute to the King of Portugal Deza immediately order'd a Frigat to carry the news of his Victory to Malacca but it was fully known in that City with all its Circumstances before the Frigat was sent off and thus it happen'd Father Xavier preaching in the great Church betwixt nine and ten of the Clock on Sunday morning which was the fourth of Ianuary according to the old Calendar at the same time when the two Fleets were actually ingag'd stopp'd short on the sudden and appear'd transported out of himself so manifest a change appear'd both in his Countenance and his whole person Having somewhat recover'd himself instead of following his Discourse inspir'd with a Divine Impulse he declar'd to his Audience the incounter and shock of the two Navies but in a Mysterious and Figurative manner The Assembly not comprehending their Preachers meaning were of Opinion that he was distracted still as the Fight grew warmer and the ingagement came to be more close he seem'd to be more and more inflam'd with all the motions of a Man inspir'd and speaking still Prophetically At the length fixing Eyes on the Crucifix that was before him he said with tears in his Eyes accompany'd with sighs but with an audible and distinct voice Ah Jesus thou God of my Soul and Father of all Mercies I most humbly implore thee by the Merits of thy sacred Passion not to forsake those who sight thy Battle After these words he hung down his Head as overweary'd and lean'd upon his Pulpit without farther speaking Having continu'd in that posture for some time he sprung up on the sudden and said aloud with all the motions of Joy which he cou'd not master My Brethren Jesus Christ has vanquish'd for you At this moment while I am speaking the Souldiers of his bless'd name have compleated their Victory by the entire defeat of the Enemies Navy They have made a great slaughter and we have lost but four of our Portugueses You shall receive the news of it on Friday next and may shortly expect the return of your victorious Fleet. How incredible soever this appear'd yet Melo and the principal persons of the Town there present gave credit to it without the least scrâ—ple considering the manner of his speaking and his Air which had somewhat of Divine in it and bore the testimony of its Truth Yet the Wives and Mothers of the absent Souldiers apprehending still it might be false and fearing the more the more they desir'd it shou'd be true The Father assembled them all in the Afternoon at the Church of our Lady del Monte and there repeated so distinctly the whole series of what he had said in the Morning that they durst no longer doubt of it Even in the beginning of the week they had almost evident signs of the Victory by the â—â—ws which came of the King of Bintan who having sent on all sides to be inform'd whether the Portuguese had been defeated being advertis'd from the River of Parlez of what had pass'd forsook Mâ—ar and retir'd with expedition bewailing the misfortune of his Allies and asham'd of his ill tim'd Enterprise The Frigat dispatch'd away by Deza under the conduct of Emanuel Godigno arriv'd exactly on the day mention'd by the Saint The Fleet follow'd shortly after and made a triumphant entry into
himself to be directed in all things by him The Servant of God instructed him in the Principles of Faith of which his Friends the Portuguese had already given him some knowledge as 〈◊〉 as men of their Profession were capable of teaching him But to the end his Conversion might be more solid he thought it convenient to send him and his Servants to the Seminary of Goâ— there to be more fully taught the truths and practice of Christianity before their Baptism The Father had yet a further purpose in it that these first fruits of Iaponian Christianity shou'd be conâ—ecrated to God by the Bishop Don Iohn d'Albuquerque in the Capital City of the Indies Since in his Voyage to Goa he was to visit the Fishing Coast he wou'd not take the three Iaponians with him and gave the care of conducting them to Georg ' Alvarez He only wrote by them to the Rector of the Colledge of St. Paul giving him Orders to instruct them with all diligence He put on board the ship of another Portuguese call'd Gonsalvo Fernandez twenty or thirty young men whom he had brought from the Molucca's in order to their Studies in the same Colledge After which himself imbark'd in another Vessel which went directly for Cochin In passing the Streight of Ceylan the Ship which carried Xavier was overtaken with the most horrible Tempest which was ever seen They were constrain'd at the very beginning of it to cast over-board all their Merchandise and the winds roar'd with so much violence that the Pilot not being able to hold the Rudder abandon'd the Vessel to the fury of the Waves For three days and nights together they had death continually present before their eyes and nothing reassur'd the Mariners but the serene countenance of Father Xavier amidst the cries and tumults in the Ship. After he had heard their Confessions implor'd the help of Heaven and exhorted all of them to receive with an equal mind either life or death from the hand of God he retir'd into his Cabin Francis Pereyra looking for the man of God in the midst of the Tempest to have comfort from him found him on his knees before his Crucifix wholly taken up and lost to all things but to God. The Ship driven along by an impetuous current already struck against the Sands of Ceylan and the Mariners gave themselves for lost without hope of recovery when the Father coming out of his Cabin ask'd the Pilot for the Line and Plummet with which he was accustom'd to fathom the Sea having taken them and let them down to the bottom of the Ocean he pronounc'd these words Great God Father Son and Holy Ghost have mercy on us At the same moment the Vessel stop'd and the Wind ceas'd After which they pursu'd their Voyage and happily arriv'd at the Port of Cochin on the 21st of Ianuary 1548. There the Father gave himself the leisure of writing divers Letters into Europe by a Vessel of Lisbon which was just in a readiness to set sail The first was to the King of Portugal Iohn the third the Letter was full of prudent Counsels concerning the duties of a King he advertis'd him a-new that his Majesty shou'd be guilty before God of the evil Government of his Ministers and that one day an account must be given of the Salvation of those Souls which he had suffer'd to perish through neglect of application or want of constancy in his endeavours But he did it with all manner of precaution and soften'd his expressions with Christian Charity I Have long deliberated said he whether I shou'd certify your Majesty of the Transactions of your Officers in the Indies and what ought farther to be done for the establishment of our Faith. On the one side the Zeal of God's service and his glory encourag'd me to write to you on the other I was diverted from that resolution by the fear I had of writing to no purpose But at the same time I concluded that I cou'd not be silent without betraying my Ministerial Function and it also seem'd to me that God gave me not those thoughts without some particular design which probably was that I might communicate them to your Majesty and this Opinion as the more likely has at length prevail'd with me Nevertheless I always fear'd that if I shou'd freely give you all my thoughts my Letter wou'd only serve for Evidence against you at the hour of your death and wou'd augment against your Majesty the rigour of the last Iudgement by taking from you the excuse of ignorance These considerations gave me great anxieties and your Majesty will easily believe me For in fine my heart will answer for me that I desire not to employ all my strength or even my life it self for the Conversion of the Indians out of any other prospect than to free your Majesties Conscience as much as in me lies and to render the last Iudgement less terrible to you I do in this but that which is my duty and the particular affection which you bear our Society well deserves that I shou'd sacrifice my self for you After he had inform'd his Majesty how much the jealousies and secret divisions of his Officers had hinder'd the Progress of the Gospel he declares that he cou'd wish the King wou'd bind himself by a solemn Oath to punish severely whosoever they shou'd be who shou'd occasion any prejudice to the farther propagation of Faith in the Indies And farther assur'd him that if such who had the authority in their hands were made sensible that their faults shou'd not escape punishment the whole Isle of Ceylan all Cape Comorine and many Kings of Malabar wou'd receive Baptism in the space of one year that as many as were living in all the extent of the Indies wou'd acknowledge the Divinity of Iesus Christ and make profession of his Doctrine if those Ministers of State who had neglected the interests of the Faith had been depriv'd of their Dignities and their Revenues After this he Petitions the King to send him a supply of Preachers and those Preachers to be of the Society as judging them more proper than any others for the new world I beg and adjure your Majesty says he by the love you bear to our blessed Lord and by the real wherewith you burn for the Glory of the Divine Majesty to send next year some Preachers of our Society to your faithful Subjects of the Indies For I assure you that your Fortresses are in extream want of such supplies both in reference to the Portugueses who are there in Garrison and to the new Christians establish'd in the Towns and Villages depending on them I speak by experience and that which I have seen with my own eyes obliges me to write concerning it Being at Malacca and at the Molucca's I Preach'd every Sunday and all Saints days twice and was forc'd upon it because I saw the Souldiers and People had great need of being frequently
and the Navigation was prosperous till they made an Island belonging to the King of Minaco call'd Meleitor From whence crossing a Streight the put out into the main Ocean At that time the change of the Moon alter'd the Weather and there blew a furious South-wind so that the Pilot with all his Art cou'd not bear up against it The Tempest carry'd the Ship into a Sea unknown to the Portugueses and the Face of Heaven was so black with Clouds that during five days and nights there was no appearance of Sun or Stars Insomuch that the Mariners were not able to take the Elevation of the Pole and consequently not to know vvhereabouts they were One day towards the Evening the Wind redoubled with so much fury that the Vessel had not povver to break the Waves so high the vvent and came on with so much violence In this terrible conjuncture they thought sit to cut down the Fore-castle that the Ship might work the better after vvhich they bound the Sloop which follow'd vvith thick Cables to the Ship but night coming on vvhile they were thus employ'd and being very dark abundance of Rain also falling at the same time vvhich increas'd the Tempest they cou'd not draw out of the Sloop five Portugueses and ten Indians as well as Slaves and Mariners which vvere in her Those of the Ship had neither comfort nor hope remaining but in the company and assistance of Father Xavier He exhorted them to lament their Sins thereby to appease the wrath of God and he himself pour'd forth whole showers of Tears before the Face of the Almighty When night was now at the darkest a lamentable cry was heard as of people just upon the brink of perishing and calling out for succour The noise came from the Sloop vvhich the violence of Winds had torn off from the Vessel and which the Waves were hurrying away As soon as the Captain had notice of it he order'd the Pilot to turn towards those poor Creatures without considering that by his endeavour of saving his Nephevv Alphonso Calvo vvho was one of the five Portugueses in the Sloop the Ship must certainly be lost and himself with her In effect as it vvas difficult to steer the Ship when they vvou'd have turn'd her tovvards the Sloop she came across betwixt tvvo Mountains of Water which lock'd her up betwixt them one of those Waves fell upon the Poop and wash'd over the Deck and then it was that the whole Company thought their business was done and nothing but cries and lamentations were heard on every side Xavier who was at his Prayers in the Captain 's Cabin ran out toward the noise and saw a miserable object the Vessel ready to bulge the Seamen the Souldiers and the Passengers all tumbling in confusion on each other deploring their unhappy destiny and expecting nothing but present death Then the holy Man lifting up his Eyes and Hands to Heaven said thus aloud in the transport of his â—ervour O Jesus Thou love of my Soul succour us I beseech thee by those five wounds which for our sakes thou hast suffer'd on the Cross. At that instant the Ship which already was sinking under Water rais'd her self aloft without any visible assistance and gain'd the surface of the Waves The Mariners encourag'd by so manifest a Miracle so order'd the Sails that they had the Wind in Poop and pursu'd their course In the mean time the Sloop was vanish'd out of sight and no man doubted but she was swallow'd by the Waves The Captain lamented for his Nephew the rest shed tears for their lost Companions As for the Father his greatest affliction was for two Mahometan Slaves whom he cou'd not convert to Christianity He sigh'd in thinking of their deplorable condition but in the midst of these anxious thoughts entring into himself or rather wholly recollecting himself in God it came into his mind to intercede with Heaven for the protection of the Sloop in case it were not already lost In this he follow'd the inspiration of the holy Spirit and his Prayer was not yet ended when he perceiv'd that it was heard Insomuch that turning towards Edward de Gama who was oppress'd with sadness Afflict not your self my Brother said he with a chearful Countenance before three days are ended the Daughter will come back and find the Mother The Captain was so buried in his grief that he savv too little probability in what the Father said to â—ound any strong belief upon it Which notwithstanding at break of day he sent one up to the Scuttle to see if any thing were within ken but nothing was discover'd saving the Sea which was still troubled and white with foam The Father who had been in private at his dâ—votions came out two hours after with the same chearfulness upon his Countenance and having given the good day to the Captain and Pilot and six or seven Portugueses who were in Company he enquir'd If they had not yet seen the Chalop they answer'd they had not and because he desir'd that some one might again get up to the Scuttle one of the Portugueses call'd Pedro Veglio reply'd thus bluntly Yes Father the Chalop will return but not 'till another be lost he meant that it was impossible the same Chalop shou'd come again Xavier mildly reprehended Veglio for his little Faith and told him nothing was impossible to God. The confidence which I have in the Divine mercy said he gives me hope that they whom I have put under the protection of the Holy Virgin and for whose sake I have vow'd to say three Masses to our Lady of the Mountain shall not perish After this he urg'd Gama to send up to the Scuttle for discovery Gama to satisfie the man of God went up himself with a Sea-man and after having look'd round him for the space of half an hour neither he nor the other cou'd see any thing In the mean time Xavier whose stomach was turn'd with the tossing of the Ship and who had been two days and three nights without eating was taken with a violent head-ach and such a giddiness that he cou'd scarcely stand One of the Portuguese Merchants call'd Ferdinand Mendez Pinto desir'd him to repose a little while and offer'd him his Cabin Xavier who by the Spirit of mortification usually lay upon the Deck accepted his courtesie and desir'd this further â—avour that the Servant of this Merchant who was a Chinese might watch before the door that none might interrupt his rest The intention of the Father was not to give the least refreshment to his Body he set himself again to Prayers and it was affirm'd by the Chinese Servant that from seven in the morning when he retir'd he had been constantly on his knees 'till the evening groaning in the agony of his Spirit and shedding tears He came out from his retirement after Sun set and once more enquir'd of the Pilot if they had not seen the Chalop
to be dead and who perhaps was not I commanded him in the name of God to arise he arose indeed and where was the Miracle Ordognez Cevalio who travell'd almost round the World tells us in the relatâ—ons of his Voyages that in India he happen'd to meet a Iaponnese who inform'd him in a discourse which they had together of these particulars Know said he that being in Japan a Bonza by profession I was once at an Assembly of our Bonza's who upon the report of so many Miracles as were wrought by Father Francis Xavier resolv'd to place him in the number of their Gods In order to which they sent to him a kind of Embassy But the Father was seiz'd with horrour at the proposition of their Deputies Having spoken of God to them after a most magnificent and elevated manner he spake of himself in terms so humble and with so much self contempt that all of us were much edify'd by his procedure And the greatest part of us seriously reflecting rather on his carriage than his words from Priests of Idols which we were became the Worshippers of Jesus Christ. He shun'd the Offices of the Society and believ'd himself unworthy of them I cannot tell you wrote he from Cochin to Father Ignatius how much I stand oblig'd to the Japonneses in favour of whom God has given me clearly to understand the infinite number of my sins for 'till that time I was so little recollected and so far wander'd out of my self that I had not discover'd in the bottom of my heart an Abysse of imperfections and failings It was not 'till my labours and sufferings in Japan that I began at length to open my eyes and to understand with God's assistance and by my own experience that it is necessary for me to have one who may watch over me and govern me May your holy Charity be pleas'd for this reason to consider what it is you do in ranging under my command so many Saint-like Souls of the Fathers and Brethren of our Society I am so little endued with the qualities which are requisite for such a charge and am so sensible that this is true through God's mercy that I may reasonably hope that instead of reposing on me the care of others you will repose on others the care of me He infiniâ—ely esteem'd those Missioners who were his Seconds and accounted his own pains for nothing in comparison of theirs After having related what had been performed by Father Francis Perez in Malacca I confess my Brethren said he to Paul de Camerino and Antonio Gomez that seeing these things I am asham'd of my self and my own lazy Cowardise makes me blush in lâ—oking on a Missioner who infirm and languishing as he is yet labours without intermission in the Salvation of Souls Xavier more than once repeats the same thing in his Letter with profound sentiments of esteem for Perez and strange contempt of his own performances He recommends not any thing so much to the Gospel Labourers as the knowledge of themselves and shunning of Pride And we need only to open any of his Letters to behold his Opinions on that Subject Cultivate Humility with care in all those things which deprav'd Nature has in horrour and make sure by the assistance of Divine Grace to gain a thorough knowledge of your selves for that understanding of our selves is the Mother of Christian Humility Beware especially lest the good Opinion which Men have conceiv'd of you do not give you too much pleasure for those vain delights are apt to make us negligent and that negligence as it were by a kind of Enchantment destroys the Humility of our Hearts and introduces Pride instead of it Be distrustful of your proper strength and build nothing upon humane wisdom nor on the esteem of men By this means you will be in condition to bear whatsoever troubles shall happen to you for God strengthens the humble and gives him courage he is proof against the greatest labours and nothing can ever separate him from the Charity of Jesus Christ not the Devil with his evil Angels nor the Ocean with its Tempests nor the most brutal Nations with all their barbarity And if God sometimes permits that the Devil put impediments in his way or that the Elements make war against him he is perswaded that it is only for the expiation of his sins for the augmentation of his merits and for the rendring him more humble They who fervently desire to advance Gods glory ought to humble themselves and be nothing in their own opinion being diffident even in the smallest matters of their own abilities to the end that in great occasions becoming much more diffident of themselves through a principle of Christian humility they may entirely confide in God and this confidence may give them resolution for he who knows that he is assisted from above can never degenerate into weakness Whatever you undertake will be acceptable in the sight of God if there appear in â—our conduct a profound â—umility and that you commit the care of your Reputation into his Hands For he himself will not be wanting to give you both Authority and Reputation with Men when they are needful for you and wâ—en he does it not 't is from his knowledge that you will not ascribe to him that which only can proceed from him I comfort my self with thinking that the sins of which you find your selves guilty and with which you daily upbraid your own Consciâ—nces produce in you an extream horrour of windy Arrogance and a great love of perfection so that humane praises will become your Crosses and be useful to admonish you of your failings Take heed of your selves my dearest Brethren many Ministers of the Gospel who have open'd the way of Heaven to other men are tormented in Hell for want of true Humility and for being carry'd away with a vain opinion of themselves On the contrary there is not to be found in â—ell one single Soul which was sincerely â—umble These are the Instructions which the Saint gave in general to his Brethren on the Subjâ—ct of Humility and next be hold some particular Admonitions which were address'd to some amongst them I conjure you to be humble and patient towards all the World says he to Father Cyprian who preach'd the Gospel at Meliapore For believe me nothing is to be done by Haughtiness and Choller when it cannot be accomplish'd by Modesty and Mildness He continues We deceive our selves in exacting submission and respect from men without any other title to it than being Members of our Society and without culâ—ivating that Vertue which has acquir d us so great an Authority in the World. As if we rather chose to recommend our selves by that Credit and Reputation than by the practice of Humility and Patience and those other Vertues by which our Society has maintain'd its Dignity and Honour with Mankind Be mindful writes he to Father Barzaeus who was Rectour of the