to withstand the Tempest and was often in danger of sinking and the Mariners were constrain'd to make towards the Port of Negapatan from whence they set out which with much ado they at length recover'd The impatience of Father Xavier to visit the Tomb of the Apostle St. Thomas caus'd him to make his Pilgrimage by Land and he travell'd with so much ardour through the rough and uncouth ways that in few days he arriv'd at Meliapor That City is now commonly known by the name of St. Thomas because that bless'd Apostle liv'd so long in it and there suffer'd Martyrdom If we will give credit to the Inhabitants it was once almost swallow'd by the Sea and for proof of this Tradition there are yet to be seen under Water the Ruines of great Buildings The new Town of Meliapor was built by the Portuguese near the Walls there is a Hill which they call'd the little Mount and in it a Grott wherein they say St. Thomas hid himself during the Persecution At the entry of this Cave there is a Cross cut in the Rock and at the foot of the Mountain there arises a Spring the Waters of which are of such vertue that sick people drinking of them are ordinarily cur'd From this small ascent you pass to a higher and much larger Mountain which seems form'd by nature for a lonely contemplative life For on one side it looks upon the Sea and on the other is cover'd with old Trees always green which at once make a fruitful and a pleasing Object Hither St. Thomas retir'd to pray with his Disciples and here it was also that he was slain by a Brachman with the thrust of a Spear The Portuguese who rebuilt Meliapor found on the top of the Mountain a little Chappel of Stone-work all in Ruins They were desirous to repair it in memory of the holy Apostle and as they were rummaging all about even to the Foundations of it they drew out a white Marble whereon was a Cross with Characters grav'd round about it which declar'd That God was born of the Virgin Mary that this God was Eternal that the same God taught his Law to his twelve Apostles and that one of them came to Meliapor with a Palmers Staff in his hand that he built a Church there that the Kings of Malabar Coromandel and Pandi with many other Nations submitted themselves to the Law preach'd by St. Thomas a man holy and penitent This Marble of which we make mention having on it divers stains of Blood the common Opinon is that the Apostle suffer'd Martyrdom upon it Howsoever it be the Marble was plac'd upon the Altar when the Chappel was rebuilt and the first time that a solemn Mass was said there the Cross distill'd some drops of Blood in the sight of all the people which also happen'd many times in the following years on the day whereon his Martyrdom is clebrated When Xavier was come into the Town the Vicar of Meliapor who had heard speak of him as a Successour of the Apostles and a Man sent from God for the Conversion of the Indies came to offer him a Lodging in his House The Father accepted of it because it was adjoining to the Church wherein were kept the Relicks of St. Thomas and that he cou'd easily step from thence by night to consult the Will of God concerning his intended Voyage to Macassar In effect as soon as the Vicar was laid to Sleep for they were lodg'd in the same Chamber Xavier rose as softly as he cou'd and went to the Church through a Church-yard which parted it from the House The Vicar perceiv'd it and advertis'd Xavier that this passage was not over-safe by night and that horrible Phantomes had been often seen in it The Saint believ'd this only said to frighten him and hinder him from rising before day so he continued his usual Prayers but it was not long before he found that the advice was true For the nights ensuing as he pass'd through the Church-yard he saw those dreadful Specters which endeavour'd to have stop'd him yet he sav'd himself from them and even laught at them as vain Illusions The Demons are too proud to bear contempt without revenge when God permits them One night when the Saint was at his Devotions before the Image of the bless'd Virgin they assaulted him in great numbers and beat him so violently that he was all over bruis'd and forc'd to keep his Bed for some days together He said nothing of his adventure to the Vicar but it was discover'd by a young Man of Malabar who lodg'd with the Church and was awaken'd with the noise rising from his Bed he heard the Blows distinctly and what Father Xavier said to the holy Virgin invoking her assistance against the Infernal Powers Insomuch that the Vicar to whom the young Man had related the words which he had heard sometimes repeated them to Xavier with an inoffensive kind of Railery The Servant of God having recover'd some little strength return'd to the Church and there continued all the night What rage soever the Devils had against him they durst no more attempt his person nor so much as endeavour to affright him They only made a noise to distract him in his Prayers and one time disguis'd in the Habit of Canons they counterfeited so well the mid-night Matins that he ask'd the Vicar Who were those Chaâ—ters who sung so admirably But the favours which Xavier receiv'd from Heaven made him large amends for all the injuries of Hell. For though the particulars of what pass'd betwixt God and him were kept secret 't is known at least in regard of the principal affair for which he consulted God that he had an Interiour Light which gave him clearly to understand that he was commanded to pass to the more Southern Islands and to labour in their Conversion The Christian strength with which he found himself animated at the same time caus'd all the dangers which naturally he might apprehend to disappear as is manifest by what he wrote from Meliapor on that occasion to two of his Friends at Goa Paul de Camerin and Iames Borba of whom we have made so frequent mention I Hope that God will conferr many favours on me in this Voyage since through his infinite mercy I have learnt with so much spiritual joy that it is his holy pleasure I shou'd go to those Kingdoms of Macassar where so many Christians have been made in these latter years For what remains I am so much resolv'd on executing what our Lord has reveal'd to me that if I should be wanting on my part I shou'd go to my thinking in direct opposition to his Orders and render my self unworthy of his Favour both in this life and in the next If I cannot find this year any Portuguese Vessel bound for Malacca I will â—mbark my self on any Ship belonging to the Gentils or the Saracens I repâ—se withal so great a confidence in God
was one of those Men of Quality whose Fortunes are not equal to their Birth was thinking to remove him from his Studies after having allow'd him a competent maintenance for a year or two He communicated these his thoughts to Magdalen Iasso his Daughter Abbess of the Convent of St. Clare de Gandia famous for the austerity of its Rule and establish'd by some holy Frenchwomen of that Order whom the calamities of War had forc'd to forsake their Native Country and to seek a Sanctuary in the Kingdom of Valencia Magdalen in her younger days had been Maid of Honour and Favourite to the Catholick Queen Isabella The love of Solitude and of the Cross had caus'd her to forsake the Court of Arragon and quit for ever the pleasures of this World. Having chosen the most reform'd Monastery of Spain for the place of her retreat she apply'd her self with fervour to the exercises of Penitence and Prayer and became even from her noviciate a perfect pattern of Religious Perfection During the course of her life she had great Communications with God and one day he gave her to understand that she shou'd dye a sweet and easie death But on the contrary one of her Nuns was preordain'd to dye in strange torments The intention of God was not thereby to reveal to the Abbess what was really to happen but rather to give her an opportunity of exercising an heroick act of Charity She comprehended what her Heavenly Father exacted from her and petition'd him for an exchange God granted to her what himself had inspir'd her to demand and was pleas'd to assure her by a new Revelation that he had heard her Prayers She made known to her Ghostly Father what had pass'd betwixt God and her and time verify'd it For the Sister above mention'd dy'd without sickness and appear'd in dying to have had a foretaste of the Joys to come On the other side the Abbess was struck with a terrible disease which took all her Body as it were in pieces and made her suffer intolerable pains yet even those pains were less cruel to her than those inward torments which God at the same time inflicted on her She endur'd all this with wonderful Patience and Resignation being well assur'd that in the whole series of these Dispensations there was somewhat of Divine For what remains concerning her from the first years of her entry into a Religious Life the gift of Prophecy shone so visibly in her that none doubted but that she was full of the Spirit of God and 't is also probable that she left a Legacy of her Prophetick Gifts to her Spiritual Daughters For after her decease the Nuns of Gandia foretold many things which afterward the event confirm'd As amongst others the unhappy success of the Expedition to Algier of which the Duke of Borgia Viceroy of Catalonia gave the Advertisement from them to Charles the Fifth when he was making his Preparations for that Enterprise It was six years before the death of Magdalen that Don Iasso her Father writ to her concerning Xavier After she had receiv'd the Letter she was illuminated from above and according to the dictates of that Divine Light she answer'd Don Iasso That he shou'd beware of recalling her Brother Francis whatsoever it might cost him for his Entertainment in the University of Paris That he was a chosen Vessel preordain'd to be the Apostle of the Indies and that one day he shou'd become a great Pillar of the Church These Letters have been preserv'd for a long time afterwards and have been view'd by many persons who have depos'd the truth judicially in the process of the Canonisation of the Saint Don Iasso receiv'd this Answer from his Daughter as an Oracle from Heaven and no longer thought of recalling his Son from his Studies Xavier thereupon continued his Philosophy and succeeded so well in it that having maintain'd his Theses at the end of his course with a general applause and afterwards taking his degree of Master in Arts he was judg'd worthy to teach Philosophy himself His Parts appear'd more than ever in this new Employment and he acquir'd an high Reputation in his publick Lectures on Aristotle The Praises which universally were given him were extreamly pleasing to his Vanity He was not a little proud to have augmented the Glory of his Family by the way of Learning while his Brothers were continually adorning it by that of Arms and he flatter'd himself that the way which he had taken wou'd lead him onward to somewhat of greater consequence But God Almighty had far other thoughts than those of Xavier and it was not for these fading Honours that the Divine Providence had conducted him to Paris At the same time when this young Master of Philosophy began his course Ignatius Loyola who had renounc'd the World and cast the model of a learned Society wholly devoted to the Salvation of Souls came into France to finish his Studies which the obstacles he found in Spain after his Conversion had constrain'd him to interrupt He had not continued long in the University of Paris before he heard talk of Xavier and grew acquainted with him Our new Professour who taught at the Colledge of Beauvois though he dwelt in the Colledge of St. Barbe with Peter le Fevre a Savoyard was judg'd by Ignatius to be very proper for the preaching of the Gospel as well as his Companion To gain the better opportunity of insinuating himself into their acquaintance he took Lodgings with them and was not wanting to Exhort them to live up to the Rules of Christianity Le Fevre who was of a tractable nature and was not enamour'd of the World resign'd himself without opposition But Xavier who was of a haughty Spirit and whose head was fill'd with Ambitious thoughts made a fierce Resistance at the first The Discipline and Maximes of Ignatius who liv'd in a mean Equipage and valued nothing but that Poverty made him pass for a low minded Fellow in the Opinion of our young Gentleman And accordingly Xavier treated him with much contempt rallying him on all occasions and making it his business to ridicule him This notwithstanding Ignatius omitted no opportunities of representing to him the great consequence of his Eternal welfare and urging the words of our Blessed Saviour What profit is it to a Man to gain the whole World and to lose his owâ— Soul But perceiving that he cou'd make no impression on a heart where self-conceit was so very prevalent and which was dazled with vain-glory he bethought himself of assaulting him on the weaker side When he had often Congratulated with him for those rare talents of Nature with which he was endow'd and particularly applauded his great Wit he made it his business to procure him Scholars and to augment his Reputation by the crowd of his Auditours He conducted them even to his Chair and in presenting them to their Master never fail'd to make his Panegyrick Xavier was too
go himself In going from him one took his Chapelet another his Crucifix a third his Reliquiary and all being animated with a lively Faith dispers'd themselves through the Towns and Villages There gathering about the sick as many people as they cou'd assemble they repeated often the Lords Prayer the Creed the Commandments and all they had learnt by heart of the Christian Faith which being done they ask'd the Sick If he believ'd unfeignedly in Jesus Christ and if he desir'd to be baptis'd When he had answer'd â—es they touch'd him with the Chaplet or Cruciâ—ix belonging to the Father and he was immediately cur'd One day while Xavier was preaching the Mysteries of Faith to a great Multitude some came to bring him word from Manapar that one of the most considerable persons of that place was possess'd by the Devil desiring the Father to come to his relief The Man of God thought it unbecoming of his Duty to break off the Instruction he was then making He only call'd to him some of those young Christians and gave them a Cross which he wore upon his Breast after which he sent them to Manapar with Orders to drive away the Evil Spirit They were no sooner arriv'd there than the possess'd person fell into an extraordinary fury with wonderful contorsions of his Limbs and hideous yellings The little Children far from being terrify'd as usually Children are made a ring about him singing the Prayers of the Church After which they compelled him to kiss the Cross and at the same moment the Devil departed out of him Many Pagans there present visibly perceiving the Vertue of the Cross were converted on the instant and becâ—me afterwards devout Christians These young Plants whom Xavier employ'd on such occasions were in perpetual Disputations with the Gentils and broke in pieces as many Idols as they cou'd get into their power and sometimes burnt them throwing their Ashes into the Air. When they discover'd any bearing the name of Christianity and yet keeping a Pagod in reserve to adore in secret they reprov'd them boldly and when those rebukes were of no effect they advertis'd the holy Man to the end he might apply some stronger remedy Xavier went often in their company to make a search in those suspected Houses and if he discover'd any Idols they were immediately destroy'd Being inform'd that one who was lately baptis'd committed Idolatry sometimes in private and that the admonitions which he had receiv'd were useless he bethought himself to frighten him and in his presence commanded the Children to set Fire to his House that thereby he might be given to understand how the the worshipers of Devils deserv'd eternal burning like the Devils they ran immediately to their task taking the Command in a literal sense which was not Xaviers intention But the effect of it wâ—s that the Infidel detesting and renouncing his Idolatry gave up his Pagods to be consum'd by Fire which was all the design of the holy Man. Another Inâ—idel was more unhappy He was one of the first rank in Manapar a Man naturally Violent and Brutal Xavier one day going to visit him desir'd him in courteous words that he wou'd listen to what he had to say to him concerning his eternal welfare The Barbarian vouchsafed not so much as to give him the hearing but rudely thrust him out of his House saying That if ever he went to the Christians Church he was conteâ—t they shouâ—d shut him out Few days after he was assaulted by a Troop of arm'd Men who design'd to kill him All he cou'd do was to disingage himself from them and fly away Seeing at a distance a Church open he made to it as fast as he cou'd run with his Enemies at his heels pursuing him The Christians who were assembled for their exercises of Devotion alarm'd at the loud cries they heard and fearing the Idolaters were coming to plunder the Church immediately shut their Doors insomuch that he who hop'd for safety in a holy place fell into the hands of Murderers and was assassinated by them without question by a Decree of the Divine Justice which reveng'd the Saint and suffer'd the Wretch to be struck with that imprecation which he had wish'd upon himself These Miracles which Xavier wrought by the means of Children rais'd an Admiration of him both amongst Christians and Idolaters but so exemplary a punishment caus'd him to be respected by all the World and even amongst the Brachmans there was not one who did not honour him As it will fall in our way to make frequent mention of those Idol-Priests it will not be from our purpose to give the Reader a description of them The Brachmans are very considerable amongst the Indians both for their Birth and their Employment According to the ancient Fables of the Indies their Original is from Heaven And 't is the common Opinion that the Blood of the Gods is running in their Veins But to understand how they were born and from what God descended 't is necessary to know the History of the Gods of that Country which in short is this The first and Lord of all the others is Parabrama that is to say a most perfect Substance who has his Being from himself and who gives Being to the rest This God being a Spirit free from matter and desirous to appear once under a sensible Figure became Man by the only desire which he had to shew himself he conceiv'd a Son who came out at his Mouth and was call'd Maiso He had two others after him one of them whose name was Visnu was born out of his Breast the other call'd Brama outâ— of his Belly Before he return'd to his invisibility he assign'd Habitations and Employments to his three Children He plac'd the eldest in the first Heaven and gave him an absolute Command over the Elements and mix'd Bodies He lodg'd Visnu beneath his elder Brother and establish'd him the Judge of Men the Father of the Poor and the Protectour of of the Unfortunate Brama had for his Inheritance the third Heaven with the superintendance of Sacrifices and other Ceremonies of Religion These are the three Deities which the Indians represent by one Idol with three Heads growing out of one Body with this mysterious signification that they all proceed from the same principle By which it may be inferr'd that in former times they have heard of Christianity and that their Religion is an imperfect Imitation or rather a Corruption of ours They say that Visnu has descended a thousand times on earth and every time has chang'd his shape sometimes appearing in the figure of a Beast sometimes of a Man which is the Original of their Pagods of whom they relate so many Fables They add that Brama having likewise a desire of Children made himself visible and begot the Brachmans whose Race has infinitely multiplied The People believe them demi-Gods as poor and miserable as they are They likewise imagine them to be Saints
instructions and promis'd so to mediate in their favour with the Viceroy of the Indies that they shou'd have no occasion of repenting themselves for having abandon'd all things for the sake of Iesus Christ. When the King of Iafanatapan had notice of the flight of his Son and Nephew he broke out into new fury against the Christians and put to death great numbers of them Being apprehensive that his Brother from whom he had usurp'd the Crown and who now led a wandring life might possibly change his Religion also and beg protection from the Portuguese he sent Officers round about with orders to bring him into his Hands or at the least to bring back his Head. But he fail'd of getting him in his power either alive or dead For this unhappy Prince attended by ten Horsmen having pass'd to Negapatan came by Land to Goa after having suffer'd extream hardships in a Journey of more than two hundred Leagues Father Xavier who was inform'd of all these proceedings thought it necessary to make advantage of these favourable opportunities without loss of time He consider'd with what perfection Christians might live in a Kingdom where they dy'd so generously for the Faith with so imperfect a knowledge of it On the other side he judg'd that if the injustice and cruelty of the Tyrant remain'd unpunish'd what an inducement it might be to other Idolatrous Kings for them to persecute the new Converts in their turn That the only means for repairing the past and obviating future mischiefs was to dispossess the Tyrant of the Crown which he so unjustly wore and restore it to his Brother to whom it rightfully belong'd That for these Considerations recourse ought to be had to the Portuguese to ingage them by a principle of Religion to take Arms against the Usurper of the Kingdom and the Persecutour of the Christians In order to this the Father caus'd Mâ—nsilla to be recall'd from the Coast of Fishery and having intrusted him with the care of Christianity in Travancor took his way by Land to Cambaya where the Viceroy of the Indies then resided Besides these reasons relating to the King of Iafanatapan the Saint had other Motives which oblig'd him to take this Journey The greatest part of the Eurâ—peans who were in the Indies and chiefly the Officers of the Crown of Portugal liv'd after so infamous a manner that they made the Christian Faith appear odious and scandaliz'd alike both the Idolaters and the Faithful The publick Worship of the Pagods was tolerated at Goa and the Sect of the Brachmans daily increas'd in Power because those Pagan Priests had brib'd the Portuguese Officers The people profess'd Heathenism freely provided they made exact payments of their Tribute as if they had been conquer'd only for the sake of gain Publick Offices were sold to Saracens and the Christian Natives stood excluded for want of Money which does all things with corrupt Ministers The Receivers of the Kings Revenues who were to pay the Paravas of the Coast of Fishery constrain'd those poor Fishers to deliver their Pearls almost for nothing and thus the exaction of a lawful Tribute in the Constitution became Tyranny and Oppression in the managment Men were sold like Beasts and Christians iâ—slav'd to Pagans at cheap pennyworths To conclude the King of Cochin an Idolater but tributary to the Crown of Portugal was suffer'd to conâ—iscate the Goods of his Subjects who had receiv'd Baptism Father Francis was wonderfully griev'd to perceive that the greatest hindrance to the growth of Christianity in those vast Dominions of Asia proceeded only from the Christians He bewail'd it sometimes to God in the bitterness of his Heart and one day said that he wou'd willingly return to Portugal to complain of it to the King not doubting but so Religious and Iust a Prince wou'd order some remedy for this encroaching evil if he had notice how it spread Xavier had taken the way of Cochin along by the Sea Coast. He arriv'd there the sixteenth of December 1544. where he happend ' to meet with Michael Vaz Vicar General of the Indies In acquainting him with the Reasons of his Journey he made him sensible that the weakness of the Government was the principal cause of the Avarice and Violence of the Officers That Don Alphonso de Sosa was indeed a Religious Gentleman but wanted Vigour that it was not sufficient to will good Actions if at the same time he did not strongly oppose ill ones In a word that it was absolutely necessary for the King of Portugal to be inform'd of all the Disorders in the Indies by a person who was an eye witness of them and whose Integrity was not liable to Suspition Vaz immediately enter'd into the Opinions of the Father and his Zeal carry'd him to pass himself into Portugal in a Vessel which was just ready to set Sail. Xavier prais'd God for those good intentions and wrote a Letter by him to King Iohn the Third the beginning of which I have here transcrib'd YOur Majesty ought to be assur'd and often to call into your Mind that God has made choice of you amongst all the Princes of the World for the Conquest of India to the end he may make trial of your Faith and see what requital you will make to him for all his Benefits You ought also to consider that in conferring on you the Empire of a new World his intention was not so much that you shou'd fill your Coffers with the Riches of the East as that you shou'd have an opportunity of signalizing your Zeal by making known to Idolaters through the means of those who serve you the Creatour and Redeemer of Mankind The Saint after this beginning gave the King to understand the good intentions of Michael Vaz and the ill conduct of the Portuguese who were in the Government of the Indies He suggested to him the means of putting a stop to those disorders and advis'd him above all things not only to recommend by Letters the interest of Religion but rigorously to punish all those Officers who were wanting to their duty in that respect For there is danger said he thâ—t when Gâ—d shall summon your Majesty to Iudgment that will then come to pass 〈◊〉 yâ—u least expect and which is not to be avoided there is danger Great Prince that you may then hear these words of an â—ffended God Why have you not punish'd tâ—ose who under your Authority have made War against me in the Indies you who have pâ—â—ish'd them so severely when they were neâ—ligent in gathering your Revenues â—â—ur câ—â—se will be little help'd by your return of this answer to Jesus Christ Lord I have not wanted yearly to recommend â—y Letters to my Subjects all that câ—ncerns 〈◊〉 honour and thy service For â— ubt nâ—â— it will be thus answer'd But your Orders were nâ—ver put in Execution and you leâ—t your Ministers at their own dispose to do what ever they
of the Martyrs of Manar might obtain the forgiveness of his Crimes Xavier encourag'd by these hopes return'd towards Cochin where he propos'd to himself to follow his Ministerial vocation while the preparations of War were making Coming back by Cananor he lodg'd in the house of a Christian who himself was religious but his Son debauch'd and subject to all sorts of vices The good man sensibly afflicted at the ill conduct of his graceless Son wept day and night and Xavier began at first to comfort him saying those vices were ordinary in youth and riper age wou'd reclaim him from them Having done speaking he stood mute a while and recollected himself then suddenly lifting up his eyes to Heaven Know said he that you are the most happy Father in the world this Libertine Son who has given you so many disquiets shall one day change his manners He shall be a Religious of the Order of St. Francis and at last shall dye a Martyr The event verify'd the Prediction the young man afterwards took the Habit of St. Francis and went to Preach the Faith in the Kingdom of Candè where he receiv'd Martyrdom from the Barbarians Father Xavier being come back to Cochin was very kindly receiv'd by the Secretary of State Cosmo Annez his intimate friend who was there on some important business Being one day together and talking familiarly Xavier ask'd Annez if the year had been good for the Portugal Merchants Annez answer'd him that it cou'd not have been better that not long since seven Vessels had been sent off which were now in their passage to Europe and richly laden He added that himself had sent the King of Portugal a rare Diamond which had cost six thousand Ducats at Goa and wou'd be worth more than thirty thousand at Lisbonne Xavier had a farther curiosity to enquire which of the Ships had carried the Diamond and Annez told him it was the Ship call'd the Atoghia and that he had intrusted the Jewel to Iohn Norogna who was Captain of the Ship. Xavier then enter'd into a profound meditation and after he had kept silence for some time all on the sudden thus reply'd I cou'd have wish'd that a Diamond of so great value had not been intrusted to that Ship. And for what reason answer'd Annez is it not because the Atoghia has once formerly sprung a Leak but Father she is now so well refitted that she may be taken for a new Vessel The Saint explain'd himself no father and Annez upon a second consideration began to conjecture both from the Father's words and afterwards from his silence that there was some danger in the matter whereupon he desir'd him to recommend that Ship to the protection of Almighty God for in conclusion said he the Atoghia cannot be lost without a very considerable dammage to me I have had no order said he to buy that Diamond so that in case it shou'd miscarry the loss will be wholly mine Sitting one day together at the Table and Xavier observing Annez to be in great concernment give thanks to God said he your Diamond is safe and at this very time in the hands of the Queen of Portugal Annez believ'd Xavier on his word and understood afterwards by Letters from Norogna that the Ship open'd in the midst of her Voyage and let in so much water that being upon the point of sinking the Mariners had resolv'd to have forsaken her and thrown themselves into the Sea but after having cut down the main Mast they chang'd their thoughts without any apparent reason that the Leak stop'd of it self and the Ship pursuing her Course with only two Sails arriv'd safely in the Port of Lisbonne The Man of God remain'd about three months in Cochin and towards the end of May set sail for Negapatan where the Portuguese Fleet was now in a readiness passing by the Isle of de las Vaccas which is near the Flatts of Ceylan towards the North he rais'd to Life a Saracens Child which is all that is known of that Miracle He was desirous in his passage to see the Isle of Manar where so many Christians had been Massacred for the Faith and going ashore he often kiss'd the ground which had been sprinkled with the blood of Martyrs at Pasim While he rejoyc'd at the happy destiny of the dead he had cause to be afflicted for the misfortune of the living a contagious Disease laid wast the Island and there died an hundred every day When the Manarâ—is had notice that the great Father so famous in the Indies was at Pasim they assembled together above three thousand of them for the most part Gentils and being come to the Village besought him humbly to deliver them from the Pestilence Xavier ask'd three days wherein to implore of God for that which they had beg'd from him During all which time he only offer'd up to our Lord and set before him the merits of those blessed Martyrs who had suffer'd for his name at Pasim Before those days were ended his Prayers were heard the Plague ceas'd and all the Sick were restor'd to health at the same moment So visible a Miracle wrought on all of them to believe in Iesus Christ and the Apostle Baptiz'd them with his own hand He cou'd make no longer stay with them for the Naval Army then expected him and his presence was necessary to encourage the Souldiers and mind the Captains of the performance of their duty He pass'd over from Manar to Negapatan but there he found all things in a far different condition from what he hop'd The Portuguese Navy diminish'd daily and the Commanders who at the beginning had been so zealous for the Holy War were now the first to condemn it It was in vain for him to set before their eyes the honour of their Nation and that of God Interest did so blind their Understanding that they forgot they were either Portugueses or Chrâ—stians behold in short what overthrew so glorious an expedition While they were equipping the Fleet it happen'd that a Portuguese Vessel coming from the Kingdom of Pegu and laden with Rich Merchandise was driven by Tempest upon the Coast of Iafanatapan The King made seizure of it and possess'd himself of all within it according to the custom of the Barbarians The Captain and the Ships Company foreseeing that if in this conjucture War shou'd be made against the Heathen Prince they shou'd never be able to retrieve their wealth out of his hands corrupted the Officers of the Fleet with large Presents to desist from their undertaking Thus the Tyrant whom Father Xavier design'd to drive out from his ill-gotten Kingdom was maintain'd in it by the covetousness of Christians or or rather by the secret decrees of Providence which sometimes permits the Persecutors of the Church to reign in peace to the end a tryal may be made of such as dare to continue constant in their Faith. As holy men
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
seem before-hand with the Christians they made it their own Petition to the King who â—reely granted it but on some conditions which were to be observ'd on other side these Articles were That noise was to be banish'd in dispute no flying out to be permitted nor any provocation by sharp language That the Arguments and Answers were to be couch'd in precise terms and drawn up in form of a just dispute as it shou'd be agreed by the Iudges who were to moderate That the approbation of the Audience was to decide the Victory That if the Point were doubtful betwixt them the Suffrages shou'd be taken and that he shou'd be judg'd to have reason on his side who had the majority of Voices Lastly That whoever was willing to enter himself in Christian might profess his Faith without hindrance or molestation from any man. These Conditions were too reasonable to be accepted by the Bonza's They appeal'd from the King to the King better inform'd and told him boldly that in matters of Religion it was not just that the Profane that is the Layety shou'd be Umpires but when they found the King resolv'd to maintain his point they quitted theirs The next morning was agreed on for the Conference and some of the most understanding Persons of the Court were appointed Judges Fucarandono made his appearance at the time attended by three thousand Bonza's The King who was either apprehensive of his own safety amongst that Religious rabble or fear'd at least that some disorder might ensue permitted but four of all the squadron to enter and sent word to the others for their satisfaction that it was not honourable for so many to appear against a single man. Xavier who had notice sent him from the King that his Adversary was on the place of Combat came accompanied with the chiefest of the Portugueses all richly habited who appear'd as his Officers and pay'd him all possible respect attending him bare-headed and never speaking to him but on the knee The Bonza's were ready to burst with envy beholding the pompous entry of their Antagonist And that which doubled their despight was that they over-heard the Lord's saying to one another Observe this poor Man of whom so manyâ— ridiculous Pictures have been made to us wou'd to God our Children might be like him on Condition the Bonza's might say as bad of them as they speak of him Our own eyes are witnesses of the truth and the palpable Lyes which they have invented shew what credit is to be given to them The King took pleasure in these discourses and told those Lords that the Bonza's had assur'd him that he shou'd be sick at heart at the first appearance of Father Francis. He acknowledg'd he was almost ready to have believ'd them but being now convinc'd by his own experience he found that the Character of an Embassadour from Heaven and Interpreter of the Gods was not inconsistent with a Lyar. Fucarandono who heard all these Passages from his place took them for so many ill Omens and turning to his four Associates told them that he suspected this day wou'd be yet more unsuccessful to them than the last The King receiv'd Father Xavier with great civility and after he had talk'd with him some time in private very obligingly order'd him to begin the disputation When they had all taken their places the Saint demanded of the Bonza as the King had desir'd him For what reason the Christian Religion ought not to be receiv'd in Japan The Bonza whose haughtiness was much abated reply'd modestly Because it is a new Law in all things opposite to the ancient establish'd Laws of the Empire and that it seems made on purpose to render the faithful Servants of the Gods contemptible as annulling the priviledges which the Cubosama's of former Ages had conferr'd on the Bonzâ—â—â— and teaches that out of the Society of Christians there is no Salvation But especially added â—e a little kindling in the face because it presumes to maintain that the holy Amida and Xaca Gizon and Canon are in the bottomless pit of smoak condemn'd to everlasting punishment and deliver'd up in prey to the Dragon of the housâ— of night After he had thus spoken the Bonza held his peace And Xavier who had receiv'd a sign from the King to make reply said at the beginning of his discourse that seeing Fucarandono had mingled many things together it was reasonable for the better clearing of the difficulties to tye him up to one single proposition which was not to be left till it was evacuated and plainly found to be either true of false All agreed this was fair and Fucarandono himself desir'd Xavier to shew cause why he and his Companions spoke evil of the Deities of the Country The Saint reply'd That he gave not to Idols the name of Gods because they were unworthy of it and that so sacred a Title was only proper to the Soveraign Lord who had Created Heaven and Earth Then he proceeded to discourse of the Divine Being and describ'd those Properties which are known to us by the light of Nature that is to say his Independence his Eternity his Omnipotence his Wisdom Goodness and Iustice without circumscription He made out that those infinite perfections cou'd not be comprehended by any created understanding how refin'd soever And thus having fill'd his Auditors with a vast Idea of the Deity he demonstrated that the Idols of Japan who according to the Japonians themselves had been men subject to the common Laws of Time and Nature were not to be accounted Gods and at the most were only to be reverenc'd as Philosophers Law-givers and Princes but not in the least as Immortal Powers since the date both of their birth and death was register'd in the publick Monuments That if their Works were duly consider'd they were yet less to be accounted for Omnipotent That having not been able after their decease to preserve their Stately Palaces and Magnificent Sepulchres from decay there was no appearance that they had built the Fabrick of the Vniverse or cou'd maintain it in its present state Lastly that this appertain'd alone to the true God who is worshipp'd by the Christians and that considering the beauty of the Heavens the fruitfulness of the Earth and the order of the Seasons we might conclude That he only who is a Spirit Eternall All Powerful and All Wise cou'd be the Creatour and absolute Commander of the World. As soon as Xavier had concluded the whole Assembly cry'd out that he spoke reason and the Judges immediately pronounc'd as a manifest truth that the Pagods were not Gods. Fucarandono wou'd have reply'd but the general cry gave it for a cause decided And the King impos'd silence on the Bonza according to the Articles of Agreement Thus the Bonza pass'd on to another question in his own despight and ask'd Father Xavier why he allow'd not of those Bills of Exchange which they gave
fruit of their labours That they mention in their Letters as far as truth will give them leave the commendation of his Vicars and omit not the other good 〈◊〉 of the Religious and if they can say no good of them let them be silent of them for we are not to imagine that our duty oâ—liges us to complain to the Bishop of the ill conduct of his Vicars or of other Gospel-Labourers There will never be wanting those who will ease us of that trouble Beware not to trouble your self with the management of worldly business nor even to encumber your Inferiours with it on any occasion whatsoever When Secular men shall desire to ingage you in the employments of civil life return this answer That the time which remains free to you from preaching and the administration of the Sacraments is scarce sufficient for your studies and devotions which are yet necessary to you before you go into the Pulpit or appear in the Tribune of Penance that you cannot prefer the care of Worldly things before the cure of Souls without perverting the Order and Rule of Charity By this means you shall disengage your self from all those sorts of encumbrances and without this circumspection you will do great prejudice to the Society for you ought to understand that the World often enters by this door into Religious Houses to the extream damage both of the Religious and of Religion In the visits which are made to you endeavour to find out the bottom and end of their design who come to see you For some there are the least part of whose business is to be instructed in Sâ—irituals 't is only Temporal inteâ—est which brings them to you There will even be some who will come to Confession on no other mâ—tivâ— than to 〈◊〉 yoâ— with the necessities of their Family The beâ—t counsel I câ—n give you is to stand upon your guard with such and to he rid of them lâ—t them kâ—â—w from the very first that you can nâ—ither furnish them with money nor procure them any favour from other men Be warn'd to have as little discoâ—rse with this soâ—t of Peâ—ple as possibly yâ—u can for most commonly they are great talkers and if you trouble your self with giving them the hearing you are almost certain to lose your time For what remains disquiet not your self with what they think or say of you let them murmur on and do you take up a resâ—luâ—iâ—n of standing out so firmly that they mâ—y nâ—t find the least concernment in you fâ—r the shew of any natural sensibility wâ—u'd discover that you are not enough disengag'd from the World as if you were wavering what part to take betwixt the World and Christ. Remember that you cannot covet popular approbation without betraying your Ministry or becoming a desâ—rtouâ— of your Sacred Colours in going back from that Evangelical Perfeâ—tion which you are oblig'd to follow with an unrelenting ard â—ur After this Xavier gave Barzaeus sundry particular Orders relating to the Persons and Houses of the Society And now he chose for his Companions Balthaâ—ar Gago Edward Silva and Peter Alcaceva with Francis Gonâ—alez and Alvarez Ferreyra de Monte Major without reckoning into the number a young secular Chinese nam'd Antonio who had been brought up in the Seminary of Sainte Foy. Some of these were intended for China and others for Iapan Father Ignatius had written to Father Xavier that it was of great importance to send from the Indies into Europe one of the Society well vers'd in the Eastern affairs who might render an exact account of all things to the King of Pertugal and the Pope as a means of procuring Temporal supplies from the one and Spiritual favours from the other both which were necessary for the â—urther increase of Christianity in Asia Father Francis did not receive those Letters 'till after his Voyage of Iapan He had thought of these very things formerly but now seeing that the judgment of Ignatius concurr'd with his he deputed into Italy and Pâ—rtugal Andrew Fernandez a man of parts and probity who was not yâ—t in Priests Orders He not only gave him ample informations concerning the present condition of the Indies but also wrote large Letâ—ers on the same Subject to the King of Portugal to Father Ignatius and to Simon Rodrigúez Being now ready to go for the Voyage of China he gave notice of his intentions to King Iohn in this insuing Letter I Shall depart from Goa within the compass of five days intending first for Malacca from whence I shall take the way of China in the company of James Pereyra who is nam'd Embassadour We carry with us the rich Presents which are bought partly at the cost of your Majesty and partly at the proper charges of Pereyra But we carry also a far more precious present and such an one as no King at least to my knowledge has made the like to another Prince namely the Gospel of Jesus Christ and if the Emperour of China once knew its value I am confident he wou'd prefer that treasure before all his own how immense soever they may be I hope that at length Almighty God will look with Eyes of pity on that vast Empire and that he will make known to those great multitudes who are all made after his own Image their Creatour and men But my hopes are incomparably greater when I consider that God has made châ—ice of such wâ—ak instruments and such sinners as we are for so high an employment as to carry the light of the Gospel almost I may say into another World to a Nation blinded with Idolatry and given up to Vice. While they were sitting out the Ship which was to carry the Missioners of China and Iapan Xavier assembled the Fathers of the Colledge by night not being able to do it by day because they were in continual employment till the Evening He discours'd with them concerning the vertues requisite to the Apostolick Vocation and spoke with so much ardency and unction that the Congregation was full of sighs and tears according to the Relation of some who were present and have left it us in writing But the instructions which he gave in taking his last farewel of them are very remarkable And I cannot in my Opinion report them better than in the very words of the Author who took them from the mouth of the Apostle The Father Master Francis says he embracing his Brethren before his departure for China and weeping over them recommended Constancy in their Vocation to them together with unâ—eign'd â—umility which was to have for its Foundation a true knowledge of themselves and particularly a most prompt Obedience He extended his Exhortation on this last point and enjoin'd them Obedience as a vertue most pleasing to Almighty God much commended by the holy Spirit and absolutely necessary to the Sons of the Society The Apostle went from Goa on Holy Thursday which fell that year 1552 on the
of Gaspar according to the Orders of Xavier himself The Viceroy immediately order'd a light Galley for Nugnez upon which he and three others of the Society imbarking together with four young men of the Seminary they set sail towards the Vessel to bear off the Body of the Saint They receiv'd it with the honourable discharge of all the Cannon not only from the Ship of Lopez but from six other Vessels which were in Company and which had been wind-bound towards Baticula On the fifteenth of March in the year 1554 the Galley landed at Rebendar which is within half a league of Goa she remain'd there the rest of that day and all the night while they were making preparations in the Town for the solemn reception of the holy Apostle of the Indies The next morning which was Friday in passion week six Barks were seen to come which were all illuminated with lighted Torches and pompously adorn'd wherein was the flower of the Portuguese Nobility Twelve other Barks attended them with three hundred of the principal Inhabitants each of them holding a Taper in his hand and in every of these Barks there was Instrumental musick of all sorts and choirs of Voices which made an admirable harmony The whole squadron was drawn up into two wings to accompany the Galley which row'd betwixt them The Body of the Saint was cover'd with Cloath of Gold which was the present of Pereyra and was plac'd upon the Stern under a noble Canopy with lighted Flambeaux and rich Streamers waving on both sides of it In this equipage they row'd towards Goa but very softly and in admirable order All the Town was gather'd on the shore in impatient expectation of their loving and good Father When they perceiv'd the Vessel from afar there was nothing to be heard but cries of joy nothing to be seen but tears of devotion Some more impatient than the rest threw themselves into the Sea and swimming up to the Gally accompany'd it to the shore in the same posture The Viceroy was there waiting for it attended by his Guards the remaining part of the Nobility the Council Royal and the Magistrates all in mourning At the time when the holy Corps was landing a Company of young men consecrated to the service of the Altars sung the Benedictus Dominus Dâ—us Israel In the mean while they order'd the Ceremony of the Procâ—ssioâ— after this ensuing manner Ninety Children went foremost in long white Robes with Chaplets of Flowers on their heads and each of them holding in his hand an Olive-Branch The Brotherhood of Mercy follow'd them with a magnificent Standard The Clergy succeeded to the Brotherhood and walk'd immediately before the Corps which was carried by the Fathers of the Society The Viceroy with his Court clos'd up the Ceremony which was follow'd by an innumerable multitude of people All the Streets were hung with Tapistry and when the blessed Corps appear'd Flowers were thrown upon it from all the windows and from the tops of Houses But nothing render'd the pomp more famous than the Miracles which at that time were wrought For there seem'd to breath out from this holy body a saving vâ—rtue together with a Coelestial Odour Many sick persons who had caus'd themselves to be carried out into the Streets were cur'd with only seeing it and even some who were not able to leave their Beds recover'd their health with the bare invocation of his name Iane Pereyra was of this number after a sickness of three Months being almost reduc'd to a despair of life she had no sooner implor'd the assistance of the Saint but she found her self in a perfect State of health Another young Maiden who was just at the point of death and held the Consecrated Taper in her hand having been recommended by her Mother to the patronage of the Saint came suddenly to her self and rose up well recover'd while the Procession was passing by the house After many turns and windings at last they proceâ—ded to the Colledge of St. Paul and there let down the Coâ—â—in in the great Chappel of the Church A retrenchment had been made before the Chappel to keep oâ—â— the â—rowd but it was immediately broken down notâ— withstanding the opposition of the Guards which were plac'd on purpose to defent it To appease the tumult they were forc'd to shew the Saint three times successively and to hold him upright that he might more easily be seen by the longing multitude It was also thought convenient to leave the Body expos'd to view for three days together for the comfort of the Inhabitants who were never weary with gazing on it and who in gazing were pierc'd with a sensible devotion New Miracles were wrought in presence of the holy Body The Blind receiv'd their sight those who were taken with the Palsey recover'd the use of their Limbs and the Lepers became clean as Babes At the sight of these miraculous Cures the people publish'd aloud all those wonderful operations which they knew to have been perform'd by Father Xavier And his old Companion Iohn Deyro at that time a Religious of the Order of St. Francis related with tears of tenderness and devotion what the Saint had Prophecy'd of him which was now accomplish'd In the mean time on that very day which was Friday the Canons of the Cathedral solemnly sung the high Mass of the Cross. The day following the Religious of St. Francis whom the man of God had always honour'd and tenderly affected came to sing the Mâ—ss of the Blessed Virgin in the Church of the Society When in this manner the publick devotion had been accomplish'd on Sunday night the Coâ—â—in was plac'd on an eminence near the high Altar on the Gospel side In this place I ought not to omit that the Vessel which had born this Sacred Pledge to Goa split asunder of it self and sunk to the bottom so soon as the Merchandises were unladed and all the Passengers were come safe on shoar which was nothing less than a publick declaration of Almighty God that he had miraculously preserv'd her in favour of that holy treasure and that a Ship which had been employ'd on so pious an occasion was never to be us'd on any secular account As soon as it was known in Europe that Father Xavier was dead they began to speak of his Canonization And on this account Don Iohn the Third King of Portugal gave Orders to the Viceroy of the Indies Don Francis Barreto to make a verbal process of the Life and Miracles of the Man of God. This was executed at Goa at Cochin at the Coast of Fishery at Malacca at the Molucca's and other parts And men of probity who were also discerning and able persons were sent upon the places heard the Witnesses and examin'd the matters of fact with all possible exactness 'T is to be acknowledg'd that the people took it in evil part that these informations were made being fully