of 〈◊〉 vertuous life And many of their children were traiâ—â—ed vp according to ech ones capacity propension â—ome to learning and others to diuers handycrafts so â—â—s they were taught at once both to behaue themselâ—es vertuously also to get their liuing for the mainâ—nance of their lyfe At this place there came vnto Fa. Gaspar from â—â—e furthest part of India for religion sake a certayne â—â—ndian who was very aged and almost withered vp with leanesse of body yet of such comportment both in habit countenance that he resembled one of the ancient Hermits He being in a short space instructed â—n the precepts of the Christian Fayth when one day â—â—e beheld drawne in a Table the Child Iesus in his mothers lap began presently with great veneratioÌ„ to â—ake vp the diuine babe into his armes forthwith â—s he was in that sort imbracing the picture being â—ike another Simeon admonished that the tyme of his death was at hand vrged and instantly besought the Father that he might without delay be made a Christian for that his last day and death was at hand He was therfore forthwith baptized and the next morning at breake of day he departed this life in peace after he had imbraced the Sauiour of the world Xauerius being certified how matters went in all places and of the difficulties also which many of his subiects were in he sent vnto euery place according to the condition necessity therof not only supplies but rules and precepts also for their further direction which not to interrupt the order of this our History we haue thought good heere to omit intending afterward to set them downe in their proper places In the meane time whilst euery one greatly reioyced for the good newes he had brought out of Iaponia with a speciall feeling only he who had bin the Author therof still burning with an vnsatiable desire of the good of soules and glory of God thought the conuersion of Iaponia but a matter of small moment in comparison of those other things which he hoped and intended to compasse For he had now a good while fixed his cogitations vpon China That was the Countrey so replenished with townes and inhabitants yea the Court it selfe of the most ample kingdome of the world which his intentions aymed at as the complete and finall end of his trauiales and a thing whereon the saluation of all the East did specially depend CHAP. V. Hauing procured the Embassage before spoken of he goeth himselfe to China SCARSE was he come to Goa when as the care he had of China ranne so continually in his mind that be began with all diligence to set forward the businesse making account that how long the matter was differred so long was the saluation of the Chineses delayed He therfore out of hand dealeth with Alphonsus Noronia the Viceroy of India and Iohn Alboquercius Bishop of Goa about the sending of an Embassage vnto China The person appointed heerto was Iames Perera a man of singular piety by Xauerius the only desired and one who was no way failing in that which was expected from him For out of the desire he had â—â—o aduance Religion he so tooke the businesse to hart â—hat in setting out his Embassage and prouiding of Presents he spent the greatest part of all his wealth In the dispatch of this businesse Xauerius carryed all things with exraordinary speed For within the coÌ„passe of a moneth he had gotten ready not only the Patents Letters and Presents from the Viceroy and Bishop for the Embassage but also all other things that were necessary for so hard a voyage Wherin he was much furthered by the prompt liberality of the Viceroy a very pious man Xauerius speciall friend who gaue him both an Embassadour according to his desire and prouided all things necessary for that iorney not with more care then speed besides commended earnestly the whole businesse by his letters vnto Aluares Thardus Gouernour of Malaca Now though Xauerius were daily imployed in this busines of China yet was he not vnmindful of his charge at home in India setting in order all such things as were necessary for the Society in those and other places round about Wherfore he calleth Gaspar the low country man from Ormus and ordayneth him his Vicar and Rectour of the Colledge of Goa leauing with him most prudent and wholsome precepts for his direction At the same time he sent also a Priest with a Coadiutor to assist him vnto Diu a Fort in the Portugheses dominion standing vpoÌ„ the mouth of the riuer Indus diuers others vnto other places giuing to euery one instructions fit for the place wherunto they were sent In this meane time Mathew one of the two Iaponians chanced to dy at Goa Wherfore Bernard was his other companion was sent to Rome in coÌ„pany of Andrew FernaÌ„des whom Xauerius sent vnto the King of Portugal and to Rome also to Ignatius Founder of the Society to bring backe with him some store of the Society and such as were most fit for the Iaponian haruest and expedition of China Xauerius writing at the same time vnto the King of Portugall declared what his drift was in going into China in these words We are only three of the Society who go into China with Iames Perera the Embassadour with intention to redeeme the Portugheses who remayne there in captiuity and to â—ake a league of friendship betwene the King of Chiâ—â—a and them moreouer to wage warre against the Deuils those who worship them We will therfore 〈◊〉 the name of the King of Hauen denounce first vnâ—â— the King of China himselfe then vnto the people â—hat they do not hereafter worship the Deuil but God â—e creatour of mankind Iesus Christ who redeeâ—â—ed and saued them This may seeme indeed a bold â—ttempt among so barbarous a people and with so â—â—ighty a King as to reprehend their errours and â—reach vnto theÌ„ another law But then we are againe â—â—reatly encouraged that this desire of ours coÌ„meth asâ—â—redly from God who hath so replenished vs with â—â—rme hope and confidence heerin that depending wholy vpon his goodnes we shall not need to doubt â—f his omnipotent power which by infinite degrees â—urpasseth that of the King of China Besides this he writeth also many other things in â—â—he same Epistle to the King of Portugall wherby â—â—id euidently appeare his great courage of mind accompanied with the like humility as also his singular â—â—eruour and zeale for the aduancement of the Christian Faith euen with the manifest danger of his â—â—wne life But because those things belong not proâ—erly to this present History we will heere passe them â—â—uer in silence reseruing the same to a Volume a â—â—art wherein we haue made a collection of allmost â—â—ll Xauerius his Epistles that haue come vnto our â—â—ands Francis being now ready to depart from Goa to the end he might stirre vp in
thing as was related some of the company â—ho had bin either niggard in giuing to Xaueriusâ—ings â—ings necessary for his sustenance when he was liâ—ng or els had spoken som what disgracefully of him â—fter his death began to powreforth aboundance of â—ares to be â—t themselues vpon the face with their â—sts for shame and sorrow of their fault Others gaue â—rayse to God who tooke such care euen of his serâ—nts dead corps This done the Maister of the ship commanded â—he body to be presently carryed aboard as it lay in â—he Coffin intending to make more certaine try all thereof himselfe that so the miracle might be published to others And hauing throughly searched the body and found it sound and incorrupt with great reuerence he putteth in the lyme againe into the Coffin as before and hoysing vp sayle departed from Sanciana in the month of March with a very prosperous wynd towards Malaca where he soone arriued so as one would haue thought the winds themselues had obeyed Francis They sent their little boat before to Malaca to carry newes that Xauerias body was fouÌ„d intier and incorrupt was comming towards them At which tidings the Malacensians being stirred vp with deuotion and desirous to make satisfaction for their former iniury done vnto him resolued to receiue his dead corps with all the honour reuerence that they could whome whilst he liued they had cast out with no small disgrace Then they began to cal to mynd and seemed euen to behould with their eyes the feruour and countenance where with Xauerius was wont to preach vnto the people and wherwith he sought to draw men frâ— their euill life to seeke their saluation to cure their sick and possessed persons lastly to foretell thingâ— far absent and to come Wherfore turning their contumacy into reuerence towards him they all setleâ— themselues with greatioy to solemnize the funerallâ— of so worthy a man But Iames Perera who had alâ— that tyme remayned in Malaca out went all the resâ— in his loue to Francis and which he shewed also by hiâ— deeds For he mitigating the griefe which he had conceiued for his friends losse by the comming of his body presently prouideth with extraordinary diligence 〈◊〉 abouÌ„dance of torches all other things necessary â—r the funerall pompe In this meane tyme the shippe â—as come into the hauen and they had put the Coffin 〈◊〉 to a Church neere by there expecting vntill the â—itty came forth to meete them Now as soone as it was knowne in the Citty â—at Xauerius Body was landed all the people preâ—â—ntly thronged out of the gates to meete it partly to â—e and partly to touch the same with their beades â—he Vicar also of the Citty with his Clergy came thiâ—er in Procession who opening there the coffin beâ—re the people findeth the body entiere fresh withâ—ut any the least corruption whatsoeuer breathing â—ut a most sweet and pleasant sauour Heerupon the â—eople that were present with great admiration beâ—an to extoll Gods diuine power to kisse the sacred â—liques and touch them with their beades especiâ—ly Iames Perera who hauing heerby his long sorrow â—hanged into a suddayne excessiue ioy celebrated â—e arriuall of his dead friend with the greatest affeâ—ion of hart that possibly he could And that Gods â—probation might adde more credit to humane iudâ—ments a certaine sick man by touching of the body â—as instantly restored to his health The next day therfore in the morning the whole â—lergy of the Citty together with al the people come â—gaine in processioÌ„ to meet the body with burning taâ—ers torches in theirs hands as also with extraordiâ—ary feeling of ioy deuotion There was not at that â—ime any of the Society remayning in Malaca for they were all departed lately thence by Francis his expresse order Yet the Citty thought good to haue his body carryed into the Church which had formerly belonged to the Society wherby they might haue Xauerius in the meane tyme as a pledge of their returne Wherfore with a most solemne procession aboundance of lights the coffin was coÌ„ueyed to the Church aforsaid And there after they had with all solemnity sung masse the body being separated from the lyme was put into a new Coffin and buried in a most eminent place of the same Church causing all that were present to burst forth agayne into new teares partly through ioy of the late miracle partly also through the griefe which the want of such a man had caused in them and presently there followeth one miracle vpon another The shortnesse of the new Coffin had constrayned those who put him therinto so to bend strayten the Body as that there presently issued fresh bloud from out his shoulders breathing forth a most sweet odoriferous sauour Which the behoulders perceauing and attentiuely considering were driuen into admiration at the strangenesse of the miracle in thaâ— a body which had bin now fiue monthes without 〈◊〉 soule so rare perseuerant was the miracle shoulâ— still retayne not only the flesh moysture and colour but also euen bloud it selfe and that so sweet as it seemed to be the odour not of his bloud but of his sanctity Wherfore thinking good to keep it without a Coffin it was taken forth againe and by the Malacensians not only honourably interred but preserueâ— â—lso as a pledg of the diuine Clemency towards them Wherein they were not frustrate of their hope At the same time there was through God heauy wrath towards theÌ„ a most contagious sicknes spread â—uer all the Citty which hauing almost vnpeopled 〈◊〉 great part therof had put them all into a wonderful â—eare Wherfore being much perplexed and through â—emorse of conscience calling to mind the predictioÌ„ which Xauerius had pronounced agaynst them for the wronge they had done vnto him they verily thought there was no other cause of Gods indignation against â—hem but that But this pestilence wholy ceasing vpon the very day that his funerals were kept shewed sufficiently that God was now pacified agayne by the merits of Xauerius by whose intercession the sicknes was remitted CHAP. XIIII His Body is translated from Malaca into India AFTER this vpon the 13. of August Iohn Beira a Priest of the Society of Iesus going with some other Companions to Moluca tooke Malaca in his way He for the reuerence and deuotion which he bare vnto Xauerius hauing heard by report that his body was incorrupted greatly desired to visit behould the same Wherfore going priuatly into the Church with his companions in the night and opening the Sepulcher he findeth Francis like one aliue no lesse intier and incorrupt in the ground then he was before in the lime it being now nine monthes after his death Wherfore ioyntly giuing prayse to God who is admirable in his Saints with great veneration and many teares they kisse and adore his sacred body Neither was there wanting at the same
vnite and tye themselues more â—irmely to God they resolue to consecrate their liues wholy to Christ as they had long since done their â—oods Therfore hauing for that end prepared themâ—elues by interiour recollection at a solemne Masse â—hey vow perpetuall Pouerty and Chastity in the haÌ„ds â—f Hierome Verallus who was then Legate for the Sea 〈◊〉 postolique Francis was neuer before seene to be â—ore replenished with heauenly ioy then at this time â—or being very cheerfull as might be discerned by â—is lookes he gaue his whole hart to God being euen â—uer whelned in his soule with his diuine grace and â—alling to mind his former practise he froÌ„ that time â—ll his life euery day renewed the vowes which once â—e had made But whilst he expecteth an opportunity for his â—ntended nauigation he againe applieth himselfe with â—reater feruour then before to his exercises of Charity which he neuer forgot although they had been intermitted by reason of his iorney And the Venetians so much the more admired esteemed this great charity of Francis towards the sicke by how much longer this his labour continued with them then before For it fell so out that the Turkes and Venetians beginning that yeare to make warre vpon one another the passage into Palestine was stopt which before was alwayes open for Pilgrims And the seas were so beset with the Turkish ships that none could passe out of Italy to the Easterne coasts without manifest daunger of death or captiuity Which accident as it first delayed the good Fathers iorney to Hierusalem so it afterwards brake it cleane of God reseruing their labours for better vses For he sent these his hyred seruants in such sort into his vineyard that leauing the Turkish soyle as barren and euen past bearing fruite they might employ theÌ„selues some in pruning the ouergrowne vineyardes of Christians others in cultiuating the desertes of India Iaponia which before that were neuer so much as touched So whilst Francis not knowing Gods designement betweene hope and feare expected euery day some opportunity for his long desired nauigation many monthes passed away in his foresayd labours of the Hospitall in all which time he neuer became slacke in his indeauours nor any whit remisse in his charitable exercises But seing at last all hope of going to HierusaleÌ„ vtterly to fayle he tooke it very heauily and was much grieued that he was so depriued of all meanes to see those holy places of Palestine and also of the occasion of suffering martyrdome for Christ notwithstanding beholding therein the prouideÌ„ce of God the only coÌ„fort of all humane accidents he bare the same with courage and constancy although it gaue him otherwise no small resentment Then they consulted among theÌ„selues what was best to be done turning all their cares another way it seemed good vnto them that they should all take holy Orders that so they might attend with more profit to their owne perfection and saluation of others In the moneth of Iune therfore vpon the Natiuity of S. Iohn Baptist hauing vsed great preparatioÌ„ therunto they were made Priests by the Bishop of Arbe for the other holy Orders they had receyued a litle before And it is reported of them that al the time of consecration they were so ouercome with ioy that the good Bishop himselfe participated thereof For he afâ—â—rmed afterwards that whilst he did the ceremonies â—e felt a new kind of heauenly ioy and delight the like whereof he neuer had before experienced By this 〈◊〉 all hope of passing into Palestine was so wholy taken away that they seemed almost freed froÌ„ their â—ow yet that there might not remayne the least â—â—ruple in their mynds they thought good still to â—atch if there might be any occasion offered of perâ—â—rming the same vntill the yeare were fully come aâ—out for so it was expressed in their vow In this meane space being forthwith to offer to â—od the first fruites of their Priesthood they withâ—â—ew themselues out of the great concourse of that â—ost populous Citty the better to attend to recollection they separated themselues into diuers places neere by some one way some another Francis together with Alphonsus Salmeron betooke himselfe to Mont Celsus a village distant some fifteene miles from Padua there desirous to be solitary he withdrew himselfe farre from all men that he might vnite himselfe neerer to God And hauing found in a priuate place a desolate and ruinated cottage he thatched the roofe therof with straw and so made himselfe a litle sorry habitation wherein he tooke so much the more delight because it represented to him the manger of Christ his Sauiour and his great pouerty Then that experieÌ„ce might make a deeper impressioÌ„ in his mind of the pouerty of IESVS whilst he was a child and of his solitude when he was a man he taskeâ— himselfe to this kind of life he eate very sparingly of such meate only as he got by begging he lay vpon the bareâ—grouÌ„d with straw vnder him in the forsayd houell exposed to rayne wind and weather and to stirre vp his mynd with more then ordinary feruour to the conteÌ„plation of heauenly things he euery day imposed vpon himselfe certaine voluntary pennances and remembring that God leadeth a soule into solitude and there speaketh to her hart he gaue more attentiue eare to what his Lord God should speak within him He prayed therefore very much often whatsoeuer spare tyme he had he imployed it in reading of holy bookes and deuout meditation of heauenly things What discommodities and paynfull labours he endured in that place and what true and perfect consolation he receiued through conuersation with the heauenâ—y spouse we may easier imagine then by words expresse This is certaine that the litle which he begged would hardly find him bread to which if perchance he got a litle oyle or other meate he thought he had then made a dainty meale indeed In this solitary kind of life he passed fourty dayes with exceeding great comfort according to the exaÌ„ple of his heauenly Maister who remained so many dayes in the wildernes And no doubt but by his conuersation with God through his exceeding feruour of spirit and inflamed loue to his Creatour he receiued as many heaueÌ„ly graces as he did ioyes Somtimes therfore going forth into publicke he began according to Christ his example to teach the people and to make them partakers of that which he had receiued â—â—om heauen This was his manner of preaching reâ—eÌ„bâ—ing that Christ was wont to preach in the fields vpon mountaines and by the sâ—a shores whersoeuer 〈◊〉 saw any hope of doing good there would he put â—â—mselfe amongst assembles of people to preach and especially would he teach those who most of all wanted instruction and such as neuer vsed to come â—â—sermons that so God might also be found of them â—â—at did not seeke him Therfore gathering togeather â—â—e people in crosse wayes and
the encountring with barbarous nations or that your feruour of piety should not be slacke in going thither whither others out of desire of gayne runne with alacrity But why do I by wordes endeauour to inflame your Vertue knowing well inough by the warre you haue vndertaken for Christ and his Gospels sake that out of dangers you bring glory to God and euerlasting saluation to men and that you desire nothing more in this life then to dye a worthy death for Gods sake It is certaine that nature hath locked vp nothing so close to the which true vertue is not able to penetrate By Gods assistance you will open a way for the Gospell not only into India but also into the furthest Eastern parts of the world There remayneth for you eyther a life of eminent merit or a glorious â—eath Therfore whilest the Nauy is in prouiding aâ—ainst the spring do you also prepare what shall be â—ecessary for your iourney We will take care that â—ou want nothing eyther in Portugall or India Then they giuing most humble thankes vnto the King answered in this manner That they had long â—nce manifestly seene the great desire he had of aduaÌ„â—ing Gods honour and had not only heard at Rome by the report of many of his liberality answerable to his religious desire but had themselues also experienced 〈◊〉 of late in their iorney by many proofes so that they â—ught rather to endeauour to correspond to his Maieâ—ies worthy merits then to make any question wheâ—er he would be like himselfe or no. And because â—eir greatest desire was to bring the light of the Gosâ—ell into India other barbarous nations he should â—erefore without delay vse them in whatsoeuer they â—ould do for the help of those countries For albeyt â—hey well knew both themselues and his Maiesty â—ound themselues to haue neyther ability nor forces â—nswerable to so weighty a charge or to his so great â—eruour yet their confidence was that God who layd â—pon them that burthen would supply what was waÌ„â—ing on their behalfe What danger should be refused â—or Gods sake and where God leadeth the way As for themselues their chiefest care ought to be of Gods glory and to preferre a worthy death before any life whatsoeuer Heerupon there arose a strife betweene the Kings liberality and Francis and Simons modesty The Kingâ— promising them all things in aboundance performeâ— more in deeds then he spake in words and they orâ— the other side through the strict obseruance of the pouerty which they had vowed would not vse the commodities the King offered them At last the seruants of God remayning constant in their resolution ouercame the Kings bountifull nature and so he yielded vnto them drawne therto not througâ— the equity of their cause but through admiration oâ— their vertue Departing from the King and refusing a fayre lodging which was freely offered them they presently went to the publicke Hospitall of the sicke with great commendation both of their humility and piety For it was knowne well inough thaâ— they desired to lodge there before all other places that they might more freely serue the sicke for Christâ— sake And herein their charity and diligent labourâ— were answerable to that which the Citty expected from them Their manner of life in the Hospitall was this In the morning before day they spent an houre in prayer and meditation and hauing read their diuinâ— office they sayd Masse at breake of day The rest oâ— their tyme they imployed both seriously and cheerfully in helping and instructing the sicke sometymâ— comforting those that were sad and afflicted otherâ— whiles encouraging those that were ready to dye to that last battayle and encounter sometymes agayne hearing their Confessions and at others tymes resoluing those who asked their aduise in matters concerning their conscience Which labour of theirs pasâ—â—d not away eyther in obscurity or without fruit seâ—â—g most of the Citty drawne by the reporte of their â—anctity came thither flocking vnto them And they 〈◊〉 continually discoursing of pious matters things â—â—ncerning euerlasting saluation with great feeling â—â—d feruour of spirit drew many to the hatred of vice â—d loue of vertue and especially to the frequent vse â—f the holy Sacraments Which pious custome of freâ—â—enting the same being then after a long tyme first â—â—newed in Lisbone was afterward spread ouer al Porâ—â—gall both to the great good of the Cittizens themselâ—es and commodity of all their Citties For innumeâ—â—ble people euery where as the Portugheses are very â—uch inclined to piety renewing that most pious 〈◊〉 holy custome and taken with the comfort of leaâ—â—ng a godly life by diuine instinct intred into sundry â—â—gious Orders some also desired to be of their Soâ—â—ety which was at that tyme confirmed by Pope â—â—ul the III. And thus through so great a reformation of beâ—uiour in the people the Citty began to appeare of â—â—other forme then before So as now not only the â—â— eaner sort but the Nobility also frequented their â—â—dging for the SacameÌ„ts sake and to aske their conâ—â—le in other matters the pouerty of the place the â—â—en making the same more remarkable by reason that the chiefe of the Citty resorted often to the lodging of poore strangers and lastly their contempt of all worldly things stroke all men into admiration For it was now reported among the people that twelue Priests for two more had ioyned themselues to the other ten had at Rome made a certaine Society among themselues of which number they seemed to behould in these two who were present with them I know not what resemblance of an Apostolicall life And so the people whether in regard of the number of twelue or for a certayne likenesse to them in their lyfe began to call them Apostles too great a Title indeed although the good Fathers withstood and wholy disclaymed the same what possibly they could but in vaine for the Portugheses being a nation no lesse constant in what they once haue begun then pious in their resolutions could not be brought by any means to reuoke that which once they had giuen to truth as they verily belieued Yea this matter went so farre that the same name was afterward deriued to others of the Society almost throughout all Portugall CHAP. XI His Iourney into India is hindred but all in vaine BVT the Portugheses singular deuotion by rather burdenning than gracing the Fathers with such a Title was afterwards some hindrance to their Indian voyage yet so that although men were diuersly inclined still Gods will stood firme concerning Francis For some of the principall of the Citty who were much affected to Xauerius and Rodriguez valewing the profit of the Citty not only by the present fruit but also for the hope of fuâ—ure commodity contriued among themselues how they might stay these men in Portugall esteeming their owne good to be preferred before others First therefore this matter was treated off by
vertue but also with Christian humility he was now commonly called the Holy Father Thus hidden Vertue becometh more glorious CHAP. VIII He substituteth Deputies in his place to teach the Christian doctrine and procureth for them a certaine stipend of the King of Portugall THIS approued fidelity and industry of the neophytes in curing diseases made Xauerius desirous to make theÌ„ his fellow-labourers in instructing the people Wherfore making choice of such as were no lesse diligent then vertuous he sent them abroad bidding them teach the Cathechisme to the rude and ignorant in houses wayes and streetes in manner as he had instructed theÌ„ When he saw this course which he had inuented was able to go on by it selfe he with the children went to another Village intending in the same manner to instruct the rest of the townes All which when he had once gone ouer neuer thinking of rest but as it were dallying with his labours he againe returned to the first village there to amend what he should find amisse and in the same manner went ouer all the rest which before he had visited In the meane time also thinking it necessary to establish the Christian faith nor only for the present but also for the time to come he left in euery towne village a Copy of the Christian doctrine willing those that could write to copy it out and the rest to learne it by hart and to repeate it ouer euery day He ordayned also in all the forsaid villages that vpon all holydayes the Neophytes should assemble themselues into one place and there all togeather sing the Christian doctrine And that these things might be well and duely obserued thinking it expedient to leaue some in his place he appointed in euery Towne and Village one to haue a care of matters concerning Christian religion whome in their language they called the Canacaple And that this order which was so necessary might neuer cease or decay he procured of the Viceroy of India an yearly stipend for the Canacaples The reason of this was that in tyme of necessity there might alwayes be some to baptize the infants newly borne when they should be in any danger of death and to supply in other things that which could not be well differred and withall to assist the Neophytes when Francis was farre of and could not so speedily come vnto them So as in euery place he appointed one or two who excelled the rest in the vnderstanding of the Christian doctrine graue carriage feruour of piety and integrity of life teaching them the manner and forme of baptisme and giuing them in charge that if at any tyme necessity should require they should with all speed baptize litle infants and if any matter of importance besids chanced to happen they should presently certify him thereof These euery one in his Village for want of Priests being as it were the Curats or Pastours had the care of the Church and twice euery day they taught the Catechisme both in Latin and in their owne country language in the morning to the men and in the afternoone to the women They also as the Christian custome is denounced the Banes of Matrimony making enquiry what impediments there might be to hinder any from lawfull marriage but their principall charge was to baptize litle infants who through weakenes might be in danger of death And when Xauerius made his visit in the sayd Villages these his substitutes presently deliuered vp vnto him the number of childreÌ„ which were borne that yeare of those who kept concubines in their houses and of such as had any emnity or discord amongst themselues that therby he might with all speed apply remedy therto And by this meanes he knew composed all difficulties euery where so that making very litle stay any where he might passe on to other places To these Canacaples at Xauerius request were assigned 400 crownes yearely out of the publicke Treasury by the viceroy of India and afterward confirmed by the King of Portugal This said mony was accustomed to be payd to Queene Catherin of Portugal to buy her shoes and Pantofles Wherfore Francis wrote vnto her maiesty very pleasantly and piously that she could haue no fitter shoes or Pantofles to climbe to heauen then the Christian children of the Piscarian coast and their instructions Wherefore he humbly intreated her to bestow her shoes and Pantofles as a Tribute vnto their teachers and instructors therby to make her selfe a ladder to heauen for she might be glad of such an occasion then the which she could not perhaps haue wished a better The Queene as a woman of notable piety approued of his request and very willingly and freely assigned the same to the Canacaples and maisters of the Neophytes And thus by Xauerius meanes by the Queenes liberality the Kings authority this order was instituted and established with no lesse merit of the benefactors then profit to the Christian cause CHAP. IX He conuinceth the Brachmans and conuerteth some of them IN this meane while Francis had no small ado with the Brachmans These Brachmans descending froÌ„ the race of Kings Priests â—re amongst all the nations of India the chiefe both â—or Nobility and Wisedome They worship one God whome they call Parabram the begining of al things and perfect in euery respect as being Creatour of heaueÌ„ earth But togeather with this truth they mingle in numerable fables to deceiue the common people They say he hath three sonnes who gouern the world and yet haue all the same nature and diuinity This forsooth is signified by the girdle the Brachmans theÌ„selues weare at the end wherof there be three little cords hanging from one knot hauing in this manner either through the malice of men or craft of the Diuel corrupted the mistery of the B. Trinity which was ancieÌ„tly receiued among them They haue also goodly Temples dedicated to these Gods with three Towres which being separated at the basis by little little do ioyne altogeather in the toppe They haue their images drawen out in diuers shapes which in times past they tooke vpon them which they call Pagods These Brachmans whome among the Indians are indeed famous for their learning and abstinence are in the Promontory of Comorinum most notorious for their ignorance and lewdnes For not enduring the pouerty which that part of India sustayneth they couer their naturall lewdnes with abhominable deceipt and whilst themselues in priuate sit at their banquets with solemne musick of tabers and pipes they perswade the simple people that their Gods are a feasting and withall demaund of them in their Gods name whatsoeuer they want for the maintenance of themselues and their families denouncing the vengeance of the Gods against them vnlesse they presently performe what they be commanded Xauerius therfore conuincing them openly of deceipt began to accuse them to the people and to manifest their false dealing which occasion caused the saluation
both a great incitement to the Christian Religion also a pledge of the Portugheses friendship vnto his person When the Viceroy had perused the Kings letters he easily persuaded Fa. Melchior Nunius who was one of the chiefe Fathers of the Society in India to go himselfe with all speed vnto the King of Bungo In this meane tyme Xauerius Body was exposed at Goa not only to the view but also to the admiration of all the behoulders But the great desire of the people was not satisfied by seing him but rather more inflamed Yea the selfe same persons did oftentymes returne agayne to looke vpon him others came flocking almost euery moment to behould him The Fathers therefore through necessity were constrayned to change their determination And so to satisfy the longing desire of such an infinite multitude the body was exposed three dayes in a Chappell well fenced with strong Cancells to the full view of all and euery one that would might looke vpon it at their leasure So as there came from all parts an infinity of people to behold touch the same with their beades which they performed with aboundance of teares and much inward feeling of deuotion Now whilst some became doubtful of the incorruption of his body the same was made therby not only more certayne but more glorious also For seeing the miracle did surpasse all humane beliefe there were not wanting some yea Religious persons men of good authority who gaue out that Francis his body being bowelled was by art certayne precious embalmings kept thus liuely The Viceroy therefore to examine the truth of the thing commaunded Cosâ—as Saraina a Physitian of great fame and experience to try and looke into the Body But he beginning to launce the belly with an instrument when he perceyued fresh bloud to issue thence being astonished â—t the miracle gaue ouer his designe Then putting his finger into the hole he had made he findeth his bowels intiere sound without any signe of balme or other preseruatiue applied which he coÌ„firmed by publicke testimony vpon his oath Wherfore the matter being throughly examined and diuulged abroad Xauerius Body began to be greatly honoured reuerenced not more by others then by those who had byn authours of the false rumour aforesayd euery one kissing his feete and hands and touching them with their beades And so great was the opinion of Xaueuerius sanctity that euery one did striue to get yea purloyne some small particle of his body or garments in so much that all the care and vigilancy the Fathers could vse to looke vnto it did hardly hinder the violence of the deuout pepole In the meane tyme Xauerius prayses were spread all abroad his worthy actes prophecyes and miracles were blazed far and neere not only by those who had themselues byn eye-witnesses thereof but by others also who had heard the same from credible authours so as all India sounded forth his sanctity as it were with one mouth And likewise for the confirmatioÌ„ of the former miracles there were many others added anew For that many who went to behould that sacred spectacle affirmed vpon their oath that there came thither many persons who hauing eyther lost the vse of some of their lymmes or otherwise sick of some disease were by touching Francis his body healed returned home sound and in perfect health Now when these three dayes were past although the people had not yet their fill of behoulding contemplating the sacred Body the shrine was for a time placed in a Sepulcher which they had prepared for the purpose vpon the right hand of the high Aultar vntil a fayrer monument were erected and adorned fitting the dignity of so worthy a man according to the Fathers desires and deuotion of the Cittizens of Goa if the King of Portugall as they hoped would procure his Canonization from the Pope About the tenth day after his buriall Doctour Antony Ribera the Bishops Vicar and Inquisitour Generall determined in respect of his charge and office to examine the matter with his owne eyes and see whether those things were true which had byn diuulged abroad of Francis his incorruption Wherefore opening the Sepulcher about Midday himselfe with many lighted torches attending throughly felt and viewed the whole body all ouer And finding nothing which was not entiere he gaue testimony therof vnder his hand and seale to all posterity This caused the reuerence and deuotion to Xauerius dayly to increase There were all most none who came not with veneration to his sepulcher many brought thither flowers and garlands and the number of white wax tapers to burne continually before it were exceeding great And this deuotion of the people towards his seruant was by God himselfe approued also For there is euident proofe that a wax Candle of a â—ubit long only being lighted before the Sepulcher â—id burne perpetually for the space of 18. whole daies â—nd nights togeather The King of Portugall being moued by these reâ—tions gaue order presently to the Viceroy of India 〈◊〉 make exact inquiry of Xauerius worthy facts and â—iracles to set them carefully downe in writing â—e which he afterward sent to Rome to his Embassaâ—our that he might deale with his Holines about his Canonization But this most Excellent Kings pious â—deauours were hindred by his vntimely death The â—thers therefore hauing finished their new Church â— Goa and dissolued the old remoued Xauerius Body â— to a priuate Chappell within their house where 〈◊〉 this day his memory and name is honoured vntill 〈◊〉 Holinesse shall graunt if it please God that soâ—mne Honour and Veneration may be publikly exâ—â—bited vnto him OF THE LIFE OF S. FRANCIS XAVIER THE VI. BOOKE By the King of Portugall his command Francis his deeds and miracles are committed to vvriting CHAP. I. ALTHOVGH the guifts and fauours which the Goodnes of God had already heaped vpon Francis shined forth at sundry times in al thâ—â— parts of his life as we haue demonstrated before yet will it not be amisse heere to propound those things to be maturely coÌ„sidered which haue byn touched by the way and as it were in an obscure manner that so by vnfoulding the chiefe heads of matters we may at once behould all whatsoeuer appertaineth thereunto And to the end we may first of all speake of such passages which ordinarily cause most admiration and are essteemed both by good and bad-willers many things not only through the whole course of his lyfe but much more at the very tyme of his funeralls haue by diuine power happened vnto Xauerius which no natural cause can any way excuse froÌ„ being miraculous Wherefore we will heere in a more exact manner treate of these signes and testimonies of his sanctity will cite for euery thing such authors witnesses whose authority and fidelity cannot iustly be called into question Iohn the third King of Portugall by whome as we haue sayd before Xauerius was sent
owne soules inflamed with diuine loue and others also wil be stirred vp to the lyke deeds and the seruants of God get credit and authority towards the aduancement of the Christian cause But especially they should neuer make account of ill rumours made agaynst them without cause which do often ouerthrow and weaken the endeauours of those that be fearefull Concerning this there is extant as notable instruction which he gaue to Fa. Gaspar in these words If when at any time you go about a good worke ill disposed persons giue out slaunderous reports against you you shall not be moued therewith but be sure that none perceiue you are by such mens words hindred from the seruice of God For they who are afrayd of false rumors in such a case are more truly Souldiars of the world then of Christ Lastly I would haue you greatly to esteeme of this That remembring yourself to be a member of the Society of IESVS you would in all your words and actions carry your selfe worthy of such an Head and Body By which admonitions it might easâ—â—â— appeare how diligently and seriously Xauerius both by examples and precepts trayned vp those of the Society to the highest perfection of prudence and sanctity as also how conformable Ignatius and he were in all their iudgments and opinions notwithstanding that at the very same time they were almost infinitely distant the one from the other Ignatius being superiour of the Society in Italy he in India But without doubt one the same spirit dictated the same things vnto them both fashioning the Society in ech place to a certaine forme of discipline and inspiring them both with diuine wisedome alike Xauerius prudence was not more seene in giuing his instructions then in his gouernement For whersoeuer he resided he would alwayes be certified by the locall superiours of the Society how all things passed prouiding remedies for all difficulties no otherwise then if himselfe had bin present For at his departure into Iaponia he gaue order that they should at certaine times write vnto him acquaint him what number there were of the Society as also with their qualities tallents both of vertue learning arts yea with their inclinatioÌ„s also to what they were most addicted as well by nature as by disposition what zeale of soules appeared in ech of them what fruit euery one reaped with what griefes or afflictions ech one was oppressed tryed and afflicted And lastly so great was his care euen in the smallest thinges that he would be certified of the meanest houshould seruant as also what debts were owing and the like and so accordingly he disposed of ech person and thing in particular by letters as was requisite And not contenting himself with hauing giueÌ„ order what was to be done he charged also the Superiours to signify vnto him with all speed whether euery one had carefully performed his commands or no to the end that his command to them might set an edge vpon their cares for the better discharging of their office Moreouer although in his trauailes throughout the vtmost Easterne parts he bent all his forces for the conuersion of those barbarous Nations notwithstanding in his returne back through almost infinite tracts of the Ocean he at times visited those of the Society which were committed to his trust deuiding his care according to his double charge that he might so assist strangers as not to be wanting to his owne Certainly by his singular industry and vertue he so contriued all things that if you consider how much he aduaunced the Christian Religion he may seeme to haue had no time to think of the Society againe 〈◊〉 you turne your consideration to the care which he had of the Society you will thinke he neither did nor could possibly haue had tyme to performe any thing els FINIS Gentle Reader THE faults which haue escaped in printing by reason of imploying strangers heerin not skillfull of our Language I hope are not very many nor yet such as may not easily be corrected by thy iudicious Reading His Nobility of birth His Parents His Education His virginall chastity Cant. c. 2 He preferreth learning before armes The Colledge of S. Barbara He studieth Philosophy at Paris He interpreteth Aristotle at Paris publikely A Prophecy concerning his Apostleship in the new world His acquaintaÌ„ce with S. Ignatius S. Ignatius his aduises Ignatius gently handleth Francis his wildnesse Heb. 1â— Francis his deliberation about chaÌ„ging his course of life Phil. 3. Heb. 12. Mortification His agility of body He tyeth about parts of his body a litle rope Foure dayes he abstaines from eating any thing Coquest of himselfe Meditation vpoÌ„ the life death of Christ His desir of Martyrdom He binds himselfe to God by vow Yeerly renewing of vowes FrequeÌ„t renouation of vowes He breaketh of his course of Diuinity not farre from the end Their manner of trauaile Voluntary mortification in his iorney Through anguish of body he faints in the way His malady being held desperate the PhysitiaÌ„ giues him ouer He is cured from heauen In the way he serueth his coÌ„panions Vpon the way he helpeth his neighbours He winneth the heretiques affections With speciall care he serueth a sick man full of â—oares He sucketh out the filthy matter Conquest of himself Religious regard towards vowes Iorneying on foot in Lent and begging he truly fasteth Taking but a litle piece of bread they go on foot a good dayes iorney He voweth perpetuall pouerty and Chastity He is made Priest Preparation for his first Masse Gse 2. Psal 84. After his solitary life he beginneth to teach the peple He lodged with Hierome Casiline His diligence in helping his neighbours euen wheÌ„ he was il himself His manner of preaching The substance fruit of his sermons Loue of Pouerty Xauier sparing in his words but woÌ„derfully efficacious Saying Masse of the Passion he is abstracted from his senses The place where he lodged turned into a Chappell He preacheth in S. Laurence of Damasus The King of Portugall demanded some of the Society Phil. c. 1. Ignatius his speach Francis his obedience and greatnes of mynd Francis his dreame of bearing an Indian vpon his shoulders Paul the 3. his speach Rom. c. 4. 1. Cor. 2. Francis made legate Apostolicall of India He lookes to others horses He expects a fit time to reprehend By his prayers he saueth one from drowning He draweth the Embassadours Secretary out of the snow He passeth by his owne country without saluting his kindred Descrip of Lisbone He cureth Simon Rodriquez of a quaâ—tane The Kings speach Xauierâ— and Rodriquez answere Refusing a fayre lodging they go to the Hospital of the sicke Their manner of life in the Hospitall Many of the Citty are recal led to a good life The frequent vse of the Sacraments is brought into Portugall In Portugall he is called an Apostle The Kings speach Xauier others of the Society of Jesus are mantayned in India by