against Xauerius thought to saue himselfe But the Neophites comming forth in hast at the clamour and tumult which they heard so stopped vp the entrance to the Church and as it ordinarily hapneth the last came so hard pressing vpon the first that he could not possibly haue way to enter so to saue himselfe They seing this knowing the man cryed out that God the reuenger of Xauerius his iniury had by diuine iudgment debarred him of the refuge he desired And so he who before had contumeliously shut Xauerius out of doores being pursued by his enemies and endeauouring to saue his life by flying to the ChristiaÌ„s Church was himselfe shut out God permitting him to be serued in the like manner as he serued Xauerius CHAP. X. Liuing in the coast of Piscaria vvith great ioy and fruit of his labours he comforteth the Neophites vvho vvere much afflicted BVT it is incredible to thinke what abouÌ„dance of diuine consolation Xauerius fouÌ„d in these extreme labours of his Himselfe signified it in a letter which he wrote to the Society at Rome To which they shall do well to hearken who preferring earthly commodities before diuine thinke that the life of holy persons is without all comfort delight as though there were no place for pleasure where riches delicacies do not abound In a clause therfore of his epistle inuiting others of the Society to the same labours he writeth thus So great is the aboundance of the heauenly ioyes which God bestoweth vpon them who labour in this vineyard for the conuersion of the Indians to Christ that if there be any ioy in this life I thinke it only to be heere Neither did he auouch this without a true ground and of what he had not experienced in himselfe For being oftentimes in the midst of those labours ouerwhelmed with heauenly consolations he hath bin secretly heard to breake forth into these words I beseech thee O Lord do not euerwhelme me with such aboundance of ioyes in this life of if it please thee of thy infinite bounty that still I flow with these flouds of delights remoue me hence into heauen among the blessed for he that hath once had an inward tast of thy sweetnesse must needes liue a bitter life without thee Xauerius therfore liued a whole yeare in the coast of Piscaria with infinite labour and the like comfort and that which much increased his ioy was the great augmentation of the Christian faith For as it appeareth by his owne letters he baptized aboue a 1000. infants who presently after their Baptisme went to heauen Wherby we may gather what a multitude there were either of infants that liued or else of elder people whome he made members of Christs Church And it is well knowen that in that coast many villages some whole Townes were by him conuerted to the Christian faith When he had thus carryed and set in order the affayres of Christian Religion in the coast of Comorinum about the latter end of the yeare 1543. he returneth to Goa to deale in person with the viceroy of India concerning certaine important busines about Christian Religion Vpon this occasion he tooke with him some youths of the chiefe nobility of that Country both as pledges supplies for the Christian faith to be broght vp in learning in the Seminary of Goa for that by this tyme the Colledge there was for the most part built furnished Wherfore Borban not suffering Xauerius to lodge in the Hospitall of the sick as he was accustomed brought him home and of his owne accord gaue ouer to him the whole gouernment therof which he with the consent of the said Borban committed to Fa. Paul Camertes who was lately come from Mozambicum The fame of the admirable things which Xauerius had wrought in the coast of Piscaria was come to Goa before himselfe ariued thither and had much increased his esteeme aswell with others as with the viceroy of India who affected him exceedingly and therfore without difficulty he obteined of him whatsoeuer he desired Amongst other things the report being brought to Goa of those who were raysed to life in the coast of Comorinum made Xauerius name to be spread far and neere Wherfore Iames Borban by reason of his ancient familiarity taketh him aside and earnestly intreateth him that for the honour of God he would tell him the particulers of those who were reported to be raysed to life by his prayers in the Country of Comorinum At which words Xauerius his countenaÌ„ce was all dyed ouer with a virginall crimson-blush bewraying both his modesty the truth of the matter Endeauouring therfore as much as he could with truth to couer any matter which tended to his owne glory he imbraceth Borban in a friendly manner and smiling sayth Good Iesu I rayse dead men to life O wicked wretch that I am Certaine meÌ„ indeed brought to me a youth seeming to be dead who being by me commanded in the name of Christ to aryse presently rose vp this indeed and other such like things they who were present published abroad for miracles Yet this his couering of those miracles though his countenance sufficiently discouered the truth diminished nothing at all the credit of what was reported of him his humility therein being almost as admirable as the miracles themselues Xauerius hauing now dispatched the businesse for which he came and taking Francis Mansilla for his coÌ„panion returned againe into the coast of Piscaria vpon the 24. of March the next yeare following setleth himself to his old exercises of Charity He had now besides Mansilla 3. assistants Iohn Lesian a Spanish Priest two other Priests also of that couÌ„try who at Xauerius request weÌ„t thither for the same cause partly froÌ„ Goa partly from Cocinum Hauing made these men partners of his charge he neuer ceased going about baptizing infants exhorting others to do the same His labour was as much if not more then before and his difficultyes greater For being a stranger wholy ignorant of the Malauarian language in so much besides the Cathechisme he scarce knew one word therof yet liued he and conuersed amongst the Malauarian Neophytes without an interpreter which thing did not withstanding rather stirre vp then hinder his endeauours To baptize infants he had no need of an interpreter the poore and wretched people did of themselues open vnto him their miseries in such sort that he might easily vnderstand them He also by his study and endeauours came to be his owne interpreter for albeyt he were vnskillfull in the country tongue yet made he good shift to preach vnto the people expressing oftentimes by his contenance and gesture what he could not do in words But to keep an order and decorum in all things he called them not al together but caused the men the â—omen to come by turnes euery other day to the Caâ—echisme His chiefe care was to baptize infants and
the chiefe of the Kingdome and afterwards when it had gotten many graue abettors and furtherers at last is brought into the King Then the Noblemen euery one of them shewed how much benefit that Royall Citty had â—eaped by Ignatius his companions in so short a space and what great help all Portugall might hope from them if it could enioy them not as strangers for a â—yme but as perpetuall inhabitants thereof And that â—he good of Portugall and of that Princely Citty as â—eing his chiefe and Royall seate ought to be dearer â—nto his Maiesty then India Why therefore for the succour of barbarous Nations should he depriue his owne natiue Country of so excellent helps Why â—hould India abroad rather then Portuall at home be â—ore deare vnto him Wherfore if it seemed good vnâ—o his Maiesty as it did to them he should plant those worthy men as seeds of that generation in Portugall â—nd so erect a Seminary at hand which might supply â—hem with fit Priests to send into India The King approuing his Nobles opinion iudging it meet to prouide first for theÌ„ who were neerest to him leauing off for the present his determination of helping India resolued to detaine them both in Portugall to begin a Seminary of the same Institute Which as soone as Rodriguez Xauerius vnderstood by their friends being indeed moued at the vnexpected newes they presently certify Ignatius by letters of the Kings new determination asking him what they should do Who hauing acquainted his Holines with the busines thought it good to leaue it wholly to the Kings arbitrement nothing doubting but the treating thereof before him would make him thinke better of it Letters are at the same tyme dispatched from his Holines to the King and from Ignatius to his companions wherin the matter was left wholly to his maiesty But if he would know what Ignatius his opinion was therin it seemetd to him most conuenient that a separation should be made so as Rodriguez might stay in Portugall Francis go forward into India The King therfore following Ignatius his Counsaile sendeth for thâ—m both who being vncertayne what would be resolued off depended wholy vpon the diuine prouidence Then the King in a courteous manner as his custome was shewing them first what was granted to him from Rome concerning their disposall declareth what he had now resolued to wit That Simon should stay in Portugall to begin a Colledg at Conimbria which might be a Seminary for members to be sent into India and that Francis should go into his designed Prouince of the East Wherefore they should both with all speed prepare themselues with like diligence to their offices although they were different knowing that many times equall rewards are assigned for vnequall seruices God not respecting so much the worke as the good will wherwith it is done Heereupon Xauerius being presently changed from his great feare into great ioy gaue the King many thankes that he had granted his desire and had so prudently tempered the want of his companionâ— with the ioy he gaue him of the diuision that he promised not only to be gratefull but also to vse all care and diligence to be answerable for so great a benefit But Rodriguez being frustrated of his hope and desire and at the first stroken with such an vnexpected declaration shewed by his lookes and countenance to be somewhat troubled but presently recollecting himselfe he answered grauely and quietly almost to this effect That the taking of India from him had stroke him with such griefe to the hart that he was not able to coÌ„ceale it yet since Ignatius the King and his Holinesse agreeing all in one thing sufficiently declared it to be Gods holy will he would most willingly at his Maiesties commaund leaue off that employment for whose sake he had vndertaken it Wherfore he remained wholly at the Kings disposall and was glad that by beginning a Seminary he might also in some sort labour for India since he might hope to help them by his schollers whome he could not by himselfe Thus departing from the King each of them addressed their cares for the performance of their charge CHAP. XII Being ready to take shipping for India he receiueth from the King the Popes Letters patents of Legate Apostolicall refuseth to take any thing for the charges of his iourney FRANCIS therfore seeing his iorney to be approued by such euident signes both from God and men began to furnish himselfe for it not with prouision of victualls and other things necessary and conuenient but with pious meditations and profitable considerations For he would not vndertake so weighty a charge rawly vnprouidedly but with serious ponderation preparation and by thinking with himselfe now whilst he was at leasure of what he was afterwards to make vse that so he might not spend his tyme in speculation of that wherein he was to employ himselfe in the practise When the tyme drew neere for his iourney into India the King calling him is sayd to haue spoken vnto him particularly to his effect Francis Xauier our ships are ready the tyme that you haue so earnestly desired of going into India is now come For my part â— haue hitherto had so many and so great arguments both of your vertue prudence that I hould it needlesse to vse any exhortation vnto you presaging what will follow by that which is already past Yet that we may not seeme to be wanting in our duty we will as the saying is spurre on him who runneth already First therfore I commend vnto you the Ethincke Nations which are vnder our subiection endeauouring to vnite them to the Church that my dominions may not be further extended then Gods Religion Then out of our fatherly affection towards them I deliuer commit the Portugheses that remaine in those places to your trust in such sort that I would haue you supply the place of our beneuolence towards them You are not ignorant I know that Kings haue need of many hands and eyes for the gouernment of their kingdomes Wherfore I pray beseech you by that very God who is your guide and companion in this iorney â—hat as farre as you may with conueniency you â—ould diligently visit our garrisons there and afterwards certify vs of all things appertaining to Religiâ—n that so all impediments if there be any being â—eedily remoued the Christian Religion by your adâ—â—se and labour and by our assistance and authority â—ay spread it selfe ouer India and the East As for my â—â—lfe I will loose my kingdome before I will leaue off â—y desire to aduance Religion For I am resolued to â—mploy all the meanes and forces I am able for the â—ropagation therof It is your part to be answerable â—oth to the charge you haue vndertaken and to our â—esire What ayde or help soeuer either the honour of God or the Christian cause shall seeme to require â—emaund it confidently and it shall be granted
of many who giuing ouer Idolatry became Christians And the Brachmans being astonished as wel at his great learning as at the miracles wrought by him turning their hate into reuerence endeauoured to gaine his fauour and friendship both by guiftes all other meanes they could deuise But his loue of pouerty was not ouercome by any such fauours and though he reiected their guiftes to keep his owne liberty free yet notwithstanding he conserued good correspondence and friendship with them And as he went his circuit about the townes of the Christians oftentimes he lodged in their abiding places which are also called Pagods as their Gods are hoping that some of them might be conuerted with the saluation of many soules Vpon a tyme he came to a certaine Pagod where were assembled almost two hundred Brachmans who had vnderstood of his comming thither Hauing saluted one another and many wordes passed to and fro Francis demaunded of them in ful assembly what their Gods commaunded those to do who were to come into heauen to them After long strife amongst them who should giue the answere it fell at last by common consent to the lot of an ancient man of 80. yeares of age the eldest amongst them who craftily shifting off the Question asked Xauerius agayne what the Christians God commaunded them to do But he perceyuing the old mans euasion tould him he would not speake a word of any Christian affayres vntill he had answered his question as good reason he should Then the old man being driuen to it by necessity with open manifestation of his ignorance sayd That their Gods commaunded them two things The one was that they should not kill any Cow because with kine the Gods were worshipped The other was that they should bestow liberall guifts vpon the Bâ—achmans the chiefe Priests Ministers of the sayd Gods Then Xauerius moued at the ignorance and impudency both of the man and the thing presently rose vp and intreated them that they would also now heare him And with a lowd voice reciting the Creed and the ten Commandements he briefly explicateth the same in their country language and then he declareth the ioyes of the blessed in heauen and the torments of the damned in hell and finally who they were that should go to the one and other place As soone as they heard this on a suddain they all rose vp and euery one imbracing him wonderfully extolled the Christian Religion containing such agreable mysteryes and precepts as those were such is the force of truth euen with peruerse minds if light from heauen shine vpon them Then they asked him many other things very ridiculous and such as we who by Gods goodnes vnderstaÌ„d the Truth do abhorre to heare to wit whether the Soule of man dyeth togeather with the body as other liuing creatures do What should be the cause why we seeme in our sleepe to be with our friends although they be far of Is it not because our soule the body being asleep leaueth its mansion and flyeth abroad Whether God be white or black for they themselues being blackish by nature out of the esteeme they beare to their owne colour thinke that God is black and do oftentimes besmeare their Idols with oile in such manner that they be not only black but euen vgly also and horrible to behould in so much that you would thinke you saw the Diuels themselues and not their images Xauerius when these questions were asked him knowing well how to accommodate his speech to his Auditours answered not so learnedly as sutably to their capacities so that not one of all the company durst open his month to contradict him But when he pressed them to imbrace the Christian Religion which they saw so manifestly proued vnto them they answered that indeed they were afraid of what the people would say and that they should want meanes to liue if they should change their course of life And so these wretches making more account of what the people would say then of their owne saluation contemned the light which began to shine vpon them remained obstinate in their darknes Now although as we sayd the Brachmans carry away the bell for wisedome among the Indians yet there was only one found among them all worthy of that name a Schoole-man of a famous Academy of India who out of the familiarity which he had with Xauerius declared to him certain mysteries of that Academy which held that there was one God maker of the world who raigning in heaueÌ„ ought to be worshiped of mortal meÌ„ that euery eight day which we cal Sunday ought to be kept holy that a time would come when all should professe one Religion Moreouer he desired to know the mysteryes of the Christian fayth which at length Francis declared vnto him and withall spake these wholsome words of our Sauiour Qui crediderit baptizatus fuerit saluus erit He that belieueth is baptized shal be saued The Brachman noted downe in a litle booke these words with their explication and intreated Xauerius to baptize him vpon certayne conditions But Xauerius reiecting his conditions being neyther iust nor honest thought it good to differre his request for a tyme so dismissed him bidding him to publish that mystery of one God to the people hoping that he would indeed become a perfect Christian be occasion of no small aduancement to the Christian cause But yet there was another yong Brachman who gaue not only greater hopes but also proued better indeed He being of an excellent wit behauiour was instructed and baptized by Francis by his appointement vndertooke to teach children their Catechisme Christ thus choosing to himselfe maysters of his doctrine out of the Diuels schoole At this time now God would shew manifestly how pleasing Xauerius labours were vnto him He weÌ„t vpon some occasions to an Ethincke noble-man who being a barbarous vnciuil fellow contemning the vertuous and holy man shut him out of his house in a rude disgracefull manner scoffing at him said Serue me in the same sort if euer I come to the Christians Church This iniury offred to Francis being published abroad by those who were present no body had lesse feeling of it then he to whome it was done It seemed doubtlesse both to the Portugheses and the Neophites an vnworthy fact as deseruing indeed to be reuenged by God himselfe Therfore he who taketh vengeance vpon iniuries done vnto his seruants sent spedily a due punishmeÌ„t vpon that contumelious man A few dayes after the same Noble man being vnarmed chanced to meet with his armed enemies not far from the Christians Church wherefore being not able to resist he thought to defend himself by running away Now as he fled they followed him close with their deadly weapons were euen come to the Christians Church wherin that wretch not thinking theÌ„ of the contumelious words which formerly he had vtteed
before they had with so great reuerence adored Which great iniury the Diuel certainly would not haue left vnreuenged if Francis had not had as great courage to withstand the danger as to offer him that affront For he stirred vp the Badages agayne of whome we spake before who are no lesse cruell enemies to Christian Religion then brutish sauage by nature against the flock of Christ which as yet was but yong and tender Wherfore a mighty army of these barbarians made a suddaine incursion vpon the borders of Trauancoris began to spoile the villages of the Christians The inhabitants making a dolefull outery togeather with the lamentation of women and children being all in vproue betooke themselues to flight yet with little hope to escape being round beset by their enemies Xauerius for it happened he was then present being stirred vp by the tumult wrought a memorable act For wholy forgetting himselfe by reason of the eminent danger he saw before his eyes he flyeth in amongst them like a Lion and with an vndaunted courage both of spirit and countenance rebuketh those barbarous people who were wonderfully amazed to behold his courage and boldnes since being slaues to the Deuill and forgetfull of their owne freedome and saluation they came so violently to offend others Then as a good Pastour he putteth himselfe into the formest presse of the Christians either to rule his flocke by authority or if he could not do that to dy togeather with them But the Badages although most barbarous cruell could not indure those fiery flames which seemed to shine forth of Francis his couÌ„tenance and face and so for feare and reuerence to his person they spared the rest Yet all this while he was not free from danger of death For the Ethnickes out of hatred to Christian Religion lay oftentimes in waite for him whome notwithstanding he defeated partly by his prudence and partly by diuine assistaÌ„ce as then it happened Vpon a tyme some of them seeking after him to kill him he ranne into a wood where climbing vp into a tree he sate there all night and so escaped their hands being sheltred more by Gods assistaÌ„ce then eyther by the tree or night And his enemies plots against him were so frequent that some of the Neophytes who were most pious and faithfull vnto him kept alwayes of their owne accord watch in the night before his lodging to defend him Notwithstanding the continuall treacheries of these barbarous people he omitted neyther his nightly prayer which scarcely permitted him two houres rest nor ceased from his dayly iourneys of the day eueÌ„ in the heat of the sunne for that going about the Townes he went barefoote in a ragged coate and with an ordinary Hat on his head Yet this carelesnes of his corporall habit did no way obscure the sanctity of his soule but made it more eminent He was now commonly called the Great Father and the King of Trauancoris commanded by publicke Edict throughout his whole kingdom that all should obey the Great Father no otherwise then himselfe The Christians had not at that tyme any Church in that Coast wherfore he was constrained to say masse either vnder some tree or some sayle of a shippe But now it is reported there be built aboue twenty Churches and Chappels in that Country And when he was to preach for want of a pulpit he would froÌ„ some commodious tree speake vnto the multitude which was somtimes infinite For when he went out into the fieldes to preach there followed him many times fiue or six thousand persons His care also was not lesse in augmenting the flocke of Christ then in maintaining what he had gotten That the Neophytes might also after his departure retaine what they had learned vpon his going away he did not only leaue a copy of the Christian doctrine in euery Towne but also taught them the manner how to exercyse it euery morning and euening and for that end appointed a Moderatout ouer them Yet all this time he refrained from too much dealing with those who dwelt vp higher in the hart of the couÌ„try knowing very well that the sea coasts where the Portugheses commaunded were farre more fit to receiue and maintaine the Christian faith then the vpland Country of India where the Brachmans deadly enemies to our Religion had the possession He therfore trauailed all ouer that country lying by the sea side going from village to village euery where baptizing instructing as many as he could in the Christian faith so as now almost all the townes of the Machoa's Paraua's had by Francis his meanes put themselues vnder the sweet yoke of Christ when the report therof comming to the bordering Ilands set on fire the Manarians a neighbouring people to emulate their piety CHAP. XII Neophytes slayne for Religion become an ornament to the Christian Fayth MAnaria is a litle Iland lying ouer against the coast of Pâ—scaria distant from the continent an 150. miles There was therein a village called Patinus at that tyme of litle note but now greatly enobled by the death of many Martyrs The inhabitants of this place had a great desire to receaue the Christian Religion wherof they had heard many notable things reported as well of Xauerius as of the Comorines Wherefore they earnestly inuited Francis to come thither and baptize them But he being imployed about other most important affaires coÌ„cerning Religion and not able to go himselfe sent a certayne Priest in his place to instruct them in the Catechisme and to baptize them Wherupon followed a great storme of persecution which notwithstanding proued very profitable vnto them For the King of Iafanapatana vnder whose dominion that Iland is out of a Barbarous cruelty being also incensed with the hatred he bare vnto Christians was so enraged that sending thither an army of men what by fyre sword destroyed and wasted the whole Towne There are sayd to haue byn slayne at that tyme for Religion more then 600. persons Thus that vast solitude brought forth fresh and fragrant flowers of Martyrs for heauens ornament Since which tyme that place hath reteyned the name of the Towne of Martyrs About the same tyme it fell out fortunately that the sayd King of Iafanapatana his owne brother and heire to the same kingdome fearing his brothers fury had fled to the Viceroy of India promising that if he could by the Portugheses forces be restored to his Fathers kingdome he with his nobles and greatest part of his subiects would become Christians The Viceroy greatly desirous as well to aduance Religion as to reuenge the slaughter of the Innocents was much incensed agaynst the Tyrant Whereupon he presently sendeth a very strong Nauy to Nagapatana which is a sea Towne scituated in the continent ouer against the Iland of Manaria about 200. miles from the Promontory of Comorinum and withal commandeth them to make warre vpon the King of Iafanapatana and
they kept had put theÌ„ all away except only two Neither was there any thing which did the people more good then the opinion of his sanctity a very forcible argument to perswade especially when it is confirmed by signes from God For as he was once in the middest of a Sermon vpon a suddain he desired his Auditors to say deuoutlâ— a Pater and Aue for Iames Aegidius Admirall of the Portughese Nauy who was then a dying at Amboynum which was afterwards found to be true by assured testimonies This thing then much increased the peoples esteeme of Francis for the present and afterwards their desire to keep him Hauing remayned there now six months he prepared for his departure with intention to visit Amboynum agayne Wherefore out of the extraordinary loue which they bare vnto him the whole Citty came flocking with him to the Hauen And when he was ready to depart they brake forth into such a weeping and crying out calling him with their confused voyces Maister Guardian Father that euen pitty made him as though he had forgotten his iourney remayne a while in imbracing euery one of them for that his bowells were greatly moued towards this his flock and so hauing at last imbraced and conforted them all with most sweet words he with much ado tooke his leaue where at they bitterly wept and lamented CHAP. V. He fortelleth and is Authour of a notable Victory vvhich the Portugheses obtained against the Barbarians XAVERIVS being thus glad to see the Ternatians great deuotion was againe presently stroken with sad newes of the perfidiousnes of the Tolaneans Tolum as we sayd before is a Towne belonging to one of the Ilands of Maurica hauing in it many Christians newly planted there by Francis most of the inhabitaÌ„ts wherof eyther through feare of one Geliol a forraine Tyrant or else to curry fauour with him had reuolted both from the King of Portugall and the ChristiaÌ„ faith ouerthrowing the Church had in derision brooken the Crosses and images of Saints seizing also violently vpon the goods of the other faythfull â—ious Christians At this fact of their Xauerius being much afflicted left the same to God who would iudg his owne cause but the iniury done agaynst Heauen Earth armed them both with reuenge against the Authors therof And first God layd his heauy vengeance vpon them for their soile which in former tyâ—es had bin most fertile became wholy barrain their corne also in their barnes consumed away by an accursed putrefaction their waters of wholesome vpon a suddayne became bitter and infectious so as many of the people were taken away by famine and pestilence And as they were thus scourged with direfull wrath from heauen the Portugheses also came vpon their backes with a terrible warre For the Gouernor of the Moluca's Francis promising him that the warre should haue good successe sent presently a Nauy agaynst those perfidious Rebels together with a choice band of Portughese souldiars The chiefe Commaunder of the Nauy being encouraged by what Xauerius had foretould through confidence in Gods diuine assistance vndertooke the warre with great alacrity diligence notwithstanding he thought it not amisse before he ioyned battayle to send Messengers vnto them and offer them pardon if they would reclayme from their rebellion and so saue their liues But after they had sent backe their proud answere the Portugheses set on fire with reuenge march on towards the enemy There was a Castle scituated vpon an high place no lesse fortifyed by art then nature whereto also were added other deceipâ—full stratagems of the enemy For they being not ignoraÌ„â— of the war which the Portugeses were to make vpoÌ„ them had about the wals thereof for a good coÌ„paâ—le stroken into the ground certaine sharpe stakes armed with foure pointed nayles oâ— which the Portugheses might be forced to runne if they attempted to approach the Castle These engineâ— of theirs to defend theÌ„selues would not only haue defeated the Portugheses comming theron but haue also broght great annoyance vnto theÌ„ if Frâ—cis his prayers had not taken away the present danger opened the entrance which was shut vp agaynst them The Portugheses were not yet landed when it appeared how meruailous God himself did fight for them The Sunne about the tyme of midday being ouercast with a suddain cloud made the day as darke as the night wheÌ„ as in the toppe of a mountayne hard by there brake forth with horrible crackes roaring a filthy loathsome fire which continued three daies three nights Wherupon an huge great quantity of ashes stones the like wherof was neuer seene before being cast vp out of the earth did not only couer the forsaid stakes but also made the ground leuell with the toppe of the Castle And behould whilst the Barbarians were astonished at this vnexpected accident there happened another thing which strooke a greater terrour into theÌ„ For at the very same time a wonderfull strang earthquake ouerthrew an infinite number of houses in the Citty Now when the Tolanes had endured these miseries for some dayes the Portugheses came vpon theÌ„ with al their forces But yet it cannot be properly called a battaile for most of the enemies were either oppressed with the falling of the houses or else were fled for feare and the heapes of stones which were cast out of the Earth carryed them vp easily to scale the wals of the Castles And thus the Fort Towne and whole Country were subdued without any battaile at all and peace granted them who were conquered vpon certaine conditions wherof the chiefe were that they should againe build vp the Church which they had ouerthrowne restore the goods taken from the Christian people finally imbrace againe the Christian religion which they had once before receaued The Barbarians saw certainly that this memorable victory was obteined more by diuine then humane force But the Portugheses did absolutly attribute the miraculous burning of the mountaine the suddain heaping together of the ashes stones to FraÌ„ncis his merâ—â—s who like another Mâ—yses had obteined diuine assistance for them whilst they fought against the enemyes of God who as he had fauoured the warre so had he also affoarded speciall ayde therunto CHAP. VI. He againe visiteth Amboynum and laboureth still amongst them HAVING in this time well increased and setled Christian religion in Ternate he sayled backe to Amboynum with intention to returne thence into India after his long absence froÌ„ those parts to visit the Society wherof was he superiour which was now much increased by the arriuall of new supplyes from Europe Now whilest the passengers were in the midst of their way discoursing merrily amongst themselues Francis on a suddain stepping forth from the company wherein he was with great vehemency and griefe of mynd cryed out Good Iesu what is this they kill the man Whereupon the rest being amazed at the suddaynes of the thing ranne
was bound to prouide for Francis his necessiâ—ies had without his knowledge receiued of the Porâ—ugheses some mony more freely then discreetly vnder the colour of Almes Which wheÌ„ Xauerius vnderstood as he was no lesse sharp in reprehending then diligeÌ„t in obseruing holy pouerty he presently banished him for a time into an Iland neere by lying right agaynst the hauen of Malaca which had in former times byn well stored with inhabitants but was now left desolate Durus therefore liuing there saw vpon a time in a certaine Church whether awake or asleep is vncertayne the mother of God sitting at the high Aultar vpon a cushion vnder a Canopy richly adorned with her he saw the child Iesus who endauoured to allure Durus being much ashamed of his fault by sweet meanes to come vnto his mother She at first as though she had byn angry turned from him put him away then when after he had humbly intreated and beseeched her to pardon him she at last receyued him and admonishing him of certayne faults she left him suddaynly and togeather with her child Iesus mounted vp to heauen This vision was altogether secret no mortall man knowing thereof but Durus himselfe nor had he spoken thereof to any Being therefore after a while called backe to Malaca and making his confession to Xauerius as his custome was he sayd nothing of the vision But Francis knowing it by diuine reuelation asketh him what that was which happened to him lately in a Church of the Iland where he was To me quoth he I remember nothing The Father gently vrged him to tell but Durus refused vtterly denied to haue seene any thing being in this maÌ„ner oftentymes asked so obstinate he was to haue concealed the matter forgetfull both of obedience Religion he still answeared from the purpose Then Francis wheÌ„ he saw that he had to do with one of so obdurate a nature began himself to recount euery thing in particular as if he had byn present Whereat Durus stood like one amazed and being filled with an holy feare declareth all the matter in order as it hapned and so at last the good Father receiued him agayne into his friendship But this truth being wrunge out of Durus by diuine reuelation made him more obseruant heerafter vnto Xauerius easier in yelding to the truth Who after Francis his death declared all this vpon his oath with a notable testimony of his incomparable sanctity CHAP. VIII At Malaca he procureth a Nauy to be set forth agaynst the Acenians enemies of Christianity AFTER this there hapned another accideÌ„t which made Xauerius name much spoken of in Malaca The thing certainly is very remarkeable by reason of diuers prophesies which hapned in the passage thereof and therfore must be recounted at large lest the breuity of the narration should diminish the truth and euidency of the matter From the Iland of Somatra which as we haue said is scituated right ouer agaynst Malaca a strong nauy of the King of the Acenians arriued there in the dead of the night The Barbarians had in charge some to inuade the Castle others to set fyre on the Portughese shippes which lay in the hauen Therfore so soone as they were landed and with all speed they set vp ladders to the Castle to haue surprized the same at vnawares But they deceyued not the Portugheses For the garrison being instantly raysed by the watch armed themselues and with inuincible courage beat backe the enemy But now the businesse of their ships in the Hauen succeeded not so fortunately For the Barbarians fell fiercely vpon the same at vnawares and in the darke of the night set on fire their principall shippes striking there withall such a terrour into the Portughese marriners that they stood wholy amazed like men without sense not knowing what aduise or course to take to help themselues In the meane space the Barbarians being out of danger stood looking on and reioicing to see the Christians Nauy on a flaming fire And so at last with a most clamorous shout and outcry they departed insulting ouer the Portugheses and Christians as though they had gotten a notable victory The Barbarians not content with this hauing in their returne met with certayne Christian fisher-meÌ„ vpon the sea they manifested vpon them a most insoleÌ„t cruelty For after they had cut of their noses eares heeles they sent them to the Gouernour of Malaca with a letter written with their bloud wherein most proudely and insolently they prouoked him to battaile When the fisher-men had giuen this letter to the Gouernour he caused it to be publickly read before the Souldiers who were no lesse moued at the insolent brutishnes of their enemies then at the miserable spectacle of their friends who were thus mangled disfigured by their wounds and euery one had his hart full of pitty and indignation Whilst they were in this perplexity and trouble of mind Xauerius by chance commeth newly from saying masse in the Church of the Hospital in the suburbs where he lodged according to his former custome And euery one might see that the Barbarous Acenians had done this out of their naturall hatred to Christian Religion and in contempt of the Portugheses The Gouernour therfore named Simon Mello asked Francis his aduise what he iudged fit to be done vpon such an affront offered He by diuine instinct as afterwards appeared tould him that he thought it best to send out some shippes presently after the enemy who was yet in sight by setting vpon them of their owne accord to quit themselues of this disgrace to the end the Barbarians might be taught by their owne harme to abstaine from doing iniury to others And this he thought best to be done the rather because he saw that this publicke disgrace was not offred so much to the Portugheses and their King as to Christ himselfe to all Christians and that by no meanes it was to be indured that the Portugheses Christians so renowned for their fortitude should be now accounted cowards and made a laughing-stock to their enemies For who seeth not quoth he that Christianity wil be ouerthrowne if barbarous people be suffered not only to hate it but also to vse it contemptibly Wherfore he willed them to take courage worthy of Christian souldiars and with alacrity pursue the barbarous enemy with all hope confidence for although they were inferiour to them in forces yet their cause was better and had also God to fight for them whose cause they mantayned For certainly he would not faile to assist them whilst they behaued them selues manfully in that pious conflict and that through his fauourable conduct they should remayne victors Xauerius counsell was approued of all that were present but they wanted shippes to put the same in execution for there were but only seauen left which had escaped burning and these also much impayred through tempestuous weather at sea stood in need of reparation before
excessiue ioy that euen the memory â—f Xauerius who first of all brought the Ghospel into â—aponia might also seeme heerin to triumph Yet was there one thing which did not a little â—ouble Xauerius mind for that he had wrought so â—â—all good amongst the Nobility of Iaponia whose â—â—thority euer beareth great sway among the people â—nd that neuer a one of them had receiued his wholsome counsayles That which most hindred this businesse was the great authority of the Chineses from whome the Iaponians had receaued their Religion which the Bonzies of Bungo and Amangucium commonly vsed for their starting hole when they were ouerpressed by Xaucrius saying If the Christian Religion were true why did not the Chineses approue of it Moreouer the King of Bungo his example was no small blocke in their way who being very famous both for prudence and learning seemed in his iudgment to disallow therof all that tyme because he did not imbrace it When Francis therfore saw that the Iaponians could not be won to submit their vnderstanding to the true Faith vnlesse the superstition of the Chineses were first ouerthrowne he resolued to lay his battery to the principall Fort it selfe with great hope and confidence that if he could once draw the Chineses to the standart of Christ the Iaponians would easily follow their example OF THE LIFE OF S. FRANCIS XAVIER THE V. BOOKE Intending to passe into China he determineth first to returne into India CHAP. I. THE Confines of China are distant from Iaponia where the sea is narrowest not aboue 200. miles This kingdome in the continent is far the greatest peaceablest of all the East It is a Countrey inferiour to none for number of goodly wealthy Cittyes and Townes replenished not only with store and plenty of people and all other things but also with excellent wits and liberall sciences It is ruled by one sole Monarch whose becke all do obay And certayne it is that there is not any Prince in the whole world who hath eyther his subiects or officers more at command then â—e The King himself attendeth rather to moderation in his gouernement then Power ruling wholy by the aduise of the Senate according to the lawes of the Kingdome You would thinke it to be rather a Commonwealth then a Kingdome so great a sway doth counsayle and equity beare therein The people of the Country in fauour are like to the Iaponians white of complexion and ingenious but not so much giuen to warre As for the Bonzies the Priests of their Gods they are of litle or no reputation and esteeme amongst theÌ„ for that the opinion of their sanctity is long since worne out of date There is almost no Nation more apt then they to receyue the Christian Religion were it not that Luxury and the craft of the Diuel did hinder the same For by Sathans meanes who is there euen afrayd of himselfe the whole country is so kept as it were locked vp that it affoardeth no entrance at all to Preachers of the Ghospell it being enacted by the most ancient Lawes of the Realme that all strangers whatsoeuer be excluded excepting only the Embassadours of Princes In so much that it is a death for any one to come thither without commaund from the King Xauerius vnderstanding this began to thinke how he mightworke himselfe in amongst them And it came to his mynd to returne agayne into India there to deale with the Viceroy and Bishop of Goa concerning the sending of an Embassage to the King 〈◊〉 the China and so he going as companion to the Emâ—ssadour when he had gotten entrance might bring 〈◊〉 the Ghospell amongst the Chineses And because so 〈◊〉 any People and Prouinces were gouerned by the â—â—mmand of one King it seemed as an euident token â—oÌ„ God that the propagation of ReligioÌ„ there would 〈◊〉 the more easy Wherefore he was not out of hope â—â—t that as it had in tymes past happened in the Roâ—â—an Empire Religion begining with the King himâ—â—â—fe who was head of the whole Country it might 〈◊〉 conueyed to all the rest of the Prouinces of China 〈◊〉 members of the same Kingdome He had now remayned two whol yeares in Iaponia â—â—d had not only vnited many to the flocke of Christ 〈◊〉 the chiefe kingdomes therof but procured places â—â—so of abode for those of the society when as he begaÌ„ 〈◊〉 thinke of returning into India Besides the cause â—â—herof we now spake of procuring an Embassage to â—â—e sent into China the sollicitude care of his owne â—â—ociety inuited him also home not that he was so â—â—uch troubled for the great distance of place from â—â—em or for any longing desyre he had to see them â—â—ut that he deemed he ought not so to employ himâ—â—lfe in gaining of Ethinckes to Christ as wholy to â—bandon the flocke company which was commitâ—d to his charge both by Christ and Ignatius For â—â—lthough he often vnderstood by letters from Indiaâ—hatsoeuer â—hatsoeuer was done by those of the society there yet â—â—e remembred well the Prouerbe that sayth The â—â—ore part of the head is better then the hinder that â—igilant pastours ought to viâ—it their flockes with their owne eyes rather then with other mens He therfore determined hauing now bin long absent to visit the Society in India wherof he was Superiour to send some thence into Iaponia and after hauing setled all things there and procured the forsaid Embassage to go presently into China CHAP. II. Going into China he recouereth by his prayers a Cocke-boate vvhich vvas carryed avvay by the violence of a tempest BEING therfore inuited to China by the opportunity of a Portughese ship which was going thither he togeather with the King of Bungo his Embassadour who weÌ„t with presents to the Viceroy of India imbarketh in the moneth of Nouember yeare of our Lord 1551. He tooke with him out of Iaponia Matthew and Bernard two of that Country whome he had there baptized inteÌ„ding afterwards to send them to Rome that others might behold them as a patterne of the Iaponian Nation and they likewise benefit themselues by seeing the dignity Maiesty of the Church of Christâ— that so hauing byâ— eye witnesses of the glory and riâ—â— ches of that Church especially at Rome they might returning home agayne cause the Iaponians to coâ—â— â—â—yue a worthy esteeme of the Christian Religion â—â—y relating vnto them what themselues had seene Departing therefore from Iaponia with a prospeâ—ous wynd they found this their nauigation afterâ—ards very various remarkable for miracles The â—â—auenth day after they had put to sea there arose vâ—â—on a suddaine a cruell tempest which by mayne forâ—â—e violence carryed away their ship into a sea whoâ—â— vnknowne to the marriners And as they wandred â—â—p and downe amongst the billowes without once â—â—nowing where they were or whither they weÌ„t they were so tossed with crosse waues that they were in â—mminent daunger to
vnto her but Xauerius tould them that there was no need so to do for she of her owne selfe would come close to the ship side And so it came to passe indeed all the company being astonished at the miracle At last she came so right vnto the side that the poore men might be coÌ„modiously taken vp Besids this although she were in the midst of the waues yet remained she firme without any to hold her vntil she was againe fast bound vnto the ship Besides this so euident a miracle another strange almost incredible thing is recouÌ„ted by Fernand Mendez Pinto a graue and vertuous Portughese who was companion vnto Francis in that voyage out of Iaponia into China partaker also of all these dangers which was That after the men were taken vp safe into the ship the marriners would haue thrust of the boate which was now empty fast tyed therto they all cried out vnto them that they should first help forth Xauerius who was stil in the boat When the marriners replyed that Xauerius was well safe in the ship had neuer byn in the boat they affirmed constantly one after another that all the while they were tossed by the teÌ„pest driuen vp and downe in the sea Xauerius was seene comforting them putting them in hope to escape euen vntil the boat came backe Then they began to vnderstand that Francis whilest he prayed for their deliuery appeared also vnto them as it is recounted of S. Nicolas Bishop of Myra by whose prayers it was manifest they had byn saued from shipwracke This thing was much spoken of by all the passengers and marriners But Xauerius affirmed that it was Gods handy-worke and not his and willeth the Mayster of the ship with all speed to make ready all his sayles for that presently the tempest would cease and they should haue faire weather This proued also very true for the marriners had scarce put in order their sayles when vpon the suddaine the storme wholy ceased and the ship sayled on with a prosperous gale Now this regayning of the Cock-Boate made also much for gayning of the two Saracens soules who â—ad byn in all the danger For they being moued by â—o euident a miracle were by Xauerius without great difficulty conuerted to the fayth of Christ and being â—y him instructed and baptized were next to God â—ound vnto him for the saluation both of their bodies â—nd soules The ship then hauing afterwards a prospeâ—ous voyage came safe to Cinceum an hauen Towne of China whither she was bound CHAP. III. He maketh the Port of the Chineses and his voyage to Malaca very famous by his Prophesies AS soone as Francis was landed he met very fitly with Iames Perera his ancient great friend a man of note both for Nobility of birth and riches who was shortly to reâ—rne into India When they had saluted each other â—ith great signes of ioy affection Francis acquainâ—ng him with his determination of coÌ„ming to speach â—ith the King of China asked his aduise therin Wherâ—pon he being a prudent man and experienced in â—ch matters thought his best course would be to â—rocure the Embassage which he spake of and also â—resents from the Viceroy of India to the sayd King â—f China And to second his aduise with his helping â—and he offered cordially for that purpose not only â—is owne endeauours but his ship also and all he â—ad besides so much did the loue of Xauerius togeatogether with aduancement of Christian Religion in China moue him And truly his deedes proued greater then his words for he sent with Xauerius to Goa a man of purpose to conduct him furnished him with 30. thousand Crownes for that voyage Francis giuing him many thankes prayed God to requite him and promised also that his King should do the like From thence he passed to Machao a very famous Mart Towne of the Chineses where finding a yong mayd who through pouerty and want had exposed her Chastity to be abused he presently began to beg money to make her vp a dowry He therfore going to one Peter Vellius an ancient acquaintance of his and a wel monied merchaÌ„t finding him playing at chesse in another mans house openeth the matter briefly vnto him and withall intreateth to borrow some gold of him to be payd agayne an hundred for one in heauen Vellius being somewhat troubled at Xauerius vnseasonable comming vnto him tould him that it was then no tyme to talke of such things for that he was not at his owne house where his money was Francis vrged againe in a very friendly manner saying that to one who was to dye no time was amisse to do good deeds in At which words Vellius being moued gaue him the key of his chest where his mony was for Xauerius knew wel his house where to find any thing bidding him take as much as he would Francis went and tooke out 300. crownes and presently bringeth him backe the key telling him withall how much he had taken Then quoth he Father you haue committed an errour and your modesty hath done me an â—niury hauing taken farre lesse then I intended you should For by deliuering you my key I meant you should haue taken the halfe that was in the chest I which I thinke are 30000. crownes of gold haue equally deuided it betweene vs but alas what a â—mall summe haue you taken thence for your selfe Francis admiring hereat perceiued that Vellius spake â—incerely froÌ„ his hart that his words were not more complementall then true Wherupon he replyed Go â—orward Vellius quoth he stil in this thy liberality for â—hy noble reall Hart testified by these effects is graâ—efull and acceptable to God in whose name therfore 〈◊〉 promise that God shall neuer fayle thee and that â—hou shalt also by reuelation from him foreknow the â—ast day of thy lyfe Wherein God neyther deceyued Francis nor he the merchant From that tyme forward Vellius became quite another man and was veâ—y much addicted to bounty and piety Some yeares â—fter being forewarned from heauen of the tyme of â—is departure out of this lyfe he began to cast vp his â—ccoumpts and to setle his household affayres distriâ—uting a great part of his substance among the poore and made himselfe ready for that last combat now whilst he was strong and lusty When his last day was come he went vnto the Church caused the Priest to sing a solemne masse of Requiem for Peter Vellius at which himselfe was present reckoning himselfe euen then for dead Then goâ—ng to euery one of his friends he biddeth them farewell for he was to take a long iourney When they asked him whither he meant to go To heauen quoth he I trust Wherupon they thought he had but iested being alwayes a merry and pleasant man But he persisted with many asseuerations that indeed he went to heauen Then they thought verily he was distracted