BOOK IV.

_He arrives at Malacca, and there meets three missioners of the company.

His conduct with John Deyro. Deyro has a vision, which God reveals to

Xavier. The actions of the saint at Malacca. The occasion of the king of

Achen's enterprise against Malacca. The preparation of the barbarians for

the siege of Malacca. The army of Achen comes before Malacca; its

landing and retreat. The letter of the general of Achen to the governor

of Malacca. Xavier's advice to the governor of Malacca. They follow his

counsel. They prepare to engage the enemy. He exhorts the soldiers and

captains to do their duty. The fleet sets out, and what happened at that

time. He upbraids the governor with his diffidence. He foretels what is

suddenly accomplished. The Portuguese fleet goes in search of the enemy.

Troubles in Malacca concerning their fleet. A new cause of consternation.

The true condition of the fleet. The soldiers are encouraged by their

general to fight. The naval fight betwixt the Portuguese and the

Achenois. The Achenois defeated. The saint declares the victory to the

people of Malacca. The certain news of the victory is brought. The return

of the victorious fleet. Anger arrives at Malacca, when the saint was

ready to depart from it. Divers adventures of Anger. Anger is brought to

the Father, who sends him to Goa. Xavier calms a tempest. He writes to

the king of Portugal. His letter full of zeal, discretion, and charity.

He desires the king to send him some preachers of the society. He writes

to Father Simon Rodriguez. He sends an account to the Fathers at Rome of

his voyages. He receives great comfort from the fervency of the new

converts. He stays at Manapar, and what he performed there. The rules

which he prescribes to the missioners of the fishing coast. He pusses

over to the isle of Ceylon; his actions there. He departs for Goa, and

finds the viceroy at Britain. He obtains whatever he demands of the

viceroy. He concerts a young gentleman, who was very much debauched. He

fixes the resolution of Cosmo de Torrez to enter into the society. He

instructs Anger anew, and causes him to be farther taught by Torrez. He

hears news from Japan, and designs a voyage thither to preach the gospel.

He undertakes the conversion of a soldier. He converts the soldier, and

what means he uses to engage him to penance. He assists the viceroy of

the Indies at his death. He applies himself more than ever to the

exercises of an interior life. He returns to his employment in the care

of souls at Goa. He receives supplies from Europe: the arrival of Father

Gasper Barzæus. He goes to the fishing coast; his actions there. He

speaks to the deputy-governor of the Indies, concerning his voyage to

Japan. All endeavours are used to break the Father's intended voyage to

Japan. He slights the reasons alleged against his voyage to Japan. He

writes to Father Ignatius, and to Father Rodriguez. He constitutes

superiors to superintend the society in India during his absence, and the

orders which he leaves them. He sends Gasper Barzæus to Ormuz. He gives

instructions and orders to Barzæus. He recommends to him the perfecting

of himself. He charges him to instruct the children himself. He

recommends the poor to him. He recommends the prisoners to him. His

advice concerning restitutions. He prescribes him some precautions in his

dealings with his friends. He recommends to him the practice of the

particular Examen. He exhorts him to preach, and gives him rules for

preaching. He institutes him in the way of correcting sinners. He

prescribes him a method, for administering the sacrament of penance. He

continues to instruct him on the subject of confession. He instructs him

how to deal with those who want faith, concerning the blessed sacrament.

He instructs how to deal with penitents. He recommends to him, the

obedience due to ecclesiastical superiors. He commands him to honour the

governor. He gives him advice concerning his evangelical functions. He

orders him to write to the Fathers of the society at Goa. He counsels him

to inform himself of the manner of the town at his arrival. He recommends

to his prayers the souls in purgatory. He exhorts him not to shew either

sadness or anger. He prescribes him the time of his functions. He gives

him instructions, touching the conduct of such as shall be received into

the society. He teaches him the methods of reducing obstinate sinners. He

advises him to find out the dispositions of the people, before he treats

with them. He counsels him to learn the manners and customs of the

people. He gives him counsel concerning reconciliations. He instructs him

in the way of preaching well. What he orders him concerning his

subsistance, and touching presents. What he orders him in reference to

his abode. He goes for Japan. He arrives at Malacca, and what he performs

there. His joy for the success of his brethren in their functions. He

receives a young gentleman into the society. The instructions which he

gives to Bravo. The news which he hears from Japan. He disposes himself

for the voyage of Japan more earnestly than ever. He goes from Malacca to

Japan; and what happens to him in the way_.

Xavier found at Malacca three missioners of the company, who were going

to the Moluccas, in obedience to the letters he had written. These

missioners were John Beyra, Nugnez Ribera, and Nicholas Nugnez, who had

not yet received priests' orders. Mansilla came not with them, 'though he

had precise orders for it; because he rather chose to follow his own

inclinations, in labouring where he was, than the command of his

superior, in forsaking the work upon his hands. But his disobedience cost

him dear. Xavier expelled him out of the society, judging, that an ill

brother would do more hurt, than a good labourer would profit the

company.

These three missioners above mentioned had been brought to the Indies in

the fleet, by Don Perez de Pavora, with seven other sons of Ignatius;

part of whom was already left at Cape Comorine, and the fishing coast, to

cultivate those new plants of Christianity, which were so beloved by

Father Xavier. Now the ships which were bound for the Moluccas, being not

in a readiness to sail before the end of August, Beyra, Ribera, and

Nugnez, had all the intermediate time, which was a month, to enjoy the

company of the saint, in which space they were formed by him for the

apostolic function. For himself, he remained four months at Malacca, in

expectation of a ship to carry him to Goa; and during all that time, was

taken up with continual service of his neighbour.

He had brought with him, from Amboyna, his old companion, John Deyro.

Though Deyro was in his attendance, yet he was not a member of the

society, for the causes already specified, and deserved not to be of it,

for those which follow. Some rich merchants having put into his hands a

sum of money, for the subsistence of the Father, he concealed it from

him. Xavier, who lived only on the alms which were daily given him, and

who hated money as much as his companion loved it, looked on this action

of Deyro as an injury done to evangelical poverty; and the resentment

which he had of it, caused him to forget his usual mildness to offenders.

Not content to make him a sharp reprimand, he confined him to a little

desart isle not far distant from the port; enjoining him, not only

continual prayer, but fasting upon bread and water, till he should of his

own accord recal him. Deyro, who was of a changeable and easy temper,

neither permanent in good, nor fixed in ill, obeyed the Father, and lived

exactly in the method which was prescribed.

He had one night a vision, whether awake or sleeping has not been decided

by the juridical informations of the Father's life. It seemed to him,

that he was in a fair temple, where he beheld the Blessed Virgin, on a

throne all glittering with precious stones. Her countenance appeared

severe; and he, making his approaches to her, was rejected with

indignation, as unworthy to be of the company of her son. After which she

arose from the throne, and then all things disappeared. Deyro being

recalled from his solitude some time after, said nothing of his vision to

Father Xavier, to whom God had revealed it. He even denied boldly to have

seen any, though the Father repeated it to him, with all the

circumstances. Xavier, more scandalised than ever with this procedure of

Deyro, refused all farther communication with a man, who was interested,

and insincere. He rid his hands of him, but withal foretold him, "That

God would be so gracious to him, as to change his evil inclinations, and

that hereafter he should take the habit of St Francis." Which was so

fully accomplished, that when the informations were taken in the Indies,

concerning the holiness and miracles of Xavier, Deyro then wore the habit

of St Francis, and lived a most religious life.

After the three missioners were gone for the Moluccas, Xavier alone bore

the whole burden of the work. The knowledge which the Portuguese and

Indians had of his holiness, made all men desirous of treating with him,

concerning the business of their conscience. Not being able to give

audience to all, many of them were ill satisfied, and murmured against

him: but since their discontent and murmurs proceeded from a good

principle, he comforted himself, and rather rejoiced than was offended,

as he says himself expressly in his letters. His ordinary employment was

preaching to the Christians and Gentiles, instructing and baptising the

catechumens, teaching children the Christian doctrine, visiting the

prisoners and the sick, reconciling enemies, and doing other works of

charity.

While the saint was thus employed, there happened an affair, which much

increased his reputation in all the Indies. For the understanding of the

whole business, it will be necessary to trace it from its original.

Since the conquest of Malacca by the Portuguese, the neighbouring princes

grew jealous of their power, and made many attempts to drive that nation

out of the Indies, which came to brave them at their own doors.

Thereupon, they set on foot many great armies, at divers times, but

always unsuccessfully; and learning, by dear-bought experience, that

multitudes can hardly prevail against true valour.

These disgraces provoked the Sultan Alaradin, king of Achen, instead of

humbling him. Achen is the greatest kingdom of the island of Sumatra,

distant about twelve leagues from the _terra firma_ of Malacca. This

prince was a Mahometan, an implacable enemy of the Christians by his

religion, and of the Portuguese by interest of state. Yet he durst not

immediately assault the fortress of Malacca. All his fury was spent in

cruizing about the coasts, with a strong fleet, thereby to break the

trade of the Portuguese, and hinder the succours which they had from

Europe. His design was then to attack the town, when it should be bare of

defendants, and unprovided of stores of victuals: but to compass his

enterprize, he was to assure himself of a port, which was above Malacca

towards the north, which might serve for a convenient retreat to his

fleet; and had also occasion for a fortress, to secure himself from the

enemy. He therefore made himself master of that port, and ordered the

building of a citadel.

As for his preparations of war, he made them so secretly, that the

Portuguese had neither any news, nor even the least suspicion of them.

Five thousand soldiers, trained up in wars, and well-experienced in naval

fights, were chosen out for this glorious expedition; and five hundred of

them, called Orabalons, were the flower of the whole nobility, and

accordingly wore bracelets of gold, as a distinguishing mark of their

high extraction. There was besides a great number of Janisaries newly

arrived at the court of Achen, who served as volunteers, and were eager

of shewing their courage against the Christians. The fleet consisted of

sixty great ships, all well equipped and manned, without reckoning the

barks, the frigates, and the fire-ships. It was commanded by the Saracen,

Bajaja Soora, a great man of war, and so famous for his exploits in arms,

that his prince had honoured him with the title of King of Pedir, in

reward for his taking Malacca even before he had besieged the town.

There was no other intelligence of this at Malacca, but what the army of

Achen brought itself. They came before the place, and entered the port

on the 9th of October, in the year 1547, about two o'clock in the

morning, resolved to assault it while they were favoured by the darkness.

They began by a discharge of their artillery, and sending in their

fire-ships against the Portuguese vessels. After which the most daring of

them landed, ran without any order against that part of the wall which

they believed weakest, filled up part of the ditch, and mounted the

ladders with a furious assault. They found more resistance than they

expected: the garrison, and the inhabitants, whom the shouts and

artillery of the barbarians had at first affrighted, recovering courage

through the imminence of danger, and the necessity of conquering or

dying, ran upon the rampart, and vigorously repulsed the assailants;

overthrowing their ladders, or tumbling their enemies headlong from them,

insomuch that not a man of them entered the town, and great numbers of

them lay dead or dying in the ditch.

Soora comforted himself for the ill success of his assault, by the

execution which his fire-ships and cannon had done. All the vessels

within the port were either burnt or disabled. And the rain which

immediately fell, served not so much to extinguish the flames, as the

violent wind which then arose contributed to kindle them. Those of Achen,

proud of that action, appeared next morning on their decks, letting fly

their pompous streamers, and shouting, as if already they were

victorious. But their insolence was soon checked; the cannon from the

fortress forced them to retire as far off as the isle of Upe. In the mean

time, seven poor fishermen, who had been out all night about their

employment, and were now returning to the town, fell into an ambuscade of

the Infidels, were taken, and brought before the general. After he had

cut off their ears and noses, he sent them back with a letter, directed

to Don Francisco de Melo, governor of Malacca, of which these were the

contents:

"I Bajaja Soora, who have the honour to carry in vessels of gold the rice

of the Great Souldan, Alaradin, king of Achen, and the territories washed

by the one and the other sea, advertise thee to write word to thy king,

that, in despite of him, I am casting terror into his fortress by my

fierce roaring, and that I shall here abide as long as I shall please. I

call to witness of what I declare, not only the earth, and all nations

which inhabit it, but all the elements, even to the heaven of the moon;

and pronounce with these words of my mouth, that thy king is a man of no

reputation nor courage; that his standards, now trampled under foot,

shall never be lifted up again without his permission who has conquered

him; that, by the victory already by us obtained, my king has under his

royal foot the head of thine; that from this day forward he is his

subject and his slave; and, to the end, that thou thyself mayest confess

this truth, I defy thee to mortal battle, here on the place of my abode,

if thou feelest in thyself sufficient courage to oppose me."

Though the letter of Soora was in itself ridiculous, and full of fustian

bravadoes, according to the style of the barbarians, yet it put the

governor and officers of the fortress to a shrewd demur; for how should

they accept the challenge without ships to fight him, and how could they

refuse it with their honour? A council of war was summoned to deliberate

on this weighty and nice affair, when Father Xavier came amongst them. He

had been saying mass at the church of our Lady Del Monte; so called, from

its being built on a mountain near the city, and dedicated to the blessed

Virgin. Don Francisco, who had sent for him to consult him in this

troublesome business, gave him the general of Achen's letter to peruse,

and demanded his advice what was to be done on this occasion.

The saint, who knew the king of Achen's business was not only to drive

the Portuguese out of Malacca, but also, and that principally, to

extirpate Christianity out of all the East; having read the letter,

lifted up his eyes to heaven, and answered without the least pause, that

the affront was too great to be endured; that the honour of the Christian

religion was more concerned in it than that of the crown of Portugal: If

this injury should be dissembled, to what audaciousness would the enemy

arise, and what would not the other Mahometan princes attempt after this

example? In conclusion, that the challenge ought to be accepted, that the

infidels might see the King of Heaven was more powerful than their king

Alaradin.

"But how," said the governor, "shall we put to sea, and on what vessels,

since, of eight gally-foysts which we had in port, there are but four

remaining, and those also almost shattered in pieces, and half burned;

and, in case we could refit them, what could they perform against so

numerous a fleet?" "Suppose," answered Xavier, "the barbarians had twice

so many ships, are not we much stronger, who have heaven on our side; and

how can we choose but overcome, when we fight in the name of our Lord and

Saviour?"

No man was so bold to contradict the man of God; and they all went to the

arsenal. There they found a good sufficient bark, of those they call

catur, besides seven old foysts, fit for nothing but the fire. Duarte de

Bareto, who by his office had the superintendance of their naval stores,

was commanded to fit out these foysts with all expedition. But he

protested it was not in his power; for, besides that the kings magazines

were empty of all necessaries for the equipping of them, there was no

money in the treasury for materials.

The governor, who had no other fund, was ready to lose courage, when

Xavier, by a certain impulse of spirit, suddenly began to embrace seven

sea captains there present, who were of the council of war. He begged of

them to divide the business amongst them, and each of them apart to take

care of fitting out one galley: At the same time, without waiting for

their answer, he assigned every man his task. The captains durst not

oppose Xavier, or rather God, who inclined their hearts to comply with

the saint's request. Above an hundred workmen were instantly employed on

every vessel; and in four days time the seven gallies were in condition

for fighting. Melo gave the catur to Andrea Toscano, a man of courage,

and well versed in sea affairs. He divided amongst the seven captains an

hundred and fourscore soldiers, chosen men, and appointed Francis Deza

admiral of the fleet. Xavier was desirous to have gone along with them,

but the inhabitants, who believed all was lost if they lost the Father,

and who hoped for no consolation but from him alone in case the

enterprize should not succeed, made such a disturbance about it, that,

upon mature deliberation, it was resolved to keep him in the town.

The day before their embarkment, having called together the soldiers and

the captains, he told them that he should accompany them in spirit; and

that while they were engaging the barbarians, he would be lifting up his

hands to heaven for them: That they should fight valiantly, in hope of

glory, not vain and perishable, but solid and immortal: That, in the heat

of the combat, they should cast their eyes on their crucified Redeemer,

whose quarrel they maintained, and, beholding his wounds themselves,

should not be afraid either of wounds or death; and how happy should they

be to render their Saviour life for life.

These words inspired them with such generous and Christian thoughts,

that, with one voice, they made a vow to fight the infidels to their last

drop of blood. This solemn oath was so moving to Xavier, that it drew

tears from him: he gave them all his blessing; and, for their greater

encouragement, named them, "The Band of our Saviour's Soldiers:" in

pursuit of which, he heard every man's confession, and gave them the

communion with his own hand.

They embarked the clay following with so much cheerfulness, that it

seemed to presage a certain victory. But their joy continued but a

moment. They had scarcely weighed anchor, when the admiral split, and

immediately went to the bottom, so that they had hardly time to save the

men. The crowd of people, who were gathered together on the shore to see

them go off, beheld this dismal accident, and took it for a bad omen of

the expedition; murmuring at the same time against Father Xavier, who was

the author of it, and casting out loud cries to recal the other vessels.

The governor, who saw the people in an uproar, and apprehended the

consequences of this violent beginning, sent in haste to seek the Father.

The messenger found him at the altar, in the church of our Lady Del

Monte, just ready to receive the blessed sacrament: he drew near to

whisper the business to him, but the Father beckoned him with his hand to

keep silence, and retire. When mass was ended, "Return," said Xavier,

without giving the man leisure to tell his message, "and assure the

governor from me, that he has no occasion to be discouraged for the loss

of one vessel." By this the saint made known, that God had revealed to

him what had happened. He continued some time in prayer before the image

of the Virgin; and these words of his were overheard: "O my Jesus, the

desire of my heart, regard me with a favourable eye; and thou, holy

Virgin, be propitious to me! Lord Jesus," he continued, "look upon thy

sacred wounds, and remember they have given us a right to ask of thee

every thing conducing to our good."

His prayers being ended, he goes to the citadel: The governor, alarmed

with the cries and murmurs of the people, could not dissemble his

disturbance, but reproached the Father for having engaged them in this

enterprize. But Xavier upbraided him with his distrust of God; and said,

smiling, to him, "What! are you so dejected for so slight an accident?"

After which, they went in company to the shore, where the soldiers

belonging to the admiral stood in great consternation for the hazard they

had run so lately. The Father reassured them, and exhorted them to remain

constant in their holy resolution, notwithstanding their petty

misadventure: he remonstrated to them, that heaven had not permitted

their admiral to sink, but only to make trial of their faith; neither had

themselves been saved from shipwreck, but only that they might perform

their vow. In the mean time, the governor held it necessary to summon the

great council. All the officers of the town, and the principal

inhabitants, were of opinion to give over an enterprize, which, as they

thought, was begun rashly, and could have no fortunate conclusion. But

the captains and soldiers of the fleet, encouraged by the words of the

holy man, and inspired with vigour, which had something in it of more

than human, were of a quite contrary judgment. They unanimously

protested, that they had rather die than violate that faith, which they

had solemnly engaged to Jesus Christ. "For the rest," said they, "what

have we more to fear this day than we had yesterday? our number is not

diminished, though we have one vessel less, and we shall fight as well

with six foysts, as we should with seven. But, on the other side, what

hopes ought we not to conceive, under the auspices and promise of Father

Francis?"

Then Xavier taking the word, "The lost galley shall be soon made good,"

said he with a prophetic voice; "before the sun goes down, there shall

arrive amongst us two better vessels than that which perished; and this I

declare to you from Almighty God." This positive prediction amazed the

whole assembly, and caused them to put off the determination of the

affair until the day ensuing. The remaining part of the day was passed

with great impatience, to see the effect of the Father's promise. When

the sun was just on the point of setting, and many began to fear the

accomplishment of the prophecy, in the very minute marked out by the

Father, they discovered, from the clock-house of our Lady del Monte, two

European ships, which were sailing directly from the north. Melo sent out

a skiff immediately to hail them, being informed that they were

Portuguese vessels, one belonging to James Soarez Gallego, and the other

to his son Balthazar, who came from the kingdom of Patan, but who took

the way of Pegu, without intentions of casting anchor at Malacca, to

avoid paying customs. He went in search of Father Francis, who was at his

devotions in the church del Monte, and told him, that his prophecy would

be accomplished to little purpose, if the ships came not into the port.

Xavier took it upon himself to stop them; and, going into the skiff which

had hailed them, made directly to the two vessels. The masters of the

ships, seeing the man of God, received him with respect. He made them

understand the present juncture of affairs, and earnestly besought them,

by the interests of their religion, and their country, to assist the town

against the common enemy of the Christian name, and the crown of

Portugal. And to engage them farther, by their particular concernment, he

let them see the danger into which they were casting themselves, in case

they should obstinately pursue their voyage; and that they were going,

without consideration, to precipitate themselves into the hands of the

barbarians.

They yielded to the reasons of the Father; and the next morning entered

the port amidst the shouts and acclamations of the people. After this,

there was no farther dispute of fighting the enemy; and the most timorous

came about to the opinion of the captains and the soldiers.

All things being in a readiness to set sail, the admiral, Francis Deza,

received the flag from the hands of Xavier, who had solemnly blessed it,

and mounted the ship of his brother George Deza, instead of his own,

which was already sunk. The rest of the captains, who had been on shore,

returned on ship-board; and, with the two newly arrived vessels, the

whole fleet consisted of nine, their number also being increased by fifty

men; they were in all two hundred and thirty Portuguese. The fleet went

out of port the 25th of October, with strict orders from the general not

to pass beyond the Pulo Cambylan, which is the farthest bounds of the

kingdom of Malacca on the west. His reason was, that since they were so

much inferior in strength to the enemy, who vastly outnumbered them in

men and shipping, their glory consisted in driving them from off their

coasts, and not in farther pursuit of them: That what hope soever we have

in God, yet it becomes us not to tempt him, because heaven is not

accustomed to give a blessing to rashness and presumption.

Thus setting out full of assurance and of joy, they arrived in four days

at Pulo Cambylan, without having any news of the enemy, notwithstanding

their endeavours to find him out. The admiral, in obedience to the

governor, was thinking to return; though the courage of his soldiers

prompted them to pass beyond the bounds prescribed them, and to go in

search of the barbarians into whatsoever corner of the world they were

retired. The admiral, I say, was disposed to have gone back, when the

moon suddenly went into an eclipse. It was one of the greatest which had

ever been observed, and seemed to them to prognosticate the total defeat

of the Mahometans. But the same night there arose so violent a wind, that

they were forced to stay upon their anchors for the space of

three-and-twenty days successively. Their provisions then beginning to

grow short, and the wind not suffering them to turn to the coast of

Malacca, they resolved on taking in fresh provisions at Tenasserim,

towards the kingdom of Siam.

In the mean time, all things were in confusion at Malacca. The hopes

which Father Xavier had given the people, supported them for some few

days. But seeing a month was now expired, without any intelligence from

the fleet, they believed it was either swallowed by the waves, or

defeated by the Achenois, and that none had escaped to bring the news. At

the same time, the Saracens reported confidently, they had it from good

hands, that the fleets had met, that the Achenois had cut in pieces all

the Portuguese, and had sent the heads of their commanders as a present

to their king. This bruit was spread through all the town, and was daily

strengthened after the rate of false rumours, which are full of tragical

events. The better to colour this report, they gave the circumstances of

time and place, and the several actions of the battle. The sorcerers and

soothsayers were consulted by the Pagan women, whose husbands and sons

were in the fleet; and they confirmed whatever was related in the town.

It came at last to a public rising against Xavier; and the governor

himself was not wholly free from the popular contagion.

But Xavier, far from the least despondence in the promises of God, and of

the knowledge he had given him concerning the condition of the fleet,

with an erected countenance assured, they should suddenly see it return

victorious. Which notwithstanding, he continued frequent in his vows and

prayers; and at the end of all his sermons, recommended to their

devotions the happy return of their desired navy. Their spirits were so

much envenomed and prejudiced against him, that many of them treated him

with injurious words; while he was rallied by the more moderate, who were

not ashamed to say, his prayers might be of use for the souls of the

soldiers, who were slain in fight, but were of little consequence to gain

a battle which was lost.

Some fresh intelligence, which arrived from Sumatra, increased the

disorders and consternation of the town. The king of Bintan, son to that

Mahomet, whom Albuquerque the Great had despoiled of the kingdom of

Malacca, sought for nothing more than an opportunity of reconquering what

his father had lost by force of arms. Seeing the town now bare of

soldiers, and hearing that the Achenois had beaten the Portuguese, he put

to sea, with three hundred sail, and put in at the river of Muar, within

six leagues of Malacca, towards the west.

That he might the better execute his design, by concealing it, he wrote

from thence to the governor Melo, "That he had armed a fleet against the

king of Patan, his enemy, but that having been informed of the defeat of

the Portuguese, he was come as a friend and brother of the king of

Portugal, to succour Malacca, against the king of Achen, who would not

fail to master the town, if the course of his victories was not stopped;

that therefore he desired only to be admitted into the place before it

came into the possession of the conqueror; after which he had no farther

cause of apprehension."

Melo, whom the constancy of Father Xavier had reassured, discovered the

snare which was laid for him; and tricked those, who had intended to

circumvent him. He answered the king of Bintan, "That the town had no

need of relief, as being abundantly provided both of men and ammunition:

That so great a conqueror as he, ought not to lay aside an expedition of

such importance, nor to linger by the way: That, for themselves, they

were in daily expectation of their fleet; not defeated, according to some

idle rumours concerning it, but triumphant, and loaden with the spoils of

enemies: That this report was only spread by Saracens, whose tongues were

longer than their lances:" For these were the expressions which he used.

The Mahometan prince, judging by the governor's reply, that his artifice

was discovered; and that, in reason, he ought to attempt nothing till it

were certainly known what was become of the two fleets, kept himself

quiet, and attended the success.

To return to the Christian navy: Before they could get to Tenasserim,

their want of fresh water forced them to seek it nearer hand, at Queda,

in the river of Parlez; where being entered, they perceived by night a

fisher-boat, going by their ships. They stopped the boat, and the

fishermen being examined, told them, "That the Achenois were not far

distant; that they had been six weeks in the river; that they had

plundered all the lowlands, and were now building a fortress." This news

filled the Portuguese with joy; and Deza, infinitely pleased to have

found the enemy, of whom he had given over the search, putting on his

richest apparel, fired all his cannon, to testify his joy; without

considering that he spent his powder to no purpose, and that he warned

the barbarians to be upon their guard. What he did with more prudence,

was to send three gallies up the river, to discover the enemy, and

observe their countenance, while he put all things in order for the

fight, The three foysts, in their passage, met with four brigantines,

which the enemies had detached, to know the meaning of the guns which

they had heard. Before they had taken a distinct view on either side, the

three foysts had grappled each a brigantine, and seized her; the fourth

escaped. The soldiers put all the enemies to the sword, excepting six,

whom they brought off, together with the brigantines. These prisoners

were all put to the question; but whatsoever torments they endured, they

could not at first get one syllable out of them, either where the enemy

lay, or what was the number of his men, or of his ships. Two of them died

upon the rack, and other two they threw overboard; but the remaining

couple, either more mortified with their torments, or less resolute,

being separated from each other, began at last to open: And told the same

things apart; both where the Achenois were lying, and that their number

was above ten thousand, reckoning into it the mariners, which were of

more consideration than the soldiers; that the king of the country, where

now they lay, had been constrained to avoid a shameful death, by flight;

that having massacred two thousand of the natives, and made as many

captives, they were building a citadel, on the passage which the ships

ordinarily make from Bengal to Malacca; and that their design was not

only to block up that road, but to murder all the Christians who should

fall into their hands.

This report inflamed anew the zeal and courage of the soldiers. The

admiral was not wanting to encourage them to fight. Entering into a

skiff, with his drawn sword, he went from vessel to vessel, exhorting his

men to have Christ crucified before their eyes, while they were in fight,

as Father Francis had enjoined them; and ever to keep in mind the oath

which they had taken; but, above all things, to have an assured hope of

victory, from the intercession of the holy Father, who had promised it.

All unanimously answered, "That they would fight it out to death; and

should be happy to die in defence of their religion." Deza, animated by

this their answer, posted himself advantageously on the river, so as to

be able from thence to fall upon the enemy, without endangering his

little fleet, to be encompassed by their numbers.

The Achenois no sooner were informed by their brigantine of the

Portuguese navy, than they put themselves into a condition of attacking

it. They were not only insolent by reason of their strength, but provoked

also by the late affront they had received in their brigantines; so that,

full of fury, without the least balancing of the matter, they set sail

with all their navy, excepting only two vessels, and two hundred land

soldiers, which were left in guard of two thousand slaves, and all their

booty. Having the wind for them, and coming down the river, they were

carried with such swiftness, that Deza was hardly got aboard the admiral,

when he heard their drums, and their yelling shouts, which re-echoed from

the shores and neighbouring mountains. They were divided into ten

squadrons, and each of them composed of six vessels, excepting only the

first, which consisted but of four, but those the strongest of the fleet.

The admiral, on which the king of Pedir was on board, was in the first

squadron, and with him were three Turkish gallions.

That fury, which transported the barbarians, caused them, at the first

sight of the Portuguese navy, to discharge against it their whole

artillery; but they aimed so ill, that they did them little or no

mischief. Immediately after, the two admirals met, and stemmed each

other. They engaged on either side with so much resolution, that the

advantage was not seen, till a shot was made from the vessel of John

Soarez, and out of the cannon called the camel It took place so justly,

that Soora's vessel sunk to rights. The three gallions which were in

front with him, on the same time, immediately changed their order, and

left off fighting, to save their general, and the principal lords of his

retinue. But these gallions, which were across the stream, and took up

half the breadth of it, stopped their own vessels, which followed file by

file; insomuch, that those of the second rank striking against the first,

and those of the third against the second, they fell foul on each other,

with a terrible confusion.

The Portuguese seeing the army of the enemy, on a heap together, without

being able to disengage their ships, encompassed them, and battered them

with their cannon. They discharged every tier, three rounds successively,

and so to purpose, that they sunk nine great ships, and disabled almost

all the rest. Then four of the Portuguese foysts set upon six Mahometans,

which the cannon had used more favourably than the rest; the soldiers

boarded them with their swords in their hands, and calling on the name of

Jesus, in less than half an hour they destroyed above 2000 men. The

fright and the disorder of the enemy was redoubled, at the sight of this

slaughter, and at the thundering of the guns, which did such dreadful

execution; insomuch, that the Achenois leaped into the river of their own

accord, chusing rather to die in that manner, than by the hands of the

Christians.

Their general being taken up, when he was just drowning, and drawing new

courage from despair, endeavoured to have heartened up the remainder of

those who were about him. But having himself received a musket-shot, he

lost all manner of resolution, and made away with only two vessels. The

five hundred gentlemen Orobalans were either slain or drowned, with all

the Janisaries. None escaped, but those who followed Soora in his flight.

On the side of the Christians there were twenty-six slain, of whom four

only were Portuguese by nation The spoil was great; for, besides the two

guard-ships which came into the power of the conquerors, and wherein was

all the pillage which the enemy had gained, they took at least forty-five

vessels, which might again be made serviceable. There was found amongst

the spoils a prodigious quantity of Saracen and Turkish arms; 300 pieces

of cannon of all sorts; and, what was yet more pleasing, sixty-two pieces

of ordnance, whereon were graven the arms of Portugal, and which had been

lost in divers wars, returned at length to the possession of their lawful

lord and owner.

The king of Parlez no sooner had notice of the enemy's defeat, than,

issuing out of the woods where he lay concealed, he came with 500 men,

and fell upon the workmen, who, by Soora's orders, were building a

fortress, and on the soldiers appointed for their guard. Having cut them

in pieces, he went to visit Captain Deza, and congratulated the valour of

the Portuguese, and their success. He owned the preservation of his

kingdom to their arms; and offered, by way of acknowledgment, a yearly

tribute to the king of Portugal.

Deza immediately ordered a frigate to carry the news of his victory to

Malacca; but it was fully known in that city, with all its circumstances,

before the frigate was sent off, and thus it happened.

Father Xavier, preaching in the great church, betwixt nine and ten of the

clock on Sunday morning, which was the 4th of January, according to

the old calendar, at the same time when the two fleets were actually

engaged, stopped short on the sudden, and appeared transported out of

himself, so manifest a change appeared, both in his countenance, and his

whole person. Having somewhat recovered himself, instead of following his

discourse, inspired with a divine impulse, he declared to his audience

the encounter, and shock of the two navies, but in a mysterious and

figurative manner.

The assembly, not comprehending their preacher's meaning, were of opinion

that he was distracted; still as the fight grew warmer, and the

engagement came to be more close, he seemed to be more and more inflamed,

with all the motions of a man inspired, and speaking still prophetically.

At the length, fixing his eyes on the crucifix that was before him, he

said, with tears in his eyes, accompanied with sighs, but with an audible

and distinct voice, "Ah Jesus, thou God of my soul, and Father of all

mercies, I most humbly implore thee, by the merits of thy sacred passion,

not to forsake those who fight thy battle!" After these words, he hung

down his head, as overwearied, and leaned upon his pulpit, without

farther speaking. Having continued in that posture for some time, he

sprung up, on the sudden, and said aloud, with all the motions of joy,

which he could not master, "My brethren, Jesus Christ has vanquished for

you. At this moment, while I am speaking, the soldiers of his blessed

name have completed their victory, by the entire defeat of the enemy's

navy. They have made a great slaughter, and we have lost but four of our

Portuguese. You shall receive the news of it on Friday next, and may

shortly expect the return of your victorious fleet."

How incredible soever this appeared, yet Melo, and the principal persons

of the town there present, gave credit to it, without the least scruple;

considering the manner of his speaking, and his air, which had somewhat

of divine in it, and bore the testimony of its truth. Yet the wives and

mothers of the absent soldiers, apprehending still it might be false, and

fearing the more, the more they desired it should be true, the Father

assembled them all in the afternoon, at the church of our Lady del Monte,

and there repeated so distinctly the whole series of what he had said in

the morning, that they durst no longer doubt of it.

Even in the beginning of the week, they had almost evident signs of the

victory, by the news which came of the king of Bintan; who having sent on

all sides to be informed, whether the Portuguese had been defeated, being

advertised from the river of Parlez of what had passed, forsook Muar, and

retired with expedition, bewailing the misfortune of his allies, and

ashamed of his ill-timed enterprize.

The frigate dispatched away by Deza, under the conduct of Emanuel

Godigno, arrived exactly on the day mentioned by the saint. The fleet

followed shortly after, and made a triumphant entry into the port, with

trumpets sounding, and a general discharge of all their artillery. The

town received them with repeated shouts of welcome; and Father Francis,

who was at the head of the people on the shore, held forth a crucifix in

his hand, to give both the inhabitants and soldiers to understand, that

they owed their victory to Christ alone.

Both the one and the other joining their voices, gave solemn thanks to

the Saviour of mankind; but they also broke out into the praises of the

saint, upon the truth of his predictions, and could not hold from

publishing, that it was he who had obtained from heaven this wonderful

success.

The burden of these praises did no less hasten the saint's intended

voyage to Goa, than the necessity of those affairs which called him

thither. He had remained four months together at Malacca, since his

return from the Moluccas, and was just on his departure, when the ships,

which early come from China, arrived in the port. A Japonese, whose name

was Anger, came with these vessels, expressly to see Xavier. He was about

thirty-five years of age, rich, nobly born, and one whose life had been

sufficiently libertine. The Portuguese, who two years before had made the

discovery of Japan, had been acquainted with him at Cangoxirna, the place

of his birth, and understood, from his own mouth, that, having been much

troubled with the remembrance of the sins of his youth, he had retired

himself amongst the solitary Bonzes; but that neither the solitude, nor

the conversation of those heathen priests, had been able to restore him

the tranquillity of his soul, and that thereupon he had returned into the

world, more disquieted than ever with his remorse of conscience.

Some other Portuguese merchants, who at that time came to Cangoxima, and

who had seen Father Francis at Malacca, the first voyage he had made

thither, made an intimate acquaintance and friendship with Anger. And

this Japonese, discovering to them the perplexity of his soul, which

augmented daily more and more, they told him that in Malacca there was a

religious man, eminent for his holy life, well experienced in the conduct

of souls, and most proper to settle his perplexed conscience; and that if

he would try this remedy, they would facilitate the means to him, and

bring him to the saint, of whom they had spoken: That it was Father

Francis Xavier, their friend, the refuge of sinners, and comforter of

troubled minds.

Anger found himself possessed with a strong desire of going to see the

holy man; but the length of the voyage, which was 800 leagues, the

dangers of a tempestuous sea, and the considerations of his family,

somewhat cooled him. A troublesome affair, which he had upon his hands at

the same time, at length resolved him. For, having killed a man in a

quarrel, and being pursued by justice, he could not find a more secure

retreat than the ships of Portugal, nor a surer way of preserving his

life, than to accept the offer they had made him.

Alvarez Vaz, who had most importuned him to take this voyage, and who had

many times offered to bring him to Father Xavier, had not yet finished

all his business, when this Japonese came to take sanctuary in his ship.

He therefore gave him letters of recommendation to another Portuguese,

called Ferdinand Alvarez, who was at another port of Japan, and who was

suddenly to set sail for Malacca.

Anger departed by night, attended by two servants. Being arrived at the

port, and enquiring for Ferdinand Alvarez, he lighted accidentally on

George Alvarez, who was just ready to weigh anchor. This George was a

wealthy merchant, a man of probity, and who had an extreme affection for

the Father. He received the letters of Alvarez as if they had been

addressed to himself, took the three Japonians into his ship, entertained

them with all kindness, and brought them to Malacca; taking great

satisfaction in the good office he should do in presenting them to the

man of God, who might, perhaps, make them the first Christians of their

country. But the misfortune was, that they missed the Father, who was

just gone for the Moluccas. Anger, more disquieted in a foreign land

than he had been at home, and despairing of ever seeing him, whom he had

so often heard of from his friends, had it in his thoughts to have

returned to Japan, without considering the danger to which he exposed

himself, and almost forgetting the murder which had caused his flight,

according to the custom of criminals, who blind themselves in those

occasions, and whom divine justice oftentimes brings back to the same

place where they had committed their offence. Whereupon, he went again to

sea, and having made some little stay in a port of China, he pursued his

voyage. Already some Japonian islands were in sight, when there arose a

furious tempest, which endangered the sinking of the ship, and which in

four days brought him back into the same port of China, from whence he

had set out. This was to Anger a favourable effect of God's providence;

for the same hand which drives the guilty to the precipice, sometimes

preserves them from falling into it, and pulls them back, after a

miraculous manner.

The Japonese, very happily for himself, met there Alvarez Vaz, just ready

to set sail for Malacca. The Portuguese, who loved Anger, reproved

him for his impatience, and offered to reconduct him to the place which

he had so abruptly left; withall telling him, that, according to all

appearances, the Father by this time was returned from the Moluccas.

Anger, who still carried about him a troubled conscience, and thereby was

easily induced to any proposition which tended to compose it, followed

the advice of Vaz, and returned with him.

Coming on shore, he there found George Alvarez, the same person who had

brought him the first time to Molucca. Alvarez, surprised to see him once

again, told him, that Father Xavier was returned from the Moluccas, and

immediately brought Anger to his presence. The Father, who foresaw, not

only that this Japonian should be the first Christian of that kingdom,

but also, by his means, the gospel should be preached in it, was

transported with joy at the first sight of him, and embraced him with

exceeding tenderness. The sight of the saint, and his embracements, gave

such consolations to Anger, that he no longer doubted of receiving an

entire satisfaction from him. Understanding, in some measure, the

Portuguese language, Xavier himself assured him, that the disquiets of

his mind should be dissipated, and that he should obtain that spiritual

repose, in search of which he had undertaken so long a voyage; but that

before he could arrive to it, it concerned him first to understand and

practise the law of the true God, who alone could calm the troubles of

his heart, and set it in a perpetual tranquillity. Anger, who desired

nothing so much as to have his conscience in repose, and who was charmed

with the great goodness of the Father, offered himself to be directed in

all things by him. The servant of God instructed him in the principles of

faith, of which his friends, the Portuguese, had already given him some

knowledge, as far as men of their profession were capable of teaching

him. But to the end his conversion might be more solid, he thought it

convenient to send him and his servants to the seminary of Goa, there to

be more fully taught the truths and practice of Christianity before their

baptism. The Father had yet a further purpose in it, that these first

fruits of Japonian Christianity should be consecrated to God by the

Bishop Don John d'Albuquerque, in the capital city of the Indies.

Since in his voyage to Goa he was to visit the fishing coast, he would

not take the three Japonians with him, and gave the care of conducting

them to George Alvarez. He only wrote by them to the rector of the

College of St Paul, giving him orders to instruct them with all

diligence. He put on board the ship of another Portuguese, called

Gonsalvo Fernandez, twenty or thirty young men whom he had brought from

the Moluccas, in order to their studies in the same college; after which,

himself embarked in another vessel, which went directly for Cochin.

In passing the Strait of Ceylon, the ship which carried Xavier was

overtaken with the most horrible tempest which was ever seen. They were

constrained, at the very beginning of it, to cast overboard all their

merchandize; and the winds roared with so much violence, that the pilot

not being able to hold the rudder, abandoned the vessel to the fury of

the waves. For three days and nights together they had death continually

present before their eyes; and nothing reassured the mariners but the

serene countenance of Father Xavier amidst the cries and tumults in the

ship. After he had heard their confessions, implored the help of heaven,

and exhorted all of them to receive, with an equal mind, either life or

death from the hand of God, he retired into his cabin. Francis Pereyra,

looking for the man of God in the midst of the tempest, to have comfort

from him, found him on his knees before his crucifix, wholly taken up and

lost to all things but to God. The ship, driven along by an impetuous

current, already struck against the sands of Ceylon, and the mariners

gave themselves for lost, without hope of recovery; when the Father

coming out of his cabin, asked the pilot for the line and plummet, with

which he was accustomed to fathom the sea; having taken them, and let

them down to the bottom of the ocean, he pronounced these words: "Great

God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, have mercy on us!" At the same moment

the vessel stopped, and the wind ceased; after which they pursued their

voyage, and happily arrived at the port of Cochin on the 21st of January,

1548.

There the Father gave himself the leisure of writing divers letters into

Europe, by a vessel of Lisbon, which was just in readiness to set sail.

The first was to the King of Portugal, John III.: the letter was full of

prudent counsels concerning the duties of a king: he advertised him anew,

that his majesty should be guilty before God of the evil government of

his ministers, and that one day an account must be given of the salvation

of those souls which he had suffered to perish, through neglect of

application, or want of constancy in his endeavours; but he did it with

all manner of precaution, and softened his expressions with Christian

charity.

"I have long deliberated," said he, "whether I should certify your

majesty of the transactions of your officers in the Indies, and what

ought further to be done for the establishment of our faith. On the one

side, the zeal of God's service, and his glory, encouraged me to write to

you: on the other, I was diverted from that resolution by the fear I had

of writing to no purpose; but, at the same time, I concluded, that I

could not be silent without betraying my ministerial function: and it

also seemed to me, that God gave me not those thoughts without some

particular design; which probably was, that I might communicate them to

your majesty; and this opinion, as the more likely, has at length

prevailed with me. Nevertheless, I always feared, that if I should freely

give you all my thoughts, my letter would only serve for evidence against

you at the hour of your death, and would augment against your majesty the

rigour of the last judgement, by taking from you the excuse of ignorance.

These considerations gave me great anxieties, and your majesty will

easily believe me: For, in fine, my heart will answer for me, that I

desire not to employ all my strength, or even my life itself, for the

conversion of the Indians, out of any other prospect than to free your

majesty's conscience, as much as in me lies, and to render the last

judgment less terrible to you. I do in this but that which is my duty;

and the particular affection which you bear our Society well deserves

that I should sacrifice myself for you."

After he had informed his majesty, how much the jealousies and secret

divisions of his officers had hindered the progress of the gospel, he

declares, that he could wish the king would bind himself by a solemn

oath, to punish severely whosoever they should be who should occasion any

prejudice to the farther propagation of faith in the Indies; and farther

assured him, that if such who had the authority in their hands were made

sensible, that their faults should not escape punishment, the whole Isle

of Ceylon, all Cape Comorine, and many kings of Malabar, would receive

baptism in the space of one year; that as many as were living in all the

extent of the Indies would acknowledge the divinity of Jesus Christ, and

make profession of his doctrine, if those ministers of state, who had

neglected the interests of the faith, had been deprived of their

dignities and their revenues.

After this he petitions the king to send him a supply of preachers, and

those preachers to be of the Society, as judging them more proper than

any others for the new world. "I beg and adjure your majesty," says he,

"by the love you bear to our blessed Lord, and by the zeal wherewith you

burn for the glory of the Divine Majesty, to send next year some

preachers of our Society to your faithful subjects of the Indies: For I

assure you, that your fortresses are in extreme want of such supplies; in

garrison, and to the new Christians established in the towns and villages

depending on them. I speak by experience; and that which I have seen

with my own eyes obliges me to write concerning it. Being at Malacca, and

at the Moluccas, I preached every Sunday, and all saints' days twice;

and was forced upon it, because I saw the soldiers and people had great

need of being frequently taught the word of God.

"I preached then, in the morning, to the Portuguese at mass: I went again

into the pulpit in the afternoon, and instructed their children, their

slaves, and idolaters newly converted, accommodating my discourse to the

measure of their understanding, and expounding to them the principal

points of Christian doctrine, one after another. Besides which, one day

in the week, I assembled in the church the wives of the Portuguese, and

catechised them on the articles of faith, on the sacraments of penance,

and the eucharist. Much fruit would be gathered in a few years, if the

same method were constantly observed in all places. I preached also,

every day, in the fortresses, the principles of religion, to the sons and

daughters of the soldiers, to their servants of both sexes; in fine, to

the natives of the country, who were born Christians: and these

instructions had so good effect, that they totally renounced the

superstitions and sorceries which were in use amongst those stupid and

ignorant new converts.

"I descend into all these petty circumstances, to the end your majesty

may judge, according to your prudence, what number of preachers may be

necessary here; and that you may not forget to send many to us: for if

the ministry of preaching be not more exercised amongst us, we have

reason to apprehend, that not only the Indians, who have embraced the

faith, will leave it, but that the Portuguese also may forget the duties

of Christianity, and live afterwards like Heathens."

As Father Simon Rodriguez, who governed the Society in Portugal, had

great credit at the court, Father Xavier writ to him at the same time,

desiring him, he would support his demands with his interest. He

recommended to him in especial manner, "That he would make choice of

those preachers, who were men of known virtue, and exemplary

mortification." He subjoined, "If I thought the king would not take amiss

the counsel of a faithful servant, who sincerely loves him, I should

advise him to meditate one quarter of an hour every day, on that divine

sentence, 'What does it profit a man to have gained the world, and to

lose his soul?' I should counsel him, I say, to ask of God the

understanding and taste of those words, and that he would finish all his

prayers with the same words, 'What will it profit a man, to gain the

world, and to lose his soul? 'Tis time," said Xavier, "to draw him out of

his mistake, and to give him notice, that the hour of his death is nearer

than he thinks: that fatal hour, when the King of kings, and Lord of

lords, will summon him to judgment, saying to him these dreadful words,

'Give an account of your administration.' For which reason, do in such

manner, my dear brother, that he may fulfil his whole duty; and that he

may send over to the Indies all needful supplies, for the increase of

faith."

Xavier also wrote from Cochin to the fathers of the society at Rome; and

gave them an account, at large, of his voyages to Malacca, to Amboyna, to

the Moluccas, and the Isle del Moro; with the success which God had given

to his labours. But he forgot not the relation of his danger in the

Strait of Ceylon, and made it in a manner which was full of consolation

to them.

"In the height of the tempest," said he in his letter, "I took for my

intercessors with God, the living persons of our society, with all those

who are well affected to it; and joined to these, all Christians, that I

might be assisted with the merits of the spouse of Christ, the holy

Catholic Church, whose prayers are heard in heaven, though her habitation

be on earth: afterwards I addressed myself to the dead, and particularly

to Piere le Fevre, to appease the wrath of God. I went through all the

orders of the angels, and the saints, and invoked them all. But to the

end that I might the more easily obtain the pardon of my innumerable

sins, I desired for my protectress and patroness, the most holy Mother of

God, and Queen of Heaven, who, without difficulty, obtains from her

beloved Son whatsoever she requests. In conclusion, having reposed all my

hope in the infinite merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, being

encompassed with this protection, I enjoyed a greater satisfaction, in

the midst of this raging tempest, than when I was wholly delivered from

the danger.

"In very truth, being, as I am, the worst of all men, I am ashamed to

have shed so many tears of joy, through an excess of heavenly pleasure,

when I was just upon the point of perishing: insomuch, that I humbly

prayed our Lord, that he would not free me from the danger of my

shipwreck, unless it were to reserve me for greater dangers, to his own

glory and his service. For what remains, God has often shewn me, by an

inward discovery, from how many perils and sufferings I have been

delivered, by the prayers and sacrifices of those of the society, both

such as labour here on earth, and such who enjoy the fruits of their

labours in the heavens. When I have once begun the mention of our

society, I can never leave; but the departure of the vessels constrains

me to break off: and behold what I have judged most proper for the

conclusion of my letter. If I ever forget thee, O Society of Jesus, let

my right hand be unprofitable to me, and may I even forget the use of it!

_Si oblitus unquam fuero tui, Societas Jesu, oblivioni detur dextera

meu_. I pray our Lord Jesus Christ, that since, during the course of this

miserable life, he has gathered us into his society, he would reunite us

in a blessed eternity, in the company of saints, who behold him in his

glory."

After he had written these letters, and given some time to the service of

his neighbour, he took the way of Comorine, doubled the Cape a second

time, and arrived at the coast of Fishery. The Paravas, who were his

first children in Jesus Christ, were overjoyed at the sight of their

saint, and good Father, as they called him. All the villages came to meet

him, singing the Christian doctrine, and praising God for his return. The

satisfaction of the saint was not less than theirs: but above all things

his consolation was unspeakable to see the number of Christians so much

augmented, by the labours of his brethren. There were in that place many

of the society, of whom the chief were Antonio Criminal, Francis

Henriquez, and Alphonso Cyprian; for Father Xavier having written from

Amboyna for the greatest number of missioners whom they could spare,

towards the cultivation of those new plants at the coast of Fishery, all

those who came from Portugal, after his own arrival in the Indies, went

thither, excepting the three who went to the Moluccas, and two who stayed

at Goa, for the instruction of the youth.

The fervency of those new converts did not less edify Xavier than their

number. In visiting a certain village, they shewed him a young man, a

native of the country, who, having embarked in company of a Portuguese,

had been cast, by tempest, on the coast of Malabar. The Saracens, who

inhabit that place, having murdered the Portuguese, would have forced his

companion to renounce his faith. Thereupon they brought him into a

mosque, where they promised him great store of money and preferments, in

case he would forsake the law of Jesus Christ, and take up that of their

prophet Mahomet. But seeing their promises could not prevail, they

threatened him with death, and held their naked weapons over his head to

fright him; but neither could they shake his resolution with that

dreadful spectacle: then they loaded him with irons, and used him with

extraordinary cruelty, till a Portuguese captain, informed of it, came

suddenly upon them with a troop of soldiers, and rescued the young man

out of their hands. Xavier embraced him many times, and blessed Almighty

God, that his faith was imprinted so lively in the heart of a barbarian.

He heard also, with great satisfaction, of the constancy of some slaves,

who, having fled from the houses of their Portuguese masters, and living

amongst Gentiles, far from being corrupted with the superstitions of the

Infidels, complied exactly with the obligations of their baptism, and

lived in a most religious manner. It was reported to him of these slaves,

that when any of them died, they suffered not his body to be burnt,

according to the custom of the Pagans, neither would they leave it

without sepulture; but buried it according to the ceremonies of the

church, and set up a cross over the grave.

Though these infidels, whom they served, did not hinder them from

continuing in Christianity, and that every one of them in particular was

resolved to persevere in his faith, even in the midst of idolatry, yet

they had a longing desire to return into the company of the faithful,

where they might be supplied with those spiritual succours which they

wanted, and lead a life yet more conformable to their belief: so that as

soon as they had the news of Father Xavier's return, who had baptized the

greatest part of them, they came to desire him, that he would make their

peace with their masters, whom they had left to free themselves from

slavery, and declared, that they were content once more to lose their

liberty in prospect of the salvation of their souls. Xavier received them

with open arms, as his well-beloved children, and afterwards obtained

their pardon.

After he had visited all the villages, he made some stay at Manapar,

which is not far distant from Cape Comorine. As the only end which he

proposed to himself, was to plant the gospel in the Indies, and that in

order to it he must there establish the society, he began to regulate all

things according to the principles, and in the spirit of Father Ignatius,

general of the order. Having reassembled all the labourers in the gospel

of that coast, he examined their several talents and virtues, in familiar

conversation with them, by causing them to give an account of what passed

betwixt God and them in their own hearts. After he had assigned to each

of them the places which were most convenient for them, both in regard of

their bodily strength, and of their spiritual endowments, he constituted

Father Antonio Criminal superior of all the rest: and to the end they

might be more capable of serving that people, he ordered every one of

them, with all possible care, to apply himself to the study of the

Malabar language, which obtains through all that coast. Upon this

account, he commanded Father Francis Henriquez to reduce that tongue into

the rules of art, and to compose an exact grammar of it, according to the

method of the Greek and Latin grammars. The work seemed impossible,

especially to one who was newly come from Europe, and who had little

knowledge in the Indian tongues; nevertheless Henriquez compassed it in a

small time, which was apparently a miracle of obedience. In the mean

while, Xavier judging that the exposition of the Christian doctrine,

which he had made for those of Molucca, might be of use to his dear

Paravas, ordered a Malabar priest, who was well versed in the Portuguese,

to translate it into his own language. But to the end that the conduct of

the missioners might be uniform, and that the same spirit might animate

all of them, besides the instructions which he gave them by word of

mouth, he gave them the following rules in writing.

In the first place, "Wherever the lot of your ministry shall fall, be

mindful of baptising infants newly born, and perform it yourselves,

without trusting the care of it to any other person: there is nothing at

present of more importance. Do not wait till the parents bid you come; as

they may easily neglect it, it behoves you to run through all the

villages, to enter into the houses, and to christen all the infants you

can find.

"After the great concernment of giving baptism, you ought to be careful

of nothing more than of entering those little children into the

principles of faith, who are grown capable of instruction. Not being able

to be in all places, you shall cause the Canacapoles, and the teachers of

the catechism, to perform their duty, and religiously to observe the

customs established. To which purposes, when you visit the villages, to

take an account of what passes there, assemble the masters, with their

scholars, and know from the children, in the presence of those who are

accustomed to instruct them, what they have learned, or forgotten, since

your last visit; this will double the ardency of the scholars, and the

diligence of their teachers.

"On Sundays, gather the men together in the church to repeat their

prayers; and observe well, whether the Pantagatins, or chief of the

people, are there present. You are to expound the prayers which they

repeat, and reprove them for the vices then in fashion, which you are to

make them comprehend, by using familiar examples. In fine, you are to

threaten the more stubborn sinners with the wrath of God; and tell them,

that if they do not reform their lives, their days shall be shortened by

all manner of diseases; that the Pagan kings shall enslave them, and that

their immortal souls shall become fuel to the everlasting flames of hell.

"When you come to any place, you shall inform yourselves what quarrels

are stirring in it, and who are the parties; after which, you shall

endeavour to reconcile them. These reconciliations are to be made in the

church; where it will be fitting to assemble all the women on Saturdays,

as the men on Sundays.

"When the Malabar priest shall have translated the exposition of the

creed, you shall take copies of it, which you shall cause to be carefully

read to the women on Saturdays, to the men on Sundays. If you are there

present, you shall read it yourselves, and add to the exposition what you

think convenient for the farther clearing it.

"Distribute to the poor those collections which are made for them in the

churches, by the charity of the congregation; and beware of taking any

part of them for your own uses.

"Fail not every Saturday and Sunday to put the faithful in mind of giving

you notice when any one falls sick, to the end you may visit them; and

give them to know, that if they do not advertise you, and that the sick

person dies, you will not allow him burial amongst Christians, in

punishment of their neglect.

"When you visit the sick, take especial care that they repeat to you the

apostles' creed in their mother tongue. Interrogate them on every

article, and ask them if they believe sincerely. After this, make them

say the confiteor, and the other Catholic prayers, and then read the

gospel over them.

"For the burial of the dead, you shall assemble the children; and, coming

out of the church with them, the cross being at the head of the

procession, you shall sing the Christian doctrine, coming and going. You

shall say the prayers of the church at the house of the dead person, and

before he is put into the ground. You shall also make a short exhortation

to the assembly before the corpse, upon the necessity of death, the

amendment of life, and the practice of virtue.

"You shall give notice to the men on Sunday, and to the women on

Saturday, to bring their sick children into the church, that you may read

the gospel over them for their cure; and that the parents from thence may

receive increase of faith, and respect to the temples of our Lord.

"You shall yourselves determine all litigious causes; and, if you cannot

end them on the place, defer them to the next Sunday; and, after divine

service, cause them to be expedited by the principal inhabitants of the

place. Yet I will not that these sort of affairs should take up too much

of your time, nor that you prefer the care of your neighbour's temporal

concernments before works of charity, which respect the salvation of

souls; and am of opinion, that when any important business of that kind

shall happen, you should remit it to the Portuguese commandant.

"Do all things in your power to make yourselves beloved by those people;

for by that you will be able to do more good upon them, than by being

feared. Decree no punishment against any person but by the advice of

Father Antonio Criminal; and, if the commandant of the Portuguese be

present, do nothing without his order. In case any man or woman shall

make a pagod, or idol, banish them from the village, if Father Criminal

consent to it. Testify great affection to the children who frequent the

Christian schools; pardon, and wink at their faults sometimes, lest a

severe usage should fright them from us.

"In presence of a Portuguese, abstain from reproving and condemning the

natives of the country who are Christians; on the contrary, commend and

excuse them on all occasions; for, considering how lately they have

embraced the faith, and what assistance is wanting to them to live like

good Christians, it is only to be admired that they are not more vicious.

"Be serviceable in all you can to the Malabar priests, in what relates to

their spiritual advantage; take care that they confess themselves, and

say mass, and give good examples, and write nothing against them to any

person whatsoever.

"Live so well with the Portuguese commandants, that no misunderstanding

be ever perceived betwixt you and them. For the rest of the Portuguese,

use all sort of means to make them your friends: Have never any quarrel

with any of them, though they should bring you into law, or quarrel with

you without the least provocation on your part. If they use the new

Christians hardly, oppose them, but with much mildness; and, if you find

your opposition may be likely to succeed, make your complaint to the

Portuguese commandant, with whom I once again beseech you never to have

any difference.

"Let your conversation with the Portuguese be always confined to

spiritual subjects; of death, of judgment, of purgatory, of hell, of the

frequentation of sacraments, and the exact observation of God's

commandments; for, if you never speak to them but concerning these

matters, they will never rob you of those hours which are set apart for

your function.

"Fail not to write to Goa, to the fathers and brothers of our society,

giving them an account of the fruit of your labours, and proposing to

them what you think may be to the advancement of piety. You shall write

also to the bishop, but with much reverence and submission, as to the

common father, and pastor-general of this new world.

"What, above all things, I recommend to you, and which I can never

sufficiently repeat, is, that whatsoever voyage you make, and wheresoever

you shall be, you shall endeavour to gain the love of all people, by your

good offices and fair demeanour, by which means you will have greater

opportunities for the gaining of souls, which God Almighty grant you all

the grace to do, and abide for ever with you."

Things being thus regulated on the coast of Fishery, the Father would

pass into the isle of Ceylon before his return to Goa. His design was to

gather the fruit of that precious blood which two years before was shed

by the king of Jafanatapan; or, at least, to see what inclination those

people had to receive the gospel, who had heheld the constancy of the

martyrs. Indeed, the death of the two young princes converted, who

pretended to the crown of Jafanatapan, destroyed almost all hopes of

planting Christianity in that isle. Notwithstanding which, Xavier

converted the king of Candè, who is one of the kings of Ceylon. After

which he went to the tyrant, who had treated the Christians with so much

cruelty, to try if he could work him, though against all human

appearances, to suffer the law of Jesus Christ to be preached in his

dominions, and to bring him also to be a Christian.

As reasons of state prevail most with princes, so the Father represented

to this infidel, that his throne could never he established but by the

arms of the Portuguese; that, if he once contracted with them a strict

alliance, he had nothing farther to apprehend, either from his enemies or

his subjects. The barbarian, who feared all things, both from within and

from without, forgetting that Don Alphonso de Sosa would have made war

upon him in favour of the two baptized princes, hearkened to the

propositions of peace, and even permitted the Father to explain to him

the mysteries of the Christian faith. The instructions of the saint

wrought so much upon the tyrant, that being changed, in a very short

space of time, he promised to embrace the faith, and labour to bring his

subjects into it; offering for the pledge of his word, to put his kingdom

into the hands of the king of Portugal, and to pay him such tribute as

should be thought fitting, without any farther demand in his own behalf,

than of two things. The one was, that the governor of the Indies should

conclude a firm alliance with him, as he had clone with other Indian

kings, who had made themselves vassals to the crown of Portugal; the

other, that, in order to hinder those revolts and troubles which might

arise from the change of religion, he might have a company of Portuguese

soldiers, to be entertained at his own charges.

Father Xavier, well satisfied to have thus succeeded beyond his

expectations, set sail for Goa, with an ambassador of the infidel king,

and arrived there on March the 20th, in the year 1548. Understanding

there, that the viceroy Don John de Castro was at Bazain, towards the

gulph of Cambaya, he embarked anew, notwithstanding that the season was

improper for navigation; as judging that a business of such consequence

could not be too soon concluded, and that delays frequently ruined the

most hopeful affairs. Castro had never seen Xavier, but all he had heard

related of him, gave him an earnest longing to behold him. He received

him with all those honours which are due to a saint at the first meeting,

and willingly accepted what the king of Jafanatapan had offered, on the

conditions above mentioned; but he retained for some time the man of God,

both to hear him preach, and to consult him on some difficult affairs,

where the interests of state and those of religion were joined together.

In the mean time, he designed Antonio Monis Barreto, a man of authority,

and very brave, for the garrison of Jafanatapan, with an hundred

soldiers, well disciplined, and worthy of such an officer. At the same

time he ordered a magnificent entertainment for the ambassador, who

remained at Goa; and that if any of his train would receive baptism, no

cost should be spared at that solemnity. But the king of Jafanatapan

failed afterwards in fidelity, both to God and man; and in all

probability, it was that failure which drew the last misfortunes on his

person and his kingdom.

The stay which Xavier made at Bazain was not unprofitable to a young man

of quality, who was much debauched, called Rodrigue Segueyra, whom he had

known two years before. For Segueyra having committed a murder at

Malacca, when the Father made his first voyage to the town, retired into

the hospital, to avoid the pursuit of justice. There it was that the

Father knew him, and grew into his familiarity, by his engaging ways of

mildness and courtesy, which always succeeded with him. When he had

gained the affection of Segueyra, he spoke to him of eternity with so

much power, that the young gentleman entered into serious thoughts, and

made a general confession to him. Xavier, to engage him the more in the

ways of goodness, and to free him from that confinement of the hospital,

where his crimes had forced him to take sanctuary, made up the business

with his adversaries, and obtained his pardon from the governor of

Malacca; but seeing the soft and dissolute manner of living in Malacca

was capable of ruining all his good intentions, he advised him to leave

the Indies, and return into Europe. Segueyra, who was sensible of his own

weakness, and desired to save his soul, promised the Father to obey him,

and put himself into a condition of executing his promise. In effect, he

took the way of Goa, with design from thence to go for Portugal. But

being made a receiver of the public revenues by the viceroy Don John de

Castro, he thought no more of Portugal, but relapsed into his first

debauches.

Xavier was wholly lost to his remembrance when he happened to meet him at

Bazain. The sight of the Father surprised him at first, and almost

confounded him; but straight recovering, he came up boldly to him, and

took his hand, to have kissed it according to his former custom. The

Father, as courteous and civil as he was, yet thrust him back sternly

enough; yet, mollifying himself a little, "How, my son," said he, "are

you still in the Indies? Were you not advised to leave Malacca, and

return to Portugal?"

The Portuguese, in great disorder, and not knowing how to excuse himself,

laid all the blame upon the governor, who had detained him, in some sort,

against his will. "But," replied Xavier, with a holy indignation, "is it

the governor who has obliged you to lead the life of a beast, and to

continue for two years without going to confession? However it be,"

continued the Father, "know, that we two shall never be well with one

another, so long as you are upon ill terms with God." At these words,

Segueyra, pierced with a lively sorrow, asked pardon of the Father for

his breach of promise, and his unfaithfulness to the Divine Grace. He

confessed himself the same day; and wholly changed his life, under his

direction, whom God had sent to bring him back into a better way.

Don John de Castro, who was desirous of profiting by the Father's

counsels for the regulation of his own life, would have been glad to have

retained him longer; but, seeing him resolved on going, gave him leave to

depart; yet, begging him at the same time, that he would pass the winter

at Goa, that, after his own return thither, he might use his assistance

in the affairs of his conscience.

The Father returned very seasonably for the good of Cosmo de Torrez, a

Spanish priest, and native of Valentia, one of the greatest wits, and

most knowing persons of that age. Torrez was embarked on the fleet which

came from Mexico to the Molucca islands; and which having sailed over so

many seas to little purpose, stayed at Amboyna, as we have already

related. He there met Xavier, and was so charmed with his manner of life,

that he had thoughts of becoming his disciple. But, besides that the

labours which are inseparable from the ministry apostolical somewhat

shocked him, he judged, that he ought to undertake nothing but by the

counsel of the bishop of the Indies; insomuch, that he left Amboyna

without forming any resolution, and even without opening himself to

Father Xavier.

When the Spanish fleet was arrived at Goa, he presented himself to the

bishop, who, being in want of spiritual substitutes, gave him one of the

chief vicariats of his diocese. Torrez was of opinion, that God required

nothing farther of him; and for the space of four or five months,

performed all the functions of that office, which the bishop had given

him in charge. But the continual disquiets of his soul rendered him

suspicious of his own condition, and brought him to believe, that God had

punished him, for not following the new apostle of the East.

Being one day much troubled in his mind, he went to the college of St

Paul, and opened himself to Father Lancilotti, desiring him to unfold to

him the nature of that institute, with which he was so much taken, by

seeing Father Xavier at Amboyna. As some interior motions had of late

pushed him on to the performance of somewhat that was great, and of

suffering all things for the glory of Jesus Christ, he found the

institute of Ignatius so conformable to the present dispositions of his

soul, that, without farther balancing the matter, he was resolved to go

through the spiritual exercises, to fit himself for the change of his

condition. From the second day, he received such light, and so much

comfort from above, that he believed himself in heaven already. He could

not sufficiently admire, that those plain and easy truths, which he had

often read without any taste of them, should make such lively impressions

in him, as now they did. And he discovered this to Lancilotti, with

expressions full of astonishment. Nevertheless, being affrighted at the

prospect of a perpetual engagement, and perhaps tempted by the devil, he

could not settle to it, and was every day more and more irresolute.

Xavier arrived just at that point of time. He had scarcely seen Torrez,

when behold a man, fixed on the sudden, and resolved, and pressing to be

received amongst the children of Ignatius. The apostle received him, and

took pains himself to form him, according to the spirit of the society.

He also admitted some Portuguese, who had great talents for the mission,

and were inflamed with the zeal of souls.

They lived together in the college of St Paul, where that fervour

reigned, not only amongst the Jesuits, but also amongst those of the

seminary, whose number increased daily. The Japonese, Anger, was amongst

them, leading a most regular life, and breathing after that baptism,

which had been deferred till the return of the holy man.