Xavier at length parted from Amboyna; and probably it was then, if we consider the sequel of his life, that he had the opportunity of making the voyage of Macassar.

For though it be not certainly known at what time he visited that great island, nor the fruit which his labours there produced, it is undoubted that he has been there; and, in confirmation of it, we have, in the process of his canonization, the juridical testimony of a Portuguese lady of Malacca, called Jane Melo, who had many times heard from the Princess Eleonar, daughter to the King of Macassar, that the holy apostle had baptized the king her father, the prince her brother, and a great number of their subjects.

But at whatsoever time he made this voyage, he returned to Malacca, in the month of July, in the year 1547.

THE

LIFE OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER.

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 enterprize 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 foretells 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 God. 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 passes over to the Isle of Cey◄

lon; his actions there. He departs for Goa, and finds the viceroy at Bazin. He obtains whatever he demands of the viceroy. He converts 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 Barzeus. 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 Barzeus to Ormus. He gives instructions and orders to Barzeus. 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 restitution. 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 subsistence, 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 Dey