The Works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16

by John Dryden

The greatest part of the miracles, which on so many occasions were wrought by him, was only for the remedy of public calamities, or for the cure of particular persons; and it was in the same spirit, that, being one day greatly busied in hearing the confessions of the faithful at Goa, he departed, abruptly in appearance, out of the confessional, and from thence out of the church also, transported with some inward motion, which he could not possibly resist: after he had made many turns about the town, without knowing whither he went, he happened upon a stranger, and having tenderly embraced him, conducted him to the college of the Society. There that miserable creature, whom his despair was driving to lay violent hands upon himself, having more seriously reflected on his wicked resolution, pulled out the halter, which he had secretly about him, and with which he was going to have hanged himself, and gave it into the Father's hands. The saint, to whom it was revealed, that extreme misery had reduced the unhappy wretch to this dismal melancholy, gave him comfort, retained him in the college for some time, and at length dismissed him with a round sum of money, sufficient for the entertainment of his family. He recommended, without ceasing, his friends and benefactors to our Lord; he prayed both day and night for the prosperity of King John III. of Portugal, whom he called the true protector of all the Society: But the persecutors of the saint had a greater share in his devotions than any others; and at the same time when he was treated so unworthily by the governor of Malacca, he daily offered for him the sacrifice of the mass. He was used to say, that to render good for evil, was in some sort a divine revenge; and he revenged himself in that very sort on the governor of Comorine, which, in one of his letters is thus attested: "My dear brother in Jesus Christ, (thus he wrote to Father Mansilla,) I hear uncomfortable news, that the governor's ship is destroyed by fire; that his houses also are burnt down; that he is retired into an island, and has nothing left him, even for the necessary provisions of life. I desire you, out of Christian charity, to go with the soonest to his relief, with your Christians of Punical: get what barks you can together, and load them with all manner of provisions; I have written earnestly to the chief of the people, that they furnish you with all things necessary, and especially with fresh water, which, as you know, is very scarce in those desart islands. I would go in person to the assistance of the governor, if I thought my presence might be acceptable to him; but of late he hates me, and has written that he could not say, without giving scandal, all the evils I have done him. God and man can bear me witness, if ever I have done him the least prejudice."

His charity towards his neighbour has principally appeared in what he did for the conversion of souls. It is difficult to enumerate all his travels by land, and his voyages by sea; and if any one would take that pains, it might be thought he had scarce the leisure to do any thing but travel. Without mentioning his journey's from France to Italy, and from Italy to Portugal, he went from Lisbon to Mozambique, and from Mozambique to Melinda, to Socotoro, and in fine to Goa. From Goa he passed to Cape Comorine, and to the Fishing-coast, from thence to Cochin, and returning to Goa, came back to the coast of Fishery, entered far into the islands, and returned to the Fishery, from whence he travelled to the kingdom of Travancore, which is seated to the west.

After he had run over all these coasts, he was a second time at Cochin and at Goa; from Goa he took the way of Cambaya, and having crossed that whole region, which lies extended from the mouth of the river Indus, as far as Cochin, he made the tour of Cape Cori, and went to the islands of Ceylon, of Manar, and of Las Vaccas. There he took shipping for Negapatan, and from thence undertook the voyage of Meliapor, along the coasts of Coromandel. From Meliapor he set sail for Malacca, from Malacca he descended towards the equinoctial, which having passed, he entered into the southern hemisphere, as far as the Isle of Banda, and those of Amboyna, Nuliager, Ulate, Baranura, Rosalao, and others without name, unknown even to seamen and geographers.

In sequel of these voyages, he turned towards the Moluccas, was at Ternata, and passed from thence to the Isles del Moro. Went again to Ternata and Amboyna, repassed the equator, and returned to Malacca; from thence, by sea, he regained the port of Cochin; but immediately after his arrival departed for the coast of Fishery and Ceylon. After this he returned to Goa, and drew downward on the same coast for Bazain; from Bazain he returned once more to Goa and Cochin. He passed a-new from Goa to Cochin, and from Cochin to Goa; from thence following the coast as far as Cape Comorine, he set sail towards Malacca. Having there made some little stay, he continued his course northward, and coasting certain isles in sight of China, came at length to Japan. After he had made some courses there, during the space of two years, from Cangoxima to Firando, from. Firando to Amanguchi, from Amanguchi to Meaco, from Meaco back to Amanguchi, and from thence to Bungo, he put once more to sea, touched at the isle of Sancian, and was driven by tempest on the Isle of Mindanao, one of the Phillippinas. Once again he went to Malacca, and to Goa; from Goa, he repassed the fifth time to Malacca, and from thence arrived at Sancian, where death concluded all his travels.

Behold the sequel of the voyages of the Indian apostle Francis Xavier! I have omitted a vast number of islands and regions, where we are satisfied he carried the light of the gospel; I say I have not mentioned them, because the time is not precisely known, when he made these voyages. For what remains, I undertake not to reckon up the leagues which he has travelled, (the supputation would be difficult to make,) and content myself to say in general, that, according to the rules of our geographers, who have exactly measured the terrestrial globe, if all his courses were to be computed, they would be found to be many times exceeding the circumference of this world.

In the mean time, the least of his business, in all his travels, was to travel: And they who were best acquainted with him, report of him, what St Chrysostom said of the apostle St Paul, "That he ran through the world with an incredible swiftness, and as it were on the wing," yet not without labour, nor that labour without fruit, but preaching, baptizing, confessing, disputing with the Gentiles, rooting out Idolaters, reforming manners, and throughout establishing the Christian piety. His apostolical labours were attended with all the incommodities of life; and if those people were to be credited, who the most narrowly observed him, it was a continual miracle that he lived; or rather the greatest miracle of Xavier was not to have revived so many dead, but not to die himself of labour, during the incessant sweat of ten years toiling.

His zeal alone sustained him; but how painful soever were the functions of his ministry, he acquitted himself of them with so much promptitude and joy, that, by the relation of Father Melchior Nugnez, he seemed to do naturally all he did. These are the very words of Nugnez: "The Father, Master Francis, in labouring for the salvation of the Saracens and Idolaters, seemed to act not by any infused or acquired virtue, but by a natural motion: for he could neither live, nor take the least pleasure, but in evangelical employments; in them he found even his repose; and to him it was no labour to conduct others to the love and knowledge of his God."

Thus also, whensoever there was the least probability that the faith might be planted in any new country of the Gentiles, he flew thither in despite of all threatening difficulties. The certain number is not known of those whom he converted, but the received opinion amounts it to seven hundred thousand souls. Which notwithstanding, it ought not to be believed that he instructed them but lightly; for before he christened them, he gave them a thorough insight into all the principles of faith. According to their different conditions, his instructions were also different. He had some which were proper to youth, others for wives, for widows, for servants, and for masters. He never changed places till he had left behind him a solid establishment of faith, and capable of preserving itself on its own basis. And in effect, of all the countries which he made Christian, there is none to be found which relapsed into idolatry, excepting only the town of Tolo; and not that neither for any long continuance. But it is well known, that the people, who, during the space of fifteen or sixteen years, had not seen the face of any priest, or even of any Christian stranger, have been found instructed in religion, and as fervent in the practice of good works, as if they had but newly received baptism. It is known, that many of those converts were not less firm in their belief, than the prince of the isle of Rosalao, whom Pedro Martinez protests to have heard say, "That though all the world should arm against him, they should never be able to tear out of his heart that persuasion which Father Francis had inspired into him."

We know farther, that some of them having been made captives by the Pagans, have preserved their faith entire in the midst of Heathenism; and have chosen rather to lose their lives in torments, than renounce their Saviour Jesus Christ. The saint was accustomed to desire earnestly of God, the conversion of the Gentiles, in the sacrifice of the altar; and for that very end, said a most devout prayer, which he composed in Latin; and is thus rendered in our language.

"O eternal God, creator of all things, mercifully remember, that the souls of Infidels are the work of thy hands, and that they are created to thy resemblance. Behold, O Lord, how hell is filled with them, to the dishonour of thy name. Remember that Jesus Christ thy son, for their salvation, suffered a most cruel death; permit not, I beseech thee, that he should be despised by those Idolaters. Vouchsafe to be propitiated by the prayers of the church, thy most holy spouse, and call to mind thy own compassion. Forget, O Lord, their infidelity, and work in such manner, that at length they may acknowledge for their God, our Saviour Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent into the world, and who is our salvation, our life, our resurrection, by whom we have been redeemed from hell, and to whom be all glory now and evermore. Amen."