As the opinions of kings are always prevalent, the reasons of Don Henry were slighted; and it was concluded in council, that the two missioners should not depart the realm. This resolution afflicted them the more sensibly, because they both breathed after those eastern countries; their last recourse was to write to Rome, and interpose the mediation of Father Ignatius. He accordingly moved the Pope in their behalf; but his Holiness refused to make an absolute decision, and remitted the whole affair to Portugal: insomuch that Ignatius sent word to the two fathers, that the king was to them in the place of God, and that it was their duty to pay him a blind obedience. At the same time he also wrote to Don Pedro Mascaregnas, that Xavier and Rodriguez were wholly at the king's command; and that they should always remain in Portugal, in case his majesty desired it. Notwithstanding which, he thought a temperament might be found, which was, that Rodriguez might be retained in Portugal, and Xavier permitted to go for India.
The king was satisfied with this proposal of Ignatius; and believed it to be inspired by God himself. Xavier, transported with joy at the news of it, gave thanks to the Divine Goodness, which had chosen him anew for the mission of the Oriental parts, or rather which had executed its eternal purpose, notwithstanding human opposition.
The time of embarkment being come, he was called one day to the palace: the king discoursed fully with him concerning the present condition of the Indies, and recommended particularly to him the affairs of religion. He likewise gave him in charge, to visit the fortresses of the Portuguese, and take notice how God was served in them; and withal to give him an account of what more was requisite to be done for the establishment of Christianity in those new conquests; and to write frequently on that subject, not only to his ministers, but to his own person.
After this he presented him the four briefs, which had been expedited from Home the same year; in two of which, our Holy Father had constituted Xavier apostolical nuncio, and endued him with ample power for the extending and maintenance of the faith throughout the East; in the third, his Holiness recommended him to David Emperor of Ethiopia; and in the fourth, to all the princes who possessed the isles of the sea, or the continent from the Cape of Good Hope, even beyond the Ganges.
John III. had requested these briefs, and the Pope had freely granted them, with design thereby to make the mission of Father Francis the more illustrious and authentic. The father received them from the hands of the king with profound respect; saying, that as much as his weakness was capable of performing, he should endeavour to sustain the burden, which God and man had laid upon him.
Some few days before he went to sea, Don Antonio d'Ataida, count of Castagnera, who supervised the provisions of the naval army, advertised Xavier to make a note of what things were necessary for him in order to his voyage; assuring him from his majesty, that he should be furnished to his own desire. They want nothing, replied the father with a smile, who have occasion for nothing. I am much obliged to the king for his liberality, and to you for your care of me; but I owe more to the Divine Providence, and you would not wish me to distrust it.
The count of Castagnera, who had an express order from the king, to make a large provision for Father Xavier, was very urgent with him, and importuned him so strongly to take something, for fear, said he, of tempting Providence, which does not every day work miracles, that Xavier, not to appear either obstinate or, presumptuous, demanded some few little books of devotion, for which he foresaw he should have occasion in the Indies, and a thick eloth habit against the excessive colds, which are to be endured in doubling the Cape.
The count, amazed that the father asked for nothing more, besought him to make a better use of the king's offers; but seeing that all his intreaties prevailed nothing, "you shall not be master in every thing," said he, with some kind of heat, "and at the least you cannot possibly refuse a servant to attend you, because I am sure you cannot be without one." "So long as I have the use of these two hands," replied Xavier, "I will have no other servant." "But decency," rejoined the count, "requires, that you should have one, if it were but to maintain the dignity of your character. How shameful would it seem to behold an apostolical legate washing his own linen on the deck, and dressing his own victuals?" "I will take upon me for once," said Xavier, "to serve myself, and others too, without dishonouring my character. So long as I do no ill, I am in no fear of scandalizing my neighbour; nor of debasing that authority with which I am entrusted by the Holy See. They are these human considerations, and false notions of decencies and punctilios, which have reduced the church to that condition in which we now see it."
This positive answer stopped Castagnera's mouth; but afterwards, he gave great commendations of Xavier, and publicly said, "that he found it much more difficult to combat the denials of Father Francis, than to satisfy the craving desires of other men."
The day of his departure being come at length, and all things in a readiness to set sail, Xavier went to the port, with his two companions, whom he carried with him to the Indies; namely, Father Paul de Camerino, an Italian, and Francis Mansilla, a Portuguese, who was not yet in priests orders. Simon Rodriguez bore him company to the fleet; and then it was, that, embracing each other with much tenderness, "My brother," said Xavier, "these are the last words which I shall ever say to you: we shall see each other no more in this present world; let us endure our separation with patience; for most certain it is, that, being well united with our Lord, we shall be united in ourselves; and that nothing shall be able to divide us from the society which we have in Jesus Christ.