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

by John Dryden

In effect, as soon as the vicar was laid to sleep, for they were lodged in the same chamber, Xavier rose as softly as he could, and went to the church, through a church-yard which parted it from the house. The vicar perceived it, and advertised Xavier, that this passage was not over-safe by night, and that horrible phantoms had been often seen in it. The saint believed this only said to frighten him, and hinder him from rising before day; so he continued his usual prayers; but it was not long before he found that the advice was true: for, the nights ensuing, as he passed through the church-yard, he saw those dreadful spectres, which endeavoured to have stopped him; yet he saved himself from them, and even laughed at them as vain illusions.

The demons are too proud to bear contempt without revenge, when God permits them. One night, when the saint was at his devotions before the image of the blessed Virgin, they assaulted him in great numbers, and beat him so violently, that he was all over bruised, and forced to keep his bed for some days together. He said nothing of his adventure to the vicar; but it was discovered by a young man of Malabar, who lodged near the church, and was awakened with the noise; rising from his bed, he heard the blows distinctly, and what Father Xavier said to the holy Virgin, invoking her assistance against the infernal powers, insomuch, that the vicar, to whom the young man had related the words which he had heard, sometimes repeated them to Xavier with an inoffensive kind of raillery.

The servant of God having recovered some little strength, returned to the church, and there continued all the night. What rage soever the devils had against him, they durst no more attempt his person, nor so much as endeavour to affright him. They only made a noise to distract him in his prayers; and one time, disguised in the habit of canons, they counterfeited so well the midnight matins, that he asked the vicar, "Who were those chanters who sung so admirably?"

But the favours which Xavier received from heaven, made him large amends for all the injuries of hell; for though the particulars of what passed betwixt God and him were kept secret, it is known, at least in regard of the principal affair, for which he consulted God, that he had an interior light, which gave him clearly to understand, that he was commanded to pass to the more southern islands, and to labour in their conversion. The Christian, strength, with which he found himself animated at the same time, caused all the dangers, which naturally he might apprehend, to disappear, as is manifest by what he wrote from Meliapor on that occasion, to two of his friends at Goa, Paul de Camerin, and James Borba, of whom we have made so frequent mention.

"I hope that God will confer many favours on me in this voyage; since, through his infinite mercy, I have learned, with so much spiritual joy, that it is his holy pleasure I should go to those kingdoms of Macassar, where so many Christians have been made in these latter years. For what remains, I am so much resolved on executing what our Lord has revealed to me, that if I should be wanting on my part, I should go, to my thinking, in direct opposition to his orders, and render myself unworthy of his favour, both in this life and in the next. If I cannot find this year any Portuguese vessel bound for Malacca, I will embark myself on any ship belonging to the Gentiles or the Saracens. I repose, withal, so great a confidence in God, for the love of whom I undertake this voyage, that if there should only pass this way some little bark of Malacca, I should go aboard without the least deliberation. All my hope is in God; and I conjure you by his love, to remember always in your prayers so great a sinner as myself."

Though his intentions in coming to Meliapor were only to receive the instructions of heaven in his solitude, yet he employed some part of his time in the good of others. His holy life gave a lustre and value to his discourse; and the sight of him alone was of efficacy to touch the heart. The people had received it as a maxim, "That whoever followed not the counsel of Father Francis, should die an enemy of God." And they related the unhappy end of some sinners, who, being urged by Xavier to make a speedy repentance, had deferred the work of their conversion. This popular opinion contributed much to the change of manners in the town; and the fear of a disastrous death served frequently to break off in one moment the criminal commerce of many years.

There was in Meliapor a Portuguese gentleman, who lived a debauched and scandalous life. His house was a seraglio, in little; and the greatest part of his business was making a collection of beautiful slaves. Xavier went one day to visit him about dinner time: "Are you willing," said the Father, "that we should begin an acquaintance by dining together?" The Portuguese was somewhat discomposed, both at the visit and the compliment; yet he forced himself into good humour, and made shew of being very glad of the honour which the Father had done him. While they were at table, Xavier spoke not one word to him concerning his debauchery, and only entertained him with ordinary talk, though they had been served by young damsels whose habit was not over modest, and whose air was very impudent. He continued in the same way he had began, after they were risen from dinner, and, in conclusion, took his leave, without making him the least reproach.

The gentleman, surprised at the conduct of Father Francis, believed his silence to be a bad omen to him; and that he had nothing else to expect but an unhappy death, and a more unhappy eternity. In this thought, he went with all diligence to find the Father, and falling down before him, "Your silence," said he, "has spoken powerfully to my heart: I have not enjoyed one moment of repose since you parted from me: Ah, Father, if my everlasting damnation be not already fixed, I put myself into your hands; do with me what you shall judge necessary for the salvation of my soul, behold me ready to pay you a blind obedience."

Xavier embraced him; and after he had given him to understand that the mercies of the Lord are infinite, that it is our duty never to despair, that he who sometimes refuses to sinners the hour of repentance, always grants pardon to the penitent; he caused him to put away those occasions of his sin, and disposed him to a general confession, the fruit of which was a chaste and Christian life.

In short, the Father did what he could desire to be done at Meliapor; and witnesses of known integrity have deposed on oath, that he left the town so different from what it was, at his coming thither, that it was hardly to be known for the same place; which also gave him so entire a satisfaction, that giving it a thousand benedictions, he said that there was not in all the Indies a more Christian town. And at the same time he prophecied, that one day it should become flourishing and wealthy; which prediction was accomplished some few years afterward.