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

by John Dryden

In the mean time, Xavier visited the Bonzas, and endeavoured to gain their good will; being persuaded that Christianity would make but little progress amongst the people, if they opposed the preaching of the gospel: And, on the other side, judging that all the world would embrace the law of the true God, in case they should not openly resist it. His good behaviour and frankness immediately gained him the favour of their chief: he was a man of four-score years of age, and, for a Bonza, a good honest man; in that estimation of wisdom, that the king of Saxuma entrusted him with his most important affairs; and so well versed in his religion, that he was sirnamed Ningit, which is to say, the Heart of Truth. But this name was not altogether proper to him; and Xavier presently perceived, that the Veillard knew not what to believe concerning the immortality of the soul; saying sometimes, "That our souls were nothing different from those of beasts;" at other times, "That they came from heaven, and that they had in them somewhat of divine."

These uncertainties of a mind floating betwixt truth and falsehood, gave Xavier the occasion of proving the immortality of the soul, in the conversations they had together; and he reasoned strongly thereupon, according to natural principles alone. Yet his arguments had no other effect, than the praises which were given them. Ningit commended the knowledge of the European Bonza, (so they called the Father,) and was satisfied that no man had a deeper insight into nature. But he still remained doubtful on the business of religion, either out of shame to change his opinion at that age, or perhaps because those who have doubted all their life, are more hard to be convinced, than those who have never believed at all.

The esteem which Ningit had for Xavier, caused him to be had in great repute with the rest of the Bonzas. They heard him with applause, when he spoke of the divine law; and confessed openly, that a man who was come from the other end of the 'world, through the midst of so many dangers, to preach a new religion, could only be inspired by the spirit of truth, and could propose nothing but what was worthy of belief.

The testimony of the Bonzas authorised the preaching of the gospel; but their scandalous way of living, hindered them from following our holy law. Notwithstanding, before the conclusion of the year, two of them of less corrupt manners than the rest, or more faithful to the grace of Jesus Christ, embraced Christianity; and their example wrought so far upon the inhabitants of Cangoxima, that many of them desired to be baptized.

These first fruits of preaching promised greater, and the faith flourished daily more and more in Cangoxima, when a persecution, raised on a sudden, ruined these fair expectations, and stopt the progress of the gospel The Bonzas, surprised to see the people ready to forsake the religion of the country, opened their eyes to their own interest, and manifestly saw, that if this new religion were once received, as they only lived on the alms and offerings which were made to their deities, they should be wholly deprived of their subsistence. They judged, in consequence, that this evil was to be remedied, before it grew incurable; and nothing was to be spared for the rooting out these Portuguese preachers. It was then manifest, that those religious idolaters, who at first had been so favourable to Xavier, now made open war against him. They decried him in all places, and publicly treated him as an impostor. Even so far they proceeded, that one day as he was preaching, in one of the public places of the city, a Bonza interrupted him in the midst of his discourse, and warned the people not to trust him; saying, "That it was a devil, who spoke to them in the likeness of a man."

This outrageousness of the Bonzas failed of the effect which they desired; the Japonians, who are naturally men of wit, and plain dealers, came easily to understand the motives of their priests, to change their manner of behaviour, and finding interest in all they said or did, grew more and more attentive to the doctrine of the Father.

Some of them upbraided the Bonzas, that their proper concernments had kindled their zeal to such an height: that religion was not to be defended by calumnies and affronts, but by solid arguments: that if the doctrine of the European was false, why did they not demonstrate clearly the falsehood of it: that, for the rest, it was of little consequence whether this new preacher was a demon or a man; and that truth was to be received, whosoever brought it: that, after all, he lived with great austerity, and was more to be credited than any of them.

In effect, Xavier, for the edification of the people, who commonly judge by appearances of things, abstained entirely both from flesh and fish. Some bitter roots, and pulse boiled in water, were all his nourishment, in the midst of his continual labours. So that he practised, rigorously and literally, that abstinence of which the Bonzas make profession, or rather that which they pretend to practise. And he accustomed himself to this immediately, upon what Paul de Sainte Foy had told him, that it would look ill if a religious Christian should live with less austerity than the priests of idols should in their course of life.

The wonders which God wrought, by the ministration of his servant, gave farther confirmation to the Christian law. The saint walking out one day upon the sea-shore, met certain fishers, who were spreading their empty nets, and complained of their bad fortune. He had pity on them, and, after making some short prayers, he advised them to fish once more. They did so on his word, and took so many fish, and of such several sorts, that they could hardly draw their nets. They continued their fishing for some days after with the same success; and what appears more wonderful, the sea of Cangoxima, which was scarce of fish, from that time forward had great plenty.

A woman, who had heard reports of the cures which the apostle had made in the Indies, brought him her little child, who was swelled over all the body, even to deformity. Xavier took the infant in his arms, looked on him with eyes of pity, and pronounced thrice over him these words, "God bless thee;" after which, he gave the child back to his mother, so well and beautiful, that she was transported with joy and admiration.