AN INSTRUCTION TO perform with fruit the Devotion OF TEN FRIDAYS IN HONOUR OF S. FRANCIS XAVERIUS APOSTLE OF THE INDIES. Much practised in Rome and augmented particularly of late by some most authentic miracles wrought by the intercession of this glorious SAINT. Vpon which score he is taken as particular patron of almost all Italy. Superiorum permissu. TO THE HONOURABLE THE LADY MARY CARYLL abbess OF THE ENGLISH BENEDICTIN DAMES AT DUNKERQUE. MADAM your particular devotion to the Glorious SAINT XAVERIVS, whose power your Ladyship after an extraordinary manner experienced by the sudden and wonderful cure of the cancer in your breast, when abandoned as desperate both by physician, and surgeons you had recourse to him assures me this treatise will find as hearty a well come to your Ladyship as I wish is to all, into whose hands it may come; and am glad of so good an occasion as this is of expressing those due respects, which your particular favours oblige me to; and comfort myself that whilst hereafter you exercise these your accustomend devotions to this great Saint they will be an occasion of your remembering in them MADAM Your Ladyships obliged and humble Servant N. N. The translator to the Reader. COURTEOUS READER. THe experience I had in Rome, and other parts of Italy of the following Devotions to the Glorious Saint XAVERIVS made me desirous that our nation out of ignorance of the means of obtaining them, might not want the like; and therfore I thought my time well spent in translating this treatise, in which you will find neither quaintn●ss nor eloquence, but such a plain & easy style, as is most suitable to devotion, and fittest for the meanest capacities, being desirous all should profit by it. Let not the perfect practise of those eminent virtues proposed to you to imitate in this Great Saint, discourage you from endeavouring their imitation out of a pusilanimous despair, ever to arrive to so high a pitch of perfection; but endeavour to imitate at least this so admirable a pattern in a lower degree; and the more sensible you are of your own weakness, the more confided in his powerful intercession who( as the writers of his life testify) always obtained what was for the spiritual advantage of those that begged his intercession, as you may assure yourself he will think these virtues to be. I cannot wish a better success to this translation, then the original had, nor better effects of these devotions in my own Country then they have had in Italy; and I hope whoever experiences any advantage by them, will be moved to pray for the translator of them who is DEAR READER Your most harty-well-wisher and humble servant N. N. AN EPITOME OF THE LIFE OF S. FRANCIS XAVERIVS APOSTLE OF THE INDIES OF THE SOCIETY OF IESVS. THE Divine Providence the same time it opened the way to the Indies, and the new world, disposed that Saint Xaverius should come into this, and be born to both, an elect vessel to carry his holy faith over all, and in the former establish a new Christianity; for which end it qualified him with all those gifts wee red were severally bestowed on several persons in the primitive Church, viz. of being an Apostle, of prophesy, of Learning, of virtue, of health, of succouring the needy, of government, and of tongues. SAINT FRANCIS was an Apostle, as sent by Christs Vicar with title of nuntius Apostolicus, to preach the gospel to the Indians; in ten yeares he ran over all the East, making above a hundred thousand miles. He revived that faith, Saint Thomas the Apostle had there before taught; then foretelling, that when the sea should come up to that cross,( which he erected) as it did when S. Xaverivs entered those parts, then should Europesen done that should preach the same doctrine he had all S. Paul 1. Cor. 12. c. 28. v. ready taught them. He converted many hundred thousands of infidels; with several Kings, Queens and Princes. He threw down the temples of Mahomet, and of the Idols, whereof he broken forty thousand. He erected innumerable Churches, baptized with his own hand above a million and two hundred thousand persons. He was the first that ever preached to several nations and islands, and particularly Iapony, which contains threescore and six Kingdoms: and designing to convert that great Empire of China, dyed in the way in the iceland of Sanciano. You see how well is verified that prophesy of a holy nun his sister, that desired her Father to let him continue his studies, for he should prove a great Apostle of the Indies. S. jerome appearing to him at Vicentia promised him the like; showing him the Indies, and what fruit he was to reap there. Our Saviour himself, declared the same, the Saint in Rome often hearing those words. * Act. 15.16. Avessel of election is this man unto me: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name. Representing to him with all an Indian weeping, and lamenting his own and his whole countries woeful condition, begging help and comfort from him; which he most graciously & plentifully did afterwards bestow for the space of ten yeares vpon the whole East. He was also a Prophet foretelling things to come and far distant, and knowing the very secretest thoughts of mans hart, in so much that at the same time the King in Portugall and Saint Ignatius at Rome ordered things to be done, he in the Indies published and executed their orders, and with that certainty that once in a public sermon from the pulpit, he exactly related the success and circumstances of a battle, which in that very neck of time was fought between the Aceni and the Christians, above three thousand miles distant from the place where he then preached; as by strict examination afterwards was found to be true. This foretelling future things grew so customary to him, that he was scarce called any thing but Prophet: whereupon a most Learned man with good reason said, that the spirit of prophesy in many was as it were by fits, but in Saint Francis it was a continual habit. He was not only Master of philosophy at Paris, but also teacher of the Divine wisdom in the Indies, preaching the Gospel to all sorts of people; confuting in several public disputs the Brackmans of the Indians, the Imany of the Turks, the Bonzi of the Iaponians( all false preachers of Idolatry) with that famed and renown that a Pagan came six thousand miles only to hear his doctrine, whose worth is s●fficiently made known by the sanctity of his own life and of these his disciples Gaspar Berzeus, Cosmo Torres, Antonio Criminale the first that was martyred there, and many others of his order, and even by the children he nursed up in this holy doctrine, who became great preachers, and wrought many miracles, cast out divels, cured diseases, threw down idols; and finally by the six hundred martyrs in the iceland of Manar and infinite others of Iapony and the Indies that were all his disciples. The fourth gift of virtues, meaning that which adorns the soul, was in him most admirable. His love of God is sufficiently known all the world over, so far from being biased by any self interest, that seing in a vision all the labour he was to undergo, he cried out, Amplius Domine, Amplius; More Lord, More; and at another time having a taste of divine consolations to that degree, as he disowned himself any further capable of receiving them, he said, Satis est Domine, satis est. It is enough, Lord, it is enough. Such was his charity, that he went to preach the Gospel to the infidels bare foot, trampling vpon thorns, loaded with a little furniture for mass, and some few pious books; provided only with a spare quantity of rice; waiting vpon others, running at their horses heels, to hasten the sooner to the converting of souls; always out of himself with the love of God; suffering so many misfortunes at sea by tempests and frequent shipwrecks, thrice sinking under the sh●p; always in dangers and troubles, crosses and afflictions. Persecuted by Infidels, thieves, Divels, false Bretheren, had in derision, scoffed at, and most barbarously misvsed by those he had been most charitable and beneficial unto. Beaten most cruelly by the wicked spirits, and molested with their temptations. threatened to be murdered by cut throats: by Idolatours held for a mad man even in the court of the King of Amangucci where they reviled him with curses, covered him with dirt, overwhelmed him with stones, and treacherously laid snares to take away his life; often endeavouring to poison him; twice giving him into the hands of assassinats to be dispatched. Being stoned by the gentiles of the iceland of Moro, he made his escape over a broad river by the means of a great timber beam which he handled and turned like a little wand. How often did he give his life for Christ? When he attended those that were infected with the plague; when he upbraided their infidelity to the very gentiles ready armed with stones to kill him; when in spite of princes and priests he threw down their Idols; when he alone resisted a whole army of Badaga, that in a fury intended to oppres the Christians; when he entrusted himself going into Iapony in a small boat, to pirates infamous for killing passengers; when he entred the iceland of Moro, where they eat mans flesh; when he went to China, where it was death for any to enter. So much did he love God and his neighbour, but contemned and made himself most despicable, exercising all severity imaginable vpon his tender flesh. A Man that was so nobly born, of the race of the kings of Navarre, and honoured with the title of nuntius Apostolicus, kneeled to every poor and ordinary priest, to kiss his hand; making and deeming himself a slave to all: in the ships, inns, hospitals, serving the very meanest beggar and basest servants; looking after their horses, sweeping their chambers, washing their dirty linen and vessels; exercising the lowest offices, even cleansing their sors and wounds, with that charity and victory of himself, as to sup up the water wherewith he had washed one that had a leprosy, and another time to suck out the putrefaction and matter of a most loathsome sore. I omit his other virtues. He eat only once a day, and then only a little burnt rice, and often nothing for four, five, six and seven days together: His drink was water; he was clothed with a haireshirt, wore one single garment of black canvais all patched. His sleep was either at land vpon the bare ground, or the cables on ship board: His penance so rigid and austere that he fainted often thrô his fastings and severe disciplines, wherewith he tore his tender and innocent body. If by virtue you mean miracles, he wrought infinite. In the fire, stoping it with his bare word when a house was actually burning. In the air, driving away the plague from Malaca with the sweet savour of his dead corps: and making it rain stones and ashes vpon the City of Tolo, rebelling from Christ and the Portughese, which filling up the ditches and demolishing the walls, forced them to a surrender. In the water, allaying tempests, sweetening salt water by the sign of the cross or dipping his foot therein. In the earth causing earth quakes. In his own body raising it in the air, preserving it incorrupt and in the flower of virginity, ever free from the least motion of concupiscence. He still lived thô amongst so many snares, diseases, labours, plagues and poisons, even without the least infection or hurt, untouched, & after death sending out a most odiferous savour even amongst quick lime, and moist and wet earth. The very beasts obeied him; a lobster brought to shore his cross that had fallen into the sea. The devils feared him dispossessing all that were brought to him. In the iceland of Moro at his first sermon he preached there, the earth shaking and opening, hideous cries and scricks of Divels were heard, that fled from their so long inhabited dominions; in so much that they appeared all surrounded with fire in the air, to the people; crying out. You burn and torment us, Francis, you drive us from our kingdom. He was no less famous for the fifth gift of curing diseases. witness Father Francis Perez rector then of the college of Malaca, who vpon the point of gasping was perfectly cured by Saint Francis embracing him: he that he healed of his wounds by only carrying him vpon his back: That Leper, whose soars he cured with only washing them. witness also the Bishop of Malaca, who desiring a summary of all the miracles the Saint had wrought, and finding after strict examination eight hundred only in his own Dioces, ceased to prosecute his first thoughts despairing ever to reck on them. Let the Indies confess and aclowledge his power in this point, where not he in his own person only, but his hair, girdle, beads, the very pulpit he preached in, the lamps that burnt before his shrine, the water wherein was dipped only a meddal of his, even his very shadow( which is yet more wonderful) cured many diseases. Let him answer for himself; he can testify that in an instant, by prayer he was healed of those most dangerous incisions mortal of themselves and beyond the art of man, as the surgeons confessed; caused by little cords, wherewith, out of to much fervour, he had girded his thighs and arms. This is inconsiderable if compared to his power of raising the dead. Besides many others it is authentically proved that five and twenty have obeied his call; some as they were carried to their graves, others having been butted several days, refreshing hereby the memory of Christ's own actions. A noble gentle entreated him to come and raise his daughter, now deceased; and receiving this answer that she was alive, dissatisfied, left Saint Francis, but was soon comforted by his servants, that told him, she lived. A Lady( like Martha) lamenting her loss, said if you had been here, my daughter had not died; why, said the Saint, she is not dead; yes, replied shee, and three days, butted; the Saint accompanying her to the grave restored the daughter alive to the afflicted and incredulous Mother. His whole life was nothing but an exercise of the sixth gift, of helping the needy; he was totally taken up in tending the sick, and the poor, succouring the oppressed, instructing the ignorant and sinners, assisting all that were in necessity and danger, either spiritual or temporal, with so much carefulness and industrious zeal that none is able to express it. One S. Francis was not sufficient to work according to the great charity he bore to all: to the end he might help several, he was actually present to each at the same time in different places; as when called vpon by a Marchand who suffered shipwreck, he obeied and stayed with him three days vpon the plank, till all the rest of the ship were dead, and then brought him safe to shore: and when with the same miraculous apparition he saved ten men in a little boat. Such was the confidence sea men had in his presence, that the oldest and most shivered ships were reckoned the most safe; & infidels themselves for more security loaded all their goods vpon them, thô with double charges and expenses; whom he assisted even after his death; for carrying his body in a very tottered vnsafe and ill-rig'd ship, and running vpon a rock, the sea-men betook themselves to invoke the Saints aid, and presently the rock split in two and opened a passage for the ship. whereupon now at sea he is the patron of mariners, even amongst infidels. He was eminent for the gift of Government and directing souls, with no less satisfaction of seculars, then religious: grateful always to the people, dear to Kings and Princes; winning the harts of all. Saint Ignatius would have made him General of his whole order; The King of Portugall reverenced his words as commands, as did also the King of Bong●redge● and Amangucci, The King of Travancor, called the great King, put out an edict commanding all should obey the Great Father,( so he called Saint Francis) as the Great King. He converted the King of Tanor and several others. Pope Paul the third admired his sanctity. Marcellus the second, desiring to see him, sent for him from the Indies to come to Rome; so much did he win the harts of all far and near. The gentiles reverenced him, and even erected a Church in his honour; where some wicked fellows out of contempt having often stolen the oil from the lamp, and powred water in it's place, enraged to see the week yet burn and themselves deluded, put it quiter out, which as often lighted of itself to their greater confusion, and Christians greater comfort. Another time, being all alone he met a whole army of enemies that were heathens whom he frighted and put to flight with his bare authority. To conclude, his gift of tongue●redge● is no less wonderful then the former. They spoken in those countries a hundred different languages which Saint Francis spoken no●redge● only well, but also with great facility and eloquence; yet with thes●redge● two privileges; the first, tha●redge● preaching to men of different nations, he was perfectly vnderstoo●redge● by every one; the second, that wit●redge● one and the same word and answe●redge● he satisfied the doubts & question●redge● of many together, although concerning things both hard and of different matters. These and man●redge● other things wee red of him i●redge● Historians, and in the process o●redge● his Canonization. They add mor●redge● over that he was not so well known or so much called by the name of Francis, as sometimes of Angel or Prophet, sometimes of raiser of the dead, now by that of Holy Father, other times of Great Father. But always and by all with the approbation of the Pope and applause of the whole world he was called by the name of Apostle. To whose holy intercession and patronage by the assistance of your prayers I commend myself, hoping you'll find his holy aid and assistance in all▪ your necessities( if for the good of your souls) as you have seen others before you. Observe more over( as it has been more exactly noted in these our latter days) that none with faith and devotion ever recommended themselves unto him, that missed of their aim, or at least did not receive something more beneficial to themselves & their souls good, which was and is his only scope in conferring benefits. let us comfort ourselves with what he told F. Marcellus Mastrilli at Naples, when appearing to him he miraculously cured him, Non parùm se posse in Paradiso. That his power was great in the court of Heaven. AN ADVERTISSEMENT OF THE author To the Devout Reader. SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS, is always ready to help those that devoutly implore his aid in all their necessitys of what kind soever, and even to obtain of God most miraculous favours for them, as als Christendom can testify; and for this reason he is called the new Thaumaturgus, that is worker of miracles; which are sufficient to fill whole volumes; and wee here in short will touch vpon the heads only of some few, to animate the reader to have recourse to this great Saint. Peter Veglio a Portughese merchant of a very loose life, by means of an alms he had once given in necessity, deserved Gods mercy thrô the Saints intercession, & was brought to repentance, and relieved in all other corporal necessitys by the same Saint Francis, who likewise foretold him the hour of his death, which accordingly happened. He appeared to a Woman that had been a long time sick in Malavar, and promising to sand her one that should hear he confession, advised her of her death. A youth in the Hospital of Mozambichi, raving thrô the sharpness of his distempter, by the only touch of the Saint was cured both in body and soul. An Indian by profession a schoolmaster, by life a most lewd debauched wretch, was converted by the saints appearing to him, and obeied that gracious call of God to a better life. Being desired by a Christian Lady to disposses a youth that was tormented by the devil, as soon as he entred the house, the wicked spirit quitred his habitation, and the youth before ready to die was thereupon restored to perfect health of body. An Indian poet that had accidentally lost his eyes by gun-powder, after many years applying himself to the Saint recovered his sight better then before, which miracle he published in verse over all India. He healed a leper with washing his sores and drinking that filthy mixture of matter and water. An idolator woman that was barren, at the intercession of Saint Francis was blessed by God with a son, who soon after dying was restored to life again by the Saint. He raised an other that was drowned in a well; and a third, that dyed of the plague. in the kingdom of Travancor he raised one that had been butted, and an other in Murar, as he was carried to his grave. in Malaca he brought to life a child that had been dead three days; and in the same place the son of one that was devoted to him. in Iapony he gave life to a daughter of an idolator. To two others in Manapar, and to several else-where, as all the world can testify, and the transactions of his canonization do authentically evidence. He restored to a seaman his son that had been lost six days at sea. He filled a whole sea with fish, where none scarce could ever be found before, and with his blessing turned the salt water of the sea into fresh. He obtained rain to free a King from his enemies that surrounded him. A Desperate gamester that had lost all he had in the world, encouraged by the Saint to try to mend his condition, recovered his loses and withall obtained the conversion of his soul, which was the Saints only aim. He saved several ships from perishing in tempests and storms. He was in several places at once. The very Children whom he taught the Christian doctrine, with the beads and medals of Saint Francis cast out Divels, and wrought many miracles. His very hand-writing cured the sick, and his pictures stopped and quenched a great fire. The oil that burns in the lamps before the Saints body at Goa, has cured many infirm and sick of all diseases. A Christian Lady by means of a cross that the Saint had erected in Amboino to be honoured, obtained in time of a great drought, plentiful rain, which the Idolatrous women were not able to obtain from their Idols with their enchanted witchcraft. The Saint appeared to a merchant that had recommended himself to him, an had a pair of beads of the Saints with him, five days after he had suffered shipwreck, and brought him safe to shore, and stayed with an other three days vpon the same plank, and at last landed him safe. God blessed several barren women with issue at this Saints intercession. An Indian in Punicale that had three daughters, prayed to the Saint to beg of God the blessing of three sons, which she obtained. Wee shall weary ourselves in rehearsing all the wonders wrought by this great Saint, as the Vicar General of Goa owned of himself after he had reckoned up eight hundred. Wee red of an hundred authentically approved of in the process of his canonization. The miracles that have been wrought at Potami in the kingdom of Naples by a picture of his are sufficient to fill a whole volume, The Church therfore with good reason says of him on his feast, This Saint so bountiful, so gracious, and so loving, shines over all the world by his most resplendent miracles. Who will be no less ready and willing to assist you in all your necessities, if you amend your life and reform your manners; the Saint aiming by these temporal favours he bestoweth, at nothing else then the salvation of every ones soul, which God of his infinite mercy grant to all, By the intercession of SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS. To the Devout clients of the Glorious Apostle of the Indies SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS. HERE is laid before you( clients of this Great XAVERIVS) a little parcel of the innumerable actions and most heroic enterprises of SAINT FRANCIS, which he took in hand, only to the greater honour of God, and for the good of his neighbour. if you like this small compendium and find your hart enflamed with a desire of more, betake your self to the history of his life copiously written by many, but yet far short of what he did. Those that desire to honour this Saint by imitating him, and profit themselves thereby, must reflect vpon that saying of Saint Augustin; that, Non pigeat imitari quod delectat celebrare; that is; they must not be ashamed to imitate, what they delight to honour. The Saints are willing to find in us some similitude of their virtues which they haue practised before us in this world, to the end they may be the easier stirred up to obtain our petitions. For which reason here are ten virtues of this Saint allotted for ten fridays: and although this Glorious Saint was admirable in all the virtues of a most sublime Christian perfection, yet these seem more particularly necessary, and also in some sort fitter to be imitated, which wee shall here set down. You shall every friday red one with reflection, & purpose to imitate him therein, and beg it of God by the merits of this Saint for yourself, not forgetting me. whereunto it will help very much, to resolve from one friday to another to practise more or less the virtue proposed in the former consideration according to the necessity you find therof in your soul; By which frequent acts you will greatly facilitate and advance your spiritual profit. GENERAL advertisements For those that desire to honour SAINT XAVERIVS, by imitating these his virtues. 1. BE Devout to the holy Crucifix. 2. Pray for the conversion of Infidels. 3. Pray for the souls in Purgatory. 4. Be a lover of Chastity. 5. According to your condition endeavour to help your neighbour, as well in spirituals, by teaching the Christian doctrine to children and ignorant people, hindering their sins, exhorting them to do well, and giving good example; as in temporals, by giving alms, visiting the sick and Hospitals, defending the poor, and helping them in necessity. 6. confess often. 7. Examine your conscience daily. 8. Reflect often vpon those words. Quid prodest homini si vniversum mundum lucretur, ainae vero suae detrimentum patiatur? That is, What doth it avail a man to gain the whole world with the loss of his own soul? 9. Return good to him that has displeased or injured you. 10. Promote the devotion to the Saint. Antiphon. WEll fare thee Good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things, enter into the joy of thy Lord. Vers. Our Lord hath guided the just by right ways. Resp. And shewed him the Kingdom of Heaven. The prayer. LORD God who hast vouchsafed by the preaching and miracles of SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS to join unto thy Church the Countries of the Indies; grant propitiously, we beseech thee, that reverencing his glorious merits we may also imitate his examples. Though Christ our Lord, Amen. A PRAYER To the five wounds of our Saviour much used by S. FRANCIS. DOmine jesv christ per quinque illa vulnera quae tibi in cruce nostri amor inflixit, subveni famulis tuis N. N. quos pretioso sanguine redemisti. O Lord jesus CHRIST, by the five wounds thou wast pleased to receive vpon the cross for love of us, help thy Servants N.N. whom thou has redeemed with thy precious blood. To the greater glory of God and salvation of souls. Amen. THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIUS. O Deus! ego amo te, Nec amo Te, vt salves me: Aut quia non amantes Te Aeterno punis igne. Tu, Tu mi JESV, totum me Amplexus es in Cruce. Tulisti Clavos, Lanccam, Multam{que}ue ignominiam. Innumeros Dolores, Sudores & Angores: Ac mortem; & haec propter me Ac pro me peccatore. Cur igitur non amem Te O jesv amantissime? Non vt in coelo salves me, Aut ne aeternum damnes me, Nec praemij vllius spe; said sicut Tu amasti me, Sic amo, & amabo Te. Solum quia Rex meus es, Et solùm, quia Deus es. Amen. THE RAPTURE OF An affectionate soul before A CRUCIFIX Composed en latin BY THE HOLY FATHER S. FRANCIS XAVERIUS. O God I love thee, not to get Thy favour to be saved; nor yet To shun that sad eternal lot Designed for those that love thee not. Thou, Thou, my jesv, to thy loss, Wouldst needs embrace me on the cross. Thou wouldst endure both nayl●redge; and lance, Disgrace and dolours; with a trance Of bloody sweat, and boundless sea●redge; Of Anguishes and bitterness; Nay even deaths last agony, And this for me a foe to thee. Most loving IESVS, shall this move No like return of love for love? Above all things I love thee best Yet not for hope of interest; Nor for to gain heavens promised land, Nor for to stop thy threatening hand; But as thou lovedst me, so do I Love thee and ever shall, merely Because thou art my King my God, Of love the source and period. Amen. TEN MOTIVES To excite all to a Devotion to S. FRANCIS XAVERIUS. 1. HIs indefatigable zeal, accompanied with an undaunted courage in undertaking, suffering and overcoming all difficultys for the good of souls. 2. His singular affability wherewith he accommodated himself to all sorts of persons to gain them to God. 3. His total contempt and abstraction from all things of this world. 4. That great fire of Divine love, which betraying itself so often even in his very countenance shewed how full his soul was of God. 5. His living and dying à pure Virgin. 6. His extraordinary excelling in all kind of virtues and gifs of God. 7. The great number of souls he converted, which were above two hundred thousand. 8. His facility in working miracles alive and dead. 9. The extraordinary favours he sheweth to those that are devoted to him. 10. The common experience, whereby wee see that whosoever serously recommends himself to Saint Francis, either obtains his request, or comfort and strength to conform to Gods will, if,( because not expedient for the good of his soul) he has not his petition granted. AN EXPLICATION OF The Devotion of ten Fridays in honour of S. FRANCIS XAVERIVS and what is to be done therein. THis Devotion is instituted to obtain some singular favour of this Saint; who as heretofore on earth, so now in heaven is all bowels of mercy towards those that invoke him, and does most graciously and abundantly favour his Devout clients. Ten fridays are ordained, and, if conveniently, without intermission, in each of which he that will perform this devotion, must confess and communicate, and before some altar or picture of the Saint, or where-else most convenient, must also say ten Pater noster's and ten Aue Maria's, & ten Gloria Patri's &c. offering to God the merits of this Saint, to obtain the favour he desires. in this two things are to be observed: the first is, that before one applies himself to this devotion he must purify his intention, concerning the favour he petitions be it temporal or spiritual; pretending nothing else but the glory of God and the salvation of his own soul; for seing this was the only aim of this Saint whilst he lived is this world so it will be a more efficacious means now in heaven to move him to favour us with his intercession to his divine Majesty to obtain us our request. The second is, that none of these devotions omitted either in part or whole, have any obligation even of a venial sin, so that you may continue them or no, when begun, without any scruple; and if business permits you not to perform ten fridays in order go on with them at your leisure. Friday is assigned in memory of the Saints dying on that day in the iceland of Sanciano. The number is in honour of the ten years he laboured in the Jndies for Gods greater honour and the good of souls; and the same is to be understood of the ten Pater's and Ave's and Gloria Patri's. To the end this devotion may have more fruit and promote the exercise of some virtue, some considerations are here set down taken out of the life of the Saint, one for every friday; which is to be red on that day by those that practise this devotion, stirring themselves up to a lively imitation of the Saint. To every consideration there is annexed a colloquy in former of a prayer, begging of the Saint some spiritual grace, suitable to the foregoing consideration, and profitable for the good of their souls, wherein with a little labour they may spend their time with much profit. THE CONSIDERATION For the first Friday. Vpon the singular purity of mind and body of SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS. BY purity of mind is not only understood innocency of life, but also a right intention of doing all our actions purely for the Glory of God and for no other end. How great was this purity in Saint Francis? The sole aim of his immense labours was the Glory of God, not seeking any thing else either in his voyages by the most dangerous seas of Europe, Asia, and Africa, or journeys by land I may say through both worlds, or in his most troublesone preaching, but that God should be known praised and glorified. in a word, all he suffered( which as Francis Mansilla a great while companion to the Saint, said is not to be conceived how much it was) was only for the Glory of God, never regarding any the least private interest. The reward of his labours was a most sublime degree of sanctity which he arrived unto, whereby afterwards he deserved such a Glory in Heaven, and received so many favours here on earth. And our Saviour to show how pleasing his labours were to him wrought that continual miracle, that in his Fathers house a Crucifix sweat blood every time the Saint was in any difficult enterprise or suffering. Examen yourself, Devout soul, and see what intention you have in all your actions; if to please God only or else for some other private interest. if the first, give God thanks, and stir yourself up to perseverance; if the second, be sorry and purpose an amendment. But by purity of body is chiefly understood the virtue of chastity, which retrenches all sensual unlawful pleasures. He excelled so much in this virtue, that as long as he lived he preserved the lily of his Virginity unstained, and therefore is generally painted with one. And which is yet more to be admired, he preserved it most pure even living in the world, amongst the deights and enticements of his own house, in the heat of his young blood, and liberty of the students of the university of Paris, where he lived, and even in the most licentious and loose manners of the Mahometans and gentiles, with whom he conversed so many years. God rewarded this his Angelical purity, with the incorruption of his body after his death, and with infinite other miracles. For George Alvarez having butted it in quick lime that he might the easier carry his bones from Sanciano( the Jsland where he died) to Goa, after three months found it as entire, as if newly butted; and which is more the body being cut bled as fresh as if alive. This miracle extended itself also to his cloths which were preserved from receiving any harm from the lime, which naturally would have consumed both. The body also sent out a most fragrant odour, far surpassing any in this world. The carrying the body through Malaca, freed it from a most desperate and infectious plague. And when it was brought to Goa, the miracle of it's incorruption did no less continue, for several times it bled a fresh, and even to this day( being now above a hundred years) ceases not, the body being as incorrupt as ever. Every one may easily see how he behaveth himself in this virtue, according to his state and condition. THE colloquy To SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS To obtain purity of body and soul. MOst glorious Apostle of the East, most pure in body and soul: I, a most miserable creature, with all humility have recours to you, begging you would by your intercession obtain for me such a pure intention in all my actions, that I may never aim therein at any thing else but the greater glory of God; and such a pure chastity, that neither in thought, much less in word or dead, I may ever displease the most pure eyes of our good God. Amen. Through the intercession of SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS God grant me purity of mind and body. Amen. THE CONSIDERATION For the second Friday Vpon the most profound humility of S. FRANCIS XAVERIVS. ACcording to Saint Bernard, humility is a contempt of ones own worth; according to Saint Thomas, it is a virtue whereby a man knowing his own defects and imperfections, keeps himself within his own bounds, in a low degree. SAINT FRANCIS practised this virtue in a most perfect manner towards all sorts of persons. For thô he was born of the race of the Kings of Navarre, by office nuntius Apostolicus, and besides endowed with most rare talents of nature and learning, yet he humbled himself below all, when ever it was for the greater glory of God. He writ to SAINT IGNATIVS his superior always vpon his knees. He answered a friend of his who examined him concerning a dead child he had raised in the cost of Comorino, with all humility, as it were confounded: I raise the dead to life? And can you believe such a thing of me, such a great sinner as I am? In a word all his life is full of examples of his most profound humility, and was held for such over all Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, India, Iapony, and innumerable other Countries, wherein he exercised this virtue in divers ways, and in a most perfect degree, with the poor, prisoners, children, slaves, souldiers, seamen, and what not? And this in a most abject & contemptible manner, choosing for his lodging the Hospitals, for his cloths course canvais, and for his meat dry bread, burnt rice, and t●● like. But God ordered it so, that the more he humbled and debased himself, the more he should be esteemed by others. Hence it was Pope Paul the third admired him; and that he was honoured and respected by the King of Portugal in an extraordinary manner, and no lessed by the Vice-Roys of India, by Governours of towns and Countrys, and by all persons of note. The Portughese even in Portugal gave him the name of Apostle; the gentiles stuck not to give him Divine titles; the Mahometans held him for a great Prophet; many Idolatrous Kings called him Great Father; whole towns and countries came to meet him. The Missioners of the Society, that were designed for the Indies▪ thought it a Paradise to be sent to never so hard enterprises, if Saint Francis were but there; so little did they think of themselves, to enjoy him. Gonzalo Fernandez crept vpon his knees to S. Francis who knocked at the door to speak with him; Angero a Iaponian came from the farthest parts of the East to the iceland of Molucche, above two thousand miles, only to treat with the Saint about the affairs of his soul: after the Saints death a new convertite sailed from Goa to the Castle of Xavier in spain, above fifteen thousand Miles, only to see and reverence the Chamber S. Francis was born in. You see how true God's promise is, and how much it is verified in this great Saint, * luke. 18.14. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Let every one reflect vpon this, and see how he behaveth himself according to his state, with his superiors, with his equals, and with his inferiors. Let him see if he carries himself as a good Christian ought with charity and submission, or rather with pride and haughtynesse: and accordingly let him purpose to persever in the good, or mend what is amiss. THE colloquy▪ To S. FRANCIS XAVERIVS to obtain Christian humility. MOst humble Saint Francis I most earnestly desire you would beg of Almighty God for me strength and courage to overcome my pride, and imitate your humility, whereby I may offend no body either in thought word or dead, out of pride o● contempt. I purpose on my part to use all possible diligence thereunto, that I may glorify God and edify my neighbour. Amen. THE CONSIDERATION For the third Friday. Vpon the pennance and mortification of S. FRANCIS XAVERIVS. PEnnance here is not taken for a part of the Sacrament, but is a virtue that embraces hard difficulties, and painful afflictions for satisfaction for sins committed against God. Most sharp were the mortifications this Holy Apostle used and inflicted vpon himself, besides the insupportable sufferings annexed to his Apostolical charge and office. His fasts were very frequent, and, had not God particularly inspired him to undertake them, might be called most indiscreet: For he passed three, four, and sometimes seven days without the least sustenance; Thô his ordinary diet might be justly called a perpetual fast, as hath been gathered out of one of his letters to a friend of his wherein he confesses, that he lived more like a bide then a man, with nothing but water and rice. His watchings were continual, spending the best part of the night in prayer. His sleep and rest( which he even unwillingly allowed to nature) were rather to torment then ease him; for at sea he lay vpon the cables, and at land vpon the hard ground or a bed of cords. He wore day and night a continual hair-shirt. He girded himself with chains riveted with points of iron. He disciplined himself to blood with whips armed with rowels of steel. His eyes were in a perpetual bath of tears for the offences he knew were committed by others against God. Confessing himself always a sinner and being both confessor and penitent, he shared with others in their penances, and undertook to satisfy for them vpon himself. witness that heroic act vpon the cost of Cananor, where to more a sinner to sorrow for his inveterate sins, he retired himself into a grove hard by, and there cruelly tore his body with whips till such quantity of blood trickled down his back as provoked the sinner to abundant tears, and a true compunction, and so he reconciled him to God. But what wonder he should practi●e these most cruel mortifications in this his office of Apostle, seing from the first moment h● begun a perfect life, he accustomend himself to most rigid austerities? Who is ignorant, that to satisfy God for his to great niceness and sprucenesse in his cloths, and nimbleness in dancing, he tied his thighs so streight with little cords, that he was not able to breath; so far had he let them eat into his flesh that they could not be seen; whereof he must necessary have died, had not God most miraculously cured him, whom he had designed for the Apostle of the new world. Every one knows that in the Hospital of Vicenza to get a total victory over himself he sucked the corruption and matter of a most pestiferous & loathsome empost-hume. And before he said his first mass he spent forty days in most rigid pennance shut up in a little Grot of Mount Celso within the confins of Padoua. Infine these austerities were so dear to him that he never left them of till his dying day. So that with good reason he might say with Saint Paul, * 1. Cor. 15.31. I die daily: and * Psal. 43. ver. 23. for thy sake wee are mortified all the day. As God is a most just rewarder of the least thing done for his sake, so he did abundantly recompense and sweeten these pains of Saint Francis with infinite and divine consolations, which his hart not not being able to bear, they appeared even in his very countenance, seeming to be always inflamed, yet always cheerful and pleasant, even in the most difficult enterprises; showing to the world, that he was really in his hart a Citizen of Heaven. This abundance of heavenly comfort forced him to cry out, Satis est Domine, satis est. It is enough, Lord, it is enough. Begging that an end might be put to those delights his hart of flesh was uncapable to endure. That posture of opening his breast which he was often seen in, was only to mitigate a little that divine heat of the love of God, that without intermission burnt and consumed his hart. I'll omit those ecstasies or rapts where in his body was often seen lifted from the ground; & those frequent rays of light that so environed him, that he seemed rather a Seraphin of Divin love then a man of earth. Thomas Fernandez found him often in Manapar of Piscaria, elevated a cubit from the ground, with his face surounded with rays, and his eyes sparkling like star●s. Many eye-witnesses attested, that at mass and Communion in Malaca and Meliapor, he was several times seen quiter alienated from his senses, and elevated in the air. These are some tokens of those divine consolations, this Angel of Heaven enjoyed here vpon earth in reward of the sufferings he vndertook for the love of God. What have we now to say for ourselves miserable and tender creatures that so much shun all occasions of suffering, even when our state of life and condition require it? How ignorant are we of the true good! it is no wonder divine consolations are so scarce with us since wee fly all trouble and difficulties, that might else in some manner deserve, and draw down those favours vpon vs. THE colloquy To SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS, To obtain a desire of pennance and mortification. O Most mortified Apostle! behold at your feet the greatest sinner of the world, and yet the most delicate; the most deserving of pennance, and yet the greatest shunner of it, who implores your help that he may begin to love that once, which he ought always to perform, and thereby satisfy God for his sins. You, O Dear Saint! most innocent, and yet so generous an embracer of austerity, obtain for me of my suffering Saviour your spirit, that I may set my affection more thereon, and thereby diminishing the pains of purgatory due to my sins, I may the sooner come to enjoy with you the beatifical vision. Amen. THE CONSIDERATION For the fourth friday Vpon the patience of S. FRANCIS XAVERIVS. PATIENCE is a virtue that strengtheners our mind against all difficulties, that might otherwise deter us from our duty. This Holy Apostle was so abundantly endowed with this virtue that he might justly say with Saint Paul, * 2. Cor. 6.4. Let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience. truly it was very necessary in those his long and most troublesone sicknesses; as when destitute of all human comfort he was obliged in Vicenza to lie in the same bed with a most filthy and loathsome sick man; and in his journey from Amangucche to Meaco, to live only vpon water and burnt rice; and in the iceland of Sanciano to die totally abandoned by all. Yet these inconveniences were nothing to those he suffered in changing so often to so contrary climates, from one excess to another, accommodating himself to the barbarous incivilitys of people so different from the Europeans in life and manners: in the excessive heats of the torrid Zone, in the incommodities of sea voyages, in tempests and dangers of shipwreck. What shall I say of persecutions from men and Divels? He was often in the public market-places laughed at by the people, sought for to death by the gentiles and Bonzi their Priests, as a destroyer of their Idols and Gods: most shamefully and vnhumanly reviled by Governours of towns and countries, captains of ships, souldiers, and seamen; and even by Christians( amongst whom some bad are always to be found) utterly hated as a reformer of their manners and wicked lives: finally left and betrayed most ungratefully by those he had been most beneficial unto. The Divels also set vpon him divers times, and once beat him most unmercifully in Meliapor, as he prayed all night at the tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle; and they always persecuted him as their sworn and most bitter enemy. Yet what did Saint Francis do? What you a most delicate, nice, and cowardly creature would haue done? quitted what you had undertaken, fainted and yielded at the first seeming difficulty and fled back? No, ●o, quiter contrary; he like an undaunted soldier not the least struc● with these oppositions, stood his ground, and faithfully discharg● himself of his Apostolical duty and commission; witness his journeys in his ten years, amounting to an hundred thousand miles, equivalent to almost five times the whole circumference of the earth; wherein he abolished innumerable superstitions, rooted out many abuses, corrected many wicked and inveterate manners, threw down Idols, converted innumerable souls, and baptized with his own hand above a million and two hundred thousand persons. Worthy fruits indeed of the invincible patience of Saint Xaverius. But what do I, miserable creature? How do I bear even the least things that happen daily? How ought I to be ashamed, that have not the hart to suffer the least word, check, or cross answer from another, which makes me so often neglect my Duty to God, and fail so frequently in the employment I am in? I am truly confounded seing with how little patience I might so much promote Gods glory, and that failing in the first, I am so notoriously deficient in the latter. THE colloquy. To SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS to obtain the rertue of Patience. YOu see most patient Apostle; the baseness of my hart, so streight and narrow, as not to dare to open it-self to receive the least cross or adversity, but presently it yields and faints. Yet my crosses are not like yours, which were so hard and painful, but slight troubles, and small difficulties, and yet I am most impatient in all occurrences. O most patient Xaverius! Obtain of the Divin goodness for me your spirit of patience that manfully resisting all difficultys annexed to my state and condition, I may faithfully comply with Gods Holy will. Amen. THE CONSIDERATION For the fifth Friday. Vpon the Continual prayer of SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS. PRayer is an act of Religion whereby wee have recourse to God, begging what is fit wee should ask of him. Saint John Damascen calls it an ascent of our minds to God, whereby wee treat and converse with him. Saint Francis's prayer was continual, fulfilling that, * S. luke. 18.1. It behoveth always to pray and never to cease: And that of the Apostle * Phil. 3.20. Our Conversation is in Heaven. although he was always united to God, yet he had some particular times allotted for it; spending the night chiefly in continual prayer and contemplation; never allowing himself above two or three houres for natural rest. On ship board for prayer he prefixed from midnight till morning, whereupon the seamen used to say, the ship sails securely seing Father Francis stands sentinel. In Manapar he was at several hours in the night observed by his host, and found always vpon his knees at the foot of a crucifix. But what sort of prayer was it? Worthy indeed of that Seraphical hart all burning and set on fire, & carrying him to his only center God. In so much that many confessed they could not look him in the face, even in familiar conversation amongst them, his countenance so dazzled their eyes. His short thô most inflamed jaculatory aspirations give us sufficiently to understand what fire consumed his most ardent and loving soul; having been often heard to say even in his sleep and raging sic●ness, and commonly in latin, O Sanctissima Trinitas! O mi Iesu! O Dulcis Iesu! O Iesu cordis mei? O Most Holy Trinity! O my Iesus! O sweet Iesus! O Iesus of my hart! These show us that although he was in body on earth, yet in his mind he was in Heaven. A second Daniel, who in Babylon, that is amongst Idolatours, Barbarians, and a thousand hindrances and distractions, was in a continual and most perfect prayer. Our Saviour enriched this prayer of his servant with many favours. First of most high-contemplation, which seemed so natural unto hi●, that he used it at his pleasure in uniting himself with God. Then of most Divine wisdom and prudence in knowing the will of God, and executing it to his greater glory. The third was a most admirable gift of prophecy, not only in seeing things a far of, and foretelling things to come, but even penetrating into the secrets of mans hart. Several of these prophecies are famous, as that of the death of John Arausio at Amboinum two hundred and seventy miles distant from the place where Saint Francis was: that at Malaca, of the victory of the Portughese against the Acenians. When he promised to james Pereira continual prosperity, which he ever after enjoyed. When he acquainted Peter Veglio of his death after a most peaceable and happy life, which acc●●dingly happened: of the destruction of the City of Tolo: of the misery of Alvarez Ataide, who endeavoured to stop his journey to China, and innumerable others; in so much that in the process of his Canonization, the Holy inquisition of Rome approved and allowed of a hundred and fifty most evident and manifest prophecies. J perceive, Devout soul! you are desirous of these favours, and would willingly betake yourself to such prayer were you to reap such fruit. But consider a little with your-self and see what time you allow for prayer? Ah! I am ashamed to tell, what is to true. It is but little or none, and that the worst part of the day: if you have any time to spare, and know not what to do with it, that you give to God: and yet how is that spent to. As for your exterior carriage and comportment is it fit to appear before that God with whom you treat? For your inward attention and affection I fear it is so poor and weak, that you easily admit distractions, or at least are very negligent in putting them away. And do you think God will bestow his favours on a soul so ill prepared to receive them? You are deceived. Do then what is requisite on your part and correct your defects, and then God will not be wanting on his. THE colloquy To SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS To obtain the grace of prayer. I Aspire not, O Holy Apostle, to those admirable favours God enriched your prayer with; No! those were properly yours and peculiar to that great soul to which God did in so singular a manner communicat himself. I am contented with the more solid part of prayer, and do humbly beg you to obtain of God for me a true love and affection to it, attention in it, and fruit out of it. Such a love of it, as never to omit it or assign the worst part of the day for it. Such an attention to it, that I may never be voluntarily distracted in it. Such fruit from it as may correct my defects and manners, and increase the virtues most requisite for my state and calling. This is what I beg of you, O most glorious Apostle! and for this end I make a purpose to use such means as are requisite. THE CONSIDERATION For the Sixth Friday Vpon the magnanimity and generosity of S. FRANCIS XAVERIVS. GEnerosity is a virtue that so emboldens the mind, as not to be daunted at hard enterprises that usually deter it from virtuous actions. This virtue and disposition of mind was but necessary to this Holy Apostle to strengthen him against so many difficulties, oppositions, and dangers; which were not the easier and less to be feared, because necessary annexed to his office of Apostle. Dangers at sea, at land, from treacherous companions, strangers, thieves and cut-throats, both in public and in private, were no less inseparable companions of Saint Francis, then of Saint Paul. The difficulties he encountered( as wee red in his life) were such that nothing but a most heroic courage could have overcome them. He crossed from the Indies to Iapony the most dangerous tract of all those seas by reason of the raging south winds; and that in a little boat( the seamen being all pirates, and the Master both idolator, and Pirate) running continual risk of either being drowned at sea, or cast vpon some desert iceland, there necessary to have starved. In his journey from Meliapor to the Molucche crossing from one iceland to an other, he suffered thrice shipwreck, and once lighting vpon a plank of a ship, tossed three days and three nights by the tempestuous waves was at last rather dead then alive cast a shore. His dangers at land were no less then at sea. For thô he was generally esteemed by Vice-Roys, Governours, and other Officers, yet he wanted not most strong oppositions, as in the shore of Piscaria, in Travancor, and in Goa. Most obstinat was that of Alvarez Ataide then governor of Malaca, who neither by entreaties nor threats could be brought to allow of james Pereira's sailing to China, with whom Saint Francis intended to go to convert that great Empire. He went to the Islands of Molucche, and Moro( famous for its barbarous cruelty) against the consent of all his friends, and in spite of all the threats of the Divels. In Amangucci the Bonzi with armed men continually sought to kill him. In the most heroic enterprise he framed in his soul of the conversion of China, death was the least danger he apprehended: Fearing not a world of dangers to free an other from the tyranny of the devil. Whoever you are, Dear soul, that reads these generous acts of S. Francis Xaverius, reflect with yourself and see, how you carry yourself in the service of God. I am afraid the very shadows of difficultys do quiter dishearten and deter you from all good works. if it be so, be confounded at your own weakness, and beg of the Saint a noble hart that may not only not yield but even surpass at least ordinary and small hindrances in the service of God. THE colloquy To SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS to obtain a Generous hart. BEhold at your feet, O most generous Apostle! a soul that most shamefully neglects all things belonging to the service of God. I fear, I confess, the least thing that either seems difficult or any ways terrible; and by this my inordinate pusillanimity I fly back and quit many a noble action, that otherwise might very much increase the glory of God. O Holy Apostle, grant me but one spark of your great courage, wherewith you vnderwent such difficultys. Animate, and strengthen my pusillanimity, that frighted by no opposition, I may most manfully and readibly fulfil Gods holy will. Amen. THE CONSIDERATION For the seventh Friday. Vpon his great love of God and power over all Creatures. HEre are, Devout Reader, two considerations; the first to be imitated, the second to be admired; yet both very profitable for you; for whether you imitate or admire Saint Xaverius, you may assure yourself of his protection and intercession. The first is his love of God; the second his power over all creatures. As for the first, what do you think, devout client of S. Francis, of the love he bore to God. His whole life is a sufficient proof thereof, according to that great saying, Probatio dilectionis exhibitio est operis. Deeds are the marks of love. But yet to give you some more particular signs thereof, here are some few reflections no less true then wonderful. This love of God did so inflame his hart, and set it all on fire, that he was not able to suffer it's insupportable heat, nor scarce endure his cloths. Once as he was walking in the streets of Goa, he was so totally absorped with the love of God, that he took no notice of an Elephant that broken loose and threatened death to all it met; but yet afterwards to the great wonder of all it retired. The like happened to him going from Amangucci to Meaco, when he run like a servant behind a noble-mans horse, never feeling the thorns that continually tore his feet; so much was his mind absorbed in the abyss of the love of God. Every where he was out of himself and totally in God: but above all in prayer, mass, and thanksgiving after the Divine Sacrifice. His soul betrayed itself so clearly in his very countenance that the Pope said of him, that he was Vultu adeo inflammatus vt Angelicam prorsus charitatem representaret. Seeming rather a burning Seraphin and a blessed spirit vpon earth, then a man. What say you pious reader! you do wonder and admire him, and I am comforted thereat; because hereby you may frame some conceit of the great love S. Xaverius bore to God. But why do not you endeavour also to love the same God? For he is the same he was then, ever deserving to be beloved above all things created; and should you not love him you would always prove the most miserable creature in the world, for not placing your affection vpon a God that is so worthy of love, seing to love him is the sole happiness of man. As for the second point proposed in the beginning, God even in this life seemed to reward his Saint with an universal power and dominion over all creatures. The Heavens saw the day increased three houres by the prayers of this second Iosue, that the Christians might give a total overthrow to the Infidels. The earth rent itself with most horrid earthquakes to frighten the Citizens of Tolo to to the Christian faith, which they had so shamefully forsaken; The air bore him up from the ground several times both by night and day. The fire raging and threatening several houses, obeyed his command and offered not to pass the limits prescribed by Saint Xaverius. But the water seemed to aclowledge most of all, his power. He was an anchor to ships in the greatest storms; a favourable gale to carry them through the most dangerous shallows and sands of the seas; a calm allaying tempests; and a haven for those that suffered shipwreck. The very Idolatours called him the God of the sea, and spared no charge for themselves and their goods to sail in the ship Saint Xaverius went in. In the Indies he often changed salt water into fr●sh; and once by only dipping his foot into the sea. He allayed tempests sometimes by prayer, other times with relics he wore, or with the sign of the cross; and once by letting his cross into the water; which God to double the wonder, permitted a wave to snatch away, and so bcreft him of his only comfort; when behold soon after a Lobster with open claws above water brought it to Saint Francis again. it is impossible to specify every particular miracle wrought in this kind by Saint Francis: let these few in short suffice, to convince you that in this glorious Saint you have a Patron ready to command all creatures for your good; so that in all occasions and necessities you may have recourse to him with confidence, and hope in his most powerful intercession and assistance. THE colloquy To SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS to obtain the Holy love of God. WHAT did you aim at throughout the whole course of your life, O Holy Apostle, but to bring all the world to the love of God? And now, will you not o great lover of God! obtain for me a poor helpless creature, an ardent desire of loving him above all things? Ah I doubt not of your help and intercession but I apprehended my own weakness, least permitting myself to be deceived by the foolish love of creatures I may swerve from the true love of my creator. Help me then o Holy Saint Francis! that I may not be so deluded, but yielding up my will to God I may by a holy necessity always love him both in this life and in the next. Amen. THE CONSIDERATION For the eighth Friday Vpon the love of SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS towards his neighbour. HE that truly loveth God, does extend his affection also to his neighbour, as being dear to God and his lively image. So that Saint Xaverius loving God as you have seen, ought consequently to love his neighbour; which he did in the perfectest manner he could, fulfilling those words of S. Paul * 1. Cor. 9.22. Omnibus omina factus, to all men becoming all things that he might save all. * 2. Cor. 6.6. In charitate non fictâ said vera, in true not feigned charity. He never spared any labours, troubles, difficulties, nor even life itself to benefit him either in his temporal or spiritual necessities, thô he laboured most to succour the soul as being the more noble part. The only aim and design of his Apostolical missions and hard enterprises was the salvation of souls; and where he proposed to himself any hopes of converting any to God, he let slip nothing that might any way promote or further his intentions. With children he was one, always so concerned for their spiritual profit, that thô he was a man of that authority and esteem, yet he disdained not to go about with a little bell, exhorting parents to sand their children to be instructed in the Christian Doctrine. With sinners he became, as I may say, a sinner, familiarly treating and conversing with them that so he might bring them to God: for pretending to be ignorant of their vices, blasphemies, murders, vseries, and all their whole life, he changed the hatred they bore him into love, and the love they bore to all vicious habits and propensions, into a detestable hatred of sin. To infidels,( as particularly recommended to him from Heaven) he shew'd such charity that no body can express it. And if the height of this, according to the oracle of truth itself, be to give his life for his beloved. he was always ready to do it for them: which did so mollify and win their harts that it is incredible how many through this only motive did embrace the Christian faith; whereupon Father Melchior Nugnez then Superour of the Indies, a man of rare prudence and no less virtue, said, that converting Infidels to Christ in Saint Francis Xaverius did not seem a gift infused, or a virtue got by habit, but a natural inclination: so bent was he vpon that only work, that he could not live nor take any satisfaction in any other employment, then the instructing and bringing souls to the knowledge and love of the only true God. This perpetual motion of Charity was his only respite, this exercise his only repose. Nothing will be better able to show the greatness of th●s his charity and zealous assiduity therein, then the number of those he baptized with his own hand, which amounted to a million and two hundred thousand persons. As for what belongs to the temporal assistance of his neighbour, who can reckon up the deeds of charity he shewed to every one as well poor as rich; nor was there any work of mercy that he did not practise either in his own person, or when he could not himself, by using others help for the succouring the poor and needy. His tender care of the sick will be a sufficient proof of his boundless charity. He was to them a Father, Mother, Brother, Physician, and anurse in the meanest offices, in private houses, and in public Hospitals; if any died, he washed and laid them out with his own hands, digged their graves, and butted them himself. God seeming to second these heroic desires of Saint Francis so much bent vpon serving his neighbour, endowed him in a particular manner with that divine gift of curing the sick: For in the deeds of his canonization you will find the wonderful cures of all diseases, wrought by the power of this great Xaverius, to be innumerable. The blind received the benefit of their eyes, the lame the use of their limbs, the lepers were cleansed, the dumb restored to their speech, the deaf to their hearing, possessed persons freed from malignant spirits that tormented them. To be short, so many were these prodigious cures, that in and about the City of Naples only, there are sufficient to fill a whole book. Yet these cures of diseases are nothing if compared to those he raised from death to life, which amount according to the authentic transactions of the Saints Canonization to above five and twenty. What has been here said is but an abridgement; and only helps to frame some conceit or Ideae of the Saints great charity to his neighbour, referring you to the writers of his life to see the innumerable other graces and favours through his means and intercession conferred vpon all sorts of persons, as seamen, marchands, barren women or in childbed, souldiers &c. We may gather two fruits from what has been said. The first a holy confusion in ourselves for helping and furthering so little the good of our neighbour either spiritual or temporal. Who of us is troubled or concerned to see him offend God? Who is there, that either hinders him from falling, or gives his helping hand to raise him again from sin? Which of us grieves at his losses, or suffers any thing to promote his good? Do we visit him in the hospitals, and prisons? Are we charitable unto him? do we relieve his wants with alms? Or rather do we not spend that on beasts that only serve for sport and pastime, which ought to be employed in succouring and assisting our neighbour, the very image of God himself? The second fruit is a lively confidence of being assisted by this Holy Apostle in our necessities as well corporal as spiritual, if wee apply ourselves unto him as we ought. THE colloquy To SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS To obtain a true love of our neighbour. I know to to well o most zealous Apostle! the coldness of my hart towards my neighbour. I own, and condemn myself for the small charity I show, in succouring his necessities either temporal or spiriritual; and I am ashamed and totally confounded considering your admirable zeal and concern for his good. Obtain for me, o true lover of your neighbour! the least spark of that great fire that consumed your hart, which may kindle in my soul a true zeal and love of others good, that grieving at their misfortunes, and equally compassionating them in mind, comforting them in words, and helping them in deeds, I may the better imitate you in this virtue of charity, which is so properly termed yours. Amen. THE CONSIDERATION For the ninth friday Vpon S. FRANCIS XAVERIVS great desire to die for Christ. THe consideration of this day is far different from the former; for thô in some you have seen, Devout Reader, the desire this Saint had to suffer for Christ, yet we have not spoken of what belongs to the dying for him and giving testimony of his Holy faith by the shedding of his blood and becoming a Martyr. Saint Francis had this desire in the greatest excess imaginable, that he could with reason say with Saint Paul, Quotidie morior, I die daily, by always desiring to die, and because I never am so happy as to die, and give my life for my God. And thô Almighty God preserving him alive for his greater honour and glory, would not grant him the favour of a martyrdom consummated by death, yet he tried his constancy by several combats not inferior to those of Martyrs, and above all, permitted him to survive to that languishing desire of dying, that he might at least live a Martyr, thô he could not die one. He was apprehended twice in Iapony, sent to sea, and delivered over to murtherers to be dispatched; who vpon the point of executing their cruel design were so terrified and frighted by a sudden tempest, that they spared his life. He was also twice lead to the common place of execution by the furious incensed people. Twice stoned by the Moores. Often beaten, several times shot at with arrows, and as often presented with poison be. Vpon the sea cost of Piscaria the Idolatrous Badagi sought to kill him. The Mahometans persecuted him with no less malice and rage▪ and because their own children, whom the Saint had baptized, stood often sentinels to defend him from there parents fury and sometimes found ways for the Saint to escape their cruel hands, they set fire to the houses where they suspected him to lye hide. Whence a grave and learned doctor Martino Navarra reflecting vpon the life of S. Francis Xaverius always exposed to danger of death, sticks not to call it a perpetual martyrdom. All I have touched vpon here and more that I omit, is nothing to the real desire he had to die for so honourable a cause as the faith of Christ: and certainly he endured more anguish in his mind, by always( thô in vain) desiring to loose his life, then he could have suffered in his body by once dying a Martyr. Through the excess of these ardent wishes he was forced to cry out, Amplius Domine, Amplius, More, Lord, More, when in his sleep he seemed to carry vpon his back a heavy Moor, and in him the new world of the Indies. Out of the same inflamed desire he bore a holy envy to the fathers of the Society, who were in future ages to convert all the Islands of Moro, hoping withall, as he said, that those Islands would come to change their names and be called the Islands of Martyrs. To one that endeavoured to dissuade him with the apprehensions of death from those his heroic enterprises, he answered with no less humility then generosity, that it was what he so much desired, but he knew himself unworthy of such a signal favour. What he writ to a friend of his sheweth most clearly what were the desires of his great and noble soul: I( says he) sometimes do abhor even life itself, and covet rather to die then to see God so much offended, without being able to hinder it as I desire. So that the Acts of his Canonization say with reason of this glorious Apostle; Varia infidelium loca peragravit, non minus vt pro Christi fide sanguinem profunderet, quam vt fidei lucem gentibus inferret. That he traveled over so many countries of the Infidels with no less desire to shed his blood for the faith of Christ, then to enlighten the gentiles with the light of the true faith. Reflect, weak soul, vpon what has been said, and be ashamed of your carriage so little ressembling this great pattern and example, and ask yourself this question: was not Xaverius of flesh and blood, as I am? was not he a man, a son and child of Adam as myself? and yet how comes it to pass that he is so much enflamed with the divine love and I so little? And you'll find the origin of his so singular perfection to have been a total abnegation of himself, and alienation from all self love, whereby being transformed into God he desired to die to the world, that he might live to him alone. Ah if you could but once resolve to die to self love, then assure yourself the Holy love of God would abundantly increase in your soul. THE colloquy. To SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS to beg the grace to die to self love. YOu had reason to say, Holy Xaverius, with S. Paul; * Gal. 2.20. I live, now not I, but Christ liveth in me, who kindled in your soul those great desires of dying once to flesh and blood that so by death you might be united to your spirit, which was Christ. But I, unhappy wretch, live still to myself, I live to my own flesh, to my body, and to self love? and what wonder if I desire not to die for Christ, thereby to be united to him? what wonder if I love him not as my life? Beg of Almighty God for me, Dear Saint, that I may die to self love, to the end that every day so dying I may become wholly dead thereunto and begin to live to Christ; that then I may likewise with truth say with Saint Paul and you glorious Saint, I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Amen. THE CONSIDERATION For the Tenth Friday Vpon the perfections of SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS. SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS was an Apostle sent by jesus CHRIST, by command of his Vicar Paul the third with the title of nuntius A postolicus, to preach the Gospel to the Indians and convert them to our Holy Faith. Whereof he converted many hundred thousands, amongst whom were several Kings, Queens, Princes and great men. His sister, a Holy woman, abbess of the Poor Claresses at Gandia, foretold he should be such an one; for desiring her father to let him study Divinity, she said, he should prove a Great Apostle of the Indies. He was a prophet, and in such a manner that a most virtuous and wise man sticked not to say, that in some the spirit of prophecy was by fits, but in Saint Xaverius it seemed a constant habit. He was not only master of human Philosophy at Paris, but of the divine also in the East; where to all sorts of people he preached the Gospel and instr●cted them in what belonged to our holy faith; He confuted many masters of the Idolatou●s in several disputes; the Bra●mans of the Indians, the Carizi of the Moors, and the Bonzi of the Iaponians. He was endowed with all manner of virtues whether you mean power of working miracles, as you have seen in the former considerations, or virtuous habits that adorn the soul, as humility, chastity, patience, charity, &c. He had the gift of curing diseases 〈◇〉, as wee have shown you by several wonderful examples. He had the gift of helping the needy, in so much that he never refused his aid to any if conducing to their eternal salvation. He governed all with rare prudence as well seculars as Religious, which talent made him esteemed by the greatest Princes. The King of Portugal reverenced him as an oracle, receiving and following his directions as commands. The King of Travancor, called the Great King, published an Edict, commanding every one to obey the Great Father( Saint Xaverius) as the Great King. Saint Ignatius resolved to make him General of the Society of IESVS. Lastly he had the gift of tongues. in those countries they speak above a hundred several languages; thirty whereof are quiter different; yet Saint Francis when he entred those parts did not only understand the natives, but spoken the very same languagues most elegantly; yet with these two privileges; first of being understood( thô preaching to an auditory of different nations) by every one in their mother tongue: secondly of satisfying with one only answer the demands of several proposed to him at the same time, thô relating to different matters. Hereby we see that God by a special favour seems to have endowed Saint Francis with all those gifts S. Paul speaks of to have been divided amongst several in the primitive Church. * 1. Cor. 12.28. Some God hath placed in the Church, first Apostles, secondly Prophets, thirdly Doctors, next miracles, then the graces of curing diseases, helps, governing, kinds of tongues. All these gifts and graces were requisite for that great enterprise o converting the new world to the faith of Christ, for which God had designed his great servant SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS. These things mentioned in short ought, devout reader, to stir up in you a lively confidence and devotion to this great Saint so much beloved by God, and for his extraordinary sanctity enriched with such singular and rare graces and favours by the hand of his so bountiful creator. Seing therefore the nature of love is to change him that loves into him that is beloved, and to create such a likeness in their lives and actions, that they seem to live in one another, you ought to endeavour to liken yourself according to your state and condition, in all your actions to SAINT XAVERIVS, that finding in your soul some of his virtues he may love you the more, and loving you recommend you to our Lord, and obtain for you the favours you ask of him. To which end you shall finish your ten fridays with this following colloquy. THE colloquy. To SAINT FRANCIS XAVERIVS To obtain grace to imitate his virtues. IF I love you, O most Holy Apostle! I have just reason for it finding in you a thousand motives, to wit your many perfections that render you worthy of all love. But if you love me, as I am sure you do, it is purely your goodness and only vpon the account of my being a sinner. I am ashamed O Holy XAVERIVS that I have nothing that can win your love, but the difformity of my soul, nor any other title that may any way seem to challenge your affecti●n, then what in reality deserves your hatred; wherefore I most earnestly beseech you to obtain for me the grace to imitate your virtues, and those chiefly that did particularly render you so dear and pleasing to the Divin Goodness: that being so adorned I may both please you, and be acceptable in this life to the most pure eyes of the all-seing God, and have an assurance of enjoying him with you in the next for an eternity. Amen. FINIS.