rprised into an opinion of
them; they were ordinarily public matters of fact, avowed by a whole city
or kingdom, and which had for witnesses the body of a nation, for the
most part Heathen, or Mahometan. Many of these miracles have been of long
continuance; and it was an easy matter for such who were incredulous, to
satisfy their doubts concerning them. All of them have been attended by
such consequences as have confirmed their truth, beyond dispute: such as
were--the conversions of kingdoms, and of kings, who were the greatest
enemies to Christianity; the wonderful ardency of those new Christians,
and the heroical constancy of their martyrs. But after all, nothing can
give a greater confirmation of the saint's miracles, than his saint-like
life; which was even more wonderful than the miracles themselves. It was
in a manner of necessity, that a man of so holy a conversation should
work those things, which other men could not perform; and that, resigning
himself to God, with an entire confidence and trust, in the most
dangerous occasions, God should consign over to him some part of his
omnipotence, for the benefit of souls.

THE LIFE OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER.

BOOK I.

_His birth. His natural endowments, and first studies. His father
purposes to recal him from his studies, and is diverted from that
resolution. He continues his studies, and sets up a philosophy lecture.
He is preserved from falling into heresy. His change of life. His
retirement, and total conversion. He consecrates himself to God, by a
vow. What happened to him in his journey to Venice. What he did at
Venice. He goes to Rome, and from thence returns to Venice. He prepares
himself to celebrate his first mass. He celebrates his first mass, and
falls sick after it. St Jerome appears to him. He goes to Bolognia, and
labours there with great success. He relapses into his sickness, and yet
continues preaching. He is recalled to Rome by Father Ignatius, and
labours there with great success. The occasion of the mission into the
Indies. He is named for the mission of the Indies. God mysteriously
reveals to him his intended mission to the Indies. He takes his leave of
the Pope, and what his Holiness said to him. He departs from Rome. How he
employed himself during his journey. His letter to Ignatius. Some
remarkable accidents in his journey to Lisbon. He passes by the castle of
Xavier without going to it. He arrives at Lisbon, and cures Rodriguez
immedi