the noblest families in Guypuscoa; that his courage was correspondent
to his birth; and that only the fear of God had inspired him with the
choice of such a life, so distant from his inclination, and his quality.

These considerations, in favour of Ignatius, led him to hearken, without
repugnance, to those discourses which were so little suitable to his
natural bent; as if the quality and virtue of him who made them, had
given a new charm and weight to what he said.

While things were passing in this manner, Xavier's money began to fail
him, as it frequently happens to foreigners, who are at a great distance
from their own country; and Ignatius, who was newly returned from the
voyages which he had made into Flanders and England, from whence he had
brought back a large contribution of alms, assisted him in so pressing
an occasion, and thereby made an absolute conquest of his affections.

The heresy of Luther began to spread itself in Europe: and it was an
artifice of those sectaries, to procure proselytes in the Catholic
universities, who, by little and little, might insinuate their new
opinions into the scholars, and their masters. Many knowing men of
Germany were come on that design to Paris, though under the pretence of
seconding the intentions of Francis the First, who was desirous to
restore learning in his kingdom. They scattered their errors in so
dexterous a manner, that they made them plausible; and principally
endeavoured to fasten on young scholars, who had the greatest reputation
of wit. Xavier, who was naturally curious, took pleasure in these
novelties, and had run into them of his own accord, if Ignatius had not
withdrawn him. He gave an account of this very thing not long afterwards
in a letter to his elder brother, Don Azpilcueta, of which Ignatius
himself was the bearer; who made a voyage into Spain, for those reasons
which I have set down in another place. And these are his words, which
well deserve to be related.

"He has not only relieved me, by himself, and by his friends, in those
necessities to which I was reduced; but, which is of more importance, he
has withdrawn me from those occasions which I had to contract a
friendship with young men of my own standing, persons of great wit, and
well accomplished, who had sucked in the poison of heresy, and who hid
the corruptions of their heart under a fair and pleasing outside. He
alone has broken off that dangerous commerce in which my own imprudence
h