ncouragement, that the Eternal
Wisdom is never failing to supply us with strength, to prosecute the
labours to which it has ordained us, even though they should surpass all
human abilities. He must, indeed, prepare himself for many sufferings;
but the affairs of God succeeded not but by the ways of suffering, and
that none could pretend to the honour of an apostleship, but by treading
in the steps of the apostles, whose lives were but one continual cross,
and a daily death; that heaven had employed him in the mission of St
Thomas, the apostle of the Indies, for the conquest of souls; that it
became him to labour generously, in reviving the faith in those
countries, where it had been planted by that great apostle; and that if
it were necessary for him to shed his blood, for the glory of Christ
Jesus, he should account it his happiness to die a martyr.

It seemed that God himself had spoken by the mouth of his vicegerent,
such impression had these words on the mind and heart of Xavier. They
inspired into him a divine vigour; and in his answer to his Holiness,
there shone through a profound humility such a magnanimity of soul, that
Paul III. had from that very minute a certain presage of those wonderful
events which afterwards arrived. Therefore the most Holy Father, having
wished him the special assistance of God in all his labours, tenderly
embraced him, more than once, and gave him a most ample benediction.

Xavier departed in the company of Mascaregnas the 15th of March, in the
year 1540, without any other equipage besides his breviary. In giving his
last adieu to Father Ignatius, he cast himself at his feet, and with all
humility desired his blessing; and, in taking leave of Laynez, he put
into his hands a small memorial, which he had written, and signed.

This memorial, which is still preserved at Rome, contains, that he
approves, as much as depends on him, the rules and constitutions, which
shall be drawn up, by Ignatius and his companions; that he elects
Ignatius to be their general, and, in failure of him, Le Fevre; that he
consecrates himself to God, by the three vows, of poverty, chastity,
and obedience, in the Society of Jesus, when it shall be raised into a
religious order, by the apostolical authority.

The conclusion of that affair was daily expected; and indeed it was
happily finished, before the ending of the year, in that almost
miraculous manner, as is related in the Life of St Ignatius.

His journey