never wrought so many miracles as at Malacca.
The juridical depositions of witnesses then living, have assured us, that
all sick persons whom he did but touch, were immediately cured, and that
his hands had an healing virtue against all distempers. One of his most
famous cures, was that of Antonio Fernandez, a youth not above fifteen
years of age, who was sick to death. His mother, a Christian by
profession, but not without some remainders of paganism in her heart,
seeing that all natural remedies were of no effect, had recourse to
certain enchantments frequently practised amongst the heathens, and sent
for an old sorceress, who was called Nai. The witch made her magical
operations on a lace braided of many threads, and tied it about the arm
of the patient. But instead of the expected cure, Fernandez lost his
speech, and was taken with such violent convulsions, that the physicians
were called again, who all despaired of his recovery. It was expected
every moment he should breath his last, when a Christian lady, who
happened to come in, said to the mother of the dying youth, "Why do you
not send for the holy Father? he will infallibly cure him." She gave
credit to her words, and sent for Xavier. He was immediately there:
Fernandez, who had lost his senses, and lay gasping in death, began to
cry out, and make violent motions, so soon as the Father had set his foot
within the doors; but when he came into the room, and stood before the
youth, he fell into howlings and dreadful wreathings of his body, which
redoubled at the sight of the cross that was presented to him. Xavier
doubted not but there was something of extraordinary in his disease, nor
even that God, for the punishment of the mother, who had made use of
diabolical remedies, had delivered her son to the evil spirits. He fell
on his knees by the bed-side, read aloud the passion of our Lord, hung
his reliquiary about the neck of the sick person, and sprinkled him with
holy water. This made the fury of the devil cease; and the young man,
half dead, lay without motion as before. Then Xavier rising up, "get him
somewhat to eat," said he, and told them what nourishment he thought
proper for him. After which, addressing himself to the father of the
youth, "when your son," added he, "shall be in condition to walk, lead
him yourself, for nine days successively, to the church of our Lady of
the Mount, where to-morrow I will say mass for him." After this he
departed, and the