himself an inward call to the
Holy-Land, for the conversion of Jews and Infidels, discovered his
intentions to Xavier, which he had already communicated to Le Fevre, and
four other learned young men, who had embraced his form of life.

All the seven engaged themselves, by promise to each other, and by solemn
vows to God Almighty, to forsake their worldly goods, and undertake a
voyage to Jerusalem; or in case that, in the compass of a year, they
could not find an accommodation of passing the seas, that they would cast
themselves at the feet of our holy Father, for the service of the church,
into whatever part of the world he would please to send them.

They made these vows at Montmartre, on the day of our Lady's assumption,
in the year 1534. That holy place, which has been watered with the blood
of martyrs, and where their bodies are still deposited, inspired a
particular devotion into Xavier, and possessed him with a fervent desire
of martyrdom.

Towards the end of the year following, he went from Paris, in the company
of Le Fevre, Laynez, Salmeron, Rodriguez, Bobadilla, and three other
divines, whom Le Fevre had gained in the absence of Ignatius, who, for
important reasons, was obliged to go before, and who was waiting for them
at Venice.

Somewhat before their departure, Xavier, who was sometimes too far
transported by the fervency of his soul, had tied his arms and thighs
with little cords, to mortify himself, for some kind of vain satisfaction
which he took in out-running and over-leaping his young companions; for
he was very active; and, amongst all the recreations used by scholars,
he liked none but the exercises of the body.

Though the cords were very straight about him, yet he imagined they would
not hinder him from travelling on foot. But he had scarcely begun his
journey, when he was taken with extreme pains. He bore them as well as he
was able; and dissembled them, till his strength failed him. His motion
had swelled his thighs, and indented the cords so deep into his flesh,
that they were hardly visible; insomuch that the chirurgeons, to whom his
fellows discovered them, plainly said, that any incisions which could be
made, would serve only to increase his pains, and that the ill was
incurable.

In this dangerous conjuncture, Le Fevre, Laynez, and the rest, had
recourse to Almighty God, and not in vain. Xavier waking the next
morning, found the cords fallen down, the swelling wholly taken away from
h