,
in the midst of his continual labours. So that he practised, rigorously
and literally, that abstinence of which the Bonzas make profession, or
rather that which they pretend to practise. And he accustomed himself to
this immediately, upon what Paul de Sainte Foy had told him, that it
would look ill if a religious Christian should live with less austerity
than the priests of idols should in their course of life.

The wonders which God wrought, by the ministration of his servant, gave
farther confirmation to the Christian law. The saint walking out one day
upon the sea-shore, met certain fishers, who were spreading their empty
nets, and complained of their bad fortune. He had pity on them, and,
after making some short prayers, he advised them to fish once more. They
did so on his word, and took so many fish, and of such several sorts,
that they could hardly draw their nets. They continued their fishing for
some days after with the same success; and what appears more wonderful,
the sea of Cangoxima, which was scarce of fish, from that time forward
had great plenty.

A woman, who had heard reports of the cures which the apostle had made in
the Indies, brought him her little child, who was swelled over all the
body, even to deformity. Xavier took the infant in his arms, looked on
him with eyes of pity, and pronounced thrice over him these words, "God
bless thee;" after which, he gave the child back to his mother, so well
and beautiful, that she was transported with joy and admiration.

This miracle made a noise about the town; and gave occasion to a leper to
hope a cure for his disease, which he had sought in vain for many years.
Not daring to appear in public, because his uncleanness had excluded him
from the society of men, and made him loathsome to all companies; he sent
for Xavier, who at that time happened to be engaged in business, and
could not come; but deputed one of his companions to visit him; giving
orders to ask him thrice, if he was content to believe in Christ, in case
he should be healed of his leprosy; and thrice to make the sign of the
cross over him, if he promised constantly to embrace the faith. All
things passed according to the commission of the Father: the leper
obliged himself to become a Christian, upon the recovery of his health;
and the sign of the cross was no sooner made over him, but his whole body
became as clean as if he had never been infected with leprosy. The
suddenness of the cure wro