Father Xavier was surprised at the hearing
of them; and as those questions, which are not reported by the Portuguese
particularly, were in all likelihood above the knowledge of the Pagans,
he was almost induced to think the devil had suggested them; at the least
he acknowledged, that to solve them he needed an extraordinary assistance
from above, and desired the Portuguese to second him with their prayers
during the disputation. Whether he received that supernatural assistance,
or that those difficulties did not so much surpass his knowledge as he
had thought, he answered to the satisfaction of the whole assembly. When
judgment was passed that those questions were fully decided, one of the
Bonzas, whose heart was wholly set on riches, and who believed that there
was nothing more charming in the world than gold and silver, undertook to
prove, that God was an enemy to the poor: "For," said the Bonza, "since
he denies them those blessings which he bountifully gives the rich, and,
in causing them to be born in a mean condition, exposes them to all the
miseries and ignominy of life, is it not a sign, that he has neither
kindness nor value for them?"

Xavier denied the consequence of that proposition; and argued both from
the principles of morality, which look on riches as false goods, and out
of the grounds of Christianity, which, in respect of salvation, count
them true evils. He reasoned thereupon so justly, and withal so clearly,
that his adversaries were forced to give up the cause, according to the
relation of the Portuguese, who were witness of it. After this they
advanced such extravagant and mad propositions, that they cost the Father
no trouble to confute, for they destroyed themselves. But the most
pleasant part of this day's work was, that the seven Bonzas not being
able to agree on some points of doctrine, fell foul on each other, and
wrangled with so much heat and violence, that at last they came to
downright railing, and had proceeded to blows, if the king had not
interposed his authority, which frightened them into quiet. This was the
end of that day's disputation; and nothing more confirmed the minds of
the auditors on the side of Xavier, than to see his adversaries at civil
wars amongst themselves.

The king going out of his palace the next morning, with a great
attendance, to walk in the town, according to his custom, and passing by
the house where the Portuguese lodged, sent a message to the holy man,
de