olutions in few words, and
according to the rules of the schools. Whether it were that they
comprehended not the solutions, or were it out of their hot-headedness,
or that they seemed not to understand them to avoid the shame of being
baffled, they yielded not, but cried out louder than before. As they
disputed more for victory than truth, they denied all things, even to
those principles which are self-evident; pretending thereby to encumber
their opponent. Xavier knew what use to make of his advantages; he turned
the confusion upon them, by reducing them to manifest contradictions,
from whence they could never disengage themselves; so that, instead of
answering, they gnashed their teeth, foamed at mouth, and stamped and
stared about like madmen. The king, whose indignation was raised by
seeing the obstinacy of the Bonzas, said to them, in a kind of passion,
"As for myself, as far as I am capable of judging, I find that Father
Xavier speaks good sense, and that you know not what you say. You should
either understand better, or be less violent than you appear, to judge of
these truths without prejudice. But, if the divine law be wanting to you,
make use of your reason, which, of itself, will let you see, that you are
not to deny things which are evident, nor to bark like dogs." After these
words he rose from his seat, and, taking Xavier by the hand, brought him
back to his own lodging. The people, who followed in great multitudes,
made loud acclamations, and the streets rung with the praises of the holy
man: While the Bonzas, mad with rage and envy, cried out aloud, "May the
fire of heaven fall down upon a prince, who suffers himself to be so
easily seduced by this foreign magician!"

Thus concluded the disputations which he had with Fucarandono and the
Bonzas. They were very glorious for him, and for the religion which he
preached, but brought not forth the expected fruit amongst the idolaters
who were present at them; for neither the Portuguese author, whom we have
frequently cited, nor other historians of the Father's life, make mention
of any new conversions which were made; and it affords great occasion for
our wonder, that the lords of the court, who so much approved the
doctrine of Christianity, should still continue in the practice of
idolatry, and of their vices, if it were not always to be remembered,
that, in conversion, the light of the understanding avails nothing unless
the heart be also touched, and that th