himself.

Xavier, who was no less careful for the interests of others, than he was
negligent of his own, found an expedient to satisfy them. He engaged his
word, that he would not pass over into China, till they had ended all
their business, and were gone from Sancian. This gave opportunity to the
Chinese merchant, with whom he had treated, to make a short voyage, under
promise, notwithstanding, to return at a time which was prefixed. While
these things were thus managed, the Father fell sick of a violent fever,
which continued on him fifteen days. The Portuguese took occasion from
thence to tell him, that heaven had declared against the voyage of China;
but being recovered, he followed his design with more warmth than ever.
While the merchants were lading their ships, he entertained himself day
and night with the prospect of converting China; and all his pleasure was
to think, how happy he should be, in dispossessing the devil of the
largest empire in the world. "If yet," said he, "it shall please Almighty
God to employ so vile an instrument as I am, in so glorious an
undertaking." Taken up with these and such-like meditations, he often
took his walk along the shore, and turning his eyes towards that desired
country, sent out ardent sighs. He said sometimes amongst his friends,
that his only wish was to be set down at the gates of Canton, and
troubled not himself with what might happen afterwards: happy he, if he
could once declare the Son of God to the Chinese, and more happy, if, for
his sake, he might suffer martyrdom.

In the mean time, all the Portuguese vessels, excepting only the Santa
Cruz, which had not yet her whole lading, set sail from Sancian for the
Indies. Xavier gave many letters to the merchants, to be delivered both
at Malacca and at Goa. He wrote to his friend James Pereyra, in terms
which were full of acknowledgment and charity. "Almighty God," said he in
his letter, "abundantly reward you, since I am not able of myself to do
it; at least, while I continue in this world, I shall not fail to implore
the Divine Goodness to confer on you, during your life, his holy grace,
accompanied with perfect health, and after your death eternal happiness.
But as I am persuaded, that I cannot acquit myself, by these my prayers,
of the great obligements which I have to you, I beg all those of our
Society in the Indies, to desire of God the same blessings in your
behalf. For what remains, if I compass my entrance i