than a secular court. The number of courtiers
who come to confession, and are afterwards communicated, every eight
days, is so very great, that we are in admiration of it," and are in
perpetual thanksgiving for it. We are so taken up with hearing
confessions, that if we were twice so many as we are, there would be
employment more than enough for us. We are sitting on the confession-seat
all the day long, and part of the night, though none but courtiers are
permitted to come to us.

"I remember, that I observed, when the king was at Almerin, those who
waited on him, from all parts of the kingdom, about their own affairs, as
the custom is, were in great admiration at this new court-mode; and when
they beheld the young gentlemen at the sacrament of the altar, every
Sunday and holiday, with great reverence, they thought themselves in
another world. But the greatest part of them imitating that which they
admired, drew near to the tribunal of penance, and the holy table. Had
we confessors enow to attend the crowds that come to court, no man would
venture to apply himself to the king for any business, before he had been
first with God, and were well with him."

The two labourers in God's harvest were so exhausted with their pains,
that at length they were constrained to accept of the diet which was
provided for them by the king's appointment; for they judged their time
was better employed in the service of souls, than in begging their daily
bread about the streets. Yet they omitted not to ask alms once or twice
a-week, that they might not disuse themselves from the spirit of
mortification and poverty. With these considerations, they reserved but
little of what was sent them from the palace, and distributed the rest
among the poor.

On the other side, the perpetual labour of confessions reduced them to
preach but very seldom, for want of leisure. But, all things duly
examined, they thought it of more consequence to God's service, to
administer the sacrament of penance, than to preach the word; because the
court of Portugal was furnished with able preachers, but was much wanting
in judicious confessors; which was the very observation that Xavier made
in the letter above cited.

These visible and wonderful operations caused the two missioners to be
respected as men sent down from heaven, and replenished with the spirit
of the Most High; insomuch that all men gave them the surname of
apostles, which glorious title still remai