"but expected every moment when the
barbarian should strike me with his scymiter, and confess my
apprehensions of death were as much too great, as the concernment of
Father Francis was too little."

In effect, he was so far from fearing death, that he looked on it as a
most pleasing object. "If we die for so good a cause," said Xavier on
another occasion, "we ought to place it amongst the greatest benefits we
receive from God; and shall be very much obliged to those, who, freeing
us from a continual death, such as is this mortal life, shall put us in
possession of an eternal happiness: So that we are resolved to preach the
truth amongst them, in despite of all their threatenings, and, encouraged
by the hopes of divine assistance, obey the precept of our Saviour, who
commands us to prefer the salvation of others above our lives."

In the most hazardous undertakings, he hoped all things from God, and
from thence drew his assurance of daring all things. Behold what he says
himself concerning his voyage of Japan: "We set out full of confidence in
God, and hope, that, having him for our conductor, we shall triumph over
all his enemies.

"As to what remains, we fear not to enter into the lists with the doctors
of Japan; for what available knowledge can they have, who are ignorant of
the only true God, and of his only Son our Lord Jesus? And besides, what
can we justly apprehend, who have no other aim than the glory of God and
Jesus Christ, the preaching of the gospel, and the salvation of souls?
supposing that we were not only in a kingdom of barbarians, but in the
very dominion of devils, and that naked and disarmed, neither the most
cruel barbarity, nor the rage of hell, could hurt us without God's
permission. We are afraid of nothing but offending God Almighty; and
provided that we offend not him, we promise ourselves, through his
assistance, an assured victory over all our enemies. Since he affords
sufficient strength to every man for his service, and for avoiding sin,
we hope his mercy will not be wanting to us. But as the sum of all
consists in the good or evil use of his benefits, we also hope he will
give us grace to employ ourselves for his glory, by the prayers of his
spouse, and our holy mother the Church, and particularly by the
intercession of our Society, and those who are well affected to it. Our
greatest, comfort proceeds from this, that God beholds the scope of this
our voyage, that our only aim is to make