The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16Dryden, John
History
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16
Dryden, John
English literature
He says mass in the midst of
an earthquake. He is admired by the barbarians. He is persecuted by a
cruel and savage people. His sufferings in the isle Del Moro; and the
consolations which he there received. He goes for Goa; and the reason
that induced him. He returns to Ternate. His proceedings at Ternate. He
endeavours the conversion of the king of Ternate. What hindered the king
of Ternate's conversion. He labours with great fruit in the court of
Ternate. He leaves to the islanders a Christian instruction written with
his own hand. The counsel he gave the Ternatines at parting. He renews
his labours at Amboyna. He is endued with the supernatural knowledge of
some things. A cross, erected by Xavier, becomes famous. The constancy of
the Christians in Amboyna_.
The reputation of Xavier was not confined to the kingdom of Travancore;
it was spread abroad through all the Indies; and the God of the
Christians, at the same time, was had in so great veneration, that the
most idolatrous nations sent to desire the saint, that he would come and
give them baptism. His joy was infinite, to find the Gentiles, of their
own free motion, searching after the way of eternal life; but, on the
other side, he was afflicted that he was not sufficient alone to instruct
so many vast countries as were gone astray from it.
Seeing the harvest so great, and the labourers so few, he wrote earnestly
to Father Ignatius in Italy, and to Simon Rodriguez in Portugal, for a
supply of missioners. He had such transports of zeal on that occasion, as
to say, in one of his letters, "I have often thoughts to run over all the
universities of Europe, and principally that of Paris, and to cry aloud
to those who abound more in learning than, in charity, Ah, how many souls
are lost to heaven through your default! It were to be wished, that those
people would apply themselves as diligently to the salvation of souls, as
they do to the study of sciences; to the end they might render to
Almighty God a good account of their learning, and the talents which he
has bestowed on them. Many, without doubt, moved with thoughts like
these, would make a spiritual retreat, and give themselves the leisure of
meditating on heavenly things, that they might listen to the voice of
God. They would renounce their passions, and, trampling under foot all
worldly vanities, would put themselves in condition of following the
motions of the divine will. They would say, from the bottom of their
hearts, behold me in readiness, O my Lord; send me wheresoever thou shalt
please, even to the Indies, if thou commandest me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account