necessities to which I was reduced; but, which is of more importance, he
has withdrawn me from those occasions which I had to contract a
friendship with young men of my own standing, persons of great wit, and
well accomplished, who had sucked in the poison of heresy, and who hid
the corruptions of their heart under a fair and pleasing outside. He
alone has broken off that dangerous commerce in which my own imprudence
had engaged me; and has hindered me from following the bent of my easy
nature, by discovering to me the snares which were laid for me. If Don
Ignatius had given me no other proof of his kindness, I know not how I
could be able to return it, by any acknowledgments I could make: for, in
short, without his assistance, I could not have defended myself from
those young men, so fair in their outward carriage, and so corrupt in the
bottom of their hearts."

We may conclude, from this authentic testimony, that Xavier, far from
carrying the faith to the remotest nations of idolaters, was in danger to
make shipwreck of his own; had he not fallen into the hands of such a
friend as was Ignatius, who detested even the least appearance of heresy,
and whose sight was sharp enough to discover heretics, how speciously
soever they were disguised.

It was not sufficient to have only preserved Xavier from error, but it
was farther necessary to wean him altogether from the world: these
favourable dispositions which appeared in him, encouraged Ignatius to
pursue his design, and gave him hope of a fortunate success. Having one
day found Xavier more than ordinarily attentive, he repeated to him these
words more forcibly than ever: "What will it profit a man to gain the
whole world, and to lose his own soul?" After which he told him, that a
mind so noble and so great as his, ought not to confine itself to the
vain honours of this world; that celestial glory was the only lawful