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 remains with their successors in
Portugal. The king, on all occasions, shewed them a most particular
affection; and Xavier, ravished with so many expressions of his goodness
to them, gives this account of it to Father Ignatius.

"Our whole society stands obliged to his majesty, for his singular favour
to us; as well the rest of you at Rome, as we in Portugal. I am given to