Xavier, finding that Veglio had spoken very sincerely to him, and out of a pure principle of charity, said, as a man transported out of himself by the spirit of God; “Peter, the design you had, is a good work before the eyes of Him, who weighs the motions and intentions of the heart; He himself will recompence you for it, and that which you have not given, shall be one day restored to you an hundred-fold.  In the meantime, I answer for Him, that temporal goods shall be never wanting to you; and when you shall have misfortunes to put you backwards in the world, your friends shall assist you with their purses.  I farther declare to you, that you shall not die without being first advertised of the day of your death.”  After these predictions, Veglio was quite changed into another man, applying himself wholly to exercises of piety; and in the condition of a merchant, lived almost the life of a religious.  What had been foretold him, that he should have warning of his death, came frequently into his remembrance; and he could not hinder himself one day from asking the saint, at what time, and in what manner, it should be?  The saint told him, without pausing, “When you shall find the taste of your wine bitter, then prepare yourself for death, and know that you have but one day more to live.”

The merchant lived in opulence and splendour, even to an extreme old age.  He had several losses in his trade, according to the chance of things which are depending on the sea; but his friends continually relieved him in his necessities, and gave him wherewithal to set up again.  At length, being one day at a great entertainment, and more gay than ever, having asked for wine, he found the taste of it was bitter.  Immediately remembering the prophecy of Father Xavier, he was seized with an inward horror; which beginning from the soul, spread over his body, as if death had been pronounced against him, or the image of death presented to his eyes.  Nevertheless, somewhat recovering his spirits, for his farther satisfaction in the point, he desired his fellow-guests at the table to taste the wine out of his glass.  All judged it to be excellent, besides himself, who made divers trials of it on his palate.  He called for other wines, and another glass; but always found the same bitterness.  Then, no longer doubting but that his last hour was coming, after he had made an interior sacrifice of his life to God, he related to the company that prediction, which was now accomplished; and arose from the table with the thoughts of a Christian, who is disposing himself for death.  Having distributed his goods betwixt his children and the poor, he went to see his friends, and to give and take the last farewell;—­notwithstanding his great age, he was in perfect health.  It was thought he doted, and they endeavoured to persuade him out of his melancholy apprehensions.  But their arguments prevailed so little on his mind, that he gave orders for his own funeral, and invited his friends to do him the