heauen answerable vnto their name are not only replenished and inflamed with charity but like a spirituall fire do alwayes burne with diuine loue and therewithall do like wise enkindle and illustrate those Angels that are inferiour vnto them Then contemplate the Cherubims so called for their fulnesse of knowledge clearer light of vnderstanding wherwith they excell all other inferiour spirits in so much as they see God more clearly and know more things in him Wherfore they are as it were the Counsellers of the celestiall King excelling in knowledge wisedome which they also communicate to the inferiour Angels Contemplate after this the Thrones who as the familiar and intrinsecall Secretaries of God are adorned with this title for so much as they are as it were the seates and thrones of the King in which the Diuine Maiesty doth after a certaine sort reside and rest which also they carry with them whithersoeuer they goe as it were in a Pontificall Chaire OF THE SECOND HIERARCHY Descend then to the second Hierarchy which containeth three other Quires of Angels that is to say Dominations Vertues and Powers who are seuerally designed to the vniuersall gouernment of these inferiour things And first contemplate the Dominations who representing the dominion of the supreme Prince after the manner of Viceroys haue commaund ouer their inferiours and in Diuine mysteries send them forth for the gouernment of the world Secondly contemplate the Vertues who with their power and vigour representing the infinite power of the Lord of Hosts do mannage all hard and difficult matters to the glory of God do worke admirable effectes in his creatures Thirdly contemplate the Powers who like Iudges do represent the authority and power of the high and vniuersall Iudge and haue the office to keep vnder all aeriall powers and to remoue from men all impediments and hinderances least their way to their saluation be intercepted OF THE THIRD HIERARCHY To conclude I descend to the third and last Hierarchy in which there are contained three other Quires that is to say of the Principalities Archangels and Angels Contemplate first the Principalities so called for that like as this lowest Hierarchy is appointed by God for the execution of his Diuine coÌ„maundments towards his creatures so the Principalities who are the Angels of the first Quire for so much as they represent the prime Prince are deputed to the gouernement of diuers Prouinces and particulaâ— Kingdomes These also euen as they do in chiefe receaue commaunds immediately from God so do they commit the same to other inferiour Angels and afford likewise assistance for the performance of them There follow likewise two others to wiâ— of Archangells and Angells who according vnto their names are as it were Legates and messengers sent for diuers causes from God into the world who are also designed for the keeping of certaine places and men Neither is there any other difference betweene these two quires then that to the Archangels greater to the Angells lesser matters are committed And this is the summe of that little which we are able to vnderstaÌ„d of that diuine architecture and order of the house of God But if the coÌ„ceit of our vnderstanding were able to proceed any further and inwardly to penetrate into the nature and function of euery Angell it would discouer that they as euery one of them particularly haue particular offices and imployments in the heauenly Hierusalem so likewise that they do with their peculiar order meruelously adorne that vniuersall blessed multitude of the celestiall Court. For euen as we see that this our visible heauen adorned with so many stars and distinguished into orbes according to the number of the planets is moued with admirable order and exerciseth its influence vpon the earth vnder it so that spirituall and inuisible heauen is after an order more admirable and diuine adorned with the variety of so many Angels as with stars by which as through so many orbes of Planets 〈◊〉 Lord of the vniurese powreth vpon humane kind the influence of all his spirituall gifts and graces Therfore consider now my Soule that if the Queene of Saba 3. Reg. 10. hearing the wisedome of Salomon and beholding the magnificence of his Kingly pallace together with the number and equipage of his seruants that attended him being astonished with admiration at the prudence of this most wise King as the Scripture sayth Non habebat vltra spiritum she had no longer spirit and said Beati viri tui beati serâ—i tul hi qui stant coram te semper audiunt sapientiam tuam Blessed are thy men and blessed are thy seruants who stand alwayes before thee and heare thy wisedome How much more occasion shouldest thou haue not only with that Queene to admire but euen with that good Prophet to faint through the desire and loue of this blessed habitation if perfectly thou couldest vnderstand the dignity excelleÌ„cy order of the Court of that true Salomon which with his eternall wisedome and art he hath constituted ordained What consolation what ioy I beseech you would it be vnto you if after the course of this life that felicity might likewise befall you that together with those celestiall spirits you might be honoured with the title of Courtier to so great a Lord whom to serue is to raigne Prospher â—p ad Demet. O most holy and pure Angels O how truly blessed are you who perpetually stand before the face of your God with such exceeding ioy contemplate the face of that celestiall Salomon by whome you are adorned with so great wisedome enriched with so many prerogatiues and made worthy of so great glory You most resplendent stars who so happily shine in the Emperiall heauen infuse likewise I beseech you into my soule your blessed influences preserue my fayth vnspotted my hope firme my manners blamelesse my loue entire towards God and my neighbour I humbly petition ô Blessed Angels that you would vouchsafe me your helping hand to coÌ„duct me by that royall way of humility which you first traced that after this my life I may togeather with you deserue to contemplate the face of our eternall Father and be bestowed in the place of some star that hertofore through pride fell from Heauen OF THE ANGELS IN PARTICVLAR The second Part. OF S. MICHAEL ARCHANGELL BVT next to the contemplation of thâ— Angelicall Hierarchies it well befitteth vs to contemplate something also of that victorious captaine of the celestiall army S. Michael the Archangell who in respect of his transcendent zeale and fidelity was by God constituted the Prince of all those Angels who are sent into the world for the performance of diuers ministeries Moreouer this most Blessed Michaell was honoured with this name which is interpreted Quis vt Deus who is as God For when proud Lucifer was stirred vp against God endeauoring to be esteemed equall vnto him this most couragious Archangell not tolerating so great iniury to be offered to
pious affection towards Aloysius For allthough the Priests were wont to be allotted another place of buriall differing from other men notwithstanding before his departure out of this life he made knowne to the Infirmarian that his will was to be buried in the same place which should be assigned to this Blessed young maÌ„ after his death Therfore by commaundment from the Superiors it was afterwards done as he desired There are some who recount that Aloysius prophesied that this Father should depart out of this life before him The which came to passe accordingly For he dyed vpon the first day of Iune being Whitsunday-Eue at twelue of the clocke in the night twen ty dayes before Aloysius made his happy end Aloysius his chamber was so farre from the chamber of this Father that he was the length of a whole gallery distant from him and so consequently could by no ordinary meanes haue vnderstaÌ„ding of his being in danger of death and yet he imagined that thrice that night he saw him The which he related the next morning to the Infirmarian almost in this manner The window being open and he coming according to his custome to see him and asking how he had passed the former night Truly but ill sayd he for after an vnusuall manner I haue bene troubled with dreames or rather visions For three tymes did I seemer to see the good Father Corbinellus perplexed with vehement paine and first I heard him speake vnto me in this sort It is now high ty me my deerâ— brother to commend me earnestly to God to beseech him that I may with a patient and couragious mynd endure the bitternesse of this grieuous dangerous torment wherewith I am vexed for so much as vnlesse I be he strengthned with his speciall assistance I am diffident how I should behaue my selfe therin Being awaked and supposing it to be a dreame It were better sayd I to my selfe by way of reprehenson for thee to sleepe wherfore driue away these fancies A little after being but newly fallen a sleepe he appeareth agayne vnto me importuning more vehemently then before that I would assist him with my prayers in that his so great extremity which seemed to him allmost intollerable Againe I am roused out of my sleepe agayne I blame my owne restlesse disposition and determine with my selfe to aske leaue the next day to expiate with some pennance this my negligence in fulfilling the coÌ„maunds of the Phisitian and my Superiours who charged me to endeauour to take my rest But behold after that the third ty me I had entred into a sleepe the same vision appeared vnto me and calleth vpon me in this manner Now now my deere brother I am allmost arriued at the period of this my miserable life Offer vp your prayers to God that he would vouchsafe a happy successe to this my last passage and our of his infinite mercy to blesse me with the immortall glory of the other life There I will not faile to pray in like manner for you That thing did so absolutely beâ—eaue me of all sleepe that being stroken with the terrours of these representations whilst I often beat vpon them with my cogitation the other parte of the night I was not able to take any manner of rest at all The Infirmarian hearing these discourses dissembled the whole matter shewed no signe of admiratioÌ„ called them dreames and fancies of the mind affirmed that Fa. Corbinellus was well concealed his death exhorted him to lay aside all care and dispose himselfe to rest He then replied not so much as one word more vnto him But at another time vpon some occasion giuen he gaue them to vnderstand that he was certainely assured that he was not only dead but that he was euen entred into heauen Wherupon Fa. Pobert Bellarmine asking him what he thought of his soule whether it were detained yet in the fire of purgatory or no Verily he answered confidently that without any delay it passed froÌ„ Purgatory By which answere he coniectured that he had it reuealed vnto him from God For wheras he was of his owne nature infinitely considerate in all his speaches and sparing in the affirmation of doubtfull things he wold neuer vnlesse he had bene certified from God haue so clearly assured his Ghostly-Father that he had now passed Purgatory All this time we all besought him with as exquisite reasons as we could that he would pray to almighty God that his life might be enlarged for by that meanes he might come at last to heauen full-fraught with infinite accesse of merits and that he might render more profit to men and principally to the Society But he to them all gaue this one only answere Melius est dissolui better it is to dye Which he said with so great sensible affection of mind and with so great serenity of countenance that it was a sufficient testimony with what affection he desired to be presently transferred to enioy an indissoluble coniunction with God CHAP. XXXI He sendeth vnto his mother two letters in the time of his sicknesse by the which he comforteth her and intâ—cateth her prayers HE sent in all this time of his sicknesse two letters to his mother In the beginning of the first after that he had passed those first stormes with which she thought that he might haue bene oppressed with the relation where of comforting her at the first exhorting her to the patient enduring of aduersity he addeth this which followeth It is now a moneth since I was in that state that I receaued from God that benefit of his by far the greatest of all other namely that in his grace as confidently I persuaded my selfe I should haue departed this life And I was then fortified with the sacred Viaticum Extreme-vnction When it was the pleasure of God to prolong my time in the meane time leauing me in a remisse feuer to prepare me to death The Phisitians being ignorant what the euent of the matter will be endeauour to procure the health of my body with exquisite remedies But it is my greatest comfort for that I am persuaded that Almighty God doth prepare to giue me far more entire health then the Phisitians are able to giue Therfore in the meanâ— time that hope maketh me ioyfull that within few moneths it will come to passe that Almighty God will bring me from the land of mortall men to that of the liuing from the society of men liuing vpon the earth to that of the Angels citizens of heauen finally from the behoulding of things terrent and fraile to the sight and contemplation of that good and great God in whome all good is contained The same cogitatioÌ„ may be vnto you most illustrious Lady in respect of that great loue which you beare to me and for so much as you desire that which may tend to my felicity an infinite comfort I beseech you to make me partaker of all your prayers and to giue order
that the same may be done by the Sodality of Christian Doctrine that this short time in which I must yet wrastle with the tempestuous sea of this world God by the mediation of his only begotten sonnes merits in like manner by the prayers of his most holy mother and the Blessed Saints Nazarius and Celsus would vouchsafe to drowne all my sinnes in his most sacred bloud which with bitter torment he shed for our sakes as it were in the red sea so that being freed from the feare of all my enemies I may passe into that land promised by God to soe and enioy him euerlastingly The selfe same God comfort you Most honourable Lady Amen He wrote another letter somewhat longer a little before his death when he had now as I shall after declare knowledge from God of the day vpon which he should dye and passe to heauen These are his wordes bidding farewell to his Mother Most illustrious Lady and my most honoured mother in Christ The peace of Christ by with you My prayer is Most Honourable Lady that you may be alwayes partaker of the grace consolation of the Holy Ghost I remained yet in this region of mortality when your letters were deliuered to me But now this is to giue you to vnderstand that I must at last aspire to heauen where I may for euer prayse God in the land of the liâ—ing which iourney I did of late hope to haue performed before this time but my feuâ—r truly as I wrote vnto you in my other letter when it seemed most to burne and rage being vpon the suddaiâ—â— mittigated it brought me by little and little ouer vnto that Holy day of Christs Ascension into heauen From that time my brest being oppresed with great violence of distillation my feuer was so renewed that I do now by degrees approach 〈◊〉 to those sweet and deere imbracements of my â—â—lestiall Father in whose lap I hope to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and euerlasting rest And so the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that were brought thither of me as I also wrote to the Marques do certainely agree But if it be the part of Charity as S. Paul sayth flere cum flentibus gaudere cum gaudentibus Rom. 1â— to weepe with them that weepe and reioyce with them that reioyce you must of necessity my most Honourable Mother conceaue most infinite ioy for this that God out of his bounty fauour towards you doth designe me true ioy and security from the least feare of euer loosing the same Verily for I will freely confesse vnto you Most illustrious Lady when I ingulfe my mind in the consideration of that Diuine bounty which is like an immense sea without either shore or bottom it being as it were rauished with the greatnesse therof seemeth vnto me to erre and misinforme me For so much as he in reward of so short and small labour sendeth for me vnto eternall rest as who from his heauenly throne calleth me to that high felicity which I so negligently haue sought promiseth me the fruite of my teares which I so sparingly haue shed Take heed my most Noble Lady and be very carefull that you offer not the least violence to this infinite benignity of God which verily you should do if you should be waile him as dead who liueth in the sight of God and is far more auaileable in recommending your affaires then in this life he was This shall be no long separation We shall meet againe in Heauen be vnited to our sweet Redeemer with all the powers of our soule praysing him for euer singing forth his eternall mercies shall enioy immort all comforts Neither truly do I doubt but that if excluding those respectes which consanguinity suggesteth to our mind we would giue place to fayth and that pure and simple obedience which we owe to God we should freely with an open haÌ„d offer that vnto him which is his owâ—â— And that so much the more willingly by how â—â—ch that which is taken from vs is more deare For so we shall giâ—â—â—testimony that we esteeme that nothing is done by God but with great wisedome and for our commodity He taketh from vs but that which he had bent vs before with no other purpose but to conserne it in a place more safe and of more immunity that he may adorne it with those good thinges which euen we would wish vnto our selues I haue said all this for no other end then to comply with that desire of mine which I haue that you most Honourable Lady and all the rest of my family account this my departure as a most acceptable benefit and vouchsafe I beseech you to accompany me with your blessing whilst â—â—ferry ouer this litle riuer til I touch at that shore where harboureth all my hope Which so much the more willingly I do for so much as there remaineth nothing vnto me wherby I might more eâ—idently signify the loâ—â— and reuerence which as a sonne I owe vnto you my mother Finally thus I conclude begging againe most humbly your blessing From Rome this X. of Iune the yeare of our Lord 1591. Your most Honourable Ladiships most obedient sonne in Christ Aloysius Gonaga Câ—AP XXXII Of the preparation which Blessed Aloysius made for his death in a rapt he partaketh celestiall ioyes and foretelleth the day of his death IT is now time to declare in how Christian-like and holy a manner B. Aloysius prepared himselfe for that his last passage from earth to Heauen Whilst he continued in this disease which verily was long and as such are wont to be infested with difficult and grieuous dangers he neuer at any time gaue the least signe of a deiected mind either in word or gesture He neuer seemed to take disgust either in the obseruance of the Infirmarian or in any thing else that he vndertooke to doe about him And although in sicknesse a man is more apt to discouer his hidden imperfectioÌ„s then at any other time notwithstanding he alwayes made good his former patience He was euer exactly obedient to his Superiours Phisitians and Infirmarians and how a Religious man should behaue himselfe in sicknesse although that be very troublesome he gaue a very manifest example After he had betaken himselfe to his bed he gaue eare to no other discourses at any tyme but of diuine matters and of a blessed life Therfore neuer any one visited him but to comply with him setting a syde all other discourse hespake of piety And if any forgetting this order interlaced any other speach Aloysius recollecting his mynd would thinke with himselfe of some other matters till such tyme as they fell vpon sacred things agayne For then changing himselfe and returning to discours he made shew not only to be recreated but eueÌ„ exhilarated Of this his custome this reason he gaue was that allthough he nothing doubted but that it was no way differing from the course of a Religious man to speake in conuersation prudently of indifferent matters for
contemplate the office of thy faythfull guardian who conducteth thy soule after that hauing performed her long and perilous pilgrimage she shall be cleare purged from all spot ioyned to her heauenly spouse by the celestiall Paraâ—â—â—ph and adorned with many guiftes and diuine graces all cheerfull and exhilerated to heauen to that supernall Hierusalem our mother and there with great ioy and exultation of all the Angels and Saints of Paradise of whom she had long since bene expected shall present her before the face of her celestiall Father that from his Diuine handâ— she may receaue her crowne of glory and of that felicity which from before all eternity was prepared for her and for which we poore wretches do groane and sigh in this vale of teares O a thousand times happy soule who after she hath bene faythfull to her Creatour and hath obeyed the good Counsels of her Angell-keeper after the laudable spending of the yeares of her life shal by the same Angell be brought into those eternall taberâ—â—cles of the iust There shall the true marâ—iâ—ge of the lambe be celebrated with 〈◊〉 rely beloued spouse there shall be complete ioy perfect peace and rest without end But thou ô my soule that throughout the whole course of thy life hast bene no otherwise imployed then in offending thy Creatour and contristating thy good Angell-guardian what comfort shall he haue to bring thee before the face of thy Father and thou with what couÌ„tenance darest thou appeare in his presence Alas ô my God and therfore shall I despaire No verily For seing that thy mercy is inexhaustible and that in the person of that good Father in the Gospell thou didest with so great charity rece aue thy penitent sonne I am altogether confident that I if grieuing and doing pennance for my life past I shall returne vnto thee my Father that I shall not be cast-off but receaued of thee my most mercifull Father if not as an obedient yet at least as a penitent child But now what retribution are we able to make to our Lord for such so great benefits receaued from his Maiesty For whatsoeuer we are indebted to the blessed spirits by whose industry all thesâ— benefits haue befallen vs all that do we owe to our Creatour who hath commaunded his Angells to keep vs in all our wayes Psal 90. Although in like manner to the Angell-Guardians themselues we owe very great thankes for their immense charity and the remonstrance of their most faythfull ministery towards vs. And first of all thou owest honour worship and reuerence to that Angell who continually assisteth thee taking good heed that in his sight thou do not any thing which thou would est not do in the presence of any man that is thy Superiour And 〈◊〉 be to thee if this holy Angell offended with thy finnes and negligences shall onâ—â— thinke thee vnworthy of his presence Angelicall visitation Besides these things there are many vortues which are pleasing to the holy Angells and which they desire to see in our soules and worthily ought we to bestow all diligence in the obtaining of them These are sobriety chastity voluntary pouerty frequent sighs ioyned with deâ—ouâ— teares and seruent prayer but aboue all vnion peace and brotherly charity these are the vertues which principally the Angells of peace require of vs. O my soule ô thou that art the beautifull image of thy Creatour would to God thou diddest but know thy owne dignity how much thou art beloued of God and how much esteemed of his Angells no doubt but not to offer iniury any more to him who so much hath honoured thee and not to contristrate thy most faythfull guardian thou wouldest no more so easily contaminate thy selfe with the dregs and filth of sinne For if so great ioy be in heauen foâ— the conuersion of one only sinner thinke with how much griefe thy good Angell is afflicted when he seeth thee by sinne spoyled of the grace of God For if he were possessed of either life or bloud most willingly wouâ—â— he in imitation of our Lord powre it forthâ— for thy saluation Bring to passe therforâ— that thou maiest chiefly be adorned with those Vertues which exhilerate the Angells and glorify thy Creatour that by these 〈◊〉 of most pretious merits thou maist correspondent to the Angelicall veâ—tues 〈◊〉 fruite answerable to the reward of Angels 〈…〉 THE COLLOOVV Thou shalt pray to our Lord God that as he after so admirable an order distributeth the offices and ministeries of his Angels for mans sake so would he likewise vouchsafe so graunt vnto thee that by alâ— those blessed spirits which are daily assistingâ— and seruing his Diuine Maiesty in heauenâ— thy life may euermore be preserued and 〈◊〉 â—ended from thy cruell enemies And thâ—â— as he hath to them granted that so copi 〈…〉 gift of grace so would he by their 〈◊〉 ers also grant thee grace to imitate the iâ— humility charity purity that leading vpâ—â— earth an Angelicall life thou maiest deserue one day to be made like to the Angells 〈◊〉 heauen and togeather with them enioy 〈◊〉 nally the wished glorious vision of God DOCVMENTS 1. OVR Lord sayth that vnlesse we be made as little ones we shall not enter into heauen for as he sayth in another plate Taliâ—menim est regnâ—â— caelorum Motâ—â—â— 19 of such is the Kingdome of Heaue Wherfore if we will be â—aued it behooueth vs to haue the properties of little children and to practise such manners as they in that their small age vse Little children are simple void of malice and deceit they are pure both in mind and body they set light by either honour or disgrace they put no iniury vpon any one and when any is offered them they reuenge it not they contend not with any one they giue place vnto all finally they are in awe of their betters and easily submit themselues vnto them And these are the ChristiaÌ„ vertues which Christ himselfe professed and taught others to imitate when he said Discite a me quia mitis sum humilis corâ—â— Matth. 11. Learne of me because I am mild and humble of hart in which two vertues all the forsaiâ— properties are contained 2. Moreouer our Lord said Qui humiliauerit se sicut paruulus iste erit maior inregno celorum Matth. 18. He that shall humble himselfe like this little child shall be the greater in the kingdome of heauen Very well therfore said the Apostle that the wisedome of the flesh was an enemy and contrary to the wisedome of God for in the world they are thought to be the greatest who diligently vphould the state and degree of their honour and estimation whome God maketh no account of at all But on the contrary part they that haue no regard at all of their honour and endeauour to humble themselues euen vnder the feet of all others these are truly great in the sight of God and shall be likewise in heauen more great then
which hauing now by Gods help finished do sâ—na the same vnto you most Excellent Prince and my request is that you would giue me to vnderstand whether you would haue it published or no. For although I make no doubt but that it will much auaile to the increasing of zeale in men and loâ—e towards God notwithstanding I thought it not fit for me to do so much without knowledge how your will stood affected therunto Wherfore I offer and present it vnto you vnto whome of right I ought not only in respect of your propinquitie with him in bloud wherin you are nearest allied and the loue wherwith he did alwayes most singularly affect you but also which truly I make most account of for that as in this degree of life in which you remaine you may seeme to imitate the innocency and vertue of his mind so far as the Bishop of Brescia doubted not vpon a time to affirme that there was no cause why he should be soâ—icitoâ—s of that part of his Diocesse Most Excellent Prince which was placed in your Dominion for so much as you and your most prudent and choyce Espouse Bibiana Pernestainia did with most excellent examples of a commenâ—abâ—e life and also with a gouerment full of Religion and Piety season the minds of those people that were subiect vnto you with so much obseruance and deuotion towards God that euen he made a great question whether he was able to straine them vp to an higher pitch Therfore Most Excellent Prince accept this small gift but such as according to my singular affection towards you is giuen with a very wiâ—ling mind and in this respect comfort and recreate your selfe to the end you may know that men of your kindred do flourish not only vpon earth in Military Valour and Amplitude of Dominion subiect to their power but euen in Heauen also with the glory of perfect Vertue and Sanctimony THE AVTHOVR OF THIS WORKE to the Pious Reader NO one euer was conuersant amongst Histories and the liues of men who at diuers times haue flourished for sanctity in the Cartholick Church but by reading might discouer that the Dinine Prouidence so often as it vouchsafed to the world any Saint or man of vpright example did for the most part prouide some one of his acquaintance familiar friends who moued out of some heauenly instinct should set forth his life manners To wit least that wheras their liues being as a rule to direct ours and point out vnto vs the strâ—it way to Bâ—atitude much more certainely then either bookes or sermons the fame of them might end togeather with their death but rather to the common good document of posterity should flourish euen in succeeding ages Now for so much as the monumentall actes of those ancient men famous for sanctity of life although replenished with all exemplar vertues as being further remote from our practice vnderstanding are not in the minds of many men of that validity as of right they should be and moue for the most part rather admiration then desire of imitation whereupon some haue not feared now and then to affirme that it is impossible for any one now to arriue to that degree of absolute vertue which those ancient men attained so happily vnto as if forsooth by processe of time the vigour of mindes and celestiall assistance should be rebated For this cause therfore not without the speciall prouidence of God do there daily spring vp in the Church which is adorned like a faire garden some men like so many fresh plants and flowers who aspire towards heauen with a certaine exact manner of life questionlesse to the intent that we may clearly vnderstand that the hand of our Lord is not shortned that we may as well now as in times past be conuersant in worshipping God with offices of perfect sanctity Amongst these was B. Aloysius Gonzaga in our memory a young man neuer celebrated with prayses answerable to his excellency who in that space of 23. yeares and 3. moneths which he liued shined in so much innocency of life and proceeded so far in the practice of vertue that into as many as knew him he strooke admiration and into diuers that were his familiar friendes a loue to imitate his example To the intent that they who knew him not whilst he was liuing should not be destitute of his so remarkable presidents God in his behalfe as he is wont to doe moued the mindes of many to note and set downe in writing those thinges which they were giuen to vnderstand of his life For to omit that his comming to religion is compendiously set downe in the Annuall letters of the Society of IESVS of the yeare 2585. committed to print where discourse is made of the Roman House of probation that in the life of Eleonora Archduchesse of Austria Duchesse of Mantua a most eminent woman which is likewise published in print vpon occasion his said entrance into religion and departure out of this life is very commendably made mention of He that did principally set forth in writing the vertues of Aloysius was Hieronymas Platus the authour of that worke intituled de Dignitate Cardinalis ad Fratrem and in like manner of that other De bono status Religiosi a man of rare guiftes both naturall and diuine but especially endued with an excellent iudgment and prudence and with singular piety and Religion He when as at that time he gouerned the Nouices at Rome in the House of the Professed of the Society of IESVS who are sent thither to assist at Masse to which place Aloysius being as yet but a Nouice repaired on a tyme required of him that he would orderly recount vnto him the whole course of his life his purpose of imbracing religion and finally all those benefits which he receaued from Almighty God whilst he liued as yet in the liberty of the world Which truly for so much as they seemed vnto him to proceed after a singular and altogether an vnusuall manner and no otherwise then from a certaine peculiar grace and fauour of God the young man being gone from him he briefly set downe all those passages in writing Next vnto this man I my selfe began to write his life at Rome whilst he yet liued For wheras in the Romane Colledge I was daily familiar and in a manner inward with him and perceaued that all who both heard and beheld his words and manners were excited to piety no otherwise then men are wont to be who with a mind rightly prepared and a desire to profit read the actes of Saints I was of an opinion that the examples of his sanctity would worke the same effectuall operation with strangers if they did but once entertaine a knowledge of him Therfore out of a peculiar instinct as I suppose of God out of a desire to render a coÌ„modity to very many I determined to commit to writing his life And this my resolution F.
of an opinion that three singular thinges may be recouÌ„ted of him The first that as once was said of Saint Bonauenture by his Maister Alexander Halensis Adam seemed not to haue sinned in him so remote from all suspition of sinne did he retaine his state of innocency The other that in his manners he rather seemed to be like an Aâ—â—ell then a man so much did the spirit in him ouercome the flesh the mind the sense The third that after a singular kind of manner that same saying of the Wiseman agreeth vnto him Consummatus in breui expleuit tempora multa Being consummate in short space he fulfilled much time For in a short space of time that he liued in this mortall life he attained vnto that which in many yeares for the most part many Saints scarcely arriued vnto and mounted vnto that degree of perfectioÌ„ which many others haue in vaine attempted to obtaine For if that common prouerbe be true that Communis vox populi vox Dei the common voyce of the people is the voyce of God for so much as this B. Prince is thought in the opinion of all and celebrated by the voyce of all as a Saint by the Princes by the Prelates of the Church by his Confessours Maisters Tutours Parents the people of his Dominion it must of necessity follow that he was a great Saint and that he may very worthily as in heauen so also vpon earth be canonized for a Saint Whome I wish an intercessour and aduocate for me to the Diuine Maiesty Giuen at Brescia in our House of the SS Peter and Marcellinus I Fr. Iohn Francis of Brescia Prouincial of the Friars Capuchins in the Prouince of Brescia Preacher Reader of Diuinity haue written and suscribed with my owne hand all these things and with my oath do ratify the same FATHER RECTOVR the Society of IESVS I IOHN Baptista Peruschus of Rome Rectour of the Colledge of the Society of IESVS at Brescia after the Reuerend Fa. Virgilius Ceparius of our Society came to this our Colledge of Brescia to the intent that he might commit to writing the life of our blessed Brother Aloysius Gonzaga of the same Society haue compared the same life written by him with those registred Tables and Monuments out of which with great labour and industry it was taken and being sworne professe that whatsoeuer is said therin is found in Authorities and Testimonies confirmed by oath I do also testify that the selfe same Father to the intent that he might procure those Instruments and frame an authenticall history trauailed to all these townes of Lombardy And so much the more willingly do I subscribe to these things for that I was familiatly acquainted with B. Aloysius both before he forsooke the world and also when he was ioyned vnto vs in religion at Millan and Rome and many signes of his sanctity which the same Father recounteth in this booke I my selfe knew And I am well assured that in the opinion of all them that knew him and liued with him he was reputed a Saint And after his death the fame of his sanctity daily increased in many townes of Lombardy wherin I haue liued now many yeares it so far forth spread it selfe that it cannot be imagined how it should do more In testimony wherof I haue giuen this vnder my owne hand writing Ioannes Baptista Peruschus who do confirme vnder my oath al the things aboue related CLAVDIVS AQVAVIVA Generall of the Society of IESVS WE haue granted leaue that this Booke of the life of B. Aloysius Gonzaga of our Society composid by F. Virgilius Ceparius Deuine of the same Society and by our selues and many other our Deuines read and approued be committed to print if it may so seeme good to the most Reuerend Father the Maister of the Sacred Pallace For we hope that it will bring no small spirituall fruite to men both religious and secular who shall read it And for this respect we do more willingly graunt it for so much as it appeareth vnto vs vpon certaine notice and our owne proper knowledge that this holy and Blessed young man was most accomplished in all kind of vertue of much edification in his example For he did not only so alwayes liue in the world that he gaue documents of vertue vnto all but also after he was by vs adioyned to the Society he was euermore a perfect Idea of Sanctity and so commonly reputed of all who were acquainted with him those few yeares that he liued amongst vs. At which time we discouered that Almighty God was very much delighted with that pure soule that he enriched her with many excellent naturall gifts out of which there shined forth most holy workes and Angeticall manners So he liued and so continually perseuered till departing out of this life he passed to Heauen whither relying vpon firme grounds we do verily belieue that this holy soule for the enioying of eternall glory and imploring the grace of God for vs did immediately fly Of all which thinges we most willingly giue testimony to the intent that we may testify the truth to the glory of our Lord from whom all sanctity floweth vnto whom be euerlasting prayse and honour At Rome this 14. of Iuly 1605. Claudius Aquauiua THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE LIFE OF B. ALORSIVS Gonzaga CHAP. I. Of his Linage BLESSED Aloysius Gonzaga whose actes conuersation we haue heere determined to put in writing was the eldest sonne of Ferdinand a Prince of the Empire Marques of Castilion in Lombardy and of Martha Tana Santenia of Chery in Turino being both of them most illustrious and most excellent personages This Marques Ferdinand the Father of our Aloysius being sprung froÌ„ the same stock with VVilliam duke of Mantua was from him but three degrees remoued bare rule in that foresayd coast descending to him by inheritance from his ancestors which is scituated betweene Verona Mantua Brescia not far from the lake Benaco And his wyfe Martha being descended from the principall familyes amongst those of Turino had for her Father Baltazar Tanus extracted from the Lord Santenes and for her Mother one Anne from the auncient bloud of the Lords Roborci being a neere kinswomaÌ„ of Hierome Roboreus the Cardinall and that most reuerend Arch-bishop of Turino The marriage betweene these parents of B. Aloysius was celebrated in Spayne in a manner after this sort There liued in the Court of Philip the second the Catholike King this Marques Ferdinand in the same place Martha preuailed much in grace and authority amongst the principall women with Isabel Valots the Queene daughter to Henry the second the French King wife to the said Philip Vpon this occasion the Marques discouering those her excellent ornaments singular endowments of mind became desirous to gaine her for his wife Which when with mature deliberation he had determined he so brought to passe that both the King and Queene should be certified of
euen now I made mention by some of his other familiar friendes certified of those thinges that happened at his Fathers death much reioycing gaue thankes to God He was wont to recount that he was thus taught by his Father That whatsoeuer man doth apply his mind to in any course of life or busines that he should performe that which he taketh in hand as diligently as he may That wheras this was his Fathers opinion in thinges subject to fortune it was much greater reason that he should stand so affected in Gods cause Neither was he slow in shewing in his deedes themselues how deeply he had imprinted this saying in his mind who did alwayes with inflamed desire contend that he might subject himselfe to the gouernement of reason make good the name and renowne of vertue Christian prudence And that we may giue a tast of some few thinges which euen then were both admired and spoken of concerning him first of all he so vtterly laid downe all care of his kinsfolkes that he seemed euen to haue blotted out of his mind all memory of them Therfore being asked how many brothers he had he was not able to giue any answere before to himselfe he had reckoned their number At another time a certaine Father asking him whether he were any thing trobled with the remembrance of his kindred he denied that he euer had any thought of them but when he was willing to commend them in generall to God and that by the benefit of God he had his cogitations so far forth in his power that there was neuer any thing occurring to his mind vnlesse he were willing therunto CHAP. IV. Of his mortification in the time of his Nouiship the custody of his Nouiship the custody of his senses HE had fortified all his senses with so diliget a guard that hauing both eyes cares he seemed neither to see nor heare and with his body placed vpon earth to be conuersant with his mind in heauen Neuer whilst he was in Religion was he seene to take into his hand any odoriserous thing much lesse any thing that was perfumed as often as in the Hospitalls he attended vpo sicke persons which he often asked leaue to do he applied himselfe to those that were the most loathsome of all others and he so easily endured that filthinesse and stinke that he shewed no signe of loathsomenesse He likewise brought-vnder his sease of touching by inflicting stripes vpo his flesh by wearing haire-cloth vsing often for his daily food nothing but bread and water by imposing vpon himselfe other corporall punishments and vexations All which he did very frequently vse vnlesie in respect of his infirme health he was permitted by his to vse them lesse then he would Neither was any thing more grieuous vnto him then that in this respect he might not follow his owne disposition Once also he did confidently affirme to a certaine Father that those punishments which he now vsed for the repressing of the insolency of his body and mind were nothing in comparison of those which in his former state of life he suffered of his owne accord That this one thing was of great comfort to him for that he knew Religion much to resemble a ship in which they saile no lesse who by the comaund of the Gouernour sit idle then they that sweate in rowing That day which according to the custome of the Church fast was obserued he had obtained of the Maister of the Nouices to abstaine frō all thinges but bread water But the Maister behoulding him when he obserued that he did eate almost nothing that was vpon the table taking him from that to the intent that he might minister some other matter vnto him of ouercomming himselfe sending for him vnto him he commaundeth him to returne to the second table and to eate of whatsoeuer should be set before him He did as it was commaunded him But then a certaine man who obserued it he being gone from thence said in iest Surely brother Aloysius you haue taken vp a handsome kind of fasting you eate once moderately to the intent that you may eate againe vnto whome he answered Quid vis faciam Prophet◠dictum cst Vt iumentum fact us sum apud tc ago semper tecum What would you haue me to doe It is the saying of the Prophet I am become like a brute beast before thee and I alwayes remaine with thee As concerning his sense of hearing he neuer accommodated his cares to them that tould new or vnprofitable thinges Therfore if conueniently he might he turned the speach to some other subiect but if he that spake were one of any account he sufficiently discouered by his silence it selfe the habit of his countenance that those things that were spoken were displeasing to him Wheras in that his freer course of life as we haue declared before he did seuerely moderate his eyes he did discouer amongst the Religious euen much more euident signes of vigilancy The Nouices are wont sometimes euery yeare for recreation-sake to go forth into a certaine vine-yard Often had Aloysius gone to the same when I know not vpon what occasion they were sent to another After he was returned home frō this being asked whether seemed vnto him the pleasanter he said that he did very much merueile at this question for so much as hitherto he did thinke that it had bene the very same which notwithstanding did very much differ from this in the way in lodgings and other thinges Calling to mind at last he acknowledged that in this he saw a Chappell and not the like in the former When he had now for the space of three moneths taken meate in the refectory of the nouices he was yet ignorant of the order which was obserued in the tables Therfore being commaunded by Fa. Minister to bring vnto him a certaine booke which he had left in Fa. Rectours seate he was first to be informed which that place should be and where the Priestes did sit At another time hauing likewise spent three moneths in the nouiship he tould the Maister that he was troubled with a scruple for that not willingly but accidentally casting his eyes vpon a certaine person that sate in his company he beheld what he was in doing That he feared least that might seeme a token of curiosity yea and moreouer which you will more wonder at he added that this was the first scruple that had befallen him concerning the gouernement of his eyes since his first entrance into the Society He seemed altogether to haue lost his taste so voyd was he in perceauing any taste in his meate neither did he any thing care whether it were delicate or vile well seasoned or vnsauory It was his only desire to take the very worst of that which was set before him and whilst he was eating to haue his mind alwayes vpon Diuine matters For but only at that time which he attended to the
capacity He would not haue his Nouices be ouer solicitous to cast themselues into an affected composition either of countenance or body which shortly after their Nouiship they were to put off againe but he procured that they should put on that kind of modesty which they were willing to maintaine all the course of their life in Religion Likewise that they should lay for their foundation solid vertues and despising of themselues He desired that Nouices should reuerence and thinke as truth required of those that were now their ancients in religion as being wont to say that there was as much difference betweene Nouices those that now in Colledges did apply themselues to good artes as betweene those that learne their first A. B. C. and those that haue arriued to the learning of Philosophy I haue beene very well acquainted with many of my fellowes who passed their Nouiship vnder him whome I found all of them to haue a great opinion of his sanctity and their iudgments full-fraught with praise of his manner of gouernment Verily towards euery one he was very charitable mild facill and which is most to be esteemed of he hadled the matter so impartially with them all that euery one of them thought themselues to be only intirely beloued of him neyther could suspect that any one was either more esteemed or more vehemently affected Wherfore he was exceedingly beloued againe and he was an assured refuge to them all in whatsoeuer their necessity He deliuered the course of a Religious life to his Nouices rather by his example then either by his words or exhortation For nothing did he inioyne others which he did not first fulfill himselfe neither did he euer commit that by any one he might be noted to haue declined from any manner of duty how little soeuer it was Many things somewhat miraculous are both spoken and written of him As namely that with his only aspect he put forth a fire in the quenching wherof many men had lost both much labour and water That he had a Diuine instinct in beholding the factes of his subiects that were absent and penetrating into the secrets of their harts and their inward cogitations Of which matter many exāples that fel out at Rome Naples are by very graue Fathers recounted at this day It hath bene now reported from the yeare 1582. that the house of the Nouices being once very much distressed for want of daily victuals he retired into his chamber besought Almighty God to ease the same and chat there came vnto his doore an Angell in the habit of a young man and when hauing sent for the Father he had deliuered into his hands a certaine summe of money which might relieue their present penury that he suddenly vanished out of their sight For respect of these things he was of all held in great estimation of sanctity Therfore at Naples when being vpon his departure out of this life he had receaued his sacred viaticum he endeauoured to abolish out of the minds of those that were present this opinion who in that his last passage had an attentiue eye vpō all his sayings and doings whome they reputed to be in the number of the Saints But how much the more he endeauoured to cōceale the excellency of his vertue by so much the more did his singular modesty and contempt of glory by the shewing of so remarkable an example in his very last farewell giuen to earth and entrance into Heauen discouer it selfe This Father so deere to God Aloysius with a principall reuerence and loue obserued not only because he was his Superiour for which respect he held him as the Vicar of God but also for so much as he saw him adorned with vertues perfect accomplisht with all the exact rules of religion and looking into his life as into a mirrour he tooke a patterne therby Therfore curiously did he note all his words and deeds and desirous to be corrected and instructed by him he communicated with him all the inward state of his mind And it was very pleasing in like manner to this good Father to conuerse familiarly with Aloysius whose mind he perceaued to be singularly pure most fittly disposed to receaue the discipline of celestiall things and replenished with all vertuous diuine endowments Which vertues truly endowments if he before his death might haue commended to posterity we should not haue bene so ignorant of many other things concerning B. Aloysius CHAP. XIII Aloysius goeth with the same Father to Naples giueth excellent documents of vertue whilst he remaineth there VVHEN as therfore about Autumne in the yeare 1586. this Father being assaulted with a certaine disease did spit bloud and Fa. Generall with hope of recouering his health determined to send him to Naples he asked as it happened Aloysius whether he would go with him to Naples or no vnto whome Aloysius without any further reflecting vpon the matter answered that he would very willingly When afterward the time came that this Father should depart from Rome it was Fa. Generalls pleasure that three Nouices that were the most infirme in their healths he should take a lōg with him to make experience whether by the change of aire they might be bettered in their healths Amongst these was our Aloysius for whose grieuous head-ake a remedy was sought Knowing that he was to go he began to be trobled in mind for that he feared least by simply affirming that he would willingly accompany the Father might imply some certaine determinatiō of the matter for said he Oportebat respondere in Praesidum potestate futurum neque vilum eo inclinantis aut abhorrentis animi signum dare I ought to haue answered that it shold be in the power of my Superiours and not to haue giuen any signe of a mind either inclining or repugnant therunto Although F. Generall was moued not so much with his speach as with respect of his health which he saw so euill disposed Wherfore it seemed good to Aloysius not only for euer after that not to shew any propension to one part or other but also to procure that others should not affirme him to will or not will any thing but with a mind equall to all things to depend vpon his Superiours authority Likewise making knowne to many the scruple which came into his mind he assured them that it was very troblesome vnto him to do any thing according to his owne will But so soone as the iourny was manifestly decreed being questionlesse very ioyfull of such cōpany he said to one of his fellowes Sibi hoc iter gratū futurum quodè P. Piscatoris dictis as factis rationem discere percuperet qua hominibus Societatis iter instituendum esset that this iourny was gratefull vnto him for that he desired very much out of F. Piscators words deeds to learne a course how men of the Society ought to order their iourny They departed from Rome the 26. day of
excell that he preserued the same safe and sound in the middest of so great abundance of celestiall graces and endowments neither was he euer in respect of them puffed vp with pride Nor truly to any other vertue more affected then that we found after his happy death some of his manu-scriptes concerning matters appertaining vnto piety amongst which one was which he proposed vnto himselfe as a certaine rule of all his actions in the end wherof he setteth downe certaine meanes how to obtaine Humility That writing for so much as it is but short and cannot be otherwise then profitable vnto all I will set it downe verbatim as it was written by him Thus it was Certaine meanes how to obtaine Humility 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it for a principall ground that it is thy duty whome God hath created for himselfe alone to bestow thy selfe freely vpon that Good God for so much as he hath deserued no lesse at thy handes for hauing created thee redeemed thee made thee a member of a Holy samily Out of which thou must conclude that thou oughtest not only to abstain from euery hainons sinne but euen from in afferent and vnprofitable things Yea and more to the intent that thou mayest come the nea 〈…〉 always vnto God thou must with all industry 〈…〉 our that no sact or designe of thine may take its origen otherwise then from vertue Furthermore to the intent that then maiest trace aright way vnto God make good obseruation of these three other principles Of 〈…〉 this be the first that both all other of the Society of IFSVS and thou as much as any must of necessity follow the ensigne of Christ himselfe and of all other Saints who by his calling haue in times past serued vnder him Wherfore thou shalt so resolue with thy selfe that looke how much euery function office or businesse of thine may correspond vnto the example of Christ and his Saints so much the more it should be accommodated to thy courses and either imbraced or eschewed For this respect truly thou shalt at thy best leasure often reuolue in thy mind diligently the life and excellent actions of Christ and with an attentiue mind read ouer and often apply to thy information those of the BB. Saints So shalt thou become plentifully stored with examples of good life Let the second wherwith thou maiest direct thy affections be this That thou shalt become so much the more Religious and pious by how much the more diligently thou shalt gouerne thy life according to eternall considerations and by how much the lesse according vnto temporall so that thou maiest loue nothing desire nothing take comfort in nothing tast or distast nothing but for piety sake and that thou persuade thy selfe that this is the last end of a Religious and pious profession Let thy third principle be that when the Diuell often setteth vpon thee with the suggestions of desiring vaine glory and a magnificent opinion of thy selfe for so much as this part of thy mind remaineth vnsortified thou shalt therfore bestow more or rather continuall industry therupon that with the armes of Humility and despising of thy selfe thou maiest combate there with all not for fashion-sake only but euen with intrinsecall vigour of mind Therfore prescribe vnto thy selfe certaine lawes as it were priuately accommodateu to thy vocation deliuered and confirmed by the practice of Christ our Lord by the obseruation wherof thou maist labour in the carefull prosecution of this vertue Certaine profitable meanes for the obtaining of Humility Let this he the first aduise that we esteeme truly this to be the must coÌ„gruous vertue vnto men in respect of their basenesse and vitenesse And for so much as non oritur in terra nostia Iob. 28. it is no hearbe growing in our garden that it ought necessarily to be begged of him a quo est omne datum optimum omne donum perfectum Iac. 1. from whome is euery good gift and euery perfect endowment Wherfore albeit that thou art proud yet labour notwithstanding with as much submission as thou maist to implore that good and great God through that infinite humility of Iesus Christ who when he was in the forme of God exinanited himselfe taking vpon him the forme of a seruant to the intent that he would not haue thee altogether destitute of that vertue The other aduise is that thou fly for refuge to those Saints of the ourt of Heauen who haue bene at any tyme remarkable for this vertue For first of all thinke thuâ— with thy selfe If when they were coÌ„uersant here vpon earth they were so much fauoured of God that they attained to so high a degree in this vertue now that they are much more gratious with him in heauen that their prayers also shall be of more moment and dignity for so much as they themselues after they haue arriued to the highest pitch of felicity haue no want truly of this vertue of submission beseech them that they would obtaine for thee that benefit Furthermore consider this with thy selfe Euen as vpon earth all are naturally so disposed that they most of all desire their preferment who labour in the same art and vocation of life that they do as for example sake If whatsoeuer braue Leader in the warres be highty in fauour with any Prince he principally endeauoureth to interest in his fauour and adorne with military dignity those who haue giuen themselues to warfare A man famous in titles of learning those who haue applied their mind to learning An Architect or Mathematician those who desire to excell others in Architecture or the science of Mathematicall discipline In such sort do the Cittizens of heauen they who chiefly excelled in the glory of any particular vertue desire earnestly to giue their helping hand for the obtaining of that vertue to those that pretend most to the loue therof and to assist them with their commendations Be not slacke therfore with great feruour to recommend thy selfe to the mediation of the most Blessed Virgin-Mother of God who was so much endowed with this vertue as neuer any soule created except the diuine soule of our Sauiour was more Next vnto her amongst the Apostles thou shalt chuse vnto thy selfe S. Peter who said of himselfe Exi à me Domine quia homo peccator sum Luc. 6. goe out from me O Lord for that I am a sinfull man Next S. Paul who after that he had bene by God rapt into the third heauen thought notwithstanding so meâ—â—â—ly of himselfe that â—e said Venit IESVS salâ—os facere pâ—â—catores quorum ego primus sum 1. Tim. 1. IESVS came â—o sâ—uâ— sinners of which I am the gr 〈…〉 Of thâ—sâ— considerations one of them will giue thâ—â— to vnderstand of how great cons◠〈◊〉 their commâ—nâ—â—tionâ— are with God for the obtaining of this vertue the other how prompt â—ikewise and râ—aâ—â—y thâ—y are to the performance therof These are Aloysius his words in that writing by which it
frater Viaticum and those which follow they all burst forth into abundant teares Hauing receaued his Viaticum the Blessed young man was pleased according to the custome of the Society when they take their iournies into far countries to embrace all that were present with singular loue alacrity There when euery one tooke of him their last far-well there were none of them that could refraine from teares none that could be withdrawne from his embracements all enamoured of him often cast their eyes vpon him with vnspeakable loue and griefe and make suite for his prayers Amongst these there was one who with mutuall offices of loue charity had plighted a greate league of friendship alwayes with Aloysius He comming priuately vnto him said that he did confidently belieue that he should shortly enioy his coÌ„pany in the blessed presece of God Moreouer that he did beseech him that wheras he had well experienced that he had alwayes in his life time bene carefull of his saluation so that he would not in heauen be vnmindfull of him In like manner that he wold forgiue him if at any time he had bene negligent of his due respect towards him Aloysius truly made answere vnto him with a feruent affection that he confiding in the infinite bounty and clemency of God in the most pretious blood of Iesus-Christ and the recommendation of his Blessed Virgin Mother did verily hope that it would shortly so come to passe That he did faythfully promise and wish't him to make no question but that his firme purpose was to negotiate for him For if vpon earth he did loue him he would loue him euen much more vehemently in heauen where charity is at her full And all these thinges did he say with his senses so entire with his speach so direct and sutable to the matter that no man could imagine that he should so shortly passe out of this life At that same time Fa. Prouinciall entring his chamber spake vnto him vnto whom he answered Father we are now going And whither sayth the Father To Heauen answereth he then the Fa. replied what euen so to Heauen Yea verily vnlesse my sinnes hinder me said Aloysius the bounty of God putteth me in hope to arriue there Fa. Prouinciall turning to some that stood by said with a low voyce Heare I beseech you he speaketh of his going to Heauen but we haue designed him for Fresâ—ati Afterward he asking whether they thought good to dispose of his body to the ordinary place of buriall answere was made him that his sanctity seemed to require that some particular honour should be done him therin About some houre before sun-set I was attending vpon him and putting my hand vnder his head lifted it vp whilst he seriously fastned his eyes vpon a little Crucifix wherto a plenary Indulgence was graunted to any that should pray before the same at the point of death when he lifting vp his hand tooke of his linnen night-cap I supposing that to be but some action of a dying man said nothing but put it on againe when a litle after he had pulled it off and I seeking to helpe him on with it againe said be contented brother Aloysius least this euening ayre hurt your head Then he by a certaine cast of his eye giuing me notice of the presence of Christ crucified said Christâ—s moriens capite operto non fuit Christ dying had not his head couered With which wordes he transfixed my hart with a pious and holsome griefe In the euening at that time which the Aâ—e Mary-bell is rung when in his presence speach was had who should watch with him that night although he had his mind busied in contemplation he did notwithstanding intreat a certaine Father who was neare vnto him that he would once againe affoard him his company In like manner to another vnto whome desiring to see his last passage he had promised to giue warning in due time as it were by way of keeping his promise he said see you stay The first houre of the night his chamber being full of company the Rectour seing him nothing at all to faulter in his speach although he himselfe had foretould that he shold dye that night gaue no credit therunto but supposing as it is wont to happen to those that are sicke of a feuer that he would continue some few dayes gaue order that after he was gone all should depart and betake themfelues to rest neither would he suffer himselfe to be persuaded by any one to giue them leaue to stay there for so much as he was of an opinion that he would not dye otherwise that he himselfe would not goe from him Therfore charge only was giuen to Father Minister togeather with another companion in like manner a Priest to be carefully assisting about him There is no man but may well imagine with what sense of loue and griefe we were separated from a coÌ„panion so deere vnto vs all whome we were certainely assured we should neuer more see liuing But he who was nothing ignorant of our griefe to the intent that he might comfort vs promised that he would be mindfull of vs in Heauen intreated that in this his last coÌ„flict we would assist him with our prayers and inioyned diuers of them that which he would haue them do for him after his death So commaunded by the authority of F. Rectour we all one after another departed from him weeping After he was left alone with those two Fathers with his mind alwayes raised towards God he did sometimes cast forth certaine sentences of holy Scripture as that In manus tuas Domine commenao spiritum meum Psal 30. Into thy handes o Lord I commend my spirit and such like There continued for some space the same colour in his cheekes at which time they who were present sometimes offered vp their prayers for his recouery sometimes sprinkeled him with holy water sometimes gaue vnto him the Crucifix to kisse not without some befitting admonitions to piety When he came to his last coÌ„flict of death they discouered by the pale wannesse of his face and by his sweat breaking out drop by drop that he was in a great agony But he with halfe dead speaches intreated them that they would place him otherwise in his bed for he had now 3. whole dayes layne in the same posture with his body But they fearing least they might hasten his death and with all supposing that this request of his might rather come from some naturall motion then aduisedly from himselfe for so much as they resolued not to meddle with him they exhorted him to call to mind that hard and narrow bed vpon which in the middest of so many anguishes and torments Christ our Lord offered vp his life With which aduertisement being admonished casting his eyes vpon the Crucifix when with words he could not with gesture signified that he was euen ready to suffer more for the loue of God seemed to ouerule himselfe
to come we may be so enriched with merits that in respect of them we may be worthy of those wards proposed by Gods sonne after he had taken vpon him humane nature vnto whom togeather with the Father and the Holy Ghost be giuen all honour and glory world without end Amen THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE LIFE OF B. ALOYSIUS Gonzaga CHAP. I. Of the Letters written by diuers after his death AFTER B. Aloysius had passed to a better life many Letters were sent to his mother that most Honourable Lady which declared how great an opinion of Sanctity he left in the minds of men after his death Before others Fa. Claudius Aquauina the Generall did assure her that from hence-forward she might haue recourse to him as to a deere faythfull patron in heauen for so much as it was confidently thought that that happy diuinely fortunate soule did euen then enioy eternall felicity neither would he euer cease to help and comfort him togeather with the rest of his companions in Religion Father Rectour of the Roman Colledge certified her that Aloysius was passed to a more blessed life not only in his soule but euen in his countenance and whole body so quiet and composed that he had excited a desire in all to imitate his death which was correspondent to his life most holily lead and endowed with all kind of vertues And that therfore she and the rest of the same family shold not so much grieue for his losse as reioyce that one of their kindred was transferred to the number of the Saints The selfe same testimony haue many most Illustrious men giuen by their letters And especially Hieronymus Roboreus that most Illustrious Cardinall wrote to the same Noble Lady in this manner The last thursday in the night was our good Father Aloysius transported to a more happy life and such a harty affection of him and opinion of his egregious sanctimony hath he left vnto others that those Fathers his companions being confident that he shineth gloriously in heauen haue attended his death with no lesse admiration then teares This verily ought to be a great comfort vnto you and hope that he will negotiate with Almighty God for the concord and wellfare of his brothers and the prosperoâ—s fortune of all those of his family Againe I beseech you leaue off to grieue for so much as your sonne resideth now in the Court of Heauen who as I hope will assist vs with his recommendation To the same effect were the letters of Cardinall Scipio Gonzaga which he sent to the Bishop of Mantua his brother and to Aloysius his mother In these he declareth that Aloysius had now entred into a more blessed life and that his end was of so holsome example that he is rather to be honoured with ioyes then bewailed with teares Moreouer how great the opinion of this same Cardinall was of the sanctity of Aloysius Pope Clement the 8. gaue a most remarkable testimony For he vpon the 5. of August the yeare 1604. of his owne accord entring into discourse with the Marques of Castition the Emperours Embassadour of his prayses testified that Scipio Gonzaga had often had speach with him of the singular sanctity of this young man and that withall he had confessed that with euen looking vpon him only his mind had bene transfixed with a holsome griefe and that in respect of a certaine celestiall innocency that he beheld in him he was so much stirred vp vnto piety that he was not able to with-hould himselfe from teares Furthermore his Holinesse wheÌ„ he recounted these things and heard other likewise of his sanctity of life and miracles euen as it were weeping spake with a sensible vehemency these words Blessed is he whom I now verily belieue to enioy immortall glory with God Often haue I wondred when it came into my mind how possibly you could escape so great dangers as you haue done but surely this is he that hath preserued you and brought peace to his family You haue a friend in HeaueÌ„ in whose faythfull tuition you may confide and who will defend you from all harme And conformable to this likewise was the iudgment of that most renowned and most holy Lady Elâ—onora Arch-duchesse of Austria and Duchesse of Mantua as it appeareth by her letter which at that time she sent to Aloysius his mother which after this manner we read in the printed book of her life WheÌ„ I coÌ„sider with my selfe most Illustrious Lady how bitter griefe you must of necessity conceaue for the lâ—ssâ— of your sonne and when I measure it by my owne who although I was not his mother neuerthelesse loued him alwayes with a motherly affection I cannot but take compassion of you And verity not of you only but in like manner of our whole family the groanes of which speaking morally by any force of ours without diuine helpe we cannot appease But if with more sound iudgment wee consider that this most happy soule hauing rent her way through the blind veyle of her body is soared vp to eternall splendour to that fuiâ— period of glory vnto which whilst she liued in this wretched vale of miseries she did with so full course hasten where being more neerly accommodated she may with easier accesse recommend our prayers to our benigne Lord verily let vs render prayses and thanks vnto our good God that hauing deliuered him out of this rerrestriall mâ—d he hath bestowed him in that his glorious Citty of Hierusalem and reflecting vpon our owne commodity let vs mitigate our griefe for so much as of a mortall we see him become a heauenly man c. To this her letter the Author of her life adeth these words which follow The aboue named Aloysius Gonzaga was the eldest sonne of Ferdinand Marques of Castilion who from his very cradle liued an Angelicall life heer on earth Rendring vp his title and dominion of Marques to his younger brother and betaking himselfe to the Society of IESVS ended his life about the 24. yeare of his age Well may that be verified in him which the wise man wrote Consummatus in breui explenit tempora multa placita enim erat Deo anima illius propter hoc proper aâ—it illum educere de medio iniquitatum Sap. 4. Being soone ripe he was equiualent to those that are affoarded a loÌ„ger time for his soule was acceptable vnto God For this respect did he hasten to deliuer him from the middest of iniquity Eleonor a hauing had notice giuen her of this young mans death both spake many things tending to his prayse and often had this speach in her mouth A Saint-like young man he liued and like a Saint he dyed There are also those that recount that she moreouer added this that this man should be the first who of the family of the Gonzaga's should be canonized for a Saint Let vs end this chapter with the letters of Thomas Mancinus a Noble gentleman who for so much as he
they are endowed with the cleare light of glory wherby face to face they behold their creatour And in their Wil habituated with charity wherwith louing God with the loue of perfect friendship they are made both the children and friends of the selfe-same God Now therfore my Soule contemplate the beauty of these celestiall Citizens who like so many morning stars yea euen most cleare sunnes shine most gloriously in the Citty of God in which as in most cleare mirrours are the perfectioÌ„s diuine as infinite power eternal wisedome ineffable goodnesse and most ardent loue of their creatour O how amiable how pure and innocent-white are these Blessed spirits How zealous of setting forth the glory of their Lord how desirous and solicitous of our saluation and therfore most worthy to be by vs peculiarly loued worshipped For if honour as the Philosophers say be a certaine worship which is due to some one in respect of the excellency or vertue which he hath in himselfe and therfore although all men according vnto nature are equall one to another we are wont to exhibit most honour vnto them who excell others in some kind of prayse how much rather ought we being so vile and abiect creatures in comparison of these celestiall spirits to attribute vnto them all honour and worship seing that euery one of them how little soeuer he be doth far excell the most noblest of vs human creatures in the abouenamed endowments excelleÌ„cies Moreouer if these holy Angels being creatures so much exalted aboue others in nature and grace do submit themselues to the honour of man-kind in respect that God himselfe hath loued and honoured the same surely much more conuenient it is that we most contemptible wormes should with all honour and deuotion prosecute those whom God so much honoureth and exalteth in heauen For these are the beloued children who alwayes contemplate the face of their Father Math. 18. those white and pure Lillies amongst which be taketh his repast Cant. 2. And those mountaines replenished with aromaticall odours in which that heauenly spouse doth walke and recreate himselfe Secondly next to the dignity and excellency of this celestiall Court consider the number and order of the Courtiers therof And first as concerning their number it is so great that it doth not only exceed the number of all men now liuing but euen of all those that either haue or shall be extant euen til the day of iudgment The multitude of these blessed spirits is resembled to the sands of the sea and the stars of the firmament which the Wiseman sayth are impossible to be numbred Eccl. 1. And as S. Dionyse of Areopagita Câ—lest hierar c. 9. affirmeth the number of euery order of the Angels is greater then any order of materiall things in the world The Prophet said Millia milliâ—â— ministrabanâ—â—i decies millies centeâ—a milliâ— assistebaâ—◠〈◊〉 A thousand-thousand ministred vnto him and ten thousand hundred thousand assisted him Where the Scripture according to her custome putteth a certaine number for an vncertaine and a number truly which may seeme in the opinion of men the greatest to giue vs to vnderstand that the number of them is only knowne vnto God and wheras with God they are numerable with vs they are infinite and innumerable And therfore we read in Iob Numquid est numerus militum â—ius Job 25. May their be fouÌ„d any number of his souldiers Of the number of which the kingly Prophet also made meÌ„tion speaking of Angels Currus Dei decem millibus multiplex millia lâ—tantium Dominus in eis in Sina in sancto Psal 67. The Chariot of God is ten thousand fold thousands of them that reioyce our Lord in them in Sina in the holy place The holy Euangelist likewise as it is in the Apocalips sayth that he saw a great multitude in the presâ—nce of God of all people and â—onguâ—s and nations who were impossible to be numbred Iâ— this number of the Elect which we know shall be but the least part of mankind be so great that it is not to be numbred how great do we thinke that of Angells shall be who are ten times beyond the number of all men put togeather and most worthily hath this celestiall Monarch so great a number of courtiers for if as the wise man sayth In multitudine populi dignitas Regis in paucitate plebis ignominia Principis Prou. 14. In the multitude of people consisteth the dignity of a King and in the scarcity of subiects the ignominy of the Prince sâ—ing that God is that most excelleÌ„t Prince Rex Regum dominus dominantium the King of Kings and Lord of Lords it was a thing most congruous that in that spatious Kingdome immeÌ„se pallace of heauen he should haue an ample Court and a numerous family O my Soule how much ioy and solace would it yield thee if thou couldest but behold this multitude of so many noble creatures so blessed in glory and in nature and grace so excelleÌ„t O that so happy a chaunce may once befall thee that thou maiest conuerse amongst those celestiall troupes in the company of so great Princes the children of God yea and euen thy brothers for tâ—ose sublime and amiable spirits are not ashamed to acknowledge vs men for their brothers for so much as their Lord did not only not feare to be called but by taking vpon him our flesh certainely to become ouâ— brother O with how harty a good will wouldest thou amoÌ„gst those Angelicall voyces prayse and blesse thy Lord for hauing receaued from him so great a benefit Thirdly consider the admirable order deputed and designed by the Diuine prouideÌ„ce to these Angelicall spirits either in respect of God or of themselues or in comparison of other creatures of this world For if you consider them in respect of God there is amoÌ„gst them no difference for all of them with one vnanimous consent adore and reuerence him as their sole Prince and Lord of their celestiall citty If amongst themselues there is in so great a multitude no confusion an order most exact a distribution most admirable agreeing to the diuers Orders of intelligences One higher and more excellent then another according as God reuealeth vnto them his secret mysteries and maketh vse of their ministery for the saluation of men And that we may descend vnto particulars the whole multitude of those glorious spirits are coÌ„tained vnder three Hierarchies that is to say the highest middle lowest And euery Hierarchy is distinguished into three Quires the highest the middle and the lowest OF THE FIRST HIERARCHY The first of them containeth Seraphims Cherubims and Thrones Where by their names you may easily coniecture the offices in which they are exercised for it is the property of God to impose names to his creatures conformable to the offices committed to their charge Contemplate therfore first the Quire of Seraphims who as the secret and intimate chamberlaines of the King of
others according to the saying of the wise man Quanto maior es humilia te in omnibus coram Deo inuenies gratiam Eccl. 3. The greater thou art humble thy selfe in all thinges and thou shalt find grace before God 3. How much the lesse a man shall make himselfe then others so much the greater shall he be made because how much the humbler euery one is so much the liker and more allied he is vnto Christ who is superiour vnto all Which if it be so Christians and spirituall men should not contend for any precedence or prerogatiue of honour but rather for the last place for he that armeth at the first place vpon earth shall find himselfe disgraced in heauen Let vs not therfore endeauour to seeme greater then others but rather let vs make our selues inferiour to all for he is neuer awhit the iuster or the better who is more honourable but rather how much the more iust a man is so much the more honour is he worthy of 4. If so much reuerence be to be exhibited to the Angell-keepers that as our Lord recommendeth it vnto vs for their respect we ought not to contemne one of these little ones And in like manner the Apostle counselled women that they should couer their heads least perhaps they might with their vanity or indecency offend those Angels that were desirous of the helping forward of humane saluation how much more ought we to be wary least by iniury or some other more grieuous hurt we offend our neighbours for by offeding them we offend their Angels who as the friendes and inward domesticalls of God will require reuenge against vs and without all doubt obtaine it 5. And if the Angels imploy so great care and industry in the custody of men and yet notwithstanding cease not from beholding the face of their heauenly Father â—or are estranged from Diuine loue for the care and solicitude with which they are moued in our behalfe is subordinate to that loue and vndertaken by them for the loue of God so pious spirituall men whilst they are interessed in externall cares and occupations ought to procure that they may not only be any impediment to their internall exercises but euen help them forward to spirituall fruite and the contemplation of Diuine matters Which shall come to passe when according to the example of the holy Angels they shall effect that the externall actions may proceed and take their efficacy from the internal that is to say that they may be vndertaken for no other end then for the pure loue of God 6. They who take the care to bring men to Pennance ought neuer to desist from their enterprise out of tediousnesse of labour or for that they feare this labour shall not haue that wished successe in them whom they are willing to yield this spirituall help vnto as the Angel-keepers haue taught vs by this example who neuer forsake the care or custody of sinners yea they do not forsake them although from God they haue it reuealed vnto them that they ouer whome they haue that charge shall neuer be conuerted Wherfore they do not cease as long as they are in this life in state that they may returne to God by Pennance to excite theÌ„ to amedment Seneca a Pagan Philosopher writing to a certaine friend of his admonisheth him that if in his actions speaches he wold not depart from a right decorum that he shold alwayes imagine there was present with him Cato as his seuere censurer Of which document much more wee Christians ought to make vse and to imagine that in all our actions our good Angel-keepers are alwayes present as our seuere censurers to the end that this cogitatioÌ„ may make vs mindfull of our selues and that we may carefully waigh whatsoeuer we wold say or do for if we shall doe otherwise we may iustly feare least they that are now our aduocates with God may afterward at the day of iudgment become our accusers FINIS A TABLE Of the Chapters THE FIRST BOOKE CHap. I. Of his Linage pag. 1. Chap. II. Of his Natiuity pag. 5. Chap III. Of his Education till the seauenth yearâ— of his Age. pag. 10. Chap. IV. How he behaued himselfe from the sâ—aâ—enâ—h till the eight yeare of his age pa. 16. Chap. V. He is brought by his Father to Florence to apply his studies pag. 21. Chap. VI. He voweth to God his virginity in his childhood and flyeth the company of women pag. 25. Chap. VII At Florence he maketh great progresse in a more holy course of life pag. 31. Chap. VIII Being recalled backe to Mantua he determineth to renounce the Marquesate and to lead an Ecclesiastic all life pag. 35. Chap. IX Returning to Castilion he obtaynes from God an excellent hability in mentall prayer pag. 38. Chap. X. The beginning of his loue 〈◊〉 the Society of IESVS and of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 soules pag. 〈◊〉 Chap. XI By the exhortation of Cardiâ—all Borromeus he beginneth to frequent the sacred mysteries pag. 45. Chap. XII Going to Monte-Ferrato he vndergoeth a great hazard of his life there he conuorseth with Religious men pag. 50. Chap. XIII He giueth his mind to Religion pag. 54. Chap. XIV Being returned to Castilion with his Father he leadeth his life in great austerity being very much addicted to Prayer pa. 61. Chap. XV. By Gods assistance he escapeâ—â— burning His confidence in God conteâ—â—t of the world pag. 6â— Chap. XVI The testimony of the R. Fa. Claudius Finus Doctour of Diuinity of the Orâ—â—â— of S. Dominicke of the sanctity of Aloysius pag. 7â— Chap. XVII He goeth with the Marques into Spayne and is made Page of Honour 〈◊〉 Iames the Prince And of the life which hâ— lead in that Court pag. 76. Chap. XVIII He determineth to enter into the Society of IESVS pag. 85. Chap. XIX For foure causes he made choâ—â—â— of the Society of IESVS pag. 90. Chap. XX. He discloseth his vocation vnto his Confessarius and after to his Mother and his Father pag. 93. Chap. XXI He returneth into Italy â—eeteth by way of Complement with all tâ—â—â—riâ—ces therof pag. 102. Chap. XXII His purpose is oppugned by diuers 〈◊〉 pag. 108. Chap. XXIII The Marques strongly opposeth the vocation of his sonne at last he yieldeth pag. 113. Chap. XXIV Aloysius â—rgeth the renuntiation of the Marquesate pag. 118. Chap. XXV He is sent to Millane for thâ— dispatch of certaine businesse and what th 〈…〉 ges were done there pag. 120. Chap. XXVI The Marques oppugueth hiâ— with new practises pag. 126. Chap. XXVII Blessed Aloysius going first to Mantua retireth himselfe to the spirituaâ—â— Exercises pag. 134. Chap. XXVIII Aloysius being returned to Castilion maketh earnest suite to haue leaue to enter into Religion His course of life there pag. 139. Chap. XXIX Another hinderance and delay of the Marques pag. 143. Chap. XXX He mitigateth and â—â—ercâ—â—eâ—â— the mind of his Father with a vehement protestation pag. 146. Chap. XXXI
of his affection to that quiet kind of life he grew by little and little weary of all humane conuersation he at last determined that yielding vp the honors and riches of Marques to his brother Rodulph he would deuote himselfe to the Church not out of any hope to obtaine Honours therein which being by many often offered him he had alwais most constantly refused but for that he might in that kind of life bestow himselfe wholy more frely quietly in the seruice of God Whē he had determined this in his mind he began earnestly to importune the Marques that he wold giue him leaue being discharged of Court imployments to apply himselfe vnto the study of learning Notwithstanding he concealed frō him in the meane while his determination of following an Ecclesiasticall course of life CHAP. IX Returning to Castilion he obtaynes from God an excellent hability in mentall prayer THAT which for the most part the Princes Gōzaga's do euery yeare to wit the winter being ended they retire themselues from Mantua into diuers places till the sūmer-heates be past the same doth the Marques commaund Aloysius by letters that he should with his younger brother returne to Castilion as thinking indeed that his naturall climate would be more holsome to him then that of Mantua Neyther did his hope deceaue him for he was much amended with the pleasantnesse of that place situated vpon a faire hill most pleasant to behould and I do not doubt but especially by that cure which his mother would haue applied to him he might haue bene wholy recouered if he could haue perswaded himselfe to haue remitted any thing of that rigor of life vnto which he begā to giue himselfe at Mantua But he doubtlesse being more solicitous of the health of his mind then of his body was so far from any relaxatiō of those endeauours of piety vnto which he had accustomed himselfe as that he did rather straighten them For he added vnto that strictnesse of diet which he had imposed vpon himselfe with great rigour continuall solitarines in which he shrowded himselfe for the loue of diuine thinges auoiding all humane society Wheras therfore he daily separated and estranged himself from the common sort of men who are only drawne with these mortall respectes God according to his singular goodnesse in rewarding those who faythfully serue him did vouchsafe to declare how gratefully he accepted this mynd so pious and so desirous of his honour with which a youth but of twelue yeares of age did with so much innocency of manners cosecrate himselfe vnto him Therfore for so much as to that very day he was instructed by no man of the manner of meditating vpon celestiall matters nor had any vse therof it was the pleasure of God that without humane help he would himselfe instructe him with his owne inspiration For hauing once most fitly prepared his mind in respect of the excellent purity therof for the receauing of heauenly riches he brought him to the most hidden treasures of his guiftes and powred vpon him with a full hand as they say his endowments For when as he had enlightned his mind with a certaine celestiall light which exceeded in clearnesse all human capacity he taught him a way of meditating pondering vpon the Almighty power and greatnesse of God far more curious and high then it could haue bene done by the precepts of any mortall man Whē he perceaued that this so easy an entrance as it were to the plentifull pasture and cheerfull food of his soule was so boūtifully laid opē vnto him by way of seruiceable gratitude for this his loue shewed towards him he remained whole dayes trasported in thinking sometimes of those admirable things which fell out in the working of our saluation other sometimes in meditating vpon the titles and attributes of Almighty God when in the meane while he was surprised with so great ioy that he could by no meanes moderate his teares So as with them he often moistned not only the garments which he wore but euen the floor of his chamber Therfore for the most part all the day he was close shut vp least if he shold haue gone forth any whither he might ether haue lost that sense of piety or being found by any one to haue wept might haue bene hindred from prosecuting the same This when his seruants obserued they would often throgh the chinkes of the doore descry what he was doing For oftentimes they saw him kneeling before a crucifix for diuers houres together with his eyes fixed vpon it with his armes sometimes stretched out sometimes placed before his brest in the forme of a crosse when he shed so many tears that the very sobs grones might be heard throgh the doores And sometimes they perceaued him to remaine vnmooued with his mind abstracted from his senses euen like a statue with his eyes not so much as once cast down At which time his Gouernour others that were of his chamber do affirme that he was therin so alienated from all sense that neither with passing through his chamber nor with making any other noise they could diuert his mind When the fame of these thinges had spred it selfe abroad not now his familiar acquaintance only but they also who were none of the Court being admitted to the same chinkes and made eye-witnesses of the same thinges could neuer sufficiently admire them Oftentimes also did the domesticall seruitours heare him in going vp the staires say vpon euery staire an Ane Maria But now both at home and abroad whether he was carried in coach or went on foot he neuer cast off his mind from the meditation of heauenly mysteries In which exercise of piety as I said before he made vse of no Maister but the holy Ghost who endued his mind with this diuine guifte as it were with a pretious ointmēt And although he now obserued a certaine manner of meditating notwithstanding he had not as yet learned to performe it in methode order neither did he sufficiently vnderstand what places he should especially choose for it Therfore at that time he fitly light vpon a certayne little Booke of Peter Canisius a Deuine of the Society of IESVS in which certaine heads of meditation were after a certaine methodicall manner set downe Therby he was not only more vehemently enkindled towards the loue of Diuine conuersation but also vnderstood what course he should insist vpon in meditation what times he should obserue Although then truly he confined his meditations within no certaine limits of time but according to the copiousnesse of the subiect according as his mind was put on forward with diuine impulsions he eyther made them longer or shorter but in such sort as that he neuer departed from them but eyther with his mind illuminated with new lightes from heauen or with his will inflamed with new ardour or with his whole hart steeped in new sweetnesse CHAP. X. The beginning of his loue
towards the Society of IESVS and of his zeale of soules HE was wont afterward to recount that this selfe-same litle Booke of which I made mention togeather with the Indian Epistles did very much win his mind to the Society of IESVS The Booke truly for that he sayd he did very much approue and relish the order of things therin much more the spirit by the impulsion whereof it was written And the Epistles for that by them he vnderstood how much God cooperated with the fathers of the Society of IESVS in reducing nations to Christ in those climats Therfore he stirred vp his mind to the imitating of these excellent enterprises for the sauing of soules which cost God so deare though it should be with the expense of his owne life Neither did he cease euen in that his so tender age to indeauour to helpe thē according to his power For that cause also he went euery festiuall day to the schooles of Christian Doctrine and laboured with infinite feruour himself also to instruct children in the rudiments of our Religion and to giue them precepts of fayth and innocent manners The which he did with so singular modesty and loue of humility that he auoided not the familiarity of any boy though he were vnder his owne charge and least of all those that were poore and did most earnestly excite the mindes of all the behoulders to the loue and worship of God Furthermore if he vnderstood of any discord amongst the seruants of the Court he endeauoured to make them friends In like manner if he heard any eyther cursing or speaking against God or his Saints he reprehended the. Those which he knew in the towne to be of depraued manners he did with great clemency exhort seriously solicit that they would correct and reforme themselues He could in no sort endure that Almighty God should be offended He obserued it as a solemne custome that he would intertaine no other discourse but of diuine matters that with so great grauity of wordes and sentences that when about that tyme he went with his mother to Dertona to salute the Duches of Loraine a very noble Lady who togeather with her daughter the Duches of Brunswike tooke her iourney thither he did with speaking astonish all that Princes pages Therefore they iointly affirmed that whosoeuer had heard his voyce discoursing so excellently and so wisely of God and had not also scene his face that he would haue seemed vnto him a man ripe in age and wisedome not a child CHAP. XI By the exhortation of Cardinall Borromeus he beginneth to frequent the sacred mysteries THESE things were done in the yeare of our Saluation 1580. wherin Charles Borromeus Cardinall and Archbishop of Milane a man of excellent Sanctity was by Pope Gregory the thirteenth created Apostolicke Visitour ouer all those Dioceses which were in his prouince and came to Castilion whilst he visited the Dominiō of Brescia with only seauen men which he had chosen out of all his retinue least he might become troublesome to the Ecclesiasticall men which he came to visit Then wheras he performed many other thinges excellently and altogether with an Apostolike spirit he in like manner in the yeare aforesaid the 11. of the Calends of August which is S. Mary Magdaleus day being vested in his Pontificall robes in the Church of the Saints Nazarius Celsus which is the chiefe of that towne made a very fruitfull sermon to the people and although the Princes sending diuers messengers vnto him did very much importune him that he would be pleased to take his intertainement with them in the castle notwithstanding he could neuer be persuaded to rest in any place otherwise then with the Archpriest whose house was neare adioining to that holy Church When B. Aloysius being now but of the age of 12. yeares and foure moneths resorted thither vnto him for the tendering of his duty it is incredible how much ioy he conceaued by the only behoulding of this child being euen like one of the Blessed celestiall Angells gratious in the sight of God he spent so much time with him in long discourses of Diuine matters priuately in his closet that it moued great admiration to all them that waited before the doores Questionlesse it was an infinite contentment to this good Cardinall to behould this tender plant in the middest of the thornes of diuers secular Courts without the industry of any mortall husbandman by the only inspiration of heauenly breath flourishing with so comely vigour and brought vp to such an height of Christian vertue The holy child in like māner very much reioyced that he had gotten a mā vnto whome he might confidently declare himselfe and of whome he might request an explication of those thinges which seemed obscure in the pursuite of true vertue For wheras he had heard much of the sanctity of this Cardinall which was very much spoken of he did earnestly ingrosse as it were deliuered by the oracle of God all his words and precepts which he deliuered of the keeping and following of a setled forme of huing B. Charles asked of him whether he had euer receaued the blessed Eucharist or no which whe hedenied the Cardinall who had now perceaued the integrity of his mind his maturity of wisedome together with his vnderstanding of heauenly matters drawne from God did very seriously exhort him not only to receaue it but also to frequēt it Furthermore in a short discours he set down vnto him an easy forme both rightly to prepare himselfe and piously to receaue this fountaine of all diuine bounty Besides this he did seriously exhort him that he should often and diligently peruse the Roman Catechisme set forth by decree of the Tridentine Councell at the commaund of Pius V. the Pope which booke in respect of the elegancy of the Latin tongue this Cardinall did so much esteeme of that reiecting Cicero other profane Latin authors he thought it only fit to be explicated to youths in the Schooles to the intent that therby they might both reape piety and a copious Latin tongue Neither did he doubt to put this in practise in the Seminary at Millane But when by vse it selfe he found that it fell not out according to his desire he did by commaūd as it were reuiue the old authours againe To conclude when he had giuen his benediction to Aloysius and had shewed other testimonies of his great good will towards him he gaue him leaue to depart This Blessed child omitted not to commit to memory the admonitions of so holy a Cardinall Therfore he began afterward with great contentment to peruse that Catechisme both for that it was replenished with excellent learning for all māner of sanctity and Christian instructions also because he was inuited to the reading therof by the counsell of so excellēt a man whome according as he well deserued he did with all dutifull respect honour And likewise he was very importunate by