God with all their harts And to the 〈◊〉 vpon the same pâ—int of Obedience 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Quodcunque facitâ—s ex amino 〈◊〉 siâ—â—t Domino no◠〈◊〉 us Whatsoeuer you do do it with all your hart as if you did it to our Lord not vnto mâ—n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be vnderstood that vnto vs from God him 〈◊〉 as a messen 〈◊〉 by my 〈…〉 igh-Chamber supreme Court-officer is by to any of theâ—r commaâ—nâ— of that Prince and so or lina so also a Religious of â—â—s superiors vnto him by and re 〈◊〉 rose that his obser 〈…〉 â—â—ich he car 〈…〉 questionlesse of God and â—he â—lâ—ce â—f â—â—e intâ—rprâ—tâ—rs of his will â—herfore he 〈◊〉 great content 〈…〉 in that which thâ—◠〈◊〉 Neyther and authâ—rity hâ—ghest the ig 〈…〉 that were of 〈◊〉 thâ—n those that were of eminent sanctity and adorned with other artes worthy of that function For in that they dâ—scharged the office of God supposing no difference to be amongst them he did with equall facility obey them all Moreouer he was of this opinion that he that did his endeauour only to respect this one thing in his obedieÌ„ce did reaâ—e therby a double benefit The one for that whilst he was obedient nothing happenâ—ed vnto him difficult or laborious but all easy and very pleasant as who vnderstood that he obeyed the will of God whome to serue he esteemeth to be an inestimable honour benefit The other that he accomplisheth the effect of true obedience and consequently that he may with assured hope anticipate the rewards promised in heauen to those that with all their harts are lawfully obedient But whosoeuer obeyeth him that commauÌ„deth for this respect only either for that his commaundes are plausible vnto him or soothing to his humour or for so much as he that imposeth them is a man of excellent vertue naturall endowment or beareth particular good-wil towards him he first of all seemeth not to haue merited in the same maÌ„ner that an obedient man ought neither doth he obtaine the direct forme and naturall marke of an obedient man seing that he did not obserue in his Obedience that one thing which the vertue of Obedience doth only respect Moreouer that such a one so soone as he should change his Superiour for another that should be lesse furnished either from nature or good artes or lesse affected to him and should receaue from him any commaund contrary to his humour must of necessity be vehemently tormented and expesed to many dangers To subiect a mans selfe to another out of some humane not a celestiall respect as we haue said before he accounted to be the property of a base and abiect mind He feared least that certaine Superiours might very much hurt those that they beare rule ouer who to the intent that they may accommodate themselues to the infirmity and want of vertue or their subiectes in their gouerning and commaunding serue their turnes of causes with which they exhort them to that which they intend out of these mortall things only Wherfore his desire was that the Superiours of the Society should confidently dispose of him others and that either in the changing of their offices or lodgings and in other matters which were to be determined by them that they should not alleage any cause of their subiects will but the honour of God and the amplifying of his glory and for that respect to ordaine all things For example sake let set them commaund in this manner Visum est nobis ad obsequtum Dei pertinere atque ex citur matori gâ—orta fore si in illum locum te confe 〈…〉 aut hoc ossictum sustiâ—eas Itaque vade Deus id tibi fortunet It seemeth vnto vs that it appertaineth to the due seruice of God that it shall be to his greater glory if you betake your selfe to that place or vndergo this office Therfore goe God speed you well When they do this said he the Superiours giue a remonstraÌ„ce of their coÌ„fidence excellent estimation that they haue of the vertue and obedience of their subiect that they accustome him to the imbracing of the proper renowne of Christian Obedience that they yield them an oportunity of obtaining greater grace in the sight of God by how much the fewer inducements they vse of humane reasons But if these other arguments pretextes be sought after the subiects inure themselues with following an only shadow of Obedience not the solid and expresse image therof they are depriued of those goods that we spake of there is occasion sometimes giuen of vilefiyng their gouernement especially if there be any facility for them to vnderstand or suspect that there is some other cause why they are remoued out of their office or place then that which either in word or writing is pretended Moreouer he was wont to affirme that his office of Obedience was so much the more gratefull vnto him for so much as he had found by experience that by the iurisdiction of his Superiours there was declared a certaine meruelous prouideÌ„ce of God ouer him For ofteÌ„times those thinges were freely granted imposed by his Superiours before he asked with the desire wherof he was formerly possessed either out of his priuate piety or by the instinct of God So once it fellout that whereas he had meditated vpon those places vnto which Christ our Lord in his last punnishment was carried about and therupon was surprised with a great desire to goe that day to the seauen holy Churches to offer vp his humble prayers according to the custome his Superiour contrary to his former vse before he either asked or hoped for any such thing sendes for him that very Loure and commaundes him to goe visit the seauen holy Churches That brought vnto him a double ioy both for that the same thing was in it selfe expected and also for that he discouered how great a case Almighty God tooke of him euen in those small matters I might rehearse very many of these like examples but that it would be too long If being reprehended by him in whose power he was he did so conforme his countenance and habit that with his head bare with his eyes fastned demissely vpon the ground making no excuse or reply he entertained humbly and patiently whatsoeuer he said Being vpon a time reprehended by his Superiour for I know not what 〈◊〉 of his in a certaine matter into which he had often fallen by reason that he â—lwayes in a maner went with his mind alienated from his senses he was ouercome with so much force of sorrow that he sodenly fell downe in a sound out of which so soone as he had recouered himselfe he throweth himselfe at his feet with weeping teares and with so much humility imploreth pardon for the fault that he was accused of that he was not able to rayse him vp againe The next allied to this his vertue of Obedience was that his obseruance of the Rules vnto which
when 〈◊〉 was entered into Religion he had at that time no certaine resolution of one side or other but only followed his owne customâ— of pious life Whilst these thinges passe it is much bruâ—â— abroad that the plage increaseth throghout all Italy For feare therof it seemed good vnto the Marques to remoue himselfe togeather with his whole family to Monte-Ferrato Whilst he resideth there he began to be afflicted with grieuous torments of the goute Wherfore by the aduise of the Phisitians he determineth to go the Bathes of Luca and to carry with him Rodulphus another of his sonnes for the cure of a certaine infirmity which he had and in like manner his sonne Aloysius with an intent that at his returne he might take Florence in his way and there leaue them both in the Court of Francis Medices the great Duke of Tuscany ether to the intent that he might continue that friendship which he had begun with him in the Court of the Catholicke King or for that they might be the better accommodated for learning the Tuscane tongue Therfore in the beginning of the Sommer the yeare 1577. he weÌ„t directly towards the bathes when he departed from his wife very much complaining that her children of so tender yeares shold be so far separated from her From theÌ„ce after that he had made sufficient vse of the waters he went towards Florence whither when he neere approched and vnderstood that the gates therof were diligeÌ„tly guarded with watch-men for feare of the plague he betooke himselfe to Fiesoli the place where his familiar frieÌ„d Iames Turcius kept his residence In the meane while he commaunded notice to be giuen to the Great Duke that he came with intention to salute him Hauing receaued an answere he entereth the citty and is intertained by the Duke with remonstrance of singular affection This Duke when the Marques presented vnto him his soÌ„nes was so much delighted with that present that he would haue them lodged in no other place but in his owne pallace But for that he was desirous to haue his children instructed not only in Courtlike deportement but likewise in the liberall studies not long after by the Dukes good leaue be bringing them home bestoweth them in a towne called Angelo Afterward before his departure he appointeth as Gouernour ouer them and all that family Francis Turcius who now gouerneth the house of Iohn Medices a principall man who was one of many yeares experience and of great fidelity and prudence whilst he serued him both in Spayne and Italy He ordained for Chamberlaine Clement Ghisonius now Gouernour ouer the Marques his house who this day is Lord of Castilion There was adioyned vnto these besides the rest of the family worthy of their renowne Iulius Brixianus of Cremona being a priest of singular deuotioÌ„ who might informe them both in the Latin tongue and in honest manners Aloysius was now complete nine yeares of age when he was left by his Father at Florence where he spent two yeares in learning the Latin and Tuscan language Vpon festiuall dayes he resorted to the Court and that he might be obedient to the Gouernour of his child-hood he did sometimes dispose himselfe to some recreation But he was so far from being giuen to disports that as Leonora Medices the Duches of Mantua recounted he being inuited for recreations sake to the gardens by her and her sister Mary who at this day is the Queene of France being then both of them in a manner children was woÌ„t to deny that he was delighted in passe-times that he had rather busy himselfe in erecting litle Altars and in such like exercises of piety CHAP. VI. He voweth to God his virginity in his childhood and flyeth the company of women HE had not long remained at Florence when he made excellent progresse in the practise of heauenly thinges in so much as afterward he was wont to call Florence the mother of his piety And especially he conceaued in his mind so much obseruance towards our Lady the most B. Virgin-Mother that as often as he entred into speach of her and reuolued in his mind the most holy mysteries of her life he seemed euen to melt with celestiall ioy He was very much incited herunto both by the singular reuerence which the commoÌ„ people of Florence do exhibite to the Image of this B. Virgin which in that Citty is worshipped by the name of Annuntiata and in like manner by the reading of that litle booke which Gasper Loartes a Priest of the Society of IESVS wrote of the mysteries of the Rosary In the reading of this booke when he perceaued himselfe to be inflamed with a desire to do somthing that might be gratefull and acceptable to the Queene of Heauen it came into his mind that nothing could be perfourmed more pleasing or better accommodated vnto her then if out of a desire to imitate her chastity as far forth as lyeth in humane power he should by vow oblige and consecrate his virginity vnto her Therfore when vpon a certaine time he prayed before that Image which I spake off before to the intent that he might likewise turne it to the honour of B. Virgin he voweth vnto God that he will for euer preserue his virginity entyre and inuiolable which vow he did alwaies after so religiously and exactly performe that euen therby it is manifest how much it was ratifyed with God and with how especiall loue the Virgin-mother toke him into her charge and tuition For they vpon whome he relyed as ghostly fathers namely Cardinall Bellarmine in that testimony which he confirmed by oath and much more at large Hieronymus Platus in those papers written in latin do affirme that both the body of Aloysius whilst he liued was free from all sense and motion of lust and his mind of all obscene cogitations and representations which might in the least maÌ„ner impuge this his vow and purpose Which thing being beyond the compasse of all humane strength and industry it sufficiently appeareth to haue beene giuen by God as a certaine peculiar guift at the request of his most Deare Mother which of how high a nature it is he may estimate who shall call to mind that S. Paul whether he spake of himselfe or some other did thrice beseech our Lord that he would take from him the stinge of the flesh That S. Hierome in the wildernes seeking to rebate the same did often strike his naked breast with stones That S. Benedict casting away his garments wallowed himseife all in the briars and in like manner that S. Francis tumbled himself naked in the winter-snow That S. Bernard plunging himselfe vp to the neck in an yey poole extingnished this impetuous ardour That certayne few Saints which almighty God pleased to endow with this singular guift haue obtained a rescue from this tyranny And if there haue bene any they haue arriued vnto it by daily praiers and teares Such did S. Gregory that Great in
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
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
IHS THE LIFE OF B. ALOYSIVS GONZAGA of the Society of IESVS Eldest Sonne of Ferdinand Prince of the S. R. Empire and Marques of Castilion Written in Latin by the R. Fa. Virgilius Ceparius of the same Society And tranâ—lated into English by R. S. AT PARIS M.DC.XXVII TO THE MOST HONOVRABLE THE LADY MARY COVNTESSE OF Buckingham c. MADAME I know better with what mind then with what words to recoÌ„mend this life of B. Aloysius to my CouÌ„trey and principally to your HONOVR in you to the Nobility of both sexes in this Kingdome For if my learned Authour F. Virgilius Ceparius whome I reuerence for his piety can sooner admire then imitate for his Eloquence neuer satisfied himselfe in drawing this Blessed Modell to the life what may I hope for being but a seely Interpreter of his harmonious Pen Howsoeuer if out of the forwardnesse of my desire to do good I haue offered violeÌ„ce to my iudgment I cannot but expect pardon from your HONOVR from my Country not only pardon but euen thanks for so much as they may plainely see that in respect of their profit I haue vnderualued my owne credit Happily would I esteeme my selfe beggered of my reputation if by my meanes this Blessed CittizeÌ„ of Heauen speaking English to my Countreymen might enrich either them or me with any of his Vertues And how better to accoÌ„modate him to speake vnto them then vnder your Honourable Protection I cannot well imagine For wheras it hath bene vsually the art of skillfull Grafters in those trees that they would haue to prosper fairely in themselues and yield their fruite plentifully to their owners to graft them in stocks of their owne kind for such I take your Ladiship to be in your affinity to Blessed Aloysius for Honour and the prosecutioÌ„ of vertue most worthily may I suppose that both the humble seruice I owe vnto You in particuler and the respect that I ought to haue to my whole Countrey in generall exact at my handes that I dedicate this Booke vnto your HONOVR hoping that it may both encourage and instruct you in that happy course of Vertue which so prosperously you haue begun and vnto others your Inferiours yield those successefull fruits which seriously I wish it should who will alwayes rest Your Honours humble seruant to be commaunded R. S. TO OVR MOST HOLY LORD PAVL THE FIFTH Supreme Bishop Francis Gonzaga Prince of the S. R. Empire Marques of Castilion c. MOst Holy Father Wheras Aloysius Gonzaga my elder Brother oâ— which Honour truly I think my selfe vnworthy in respect of that holy â—ife which he lead vpon earth in respect of those things which after his death by the intercession of his prayers are effected aboue the force of Nature is so much renowned that not only in Italy but in foraine Countries also there is exhibited veneration and honour to his Picture expressed either in Tables or Brasse as if it were of some Saint And for so much as it is the custome of Families to propagate the memory Honour of their Ancestours or Illustrious Fame by preseruing their Pictures or statu's I had likewise determined to keep at home for the behoofe of me and my Posterity this History as a monument of my duty and obseruance towards him being a representation not only of his body but also of his mind which parte of vs truly is so much the more admirable for that it maketh admirable all other parts and so far the more worthy because it is the Authour of all dignity and worth But afterward being exhorted by Pope Clement the eight a man most worthy of Eternall Memory who for so much as he did both remember with what sanctimony he had lead his life and had heard the fame of his miracles thought it fit to be diuulged for the publike good changing my resolution I determined to put it in print This truly during his life was not in my power to performe since he departed out of this world at the time when I was called by my Soueraigne Lord the Emperour into Germany But now seing You most holy Father haue with infinite congratulation of all sorts of people succeeded him and haue not only approued of this his will but also after You were certified by certaine Illustrious Cardinalls of the sacred Senate vpon whome you imposed that charge of his excellent example of vertue and sanctity of manners haue vouchsafed some few dayes since by your letters sent vnto me to honour him with the title of Blessed I now come with all the humility I can to consecrate vnto your Holinesse his Life augmented not only with those miraâ—cles which were wrought euen vntill that time but with others that also followed afterward The which thing I thought good to do both for other causes and especially that when Eternall Honours are wont to be deputed to Saints by that supreme Councell of the world ouer which You most Holy Father are the chiefe and that consultation is had in the same of conferring them vpon him you may take knowledge by how good desert of his and vpon how iust causes you may bestow them vpon him Which truly that you will do your Benignity perswadeth me to be confifident and I beseech you speedily to condescend therunto and that you will giue care not only to the peâ—itiâ—s of all the Princes of our Family of Gonzaga but also to those many others who are most humble earnest suppliants vnto you for his Canonization And if you please to permit this to be obtained at your hands they professe that it would become a thing very gratefull both to them and to the people of their Dominions To conclude after the custome of my Ancestours humbly kissing your Holinesse feeâ— I eaâ—nestly begge your Blessing TO THE MOST ILlustrious Excellent Lord Francis Gonzaga Prince of S. R. Empire Marques of Castilion Chamberlaine and Counsellour of Rodulph the 11. Emperour and his Embassador vvith our Holy Lord Pope Paul the V. Virgilius Ceparius of the Society of IESVS wisheth health MOST Illustrious and Excellent Prince B. Aloysius Gonzaga your elder Brother euen from his very first Childhood gaue himselfe with so great ardour to Christian Religion and Piety that about the eighteenth yeare of his age out of a desire to enter into the Society of IESVS he yielded vp vnto Marques Rodulph who was in like manner his brother all his ancient Dominion and Fortunes Where in a short time he attained to so singular a glory of excellent Vertue and so great a name of Sanctity as afterward Almighty God declared by those miracles that were performed by his intercession after his death Therfore by the consent of all he is to be accounted amongst those whose liues as a common and holsome document for Christian men are committed to writing vpon which consideration this taske was imposed vpon me by my Superiours to compose this booke of his life conuersation The
of men as resorted to see him all things should be gathered I will place here those thinges which I could come to the vnderstanding of When he first fell into his sicknesse he was palced in a bed the couerlet wherof was somewhat thicke togeather with a mat vnder him which had bene ordayned for a certaine old man Aloysius requested of his Superiour that taking away this couerlet he might lye after the manner of others But when answere was made him that it was not placed there for any respect to him that it was rude and fit for a poore man wherby there was no danger that he should infriâ—ge his Religious pouerty he was presently well satisfied In the beginning of his sicknesse the Phisitian had commaunded that he and likewise another who was sicke of the like disease should drinke a very bitter potion the other did his endeauour to the intent that he might auoyd the noy somenesse of his potion to sup it off suddainly vsing also other accustomed helpes but Aloysius to the intent that he might make vnto himselfe a holsome trouble dranke it vp all by degrees as if it had bene some very sweet liquour and gaue no signe of euer perceauing any bitternesse The Infirmarian in his chamber vpon the table had placed a little Sugar-candy and iuyce of liquorish to helpe him sometimes against the distillation of his rheume Requesting a little of that iuyce of liquorish his fellow asked him why he did not rather desire some of the Sugar-candy he answered Quia alterum pauperem magis decet Because the other is fitter for a poore man When it was giuen him to vnderstaÌ„d that there was great danger of a plague to ensue that yeare he did not only manifest to his Superiour that if he recouered his health he would be willing to serue them that were infected with the same but also requested leaue of Fa. Generall who came to visit him that he might make a vow to God to performe the same Which hauing obtained with great contentment of mind and with great edification to them that were priuy to that matter and witnesses of that singular charity he shewed by that fact he made the said vow Roboreus and Gonzaga Cardinals did often visit him whilst he was sicke whome he intertained with fruitfull speaches of the doctrine of piety and of a happy life F. Rectour signifiing vnto them that there was no reason that they should come so often so incommodiously to themselues that he would vndertake to certify them how the state stood with Aloysius they said that they could not be satisfied vnlesse they came themselues for so much as they reaped therby very plentifull fruite to their owne soules Cardinall Gonzaga being sick of the gout commaunded himselfe to be carried vnto him and seemed not willing to be separated from his bed Aloysius once entred into discourse with him cocerning the approaching of his death and of the benefit of Almighty God towards him who tooke him to himselfe in that flowre of his age Moreouer he affirmed to the same Cardinall who according to his great loue towards him was attent with great sense of affection that he thought it was part of his duty to hold him as his Father seeing he aboue all that liued vpon the earth had deserued the best of him in regard that by his meanes it was effected that after so many conflictes and impediments he came at last to Religion By those words the good Cardinal being moued to teares answered that truly rather himselfe ought notwithstanding the difference of their ages acknowledge him the parent and maister of his piety After this he declared vnto him how great profit clestiall comfort his words and examples had alwayes giuen to his mind At his departure professing to his followers that the losse of that young man would be an infinite griefe vnto him he said that he neuer departed from discoursing with him but with his mind disposed to an vnusuall kind of tranquillity and that he did verily thinke that there was neuer any of his family of the Gonzaga's that had bene more fortunate At the same time there lay sicke F. Ludouicus Corbinellus a Florentine a man of great descent betweene whome and Blessed Aloysius there had bene mutuall loue and in their sicknesse they often sent salutations one to the other That Father his sicknesse being now increased vpon him some eight dayes before his death besought the Infirmarian that he would bring to him into his chamber Aloysius who now through want of strength was not able to stand vpon his legges And this he did for that he now held Aloysius for a Saint The infirmarian seing this thing so acceptable to the maÌ„ he put on Aloysius his cloathes and carried him into the Fathers chamber It is incredible how much this his comming to visit him did recreat the good old man and what sincere contentment and motions of piety he conceaued by behoulding him After they had talked togeather they exhorted each other to beare patiently this their aduersity and to obey the will of God The old man said farewell my deere brother Aloysius it is now but a short ty me that I haue to liue neyther shall we see one another agayne There is one suite that I haue to you I pray you deny me not Part not from hence I beseech you before you haue giuen me your benediction Aloysius being partly astonished and partly abashed at this his petition sayd that that was not fit for him to doe for to blesse was the office of a Superiour and that he was aged himselfe young he a Priest himselfe not so But this old man such was his pious affection towards this holy young man persisted agayne to vrgâ— him by intreaty and to beseech him that being now at the last cast of his life he would not deny him this comfort He likewise intreated the Infirmarian that he would not take him away before he had condescended to his request Notwithstanding this discreet young man withstood it and would not be persuaded till he was compelled by the Infirmarian And then he found a way by which he might both mitigate the griefe of the ould man and preserue his owne humility For taking vp his hand and signing himselfe in forme of a crosse he sayd Deus D. N. nobis ambobus benedicat our Lord God blesse vs both Afterward he sprinkled him with holy water in the meane while saying Deus D. N. te mi ReuereÌ„de Pater sua saÌ„ct a gratia accumulet votaque omnia tua ad sui nominis gloriaâ— fortunet Eum tu vicissim pro me precare My Reuerend Fa. Our Lord replenish you with his grace prosper to the glory of his name all your desires Pray likewise I beseech you for me the same prayer So he wisheth himselfe to be brought to his owne bed leauing him merueilously cheerfull well satisfyed 〈◊〉 was also a great token of that same Fathe
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
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
Church-doores against them In the meane time his hayre his nayles his inward and outward garmeÌ„ts were cut his fingers ends and two iointes of the little finger of his right hand were cut of There were present also certaine Illustrious men as Franciscus Dietrichstine who at this day is Cardinall of the holy Roman Church Benedictus Philip Caietan Iuliâ—â—Vrsinus Maximilianus Pernestainius a Bohemian Lord who afterward dyed one of the Priuichamberlaines of Pope Clement the VIII When he was there ready to be buried it seemed good both to other Fathers of great authority and chiefly to F. Robert Bellarmine that he should not be buried after the ordinary but coffined vp after some peculiar manner For so much as hauing passed his life in so singular sanctity they nothing doubted but how much the more careful he had been in his life time to obscure himselfe from the knowledge of men so much the more cleare in time to come would God make his glory to shine throughout the whole world But wheras in that place it is the custome not to include mens bodies of the Society in coffins but bury theÌ„ in some graue without any curiosity the Rectour sent Father Minister to the house of the Professed to the intent that he might aske counsell of Fa. Laurentius Magius who that time was Assistent to Father Generall in the procuratourship of Italy He debating the matter with Fa. Generall himselfe commaunded that it should be inclosed in a coffin For so much as Fa. Generall did for that cause willingly dispense with this young man in that custome since there was no one vnto whome his sanctity was not very well knowne that it may euen hereby appeare that he who like one of the inhabitants of Heaue was honoured wâ—th an vnusuall kind of buriall did euen then flourish with a certaine singular prayse of celestiall vertue Therefore being put into a coffin that was prepared for him in the Chappell that taketh the Name of Christ-Crucified which at the entrance of the great doore is vpon the left hand it was put into another vault which is next to the publike streete at that side at which the Gospell is wont to be read For many dayes after at all common assemblies there was no other discourse then of the vertue of this holy young man And they that liued in that Colledge being now depriued of him liuing began to worship him dead Therfore no day passed but some one or other went to his monument and saluted him with long prayers In which custome very many perseuered many moneths and euen many yeares whilst they spent their time at Rome Amongst these was Fa. loannes Antonius Valtrinus who though he had neuer bene acquainted with him liuing when a little after his death comming out of Siçily he had read those things which I had written of his life he burned with so much affection towards him that he did not only daily visit his tombe but also strow it with flowers of diuers kinds which he gathered out of the garden saying that the very flowers did mourne for this Blessed maÌ„ who had flourished with the endowment of so many exquisite vertues The body of B. Aloysius remained in that Coffin seauen whole yeares namely til the yeare of our Lord 1598. when least in processe of time it might be mingled with other bodies by order giuen from Clandius Aquaâ—iua the Generall his bones vpon the 22. day of Iune the yeare 1598. were translated from the old Coffin into another lesser one and in the wall of the same vault which is next to the street placed somewhat on high There by permission of Father Prouinciall who himself was preset at the performing of this worke certaine partes of his reliques being taken out were dispersed into many citties of Italy and carried into Polonia and India Moreouer Fa. Prouinciall tooke some of them to himselfe and gaue other some to others Neither will I heere let passe that the same Prouinciall did affirme that his bones were found ioyned togeather in that modest fashion with his head submissiuely bowing in the which for the most part he accustomed to be whilst he liued which thing made a notable impression of piety in them that beheld it But some yeares after when God by the mediation of his prayers began by the shewing of Miracles to discouer his sanctity vnto men the same Fa. Generall ordained that his holy bones taken out of that place of buriall should be placed in another more decent apart from others Therfore the 8. of Iune 1602. it was brought priuately into the Vestiary and after agayne vpon the first day of Iuly next insuing it was placed in a leaden Coffin which was put within the other wooden one vnder the step of S. Sebastians Altar which is in the same Church And although care was taken that these things excepting those that laboured in the worke it selfe should be carried very closely from all others notwithstanding such was the pious diligence of the people in searching that they found where that sacred treasure was of late bestowed At last the fame of his sanctity increasing throughout the whole world and by his intercession vnto God many miracles being wrought at the request of Francis Gonzaga the Marques of Castilion the Emperours Embassadour a most excellent Prince who thought that place too meane for him Father Generall commaunded againe that the Coffin should be taken vp and it being by order from the Superiours opened the Marques made choyce of some of the Reliques for himselfe and the Duke of Mantua His head by commaund from Fa. Generall was carried into the Church of the name of IESVS the rest of his body was the 13. of May the yeare 1605. with many torches curious musicke attending vpon it brought by the hands of the priestes to the chappell of our Lady of the same Church wherin before it lay and placed there in the wall vpon the Gospell side somewhat neere to the Altar They laboured indeed to transport it very secretly but the Embasladour togeather with his wife had no sooner entred the Church as in like manner the Duke of Poli and other chiefe meÌ„ but that there flocked in so great a multitude that it began presently to be filled And a long businesse it was to diuers Fathers to yield those sacred reliques to them that importunately begged to kisse them to honour them and to touch them with their beades before they were buried in the place appointed There to this very day do those holy bones rest and are adorned with the picture of the Blessed young man set ouer them hung about with many Votiue Tablets with a lampe continually burning frequently honoured by the people In the meane while we humbly beseech his happy soule to obtaine for vs the mercy of God in heauen who here vpon earth prosecute with honour the sacred shroud of his body and that he would vouchsafe to procure for vs his grace that in time
must of necessity haue stroken his head vpon a great and broad stone which lay before a certaine gate for vpon that his hat that was vpon his head fell But wheras in his fall he called vpon B. Aloysius to helpe him being sustained with a certaine force euen as â—f some one had put his shoulder vnder him he was carried some certaine paces froÌ„ thencâ— into a large earthen vessell in such sort that his head falling into the mouth without euer striking himselfe vpon the brim therof the rest of his body hung in the ayre And so great was the head long force of his downefall that being violently pitched into the vessell he was not able to wring himselfe forth nor so much as stir therin neither cold any one heare him when he called for help Being enuironed with that distresse againe he inuocateth B. Aloysius and vpon the suddaine it is wonderfull strange with how little â—â—oble withouâ— any woâ—d without swelling without any payne at all he crept out from thence Therfore ascribing his preseruation next vnder God to B. Aloysius immediately throwing himselfe prostrate vpon the ground he honoured and thanked him and afterward as a monument of his gratefull mind and that benefit receaued he carried to his sepulcher a Picture representing how the thing passed CHAP. IX The very touching of his reliques driueth away from the Earle of Montemeline a feuer and from the Duke of Mantua anothâ—r grieuous disease The like fauour was done to the Marshall of Polonia praying before his picture ADRIAN the Earle of Montemeline being sicke at Perugia of a long and difficult feuer could find no ease neither by the daâ—ly diligence of Phisitians nor by any remedy whatsoeuer though he tooke many those very excellent ones After that he had bene very sicke for the space of fifty dayes one of the Colledge of the Society which is at Perugia gaue vnto the Rectour of that Colledge to carry to the Earie a little peece of skinne which he had cut off from the body of B. Aloysius that night which he departed Being brought it was hanged about his neck And straight way his feuer ceased and neuer after returned This was registred in diuers Records When Vincent the Duke of Mantua came to Rome according to the custome of his ancestours to kisse the Popes feet he came likewise himselfe with great reuerence to the sepulcher of B. Aloysius his cosen and accepted as a guift from the Marques of Castilion then the Emperours Embassadour a great peece of his reliques And in his returne towards his owne dominion he was first detained at Florence and after at Mantua with a certaine sicknesse which he was wont often to be trobled withall lying whole weekes and moneths continually in his bed vexed with most bitter torment In his delinery from that how much fauour he found from B. Aloysius may well be vnderstood by those letters which within a few dayes after he returned home he sent to the same Marques And they were after this soâ—t as followeth Most Illustrious and Excellent Lord. Hauing gotten this occasion of certifiing you of my prosperous returne home which newes J assuredly know in respect of your great loue towards me will bring no small contentment vnto you I cannot conceale this that by the recommendation of our B. F. Aloysius Gonzaga I haue at this time receaued some fauour For being at Florence surprised with my accustomed infirmity in my knee so soone as I had made a certaine vow to the selfe same Bearus had with his reliques which I receaued of you touched the place disaffected in the figure of a crosse my griefe seemed after an admirable 〈◊〉 to be â—ittigated and my 〈◊〉 to â—ere â—â—â—y â—orâ— speeâ—iâ—y theÌ„ vsually it was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—fter J â—rriâ—â—d here the same paiâ—â— seized 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my side which was a token of some â—at the 〈◊〉 danger Hauing reiterated confirmed my 〈◊〉 and hauing againe orderly applied the reliqâ—es I am not able in words to expresse in how â—â—â—suall a manner it departed Therfore I who â—eâ—retofore was accustomed to be vexed whole weekes togeather with very sharpe paines and afterward to spend many dayes in confirming my health am now wholy cleared from all this Which I do altogether attribute to the prayers of our Beatus by the mediation of which J do verily thinke that God for his greater glory did as a faâ—â—â—â— bestow them vpon me I was wiâ—â—ing speedily to giue you notice herof and to communicate with you this my celestiall ioy which J 〈◊〉 well assured will be â—â—to you exceedingly comfortable So soone â—s it shall seeme good vnto his Holinesse our Soueraigne Lord to giue way to the setting-vp of Altars vnto him and making of vowes J beseech you giue â—e vnderstanding therof to the intent that I may performe my vow and may engraft propagate in the minds of those 〈◊〉 that are within my dominion piety towards him full of sanctity With all my hart do I recommend my selfe vnto you and withall kisse your hand From Mantuâ— this last day of September 1605. Your Excellencies Coâ—â—â— and Servant The D. of Mantua Sigiâ—mâ—nd of Miseowâ—ki Gonzaga Marqueâ— of Mirâ—â—â— Great Marshall of the Kingdome of â—oâ—onia Captaine c. â—â—most Illustrious man some yeares since addotted by the Duke of Mantua into the house of the â—onzaga's was sent by the King of Polanâ— into Hungary that from thence he might bâ—ing his new Spouse the Queene of Polonia He when he came to the Emperour at Prage receaued from Guilieâ—mus San-clementius Embastadour to him from the Cathoâ—ike King being a very Excellent maÌ„ a short discourse written of the vertues sanctimony and miracles of B. Aloysius Gonzaga and likewise his printed picture in blacke and white When he continuing his iourney through Boâ—emia was present by breake of day at Masse in a rowne called Budroas was oppresâ—ed with so sharpe and suddaine a paine and so grieuous a disease that he was compelled to betake himselfe to his bed and this was so much the more doubtfull for that the force and nature therof was vnknowne to the Phisitians This same extremity of paine coÌ„tinued with him all that day euen til the middest of the night And then seeing himselfe not able to take any sleepe or rest there came into his mind that writing which I made mention of and somewhat recollecting his mind he began to peruse it and now and then casting his eyes vpon B. Aloysius his picture to implore his aide with a seruent and forward mind Scarcely had he finished his prayers but there ceased vpon him a sound sleepe which lasted til the next day was far spent Being awaked he found his health wholy restored vnto him Giuing thankes to God and B. Aloysius determining to send a guift to his sepulcher at Rome he houldeth on his iourney prosperously All this that Noble Gentleman himselfe did testify vpon his oath at Crocouia before the Bishop of that Diocesse
the Kingdome of heauen And IESVS calling vnto him a little child placed him in the middest of them and said Amen I say vnto you vnlesse you be conuerted and made as little ones you shall not enter into the Kingdome of heauen Whosoeuer therfore shall humble himselfe like this little one he is greater in the Kingdome of heauen Take heed that you contemne noâ— one of these little ones for I say vnto you that their Angels in heauen do alwayes behold the face of my Father who is in heauen THE PROPHECIES 1. Who is as our Lord God who inhabiteth the depths and beholdeth all things humbled vnder him both in heauen and in earth Psal 112. 2. Almighty God exalteth the humble Iob. 5. 3. I expected till the Thrones were placed and the ancient of dayes did sit his vestment was white as snow and the haires of his head like bright wool a thousand thousands ministred vnto him and ten times ten hundred thousand assisted him Dan. 7. Apoc. 5. 4. He hath giuen commaund vnto his Angels ouer thee that they may keepe thee in all thy wayes Psal 90. 5. The Angell of our Lord shall put in amongst them that feare him and he shall deliuer them Psal 33. 6. Doe not say before the Angell there is no prouidence least perhaps God being angry against thy speaches disseuer all the workes of thy hands Eccl. 5. THE FIRST PART OF THE Considerations in common 1 CONSIDER by what meanes Christ our Lord according to that great loue wherwith he affecteth vs his creatures neuer ceaseth to minister new occasions vnto vâ— of obtaining his grace and proceeding forward in vertues that we may at last arriue to that end that is to say to eternall felicity by him prepared for vs. And therfore it was his pleasure that in his Church all the mysteries of our Redemption should be celebrated that by dayly renewing the memory of all those thinges which our Lord either did or suffered for our saluation we might be excited to loue and honour him and in like manner to conforme all our actions to that most holy example of his life which he hath left vs. And being not content with this thing alone it was his will likewise that in the same Church there should be made a peculiar memory of his most holy and blessed Mother in particuler and of certaine other Saints excelling before the rest and selected from others of that celestiall company to the intent that they might be as our Patrons and Protectours and might with their prayers assist vs in all our necessities both corporall and spirituall and might withall minister occasion vnto vs of imitating their vertues and holy conuersation Moreouer he would also that for so much as the Church and all we do daily by the ministery of Angels receaue from his diuine Maiesty so many and so great benefits that there should be likewise had of them euery yeare a solemne memory And certainely it was very conuenient that men should exhibit towards them some signification of a gracefull mind seing that they do so much desire and procure our saluation For that cause therfore doth holy Church make a memory of the glorious S. Michaell her Protectour and of all the other Angels and Archangels of the celestiall Hierarchy because all of them as testifieth the Apostle are administrâ—torij spiritus helping spirits labouring after a certaine sort for the saluation of all the Elect. Those Blessed spirits do not disdaine to submit themselues to the ministery of men being otherwise much their inferiours in regard that they see that good and great God whome with so great desire and feruour they serue so far forth to haue humbled himselfe that euen for mans saluation he tooke vpon him the forme of a man Neither also doe they disdaine to adopt and admit man into their owne society that of vs most base and vile dust-creeping wormes they might build the wals of the Celestiall Hierusalem that their ruines might be repaired because they adore as their superiour God himselfe being made man And consider heere with how great congruence holy Church doth read this present Gospell of the vertue of humility vpon the feast of this victorious Archangell For as proud Lucifer attempting to vsurpe diuine honour was cast headlong from that â—igh throne of paradise into the bottomlesse pit of hell so humble S. Michaell with all that army of good Angels subiecting themselues to their creatour and through their zeale of his glory opposing themselues to this proud serpent were so much honoured and exalted to so high dignity This Gospell is likewise designed for the solemnity of all those Angels who togeather with S. Michaell by the vertue of Humility obtained the crowne of glory that men might vnderstand that this is the ineffable and eternall decree of Almighty God that no man shold arriue to this glory which the Angels possesse but by the way of humility which they first traced Yea Christ our Sauiour by the benefit of this vertue acquired the glory of his sacred body as the Apostle sayth Humiliauit semetipsum fact us obediens vsque ad mortem c. propter quod Deus exaltauit illum Phil. 2. He hath humbled himselfe being made obedient euen vnto death c. for which God hath also exalted him Wherfore it were a prodigious thing if his faythfull would thinke to enter into the Kingdome of heauen any other way then by that which their head hath entred 2. Consider the excellency of these celestiall Courtiers the Princes of Paradise which though our mind is not able perfectly to apprehend notwithstanding according vnto that small light communicated vnto vs by their ministery we will endeauour in the honour of them to place before our eyes some part of that dignity and glory vouchsafed vnto them by our Lord. Therfore 3. thinges there are which are wont to illustrate the Court or Army of a great Prince First the Nobility of the persons 2. their Number 3. their Order All these 3. are principally apparent in these Angelicall spirits First of all consider their Nature For they chalenge vnto themselues the principall place amongst those workes created by the omnipotent hand of God that great artificer they are spirituall substances by their owne nature incorruptible and of all other creatures the most noble of so great intelligence that in the notion of naturall things they are exempted from all errour and ignorance Likewise to this their so great light of Vnderstanding they haue their Will so firme and perfectly conformable that it is not possible for it either to be assaulted or ouercome with any perturbation But if you contemplate their state in which by the benefit of grace they now remaine they without euer admitting any sinne haue obtained glory and eternall felicity Moreouer they are essentially adorned with the habit of Diuine grace which rendreth them most faire and gracious in the sight of Almighty God In their Vnderstanding
priuy to that most high secret of his Incarnation did first of all publish it to the world This is that gracious Para-nymph who was mediatour betweene that most high God and this poore humble Virgin of Nazareth betweene the Eternall word and our humane Nature Now the better to vnderstand the dignity of this Archangell consider seuerally the offices committed by our Lord vnto him And first of all as some holy men affirme it may piously be belieued that he was particularly assigned to the Blessed Virgin as her gardian And as God had no other pure creature neither in heauen nor earth that was more noble or did more feruently loue him then the Blessed Virgin Mary so you may imagine that as the Princes of this world are wont to commit those thinges that are most deare vnto themselues to the custody of those Courtiers that are most faythfull and most addicted vnto them euen so in that celestiall Court this glorious Angell Gabriell was worthily accounted with the King of heauen amongst his best and deerest Consider moreouer an other office of this Blessed Angell which was to be a Legate sent from the most holy Trinity about a supreme businesse and of the greatest moment that may be to wit about the incarnation of the only begotten sonne of God and the redemption and saluation of the whole world Therfore very well befitteth him the name of Gabriel a name full of mystery which is by interpretation Vir Deus Man God for he denounced vnto the world Christ who was to be both God and man Furthermore this name of Gabriel more properly is as much as to say Fortitudo Dei the fortitude of God and this to notify that mystery which he denounced to the world that is to say a most strong and triple cord to wit the most strict vnion of the Diuine nature with the most holy body and soule of Christ in one hypostasis and person of the eternall word as it is written â—uniculus triplex difficile rumpitur Eccl. 4. a threefould cord is hardly broken He is called also Fortitudo Dei the fortitude of God because by the benefit of his Embassy he communicated vnto vs the diuine fortitude in this that God togeather with humane nature tooke vpon him likewise our imbecility WherupoÌ„ men through the benefit of this fortitude became so valiant and couragious that they did many things which exceeded all naturall fortitude and humane strength O Angell truly valiant for so much as by thy Embassage thou didest bring vnto men not only Diuine strength but euen Goâ— himselfe the most potent aboue all others who taking away the spoiles and putting to flight that strong armed Monster who so long a time had cruelly tyranized ouer vs rescewed vs out of seruitude restored vs to the liberty of the Children of God Oâ— S. RAPHAEL THE ANGELL Also of our Angell Guardian IT remaineth now after that we haue considered the zeale and illustrious facts of the Prince Michaell and the mysticall fortitude of the Archangell Gabriell that we consider likewise the officious charity of the Angell Raphael who for so much as he is as he himselfe witnesseth one of those seauen spirits which do continually assist in the fight of God it is probable that he is one of the principall Angells of Paradise And after this we will coÌ„sider the many benefits which euery one receaueth from his Angell-keeper both in his body and his soule For this glorious Raphael both in respect of his name and the offices of mercy which he performed to both the Tobies the elder and the younger was alltogether an expresse figure of those things which our Angell-keepers do toward vs. And first of all most fitly is the name of Raphael appropriated vnto him which is by interpretation Medicina Dei the Medicine of God of the effect of that so spirituall a medicine which he gaue to the younger Poby as also of that corporall one wherby he restored vnto the elder Toby his sight And doth not thy Angell-keeper performe the same office towards thee both of a corporall and spirituall Phisitian as shall be spoken of herafter Wherfore that thou maiest the better vnderstand the same consider that there are three states of humane life The first is that in which a man liueth whilst he is yet iâ— his mothers wombe The second is from thâ— time of his natiuity euen til his death the particular iudgment of his soule The third is that which a man remaineth in after his death Therfore in euery one of these states contemplate all those peculiar offices which thy Angell-keeper exerciseth towards thee conformable to all those actions of the Angell Raphael As concerning the first state the Scripture recounteth that the elder Toby when he was determined to send his sonne into a remote Countrey he was solicitous how he might commit vnto him a fay thfull companion And behold before this good yong man departed from his Fathers house an Angell sent from God offered himselfe in humane shape as a companion and likewise a guide in his whole iourny O immense charity and more then Fatherly care of our benigne creatour who before thou didest issue out of thy motherâ— wombe before thou hadst any notice of thy enemies or the perils hanging ouer thy head gaue commaund to one of his blessed spirits who alwayes behold his diuine face and to that selfe same whome first he deputed as keeper to thy mother that he should take thee into his charge should begin in that tender state when thou wert subiect to many daÌ„gers to preserue thee togeather with thy mother to the intent that without any impediment thou mightest securely arriue to the grace of baptisme and be enrowled in the number of the Children of God But what speake I heere of that care and memory that God had of thee when thou wert but yet in thy mothers wombe yea from all eternity before he had created either the Angels or any thing else when as yet the Abysses were not the foundations neyther of heauen nor earth as yet placed then euen then O miserable man was he mindfull of thee and solicitous about thy saluation And although from all eternity he foreâ—aw thy vnworthinesse and ingratitude neuerthelesse out of his meere goodnesse without any precedent merit of thine he did not only determine to affoard thee all that assistance but euen to bestow vpoÌ„ thee all those benefits which hitherto from the very first moment of thy conception thou hast receaued and moreouer that which at the last thou art to receaue which is the greatest of all other to wit thy eternall beatitude Moreouer as concerning the second state of thy life when thou camest forth into the light of this life the sacred Scripture addeth First euen as the Angell Raphael going together with Toby out of the house of his Father promised that he would be vnto him a faythfull companion throughout all his iourny and that he would
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
The griefe which they of Castilion conceaued for the departure of Aloysius pag. 151. Chap. XXXII He renoâ—â—ceth the Marquesate and all his other Fortunes pag. 154. Chap. XXXIII Haâ—ing obtained to be senâ— to Rome he goâ—th by Loreto 〈◊〉 his piouâ— exerâ—ises in that iourney pag. 159. Chap. XXXIV At Rome hauing visited the Churches of greatest faâ—â—e hauing saâ—utâ—â— the Pope and Cardinals he is adioyned to the Society of IESVS pag. 16â— THE SECOND BOOKE CHap. I. How excellently he performed the Nouiship of his Religious lyfâ— pa. 171. Chap. II. He is exâ—rcâ—seeâ— by G 〈…〉 a certaine pensiuenesse anâ— in like manner by the Diueâ—â— pag. 17â— Chap. III. His constancy of mind in the death of his Father the Marques pag. 178. Chap. IV. Of his mortification in the time of his Nouiship the custody of his senses pa. 184. Chap. V. He refraineth from the desire of honour he explicateth holsome preceptes to the poore he earnestly desireth to be reprehended publikely pag 191. Chap. VI. The Maister of the Nouices maketh triall of his vertue For many rarâ— vertues he is reputed holy by his fellowes pag. 194. Chap. VII Of the things done by him at Rome in the house of the Professed Fathers whilst â—e continued there his preparation to the Eucharist and his sensible pieâ—y towards the same pag. 196. Chap. VIII The letters of Fâ— Hieronymuâ— Platus wherby is described Aloysius his vocation to Religion and his vertues pag. 201. Chap. IX The rest of his actes in the house of the professed Fathers the custody of his eyes and of his obedience pag. 208. Chap. X. How he spent the rest of the time of his Nouiship The purity of his mind and moderation of his Affections pag. 216. Chap. XI Of his singular hability in Prayer and familiarity with God pag. 219. Chap. XII Of the notable Sanctity of thâ—â— Maister vnder whome he made his Nouiship and whome he did seriously imitate pag. 233. Chap. XIII Aloysius goeth with the same Father to Naples and giueth excellent documents of vertue whilst he remaineth there pag. 240. Chap. XIV Of his course of life when he applied himselfe to the study of learning in the Roman Coledge He publikely defendeth certaine positions in the whole course of Philosophy He applieth himselfe to the study of Diuinity pag. 248. Chap. XV. He maketh his vowes of Religion He receaueth the lesser Orders pag. 260. Chap. XVI Of his humility and his exercises for the obtayning therof pag. 261. Chap. XVII Of his Obedience and obseruance of the Rules pag. 27â— Chap. XVIII Of his Pouerty Chastity Speach and Conuersation pag. 285. Chap. XIX Of his Mortification and the Afflictions of his body pag. 287. Chap. XX. What he thought of the Spirituall Exercises of Bl. F. Ignatius how he exercised himselfe in them pag. 294. Chap. XXI His loue towards God his zeale towarâ—s his neighbour his desire of spirituall discourses pag. 296. Chap. XXII He is sent into his Countrey for the appeasing of certaine grieuous discords which were betweene the Duke of Mantua and the Marques his brother How he behaued himselfe in this his iourney pag. 306. Chap. XXIII What he did at Mantua what at Castilion how dexterously he carried himselfe in the businesse that he negotiated pag. 314. Chap. XXIV He persuadeth his brother the Marques to disclose his secret marriage to the intent that he might auoyd euill example At Castilion with a Sermon he exciteth the people to piety pag. 328. Chap. XXV Of the excellent examples of vertue which he shewed forth of himselfe that short time which he liued at Millan pag. 335. Chap. XXVI The letters of F. Bernardinus Medices of the vertues of Aloysius obserued at Millan Also Fa. Achilles Galiardi his testimony of his manner of praying without distraction of mind pag. 345. Chap. XXVII Aloysius is foretould of his death by God He is recalled by Fa. Generall from Millan to Rome In his iourney at Siena he maketh a sermon to them of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin pag. 349. Chap. XXVIII Of the accomplished Sanctity of B. Aloysius pag. 354 Chap. XXIX With great Charity he serueth the sick in the Hospitall Thereby he iâ— infected with a deadly disease pag. 6â— Chap. XXX Aloysius his sicknesse groweth vnto a Feuer Hectick by which he consumeth by degrees His excellent sayings and doings aâ— that time pag. 370. Chap. XXXI He sendeth vnto his mother two letters in the time of his sicknesse by the which he comforteth her and intreateth her prayers pag. 379. Chap. XXXII Of the preparation which Blessed Aloysius made for his death in a rapt he partaketh celestiall ioyes and foretelleth thâ— day of his death pag. 384. Chap. XXXIII Being fortified with his sacred Viaticum and in like manner with a plenary Indulgence from the Pope he resteth quietly in our Lord. pag. 393. Chap. XXXIV Of the obsequies buriall and such things which happened to the body of B. Aloysius pag. 40â— THE THIRD BOOKE CHap. I. Of the Letters written by diâ—â—â—â— after his death pag. 411. Chap. II. The notable testimony whiâ—h Robert Bellarmine that most renownâ—◠〈…〉 dinall gaue of B. Aloysius pag. 〈◊〉 Chap. III. Many miracles of B. Aloysius He recouereth his mother from the point of death He procureth a happy deliuery to a noble woman much indangered in child-birth He deliuereth a certaine manfrom danger of loosing his sight pag. 422. Chap. IV. A Gentleman of Rome hauing made a vow to B. Aloysius is cured of the stone In like manner a Gentleman of Luca is deliuered from a malignant feuer by hanging his reliques at his necke pag. 429. Chap. V. A Religious Virgin at Florence by the Reliques of B. Aloysius is cured of a very troublesome Canker pag. 432. Chap. VI. He deliuereth two of the Society one of them from a malignant feuer the other from the Stone The later benefit happened also to one of Turino pag. 438. Chap. VII Vpon an Child twice forsaken of the Phisitians twice he bestoweth heaâ—th He bringeth backe to his senses a man raging-mad in a malignant feuer pag. 444. Chap. VIII A woman of Brescia is deliuered from a feuer and from a bloudy fluxe another in like manner from a feuer a great laxe A certaine man is preserued in falling from a great precipice pag. 448. Chap. IX The very touching of his reliques ariueth away from the Earle of Montemelino a feuer and from the Duke of Mantua another grieuous disease The like fauour was done to the Marshall of Polonia praying before his picture pag. 451. Chap. X. Baccius a Doctour of Rome is recouered of diuers diseases pag. 455. Chap. XI A Gentleman of Florence iâ— deliuered from an euill spirit by the only touching of his reliques A certaine yong woman praying before the picture of B. Aloysius is recouered of lamenesse pag. 458. Chap. XII Many miracles wrought in the Marquesate of Castilion by the merits of B. Aloysius wherupon many votiue Tablets were hung at his Picture pag. 462. Chap. XIII Diuers others fauours and graces conferred by B. Aloysius his intercession vpon persons in sundry places pag. 473. Chap. XIV Certaine fauours of B. Aloysius done for the good of soules by driuing away Tentations pag. 475. A MEDITATION OF THE HOLY Angels and of those especially who are deputed to the Custody of men Written by B. Aloysius Gonzaga pag. 480. FINIS