to come we may be so enriched with merits that in respect of them we may be worthy of those wards proposed by Gods sonne after he had taken vpon him humane nature vnto whom togeather with the Father and the Holy Ghost be giuen all honour and glory world without end Amen THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE LIFE OF B. ALOYSIUS Gonzaga CHAP. I. Of the Letters written by diuers after his death AFTER B. Aloysius had passed to a better life many Letters were sent to his mother that most Honourable Lady which declared how great an opinion of Sanctity he left in the minds of men after his death Before others Fa. Claudius Aquauina the Generall did assure her that from hence-forward she might haue recourse to him as to a deere faythfull patron in heauen for so much as it was confidently thought that that happy diuinely fortunate soule did euen then enioy eternall felicity neither would he euer cease to help and comfort him togeather with the rest of his companions in Religion Father Rectour of the Roman Colledge certified her that Aloysius was passed to a more blessed life not only in his soule but euen in his countenance and whole body so quiet and composed that he had excited a desire in all to imitate his death which was correspondent to his life most holily lead and endowed with all kind of vertues And that therfore she and the rest of the same family shold not so much grieue for his losse as reioyce that one of their kindred was transferred to the number of the Saints The selfe same testimony haue many most Illustrious men giuen by their letters And especially Hieronymus Roboreus that most Illustrious Cardinall wrote to the same Noble Lady in this manner The last thursday in the night was our good Father Aloysius transported to a more happy life and such a harty affection of him and opinion of his egregious sanctimony hath he left vnto others that those Fathers his companions being confident that he shineth gloriously in heauen haue attended his death with no lesse admiration then teares This verily ought to be a great comfort vnto you and hope that he will negotiate with Almighty God for the concord and wellfare of his brothers and the prosperoâ—s fortune of all those of his family Againe I beseech you leaue off to grieue for so much as your sonne resideth now in the Court of Heauen who as I hope will assist vs with his recommendation To the same effect were the letters of Cardinall Scipio Gonzaga which he sent to the Bishop of Mantua his brother and to Aloysius his mother In these he declareth that Aloysius had now entred into a more blessed life and that his end was of so holsome example that he is rather to be honoured with ioyes then bewailed with teares Moreouer how great the opinion of this same Cardinall was of the sanctity of Aloysius Pope Clement the 8. gaue a most remarkable testimony For he vpon the 5. of August the yeare 1604. of his owne accord entring into discourse with the Marques of Castition the Emperours Embassadour of his prayses testified that Scipio Gonzaga had often had speach with him of the singular sanctity of this young man and that withall he had confessed that with euen looking vpon him only his mind had bene transfixed with a holsome griefe and that in respect of a certaine celestiall innocency that he beheld in him he was so much stirred vp vnto piety that he was not able to with-hould himselfe from teares Furthermore his Holinesse wheÌ„ he recounted these things and heard other likewise of his sanctity of life and miracles euen as it were weeping spake with a sensible vehemency these words Blessed is he whom I now verily belieue to enioy immortall glory with God Often haue I wondred when it came into my mind how possibly you could escape so great dangers as you haue done but surely this is he that hath preserued you and brought peace to his family You haue a friend in HeaueÌ„ in whose faythfull tuition you may confide and who will defend you from all harme And conformable to this likewise was the iudgment of that most renowned and most holy Lady Elâ—onora Arch-duchesse of Austria and Duchesse of Mantua as it appeareth by her letter which at that time she sent to Aloysius his mother which after this manner we read in the printed book of her life WheÌ„ I coÌ„sider with my selfe most Illustrious Lady how bitter griefe you must of necessity conceaue for the lâ—ssâ— of your sonne and when I measure it by my owne who although I was not his mother neuerthelesse loued him alwayes with a motherly affection I cannot but take compassion of you And verity not of you only but in like manner of our whole family the groanes of which speaking morally by any force of ours without diuine helpe we cannot appease But if with more sound iudgment wee consider that this most happy soule hauing rent her way through the blind veyle of her body is soared vp to eternall splendour to that fuiâ— period of glory vnto which whilst she liued in this wretched vale of miseries she did with so full course hasten where being more neerly accommodated she may with easier accesse recommend our prayers to our benigne Lord verily let vs render prayses and thanks vnto our good God that hauing deliuered him out of this rerrestriall mâ—d he hath bestowed him in that his glorious Citty of Hierusalem and reflecting vpon our owne commodity let vs mitigate our griefe for so much as of a mortall we see him become a heauenly man c. To this her letter the Author of her life adeth these words which follow The aboue named Aloysius Gonzaga was the eldest sonne of Ferdinand Marques of Castilion who from his very cradle liued an Angelicall life heer on earth Rendring vp his title and dominion of Marques to his younger brother and betaking himselfe to the Society of IESVS ended his life about the 24. yeare of his age Well may that be verified in him which the wise man wrote Consummatus in breui explenit tempora multa placita enim erat Deo anima illius propter hoc proper aâ—it illum educere de medio iniquitatum Sap. 4. Being soone ripe he was equiualent to those that are affoarded a loÌ„ger time for his soule was acceptable vnto God For this respect did he hasten to deliuer him from the middest of iniquity Eleonor a hauing had notice giuen her of this young mans death both spake many things tending to his prayse and often had this speach in her mouth A Saint-like young man he liued and like a Saint he dyed There are also those that recount that she moreouer added this that this man should be the first who of the family of the Gonzaga's should be canonized for a Saint Let vs end this chapter with the letters of Thomas Mancinus a Noble gentleman who for so much as he
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
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
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
towards the Society of IESVS and of his zeale of soules HE was wont afterward to recount that this selfe-same litle Booke of which I made mention togeather with the Indian Epistles did very much win his mind to the Society of IESVS The Booke truly for that he sayd he did very much approue and relish the order of things therin much more the spirit by the impulsion whereof it was written And the Epistles for that by them he vnderstood how much God cooperated with the fathers of the Society of IESVS in reducing nations to Christ in those climats Therfore he stirred vp his mind to the imitating of these excellent enterprises for the sauing of soules which cost God so deare though it should be with the expense of his owne life Neither did he cease euen in that his so tender age to indeauour to helpe thē according to his power For that cause also he went euery festiuall day to the schooles of Christian Doctrine and laboured with infinite feruour himself also to instruct children in the rudiments of our Religion and to giue them precepts of fayth and innocent manners The which he did with so singular modesty and loue of humility that he auoided not the familiarity of any boy though he were vnder his owne charge and least of all those that were poore and did most earnestly excite the mindes of all the behoulders to the loue and worship of God Furthermore if he vnderstood of any discord amongst the seruants of the Court he endeauoured to make them friends In like manner if he heard any eyther cursing or speaking against God or his Saints he reprehended the. Those which he knew in the towne to be of depraued manners he did with great clemency exhort seriously solicit that they would correct and reforme themselues He could in no sort endure that Almighty God should be offended He obserued it as a solemne custome that he would intertaine no other discourse but of diuine matters that with so great grauity of wordes and sentences that when about that tyme he went with his mother to Dertona to salute the Duches of Loraine a very noble Lady who togeather with her daughter the Duches of Brunswike tooke her iourney thither he did with speaking astonish all that Princes pages Therefore they iointly affirmed that whosoeuer had heard his voyce discoursing so excellently and so wisely of God and had not also scene his face that he would haue seemed vnto him a man ripe in age and wisedome not a child CHAP. XI By the exhortation of Cardinall Borromeus he beginneth to frequent the sacred mysteries THESE things were done in the yeare of our Saluation 1580. wherin Charles Borromeus Cardinall and Archbishop of Milane a man of excellent Sanctity was by Pope Gregory the thirteenth created Apostolicke Visitour ouer all those Dioceses which were in his prouince and came to Castilion whilst he visited the Dominiō of Brescia with only seauen men which he had chosen out of all his retinue least he might become troublesome to the Ecclesiasticall men which he came to visit Then wheras he performed many other thinges excellently and altogether with an Apostolike spirit he in like manner in the yeare aforesaid the 11. of the Calends of August which is S. Mary Magdaleus day being vested in his Pontificall robes in the Church of the Saints Nazarius Celsus which is the chiefe of that towne made a very fruitfull sermon to the people and although the Princes sending diuers messengers vnto him did very much importune him that he would be pleased to take his intertainement with them in the castle notwithstanding he could neuer be persuaded to rest in any place otherwise then with the Archpriest whose house was neare adioining to that holy Church When B. Aloysius being now but of the age of 12. yeares and foure moneths resorted thither vnto him for the tendering of his duty it is incredible how much ioy he conceaued by the only behoulding of this child being euen like one of the Blessed celestiall Angells gratious in the sight of God he spent so much time with him in long discourses of Diuine matters priuately in his closet that it moued great admiration to all them that waited before the doores Questionlesse it was an infinite contentment to this good Cardinall to behould this tender plant in the middest of the thornes of diuers secular Courts without the industry of any mortall husbandman by the only inspiration of heauenly breath flourishing with so comely vigour and brought vp to such an height of Christian vertue The holy child in like māner very much reioyced that he had gotten a mā vnto whome he might confidently declare himselfe and of whome he might request an explication of those thinges which seemed obscure in the pursuite of true vertue For wheras he had heard much of the sanctity of this Cardinall which was very much spoken of he did earnestly ingrosse as it were deliuered by the oracle of God all his words and precepts which he deliuered of the keeping and following of a setled forme of huing B. Charles asked of him whether he had euer receaued the blessed Eucharist or no which whe hedenied the Cardinall who had now perceaued the integrity of his mind his maturity of wisedome together with his vnderstanding of heauenly matters drawne from God did very seriously exhort him not only to receaue it but also to frequēt it Furthermore in a short discours he set down vnto him an easy forme both rightly to prepare himselfe and piously to receaue this fountaine of all diuine bounty Besides this he did seriously exhort him that he should often and diligently peruse the Roman Catechisme set forth by decree of the Tridentine Councell at the commaund of Pius V. the Pope which booke in respect of the elegancy of the Latin tongue this Cardinall did so much esteeme of that reiecting Cicero other profane Latin authors he thought it only fit to be explicated to youths in the Schooles to the intent that therby they might both reape piety and a copious Latin tongue Neither did he doubt to put this in practise in the Seminary at Millane But when by vse it selfe he found that it fell not out according to his desire he did by commaūd as it were reuiue the old authours againe To conclude when he had giuen his benediction to Aloysius and had shewed other testimonies of his great good will towards him he gaue him leaue to depart This Blessed child omitted not to commit to memory the admonitions of so holy a Cardinall Therfore he began afterward with great contentment to peruse that Catechisme both for that it was replenished with excellent learning for all māner of sanctity and Christian instructions also because he was inuited to the reading therof by the counsell of so excellēt a man whome according as he well deserued he did with all dutifull respect honour And likewise he was very importunate by
after he had often humbly petitioned Almighty God after he had refreshed himselfe often with the Blessed Eucharist that it would please him to vouchsafe him his light for the discussing of deliberations of that consequēce supposing this resolution to be inspired into him by God bidding farewell to the world with all secular affaires he determined to be take himselfe to some Religious family where he would by vow obserue besides Virginity which before he had deuoted to Almighty God also Obedience and Euangelicall pouerty But for so much as hauing not as yet passed the thirteenth yeare of his age it was not expedient for him to put his thoughts in execution he neither assigned vnto himselfe any family nor disclosed vnto any one that which he had in his mind But notwithstanding those Fathers hauing discouering somewhat of his intentions became hopefull that he would at last adioyne himselfe to their company In the meane while he least his manners might disagree from the purpose of his mind began more strictly and vigilantly to order the whole course of his life and amongst secular and Court-delicacies to expresse in all vertue the conuersation of Religious men to retire himselfe longer to his chamber not to haue any fire in the winter season kindled or brought into the same where hitherto he was wont to haue some in respect of the tendernesse of his handes which were accustomed to swell and breake with cold in like manner abroad neuer to come neere the fire and if for company of others it was requisite to do otherwise to take that place wherin he might be sensible of no warmenesse to take with signification of a gratefull mind those remedies which were brought him by those of the house to allay the swelling of his hādes but setting them a side to make no vse of them to do all thinges out of a loue to suffer aduersity for Gods sake Moreouer he auoyded all concourse of people much more did he abhorre Comedies late suppers and delicious bankets to which he was oftē inuited but neuer cold be persuaded by his Father sometimes euen stomaking that his so vnusuall desire of solitude Therfore others resorting thither he only remained at home and there spent his time sometimes in holy meditations sometimes in communication of learning or piety with one or other graue and learned man And other sometimes he went to the Capuchin Fathers and to the Barnabites and wheras he could no more be carried away with the pompes pleasures of the world he inioyed their holy discourses Vpon a certaine time his Father tooke him in his cōpany to Millane that he might behould the transportation of all the horses of that prouince wherat it was requisite that he for the discharg of a certaine office which he mannaged should togeather with many other principall men be present Wheras therfore for so much as this was a thing rare and thought very well worthy the seeing there resorted a great concourse of people vnto it Aloysius who least he should incense his Father commaunding this precisely out of his authority could do no otherwise but goe yet made vse of this new art to wit he neuer suffered himselfe to be set in those principall seates from whence the whole pompe might cōmodiously haue byn seen and which is more as far forth as he might he endeauoured either still to sit with his eyes shut or turned some other way To conclude I may very truly affirme that he passed ouer his childhood without euer playing the child For he was neuer found in that age to haue done any thing that might sauour of leuity He neuer handled any dishonest or vnprofitable bookes He was much delighted to read the actes of Saints set downe by Surius and Lippomanus Of profane writers he for the most part read those who write of manners as Seneca Plutarke and Valerius Maximus He made vse of examples taken out of them at such time as he exhorted others to frame the course of their life out of the preceptes of Christ or Philosophy For he sometimes vttered speaches either openly with diuers others or priuately with some one alone so replenished with most wise sentences so elegant so feruent that all being astonished would say that his doctrin did far surpasse the capacity of his age and that it was therfore deriued frō God That in like manner was the cause why his kindred whereas they were not ignorant of his conditions and beheld not without displeasure so much rigour of diet and apparrell and contempt of all thinges which the world commendeth notwithstāding hauing in reuerence his prudence and singular vertue and neuer being so bold as to aske why he did so let him go forward with his course CHAP. XIV Being returned to Castilion with his Father he leadeth his life in great austerity being very much addicted to Prayer AFTER the Marques hauing performed his gouernment of Monte-Ferrato went backe with his whole family to Castilion Aloysius was so far from any relaxation of that zeale of prayer sharp affliction of himselfe that he did so much more straiten it A great maruell it is therfore that he either was not oppressed with some grieuous disease which might vtterly haue ouerthrowne his health now lōg since much impaired or that his parentes in whose sight he did these things had not out of their authority forbidden him For to that spare hard diet which as I said before he vsed at Mantua and neuer after left off he added many other entire fasts as namely he obserued three set-fasts at the least euery weeke That is to say vpon Saturday in honour of the most blessed Virgin-Mother vpon Friday in memory of the passion of Christ our Sauiour vpon which day being only contented with bred and water in the morning with nothing else but three morsells of bred dipped in water and at euening for his hungry resection he liued vpon one only cutting of bread a litle tosted soaked in water To conclude vpon wednesday sometimes he abstained from all thinges except bread and water sometimes he obserued the receaued custome of fasting in the Church There were added vnto these other extraordinary fasts which of his owne accord he imposed vpon himselfe as often as either the time moued him therunto or that he perceaued himselfe drawne by the loue of God and ardour of piety Furthermore he was so moderate in eating that some of his Fathers family maruelling how he was able to maintaine his life determined at vnawares to him to waygh how much meate he tooke at one meale after that by ballance-waight they had examined his bread togeather with his meat they affirmed by oath that his vsuall dinner or supper did not fully amount to one Ounce waight Which waight is so far from supplying the ordinary necessity of nature that we must necessarily confesse that which we haue heard of other Saints that his life was sustained by some diuine assistance without
trāsport himselfe his wife and his children thither by the same vessels When he was there ready to take ship Father Generall Gonzaga hauing now accōplished his businesse both of visiting his order and likewise other that he had in Spayne yielded himselfe cōpanion vnto them in this voyage I cānot sufficiently expresse in wordes how ioyfull and propitious a fortune Aloysius did repute it to himselfe that he might enioy the society of so Reuerend a Father vpon whome so often as he cast his eyes he might seeme to behold an excellent mirrour of religious life seuere discipline And he afterward recounted vnto me that he to the intent that he might reape profit by his example did very diligently obserue all his manners and actions and that he found him such a man as might excellently well maintaine the name of Generall ouer the Friars Obseruant and that Office likewise with great accomplishment of vertue and with singular documents of exemplar life Furthermore how true an opinion that grounded vpon solid reasons Aloysius in that iourny entertained of this man did euen more clearly disconer it selfe after that he was first made Bishop of Cefatu in Sicily and after of Mantua For so religious and holy was his conuersatiō alwayes in that degree of dignity that it is now a thing euident to all that either knew him or at any time had conuersatiō with him that he insisted in the footsteps of those ancient Bishops which were most remarkable for the glory of sanctity that he might very worthily be proposed for a maister-peece to all who out of Religious Families are aduanced to the gouernement of the Church Wherin I would more in large my selfe were it not that I might feare to offend the most modest and humble mind of so great a prelate who is euen now liuing whilst I write these thinges The conuersation of this man abounding so with honesty innocency made that nauigation both very pleasant short to Aloysius whilst they discoursed between themselues either of the various places of diuine bookes or of the rules of a pure lyfe he aduising with this good Father of those thinges which seemed difficult in that kind They arriued in Italy in the moneth of Iuly in that same yeare when Aloysius was of the age of sixteene yeares foure moneths Aloysius was hopefull to obtaine his purpose very speedily by the cōsent of the Marques his Father and therfore omitted not to solicite it But the Marques denied to condescend thereunto till that he had togeather with his brother Rodulph saluted in his behalfe all the Princes Dukes of Italy Whervpon he was to betake himselfe to this iourny He did that with this pollicy for so much as he hoped it might by litle little rebate that his zeale of entring into Religion Therfore Aloysius togeather with his brother and a great retinue puts himselfe vpon his way and very officiously he complies with all the Great-ones of Italy one after another Rodulphus who had not yet altogether exceeded his childhood went apparelled gorgiously and accommodated as best might beseeme his dignity but Aloysius sutable to his modesty wore a plaine suite of blacke stuff which they commonly call Flanders-Serge being still an enemy to all vaine brauery For wheras the Marques had ordained to be made for him certaine imbrodered garments set forth in so costly a manner that they seemed all couered ouer with gould with which being apparelled he went to present his seruice to the Infanta of Spayne wife to the Duke of Sauoy he could neuer after so soone as he had once set foot in Italy be persuaded so much as once to put them on Sometimes also it happened at Castiliō that he wore his breeches very much torne which least they should be perceaued and changed for better he couered them with his cloake but there was a time when going vp a paire of staires while he stoupeth to toke vp his beads that were fallen downe he was noted by his Gouernor to be clothed with such old breeches that in some places they shewed euen his naked skin Then said he Domine Aloysi quid tandem agis tibi tuoque generi probro non esse sentis My Lord Aloysius what do you meane I pray you are you not sensible of the disgrace that you do to your selfe and your family and without delay taking away those he commaundeth him to put on others He fearing I imagine least the matter should come to Marques his eare durst not vse any contradiction Being vpō his iourny he busied his mind either in reciting his prayers to Almighty God or in meditating daily some things of that nature neither did he euer omit either his accustomed fasts or his euening prayers As soone as he came to his lodging he retired himselfe into some priuate closet and sought for some picture of a Crucifixe before which he might pray if he could find none he either with a cole or inck drew a crosse for his deuotion vpon a paper falling downe before it vpō his knees he spent one or more houres in praying and entertaining himselfe with piety toward God So soone as he came vnto any towne in which there was any house or Colledge of the Society hauing performed the salutatiō of the Princes he forthwith went to see the Fathers hauing entred the Colledge he first of all went straight to the Church humbly to salute the Blessed Sacrament and afterward so long as his leasure might serue him he enioyed the familiar discourse of the Fathers Whilst he went to tender his seruice to the Duke of Sauoy two thinges happened very well worth the memory The one was when he lodged at Augusta amongst those of Turino in the house of the most illustrious man Hierome Roboreus his neere Kinsman who afterward was chosen into the colledge of Cardinals and being there in a certayne parlour in the cōpany of many noble young gentlemen an old man of seauenty yeares of age who was by chance present began to cast forth certaine immodest speaches This verily did very much disgust Aloysius Therfore with great freedome he contesteth with the man in this manner Syr ought you not to be ashamed being a man so well borne and adorned with so good parts both of Nature and Fortune to speake of these kind of things in the company of these Noble Gentlemen Verily this is to scandalize thē expose them to danger of sinne for so sayth S. Paul Corrumpunt bonos more 's colloquia praua Bad discourses corrupt good manners Hauing said this and taking a little booke of piety into his hand to the intent that he might shew himselfe to be displeased he departed out of that company into another with-drawing roome So that old man being stroken with shame example of modesty was giuen to the rest The other was that when Hercules Tanus his vncle being certified of his comming to Augusta of Turino came to salute him and
yeares discharged that office These did he exceedingly reuerence and honour of them he neuer spake otherwise then with great respect He neuer dissented from them in opinion or iudgment He neuer taxed them for their method of teaching or dictating neuer for their short or long discourse of questions or any other thing of that kind he neuer shewed any forward inclination towards new or vnusuall opinions He built only vpon the writings of S. Thomas of Aquine whos◠sanctity of life he did not only with singular piety imitate but also loued deerely his order of teaching and perspicuity and his doctrine exempted from all danger of errour Aloysius was of an excellent and penetrating wit ioyned with a singular grauity of iudgment the which both we perceaued his Maisters themselues cōmended of which one of them doubted not to affirme that he neuer was carefull to premeditate what he should answere to them that asked or disputed against him when there occurred any intricate question but only to Aloysius Gonzaga He accompanied this wit of his with industrious study as much as might be permitted him either in respect of his health the weakenesse of his forces or the will of his Superiours He neuer set to his study before vpon his knees he had made some adoration of Almighty God He bestowed not his study in turning ouer and considering the bookes of diuers authours nor in any one Commentary else but those only that were his Maisters If there came into his mind any reason contrary to that which was taught him which of himselfe he was not able to refute hauing noted the same he did afterward at the breaking-vp of the schooles when all others had propounded their questions aske his Maisters opinion concerning his difficulties But sometimes when he had gathered many thinges which seemed to haue some doubt in them he tooke some time which he hoped might be least troublesome to his Maisters and went to their studies to require their answers Whilst he asked their Counsell he vsed no other language but Latin neither would he stand otherwise then with his hat in his hand till by commaund they made him put it on So soone as his Maister had souled his doubts straight-way he betooke him to his study in his chamber He neuer medled with any booke but by the permission and persuasion of his Maisters In which thing how much he stood vpon their word you may euen perceaue by this that followeth F. Augustine Iustinian his Maister when he had explicated vnto him in his study a certaine difficulty about predestination which he asked him hauing explaned vnto him the seauenth Tome of S. Augustine and pointing-out with his finger euen almost to the end of his booke De bono persenerantiae he commaunded him to reade what that holy man had written there of the same argument He read-through all that page which was pointed out vnto him neither would he so much as turne-ouer the leafe to read those ten other lines which vpon the other side ended the booke questionlesse for so much as he was not cōmaunded to go any further And yet those lines which were on the other side Iustinianus himselfe had not obserued Both at home and in the schoole as often as by the Bedell he was warned to those kind of exercises he either argued against or answered others and for the same if any of the rest should be lesse accommodated he professed that to supply their place he wold be at his disposall He disputed sharpely but modestly he would neuer in his speach exasperate any one no◠stomake them nor raise any clamour nor interrupt him that answered but giue him space to declare what his mind opinion was The doubt obscurity of the questio being take away he did ingenuously assent and make an end of the controuersy Before the bell did ring to Schooles in like manner before he returned home againe both before and after noone he daily frequented the sacred Church to adore the most holy Eucharist In his going and returning from the schooles he was of so modest and composed a behauiour that he inflamed with the loue of piety euen strangers who being studious of learning stood to behould him in the Court next to the schooles And especially a certaine Abbot that was a stranger hauing in that Academy performed his course of Diuinity being allured with the loue of his Modesty frequented the schoole for no other cause then to behould him neyther did he euer in the Schooles take his eyes of him And this ought not much to be admired at for the Prouinciall of the Society which is amongst the Venetians did affirme there before the Tribunall of the Patriarch that that saying seemed fitly to agree to B Aloysius which S. Ambrose wrot vpon that place of the Psalme Qui timent te videbunt me laetabuntur pretiosum est inquit videre virum iustum plerisque enim iusti aspectus admonitio correctionis est perfectioribus verò letitia They that feare thee shall see me and be comforted It is a pretious thing sayth he to see a iust man for vnto most men the beholding of a iust man is an admonitiō of correction and to the more perfect it is a ioy Doubtlesse such like effects as these did the aspect of this happy yoūg mā produce in the minds of his behoulders Therfore to him also sorted those words that follow Iusti sanat aspectus ipsi oculorum radij virtutem quandam videntur infundere ijs The aspect of a iust mā healeth and the very beames of his eyes do seeme to infuse a certayne vertue into them who faythfully desire to behould him All which this our Aloysius made good in his very coūtenance most decēt habit of body being very apt to moue the minds of mē with a sense of piety holsome griefe Add herunto that the only behoulding of him did not only admonish strangers and Religious young men his companions but euen most graue priests of their duty Therfore in his presence they seemed to take vnto them a certayne grauity Neyther would they in his cōpany rashly vtter any licencious word or do any action tending to leuity Whilst he went to the schoole or from thence went home whilst he remained there or was present at disputations he was neuer discouered to vtter so much as one word to any one were he domesticall or stranger So obseruant was he of the rule of silence When his Superiours saw him vexed with perpetuall sicknesse and weakenesse of body they forbad him to write his dictates in the schoole but to that end to make vse of a Scribe Neither truly could he who as yet had attained no dexterity therin keepe touch with the swiftnesse of his wrighting to the voyce of the Maisters that dictated He truly obayed but supposing that it wold be an vnseemely thing that mony should be in the hands of them that for infirmity sake should imploy
writings and especially of those which perhaps he should haue present vse for he said he did it for this cause for so much as he perceaued himselfe to be carried away with some particular affection towards those things as the ofspring of his owne wit and for that he stood not affected to any other mortall thing he wold also depriue himselfe of those things that from hence forward he might haue his mind sequestred from all Further more he had attained vnto a certrine exact subtility in trying out the offices of a perfect life which were requisite to be not only committed to memory by all Religious people but also put in execution For there stealeth vpon all men for the most part a certaine naturall sweetnesse of a reioycing and selfe-cherishing mind as often as they perceaue themselues to be especially graced and beloued of excellent men and chiefly of them in whose power they are for that they by this euident testimony signe declare that they are well pleased with their demeanour therfore oftentimes some do not only reioyce therin themselues but also make mention therof in the company of their familiar friendes Aloysius was far of another mind For so far forth had he extinguished all loue of himselfe and was so far from desiring that any mans mind should particularly adhere to him that he would not endure himselfe so much as with any peculiar loue or obseruance to be affected by the Superiours themselues If any one made a shew to loue hâ—â— more then any of the rest he would be so far from answering them with loue that he conceaued griefe for the same Therfore those that gouerned him to the intent that they might doe a thing acceptable to him they seemed no more to esteeme of him then of any other Wheras in all companies he was wont to be very affable likewise at this time no man was more courteous no man could possibly be of a more sweet condition with so immense and common a kind of charity did he imbrace all Therfore very earnestly they had recourse to him in recreation time to heare him discourse of God of celestiall felicity and of the perfection of vertue Verily my selfe speake both by experience and haue bene tould by others that many departed from his company more inflamed then from their prayers If he could get any one vnto whome he knew that he might confidently inlarge his mind in priuate he declared vnto them such diuine affections of his hart that as men stroken with admiration he caused them both to sigh and conceaue a veneration of so vnusuall a coniunction with God Whithersoeuer he went he neuer laid aside the presence of God contemplating all his actions He was so inflamed with he loue of God that when either there was mention made of him by the Reader at the table or by any other discourse straightway his mind flowed with celestiall ioy and he would giue an open signe therof by the inflammation of his countenance the interruption of his speach This fell out both at other times and also once at the table when he hearing certaine things read of Diuine loue on the suddaine he sensibly perceaued from his inward brest as it were a flame to burst forth by the violence wherof he was constrained to forbeare eating Vpon this occasion we that sate round about him at the table tooke notice of it And for so much as we were ignorant of the cause feared least he was grieuously sicke we fixed our eyes attentiuely vpon him asked him whether he were well or no. He who at that time truly was not able to vtter so much as one word and found himselfe to be taken with the manner being so much the more out of countenance cast downe his eyes burst forth into teares blushed swelled so in the brest that we feared least some of his veines might haue broken were all moued with commiseration of him At last in the later ending of dinner by little and little he recouered himselfe againe There were some who when they knew these thinges to the intent that they might see him blush vpon set purpose would in the company of their companions introduce speaches of the charity of God towards mankind Others contrariwise least he should incurre some hurt or troble in his body endeauoured to breake of these kinds of discourses Walking in the schooles and cloisters he had his mind so far abstracted from his senses that vpon set purpose oftentimes passing by him to salute him I haue take occasion to bring him to himselfe There he said his beades to the Blessed Virgin-Mother he frequently vsed interchaÌ„gable offices of piety one while kneeling another while standing vpright and yet neuerthelesse he auoyded that note of affectation in all his doings which others often doing these thinges would easily haue incurred This yeare he designed vnto himselfe one houre euery day for the reading of sacred thinges He seemed much to be delighted in reading the Soliloquies of S. Augustine the life of S. Catherine of Genâ—a the sermons of S. Bernard vpon the Canticles and especially that his Epistle intituled Ad fratres de monte Dei which are found among the workes of S. Bernard He had so often read that ouer that he seemed almost to haue learned it without booke In his reading he selected and noted certaine hidden sentences of piety which after his death we found written in his owne hand In the moneth of Nouember the yeare 1590. hauing begun his fourth yeare in the studie of Diuinity the Rectour compelled him to haue his chamber a part from the rest of his companions Then he brought to passe that he might lodge in a certaine small corner of the house that was old darke low narrow with one window only through the roofe therof which being iust ouer the stayres was able to contayne no more then a poore bed a wooden chayre a foote stole which did sâ—rue him to leane on both at his prayers study therfore for so much as it was rather like a strict prison theÌ„ a chaÌ„ber it was neuer woÌ„t to be allotted vnto any student When F. Rectour sometimes visited him in that place he found him triumphing and reâ—oycing in that little cottage as if it had bene in some ample Pallace And we were wont to say vnto him in iest that as S. Alexius was willing to lodge vnder a payâ—e slayres so he also like a poore man aboue To conclude so complete was he in all the parts of Sanctity that many both his Superiours chamberfellows and fellow students affirmed vpon oath that by no one of them was he euer found so much as culpable of one veniall sinne He that heard his confessions said that he neuer dismissed him but he conceaued some new light by hearing his confession Another Fa. in like manner being sworne affirmed that he who had layne two yeares more or lesse in the same chamber with Aloysius wheras