Rome the Marques thought that he were best to soiorne in the house of Vincentius Gonzaga the Cardinall and he had already intreated the Duke of Mantua that he would please by his letters to commend this matter to the Cardinall and he in respect of his singular loue towards Aloysius had easily promised to do this office when I know not what coÌ„trouersy arising betweene the Duke and the Marques who should haue the priority in writing neither of them yielding to the other for certaine causes the matter stood stil at the same stay neyther was there any thing else done in it but that this was the speciall prouidence of Almighty God was both manifest in it selfe as also in the free acknowledgment of Aloysius For if the Duke to pleasure the Marques had sent his letters to the Cardinall he himselfe confessed that for the very receipt of this benefit he should so much haue engaged himselfe vnto him and should by that meanes haue fallen into such a kind of seruitude that for many yeares after he should hardly haue disengaged himselfe from the same This determination being dissolued it came into the Marques his mind to place him in the Roman Seminary so that in some part therof designed for him and some seruants as the dignity of his person required being separated from the commerce of the rest he might according to the discipline of the Society be instructed in good artes til the prefixed day But for so much at that was opposite to the custome of that place from which euen to that very day no maÌ„ was euer exempted sending vnto Rome a certaine man with letters he laboured with Scipio Gonzaga a most Illustrious man that he would be pleased to negotiate this matter with F. Generall and intreat that they might do this by his permission He performed very diligently whatsoeuer was in his power But hauing allegations made vnto him why this might not conueniently be granted contrary to his opinion he certified the Marques by letters how the matter succeeded He being not as yet out of hope to obtayne this suite had a determination to exhort Aloysius that he would intreat Leonora of Austria the Duches of Mantua a womaÌ„ well deseruing of the Society to request this fauour to be done her by Fa. Generall Aloysius answered wisely that this charge wold better befit any other then him For so much as that request was contrary to the resolutions of his mind and to his reputation as being in possibility to moue suspition either that his mind was altered or his zeale remitted especially seing that not loÌ„g since in obtaining leaue of the Emperour to renounce his inheritance he had made vse of that great womans mediatioÌ„ Therfore this proiect went not forward CHAP. XXX He mitigateth and ouercometh the mind of his Father with a vehement protestation VVHILST they deliberate of some other course Aloysius when he had confirmed himself renewing his ardour betakes him againe to those holy afflictions of his body his fastes and his prayers neyther is he euer made partaker of the sacred Eucharist but he humbly beseecheth Almighty God that he would now at last vouchsafe to take away those obstacles that cast such delayes vpon his desires And especially when vpon a certaine time for this intent he had bestowed foure or fiue houres in continuall prayer he found his mind to be carried and incited with a certaine instinct that he shold go vnto the Marques lying grieuously sicke of the goute and renewing his suite of being dismissed should endeauour all that he could to persuade with him He supposing that this motion was sent vnto him by some peculiar instinct of the Holy Ghost goes from his prayers straight to the Marques his chamber and sets vpon him very seriously with these very wordes being indeed very vehement ones Equidem Domine pater in tua me potestate fore profiteor De me statue vt lubet verumtamen tibi denuncio me a Deo ad Societatem IESV vocatum esse Itaque dum hac in re mihi obsistis Dei voluntati obsistis Verily my Lord Father I do freely professe that I will alwayes rest at your disposing neuerthelesse this do I denounce vnto you that I am by God called to the Society of IESVS Therfore so long as in this thing you resist me you resist the will of God And hauing said this staying not so much as one minute of time for any answere he suddainly steps out of the chaÌ„ber leauing his Father grieuously wounded with vnexpected griefe Then entring into consideration with himselfe and acknowledging with how great vehemency he had hitherto resisted his sonne setting on one side ReligioÌ„ feare least he might draw vpon him the wrath of God on the other reuoluing in his mind that he should be forsaken by such a child so bitter griefe inuaded him that turning his face to the wall he powred out a great aboundance of teares by continuall lamentations sobs and deplorements became euen noted of his whole retinue meruaiâ—ing what new thing had befallen him A little while after sending for Aloysius into his chamber he speaketh to him in this manner Vulnus fili mi cordi meo inflixisti qui te amo semperque amaui merito tuo atque in te spes omnes meas familiaeque nostre defixeram I am vero quoniam alâ—â— te vt ais Deus vocat non equidem vltra te morabor Vade fili mi quo tibi collibitum est Id vt bene feliciter â—ueniat precor O my deare sonne thou hast inflicted a wound vpon my hart who doe and alwayes haue loued thee according to thy desert and vpon thee built all both my owne and our families hopes But now for so much as thou saist that God calleth thee to another course truly I will no more be thy hinderance Goe my sonne whither thou wilt I beseech God it may fall out vnto thee well and happily Which wordes he vttered with so great sense and remonstrance of loue and griefe that againe he burst forth into great plenty of teares neither could any one mitigate them with consolation Aloysius in briefe giuing thankes least he should increase his griefe betooke himselfe from thence into his lodging There in priuate prostrate vpon the ground with armes stretched abroad eyes lift vp towards heauen he rendreth vnto God most humble thankes for putting him into this mind and for seconding the same with this good successe and with so cheerfull a mind doth he offer himselfe vnto God as an holocaust that it seemd a thing impossible that in praysing of God he shold euer be satiated CHAP. XXXI The griefe which they of Castilion conceaued for the departure of Aloysius SCARCELY had Aloysius after so many intreaties obtained this dismission from his Father but the fame therof extended it selfe to Castilion causing so great griefe to all that belonged vnto him that many with their aboundant teares witnessed the same For
great a maiesty as he meditateth vpon The bell to prayer being rung with as great reuerence as he possibly could he fell vpon his knees in his poore oratory with so great industry of mind least he should be distracted with any other care did he watch ouer himselfe that for this respect he would not so much as giue way to the necessity of spitting He gaue himselfe wholy to the cogitation of those things that he had proposed to meditate and his vitall spirits togeather with his bloud resorting vpward towards his higher parts through the intensiue working of his mind so great a debility cold surprised his neather limbs that his prayer being ended he was not able to stand vpon his feet Often likewise it happened that after he arose from the same his mind being for sometime alienated from his senses he did not so much as know the place that he stood in Which then chiefly came to passe when he considered in his mind those attributes of God as his goodnesse prouidence loue towards men principally the infinitenesse of all these for then was he furthest abstracted from his senses In his prayer he had so great a guift of teares and powred them out so largely that it was necessary his Superiours should take some course to moderate them for feare least by their abundance his head and eyes might receaue some detriment But by no remedy could they euer preuaile But that which is most admirable of which both others who tooke his Confessions also Cardinall Bellarmine is witnesse that his mynd was neuer wont to be any whit distracted froÌ„ his determinate prayer which how great a guift of God it is euery one may easily coniecture by that which he himselfe experienceth in his owne prayers This so certaine power of bending his mind vpon holy matters he did not only obtaine by Gods fauour but by this likewise that by long meditation and vse he had made the force of his mind euen so prone obedient vnto him wherby he comprehended and painted liuely in his cogitation euen those thinges that were a far of as that there was nothing but what was accommodated to his purpose that euer came into his mind And vpon that cogitation which he had vndertaken so earnestly in the time of his recreation did he fixe his mind that he neuer reflected vpon that which others either did or sayd and therupon he neuer incurred any danger of diuerting his mind by any thing whatsoeuer And although in the house of the Nouices and in a manner according to that example in the Colledges all the lodgings are perused wherby it may be discouered whether all according to their appointed houres be at their prayers or no notwithstanding so long as he liued in Religion he neuer perceaued any one that came in this manner to behould him Which is a notable signe truly how far at that time he was remote from all sense and how attentiue to his meditation It is decreed by a rule that euery one of the Society both at the time of his first entrance as a Nouice and all his life-time after euery sixt moneth to disclose to his superiour not only his sinnes but also the giftes graces vertues which he hath receaued froÌ„ Almighty God to conclude all the secrets of his conscience which is to the intent that he whose part it is to gouerne others with his Counsell hauing by this meanes an vnderstanding of all may in a Fatherly maÌ„ner restraine those that â—alle the bouÌ„des of moderation may reseew vnwary persons from deceipts which in a stricter course of life do often fall out finally that he may prepare a way to go forward in a perfect course of life to all that are committed to his charge And this was that wherby many of B. Aloysius his vertues were laid open For out of a desire to obey this rule to direct himselfe according to that prescript of his superiours he did with great candour sincerity detect vnto them and those his Fathers of a better life how God behaued himselfe in his hart That must be very diligently obserued least it may seeme strange vnto any one that he declared very many of his vertues For his desire of obeying his superiours and this rule brought him vnto this being accustomed otherwise to speake very sparingly of himselfe WheÌ„ as therfore once he gaue account to the Rectour of the inward state of his mind who asked him whether in prayer he were not sometimes distracted in his cogitation to other matters he answered ingenuously that if all his extrauagant cogitations which within the space of those sixe moneths had hindered his mind either in prayer meditation or examining his conscience were put togeather that all those impediments would not amount to the time that one might recite one Aue Maria in In his vocall prayers that depended vpon his pronunciation he found greater difficulty not truly for that in those his mind wandered vpon any other matter but because he could not so readily fitly apprehend the meaning of the Psalmes or other things which he recited Therfore he said that then the case stood so with him as it doth with a man that standeth before doores that are shut against him who neither could enter in nor would goe any whither else But that otherwise in this kind of prayer also he abounded with exceeding great sense and pleasure of celestiall things especially in reading the Psalmes by which he put on certaine pious affections of mind wherwith they are plentifully stored Which truly sometimes were so earnest that scarcely not without some violence he vttered his words Therfore when according to his pioty he had a custome to recite the Canonicall prayers in the time of his Nouiship according to the manner of the Priests he bestowed in his Mattines at the least a whole houre As for that which belongeth to the matter of meditation he did very much insist vpon the consideration of the torments and bitter passion of Christ our Lord. and reaped therby diuine consolations The memory therof he daily renewed by pronouncing at noone a certaine briefe Ant-hymne by thinking vpon Christ crucified Which he performed with so cleare sense of piety and attention of mind that he said he daily had before his eyes manifesily the sanctity of that time which vpon good Friday in holy-weeke is solemnized How much spirit and celestiall solace he reaped by meditating on the sacred Eucharist hath bene spoken of heretofore He worshipped with a certaine singular obseruance and gladly meditated vpon the holy Angels and especially his Angell-guardian At which time how notable sentences Almighty God suggested to his mind of those incorporeall spirits witnesseth that his no lesse long then elegant meditation of the Angells which F. Vincentius Bruno hath reduced into the second part of his meditations and Doctour Andreas Victorellus hath very commendably cited in his learned booke Of the Custody
his Dialogues recount Equitius that holy Abbot to be who when in his youth he perceaued such kind of fires to be enkindled in him did not cease to petition Almighty God with long and frequent prayers till he sending an Angell deliuered him from all such kind of allurements and inflāmations as if he had bene but a new-borne infant In like manner Cassianus relateth that the Abbot Serenus when by frequent fastes prayers and teares he had obtayned of God cleannesse of mind did vndergo another as great a busines that he might also procure cleānes of body and that it was at last effected by the ministery of an Angell so that after that tyme neyther sleeping nor waking he was stirred with any the least motion To conclude S. Thomas a man neerer to our memory who obtayned the name of Angelicall Doctour when he had with a burning fire-brād driuen from him a certain lasciuious womā that an Angell afterward had girded him with a certayne girdle was himselfe also made partaker of this truly Angelicall benefit Neyther was it out of any naturall frigidity or stupidnesse of senses that B. Aloysius had all his members so peaceable and obedient and the secret cogitations of his hart so pure whome they who were familiarly acquainted with him do all ioyntly affirme to haue bene of a sanguine complexion full of spirit sharpe and industrious in the mānaging of his affayres Let vs therfore confesse it to haue bene a diuine and vnusuall guift proceeding from the singular fauour of the Virgin mother of God towards him whom from that tyme forward in the whole course of his life he entertayned for his mother with a certaine tender kind of loue and piety and reposed in her a great hope in the prosecution of all his affaires Notwithstanding the singular vigilancy which himselfe vsed in the seuere moderation of his senses was of no small moment for the maintaining of this so excellent a benefit For although nothing of this kind did very much trouble him notwithstanding out of his loue of virginall and holy chastity he began euen frō that day to stand vpon his guard euer more and to suruey obserue all his senses with a certayne exquisite care And especially to restraine his eyes alwayes from all vicious allurements and chiefly for that cause to go in publike with them continually fixed vpon the groūd but he did so much throughout the whole course of his life auoyd the familiarity and company of women wheresoeuer he conuersed that you would thinke he had with them a kind of naturall antipathy In so much as that he could not suffer himselfe to behould them At Castilion he receaued his mothers commaunds and returned an answere in very few wordes to those Noble women which sometimes she sent from her company to his chamber to deliuer some message vnto him and he would talke with them no otherwise then through the doore halfe shut with his eyes cast vpon the groūd least he should behould them But that is not a thing much to be marueyled at For he would not so much as indure to speake to his mother her selfe without witnesses Therfore if at any tyme whilst he was conuersant with her in the Chamber or in the Parlour others in the meane while should chaunce to with-draw theselues he would likewise presently take some occasion to depart and if he found none he would blush with a modest kind of bashfullnesse So singular was his solicitude and carefulnesse He being asked vpon a certayne tyme by a certaine learned man who obserued it why he had this auersion from behoulding any woman and euen his mother herselfe least he should make knowne his vertue he rather ascribed it to his naturall bashfulnesse Besides other things which were agreed on betweene him his father this was one that he should commaund him in all things but only in the visits of women That in other things he would be as is duty was at his disposing Therefore the Marques after that he perceaued him so constant in this purpose not to trouble him he was allwais obseruing to his will heerin He himselfe in like manner would affirme that he had neuer beheld certayne noble women who were very neere of kin vnto him And this his custome was so well knowne that in iest he was oftentymes by his familiar friends called the Women-hater CHAP. VII At Florence he maketh great progresse in a more holy course of life MOREOVER when he was at Florence he began more often to purge his cōscience by cofession then he had as yet done at Castilion with a certaine priest of the Society of IESVS designed vnto him by his Gouernor who at that time gouerned the college in that Citty When he came first vnto him to confession hauing much and long before both meditated and prepared himselfe at home he conceaued in the presence of him so much reuerence bashfulnesse and submission of himselfe as if he had exceeded all mortall men in the multitude of his sinnes He is scarcely kneeled at his feet but he falls into a sound and of necessity being taken vp by his gouernor is carried home Afterward returning thither he discouered all the sinnes of his life past of which thing we haue often heard him recount after he was ioyned to the Company of religious men that he rested satisfied in that confession which he made at Florence of his whole life For so much as this was the beginning of knowing himselfe and vndertaking the course of a more strict kind of life For then he began carefully to discusse euery one of his actions if he found any imperfection therin he would wholy imploy himselfe in searching out pulling vp the very rootes therof First of al therfore he obserued himselfe to be somewhat of a cholerick nature to be sometimes easily transported with a certaine kind of stomake which though it did not breake forth notwithstanding it vexed his mind with some griefe and indisposition He gaue himselfe therfore to consider of the foule deformity of anger which he said did manifestly appeare and discouer it selfe when the mind being recalled to his former tranquility he might perceaue that a man whilst he was possessed with anger was in some sort besides his senses When he had discouered that he determined in time to come to bend himselfe to the repressing supplanting of that corrupt disposition of his mind At the last by the assistāce of God and his owne great industry he did so absolutely ouercome it that he seemed afterward to be voyd of all motion of anger Furthermore he perceaued that oftentimes in company some one word or other fell from him that might tend to the defaming of others And allthough as he himselfe afterward confessed of what quality soeuer that sinne was it was scarcely at any time so great that it might be numbred amongst those which for their slendernesse are accounted veniall notwithstanding for this cause he was
of pennance and the Eucharist he did daily enkindle vnto himselfe a new light to more firme proceedings in celestiall discipline And as by his excellent indeauours he did euery day more then other deserue at Gods handes new ornaments so did he disclose vnto his mind new lightes of eternall learning and euermore with new instinct as it were with certaine spurs driuing him away from transitory thinges excite him by degrees to the desire of greater and greater sanctity Therfore although his Father endeauoured to offer him diuers occasions of recreating and delighting his mind to the intent that he might remit somewhat of that his so earnest pursuite of piety notwithstanding he neuer suffered himselfe to be any whit at all withdrawne from that duty which he had vndertaken towards God It was his chiefest recreation for deuotion sake to frequent the Church of our Lady the Virgin-mother surnamed de Crea which neere to that place is held in great veneration for the great concourse of people and sometimes to go to the Monastery of the Capuchins and sometimes to that of the Barnabites and to confer with them both of courses of piety from whom in so much as he found so great agreement in their opinions it seemed impossible to withdraw him He did chiefly admire that cheerfullnesse of countenance which for the most part he obserued in thē all that contempt of mortall things those set-times both for prayer and the quire hat quiet throughout all their houses voyd of all noise that equality of mind either liuing or dying CHAP. XIII He giueth his mind to Religion MAKING these obseruations he by little and little addicted his mind to the like kind of life Then especially when entring the house of the Barnabites he at leasure considered with himselfe the happy estate of Religious men euen in that respect for so much as abandoning all the goods of Fortune to the intent that they might the more readily serue God they did as it were necessarily submit themselues to his care Wherfore as he himselfe afterward related to me and others at Rome he argued thus with his mind Dost not thou see Aloysius how happy a Religious course of life is These Fathers free from all secular snares are placed far of from all oportunities of sinning All that time which the commō sort of men spend in the hunting after casuall riches and deceitfull ioyes they bestow in treasuring vp immortall riches in these kind of gaines which togeather with being infinitely meritorious in the sight of God do tye him eternatly vnto themselues neither haue they any cause to feare that those pious labours which they vndertake can euer be in vaine To conclude Religious men are they whosoeuer else are who in the leading of their life follow reason as their guide neither are they subiect to the dominion of sensuall desires They sue for no honours they make no esteeme of terrene transitory goods they are not stirred vp with the incitementes of emulation they gape not after any other mens fortunes being in that only seruice of God happy whome to serue is to raigne And what wonder is it I pray you that they being allwaies quiet and merry feare neither death nor the Tribunall of God nor the punishmentes of hell for so much as they haue their mindes guilty of no sinne VVhat wonder is it that they day night store vp celestiall riches seing that being neuer otherwise imployed then in actes of piety they either alwaies worke with God or for God The testimony therfore of innocency which their conscience it selfe giueth them doth beget in them an inward peace tranquility of mind from whēce proceedeth the serenity which we may obserue in their countenance and also that their confident hope of celestiall riches And what thing can be more ioyfull then when they call to mind whome they serus in whose band they lead their liues But thou what dost thou what thinkest thou what hindreth thee from choosing this kind of life See now at last in thy mind what rewards are propounded vnto them by almighty God Consider how much leasure commodity thou maist haue freely to apply thy selfe to piety If according as thou hast determined transferring the dignity of Marques vnto Rodulph thou witt not depart frō it thou mayst perhaps see many thinges which thou caust not approue of VVitt thou seeme not to see it but then the conscience of thy neglected anty will not cease to prick thee VVnt thou reprehend it but then thou witt be troblesome or surely spend thy speach in vaine VVhat when as being initiated in Priesthood thou shalt liue amongst Ecclesiasticall men dost thou then at last confidently belieue that thou shalt be able to keepe thee to thy vowes No rather hauing professed a certaine more exquisite kind of vertue then men of the world are subiect to thou shalt be perplexed with the same kind of dāgers that they are VVith the same said I yea verily the allurements to sinne will more vehemently intice thee then those that are bound in wedlock It is impossible for thee altogether to auoid but that thou shalt flatter profane men in their opinion and to it conforme thy manners soothing them vp in their corrupt desires For if thou suffer thy selfe to be detained in the world thou must of necessity for the inscharge of thy duty haue recourse vnto obeige vnto thy selfe one Prince after another Now if thou auoide the familiarity of Noble-women who are by kindred somewhat allied vnto thee thou shalt incur the censure of men And if thou apply thy selfe therunto thou wilt questionles breake that thy principall vow By the admittance of Piesthood Ecclesiasticall honours thou shalt plunge thy selfe into far greater imploiments then now thou art tied vnto and those more estranged from piety If thou refuse them thou shalt by thy owne kindred and allies be tearmed an idle fellow and the reproach of thy family neither will they euer cease to persecute thee till they haue thrust thee forward to the vndertaking of honours But truly if thou imbrace a Religious course of life thou shalt as it were with one stroke cut in sunder all these bonds which hould thee Furthermore thou shalt shut thy selfe out from all dangers then shalt thou lay downe the carefull and earnest pursuit of all vaine and friuolous humane indeauours To conclude thou shalt place thy selfe in that state where nothing may violate the peace of thy mind or hinder thy desire of seruing God with all vertuous industry These and other such like considerations did Aloysius reuolue with himselfe at that time as appeared by his owne relatiō which had so established his mind and transported it from the senses that his familiar friendes might easily vnderstand that he who had his cogitation so busily set a worke did proiect some great matter with himselfe No man notwithstanding was so bould as to aske him what his debatement was To conclude
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
she desired and with all she found B. Aloysius inwardly speaking vnto her mind these words Prosiducia quae tibi mei patrocinijque mei fuit proque ardenti desiderioâ—uo flagras vt hominibus Deus gloriam quam mihi contulit patefaciat visum estei tui te voti compotem sacere In regard of that confidence which thou hast had in me and my patronage and in respect of that ardent desire wherwith thou art inflamed that God would vouchsafe to manifest vnto men the glory which he hath bestowed vpon me it hath pleased him to make thee partaker of thy desire These words being said a very great paine ceaseth vpon that parte of her body that was disaffected which very cruelly tormeÌ„ted her For it seemed vnto her that euen by strong hand the Canker all her other indisposition was violently torne from her naked brest Hauing passed this sharpe paÌ„ge all the trouble of her disease and not only the Canker but euen the whole infirmity of her side which had now held her for foure yeares did so clearly forsake her that she was altogether whole and in perfect health But in receauing that her health so violent was her paine that she was found by the rest of the Virgins fallen into a sound to their seeming dead Therfore she was of necessity to be laid in her bed In the meane while with a low voyce according as she was able she called vpon her gouernesse often and declared that she was now wholy cured Not long after being strengthened she manifesteth the miracle and the whole matter as it passed The other Virgins whe they saw her wholy cured doubtlesse being very glad render thankes vnto God and B. Aloysius who had made intercession for her To the intent that they may retaine the memory of so great a benefit the holy Virgins of this Monastery do keep fast the eue of that day euery yeare which is consecrated vnto him and they celebrate his festiuall day by erecting an altar carrying about with pompe of those his humble suppliants his picture and reliques The same of this so great a Miracle filled all Italy and the Duke of Mantua being certified therof reioyced with extraordinary cheerfulnesse But Marques Francis who at this day sustayneth that Dignity gaue vnto a certaine man of his Dominion who first brought this newes a very handsome house at Castilion Of all these things a publicke instrument was framed those sacred Virgins of whome I spake being by the authority of the Archbishop of Florence sworne the testimony of two Phisitians also interposed The one of them was Hierome Mercurialis that renowned Phisitian to the great Duke of Tuscany a professour with great applause in all the principall Academies of Italy as hauing published most famous monuments of his wit The other one Andrew Torsius a Phisitian of great Name at Florence They write in this manner J Hiero me Mercuriall when I tooke into my consideration the disease of this holy Virgin was induced to be of an opinion that it seemed to be a Canker which by Hipocrates in his 38. Aphorisme is said to be hidden and a disease impossible to be driuen away with any the most effectuall remedies In testimony of these thinges shaue written this vnder my owne hand J Andrew Torsius confirme whatsoeuer is before said and that by naturall operation that sacred Virgin could not so suddainly be reduced to her health For maladies of this kind if truly euer they may be ouercome are not vanquished without long time and very effectuall remedies In testimony wherof I haue written these lines with my owne hand This third of October 1600. 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 MArcus Gustonius a GentlemaÌ„ of Venice being at Padua admitted of the Society when the yeare before he had passed his Nouiship in the end of the yeare 1603. falling into a malignant feuer accompanyed with certayne breakings forth he was within few dayes so grieuously handled that his tongue being swelâ—ed his mouth filled with putrified and thick matter his teeth loose in his head he could scarce eyther open his mouth oâ— speake moreouer his senses often failed him His disease daily increasing the Phisitians began to despaire of his health one euening he was forwarned that the next morning he should receaue his sacred Viaticum It came into the mynd of many Fathers that were then present and some absent that it would not be amisse to aduise him to make some vow in honour of B. Aloysius And one of them who liued elsewhere by letters admonished the Rectour of the Colledge of Padua of this matter And another who resided in that same place when about fiue of the clock at night he had humbly offered vp his prayers before certayne reliques of B. Aloysius had a strong impulsion from Allmighty God to aduertise the Rectour of the selfe same course beingen kindled with a hope that the sicke person by Gods help through the merits of this holy young man should recouer his health Immediatly breaking off his prayer for that tyme he went to the Rectour and declared vnto him what was suggested to his mynd The Rectour gaue his approbation and withall commaunded Fa. Minister that the next day early in the morning he should bring to him that was sicke those reliques were that in that Fathers custody and moreouer aduised that he should make some vow that might tend to his honour but for so much as at that tyme the sepulcher of Aloysius was not as yet frequented nor any accustomed pilgrimage made therunto he should giue him leaue to goe as an humble suppliant either to our Ladies house of Loreto or whither else he most coÌ„modiously might The Minister not staying till the next day presently went to the sicke mans chamber with the reliques and according to the Rectours pleasure aduised him to make some vow The sicke man receauing the reliques with singular sense of piety and with feruent affection kissing them being confident that this should become the only remedy of his sicknesse did with flagrant prayers inuocate B. Aloysius and made a vow according as he was counselled And without any delay he findeth himselfe eased and so much better was he that night that the next day after being by the iudgment of the Phisitians free from all danger he stood in no need of his Viaticum but for piety sake only he was made partaker of the Eucharist All these thinges were registred before the Bishop of Padua and a votiue tablet in testimony of the benefit sent to Rome to the Sepulcher of B. Aloysius Iohn Justinian a Gentleman of Genua of the Society of IESVS when he liued in the Roman Colledge was the third of Iune the yeare 1â—05 oppressed with cruell torments of the stone in the right side of the reynes of his backe and not long
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
the spirit of a man and of the Diuine motions and incitements of his mind And for so much as he had made choyse of the Institute of the Society he set before him all those difficulties into which it was possible for any one to fall who placed his affectiō vpon this kind of life And he accōplished all this labour of inquisition which he had taken vpon him so to the life that he seemed to speake from his very hart Aloysius himselfe grew suspitious as after he scould me when he was in Religion that the Father seemed not any thing to dissemble the matter Therfore for so much as he did cōfide in him and attribute much to his authority neyther had there hitherto bene any one who as if he had felt his pulse before hand did discours thereupon so sitly to moue his mind and as he said so properly he stood for a space with his mind suspended Notwithstanding in the meane time he answered with notable confidēce to all that was asked him and so clearly dissolued all difficulties which occurred not only with reasons but also with authorities of holy Scripture and learned men in so much as the Father did not only reioyce to see him so constant in his resolution but also admired to see him so excellētly wel read in the bookes of God and Godly men After this seing that all his answeres were so accomplished as it were deriued out of the very bowels of the cause it selfe he began to suspect that he had read those thinges that are disputed by S. Thomas in his summe of Theology concerning religious Orders Therefore in conclusion he brake forth into these wordes Aequum postulas Domine Aloysi neque dubium esse potest quin sit vt dicis Mihi quidem stimulos admouisti neque vllum preterea quaerendi locum reliquisti My Lord Aloysius it is no otherwise then right that you require neither is there any doubt but that it is as you say Truly you haue moued me very much neyther haue you left me any scope further to cōplaine These words questionles did very much recreate the younge man and did sufficiently declare that he was of another opinion then he seemed to be when he for a little while tooke vpon him the person of a triallmaker Afterward Aloysius being departed the Marques freely cōfessed that he was now persuaded that it was Gods pleasure it shold be so and beginning to rehearse the whole course of his life so piously lead from his very cradle in conclusion promiseth that he will giue him leaue to betake himself to Religion A few dayes after this he goth backe to Castiliō giuing order that Aloysius hauing solicited but one cause more of his which yet depended in suite shold follow him thither to renounce his principality But Aloysius thinking euery houre which he spent out of Religion to be a thousand years vrged expedition CHAP. XXVII Blessed Aloysius going first to Mantua retireth himselfe to the spirituall Exercises THE time drawing neere that Aloysius was to returne to Castilion whē by that which had happenned at Millan he coniectured that some new storme hunge ouer his head before he departed from Millan he sent very ardent letters to the Generall of the Society of Iesvs wherin recounting the dangers which he had gone through he asked counsell what he thoght was best for him to do if the Marques should goe about againe to stop or at least to deferre his entrance into Religion whether it might be lawfull for him by his good leaue neuer expecting his Fathers commaund to flye into some house of the Society For now it was euident to euery one that he followed the instinct of God herin The generall althogh he tooke cōmiseration vpō the young man was much vrged with this difficulty notwithstanding he iudged that he should in no wise attempt this without his Fathers consent that he should therfore do his vtmost endeauour to do it by his permission That that would altogether be most for the honour of God most conducible to him the whole Society It seemed good vnto Aloysius to follow this Counsell Hereupon going from Millan before he came to Castilion he went to Mantua there partly for the refreshing of his mind partly for the confirming of his purpose corroborating his mind against that impetuous storme which as he feared might come vpon him he became desirous to retire himselfe to the sacred Exercises of B. F. Ignatius in some Colledge of the Society It was then the moneth of Iuly the yeare 1585. at which time the Iaponian Embassadours were daily expected at Mantua for they comming to Rome out of those foraine coasts that they might professe the Sacred Supremacy to reside in S. Peters Sea and that they might in the behalfe of their King and all his subiects in those countries conuerted vnto Christ submit themselues to the Popes Holinesse as Christs Vicar vpon earth and might faythfully promise to be vnder his authority and their whole Embassy being now performed first with Gregory the 13. in whose raigne they came and afterward with Sixtus V. the successour of Gregory who whilst they remayned at Rome was made Pope they went back-againe to their Country so as making their iourny by the holy house of Loreto surueying a good part of Lombardy in the moneth of Iuly they came to Mantua where by VVilliam the Duke the Prince Vincentius with magnificent preparation great honours they were entertained in very Royall manner When therfore there was a great concourse of people frō all the bordering Coūtries to be hould these pompes and shewes and chiefely to see the Embassadours themselues with whose only aspect men being somewhat transfixed with astonishment wayted vpon them with a thousand happy welcomes in the meane while Aloysius preferring his retirement solitude before all other sports and spectacles went into the Colledge in the extreme heate of Sommer and hiding himselfe two or three weekes within the walls of a very strait chamber did with so seruent zeale spend all his time in holy meditation that he did not so much as suffer the least part thereof to ouerslip him but that either he said his vocall prayers or meditated in silence or perused some booke of piety At that same time he was of so sparing a diet that he could hardly be perceaued to eate any thing Wherfore they that brought him his dinner into the chamber could neuer sufficiently admire that it was possible for a man to liue with so little meate there vndertooke to instruct him in the Exercises a certaine Father who for that he had for the space of fiue and twenty yeares gouerned and taught nouices of the Society in the Prouince of Venice was very prudent and of singular experience in those matters and of the whole course of contemplation With him doth he purge by confession all the spots of his forpassed life with a certaine particular sense
of piety and an inward feeling of ioy leauing in the mind of his Confessarius maruelous great admiration and loue of his rare vertues Which he hath both restified to posterity by setting downe in writing and also by his oath at Nouellara vpon the inquirv made by order of Lepidus Bishop of Rhegio For he being there asked whether he knew B. Aloysius to be a young man of a ceraine perfect course of life adorned with many vertues and spirituall guiftes or no answered in these very words which I will here set downe I truly Syr not only by the relations of our Fathers but much better by a certayne young man of great vertue whome he made vse of for his priuate Chamberlaine for the writing down of his lectures as it were for the companion of his studies from whome I was giuen to vnderstand certaine notable things of the voluntary punishments which he inflicted vpon himself of his frequent retirement of the admirable examples of vertue and sanctity giuen by this yonng man There was likewise another more certaine way of informing my selfe of him offered vnto me about that time vpon occasion of connersing familiarly with him and applying my industry in expounding vnto him the sacred Exercises of the Society in which he as he said vnto me desired to be instructed to the intent that he might more clearly discouer the will of God in the choosing of a Religious life for so much as the Excellēt Prince his Father the Marques desired to be throghly assured therof There it came to passe that in the way of pennance I tooke the confessions of his whole life Vpon which although I did long and much ponder I could not call to mind any of them which in my iudgment could be accounted deadly but that therin appeared certaine arguments of meruelous sanctity and of a life singularly well lead Surely this can I affirme that by his confessions I entred into a certaine great opinion of his sanctity innocency and integrity and for such a one extolled him vnto all This Father departed afterward I do not know vpon what occasion from that Colledge and another succeded him in this office of deliuering the exercises to Aloysius being often vsed in taking his confessions did vpon his oath auerre that his goodnesse purity his desire of worshipping God and despising and bringing vnder himselfe seemed vnto him singular and admirable Moreouer in that same place were shewed vnto him the Rules of the Society of Iesvs which hauing diligently read he said that there was no one of them from which by reason of the difficulty his mind had any auersion Being to depart from thence he desired to be granted vnto him a coppy of those meditations which consist of that history of the passion of Christ to the intent that being gone from thence he might oftē make vse of them CHAP. XXVIII Aloysius being returned to Castilion maketh earnest suite to haue leaue to enter into Religion His course of life there TO conclude he returnes to Castilion whither so soone as he came he desired truly to vrge his cause but least he shold exasperate the mind of the Marques he stood in expectance some few dayes till he of his owne accord might vtter some speach of it In the meane while being admired of all the Garrison-souldiers and people it is very stange to see with what recollection sanctity he perseuered to carry himselfe For as often as he passed out of the Castle he had his eyes alwayes deiected but only when he saluted his retayners towards whome his courtesy was so great that he went as it were continually with his head bare Comming with his brother into the holy Church to Masse their Forme was laid with a cloth of state and cushions of veluet vpon them Rodulphus according to his dignity was wont to leane But Aloysius both in the Church at home despising all cushions and carpets kneeling with both his knees vpon the bare ground with his eyes deiected first attending vnto Masse afterward reciting his canonicall prayers or silently reuoluing holy things in his mind spent many houres But vpon festiuall dayes Sundayes vpō which he receaued the sacred Eucharist he spent so much time in thanks-giuing that Rodulphus for his recreation going forth to exercise his body and returning to accompany him home found him still busied at his prayers At Euensong from which he was neuer absent for bearing to sit and continually kneeling vpon his knees he excited no small motions of piety in the minds of them that beheld him At home he obserued his accustomed māner of abstinence and prayer for the most part being solitary in his chamber he kept so vigilant and exact silence that very often he suffered diuers dayes to pasle without vttering scarcely so much as one word but if iust occasion were offered of speach he gaue way to necessity or piety Truly he was wōt to assure vs that he had spoken more words after his entrance into Religion in one day then before in many moneths and that if at any time he were to returne into his Country that it should be altogether necessary to change his course of life for a time least he should scandalize them who had knowne him before in the world and might thinke that he was made more dissolute by Religious discipline And to vs it was very well knowne that he was most obseruant of silence as who did neuer breake it vnlesse by his Superiours he was commaunded to recreate his mind by discours after his serious contemplations But now he had so much increased his voluntarily corporall afflictions that for very faintnesse he was scarce able to stand vpon his legges In which proceeding it cannot be denied but that he exceeded all discret moderation and with the ardour of piety was transported beyond the bounds of prudēce But questionlesse thinking himselfe able to brooke them he followed the feruour of his mind for his guide seing he was destitute of any other Therfore his mother both for other reasōs chiefly for this was a meanes to the Marques her husband that he would giue him leaue to enter into Religion for that she said if he should any longer be detained at home they should in short time be depriued of him And that it could not possibly be that continuing that course of life he cold long subsist But that if he might be limited by Religious rules that his Superiors would be carefull to moderate this superabundant feruour and that he should become subiect to their power Verily it fell out as she presaged For he himselfe did openly confesse that Religiō proued not only holsome for his mind but euen for his body and that he did acknowledge himselfe behoulding to them for their Charitable helpe who cast the bridle vpon those his immoderate as he called them and headlong endeauours At that same time he more earnestly then euer heretofore endeauoured to informe with