his vnderstanding as he did his body with those of his body and he did clearely discerne those two springs of his body and his soule which rise vp so mingled the one with the other restrayning the current of the body and enlarging that of the spirit which is very rare for it is a very hard thing and such as few attaine vnto to distinguish in ones self the workes that proceed from grace from those that proceed from nature because oftentimes the one are masked with the liknes of the others Gregory discerned these very well both in himself and others that asked him counsaile in the like doubts It once so fell out with me that haueing bin for some months space only exercised in mentall prayer wherin I found great difficulty and trouble I had afterwardes occasion to goe about a certaine worke of charity and by the way I felt such an inward ioy and tranquillity of mind that in those daies me thought I was in heauen Afterwardes returning to Santafe and giueing him account of what had past I told him that my spirit had dilated it self very much he answered me Father Losa it was your nature that dilated it self I did beleeue him though at that time I did not vnderstand it but assisted through the mercy of God by his prayers soone after I attained to this verity for I was wont to doe outward workes of charity which though in themselues they be vertuous and meritorious yet haue this property that they recreate and dilate nature and sometimes self loue creeps in but in that recollection I did only vse mentall prayer during the which nature was as it were in a continuall torment and rack because she was withheld from those exercises wherin she was vsed to find content and delight though holy and good of which kind are these to relieue the necessities and seeke the good of ones neighbour to heare and speake of heauenly things for these haue bin my employments by the grace of God for some yeares but when I left of this recollection to doe that worke of charity which I spoke of and recreated my self with the sight of the fieldes and hills nature did returne to her former case and quietnes so as she made no war against the spirit wherwith I rereceiued much content thinking that now I was at peace with my self but afterwardes when I desired to returne to my sole mentall exercises I found that nature had got more strength then euer to war against the spirit and perceiuing by this manifestly that this my peace was not so much of the spirit as of nature I came to see by euident consequence that Gregory knew my spirit better then I my self did Certaine religious men talking in his presence of things which did help ones spirit and deuotion one of them said that musick did much auaile for he by heareing once euēsong in the great Church at Mexico found his spirit so reuiued as that he had neuer said his prayers before with such peace and quietnes Another said that it auailed much to pray in company with others because the difficulty which he found in praying in his Cell was diminished and taken away by the presēce and example of those that did pray with him Gregory let thē goe away without speaking a word vnto them about that matter I did perceiue that he could easily haue freed them from their errour and shewed them that it is nature that is helpt and recreated by those meanes and not the spirit as might be seene by the successe which I had and because the reason why some in prayer doe help themselues with the company of others is because our nature is quickned and taketh delight that her good workes are seen as may be seen in those who take a discipline and giue almes in publick therfore such as those following the content of nature pray better in company then alone I asked him what was the reason that he did not aduise and instruct those religious men in this he answered me because that were to hinder their iourney for with that staffe they goe on a little and without it they would sit downe Our Lord had giuen him a great quicknes of iudgment in distinguishing thōghts or words which was idle and which not and in speaking of God he could very well discerne when it proceeded from nature and when from God to this purpose he was vsed to say many mē doe speake of God more through loue of themselues then of God sometimes allso he said the loue of God is all in workes it hath but few wordes and oftentimes it is dumbe From this knowledge proceeded that rare moderation of his tongue as shall be said in its proper place From hence allso it came to passe that he neuer had any scruples but an admirable quietnes of mind ād no lesse certainty in matters of faith wherin he neuer had any doubts notwithstanding his great temptations and this is that which he meant at the hower of his death when being asked whether he would haue the holy candle to goe and see the secret he answered with great courage as is said before all is cleare there is nothing secret it is noone day with me wherin his meaning was not that his faith had no obscurity in it but that he had no doubt in matetrs belonging vnto it for our faith is obscure yet so as it is allso most certaine and the certainty of it taketh not away its obscurity wherin our Lord will haue vs walke in this life captiuating our vnderstanding in his seruice as saith the Apostle I haue thought conuenient to put downe some examples wherby the greatnes of the light which Gregory had might be gathered since that with it he knew not only himself and his owne spirit but allso other mens I had great signes and coniectures by those things which had hapned vnto me to perswad my self that he did see other mens soules being of this opinion I asked him one day about fiue yeares or more before his death if it were true that he did see them he answered no with this so plain an answer I beleeued him and rested satisfied but I obserued that frō that day forwardes he grew euery day more wary therfore I spoke no more vnto him of that matter but since I haue had and now haue so many witnesses so worthy of credit and such as none can except against that I thinke I should doe ill in not affirming it for certaine and if he said that he did not see them that is to be attributed to his great humility and wisedome which made him seeke to conceale that gift of God as he did many others neither is it to be thought that a mā so true and perfect did tell a ly for his denying of it in this case might be saued from a ly by many waies First it might be that at that time God had not as yet done him that fauour but that
from him because he would serue his king for his Maiesties owne sake and not vpon hope of receiâ—ing those spirituall coÌ„tentments in part of paiment of his good will and loue for at the begining God had bestowed on him the gift of teares but he besought him to take it away for the said reason He had allso a most ardent desire to see the Humanity of our Sauiour Christ in this life but perceiuing that this desire did keep him back aÌ„d in a manner diminish his resignation he did presently endeauour to mitigate it contenting himself with this that God â—ould shew it him when it was â—is holy will Gregory put away â—rom himself all those comforts â—ecause he desired to serue God â—ithout pay or any charges borne in this life and therfore he died so well content that God led him by the way of the Crosse For all the many murmurings which he heard against himself some iudging him an heretick others a foole others a vagabound he neuer excused nor answered for himself but defended and excused those that spoke ill of him Some of his freinds vpon a certain occasion told him of a great stirre that was raised against him he answered them God forbid that I should trouble and distract my mind with thinking on it and therwith continued still as quiet as he was before they told him of it A certaine man of great account desired me to informe him of the estate of the Hospitall of Guasteca and after I had giuen him account of all things I told him that there was a man there called Gregory Lopes of such and such vertues spirit and prayer and what doth this man said he in the Hospitall I answered that he was there allwaies in a chamber at his prayers and neuer went forth then he said to this man could I willingly giue two hundred stripes and when we told this story afterwardes to Gregory he smiling excused him saying he saith well for an idle fellow doth well deserue two hundred stripes and gentlemen that are full of busines cannot easily vnderstand what inward exercises are It was neuer perceiued that he had any desire to be esteemed or knowne and he hath often reprehended me for praysing him he neuer cared for the visits of the Viceroies Prelates and nobility but rather shewed when occasion was withall modesty and good respect that he did not take any content in those visites when they did not concerne the glory of God or his neighbour his good and though the holy man did much esteeme the great piety and wisedome of Don Luys de Velasâ—o the Viceroy yet he intreated him to excuse his visits alleadging good reasons for his request In those visites that great persons made vnto him he did allwaies shew an humble grauity and assured token of his great mind The Inquisitours gaue order that his booke which he made vpon the Apocalips should be seen and perused by Don Fray Pedro de Augusto Bishop of Cibu who gaue in approbation that he had neuer seen a better exposition of those diuine reuelations that he admired how he could say so much with such certainty and shortnes that he did beleeue he had supernaturall light giuen him for the writing of that booke and wheÌ„ the Inquisition medled with that busines Gregory did not shew nor doe we think he had any trouble of mind nether would he keepe a copy of it nor speake a word of it euen as if it had bin none of his worke Such was his greatnes of mind as that he neuer acquainted any man with his griefes and afflictions nor sought comfort from any creature yet he was wont to tell for the good of his neighbour things that had hapned vnto him in times past Many times in they eare he did endure great paines of the stomack and of the collick yet he neuer complayned nor changed countenance nor the good posture that he was vsed to keep when he was in best health so as I did not know his infirmities but only by his great weaknes aÌ„d extraordinary ill stomack One time seing him much falne away I asked him what aile you that you are so weake He replyed 15. daies together I haue bin troubled with à fit of the collick and by these meanes I came to know his diseases which were so great as that they made me pitty him and wonder how he could exercise such constancy and austerity of life with them He was ordinarily sick of a feauer which he cured by diet enduring hanger if need were for three or foure or fiue naturall daies he neuer vsed bed euen in his great sicknesses whilst he was in Santafe he had the toothache for a yeare together and I had neuer knowne it but that he went twice into the field for hearbes that he knew were good to cure him and sometimes he could not eate for paine Hauing once hurt one of his great teeth he would not let me send for a barber to pull it out but pulled it out himself by a very painefull meanes such was the desire that he allwaies had of finding some occasion to suffer for men that are vnited to God vse to find as much content in suffering as others find commonly in their ioy and ease This valiant man told me that the diuell did once assaile him in a visible shape and I askeing him how he did defend himself he answered me in these wordes I thought that I could not doe a better thing then that which I did so I continued it with all my strength and he vanished away and neuer tempted me visiblily againe We neuer heard him speake any good sentence which he did not put in practice when need was and he was wont to say to this purpose misery it self is not to be desired but a will to endure it with moderatioÌ„ of mind and so he endured all these that hapened vnto him with such an inuincible and constant mind as that he did not seeme subiect to change therfore from the first day that I saw him which is 18. yeares agoe I presently perceiued in him a certaine excellence which I had not seene in any other man This opinion increased in me euen till his death and allso since his death it increaseth with the wonders which God doth daiely worke by him But to returne to the intent of this Chapter what courage and valour might a souldier haue who from a poore country fellow should come by feates of armes to be a Grandy of the king his court but how much greater valour is necessary for a spirituall souldier of himself poore and abiect a son of Adam to become great in the court of God and since that Gregory is come to that height of honour as to be great in the court of heauen it is fitting that his valour and courage should be knowne that so we may glorify God in this Sainte gathering by that little which is written here the great aboundance that God hath bestowed
will cary him a hat for he weareth none perhapes because he hath none and I will not informe the Inquisition of him as I thought to haue done This passed betwixt the priest and me concerning Gregory Lopes whom I knew not of till then neither did I then know his name allthough by the said relation I conceiued a good opinion of his manner of life God beginning then though I knew nothing to shew his great fauours and mercies which he was to doe me by meanes of this his seruant as shall be said hereafter THE IX CHAPTER His aboade in Atrisco his returne to Mexico and the examination which the Metrapolitane made of his spirit and manner of life THe desire which Gregory Lopes had to liue vnknowne and the great care which he vsed to conceale his spirit and heroick vertues made him often change his dwelling imitating herein the ancient hermits who fearing least they should be knowne and honoured by Men did trauell continually from one place to another so he hauing bin about foure yeares in Guasteca seing himself knowne and much esteemed both by Spaniards and Indians by the instinct of the holy Ghost for it is to be thought that he neuer chaged his habitation without it he departed towards Atrisco and being within a league of the towne God brought him vnto a man of good esteeme by name Ihon Perez Romero who gaue him lodging and all things necessary for his maintenauce in his mannour Gregory was there well treated because his hosts were good Christians and benefited themselues with the good counfailes and examples which he gaue them for that was the gratifying and recompence which Gregory left to them that entertained him and wheresoeuer he came the temper of the country was very agreable vnto him and the riuers brookes and pleasantnes of the fieldes did further him much in his deuotion and recollection But it was not the will of God that he should stay in that place aboue two yeares because the sower of coccle the enemy of our good is wont to hide the vertue and darken the light which shineth and enlightneth that others might not profit themselues nor goe forward in the seruice of God as did those hosts of Gregory and many of their neighbours round about Therefore the coÌ„mon enemy vsed for his instruments certain religious men that liued in that place none of the learnedst but it is likely their intention and zeale was good though not secundum scientiam who seing such great mortification and so composed a behauiour in such a young MaÌ„ such an admirable wisedome vertue and spirite in one that had neither studied nor euer wore any religious habit wherein he might haue got such good parts they were much scandalised and did feare where there was nothing to be feared and sorgetting that saving that the hood maketh not the Monke and that which the Prophet saith Happy is he O Lord whom thou instructeth and teachest thy holy law They did so much aggrauate the matter before him that was then Archbishop of Mexico that he thought it necessary to make very exact inquiries to learne the truth which being performed according â—o the order of law he declare â—…y decree and publick sentence the great vertue and innocence of Gregory who hauing got by this a greater name and opinion of fanctitie amongst all men tooke his leaue of Iohn Perez Romero and leaning him and all his family sad for the losse of such holy company by which they were so much edified he tooke his iourney towards Mexico and from a place neere Tescuro lifting vp his eies he espied the house and sanctuary of our Lady of Remedies on the other side of the city and thinking that there might be there some habitation wherein he might continue his solitary life he trauailed straight towards that place without entring into Mexico and seeing that it was a place dedicated to the Mother of God he reioyced exceedingly and purposed to remaine in that place in seruice of the Queene of heauen God disposed all this for the good of many soules in that place who profited much in vertue by the conuersation and company of Gregory At his first comeing and for some months after none knew what he was and there were scarce any that made any esteeme of him because he was very wary in makeing any outward shew of the fauours which God did vnto him but seemed outwardly a simple Man of few wordes and of a shallow vnderstanding none did resort vnto him none did light vpon that treasure which God had in secret in that wildernes By reason of this he was in great necessity aÌ„d want of sustenance in so much that I haue knowne him passe many daies only with wild quinces but time running on men began to take more notice of him some deuout persons who did there keepe their nouendialls inuiting him now and then to dinner and they did behold with care and attention their guests new attire and manner of life some were edified by his conuersation others did beware of him holding it a suspicious matter to stray from the common course others lesse aduised iudged him to be a Man of ill life and a dissembling heretick and therefore did abhorre and fly his company and he in that kind suffered much with woÌ„derfull patience allthough I could not hitherto learne any notable thing that hapned vnto him in that place This came to the eares of the Archbishop Don Pedro Moya de contreras of good memory who like a vigilant and carefull Prelate thought good to informe himself of the life and behauiour of Gregory Lopes and the spirit by which he was directed I went about that time to our Lady of Remedies to see him and by the conferences which I had with him I remained well satisfied touching his spirit and iudged him to be a man of solid and well grounded vertue I gaue this relation to the said Archbishop and told him that was my opinion he for his more satisfaction and better performance of his office would haue this busines examined more exactly and gaue in charge to Father Alonso Sanches of the society of Iesus a man of great zeale and learning aÌ„d much addicted to spirituall life and well experienced in it to examine Gregory Lopes with all care and diligence making as they vse to say an anatomy of him and to acquaint himself with his emploiments exercises and manner of proceeding The said Father went with this commission to our Ladies of Remedies where he spent much time with Gregory propouÌ„ding vnto him very precise questions concerning the Catholicke faith his customes and spirit to all which he answered with such breuity and humility that he left him alwaies more in doubt so as his desire of getting out the plaine truth clearely was increased in him Therefore thinking that to vse any other meanes was but to goe about the bush he determined to speake to him plainly and so with a graue and seure
Gods Lord of Kings reuealer of secrets and interpreter of great and hidden misteries Gregory died to the eies of the world I meane of Men addicted to the word and forgetfull of their saluation but he liued in the memory of the faithfull and of the true Christians to whom God began to reueale in the death of his seruant how acceptable his life had bin vnto him of this we haue infinite testimonies and be this the first At the same hower that Gregory died a certain religious woman much exercised in vertue and interiour conuersation with whom this holy Man was vsed to haue communication in the vnion of spirituall life being at her prayers rapt in spirit she saw him come towardes her saying these wordes sister I am going to heauen you are not to goe so soone because your presence is necessary for the seruice of God and the comfort of this monastery this said he presently vanished away leauing her soule much edified aÌ„d resigned to the will of God though her desire was to be freed from that mortall body and be with Christ And before the newes of Gregory his death came to Mexico she told this reuelation to her ghostly father who being certified of the truth aduised her not to diuulge that which had bin reuealed vnto her vntill it pleased God to declare what was to be done he did allso counsaile her to pray more earnestly vnto God to assure her whether this was a visioÌ„ from him or illusion of the diuell and twelue daies after she told her ghostly father that it was the will of God that this should be reuealed vnto me because I had inquired of what had past and moreouer that these wordes were spokeÌ„ vnto her by the mouth of her heauenly spouse Iesus Christ Wherefore thinkest thou Gregory is placed neare me because he left all temporall things for my sake and liued with inward recollection and silence I haue bin told of a religious woman whose vertue and spirit is well knowne vnto me how that fiue yeares before Gregory his death laying herself downe vpon her bed after Prime because at that time she was sick God shewed her in her sleep the heauens open and all the religious Orders and Martirs going out in procession and more ouer our Lady with many of the weomen saints and our Sauiour Iesus Christ with Apostles and she being amaysed at this vision it was told her that they went to visit holy Gregory who was sick Afterwardes she vnderstood that he was like to dy and that he had not earen any thing in fiue daies A certaine person whose wisdome vertue and humility is well knowne to all moued with an affectioÌ„ of deuotioÌ„ and loue which he did beare towardes this holy man did desire him some daies before his death to remember him and he promised him to doe so and the first saturday night after Gregory his death this man saw in his sleep a vision wherwith he waked and that which he saw was the likenes of holy Gregory whose blessed soule did as it were vnite it self vnto the others body and made him praise God in his â—aints especially in the holy conâ—esiour Gregory with great Iubily and this past for a while and he remaining very ioyfull and much comforted he began againe to feele himself touched ouer all the body and awaking therwith now the secoÌ„d time that shape of Gregory did enter into him moouing him after an extraordinary manner and making him praise God in such sort as it was not in his power to cease one instant and withall made him vnderstand and acknowledge how vnworthy he was of that fauour and how much he was obliged to serue God and be gratefull for that visite of his faithfull freind A seruant of God of approued vertue whom our Lord teacheth and incourageth by many extasies and rapts being one day ten yeares before Gregory his death sore afflicted and full of paine he began to consider with himself the excellence of Gregory his spirit and being in this consideration rapt in spirit there was set before the eies of his vnderstanding an image so cleare and transparant as that he could see through it and it was told him such is the soule of Gregory Lopes where at he did both wonder and reioyee very much and told it vnto Gregory who answered not a word A religious Man that led a spirituall life much addicted to prayer whilest he was praying in the quire had such a cleare knowledge of his being nothing giuen him by God at the intercession of Gregory as that it much edifieth all that treate with him and withall such a great loue of God and vnioÌ„ with his diuine maiesty that two months being past since he receiued that fauour he hath neuer discontinued that vnion but allwaies perseuered in one continuall act There was a certaine Priest that was much affected to the vertue and spirit of Gregory and had great hope to find fauour in the â—ight of God by meanes of his â—rayers he considering sometimes with himself a little while after Gregory his death how happy he was and gracious in the sight of God once in his sleep he seemed to heare a voice which said Aske and in confirmation of this word he asked some thing of God which till that time he could neuer obtaine and it was granted him presently the same day and by the same meanes he obtained other things not only for himself but allso for others To another deuout man that came to aske counsaile of Gregory being now dead as he was vsed to doe whilest he liued it was said iudge not thy neighbours and be more temperate wherwith he told me that he had reaped much profit in his soule Many other things like vnto these haue bin wrought by our Lord whereby appeares the great glory wherwith the diuine goodnes hath honoured Gregory aftâ—r his happy passage and made knowne his great sanctity by a number of miracles THE SECOND CHAPTER Of some Miracles which God hath wrought by the reliques of Gregory Lopes GOd is woÌ„t to exalt his freinds not only in their heauenly country where they liue for euer but allso in this place of exile where they dy and to honour those at their death who honoured him in their life working miracles by the iust man to the end that his good workes may be knowne the power of God honouring him with miracles who had serued and honoured God with his vertues And because the sanctitie and vertue of Gregory haue bin so excellent therfore the diuine goodnes hath done and doth still euery day so many miracles by this his seruant as that if any curiosity and diligence had bin vsed in gathering them together and approuing them by this time we night haue made a good large relation of them and I hope in God that he will yet worke more for his greater glory the honour of this holy man and our profit and edification I will here only
liued with much profit of his soule This priest therfore walking through he streetes of Mexico for he emploied himself in workes of charity towardes his neighhour had an inward calling without reflecting at that time on that which the holy man had said vnto him yet his calling was conformable thereunto which was that he should obserue inward recollection and at the same instant there was giuen him through the diuine mercy such courage and strength as that he walked through all the streetes and publick places inwardly recollected and praying in such sort as that no busines hinderance or noise was of force to diuert him from that exercise as if he had bin fifty yeares exercised in prayer He became a new Man and so different from what he was as that at that very instant he raised his thoughts from the earth and fixed them on heauen He left off all complements and visits for this it was that did endamage him and all his conuersation and delight was to be recollected in mind and treating with God of his saluation Then he began to walke solitary if charity did not otherwise require the people were no more hindrance to him then if they had bin tres or craggs of a montaine he began to vse fastings disciplines haire-shirts and God exercised him with greater temptations then euer he had in all his life time before some of them were inward others outward and withall he gaue him strength to defend himself as if he had bin an old beaten souldier or ancient hermite He began allso to liue in pouerty and through Gregory his prayers God framed in him the heremiticall life so entirely and perfectly as if he had spent many yeares in the desert and least there should be wanting vnto him any of those thinges that are wont to happen vnto hermites he was allmost all that yeare tempted visibly by the diuells The yeare exprired he went to talke with Gregory who was then in Guasteca he gaue him an account of his life as he had done at other times at our Ladies of Remedies and haueing bin eight daies in his company he sayd vnto him now the yeare is past wherin I was to be an hermite what must I doe from hence forwards he answered only these wordes Loue God and your neighbour and herewith they parted The priest therfore taking his iourney towardes Mexico and being come to an vnhabited place which is in the way began to thinke vpon those wordes and because he had studied the tract of Charity he thought he knew that allready and herewith he went on with little mind to that exercise to which new as counsailed but then remembring himself how much good Gregory his former aduise had done him he hegan to humble himself and imagine that those wordes might haue some deeper misterie then that which he vnderstood he determined to pray for the vnderstanding of them and to beseech God to shew vnto him that which lay hidden vnder those wordes and not to haue regard to his arrogance and pride and presently he heard God speake inwardly vnto him very distinctly saying if thou desirest to loue God thou must strip thy self out of thy self and all whatsoeuer thou hast and be dead to all worldly thinges He offered himself with all his heart herunto that he might receiue that fauour from the Diuine Maiesty presently found in himself that nakednes which God did require and withall was cloathed and bathed in the ointment of the loue of God which was so great that neither his vnderstanding was able to comprehend it nor his heart to receiue it so as he did euen melt away into this great gift Hereby the priest vnderstood the depth and perfection of Gregory his counsaile and the efficacy of his prayer He endeauoured to cleanse his heart that he might receiue that fauour and made firme purposes to follow the hand and will of God which way soeuer he was pleased to lead him This act of loue dured for the space of seauen howers God shewed him the vertues and their beauty and made him haue a triall of them as it were euen touching and possessing them There remained with him after this fauour a great affection which was such as that for six yeares space he continued in this same loue being allmost allwaies in actuall exercise of it and practising those vertues which God had taught him and euen till this day which is now more then thirty yeares it hath bin his prop and staffe in all his tribulations and troubles perseuering couragiously in the way of God And he hath receiued many other fauours which I will not here relate because this alone is sufficient to shew how pleasing this holy man his prayers were in the sight of God euen whilest he liued in this exile A certaine person intreating Gregory very earnestly to vndertake to direct him in the spirituall way he answered him goe brother for Iesus Christ is your Master and he presently found the truth hereof in his soule and perceiued it in his workes for he began to proceed with such difference in his spirit as there is betwixt seing and being blind afterwardes God gaue him the knowledge of his owne being nothing and of Iesus Christ his truth so clearely that he became another man acknowledging that this great good had beâ—alne him through Gregory his prayers Since that time he hath had many extasies and rapts wherby his soule hath got much humility and strength A religious woman of great vertue and spirit receiued an inward warning that a great misfortune would befall her She was much troubled hereat for the space of eight months fearing least that this misfortune were some offence of God and therfore she recommended herself to the prayers of all the seruants of God This religious woman hauing communicated vpon the feast of our Ladies Natiuity had a particular inspiration whilest she was at her prayers to intreat Gregory Lopes who was then in Santafe to pray for her She intreated a gentleman that came to visit her and now is a religious Man to goe and desire him to recommend her vnto God The holy man receiuing the message answered him I will doe so let her trust in God and feare nothing for she shall not offend him Herewith she became as quiet in mind as if she had bin told so by an Angell from heauen and so it fell out as Gregory had said but this gentleman going to Santafe to carry the message by the way went into the Conuent of saint Dominick of Mexico to intreat a certaine religious man of great sanctity to pray for this religious woman his ghostly child The day following the said religious man being at his prayers was rapt in spirit and saw holy Gregory kneeling in the presence of God and praying for her and that his diuine Maiesty accepted his prayers with much content and told him that his seruant Gregory was very mindfull of her in his prayers The religious man told
THE LIFE OF GREGORIE LOPES THAT GREAT SERVANT of God natiue of Madrid WRITTEN IN SPANISH BY Father Losa Curate of the Cathedrall of Mexico AND SET OVT BY FATHER Alonso Remon of the Order of our Lady de la Merced with some additions of his owne IHS PRINTED AT PARIS M.DC.XXXVIII TO HIS HONORABLE AND NOBLE FRIEND S. KENELME DIGBIE LEARNINGS BEST ADVANCER THE opinion which vpon diuers occasions you haue expressed you had of the excellencie of this smale worke and the great esteeme wherin you kept it alwayes by you in spanish enboldned my vnskilfulnes to bestowe vpon it an English beeing such assurance are you able to giue of the worth of whatsoeuer you vndertake to prise or prayse Now if as your word went before the presse so it may please you to permitt your noble name to appeare in the Frontispice and to take it into such a degree of fauour as to stand betwixt the Saint and Censure I dare promis he will be looked on and liked by the most yea euen by the best vnderstandings be iudged to speake excellent truthes with profitt and admiration and herin you shall still adde to the high rate the world putts vpon the riches of your mind which makes you your countries admiration and pride and the enuie of other nations who would iudge it no crime to mistake you for one of theirs did you not by the frequent and feruent testimonies of your incomparable zeale loue and affection to serue our best King and Countrie put them out of that dreame But what doe I doe I dare not giue sayle into the Ocean of your vast soule which is capable of all things from the highest to the lowest in perfection Not that I dread censure of flatterie where euery one is readie to subscribe if I could find any end or to write themselues of they could find any beginning of your prayses plentie making vs all poore in this too plentifull a subiect But that your obligations haue made me too much your seruant to be willing to obscure what I am not able to illustrate I will onely therfor giue my long imprisoned thoughts leaue to appeare in words confessing with all sinceritie and truth that for my part I neuer mett with Magnanimitie matched with such mildnes such admirable knowledg accompayned with such humilitie so great abilitie attended with such affabilitie nor so perfect courtshipe in coniunction with so great pietie In a word the Court meets with nothing more polished more obliging more endearing The Armie with nothing more generous resolute and vndaunted The schoole with nothing that ether makes more deepe and strong cōceptions or more happie and gracefull productions And yet that which is iustly most admired and beloued in you is that that Pietie which you teach the world to practise teacheth you to make frequent and faire retreates from thence to a Religious Cell or solitude which seemes indeed to be the Center where your soule reposeth and where being remoued out of the noyse of the world you better discerne what God speakes to your hart Please Noble Sr. to admit this trifle as a signe of gratitude till tyme present something whose bulke may be better able to beare your prayses ād permitt that I in the interim may honor myself with the title of Your most humble and deuoted seruant N. N. THE LIFE OF GREGORIE LOPES THAT GREAT SERVANT of God natiue of Madrid WRITEN IN SPANISH BY Father Losa Curate of the Cathedrall of Mexico AND SET OVT BY FATHER Alonso Remon of the Order of our Lady de la Merced with some additions of his owne PRINTED AT PARIS 1638. OF THE BIRTH PArents and country of Gregory Lopes and of the beginning of his Vocation THE FIRST CHAPTER GREGORY Lopes was borne at Madrid in the yeare of our Lord 1542. on the fourth of Iulie vpon which day was celebrated at that time the feast of S. Gregory Thaumaturgus Bishop of Neocaesarea in Pontus but since is transferred to the 17. of Nouember He was baptized in the Parish of S. Giles and was named Gregory by his Parents because he was borne vpon that day This is all that is knowne and cā be auerred of his linage house and name for those that were most inward with him were of opinion that Lopes was not his owne but rather that the holy man had assumed it the better to conceale his noble family For there appeared in his behauiour a certaine generosity vnder that humble grauity and that freedome of spirite and resolurion in what busines soeuer a respect and courtesy so accōmodated to euery ones quality as all were persuaded that he was descended of a noble house None could euer heare from his owne mouth what he was for being asked by some graue personages and such as were most familiar with him who he was and of what country he answered what auaileth that Father Francis Losa a great seruant of God who had bin Curate of the Cathedrall of Mexico and left all to accompany and conuerse with holy Gregory and to cherish and tende him as he did vntill his death treating of the same thing in the booke which he did write of his life and how he had earnestly intreated him some few daies before his death that he would tell him who were his Parents he affirmeth that he made answer only in these wordes since I came into the field to lead a solitary life I haue held only God for my Father my brethren by this time are dead of whom I was they oūgest Such was his silēce in this though remarkeable in all things It is probable that he had his calling euen from his childhood because Father Losa askeing him vpon an occasion if God began to dispose him for his seruice as soone as he had the vse of reason he said he knew not certainely whether it was then or a little after but that he was certaine that our Lord had called him very soone and that he neuer was a chid in his manners and so he was wont to say as one that had found it by experience in himself that which the holy Ghost said by Hieremy that the man was happy that caried the yoake of our Lord from his youth In his childhood he did learne to reade and write wherein he became so excellent as that some things which he hath left writen with his owne hands seeme to be printed he did neuer study Latine nor any science so that whosoeuer did heare him treate of many verities both naturall and diuine so clearely and distinctly as he did might easily gather that without doubt he had no other Master but God He had a desire euen almost from his infanty to liue à solitary life far from his parents and therfore being very young he went to Burgos and from thence to Nauarre and liued six yeares vpon a mountaine in the company of an hermire in great pouerty obedience and humility till at lenth God so permitting his Father
countenance said these wordes will declare my self vnto you my Lord Archbshop sendeth me to haue knowledge of his sheep therefore answer me clearely and plainly to this Gregory made answer it is uery â—itting that I should obey my Father and Prelate and you in his name this being premised Father Alonso Sanches began a fresh to sift him ouer and ouer asking him many very subtile questions in matter of faith and ChristiaÌ„ doctrine to all which he answered clearely and distincly grounding his answers vpon the holy Scripture and relating the heresies which had bin raised against the Catholicke verity meÌ„tioning the times and the chiefest of the Archheretickes together with the holy writers and Doctours who did impugne and write against them this he did with such waighty sentences and graue wordes that the father remained astonied but much much more he wondred at the good satisfaction which he gaue to all the doubts and obiections he put vnto him touching his spirit and manner of life and found that he was endued with much prudence both diuine and humane Hence it came to passe that the said father remained not only well satisfied touching the spirit of Gregory but also his great friend and deuote He gaue an account of all this to the Archbishop who was exceeding glad that a Man of such vertue had ioyned himself to his flock and from that time forward gaue command that he should be cherished and often visited I being alwaies the messenger The first time that I spoke with the Archbishop after that Father Alonso Sanches had giuen accouÌ„t of his commission he told me that among other things which the Father had told him in praise and fauour of Gregory he said these wordes Truely my Lord in comparison of this man I haue not yet begun my spirituall A. B. C. THE X. CHAPTER Of his going to the Hospitall of Guasteca and the exteriour and interiour exercises wherin he emploied himself in that place GRegory Lopes had liued two yeares in the house of our Lady of Remedies when he found himself very weake and tormented with a paine in the stomach and the collick and by reason of these indispositions those cold aÌ„d blustering winds which doe ordinarily blow in those high Countries were very hurtfull to him and therefore it was necessary in regard of his health to goe to the Hospitall of Guasteca which is seated in the Marquesate of Valle 36. miles of Mexico As soone as the Archbishop vnderstood his resolution he sent him an horse of his owne stable and some dainties by a seruant who was to accompany him aÌ„d serue him in his iourney Gregory Lopes the Archbishops seruant and I departed from our Lady of Remedies in the yeare 1580. towards Guasteca and so great was the esteeme of those who had conuersed with him in that place that at his departure all made meanes to get some part of his poore houshold-stuffe which was at that time two or three sheepskins which serued insteed of a bed and a little pitcher to keep water in And allthough I endeauoured allso to get one of those sheepskins I could neuer obtaine it though I was Curate of the Cathedrall and so well knowne by all such was the affection and deuotion with which the good people did aske them I left Gregory in his way to Guasteca least I should be wanting to my office in Mexico Gregory therefore in the company of the Archbishops seruant arriued at Guasteca where he was receaued by brother Stephen de Herrera allthough the commodity was but small by reason of the great pouerty which the hospitall did suffer in its beginning He lodged him in his owne chamber hauing order to giue him that which was necessary for his sustenance and not to employ him in any thing The brother vsed him with all loue and kindnes as he did vse to doe all that repaired thither who though they were many in number by reason of the pleasant temperature and wholsomenes of that aire and the Hospitall poore at that time hauing neither rents to maintenance the poore nor houseroome to lodge them nor any thing wherewith to build yet it neuer was wanting to their cure and reliefe a thing truly which if we did consider it only humanly would seeme impossible and far from the truth but such was the courage of Bernardin Aluares the founder not only of that Hospitall but allso of that of the Conualescents in Mexico and of many others which are spread ouer all new Spaine that he deserued his most prosperours successes for the reliefe and help of many I remember that when I asked of this great seruant of God his good will that Gregory Lopes might be receiued in that Hospitall he answered me would to God Father Losa that I could bring all the poore Men in the world to my hospitall I trust in Iesus Christ that he would maintaine them all be it with all my hart as you desire and well may it bee seene that this hospitall was gouerned by Gods prouidence for within two yeares after it was founded there was in that house of Guasteca allowance for 72. persons and from that time forward it hath increased so much that now God hath prouided a table in that desert for all sorts of poore and needy people both men and weomen spaniardes and Indians that come to the hospitall to be healed not only out of new Spaine but allso from Guatimala and Peru for the good entertainment which they find there and abundance of all things necessary for their health and reliefe and the great care and charity with which they are looked vnto so as allmost all that goe thither with allmost incurable diseases in a little time recouer their perfect health and thus much in briefe of this famous hospitall because I thimke that Gregory Lopes his being there at the beginning of it was no smale cause of of its increase In this place therefore Gregory had his maintenance sure vnder the title of voluntary pouerty and laying aside care of all things allthough the care of temporall things did neuer molest him he gaue himself wholly to contemplation and mentall exercises practising himself in the loue of God and his Neighbour in which he had laboured many yeares But all though the exercise was allwaies the same yet the increases euery day were new he was all the day retired in a chamber by himself he went out onely to heare Masse vpon Sundaies and holidaies and some of the weeke daies and then also only to the hospitall chappell and if at any time he failed there he went to the Monastery of S. Dominick to heare it there and though that place was very pleasant by reason of the many good springs fields and groues of trees and prospects yet he seldome or neuer went out to see them for being of a weake and tender constitution the ill smell of the contagious diseases which are there cured did much annoy him for this cause some of
he did it him afterwardes towardes the end of his life It might be allso that at that instant wheÌ„ I askt him that question he did not see the soules but that God gaue him light to see them at other times when it was necessary for the light of contemplation of spirituall things is not habituall and permanent but only actuall such as is that of prophecy which God giueth and taketh away as he pleaseth And so at that time when Gregory said that he did not see them though he did see them in other occasioÌ„s it is to be vnderstood that he did not see them because God had taken away that light from him at that present A certaine person of quality told Gregory that he had had great temptations but he hoped in God he had not committed any sinne in them and therfore that he had not reuealed them in confession Gregory replied not so stoutly for truely you haue bin but a weake souldiour then the other said then doe you thinke it good I should confesse them Gregory answered he did not thinke that he had coÌ„mitted any great fault in doing as he did but to haue made an entire resistance he should haue done such and such things hereby the other not only gathered that he had seen his spirit but allso learnt the maÌ„ner of resisting better afterwardes A godly Priest came froÌ„ a place far distant vnto Gregory to be resolued of some doubts concerning his soule and he answered him so to his purpose as the Priest said you haue told me that which I thought to haue askt you and which I had great need to be told of Gregory replied God seing your necessity moued my tongue to speake that which you heard There came to visit Gregory a lawyer who then was maried and now is a religious man but was allwaies a vertuous man and by the way he talked with his companion about certaine thinges touching his soule which neither Gregory nor any other man did know or could know by any naturall meanes and as soone as they came vnto him before they asked him of any of those things of which they intended to talk with him he answered them so directly to all thinges as that they remained satisfied and amaysed aÌ„d looking one vpon the other rendred thankes vnto God seing him answer them so directly as if he had bin asked whervpon the lawyer tooke occasion to examine his coÌ„science as often as he went to visit Gregory thinking that he saw the most secret thoughts of his heart and after the same manner going at other times to aske his counsaile he answered him so directly before he spoke euer a word as that he was confirmed in the opinion which he had of him A religious man of a very spirituall life and very familiar with Gregory went one euening to aske him some doubts about his spirit and because it was allmost night and he had not the time which he desired to treate of that busines he bid him goe take his rest and that the next morning they would talke of it The religious man being that night in his chamber which was vnder the holy man his lodging receiued inwardly an answer from God of that which he intended to aske and a check for comming to aske counsaile of a creature when he might haue it from the Creatour for that he that had giuen Gregory such store would allso giue vnto him if he would dispose himself for it and put his confidence in God as soone as it was morning he went vnto Gregory his chamber who smiled as soone as he saw him and the religious man began to tell him how that God that night had answered his doubts Gregory helpt him out to tell it aÌ„d preuenting him for as yet he had not told of the reprehension he said these wordes vnto him and had you not a good reprehension for seeking counsaile of a creature he answered yes father I had a reprehension allso At all this he maruailed very much and assured himself that the holy man had seen in God all that had past with him Another Priest very carefull in things concerning his spirit came to see Gregory Lopes and obseruing him diligently perceiued that this seruant of God spoke to him of all that was in his heart which though Gregory himself did neueâ— insinuat yet the priest assured himself that it was so for that his soule somewhat inordinately affecting the great fauours which he had receiued and which he did hope to receiue from the hand of God Gregory among other things said vnto him wee looke for great matters but truly either here or there we must pay for our small humility A cortaine person deuout vnto our Lady was vsed to say his beades and by that meanes so efficacious for all good and happie progresse had receiued such fauours from God as that for some yeares space he was allmost in coÌ„tinuall prayer Therfore seing himself so well profited in mentall prayer he asked Gregory whether it were not best to leaue off the rosary that he might giue himself the more to the other he answered no knowing that the worshipping of our Lady to whom he was very deuout doth not only help beginners but is allso cause of a happy progresse in the spirituall life â—ueÌ„ to those that haue attained to perfectioÌ„ and a meane to perseuer in it wherfore he perseuered a yeare in that deuotion of the rosary aÌ„d perceiuing that those heaueÌ„ly fauours still continued in his soule as one now alltogether spirituall he determined to leaue of the rosary without acquainting Gregory with it but within few daies after he left it off he began to feele many troubles and drouths and almost no prayer for to these daÌ„gers he exposeth himself who thinketh to make a prosperous nauigatioÌ„ in the spirituall life without Mary the starre of the sea he told this vnto the holy man without telling him the reason which was his leauing off of the rosary wherat Gregory smiling said vnto him fall to your beades againe he did so and it succeeded so well with him as that in a short time he came to haue the same spirit and deuotioÌ„ as he was wont to haue whervpon he was euer after very deuout vnto our Lady aÌ„d woÌ„dered much that Gregory did knowe the cause of his drouth though he had concealed it It once hapned that there met at Santafe six spirituall men or more at the same time who came from diuers parts to confer with Gregory of matters concerning their soule and sometimes he answered theÌ„ all in publick and that so substantially as that they were satisfied in their doubts and instructed in what they were ignorant of but that which I most admired at was to see in how few wordes he answered for he did resolue great difficulties in two or three wordes and me thought those wordes were as lawes in the mindes of the heares and sparcles deriued froÌ„ a burning charity so as
they went away not only illuminated but allso with their hearts inflamed aÌ„d stirred vp to embrace whatsoeuer was good There came vnto Gregory one exceedingly troubled in mind and told him all his troubles he answered him only these wordes this is a purgatory wherin God detaineth you and these were of force to coÌ„fort him and giue him great quietnes of mind He comforted another Priest much afflicted only by saying vnto him that of the Apocalips I counsaile thee to buy of me tried and burning gold wherwith thou maist be rich Another found comfort amongst his tribulations and temptations by hearing him say the kingdome of heauen suffereth violence and the valiant doe win it To knights and great persons that desiring to liue well in their state did aske him what they should doe he said That which you doe for the loue of Gâ—d and that is enough To lawyers indges and men of emploiment he was vsed to say change your intention and you will doe much With these kinds of speeches he did awake some that were a sleep who by hearing him came to the selues and profited very much of this efficacy and good effects of his wordes which I did allwaies attribute to his prayers we shall speake some thing in the 19. and 20. Chapters besides that which is spoke of in diuerse places of this booke and might be spoken of more at large Haueing by long obseruation perceiued that Gregory did vnderstand spiritually whatsoeuer he spoke or heard I once said vnto him whatsoeuer you speake or heare you vnderstand it spiritually and he answered me that it was true wherby spirituall men may see the perseuerance and constancy of his spirit and those that are not will perceiue it by these examples following If any Man did say that the bread of Santafe was good he answered yes meaning the blessed Sacrament which is true bread of our holy faith When they did coÌ„mend the beauty good smell and excellence of the flowers of Santafe he applied it to the saints whose sanctity had its beginning from faith because without it it is impossâ—ble to please God if any one beholding the springs and streames of waters which run from hence to Mexico did say the water of Santafe is better in its spring then at Mexico Gregory yielded it was meaning by the spring of Santafe God in whom the waters of true wisdome are best and he that receiueth theÌ„ immediatly ftoÌ„ him hath them more pure and wholsome then he that receiueth them after they haue passed through human vnderstandings when he heard men say such an one is of a noble house he presently considered that true nobility was to be a son of God in spirit if any one said that such a Lord or such a Lord was grandy of Spaine he presently considered that the chiefe greatnes was to be a freind of God a heater of his diuine wordes and to performe heroicall deedes in his seruice Perceiuing this his wonderfull quicknes aÌ„d readines in drawing of things to a spirituall aÌ„d profitable sense I was woÌ„t sometimes when there was occasion of talking of any thing which was hard to be vnderstood spiritually to aske him the spirituall sense as once a little dust arising in SaÌ„tafe which hapneth but seldome those that were present said there is dust allso in Santafe I asked him how can it be said that there is dust in Santafe he said because there are saints that liue in Santafe who are not come to foure and twentie degrees of perfection and therfore haue some dust of the earth sticking vpon them for a man perfectly spirituall is all spirit THE V. CHAPTER Of his great knowledge in Ecclesiasticall and secular histories MAny would haue contented and esteemed theÌ„selues happy if they could haue attained to that knowledge which is alreadie said that Gregory came vnto but as God is the giuer and Man a subiect soe capable it pleaseth God to set before our eies for examples some men to whom he hath giuen much by their industry to confound and coÌ„demne the carlesnes of those that doe not prepare themselues This holy Man disposed himself so well as that he is one of those who by their owne deedes giue a sufficient and ampble testimony of this verity whilest he was in Guasteca there came to visit him Father Iohn de los Cobos a Dominican an excelleÌ„t Diuine who had bin a reader in spaine before he came into these parts and haueing conferred with him for a good while very seriously he afterwardes said that the fame of his wisdome was great but the truth far greater Haueing heard from him very rare things out of the Apocalips he desired him to make a comment vpon it which he did in eight daies and sent it vnto him to Mexico without either writing it ouer twice or so much as blotting out a word He receiuing it admired very much both at the speed as allso the wit learning and spirit which he shewed There went allso to Guasteca to talke with him Father Michael Talauera Prouinciall of the discalced Franciscans whose humility wisdome and sanctity were most renowned in this kingdome He conuersed with him very familiarly and afterwardes ceased not to admire at his great light aÌ„d wisdome praising and thankeing God for it in so much as that at his returne from thence to Zacatecas where Gregory had liued solitary he did very much extoll his knowledge and sanctity in a learned sermon which he made there and among other things he said this in this field here hath bin bred such a young man as that I had rather be he then a king Emperour or Pope and he added in departing from him I felt my soule possessed with the grace which I had found in him Father Manuell de Reinoso a holy man and very great Preacher of the order of S. Francis admiring at the vnderstanding and knowledge of Gregory held it to be supernaturall for I said he haue asked him of diuerse places in the Scripture and there was none to which he gaue not a very good answer once I asked him nine of the hardest places which I haue seene in all the bible and he expounded them to me in a few wordes and with such propriety as that he seemed a S. Hierome Another religious maÌ„ hearing him say so went vnto Gregory with other places of great difficulty and found by experience that what had bin said of him was true He knew with as much euidence as can be gathered out of the holy Scripture aÌ„d other histories whatsoeuer past since the creation of the world to Noe telling the generations of the sons of God and of our first fathers so distinctly as that without looking in the booke he would rehearse all those linages their degrees and affinities and the differences of the times and ages allthough it be a thing so obscure euen to the most learned neither was he ignorant of things that past the sons of men at that time whose
customes and inuentions he did relate very particularly The like he knew from Noe till the comeing of Christ and he spoke of those times and persons as if he had liued in them Hauing spoke of this family of God he discoursed of the bordering nations putting all into one history and accommodating these histories to the times and successes of the said family and he did not only know the warres and other thinges that hapned in the family of God but allso those of the Gentills vntill the comeing of our Redeemer and in my opinion he knew all this as exactly as any other man of his time He had by heart the Prophecies of all the Sybilles he would tell many particulars of the birth infancy child hood youth of our sauiour Christ and allso of his preaching death and the other mysteries and how much the law of grace excelleth the law of nature and the law written He had in a manner before his eies the life and preaching of the holy Apostles and their Disciples He related in particular the liues and Martyrdomes of the Popes and other famous martyrs from S. Peeter to S. Syluester and the most remarkable liues and deeds of the Confessours of most note from S. Syluester to Clement the eighth in whose time he died He told the names time and conuersation of the founders of religious orders and of solitary life and of the Archereticks condemning their errours and alledging the Councells wherin they were condemued setting downe allso the time wherin such and such heresies began and ended He discoursed very particularly of the history of that beast which S. Iohn speakeh of in the Apocalips which was the city of Rome and of the ten hornes which were the ten Emperours who did most of all persecute the Church and he did bring downe this history of the Emperours to Phillip the second in whose time he died He did speake very distinctly of the beginnings and increases of the sect of the false Prophet Mahomet of the many countries which were ouerrun by the Mahometans Turks Ottomans by nation Scythians and off spring of Magog and the Slaughters which they haue made of Christians I haue heard him say that this peruerse sect did possesse allmost three thousand leagues of land reaching from Europe to China He was allso very conuersant in the histories of the heathens both anchient and moderne and had knowledge of those famous men whom the geÌ„tills esteemed Gods as Ianus Hercules and the rest He related the conuersions of all nations and countries to our holy faith and those that preached the ghospell vnto them and allso the memorable thinges that hapned and that with such certainty as if he had seen them or read them Of all this he hath made à Chronology or successioÌ„ of times from the creation of the world to Clement the eighth very short yet exact setting downe the mosâ— memorable both in the Ecclesiasticall and secular affaires so as many learned men doe earnestly intreat me to lend theÌ„ that booke to copy out He had gathered allso out of the said histories the choicest and best thinges that concerned our faith law and customes and had reduced them to a kalendar of the daies which he did sometime tell me by way of recreation to my great content and admiration THE VI. CHAPTER Of the knowledge in other sciences which God gaue vnto this his scholler GRegory did not only know both the holy scripture and morall and spirituall things as we haue said but he was allso an Astronomer Cosmographer and Geographer He had a globe and a map made with his owne handes very truly and exactly for I haue heard skillfull men that haue seen it praise it as such but that which I most wondred at is that ostentimes when there was occasion I askeing him about diuers parts of the earth euen of the Antipodes he answered me presently without studying or thinkeing upon it He did vnderstand well the Anaâ—omy of mans body and sometiâ—es he told very curious thinges of it declaring how admirable the diuine wisdome shewed it felf in man He was allso very skillfull in Physick of which he writ a very elegant booke wherin were many experiences which were easy to be made by poore men and labourers and sundry properties of sâ—mples and compounds The greatest delight which he tooke in this art was to make receits which he gaue to the poore and needy written in his owne hand with the best remedies which the desire that he had of his neighbours health did make him inuent and compose for he was very compassionate and thefore God gaue vnto him wonderfull successe He was likewisse very skillfull in husbandry and was allso an herbalist for he did not only know the properties and vertue of hearbs but allso how to make them better with sundry liquors which he made and gaue to the heâ—bes as it were to drinke I haue seen and earten of them so changed by his hand as that they seemed of another kind and he told me that if he did know of any man that were curious and a good Christian least that if he wanted the feare of God he should make them worse and poison them by this art he would teath him this art for the profit of his neightbours He was a very good penman and did write many kindes off hands singular well at this day there are some things in this kind of his making very admitable especially the map we spoke of before the which being of late much augmented excelleth all that haue come out in print and is so curiously made as that it seeâ—eth printed and therfore a graue â—octour to whose lot it fell esteeâ—eeth it very much He had skill euen in the tailours â—ade and could make his owne cloaths which though but meane yet to be accommodated to his weakenes and sicknes did requite a particular fashion and making and so he was wont to say that none hit so right in the making of them as himselfe He did not make himself shooes but he mended them so well that they serued him three yeares aÌ„d more neither did he make himself a hat for hâ— neuer wore any since he went out into the wildernes and it is noâ— knowne that he euer had more thâ— one and that remayned as good as new This multiplicity of thinges in 〈◊〉 contemplatiue maÌ„ will not seemâ— excessiâ—…e though oÌ„ly one be necesary and many doe rather hinder then otherwise if we consider the sublimity of his spirit to which the great number was no hindrance from the following of that which was the principall and necessary and I to be resolued of that doubâ—… did once aske him if any of those little things did wholy possesse him and he answered me I find God as much in the least of these things as in the greatest and the reason of this seemes to be because his chiefâ—st end and scope was his creatour so as hauing his eies allwaies fixed vpon
called his body but he said the perfect maÌ„ euen in his recreation carieth a hand ouer his body quite contrary to the vnperfect who doe not vse this mediocrity for they suffer their mind sometime to be ouer much vexed and troubled at other times to be led with the delight of their nature ALlthovgh in conuersation it be an vsuall thing for men to laughe at the carelesnes ouersights or rash words of another or when one is vexed or his foot slippeth or he getteth a fall or cometh in with some notable blemish or mischance yet he was neuer seen to laugh in such occasions but rather seemed to pitty them a new When any afflicted person came vnto him he shewed great feeling of his griefe accommodated himself to him and dismissed him exceedingly comforted There came vnto this village a noble and vertuous Lady much afflicted I weÌ„t to visit her aÌ„d though I staied a great while with her to comfort her yet I could not preuaile at all Afterwardes she herself spoke with Gregory who had so great prudence or rather heauenly spirit in comforting her as that she went our saying I goe away satisfied When his aduise was asked in things that were doubtfull and hart to be resolued he answered to morrow will come and we shall be wiser giueing to vnderstand that a doubtfull thing was not to be resolned without treating first with God of it not that he was oâ—be vnderstood soe that by meanes of his prayer he should presently know and resolue it for that cannot be imagined of such an humble man By this saying allso to morrow will come and we shall be wiser he did meane the hower of our death for then the morning will come for â—he knowing of doubts The heauenly wisedome which he did shew in his deedes was admirable he did heare Masse with such silence attention and respect and receiued the blessed Sacrament with such profound reuerence as that he stirred vp all men to deuotion He would neuer speake to any body in the Church but if he had vrgent busines with any one he went out and speedily dispatched it THE IX CHAPTER Of the fortitude and valour of Gregory Lopes IN the iudgement of the world it would seeme impertinent to commend such a solitary recollected silent poore and humble man for couragious and valiantâ— but if we consider it with the eies of our vnderstanding and reason each of those things aboue mentioned doth not only shew great valour and courage but allso very plainly discouereth the mighty hand of God Who would not esteeme it valour that a young man of ninteen yeares of age endued with such parts and natural gifts as we haue seen should forsake parents kindred house country and the kings court which he had begun to follow and with it such great hopes of preferment and goe two thousand leagues and more into exile to liue in a desert so full of perills amongst the most sauage and barbarous men of new spaine It seemes very euident that this strength was giuen him by God for in my opinion it is exceeding great courage in such a young man to recollect himself and in such manner to conforme himself to the will of God as neuer to goe or say any thing that might be displeasing vnto him and to endeauour with all his strength to blott out all things out of his mind so as neither to desire nor remember any thing besides God or that which was manifestly his pleasure and glory Who could giue such vertue besides that most mighty hand since that this is a thing of such difficulty as that to recollect ones self inwardly for a little while eueÌ„ to a vertuous man it seemeth as if he were to goe vp a steep hill or scale an impregnable wall And it were so indeed if Gregory had not vndertaken this enterprise with great courage and coÌ„fidence in God saying with Dauid in my God I will passe ouer the wall what strength was requisit for so many yeares recollection with such strickt silence discommodity and pouerty Walking so long a time in the narrow path of vertue and neuer knowne to goe back one step but this strength will be better knowne by him that shall weigh well and consider the difficulties of this iourney the enemies that are in it the combates that offer themselues and the field wherin they are to be fought The enemies are the diuells so much stronger then we by nature as the naturall power of an Angell exceedeth that of men aâ—… therfore our nature as inferiouâ— doth tremble in the presence oâ— any of those spirits Moreouer he that walketh in the way of vertue hath for enemies and aduersaries sinfull men because he is contrary to them â—n his workes and oftentimes God sufferreth the iust to be persecuted by the iust and holy men opposed by holy men and this is a grieuous persecution but the most grieuous and tedious is that which a vertuous man causeth to himself when by light froÌ„ aboue he knoweth that all this cometh vnto him from the hand of God who plainely sheweth him that all those enimies and aduersaries are as it were officers of the diuine iustice who come vnto him with the power which God giueth them the heauens become vnto him as hard as brasse his soule he findeth in an abysse of tribulation and as it were quite abandoned of great valour and courage The combates are as great as is the number aÌ„d subtilty of the enimies for they are neuer wont to make truce nor be weary of fighting and out vices neuer cease to persecute vs. Neither is the field wherin these combates are sought a â—…sse â—…gne of valour for it is our inward part wherin the spirit fighteth with â—he flesh and the flesh with the â—pirit and this is a very painefull warre because he that giueth the wounds feeleth them as much as â—e that receiueth them and the resistance of the flesh cannot be brought vnder without great labour of the spirit because the subtilties and stratagemes of the inuisible enemies doe there enter in so come the blowes and woundes Whosoeuer should know the labours that Gregory did herin vndergoe and the great progesses that he made in such occasions as may be seen throughout this history he would easily see how valiant and couragious he was especially two things considered The first is that since that heliued so inflamed with charity to wardes his neighbours he was partaker of all their afflictions and griefes and made them partakers of his paines in praying for them He was tempted with all of them because he had as much feeling â—f their temptations as if they had bin his owne The second is that Gregory did eate this bread of sorrow very dry for though the diuine goodnes be wont to giue spirituall delights to those that walke in the spirituall way for the easing of their troubles yet this valiant souldier would neuer receaue theÌ„ beseeching God to take theÌ„ away
man a most exceeding mortification for he did endure this purgatory of loue with such silence as if he had suffered a spirituall wearines The second Pargatory is desire here with the soule is tormented when she seeth that she cannot in this life attaine to her chiefest good wherof she hath knowledge this brought vnto Gregory much griefe and trouble for as he with his quick vnderstanding liuely faith and purity of spirit meditated and contemplated the greatnes of God he became endued with so great and amarous a knowledge of that same greatnes that he had a most ardent desire to goe and possesse it and as he did perceiue that in this life in running after the odour of those diuine ointments he could neuer obtaine the good he so much desired he rested wounded and grieued like the Hart that thirsteth for the springs of ruÌ„ning water to quench his thirst and cannot come to them but of this because it belongeth to few we haue said enough But that wherin Gregory mortified himself all the time of his life and wherin he suffered most was as he told me in following allwaies as he did the grace of God for it is certaine that one cannot follow grace vnlesse he fly from nature what paine then and mortification would it be to a seruant of God to goe on allwaies flying from and denying himself for many times grace requireth of vs that which is contrary to natures desire and therfore it is necessary that one dye that the other may liue Therfore that grace might liue Gregory endeauoured to be dead to all creatures because it is the property of nature to liue to them and because she desireth esteeme and honour for her good workes and not to be despised of any therfore he sought to hide his good deedes and vertues and to be despised by the world as our Sauour was and following grace studied how to lay aside all care of temporall affaires and bent himself only to seeke out and serue God since nature inclineth to the contrary and because she is puffed vp with prosperity and deiected with aduersity Gregory by grace was disposed to receiue with moderation of mind and constancy what successes soeuer without seekeing the interiour content of those or other vertues for himself but only reioycing for the glory that therby redoundeth vnto God Nature as it were forgetting this doth in all thinges seeke her owne conteÌ„t and desireth all the good for herself all her language is I and for me she hateth her euemy reioyceth at another mans harme and repineth at his good Whosoeuer shall haue read this booke or couuersed with this Saint will easily know what vse he made of grace in wishing well to those who either through malice or ignorance were his aduersaries grieuing at their misfortunes and desiring all good to them for God his sake so as ouercoming himself more and more euery day and growing in petfection he did so hunger and thirst after God as that nothing could satisfie hiâ— He did allwaies endeauour to 〈◊〉 for the obtaining of that chiefâ— good rowing with all his streÌ„gâ—… against the streame of naturallâ—… light and swinning allwaies abâ—… water he endeauoured to docâ—… pleasure and will of God Suchâ— this is the true spirit of morâ— cation the which he exercisedâ— a most eminent height of perfâ—…tion at Santafe as is euident to 〈◊〉 by many tokens Hauing for many daies spaâ—perceiued that Gregory grew veâ— sick in this village because I saâ— him very weake apud pale 〈◊〉 thought good to visit him ofâ—… and to be longer at times in hiâ— company to see if I could giue him any comfort I did aske him what paines he felt and he would not tell me then at length after many daies he told me the great paines that he endured in his teeth and grinders and other diseases which he had but I rested not satisfied here with bâ—…ng perswaded thad the holy â—…n suffered other paines greater â—…n these therfor I importuned him very much to tell me them afterwardes he did that which he is not knowne euer to haue done before or since which was to â—…er some what of that which did inwardly passe betwixt God and him saying these very wordes Thou knowest well o Lord that I haue no creature within my soule nor suffer any to be there for thy sake alone and why dost thou after this manner hide thy self froÌ„ me how canst thou endure to see me with so many infirmities and being able to heale me dost not but willest haue me seeke the hearbes that the beasts feed vpon and being able to heale me with a 〈◊〉 yet wilt not and though I am â—…e he said not these wordes so â—…ch for his owne comfort as for 〈◊〉 instruction and profitt yet I reâ—…ined so amaysed to heare him vtter some thing that passed inwardly betwixt God and him aâ— that presently I writ downe these wordes which he had said being the 23. of March in the yeare 159â— THE XIII CHAPTER Of his mortifying of his senses IT is no meruaile if he that vsâ— such care and exquisite meane to mortify his interiour was allâ— emineÌ„t in the mortification of hâ— senses It is certaniely thoughâ— that he neuer went one step 〈◊〉 feed his eies with the sight of any of those thinges that vse to 〈◊〉 pleasing to that sense and so what he weÌ„t once being at Guasteca 〈◊〉 see the fountaines he told me 〈◊〉 did it only at my request and 〈◊〉 giue me content Being some months in Mexico he neuer went out of doore but only straight to the next Church neither could he be perswaded to goe to any moâ—…stâ—ry of Nunnes allthough by some he was earnestly intreated When he came to Santafe he weÌ„t out of Mexico before day without euer looking vpon the streets or buildings Whilest he was in this village he was importuned to goe downe and see a garden belonging to the same house that he dwelt in where was good store of water green grasse and flowers yet he neuer did in six yeares time onely one yeare he went downe for a little water to drinke He did looke vpon mens bodies with an honest freedome aÌ„d free honesty as if they had bin soules without bodies or bodies without life and soule Though it be a thing so naturall especially to men of a good vnderstanding to be delighted with musick yet in all the time that I knew him I neuer saw him goe to heare any though sometimes it hapned to be neare the place where he â—…s and oftentimes he told me that if the musick of the great Church of Toledo or all that is in the world were but one pace off of him he would not goe to heare it but if perchance he were present where it was he did heare it quietly and got spirit out of it All ill smells were very offensiue vnto him yet he would neuer vse any sweet smells many nosegaies were offered him but he for the most part
that which was conuenient Fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo in terra Amen Iesus teaching him the same prayer that he had taught his Apostles and in this prayer he gaue him for his exercise one of the most excellent workes and hardest to be done because it coÌ„prehendeth all the doctrine of the conformity of our will with that of God which spirituall men call resignation and that not in any degree whatsoeuer but in the perfection which those wordes require namely that there be such conformity vpon earth with the will of God as is talked of and practised in heauen It is much to be noted that the diuine goodnes would haue Gregory practise himself so long in this exercise as our Sauiour Christ was in preaching his ghospell to giue vs therby to vnderstand that all the perfection of his holy doctrine consisteth in the perfect execution of those wordes The carefull and studious scholler embraced this diuine prayer and lesson with such good will and resolution as that for 3. yeares together a wonderfull thing without ceasing or euer omitting he said it mentally as often as he did draw breath when he was awake and considering the little time that he slept and the great vigilance which he allwaies vsed it is allmost impossible to tell how often he said those wordes Fiat voluntas tuasicut in caelo in terra Amen Iesus and he told me that after a yeares space he did no more trouble himself to call them to mind thereby to make his acts more intense amorous and feruent I heard him allso tell once vpon a certaine occasion of spirituall discourse that if he did not make those acts with great dâ—uâ—tion allthough at other times he did the diuell at the very instant did assaile hâ—m with a multitude of temptations so that as he told me in those times by reason of the many temptations that came vpon him he could not possible take any booke in hand and that those only wordes serued him insteed of bookes and study and with them as with armour of proofe he defended himself from all his enemies and ouercame them and because he had found by experience the great force and vertue of those wordes he counfailed many persons to repeate them often with deuotion During those breathings his operations were so vehement as that he was allmost allwaies eleuated and thought of nothing of this world and such was the intensiuenes wherwith he employed his memory vnderstanding and will in this diuine exercise that allthough while he was in it he was assailed with many grieuous temptations yet as soone as they were past he did not remember them From this exercise of resignation as from a solid roote grew out all his wisedome and spirit When he had exercised himself for the space of three yeares in this spirit of resignation it pleased his heauenly Master to aduance him to another degree of perfection instructing him inwardly that the height of perfection in this life was in the practise of these wordes Thou shalt loue God with all thy heart and with all thy soule and with all thy mind and with all thy strength and thy neighbour as thy self and that he was allwaies to practise this vsing all his forces in it louing God and his neighbour with one act of loue imitaring herein God himself therfore afterwardes he did not repeate so often as before that act of resignation wherin he said Fiat voluntas tua sicut in coelo in terre Amen Iesus because this often making of acts would rather hinder then further the continuall act of loue wherin his soule now was as he himself said For the same reason he left of other meditations and exercises which he vsed before because they should not diuert him from his coÌ„tinuall act of loue Gregory endeauoured to follow this exercise with the same fortitude as he had practised that of resignation yea and with greater for row his strength was increased So in few yeares he became so expert a louer as that he told me that it seemed vnto him a very hard thing to leaue off that diuine exercise of loue euen for a short time and that therfore without breaking it off he did eate and talke and performe all other operations both of body and mind Together with this heauenly employment he began to reade the bible and most of all at this time for it hapned sometimes that he spent three or foure howers in the day in reading of it and by this great loue towardes God he attained to the vnderstanding of the Scripture Hereby he got that great poise and measure in his wordes the greate prudence and wisedome he shewed in his answers and counsails and the equality in louing his neighbour and himself wherin he did much excell for in all his good workes he esteemed himself as one of the rest of the world and desired as much to obtaine mercy for them as for himself From hence allso proceeded his purity of mind in prayer freedome and Dominion against his enemies and the seuere mortification of his senses Now in praying he did not vse such violence and force as he did before but a more refined and de-delicate act lesse sensible but more prefect In this manner he went on euery day increasing in perfection and that after such a manner as that many spirituall men were deceiued seing him so conuersant in other arts and scieÌ„ces it seeming vnto them that this would diuert him from praying but he was so far from that as that in his last yeares he attained to such high degree that as he hath often told me his interiour man did worke without imparting any thing to the exteriour and that he did not reduce the conference that he had with God into mentall wordes but to another language which should seeme to haue excellent effects To conclude by meanes of this exercise he attained vnto that excelleÌ„t vnion with God which he allwaies endeauoured to practise and his heroicall vertues and to say all in a word together with this there came to him all that is good THE XVI CHAPTER The spirit of Gregory is made more manifest by the answers which he gaue to certaine questions I haue thought conuenient here to set downe some answers which Gregory Lopes gaue vpon certaine occasions to the end that by them his spirit might somewhat more appeare which since that it was so interiour may be the better knowne out of these A certaine religious man both spirituall and learned one whom Gregory well esteemed and conuersed with more then with any other asked him if he had any particular times and howres of the day or night appointed to make his act of loue more inteÌ„se if peraduenture it grew slack or cold whilest he was at table or otherwise emploied in offices of charity towardes his neighbour or for the comfort of those that conferred with him he answered that he had no set times neither that he
had need of any because there was not any created thing that did hinder him or make him grow remisse that his inward operation was allwaies in the same estate that it was allmost become naturall that he had neuer gone back in the perfection of the vnion which God had giuen him but that he allwaies went forwardes and that by meanes of this vnion he had got whatsoeuer he knew because God had allwaies bin his Master not bookes though it was a great comfort to him to see those thinges writen by Tauler and Rusbroque which God had imparted to him and he neuer ceased to praise and extoll the spirite of the holy Mother Terresa de Iesus At another time being asked by the same religious man sir if you were a Priest what would you doe he made answer as I doe now he replied how would you haue prepared you self to say Masse he said as I prepare myself now he asked him further and how would you haue made your Mementos he answered him after the same maÌ„ner as I doe allwaies and he added moreouer saying if I were certaine to dy within these few howers I should not doe any thing more then I doe for I am now actually giuing vnto God all that I haue and I cannot giue him more vnles he out of his mercy giue it me But because it often falleth out that as the soule is louing God with all her strength in great quietnes our Lord sodainly raiseth her vp for a short time to the height of vnion drawing as it were the curtaine which is betweene God and her God himself dilating her and making her capable of such thinges as she can neither expresse nor conceiue and when she desireth to thinke and stay vpoÌ„ that which God wrought in her she findeth that those fauours are now past the affections of them only remaining behind the said religious man asked him againe whether hauing receiued such fauours he remembred them afterwardes and whether his soule did allwaies remaine in that height to which God is wont to raise others for a little time as is said he answered him that as it is not in mans power to obtaine such singular fauours of God so neither is it in his power to remember or continue them for a long time and that he doubted whether there euer had bin any pure creature except the B. Virgin that did allwaies perseuer in such an excellent vnion which God is wont to giue though in the ordinary kind of vnion such as God had giuen vnto him one might allwaies continue and profit And prosecuting this matter he said further that vnions reuelations extasies and rapts were not the top of perfection nor that it did not consist in them though God is often wont to giue them because he worketh with euery soule according to her capacity necessity aÌ„d dispositioÌ„ they that are perfect and well exercised in the act of loue doe not require that the senses should be suspended from their operation to the end that they may be more vnited vnto God because the senses are no hindrance to them in their enioying God for he had neuer had any extasy reuelation or rapt that deprined him of his senses the which had neuer hindred him At another time the same man talked with him of some soules which attained to great peace and â—hward quietnes together with a â—assiue vnion and as it were enioying loue which God gaue vnto them Gregory answered him that such as those were good soules and were in a good way but that perfection and merit is not so much in those workes of enioying as in that the soule of her part endeauoureth with all her might to loue God with the perfectest manner and act that she can for this is rather to doe then to enioy and the other is rather enioying then working because the soule that loueth God perfectly cannot giue him more then she doth giue him neither doth God require any thing else of her for hereof dependeth all our law and Prophets I was once talking with him how gratious in the sight of God certaine persons were who doe allwaies employ themselues in praying for the whole Church with a great zeale of Gods honour and desire of the saluation of soules he said that this was a great perfection but such as few had attained vnto and that he had vnderstood that Mother Isabell de la Natiuidad a nunne of the Monastery of the Conception in Mexico now deceased had obtained it who as I thinke for certaine knew by reuelation from God that Gregory Lopes allso was wholly giuen to this exercise for in a letter which she writ she said these wordes I am coÌ„tinually in the office which God hath put me in of praying for the whole Church as my brother allso doth she said this by Gregory and she was one free from all falshood and euen from suspicion Thinges haue bin said in this Chapter which in the opinion of those that treat of prayer and spirit are for confirmation and testimony of great sanctity more then miracles because they are more infaillible signes of it then miracles THE XVII CHAPTER Of some other manners of prayer which he vsed NO lesse wonderfull height of perfection and sanctity is proued by other kindes of prayer wherin this admirable man though his continuall emploiment was to exercise that act of lone towardes God and his neighbour and in this worke he vsed all his strength employed himself without diuerting his mind but rather allwaies increasing the vnion we spoke of When any inward combates presented themselues he was very willing to fight them for the loue of God and after he had ouercome he offerred him in sacrifice the victory and all the spoiles of of that war and therfore by reason that he was wont often to ouercome and through the great confidence which he had in God he reioiced when he saw whole troupes of temptatioÌ„s come against him as huntsmen doe when they see their pray that they may see it on their Masters table and he did not only offer vp in sacrifice vnto God the victories and the spoiles of his combates but also the gifts and strength wherwith God did enrich and adorne him making an offering of them vnto his God and giuer with a very humble prayer and acknowledgment wherin he confessed him to be the chiefe good and source of all good and therfore most worthy to whom all thinges which we haue receiued should be offered so that Gregory as soone as he receiued any fauour or gift presently with a more cleare knowledge and feruent charity directed it to his Lord without staying on it himself because he desired all whatsoeuer he receiued should be his Such was his fidelity and loue towardes God and in these times he was vsed to repeate that sentence of the wise man you shall find many mercifull but a faith full man who will find He was allso wont to offer vp vnto the Eternall
holy Apostles and whosoeuer shall haue read with attention that which is aboue written will allso come to see that this exercise of greatest charity which maketh one suffer and dy for his beloued was the whole life of this holy man for it was a thing well knowne to vs all that did conuerse with him that this so vehement an exercise of louing God with all his strength was the cause of all his weaknesses paines and sicknesses and he perceiuing this went on pining away ioyfully for his beloued Vpon this oceasion relating sometimes vnto me the great paines which he had endured he said vnto me the materiall martirdome of whipps hookes of iron fire and sword be it neuer so great dureth but for a short time but besides these God hath in heauen spirituall martirs in a very high degree He did tell the liues of many saints worthy of great honour that confirme this verity amongst others he told of Paphâ—utius the hermit that as he was led in chaines for being a Christian and those that led him threatned him with great tormeÌ„ts vnles he would forsake the faith oâ— Christ he laughing at his tormeÌ„tours said vnto them we hermits vse to endure these torments in the desert But because it is a thing most certain both to me and to others that knew Gregory that he did excell in spirituall martirdome I will not speake more hereof considering the ioy wherwith he receiued his death when without any feare he beheld it neare at hand yea with far more contentment then wordly men feele in the middest of their pleasures honours and pastimes saying with the Apostle to mee Christ is life and death againe Gregory his delight therfore was to suffer for Christ and his coÌ„tent and glory was in the crosse saying with S. Paul Far be it from me to glory in any thing but in the crosse of my Sauiour Iesus Christ and with the Prophet David who seing himself so enriched with the benefits and fauours which God had bestowed vpon him in his last daies he began to consider it and to say what recompence shall I make vnto God for all the fauours that he hath done me and fixing his eies vpon all whatsoeuer he had he found no other recompence but only to say I will take his cup and call vpon his name as if he should say I wil desire inwardly to drinke of the cup of his Passion the which I see and know well by the spirit of Prophesy This therfore was the spirit of Gregory in this way God did guide him this is the doctrine which was taught him by our Sauiour Christ in whose paines and death he found such spirituall delight that he neuer desired any other as is said and he was wont to say that perfect spirituall men are displeased with those delights which beginners doe willingly embrace for a man taketh as a reproach to be offered a bunch of grapes or an apple wherwith the child is much taken he added moreouer that this present life is noâ— for ioy and rest but sorrow and trouble Finally this his refusing euen of spirituall delights proceeded from a perfect pouerty of spirit which was giuen him by God wherunto appertaineth to desire nothing but God for his owne sake wherin consisteth true charity and the top of Christian perfection so as he that loueth God most is most perfect be it with those delights or no for if the cobler mending his shooes should loue God more then a contemplatiue man he would be more perfect in Christian life then he notwithstanding the fruition that he hath attained With this spirit did Gregory chieflly attend to the increase and purity of charity desiring allwaies in his life and labours to imitate our Sauiour Christ whom he allwaies looked vpon as on a good paterne by which he might learne how he ought to labour saying with Dauid my eies are allwaies vpon our lord and to this purpose he was wont wisely to vse that sentence the wise mans eies are in his head meaning that the wise man hath his eies allwaies vpon Christ who is his head for said he the soule touched with the loue of God is like the mariners needle which by reason that it is touched with a loade-stone allwaies inclineth to the north and that spirituall men ought to haue this maruailous property as in what place or busines soeuer they are to be allwaies inclined and desire to haue their eies allwaies fixed on our Sauiour Christ He tooke great contentment to see men doe so for once four men very spirituall and great seruants of God being come to visit him and sitting with him at the table it so fell out that they werâ— all bareheaded he looked ioyfully on them and said God bâ— praised for that all we that sit a this table haue our head bare He spoke spiritually and his meaning was that they were all spiritually looking vpon Christ who is our head and at that time was bare vnto them all and by reason of the tokens that we saw I hold for certaine that he saw the hearts of those that were present for as is said God hath oftentimes done him that fauour and considering the vertue and good spirit of those his guests it may be thought that they were in that disposition as to haue their eies vpon God This holy man as I was allwaies of opinion neuer lost sight of God and therfore God neuer went out of sight from him according to to that of Iob God will neuer haue his eies off of the iust man and by meanes of this sight God allwaies preserued him in such manner from falling into all the nets and snares whatsoeuer the enemy laied for him as that he passed through them freely and safely as is shewed THE XIX CHAPTER Of the effects of his prayer I haue allwaies thought that God hath wrought stranges effects through his prayers and though he out of his humility neuer reuealed any of those great effects for he neuer told me any in that kind though I was so familiary with him yet I am certaine that he knew of wonderfull thinges which God had done by his prayers of the which I will here relate for the greater glory of God some which I came to know by other meanes In the yeare 1579. being at our Ladies of Remedies he was visited by a priest who was much troubled in mind because he did not perseuer in the seruice of God but fell into great in conueniences through such occasions as offered themselues Therfore he instantly besought him to pray for him and to aduise him what he should doe for assuredly he would doe it whatsoeuer it were though it were to goe vnto a montaine and be an hermite since that his saluation was not a busines of small importance Hereunto Gregory answered only these wordes you shall be an hermite in Mexico for this yeare He vnderstanding it as it ought to be vnderstood endeauoured to change his life and
this with great feeling and many teares and said that in that vision he came to know Gregory for that before he did not know him the religious woman became thenceforward much deuoted to this holy man who at the day of his death rerequited her for she not knowing of it had for the space of foure daies together a very speciall apprehension of God his goodnes and of how much she was bound vnto him and withall a discouery of the worlds deceit and she held as vndoubted that she had receiued that fauour from God by Gregory his meanes for thâ—n he was in heauen enioying the sight of God There was a priest that was much addicted to this holy man and followed alltogether his counsaile and doctrine in his manner of praying He hauing allready receiued some fauours of God tooke such content in them as only to enioye them he did not take any care to walke any farther in the spirituall way Gregory seing his manner of proceeding recited that sentence of Isaias thou hast found life in thy hands therfore thou hast not asked Herewith God did much illuminate him that so he might walke with more pouerty of spirit and cast himself into that infinite depth of God without relying vpon his owne waies nor euen vpon those fauours wherwith at other times God had draweâ— him on for he endeauoured to strip himself wholly that he might be in more readines vpon all occasions to accomplish the will of God and not to make any stop in the spirituall way profiting herewith both himself and others A young man very vertuous and desirous to doe well went about very much disquieted in mind for the space of foure or fiue months and the greatest cause of his anguish was because he did not know what state of life to make choice of for his owne saluation He acquainted herewith certain holy and deuout persons desiring them to pray for him and perceiuing that none of these meanes was sufficient to rid him of that vnquietnes he remembred himself of Gregory Lopes and went to Santafe to visit him and though he was a young man otherwise bold enough yet at the very sight of Gregory his heart was to sealed with feare and reuerence as that allthough Gregory was of an humble demeanour aÌ„d in poore attire he said that he had neuer seen in his life a man that had stroken into him such a reuerence both inwardly and outwardly and that it seemed vnto him that he saw in him the couÌ„tenance of one more then a man He intreated him to beseech his diuine Maiesty to giue him light that he might choose the estate wherin he should doe him most seruice and Gregory only saying vnto him trouble not your self for I will recommend you vnto God his spirit was quieted and the said trouble neuer came to him againe the which he attributed to the holy Man his prayer and chose the estate of Priesthood and died with an esteeme of vertue and sanctity he affirmed with an oath that at other times he acquainted Gregory with sundry temptations that he had and allwaies returned with great satisfaction and comfort Another person very deuout vnto Gregory went vnto the place where he was and the first night sustained many very grieuous teÌ„ptations of which he told him the next morning and he answered I did forget my self last night it shall not be so hereafter and the nights following he found himself more at ease and with more deuotion the which he did hold for certaine befell him through Gregory his prayers THE XX. CHAPTER Of the respect which he stroke into those that did looke vpon him IT is a thing worthy of obseruation that a poore man solitary and vnknowne cloathed only in grey sack cloth allwaies bareheaded and in a manner an out-cast should stricke such a respect and reuerence into those that looked vpon him that allthough they were men vsed to wordly conuersation yet some should not be able to speake a word vnto him truely vertue and sanctity ought to be honoured and reuerenced euen by those that doe not follow it because that which is good doth all waies seeme well and since that through our sinnes it is so rare in the world no maruaile if it cause admiration and feare A certaine Man of good account and very vertuous came with a great desire to see the holy man and to talke with him about a busines of importance which did trouble his mind and made him allwaies Melancholly and as soone as he came into his presence he was so troubled and tongue-tied that he could not speake a word being in this trouble and Gregory allwaies expecting when he would declare his necessity vnto him he stood a long time silent at length the holy man lifted vp his eies and for a while looked vpon him peraduenture he was praying for him and afterwardes he freed him from that trouble answering his doubts and satisfying him in all that he would haue asked if he had not become dumbe wherat he became more confounded and amased perceiuing that he had vnderstood his mind and thoughts by the light of prayer and going forth he told this accident to another vertuous maÌ„ that came with him and being asked what was the cause of that his trouble he answered it was the beholding of such a venerable countenance so great mortification and so holy a recollection of mind and that he departed astonied because he had giuen such a particular answer to all that he had in his mind he not propounding his busines There came to see him a young man that was a studentâ— and before the holy man spoke euer a word vnto him his mind was possessed with such a feare and amasement as that he presently purposed to change his life and was afterwardes a priest of a very retired and exemplar life and came often to confer with Gregory in those fiue yeares that he liued A certaine gentlemans maÌ„ came vnto him with a message from his Master and as soone as he came into his presence he was surprised with such a feare and trouble as that he could not speake and going forth he said It is one thing to speake vnto these men of God and another to speake with men of the world I did not thinke that the sight of any man could haue troubled me Some daies after comming againe with the like message and haueing deliuered it vnto me I asked him if he would goe in and deliuer it himself vnto Gregory he answered me no sir I pray doe you tell him for I dare not Another person came from far to visit him in this village of Santafe and hearing much commendations of his sanctity he was afraid to come in his presence but being come to see him he felt such inward ioy as that not being able to coÌ„ceale it he told the holy man what had hapned vnto him wherunto he answered giue God thankes for it This ioy lasted two daies to the great profit of his soule he said that to him it seemed that he had seen an Apostle and that in that occasion God had giuen him such a feeling as that he could not possibly expresse it and he affirmed that the second time that he saw him he found himself inwardly satisfied of his doubts onely by looking vpon him without asking him any thing for as is said God had bestowed this fauour vpon Gregory What I haue here related is not the most admirable that is knowne of his workes and miraculous life for it Vere to vndertake a thing far aboue the ordinary reach of mans wit to thinke of finding the height of the gifts fauours and riches which God bestowed vpon this his seruant whose life might vnto vs be insteed of a light and paterne to imitate that so if it be the will of God we might at length find out that place of euerlasting peace and quietnes which we seeke after Amen