after he had often humbly petitioned Almighty God after he had refreshed himselfe often with the Blessed Eucharist that it would please him to vouchsafe him his light for the discussing of deliberations of that consequēce supposing this resolution to be inspired into him by God bidding farewell to the world with all secular affaires he determined to be take himselfe to some Religious family where he would by vow obserue besides Virginity which before he had deuoted to Almighty God also Obedience and Euangelicall pouerty But for so much as hauing not as yet passed the thirteenth yeare of his age it was not expedient for him to put his thoughts in execution he neither assigned vnto himselfe any family nor disclosed vnto any one that which he had in his mind But notwithstanding those Fathers hauing discouering somewhat of his intentions became hopefull that he would at last adioyne himselfe to their company In the meane while he least his manners might disagree from the purpose of his mind began more strictly and vigilantly to order the whole course of his life and amongst secular and Court-delicacies to expresse in all vertue the conuersation of Religious men to retire himselfe longer to his chamber not to haue any fire in the winter season kindled or brought into the same where hitherto he was wont to haue some in respect of the tendernesse of his handes which were accustomed to swell and breake with cold in like manner abroad neuer to come neere the fire and if for company of others it was requisite to do otherwise to take that place wherin he might be sensible of no warmenesse to take with signification of a gratefull mind those remedies which were brought him by those of the house to allay the swelling of his hādes but setting them a side to make no vse of them to do all thinges out of a loue to suffer aduersity for Gods sake Moreouer he auoyded all concourse of people much more did he abhorre Comedies late suppers and delicious bankets to which he was oftē inuited but neuer cold be persuaded by his Father sometimes euen stomaking that his so vnusuall desire of solitude Therfore others resorting thither he only remained at home and there spent his time sometimes in holy meditations sometimes in communication of learning or piety with one or other graue and learned man And other sometimes he went to the Capuchin Fathers and to the Barnabites and wheras he could no more be carried away with the pompes pleasures of the world he inioyed their holy discourses Vpon a certaine time his Father tooke him in his cōpany to Millane that he might behould the transportation of all the horses of that prouince wherat it was requisite that he for the discharg of a certaine office which he mannaged should togeather with many other principall men be present Wheras therfore for so much as this was a thing rare and thought very well worthy the seeing there resorted a great concourse of people vnto it Aloysius who least he should incense his Father commaunding this precisely out of his authority could do no otherwise but goe yet made vse of this new art to wit he neuer suffered himselfe to be set in those principall seates from whence the whole pompe might cōmodiously haue byn seen and which is more as far forth as he might he endeauoured either still to sit with his eyes shut or turned some other way To conclude I may very truly affirme that he passed ouer his childhood without euer playing the child For he was neuer found in that age to haue done any thing that might sauour of leuity He neuer handled any dishonest or vnprofitable bookes He was much delighted to read the actes of Saints set downe by Surius and Lippomanus Of profane writers he for the most part read those who write of manners as Seneca Plutarke and Valerius Maximus He made vse of examples taken out of them at such time as he exhorted others to frame the course of their life out of the preceptes of Christ or Philosophy For he sometimes vttered speaches either openly with diuers others or priuately with some one alone so replenished with most wise sentences so elegant so feruent that all being astonished would say that his doctrin did far surpasse the capacity of his age and that it was therfore deriued frō God That in like manner was the cause why his kindred whereas they were not ignorant of his conditions and beheld not without displeasure so much rigour of diet and apparrell and contempt of all thinges which the world commendeth notwithstāding hauing in reuerence his prudence and singular vertue and neuer being so bold as to aske why he did so let him go forward with his course CHAP. XIV Being returned to Castilion with his Father he leadeth his life in great austerity being very much addicted to Prayer AFTER the Marques hauing performed his gouernment of Monte-Ferrato went backe with his whole family to Castilion Aloysius was so far from any relaxation of that zeale of prayer sharp affliction of himselfe that he did so much more straiten it A great maruell it is therfore that he either was not oppressed with some grieuous disease which might vtterly haue ouerthrowne his health now lōg since much impaired or that his parentes in whose sight he did these things had not out of their authority forbidden him For to that spare hard diet which as I said before he vsed at Mantua and neuer after left off he added many other entire fasts as namely he obserued three set-fasts at the least euery weeke That is to say vpon Saturday in honour of the most blessed Virgin-Mother vpon Friday in memory of the passion of Christ our Sauiour vpon which day being only contented with bred and water in the morning with nothing else but three morsells of bred dipped in water and at euening for his hungry resection he liued vpon one only cutting of bread a litle tosted soaked in water To conclude vpon wednesday sometimes he abstained from all thinges except bread and water sometimes he obserued the receaued custome of fasting in the Church There were added vnto these other extraordinary fasts which of his owne accord he imposed vpon himselfe as often as either the time moued him therunto or that he perceaued himselfe drawne by the loue of God and ardour of piety Furthermore he was so moderate in eating that some of his Fathers family maruelling how he was able to maintaine his life determined at vnawares to him to waygh how much meate he tooke at one meale after that by ballance-waight they had examined his bread togeather with his meat they affirmed by oath that his vsuall dinner or supper did not fully amount to one Ounce waight Which waight is so far from supplying the ordinary necessity of nature that we must necessarily confesse that which we haue heard of other Saints that his life was sustained by some diuine assistance without
that he met that they would heare his fellows sermon and so singular was his humility charity and modesty in requesting them that very willingly they followed him VpoÌ„ sun-dayes and festiuall dayes he freely and willingly expounded the pointes of Christian Religion in publike easily brooked the cold which at that time truly was very sharpe at Millan Once he knew ouernight that a certaine companion of his who after the custome of Religion was to make his vowes should goe the next day after to beg through the citty For this at that time was wont to be done by those of the Society to the intent that they might humiliate and proue themselues When therfore Aâ—â—ysius had effected that leaue was giuen to accompany him through greatnesse of ioy he was not able to containe himselfe but the very same day when as the custome was all had made the examination of their consciences he went to the bed-side of that his fellow as it were to euaÌ„gelize vnto him this good newes The next-day after whilst he begges from street to street he was surprised with much more celestiall ioy Therfore often did he as it were triumphing vtter these words as he went through the streets Etiam Dominus Noster Iâ—sus Christus aâ— hunc modum stipem conquisiuit Euen after this same manner did our Blessed Lord IESVS-Christ craue almes In like manner at another time going forth in a torne garment to beg being asked by a certine Gentlewoman who carried the shew of a very light one whether he were one of those Fathers which resided at the Brerane Colledge of S. Maries in Millan for there she said that she knew a certaine Father After Aloysius said that he had his abode there Alas 〈◊〉 said shee that miserable Father behold whether he hath betaken himselfe for his distruction out of which words of hers taking oportunity to bestow vpon her the light of better doctrine and to take away her errour he began with great efficacy of a Diuine spirit to discourse that that Father was not miserable as she supposed but happy and that he had not arriued to distruction but to a perfect life Nay rather that she that wasted her life amongst the riches and truly as it seemed in the manifould delicacies of this world was in a miserable and vnhappy state of life and in manifest daÌ„ger of euerlasting distruction With which speaces she being moued was indeed presently very much touched with remorse for her folly and afterward without delay reformed her manners It was his ordinary office to sweepe downe cobwebs about the Colledge which truly he performed very diligently Moreouer he would obserue whether he saw any Senator or man of account walking in the cloyster if he did then he would come forth suddainly with a long pole and a beesome tied at the end therof to the intent that he might be esteemed by them a man abiect of small reckoning he would before their faces fall to sweepe away cobwebs Which was so vsuall a custome with him that as often as the Fathers saw Aloysius going forth with his pole it was vnto them an argument that some stranger of authority was come into the Colledge Certaine Bishops and other Prelates had determined to dine at the Colledge The Rectour to giue them occasion to take some knowledge of Aloysius commaunded him to make a sermoÌ„ at the table in the Refectory To auoyde this taske for so much as it seemed to carry the shew of honour and desirous to conceale himselfe he wished to be spared from it but daring not to withstand the commaund of his Superiour verily he made a graue and learned sermon of the office of Bishops Afterward one congratulating for the happy successe of his sermon he said that nothing gaue him more contentment that day then that he was publikely noted for a lisper For he could not very readily pronounce the letter R. He often desired leaue to haue his faulâ—es published to his face in the Reâ—ectory Which truly in the Roman Colâ—edge he had for a time intermitted not tollerating to be praysâ—d when he desired to be reprooued But for so much as his mind being alwayes vpon God he neuer perceaued himselfe to be saâ—uted of those that met him being openly admoâ—shed therof he condemned himselfe of pride vnto many and afterward he was most diligent in this kind and so endeuoured to ioyne his mind vnto God that neuerthelesse he might not be wanting to this his office of courtesy He was vnto all the Colledge a singular example of submission modesty obedience study and Religious discipline And for so much as he was had in that esteeme of them all there was no man but was willing to inâ—inuate himselfe into his familiarity out of the confidence that they had of his vertue and the feâ—ling of his piety although he himselfe most willingly applied himselfe vnto euery one as he found him most feruent in the seruice of God Quâ—stionlesse to the intent that conferring with them concerning the offices of piety he might inâ—erchangeably be partaker of that celestiall coâ—foâ—t CHAP. XXVI The letters of F. Bernardinus Medices of the vertues of Aloysius obserued at Millan Also Fa. Aâ—â—illes Galiardy his testimony of his manner of praying without distraction of mind HE being departed out of this life Bernardinus Medices a man no lesse famous for the vertues worthy of a Religious man then for honourable parentage and a very familiar friend to Aloysius writ in this manner to me from Millan Aloysius our very good brother confirmed vnto me that constancy and persâ—uâ—rance though but in small matters was a thinge with him much esteemed and that this to him that desired to profit was a vertue very nâ—câ—ssâ—ry Therfore iâ— all his actions and in his daily course he carried himselfe alwayes after one manner He said that it was a thing full of danger to follow a mans owne affection as his guide That the safest way was that which the light of knowledge and reason shewed Wherfore he laboured with his mind that he might in his actions come equall with the light of his mind Notwithstanding he said that he was neuer able to proceed so far as that shewed him For how much the more he endeanoured in actioÌ„ so much the more did his light increase He desired most ardently to suffer aduersity and he said once vnto me that he could neuer find any more cleare testimony of any ones sanctity then to see him be of a good conscience in the middest of aduersity that is if to one that is innocent God obiected great matter of sufferance He thought well of all from his very hart notwithstaÌ„ding he did in no sort approue of sinnes the wickednesse of which was manifest but as far-forth as was lawfull he made the best interpretation of them He did with singular respect and prudence admonish others of their errours and in like manner intreated to be admonished of his In all
to come we may be so enriched with merits that in respect of them we may be worthy of those wards proposed by Gods sonne after he had taken vpon him humane nature vnto whom togeather with the Father and the Holy Ghost be giuen all honour and glory world without end Amen THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE LIFE OF B. ALOYSIUS Gonzaga CHAP. I. Of the Letters written by diuers after his death AFTER B. Aloysius had passed to a better life many Letters were sent to his mother that most Honourable Lady which declared how great an opinion of Sanctity he left in the minds of men after his death Before others Fa. Claudius Aquauina the Generall did assure her that from hence-forward she might haue recourse to him as to a deere faythfull patron in heauen for so much as it was confidently thought that that happy diuinely fortunate soule did euen then enioy eternall felicity neither would he euer cease to help and comfort him togeather with the rest of his companions in Religion Father Rectour of the Roman Colledge certified her that Aloysius was passed to a more blessed life not only in his soule but euen in his countenance and whole body so quiet and composed that he had excited a desire in all to imitate his death which was correspondent to his life most holily lead and endowed with all kind of vertues And that therfore she and the rest of the same family shold not so much grieue for his losse as reioyce that one of their kindred was transferred to the number of the Saints The selfe same testimony haue many most Illustrious men giuen by their letters And especially Hieronymus Roboreus that most Illustrious Cardinall wrote to the same Noble Lady in this manner The last thursday in the night was our good Father Aloysius transported to a more happy life and such a harty affection of him and opinion of his egregious sanctimony hath he left vnto others that those Fathers his companions being confident that he shineth gloriously in heauen haue attended his death with no lesse admiration then teares This verily ought to be a great comfort vnto you and hope that he will negotiate with Almighty God for the concord and wellfare of his brothers and the prosperoâ—s fortune of all those of his family Againe I beseech you leaue off to grieue for so much as your sonne resideth now in the Court of Heauen who as I hope will assist vs with his recommendation To the same effect were the letters of Cardinall Scipio Gonzaga which he sent to the Bishop of Mantua his brother and to Aloysius his mother In these he declareth that Aloysius had now entred into a more blessed life and that his end was of so holsome example that he is rather to be honoured with ioyes then bewailed with teares Moreouer how great the opinion of this same Cardinall was of the sanctity of Aloysius Pope Clement the 8. gaue a most remarkable testimony For he vpon the 5. of August the yeare 1604. of his owne accord entring into discourse with the Marques of Castition the Emperours Embassadour of his prayses testified that Scipio Gonzaga had often had speach with him of the singular sanctity of this young man and that withall he had confessed that with euen looking vpon him only his mind had bene transfixed with a holsome griefe and that in respect of a certaine celestiall innocency that he beheld in him he was so much stirred vp vnto piety that he was not able to with-hould himselfe from teares Furthermore his Holinesse wheÌ„ he recounted these things and heard other likewise of his sanctity of life and miracles euen as it were weeping spake with a sensible vehemency these words Blessed is he whom I now verily belieue to enioy immortall glory with God Often haue I wondred when it came into my mind how possibly you could escape so great dangers as you haue done but surely this is he that hath preserued you and brought peace to his family You haue a friend in HeaueÌ„ in whose faythfull tuition you may confide and who will defend you from all harme And conformable to this likewise was the iudgment of that most renowned and most holy Lady Elâ—onora Arch-duchesse of Austria and Duchesse of Mantua as it appeareth by her letter which at that time she sent to Aloysius his mother which after this manner we read in the printed book of her life WheÌ„ I coÌ„sider with my selfe most Illustrious Lady how bitter griefe you must of necessity conceaue for the lâ—ssâ— of your sonne and when I measure it by my owne who although I was not his mother neuerthelesse loued him alwayes with a motherly affection I cannot but take compassion of you And verity not of you only but in like manner of our whole family the groanes of which speaking morally by any force of ours without diuine helpe we cannot appease But if with more sound iudgment wee consider that this most happy soule hauing rent her way through the blind veyle of her body is soared vp to eternall splendour to that fuiâ— period of glory vnto which whilst she liued in this wretched vale of miseries she did with so full course hasten where being more neerly accommodated she may with easier accesse recommend our prayers to our benigne Lord verily let vs render prayses and thanks vnto our good God that hauing deliuered him out of this rerrestriall mâ—d he hath bestowed him in that his glorious Citty of Hierusalem and reflecting vpon our owne commodity let vs mitigate our griefe for so much as of a mortall we see him become a heauenly man c. To this her letter the Author of her life adeth these words which follow The aboue named Aloysius Gonzaga was the eldest sonne of Ferdinand Marques of Castilion who from his very cradle liued an Angelicall life heer on earth Rendring vp his title and dominion of Marques to his younger brother and betaking himselfe to the Society of IESVS ended his life about the 24. yeare of his age Well may that be verified in him which the wise man wrote Consummatus in breui explenit tempora multa placita enim erat Deo anima illius propter hoc proper aâ—it illum educere de medio iniquitatum Sap. 4. Being soone ripe he was equiualent to those that are affoarded a loÌ„ger time for his soule was acceptable vnto God For this respect did he hasten to deliuer him from the middest of iniquity Eleonor a hauing had notice giuen her of this young mans death both spake many things tending to his prayse and often had this speach in her mouth A Saint-like young man he liued and like a Saint he dyed There are also those that recount that she moreouer added this that this man should be the first who of the family of the Gonzaga's should be canonized for a Saint Let vs end this chapter with the letters of Thomas Mancinus a Noble gentleman who for so much as he
bring him safe to the place appointed No otherwise did God so soone as thou wast borne associate thee with one of these celestiall Cittizens that as a singular guardian and tutour he might vndertake the patronage ouer thee and might become thy aduocate to his Maiesty in Heauen For in this life we are all as Children and haue need of a Tutour and Schoolemaister who may as it were lead vs and vphould vs by the hand least by chaunce our feet strike against some rock of sinne or that we fall into some grieuous danger who may also take vs into his armes that we may securely passe places of danger and that we may no sooner obserue a danger then escape it Secondly as the Angell Raphaell guiding young Toby vpon his way suggested vnto him good Counsell and in particular he instructed him how he might behaue himselfe in marriage to wit not after the manner of carnall men but with a holy feare of God frequent prayer so thy Angell-keeper doth continually instruct thee with good Counsell and direct thee in all thy actions for he exciteth and moueth thee to do many good workes which without his help thou couldest not do and this sometimes by alluring thee by the examples of Christ our Lord and his Saints sometimes by inflaming thy will out of the consideration of Gods bounty his infinite benefits othersome times also quickning thy Vnderstanding by the memory of thy future iudgment and the paynes of hell Thirdly the Scripture goeth forward to recount the benefits which Toby receaued from the Angell Raphael both according to his owne person as also in respect of hiâ— temporall goods For when he came to the riuer Tigris and was disposed to wash therin his feet there rushed vpon him a cruell fish to deuoure him but his Angell defended him and reschewed him from that danger willing him that he should take the gall therof for the restoring of his Fathers sight who was blind Moreouer the selfe-same Angell did not only redeeme for Toby that summe of mony for which he was sent but made him also heire ouer all the wealth of his Father-in-law Raguel Now what other thing do our Angels guardians do but watch connually to yield vs help in all our necessities no otherwise then a mother that hath allwayes her eyes set vpon her little child least it may perhaps fall or incurre some other mischiefe Thinke therfore from how many corporall dangers he hath preserued you which might as well haue befallen you as they haue done vnto others and also how solicitous he hath bene in procuring for you all temporall goods as health strength and other necessary supplies that you might according to your calling conueniently maintaine your life and in that state which may be most accommodated to the gayning of your saluation Fourthly as the Angell Raphael as he himselfe sayth did chalenge vnto himselfe as his proper office to offer vp vnto God the prayers and good workes of Toby so our Angell-Guardian exerciseth in the behalfe of vs the office of a Solicitour in the presence of God offering vp our prayers and desires and whatsoeuer good workes we doe and is alwayes bringing vnto vs some one guift or other of Diuine grace O that we could but see with how great diligence the holy Angels sometimes ascend sometimes descend for our sakes as they did vpon that ladder seen by Iacob the Patriarch they ascend declaring our necessities and beseeching God that he would bestow vpon vs his diuine mercy and they descend bringing backe from our heauenly Father his holy inspirations good thoughts and other diuine helpes and sometimes likewise some Fatherly correction that he may excite vs and that we may examine our selues least togeather with this world we be condemned Fifthly as the Angell Raphael taught Toby the meanes which he ought to obserue in putting the Diuell to flight that he might haue no more power ouer him against whome also this Angell fought in defence of the yong man So our Angell-keeper no otherwise then a faythfull Captaine vnto whose charge is committed some fortresse to be defended against the enemy doth watch diligently least either by force or fraud it be surprised by them For these Angels are those faythfull watchmen which our Lord sayth are placed vpon the wals of Hierusalem to keep in the vigils of the night his flocke least that infernall wolfe our aduersary like a furious lion make prey vpon our soules In like manner to these Angell-keepers belong those words of the Apocâ—lips Esto vigilans confirma Be vigilant and confirme thy selfe for the Angell-guardian watcheth for vs against the diuell opposing against his incursions breaking and weakning his forces and repairing againe the foile that is receaued least againe he attempt to inuade with the like boldnesse and confidence Likewise he strengthneth vs sometimes by remouing the occasions of sinne somtimes by terrifiyng vs from many sinneâ— offences into which we should easily fall if we were destitute of his help sometimeâ— also by corroborating encouraging vs in striuing with tentations and afflictions and finally obtaining of our Lord fortitude that we may go away with the victory Sixthly as the Angell Raphael apprehending the diuell bound him in the wildernesse least he should kill Toby as he had done all the other husbaÌ„ds of that woman so our good Angell doth singularly assist vs in the time of death that at that houre he may defend vs from the deceites and assaults of the diuell when he goeth about more greedily secking whome he may deuoure then at other times he is wontâ— moreouer that he may preferue vs from those sinnes vnto which at that time we are wont to be most subiect as infidelity and desperation and that so being deliuered from the miseries of this world we may passe freely to our celestiall Country Furthermore after that the soule hath departed from the body the same Angell accompanieth her comforteth and encourageth her that she should confidently appeare before the tribunall of God setting before her eyes the most pretious merits of IESVS-Christ in which she ought confidently to trust at the time of her iudgment And if for the expiating of the reliques of her sinnes she shall be adiudged to Purgatory there he often visiteth her comforteth her certifieth her of the prayers of pious persons that are offered vp for her in the world and finally biddeth her be secure that she shall be deliuered in time to come As concerning thy third state and that which shall be thy last consider what in conclusion the Angell Raphael did namely how when he had assigned a wife to young Toby 〈◊〉 enriched him with all his Father-in-lawes goods he broght him back vnto his Fathers house loaded with many guiftes and much riches where he was receaued with so much the more ioy by how much the more sorrowful they were for the expecting of his returne all fearing least perhaps he had perished Heere likewise
of an opinion that three singular thinges may be recouÌ„ted of him The first that as once was said of Saint Bonauenture by his Maister Alexander Halensis Adam seemed not to haue sinned in him so remote from all suspition of sinne did he retaine his state of innocency The other that in his manners he rather seemed to be like an Aâ—â—ell then a man so much did the spirit in him ouercome the flesh the mind the sense The third that after a singular kind of manner that same saying of the Wiseman agreeth vnto him Consummatus in breui expleuit tempora multa Being consummate in short space he fulfilled much time For in a short space of time that he liued in this mortall life he attained vnto that which in many yeares for the most part many Saints scarcely arriued vnto and mounted vnto that degree of perfectioÌ„ which many others haue in vaine attempted to obtaine For if that common prouerbe be true that Communis vox populi vox Dei the common voyce of the people is the voyce of God for so much as this B. Prince is thought in the opinion of all and celebrated by the voyce of all as a Saint by the Princes by the Prelates of the Church by his Confessours Maisters Tutours Parents the people of his Dominion it must of necessity follow that he was a great Saint and that he may very worthily as in heauen so also vpon earth be canonized for a Saint Whome I wish an intercessour and aduocate for me to the Diuine Maiesty Giuen at Brescia in our House of the SS Peter and Marcellinus I Fr. Iohn Francis of Brescia Prouincial of the Friars Capuchins in the Prouince of Brescia Preacher Reader of Diuinity haue written and suscribed with my owne hand all these things and with my oath do ratify the same FATHER RECTOVR the Society of IESVS I IOHN Baptista Peruschus of Rome Rectour of the Colledge of the Society of IESVS at Brescia after the Reuerend Fa. Virgilius Ceparius of our Society came to this our Colledge of Brescia to the intent that he might commit to writing the life of our blessed Brother Aloysius Gonzaga of the same Society haue compared the same life written by him with those registred Tables and Monuments out of which with great labour and industry it was taken and being sworne professe that whatsoeuer is said therin is found in Authorities and Testimonies confirmed by oath I do also testify that the selfe same Father to the intent that he might procure those Instruments and frame an authenticall history trauailed to all these townes of Lombardy And so much the more willingly do I subscribe to these things for that I was familiatly acquainted with B. Aloysius both before he forsooke the world and also when he was ioyned vnto vs in religion at Millan and Rome and many signes of his sanctity which the same Father recounteth in this booke I my selfe knew And I am well assured that in the opinion of all them that knew him and liued with him he was reputed a Saint And after his death the fame of his sanctity daily increased in many townes of Lombardy wherin I haue liued now many yeares it so far forth spread it selfe that it cannot be imagined how it should do more In testimony wherof I haue giuen this vnder my owne hand writing Ioannes Baptista Peruschus who do confirme vnder my oath al the things aboue related CLAVDIVS AQVAVIVA Generall of the Society of IESVS WE haue granted leaue that this Booke of the life of B. Aloysius Gonzaga of our Society composid by F. Virgilius Ceparius Deuine of the same Society and by our selues and many other our Deuines read and approued be committed to print if it may so seeme good to the most Reuerend Father the Maister of the Sacred Pallace For we hope that it will bring no small spirituall fruite to men both religious and secular who shall read it And for this respect we do more willingly graunt it for so much as it appeareth vnto vs vpon certaine notice and our owne proper knowledge that this holy and Blessed young man was most accomplished in all kind of vertue of much edification in his example For he did not only so alwayes liue in the world that he gaue documents of vertue vnto all but also after he was by vs adioyned to the Society he was euermore a perfect Idea of Sanctity and so commonly reputed of all who were acquainted with him those few yeares that he liued amongst vs. At which time we discouered that Almighty God was very much delighted with that pure soule that he enriched her with many excellent naturall gifts out of which there shined forth most holy workes and Angeticall manners So he liued and so continually perseuered till departing out of this life he passed to Heauen whither relying vpon firme grounds we do verily belieue that this holy soule for the enioying of eternall glory and imploring the grace of God for vs did immediately fly Of all which thinges we most willingly giue testimony to the intent that we may testify the truth to the glory of our Lord from whom all sanctity floweth vnto whom be euerlasting prayse and honour At Rome this 14. of Iuly 1605. Claudius Aquauiua THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE LIFE OF B. ALORSIVS Gonzaga CHAP. I. Of his Linage BLESSED Aloysius Gonzaga whose actes conuersation we haue heere determined to put in writing was the eldest sonne of Ferdinand a Prince of the Empire Marques of Castilion in Lombardy and of Martha Tana Santenia of Chery in Turino being both of them most illustrious and most excellent personages This Marques Ferdinand the Father of our Aloysius being sprung froÌ„ the same stock with VVilliam duke of Mantua was from him but three degrees remoued bare rule in that foresayd coast descending to him by inheritance from his ancestors which is scituated betweene Verona Mantua Brescia not far from the lake Benaco And his wyfe Martha being descended from the principall familyes amongst those of Turino had for her Father Baltazar Tanus extracted from the Lord Santenes and for her Mother one Anne from the auncient bloud of the Lords Roborci being a neere kinswomaÌ„ of Hierome Roboreus the Cardinall and that most reuerend Arch-bishop of Turino The marriage betweene these parents of B. Aloysius was celebrated in Spayne in a manner after this sort There liued in the Court of Philip the second the Catholike King this Marques Ferdinand in the same place Martha preuailed much in grace and authority amongst the principall women with Isabel Valots the Queene daughter to Henry the second the French King wife to the said Philip Vpon this occasion the Marques discouering those her excellent ornaments singular endowments of mind became desirous to gaine her for his wife Which when with mature deliberation he had determined he so brought to passe that both the King and Queene should be certified of
affections and he shewed by very pregnāt signes to be affectionately carrryed towards that glory whither his Fathers incouragement and example called him The refore it often fell out that medling both with other weapons and especially with peeces of ordinance he did much indanger himselfe had not God who reserued him to a more holy kind of life in a manner aboue the course of nature diuerted him Surely of this a testimony was giuen when once in shooting off a small gunne he fouly besmeared all his face with the hoat-burning steame of the powder Another tyme when in the summer the Marques about noone-tyde tooke his repose he which you would wonder at in one of so small age hauing no ones helpe thereunto casting certaine powder which he had gathered out of the souldiers purses whilst they tooke their none-sleepe into a litle peece of ordinance which stood before the Castle-walls and putting fire therto escaped very narrowly frō being ouerthrown with the violent recoyling of the carriagewheeles flying backward The Marques being roused with the suddaine noise fearing least some mutiny had byn risen amongst the souldiers sent one to discouer what vnwonted insolency this was When he had vnderstood the whole matter he would haue corrected his sonne had not the souldiers who were very much delighted with the great-vndertaking spirit of the child begged his pardon These and other preseruations of the like kind he was wont after when he liued amongst religious persons often to recount as testimonies of the singular goodnesse of Almighty God towardes him by whose assistance he had escaped so great dangers Neyther as then was he quite voyd of scruple for that litle powder which he had so purloyned from the Souldiers had he not extenuated it with that comfortable opinion that the Souldiers would most willingly haue bestowed it vpon him if he had asked it of them The Marques being to go with his forces to Tunis sendeth back Aloysius to Castilion where he continued the same course of lyfe which he vndertooke at Cassall And as for the most part these common souldiers are giuen to licentious and dishonest speaches he likewise by consorting with them had learned some such like kind of talke which he not knowing the meaning thereof did sometymes vtter as afterward he gaue account to F. Hierome Platus when he inquired of him his whole course of life which he lead in the world being now consecrated to Religion This when vpon a certaine tyme Peter-Francis Turctus had vnderstanding of who as we haue said before was Tutour to him in his childhood he did so vehemently inueigh agaynst it that as the selfe same Tutour after affirmed vnto me he neuer after was obserued to vtter any other then honest and decent speaches Yea and more then that when afterward he heard any one speaking debausly he would straight way with a modest coūtenance with his eyes cast downe to the ground or turned some other way eyther seeme to diuert his mynd or signify that the words were troublesome to him to heare Wherby we may vnderstand that he would neuer haue vsed these kind of speaches if he had first knowne what their meaning had beene But in the whole course of Aloysius his life I find no sinne committed by him which was more culpable then were these wordes pronoūced by him being a very child and ignorant what the things signifyed by thē should be Which so soone as he vnderstood that they were vitious and disgracefull to his degree calling so great a shamefastnes ceased vpon him as he afterward acknowledged that he could scarcely persuade himselfe to vnfould them to the Priest that was inquisitour of his Conscience Neyther truly did the penitency of this fault which seemed so great vnto him euer forsake him during his life And as he had committed nothing worse that his cōscience accused him of so after he came into Religion to the intent that for the ouercōming and vilifying of himselfe he might shew himselfe guilty of frailty from his very child-hood he would often recount to certaine of his familiar friendes these kind of passages It is not vnlike that God vpon set purpose suffered this kind of blemish to stick close by him that whilst he thought that to be a fault in himselfe which in respect of the ignorance of his childish age and of the thing it selfe is more probable was none in the middest of so many heauenly guifts and vertues with the which his mind was afterward enriched from God he might haue some matter of humiliation and that as S. Gregory wrot of S. Benedict quem in ingressu mundi posuerat retraheret pedem That he might pull back that foote which he had newly set into the world CHAP. IV. How he behaued himselfe from the seauenth till the eight yeare of his age BVt when he attained the seauenth yeare of his age which seemeth vnto Aristotle the holy Doctours to be ripe for reasonable discourse and euen for vertue or vice he conuerted himselfe with so much feruour to the seruice of God and did so wholy consecrate himselfe vnto him that he was wont afterward to call that the time of his conuersion He could therfore to those fathers who were the reformers of his life vnto whome he vnfoulded the secret of his hart that he esteemed this amongst one of the most especial benefits of Almighty God towards him that from the very seauenth yeare of his age he was conuerted to God from the loue of the world Now with what an assistance of celestiall guifts euen now from the first tyme that he began to haue the vse of reason Almighty God did eyther preuent or second all his endeauours may be manifest heerby in so much as foure Priests who in diuers places and at diuers tymes tooke his Confessions euen those which contained the discouery of his whole life both before and after his entrance into the Society and amongst these Robert Bellarmine that most illustrious Cardinall who at his death heard the confession of his whole life all of them allthough ignorant of ech others testimony did with one consent set downe in writing that he neuer committed so much as one deadly sinne or lost the grace of God which he obtayned in Baptisme The which thing is so much the more to be admired for that he passed the most vnstable part of his age not in Monasteries and sacred Cloisters of Religious men in which in respect of the small occasions of sinne or the supply of so great company of men deuoted to God both for holy conuersation and the help of ones mind it is a great deale easier to preserue the grace of God then in a vulgar course of liberty but he euen from his very cradle beganne to cōuerse in Princes courts For besides that time in which he was borne bred vp in his Fathers house he spent many yeares after with the Duke of Florence the Duke of Mantua and the King of
of the Marquesate and the gouernement of his Country But Aloysius ouercharged this man with so great waight of arguments that he forsaking the embassy of the Father begā to negotiate for the sonne and indeauoured to make proofe vnto the Marques that his mind had a peculiar instinct from God to giue ouer the thinges of the world And he conceaued so extraordinary an opiniō afterward of Aloysius when he made him partaker of his secrets that he neuer after made any end of extolling his sanctity But the Marques rested not yet satisfied with all that industry with which he had oppugned his sonne and therefore he most earnestly intreated a certaine Religious man a speciall friend of his who at that time flourished with the fame of a very eloquent preacher afterward being made a prelate ouer a certaine Church died in that function that for his fake setting vpon his sonne with all his forces he would discourage him from that his enterprise He not so much of his owne will as that he durst not shift of the commaund of the Marques vndertaking that taske performed it with as much mastery of eloquence as he could But truly he lost his labour Therfore when afterward he commended the constancy of this young man to a certaine Cardinall of of principall name he vsed in a manner these words They imposed vpon me the performance of the Diuels taske with this younge man That being necessitated I vndertooke with as much wit and industry as I could but I preuailed nothing at all he standeth vnmoueable vnshaken he cannot be penetrated CHAP. XXIII The Marques strongly opposeth the vocation of his sonne at last he yieldeth THE Marques finding that the mind of Aloysius was no whit at all moued with so many encounters wheras being sicke of the goute he kept his bed to make triall of him sending for him asketh him what now at last his mind was he truly answered reuerently and yet positiuely that he both is and alwayes was of a mind to serue God in that course of Religiō that he had spoken of With this answere the Marques being vehemently enraged with a menacing coutenance and bitter words bid him auoyd out of his presence Aloysius interpreting this rebuke as a commaund departed to the Monastery of Saint Mary inhabited by the Franciscan Brothers commonly called the Socculanti one mile from Castilion This Monastery is seated by a delicate pleasant Lake that taketh its beginning from certaine waters which sliding down from those faire hils are restrained with artificiall banckes being built in that place which in times past to haue bene of great esteeme euē these things giue testimony to wit both certaine vaults adorned with anciēt checker-worke and also certaine springs of holsome waters which in like māner with old work running through their channels vnder-ground and about that house which for the retirement of himselfe and his children was built by Marques Ferdinand discouer themselues breake forth into a most pleasant well Into this house did Aloysius withdraw himselfe whither when he had commaunded his bed his bookes other necessaries of his chamber to be carried he set down vnto himselfe a course of life far remote from the eyes of men by often disciplining himselfe and spending all his time in prayer whilst that in the meane while no man durst intimate these thinges to the Marques least he should be moued to further anger Within some few dayes after the Marques who yet by reasō of the goute kept his bed asked what became of Aloysius So soone as he knew that he remained in this Monastery which I spake of before straight way commaundeth him to be recalled and sending for him into his chamber sets vpon him with many sharpe speaches and reprehendeth him that without his commaund to the intent that as he said he might prouoke him with greater contempt he was so bold as to go out of his house But Aloysius quietly and submissiuely answered that he verily went thither for that he thought himselfe therin to be obedient to his commaund wherby he charged him to auoyd out of his presence The Marques proceeded in casting forth diuers terrible and threatning words against him and in fine commaunded him to betake himselfe to his owne lodgings then said Aloysius Quia sic iubes vado Because you so cōcommaund I goe Entring into his chamber shutting the doores before a picture of Christ crucified he becōmeth an humble suppliant vnto Almighty God and there whilst he imploreth of him a constant and couragious mind in such aduersity his teares flow plentifully And with daily whipping of himselfe he secondeth his teares In the meane-while the Marques in whose brest the naturall loue of his sonne made warre against his consciēce for so much as he both feared to offer violence to the will of God neither yet could he so far get the conquest ouer himselfe as to be depriued of so deere and vertuous a sonne fearing least he had contristated him too much with so sharpe a chiding somewhat relenting for that which he had done sending for the Lieutenāt of the towne who then wayted in the outward Hall commandeth him to go see what Aloysius doth He in the entry of his chamber found his Chamberlayne who could vnto this man that Aloysius shutting the doores forbad them to trouble him But the Lieutenant when he said that he had order giuen him from the Marques that he should obserue what he was doing commeth to the doore and finding himselfe shut forth he boreth the same somwhat with his poyniard betweene the chinkes From hence doth he behould Aloysius with his backe all naked kneeling with his knees all bare before a Crucifix weeping and rigorously scourging himselfe The Lieutenant being moued with this spectacle and melting with a certaine sense of piety with his cheekes all bedewed with teares returneth to the Marques and said that he would neuer go about to recal Aloysius from Religion vnto which he was resolued to dedicate himselfe if he did but behould what thing he was in doing At last being asked what it was that he had seene and why he wept so he answered that verily he had seene those thinges which no man could behould without weeping and withall he relateth the whole matter to the Marques being all astonished and scarcely giuing credit to that which the man spake The day after at the same houre vpon set purpose being certified what he was doing he commaundeth himselfe to be carried in a chaire to his chamber which was built vpon the same floore with his and through a certaine hole which was already open he saw his sonne againe weeping and executing voluntary punishment vpon himselfe The behoulding of this thing did so mooue the Marques that he stood there for a certaine time transfixed with astonishment and as it were in an extasy But afterward seeming to take no knowledge of that which had passed he causeth a noyse to be made
precepts of piety his Brothers being euen then of tender yeares and to teach thē the manner of praying which that they might do the more willingly he rewarded them after their prayers with sugar-junkets cherished them with other blandishmēts But of all his brothers Francis seemed alwais to be most dearey vnto him who at this day is the Marques of Castilion in which principality he succeeded his brother Rodulfus the third day of Ianuary in the yeare of Christ 1593. towards whom that loue of Aloysius was caused eyther for that he being now of an age capable of discipline shewed forth signes of a certaine quiet setled iudgment or for that he presaged in his mynd as some suppose how great a safeguard and ornament he should become to his whole family dominion For his mother was wont to recoūt that she on a time heared Francis being a very little boy pratling and festing with her foot boyes and that 〈◊〉 and being stroken with feare she looked out of the doore and with all sayd vnto Aloysius that she did much feare he all they should hurt that child that then Aloysius did answere Ne dubita Domina matter quin Francisco ad so tuendum satis sit futurum animi quanimo demitte in animum quod aico Francisous demum erit qui Familiam nostram suslentabit Doubt not Lady-Mother but that Francis will haue courage inough to defend himselfe yea which is more remember well that which I say Francis at last shall be he who shall sustaine our Family The Marques his wife laid vp these words in her mind vnto which how punctually the euent was answerable no man can be ignorant who hath but heard by relation how prudently he behaued himselfe in those former tragedies with which his family was perplexed behouldeth the now flourishing estate into which by him it is restored Furthermore for the predictions of things to come Franciscus Turcius his Tutour is a sufficient witnes that Aloysius whilst he yet continued in the world did vnto diuers of his followers prophesy many things which fell out altogether as he said CHAP. XXIX Another hinderance and delay of the Marques NOw some dayes had passed during which time the Marques made no metion of Aloysius his cause so as he being very desirous to dispatch the busines determineth to grow very earnest Therfore taking a conuenient time with befitting words he aduertiseth the Marques that it was now high time to put in execution that which he had designed in his mind Here the Marques perceiuing a necessity to be imposed vpon him either of granting or denying what he requested deeply smothering his inward griefe denieth that euer he gaue this leaue and moreouer that he would not giue it til his iudgment had arriued to more maturity and that himselfe for performance therof was of a more confirmed age such as is wont to be about the age of fiue twenty yeares Aloysius being astonished at so vnlooked-for an answere beginneth with praiers and lamentation to beseech the Marques by that loue which he oweth to God to suffer himselfe to be preuailed with all in that which was both equity iustice But when as he being stil more obstinate precisely denyeth to giue way to his intreatyes and in these difficult affaires taketh time to consult full of griefe he betaketh himself to his chamber to weep He then tooke this time to commend the matter to God to aske Counsell thereof by his letters of Fa. Generall but the Marques maketh such hast to vexe and oppresse him that wheras he was not able to stay for the Generals opinion he chose that which seemed to be lesser of two euils The summe of his answere was this That although nothing in this life could fall out vnto him more bitter nothing more opposite to the quiet of his mind then this delay and hindrance of that seruice which he desired to exhibite to God in Religion notwithstanding to the intent that he might be obedient to his Father vnto whome he was of his owne disposition very desirous to be conformable in whatsoeuer thinges he lawfully might and in this very cause according to the commaund of Fa. Generall he ought to be as far forth as might stand with his filiall duty without offence to God that vpon two conditions he would suffer himselfe to be delayed from his purpose two or three yeares And that if one of these two might not be admitted that he would neuer be persuaded for the obtaining of his Fathers fauour to incurre the displeasure of God and that if he should be reiected by the Fathers of the Society he had rather against his Fathers will to wander as a banished man all the world ouer then to depart in the least degree from the square of a good conscience The conditions were these The one was that all that time wherin his entrance into Religion should be deferred he might reside at Rome where he might both more commodiously haue recourse to Fa. Generall and apply his study in learning The other was that the Marques would now send letters to Fa. Generall by which he wold giue leaue that his sonne that time being past might be admitted into the Society to wit that after this there might remaine no difficulty These conditions being heard which the Marques perceaued to be aduerse to his driftes becomming more angry when for two whole dayes he had obstinately refused to promise the sending him vpon any certaine time or to do any thing else at last being ouercome with Aloysius his constancy whose demaund he saw to be no other then iust and vnlesse he should vndergoe some other course more opposite to his liking he feared to exasperate him too much suffering himselfe to be persuaded he vndertooke to performe all his requests Aloysius immediately certifieth Father Generall of the whole businesse relating the conditions which in that couenant with his Father he had obserued and with those very wordes he concludes his epistle which might serue for an argument how much griefe he conceaued for the deserring of this so wished-for a matter During that time this holy young man euen grew-old with griefe and with many teares deplored this as he called it his sinister fortune that he was borne in so Illustrious a degree that truly the principall amongst his other brothers And contrariwise he had a holy Enuy against those who being extracted from more obscure parentage were freed from these impediments which against their wils would driue them from the entrance into Religion But verily that good God who is wont to be a comfort to them that mourne to looke with pitty vpon them that inuocate him out of their calamity cutting-off at one blow beyond the expectatiō of all men whatsoeuer impediments stood betweene Aloysius and the enioying of his desires in an instant wiped away all griefe from his afflicted mind For after they began to treat of his manner of liuing at
of sadnesse being driuen away God who to the intent that he might trye him and inflame him with a greater desire of him had for a litle while hidden himselfe shone forth againe vpon his mind and restored vnto him his accustomed peace and tranquility At another time the Diuell that he might discourage his mind and deiect him suggested this cogitation And what I pray you will the Society do with you He straightway perceauing that he was solicited by the Diuell made head against him and within the space of halfe an houre obtained the victory He affirmed afterward that in all the time of his Nouiship he was only tempted these two times Therfor after this his mind was alwayes peaceable quiet What wonder soaring aloft aboue all human chauÌ„ces he assigned all to the Diuine prouidence by which he seemed to aspire to that place where he is now not to be shaken with any perturbation CHAP. III. His constancy of mind in the death of his Father the Marques THIS did he sufficiently discouer to the messenger that brought him newes of his Fathers death the Marques Ferdinand who dyed six weekes after his entrance into the Society At the hearing wherof he was no more moued then if it had nothing at all coÌ„cerned him Therfore the self-same day at the persuasion of others being willed to coÌ„fort his mother by letters in such sort he began them that he gaue thaÌ„kes to God for that herafter there was no other cause but that he might say Pater noster qui es in celis Our Father which art in Heauen This seemed very strang vnto all and especially vnto them who knew very well the entire loue affection obseruance which Aloysius bare towards his Father which was so great that abstracting from God and celestiall thinges he denied any thing vpon earth to be more deere vnto him Verily he himselfe confessed that his Fathers death considered of it selfe could not but be a great griefe vnto him but so soone as he remeÌ„bred that it fell out according to the will of God it was impossible that that should seeme troublesome to him which was his pleasure And this is which before I said that he was higher then all Fortune for so much as he wholy depended vpon the will of God This same so suddaine end of his Father gaue Aloysius cause to take notice of that extraordinary loue singular care that Almighty God had of him For if the Marques had died two or three moneths sooner then that time of his abdicating his riches or that his entrance into Religion had bene deferred but for three moneths it might well haue bene feared that either F. Generall supposing that that family ought not to be depriued of so commodious a head for the gouerning of its affaires would haue deserred the acceptance of him or that they of that Prouince according to their inflamed loue towards him would haue attempted the with-houlding him by force or at least that he himselfe fearing to commit this dominion to his yonger brother being but euen theÌ„a very child would haue thought it better rather for some litle time to apply himselfe to the administration therof But what euent that matter would haue had that doubtlesse is best knowne to God Now it was his pleasure who had made choice of him after that being deliuered out of the shackles of fortune he had placed him in Religion then at last to call vnto him the Marques his Father Neither did the same prouidence of God shew it selfe lesse obscure towards the Marques himselfe For wheras he in his youth was much renowned in the war for his seruice vpon horse backe and had spent all his time in purchasing to him and his the honours pomps of this world so soone as Aloysius had now betaken himselfe to Religion he made such a vertuous alteratioÌ„ in his manners and with so feruent zeale applied himselfe to matter of piety that he became euen a miracle to all his acquaintance He vtterly abandoned his gaming to which heeretofore he was too much giuen And euery day at euening when he had commaunded to be brought vnto his bed-side wherin he say sicke of the goute that picture of Christ crucified which Aloysius had left behind him before the same togeather with Ghisonius whome hauing bene of late Aloysius his ChaÌ„berlaine he kept with him he recited the seauen penitentiall Psalmes the Litanies Vnto which he sent for his wife children and commaunded to answere In his prayer so extreeemely did he weepe with such deepe sobs and groanes that it was an abundant testimony of that penitentiall ardour with which his mind was inflamed At last imbracing the crucifix and often knocking his brest with teares he prayed in this manner Miserere Domine Domine peccaui miserere mei Mercy O Lord O Lord I haue offended haue mercy vpon me And being astonished at this his vnusuall promptnesse of weeping at last he said Non ignoro vnde hae lachrymae fluant sunt hi Aloysii fructus Aloysius à Deo Opt. Maximo vt hoc salutari dolore cor mihi suffigeret impetrauit I am not ignorant from whence these teares flow they are my Aloysius his fruites Aloysius hath obtained of my good and mighty God to transfixe my hart with this holsome griefe After this he carefully and contritely after the manner of a good Christian confessed all the sinnes of his former life to Ludouicus Cataneus the Priest lately returned from Rome whither he had accompanied Aloysius being carried to the Church of the Virgin-mother at Mantua as the selfe-same Ludonicus the priest recouÌ„ted vnto me Neither did this feruent mind of his euer after decline But so soone as he perceaued his disease dayly to increase he commaunded himselfe to be carried to Millan to trie there whether any remedy could be giuen by the Phisitians to his malady Neuerthelesse within a few dayes he drew neere his last end Therfore wheras F. Francis Gonzaga being euen them Generall of his order by chaunce liued at Miâ—lan came vpon a certaine day when he was in great danger to visit him giue him warning of his death which now neere approached he himselfe easily suspecting what he would haue him to do at that time of his owne accord requested that he would send vnto him some one of his order whome he thought most fitte to heare his confession He sent one he was coÌ„fessed The day following the Generall returning exhorts him to make his will he made it and setting all thinges in order which were needfull he coÌ„forted herin his lamenting friends for that he said there was more cause to reioyce that it pleased God then to coÌ„maund him out of this life when he was so wel minded He departed this mortall life on the Ides of February the yeare 1586. His body as he had commaunded being brought to Mantua was buried there in S. Francis Church Aloysius being by the Generall Gonzaga of whome
others according to the saying of the wise man Quanto maior es humilia te in omnibus coram Deo inuenies gratiam Eccl. 3. The greater thou art humble thy selfe in all thinges and thou shalt find grace before God 3. How much the lesse a man shall make himselfe then others so much the greater shall he be made because how much the humbler euery one is so much the liker and more allied he is vnto Christ who is superiour vnto all Which if it be so Christians and spirituall men should not contend for any precedence or prerogatiue of honour but rather for the last place for he that armeth at the first place vpon earth shall find himselfe disgraced in heauen Let vs not therfore endeauour to seeme greater then others but rather let vs make our selues inferiour to all for he is neuer awhit the iuster or the better who is more honourable but rather how much the more iust a man is so much the more honour is he worthy of 4. If so much reuerence be to be exhibited to the Angell-keepers that as our Lord recommendeth it vnto vs for their respect we ought not to contemne one of these little ones And in like manner the Apostle counselled women that they should couer their heads least perhaps they might with their vanity or indecency offend those Angels that were desirous of the helping forward of humane saluation how much more ought we to be wary least by iniury or some other more grieuous hurt we offend our neighbours for by offeding them we offend their Angels who as the friendes and inward domesticalls of God will require reuenge against vs and without all doubt obtaine it 5. And if the Angels imploy so great care and industry in the custody of men and yet notwithstanding cease not from beholding the face of their heauenly Father â—or are estranged from Diuine loue for the care and solicitude with which they are moued in our behalfe is subordinate to that loue and vndertaken by them for the loue of God so pious spirituall men whilst they are interessed in externall cares and occupations ought to procure that they may not only be any impediment to their internall exercises but euen help them forward to spirituall fruite and the contemplation of Diuine matters Which shall come to passe when according to the example of the holy Angels they shall effect that the externall actions may proceed and take their efficacy from the internal that is to say that they may be vndertaken for no other end then for the pure loue of God 6. They who take the care to bring men to Pennance ought neuer to desist from their enterprise out of tediousnesse of labour or for that they feare this labour shall not haue that wished successe in them whom they are willing to yield this spirituall help vnto as the Angel-keepers haue taught vs by this example who neuer forsake the care or custody of sinners yea they do not forsake them although from God they haue it reuealed vnto them that they ouer whome they haue that charge shall neuer be conuerted Wherfore they do not cease as long as they are in this life in state that they may returne to God by Pennance to excite theÌ„ to amedment Seneca a Pagan Philosopher writing to a certaine friend of his admonisheth him that if in his actions speaches he wold not depart from a right decorum that he shold alwayes imagine there was present with him Cato as his seuere censurer Of which document much more wee Christians ought to make vse and to imagine that in all our actions our good Angel-keepers are alwayes present as our seuere censurers to the end that this cogitatioÌ„ may make vs mindfull of our selues and that we may carefully waigh whatsoeuer we wold say or do for if we shall doe otherwise we may iustly feare least they that are now our aduocates with God may afterward at the day of iudgment become our accusers FINIS A TABLE Of the Chapters THE FIRST BOOKE CHap. I. Of his Linage pag. 1. Chap. II. Of his Natiuity pag. 5. Chap III. Of his Education till the seauenth yearâ— of his Age. pag. 10. Chap. IV. How he behaued himselfe from the sâ—aâ—enâ—h till the eight yeare of his age pa. 16. Chap. V. He is brought by his Father to Florence to apply his studies pag. 21. Chap. VI. He voweth to God his virginity in his childhood and flyeth the company of women pag. 25. Chap. VII At Florence he maketh great progresse in a more holy course of life pag. 31. Chap. VIII Being recalled backe to Mantua he determineth to renounce the Marquesate and to lead an Ecclesiastic all life pag. 35. Chap. IX Returning to Castilion he obtaynes from God an excellent hability in mentall prayer pag. 38. Chap. X. The beginning of his loue 〈◊〉 the Society of IESVS and of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 soules pag. 〈◊〉 Chap. XI By the exhortation of Cardiâ—all Borromeus he beginneth to frequent the sacred mysteries pag. 45. Chap. XII Going to Monte-Ferrato he vndergoeth a great hazard of his life there he conuorseth with Religious men pag. 50. Chap. XIII He giueth his mind to Religion pag. 54. Chap. XIV Being returned to Castilion with his Father he leadeth his life in great austerity being very much addicted to Prayer pa. 61. Chap. XV. By Gods assistance he escapeâ—â— burning His confidence in God conteâ—â—t of the world pag. 6â— Chap. XVI The testimony of the R. Fa. Claudius Finus Doctour of Diuinity of the Orâ—â—â— of S. Dominicke of the sanctity of Aloysius pag. 7â— Chap. XVII He goeth with the Marques into Spayne and is made Page of Honour 〈◊〉 Iames the Prince And of the life which hâ— lead in that Court pag. 76. Chap. XVIII He determineth to enter into the Society of IESVS pag. 85. Chap. XIX For foure causes he made choâ—â—â— of the Society of IESVS pag. 90. Chap. XX. He discloseth his vocation vnto his Confessarius and after to his Mother and his Father pag. 93. Chap. XXI He returneth into Italy â—eeteth by way of Complement with all tâ—â—â—riâ—ces therof pag. 102. Chap. XXII His purpose is oppugned by diuers 〈◊〉 pag. 108. Chap. XXIII The Marques strongly opposeth the vocation of his sonne at last he yieldeth pag. 113. Chap. XXIV Aloysius â—rgeth the renuntiation of the Marquesate pag. 118. Chap. XXV He is sent to Millane for thâ— dispatch of certaine businesse and what th 〈…〉 ges were done there pag. 120. Chap. XXVI The Marques oppugueth hiâ— with new practises pag. 126. Chap. XXVII Blessed Aloysius going first to Mantua retireth himselfe to the spirituaâ—â— Exercises pag. 134. Chap. XXVIII Aloysius being returned to Castilion maketh earnest suite to haue leaue to enter into Religion His course of life there pag. 139. Chap. XXIX Another hinderance and delay of the Marques pag. 143. Chap. XXX He mitigateth and â—â—ercâ—â—eâ—â— the mind of his Father with a vehement protestation pag. 146. Chap. XXXI