priuy to that most high secret of his Incarnation did first of all publish it to the world This is that gracious Para-nymph who was mediatour betweene that most high God and this poore humble Virgin of Nazareth betweene the Eternall word and our humane Nature Now the better to vnderstand the dignity of this Archangell consider seuerally the offices committed by our Lord vnto him And first of all as some holy men affirme it may piously be belieued that he was particularly assigned to the Blessed Virgin as her gardian And as God had no other pure creature neither in heauen nor earth that was more noble or did more feruently loue him then the Blessed Virgin Mary so you may imagine that as the Princes of this world are wont to commit those thinges that are most deare vnto themselues to the custody of those Courtiers that are most faythfull and most addicted vnto them euen so in that celestiall Court this glorious Angell Gabriell was worthily accounted with the King of heauen amongst his best and deerest Consider moreouer an other office of this Blessed Angell which was to be a Legate sent from the most holy Trinity about a supreme businesse and of the greatest moment that may be to wit about the incarnation of the only begotten sonne of God and the redemption and saluation of the whole world Therfore very well befitteth him the name of Gabriel a name full of mystery which is by interpretation Vir Deus Man God for he denounced vnto the world Christ who was to be both God and man Furthermore this name of Gabriel more properly is as much as to say Fortitudo Dei the fortitude of God and this to notify that mystery which he denounced to the world that is to say a most strong and triple cord to wit the most strict vnion of the Diuine nature with the most holy body and soule of Christ in one hypostasis and person of the eternall word as it is written â—uniculus triplex difficile rumpitur Eccl. 4. a threefould cord is hardly broken He is called also Fortitudo Dei the fortitude of God because by the benefit of his Embassy he communicated vnto vs the diuine fortitude in this that God togeather with humane nature tooke vpon him likewise our imbecility WherupoÌ„ men through the benefit of this fortitude became so valiant and couragious that they did many things which exceeded all naturall fortitude and humane strength O Angell truly valiant for so much as by thy Embassage thou didest bring vnto men not only Diuine strength but euen Goâ— himselfe the most potent aboue all others who taking away the spoiles and putting to flight that strong armed Monster who so long a time had cruelly tyranized ouer vs rescewed vs out of seruitude restored vs to the liberty of the Children of God Oâ— S. RAPHAEL THE ANGELL Also of our Angell Guardian IT remaineth now after that we haue considered the zeale and illustrious facts of the Prince Michaell and the mysticall fortitude of the Archangell Gabriell that we consider likewise the officious charity of the Angell Raphael who for so much as he is as he himselfe witnesseth one of those seauen spirits which do continually assist in the fight of God it is probable that he is one of the principall Angells of Paradise And after this we will coÌ„sider the many benefits which euery one receaueth from his Angell-keeper both in his body and his soule For this glorious Raphael both in respect of his name and the offices of mercy which he performed to both the Tobies the elder and the younger was alltogether an expresse figure of those things which our Angell-keepers do toward vs. And first of all most fitly is the name of Raphael appropriated vnto him which is by interpretation Medicina Dei the Medicine of God of the effect of that so spirituall a medicine which he gaue to the younger Poby as also of that corporall one wherby he restored vnto the elder Toby his sight And doth not thy Angell-keeper performe the same office towards thee both of a corporall and spirituall Phisitian as shall be spoken of herafter Wherfore that thou maiest the better vnderstand the same consider that there are three states of humane life The first is that in which a man liueth whilst he is yet iâ— his mothers wombe The second is from thâ— time of his natiuity euen til his death the particular iudgment of his soule The third is that which a man remaineth in after his death Therfore in euery one of these states contemplate all those peculiar offices which thy Angell-keeper exerciseth towards thee conformable to all those actions of the Angell Raphael As concerning the first state the Scripture recounteth that the elder Toby when he was determined to send his sonne into a remote Countrey he was solicitous how he might commit vnto him a fay thfull companion And behold before this good yong man departed from his Fathers house an Angell sent from God offered himselfe in humane shape as a companion and likewise a guide in his whole iourny O immense charity and more then Fatherly care of our benigne creatour who before thou didest issue out of thy motherâ— wombe before thou hadst any notice of thy enemies or the perils hanging ouer thy head gaue commaund to one of his blessed spirits who alwayes behold his diuine face and to that selfe same whome first he deputed as keeper to thy mother that he should take thee into his charge should begin in that tender state when thou wert subiect to many daÌ„gers to preserue thee togeather with thy mother to the intent that without any impediment thou mightest securely arriue to the grace of baptisme and be enrowled in the number of the Children of God But what speake I heere of that care and memory that God had of thee when thou wert but yet in thy mothers wombe yea from all eternity before he had created either the Angels or any thing else when as yet the Abysses were not the foundations neyther of heauen nor earth as yet placed then euen then O miserable man was he mindfull of thee and solicitous about thy saluation And although from all eternity he foreâ—aw thy vnworthinesse and ingratitude neuerthelesse out of his meere goodnesse without any precedent merit of thine he did not only determine to affoard thee all that assistance but euen to bestow vpoÌ„ thee all those benefits which hitherto from the very first moment of thy conception thou hast receaued and moreouer that which at the last thou art to receaue which is the greatest of all other to wit thy eternall beatitude Moreouer as concerning the second state of thy life when thou camest forth into the light of this life the sacred Scripture addeth First euen as the Angell Raphael going together with Toby out of the house of his Father promised that he would be vnto him a faythfull companion throughout all his iourny and that he would
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
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
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
his Lord burning with most ardent zeale exclamed saying Quis vt Deus Quis vt Deus That is to say Who is so bold who so powerfull that he should dare to compare himselfe with God as if he should haue said there is neither in heauen nor in the whole vniuerse any Creature like vnto our God O most puissant Michaell most truly worthy of this name blessed be thou among all Angels and worthy of all prayse and honour among men who wast so zealous and faythfull in redeeming the glory of God This glorious Archangell was by God not only in the triumphant but euen in the militant Church endowed with many priuileges For first in the old Law he was made the Protectour and keeper of the Synagogue and in the new the Prince and defendâ—r of the Church of God This is that powerfull leader and captaine whose braue courage fidelity the whole army of the good Angels following opposed themselues to the boldnesse of that virulent Serpent and bruzing his head obtayned the victory and threw him headlong downe from heauen with all his confederates Moreouer how often soeuer there was need of celestiall aide that it was requisite to fight for the safety of the faythfull people victorious Michaell was alwayes ready at hand For he in Aegypt fought for the people of God when by many signes and miracles they were deliuered out of the seruitude of Pharao He it was who in that terrible night strocke all the first borne of Aegypt He it was who for forty yeares togeather going before the people of Israel as their guide and Captaine drowned in the Red sea the army of Pharao pursuing them afterward killed and defeated so many nations and armies that stood against them finally brought them safe and found into that Land promised by God Likewise after the death of Moyses when the crafty diuell went about to induce the people of God out of their respect to his sacred body to idolatry this couragious Archangell with an ardent zeale of the honour of God and the safety of his people stoutly opposed himselfe against him and put him to flight To conclude he it was that gaue his helping hand to the people of Israel when they were lead captiue into Babylon and the time of their captiuity being expired remoued from them all impediments of their liberty And although in some places and actions the name of Michael is not alwayes expressed sed yet for so much as he was appointed by God as a Protectour and Keeper ouer his people it may certainely be beliued that he himselfe or at least some other Angels by commission from him did assist them Moreouer this glorious Archangell beside that generall protection which he vndertaketh of holy Church hath also a speciall function deputed vnto him to receaue all the soules of the iust who depart out of this life into the other and deliuering them from the deceits and oppositions of the diuels to present them before the tribunall of Christ that they may receaue their reward giuen them from God in respect of their merits Moreouer in the end and consummation of this world this most puissant Archangell shall appeare and combate with Antichrist who by fayned miracles shall endeauour to peruert the faythfull that he may defend the Church of God against that terrible persecution And after that he hath obtained the victory and bound the Prince of darknesse in the pit of the infernall abisâ—e this selfe same Archangell shall sound that dreadfull trumpet at the sound wherof all the dead shall arise and appeare before that eternall Iudge to heare their last sentence where the iust shall be adiudged to eternall glory and the sinners to perpetuall punishments Then shall there be no further time nor place for mercy or grace but only for the most seuere iustice of God and all by the iust iudgment of God shall be adiudged to that place which euery one whilst he liued in this world deserued O inuincible Prince faythfull gardian of the Church of God of faythfull soules who allwayes with so great charity zeale hast bene present at so many battells obtained so many victories against thy enemies not with intent to gaine any fame or estimation to thy selfe as is the custome of the Captaines of this world but to preserue and maintaine that honour and glory which we all owe vnto God and next to further the saluation of mankind come I beseech thee and help my soule which continually so much to her danger is impugned with her enemies the world the flesh the diuell and as thou wast a guide to the people of Israel through the desert so also vouchsafe to be a happy guide companion vnto me through the desert of this world til that thouâ— hast brought me to that happy land of the liuing to that blessed Country from which we are all banished O my soule I pray God that when that last houre of thy departure shall ariue that houre so full of danger and terrour when thou shalt be compelled to forsake this body of mine so much of thee beloued all alone to passe that narrow gate of death through so many hideous armies of those infernall dragons thy capitall enemies who will coÌ„passe thee about roring like so many hungry Lyons ready to snatch at thee and deuoure thee I pray God I say that at that very moment this victorious Archangell as he hath bene alwayes ready in all dangers of faythfull soules may also vouchsafe to assist thee with his honourable garrison and fight for thee and bring to passe that vnder the strong shield of his protection thou maiest passe securely through the middest of thy enemies to thy celestiall Country And if he before that most seuere Iudge would vndertake thy patronage answering for thee by his prayers obtaining pardon for thy sinnes and finally taking thee vnder his victorious standard would bring thee to that holy and blessed light wherin he together with all the Angels and elected Children of the light doth shine in the euerlasting ioy and glory of their Creatour with how much solace ioy of hart wouldst thou depart out of this world OF S. GABRIEL ARCHANGELâ— Next to the glorious Prince Michael consider the dignity and excellency of the prerogatiues of the Archangell Gabriel who though in the Scriptures he be called an Angell we ought not therfore to thinke that he was of the lowest order of Angells who are peculiarly sent for the help and ministery of men but that he was aboue those Angells to wit an Archangell and amongst the Archangells one of the principall For as the mystery of the Annuntiation for which he came was not common but the most excellent and most worthy amongst all those which euer God did exhibit so ought we to thinke that this diuine legate was one of the most noblest contained in that Hierarchy This is the faythfull friend of the celestiall spouse who being made
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