I Stand in doubt to write what will seeme strange to many , and my Relation be taxed as too short , by those which saw it acted , and by others , which saw it not , too affectionate : but the synceritie of my intent is grounded on the meane , taken from a particular Confession which discouereth the greatnesse of the Action , and rarenesse of the Case . Don Rodrigo Calderon , late Marques of seuen Churches , Earle of Oliua , Captayne of the German Guard , a Knight of the Order of Saint Iames , and Comendador of Ocana , being imprisoned in his owne house with a strong Guard , hauing but the vse of one onely Chamber with little light ; after his Cause had beene in discussing two yeeres and a halfe , had sentence of death giuen against him , by the Lords of the Assembly , Don Francisco de Contreras ( now most worthy President of Castile ) Luis de Salzedo , and Don Diego del Corral . He had notice thereof by Lazaro de los Rios , a Register of the Processe , the fourteenth of Iuly 1621. To which he made answer , that he heard it . Then turning to a Crucifixe , he said ; God be blessed , whose will be in me fulfilled : which was like some other of his actions , both before and after ( which , to be short , I let passe in silence ) grounded on a vertuous Spirit , wholly exercised in spirituall books of deuotion , and full of Religion and Christian courage . From that time , vntill his death , which was three moneths after , hee neuer was vnclothed , nor came in bed . There was a Pallet by his bed side , with a leather couerlet , on which in the night hee rested a little , spending the most part of it in mentall Prayer , wherein he much profited by reading a Booke of the holy Mother Teresa of IESVS , to which hee was much affected , so that hee could repeate by memorie whole Pages thereof : as also out of a Booke of Prayers , composed by Father Molina ; and in spirituall Conferences had with the Religious , he cited to them these Books , or others such like . Hee daily read the liues of Saints in Flos Sanctorum , perswaded therevnto by Mother Teresa and Father Molina , of whom ( as he said ) he learned it . He made a generall Confession with Humilitie and Contrition , accompanied with many teares of tendernesse , witnessing the good preparation of his mind , for what was to come ; but to declare particulars , would make rather a Booke then a briefe Relation .

And I heard Friar Gabriel his Confessor say , who is Procurator Generall of the discalced Carmelites ( a religious person of venerable fame ) that during thirtie yeeres space , wherein he had beene a Physician for Soules , hee neuer experienced the like : for neither when the sentence of death was notified vnto him , or vpon any discomfort did he change countenance , or shed teare ; but when he remembred his sinnes , they fell like showres . O force of diuine loue ! which doth soften hearts not shaken with aduersitie , from whence proceedeth their Fortitude and Humilitie . Hee had conference with diuers Religious , and particularly with Friar Gregorie de Pedros , a Preacher to his Maiestie , whose great parts of learning and eloquence are alreadie blazond by fame , and need no report of mine . To him and his Confessor hee vnfolded his Conscience with Securitie and Satisfaction , not regarding Honour , or any other pretext , hauing so resigned vp his will to God , and his obedience to his Confessor . That humane feares wrought litle in him , without resoluing speedily what difficulties they proposed . How excellent hee was in this , his death will beare witnesse . He petitioned an appeale from his Iudgement , according as his Counsell aduised him : but his diligence in procuring his defence , neuer diuerted his minde from the consideration of his death , nor made him omit the exercises of a vertuous life . The Iudges did not admit his Appeale , but insisted on the execution of the sentence : whereof he hauing notice the first of October , answered ; I heare it , and turning to a Crucifixe , said : God be blessed , whose will be in me fulfilled . No impatient word was euer heard fall from him , for as his Soule grew daily nearer Heauen , so shewed hee most courage in most discomfort , not being sensible of earthly losses , but falling out of loue with them , the ioy of his Spirit flew a higher pitch , then the discontents of this World did reach vnto , so that on the day of his death ( had not his Confessor hindred it ) hee would haue proclaymed his sinnes in the street , as hee oft sought to doe in prison , if he had beene permitted . His Appeale being not admitted , and the Iudgement confirmed ; on Tuesday at midnight , Friar Pedro de la Concepcion , went to him with this newes , in place of his Confessor , who then was not well , who told him hee was to receiue his Viaticum on Wednesday . Hee found him quiet at his prayers , which hee vsed much , and receiued in them particular fauours from God . He demanded of him wherefore he came : hee answered , to spend the night with you . Falling to discourse of the miseries of this life , and of the happinesse of the other that is without end , hauing fit time , hee said to him : Who would not with a good will , exchange a life temporall for an eternall ? To which he answered . Alas , Father , would I had not this one , but a thousand liues to lose for Gods sake : then ( replied the Friar ) hee will come to you to morrow , and giue you the Pledge of his Grace , to receiue hereafter the Crowne of his Glorie . He then presently conceiuing wherefore he said so ; kneeled downe before a Crucifixe , and with great zeale of deuotion , said thrice : Thy will be done , O Lord ( vsing this resignation of mind in all his tribulations . ) Then rising vp , hee said , I haue something to doe ; and going behind the bed , he put on a shirt of haire , and a crosse with sharpe pricks of steele , which he ware about his necke , hauing ( for obedience to his Confessor ) put them off the day before , to mitigate his continuall penance , making his vertues more secure , by the secrecie wherewith hee practized them . This hee did on dayes of fasting , which was weekly , Wednesday , Friday , and Saterday , and in those of abstinence , not tasting any thing that might please him , yet so warily that those which attended him obserued it not . The rest of the night , he spent in spirituall Exercises . And when the Friar propounded to him , how God rewarded those that take benefit by afflictions , offering them in imitation of his most painefull Passion : hee answered . I pray God , Father , my sinnes cause mee not to lose so great Happinesse ; although , I assure you , I feele such comfort now , that if it would not seeme lightnesse in mee , I could laugh . Neither was his feare vnlike his hope ; affections which tyed him alike to God ; humilitie and acknowledgement of his owne miserie , accompanied the one ; and trust in Gods Mercy and Power , the other . On Wednesday morning , he disposed the affaires of his Soule by direction of his Confessor , and of Friar Gregorie de Pedrosa , whose assistance was of great comfort and profit to him . Then he went into the Chappell , wearing the white mantle of his Order , where his Confessor said Masse , and he Receiued , with great Faith and Loue of God : at which time , with a Spirit full of zeale , he said : O Lord , since thou commest to me to day , let me come to thee to morrow ; and comming to those wordes of consolation : In manus tuas Domine commendo Spiritum meum : hee added , Vitam & honorem meum . The Masse being ended where he Rcceiued , hee heard other foure , with such tranquilitie and deuotion , that he neuer sighed nor lamented , being thereat out of modestie ashamed , lest his deuotion should bee therefore accounted rather vaine-glorious , then vertuous : in this hee excelled , as his priuate Almes , giuen in the time of his better fortune , beare witnesse ; and the Religious , by whose hands they passed , can affirme . The Chappell , in which lyeth the body of the holy Mother Teresa of IESVS , in the Church of the Discalced Carmelites at Madrid , was part of his Almes , which hee desired to make more sumptuous , if his Order had permitted . Hee also built the Heremitage in the Desert de Batuccas , and caused two Masses to bee daily said in that which is neare to Pestrana . Hee said the Office of our Lady , and for the Soules departed , hauing continued it many yeeres . He was Confessed , and receiued in the Pascall Feasts , our Ladies , and the Apostles , and examined daily his conscience : which he vsed for these foure or fiue yeeres last past , to doe twice a day . Hee had thrice made his generall Confession before this last , which he ended on Saint Matthewes Eue , and Receiued the next day . In the prison he was confessed twice or thrice a weeke , after he might with leaue doe it . Hee passed the euening with his Confessor , and with Friar Gregorie de Pedrosa , in spirituall questions , so high , that it appeared , God was his Tutor , and the Schoole the Prison , as he said . In his Spirituall conference , these words escaped him : I wish I could giue a thousand liues for mine Enemies . His Confessor checked him for calling them Enemies ; whereat recalling himselfe , hee humbly demanded how hee should name them ? His Confessor told him , hee should make that Recognition for those which sought to hurt him , if any such were . He much esteemed this aduise , and fulfilled it . This night , Father Iohn de la Madre de Dios , companion to his Confessor , brought him a Memoriall of Bequests from the Religious of his Order , which were Prayers and Fastings . Hee was greatly comforted therewith , and humbly answered , that he hoped to see himselfe with God , and to beseech his diuine Maiestie to reward their great charitie . Giuing discreet satisfaction vnto all , and not leauing any thing by his neare approach to death vnperformed , that belonged to curtesie and vrbanitie , or vertuous policy . So that when some came to demand of him debts , no iust cause moouing them : he answered , If his estate were in himselfe , hee could dispose thereof as hee liked ; but being now in his Maiestie , he stood obliged to defend it , and make no declaration in preiudice of the true Owner , for those that vniustly sought to haue it . Talking with Father Iohn de la Madre de Dios , he said : My Father , Wife , Children , Estate and Honour , is taken from me , as to morrow shall bee my Life ; but that which onely grieueth mee , is , that I haue no more to lose for Gods sake ; the memory of the losse of these things did not trouble him , but the desire that his death might giue example to others so to liue , as to saue their Soules . O generous condition of a zealous Soule ! All loue seemed too little , compared with the greatnesse of the Obiect ; and light encreasing according to loue , discerned more clearely the vnlimited distance betweene humane power , and diuine Omnipotency . Being late in the night , hee was importuned by the Religious there present , to lye downe on his Pallet , which he did , holding a Crucifixe , and by him the Picture of the holy Mother Teresa of IESVS ; there he reposed a while , ouercome rather with contemplation then sleepe . Hee demanded of Friar Pedro de la Concepcion , if hee should receiue Extreame Vnction : who answered , That the Church vsed not to giue it to those that dyed so . Them ( said he ) since I cannot receiue this Sacrament , doe me the curtesie , to teach mee the Ceremonies thereof , to know them before I dye . The Friar tooke a Manual , and said the Prayers , Letanies , and Ceremonies , omitting the substance of the Sacrament . He gaue eare to all with humble attention and deuotion , not shunning , but seeking earnestly to prepare himselfe to dye , in the well performing whereof , he placed his greatest happinesse . Then hee continued in mentall Prayer , from fiue a clocke vntill sixe in the morning , with admirable recollection , for the which , afterward hee infinitely thanked God . Here let Contemplatiues , practized in prayer , consider the diuine Fauours shewed by this Repose , to a man that had the sword laid to his throat , whose threed of Life was euen spunne , the representation of Death securing the attention of his Spirit , who being vnloaded from the weight of this mortality , was vnited to its euerlasting Beginning : a thing so desired by those that treate with God , and onely effected by Death , and wished of him , as the meane to obtayne so glorious an End . That morning hee put off his haire shirt before his Confessor , modestly preuenting the publique inconuenience which might ensue , by what hee desired to haue secret . Then kneeling downe before diuers graue Religious persons , he read a protestation of Faith , which himselfe had made . In it was contayned , a quintessence of inward zeale , vttered in wordes , so feeling and significant , that it caused both admiration and confusion . Don Pedro Fernandez de Mansilla , an Alcayde of the Court , came to take his leaue of him , whom he met halfe way , with a behauiour and countenance of such serenitie , that it paralleld not with his present estate . Don Pedro desired him to commaund him some seruice , to which hee answered , That since hee gaue him leaue so to doe , hee besought him for a quick dispatch in his Wife and Childrens businesse ( which was a s●…te for Land with his Maiestie , that depended before Don Pedro de Mansilla ) to this hee gaue him a courteous answere . Those that then were present , began to shead teares , and sigh , seeing a courage so vndaunted , and a presence so venerable . Hee seeing himselfe to bee the Cause of their woe , comforted them , saying : Sirs , it is no time to lament , but to reioyce , since I am going to doe the Will of God . These wordes gaue cause of comfort to pious minds , by discouering the good estate of his Soule and great Christianitie . Then he went into the Chappell in a Cloke , and vpon it the habite of Saint Iames , where he heard many Masses . He intreated the Carmelite that said it , to put his Soule together with the Host into the Challice . This was to follow the example of the holy Mother Teresa of IESVS , who on a Palme Sunday said the like . This wrought so good effect , that hee was comforted both in Soule and Body , and incouraged to suffer . He gaue his Rosarie to a religious man of the Order of Saint Hierome , for accounting himselfe as dead , he prepared for his owne Dirge . Thus hee continued , performing many acts of Contrition , in feruent prayer , vntill the time of execution . At eleuen , Friar Gregorie de Pedrosa came vnto him , and said : Sir , now let vs goe , for God calleth vs . He presently answered ; Let vs goe . When they put off the Cloke of his Order , there came one and put a Hood ouer his short Coate , from which and from his doublet he had the night before , cut the necke , and the strings from his band , in place whereof he had put a button , to come more ready to his last End , knowing hee was made a sacrifice to God , who disposed the meanes to make his death more easie , which hee receiued rather with Loue then Feare . When hee went out of the Chappell , he told his Confessor , he felt himselfe very weake both in Soule and Body : who answered him ; Trust in God , and pray to him for strength , and hee will not deny it you at this time . Comming to the stayres , God gaue him courage , that it now seemed not difficult to him to go in the streets , as it was wont ; so other things , which in his imagination appeared vnpossible , comming to act them , by Gods assistance , were become very fezible . Comming downe the stayres , and seeing a Mule ready for him , hee said : What , a Mule ? Nay , I ought rather to be dragged in a basket ; practizing still more pure Acts of Humilitie and contempt of the World , and desiring the most disgracefull death . He rode on the Mule without feare , squaring all his actions to the rules of Modesty , and necessity without ostentation . Then he toeke a Crucifixe which he imbraced so affectuously , that it made great impression in the beholders . Going on , the people cryed : God pardon , and giue you strength : to whom he answered , Amen ; God reward you . Comming to the Market place of Saint Dominick , and hearing the Prayers and Cryes of the people , he lifted vp his eyes , and said : Lord , since they all aske my Pardon , Pardon me , I beseech thee . When he came to the Smiths little street , he said to his Confessor : Father , this is rather a triumph , then a carrying the Crosse of Christ , who was blasphemed , and I am prayed for . Pray , Father , that the ioy I now feele , bee not a reward for that little I haue suffered for his sake . I dare not weigh these wordes in the ballance of my Reason . Let vs leaue something in silence , since his valour and sincerity , will sooner be searched into by a zealous affection , then vttered by an eloquent tongue . He fixed his eyes , with a graue aspect vpon a Crucifixe there present , testifying therby the recollection of his thoughts . In his contemplation he remembered the spirituall incouragement , giuen him by the Religious which accompanied him , diuinely discoursing on the Happinesse to come . Being come to the place of Execution , with a constant Countenance , hee alighted from his Mule , and without any helpe , went vp the Scaffold . He beheld without feare the Sword and Blocke . Set his Hood right , and said to the Religious : Let me rest here awhile . His Confessor , and Friar Gregorie de Pedrosa , sate downe about him , with the rest of the Religious , in number twelue , no person , but what was needfull , being suffered to enter . They kneeled downe to pray for his Soule . He read diuers Iaculatory prayers , with such resignation and attention , that his Instructors stood astonished . After a good while he rose , and told his Confessor , he felt himselfe comforted , to see that God wrought in him his will , saying , it was fit to thanke him therefore , and bee confessed before death , and absolued by the Bull of Faith in Baptisme , with a protestation thereof . Hee did the like at the time of his confession . Hee was confessed , and receiuing absolution , he fell on the ground and kissed the feete of his Confessor . Being commanded to rise , hee went to his Chaire , not to dye , but to triumph , with such courage , humilitie , and magnanimitie , that all were filled with pietie and admiration . A part of his Hood he cast behind the chaire , and prayed whilst the Executioner made all things readie . Then he calld him , imbraced him , and spake to him most louingly . Hee proceeded so farre in acts of pure Loue and Ioy , that when Friar Gregorie de Pedrosa said , Now is the time to shew courage , hee answered : I neuer felt such content . When his feet were tyed , hee said , What doe you ? The Religious told him , it was the Order . Then tye mee , said hee . Comming to tye his armes , hee put them out , saying : Hold , tye them . Then he called the Minister of death ( let decency excuse me for vsing this terme ) and said : Come hither , Brother , let me embrace thee once more , and bowing toward him with his body , his armes being tyed , gaue him the humble kisse of Peace . This Act of heroick humilitie , done with desire of greater demonstration , drew downe many teares , either of ioy or sorrow in the Spectators . When they tyed him in the Chaire , his Confessor told him , That Christ was also tyed ; at which time hee remembred the Passion with affections burned in the fire of diuine Loue . His eyes were couered with a blacke taffata , which himselfe had brought for that purpose . He lifted vp his head , ready with ioy to performe what before hee had so often thought of in prison , and said , Take it , O Lord ; Take it , O Lord . When the Executioner held the taffata with his left hand , to giue the stroke with his right hand : he forbid him , saying : I will sit still , with a voyce and heart so strong , that were it lawfull , I would say , Naturre had priuiledged him from feare . Then receiued hee the stroke , and repeating the sweet Name of IESVS , gaue vp his Soule . The Lookers on , though bathed in teares , beheld a spectacle , not horrible , but pleasing , caused by a happy death . A death that hath eclipsed the greatest examples , and limited the highest prayses , whose duration will out-last the World . For were he not in Nobilitie so ancient , hee might hereby lay a foundation for a glorious Family ; since Nobilitie is but a vertue of the mind , practized either in vndergoing dangers in Warre , or in giuing good examples in peace , both which were seene in him ; and if according to the end , the vertue of the mind is to bee measured ; here onely was the loue of God , where no respect was had to the World or to Fame , which in the end will become dumbe . This example of his death hath wrought much , being in Madrid , the Court of Don Philip the Fourth , King of Spaine , where is a generall concourse of Strangers , magnifying with respect the Spanish name ( beside the deserued credit of their ancient valour ) seeing a man paralleld with any whom the Roman cloquence did extoll , for although Sceuola , Regulus , Horatius , and many others , suffered much honour ; yet here morally speaking , it was without it . And if any were present at this death , either without Religion , or of a contrarie ( which God forbid ) what inward remorse , vnquietnesse of mind , and accusation of conscience must they needs haue , seeing such strange acts of Faith and Loue to God , wrought with such fortitude , that it onely may teach vs the force of Truth , and Light of Catholique Religion . In this Glasse they may see their errours .

Thus farre my loue hath carryed mee , although my Relation bee but as a shaddow of this wonder : which such as saw not , may not hope to know as it was , because those which were present , want capacitie to declare it .