The Miraculous life and Vertues of Saint Isidore Husbandman , and Patrone of Madrid in Spaine , lately canonized by Pope Gregory the XV. Abridged and translated out of Spanish .

SAINT Isidore was borne in the ancient Kingdome of Castile , in the famous Cittie of Madrid in Spaine , where the Kinges Court is ordinarily kept , about the yeere of our Lord 1130. of very Catholike and deuout Parents , though of meane condition , whom they piouslie brought vp , and instructed in all kinde of vertue , according to their poore abilitie , especially in Prayer , saying of his Beades , hearing Masse , frequenting of Sermons , Exhortations , and the like : and for corporal exercises , he was brought vp and taught to Till and manure the ground in maner of a Laborer or Husbandman . After that he was growen to mans estate , and his Parents both dead , he married a wife , of an honest , though poore family , like vnto himselfe , and beginneth to dispose and set in order that little meanes which he had , still following his manuall art of Husbandrie , labouring for day-wages and hire , for other Husbandmen of the Countrey that were rich , and had landes of their owne to manure . But yet with all he had got a pious custome and vse , which grew vp with him euen from his Childhood , to heare Masse dailie before hee began to labour , Which he neuer omitted , though there were neuer so great hast of worke to be done .

And for this cause , certaine of his neighbours , through the instigation of the diuell ( who now began to make hoate war vpon S. Isidore for his sanctitie and holynesse of life which they could not endure ) stirred vp against him his maister , of whom he had taken a peece of ground to plow , and was to labour by the day , complaining grieuously of him , that he came euery day very late to worke and that besides , he omitted the same oftentimes in the day and went to his praiers . His maister the Farmer was much incensed against him , by hearing this their accusation , and one day falling into a fit of choller at their reportes , presently went vnto him in the field , to see if it were true or no which they had told him by way of complaint . And comming in all hast vnto the field , where S. Isidore was to be at his work , he saw three plowes going , two whereof were drawne & gouerned by Angels in the likenes of young men , cloathed in most pure and white garments .

At the first sight whereof standing amazed , he drew neeres vnto them , when vpon the sudaine they vanished away . Heere vpon he came to S. Isidore , whom hee found at the other plow , & seeing so much worke done beyond his expectation , he fel downe at his seruants feete , and cryed him pardon for so easily beleuing the false reportes , his neighbours had made of him , assuring himselfe of the trueth of the wordes which Saint Isidore had often told him , to wit , that how much time soeuer he spent in prayer , the same was recompensed larglie in his worke , by the handes of his sweete Sauiour , and rather to the profite , then any way to the lest hinderance or losse of his Maister . And so he departed with confusion in himselfe , and full of loue and reuerence towards his seruant .

As soone as his said maister was departed , the Angels returned againe vnto the plowes , and as they laboured , they taught S. Isidore , and instructed him in many mysteries of his faith , accompanying him all that day vntill night , going home with him also , euen to his house , whither when hee came he found a poore Pilgrime at his doore , asking an almes of meate , for the refreshing of his body , who calling his wife , and bidding her giue the Pilgrime some what to eate , shee replyed sadly , and said , there was nothing in the house .

Hee bid her looke into the Potte for some Pottage and Flesh : but she knowing that al was spent said there was assuredly none left , and withall she tooke vp the Pot into her hands to shew that it was empty . But behold a wonder , for she felt the Pot heauy , and lookeing thereinto , found it full of very excellent Pottage & Flesh , where with she fed the Pilgrime liberally , and with admiration acknowledge the miracle : her husband in the meane time with drawing himselfe into an inner roome , and falling to his praiers as his custome was . The same night he being a sleepe , the said Pilgrime appeared vnto him againe in the same habit , that he had done before in the Euening , and seemed to awake him , and put vpon him a Pilgrims weede , and sayling ouer the seas , conducted him to the holy land , whether when he was come , he shewed him all the places of chiefe note , where our Sauiour had taught , preached , was taken , examined , whipped , condemned , and lastlie suffered death for our sakes . Which places S. Isidore semed to reuerence , and greatly to adore , with gust and affection of hart , and afterward was presently conueyed backe to his own house , where the Pilgrime tooke his leaue and departed .

Vpon a time in a great Frost and Snow , one Iohn de Vargas a Farmer sent Saint Isidore to the Mill with a sacke of wheate , to haue it ground to make bread for his family . Saint Isidore tooke the sacke of corne early in the morning , and passing by a Church , he went in to heare Masse , as his vsuall custome was , which when he had done , he hasted on towards the Mill , and mett on the way others of the same village that went also thither with wheate in like manner . As they went talking and discoursing , they saw a great weather beaten tree growing in the way , on the bowes whereof sate white Piggeons so thicke , as they seemed euen to couer the whole tree , being flocked together and almost starued for want of foode that hard season , the ground being euery where couered with snow & yce . Saint Isidore when he drew neere vnto the tree cryed out with a loud voice and said : O Earth , the Mother of all liuing creatures , why doest thou at this time deny food vnto these thy innocent Creatures ? And then hee set downe his sacke of wheat , and putting away the snow with his feete , vncouered a great broad place of the ground , and taking Corne out of the sacke , hee strawed it there for the Piggeons , who all presently came from the tree , and before they would eate thereof did come to Saint Isidores feete , and with their beckes touched , and pricked them , and his legges , in signe of reuerence to his sanctitie , and hauing so done , did feed themselues on the Corne. One of his Company that all this while stoode by , and looked on , began to murmure against him , for so destroying and casting away his maisters wheate , but the rest were silent and stoode amazed at the thing . Then taking vp his sacke , which was well emptied by his liberality to Gods creatures , he came to the Mill , and put what was left to grinding , where the flower thereof did so multiplie betweene the Milstones , that he had his sacke as full of excellent meale ( and more in measure also ) as if he had not diminished any one graine of the corne . So as the miracle was manifest to al that knew what had passed .

Another time , when at night his worke was ended , going homeward from the field , he went into a Church to pray , so as it being late before he came home , supper was ended , and the other workemen had eaten vp al the meate , saue only a little morsell of flesh & pottage , which they had reserued for him . Hee tooke the same very contentedly , and carrying it to the dore , he there began to distribute it amongst a great number of poore people and pilgrims that passed by , and behould , the said meate did so multiply in his hands , in the distribution thereof , that he serued a great multitude therewith before he ended , and euery one went away content & satisfied .

It so fell out at another time , vpon a very hoate day in sommer , that his maister or Land-Lord , comming into the field where he was at worke , and being much parched with heare , demamded if there were no water neere , whereby to quench his thirst . Saint Isidore said , there was a litle spring not far off , and shewed him the place . The man went speedily to quench his thirst , but finding neither spring , nor anie signe of water at all , returned in great anger , and thought Saint Isidore had mocked him . Wherevpon the Saint said , Come with me againe to the place , and I will shew it you . They went , and when they came thither there was no signe of any water , but Saint Isidore pricking the earth with a little goade he had in his hand , there presently sprung vp a very cleere , and excellent fountaine of water , which being taken by sicke persons , infinit number are daily cured of all kind of diseases . And this miraculous fountaine is yet euen seene in the fields , not far from the Cittie of Madrid , and is visited with great concourse of people daily , both from farre and neere .

The diuell enuying the sanctity and simplicity of this holy man , began to deuise many plots and engines wherwith to entrappe him in his snares . And therfore he incited some of his neighbours , to accuse his wife vnto him of lightnes , and to be lesse chast then she ought . Which when Saint Isidore had oftentimes heard iterated in his cares , he was much afflicted and troubled in mind , for that the rumor therof began now to be spread abroad amonghst his friends to his great disgrace , as they pretented , and he beleeued . His wife whose name was Marie ( being also a verie vertuous Godly woman ) vnderstanding thereof , and seeing her louing Husband perplexed and troubled therewith , said vnto him Deare Husband , I vnderstand , and see also by your countenance , that you are much troubled with suspition of my Chastity : but be assured thereof there is no such thing , and that it is a meere Calumniation of both our honour : In testimonie and confirmation whereof , I am euen now ready to passe ouer this Riuer ( which was hard by ) vpon the water , trusting wholy in the confidence of Gods mercy to cleere my selfe of this lewd imputation . And thereupon she presently tooke her mantle and going to the great Riuer of Xamara , spread the same vpon the water , and sate downe vpon it , and passed ouer without any hurt or danger . This being done in presence of her Husband , and of many people , shee was fully cleered of all suspition , and the thing accounted for a manifest miracle .

S. Isidore , being much comforted in soule by the foresaid miracle , did very much honour his wife alwayes after for her vertue , till her dying day , which ( full of holynes ) followed some few yeares after , and he left alone , who continually bestowed his time , and followed the manner of life he was accustomed vnto before , but yet neuer omitted his hearing of Masse euery day , before he would take any worke in hand , nor his other deuotions at diuers times in the day , as his vsuall manner was . He often also repayred to an Hermitage neere to Madrid , and spent many whole dayes and nights in pious discoursing with the Hermite , who was a Monke and a very holy man , and famous also for the gift of Prophesy , of whom Saint Isidore learned many thinges touching piety and deuotion , and was therby wonderfully illuminated also in many misteries of our Holy Faith , especially touching our B. Lady , to whome he was alwayes most deuout , saying his beades many times a day in her honour .

The holy Monke also instructed him , and taught him many other diuine thinges , whereby S. Isidore was greatly inflamed with desire of that kind of life , but yet he was alwayes still resigned to the will of God . By the Hermites counsell also , he entred into the Confraternity of the Rosarie of our Blessed Lady , with great deuotion and exact obseruance of all ●ules and Constitutions of the said Confraternity , and to the great edification of all his fellowes . And there was a custome in that Confraternity that on certaine dayes a distribution of bread and wine was made amongst the Sodales therof and a certaine part assigned to each one , which he had for his owne vse . Alwayes at these distributions , Saint Isidore gaue awaie his part to the poore . And on a time it happend , that his part assigned by the Confraternity , arriued to a good quantity , sufficient for the reliefe almost of twenty persons : Wherevpon he taking the bread and wine home to his house inuited all the poore people round about , who flocked thither in great numbers , to whom he began to distribute the same with his owne hands , and it multiplied so much , that it sufficed three hundred persons , all being satisfied , and praysing God for the great liberality bestowed vpon them , and acknowledging the miracle .

Other Miracles which hee wrought in his life time are innumerable , and would fill a great volume to recount them al. But those which haue happened since his death at his holy Body , by his intercession to God , are sat more in number , some few only whereof according to the breuity this place requireth shal be recounted afterwards , when we haue said a word or two of his death , which happened as followeth .

In the yeare of our Lord 1170. which was the last of his life , whem by diuine Reuelation , hee knewe that his death drew neare , hee intreated to haue the B. Sacrament brought vnto him , which hee receaued with great Reuerence and Deuotion , and after made a long and most deuour speech to those of his househould and neighbours present , exhorting them to liue Christian-like , and in the feare of God , and obseruations of his holy Commandements . And so with a most sweete and amiable Countenance , rich in merites , and famous for miracles , he quietly and most happely gaue vp his soule to God .

When the bruite of his happy death was spread abroad , the people of Madrid came to see and to touch his holy body , whom many held for a Saint for the miracles which they had heard him to haue done , but especially those of the villages neere about , and of the poorer sort of people , that were better acquainted with the manner of his life , and had seene , and bene present at many miracles , which he had wrought . Not-with-standing because he was exteriourlie poore , his body was buryed in the Churchyearde , in an ordinary Graue , among all other people , where it remained for the speace of 40. yeares , of whom all this while little or nothing more was spoken of , except it were amongst the meaner sort of people of the adioyning Villages , who had byne best acquainted with him when he liued .

But our Lord , who would haue this his Saint honored as well in earth as in heauen , at the ende of fourtie yeares , reuealed his intention to a pious and venerable Matron of Madrid , who had all this time bene very deuour vnto Saint Isidore , for the miraculous things she had heard recounted of him by the fornamed Iohn de Vargas : wherfore to satisfie her deuotion , she dealt seriously with the Pastour of the Village , to haue his body translated into the Church , and layed in some decent place therof , promising to defray all the charges there about . The Pastour being a vertuens man , and hauing heard much talke of the miracles which he did when he liued , made further inquirie thereof , and found that hee was in deede a very holy and innocent man , and that the Fountaine which was close by the village , and very profitable and commodious for all the people , for the excellent water there of , was mireculously raised out of the ground by his merites : he dealt with the Bishop , expounded vnto him the Matrons pious request , and hauing obtained his licence , appointed a certaine day for the remouall of the said body into the Church .

In the meane time there was a little Vault propared , humble and decent , at the cost of the foresaid deuout Matron , where his body was appoynted to be layde . And when the day appointed came , the people there about resorted to the solemnitie , according as the Pastour had informed and inuited them . All being ready , the Pastour with the rest of the Clergy of the Church , came in manner of procession to the Churchyard , and opening the Graue where his body lay , they found it whole and vncorrupt , and as fresh and faire , as if he had byne dead but the day before ( it being fourtie years complete after his decease ) and from the same there proceeded so sweet and fragrant a smell , that it rauished all that were present . The graue was no sooner opened , but all the bels of the steeple began to ring in excellent tune and order , of themselues , and so continued during the Ceremony , and vntill he was translated into the Church , and laid in his new Sepulcher , to the astonishment of all that heard them : at which time also were healed many persons of many sorts of diseases .

After his body was thus decently laid in the Church , very many began to do great reuerence therto , and it pleased God to witnesse , of what great merit & esteeme he would haue this his seruant to be , by the many and wonderfull miracles daily wrought at the same by his intercession , of some whereof we shall speake a word . And first to begin with a continuall miracle , which remayneth euen vnto this day , the water of the fountaine which he miraculously raised out of the ground , hath cured infinite people of all sicknesses and infirmities , and is had in very great esteeme by all the inhabitants both of the Citty and Country round about , where you shall scarcely find a house , who hath not some of the said water continually preserued in vialls of glasse or botles , ready for all infirmities or suddaine sicknesse that may happen , especially agues , or blew spots . And when oftentimes there happeneth the sicknes of the plague , the people find none so present or assured remedy , as the water of the said fountaine .

Another miracle , that hath very often bene seene & testified by thousands of all sorts of people is , that the Lampe which hangeth before his sepulcher , hath bene oftentimes lighted from heauen , without putting any fire therto by the industry of man . Nay which is more , when there hath wanted oyle in the lampe , and the same filled with water , the weeke hath burned as cleere , and as bright as with oyle . Which some curious persons haue desired to proue and they themselues , both by putting in water , and lightning the weeke , because they would not belieue the same without their owne experience .

The women of Spaine haue a very peculiar deuotion to S. Isidore when they are great with child , & in labour of Childbyrth , because very many haue bene safely deliuered , by his intercession , and by commending themselues vnto him , in the extremity of their labour , & at such times as there hath bene little hope of life .

Those also who be troubled with the Gout , haue great deuotion vnto him , for that many haue bene holpen being in great extremity , and cured of that infirmity , by his merits and prayers .

Vpon a time , there was a man who desired to get a relique of the holy Saint , whether for himselfe , or for another , is not certainly knowne . This man watching his opportunity , and hiding himselfe in the Church till all were gone thence , the dores being locked , came to the Tombe , and making shift to open a corner , so as he might reach vnto the holy body , cut off a finger from S. Isidore , with intention to carry the same away : and hauing put it vp into his pocket , and beginning to close vp the Tombe againe , that the thieft might not be perceaued , he was suddainly there arested , and made so immoueable , that he could not styr afoote . Wherupon fearing exceedingly to be discouered and punished for fact , he tooke the finger and put it to the ioynt from which he had cut it , and it instantly fastned therto againe , and thereupon he was presently set at liberty ; and so closing vp the sepulcher departed , giuing God and S. Isidore thankes , that no worse euill had happened vnto him , being also very sory for the rash attempt , which he had put in practice .

There haue happened many times great Drouthes in those partes for want of rayne , which hath caused such barrenesse of the ground , that the people haue bene ready to starue for want of corne : but by carrying S. Isidores sacred body in procession , the said drouth hath presently ceased , and raine hath so watered the earth , that it hath become presently feuitefull . And all the husbandmen in Spaine haue taken this holy Saint for their peculiar Patron , and doevse , euen vntill these daies , whensoeuer they sowe corne , to pray vnto S. Isidore , and call vpon him to blesse the same , offering a candle or some such like gift vnto his sepulcher , by whose intercession they hope to haue a happy haruest , and their piety in this kind is very seldome frustrated .

Certaine Gentlemen of Spaine trauayling on a time by Coach , and passing a very straite and narrow way vpon the side of a rocky hill , the horses beinge furious , and their footing slippery , they fell downe , drawing the Coach with the people in it after them , into a mighty precipice ; who seeing the imminent danger cried for helpe to S. Isidore , and presently the horses and Coach staied , hanging vpon the side of the rocke as it were in the ayre , vntill the people all got out , and saued themselues , to the number of 18. persons , and afterward drew vp the horses and Coach , without any further hurt . For this so euident a miracle they all gaue God and S. Isidore thankes , and sent donaries to his Tombe in testimony of the same . The Angelicall Musicke , and celestiall harmony which hath bene often heard at his sepulcher is wonderfull , in so much , that infinite people haue witnessed the same , hauing bene hearers therof to their great astonishment .

His apparitions to many haue bene very illustrious , as may be read at large in the History of his life ; and in particular he appeared once to Alfonsus King of Castile , who making warre vpon the Moores , obtained a miraculous victory by his intercession & merits . As also he appared in a vision at another time to one that lay sicke ( and was berest of all hope of life by the Phisitians ) bidding him take comfort and haue confidence in God , for that he should recouer , and so presently he became wel , and receaued againe his perfect health .

And to conclude , the benefits which many haue receaued by the infinite miraculous Cures done at his sepulcher , are so many and great , that a whole volume might be witten therof . For there are recounted aboue twenty blind persons to haue receaued their perfect sight , many dease & dumbe to haue recouered their hearing and speach , many crooked , lame , and deformed , to haue receaued perfect strenght and comlynes of body ; many sick of the palsy , to haue receaued perfect cure ; and infinit others to haue bene deliuered from all kind of infirmity wherwith they haue bene oppressed .

Finally the late famous miracle wrought vpon the person of the late King of Spaine Philip the third , is testified by thousands of eye-witnesses , that were present at the same . The substance wherof in brief was this . In the yeare of our Lord 1619. the said King of famous memory going a Progresse into Portugall , to visit that kingdome , together with the Prince and his other Children , after he had bene receaued with most noble and magnificent Triumphs , as well in Lisbone as other places , in his returne to Madrid , fell very dangerously sicke of a hoar pestilent feuer or Taberdillo , wherby he was in eminent danger of Death , and almost despaired of , by his Phisitians . The court & nobility were strocken into feare at this suddaine chance , and this dangerous infirmity of their King , was recommended to the prayers and deuotion af all the people , especially of Religious Orders : but he continuing , so 2. or 3. dayes with out signe of amendment , desired to haue the holy Reliques of S. Isidore brought vnto him , & with all his force and strength of body and mind , humbly commending himselfe vnto him and his merits , that therby it would please God , he might recouer his health : he presently felt himselfe much better , the feuer relenting , and within a few daies after became perfectly well .

As soone as he had recouered , he began to thinke how he might honour the Saint , by rendering him thankes for so singular a benefit , and presently determined to procure , with all endeauour , his Canonization , therby to haue him the more knowne & honoured throught the world : but the death of Pope Paulus V. as his owne also ensuing soone after , the busines was differred ; yet on his death-bed did he seriously commend the same , to Philip the fourth his Sonne , the now present King of Spaine , by whose intercession to the Sea Apostolicke , he was , with the greatest honour and solemnity , that perhaps hath euer bene made in that kind , canonized for a Saint , by Pope Gregory the XV. the 12. day of March in the yeare of our Lord 1622. in S. Peters Church at Rome , that thereby his memory might be famous to posterity .

His body being taken vp the second time , and put into a costly Shrine 450. yeares after his death , was found wholy vncorrupt , sending forth a most pleasant and sweet smell , to the astonishment of all Spaine , and so remayneth euen vntill this day .

His life is written elegantly , and at large in Spanish Verse , by Lopes de Vega Carpio , Secretary to the Marques of Sarria , by F. Peter Ribadeneyra , D. Alfonsus Villegas in their Excrauagants and others . His feast is celebrated , by many , vpon the 12. day of march , on which he was canonized .

THE LIFE OF THE HOLY Patriarch S. Ignarius of Loyola , Authour and Founder of the Society of Iesus . Taken out , of the most part , of the Authenticall Relation made in Consistory before Pope Gregory the 15 by Cardinal de Monte , vpon the 19. day of Ianuary 1622. a little before his Cannization , and translated into English .

IGNATIVS Loyola was borne in that coast of Spaine which belongeth to the Mount Pyraeneus , in the towne of Aspeythia , within the Dioecese of Pamplona , the yeare of our Lord 1491. of Bertram Loyola and Mary Sanchez both noble Catholikes , and godly parents , who in like godlines brought vp their sonne : and in the first flowre of his youth , as one that was of an excellent to wardlines both in mind and body , sent him vnto the Catholike King Ferdinand his Court : where after he had remayned a while amongst those young gallants , he betooke himselfe to Antony Manriques , Duke of Najara and Viceroy of Nauarre , liuing then in Pamplona , a fayre and principall Citty of that Kingdome , and there began to giue himselfe to the study and exercise of warlike affaires . And when the said Citty was beseiged by an army of Frenchmen , Ignatius , who with other souldiers had vndertaken to defend the Castle , ( as he was formost in the Conflict ) by meanes of a stone which a peece of Attillery strucke from off the wall , hauing his left legge sore wounded , and his right grieuously crusht & broken , fell downe halfe dead , and indured afterwardes at home a long and painfull cure , with such singular patience , that all the house did wonder therat .

But when by Gods helpe he had begun to be some what eased of his griefe , and had escaped all danger of death , seing that he was yet longer to keepe his bed , he desired to haue some prophane booke or other , such as he was wont to read , to passe the time withall ; which being not to be found in the house , two other Spanish bookes were brought vnto him , wherof one conteyned the life of Christ our Lord , the other of his Saints . With the reading of these bookes he was so vehemently inflamed , that he determined from thenceforth to change his life , to follow the steps of Christ and his Saints , and to goe to Hiecusalem , that he might worship those holy places , increase Gods holy spirit in the faithfull , and conuert Infidells to imbrace his holy law and gospell .

Wherfore as soone as his woundes were healed , he ( very much against his Brother Martin Garcia his will ) forsaking his country , his parents , & all frayle and transitory things , as one that hereafter meant to become a fouldier of Christ Iesus , tooke his iourney to the Monastery of Montserat , & there hauing made a generall confession of his former life , & hanged vp his sword and dagger in the Church of the same Monastery , putting on a longside coate of course cloath , girded about him with a cord , bare headed , with a staffe in his hand , all the night of the Vigill of the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin , watching before our blessed Ladies Altar , sometimes standing , & sometimes vpon his knees , asking pardon for his sinnes past , he dedicated himselfe wholy to Gods holy seruice . From thence he went to a towne neere by called Manresa , and tooke vp his lodging in the Hospitall of S. Lucy , where , in a certaine caue at the riuers side that runneth by those plaines , he began to bring forth worthy fruits of pennance , leading a poore and austere life , amongst poore and abiect people , whom he daily serued euen in the basest employments of their necessities .

Hauing exercised himselfe in this place , a good while in this schole of pennance and other vertues , this Noble Pilgrime came to Rome in the yeare of our Lord . 1523. from whence as sonne as he had obtayned the Apostolicall ben diction ( which he receiued from Pope Adrian the Sixt , & that euen vpon Easter day ) he went first to Venice , and afterwards to Hierusalem . But when he had there visited those holy places , being afraid that he could not conueniently stay and imploy himselfe in the saluation of soules in Palestine , he returned into Spaine ; where , to the intent that he might the better procure the spirituall good of his neighbours , not withstanding he was now thirty yeares old : first at Barcelona he studied Grammer , then heard Philosophy and Diuinity in the Vniuersity of Alcala , for the space of a yeare and halfe : and after this againe at Paris he renewed all the same studies , liuing all this while of almes , yet neuer leauing off , nor interrupting the workes of charity , humility and pennance , which he was accustomed before to doe .

At Paris he came acquainted with some others , whom he persuaded to the same course of life , and they all together made this vow , that when their studies were ended , all wordly things being despised , they should go to Hierusalem , and there giue themselues wholy to the saluation of soules by preaching , teaching &c. But if either within the space of a yeare there should be no fit opportunity to faile , or that they should not be permitted to stay at Hierusalem , that then as being absolued from the aforesaid vow , they should go to Rome , and present their sernice vnto the Pope for the spirituall helpe of their neighbours .

But when with ouer much studying and watching , Ignatius had fallen into a grieuous disease of the stomacke , by the appointment of the Physitians , and his Companions aduise , he returned into his Countrey in the yeare of our Lord 1535. and there in an hospitall of S. Mary Magdalen in begging his victuals from doore to doore , and seruing of the poore , he very carefully bestowed the space of three monthes : when hauing recouered his health he went thence to Venice , whither his companions also of set purpose were to come , and in the same Citty receiued the holy Order of Priesthood , and made a vow of Pouerty and Chastity before the Lord Verall Archbishop of Rosan , who being then the Popes Legate , was afterwardes created Cardinall .

Now the yeare which they had agreed vpon for their pilgrimage being expired , and their sayling into the holy Land hindered by the breach of peace betweene the Turkes & the Venetians ; Ignatius with his Company , came to Rome in the beginning of the yeare of our Lord 1537. where being entertayned by Quirinus Garzonius a Citizen of Rome , & lodged in a certaine farme of his , at the foot of mount Pincius , he offered his seruice vnto the Pope with all readines possible , to be imployed in procuring the saluation of his neighbours . Meane while by instructing the ruder sort of people , in the principles of Christian Faith , and by other godly and landable liuing , he founded and got confirmed his Order of the Society of Iesus , for the defence and increase of the Carholike faith , & good of soules . And albeit in the same Society he ordayned three solemne Vowes , yet vnto those ( which are common to other Religious ) he added a fourth vow , wherby he promised a peculiar and speciall Obedience to the Pope , in vndertaking of missions euen vnto the Turkes , and Infidells themselues wheresoeuer , without taking any thing to beare their charges , and in teaching children the Christian Doctrine . This being done , he wrote the Constitutions of the same Society , which he afterwards being chosen Generall , gouerned with very great praise both for wisedome and vertue ; And lastly after many labours and trauailes , hauing receiued of the Pope his Apostolicall benediction with a plenary Indulgence of his sinnes , calling vpon the Name of Iesus , he piously reposed in our Lord at Rome the last day of Iuly in the yeare of our Lord 1556. being of the age of threescore and fiue yeares , and sixteene yeares after the Society was confirmed by the sea Apostolike , at what time the same was extended almost throughout the whole world . For he left established twelue Prouinces , to wit , that of Portugall , of Castile , of Aragon , of Andaluzia , of all Italy ( which comprehendeth Lombardy & Toscan ) of Naples , of Sicily , of Germany , of Franders , of France , of Brasile , and of the East Indies ; and in these Prouinces there were at that time , about an hundred Colledges or Houses of the Society .

His body was buried first in a low and humble Tombe at the right band of the high Altar , in his owne little Church of our Blessed Lady at Rome , and afterward in the yeare 1587. it was translated solemnely to the new and sumptuous Church of the Casa Prosessa , which Cardinall Alexander Farnesius had newly erected , & there placed in a Vault at the Right hand of the high Altar , where it is yet reuerenced with concourse of people from all parts of the world , as well for his admirable life and sanctity , as for the innumerable miracles that haue bene , and are daily wrought there at by his intercession , some wherof we shall relate , at the end of this narration , after we haue briefly laid downe his vertues , which follow in this manner : and first of his Faith .

Such was the excellency of Faith , which the Holy Ghost by meanes of his perusing the a foresaid bookes before his Conuersion , began to plat in the hart of Ignatius , that reading the wonderfull things which God had wrought with his Saintes , and belieuing that he would deale in like manner with him , if he should follow their steps , he therfore without any more adoe leauing all , followed only our Sauiour Iesus Christ . This same Faith made him so meekely and patiently endure so many labours , and ouercome so many difficulties , in bringing to passe whatsoeuer he had once vndertaken for the glory of God and saluation of soules . This confirmed him so strongly in his poore and laborious course of life , not only by perpetuall perseuerance , notwithstanding many great impediments ; but also by a formall institution of the same , established with solemne vowes .

Finally hence arose that wonderfull care and diligence in procuring the conuersion of Heretikes , Schismatikes , Moores , Iewes , & Insidells : in preaching the Ghospell to the Indians , Barbarians , and other nations by meanes of S. Xauerius and other of his Society : and in alwayes teaching and holding the most sound and Catholike Doctrine as a true scholler of the Angelicall Doctour S. Thomas , neuer giuing care to any new fangled opinions , especially about the sacred mysteries of our Faith , which he so firmely belieued , that he was wont to say . That although there were no Scriptures for his warrant , yet was he ready with all his hart to suffer death in defence of the same faith , for so much only as God had imparted and reuealed vnto him while he was at Manresa .

First out of this so well grounded root of Faith , sprung vp that his most singular Hope ; wherof his true contempt of all worldly things , his austere pennance , his rare confidence so little in himselfe , and so much in Almighty God , his wonderfull courage in strong and hard enterprises for the glory of God , the delight and pleasure he tooke in the paines , reproaches and persecutions which he suffered for Christ , and to be short , his most sweet and continuall meditation of death , are more then sufficient testimonies .

Secondly , his Charity towards his Neighbours was such , that besides his daily seruing of the poore and sicke in Hospitalls , and not only curinge their bodies , but with most profound humility euen licking their botches and sores , he also euery day went a begging from doore to doore , bestowing the best part of the Almes he got , vpon the poore of the Hospitalls , and prisons of the Citty where he liued , contenting himselfe with the refuse , and worst part of all .

Extraordinary was the care he had to instruct children and ignorant people in Christian doctrine . And the zeale wherwith he was carried away in procuring the saluation of soules , could not be conteyned within the bounds of one Kingdome , but extended it selfe euen vnto Hierusalem , whither after one pilgrimage , he vowed another , both for himselfe & the rest of his Society .

For his Neighbours sake , he composed the Booke of Spirituall Exercises , which is one of the best that hath bene written in that kinde : for them he exceedingly furthered and increased the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament in his owne Countrey . For them he was not a bashed at the age of thirty yeares , to go to schoole amongst litle boyes . To conclude , for them after he had ended his studies at Paris , together with a few more that had entred there into his Society , he went to Rome , where for them he offered all his indeauours and seruice to the Pope ; for them he instituted the Order it selfe of the Society , propagating and multiplying the same with Missions , Colledges , Churches , Schooles and Vniuersities , of all kind of sciences , with other pious workes ( besides in particular the German Colledge , the Hospitalls of the Orphans and Cathecumens , the monasteries of S. Martha and S. Katherine in Rome ) throughout all the world , euery where by the exhortation & administration of his subiects , teaching the people to frequent the Sacrament of Pennance , and holy Communion , Masse , Sermons , and other holy Exercises . And what wonder in him , who euen in the beginning of his conuersion after he had bene grieuously beaten , and almost brought to the point of death at Barcelona , for procuring the saluation of his neighbours , did not only not complaine therof , but gaue God thankes for it , forgiuing and ( to fulfill our Lords commandement ) praying for his persecutours . In so much that after he had recouered his health , he was not afraid to returne to his former workes of Charity , and to hazard his very life for his brethren ; notwithstanding all his friends dissuading him from it , to whom he alwayes gaue this answere : Quid mihi optabiliue quàm more pro Christe & salute proximi mei ? What can I wish for , that would be more gratefull and welcome to me , then to die for Christ , and the saluation of my neighbour ?

Thirdly if wee consider how Ignatius did all that hath bene touched aboue , meerly for the loue of God , how carefull he was euer from his first conuersion to keepe his hart pure and cleane from all touch of mortall sinne , either in word or deed ; how strictly , and often euery day he examined his conscience , least he should haue any thing in it that might displease God , were it but the least veniall negligence in his daily meditation , how he had withdrawne all his affection from all things that were not good , and fixed his whole hart vpon God ; how he daily vsed to meditate vpon heauenly things ; eftsoones stirring vp himselfe to the loue of God , by a certaine Iaculatory prayer in his booke of Exercises which beginneth . Suscipe Domine vniuersam libertatem meam , &c. How he leuelled all his thoughts , words , and deedes to the honour and glory of God , in so much as he had alwaies in his mouth ( as a token of what was in his hart ) this sentence . Admaiorem Dei gloriam . If wee ( I say ) consider all this , we shall , the lesse wonder how he should out of the feruour of this charity , be forced to say , That he had rather if he were to haue his choise , remaine aliue with vncertainty of his saluation , to the end he might serue God in the meane time , then die and goe straight to heauen : and moreouer he did persuade himselfe , if God Almighty should euer thrust him downe to hell , that it would be a greater torment for him , to heare those horrible blasphemies against the name of God , then to be tortured with the most cruell paynes that the damned suffer .

Whatsoeuer he tooke in hand , first he commended it to God Almighties prouidence and assistance ; then he maturely consulted and examined what meanes he was to vse , and what impediments he was to auoyd which done , with great confidence and resolution , he achieued his intent & finall end , which was alwaies the glory of God .

The great desire he had to satisfie Gods diuine Iustice for his sinnes past , made him in Monserat , Manresa and Barcelona , goe cloathed in sackcloath , and girded about the very bare skin with a chaine of iron . It made him oftentimes goe barefoot , & that he might eschew vaine glory , to cut out the soles of his shooes : It made him sleepe vpon the bare boards and grounde , afflicting and punishing his body with iron whippes and disciplines , fasting and other such like mortifications .

To these may be added the feruour of his Deuotion ; the abundance of his teares ; his daily prayer ; his hearing or saying of Masse euery day ; his frequenting of the Sacraments ; his visiting of holy places ; singular deuotion to our B. Lady ; to the Angels , Saints , and holy Reliques . Finally , his perfect keeping and fulfilling of the vowes of Pouerty , Chastity and perpetuall Obedience , which he had made in the Society .

Moreouer , touching his vprightnes towards his neighbour , his words were alwaies sincere , plaine and deuoid of all deceipt or flattery : his hart was pure and simple , euer taking all things in good part .

His inuincible courage , could not be quailed with the many and grieuous tentations he had in the beginninge of his conuersion ; nor with the manifold diseases he got in visiting of the sicke ; No nor all the iniuries , reproaches , nor difficulties he found ( which were without number ) were able so much as once to turne him backe , much lesse hinder him from attayning vnto his desired end .

He tooke great pleasure in seeing himselfe wronged , and disgraced , still requiting his enemies with speciall fauours and benefits .

All the time he was at Manresa & Barcelona , his fare was bread and water euery day , except Sundaye .

Once in a Chappel at Villadord , and another time in the Caue before mentioned , what with continuall prayer , what with abstinence , he was found so leane and weake , that he was scarce able to stand . But at Barcelona by reason of the same extraordinary mortification , he fell into so grieuous a sicknes , that he would hardly haue escaped death , if a certaine pious and charitable woman , had not taken care of him , which he not without some difficulty admitting , said : Sinite me pati haec leuia vt saluetur anima mea : let me suffer these trifles , that my soule may be saued .

Out of the wonderfull great care he had of Castity , both in himselfe & his subiects , proceeded that clause of his Constitutions , to wit , That those who were of his Society , should striue to imitate the purity of Angels , both in mind and body .

After he had once made a purpose to change his life , he could not indure to heare his brother talke of his Nobility , Riches , Warlike Prowesse , and the like , but as soone as he was well , he forsooke the world . And once comming neere home into his natiue soyle , to recouer his health , for feare of being honoured by his brother & other inhabitants , if they should haue notice of him , he left the company of one of his acquaintance , and passing through desert mountaines and by-wayes , made choice rather of a poore Hospitall , then of his Fathers Hall . Thus euery where as much as he could , still hiding his Nobility , he alwayes shunned the speach and conuersation of such as he thought would know him . But if it were his chaunce in any place to meere with any that did know him , or tooke acquaintance with him , he would be sure neuer to returne to that place any more .

This rare contempt he had , not only of the worlde , but euen of his owne person , is sufficiently seene before in his poore and meane kind of liuing , and in taking such pleasure when he heard any thing spoken or done to his owne disgrace .

When he was chosen Generall of the Society of Iesus ( which he himselfe hauing instituted desired therfore it should be accounted and called , The least of all Religious ) he altogether refused to vndertake the charge , till such time as his Ghostly Father commanded him to take it vpon him . And againe ten yeares after , perseuering still in the same Humility , he endeauoured by all meanes possible to be put out of the office , alleadging that he himselfe was not fit to beare it .

Hauing taken the office vpon him , first he bestowed some dayes in seruing the Cooke in the kitchin , and afterwards began to teach children the Christian Doctrine , according to his Constitutions , that he might seale with his owne example the Ordinances of Humility , which he was to propose vnto others .

He did what he could to conceale his owne vertues and heauenly visions ; intermingling euer in his speach some words or other of humility , as Miserum me , miseram animam meam . Wo is me wretch , wo is my wretched soule . Nay and which is more , sometimes he was wont to say , that If he were to aske a boone of Almighty God at the houre of his death , this he would be sure to request of him , that he would permit him to be buried in a dunghil , because he esteemed himselfe as dunge . And to this many times he added , that he was much edified with the example and conuersation of all but himselfe ; and in a certaine Epistle he wrote , that he neuer had conference or communication about spirituall matters with any man were he neuer so bad , that he did not reape some profit by him .

Amongst the rest of the miracles of this great seruant of God , we might well account this one and not the least , to wit , the wonderfull light and knowledge he had in spirituall things as by the testimony of Pope Iulius the third , in the beginning of his booke of Spirituall exercises , is sufficiently declared .

Miraculous was that brightnes which S. Philip Nerius , and Father Oliuer Mannareus saw shine in his face whiles he liued . And no lesse miraculous was the speedy concourse and flocking of the people vnto his body , as soone as he was dead , and the continuall veneration and visiting not only of his Sepulchre , but also of his Chamber , his Caue , and other places wherin he had done pennance .

But besides these , God Almighty by intercession of this Saint , both before and after his happy death wrought many miracles , which are to be seene more at large in the Relation out of which this summe is taken , and in other histories of his life . I will heere only rehearse , some few of them for our better instruction and further declaration of his sanctity .

And first his great charity & zeale in procuring the saluation of soules , was miraculously confirmed in that , when a certaine man whose name was Lissanus , for being cast in a suite of law , and hanged himselfe , and was by all mens iudgment stone dead ; he by his prayers obtayned of God Almighty so much time for him to line againe , that might serue his turne to be sorry for his sinnes , and to confe●●e them to a Priest , and receaue Absolution .

Secondly to increase our deuotion to holy Reliques , that may suffice which happened to Bartholomew Contesti , a Chirurgeon and Cittizen of Maiorca , who was so tormented with a continual headach , that for vehemency of the paine , he was diuerse times forced to fal dowen to the very ground . And besides this , he had so grieuous a disease in one of his eyes , that being vnable to behold the least glimpse of light , he was fayne to be shut vp in a darke chamber , eating no meat but what others put into his mouth . As many and sundry medicines were applied as could be deuised , but all in vaine , for his disease still waxed worse and worse . In so much that Bartholomew , out of the intollerable paine he felt , was not afraid to protest , if a certaine Chirurgeon , whose name was Pastor , were aliue , that he would cause him to placke out his eye by the very roote . But as he lay , now in this pittifull estate , hearing by good chaunce of the manifold miracles that were euery where wrought by the intercession of S. Ignatius , with great deuotion and hope of recouery by this meanes , he desired that they would bring him one of his subscriptions , or writings of his owne hand : which was no sooner brought vnto him , but he found himselfe well without all paine , either of head or eyes , rising out of his bed , and beholding the light of the sunne with great ease and pleasure . And that he might be the better assured that this so sudaine a cure was to be attributed to the diuine power , and to the intercession of this seruant of God S. Ignatius , for two or three seuerall times , the Relique was no soner taken away out of his chamber , but his former paine returned vnto him ; and the same Relique was no sooner brought backe againe into the chamber , but his paine left him . So that Bartholomew was aduised to keepe the Relique alwayes about him , & thus within three or foure dayes , he came to be so perfectly well , as if he had neuer bene sicke .

In Rome a Lady called Drusilla Tursellina , being very much vexed with a vehement seuer , and with the head-ach , hauing vsed many remedies , and bene let blood in her armes , nostrills , and head , without profit , her sicknes rather increasing euery day ; was presently healed by a relique of one of the Blessed Fathers bones , laid vpon her forehead .

Another woman named Olimpia Norina , had such a vehement paine in her eyes , that she came to loose her sight , & for the space of three moneths had such a continuall ague , & paine in her head , that she could notrest . They brought her a subscription of the Blessed Fathers hand , at the time that her paine was at the greatest , laying it vpon her forehead , and eyes , & she began to see , and was ryd of her ague and paine .

In the same Citty in the yeare 1597. a noble mans child of seauen yeares old , called Hierome Gabriell , being sick of a pestilent seuer ( called a Taberdillo ) and of a plurisy , hauing also the wormes , so that there was little hope of his life , was healed with the same subscription of the Blessed Father .

In the yeare 1599. the Lady Ioane Vrsina , being but a child , daughter to Cornelia Vrsina Duchesse of Cesi , had so great a cough , that she could scarcely breath or suck . The Dutches her mother commended her very earnestly and deuoutly to blessed Father Ignatius , and beseeched him to obtaine the health of her daughter : wherevpon the child hauing bene a night and a halfe without rest , presently fell a sleepe , and her cough ceased , & she began to sucke her Nurses breast . For which cause the Dutches commaunded a Tablet to be set on the Fathers graue , in remembrance of the fauour she had receiued .

In the same yeare 1599. Angella Ruggiera was troubled with an extraordinary noise in her head for almost a yeare , and lost the hearing of her right eare ; wherto applying a relique of the Blessed Father , and making a vow to fast with bread and water the day of his departure , and to communicate the day following , recouered perfect health , and remayned free from that infirmity .

In the Citty of Naples , in the moneth of Iune of the yeare 1599 , Donna of Aragon , Princesse of Beltran , & Dutchesse of Terra-noua , had a great payne , and swelling in her right breast : and finding no remedy , amongst many which were applied in the space of foure moneths , omitting , them all , as vnprofitable , and laying vpon her breast , with much deuotion , the picture of the Blessed Father , she became well the same day : and comming to Rome the last Holy yeare of 1600. commaunded a tablet of siluer , with foure great waxe Tapers to be set vpon the Blessed Fathers tombe , on Easter day , in thanksgiuing .

In the Citty of Nola , the yeare 1599. in the moneth of Nouember , a knight named Francis Blasius , being much vexed with a pestilent ague , and with a grieuous paine in his head and stomack , so that in the iudgement of the Phisitians he was in danger of his life , his mother Zenobia Tolphia exhorted him to lay a relique of the bone of Blessed Father Ignatius to his head , and to commend himselfe vnto him , desiring his fauour . He did so , and remayned free from all his paines , and his whole sicknes .

In the Citty of Lecha ( which is in the Prouince of Apulia , in the Kingdome of Naples ) a child of three yeares old , sonne to the Baron of Belli-boni , fell from his Nurses armes vpon the ground , and did notably hurt his right knee , which grew euery day worse , because the Nurse for feare concealed the fall , and it went so far , that it was necessary to open the childs knee oftener then once , & this helped not : wherfore comming to cut it the third time , the Father fearing his Sonnes death ( whome he did see consumed with the wound , and with the ague which followed thervpon ) went to the Colledge of the Society , and there they gaue him a Relique of the Blessed Fathers bone ; which he laid vpon the child , before they opened his knee the third time , and when the Surgeons came to doe it , they found him much better , and within a few dayes altogether well .

I will conclude with one more , which very much confirmeth the veneratiou of holy Images and pictures . In the yeare of our Lord 1603. in Vall dolid a principall Cirty of Spaine , one Ferdinand Pretel of Mendoza vpon the 29. day of September , had fallen into a single Tertian ague , which not many days after came doubling and doubling so long vpon him , till at last it was turned into a pestilent feuer , which some call the blacke ague , the Spaniards , Taberdillo , and fot all the Phisicke he tooke in great abundance , it brought him at length to so desperate a case , that now quite and cleane beinge giuen ouer of the Phisitians , he made his confession , receiued the Blessed Sacrament , and desired that in due time he might haue the Sacrament of Extreme Vnction . All which things done the third day of December holding in his hands an Image of S. Ignatius which he had hanging about his necke , he called vpon him with a lowd voice , and with all his heart commended himselfe vnto him , that he might obtaine his health ; when vpon the sodaine he began to be well , and was deliuered from his disease , hauing his strength restored him againe in such sort , that the thirteenth day of the same moneth , he made nine daies iourney from Valladolid to Valentia , through cold and craggy mountaines in the very hart of winter .

These and multitudes of other miracles being daily seene and wrought throughout Europe , together with the Intercession of many Christian Kings and Princes to the sea Apostolike for further declaration of his Sanctity to the world , he was by Pope Paul V. beatified in the yeare of Christ 1613. and his feast kept solemne with great deuotion and concourse of people to the Colledges of the Society throughout Christendome . And Pope Gregory the XV. being assumpted to the chaire of S. Peter , being moued with the foresaid miracles & many new ones daily wrought , being also thervnto incited at the request of Ferdinand the Emperour , of Philip the fourth King of Spaine , Lewis the XIII . King of France , Sigismond King of Polomia , the Archdukes of Austria , Dukes of Bauaria , Sauoy , Florence , Parma , Mantua , and others , he was Canonized for a Saint in S. Peters Church at Rome vpon the 12. day of March , in the yeare of our Lord God 1622.