THE LIFE OF GREGORY LOPES THAT GREAT SERVANT of God, native of Madrid,  
WRITTEN IN SPANISH BY Father Losa Curate of the Cathedral of Mexico. AND SET OUT BY FATHER Alonso Remon of the Order of our Lady de la Merced, with some additions of his own.   monogram of Jesus Christ 
IHS'  
PRINTED AT PARIS. M.DC.XXXVIII.   

TO HIS HONOURABLE AND NOBLE FRIEND, S. KENELME DIGBIE LEARNING'S BEST ADVANCER.  
THE opinion, which upon diverse occasions you have expressed, you had of the excellency of this small work; and the great esteem wherein you kept it always by you in spanish, enboldned my unskilfulness, to bestow upon it an English being: such assurance are you able to give of the worth of whatsoever you undertake to prize, or praise. Now if as your word went before the press, so it may please you to permit your noble name to appear in the Frontispiece; and to take it into such a degree of favour, as to stand betwixt the Saint and Censure, I dare promis he will be looked on and liked by the most, yea even by the best understandings be judged to speak excellent truths with profit and admiration; and herein you shall still add to the high rate the world puts upon the riches of your mind: which makes you your country's admiration and pride, and the envy of other nations, who would judge it no crime to mistake you for one of theirs; did you not by the frequent and fervent testimonies of your incomparable zeal, love, and affection to serve our best King and Country, put them out of that dream. But what do I do? I dare not give sail into the Ocean of your vast soul, which is capable of all things from the highest to the lowest, in perfection. Not that I dread censure of flattery, where every one is ready to subscribe, if I could find any end; or to write themselves, of they could find any beginning of your praises (plenty making us all poor in this too plentiful a subject) But that your obligations have made me too much your servant, to be willing to obscure what I am not able to illustrate. I will only therefore, give my long imprisoned thoughts leave to appear in words, confessing with all sincerity and truth, that for my part, I never met with Magnanimity matched with such mildness: such admirable knowledge accompanied with such humility: so great ability attended with such affability: nor so perfect courtshipe in conjunction with so great piety. In a word the Court meets with nothing more polished, more obliging, more endearing: The Army with nothing more generous, resolute and undaunted: The school with nothing that either makes more deep and strong conceptions; or more happy and graceful productions. And yet that which is justly most admired and beloved in you, is, that that Piety which you teach the world to practise, teacheth you to make frequent and fair retreats, from thence to a Religious Cell or solitude, which seems indeed to be the Centre where your soul reposeth; and where, being removed out of the noise of the world, you better discern what God speaks to your hart. Please Noble Sr. to admit this trifle, as a sign of gratitude; till time present something, whose bulk may be better able to bear your praises: and permit that I, in the interim, may honour myself with the title of  
Your most humble and devoted servant N. N.   

THE LIFE OF GREGORY LOPES THAT GREAT SERVANT of God, native of Madrid,  
WRITTEN IN SPANISH BY Father Losa Curate of the Cathedral of Mexico. AND SET OUT BY FATHER Alonso Remon of the Order of our Lady de la Merced with some additions of his own.  
PRINTED AT PARIS. 1638.   

OF THE BIRTH, Parent's, and country of Gregory Lopes and of the beginning of his Vocation.  

THE FIRST CHAPTER.  
GREGORY Lopes was borne at Madrid, in the year of our Lord 1542. on the fourth of julie upon which day was celebrated at that time the feast of S. Gregory Thaumaturgus, Bishop of Neocaesarea in Pontus but since is transferred to the 17. of November. He was baptised in the Parish of S. Giles and was named Gregory by his Parents, because he was borne upon that day.  
This is all that is known and can be averred of his lineage, house, and name, for those that were most inward with him, were of opinion that Lopes was not his own, but rather that the holy man had assumed it the better to conceal his noble family. For there appeared in his behaviour, a certain generosity under that humble gravity, and that freedom of spirit and resolurion: in what business soever, a respect, and courtesy so accommodated to every one's quality, as all were persuaded, that he was descended of a noble house.  
None could ever hear from his own mouth, what he was, for being asked by some grave personages, and such as were most familiar with him, who he was, and of what country, he answered: what availeth that? Father Francis Losa a great servant of God, who had, been Curate of the Cathedral of Mexico, and left all to accompany and converse with holy Gregory, and to cherish and tend him (as he did until his death) treating of the same thing in the book which he did write of his life, and how he had earnestly entreated him some few days before his death, that he would tell him who were his Parents, he affirmeth, that he made answer only in these words. since I came into the field to lead a solitary life I have held only God for my Father; my brethren by this time are dead, of whom I was they oungest. Such was his silence in this, though remarkable in all things.  
It is probable that he had his calling even from his childhood, because Father Losa askeing him upon an occasion if God began to dispose him for his service, as soon as he had the use of reason, he said he knew not certainly whether it was then or a little after, but that he was certain that our Lord had called him very soon, and that he never was a chid in his manners, and so he was wont to say, as one that had found it by experience in himself, that which the holy Ghost said by Hieremy, that the man was happy that carried the yoke of our Lord from his youth.  
In his childhood he did learn to read, and write, wherein he became so excellent, as that some things which he hath left written with his own hands seem to be printed, he did never study Latin, nor any science, so that whosoever did hear him treat of many verities both natural and divine, so clearly and distinctly as he did, might easily gather that without doubt he had no other Master but God.  
He had a desire even almost from his infanty, to live a solitary life far from his parents, and therefore being very young, he went to Burgos, and from thence to Navarre; and lived six years upon a mountain in the company of an hermire, in great poverty obedience and humility, till at length, God so permitting, his Father went to seek him, and finding him out, brought him to Valladolid where at that time was the court of Spain, and there placed him with a Gentleman of good account, to serve as his page, much against Gregory his will: but neither the braveries nor fashions of the court could make him forget God, and his inward recollection, where unto he perceived his calling was, and he was wont to say that whilst he served in that place, and was sent upon errands, his chiefest care was to go talkeing mentally with God.  
Lastly groweing in years and having attained the twentieth year of his age or there about: and (as much as may be gathered) his father and Mother being now dead, he resolved upon that which he had always determined and purposed in his mind, and taking with him some little things which were necessary for such a long voyage, he took his journey towards Seville, with intent to take ship for the indies, visiting some holy places which are in the way in Castille, and Andalutia; he passed by Toledo, where whilst he prayed in the great Church and visited many Relics, and pictures that are there, he confessed that one day amongst the rest God did him, in that place, such a special favour and grace as he had never received the like till that time, but he would never tell what it was.  
From thence he went to our Ladies of Guadalupe, where he spent some days in watching, and continual prayer, beseeching that glorious Virgin the guide of the exiled, that she would obtain of her blessed son to enlighten him in his journey which he purposed: and it is certainly thought, as much as could be gathered by that little which he declared (for he did not reveal his thoughts to any body) that the Mother of God at Guadalupe commanded him by a particular revelation, to go to new Spain, which journey he took in hand and performed very joyfully.   

THE SECOND CHAPTER. How he arrived in new Spain and of the exercises wherein he there employed himself.  
AFter he was embarked, the fleet wherein the went, endured some tempests, which seemed unusualle to the Mariners in those parts, but it seems that all these were slights of the devil who as soon as he getteth knowledge of any soul that is to war against him, he presently gins to trouble her, and desireth to hinder her from going forward, either covertly with the colour of goodness, or openly by opposing her. but all these tempests passed over and he arrived safe at the post of S. juan de Lua: there he gave thankes unto God for his good success, and went to the City of Veracruz where he did declare somewhat of his mind and purpose in coming to the Indies, because most Men go thither to increase their fortunes, and he, it seems, had read that which S. Augustine saith in one of his Epistles: if you would be a good Merchant, and heap up store of wealth, give that which you cannot keep, and you shall receive in exchange, that which you cannot lose, give a little and you shall receive a great deal, because for these temporal goods, which you distribute, there shall be given you an eternal inheritance: so he being furnished with , money, and some other little things to the value of eightscore pound starling, he gave away and distributed it all, for the love of God keeping nothing for himself but what was necessary to cover his body, which was a suit of ordinary cloth of rash, with which he went from the City of Veractuz to Mexico, travailing, those 240. miles with many incommodities in his sustenance, because he never asked any thing of any body, neither for God's sake, nor for any other respect.  
As soon as he came to Mexico, being, as is said, before excellent in the art of writing: lest he should give himself any occasion to be withdrawn, from his purpose never so little, he did fly idleness (because as the poet Lucan saith, that is the effect of idleness) and he settled himself to write first with a Scrivener by name San Roman and afterwards with the Secretary Turcius; it was Lent at that time he was in Mexico and he fasted it all with bread and water, and with the greatest abstinence, silence, and austerities as was ever seen in any secular Man: And this is manifest by a letter which Leves Zapata writ unto him about 29. or 30. years afterwards, which came to be in the year of our Lord 1591. It is dated from the Mines of jaxio and written unto Gregory Lopes who was then in Santafe in great esteem for his sanctity as shall be said hereafter. The tenor of the letter is this.  
About 29. or 30. years ago whilst that I dwelled in the street of Tabusa in Mexico, there came out of Spain, and lodged in my house a Gentleman clothed in rash, and amongst other tokens, he fasted that Lent with bread, and water, he was called Gregory Lopes: they say that you are called so, I pray do me the favour to write if you be he, and to commend me to God in your prayers.  
And that he was, the same, it is manifest by his answer, which he sent back in the same paper in these only words: I am he that you speak of, I will do as you request me. A sentence worthy of so great a personage; a wise lesson and of great moment, to teach the profane custom of this present age, to spare their words and paper.  
Gregory Lopes stayed in Mexico, only till he could get by his writing, where withal to pass to Zacatrias whether he had a mind to go; as soon as he came to those mines, and saw, the confusion and covetousness, those wranglings, oaths, and perjuries, the suits in law, quarrels and misfortunes of those Men so drowned in avarice, by reason of that Mineral, he was much discontented, and great was the dislike that he had whilst he was there, especially when one day he saw with his own eyes, that, at such time, as the Cartes went away with the silver to Mexico, two men,, which seemed to be discreet, fell out about a certain interest, and killed one another at the same time without regard to give account, either of the goods to the owners, their souls to God, which was the greater loss.  
This troubled Gregory very much, being sorry for the loss of those two souls and being inwardly stricken he trembled with fear to see how much God was offended in that place, and how easily Men went to hell. From that time, he began to make more haste, to put that in practice, which he had determined in his mind, namely to go and live in the wilderness solitary, fearing, lest delay might be hurtful, since that the staying of Esau in hunting made him lose his father's blessing: and it is the opinion of wise Men, that in war and in the way of virtue, delay is for the most part hurtful with this resolution, he changed those  he wore, which were reasonable good, for a sack cloth, and went 24. mile farther into the Country, to the Valley of Amvac, amongst the Chichimecoes, whose crueltic was in those time much feared by the Spaniards, because they did eat Man's flesh, and committed many other cruelties: but he having God in his heart, feared no man, and so it came to pass that these Men, or beasts (for so they shown themselves to others) were so courteous to him as that they helped him to make è little cottage after the manner of an Hermitage, which we may well say, was the first that ever, was in new Spain with that name.   

THE THIRD CHAPTER. Of the solitary life which he began to lead in the Valley of Amayac amongst the Chichimecoes.  
GRegory Lopes began his solitary life as he was entering into the one and twentieth year of his age, which is a matter of great importance, to wit, to begin even from ones youth those exercises, which are to continue all one's life, and S. Ambrose said, that this was the honour of young Men, to learn the fear of God from their tender years. Therefore the first thing, that Gregory did, for the better performance of this his solitary life, was to make the two first steps, the one with the fear, the other, with the love of God, offering himself up ito his hands, and putting himself under the shadow of his most assured protection, with these words. Lord here I go forth only to serve thee, and not for any interest of mine own; if I do perisheth, on thy account be it. By God's fault no Man perisheth, because he giveth every one, that, which is sufficient, if he will make his benefit of it for his salvation. And our ruin always proceedeth, and is caused by ourselves as all the holy Fathers do understand and as may be gathered by many places of the holy Scripture, especially by the words of the Prophet isaiah in the 13. Chapter. Thy perdition O Israel is thy own work, from me only thou hadst help that thou mightst not have been destroyed, if thou wouldst have helped thyself with it. So Gregory by those words did not mean, that his soul might be lost for want of God's assistance, he himself doing, what lay in him because that cannot be imagined of a Man endued naturally, with such an understanding, and supernaturally with so much light, but, by this manner of speech, he intended to declare his affection: and truly words coming from hearts enkindled with love are always to be piously interpreted, conformably to the affection which doth then rule in them.  
Here by we might gather the nature of this act of Gregory, which proceeded from two apprehensions which he might have had of God at that time. The first was, of a holy fear of the combats which offer themselves in the desert; the which proceeded out of a perfect knowledge, which God had given, him, of his own weakness. The second, of a great confidence, which he put with all in the goodness and metcy of God; for the just man by trusting in God, looseth not, his fear, and by the fear of himself, casteth not away his confidence in God. Then if we refer it to the affection of confidence, his act is to be declared thus: Lord here I go forth only to serve thee, and not for any interest of mine, if I perish, upon thy account be it; as if he should say; I am sure that by thy fault I shall not perish; but I am rather of opinion that this proceeded from a holy fear, and that which he could have said, was: Lord here I go forth not for my own interest but only to serve thee, if I do ruin myself it will not be by obeying thee in this vocation which thou givest me, but because thou hast determined for mine own unworthiness, to suffer me, to perish in that estate thou hast put me in, as Saul did lose himself in that course, wherein thou didst put him, not by thy fault but his own.  
From the very instant that Gregory Lopes made this act, he found the favour of God in himself very efficacious, and began with great courage to walk in the narrow path of perfection; in the which he never retired back one foot, or stayed, nor ever lost sight of that light, with which God did direct him in this way. He armed himself with continual abstinences. He used himself to eat but once a day although his meat was but short, and of little nourishment; for the most part of his time it was only Maiz or Indian wheat toasted which the Indians call Cacalote, and he observed this custom so strictly even till his death, that upon no occasion, yea though he were grievously sick, he would ever break it. He did never eat flesh; yet if any sent him some slices of beef in alms he received them thankfully concealing his abstinence, but he did never eat them. Rolls of Indian wheat were his ordinary bread, and those but sparingly, and less than sufficient sustenance to live upon, if God had not sent him such favour as might well seem his, in so much that his manner of life, and nourishment seemed rather miraculous than natural.   

THE FOUR CHAPTER. How the retiring of Gregory, seemed to some excessive, and his manner of life suspicious, and the reproaches which he thereupon endured, and of a notable miracle which our Lord wrought by him.  
ALthough the life of Gregory in the wilderness, was so extraordinary, and so retired from the conversation of Men, yet there were some that did carp at that estranging of himself, especially, because they did not throughly penetrate that inward practice of his soul: and the exterior, which they saw, was different from that, which is commonly seen in such like Men, that are given to spiritual exercises; because they saw that upon many holidays he did not go to Mass, and that he had no spiritual books; those slanderers of his blameless life, not considering that the way, which Gregory took, and wherein God had enlienghted him; was so inward, so secret, and so solitary, that even his soul itself, as he often said, did stand in fear, and suspected her own body. And thus much touching the slander, for not usesing books of devotion, and vocal prayer: as for his hearing of Mass upon days of obligation, this might excuse him, that the nearest place to his Cottage or habitation was 24. or 30. mile off; yet upon great days he always went to hear it, and afterwards returned back to his widernes. But it is no new thing that the just and friends of God, suffer such like persecutions, for as S. Austin saith very well: persecution is that which disposeth the servant of God, for the glorious crown, which is ready for him in heaven; and Lactantius saith, that an Emperor or Prince could not know the valour of his Nobility, if he had not enemies for their exercices and trial. Besides this, some imputed it to great folly in Gregory Lopes, seeing him choose that wilderness before any other, for his abode in which, those Chichimecoes, a rude Nation, did every day kill and eat such Spaniards as they could get in their hands, as if there had not been thousands of Angels guarding and watching the nakedness and solitariness of Gregory, in regard of that Lord, whom he served, no man daring to touch him; yea not to look on him without respect, because, that were to touch God in the apples of his eyes, as he himself saith, by the Prophet Zachary, of those who trouble and disquiet his faithful servants. But many of the soldiers, who passed that way, being ignorant of such deep philosophy, called him fool and mad Man, and said unto him: friend you smell of the grave, but the soldier of Christ did little regard, these fears, for God had infused such a love and reverence towards him, in the minds of that barbarous people, that although they killed the other Spaniards with their accustomed cruelty round about him, yet when they came to the place, where Gregory was, they reverenced him and saluted himwithsuch courtesyas they were capable of: and not only they but also other Indian's, that were more civilised, and understood our language, seeing him apparelled in that manner, like an hospital brother, and thinking him rather an Ecclesiastical person then secular by his garments, instead of saying Deogratias unto him, they said Teogratias; and such was their courtesy and kindness towards him, as that they offered, him some coneys and tunas; a fruit much esteemed in those countries, showing themselves in all things so loveing and ready to assist him as if he had him their Countryman, kinsman, or brother; and by this may be seen the love, and respect which they bore him, that seeing him build that cottà or hermitage, the Indian Chichimecos themselves did help him to finish it, bringing boughs and stones, and making mortar, such is the force of good example and humble life, as it is able to tame and soften the hearts even of wild beasts. And so said the Emperor Adrian, as Dion relateth, that arms and Majesty had given him the Empire, because, they made him dreadful, and that courteousness and clemency did maintain it, because clemency begetteth love. But nothing doth so much declare and set forth the great force of meekness, sweetness in words, lowliness in carriage, cheerfulness of countenance, as that manner of extolling which David useth in the 44. Psalm, where speaking even literally of Christ, he saith, that, one thing for which the eternal Father did bless him, was for the comeliness and grace, which was spread in his lips.  
But all that which we have said hitherto, is little in comparison of that which now we will say. Oh sweetness of behaviour! oh good example in life and manners! how powerful are you not only on earth, but even in heaven? The holy Man Gregory having finished his little cottage, thought good to make himself a little garder after the manner of the ancient hermits and Fathers in the desert, but he went on but slowly in his work being very weak both by reason of continual contemplation, frequent ecstasies, as also by reason of the austerities, and mortifications he used, standing always on his feet with his head bare both in the sun and wind; eating only now and then a few herbs and morsels of Maiz which the Indians did throw unto him; being beside of a weak constitution, as may be seen by his physiognomy his picture (whosoever either for curiosity or devotion desireth to see it) is very well drawn in the Imperial house of the Society of jesus at Madrid (which is in Toledo street) in the Church upon the side altar on the left hand going up to the high altar in the picture of S. John Evangelist in the I'll of Pathmos. A certain Spaniard by name Andrew Moteno had a farm near unto that place; he came sometimes to help the holy Man to work in his garden, and to make a ditch and a bank, which he did round about to convey away the water, and that it might serve instead of an hedge or enclosure; and as he came one day amongst the rest to see him and help him, from the top of an high hill which did look into his garden, he saw a thing very strange and worth the relating. Gregory was digging in his garden, and round about him were many Angels of rare beauty richly attired and in diverse colours. Some of them did dig others carried earth out of the ditch, and others helped Gregory to lift up his arms. The man was astonished and stood in amazement above two hours; he told it to his wife, who was called Donnia Maria de Mercado, and, at her entreaty he returned to see the same vision and miracle many other mornings, till he was assured, that it was no dream nor imagination, but a real and true vision seen with his corporal eyes, and a manifest miracle, which, it was the will of God, should be published and made known.   

The V CHAPTER. Of the remedies, with which God did furnish him against the combats, which he did sustain at those times.  
Great was the austerity, which he used in mortifying his body, not sparing himself one instant, nor affording himself any ease: and not only this, but also want of necessaries gave him abundant occasion to merit. But all this was sweet in comparison of that interour exercise, to the practice of which, God did continually stir him up. And though in particular it be not known, in what kind, this exercise was, yet he told me often times, that such was the vehemency of his combat, that he marvelled how he could hold out and that his hair did stand an end when he remembered those times. This he said, being now an old beaten soldier and much pracctised in the like combats. Upon an occasion that offered itself, he did with great modesty tell one, that was well affected unto him, that he had had a combat and spiritual wrestling with the devil which was so violent, that blood burst out at his ears and nostrils. The remedy he used in these occasions was prayer, wherein he continued day and night, and he was fain to use all his strength in this combat, lest he should yield. But amongst the affections which God did give him in his prayer for hisstrengthening and comfortt, there was one a very singular one in using those words, Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo & in terra, Amen jesus; the which he said continually, in so much as for the space of three years, he said them mentally as often as he drew breath, without ceasing or once forgetting: neither did his eating or drinking or talking with any Man, make him intermitt this exercise: and I once ask him, if it were possible to remember himself of those words, as soon as he awaked, he answered yes: and in such manner, as that finding himself awake, he did not breathe the second time, until he had said them. A rare thing yet not impossible for Gregory, being it was agreeable to the great vigilance and perseverance that God had given him; in whatsoever he imagined to be the will of God or profitable for his soul. At three year's end, where in he had practised himself in meditating upon those words, and profited much by them resigning himself wholly to the will of God in whatsoever he would dispose of him, it pleased God to put him in another exercises not so much of words, as of deeds; that was an ardent love of God, and his neighbour, in the which that religious soul settled herself as in the most heroical virtue, and most pleasing unto God. Thus with so firm and sure a foundation, he went always increasing and ascending from one virtue to another, never slakting that amorous effect of Charity in which the divine goodness had grounded him, as shall be said hereafter.   

THE VI CHAPTER Gregory Lopes goeth to the plantation of Alonso de Aualos and determineth to return to Mexico by the persuasion of Father Dominick de Salazar.  
GRegory liked well of his habitation in the town of Amyac because he did there enjoy freely his solitariness, and had occasion enough to exercise his poverty and patience, in wanting commodities for his life and convenient sustenance; and therefore he would not have changed his habitation, but that the love of his neighbour (whom he desired to love as himself) did seem unto him to require it; because his manner of living in the desert, being so new ad unusual in those parts, some rude. and ignorant people, did marvel that he did not hear Mass upon Sundays, and holidays, especially having no occasions nor labours in the country to excuse him from the precept of the Church, it seeming unto them, that only temporal necessity was sufficient to dispense with him, and not the particular calling of God, and instinct of the holy Ghost, who did bring unto the deserts of Nitria in Egypt, and to many other parts, great numbers of Men, who did lead a Monastical or Heremitical life not having opportunity in one year, no nor in many, to fulfil that precept, or others such like from the which in the judgement of all learned and virtuous men they were lawfully excused; and Gregory himself knew that very well, yet nevertheless he yielded to the frailty and ignorance of those people, and to avoid all scandal, he went to Alonso de Aualos his plantation, where he had commodity of hearing Mass, Alonso de Aualos received him with much love and courtesy, and offerred him a house and garden of a very good air, and understanding that he did not eat flesh commanded his steward to employ an Indian to catch fish for him, Gregory accepted of the garden, but would not consent by any means, that any Man should be set on work for him and so for the space of two years which he spent in that place he lived only upon milk, and curds, this time expired (understanding that it was the will of God) he determined to return to Zacatecas, and the night before his departure, as he was expecting day light to take his journey, the terrible earthquake began, which was in that Country in the year 1576. and as Gregory was going to open his window, the beams of his chamber fell without doing him any harm. In this journey he came to a manor of Sebastian Mexia, who gave him good entertainment, which he required with his virtuous example and good advice, the which made such impression in his host that presently laying aside his rich apparel he clothed himself in sack cloth like Gregory Lopes, to whom he bore such an affection and respect, that he determined to put both soul and goods in his hand to manage and dispose of them according to the great prudence, which he understood that God bestowed upon him. But he suspecting it, and knowing that Sebastian Mexia was shortly to die, thought it was not for his purpose, to take upon him the charge of other men's goods, who to serve god more freely, had discharged himself of his own: and to the great grief of them all, he continued his journey.  
At that time Father Dominick de Salazar, an eminent Man of the order order of the Dominicans, went about preaching amongst the mines and villages adjoining upon Zacatecas. This man through the great familìarity he had with Gregory, was so taken with his good spirit, and manner of life, as that he did earnestly entreat him, to go to the convent of S. Dominick in Mexico promising to procure him both lodging and diet, where he might live more quietly and securely exercising apart his prayer and other exercises of his calling, and yet not want the commodities and profit, which a life in community, especially, of relgious Men, bringeth with it. Gregory believing that this course would be no hindrance to those exercises of prayer and contemplation, which God had put him into, determined to follow the counsel of so learned a Man, and so great a servant of God as was Father Dominick, and accepting of the opportunity and alms he returned to Mexico, ha●ing been in the said Villages of Amayac Aualos and Mexias mansour almost seven years, and too Months, wherein he served a certain man upon an occasion, which I will relate. He clothed himself as is said before, with a course sack cloth, and having with time worn out his , he thought good to earn wherewith to cover his nakedness, seeking in that place a service. He came to a rich farmer, who received him willingly, and gave him in charge to look to his hous● hold, and see them do that which belonged to their office. Gregory did that with such care on the one side, and on the other with such love and humility, as that he filled all with the admiration of his virtue, love of his good carriage and desire of his company; but he having got enough in two months' space to put himself in , took his leave of them leaving them sorry for his departure, which they could not remedy neither with entreaties, nor tears, nor money which they offerred him.  
Whilst Gregory Lopes walked in the wilderness, great were the terrors, with which the devil endeavoured to affright him, make him turn back and leave off his holy purpose; sometimes with the roar and the howl of the wild beasts, other times with the cruel deaths, that the Indian Chichimecos put the Spaniards unto every day in that place, othertimes he assailed him with divers in ward temptations, and therefore the more crafty, and deeeitfull, but he had presently recourse to his prayers and such weapons as God had given him for his defence, which was a total resignation wherewith he put himself, and his affairs in the hands of God. He did repeato those words, wherein he had found such light and erudition, fiat voluntastua, etc. and prestrate on the ground in the sight of God he said: oh Lord thou art a Father and all things are done in thy presence, and with thy will. With this he got new strength to go on in his way.  
He lived in great poverty, as is said, yet he never asked alms, neither in this time, nor ever after in his life, but trusting wholly to the divine Providence, he did eat that which Men gave him of their own accord without ask, and when that failed, he did earn it with his labour. He passed many days, only with Indian wheat toasted, and some lents only with purslane, whereby he came to have a great weakness in his stomach, which gave him occasion to merit all his life time. Sometimes he used to exercise his body in his little garden, and he did seldom or never eat of the herbs, which he planted and cultivated, but very charitably gave them to those that passed that way. He did spend every day some time in the holy Scripture, and some times his lecture was in the Epistles of S. Paul in Spanish, before they were forbidden, of which we shall speak more at large in another place.   

THE VII. CHAPTER. He returns to Mexico, and having been at the convent of S. Dominick, he goeth to Guasteca, to continue his solitary life.  
AS soon as he came to Mexico, he went strait to the convent of the Dominicans to meet with Father Dominick Salazar, who was to procure him a Cell in that place according to his promise: but understanding, that he was not in the city at that present, he declared his business to some grave and learned Fathers of that order; who answered him, that they could not possibily give him a cell unless he did take the habit which they offered him very willingly: but he having stayed there some days expecting his patron, in whose word and favour he put much confidence, at length they assuring him that he would not return very soon, and that when he was come, he could not obtain his desire, and withal persuading himself with this, that his vocation was not to live in community but solitary, he took his leave of that holy convent with much grief both to the Fathers and also to himself, being to leave such holy company; but he esteemed it his more assured course to continue in his first vocation and way which our Lord had showed him, and wherein he had profited so much already, and for that purpose he determined to go to Guasteca, because he was told that it was a waist and unpeopled Country, but very fertile of wild fruits, on which he might live. Gregory made choice of this seat to live solitary in, and though he might have had cause to fear his infirmiries and weakness of body, yet he was more afraid of being troublesome to those that gave him entertainment, a thing wherein he was always very wary and discreet, Therefore relying wholly upon the divine Providence, he settled himself in that place until God did ordain otherwise; the fruits herbs, and roots of the field were his food, he fought valiantly the battles of our Lord, continuing the exercise of the love of Godand his neighbour, wherein, as is said before, the divine goodness had grounded him and given him increase.   

THE VIII. CHAPTER. Of a grievous sickness which he had and of an ill opinion, which some had conceived of him about that time.  
GRegory Lopes would have spent the rest of his life in that wilderness of Guasteca, if he had perceived that it was the will of God who shown that it was otherwise, by means of a vehement fit of the bloody flux which he sent him, in which he continued many days all alone, with the discommodities that may be imagined, in great want of all things necessary for his cure, and even for his ordinary sustenance, till it pleased God, that a priest of a very exemplar life, by name I hon de Mesa who instructed those people wihout any stipend, spending his means freely among the poor and needy, sending presently for the sick man cherished him in his own house with all diligence and attendance. He was brought very low with this sickness, until that being very much weakened, by reason that he had not eaten anything in many days before, he fell a sleep, but wakened again untimely, with a little strength and stomach to his meat, and in a short time he perfectly recovered. Nevertheless his good host would not suffer him to return to the wilderness again, but kept him in his house almost four years with great edification both to himself and his neighbours round about, who moved with the report of his good carriage, came to see him, although he never revealed to any what he was, what his vocation, nor the mental exercises which he used, only his outward behaviour was that, which made many both admire and love him; yet there wanted not some, that did behold him with a quite different eye, and so framed different conceits of his manner of life; for having no office nor exercise, as they thought, to employ himself in, they deemed him to be an idle fellow, and one of no worth; yea their suspicion passed farther, for some thought him an heretic, although they saw him come to hear Mass, and comply with the other outward obligations of a Christian, as well as the rest.  
And because upon this occasion, I got the first knowledge of his manner of life, I will here set down the relation, which they gave me of him. About that time, there came a priest from those parts, to the city of Mexico, and amongst other businesses, which he came to treat of, one was that their lived in that place, a man, who he feared very much, was a Lutherane heretic, because he did not carry any beads about him, nor shown any other such signs, with which good Christias shown their devotion, and uprightness of heart. I asked him, whether he spoke well in things touching our faith; he answered, that he seemed to be well grounded in the Catholic doctrine, that he knew all the bible by heart, that in his behaviour he was blameless, and that he was almost always alone, as if he had great businesses though he did not impart them to any. He stays a great while in the Church, and we cannot not get out of him, of what country he is, who were his parents, or kinsfolk, and living in the world he doth not meddle with any thing of this world, as if he did not live in it. I replied familiarly, that I would not have that priest be like unto Hely, who thought, that the changes which Anna made in her countenance, at such time as she prayed earnestly in the presencee of God, were caused by drunkenness, if you should see a thief without his beads, you would not therefore account him an heretic; how much less a man of so good a life, so conversant in the holy Scripture; and whose eonuersation seemeth only tun be with God. The priest conviced with this reason, answered, that he liked well of that which I told him, and that it was likely, that he was a very good man, and said moreover: I will carry him a hat for he weareth none (perhaps because he hath none) and I will not inform the Inquisition of him as I thought to have done. This passed betwixt the priest and me concerning Gregory Lopes, whom I knew not of till then; neither did I then know his name although by the said relation, I conceived a good opinion of his manner of life, God beginning then, though I knew nothing, to show his great favours and mercies, which he was to do me by means of this his servant, as shall be said hereafter.   

THE IX CHAPTER. His abode in Atrisco, his return to Mexico, and the examination which the Metropolitan made of his spirit, and manner of life.  
THe desire which Gregory Lopes had to live unknown, and the great care, which he used to conceal his spirit and heroic virtues, made him often change his dwelling, imitating herein the ancient hermits who fearing lest they should be known and honoured by Men, did travel continually from one place to another: so he, having been, about four years in Guasteca, seeing himself known and much esteemed both by Spaniards and Indians; by the instinct of the holy Ghost (for it is to be thought that he never chaged his habitation without it) he departed towards Atrisco, and being within a league of the town, God brought him unto a man of good esteem, by name John Perez Romero who gave him lodging and all things necessary for his maintenauce in his manor. Gregory was there well treated, because his hosts were good Christians, and benefited themselves with the good counfailes and examples which he gave them (for that was the gratifying and recompense, which Gregory left to them, that entertained him, and wheresoever he came) the temper of the country was very agreeable unto him, and the rivers, brooks and pleasantness of the fields did further him much in his devotion and recollection. But it was not the will of God, that he should stay in that place above two years, because the sour of coccle, the enemy of our good is wont to hide the virtue, and darken the light, which shineth and enlighteneth, that others might not profit themselves, nor go forward in the service of God, as did those hosts of Gregory, and many of their neighbours round about. Therefore the common enemy used for his instruments, certain religious men, that lived in that place, none of the learnedst, but it is likely their intention and zeal was good, though not secundum scientiam, who seeing such great mortification, and so composed a behaviour in such a young Man, such an admirable wisdom, virtue, and spirit in one that had neither studied, nor ever wore any religious habit, wherein he might have got such good parts, they were much scandalised, and did fear where there was nothing to be feared, and sorgetting that saving, that, the hood maketh not the Monk, and that which the Prophet saith: Happy is he O Lord whom thou instructeth and teachest thy holy law. They did so much aggravate the matter before him that was then Archbishop of Mexico, that he thought it necessary, to make very exact inquiries, to learn the truth; which being performed according ●o the order of law, he declare ●…y decree and public sentence, the great virtue and innocence of Gregory: who, having got by this a greater name and opinion of fanctitie amongst all men, took his leave of john Perez Romero, and leaning him and all his family sad for the loss of such holy company by which they were so much edified, he took his journey towards Mexico, and from a place near Tescuro, lifting up his eyes, he espied the house and sanctuary of our Lady of Remedies on the other side of the city; and thinking that there might be there, some habitation, wherein he might continue his solitary life, he travailed strait towards that place, without entering into Mexico, and seeing that it was a place dedicated to the Mother of God, he rejoiced exceedingly, and purposed to remain in that place in service of the Queen of heaven: God disposed all this for the good of many souls in that place, who profited much in virtue by the conversation and company of Gregory. At his first coming, and for some months after, none knew what he was, and there were scarce any that made any esteem of him because he was very wary in making any outward show of the favours, which God did unto him, but seemed outwardly a simple Man, of few words and of a shallow understanding; none did resort unto him, none did light upon that treasure, which God had in secret in that wilderness. By reason of this he was in great necessity, and want of sustenance, in so much that I have known him pass many days, only with wild quinces; but, time running on, men began to take more notice of him, some devout persons, who did there keep their novendialls inviting him now and then to dinner, and they did behold with care and attention, their guests new attire, and manner of life; some were edified by his conversation, others did beware of him, holding it a suspicious matter to stray from the common course, others less advised, judged him to be a Man of ill life and a dissembling heretic, and therefore did abhor and fly his company, and he in that kind suffered much with wonderful patience, although I could not hitherto learn any notable thing, that happened unto him in that place. This came to the ears of the Archbishop Don Pedro Moya de contreras of good memory who like a vigilant and careful Prelate, thought good to inform himself of the life and behaviour of Gregory Lopes, and the spirit, by which he was directed. I went about that time to our Lady of Remedies to see him, and by the conferences which I had with him, I remained well satisfied touching his spirit, and judged him, to be a man of solid and well grounded virtue. I gave this relation to the said Archbishop, and told him that was my opinion; he for his more satisfaction, and better performance of his office, would have this business examined more exactly, and gave in charge to Father Alonso Sanches, of the society of jesus, a man of great zeal and learning, and much addicted to spiritual life, and well experienced in it, to examine Gregory Lopes with all care and diligence; making (as they use to say) an anatomy of him, and to acquaint himself with his employments, exercises, and manner of proceeding. The said Father went with this commission to our Ladies of Remedies where he spent much time with Gregory, propounding unto him very precise questions concerning the Catholic faith, his customs, and spirit, to all which he answered with such brevity, and humility, that he left him always more in doubt, so as his desire of getting out the plain truth clearly, was increased in him. Therefore thinking, that to use any other means, was but to go about the bush, he determined to speak to him plainly, and so with a grave and seure countenance, said these words will declare myself unto you: my Lord Archbshop sendeth me to have knowledge of his sheep; therefore, answer me clearly, and plainly; to this Gregory made answer: it is very ●itting, that I should obey my Father and Prelate, and you in his name; this being premised, Father Alonso Sanches began a fresh to sift him over and over, ask him many very subtle questions in matter of faith, and Christian doctrine; to all which he answered clearly and distincly, grounding his answers upon the holy Scripture, and relating the heresies which had been raised against the Catholic verity, mentioning the times and the chiefest of the Archheretickes, together with the holy writers and Doctors, who did impugn and write against them: this he did with such weighty sentences and grave words, that the father remained astonished, but much much more he wondered at the good satisfaction, which he gave to all the doubts and objections he put unto him, touching his spirit, and manner of life, and found that he was endued with much prudence both divine and humane. Hence it came to pass, that the said father remained not only well satisfied touching the spirit of Gregory, but also his great friend and devote. He gave an account of all this, to the Archbishop who was exceeding glad, that a Man of such virtue had joined himself to his flock, and from that time forward gave command that he should be cherished, and often visited, I being always the messenger. The first time, that I spoke with the Archbishop, after that Father Alonso Sanches had given account of his commission; he told me, that among other things which the Father had told him in praise and favour of Gregory, he said these words, Truly my Lord, in comparison of this man I have not yet begun my spiritual A. B. C.   

THE X. CHAPTER. Of his going to the Hospital of Guasteca, and the exterior and interior exercises, wherein he employed himself in that place.  
GRegory Lopes had lived two years in the house of our Lady of Remedies when he found himself very weak, and tormented with a pain in the stomach, and the colic; and by reason of these indispositions, those cold, and blustering winds, which do ordinarily blow in those high Countries, were very hurtful to him, and therefore it was necessary in regard of his health, to go to the Hospital of Guasteca which is seated in the Marquisate of Valle 36. miles of Mexico. As soon as the Archbishop understood his resolution, he sent him an horse of his own stable, and some dainties by a servant who was to accompany him and serve him in his journey. Gregory Lopes, the Archbishop's servant and I departed from our Lady of Remedies, in the year 1580. towards Guasteca, and so great was the esteem of those, who had conversed with him in that place, that at his departure, all made means to get some part of his poor householdstuff, which was at that time two or three sheepskins, which served instead of a bed, and a little pitcher to keep water in. And although I endeavoured also to get one of those sheepskins, I could never obtain it, though I was Curate of the Cathedral, and so well known by all: such was the affection, and devotion, with which the good people did ask them. I left Gregory in his way to Guasteca, lest I should be wanting to my office in Mexico. Gregory therefore in the company of the Archbishop's servant, arrived at Guasteca, where he was received by brother Stephen de Herrera, although the commodity was but small, by reason of the great poverty which the hospital did suffer in its beginning. He lodged him in his own chamber, having order to give him that which was necessary for his sustenance, and not to employ him in any thing. The brother used him with all love and kindness, as he did use to do all, that repaired thither; who though they were many in number, by reason of the pleasant temperature and wholsomenes of that air, and the Hospital poor at that time; having neither rents to maintenance the poor, nor houseroom to lodge them, nor any thing wherewith to build, yet it never was wanting to their cure and relief: a thing truly, which if we did consider it only humanly, would seem impossible and far from the truth: but such was the courage of Bernardin Aluares the founder, not only of that Hospital, but also of that of the Conualescents in Mexico, and of many others which are spread over all new Spain, that he deserved his most prosperours successes, for the relief, and help of many. I remember that when I asked of this great servant of God, his good will, that Gregory Lopes might be received in that Hospital, he answered me: would to God, Father Losa, that I could bring all the poor Men in the world to my hospital, I trust in jesus Christ, that he would maintain them all: be it with all my hart as you desire: and well may it be seen, that this hospital was governed by God's providence, for within two years after it was founded, there was in that house of Guasteca, allowance for 72. persons, and from that time forward it hath increased so much, that now, God hath provided a table in that desert for all sorts of poor and needy people both men and women, spaniardes, and Indians, that come to the hospital to be healed not only out of new Spain, but also from Guatimala, and Peru, for the good entertainment which they find there, and abundance of all things necessary for their health and relief, and the great care and charity with which they are looked unto, so as almost all that go thither, with almost incurable diseases, in a little time recover their perfect health; and thus much in brief of this famous hospital, because I thimke that Gregory Lopes his being there at the beginning of it, was no small cause of of its increase. In this place therefore Gregory had his maintenance sure, under the title of voluntary poverty, and laying aside care of all things (although the care of temporal things did never molest him) he gave himself wholly to contemplation and mental exercises, practising himself in the love of God and his Neighbour, in which he had laboured many years. But all though the exercise was always the same, yet the increases every day were new, he was all the day retired in a chamber by himself, he went out only to hear Mass upon Sundays, and holidays, and some of the week days, and then also only to the hospital chapel, and if at any time he failed there, he went to the Monastery of S. Dominick to hear it there; and though that place was very pleasant by reason of the many good springs, fields, and groves of trees, and prospects, yet he seldom or never went out to see them, for being of a weak and tender constitution, the ill smell of the contagious diseases, which are there cured, did much annoy him: for this cause some of those that assisted in the hospital did murmur against him (for it is no new thing for Martha to complain of Mary) as an unprofitable impertinent and idle Man. But those that did attentively consider the actions of Gregory, did esteem of him otherwise; for they found in themselves the favour and aid, which God gave them by means of his prayers, and that by them was increased their bodily strength to assist the sick both day and night They also perceived the gift of counselling which God had given him, wherewith he did comfort those, that repaired unto him in their afflictions and pains. He had an especial faculty in pacifying many of the diseased, who either through their ill conditions, or violen●…es of their diseases, were so testy and froward, that the infirmarians could not brook them, so that these things considered, he was no small help to the hospital, especially being a man, that had no office or obligation to meddle with any of these things, for he was never one of those brothers that look to the Conualescents, and Bernardin Aluares had as is said before, given express command, that he should not be employed in any thing. I have observed (not without profit of my soul) that the devil our enemy, having got the worst, and being overcome before in any kind of combat returneth to the fight afresh, in such manner lifteth up his head, and with that fierceness assaileth again, as if he had gone away before with the victory: so he did again encounter this man, as if he had had only to deal with our weakness, and as if there were not with us, and within us, the favour of Almighty God, and the aid of Christ the strong armed, as often as we ask it with faith, and hope. Gregory knowing well this defence as an old soldier under our captain jesus Christ; when I did tell him of any of my combats either interior, or exterior, he answered with the holy Ghost: he that is not tempted, what doth he know, as if he should say, he knoweth nothing. In those days that admirable Man, Father Peter de Pravia, a Dominican, a mirror and pattern of wisdom humility and religion (who had renounced a Bishopric, being then first reader of divinity, and Vicar General of the Archbishopric of Mexico (his soul I hope is endued with much glory in heaven, with his holy Father S. Dominick) went very secretly to to Guasteca, to be assured of the life and conversation of Gregory Lopes; and it is likely that such a personage, so free from passion, was moved with sufficient cause, to go for that purpose in person: in fine he made particular enquiry of his manner of life, and was so well satisfied of him, that from that time forward, he bore him more love, and respect, and I noted this, although the said father, albeit he imparted to me other things of more importance and secrecy, yet he never made me acquainted with his intention in going thither.  
I have also understood, that the Bishop of Guadalaiara with all care and diligence, made inquiry of the life of Gregory in those seven years, which, as we said, he lived in his Diocese, and when Satan had used all his power to darken the life and fame of this great servant of God, he always came forth more pure and bright, like gold out of the furnace.  
Gregory did another work of great profit in that hospital, for he writ a book of Physic, partly out of Sundry experiences, and partly by the great knowledge of the properties, and natural virtues of the herbs, where with he was endued. The hospital brothers made great use of this book, both for the curing of their sick, and when they went about all the country toaske alms. And such was the good success of those remedies and medicines, which they did apply to sundry diseases by the prescription of that book, as if the author thereof had spent many years in the study of physic. He spent some time in making and mending his poor clothes, for he had a particular faculty even in that, and he did both cut-out and make up all his own clothes (even to his grey gaberdine with which he covered himself) excepting a hat, which he never used, unless he travailed much in the Sun. He did not make himself any new shoes, but he mended them so well, as that one pair would last three years.   

THE XI. CHAPTER By reason of a grievous sickness he returns to Mexico, and from thence to San●afe.  
IT pleased God, to remove that lamp to another place, there to shine and give light for a while, and therefore he sent this his servant a fever, although at first it was not known to be so; he with great courage, mortification and patience kept himself on foot for three day's space as well as he could, until the vehemence of the disease made him lie down, and be let blood fourteen times, which in such a weak body, would have been enough to have taken away his life; but God preserved him to be an instrument of his greater glory and the profit of many, so that, although he came almost to the last gasp, yet he recovered again, but so, that there were left after his sickness, some very troublesome remnants, as was a great inflammation of the liver, and a little linger ague, which was not quite rooted out. For this reason he was forced to remove to a cold habitation, to wit to a town three leagues from Mexico called S. Augustine, he lodged in ●he house of john Escovar, who had entreated him in Gu●steca to come to his ho●se; from thence he writ to me giving me notice of his arrival. I received his letter having my foot in the stirrup to go to see him in Guasteca. I went to S. Augustins, where I found him very weak and ill accommodated for want of attendance, and not thinking it convenient for just reason; that he should r●maine in that place, I brought him with me to Mexico, and kept him in my house some months, whilst he was mending; during which time, he assisted many devout souls, who came to visit him, and confer with him about their affairs, and such was the good that he did in this kind, that it might easily be perceived, that God had brought him for that purpose to this city, although he never stirred out of my house all the time that he lived here (but only to hear Mass in the College of the Society of jesus) even not to see the Lady marquis of Villamanrique the viceroys wife, who had a great desire to see him and had requested me thrice to bring him to the Palace, but he excused himself to me saying, that he had no need of the Lady marquis, nor she of him. and in this act he shown no small courage, especially the Marquis being at that time in great esteem and his lady obeyed and respected by all Nevertheless some years after, Gregory understanding, that the Marquis was much troubled with a visit, that came to him out of spain, said unto me: now I would visit the Lady marquis if she would send for me, and the Marquis were at that time in Tescuco, and Gregory in Santafe; where by may be seen how far he was out of the ordinary strain of human courtesy, since that in time of prosperity he denied the visit, which he could easily have made, and in time of adversity he offerred himself to do it, being then above 4. miles going and coming.  
He was not as yet perfectly recovered in Mexico, and his linger ague did not forfake him, he was very weak and had but little stomach to his meat; on the other side he longed for his desired solitariness, and although he had strictly observed it within my house at Mexico, yet he made more account of the commodiousness of the Country; and therefore I went about carefully, to seek out some seat near the City, where he might enjoy his solitariness, and I might often see him, and in some manner relieve his sickness and poverty. Whilst we were in these thoughts, it fell out one day, God so disposing, that we went out both together, to see a little village called Santafe; six mile of from Mexico, the administration whereof belongeth to the Dean and Chapter of the Church of Mechoachan: it seemed unto us very fit for our purpose, by reason of its good ●emper and wholesomenes of the air, and the pleasantness of the trees and springs, which are wont to make a solitary life more pleasing, although Gregory did not much regard those recreations, all his conversation being interior, as shall be said in another place. I dealt with Doctor Hernando ortis de Ino●osa first reader of divinity and Canon of the Cathedral of Mexico and at that time governor of Santafe, who like a virtuous Man and willing to further all that was good, very freely gave Gregory leave, to dwell in a house somewhat distant from the village which stood near the water that runs to Mexico. He gave order also that the Indians should bring him all things that were necessary for his sustenance, at the cost of the hospital which is founded there, and belongeth also to the Church of Mechoacan. Gregory Lopes having obtained this licence of Doctor Ortis went to that solitary dwelling the 22. of May 1589. being whit-munday where he continued his exercises of prayer and contemplation until his death, as shall be said by and by.   

THE XII. CHAPTER. Of the life which Gregory Lopes did lead in Santafe, and of his daily exercises.  
THis abode was new unto Gregory, yet very fit for his spiritual exercises, the which were not new unto him, but always the same, that God had taught him from the beginning, though always with greater progress. He was in that little house all alone, almost seven months without conversing with any man. I visited him as often as I could, and sometimes, as I think, some other devout persons that lived there about, who by seeing him at the Parish Church upon holidays at Mass, were much edified, and by this occasion came to visit him. By these my often visits, I discovered every day, more and more of his great riches in ve●… and spirit; whereby I be came very desirous to live in his company. I desired of God both by means of other devout persons prayers and also my own, that he would let me understand his holy will, because in some men's opinion, the employment, which I had in Mexico, was much to God's service; for I had been above twenty year's Curate of the great Church, and had the charge of such poor people as were ashamed to beg, whom I did provide of such things as were necessary, with the alms which I did continually ask for that purpose, for ten years and more; for which reason my Superiors doubted very much, whether it was convenient to give me leave or no to retire myself to a solitary life. At length it pleased God so to dispose this matter, as that I resolved that this course was convenient, and my superiors condescended unto it, and gave me licence which till then was denied me; so I came to dwell in Santafe, about Christmas of the same year 1489. where I attended upon Gregory until his death observing diligently all his words and deeds, both day and night, to see, if by familiarity and common conversation, I could discover any thing, that was contrary to the good esteem, which I had of his extraordinary virtue; but it was so much increased in me, that every day his spirit seemed more admirable, his virtues more heroical and his conversation more celestial. In this time I heard from his own mouth most of that, which is here related, though he did never speak purposely of those things that had happened unto him, but only upon diverse occasions, when it seemed necessary for my profit, or the good of other denout persons; and all this hapening so seldom and so unawares, that I did not take sufficient notice of it, to carry it away; neither did I think I should outlive him so much, as to be able to write of him, and this which is written of him is very little in respect of that which is wanting. Those admirable things, which I marked in him, would be very hard to be related historically, only I will note, that his life was uniform, so as that which he did one day, he did another, and with this rule he passed months and years. Therefore I will briefly set down how he spent the day and night, that hereby we may gather some little part of the great virtue, which was in him.  
At break of day he did open his chamber window that he might begin to dispose and order his day's work; and washing his face and hands, as soon as it was day light he read in the bible à little more than a quarter of an hour, and then shut his book again. His end in reading that book, was only because it was the holy Scripture, and because God had given it him to read; and also, that if he did not understand some thing the first time, he might understand it the second: especially, because he did bear such a respect and reverence to the holy writ, that upon the reading of it, he grounded that which he had to do in the day time, and that so constantly and duly, as that some few days before his death he said; I have not read in the bible these ten days, I do nor remember that I have omitted it so long a time before, since I began to live solitary. After he had read the Scripture; he betook himself to his other exercise, which was so inward and secret, as that by no outward signs, it could be perceived of what kind it was, whether prayer, meditation, or contemplation, if it was of sad things, or joyful, whether he was in action or passion, whether he spoke with God, or God with him, only it might be gathered by his great modesty and gravity of countenance, that he was continually in the presence of God, never losing sight of him; although he never imparted these things to others, yet he told me those things, which I have writ of him, and shall write hereafter. He did also upon an occasion which I will here relate, declare some thing to Don Fray Domingo de Salazar then Bishop of the Philippines, who returning from thence to Mexico, to go to Spain, passed by Santafe on purpose to visit Gregory Lopes, with whom he had had great familiarity, as is said before in the fourth Chapter. This prelate, among other things desired him to tell him, what exercise he used and wherein God, had employed him? to which he answered plainly that his exercise was to love God and his neighbour. The Bishop replied: you told me these same words in Amayca five and twenty years a go, how is this? have you been always doing the same? Gregory answered: I have always done this, though there be difference betwixt that times work and this. Whereby it is evident, that the presence of God, which Gregory practised, was not merely that only, but was accompanied with a fervent love of God and his neighbour which is the end of all the divine precepts, and the highest degree of perfection, that can be attained in this life. This he gave himself to both morning and euening and the most part of the night. These were his prayers, these his meditations, this was the daily bread, whereon that religious soul did feed. And though he gave himself to this all the day, yet I did mark, that in the morning chief, he was with this exercise, as it were, transported. He had no certain place nor posture of body which he did ordinarily use in it; most commonly he did stand, or sit, or walk in his Chamber; sometimes he went out into a gallery, which was near his chamber, to enjoy the sun a while. In his latter years he could not kneel, by reason of his weakness of body. At eleven we did dine both together, with another guest if there were any, for Gregory did not estrange himself from any, especially not from devout or religious persons. In dinner time our discourse was of God, or of some natural things, out of which he did draw some Spiritual consideration, grounding very profund doctrine upon them. After dinner he spent sometime in these kinds of discourses. When there was any religious person present, that made up the third, he did hearken very attentively unto him, but would never begin any discourse himself, unless he were asked, or the present occasion did so require. At other times, I did read unto him some saints life's out of Villegas his Flos Sanctorum; S. Francis his Chronicles, the book, called the spiritual meadow, and other such books, and this exercise lasted two years and more. His time of recreation being ended, he retired unto his chamber, still continuing in his union with God. which he did never interrupt, neither with eating, or talking, or any other outward occupation: he did never sleep in the day time, so that he had the more time to converse with God. If towards evening (for it seldom happened in the mornings) there came to visit him, any body that desired to talk with him in private about business, he denied entrance to none, he gave counsel and comfort to all, and offered to all his assistance in his prayers unto God without exception of persons or times, so that in these last years he was much visited, not only by the common sort, but much more by religious Men and Clergy men, and men of great learning and authority. There were many gentlemen and great Ladies that had recourse unto him, sometimes in person, othertimes by letters, making him acquainted with affairs, and desiring his counsel, and prayers also for their good success. But amongst others, Don Lewis de Velasco, Marquis of Salinas (who was Precedent of the Council, and had been twice Viceroy of new Spain, and once of Peru) came some times to visit Gregory Lopes, for the great affection and respect which he did bear unto him, and stayed with him sometimes two or three hours together; and he found in him sufficient understanding to treat, not only of his private affairs belonging to his soul, but also of the public belonging to the government of the kingdom.  
In this manner Gregory spent the evenings, before sunset he retired himself to his chamber, and did not come fourth again till the morning. He never used cadle light, from the time that he went into the wilderness, which made some ask me out of curiosity, what he did all the night in the dark, not considering, that his exercise, being interior, did not depend of this material light, but of the spiritual, which neither day nor night was wanting. He did never eat supper as is said, and so was all alone in the dark, until mine and a half, or ten, and then he laid himself down upon his little couch, covered only with a mean coverlet; and this was the softest bed, that ever he had, for at first the bare ground was his bed, afterwards some sheepskins, and some few years before his death he accepted at my earnest in treaty, a little thin mattress, and the coverlet I spoke of. In this manner he did sleep, to my thinking, not above two or three hours in all the night; for he did spend the rest awake in contemplation till day light, when, as is said, he opened his window. He used all the days of his life, the self same exercises as is said, and in this manner he passed over the time that he lived in Santafe, until it pleased God to take him away to enjoy everlasting rest.   

THE XIII. CHAPTER. Of the death of Gregory, and of the most remarkable and admirable things, which then happened.  
ANd now it seemed, the time approached, wherein Gregory was to pass, from this momentary life, to an everlasting, there ●o receive the reward, which God hath prepared for his faithful servants, for in the Month of May 1596. he was stricken with an air, which did so distemper him, as that he never found himself so weak and ill disposed and presently he lost his stomach altogether, in so much as that he could not swallow down any thing but liquid things, and them also with much difficulty. Few days after he fell into the flux (a disease troublesome, and dangerous in such a weak body) yet he would not suffer, that a Physician should be sent for, partly, because of the experience which he had in the cure of that disease, and partly, because he knew, that the strong medicines, which the Physicians use to apply, would in less time waste the little strength, which he found in himself, and seeing me solicitous by reason of his disease, and that I desired much, that some remedies should be applied, he said unto me: now, Father Losa, let us walk God's pace, as if he should say, that conformity and resignation of mind was for those times, and not to be talked of, when there is nothing that troubleth us, but all goeth well with us: so he was used to say commonly, that resignation is altogether deeds, and hath no words. He spent some days after this manner, with that patience and courage as he was used to suffer his other sicknesses. until upon the day of S. john Baptist the 24. of june, I thought it fitting to give him the blessed Sacrament, and askeing him whether he thought it good to receive it then, he answered yes, and that he rejoiced much, that it was upon the day of S. john Baptist his especial patron. I gave him the blessed Sacrament, and fearing that his death did draw near I had some holy oil in readiness against it was needful: for besides his great weakness and illstomach, he had got a hicket that was very painful unto him, and his pulse did beat with intermissions: notwithstanding all this, such was his courage, that the very same day that he received his Viaticum, and all the days following he rise out of his bed, and made it himself; he made himself ready, and always, even to his death, he did rise to the stool, and though commodity was offered him, yet he would mortify himself in not using it. He grew weaker every day, not being able to eat any thing at all, he only sustained himself with strong waters, which were sent him in great quantity from Mexico, by persons of quality; which when he received, admiring at the providence of God, he said, with great feeling: ●hou art wonderful, o Lord, for that a Man who in all the world doth not possess a pin of his own, should have need to live upon waters of kings and princes, and should find those, that would give him them without seeking for. Now the day of the glorious Apostles S. Peter and Paul was come, and I doubting that my sick man would not outlive that day, thought it most secure to give him Extreme Unction. He was very glad that this Sacrament was to be administered unto him upon that day of the Princes of the Church to whom he was much devoured, and had always a desire to serve. The time being come, wherein I was to give him absolution in virtue of his Bulla Cruzada, I bade him call to mind some sin, though of the years past, that I might absolve him, and apply unto him the Indulgences of the See Apostolic; whereunto, he answered, that by the mercy of God he did not feel any thing trouble his conscience; the which was to be understood of moral sins: whence may be gathered that h● never committed any in his life: because he was not ignorant, that none ever lived without venial sin, excepting our Lady: though, it might be also, he said that he did not remember any venial sin, not because he had never committed any, but because he had not committed them wittingly, and being asked suddenly, it might very well be, that he remembered none. With that I gave him the Sacrament of Extreme Unction; afterwards importuning him, that he would suffer sheets to be brought him, to ease him somewhat of his pains, he answered: now that I am anoiled I may receive them, and, thinking that his death drew near, I said unto him: will you die now? then speaking to himself, he said: now nature wilt thou die? showing by this, the pity and compassion, which the spirit had of the body, or the higher part of his soul of the lower and sensitive: for Gregory understood very well, this division and anatomy of the inward Man and the outward, and the parts of both, and he was used to discourse very elegantly of it. So vehement were the pains, which he endured in his body, as that I once ask him, how he did, and where was his pain? he said, that from the sole of his feet to the crown of his head there was no part free from pain; add beside this, our Lord on the other side did afflict him in the most interior and sensible part of his soul, so that both inwardly and outwardly he might have abundant occasion of merit. In this kind I will tell one thing that was generally known in Mexico, though perhaps all do not relate it so precisely as it happened, and therefore it is not amiss to set down the truth. I will conceal the persons names because those that know them will easily guess the right, and those that do not know them, there is no reason why they should.  
Amongst those persons of quality that came from Mexico to visit Gregory in this his last sickness, there was a great Lady, who was wife to a noble man, that served the king in an honourable office. She did not give such Good example in the city as she might have done, both in matter of bravery and excessive expenses, as also in playing at crades, wherein she lost much time and money also, drawing after her some other noble women, who, under her wing, did dare to give scope to that vice, their husbands not being able to hinder them. This Lady came to Santafe the third of july seaventeen days before Gregoryes death, to visit him, and cherish him, for although in the things aforesaid she was somewhat faulty, yet for works of merey, and compassion towards the poor and afflicted, she was much to be commended. As soon as I understood of her coming, I sent word unto her, that she should not come into the house; having made such little use of his prayers and labours for that having been here before, she had not left off playing art cards, and taken away the scandal which she did give thereby, being a purgatory to so noble a gentleman as her husband was; therefore she might return to Mexico, for there was no means to see the sick man, neither would her alms be welcome unto him. She made divers replies, and in messages backwards and forwardly, were spent three or four hours, I still denying her leave to come and visit him. Whilst therefore this Lady expected the last resolution and answer, that devote of ours, whom I spoke of, and others also certified me, that she came with a great desire to amend, and leave of her idle life, and gaming, and that therefore it would much avail for her entire amendment, to comfort her, and yield to that which she did so much desire, wherewith I was satisfied, and of opinion that she should see him. As she came in at the door, a far of he said unto her: Father Losa had promised, that you should not come in at this door; to which she answered: he hath reason, but I will amend. As soon as she saw Gregory she took much compassion of his infirmity, and began presently to serve him with her own hands sitting on her knees at his bed side, and to dress his meat, for in that she had a special faculty, though she had a greater in commending herself earnestly to his prayers, and making use of that good occasion in time before it slipped away; for whilst she was here, she was every day both morning and evening with the sick-man a great while, beseeching him upon her knees, and with tears, in her eyes, that he would pray for her, and take her soul into his charge. Heerwith she began to feel a great alteration in her mind; for now she did take content in treating of heavenly matters, and of amending her life; and there in my presence she did burn a pair of cards, which she had brought with her in her sleeve, to pass the time withal and came to me to confession, and after that time I perceived a change in her soul. In fine some few days before she was to return to Mexico, having been one morning, as she was wont to do, entreating the sick man to assist her with his prayers to our Lord, she turned to me very joyful, and said: Father Losa bear me witness, that Father Gregory Lopes hath promised me, that when I dye, he will come for my soul to carry it to heaven, because I do not know the way And to Gregory Lopes she asked him: do you make me this promise? to which he answered: yes, I promise you. After this discourse ensued two things very remarkable; one was, that the pains and torments of Gregory did increase very much, the other was, that this Lady fell into the same disease, whereof Gregory died: yet notwithstanding, she stayed two days in this village serueing him as much as her sickness would give her leave, and pouring out, being upon her knees before him, abundant tears of repentance. With this assurance she returned to Mexico, because her sickness increased, and at her taking leave Gregory said unto her: far well, for we shall not see one another again by reason of our weakness of body. As soon as she came to her house, she did write unto me some good sayings whereby she did show, that her soul was touched by the powerful hand of God, and among other things she said unto me, that the Physicians of her body did apply to her disease many good medicines, but that she did most desire, that the Physicians of her soul would remember her often in their prayers to God. Her infirmity waxed greater, together with confusion and sorrow for her sins, and signs of true repentance. At the same time I did also perceive that Gregory his pains were increased; for that Lady being almost at the point of death, there came hither Martin Lopes de Guana a public Notary, to visit our sick man, as he did use to do at other times, with a message from the said Lady, who desired him to be mindful of her, and he requested the same in the name of all his house and his own; whereunto Gregory replied, as one that had a great weight upon him: so I do, I feel her lie very heavy upon me. This seemed strange unto me, for I never perceived any thing in him that did molest him, or that he complained of but only in this occasion To conclude the Lady died, leaving behind her great tokens of her salvation, and showing, at the hour of her death, such signs of true repentance, and sorrow for the ill example, wherewith she had withdrawn other persons after her, as that this sudden alteration was of no less edification, than the disorders and looseness of her life past, had been of scandal; and within few hours the news of her death coming to us, I told it unto Gregoty, and he with a joyful countenance said only these words: God is powerful. I asked of a brother of the Conualescents who never went out of Gregory his sight, whether at that time and hour when the Lady died as they told us, he had perceived any unusual thing; and he told me, yes, for he saw him beside himself and, as it were in an ecstasy at the same time; whereby I did gather, that it had pleased God, to accomplish Gregory his promise, and that he had been present in spirit at the death of his devote, and carried her to Purgatory that afterwards he might carry her with him to heaven, when he departed out of this life. Of this I have no certainty, but it may be piously believed according to that which is here related. I have here told this history, to declare somewhat of the zeal which Gregory had of the salvation of souls, and to show that the love of God and his neighbour, which he did continually exercise was not a mere speculation and built only in the air, but that the loss of souls spiritually went even to his heart, and that with all his strength he did seek their recovery, though at his own cost, and by enduring the punishements due to another sins, as it seems in this occasion he suffered those which the other should have done; for besides the grievous pains of his body, which he did suffer from his head to his feet, his inward torment was very vehement, which he did undergo from the time that he took that soul into his charge, in so much as that he did wonder at himself, and he that never complained of any thing, in this time did say with great feeling: jesus, God help me, what a Purgatory is this? and once, as I was about to leave him upon some business he stayed me; saying: keep me company. Truly the saying of jesus Christ to his Apostles keep me company, had in it a great mystery; showing by this, that he found himself in his soul destitute of that joy, wherewith our Lord was used to comfort him in such occasions at other times; but the strength with which he did suffer this, the integrity of his faith, and the confidence which he did put in God, was that which I did most admire at in him: and because his ordinary exercise after he went out to live solitary, was to revive that faith, and make a more strait union of his soul with God, therefore his heroical virtue in this kind, appeared clearly when occasion was. I was wont to ask him in this his last sickness, how he went on in the exercise of his continual act of the love of God, and he always, even till his death, answered, that very well; and, to make this more evident, I will here put down in particular some questions which I asked him when I saw him most troubled and the answers which he gave me. I once asked him, whether so great pains did not separate him some what from God? he answered: not a jot; another time seeing him much afflicted, I said unto him, now is your mind upon God? he said and where should it be else? his death being nearer, whilst he was in his agony, I asked him; now are you well fixed upon God? he said, I am not ill, upon an other occasion, having been much recollected, he turned unto me and said: Perseverance with peace availeth much; and as I comforted him, saying, that our Lord did lead him through crosses, as his beloved some: I am glad, said he, I am glad that his will is fulfilled in me. Lastly when I thought it was time to give him the holy candle, I said these words unto him: now it is time to go, and see the secret, will you have the candle (alluding to the history which he did know, of king Alonso the wise, who being in the like passage, said, give me that candle, let us go see that secret) whereunto Gregory made answer with a wonderful confidence; there is no secret, all is clear, it is noon day with me. This is not to be understood so, as that Gregory should say, that at that instant he did see God clearly: for that kind of clear vision hath seldom happened in this life; the clearness, which here he did speak of, is that of contemplation, which holy men do call a clear knowledge, because this light of contemplation joined with the general light of faith, causeth such a security, and a special kind of certainty of the divine Mysteries, as that in comparison of the orainary knowledge of the faithful, it is called a clear knowledge, though in respect of the clear sight of God, it be but obscure. Gregory spoke of this clearness when h● said, all is clear, and, to say, that it was noon day with him, was no great exaggeration, because the light of contemplation goeth far beyond the light of noon day: With this invincible courage and valour, full of faith, hope and charity, taking a little while after, the candle in his hand, he yielded up his soul to his Creator, to continue for all eternity (being swallowed up and overwhelmed in that infinite se● of the love of God) that excellent act of love wherein (as much as in possible for human frailty in this place of exile) he had always endeavoured to exercise himself and excel. He died on saturday at noon, on the 20. of july of the year 1596. upon which day the Order of the Carmelites doth solemnise the feast of Elias the first Father and Founder of the solitary life, which Gregory Lopes had so perfectly observed. He lived 54. years, and 33. of them in solitude, His body remained as if he had been alive, and, as we that were present did conceit, with a certain brightness. At the same time we felt a very pleasing smell, which came from his body, and remained in the chamber wherein he died: and (which is more to be admired) his winding sheet kept the same smell, and his  do retain it till this day. It is also worthy of noting, that there being present at his death the Canon Nicolas Martinez rector of this place, and myself, who had been 20. years a Curate, and three other devout lay men, none of us, did think of saying for him a Responsory of the dead, such was the joy that we did feel by seeing him, and was caused by his happy passage. His body was laid in the Church of this village, by order, of the Doctor john de Ceruamtes Vicar General of the Archbisoprick, and now Bishop of Guaxica, who understanding of Gregory his sickness whose sanctity was well known unto him, came to visit him some days before his death, and to desire him that he would cause himself, to be buried where it should please the Archbishop of Mexico, or his Vicar General. He spoke first with me about this matter, before he talked with him, and I answered him that at that time Gregory did not take any care for his burial, that all was at my disposing, desiring indeed that his body should remain in the Church of Santafe; but I would not determine until I had spoke with him; and telling Gregory what the Vicar General did require, he said these words: let the Vicar General his will be done, for that is the will of God: and so this being taken under witness before a Notary the Vicar General commanded that it should be buried in this Church, yet so, as that it should be lawful to translate it to the Cathedral of Mexico when it pleased the Archbishop, providing hereby with much prudence and mature judgement, that if in process of time it should please God to declare by miracles, how much he hath been pleased by this his servant, the city of Mexico might be honoured with the treasure of his holy body. There were present at his funerals many devout persons, and of good account who had flocked thither from Mexico and other parts only for that purpose, and brought with them torches and whatsoever else was necessary for the better solennising of the office, which was performed by Don Alonso de Motay Escovar Deane of the Church of Mexico, who was then Bishop elect of Guadalaiara and now is of Tlaxcalla. His body was interred near the high altar on the gospel side, and many persons that touched him 24. hours after his death found his limbs so flexible as if he had been alive, though commonly dead bodies, as soon as they become cold, use to grow stiff so as their joints cannot be bended. Some say that God is wont to bestow this gift and particular privilege upon virgin's bodies, as it is likely that he was. At his burial also the foresaid smell was felt, wherewith the people's devotion was so increased, that they cut off pieces of his garment very greedily, thinking themselues happy if they could but get any thing that was his. They solemnised his funerals upon S. Anne's day, and Doctor Hernando Ortis de Hinoiofa Canon of Mexico, who died being chosen Bishop of Gautimala, made a sermon at them,  
This was the marvellous end of this servant of God whose memory deserveth to be kept and reverenced by all, not only the citizens of Mexico, but also of Madrid his country, for besides the obligation which all the faithful have to worship and honour the relics, and memories of saints, these have a particular, the Province of Mexico by enjoying these precious relics, and the most famous town of Madrid the court of the Catholic king, because it is now evident that he was borne there, and Christened in the Parish of S. Giles which is that we spoke of before and is the Church of the Franciscans discalceate, and the Parish is at this day incorporated with S. john's.   
The end of the first Book.   

THE SECOND BOOK.  
OF MANY OTHER marvellous works of the life and death of the servant of God Gregory Lopes.  

THE FIRST CHAPTER. Wherein are treated many notable things by which it hath pleased God to manifest the sanctity of Gregory Lopes.  
GOd is a faithful friend of his servants, as saith the Spouse in the Canticles, and it is seen by this, that one of the properties of true friends is to procure by all means possible, when it is necessary or convenient, to make known and lay open those good parts which lie hidden and concealed in those whom they desire to honour and reward. And this is the Title which Nabuchodonosor gave unto the God of Israel, after that Daniel had interpreted his dreams unto him, saying: Truly your God is God of Gods, Lord of Kings, revealer of secrets, and interpreter of great, and hidden mysteries.  
Gregory died to the eyes of the world (I mean of Men addicted to the word and forgetful of their salvation) but he lived in the memory of the faithful, and of the true Christians, to whom God began, to reveal in the death of his servant, how acceptable his life had been unto him, of this we have infinite testimonies and be this the first.  
At the same hour that Gregory died a certain religious woman much exercised in virtue and interior conversation (with whom this holy Man was used to have communication in the union of spiritual life) being at her prayers rapt in spirit, she saw him come towards her, saying these words: sister I am going to heaven, you are not to go so soon, because your presence is necessary for the service of God, and the comfort of this monastery; this said, he presently vanished away; leaving her soul much edified and resigned to the will of God, though her desire was to be freed from that mortal body, and be with Christ. And before the news of Gregory his death came to Mexico, she told this revelation to her ghostly father, who being certified of the truth advised her not to diwlge that which had been revealed unto her, until it pleased God to declare what was to be done: he did also counsel her to pray more earnestly unto God to assure her whether this was a vision from him or illusion of the devil, and twelve days after she told her ghostly father, that it was the will of God that this should be revealed unto me, because I had inquired of what had past; and moreover, that these words were spoken unto her, by the mouth of her heavenly spouse jesus Christ. Wherefore, thinkest thou, Gregory is placed near me? because he left all temporal things for my sake, and lived with inward recollection and silence.  
I have been told of a religious woman whose virtue and spirit is well known unto me, how that five years before Gregory his death, laying herself down upon her bed after Prime, because at that time she was sick, God shown her in her sleep, the heaven's open and all the religious Orders, and Martyrs going out in procession: and more over our Lady with many of the women saints, and our Saviour jesus Christ with Apostles, and she being amazed at this vision, it was told her that they went to visit holy Gregory who was sick. Afterwards she understood that he was like to die, and that he had not earen any thing in five days.  
A certain person whose wisdom virtue and humility is well known to all, moved with an affection of devotion and love which he did bear towards this holy man, did desire him, some days before his death, to remember him, and he promised him to do so, and the first saturday night after Gregory his death, this man saw in his sleep a vision wherewith he waked; and that which he saw was the likeness of holy Gregory, whose blessed soul did, as it were, unite itself unto the others body, and made him praise God in his ●aints, especially in the holy con●esiour Gregory with great jubily: and this past for a while; and he remaining very joyful and much comforted, he began again to feel himself touched over all the body, and awaking therewith now the second time, that shape of Gregory did enter into him moving him after an extraordinary manner and making him praise God, in such sort as it was not in his power to cease one instant, and withal made him understand, and acknowledge, how unworthy he was of that favour, and how much he was obliged to serve God, and be grateful for that visit of his faithful friend.  
A servant of God of approved virtue (whom our Lord teacheth and encourageth by many ecstasies and rapts) being one day, ten years, before Gregory his death sore afflicted and full of pain, he began to consider with himself the excellence of Gregory his spirit, and being in this consideration rapt in spirit, there was set before the eyes of his understanding an image so clear and transparent as that he could see through it, and it was told him: such is the soul of Gregory Lopes; where at he did both wonder and reioyee very much, and told it unto Gregory who answered not a word.  
A religious Man that led a spiritual life, much addicted to prayer, whilst he was praying in the choir; had such a clear knowledge of his being nothing, given him by God at the intercession of Gregory, as that it much edifieth all that treat with him, and withal such a great love of God, and union with his divine majesty, that two months being past since he received that favour, he hath never discontinued that union, but always persevered in one continual act.  
There was a certain Priest, that was much affected to the virtue and spirit of Gregory, and had great hope to find favour in the ●ight of God by means of his ●rayers; he considering sometimes with himself (a little while after Gregory his death) how happy he was and gracious in the sight of God, once in his sleep he seemed to hear a voice which said Ask; and in confirmation of this word he asked some thing of God which till that time he could never obtain, and it was granted him presently the same day; and by the same means he obtained other things, not only for himself but also for others.  
To another devout man, that came to ask counsel of Gregory being now dead, as he was used to do whilst he lived, it was said: judge not thy neighbours, and be more temperate, wherewith, he told me, that he had reaped much profit in his soul.  
Many other things like unto these have been wrought by our Lord, whereby appears the great glory, wherewith the divine goodness hath honoured Gregory aft●r his happy passage, and made known his great sanctity by a number of miracles.   

THE SECOND CHAPTER. Of some Miracles which God hath wrought by the relics of Gregory Lopes.  
GOd is wont to exalt his friends, not only in their heavenly country where they live for ever, but also in this place of exile where they die, and to honour those at their death, who honoured him in their life, working miracles by the just man to the end that his good works may be known, the power of God honouring him with miracles who had served and honoured God with his virtues. And because the sanctity and virtue of Gregory have been so excellent, therefore the divine goodness hath done, and doth still every day, so many miracles by this his servant, as that if any curiosity and diligence had been used in gathering them together and approving them by this time we night have made a good large relation of them, and I hope in God that he will yet work more for his greater glory, the honour of this holy man, and our profit and edification; I will here only relate some of the most certain and approved.  
The same day that he was buried, and Indian woman of good account, wife to the governor of this town, being lame of one arm and in great pain, at the same instant, as she took Gregory his hand in hers, to kiss it, she found herself perfectly sound and free from all pain, giving God thankes for the mercy he had showed her by this his servant's means.  
A little girl of five or six years of age, was sore tormented with a disease (which she fell into by eating of earth) very dangerous by reason of great obstructions and swelling in her belly, together with a vehement ague, and beat in her head and heart; and four days after Gregory his death being much afflicted she said unto her Mistress, who was a Lady noble by blood but more for her Christian like behaviour, and recollection which she made choice of, and observeth in the Monastery of the Conception at Mexico: Mother, lest that God should take me away apply unto me that little welt of Gregory Lopes, which was given you, for he will cure me; she did so leaving the child at night with a great fever, and when she rise to Matins, as she was wont to do, in passing by she went in to see how the child did, whom she found a sleep and rid of her ague, and awaking her; asked her how she did, she answered; well, for the saint hath taken away my pain. The said lady rendered many thankes to God for this so great a miracle.  
Another great woman in Mexico, was tormented with a headache, in such manner, as that she was like to lose her senses, and finding no help in any remedies whatsoever; she laid upon her head a sleeve of Gregory his doublet, which to her great happiness was kept there in great devotion and reverence, and she did presently take her rest, free from all pain.  
A child of three months old, the first and only son of his parents (who were of the best rank of Mexico) was sick of a fever not being able either to suck or sleep: whilst all those of the house, and of the kindred also were troubled hereat, one of the maids remembered herself of a certain relic of Gregory which was in the house, which being laid upon the child's head, he presently fell asleep, some hours after awaked, took the teat and was well; his parents, and those that were present, gave many thankes unto God and his saint for this miracle.  
In the same city there was a Priest who was so troubled with the toothache, as that for three days and three nights he could not have one instant of rest, and by reason of its vehemence his face was much swelled; his mother gave him a piece of Gregory his garment, and he with faith and devotion applying it to his cheek, presently fell a sleep and slept from nine of the clock at night until the next morning, and then awaking he found the swelling of of his face assuaged, and himself without any pain, attributing this sudden recovery to the intercession of this saint and giving God thankes for it,  
In the house of a Gentleman of Mexico, a man well known in this kingdom, there befell unto a slave of his such a sudden accident and great misfortune, as that all held him for dead of a vehement fit which he had; a gentle woman that was present calling to mind that she had in her keeping a piece of the shirt in which Gregory died (which I had given her) she caused a little coffer to be brought her, and taking out the said relic, she laid it upon the sick man's forehead, and presently he came to himself again whole and sound, though with much a do: and being asked what he had felt, he answered; nothing. All that saw this accident, with its circumstances could not but attribute this cure to a miracle which our Lord wrought by his servant Gregory Lopes.  
In the city de los Angelos an honourable Lady was brought to the point of death by a violent fever, which she fell into being great with child and near her time; but the infant dead in her womb her husband seeing her in this danger, entreated a brother of the Conualescents by name john Valleio to visit her; he went and carried with him a little piece of Gregory his garment, and applying it to the sick woman's neck said unto her: put your hope in God and reverence this relic of Gregory Lopes, for by his intercession you shall be restored to your health: it seems she did so, for being delivered of that creature, she remained sound.  
The said brother applied the same Relic to a sick woman in the same town, who had such a grievous headache, as that for a long time she cried out continually both day and night: he wished her to put all her confidence in God, and firmly to believe that he would give her her health, by the merits of Gregory Lopes. She presently recovered rendering many thankes unto God, and remaining devout unto him who by his intercession had freed her from so great pain.  
In the city of Taxca a young man was infected with a pitiful leprosi, and after he had tried many medicines, and spent much in the curing of it, and all in vain, a brother of the Conualencents' gave him a little piece of Gregory his garment, bidding him apply it to his neck, and take this servant of God for his Patron with an assured hope to be healed; and it came to passo, that within eight days he found himself clear of the leprosy, and diwlged this miracle, publishing every wherewith much gratitude, the wonderful works of God and the praises of Gregory.  
In a village of this kingdom, called, Higualapa, a gentleman had been, for the space of 16. months, troubled with a grievous pain of the collik, not haucing in all that time scarce a day nor hour free, especially the last twenty days, in which his pain did not diminish a whit nor give him one minute of rest As it happened there was present a gentlewoman wife to the chief justice of that province, who told him, that many miracles had been wrought through the devotion, which those of her house, did bear unto Gregory Lopes, and that if he, with the like faith, would make him his mediator to the divine goodness, he might assure himself of his health. The sick man hearing this took a piece of Gregory his shirt, and applied it to the place where he felt his greatest pain, and holding it there a little while, he presently voided a stone of the bigness of a pine kernel. Herwith he recovered and never after felt that pain, and held it for certain, that this happiness, and safety did befall him by the merits and intercession of Gregory Lopes, to whom he was ever after very devout.  
A brother of the Conualescents, named Alonso de la Fuente was six years in the hospital of Guasteca, almost always sick, full of emplasters and both legs full of holes and corruption. The chief brother seeing him so incurable, and that besides these and other sores and pains, there was gown in his forehead a swelling as big as an egg, and another, not much less in his ankle, both very painful, he removed him to the hospital in the Island, of S. john de Vlua, thinking that he would recover in that place because it was of a hotter temper. But it fell out quite contrary, for he grew much worse by reason of the moistness of the sea and the cold north winds. This brother being one day sad and troubled in mind recommended himself to God and all the saints, and earnestly besought Gregory Lopes to obtain him his health; and remembering himself of some relics of his which were given him at Guasteca, he applied them to his head with a night cap and to his leg with bands, throwing the emplasters and patches, which he wore, into the sea, and in three or four days after he had applied the said relics he found himself perfectly cured of all his diseases, swellings and sores without any other medicine, and he was never troubled with them afterwards, whereby he plainly perceived the force and efficacy of Gregory his intercession.   

THE THIRD CHAPTER. Of the knowledge in the holy Scripture, which God infused into Gregory Lopes.  
Although Gregory Lopes never studied any kind of learning, not so much as Grammar, or even Latin, yet he understood the holy Sctipture, and turned it into spanish (in the opinion of some learned men) with such propriety and judgement, as if he had spent all his life in the study of the Latin tongue and Divinity, so as many that saw him turn over the bible, and read it with such strange readiness, in diverse occasions that were offered h●m, would have rather thought he had red things written in his own Mother's tongue; then translated them out of another. He had by heart all the historical part of the Scripture, of the Gospel of S. Matthew and S. john word by word, and those things which were said by the other two Evangelists more than was by these; the Epistles also of S. Paul and the Apocalips. To conclude he had such a perfect knowledge of all the holy Scripture, that being asked of any place or sentence whatsoever, he answered with incredible readiness and certainty.  
Father Peter de Pravia, being Vicar General of this Archbisoprick came to visit Gregory whilst he was in my house at Mexico recovering his health, and he chanced to ask him about a place in the Scripture, which after long studying he could not find either in the Bible, or the Concordances, Gregory hearing it said this place is not in all the Bible but there is another like it and it is this; opening the Bible he presently shown it to the Vicar General, and it was the same that he sought for.  
Three Doctors of Divinity of the university of Mexico conferring with Gregory in this village of Santafe, about some hard place of the Scripture, entreated him withal to tell them if there was any place in Scripture, that treated of a certain matter which they mentioned unto him. To the ●eard places he answered very clearly, and gave them one very ●roper for their purpose, which ●hey had not found, though they ●ad studied that matter very diligently: whereat being much astonished, they said in my presence: here is a learned man indeed, what is our knowledge in respect of his. Beatus homo quem tu erudieris Domine, Psal. 39  
Certain religious Men very learned, being in Santafe spoke a sentence as out of Scripture, in his presence and he said: that is not Scripture; they much wondering hereat looked into the bible, and found that he had said true. It was a thing worth admiration how certainly he knew in how many places of the holy Scripture, this thing, or that thing was said? or whether it was in it or no? to this purpose a religious man a public reader of the Scripture, and one that had conversed with him, said unto me (as one that knew him) these words: I do not talk with any man about the holy Scripture with such wariness, as I do with Gregory Lopes.  
Certain prebends being in company with him, told of another that was present, how that he knew all the Psalter by heart: he answered; that which is to be esteemed is, if he can make use of it when it is requisite; for in this he was singular, that he could call to mind both the things which he knew and their places when it was needful.  
There were some Preachers, who having occasion to retire themselves to Santafe, when they were to make a sermon, were used to say, that they needed not their Concordances where Gregory was.  
Don Pedro Moya de Contreras visiting his Archbishopric, came to Guasteca where Gregory did live at that time, and sent unto him by me to ask a doubt, whereunto he answered so profundly as that I did not dare to bring him the answer, but re●…ning with the message, I said unto him; I had rather that you would hear Gregory his reasons from his own mouth then from mine, and so he will answer you when you go to see him. When the Archbishop had been with him, and heard him, he remained well satisfied and much amazed, and said unto me: I never thought that he knew so much.  
Father Dominick de Salazar, who died being first Archbishop of the Philippines, spoke in this manner of Gregory twenty years before his death, in the presence of three grave and learned religious men of the order of S. Dominick: how is this Fathers, that we, with all that we have got by studying in all our life, know not half so much as this young man doth?  
Many learned persons, that came to ask him doubts out of the holy Scripture, returned well satisfied, and amazed at the great knowledge, which it had pease God to bestow upon this his seruant● amongst others came a Doctor of Divinity who some days before had been present at some conclusions out of the holy Scripture which had been defended in the schools of the society of jesus at Mexico upon that place Malach. 3. Ecce ego mittam Angelum meum, etc. and ask Gregory what was the meaning of that place, he brought so many exquisite things upon it, that he Doctor affirmed, that there was no more, nor even so much said in all the Conclusions.   

THE FOUR CHAPTER. How Gregory Lopes was directed by the holy Ghost, in the spiritual manner of life.  
GOd did not only teach this his beloved scholar the holy Scripture; as is said, but also, and in a more excellent degree, he instructed him in a spiritual course. which he was to follow in a most eminent manner, and was also to be a guide and Master to others. For this holy man by the light of his understanding, knew his own person, and, as far as I could understand, he did see as distinctly his own spirit with the eyes of his understanding, as he did his body with those of his body, and he did clearly discern those two springs, of his body, and his soul, which rise up so mingled the one with the other, restraining the current of the body, and enlarging that of the spirit, which is very rare; for it is a very hard thing, and such as few attain unto, to distinguish in ones self, the works that proceed from grace, from those that proceed from nature, because oftentimes the one are masked with the likeness of the others; Gregory discerned these very well, both in himself, and others that asked him counsel in the like doubts.  
It once so fell out with me, that having been, for some month's space, only exercised in mental prayer, wherein I found great difficulty and trouble, I had afterwards occasion to go about a certain work of charity, and by the way I felt such an inward joy and tranquillity of mind, that in those days me thought I was in heaven. Afterwards returning to Santafe and giving him account of what had passed, I told him that my spirit had dilated itself very much; he answered me: Father Losa it was your nature that dilated itself: I did believe him, though at that time I did not understand it; but assisted through the mercy of God by his prayers, soon after I attained to this verity: for I was wont to do outward works of charity, which though in themselves they be virtuous and meritorious, yet have this property, that they recreate and dilate nature, and sometimes self love creeps in; but in that recollection I did only use mental prayer, during the which, nature was as it were in a continual torment and rack, because she was withheld from those exercises, wherein she was used to find content and delight, though holy and good; of which kind are these; to relieve the necessities, and seek the good of ones neighbour, to hear and speak of heavenly things (for these have been my employments by the grace of God, for some years) but when I left of this recollection, to do that work of charity which I spoke of, and recreated myself with the sight of the fields and hills, nature did return to her former case and quietness, so as she made no war against the spirit, wherewith I rereceived much content, thinking that now I was at peace with myself; but afterwards, when I desired to return to my sole mental exercises. I found that nature had got more strength than ever to war against the spirit, and perceiving by this manifestly, that this my peace was not: so much of the spirit as of nature, I came to see by evident consequence, that Gregory knew my spirit better than I myself did.  
Certain religious men talking in his presence, of things which did help one's spirit and devotion, one of them said, that music did much avail, for he, by hearing once evensong in the great Church at Mexico found his spirit so revived, as that he had never said his prayers before with such peace and quietness. Another said, that it availed much to pray in company with others because the difficulty, which he found in praying in his Cell, was diminished, and taken away by the presence and example of those, that did pray with him. Gregory let them go away without speaking a word unto them about that matter. I did perceive that he could easily have freed them from their error, and shown them that it is nature that is helped and recreated, by those means, and not the spirit, as might be seen by the success which I had; and because the reason, why some in prayer do help themselves with the company of others, is because our nature is quickened, and taketh delight, that her good works are seen, as may be seen in those, who take a discipline and give alms in public; therefore such as those following the content of nature, pray better in company then alone. I asked him what was the reason, that he did not advice and instruct those religious men in this, he answered me; because that were to hinder their journey, for with that staff they go on a little, and without it they would sit down.  
Our Lord had given him a great quickness of judgement in distinguishing thoughts or words which, was idle, and which not; and in speaking of God he could very well discern, when it proceeded from nature; and when from God: to this purpose he was used to say: many men do speak of God more through love of themselves then of God, sometimes also he said: the love of God is all in works, it hath but few words, and oftentimes it is dumb. From this knowledge proceeded that rare moderation of his tongue, as shall be said in its, proper place.  
From hence also it came to pass that he never had any scruples, but an admirable quietness of mind; and no less certainty in matters of faith, wherein he never had any doubts, notwithstanding his great temptations, and this is that which he meant at the hour of his death, when being asked whether he would have the holy candle, to go and see the secret, he answered with great courage, as is said before, all is clear, there is nothing secret, it is noon day with me; wherein his meaning was not that his faith had no obscurity in it, but that he had no doubt in matetrs belonging unto it; for our faith is obscure, yet so, as it is also most certain, and the certainty of it taketh not away its obscurity, wherein our Lord will have us walk in this life, captivating our understanding in his service, as saith the Apostle.  
I have thought convenient to put down some examples, whereby the greatness of the light which Gregory had, might be gathered, since that with it he knew, not only himself and his own spirit, but also other men's. I had great signs and conjectures (by those things which had happened unto me) to persuade myself, that he did see other men's souls: being of this opinion, I asked him one day about five years or more before his death, if it were true, that he did see them, he answered, no; with this so plain an answer I believed him, and rested satisfied, but I observed that from that day forwardly, he grew every day more wary, therefore I spoke no more unto him of that matter, but since, I have had, and now have so many witnesses, so worthy of credit, and such as none can except against, that I think I should do ill in not affirming it for certain; and if he said that he did not see them, that is to be attributed to his great humility and wisdom which made him seek to conceal that gift of God, as he did many others: neither is it to be thought, that a man so true and perfect did tell a , for his denying of it in this case, might be saved from a  by many ways. First it might be that at that time, God had not as yet done him that favour, but that he did it him afterwards towards the end of his life. It might be also that at that instant, when I asked him that question, he did not see the souls, but that God gave him light, to see them at other times, when it was necessary, for the light of contemplation of spiritual things is not habitual and permanent, but only actual, such as is that of prophecy which God giveth and taketh away as he pleaseth. And so at that time, when Gregory said that he did not see them (though he did see them in other occasions) it is to be understood that he did not see them, because God had taken away that light from him at that present.  
A certain person of quality told Gregory, that he had had great temptations, but he hoped in God he had not committed any sin in them, and therefore that he had not revealed them in confession. Gregory replied: not so stoutly, for truly you have been but a weak soldier; then the other said: then do you think it good I should confess them? Gregory answered, he did not think that he had committed any great fault in doing as he did, but to have made an entire resistance he should have done such and such things; hereby the other, not only gathered that he had seen his spirit, but also learned the manner of resisting better, afterwards.  
A godly Priest came from a place far distant unto Gregory to be resolved of some doubts concerning his soul; and he answered him, so to his purpose as the Priest said: you have told me that which I thought to have asked you, and which I had great need to be told of; Gregory replied: God seeing your necessity moved my tongue to speak that which you heard.  
There came to visit Gregory a lawyer, who then was married and now is a religious man, but was always a virtuous man, and by the way he talked with his companion about certain things touching his soul, which neither Gregory nor any other man did know, or could know by any natural means, and as soon as they came unto him before they asked him of any of those things, of which they intended to talk with him he answered them so directly to all things, as that they remained satisfied and amazed, and looking one upon the other, rendered thankes unto God, seeing him answer them so directly, as if he had been asked, whereupon the lawyer took occasion to examine his conscience as often as he went to visit Gregory, thinking that he saw the most secret thoughts of his heart; and after the same manner going at other times to ask his counsel, he answered him so directly before he spoke ever a word, as that he was confirmed in the opinion, which he had of him:  
A religious man of a very spiritual life and very familiar with Gregory; went one evening to ask him some doubts about his spirit, and because it was almost night, and he had not the time, which he desired, to treat of that business, he bid him go take his rest, and that the next morning they would talk of it. The religious man being that night in his chamber which was under the holy man his lodging, received inwardly an answer from God of that which he intended to ask, and a check for coming to ask counsel of a creature, when he might have it from the Creator, for that he that had given Gregory such store, would also give unto him, if he would dispose himself for it, and put his confidence in God; as soon as it was morning, he went unto Gregory his chamber, who smiled as soon as he saw him, and the religious man began to tell him how that God that night had answered his doubts: Gregory helped him out to tell it, and preventing him, for as yet he had not told of the reprehension, he said these words unto him: and had you not a good reprehension for seeking counsel of a creature, he answered, yes, father, I had a reprehension also. At all this he marvelled very much, and assured himself that the holy man had seen in God all that had passed with him.  
Another Priest very careful in things concerning his spirit, came to see Gregory Lopes, and observing him diligently, perceived that this servant of God spoke to him of all that was in his heart, which though Gregory himself did neue● insinuat, yet the priest assured himself that it was so, for that his soul somewhat inordinately affecting the great favours which he had received, and which he did hope to receive from the hand of God; Gregory among other things said unto him: we look for great matters, but truly either here, or there we must pay for our small humility.  
A curtain person devout unto our Lady was used to say his beads, and by that means so efficacious for all good and happy progress; had received such favours from God as that for some year's space he was almost in continual prayer. Therefore seeing himself so well profited in mental prayer, he asked Gregory whether it were not best to leave off the rosary, that he might give himself the more to the other? he answered no, (knowing that the worshipping of our Lady, to whom he was very devout; doth not only help beginners, but is also cause of a happy progress in the spiritual life, ●uē to those that have attained to perfection, and a mean to persever in it) wherefore he persevered a year in that devotion of the rosary, and perceiving that those heavenly favours still continued in his soul, as one now altogether spiritual, he determined to leave of the rosary without acquainting Gregory with it; but within few days after he left it off, he began to feel many troubles and drouths, and almost no prayer (for to these dangers he exposeth himself, who thinketh to make a prosperous navigation in the spiritual life, without Mary the star of the sea) he told this unto the holy man without telling him the reason, which was his leaving off of the rosary; whereat Gregory smiling said unto him: fall to your beads again; he did so, and it succeeded so well with him, as that in a short time he came to have the same spirit and devotion, as he was wont to have; whereupon he was ever after very devout unto our Lady, and wondered much, that Gregory did know the cause of his drought, though he had concealed it.  
It once happened that there met at Santafe six spiritual men or more at the same time, who came from diverse parts to confer with Gregory of matters concerning their soul, and sometimes he answered them all in public, and that so substantially as that they were satisfied in their doubts, and instructed in what they were ignorant of; but that which I most admired at, was to see in how few words he answered, for he did resolve great difficulties in two or three words, and me thought those words were as laws in the minds of the hears, and sparkles derived from a burning charity; so as they went away not only illuminated, but also with their hearts inflamed and stirred up to embrace whatsoever was good.  
There came unto Gregory one exceedingly troubled in mind and told him all his troubles; he answered him only these words: this is a purgatory wherein God detaineth you, and these were of force to comfort him, and give him great quietness of mind.  
He comforted another Priest much afflicted, only by saying unto him that of the Apocalips: I counsel thee to buy of me tried and burning gold, wherewith thou mayst be rich.  
Another found comfort amongst his tribulations and temptations, by hearing him say: the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the valiant do win it.  
To knights and great persons that desiring to live well in their state, did ask him what they should do, he said: That which you do for the love of G●d, and that is enough.  
To lawyers, judges, and men of employment, he was used to say change your intention and you will do much.  
With these kinds of speeches he did awake some that were a sleep who by hearing him came to the selves and profited very much of this efficacy and good effects of his words (which I did always, attribute to his prayers) we shall speak some thing in the 19 and 20. Chapters, besides that which is spoke of in divers places of this book and might be spoken of more at large.  
Having by long observation perceived, that Gregory did understand spiritually, whatsoever he spoke or heard I once said unto him: whatsoever you speak or hear, you understand it spiritually, and he answered me, that it was true; whereby spiritual men may see the perseverance and constancy of his spirit, and those that are not, will perceive it by these examples following.  
If any Man did say that the bread of Santafe was good, he answered, yes, meaning the blessed Sacrament, which is true bread of our holy faith. When they did commend the beauty, good smell and excellence of the flowers of Santafe he applied it to the saints, whose sanctity had its beginning from faith because without it, it is impossible to please God: if any one, beholding the springs and streams of waters which run from hence to Mexico, did say: the water of Santafe is better in its spring then at Mexico, Gregory yielded it was, meaning by the spring of Santafe, God, in whom the waters of true wisdom are best, and he that receiveth them immediately from him hath them more pure and wholesome, than he that receiveth them after they have passed through human understandings; when he heard men say; such an one is of a noble house, he presently considered that true nobility was to be a son of God in spirit; if any one said that such a Lord or such a Lord was grandy of Spain, he presently considered that the chief greatness was to be a friend of God, a heater of his divine words, and to perform heroical deeds in his service. Perceiving this his wonderful quickness and readiness in drawing of things to a spiritual and profitable sense, I was want sometimes (when there was occasion of talking of any thing, which was hard to be understood spiritually) to ask him the spiritual sense, as once, a little dust arising in Santafe, which happeneth but seldom, those that were present, said: there is dust also in Santafe, I asked him: how can it be said that there is dust in Santafe? he said: because there are saints that live in Santafe, who are not come to four and twenty degrees of perfection, and therefore have some dust of the earth sticking upon them, for a man perfectly spiritual is all spirit.   

THE V CHAPTER. Of his great knowledge in Ecclesiastical and secular histories.  
MAny would have contented and esteemed themselues happy, if they could have attained to that knowledge which is already said that Gregory came unto, but as God is the giver, and Man a subject so capable, it pleaseth God to set before our eyes for examples, some men to whom he hath given much, by their industry to confound and condemn the carelessness of those, that do not prepare themselves. This holy Man disposed himself so well, as that he is one of those, who by their own deeds give a sufficient and ampble testimony of this verity whilst he was in Guasteca, there came to visit him Father john de los Cobos, a Dominican, an excellent Divine, who had been a reader in spain before he came into these parts, and having conferred with him for a good while very seriously he afterwards said: that the fame of his wisdom was great, but the truth far greater. Having heard from him very rare things out of the Apocalips he desired him to make a comment upon it, which he did in eight days, and sent it unto him to Mexico, without either writing it over twice or so much as blotting out a word. He receiving it admired very much, both at the speed, as also the wit, learning, and spirit, which he shown.  
There went also to Guasteca to talk with him Father Michael Talavera Provincial of the discalced Franciscans, whose humility, wisdom and sanctity, were most renowned in this kingdom. He conversed with him very familiarly, and afterwards ceased not to admire at his great light and wisdom, praising and thankeing God for it; in so much as that at his return from thence to Zacatecas, where Gregory had lived solitary, he did very much extol his knowledge, and sanctity in a learned sermon which he made there, and among other things he said this: in this field here hath been bred such a young man, as that I had rather be he, than a king, Emperor or Pope; and he added: in departing from him, I felt my soul possessed with the grace which I had found in him.  
Father Manuel de Reinoso, a holy man, and very great Preacher of the order of S. Francis admiring at the understanding and knowledge of Gregory, held it to be supernatural; for I (said he) have asked him of divers places in the Scripture, and there was none to which he gave not a very good answer; once I asked him nine of the hardest places which I have seen in all the bible, and he expounded them to me in a few words and with such propriety, as that he seemed a S. Hierome. Another religious man hearing him say so went unto Gregory with other places of great difficulty, and found by experience, that, what had been said of him, was true. He knew (with as much evidence as can be gathered out of the holy Scripture and other histories) whatsoever past, since the creation of the world to No, telling the generations of the sons of God, and of our first father's so distinctly, as that without looking in the book he would rehearse all those lineages, their degrees and affinities, and the differences of the times and ages, although it be a thing so obscure even to the most learned; neither was he ignorant of things that past the sons of men at that time, whose customs and inventions he did relate very particularly. The like he knew from No till the coming of Christ, and he spoke of those times and persons, as if he had lived in them. Having spoke of this family of God, he discoursed of the bordering nations, putting all into one history, and accommodating these histories to the times and successes of the said family; and he did not only know the wars and other things that happened in the family of God, but also those of the gentils until the coming of our Redeemer, and in my opinion he knew all this as exactly as any other man of his time: He had by heart the Prophecies of all the Sybilles', he would tell many particulars of the birth, infancy, child. hood, youth of our saviour Christ; and also of his preaching, death, and the other mysteries, and how much the law of grace excelleth the law of nature and the law written. He had in a manner before his eyes the life and preaching of the holy Apostles, and their Disciples. He related in particular the lives and Martyrdoms of the Popes and other famous martyrs from S. Peter to S. Sylvester, and the most remarkable lives and deeds of the Confessors of most note from S. Sylvester to Clement the eighth, in whose time he died. He told the names, time and conversation of the founders of religious orders, and of solitary life, and of the Archereticks, condemning their errors and alleging the Counsels, wherein they were condemued, setting down also the time, wherein such and such heresies began and ended.  
He discoursed very particularly of the history of that beast, which S. john speakeh of in the Apocalips, which was the city of Rome, and of the ten horns, which were the ten Emperors, who did most of all persecute the Church, and he did bring down this history of the Emperors to Philip the second, in whose time he died.  
He did speak very distinctly of the beginnings and increases of the sect of the false Prophet Mahomet, of the many countries which were overrun, by the Mahometans, Turks, Ottomans, by nation Scythians and off spring of Magog, and the Slaughters which they have made of Christians. I have heard him say that this perverse sect did possess almost three thousand leagues of land reaching from Europe to China.  
He was also very conversant in the histories of the heathens both anchient and modern, and had knowledge of those famous men whom the gentills esteemed, Gods, as janus Hercules and the rest.  
He related the conversions of all nations and countries to our holy faith; and those that preached the gospel unto them, and also the memorable things that happened, and that with such certainty, as if he had seen them or read them.  
Of all this he hath made a Chronology or succession of times from the creation of the world to Clement the eighth very short yet exact, setting down the mos● memorable both in the Ecclesiastical and secular affairs; so as many learned men do earnestly entreat me to lend them that book to copy out.  
He had gathered also out of the said histories the choicest and best things that concerned our faith, law and customs, and had reduced them to a calendar of the days, which he did sometime tell me, by way of recreation, to my great content and admiration.   

THE VI CHAPTER. Of the knowledge in other sciences, which God gave unto this his scholar.  
GRegory did not only know, both the holy scripture, and moral, and spiritual things, as we have said, but he was also an Astronomer, Cosmographer and Geographer. He had a globe and a map made with his own hands very truly and exactly, for I have heard skilful men, that have seen it praise it as such; but that which I most wondered at, is, that ostentimes, when there was occasion, I askeing him about diverse parts of the earth, even of the Antipodes, he answered me presently, without studying or thinkeing upon it.  
He did understand well the Anatomy of man's body, and sometimes he told very curious things of it declaring how admirable the divine wisdom shown it  in man.  
He was also very skilful in Physic, of which he writ a very elegant book, wherein were many experiences which were easy to be made by poor men and labourers, and sundry properties of s●mples and compounds. The greatest delight which he took in this art was to make receipts, which he gave to the poor and needy, written in his own hand, with the best remedies, which the desire that he had of his neighbour's health, did make him invent and compose, for he was very compassionate; and therefore God gave unto him wonderful success.  
He was likewisse very skilful in husbandry, and was also an herbalist, for he did not only know the properties and virtue of herbs but also how to make them better, with sundry liquors which he made, and gave to the herbs as it were to drink. I have seen and earten of them so changed by his hand, as that they seemed of another kind; and he told me that if he did know of any man that were curious, and a good Christian (lest that, if he wanted the fear of God, he should make them worse and poison them by this art) he would teeth him this art, for the profit of his neightbours.  
He was a very good penman, and did write many kinds off hands singular well, at this day there are some things in this kind, of his making, very admittable, especially the map we spoke of before, the which being of late much augmented, excelleth all that have come out in print, and is so curiously made as that it see●eth printed; and therefore a grave doctor to whose lot it fell, estee●eeth it very much  
He had skill even in the tailors ●ade, and could make his own , which though but mean, yet to be accommodated to his weakness and sickness, did requite a particular fashion and making; and so he was wont to say, that none hit so right in the making of them as himself. He did not make himself shoes, but he mended them so well, that they served him three years and more neither did he make himself a hat, for h● never wore any since he went out into the wilderness; and it is no● known that he ever had more th● one, and that remained as good as new.  
This multiplicity of things in 〈◊〉 contemplative man, will not seem● excessi●…e (though only one be necesary, and many do rather hinder then otherwise) if we consider, the sublimity of his spirit, to which the great number was no hindrance from the following of that which was the principal, and necessary and I to be resolved of that doub●… did once ask him, if any of those little things did wholly possess him, and he answered me: I find God as much in the least of these things as in the greatest, and the reason of this seems to be because his chiefest end and scope was his creator, so as having his eyes always fixed upon the fountain, all was but the same water unto him.  
I will relate his manner of reading books, as a thing more than natural; it fell out some times that in ten hour's space he would have read over a book, which others reading never so sast would scarce have ended in a month and because some will say, that he did that by his great memory, and apprehending of things only by seeing the title of the chapter; I will bring an example in a matter well known: for that answer might have place in books, of common reading, but not of spiritual things, such as is that of the holy Mother Teresa de jesus, which as I think he read over in twenty hours, and yet knew so well all that was contained in it, as there was scarce any man that knew more of it, than Gregory did; and I have often made trial of this; for I have sometimes told him of very small and particular things out of that book, and he hath continued on in the books discourse, as if he had been reading it: when he did read to others, his celerity, clearness of pronounciation and grace in reading was very notable.  
Our Lord endued Gregory with an exceeding great understanding, quick apprehension, and such a sharp memory, as that I have often heard him say, that he never forgot any thing which he determined to keep in mind, and with so perfect a will that it is very credible, that his continual exercise, was to be always in an act of the love of God.  
As for his stature we may account him of the highest, well proportioned, without any defect, he was not strong, but rather of a tender constitution; so as in his latter years he was almost nothing but skin and bone. The hair of his head, beard, and kickshaws of hazellnut colour, his forehead somewhat large, and hanging out, his eiebrowes full and arched, and without any space betwixt them, his ears little, yet it is strange, how well he did hear, his eyes black somewhat inclining to green, he had always a very quick sight, so as he could read the least print without spectacles, though after that ague we spoke of, he sometimes put them on to see a far off; his nose rather little then great, his lips thin and equal, but that his under-lip did a little hung out; his teeth very white and even; his beard well composed, not bushey nor great; his face long, somewhat pale and wan, so were his hands also by reason of his abstinence, prayer, and continual mortification. This good natural disposition and well proportioned feature of body with his rare modesty, was a portraiture and representation of the great beauty of his soul.  
This man whom we have her● painted (or rather whom God hath painted out) being about nineteen or twenty years of age, left his parents, brethren, kindred, the court of king Philip, all his hopes and fled to the Indies, a journey of two thousand leagues and more, and finding them in their greatest prosperity, renounced all those riches and delights, and hid himself amongst the rudest and most barbarous men that were, only the better to serve and be more pleasing to his Creator, and many having marked him very attentively, could never perceive any imperfection either in gestures words or deeds.   

THE VII. CHAPTER. How well this servant of God could bridle his tongue.  
IF the holy Ghost approveth him for a perfect man that doth not offend in words, worthily may I commend Gregory for his perfection, since that in eighteen years wherein I conversed familiarly with him, I never heard hin speak one word amiss. Hereof I can give evident testimony, for since that I made choice of him even from the beginning, for a Master and companion for the rest of my life, and that only for his virtue, without any hope of temporal gain or interest, it is manifest that I had reason to be careful that he whom I chose for a pattern of virtue, were free from all spot of vice. Besides, I was warned by wise and grave men to be wary, and live very circumspect, hereunto also I was moved by the desire of God's honour and Gregory his good motives of themselves sufficient to be careful, because the divine majesty commandeth us all, to have as much care as we can of our neighbours good: yet notwithstanding all this care and diligence that such motives require, I never heard him speak a word worthy of reprehension against any man neither heathen nor heretic; for he condemned the sect or heresi with many grounds out of Scripture, and reprehended their vices and sins wherewith they had so blinded themselves as not to return to the bosom of the Catholic Church, from which they had separated themselves, but he concealed the party's names.  
When he was told of any that spoke ill of him, he heard it very peaceably and midly; and the first thing that he answered was; as for the first, it is certain that this party hath a good intention, afterwards he excused him as well as he could; and he did not only excuse the party himself, but also his fact without excusing himself at all.  
A grave personage persuaded one of the Bishops that live in Mexico, to go and see Gregory by the way, as he went about the Marquisate of Valle, where Gregory did live, assuring him, that he would be very glad to have seen a man so admirable for his sanctity and wisdom. Hereupon the Bishop resolved with himself, and went to see him; Gregory came out with much courtesy, respect and humility to receive the Bishop, and after they were both sat down, and those also that came in his company, divers things were talked of, but Gregory was not asked any thing, and therefore he spoke not a word; so when the Bishop had been there about a quarter of an hour, being told it was dinner time, he went away. Some days after, the same man going to give the Bishop the welcome at his return to his Bishopric, and ask him what he thought of Gregory he answered that he seemed to him a senseless fool, marvelling at this answer he asked him if he had talked with him of spiritual things? the Bishop answered no, than he, I marvel not, said he that not being asked he did not speak, and not speaking did not show what he had in him. He shown it very well afterwards, when the same man telling him that the Bishop had accounted him a fool, he rejoiced and said: I should have thought so too if I had seen a man of my fashion, and this was not much for Gregory, because God hadgiven him a most fervent love of his neighbour, the which he was used to say, consisteth not in words, nor in saying, I wish my neighbour well, but in doing him good turns.  
I never heard him speak an idle word, neither in seeing the heaven's clear and beset with stars, nor in seeing the fiedls green, or bedecked with flowers, or the crystal waters, neither in the visits of any whatsoever, nor at the table, or afterwards; and I do not call an idle word that which the common sort meaneth, that is, something unseemly or tending to scurrility, for such as these were not to be spoke, nor thought off in such a life as Gregory did lead; here I call an idle word, as divines and spiritual men mean, a needless one, and such an one was never heard from his mouth for he did so square and measure his discourses as that words neither wanted, nor were superfluous.  
I will note here an other thing for the learned, it happened sometimes that there were in his company some learned men talking of sciences wherein he was most eminent, yet he held his peace, as if he had been a clown and ignorant, unless he were asked, or in other respects which I will speak off by and by. This was generally known and Dom Fray Pedro de Agurto Bishop of Cibu in the Philippines a man known in this kingdom, not only for his dignity but also for his great wisdom, religion and sanctity, affirmed it in a letter of his in these words. I loved very much, my good and holy Gregory, and if I left of conversing with him, the reason was, because he not being used to speak unless he were ask, and I having the title of a Master though standing in need of that which I might learn from so good and so well practised a soul, it might be that my questions and conversation might be thought impertinent, though it could not be imagined by such an one as he.  
That which I did most admire at in Gregory, is that all though it be so commendable a thing to speak of God and that many discreet and virtuous persous came from countries far distant to confer with him, yet he never talked to them of God, nor of spirit, or morality, unless he were asked, and when he did answer, though his answers were profund and admirable, yet he spoke without any exaggeration in a very plain style, and cut off his discourse, as soon as he had satisfied the questions and necessity of his neighbour, and as it happened often that to the question which he did answer there did belong four or five more, which the standers by would ask of him, he answered every one so prosonudly, and withal so briefly, as that he went not an inch farther than he thought was necessary.  
It is a thing truly worthy of much consideration, that he being so eminent in the knowledge of the holy scripture, so we grounded in moral and spiritual doctrine, so conversant i● histories, having such knowledge of saints lives, of the rites and customs of foreign nations, and of other things which we spoke o● before, and on the other sid having such an excellent memory, a to call to mind what thing, an whensoever he would, yet wash sparing of his talk, as that he never spoke unless he were asked, 〈◊〉 without manifest necessity. Methinks if Eliphas that harsh fried of job had conversed with Gregory as much as I did, he would not have said: Conceptum serm●nem quis retinere poterit? who can keep in a speech once conceived? but to make this his wariness, more plainly appear, I will here relate a reprehension that once he gave me.  
A little after that I came to live at Santase with Gregory, he told me upon an occasion, that there was an Emperor, who being in the middle of the sea would be ser●…ed with fresh meat, and in the ●idle of the land would have fish brought alive unto him, whereunto I said: that was Heliogabalus: the holy man answered: since we have condemned the fact it had been sitting to have concealed the person.  
Another time standing at the window, and seeing it rain apace I said: it raines apace; and at the same instant a flash of lightning sell upon my hand, as I held it out of the window, I told it unto Gregory, and of the pain that I felt; he answered: you are well served, since that you speak words that are not necessary, for I see that it raines apace.  
Having one day told me a thing wherewith I was very much edified, I asked him why he did not tell it me before if he knew it, he answered: I do not tell that which I know, but that which is necessary: and upon another occasion he said for two year's space I shut my lips without speaking more then to salute my host, whom I saw only once in four and twenty hours.  
He did not only keep silence in speaking, but, also in writing, for he never writ of any business himself, neither did he return an answer unless charity or necessity did require it, and then he did only use those words which were necessary for the business. I have many of his letters in my hands of five or six lines, and some shorter, as that which is in the I. chapter of this book. He wrote some to Don Lewis de Velasco the Viceroy in answer of others, and he did no more but answer at the end of the Viceroy's letter: I will do that, which in this you command me, which was for the most part to recommend some businesses to God. And though worldly men account this manner of answering, especially to princes, rude and unmannerly; yet in one that was so far from compliments and so wary in his speech as Gregory was, it was great prudence and heavenly wisdom.  
He did only speak without being asked, when he undertook the defence of the honour of God or of his neighbour, or of the truth of the holy scripture and our holy Catholic faith; and this too when no body else present undertook the business. For example: if any one was afflicted with temptations or sickness; by reason of which he did seem in some sort to murmur at God, one would not think with what pious and grave speeches, he would endeavour to bring him into knowledge of his own error, ignorance, and of the bottomless Ocean of the divine wisdom and mercy which was hid under those tribulations, and how much he was bound unto God; and to put himself in his more than fatherly hands. He did also defend his neighbour with very prudent reasons as shall be seen in the next Chapter.  
That wherein he shown most spirit and vigour was in expounding some places of the holy Scriptures, upon which misunderstood the heretics had grounded their errors, and in such occasions he did not content himself with bringing some few authorities and reasons, but he dilated himself as much as he could, and alleged the best senses that he could of the holy scripture; and in those places, which the heretics said contradicted one another, Gregory used the same vigour and Christian liberty, yet withal modesty,  he did esteem it as his own Mother, having been brought up so many years at her breasts.   

THE VIII. CHAPTER. Of the wisdom which he shown in his answers, sayings and deeds.  
HE did hear very peaceably and midly, and with great attention whatsoever was asked of him, and with the same mildness let it pass, or answered it according as he thought convenient or necessary.  
There came to this village to visit Gregory, a religious man Doctor off Divinity, and entreated me to get him to speak some thing of God: I did so, and the Doctor, to give him play began to treat of that matter with a great number of reasons and words; and the holy man being a great while silent, I entreated him by signs to talk some thing of God whereunto he answered softly so as the Doctor did not hear, because he was somewhat deaf: silence edifieth him more than speaking; and allthourgh he stayed there two days and one night yet Gregory did not speak unto him one word of God. As the Doctor was going away, I asked him, what, he thought of Gregory; he said: his silence pleaseth me very much and Gregory himself said unto me afterwards: Father Losa, I see that many can speak well, let us do well. If any one by way of disputation, or to try him, did ask him something, which he had premeditated, and studied before hand, putting unto him his doubt in Latin, he would say. I praytell it me in Spanish: that being done, the holy man answered: this is that which you say; giving him to understand that there was no need of an answer. He was also wont to ask of learned men, the signification of the holy scripture in Spanish, only to humble himself unto them.  
To those that asked him counsel about going to spain, marrying, or such like things, he gave no answer for the time present, but said that he would recommend it unto God; wherein he shown great wisdom; for he knew that in such businesses it was convenient, that God should dispose the means, and move the wills, to that which was for his greater glory, and the good of men, and this was the reason why he would not answer, without first treating with God of those things: beside he thought it not a matter of any great importance, whether men did marry or go for spain, but he kept unto himself, out of his humility and mortification, these and other good reasons, that moved him to give no answer. But when any asked him whether they should be priests, or enter into religion, if he did find they had parts requisite for such ●n estate, he did further them in their resolution of embracing that principal good, but when he perceived that they wanted those parts, he answered as is said; I will recommend it unto God.  
He would speak very much in behalf of the religious orders, and of the Prelates and Superiors of them in presence of their inferiors, and those of their charge and house declaring unto them how great a good it was to obey and observe their rules and Constitutions.  
Unto lay-men, when occasion was offered, he gave to understand the eminence of a religious man's estate above theirs, and the great spirit wherewith the religious orders were founded; he said that God's best soldiers were in them; and to this purpose he was wont to say that a tree in a plain field needeth take good root, but that it is more safe from the violence of the winds in a woody mountain.  
He did all ways defend Princes, Governors, judges, as well Ecclesiastical as Secular, with great courage and humility withal, in presence of their subjects: and when they did murmur at the government, he said: if you were in the place, it may be you would not do so well as he that is in government; and if they stood in it saying, that that which the Princes did, deserved to be amended, he replied: you should tell them so, for what good doth it here? to some that esteemed themselves spiritual men, and yet did murmur, he said: I do not account him spiritual, no nor virtuous, that judgeth and murmureth at his neiggbour. Most commonly he was used to say in such occasions: this thing cannot be remedied here, let us not talk of it; and with his gravity he gave such life and authority to his words, as that a man of great account who talked of the king's government, was put much out of countenance, only by hearing Gregory say unto him the king hath as sharp an understanding as any man in spain, and will you reprehend him? and the same man doth yet admire at the great change which those words caused in him.  
He made another also who spoke ill of the government of a Lord, change his opinion, only by saying unto him: you dare not say so in his presence.  
He was very considerate and advised in speaking to every one in his proper kind, to the husband man, soldier, gentleman and the rest, without taking any man out of his profession; and to this purpose he commended very much S. john Baptists wisdom in the counsel that he gave to the soldier, to be content with his pay, and do no man any wrong.  
Treating with spiritual men, lest they should judge those that lead a manner of life different from theirs, as sometimes it useth to fall out, he was wont to say, that he was much delighted with the variety of men's spirits, because that with them God did beautify his heavenly Jerusalem, that in the spiritual course God was the Master, and therefore no man ought to make himself a Master to another, judging him and desiring to lead him the same way as he himself is led by God, because that way also is good wherein God directeth others.  
To those that asked him counsel what they should do, he answered, they should love God and their neighbours, because that was the high way for all from the least to the greatest, and that herein one could not do amiss, because it is our law wherein consisteth all perfection.  
He was also wont to say, that to be always talking of spirit was milk and the temptation of beginners, and that although one had an understanding like a Seraphim, yet he ought nor desire to make it known without necessity.  
He esteemed it better to recommend his neighbour unto God then to speak of God, unless there were some special need. To those that had already prosited in spiritual life, he said: it is better to speak with God then of God.  
To one that esteemed himself a spiritual man, he said: it would be a great shame unto you, if it were known that you desired to live in this world; and for this purpose he alleged S. Paul, who said: we have nor here any permanent city, but we seek after that wherein we are to continue; and he persuaded himself that he that lived after this manner might be numbered amongst the spiritual men.  
When he heard some great and miraculous things reported he was used to say: I had rather have one degree of the pure love of God than all this noise.  
He was once asked, whether those that were perfect had any recreations, he answered, yes, because when one goeth a journey he love's to see his horse eat (for so he called his body) but he said; the perfect man, even in his recreation, carrieth a hand over his body quite contrary to the unperfect, who do not use this mediocrity, for they suffer their mind sometime to be over much vexed and troubled, at other times to be led with, the delight of their nature.  
Allthough in conversation it be an usual thing for men to laugh at the carelessness, oversights, or rash words of another, or when one is vexed, or his foot slippeth, or he getteth a fall, or cometh in with some notable blemish or mischance, yet he was never seen to laugh in such occasions, but rather seemed to pity them a new.  
When any afflicted person came unto him, he shown great feeling of his grief, accommodated himself to him, and dismissed him exceedingly comforted.  
There came unto this village a noble and virtuous Lady much afflicted, I went to visit her, and though I stayed a great while with her to comfort her, yet I could not prevail at all. Afterwards she herself spoke with Gregory, who had so great prudence or rather heavenly spirit in comforting her, as that she went our saying: I go away satisfied.  
When his advice was asked in things that were doubtful and hart to be resolved, he answered: to morrow will come and we shall be wiser, giving to understand that a doubtful thing was not to be resolned, without treating first with God of it, not that he was obbe understood so that by means of his prayer he should presently know and resolve it, for that cannot be imagined of such an humble man. By this saying also (to morrow will come, and we shall be wiser) he did mean the hour of our death; for then the morning will come for ●he knowing of doubts.  
The heavenly wisdom, which he did show in his deeds was admirable; he did hear Mass with such silence, attention, and respect, and received the blessed Sacrament with such profound reverence, as that he stirred up all men to devotion. He would never speak to any body in the Church, but if he had urgent business with any one, he went out and speedily dispatched it.   

THE IX. CHAPTER. Of the fortitude and valour of Gregory Lopes.  
IN the judgement of the world it would seem impertinent, to commend such a solitary, recollected, silent, poor and humble man for courageous and valiant but if we consider it with the eyes of our understanding and reason, each of those things above mentioned doth not only show great valour and courage, but also very plainly discovereth the mighty hand of God. Who would not esteem it valour, that a young man of ninteen years of age, endued with such parts and natural gifts as we have seen, should forsake parents, kindred, house, country and the king's court. which he had begun to follow, and with it such great hopes of preferment, and go two thousand leagues and more into exile, to live in a desert so full of perils, amongst the most savage, and barbarous men of new spain. It seems very evident, that this strength was given him by God, for in my opinion it is exceeding great courage in such a young man, to recollect himself, and in such manner to conform himself to the will of God, as never to go or say any thing that might be displeasing unto him, and to endeavour with all his strength, to blot out all things out of his mind, so as neither to desire nor remember any thing besides God or that which was manifestly his pleasure and glory. Who could give such virtue besides that most mighty hand? since that this is a thing of such difficulty as that to recollect one's self inwardly for a little while, even to a virtuous man, it seemeth as if he were to go up a steep hill or scale an impregnable wall. And it were so indeed if Gregory had not undertaken this enterprise with great courage and confidence in God; saying with David: in my God I will pass over the wall what strength was requisite for so many year's recollection, with such strict silence, discommodity and poverty? Walking so long a time in the narrow path of virtue, and never known to go back one step? but this strength will be better known by him, that shall weigh well, and consider the difficulties of this journey, the enemies that are in it, the combats that offer themselves and the field wherein they are to be fought.  
The enemies are the devils, so much stronger than we by nature, as the natural power of an Angel exceedeth that of men, a●… therefore our nature, as inferiors doth tremble in the presence o● any of those spirits. Moreover, he that walketh in the way of virtue, hath for enemies and adversaries, sinful men, because he is contrary to them ●n his works, and oftentimes God sufferreth the just to be persecuted by the just, and holy men opposed by holy men, and this is a grievous persecution; but the most grievous and tedious is that which a virtuous man, causeth to himself, when by light from above he knoweth, that all this cometh unto him from the hand of God, who plainly showeth him that all those enemies and adversaries are as it were officers of the divine justice, who come unto him with the power which God giveth them; the heavens become unto him as hard as brass, his soul he findeth in an abyss of tribulation, and as it were quite abandoned of great valour and courage.  
The combats are as great, as is the number and subtlety of the enemies, for they are never wont to make truce nor be weary of fight, and out vices never cease to persecute us.  
Neither is the field, wherein these combats are sought a ●…sse ●…gne of valour, for it is our inward part, wherein the spirit fighteth with ●he flesh, and the flesh with the spirit: and this is a very painful war, because he that giveth the wounds, feeleth them as much as ●e that receiveth them and, the resistance of the flesh cannot be brought under without great labour of the spirit, because the subtleties and stratagems of the invisible enemies do there enter in, so come the blows and wounds.  
Whosoever should know the labours that Gregory did herein undergo, and the great progesses that he made in such occasions (as may be seen throughout this history) he would easily see how valiant and courageous he was, especially two things considered. The first is, that since that helived so inflamed with charity to wards his neighbours, he was partaker of all their afflictions and griefs, and made them partakers of his pains in praying for them He was tempted with all of them because he had as much feeling ●f their temptations, as if they had been his own. The second is, that Gregory did eat this bread of sorrow very dry for though the divine goodness be wont to give spiritual delights to those that walk in the spiritual way for the easing of their troubles, yet this valiant soldier would never receive them, beseeching God to take them away from him, because he would serve his king for his Majesty's own sake, and not upon hope of receiving those spiritual contentments, in part of payment of his good will and love; for at the beginning God had bestowed on him the gift of tears, but he besought him to take it away for the said reason.  
He had also a most ardent desire to see the Humanity of our Saviour Christ in this life; but perceiving that this desire did keep him back, and in a manner diminish his resignation, he did presently endeavour to mitigate it, contenting himself with this, that God ●ould show it him when it was ●is holy will. Gregory put away from himself all those comforts, because he desired to serve God without pay or any charges borne in this life, and therefore he died so well content that God led him by the way of the Cross. For all the many murmurings which he heard against himself, some judging him an heretic, others a fool, others a vagabond he never excused nor answered for himself, but defended and excused those that spoke ill of him.  
Some of his friends upon a certain occasion told him of a great stir that was raised against him, he answered them: God forbidden that I should trouble and distract my mind with thinking on it, and therewith continued still as quiet as he was before they told him of it.  
A certain man of great account desired me to inform him of the estate of the Hospital of Guasteca, and after I had given him account of all things, I told him that there was a man there called Gregory Lopes, of such and such virtues, spirit; and prayer; and what doth this man, said he, in the Hospital? I answered, that he was there always in a chamber at his prayers, and never went forth; then he said: to this man could I willingly give two hundred stripes; and when we told this story afterwards to Gregory, he smiling excused him, saying: he saith well for an idle fellow doth well deserve two hundred stripes, and gentlemen that are full of business, cannot easily understand what inward exercises are.  
It was never perceived, that he had any desire to be esteemed or known, and he hath often reprehended me for praising him, he never cared for the visits of the Viceroys, Prelates, and nobility, but rather showed, when occasion was, withal modesty and good respect, that he did not take any content in those visits when they did not concern the glory of God or his neighbour his good; and though the holy man did much esteem the great piety and wisdom of Don Lewis de Velas●o the Viceroy, yet he entreated him to excuse his visits, alleging good reasons for his request. In those visits, that great persons made unto him he did always show an humble gravity, and assured token of his great mind.  
The Inquisitours gave order that his book, which he made upon the Apocalips, should be seen and perused by Don Fray Pedro de Augusto Bishop of Cibu, who gave in approbation, that he had never seen a better exposition of those divine revelations; that he admired how he could say so much, with such certainty and shortness; that he did believe he had supernatural light given him for the writing of that book: and when the Inquisition meddled with that business, Gregory did not show (nor do we think he had) any trouble of mind neither would he keep a copy of it nor speak a word of it, even as if it had been none of his work.  
Such was his greatness of mind, as that he never acquainted any man with his griefs and afflictions, nor sought comfort from any creature, yet he was wont to tell, for the good of his neighbour, things that had happened unto him in times past.  
Many times in they ear, he did endure great pains of the stomach and of the colic, yet he never complained, nor changed countenance, nor the good posture, that he was used to keep, when he was in best health, so as I did not know his infirmities, but only by his great weakness, and extraordinary ill stomach. One time seeing him much fall'n away, I asked him: what ail you that you are so weak? He replied 15. days together I have been troubled with a fit of the colic; and by these means I came to know his diseases which were so great, as that they made me pity him and wonder how he could exercise such constancy and austerity of life with them.  
He was ordinarily sick of a fever, which he cured by diet, enduring hanger, if need were, for three, or four, or five natural days, he never used bed even in his great sicknesses.  
whilst he was in Santafe, he had the toothache for a year together, and I had never known it, but that he went twice into the field for herbs, that he knew were good to cure him; and sometimes he could not eat for pain. Having once hurt one of his great teeth, he would not let me send for a barber to pull it out, but pulled it out himself by a very painful means; such was the desire that he always had of finding some occasion to suffer; for men that are united to God, use to find as much content in suffering, as others find commonly in their joy and ease.  
This valiant man told me, that the devil did once assail him in a visible shape; and I askeing him how he did defend himself, he answered me in these words: I thought that I could not do a better thing then that which I did, so I continued it with all my strength, and he vanished away and never tempted me visiblily again.  
We never heard him speak any good sentence, which he did not put in practice when need was; and he was wont to say to this purpose: misery itself is not to be, desired, but a will to endure it with moderation of mind; and so he endured all these that happened unto him with such an invincible and constant mind, as that he did not seem subject to change; therefore from the first day that I saw him (which is 18. years ago) I presently perceived in him a certain excellence which I had not seen in any other man. This opinion increased in me even till his death, and also since his death it increaseth with the wonders, which God doth daily work by him.  
But to return to the intent of this Chapter, what courage and valour might a soldier have, who from a poor country fellow should come by feats of arms to be a Grandy of the king his court? but how much greater valour is necessary for a spiritual soldier, of himself poor and abject, a son of Adam, to become great in the court, of God, and since that Gregory is come to that height of honour as to be great in the court of heaven, it is fitting that his valour and courage should be known, that so we may glorify God in this Saint, gathering by that little which is written here, the great abundance that God hath bestowed on him, in comparison of which this that is written is nothing; partly by reason of the care which he used in concealing his virtues, partly for fear lest I should exceed the brevity which I had intended in this relation, telling only those that were so open to the view, as that they could not but be seen.  
I asked him one day how he could so much conceal his virtues, it seeming unto me an heroical and hard thing to do, he answered me that sentence worthy of eternal memory: To conceal one's virtues is not a thing hard unto him that hath a lively faith, for if a man do certainly believe, that all his virtues shall be seen in the court of heaven, what will he care, whether they be known or no in the village of this world.   

THE X. CHAPTER. Of the humility, and inward poverty of Gregory Lopes.  
I should have been very happy, if God had given me any part of the great inward poverty, which he bestowed on this servant, the which consisteth in having the heart free from all love of creatures, and giving himself wholly to the love of his Creator, for it may be said of this holy virtue peculiarly, that those that practise it can speak better of it then those that study it, and consequently I should better declare Gregory his virtues if I had some of it. What an excellent pattern of it this Saint hath been may partly be understood by that which I saw with my own eyes, and by what I gathered by the auswers he gave to many men in divers occasions.  
The sons of Adam, have for the most part engrafted in them a desire to be esteemed more excellent thentheir neighbours. Gregory was so free from this that he always preferred others before himself, and to that purpose I have often heard him say: since I begun to live solitary I never judged any body, I esteemed all men better and wiser than myself, and therefore unless I were asked, I never gave counsel to any man, nor made myself a teather of others. Of this all that conversed with him are witnesses, and we have seen by experience, that because he would not make himself a Master to any, God hath ordained that he should be unto many. From hence proceeded the great care that he always had to excuse those that did judge him; and as I told him one day that there were many that slandered him, he answered: I have always excused them not only in words, but also with all my heart in deeds. From hence also it came to pass, that he did not desire his speeches should be valued, and therefore he never went about to premeditate and compose the words, that he was to speak, before hand; and he told me to this purpose, that once (it was before he began his solitary life) he spent some time before hand in thinking of the discourse that he was to make, and that afterwards he had no occasion to speak it, whereby he was advertised not to lose time in composeing his words, trusting in God that he would give him those that were convenient when need was, and for this cause God gave him the grace never to commit any error in his speech, for all the words that he spoke seemed full of divine wisdom; the Lord of heaven and earth revealing unto this humble servant those things, which he hath hidden from the prudent and wise of the world.  
Eight days before his death there came to visit him a religious man very wise and virtuous, and his great friend, and among other things that he talked of, seeing his life in danger he asked him very familiarly: must we go now to enjoy God? thinking that he would tell him of the hour of his death; but this humble servant of God answered him with great admiration: Doth your reverence ask me this? it shall be as pleaseth God; as if he should say: you that are wise, do you think that I know the hour of my death? I do not deserve so much; wherewith the religious man was much edified.  
Three or four days before his death, there came in to see him an Indian woman of this village, and as I was speaking to her in her own tongue, because he did not understand it, he said unto me, note well what she saith, peradventure she will give me some good advice; wherein I noted his great humility, since that he thought himself of less worth than an Indian woman, and that she could tell him what was convenient for him now in the end of his life.  
More over men are wont to have another affection, that is, to think of what is to befall them, from which Gregory was very free, for he that desireth purely to serve God, esteemeth all such cares as lets and hindrances; and therefore he never thought of courses of changing his life what should become of him whether he should die of hunger or cold; or should be bedrid, whether he should livelong or a little while, whether he should do such or such things for the service of God or his neighbours good; because he knew there was wont to be in thes and the like thoughts, if one were carried away with them, some secret temptation of the enemy, or at the least loss of time, and for this reason, like a wary and humble man, upon occasion of such thoughts he always said; I am nothing, I am good for nothing; contenting himself with doing that which God in his holy law commandeth him, and not judging himself worthy of other things in times to come, though he was always prepared in mind to do whatsoever the divine Majesty, did ordain.  
One time, as some were talking in his presence of the sumptuous tombs that some men build, and of their competences about places and chapels, he said: when I die let them bury my body where they will, so it be in holy ground, but if they do not, it will so annoy them as that it will make them quickly enterre it.  
He was so far from taking care and providing for himself for the time to come, as that he would not suffer that any body else should take care for him; for when I went about to look for another place to live in, because the air of this village of Santafe was not very commodious for his weakness and sickness, he always said unto me: let no man be solicitous for me, for God will have a care to provide as shall please him.  
He had his heart also free from all curious affection, both temporal and spiritual, into which some contemplatives use to fall, so he told me sometimes, that since his choice of solitary life he had never desired to see any thing of the world, even not his parents, country, or friends, etc. Neither did he desire to see the Angels, nor have ecstasies, nor revelations, for he said that he only desired to see God, yet always with this resignation, that it should be when and how it pleased God; and that the rapts, and ecstasies that he desired in this life, was to conform himself every day more and more with the will of God, and fulfil it in all occasions with all certainty and truth.  
We perceived in this holy man a thing worthy of consideration, which was, that he never rejoiced for any temporal thing, nor gave it entrance into his mind. His joy was God, and his delight and glory was to do his holy will, and benefit his neighbour. Upon a certain occasion I told him that I did greatly esteem that virtue; he said unto me: it is a shame for us that live in the law of grace, and have wholly renounced the world to esteem this, since Queen Ester being wife to a great Monarch, said: Thou knowest well my Lord and God, that since I was brought to this palace, until this present day, thy handmaid hath not joyed but only in thee.  
From the first time that I visited him at our Ladies of remedies, i● pleased God out of his mercy to give me such a care of Gregory, ●hat if it was necessary to do something for him, never so hard, I should not have stuck upon it. So I assisted him in whatsoever he had need of, visiting him wheresoever he was, and because he was in Guasteca, I asked alms three years together for the poor of that hospital, a thing which was to me in those times, more than any one can imagine: and to say all in a word, from the time that I knew him, until he died in my company, which were eighteen years, methought I could have been content to have been his slave, and he knew it very well and shown himself very grateful; yet I dare affirm, that never any one saw him rely or put the least hope in that which I did or could do, nor that he set his affection upon me in any excessive manner for all whatsoever I did. For in all the good turns that he received, he always beheld God as the author of them, and the creature as the means, whereby the divine goodness and providence did send them: so as his gratitude towards his benefactors was in God not in himself, beseeching earnestly his divine Majesty to requite that good work, that was done unto him, since that he moved their wills to do it.  
In like manner he endeavoured that for any good work of his towards his neighbour, the thankes should not be given to him, but only to God, as we did often see, that when some went to ask him doubts, he did not answer them but prayed unto God to tell it immediately to themselves, that the thankes for that knowledge might be given unto God, and not unto him, neither whole nor in part.   

THE XI. CHAPTER. Of the outward poverty of Gregory Lopes.  
SInce the time that he went into the wilderness, and offered himself up wholly unto God, he never possessed any thing of his own. To this purpose he was wont to say, that when one taketh delight in outward poverty, it is a sign that he is inwardly rich.  
This great love of poverty made him device sundry and admirable means, whereby to excel in it. Wherefore as for the first, he would not use any certain kind of attire; but in diverse times he wore suchapparell as God did send him; for in the first eleven years it was course sack cloth, afterwards in Atrisco his host gave him some grey cloth to cover himself and that was the best garment he wore in all his life.  
The bare ground was his bed whilst he could pass with it without endamaging his health; afterwards he did lie upon some shepskins, until his great feebleness and diseases forced him to take a little quilt very thin and a coverlet: this was his best bed, and he accepted of it at my importunity, as is already said.  
His chamber was very poor; for he would never accept of hangings, or other furniture were it never so mean, even when he was very weak and sickly.  
He washed his  himself, partly because he was very cleanly, as also because of his indispositions; at some times in the year he washed his feet, and he himself warmed the water in the sun, he never let any body wash them for him, neither do I know that ever any one saw his bare skin.  
He was so temperate in his diet, that he never did himself harm by eating, either fruit, though he loved it very well, or any other meat, but only once by eating of green herbs and wild quinces. To this purpose he was wont to say that poor men ought to look well to their health, and not to exceed in eating or drinking, lest they should be burdensome to their neighbours.  
In the beginning of his solitary life he eat no flesh, afterwards when he conversed more with men, he eat of that which was set before him, but he never eat but one meal a day.  
His moveables were only a bible, a map and a globe, which, as is said, he made with his own hands, and two other books that he had wriren.  
Notwithstanding his poverty, it was the will of God that he should never ask any alms, neither by words, deeds, nor signs, nor even by making show of a good life, the which is wont without words to move men to give alms; because the divine Majesty would have him live in this manner to let us see by assisting him so punctually in all his necessities, that his divine Providence never faileth; and if for some time he did permit him to endure want of necessaries, it was to the end that his merits increasing his rewards also might increase. How often in travailing hath he come weary to his lodging? and stayed there without eating any thing? at night laid himself down upon the bare ground, and betimes in the morning travailed some leagues on foot? for so he was used to do, there being no body that took any care to supply his want and poverty; and I do not marvel much, for Gregory by his countenance seemed rather a Lord then a poor man, though oftentimes he endured extreme hunger, thirst, weariness, toil and labour into which God brought him in divers occasions. I know well that this is much, but yet his strength and valour was such, as that although God had brought him into more and far greater wants, he would not have shrunk from his purpose of observing poverty, for he had purposed not to ask any thing, hoping that God would relieve him as he always did.  
Perceiving how much sometimes he was in commodated whilst he was in my house, by not ask any thing, one day I said unto him: if I saw myself in necessity, I would ask alms to shame and humble myself, he answered me: But not I. Than I replied: methinks I should do ill in not ask that which I had need of; to this he said: for you, you say well, and this is a good course, but not for me; for God directeth every one in his proper way.  
In his latter years he was used to drink a little wine in the morning, for if he did not take it, he was much tormented with the pain of the colic, and the stomach; and though I had always a care to give it him, yet I could not always come to know when he had spent it. One day seeing him very weak and pale, I asked him what he ailed? he answered: I have not taken a draught of wine this morning, and therefore I have been in great pain. I began to be troubled, because I had no wine in the house to give him; but God assisted him very punctually, for even at that instant there came a friend of mine, and brought us a little good wine.  
He was so constant in not ask any thing, as that once I found him making a web of thread of a little clout, and ask him what he made that for, he told me that it was to sow with, and though he knew that I had thread, he did not ask any.  
Seaventeen years and more before his death, I had a desire to give him all that he had need of, assuring myself that it was the will of God that I should do so: and though I had made known unto him this my desire, he never asked any thing of me; at length perceiving by so many experiences the way wherein God did direct him, I did use from time to time to lay before him some things, that I thought he might have use of, and he did take what he had need of.  
There was another thing in his poverty very admirable, that is, it seems that God would have this his servant eat of other men's leave, like a true poor man, for I have often observed, that whatsoever was dressed purposely for him, did him harm. Of this I have long experience, for seeing him so weak and feeble, I caused some dainties to be made for him, and as soon as he eat them they did him harm, and he himself entreated me to make nothing for his own person, but I, imputing this to his desire of not being troublesome, and also of living like a poor man, did again cause something to be made ready of purpose for him, and it so fell out, that by the harm he felt in eating of those things, he came to know that they had been made for him, and then he declared himself, telling me plainly that he would not have any thing made peculiarly for him.  
And so I have perceived that if cloth, or linen, or any other thing was bought for him it did him harm, though on the other side our Lord did bring him into such necessity, by infirmities, and weakness, as that it seemed a thing impossible to be able to endure that which he did, and when in this last sickness there was need of particular things, he forbade me to cause them to be made for him: but if any sent them out of charity, I should take them, in good time; yea perhaps his death was hastened by some things that were made ready for him, which some learned and very virtuous m● thought necessary, for which cause the holy man held his peace at that time, and received them with patience.  
It seems that God was his steward, and would not let him in this life spend any thing of his heavenly patrimony, and seeing that Go● kept him so short I said once unto him: it will not be said of you: bona terrae comedetis; he answered: it is true, and as God doth it, sol desire it should be; and truly for such occasions as these, is the resignment and conformity of man with God, when on the one side God bringeth him to such a near pinch, and one the other, man endureth that want valiantly with joy and contentment.   

THE XII. CHAPTER. Of the mortifications and sufferings of Gregory Lopes.  
THe mortification of this most patiented man (being in so high a degree, as that it cannot be discerned by those who with their carnal eyes behold spiritual things and judge of others by themselves, was the most rare and admirable that hath been seen: as soon as he went into the desert, he kneeled down upon the ground, and taking his discipline in his hand he began like a valiant soldier of jesus Christ to chastise his body and use it hardly. But his Captain and most wise Master would not leave a business of such importance in his own hands, ●…t said unto him: Alius cinget te 〈◊〉 ducet quo tu non vis: as if he ●…ould say: I will have a care to p●…ch you, for thou must walk after my pace not I after thine; the which God did perform, giving him matter of merit by whole handfuls, not only outwardly in his body, by the continual sicknesses that he sent him, and the discommodities and labours tha● he inspired him to undertake and suffer with more than manly courage, but also inwardly in his soul with other pains far greater, wherewith he tried him.  
He began to exercise him in wardly in such grievous and painful things, as that the great patience that our Saviour had giue● him, stood him in very good steed, and though he engaged all his strength, yet God brought him so to the utmost in this exercise, as that he was so far from going farther with a greater burden, as that he thought it impossible to carry that which he did already bear. He told me that his nature did tremble when he thought of that exercise, and that therefore he would not make a particular relation of it to any one; but although we do not know in particular those things that he did inwardly suffer, at least by the answers that he gave to those that came to tell him their inward afflictions, some of those wherein God had exercised him may be gathered 〈◊〉 for he did answer with so many particularities that all men did easily perceive; that he was a Master in such troubles, and did comfort themselves to see him in such a sure harbour after so many tempests, and when I talked with him about those troubles, saying that they were very painful, he answered me: Father Losa there are Men that bear burdens thirty times greater than this; whereby may be gathered that in matter of such like troubles, he did suffer more than he did teach.  
For he that had an earnest de●re to keep his soul undefiled, ●nd did all ways employ himself in chaste and fervent prayer, how much would he be troubled and afflicted with a flood of carnal temptations, imaginations and representations of dishonest things which the devil represented unto him very lively, and with a worse and more alluring impression than the real things themselves could make, and though God gave him the grace to tread all this under foot, yet he could not but feel great pain and sorrow, seeing himself hanging only by the slender hair of his own will, wherewith he was in danger to consent, and especially, because at that time God openeth the eyes of those that are to thrive spiritually and maketh them see the danger they are in, to the end that they might walk with more heed and wariness in the narrow path of virtue.  
What pains might Gregory suffer in these occasions and dangers? since that his enemies were not tired either day or night with fighthing, nor fled were they found resistance, nor were ashamed where they found virtue? especially, since that they not only environed him without, but were also within him, provoking him to evil, and opposing him in goodness. Nevertheless these pains so great and so dreadful were delights and contentments unto Gregory, who endured them for the glory of his God. In like manner he behaved himself in enduring the battery of reasons which the enemy brought against our holy Catholic faith; the impossibilities, snares, entanglings, doubts, which upon this suhiect he did raise; for faith being the ground of spiritual life, the temptation against it is a torment inflicted by the devil himself. Gregory suffered this constantly, continuing strong in his faith, and with his profound humility made his adversaries instantly wanish away.  
The soldiers of our Lord are also wont in the like recollection to be tempted with the spirit of blasphemy, yet he that knoweth how to fly spiritually, and hath found delight in the love and praises of God, with such excellence as Gregory did, returneth always conqueror from this fight, and getteth life by the hand of his enemy.  
In the spiritual life, men are not a little nor seldom mortified and afflicted with a kind of swooning, whereby the devil seeketh to stop their way; for the soul desiring to please God and walk in his ways, findeth sometimes in herself such a kind of remissness and weakennes, as that it seemeth unto her a thing impossible to go a step farther, and knowing, that if she doth not go forwardly, she displeaseth God; and that to please him she must go on merrily, great is the pain she feeleth in perceiving herself so unable to follow that which God would have her. God gave unto this his servant the valour and courage that is requisire for the suffering of these things with patience and profit, and for the gaining of the victory, strengthening him in these occasions with humility and knowledge of himself by which he might attribute all the good that he; should do afterwards, to the divine goodness as the fountain of all good.  
Perfect men suffer also other kinds of pains wherewith they are much molested and afflicted; for having already attained to an excellent degree of charity, they grieve at other men's evils as if they were their own: it cannot be expressed in few words in what continual grief and affliction our Gregory did live, seeing the blindness of sinners, the obstinacy of heretics, the many souls that every day are damned, for this is that whereof we ought truly to have a feeling, though he did also feel the sicknesses, hunger, injuries, wars, and the other grievances of his neighbours, as if he had suffered them himself.  
Another combat of the devil is, to represent unto those that aspire to perfection, especially at the beginning, how that all the world will rise against them, as it hath risen up against all the followers of virtue, and how they shall be persecuted by false witnesses in infamous crimes, and such, as they do most abhor; and that if they had profited any thing by their good life and example, all this would turn to scandal and a stumbling block for other; and though unto some these burdens seem but light, yet the truth is, that when God giveth our adversary leave to straighten these cords, he maketh the servants of God sweat for a long time; for this is a fare more hard and austere penance than that of the body, though they seem to us to sit like idle and loitering men. The truth hereof God hath showed, plainly in Gregory Lopes, not only in his moderation of mind and patience which he was pleased to give him in such cumbates and adversities, but also by the wonders that he hath wrought by him, and in him.  
I will here note one thing, which for its rarity did much edify me. I observed diligently for many years, that this admirable man never made a stand in his spiritual course: and though I sometimes considered that his being continually in the love of God caused in him that great perseverance, yet I never rested altogether satisfied, until that as I was thinking of it, it pleased God to open my eyes, and let me know that this his constancy did proceed from the continual love of God, and his neighbour for God his sake: thereupon I said once unto him: cannot you take any rest in the spiritual course? he answered me with a peaceable and cheerful countenance: I neither do nor can take any rest, as long as my brethren are amongst so many dangers and troubles: for it is not fitting that I should retire myself, where I may be safe, leaving them on the bulls horns; I will not do such an unworthy thing, if I know of one only that is in danger, I will not take any rest all my life time. That which I more admire at, is that he never looked upon those contentments, which God is wont liberally, to bestow in the spiritual life, in consideration of the progress which men had made, nor that he never recreated himself with the memory of his dangers and troubles past, nor uviht the virtues which by God's help he had purchased; for virtues after they are gotten cause ioyand peace. The reason why he did not ioyin this, was because, he always fixed his eyes, not upon that which he had but that which he wanted, neither would he stay by the ways to rest himself, for God would have him always make more progresses, and afcend very craggy hills, for he told me once that in those three first years in which he exereised himself in the resignation above mentioned, God had made him climb up great hills.  
He endured another painful and troublesome mortification in two, as I may call them, Purgatories which God gave him in this life. The one was of love, the which as I perceived, he had, when he did live at Guasteca.  
The pain that it bringeth with it, those that have made trial know to be most grievous, and those that have not come so far, will not believe it. For by the light which God infuseth into the higher part of the soul, the heart is so wounded with love, as the sweetness is unspeakable, and the grief such, as cannot be expressed, the soul fainteth, because she cannot obtain that which above all other she desireth; There groweth in her an ardent, but profitable impatience, dureing which it hath no quietness, rest, nor ease. In this estate God doth sometimes inspire admirable words, particular means and documents of true wisdom the soul endureth an incredible pain, both in passing through the tourments which she doth suffer, and the joys and inspirations which God imparteth unto her: and so I did perceive in this holy man a most exceeding mortification, for he did endure this purgatory of love with such silence as if he had suffered a spiritual weariness.  
The second Pargatory is desire: here with the soul is tormented, when she seethe that she cannot in this life attain to her chiefest good, whereof she hath knowledge; this brought unto Gregory much grief and trouble, for as he with his quick understanding, lively faith, and purity of spirit meditated and contemplated the greatness of God, he became endued with so great and amorous a knowledge of that same greatness, that, he had a most ardent desire to go and possess it; and as he did perceive that in this life, in running after the odour of those divine ointments, he could never obtain the good he so much desired, he rested wounded and grieved, like the Hart that thirsteth for the springs of running water to quench his thirst, and cannot come to them; but of this, because it belongeth to few, we have said enough.  
But that wherein Gregory mortified himself all the time of his life, and wherein he suffered most, was as he told me, in following always, as he did, the grace of God; for it is certain that one cannot follow grace, unless he fly from nature: what pain then and mortification would it be to a servant of God to go on always flying from, and denying himself? for many times grace requireth of us that which is contrary to nature's desire, and therefore it is necessary that one dye, that the other may live. Therefore, that grace might live, Gregory endeavoured to be dead to all creatures; because it is the property of nature to live to them, and because she desireth esteem and honour for her good works and not to be despised of any, therefore he sought to hide his good deeds and virtues, and to be despised by the world, as our Savour was, and following grace, studied how to lay aside all care of temporal affairs, and bend himself only to seek out and serve God, since nature inclineth to the contrary; and because she is puffed up with prosperity and dejected with adversity, Gregory by grace was disposed to receive with moderation of mind, and constancy, what successes soever, without seekeing the interior content of those or other virtues for himself, but only rejoicing for the glory that thereby redoundeth unto God. Nature as it were forgetting this, doth in all things seek her own content, and desireth all the good for herself, all her language is, I, and, for me she hateth her evemy, rejoiceth at another man's harm and repineth at his good. Whosoever shall have read this book, or cowersed with this Saint, will easily know what use he made of grace in wishing well to those, who either through malice or ignorance were his adversaries, grieving at their misfortunes and desiring all good to them for God his sake, so as overcoming himself more and more every day, and growing in petfection, he did so hunger and thirst after God, as that nothing could satisfy hi● He did always endeavour to 〈◊〉 for the obtaining of that chief● good, rowing with all his streng●… against the stream of naturall●… light, and swinning always ab●… water, he endeavoured to doc●… pleasure and will of God. Such● this is the true spirit of mor● cation: the which he exercised● a most eminent height of perf●…tion at Santafe, as is evident to 〈◊〉 by many tokens.  
Having for many, days spa●perceiued that Gregory grew ve● sick in this village, because I sa● him very weak apud pale, 〈◊〉 thought good to visit him of●… and to be longer at times in hi● company, to see if I could give him any comfort.  
I did ask him what pains he felt, and he would not tell me then: at length after many days, he told me the great pains that he endured in his teeth and grinders, and other diseases which he had; but I rested not satisfied here with, b●…ng persuaded t'had the holy ●…n suffered other pains greater ●…n these, therefore I importuned him very much to tell me them; afterwards he did that which he is not known ever to have done before or since; which was to ●…er some what of that which did inwardly pass betwixt God and him, saying these very words: Thou knowest well, o Lord, that I have no creature within my soul, nor suffer any to be there, for thy sake alone, and why dost thou after this manner hide thyself from me? how canst thou endure to see me with so many infirmities, and being able to heal me, dost not? but willest have me seek the herbs that the beasts feed upon, and being able to heal me with a 〈◊〉, yet wilt not? and though I am ●…e he said not these words, so ●…ch for his own comfort, as for 〈◊〉 instruction and profit, yet I re●…ined so amazed to hear him utter some thing that passed inwardly, betwixt God and him, a● that presently I writ down these words which he had said, being the 23. of March in the year 159●.   

THE XIII. CHAPTER. Of his mortifying of his senses.  
IT is no marvel, if he, that vs● such care and exquisite mean to mortify his interior, was all● eminent in the mortification of h● senses: It is certaniely thought that he never went one step 〈◊〉 feed his eyes with the sight of any of those things that use to 〈◊〉 pleasing to that sense; and so, what he went once, being at Guasteca, 〈◊〉 see the fountains, he told me, 〈◊〉 did it only at my request, and 〈◊〉 give me content. Being some months in Mexico, he never went out of door, but only strait to the next Church, neither could he be persuaded to go to any mo●…st●ry of Nuns, although by some he was earnestly entreated. When he came to Santafe, he went out of Mexico before day, without ever looking upon the streets or buildings. Whilst he was in this village, he was importuned to go down and see a garden belonging to the same house that he dwelled in, where was good store of water, green grass, and flowers, yet he never did in six year's time, only one year he went down for a little water to drink. He did look upon men's bodies with an honest freedom and free honesty, as if they had been souls without bodies, or bodies without life and soul.  
Though it be a thing so natural, especially to men of a good understanding, to be delighted with music, yet in all the time that I knew him, I never saw him go to hear any, though sometimes it happened to be near the place where he ●…s, and oftentimes he told me, that if the music of the great Church of Toledo or all that is in the world, were but one pace off of him, he would not go to hear it, but if perchance he were present where it was, he did hear it quietly and got spirit out of it.  
All ill smells were very offensive unto him, yet he would never use any sweet smells; many nosegays were offered him, but he for the most part refused them, some he did take, least by doing otherwise, he should discontent him that brought them. Sometimes, though but seldom, he would take a white lily or red rose, because, as he said, the smell of those flowers is very chaste.  
As soon as he went into the desert, he made a purpose never to eat with intent to please his palate, but only to sustain his life, the which he observed all his life, in so much as that when I persuaded him to taste of a Melon, grapes, or figs (for those fruits are here in great request and esteem) he would only smell to the Melon; saying: it is enough this year to have smelled this Melon; of the grapes he only took one, saying presently, it is enough for this year; of figs he only took half an one and said the same.  
Although he loved fruit very well and desired to live upon it, because as he said, it was the proper food of man: for in Paradise man should only have lived upon it God had created so many sorts of it only for mā● use, yet as we have already said, he told me that fruit never did him harm, and I wondering thereat, he gave the reason, for, said he, I did always eat of it moderately.  
That which he did eat of with a good appetite, was bread the sustenance of the poor, but it seemeth, he obtained of God to find, even in that, such mortification and difficulty, as that some years before his death, he could not eat one ●orcell of bread unless it were first steeped in broth without salt, fat, or spices in it, and that was his diet at this time, making way for the bread with some light meat. Sometimes he chanced to keep his bread in his mouth a good while, and I bidding him remember to swallow it, he said: I cannot, and that one of the painfullest things to him was to eat; nevertheless he made much account of his senses, knowing of what profit they are to a spiritual man, if he keep them well mortified.  
After a burning fever which he had, there remained a linger ague, which held him almost a year, and in this necessity I often importuned him to use some sheets, but I could never persuade him to it.  
I neither can nor aught to pass over in silence, a very subtle mortification which I perceived in Gregory: for the understanding whereof it is to be noted, that one of the things wherewith nature is most mortified, is, that the spirit doth not cherish her nor give her any part of that which passeth in its self, debarring her of the part she was to have in the spiritual work. This premised: I have observed for many years (which we have spent both together, living in the same house, eating at the same table, and sleeping in the same chamber) that he did never weep, nor sigh, nor lifted up his hands, nor shrunk up his soldiers, nor spoke any word aloud with God nor to himself, by which one might come to know his inward affections, a thing which in a man of so great affection and spirit would amayse any one that knew what belonged to prayer and contemplation. I admiring much here at said one day unto him: you being thus always united unto God, and in the presence of such a Lord, do neither sigh, nor speak, but are altogether rapt in ecstasy with the divine goodness; whereunto he answered: That is not the reason, Father Losa, for truly I do sigh and groan almost a thousand times in the day, and am almost always talking with God though only mentally: I have used this manner now thirty years, and I endeavour not to give nature any of these feelings (which is to her no small mortification) because I have found her false and treatcherous.  
I became not so perfect in this lesson; but that sometimes going into the garden to prayer and contemplation, I should forget myself, knocking sometimes my breast or sighing, and Gregory hearing me would in a pleasant manner say unto me: Father Losa, give Nature now and then a bit, lest she die for hunger: but he did not give such counsels to other men, but rather advised them to help themselves with those outward signs, for without them they did not any thing. I am verily persuaded, that he that shall read with a favourable eye the penance and mortifications which are here related, will rest fully satisfied that this heroical man went not into the wilderness to sleep and be idle, but to do and suffer. I am also certain, that if he would have ●old other greater mortifications which he endured, a course of such difficulty and virtue would have caused in us great admiration, it would have also been much better, if those things had been better expounded, that they might be better known, for I confess that I have left out many things, because I could not explicate them and make them understood, yet by those that we have set down, one may perceive that his life was all mortification, penance and crosses.  
Now it remaineth for us to see the profits, that Gregory reaped by this virtue. First such strength that, as he was wont ●o tell me; he now overcame with God's grace all temptations with a blast; Secondly such a dexterity in sighting, as that his enemies as puissant as they were, could never make him give back one step, but that he went always getting ground, and putting such a firm confidence in God, as that if he had a whole squadron of temptations against him, he should overcome and put them all to flight; and so, though vever so many bid him battle, he never left of the exercise that God had given him; but even in the midst of them walked on in the love of God and his neighbour. Thirdly such a peace and dominion of himself in his manner of combat, as that never any could perceive, whether he was inwardly in combat, or at peace.  
He was always the same without any change, and in him was verified that sentence: the wise man is stable like the sun, but the fool hath his changes like the moon; and he was used sometimes to repeat it. Fourthly by this his mortification, he obtained of God, as one already well exercised, to be made the elder brother, being now able to have a care of his brethren and neighbours, to fight for them: and that his combats, which he fought for his neighbour's sake, should be accepred of as if they had fought themselves, as I perceived it often happened, as shall be said in the 19 Chapter of the effects of his prayers. All this his strength proceeded from the lively faith which he had in God, whereby he understood clearly and distinctly, the greatness of the divine goodness and mercy, which sufferreth not any to be tempted above his strength, therefore he fought his combats with delight, saying with spiritual contentment, that this was never wanting unto him; and he was wont to say that whosoever had received that delight from God was already, as is said out of his swaddling clouts.   

THE XIV. CHAPTER. Of Gregory his prayer, when it began, and with what exercises.  
I have many reasons to think that he began to use prayer as soon as he had the use of reason; this I could gather, by some discourses that passed betwixt us touching this matter, and by other conjectures which seem almost certain, as was his custom of saying unto me, that God had called him very soon, that he had never been a child, that he had never retired back one step; whereby, because of his moderation in speaking of himself, and his niceness in letting others know his good deeds, it may easily be understood as a thing out of doubt, that he always used prayer. He told me that when he was a little page in the court, he used mental prayer, and went upon errands with as much quietness of mind, as he had six years before his death; and that he did not lose this quietness, though there passed by Dukes and Earls, and other things happened that use to be in the court, and that he persevered in his prayer amongst those noises as well, as if he had been alone in a mountain, though afterwards he went on, always by exercise perfecting both his prayer and quietness. If therefore at twelve years of age he had attained to such peace and quietness in prayer, it is to be thought that he began to pray, some years before he came to this degree and perfection; and if thes years from the time that he had the use of reason, until he went into the wilderness were but few, we may well think that he spent them in the exercise of prayer, especially of it be true, as we understand it is, that before he came to the court to be a page, he was in Navarre six years with an hermit, as is said in the beginning of this book.  
The same might be gathered by the courage which God gave him whilst he was in the court, for although he was two or three years in that place, in which are so many hindrances for those that walk in the paths of God, he had strength enough to pass through them all without altering his good purpose, but such valour and courage is seldom got without long exercise in conversation with God. Besides he was but twenty years old when he came to new spain, and yet he came so well profited in mental prayer, that he not only endeavoured to use it much at a time but did always continue in it, whether he were travailing, writing or talking; and he told me that for his better attaining unto it, as soon as he came to Mexico, he fasted a whole lent with bread and water in the house of Lewis Zapata, with intention to beg of God his favour and assistance, and to employ him in some place, where he might best serve him, and give himself up wholly to his divine Majesty. It is clear that such progress in virtue is not ordinarily got so suddenly, but with long practice of prayer. More over Gregory was not stirred up to such works by remorse of conscience, or fear of hell, for God always guided him by way of love: and what greater sign can there be of his long and settled virtue, and firm love, then to come to the Indies, and go through the places of greatest riches which were Mexico and Zacatecas, the country being in the greatest prosperity for riches and ●onour that ever it was, and he ●auing in him such parts, as is said, whereby he might have come to ●nioy the glory of this world: notwithstanding all this, in the flower of his youth, renouncing all these vanities, to  himself in sackcloth, and retire into a wilderness, that God might there give spiritual increases in his soul as he had done till that time, as he told me? the which there is no doubt but they were very great, especially in prayer: and since that the divine Majesty, the very first day that he led him into the desert, laid upon his shoulders one of the heaviest burdens and hardest exercises, that are in the spiritual life, as shall be said in the Chapter following, the weight of this witnesseth this young man's virtue (since that God layeth on burdens proportionable to one's strength) the which being ordinarily wont to be gotten by success of time and holy exercises, we may easily understand that he had spent those twelve years wherein he had enjoyed the use of reason in obtaining virtue by means of prayer and conversation with God, that afterwards all might succeed well with him, according to that blessing of the holy Ghost, which was oft in his mouth: It will go well with that man that shall carry the yoke of God from his youth.  
He did not tell me in particular, the exercises of prayer which he used in his first years, for, as we said, he never told things concerning himself unless there were probable occasion of profiting his neighbour; but as for myself, I have always believed that the ground and beginning of this his course was our Saviour Christ, for he outght to be the entrance of those that begin well, and we have heard from him such good meditations upon our holy faith, and upon the life, and death of our Redeemer especially of his infancy and childhood, with such devotion and spirit as shown plainly his long use and practise in that kind of meditation: in his first year at Guasteca he shown me admirable ones of the same matter, and especially of the sacred Virgin Mary, and he counselled those that desired to profit in the spiritual way to say their beads over with devotion, to her honour, as being the refuge and safeguard of sinners, and to persever in that holy exercise, and esteem it as their honour, to be denout Disciples to that great Mistress of sanctity.   

THE XV. CHAPTER. What were the prayers and exercises which God in spired him to use, and the profit which he reaped thereby.  
GRegory went out into the field, as he was used to call it, of the wilderness, being one or two months under one and twenty years of age, as far as I could gather. As concerning his manner of praying, I can tell some thing certainly, for he could not conceal all from me, for the space of eighteen years which I I spent in his company.  
The first prayer which he used there, were those famous words, O Lord, be hold I go forth only to serve thee not for any interest of mine in the manner as is above said and declared, for he would not spend words, but offered himself wholly to the Eternal Father in those few, making himself his slave, so as that all his labours and gains should be for his Lord, and this he meant by (not for any interest of mine) for he desired in all his works, to seek only the glory of God. The Almighty accepted his offering made with such a willing mind, and the divine wisdom undertook the charge to be Gregory his Master, teaching him that which was convenient. Fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo & in terra Amen jesus; teaching him the same prayer that he had taught his Apostles and in this prayer he gave him for his exercise, one of the most excellent works, and hardest to be done, because it comprehendeth all the doctrine of the conformity of our will with that of God, which spiritual men call resignation, and that not in any degree whatsoever, but in the perfection which those words require, namely that there be such conformity upon earth with the will of God, as is talked of and practised in heaven.  
It is much to be noted, that the divine goodness would have Gregory practise himself so long in this exercise, as our Saviour Christ was in preaching his gospel, to give us thereby to understand, that all the perfection of his holy doctrine consisteth in the perfect execution of those words.  
The careful and studious scholar embraced this divine prayer and lesson with such good will and resolution, as that for 3. years together, a wonderful thing: without ceasing or ever omitting, he said it mentally as often as he did draw breath when he was awake, and considering the little time that he slept, and the great vigilance which he always used, it is almost impossible to tell how often he said those words: Fiat voluntas tuasicut in caelo & in terra Amen jesus; and he told me that after a years space he did no more trouble himself to call them to mind thereby to make his acts more intense, amorous and fervent. I heard him also tell once upon a certain occasion of spiritual discourse, that if he did not make those acts with great devotion (although at other times he did) the devil at the very instant did assail h●m with a multitude of temptations, so that, as he told me, in those times, by reason of the many temptations that came upon him, he could not possible take any book in hand, and that those only words served him instead of books and study, and with them, as with armour of proof, he defended himself from all his enemies and overcame them; and because he had found by experience the great force and virtue of those words, he counfailed many persons to repeat them often with devotion.  
During those breathe, his operations were so vehement as that he was almost always elevated and thought of nothing of this world, and such was the intensivenes, wherewith he employed his memory, understanding, and will in this divine exercise, that although, while he was in it, he was assailed with many grievous temptations, yet as soon as they were passed, he did not remember them. From this exercise of resignation, as from a solid root grew out all his wisdom and spirit.  
When he had exercised himself for the space of three years in this spirit of resignation, it pleased his heavenly Master to advance him to another degree of perfection, instructing him inwardly that the height of perfection in this life was in the practice of these words: Thou shalt love God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbour as thyself; and that he was always to practise this, using all his forces in it, loving God and his neighbour with one act of love, imitaring herein God himself; therefore afterwards he did not repeat so often as before, that act of resignation, wherein he said Fiat voluntas tua sicut in coelo & in terre. Amen jesus; because this often making of acts would rather hinder then further the continual act of love wherein his soul now was, as he himself said. For the same reason he left of other meditations and exercises which he used before, because they should not divert him from his continual act of love. Gregory endeavoured to follow this exercise with the same fortitude as he had practised that of resignation, yea and with greater, for row his strength was increased; So in few years he became so expert a lover, as that he told me that it seemed unto him a very hard thing to leave off that divine exercise of love even for a short time, and that therefore without breaking it off he did eat and talk, and perform all other operations both of body and mind.  
Together with this heavenly employment, he began to read the bible, and most of all at this time, for it happened sometimes, that he spent three or four hours in the day in reading of it, and by this great love towards God he attained to the understanding of the Scripture. Hereby he got that great poise and measure in his words, the great prudence and wisdom he shown in his answers and counsels, and the equality in loving his neighbour and himself wherein he did much excel, for in all his good works, he esteemed himself as one of the rest of the world, and desired as much to obtain mercy for them as for himself. From hence also proceeded his purity of mind in prayer freedom and Dominion against his enemies, and the severe mortification of his senses. Now in praying he did not use such violence and force as he did before, but a more refined and de-delicate act, less sensible, but more perfect. In this manner he went on every day increasing in perfection and that after such a manner as that many spiritual men were deceived, seeing him so conversant in other arts and sciences, it seeming unto them, that this would divert him from praying; but he was so far from that as that in his last years he attained to such high degree, that as he hath often told me his interior man did work without imparting any thing to the exterior, and that he did not reduce the conference that he had with God into mental words but to another language which should seem to have excellent effects. To conclude, by means of this exercise he attained unto that excellent union with God, which he always endeavoured to practise, and his heroical virtues, and to say all in a word; together with this, there came to him all that is good.   

THE XVI. CHAPTER. The spirit of Gregory is made more manifest by the answers which he gave to certain questions  
I have thought convenient here to set down some answers which Gregory Lopes gave upon certain occasions to the end that by them his spirit might somewhat more appear, which since that it was so interior, may be the better known out of these.  
A certain religious man both spiritual and learned (one whom Gregory well esteemed and conversed with more than with any other) asked him, if he had any particular times and hours of the day, or night appointed to make his act of love more intense, if peradventure it grew slack or cold whilst he was at table, or otherwise employed in offices of charity towards his neighbour, or for the comfort of those that conferred with him? he answered that he had no set times, neither that he had need of any, because there was not any created thing that did hinder him, or make him grow remiss, that his inward operation was always in the same estate, that it was almost become natural, that he had never gone back in the perfection of the union which God had given him, but that he always went forwardly, and that by means of this union he had got whatsoever he knew, because God had always been his Master, not books, though, it was a great comfort to him, to see those things written by Tauler and Rusbroque which God had imparted to him, and he never ceased to praise and extol the spirit of the holy Mother Terresa de jesus.  
At another time being asked by the same religious man: sir if you were a Priest what would you do? he made answer: as I do now; he replied: how would you have prepared, you self to say Mass? he said, as I prepare myself now; he asked him further: and how would you have made your Mementoes, he answered him; after the same manner as I do always; and he added moreover saying: if I were certain to die within these few hours, I should not do any thing more than I do, for I am now actually giving unto God all that I have, and I cannot give him more, unless he out of his mercy give it me.  
But because it often falleth out, that as the soul is loving God, with all her strength in great quietness, our Lord suddenly raiseth her up for a short time to the height of union, drawing as it were the curtain which is between God and her, God himself dilating her, and making her capable of such things as she can neither express nor conceive, and when she desireth to think and stay upon that which God wrought in her, she findeth that those favours are now past, the affections of them only remaining behind; the said religious man asked him again, whether having received such favours, he remembered them afterwards, and whether his soul did always remain in that height, to which God is wont to raise others for a little time, as is said? he answered him; that as it is not in man's power to obtain such singular favours of God, so neither is it in his power to remember or continue them for a long time, and that he doubted whether there ever had been any pure creature, except the B. Virgin, that did always persever in such an excellent union which God is wont to give, though in the ordinary kind of union (such as God had given unto him) one might always continue and profit.  
And prosecuting this matter he said further, that unions, revelations, ecstasies, and rapts were not the top of perfection, nor that it did not consist in them, though God is often wont to give them, because he worketh with every soul according to her capacity, necessity, and disposition, they that are perfect and well exercised in the act of love, do not require that the senses should be suspended from their operation, to the end that they may be more united unto God because the senses are no hindrance to them in their enjoying God, for he had never had any ecstasy, revelation, or rapt that deprined him of his senses, the which had never hindered him.  
At another time the same man talked with him of some souls which attained to great peace and ●hward quietness together with a ●assiue union, and, as it were, enjoying love, which God gave unto them; Gregory answered him that such as those were good souls and were in a good way, but that perfection and merit is not so much in those works of enjoying as in that the soul of her part endeavoureth with all her might to love God with the perfectest manner and act that she can; for this is rather to do then to enjoy, and the other is rather enjoying, then working, because the soul that loveth God perfectly, cannot give him more than she doth give him, neither doth God require any thing else of her, for hereof dependeth all our law and Prophets.  
I was once talking with him how gracious in the sight of God certain persons were who do always employ themselves in praying for the whole Church with a great zeal of God's honour and desire of the salvation of souls; he said that this was a great perfection but such as few had attained unto, and that he had understood that Mother Isabella de la Natividad, a nun of the Monastery of the Conception in Mexico, now deceased, had obtained it, who as I think for certain knew by revelation from God, that Gregory Lopes also was wholly given to this exercise; for in a letter which she writ, she said these words: I am continually in the office which God hath put me in of praying for the whole Church, as my brother also doth; she said this by Gregory, and she was one free from all falsehood and even from suspicion. Things have been said in this Chapter, which in the opinion of those that treat of prayer and spirit, are for confirmation and testimony of great sanctity, more than miracles; because they are more infaillible signs of it then miracles.   

THE XVII. CHAPTER. Of some other manners of prayer which he used.  
NO less wonderful height of perfection and sanctity is proved by other kinds of prayer, wherein this admirable man (though his continual employment was to exercise that act of lone towards God and his neighbour, and in this work he used all his strength) employed himself, without diverting his mind but rather always increasing the union we spoke of.  
When any inward combats presented themselves, he was very willing to fight them, for the love of God; and after he had overcome, he offerred him in sacrifice the victory and all the spoils of of that war, and therefore by reason that he was wont often to overcome, and through the great confidence which he had in God, he rejoiced when he saw whole troops of temptations come against him, as huntsmen do when they see their prey that they may see it on their Master's table, and he did not only offer up in sacrifice unto God, the victories and the spoils of his combats, but also the gifts and strength wherewith God did enrich and adorn him, making an offering of them unto his God and giver with a very humble prayer and, acknowledgement, wherein he confessed him to be the chief good and source of all good, and therefore most worthy, to whom all things which we have received should be offered, so that Gregory as soon as he received any favour or gift, presently with a more clear knowledge and fervent charity directed it to his Lord, without staying on it himself, because he desired all whatsoever he received, should be his. Such was his fidelity and love towards God; and in these times he was used to repeat that sentence of the wise man: you shall find many merciful but a faith, full man who will find?  
He was also wont to offer up unto the Eternal Father the life, Passion and death of jesus Christ, his son and our Redeemer. This offering, sometimes he made for the whole world, othertimes for particular persons, or intentions, according as he understood that it was the will of God; he made such account of this Sacrifice or spiritual Mass, that one day talking with me about it, he told me that God had thousands of priests in the world, who made this offering spiritually many times in the day and that he did frequent two kinds of spiritual communions both consisting in ardent desires, the one of receiving Sacramentally our Saviour Christ, the other, of receiving within himself the Father, the son and and holy Ghost, making himself a living and pure temple of the Blessed Trinity, and giving it actually entertainment in his heart, where it might come and always remain.  
I asked him one day how he did exercise the love of God and his neighbour; he answered me, that he only repeated some versicles of David, such as these: Praise ye our lord all nations, praise ye him all people; All the works of our lord, bless ye our lord, praise ye him and glorify ye him for ever. Let all the earth o Lord adore thee and bless thee. Wherewith I remained not only satisfied, but also well affected to that manner of praving which containeth so much in it.  
He was also very careful to pray for our holy Mother the Church, for her increase, and for the exaltation of our holy Catholic faith throughout all kingdoms. He did pray very earnestly for those that were in sin, and he said that this prayer was very pleasing unto God, relating upon this occasion that which had passed betwixt our Saviour and saint Catherine of Sienna, who praying unto him instantly for those that are in mortal sin, heard from his divine mouth: I entreat thee to pray unto me for them; and he was wont to repeat those words with much tenderness and commiseration, when there was occasion to talk of those that are in sin.  
To the same purpose he related an example, which saint Denys the Areopagite in his eighth Epistle to Demophilus affirmeth that he had heard from the mouth of saint Carpus the Bishop, to whom by reason of his cleanness and sincerity of heart God revealed many things; and it was this: the said saint Carpus understanding for certain that an idolater had perverted a Christian and made him forsake his faith, was so incensed against both, as that he instantly besought God to take them away from the face of the earth, not being able to endure that such wicked men should live upon it, since that they perverted the way of God; and looking up towards heaven he saw therein jesus Christ sitting environed with innumerable Angels and saints, then looking down into the earth as it were by the mouth of a well, he saw hell and its tourments, and in the very brink of the well were those two wicked men, whom he had cursed, staggering and ready to fall, and trembling in pitiful manner, because those hellish serpents sought to catch hold and pull them in. Carpus was told, that he would do well to pray for them, that they might be freed from those grievous pains, but he would not, yea he prayed unto God to let them fall into that well, and lifting up his eyes again towards heaven, he saw the most merciful jesus, who moved with compassion rose up and offered them his hand that they might es●hape, sent his Angels also to help them, and truning to Carpus said unto him: oh Carpus I am ready to suffer again for men's sake; see whether it would like you to be for ever in this hell and live amongst those serpents, deprived of the sight of God and the company of his Angels and saints. He made use of such examples to practise himself and teach others the spirit of jesus Christ.  
He did amorously and earnestly importune God in his prayers to draw unto him all countries and nations, coverting them, and making them enter into the lap of the Church, and to reduce the jews and heretics to the holy Catholic faith. This he did without eue● desisting from that act of loveing God which we spoke of.  
The chief scope of his prayer for his neighbours, was that the will of God might be fulfiled in them on earth as it is in heaven, and he took occasion from all things to make that prayer. If he heard men say how the king for his great power and justice was feared and reverenced, and that he enjoyed his kingdom in peace, he presently turned to God and said: thou art almighty and just o Lord, let all fear thee, and reverence thee; and possess o Lord all this thy kingdom in peace.  
When he heard that a father for his goodness was loved by his sons, he presently said unto God: o Father and fountain of all good, let all thy sons love thee. When he understood how a gardener endeavoured to make all his trees yield fruit, he presently turned to the Creator of all, saying: let none of thy creatures be lost, oh Lord, let them yield their fruit in their proper season. When he heard of great wars and shedding of blood, he lifted up his heart unto God, saying: your sons and my brethren, whom you command me so much to love, behold o Father how they behave themselves; and to say in brief, all the goods and evils of the world were unto him motives of prayer.  
Sometimes he told me that he saw in God all whatsoevet was in the world, as it were, gathered into one point, without any discourse; the which it might be was by some great light of contemplation, which he received in certain occasions, whereby we may gather something of the excellence of his prayer, and how elevated his soul was and like unto God, since that he had the whole world abridged in his understanding, and with such particular light reduced to an unity, that he might offer it unto God.  
He desired much that his neighbours should never cease to pray unto God even in their exterior works; because, as one well experienced, he knew the great good that it contains, and he was wont to praise the Macchabees for that virtue, who in their greatest battles, as is related in their history, did at the same time fight with their hands, and pray in their hearts.  
He used another manner of praying worthy the learning and imitating, for whensoever he was to speak answer or ask any thing; he first fixed his mind on God by mental prayer, imploring his divine assistance. To this purpose he was wont to tell that which befell Nehemias with Artaxerzes', as is written in the second Chapter of the second of Esdras; for this great Monarch ask of Nehemias his cup bearer, what it was that he desired, the text saith; that before he began to speak he made his prayer unto the God of heaven, whereby he obtained of the king all whatsoever he asked.  
He was much devoted to the Pater noster because it was taught him by our Saviour, and he reaped much profit by it: in most of the Petitions he put in those words. As in heaven so upon earth; as when he said: Hallowed be thy name, he added: as in heaven, so on earth; for hereby he shown the desire that he had of God's glory; and all though many servants of God, to induce men to good, and draw them to the service of God, do write letters and take in hand great journeys, and do other things, yet Gregory instead of these, when he desired to help his neighbours and relieve their necessities, had presently recourse unto God by his prayers, knowing that all good was to proceed from him; and by this means he wrought admirable effects; and upon this occasion he would sometimes tell merit is far better negotiating with God then with Men. But to those that asked him counsel by word or writing, he gave answer according as he thought was necessary for their good and God his honour, to whom he gave thankes, because he had personages in his Church that did also assist their neighbours by such outward means.   

THE XVIII. CHAPTER. Of his habitation or mansion in God.  
I Have differred as much as I could possible, to write the manner how Gregory did live in God, because I was always in hope of a greater light from his divine spirit, that I might be better able to declare a thing of such importance. This manner was not by ecstasies or rapts, because his union seemed always unto me, immediate since that his will free form all other affections tended very strongly only unto God; and this manner of union might be seen by its great fruits that always remained in him.  
This mansion, I think cannot be otherwise termed better than a transformation into God, because the soul in this estate is wholly besides herself, and wholly in God, according to that of the Apostle, I live, but now not I, because Christ liveth in me. And thus the matter is, for unto us that have looked into his life and conversation, he always seemed a portrait of Christ, and therefore we called him, a man truly crucified into the world, for he only regarded the spiritual life, of which when spiritual persons did talk with him, he invited them to this transformation saying unto them those words of S. john: God gave them power to be made sons of God to those that believe in his name, who now are not borne of flesh and blood nor of the will of man; but God himself; and I am certain that this transformation of Gregory into God, was well liked of by all the spiritual men that conversed with him.  
In this transformation, which I call immediate union, there useth to be a great spiritual joy which is called fruition; because those that are so transformed, for a long time are rather in joy then pain, because they are carried by God, without any labour of theirs, to that most happy state; and this is that which is called the spiritual oil; there they are with God as it were only passively, and I call it so because, although it be true that the soul in that union be always in action yet not so much inseeking after as in possessing, for she rather exerciseth the act of possessing and enjoying, than the act of desiring.  
I do not know whether Gregory had this as it were passive union, from the time that he went into the desert, for God did in such manner communicate himself unto him, as that he every day desired more, and therefore did not so much entertain himself in enjoying that which was given him, as with new desires to see himself every day approach nearer unto God.  
S. Denys the Areopagite saith, that Hierotheus his Master had the state of spiritual rest and fruition which we have spoken of and he putteth it down for the highest perfection that is in this life, and all the contemplatives are of the same opinion, and this is the only reason, why the surname of Divine was given to Hierotheus▪ for this union maketh the soul to be the same▪ with God and very like the divine nature, the which doth not exercise its operations with pain and toil but joy. I have told upon divers occasions this so common opinion unto Gregory, fifteen years before his death; and though he yielded also to it (for he knew it very well) yet he esteemed it was better for himself to be in action, and always loving God and his neighbour, labouring therein both day and night. And therefore he embraced this estate the more willingly, for he said that God had given him that exercise as being the best, and that he was to endeavour with all his strength, not to leave it off for any joy or fruition whatsoever; for he could not conceive, how in this life that should be most perfect, which had least merit●ād that enjoying is not of so much merit as taking of pains is: but I will leave this doctrine for wise men to determine, and will prosecute my intent.  
Gregory his transformation into Christ, which I perceived in him, was an ardent love and desire to ●ollow him in his life and imitate his labours and Cross, for it is manifest that the most holy life of our Saviour jesus Christ was a lively pattern for us all to imitate, in fullfilling the will of his eternal father, and so he saith: I came not to do my will, but my fathers: and in another place: it be hooveth me to do the work of him that sent me, while it is day.  
It is also well known, that the life of our Saviour Christ from his birth till his death was a continual bearing of the cross of our sins, working thereby our redemption so as all his life was a suffering of troubles; in these therefore Gregory desired, and also did imitate Christ; wherefore in his life there was but little fruition and joy, and much care and trouble, so as it seems that this want of sensible joys may be esteemed a privilege and particular gift of God, since that without these favours, his divine Majesty bestowed upon him that which he is wont to give to others that have them, as may be seen in the knowledge, wisdom fortitude, perseveance, and all the other divine gifts where with he was endued. Hereby also it is manifest, that God directed him in ways proper to men; for his divine Majesty doth for the most part give those joys to his friends in the beginning of their conversion, when they begin to die to the world and live in God, than he bringeth them into his cellar, to give them a taste: then he giveth them some light and joy as a pledge, or earnest of that which is in heaven, to make them walk on with strength and perseverance; but after they have profited and are grown strong, he inviteth them to the highest degree of charity, which is to suffer and die for their beloved; we have examples of both in the holy Apostles: and whosoever shall have read with attention that which is above written, will also come to see, that this exercise of greatest charity, which maketh one suffer and die for his beloved, was the whole life of this holy man, for it was a thing well known to us all that did converse with him, that this so vehement an exercise of loving God with all his strength, was the cause of all his weaknesses, pains and sicknesses, and he perceiving this, went on pining away joyfully for his beloved. Upon this oceasion, relating sometimes unto me the great pains which he had endured, he said unto me: the material martyrdom of whips, hooks of iron, fire and sword be it never so great, dureth but for a short time: but besides these, God hath in heaven spiritual martyrs in a very high degree. He did tell the lives of many saints worthy of great honour, that confirm this verity; amongst others he told of Paph●utius the hermit, that as he was led in chains for being a Christian, and those that led him, threatened him with great torments unless he would forsake the faith o● Christ, he laughing at his tormentors said unto them: we hermits use to endure these torments in the desert. But because it is a thing most certain both to me and to others that knew Gregory, that he did excel in spiritual martyrdom, I will not speak more hereof considering the joy wherewith he received his death, when without any fear he beheld it near at hand, yea with far more contentment then worldly men feel in the midst of their pleasures, honours and pastimes, saying with the Apostle, to me Christ is life and death again.  
Gregory his delight therefore was to suffer for Christ, and his content and glory was in the cross, saying with S. Paul: Far be it from me to glory in any thing but in the cross of my Saviour. jesus Christ; and with the Prophet David who seeing himself so enriched with the benefits and favours which God had bestowed upon him in his last days, he began to consider it and to say: what recompense shall I make unto God for all the favours that he hath done me? and fixing his eyes upon all whatsoever he had, he found no other recompense but only to say: I will take his cup and call upon his name, as if he should say: I will desire inwardly to drink of the cup of his Passion, the which I see and know well by the spirit of Prophecy. This therefore was the spirit of Gregory, in this way God did guide him, this is the doctrine which was taught him by our Saviour Christ, in whose pains and death he found such spiritual delight, that he never desired any other, as is said; and he was wont to say, that perfect spiritual men are displeased with those delights which beginners do willingly embrace, for a man taketh as a reproach to be offered a bunch of grapes or an apple wherewith the child is much taken; he added moreover, that this present life is no● for joy and rest, but sorrow and trouble.  
Finally this his refusing, even of spiritual delights, proceeded from a perfect poverty of spirit which was given him by God, whereunto appertaineth, to desire nothing but God for his own sake, wherein consisteth true charity, and the top of Christian perfection; so as he that loveth God most, is most perfect, be it with those delights or no, for if the cobbler mending his shoes should love God more than a contemplative man, he would be more perfect in Christian life than he, notwithstanding the fruition that he hath attained.  
With this spirit, did Gregory chiefly attend to the increase and purity of charity, desiring always, in his life and labours to imitate our Saviour Christ, whom he always looked upon as on a good pattern, by which he might learn how he ought to labour, saying with David: my eyes are always upon our lord: and to this purpose he was wont wisely to use that sentence: the wise man's eyes are in his head, meaning that the wise man hath his eyes always upon Christ who is his head; for said he the soul touched with the love of God, is like the mariners needle, which by reason that it is touched with a loadstone, always inclineth to the north; and that spiritual men ought to have this marvellous property, as in what place or business soever they are, to be always inclined, and desire to have their eyes always fixed on our Saviour Christ.  
He took great contentment to see men do so; for once four men, very spiritual, and great servants of God; being come to visit him and sitting with him at the table, it so fell out, that they wer● all bareheaded: he looked joyfully on them and said: God b● praised; for that all we that sit a this table, have our head bare. He spoke spiritually, and his meaning was, that they were all spiritually looking upon Christ, who is our head, and at that time was bare unto them all: and by reason of the tokens that we saw, I hold for certain, that he saw the hearts of those that were present, for, as is said, God hath oftentimes done him that favour, and considering the virtue and good spirit of those his guests, it may be thought that they were in that disposition, as to have their eyes upon God. This holy man, as I was always of opinion, never lost sight of God, and therefore God never went out of sight from him, according to to that of job: God will never have his eyes off of the just man, and by means of this sight, God always preserved him in such manner from falling into all the nets and snares whatsoever the enemy laid for him, as that he passed through them freely and safely, as is showed.   

THE XIX. CHAPTER. Of the effects of his prayer.  
I have always thought, that God hath wrought stranges effects through his prayers; and though he out of his humility never revealed any of those great effects for he never told me any in that kind though I was so familiary with him, yet I am certain; that he knew of wonderful things which God had done by his prayers, of the which I will here relate for the greater glory of God, some, which I came to know by other means,  
In the year 1579. being at our Ladies of Remedies he was visited by a priest, who was much troubled in mind, because he did not persever in the service of God, but fell into great in conveniences through such occasions as offered themselves. Therefore he instantly besought him to pray for him, and to advice him what he should do, for assuredly he would do it whatsoever it were, though it were to go unto a mountain and be an hermit, since that his salvation was not a business of small importance. Hereunto Gregory answered only these words: you shall be an hermit in Mexico for this year. He understanding it as it ought to be understood, endeavoured to change his life, and lived with much profit of his soul. This priest therefore walking through he streets of Mexico (for he employed himself in works of charity towards his neighhour) had an inward calling, without reflecting at that time on that which the holy man had said unto him, yet his calling was conformable thereunto, which was that he should observe inward recollection, and at the same instant there was given him, through the divine mercy, such courage and strength, as that he walked through all the streets and public places, inwardly recollected and praying, in such sort, as that no business, hindrance or noise was of force to divert him from that exercise, as if he had been fifty years exercised in prayer. He became a new Man, and so different from what he was, as that at that very instant, he raised his thoughts from the earth, and fixed them on heaven. He left off all compliments and visits (for this it was that did endamage him) and all his conversation and delight was to be recollected in mind, and treating with God of his salvation. Then he began to walk solitary, if charity did not otherwise require; the people were no more hindrance to him, then if they had been tres, or craggs of a mountain; he began to use fastings, disciplines, haire-shirts and God exercised him with greater temptations, than ever he had in all his life time before, some of them were inward, others outward, and withal he gave him strength to defend himself, as if he had been an old beaten soldier or ancient hermit. He began also to live in poverty, and, through Gregory his prayers, God framed in him the heremitical life so entirely and perfectly, as if he had spent many years in the desert; and lest there should be wanting unto him any of those things that are wont to happen unto hermits, he was almost all that year tempted visibly by the devils. The year exprired, he went to talk with Gregory who was then in Guasteca; he gave him an account of his life, as he had done at other times at our Ladies of Remedies, and having been eight days in his company, he said unto him; now the year is passed wherein I was to be an hermit, what must I do from hence forwards, he answered only these words: Love God and your neighbour, and herewith they parted. The priest therefore taking his journey towards Mexico and being come to an habited place which is in the way, began to think upon those words, and because he had studied the tract of Charity, he thought he knew that already, and herewith he went on with little mind to that exercise to which new as counselled, but, then remembering himself, how much good Gregory his former advice had done him, he hegan to humble himself, and imagine that those words might have some deeper mystery then that which he understood; he determined to pray for the understanding of them, and to beseech God to show unto him that which lay hidden under those words, and not to have regard to his arrogance and pride; and presently he heard God speak inwardly unto him very distinctly, saying: if thou desirest to love God, thou must strip thyself out of thyself and all whatsoever thou hast, and be dead to all worldly things. He offered himself with all his heart herunto, that he might receive that favour from the Divine Majesty; presently found in himself, that nakedness, which God did require, and withal was clothed and bathed in the ointment of the love of God, which was so great that neither his understanding was able to comprehend it, nor his heart to receive it, so as he did even melt away into this great gift. Hereby the priest understood the depth and perfection of Gregory his counsel, and the efficacy of his prayer. He endeavoured to cleanse his heart, that he might receive that favour, and made firm purposes to follow the hand and will of God which way soever he was pleased to lead him. This act of love dured for the space of seven hours, God shown him the virtues and their beauty, and made him have a trial of them, as it were even touching and possessing them. There remained with him, after this favour, a great affection, which was such as that for six year's space, he continued in this same love, being almost always in actual exercise of it, and practising those virtues which God had taught him; and even till this day, which is now more than thirty years, it hath been his prop and staff in all his tribulations and troubles, persevering courageously in the way of God. And he hath received many other favours, which I will not here relate, because this alone is sufficient to show, how pleasing this holy man his prayers were in the sight of God, even whilst he lived in this exile.  
A certain person entreating Gregory very earnestly to undertake to direct him in the spiritual way, he answered him: go brother for jesus Christ is your Master, and he presently found the truth hereof in his soul, and perceived it in his works, for he began to proceed with such difference in his spirit, as there is, betwixt seeing, and being blind; afterwards God gave him the knowledge of his own being nothing, and of jesus Christ his truth so clearly, that he became another man, acknowledging that this great good had befallen him through Gregory his prayers. Since that time he hath had many ecstasies and rapts, whereby his soul hath got much humility and strength.  
A religious woman of great virtue and spirit, received an inward warning that a great misfortune would befall her. She was much troubled hereat for the space of eight months, fearing lest that this misfortune were some offence of God, and therefore she recommended herself to the prayers of all the servants of God. This religious woman having communicated upon the feast of our Lady's Nativity, had a particular inspiration whilst she was at her prayers, to entreat Gregory Lopes, who was then in Santafe, to pray for her. She entreated a gentleman, that came to visit her, and now is a religious Man, to go and desire him to recommend her unto God. The holy man receiving the message, answered him: I will do so, let her trust in God and fear nothing, for she shall not offend him. Herewith she became as quiet in mind, as if she had been told so by an Angel from heaven; and so it fell out as Gregory had said, but this gentleman, going to Santafe to carry the message, by the way went into the Convent of saint Dominick of Mexico, to entreat a certain religious man of great sanctity to pray for this religious woman his ghostly child. The day following the said religious man being at his prayers, was rapt in spirit, and saw holy Gregory kneeling in the presence of God and praying for her, and that his divine Majesty accepted his prayers with much content; and told him that his servant Gregory was very mindful of her in his prayers. The religious man told this with great feeling and many tears; and said, that in that vision he came to know Gregory, for that before he did not know him; the religious woman became thenceforward much devoted to this holy man, who, at the day of his death, rerequited her: for she, not knowing of it, had for the space of four days together, a very special apprehension of God his goodness, and of how much she was bound unto him, and withal a discovery of the world's deceit; and she held as undoubted, that she had received that favour from God by Gregory his means, for th●n he was in heaven enjoying the sight of God.  
There was a priest that was much addicted to this holy man, and followed altogether his counsel and doctrine in his manner of praying. He having already received some favours of God took such content in them as only to enjoy them, he did not take any care to walk any farther in the spiritual way; Gregory, seeing his manner of proceeding: recited that sentence of Isaias, thou hast found life in thy hands, therefore thou hast not asked. Herewith God did much illuminate him, that so he might walk with more poverty of spirit, and cast himself into that infinite depth of God, without relying upon his own ways, nor even upon those favours, wherewith at other times God had drawe● him on; for he endeavoured to strip himself wholly, that he might be in more readiness, upon all occasions, to accomplish the will of God and not to make any stop in the spiritual way, profiting herewith both himself and others.  
A young man very virtuous, and desirous, to do well, went about very much disquieted in mind, for the space of four or five months, and the greatest cause of his anguish was, because he did not know, what state of life to make choice of for his own salvation. He acquainted herewith certain holy and devout persons, desiring them to pray for him, and perceiving that none of these means was sufficient to rid him of that unquietness, he remembered himself of Gregory Lopes, and went to Santafe to visit him, and though he was a young man otherwise bold enough, yet at the very sight of Gregory, his heart was to sealed with fear and reverence, as that, although Gregory was of an humble demeanour and in poor attire, he said that he had never seen in his life a man, that had strooken into him such a reverence, both inwardly and outwardly, and that it seemed unto him, that he saw in him the countenance of one more than a man. He entreated him to beseech his divine Majesty to give him light, that he might choose the estate, wherein he should do him most service; and Gregory only saying unto him: trouble not yourself, for I will recommend you unto God, his spirit was quieted, and the said trouble never came to him again, the which he attributed to the holy Man his prayer, and chose the estate of Priesthood, and died with an esteem of virtue and sanctity; he affirmed with an oath, that at other times he acquainted Gregory with sundry temptations that he had, and always returned with great satisfaction and comfort.  
Another person very devout unto Gregory, went unto the place where he was, and the first night sustained many very grievous temptations, of which he told him the next morning; and he answered: I did forget myself last night, it shall not be so hereafter, and the nights following he found himself more at ease and with more devotion: the which he did hold for certain, befell him through Gregory his prayers.   

THE XX. CHAPTER. Of the respect which he struck into those that did look upon him.  
IT is a thing worthy of observation, that a poor man solitary and unknown, clothed only in grey sack cloth, always bareheaded, and in a manner an outcast should strick such a respect and reverence into those that looked upon him, that although they were men used to worldly conversation, yet some should not be able to speak a word unto him: truly virtue and sanctity ought to be, honoured and reverenced, even by those that do not follow it, because that which is good doth all ways seem well, and since that through our sins it is so rare in the world, no marvel if it cause admiration and fear.  
A certain Man of good account and very virtuous, came with a great desire to see the holy man, and to talk with him about a business of importance, which did trouble his mind, and made him always Melancholy; and as soon as he came into his presence, he was so troubled and tonguetied, that he could not speak a word; being in this trouble, and Gregory always expecting when he would declare his necessity unto him, he stood a long time silent, at length the holy man lifted up his eyes, and for a while looked upon him (peradventure he was praying for him) and afterwards he freed him from that trouble, answering his doubts and satisfying him in all that he would have asked, if he had not become dumb; whereat he became more confounded and amazed, perceiving that he had understood his mind and thoughts by the light of prayer, and going forth he told this accident to another virtuous man that came with him, and being asked what was the cause of that his trouble, he answered, it was the beholding of such a venerable countenance, so great mortification, and so holy a recollection of mind, and that he departed astonished because he had given such a particular answer to all that he had in his mind, he not propounding his business,  
There came to see him a young man that was a student's, and before the holy man spoke ever a word unto him, his mind was possessed with such a fear and amazement, as that he presently purposed to change his life, and was afterwards a priest of a very retired and exemplar life, and came often to confer with Gregory, in those five years that he lived.  
A certain gentleman's man came unto him with a message, from his Master; and as soon as he came into his presence, he was surprised with such a fear and trouble, as that he could not speak; and going forth he said: It is one thing to speak unto these men of God, and another to speak with men of the world; I did not think that the sight of any man could have troubled me. Some days after, coming again with the like message, and having delivered it unto me, I asked him, if he would go in and deliver it himself unto Gregory; he answered me: no sir, I pray do you tell him, for I dare not.  
Another person came from far to visit him in this village of Santafe, and hearing much commendations of his sanctity, he was afraid to come in his presence; but being come to see him, he felt such inward joy, as that not being able to conceal it, he told the holy man what had happened unto him, whereunto he answered: give God thankes for it. This joy lasted two days to the great profit of his soul, he said that to him it seemed that he, had seen an Apostle, and that, in that occasion God had given him such a feeling, as that he could not possibly express it; and he affirmed, that the second time that he saw him, he found himself inwardly satisfied of his doubts, only by looking upon him without ask him any thing, for, as is said, God had bestowed this favour upon Gregory.  
What I have here related is not the most admirable that is known of his works and miraculous life; for it Vere to undertake a thing far above the ordinary reach of man's wit, to think of finding the height of the gifts, favours, and riches which God bestowed upon this his servant, whose life might unto us be instead of a light and pattern to imitate, that so, if it be the will of God, we might at length find out that place of everlasting peace and quietness, which we seek after  
Amen.