The history of Olivaires of Castile and Arthur of Dalgarve. Translated out of the Spanish into the Italian tongue, by Francesco Portonari: and from the italian made English. Licens'd, Feb. 1. 1694/5.

CHAP. XXI.

Olivaires comes to the Hermit; and of some Discourses betwixt them.

THE holy Hermit was at his De∣votions when Olivaires knock'd at the Dore of his Cell; and being afraid, not any one for many years before having come at him, he would not open it; but when Olivaires said he was a Christian, and no Evil Spi∣rit, or Apparition, having first sign'd himself with the sign of the Cross, he let him in, and led him to the Altar, there to worship his Saviour; then making him sit down, the Hermit went and finished his Devotions. Af∣ter that he brought him a red Earthen Dish of dry'd Fruits, Bread and Wa∣ter, mustering up for the entertain∣ment of the Valiant Knight all his forces, and bid him to take good heart, for that just now by Divine Re∣velation

he had seen who he was, and the occasion of his departure from his Kingdom, and how the Cavalier had in∣vited him to his Cabin, and many other particulars the Holy Father told him. Olivaires, well satisfied of the sanctity of the Personage, paid him exceeding great reverence, and praised Almigh∣ty God for his goodness unto him. The Hermit, after this, open'd to him the Sacred Law, and expounded it with much fervency of spirit, and gave him many good Instructions; then he made a Bed with Leaves and Straw for him to repose on, and de∣fired him for God's sake to take pa∣tiently this penance, for that 'twas necessary to pass this miserable Life with pain and sorrow, having confi∣dence in the Lord, that after he had gone thorough the Waters of Misery, and the Flames of Purgatory, God would place him in a Paradise of re∣freshment, and perfect Joys. And after he had given Olivaires his Bles∣sing, he left him to rest. When the

Morning was come, the Sacred Her∣mit celebrated the Holy Mass; and Olivaires having confess'd his Sins to the Reverend Father, received the Eucharist with mighty devotion and contrition for his Faults. After, he continually instructed him in the Holy Scriptures; making it manifest unto him, that it was a good Spirit, who by the Grace of God had brought him thither; and continually com∣forted him, and exhorted him quietly to support these his present Tribula∣tions, and indure many other also which were to succeed them.