The life of the Reuerend Fa. Angel of Ioyeuse Capucin preacher Sometimes duke, peere, and marshall of France, and gouernour for the Kinge in Languedoc. Together with the liues of the Reuerend Fathers, Father Bennet Englishman, and Father Archangell Scotchman, of the same ordere. Written first in the Frenche tongue, and now translated into English by R.R. Catholique priest.

Of his conference with à Catholique and of his dangers escaped. THE SIXTE CHAPTER.

BEeing come home, although I would wil∣ling••y haue fasted, yet I sat downe to sup∣per in companie, and because I did eat very lit∣le as I had likewise done some dayes before, the ompany asked mee if I were sick, as indeed I was, but yet they kn••we not of what di∣sease, neither could they ghuesse: After supper I went to bedd, and after I had maturely consi∣dered this matter, I imparted it wholly to a Catholique which lodged with mee to whome although hee were my familiar and inward fr•…•…nd, I had communicated noething as yet; when I had tould him briefely what I had done all the weeke past, and what tentation I had had, how I was aff••cted, and how I purposed to employ my time for the searching out of the true faith, how to that end I thought to goe to London on monday, how I had disposed of all my buisines, and lastly that which I thought not to haue done, I reuealed my vision also to him.

Hee reioicing to heare this, entered into conference with mee, saying. As for religion I thinke there will bee but small doubt of it, the trueth it selfe is soe euident and apparant, and

for you to bolt it out by study, beeing of soe small learning and iudgment for this purpose, I hould it noe waies expedient, for it will bee long ere you will by this meanes take a firme and good resolution. To whome I answered doe not diswade mee from this searche of the truth by mine owne studie, for the matter is of too greate importance, and too doubtfull for mee to giue creddit to one side or to the other.

Vpon this wee resolued the next morning to goe towards London where by his meanes I might conferre with some Catholique Preists, but hee tould mee, there may bee some diffi∣cultie in bringing a Preist to conferre with you, because hee may mistruste you, if you be∣come not a Catholique you may occasion his taking. For although Preists doe not feare the affliction which may befall them for soe good a cause, yet for the securitie of them with whome they conuerse, they are and ought to bee circūspect to whome they discouer them∣selues. To whome I made answere: In truth I doe beleeue that when I shall bee fully resol∣ued in one religion, I shall not forbeare to hate and persecute the contrary. The next morning early wee went togither towards London, and in the way hee tooke occasion often in dis∣course, to perswade mee to his religion. Amōg other matters of discourse, hee spake of a booke which the Protestants faigned to haue beene found in a corner of a wall, which was of an

old date, and as ••hey saie prooued euidently theire doctrine. Hee said that this booke was alleadged often in pulpits as a booke of greate authoritie and of noe small moment to main∣taine theire Ghospell, and yett the same booke a litle after was recalled by themselues to their shame, and confusion; Afterward I vnderstood that this was a true historie.

Hee spake also of a certayne exorcisme done by a Catholique Priest, and related many other strange and meruailous things done in it, and how finally the deuill was caste out of the pos∣sessed person, and restored to former health; but yet of this I doubted much. O lord I cōfesse to thee my infidelity, in not beleeuing the power and authoritie, whichthou gauest to thy disciples saying; Haue ye power ouer the vn••leane spi∣rits, but by the multitude of thy mercies I sawe afterward soe many examples, that there was noe cause to call it in doubt for which thy holy name be euer praised. Hee had this speeche with mee and much other to drawe mee from the newe religion, although I yet held my firme purpose to follow the course of my studie, as the principall foundation vpon which I would build my knowledge.

All this time that wee were together, I did call to minde my life paste, and in the end brea∣king out of a depth of my inward thoughts, I sodainly cried out and said. O if I had died heeretofore what had become of mee for all

eternitie! Alas how many dangers haue I esca∣ped! O lord I beseeche thee giue mee grace that I may neuer cease to thanke thee for soe greate & meruailous deliuerances, from such extreame and desperate dangers Then I began to recite to my companion, how when I was very litle, I brake by chance my back bone, and yet by the goodnes of God I recouered my health. An other time how falling into a dangerous maladie, and almost despairing of recouering my selfe, by reason of 4. or 5. incisions which were also to bee reiterated in so much that my bowells were seene, and therefore the Phisi∣tion said that hee had litle hope of life, notwith¦standing by Gods greate goodines, I was hea∣led and escaped this daunger. I likewise re∣counted to him how at an other time, I beeing very tender and yong, fell into a fatt of boiling beere, where I had beene suffocated, had it not beene that, by Gods prouidence one was there at that time which tooke mee out instan∣tly. An other danger greater then the former I escaped when beeing come to the blossoming of youth, stirred and mooued by proud follie, I aduentured my selfe into a desperate combat that I could hardly passe out of it with m ••ife; seeing my companion soe wounded that hee lay for dead, and my selfe also laied on the grownde.

These dāgers I could not call to minde with∣out greate feare and trembling saying, In

what ca••e had I beene, if I had died then: I con∣fesse o lord, that thou hast deliuered mee from all these; and therefore I render thee all humble thankes, and not only for these, but for noe lesse deliuerances since that time by sea & land, and especially in a greate sicknes wherein I lay speecheles; Thou hast shewed thy fatherly care ouer mee, when I wretched and vnhappy crea∣ture, had noe feare of thee; Thou hast vsed greate meanes to make mee knowe the feare∣full state wherein I was; But alas I beeing blinde and obstinate neglected them. I fell into soe deepe meditation of these things, and of my life past, that I did not suffer my spirit to occupy it selfe in any other thing: And if by chance I looked vpon the fields to take a litle recreation, I did presently reprooue my selfe sharpely for it, fearing to offende the, o my God; And in considering these things, I could hardly forbeare weeping, and chiefely when I came to the citty of London where those pla∣ces were represented to mee, wherein I had vainely delighted my selfe, and at length restrai∣ning teares as long as I could, I shedd them in greate aboundance, soe that meeting some of my old companions, I pluckt downe my hart, and held downe my head, through shame and confusion in my selfe. From that time, O lord, thou didst humble the pride of my lofty hart, and madest mee see the lamentable state wher∣in I was, soe that of an vnbridled wilde colt,

and a furious bull, thou madest mee a poore and contemptible asse, willing to beare bur∣dens, and a sheepe disposed to heare and fol∣lowe thee.