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 returne from Rome, and what happened to him in the way. THE XXI. CHAPTER.

MEn propose oftentimes, and God doth dis∣pose: his sentences are hereby contrary to their determinations. The eies of his prouidence see farther then the eies of our affections; And be∣cause the present obiect, beguilinge vs often vn∣der the appeerance of some good doth hinder vs, that we do not duly consider, nor vnderstand the greater, or lesser profitt, which will redound from the end, hence it commeth to passe, that God seeinge as well the successe of our enterprises, as the end which moueth vs, disposeth often of our actions, contrary to our designes, when by his grace he imprinteth in vs a desire to do nothinge against his holy will, and to rest our selues wholy vnder his faithfull conduct.

This B. Father departinge from Rome, had many good proiects in his heade, which he could

not finish, because God seeing also that he had noe other obiect but himselfe, did dispose of all otherwise for his glory.

As he came downe, the people in all places being aduertised that he was to passe by them, pressed much to see him, who after they had re∣ceaued the spirituall foode of his exhortations, thought themselues happy if they could kisse his habitt: so God would haue his holines of life te∣stified by his actions to be knowen, and to haue some parcell of that honor, which is now due to him, and which he enioyeth for euer. You might haue seene many principall men of the nobilitie to go foorth to meete him, instantly requestinge him to take vp his lodginge with them. Which he did neuer accept, or very seldome, when he could retire himselfe to any conuent: for although he were neuer so poorely treated, he tooke farr more contentment to be there, then he did where there was rich plentie of all thinges, hauinge long since forsaken rich, and plentifull meanes, to embrace pouertie, with hartie, and true affection.

Religious men were as much cheered with his presence, as secular, euery one was edified with the sight of him only, besides the fruit which they gathered, by his discourse, and conference. For as he discoursed often and most effectually of that which swayeth most in our affection, soe he ha∣uing his spirit bent principally to a rigorous ob∣seruance of his vowes, did speake of this subiect not without admiration, soe that one time (I

know not whether it were in Fraunce, or in Italy) speaking to the religious, and taking a similitude of the Pomegranate (he said) If ye haue obserued, the Pomegranate hath foure things. The first is the outward Rine, or barke which is rough, hard, and bitter. The second is the sweet fruite within. The third is the multitude of red graines, which ar so well ordered, and sett together, that they seeme to be so many rubies. The fourth is that it hath in the topp, a faire crowne. This is an hierogliphick of the state of religious, euery particuler man ought to ressemble this, much more euery con∣uent, and the whole order of religion. They ought to be sharpe in austerities, fastinges, disciplines, shirtts of hard, haire in poore clothing and trea∣ting of their bodies &c. But with this outward sharpenes, and bitternes, there is mixed inward sweetnes, the consolations of the holy spirit, the inward cheeringe, and entertaynement of God which he giueth to a good soule, the ex∣ercise of his lawe, the hope of future glory, the sweetnes which is felt in doinge good workes, and in the obseruance, of Gods commandements, and his rule, this is the sweet fruit of the Pome∣granate. The third thing is the multitude of grai∣nes, the vnion, the order, the disposition, the co∣lour. This betokeneth the multitude of good workes, the vnion, the charitie, the peace which ought to be among vs, order in all things, that no man hinder his companion, but that he ayde him, that all with one hart be mercifull, enflamed,

and feruent; And when they be so, what remay∣neth but the crowne of the Pomegranate, the re∣compence of eternall glory which God hath pro∣mised to vs. The consideration wherof ought to make vs thinke all paine, and trauaile, light, and sleight. He confirmed this with infinite examples taken out of scripture, and prophane authors, soe that his wordes were as piercinge shafts, which wounded the hearts of the hearers, or rather as firebrands to kindle the fire of deuine loue in their soules, and to enable them to suffer, and beare the Crosse of their master.

As he came neere to Turin, he would not enter into the citie, but said it was best to retire them∣selues to a Conuent of their order called Nostra Dona de la Campana: distant about a league from the towne, which he did the rather to auoid the occasion of visiting the Dukes highnes. For ha∣uing banished all curiosity from his affection, he declined as much as he could possibly the mee∣tinge of great persons. But he did attempt this in vaine, for by what accident I knowe not, or whe∣ther by Gods disposition for some good, he mett the Dukes highnes in the way, who after he knewe him, entertained him with all possible cur∣tesie. He entertained about halfe an houres dis∣coursinge with him about Fraunce, Rome, and some matters of state, and religion. The good Father excused himselfe, as pressed and streight∣ned by little time, wherupon, his highnes told him, that he would come to him the next mor∣ninge,

as he did, and passed the whole morninge with him in the Conuent.

This night the B. Father began to sicken, and had a little fitt of an ague, which brake his repose, yet thinkinge that it was a matter of nothinge, and it was only the wearines of his long iourney, he ceased not the next morninge after he had said masse, to entertaine his highnes againe two or three houres, who offered him all courtesies, that lay in his power, and prayed him to be mindfull of him in his holy sacrifices. Of whom, after he had taken his leaue, he went on his way towardes Riuoly, where there is a Conuent of Capucins. Riuoly is a little towne scituated wel for fertility, two leagues from Turin. This good Father repo∣sing there, purposed to haue gone thence the next morninge after masse, which was the day of the markes of S. Frauncis. But alas he was defeated of his purpose; For as he was att the altar, he was taken with a great shaking, and trembling of his ague, that he could hardly finish masse; soe that assoone as he had ended, he was carried into his chamber, and neuer went of it till he had rendered his soule in••o the handes of him that gaue it him.