of divine love in the hearts of men. From the university his
parents called him home, but were surprised and edified to see the
ardor with which he pursued the most heroic practices of Christian
perfection; which, as they both feared God, they were afraid in the
least to check, or damp his fervor. His diet was sparing, and as
coarse as he could choose, without an appearance of singularity or
affectation; he contrived to sleep on twigs, which he secretly laid
on his bed, wore a hair shirt, and used severe disciplines. What was
most admirable in his conduct, was the universal denial of his will,
by which he labored to die to himself, added to his perfect
humility, patience, obedience, and meekness, by which he subjected
his spirit to the holy law of Christ. All his spare time was devoted
to prayer, and he approached very frequently the holy sacraments. In
that of the blessed Eucharist he began to find a wonderful relish
and devotion, and he spent some hours in preparing himself to
receive it with the utmost purity of heart and fervor of love he was
able to bring to that divine banquet. In the commerce of the world
he appeared so much out of his element, that he was sent to the
university of Alcala, where he finished his studies in the same
manner he had began them, and bore the first prize in philosophy and
his other classes. F. Dominic Soto, the learned Dominican professor,
who was his master, conceived for him the warmest affection and the
highest esteem, and often declared how great a man he doubted not
this scholar would one day become. Peter Guerrera, who was
afterwards archbishop of Toledo, was also from that time his great
admirer, and constant friend. Both his parents dying about that
time, John entered into holy orders. On the same day on which he
said his first mass, instead of giving an entertainment according to
the custom, he provided a dinner for twelve poor persons, on whom he
waited at table, and whom he clothed at his own expense, and with
his own hands. When he returned into his own country, he sold his
whole estate, for he was the only child and heir of his parents: the
entire price he gave to the poor, reserving nothing for himself
besides an old suit of mean apparel, desiring to imitate the
apostles, whom Christ forbade to carry either purse or scrip. Taking
St. Pau