assemblies came from his sermons quite changed, and their change
appeared immediately in their countenances and behavior. He never
ceased to exhort those that were with him by his inflamed
discourses, and the absent by his letters. A collection of these,
extant in several languages, is a proof of his elo quence,
experimental science of virtue, and tender and affecting charity.
The ease with which he wrote them without study, shows how richly
his mind was stored with an inexhausted fund of excellent motives
and reflections on every subject matter of piety, with what
readiness he disposed those motives in an agreeable methodical
manner, and with what unction he expressed them, insomuch that his
style appears to be no other than the pure language of his heart,
always bleeding for his own sins and those of the world. So various
are the instructions contained in these letters, that any one may
find such as are excellently suited to his particular circumstances,
whatever virtue he desires to obtain, or vice to shun, and under
whatever affliction he seeks for holy advice and comfort. It was
from the school of an interior experienced virtue that he was
qualified to be so excellent a master. This spirit of all virtues he
cultivated in his soul by their continual exercise. Under the
greatest importunity of business, besides his office and mass, with
a long preparation and thanksgiving, he never failed to give to
private holy meditation two hours, when he first rose in the
morning, from three till five o'clock, and again two hours in the
evening before he took his rest, for which he never allowed himself
more than four hours of the night, from eleven till three o'clock.
During the time of his sickness, towards the latter end of his life,
almost his whole time was devoted to prayer, he being no longer able
to sustain the fatigue of his functions. His clothes were always
very mean, and usually old; his food was such as he bought in the
streets, which wanted no dressing, as herbs, fruit, or milk; for he
would never have a servant. At the tables of others he ate sparingly
of whatever was given him, or what was next at hand. He exceedingly
extolled, and was a true lover of holy poverty, not only as it is an
exercise of penance, and cuts off the root of many passions, but
also as a state dear to t