he
thought absolutely above his strength. He wrote the most urgent letters
to the king's council, in which he pleaded his incapacity, and other
impediments, and laid great stress on the canons, which forbid laymen to
be promoted to such dignities in the church. This humility it was that
obtained the succor of heaven by which he performed wonders in the
service of souls. Being compelled by obedience to acquiesce, he at
length testified his submission by falling on his knees and kissing the
ground.

After a suitable preparation, he received the four minor orders on four
successive Sundays, the better to dispose himself for the functions of
each; and after passing through the other orders, he was consecrated
bishop. Immediately after which he set out for Peru, and landed at Lima,
in the year 1581, of his age the forty-third. That diocese is extended
one hundred and thirty leagues along the coast, comprising three cities,
and many towns and villages, with innumerable cottages scattered over
two ridges of the mountains of the Andes, esteemed the highest and the
most rugged in the whole world. Some of the European generals, who first
invaded that country, were men who seemed to measure every thing by
their insatiable avarice and ambition, and had so far lost all
sentiments of humanity towards the poor savages, that they deserved the
name rather of tyrants and plunderers than of conquerors. Civil wars and
dissensions completed the misfortune of that country; and covetousness,
cruelty, treachery, fraud, and debauchery, seemed triumphant. Nor were
the repeated orders of the Spanish court able to redress these evils.
The sight of these disorders moved the good pastor often to tears, but
his prudence and zeal overcame all difficulties, extirpated public
scandals, and made that kingdom a flourishing portion of the Christian
church. Upon his arrival he immediately began a visitation of his vast
diocese: an undertaking of incredible fatigue, and attended with many
dangers. He often crept over the steepest and most rugged mountains,
covered with ice or snow, to visit some poor hut of Indians, and give
them suitable comfort and instruction. He travelled often on foot, and
sometimes barefoot, and by fasting and prayer never ceased to implore
the divine mercy for the salvation of the souls committed to his charge.
He placed everywhere able and zealous pastors, and took care that no one
in the most remote corners of the rocks should be le