The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIV, 1630-34 | Page 8

another pen and another language must tell his virtues. He came to this province as a lay brother. He was ordained here and completed his studies, and always gave signs of what he was to become; for his modesty, his charity, his devotion, even while a brother, appeared so conspicuous, and were increasing in such a manner, that not only were the islands full of his good name and great virtues, but they even came to the ears of Felipe?III, who presented him for the bishopric of Santísimo Nombre de Jesús. While in this country, the decree of the year 1610 was sent him, which caused the holy man considerable vexation, so that he did not know what to do; for it seemed a grievous thing for him to abandon the quietness of his cell, and to exchange it for the majesty of a bishop, to which he was not inclined. Accordingly, he resigned the bishopric into the hands of the father master Fray Pedro Solier, [4] who was provincial at that time. The latter considered that if he [i.e., Fray Pedro] were to accept it honor would come to the order, advantage to the city of Santísimo Nombre de Jesus, and service to his Majesty, the king our sovereign, who having heard of the holiness of the person in question, was considering himself as very well served in that the father should accept it. Consequently, when he returned to the holy superior--whom he supplicated on his knees, with the decree in his hand, to allow him not to accept it--the provincial ordered Fray Pedro, by his obedience, to comply with his Majesty's commands, and to render him thanks for it, and that he would do the same for what pertained to the order; thereupon the former accepted, and gave up his cell, in which there was nothing of importance. Although he was prior, and exercised the highest duties of the province, he was ever the keenest advocate of poverty, and so great a giver of alms that even now, although a bishop, he must be restrained; for he gives everything away, and he has no greater happiness than when some needy person begs from him and enters his gates.
What then would this holy provincial do? One sees with how much care he would watch over his flock, striving to maintain them without quarreling, and observing in everything the entirety of the rules. With the obstinate, he was rigid and severe; with the humble, most humble; with the afflicted, he held himself as a pious father who desires their good, and consoled them. As far as was possible, he followed the advice of Fray Pedro de Agurto, his successor in the bishopric, as he was so holy and learned a man. For since the affairs of the province had somewhat declined, and in visiting he found some religious who were prohibited by the rules--and, in fact, trying to remove them--the holy prelate counseled him that such religious were men of weight, and that he should receive their renunciations secretly; and that when the intermediate chapter should be assembled, then he should show them and provide those convents. Thereby would he be fulfilling his obligation, and would also be considering the honor of those religious, who if they were removed before, would be injured, as it would be understood that it had been because of their demerits; but it was a customary thing to do that in chapter, for it was apparent to all that religious were changed at that time. He did this as the bishop had counseled him, and thus the matter was remedied as far as possible without any scandal.
He visited the entire province, and went to that of the Pintados--which was his own, where he was reared, and where he had been prior of Panay, Octóng, and Santísimo Nombre de Jesús. While he was making the visitation there, it happened that news was brought that the inhabitants of Mindanao were coming with a large fleet to destroy the islands. This tidings was certain; and another fleet was prepared with all possible despatch in Sugbú, in order that the Spaniards might defend themselves, and if possible, drive the enemy from the islands. Although diligent efforts were made in this, when our fleet set sail already had the enemy rounded the island of Panay. Our fleet, which consisted of seven caracoas and four or five barangays, followed the enemy. They reached the islets of Asur, where they heard that the enemy had passed there, with the intention of burning the city of Arévalo and the village of Octóng, with all their provisions. The captain and commander of our fleet was Captain Salgado, then alcalde-mayor of Sugbú. The two fleets met near Pan de Azúcar [i.e., "Sugar Loaf"]. The Spaniards