the city of Utrera, near Sevilla
in Andalucia. He was a most excellent provincial, for one always
recognized in him a remarkable integrity of morals, and he was much
given to prayer and divine worship. He endeavored as earnestly as
possible to give his whole being to the order, and not to be found
lacking in his ministry. He visited his entire province whenever
possible; and that which has always been most annoying to the
provincials in respect to its visitation--namely, the province of
Bisayas--was not troublesome to him, for he visited it. He did not
hesitate at the suffering or the dangers of navigation, which at
times is wont to be especially perilous, because of the many storms
that generally invade the islands, and the not few enemies. He was
considered lost, for he was not heard of for more than four months; for
they wrote from the Bisayas that he had already embarked for Manila,
and he had not arrived. Finally, the Lord was pleased to bring him
to our doors when he was least expected. God is a Father of pity,
and attends to His children (and more to His servants) when they
find themselves most in need of Him. He was received in the convent
of Manila by many people, for all revered him as a servant of God,
loved him as a father, and respected him as a true prelate.

On the twenty-second of April, 1602, the chapter was convened in
the house at Manila. Father Fray Pedro Arce, who is now bishop of
the city of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus, and who has twice governed
the archbishopric of Manila, was elected in it. Father Fray Mateo de
Mendoza presided at that election, while father Fray Juan de Montesdoza
was the absolute provincial, as we call it, or the freed one, since now
he is no longer provincial. The first definitor was Fray Agustin de
Tapia, the second, Fray Bernabe de Villalobos, the third, Fray Diego
de Zerrabe, and the fourth, Fray Diego de Salcedo. As visitors were
elected Fray Juan Bautista de Montoya and Fray Francisco Serrano. [3]
All, having assembled, as our rules ordered, enacted very wholesome
regulations, and provided for the province with those mandates,
which were seen to be more necessary at that time, in order to check
thereby the boldness of certain men, who were giving room for the
decay of the province, which in nothing loses more than by permitting
it to relax in its rigor. For even there it is said that the bow must
sometimes loose the string which holds it bent, in order to give it
rest an