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, Octong, and Santisimo Nombre de Jesus. 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 Sugbu, 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 f