-
Articles/Ads
Article THE LIFE OF XIMENES, ARCHBISHOP OF TOLEDO. ← Page 6 of 12 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Life Of Ximenes, Archbishop Of Toledo.
obstinate battle , was taken by the Moors near Malaga , sent to him , soliciting , that during his captivity he would take upon him , as his prudence should direct , the government of his house , and the disposal of the immense wealth he had in the district of the bishoprick of Siguensa . But although surrounded by so many advantages , which his merit attracted , or the Cardinal's interest might give him reason to expecthe renounced every appearance of ambition . The
em-, barrassment of business , and the noise of the world were , to him , insupportable . Tlis mind , accustomed to study and devotion , could not stoop to tumultuous , and often trifling occupations . He . si ghed incessantly for retreat , and endeavoured with complaisance to break
off his engagements . Agitated by these thoughts , he resolved to quit the world , and to retire into some religious order . He communicated his design to some of his friends , who endeavoured to dissuade him from it ; but having heard his reasons , they acknowledged their sufficiency , and that his vocation came from God : They only advised him to leave some of his livings to his younger brother , named Bernardin . This was a flighty young manwithout judgment
, , always unsettled ; of whom for some time no intelligence was had : and it was to be apprehended , that on his return , finding himself without assistance from his relations , and no longer under his brother ' s restraint , necessity and libertinism would reduce him to commit some action disgraceful to the honour of his family : he approved of their advice , and left them his benefices , recommending him to their
assistance , if he deserved it . After having settled his family affairs , he entered info the order of St . Francis . The convent of his choice was St . John of Toledo , founded by King Ferdinand and Isabella ; remarkable for the regularity of its discip line . He was the first noviciate whom they received , and , by his zeal and example , maintained in it the purity of its institution . Cardinal de Mendoza felt much regret in his loss ; and
in speaking of him , repeatedly said , ' That man is not made to be concealed . We must take him from his convent , in order to invest him with some important charge , and the public will profit by it . ' Ximenes , to the very great edification of the community , passed the year of his noviciate in humility , self-denial , and obedience . No sooner had he made this profession than the report of his piety and doftrine arrested the attention of the citizens , many of whom , on their conscientious doubts , and the conduct of their lives , came to consult him .
These frequent visits , from both sexes , were burthensome , and urged him to request from his superiors a place of recollection and retirement . Hewas then sent to a small convent near Toledo , called the Castagnar , because of its situation in a forest of chesnut-trees . There he practised uncommon austerities , nourishing his mind with frequent prayers and continual reading . Aided by silence and solitude , he devoted his time to the contemplation of divine things . After the usual exercises of the convent , he passed a part of the day in the wood , with a Bible , upon which he sometimes meditated on
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Life Of Ximenes, Archbishop Of Toledo.
obstinate battle , was taken by the Moors near Malaga , sent to him , soliciting , that during his captivity he would take upon him , as his prudence should direct , the government of his house , and the disposal of the immense wealth he had in the district of the bishoprick of Siguensa . But although surrounded by so many advantages , which his merit attracted , or the Cardinal's interest might give him reason to expecthe renounced every appearance of ambition . The
em-, barrassment of business , and the noise of the world were , to him , insupportable . Tlis mind , accustomed to study and devotion , could not stoop to tumultuous , and often trifling occupations . He . si ghed incessantly for retreat , and endeavoured with complaisance to break
off his engagements . Agitated by these thoughts , he resolved to quit the world , and to retire into some religious order . He communicated his design to some of his friends , who endeavoured to dissuade him from it ; but having heard his reasons , they acknowledged their sufficiency , and that his vocation came from God : They only advised him to leave some of his livings to his younger brother , named Bernardin . This was a flighty young manwithout judgment
, , always unsettled ; of whom for some time no intelligence was had : and it was to be apprehended , that on his return , finding himself without assistance from his relations , and no longer under his brother ' s restraint , necessity and libertinism would reduce him to commit some action disgraceful to the honour of his family : he approved of their advice , and left them his benefices , recommending him to their
assistance , if he deserved it . After having settled his family affairs , he entered info the order of St . Francis . The convent of his choice was St . John of Toledo , founded by King Ferdinand and Isabella ; remarkable for the regularity of its discip line . He was the first noviciate whom they received , and , by his zeal and example , maintained in it the purity of its institution . Cardinal de Mendoza felt much regret in his loss ; and
in speaking of him , repeatedly said , ' That man is not made to be concealed . We must take him from his convent , in order to invest him with some important charge , and the public will profit by it . ' Ximenes , to the very great edification of the community , passed the year of his noviciate in humility , self-denial , and obedience . No sooner had he made this profession than the report of his piety and doftrine arrested the attention of the citizens , many of whom , on their conscientious doubts , and the conduct of their lives , came to consult him .
These frequent visits , from both sexes , were burthensome , and urged him to request from his superiors a place of recollection and retirement . Hewas then sent to a small convent near Toledo , called the Castagnar , because of its situation in a forest of chesnut-trees . There he practised uncommon austerities , nourishing his mind with frequent prayers and continual reading . Aided by silence and solitude , he devoted his time to the contemplation of divine things . After the usual exercises of the convent , he passed a part of the day in the wood , with a Bible , upon which he sometimes meditated on