7.  At length his final illness came to this illustrious benefactor.  Recognizing it as such, he made his will, in which he instituted as his heir San Nicolas de Tolentino.  He died, and the religious accepted that condition, and the remainder of his property was adjudged to them.  He was buried in that church as if in his own house:  on his conspicuous tomb was expressed the record that he left by his charitable deeds.  In the same tomb the body of his wife was afterward placed.  Monuments were erected to them, and in a suitable niche were placed worthy memorials of gratitude.  Since that first church had the misfortune to be ruined by earthquakes, the fathers did not recognize the patronage when they entirely rebuilt the church, regarding their new church as free.

8.  The governor, the bishops, and the encomenderos were urgent for those religious to extend their apostolic labors.  But they were few and could not attend to those extensions Consequently, the vicar-provincial decided to send a religious to Espana, to beg king and council for aid for new operations.  Father Fray Pedro de San Fulgencio, a well known and experienced member of the order, was proposed for that undertaking.  He was given for the voyage legitimate authorizations, letters of credit from all the governments, very expressive and liberal, in which the truth and necessity were explained, so that his Majesty would kindly concede a suitable number of ministers, who might continue so excellent and important beginnings.  That father reached Madrid without accident, and found his brethren in mortal anguish and distressing pain, and the reformed branch now breathing its last and almost destroyed.

[The outgoing provincial has relaxed the strict rule of the reformed branch.  The internal disputes that follow his term are brought to a definite head by Paul V’s brief, ordering the regular Augustinians to take over the convents of the Recollects and to absorb that branch.  However, the order is saved by the strenuous efforts exerted both in Spain and Rome.]

15.  In such condition was this reformed branch when father Fray Pedro, procurator of Philipinas, reached Espana, without province, without authority, and without means for cooperation in his urgent affairs.  But his brave spirit did not waver; he was adroit and prompt in the management of papers; and he was presented to the king with a brief memorial referring to his commissions.  Although his Majesty was not then very well inclined to the Reform, laying aside those considerations, he paid good heed to the petition, recognizing its justification.  He conceded the despatch of thirty religions, whom the procurator could take with him on the first occasion that should present itself, with the usual subsidies.  After that so favorable result was obtained, it was considered advisable to go to the court of Roma, in order to move the universal head [of the church] to favor the general interest by information of the results obtained