Letter 175. To Fray Ambrosio Mariano, Madrid, Toledo, March 15, 1577

four Discalced friars should enjoy such freedom for so long is approved of by no one. Believe me, my Father, it attrads a great deal of attention, and not only from the fathers of the cloth whom we need not reckon. I desire that we should avoid giving people any pretext for blaming us. Do not listen to the Marquis if he tells you it will not displease the nuncio.

I also beg your Reverence to speak with much restraint when you have to complain about any one, of which I am afraid you are careless, being extremely frank. Please God what you have said may not come to the nuncio's ears. Remember, all the' devils are making war against us and we must look for protedion to God alone, aiting with obedience and forbearance, and then He will take the matter into His own hands.

I think that it would be very wise if your Reverence were to go to Pastrana or Alcalá after Passion Sunday, for that is no time for business, and even if the matter were urgent, it would suffice for the Licenciate Padilla to be there to take charge of it for us, as he has always done. Religious ought not to be out of their monastery at that season, and nobody would think well of it, least of all the nuncio, who is so exceedingly circumsped. It would be a great comfort to me if your Reverence followed this course; think well over it. Believe me, you ought either to do this or to stay with the friars of the cloth, which I think would be worse still.

Be careful not to argue with the Archbishop when he has once told you that a thing is unsuitable, although you may stand in high favour with him. He has charge of the affair and since this is so, the best course is to be silent, and to speak to God.

This letter is written with great deliberation and not without a very grave reason which I cannot tell you but I see that it is most important that your Reverence should consent to what I ask of you: that no harm could come thus while great harm might result from an opposite course, and when reason counsels an action, we ought not to wait to be forced into performing it.

Our Lord gives us many occasions of gaining merit. I see those you have had, and still have, and am astonished at the way you have controlled your anger. But prudence is needed now: may God give it you as He did in the matter relating to the bishop. May the Lord be for ever praised, for He will uphold His work in the end.

They say for certain that Tostado is coming through Andalusia. May God guide him; then happen what may! I believe it would be better to contend with him than with our former opponents.

May God grant us light and preserve your Reverence and the other fathers. My health is a little better.

To-day is March 15. Yours,

Teresa de Jesus.