ARBIOL Y DIEZ, ANTONIO. — Spanish Franciscan, preacher and mystical writer, born at Torrellas in 1651, died at Saragossa on 31 January 1726. In his Order he taught philosophy and theology and was provincial of Aragon. In 1720 he refused the bishopric of Ciudad Rodrigo, offered to him by Philip V. He enjoyed a splendid reputation as an orator.
A theologian well versed in mystical doctrine and practice, he combated pseudo-mystical illusions and was a great opponent of Molinos; his writings contain the first list of the errors condemned by the Church in this matter. Among his works, repeatedly reprinted, the principal ones are: Manuale Sacerdotum Sacris Litteris illustratum (Saragossa 1693), on priestly perfection; Certamen Marianum Parisiense (ibid. 1698); he defended Maria d'Agreda’s «Città Mistica» against the Sorbonne; Desengaños místicos a las almas detenidas o engañadas en el camino de la perfección (ibid. 1706); this is his principal work, on the states of prayer; the 4th book, a compendium of mystical theology, was also published separately under the title Promptuario místico; Mistica fundamental de Christo S. N., explicada por el glorioso y beato Padre s. Juan de la Cruz (ibid. 1723). Heerinckx lists 33 of his published works, besides many unpublished ones. A. distinguishes active or acquired contemplation from passive, or infused, contemplation, which is the goal of Christian perfection, and exhorts one to undertake
