Apart from the introduction by Fr. Stuart, "The Mystical Doctrine of St. John of the Cross" consists wholly of passages from St. John's own writings. It sets out in continuous and convenient form all the essential points in his teaching. St. John of the Cross was born near Avila in 1542 and died of Ubeda in 1591. A Carmelite friar, he was an enthusiastic supporter of Teresa's campaign to restore the original and strict rule. His untiring work to spread the reformed to imprisonment, during which he wrote his first poem. He was canonised in 1726, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926.