favour not only of the Concubinarians bâ—t of thâ—â—r Mistresses and he compass'd this by the mildness of his Aspect by the obligingness of his Words and sometimes by good Offices Yet we cannot think that the Conversions of Sinners cost him only these Addresses Before he treated with them concerning the important business of their Souls he treated with God at the holy Altars but to render his Prayers more efficacious he join'd them with all manner of Austerities Having notice that three Portuguese Souldiers belonging to the Garrison of Amboyna had liv'd for five years past in great debauchery he got their good Wills by his ingaging carriage and wrought so well that these Libertines as wicked as they were lodg'd him in their Quarters during a whole Lent so much they were charm'd with his good humour But while he appear'd thus gay amongst them in his outward behaviour for fear of giving them any disgust of his Society he underwent most rigorous Penances to obtain the Grace of their Conversion and us'd his Body so unmercifully that he was languishing for a moneth of those severities When Xavier had reduc'd his Penitents to that point at which he aim'd that is when he had brought them to Confession they cost him not less pains than formerly He always begg'd of God their perseverance with his tears and frequently when he had enjoin'd them some light Penance pay'd for them the remainder of their debts with bloody disciplining of his own Body But when he lighted on intractable and stubborn Souls he left them not off for their contumacy but rather sought their good opinion and on occasion shew'd them a better Countenance than usual that thence they might be given to understand how ready he was for their reception When he went from Ternata to Amboyna he left but two persons who were visibly ingag'd in Vice The first opportunity which the Vessels had of repassing to Ternata he writ expresly to one of his Friends that he shou'd salute those two scandalous sinners with all tenderness from him and let them know that upon the least sign which they shou'd make him he wou'd return to hear their Confessions But these Condescentions and this Goodness of the Apostle had nothing in them of meanness or of weakness and he knew well enough to make use of severity when there was occasion for it Thus a Lady who had accus'd her self in Confession to have look'd upon a Man with too alluring an Eye was thus answer'd by him You are unworthy that God shou'd look on you since by those incouraging regards which you have given to a Man you have run the hazard of losing God. The Lady was so pierc'd with these few words that during the rest of her life she durst never look any Man in the Face By all these Methods Xavier made so many Converts But whatever he perform'd he look'd on it as no more than an Essay And he wrote in the year 1549 that if God wou'd be pleas'd to bestow on him yet ten years more of life he despair'd not but these small beginnings wou'd be attended with more happy Consequences This ardent desire of extending farther the Dominion of Iesus Christ caus'd him to write those pressing Letters to the King of Portugal and Father Ignatius that he might be furnish'd with a larger supply of Missioners he promis'd in his Letters to sweeten the Labour of the Mission by serving all his fellows and loving them better than himself The year he dy'd he writ that when once he had subdu'd the Empire of China and that of Tartary to the Scepter of Iesus Christ he purpos'd to return into Europe by the North that he might labour in the reduction of Hereticks and restoration of Discipline in Manners that after this he design'd to go over into Africa or to return into Asia in quest of new Kingdoms where he might preach the Gospel For what remains though he was ever forming new designs as if he were to live beyond an Age yet he labour'd as if he had not a day to live and so tugg'd at the work which he had in hand that two or three days and nights pass'd over his head without once thinking to take the least manner of nourishment In saying his Office it often happen'd to him to leave for five or six times successively the same Canonical-hour for the good of Souls and he quitted it with the same promptitude that afterwards he resum'd it He broke off his very Prayers when the most inconsiderable person had the least occasion for him and order'd when he was in the deepest of his retirements that if any poor Man or even but a Child shou'd desire to be instructed he might be call'd from his Devotions No Man perhaps was ever known to have run more dangers both by Land and Sea without reckoning into the account the Tempests which he suffer'd in ten years of almost continual Navigation 't is known that being at the Molucca's and passing from Isle to Isle he was thrice Shipwrack'd though we are not certain of the time or places and once he was for three days and nights together on a Plank at the mercy of the Winds and Waves The Barbarians have often shot their Arrows at him and more than once he fell into the hands of an inrag'd multitude One day the Saracens pursu'd him and endeavour'd to have ston'd him and the Brachmans frequently sought after him to have murther'd him even to that point of merciless barbarity as to set Fire on all the Houses where they imagin'd he might lie conceal'd But none of all these dangers were able to affright him and the apprehension of dying cou'd never hinder him from performing his ordinary Functions It seem'd that even dangers serv'd to the redoubling of his Courage and that by being too intrepid he sometimes enter'd into the extream of rashness Being at Iapan he reprehended the King of Amanguchi so severely for the infamy and scandal of his Vices that Father Iohn Fernandez who serv'd him for Interpreter as being more conversant than the Saint in the Language of the Court was amaz'd and trembled in pronouncing what the Father put into his mouth as we are given to understand in a Letter written by the same Fernandez Xavier one day perceiving the fear of his Companion forbade him absolutely either to change or soften any of his words I obey'd him says Fernandez but expected every moment when the Barbarian shou'd strike me with his Cymetar and confess my apprehensions of death were as much too great as the concernment of Father Francis was too little In effect he was so far from fearing death that he look'd on it as a most pleasing Object If we dye for so good a Cause said Xavier on another occasion we ought to place it amongst the greatest benefits we receive from God and shall be very much oblig'd to those who freeing us from a continual death such as is this mortal life
him concerning the condition of the Fleet with an erected countenance assur'd they shou'd suddenly see it return victorious Which notwithstanding he continu'd frequent in his Vows and Prayers and at the end of all his Sermons recommended to their Devotions the happy return of their desir'd Navy Their Spirits were so much invenom'd and prejudic'd against him that many of them treated him with injurious words while he was rally'd by the more moderate who were not asham'd to say his Prayers might be of use for the Souls of the Souldiers who were slain in fight but were of little consequence to gain a Battel which was lost Some fresh Intelligence which arriv'd from Sumatra increas'd the disorders and consternation of the Town The King of Bintan Son to that Mahomet whom Albuquerque the Great had despoil'd of the Kingdom of Malacca sought for nothing more than an opportunity of re-conquering of what his Father had lost by force of Arms. Seeing the Town now bare of Souldiers and hearing that the Achenois had beaten the Portuguese he put to Sea with three hundred Sail and put in at the River of Muar within six Leagues of Malacca towards the West That he might the better execute his design by concealing it he wrote from thence to the Governour Melo That he had arm'd a Fleet against the King of Patan his Enemy but that having been inform'd of the defeat of the Portuguese he was come as a Friend and Brother of the King of Portugal to succour Malacca against the King of Achen who wou'd not fail to master the Town if the course of his Victories was not stopp'd that therefore he desir'd only to be admitted into the place before it came into the possession of the Conquerour after which he had no farther cause of apprehension Melo whom the Constancy of Father Xavier had reassur'd discover'd the Snare which was laid for him and trick'd those who had intended to circumvent him He answer'd the King of Bintan That the Town had no need of relief as being abundantly provided both of Men and Amunition That so great a Conqeurour as he ought not to lay aside an Expedition of such importance nor to linger by the way That for themselves they were in daily expectation of their Fleet not deâ—eated according to some idle Rumours concerning it but triumphant and loaden with the Spoils of Enemies That this Report was only spread by Saracens whose Tongues were longer than their Lances For these were the Expressions which he us'd The Mahometan Prince judging by the Governours Reply that his Artifice was discover'd and that in reason he ought to attempt nothing till it were certainly known what was become of the two Fleets kept himself quiet and attended the success To return to the Christian Navy before they cou'd get to Tenasserim their want of fresh Water forc'd them to seek it nearer hand at Queda in the River of Parlez where being enter'd they perceiv'd by night a Fisher-boat going by their Ships They stop'd the Boat and the Fisher-men being examin'd told them That the Achenois were not far distant that they had been six weeks in the River That they had plunder'd all the Low-lands and were now building a Fortress This news fill'd the Portuguese with joy And Deza infinitely pleas'd to have found the Enemy of whom he had given over the search putting on his richest Apparel â—ir'd all his Cannon to testify his joy without considering that he spent his Powder to no purpose and that he warn'd the Barbarians to be upon their Guard. What he did with more prudence was to send three Gallies up the River to discover the Enemy and observe their Countenance while he put all things in order for the Fight The three Foysts in their passage met with four Brigantines which the Enemies had detach'd to know the meaning of the Guns which they had heard Before they had taken a distinct view on either side the three Foysts had grappel'd each a Brigantine and seiz'd her the fourth escap'd The Souldiers put all the Enemies to the Sword excepting six whom they brought off together with the Brigantines These Prisoners were all put to the Question but whatsoever Torments they endur'd they cou'd not at first get one Syllable out of them either where the Enemy lay or what was the number of his Men or of his Ships Two of them dy'd upon the Rack and other two they threw over Board but the remaining couple either more mortify'd with their Torments or less resolute being separated from each other began at last to open And told the same things apart both where the Achenois were lying and that their number was above ten thousand reckoning into it the Mariners which were of more consideration than the Souldiers that the King of the Country where now they lay had been constrain'd to avoid a shameful death by slight that having massacred two thousand of the Natives and made as many Captives they were building a Citadel on the passage which the Ships ordinarily make from Bengale to Malacca and that their design was not only to block up that Rode but to murthâ—r all the Christians who shou'd fall into their hands This report inflam'd anew the Zeal and Courage of the Souldiers The Admiral was not wanting to encourage them to fight Entring into a Skiff with his drawn Sword he went from Vessel to Vessel exhorting his Men to have Christ crucify'd before their Eyes while they were in fight as Father Francis had enjoyn'd them and ever to keep in mind the Oath which they had takâ—n but above all things to have an assur'd hope of Victory from the intercession of the holy Father who had promis'd it All unanimously answer'd That they wou'd fight it out to death and shou'd be happy to dye in defence of their Religion Deza animated by this their answer posted himself advantageously on the River so as to be able from thence to fall upon the Enemy without indangering his little Fleet to be incompass'd by their numbers The Achenois no sooner were inform'd by their Brigantine of the Portuguese Navy than they put themselves into a condition of attacking it They were not only insolent by reason of their strength but provok'd also by the late affront they had receiv'd in their Brigantines so that full of fury without the least ballancing of the matter they set Sail with all their Navy excepting only two Vessels and two hundred Land-Souldiers which were left in Guard of two thousand Slaves and all their Booty Having the Wind for them and coming down the River they were carry'd with such swiftness that Deza was hardly got aboard the Admiral when he heard their Drums and their yelling shouts which re-eccho'd from the Shores and neighbouring Mountains They were divided into ten Squadrons and each of them compos'd of six Vessels excepting only the first which consisted but of four but those the strongest of the Fleet. The Admiral on which
of themselves to the regulation of manners Set forth the enormity of Sin by setting up that infinite Majesty which is offended by the Sinner Imprint in Souls a lively horrour of that Sentence which shall be thunder'd out against Reprobates at the last Iudgment Represent with all the colours of your Eloquence those pains which the damn'd are eternally to suffer In fine threaten with death and that with sudden death those who neglect their Salvation and who having their Conscience loaded with many Sins yet sleep in security as if they had no cause of fear You are to mingle with all these considerations that of the Cross and the death of the Saviour of Mankind but you are to do it in a moving pathetical manner by those figures which are proper to excite such motions as cause in our Hearts a deep sorrow for our Sins in the presence of an offended God even to draw Tears from the Eyes of your Audience This is the Idea which I wish you wou'd propose to your self for preaching profitably When you reprove Vices in the Pulpit never characterise any person especially the chief Officers or Magistrates If they do any thing which you disapprove and of which you think convenient to admonish them make them a visit and speak to them in private or when they come of themselves to Confession tell them at the sacred Tribunal of Penance what you have to say to them but never advertise them in publick of it for that sort of People who are commonly proud and nice of hearing instead of amendment by publick admonitions become furious like Bulls who are prick'd forward by a Goad Moreover before you take upon you to give them private admonition be careful to enter first into their acquaintance and familiarity Make your admonition either more gentle or more strong according as you have more or less access to them But always moderate the roughest part of your Reproof with the gaiety of your Air and a smiling Countenance by the civility of well-manner'd words and a sincere protestation that all you do is but an effect of the kindness you have for them 'T is good also to add respectful submissions to the pleasingness of your Discourse with tender Embraces and all the marks of that Consideration and good Will you have for the person of him whom you thus correct For if a rigid Countenance and harsh Language shou'd accompany Reproof which of it self is hard of digestion and bitter to the tast 't is not to be doubted but Men accustom'd to Flatteries will not endure it and there is reason to apprehend that a burst of rage against the Censor will be all the fruit of the Reprimand For what concerns Confession behold the method which I judge the fittest for these Quarters of the East where the License of Sin is very great and the use of Penance very rare When a Person harden'd in a long habit of Vice shall come to Confession exhort him to take three or four days time of preparation to examine his Conscience throughly and for the assistance of his memory cause him to write down the Sins which he has observ'd in all the Course of his Life from his Childhood to that present time Being thus dispos'd after he has made his Confession it will not be convenient that you shou'd be too hasty in giving him absolution But it will be profitable to him to retire two or three days and abstain from his ordinary conversation and dealings with men and to excite himself to sorrow for his sins in consideration of the love of God which will render his Sacramental Absolution of more efficacy to him During that little interval of retirement you shall instruct him in the way of Meditation and shall oblige him to make some meditations from the first week of Exercises You shall counsel him to practise some mortification of his Body for example to Fast or to Discipline himself which will help him to conceive a true sorrâ—w for his offences and to shed the tears of Penance Besides this if the Penitents have enrich'd themselves by sinister ways or if by their malitious talk they have blasted the reputation of their Neighbour cause them to make restitution of their ill-gotten Goods and make reparations of their Brethren's honour during the space of those three days If they are given to unlawful Love and are now in an actual commerce of Sin cause them to break off those Criminal ingagements and forsake the occasions of their Crime There is not any time more proper to exact from Sinnes those duties the performance of which is as necessary as it is difficult for when once their â—ervour is past away it will be in vain to demand of them the execution of their promise and perhaps you will have the trouble of seeing them fall back into the Precipice for want of removing them to a distance from it In administring the Sacrament of Penance take heed of discouraging those who begin to discover the wounds of their Souls to you by appearing too rashly and too hastily severe Hâ—w enormous soever their Sins may be hear them not only with patience but with mildness help out even their bashfulness by testifying to them your compassion and not seeming to be amaz'd at what you hear Insinuate into them that you have heard in Confession sins of a much more crying nature and lest they shou'd despair of Pardon for their faults speak to them of the infinite Mercies of the Lord. When they declare a crime in such a manner that you may perceive they are in trouble how to speak interrupt them by letting them know that their sin is not altogether so great as they may think that by God's assistance you can heal the most mortal wounds of the Soul bid them go on without any apprehension and make no difficulty of telling all You will find some of them whom either the weakness of their Age or Sex will hinder from revealing to you their more shameful sins When you perceive that bashfulness has ty'd their tongue be before hand with them and by the way of a charitable prevention let them know that they are neither the first nor the only Persons who have fallen into disorder that those things which they want the confidence to tell you are little in comparison of what you have heard from others on the same Subject Impute some part of their offence to the corruption of Nature to the violence of the Temptation and to the unhappiness they had to be ingag'd in such Occasions and pressing Circumstances where their fall was almost unavoidable In fine I must advertise you that to remove from such persons that unseasonable shame-fac'dness which keeps them silent from such Persons I say whom the Devil has made as bashful after a Crime as they were impudent before it it may be necessary sometimes to discover to them in general the frailties of our own past Lives
Devil As this Servant was not thought either â—aint-hearted or a liar the Portugueses no longer doubted what was the meaning of all that ratling and clutter which they heard every night to put an end to it they set Crosses in all the Rooms after which they heard no more of it The Iaponneses were much surpris'd to hear the House was not at quiet The King himself to whom the Portugueses had said That the Christian Cross had driven away the euil Spirits admir'd that wonderful effect and commanded Crosses to be set up in all places even in his own Palaces and in the High-ways In consequence of this he desir'd to be inform'd from whence the Cross deriv'd that Vertue and for what cause the Devils so much fear'd it Thus by little and little he enter'd into the Mysteries of Faith. But as the Iaponneses are extreamly curious not content to be instructed by Souldiers and Merchants he thought of sending for Preachers and in that prospect sent an Embassadour to the Indies This news gave infinite satisfaction to Father Xavier and so much the more hasten'd his Voyage by how much he now perceiv'd the Iaponians were dispos'd to receive the Gospel There were in the Port of Malacca many Portuguese Vessels in readiness to set Sail for Iapan but all of them were to make many other Voyages by the way which was not the Saints business His only means was to have recourse to a Iunck of China so they call those little Vessels which was bound directly for Iapan The Master of the Vessel call'd Neceda was a famous Pirate a Friend to the Portugueses notwithstanding the War which was newly declar'd against them so well known by his Robberies at Sea that his Ship was commonly call'd The Robers Vessel Don Pedro de Sylva Governour of Malacca got a promise from the Chines Captain that he wou'd carry the Father safely and without injury and took Hostages to ingage him inviolably to keep his Faith but what can be built on the word of a Pirate and a wicked man Xavier and his Companions imbark'd on the twenty fourth of Iune in the dusk of the Evening and set Sail the next Morning at break of day with a favourable Wind. When they were out at Sea the Captain and Ships Crew who were all Idolaters set up a Pagod on the Poop sacrifis'd to it in spight of Xavier and all his Remonstrances to the contrary and consulted him by Magical Ceremonies concerning the success of their Voyage The answers were sometimes good and sometimes ill In the mean time they cast Anchor at an Isle and there furnish'd themselves with Timber against the furious gusts of those uncertain Seas At the same time they renew'd their Interrogatories to their Idol and cast Lotts to know whether they shou'd have good Winds The Lotts promis'd them a good passage whereupon the Pagans pursu'd their course merrily But they were no sooner got out to Sea again when they drew Lotts the third time to know whether the Iunk shou'd return saâ—ely from Iapan to Malacca The answer was That they shou'd arrive happily at Iapan but were never more to see Malacca The Pirate who was extreamly superstitious resolv'd at the same instant to change his Course and in effect tack'd about and pass'd his time in going to every Isle which was in view Father Xavier was sensibly displeas'd that the Devil shou'd be Master of their destiny and that all things shou'd be order'd according to the Answere of the Enemy of God and Man. In cruising thus leisurely they made the Coast of Cochin China and the Tempests which roâ—e at the same time threaten'd them more than once with Shipwrack The Idolaters had recourse to their ordinary Superstitions The Lott declar'd that the Wind should fall and that there was no danger But an impetuous Gust so rais'd the Waves that the Maâ—iners were forc'd to lower their Sails and cast Anchor The shog of the Vessel threw a young Chinese whom Xavier had Christen'd and carry'd along with him into the Sink which was then open They drew him out half dead much bruis'd and hurt in the Head very dangerously While they were dressing him the Captain 's Daughter fell into the Sea and was swallow'd by the Waves notwithstanding all they cou'd do to save her This dismal accident drove Neceda to despair And it was a lamentable sight says Xavier himself in one of his Letters to behold the disorder in the Vessel The loss of the Daughter and the fear of Shipwrack fill'd all with tears and howlings and confusion Nevertheless the Idolaters instead of acknowledging that their Idol had deceiv'd them with a lye took pains to appease him as if the death of the Chinese Woman had been an effect of their Gods displeasure They sacriâ—is'd Birds to him and burnt Incense in honour of him after which they cast Lotts again to know the cause of this disaster which had befaln them They were answer d That if the young Christian who had fell into the Sink had dâ—'d the Captain 's Daughter had been preserv'd Then Neceda transported with fury thought to throw Xavier and his Companions over-board But the Storm ceasing in an instant his mind grew calmer by degrees he weigh'd Anchor and set Sail again and took the way of Canton with intention there to pass the Winter But the Designs of Men and Power of Devils can do nothing against the Decrees of Providence A contrary Wind broke all the projects of the Captain constraining him in his own despight to enter with full Sails into the Ocean of Iapan And the same Wind carry'd the Iunk of the Pirate toward Cangoxima the birth-place of Anger sirnam'd Paul de Sainte Foy they arriv'd there on the fifteenth of August in the year 1549. The End of the Fourth Book THE LIFE OF St. FRANCIS XAVIER BOOK V. I Undertake not to make an exact description of japan after those which have been made of it by Geographers and Travellers By an ordinary view of the Chartes and common reading of the Relations of the Indies 't is easy to understand that Iapan is situate at the extremity of Asia over-against China that it is a concourse of Islands which compose as it were one body and that the chieâ—est of them gives the name to all the rest that this World of Islands as 't is call'd by a great Geographer is fill'd with Mountains some of which are inaccessible and almost above the Clouds that the Colds there are excessive and that the Soil which is fruitful in Mines of Gold and Silver is not productive of much Grain of any sort necessary to life for want of cultivation VVithout dwelling longer either on the situation or nature of the Country or so much as on the Customs and Manners of the Inhabitants of which I have already said somewhat and shall speak yet farther as my Subject requires it I shall here only touch a little on the Government and Religion
seem before-hand with the Christians they made it their own Petition to the King who â—reely granted it but on some conditions which were to be observ'd on other side these Articles were That noise was to be banish'd in dispute no flying out to be permitted nor any provocation by sharp language That the Arguments and Answers were to be couch'd in precise terms and drawn up in form of a just dispute as it shou'd be agreed by the Iudges who were to moderate That the approbation of the Audience was to decide the Victory That if the Point were doubtful betwixt them the Suffrages shou'd be taken and that he shou'd be judg'd to have reason on his side who had the majority of Voices Lastly That whoever was willing to enter himself in Christian might profess his Faith without hindrance or molestation from any man. These Conditions were too reasonable to be accepted by the Bonza's They appeal'd from the King to the King better inform'd and told him boldly that in matters of Religion it was not just that the Profane that is the Layety shou'd be Umpires but when they found the King resolv'd to maintain his point they quitted theirs The next morning was agreed on for the Conference and some of the most understanding Persons of the Court were appointed Judges Fucarandono made his appearance at the time attended by three thousand Bonza's The King who was either apprehensive of his own safety amongst that Religious rabble or fear'd at least that some disorder might ensue permitted but four of all the squadron to enter and sent word to the others for their satisfaction that it was not honourable for so many to appear against a single man. Xavier who had notice sent him from the King that his Adversary was on the place of Combat came accompanied with the chiefest of the Portugueses all richly habited who appear'd as his Officers and pay'd him all possible respect attending him bare-headed and never speaking to him but on the knee The Bonza's were ready to burst with envy beholding the pompous entry of their Antagonist And that which doubled their despight was that they over-heard the Lord's saying to one another Observe this poor Man of whom so manyâ— ridiculous Pictures have been made to us wou'd to God our Children might be like him on Condition the Bonza's might say as bad of them as they speak of him Our own eyes are witnesses of the truth and the palpable Lyes which they have invented shew what credit is to be given to them The King took pleasure in these discourses and told those Lords that the Bonza's had assur'd him that he shou'd be sick at heart at the first appearance of Father Francis. He acknowledg'd he was almost ready to have believ'd them but being now convinc'd by his own experience he found that the Character of an Embassadour from Heaven and Interpreter of the Gods was not inconsistent with a Lyar. Fucarandono who heard all these Passages from his place took them for so many ill Omens and turning to his four Associates told them that he suspected this day wou'd be yet more unsuccessful to them than the last The King receiv'd Father Xavier with great civility and after he had talk'd with him some time in private very obligingly order'd him to begin the disputation When they had all taken their places the Saint demanded of the Bonza as the King had desir'd him For what reason the Christian Religion ought not to be receiv'd in Japan The Bonza whose haughtiness was much abated reply'd modestly Because it is a new Law in all things opposite to the ancient establish'd Laws of the Empire and that it seems made on purpose to render the faithful Servants of the Gods contemptible as annulling the priviledges which the Cubosama's of former Ages had conferr'd on the Bonzâ—â—â— and teaches that out of the Society of Christians there is no Salvation But especially added â—e a little kindling in the face because it presumes to maintain that the holy Amida and Xaca Gizon and Canon are in the bottomless pit of smoak condemn'd to everlasting punishment and deliver'd up in prey to the Dragon of the housâ— of night After he had thus spoken the Bonza held his peace And Xavier who had receiv'd a sign from the King to make reply said at the beginning of his discourse that seeing Fucarandono had mingled many things together it was reasonable for the better clearing of the difficulties to tye him up to one single proposition which was not to be left till it was evacuated and plainly found to be either true of false All agreed this was fair and Fucarandono himself desir'd Xavier to shew cause why he and his Companions spoke evil of the Deities of the Country The Saint reply'd That he gave not to Idols the name of Gods because they were unworthy of it and that so sacred a Title was only proper to the Soveraign Lord who had Created Heaven and Earth Then he proceeded to discourse of the Divine Being and describ'd those Properties which are known to us by the light of Nature that is to say his Independence his Eternity his Omnipotence his Wisdom Goodness and Iustice without circumscription He made out that those infinite perfections cou'd not be comprehended by any created understanding how refin'd soever And thus having fill'd his Auditors with a vast Idea of the Deity he demonstrated that the Idols of Japan who according to the Japonians themselves had been men subject to the common Laws of Time and Nature were not to be accounted Gods and at the most were only to be reverenc'd as Philosophers Law-givers and Princes but not in the least as Immortal Powers since the date both of their birth and death was register'd in the publick Monuments That if their Works were duly consider'd they were yet less to be accounted for Omnipotent That having not been able after their decease to preserve their Stately Palaces and Magnificent Sepulchres from decay there was no appearance that they had built the Fabrick of the Vniverse or cou'd maintain it in its present state Lastly that this appertain'd alone to the true God who is worshipp'd by the Christians and that considering the beauty of the Heavens the fruitfulness of the Earth and the order of the Seasons we might conclude That he only who is a Spirit Eternall All Powerful and All Wise cou'd be the Creatour and absolute Commander of the World. As soon as Xavier had concluded the whole Assembly cry'd out that he spoke reason and the Judges immediately pronounc'd as a manifest truth that the Pagods were not Gods. Fucarandono wou'd have reply'd but the general cry gave it for a cause decided And the King impos'd silence on the Bonza according to the Articles of Agreement Thus the Bonza pass'd on to another question in his own despight and ask'd Father Xavier why he allow'd not of those Bills of Exchange which they gave