Vncle to Arimadono after diuers perswasions sayd vnto him What matter is it man if our Prince will go to hell let vs make no moreado but go with him thither too To whom he answered My Lord the obligation which the seruant hath to his maister and the subiect to his Prince doth end togeather with this life for in the next life they haue no power nor authority at all and if your Lordshippe will not beleeue me make try all if you please and call any of those captaines that haue dyed in your seruice or in the seruice of your ancestor and see if they do now answere to your call In such thinges therefore that doe concerne this present life I will very willingly serue my Prince but in those that do pertaine vnto the next and whereon my saluation doth depend he must pardon me I cannot nor I will not do it And vnto a brotherinlaw of Arimadono that did intreate him concerning the same matter he answered Although I confesse it will be something aâ—ffu ult vnto me to serue now one that hath left to be a Christian I hauing before serued in the warre two so good Christian Princes as were Don Iohn and his brother Don Stephen yet notwithstanding obtaine you that I may liue freely in my religion and I will do willingly that which you desire me In many other occasions likewise he sufficiently shewed his great zeal and feruor which for breuines sake I do not heere rehearse 9. In conclusion Arimadono because with his example and speaches he did much animate the rest gaue commaund vnto two stroÌ„g souldiers that they should kil him secretly for the reason before expressed They therefore sent for him one day vnto the castle and he imagining the cause to be that which indeed it was went thither with great alacrity and the souldiers going out to meet him asked him whither he weÌ„t He aÌ„swered that he went to the Castle called by the Prince wherfor said they to haue my head out of sayd he because I will not leaue to be a Christian and in this manner they weÌ„t talking with him and he wished them they would haue care to looke to the saluation of their soules all other businesses whatsoeuer in comparison thereof being of small account and consequence He made the signe of the Crosse vpon himselfe many times as he went alonge the way comming to a place where there had beene a Church of the Society he kneeled downe vpon the ground and prayed for a while which done he rising vp and going forward in the way one of the souldiers with his sword gaue him so great a blow vpon one of his shoulders that he cut him downe into the brest he then pronouncing the holy name of Iesus three times aloud vnbuckled his rapier and casting it away from him did his endeauour to blesse himselfe with making the signe of the Crosse and so fell downe and dyed The Christians came thither presently and because the sentence that Arimadono had giuen against him was publikely knowne as also the cause thereof togeather with the disposition and preparation he made for martyrdome they therefore tooke his holy body and sent it secretly to the house of the Society of Iesus in Nangasaqui where it was buryed with all due respect and reuerence 10. The happy deathes of the three foresayd martyrs caused so great feruour and courage in all the Christians of that Country and Estate that now they did not thinke nor talke of any other thing but onely how to prepare themselues to imitate and follow them to that end by the counsaile and aduise of one of the Society they began in the Citty of Arima to renew their Confraternities not admitting into them any one but onely such as were fully resolued to giue their liues and all they had yea and to suffer all kind of tormentes rather then to deny the faith of Christ They made amongst themselues certaine lawes and rules and set downe the fastes the disciplines and other pennanes they were to do Then they did deuide themselues into Decuria's Companies of ten to the end that meeting so in diuers places they might the better help one another And the like was done by the Christians in al the townes of that whole country of Arima with a kind of holy emulation but before any one could be admitted into any Confraternity they did many pennances and other thinges of piety to dispose themselues thereto The like was done by the women and by the children also the womeÌ„ thinking that in matters of deuotion they ought not to be inferior vnto men and the children desiring and endeauoring to imitate theyr parentes piety 11. And this was the preparation which the coÌ„mon people made although they were not comprehended in the Proclamation and we may with reason thinke that that which the gentlemen and other of better sort did make was not inferior vnto this Those who as I sayd before at the entreaty and importunity of their freindes had in the beginning exteriourly condescended to do some thinges not so conuenient being now exceeding sory and repentant for their fault desired no other thinge so much as some good occasion wherein publikely to acknowledge their error to make profession of their faith For which causes it being a custome among the Bonzos in their festiual dayes in signe that one is of their sect to take a booke made by Xaca which is called Foquequio and to put it vpon the heads of their parishioners or sectaries saying ther withall a certaine prayer and one of them hauing in treated Arimadono that vpon a certaine solemne day he and his Courtiers would do this ceremony they conspired amongst themselues not onely not to do it but also to disgrace the Bonzo if he did persist therein The day appointed came but notice being had of their determination and both Arimadono and the Bonzo being afrayd that if the ceremony were done it would redound more to their disgrace and to the encoragemeÌ„t of the Christians they thought it therefore more conuenient to omit the ceremony and so it was done Arimadono himselfe alone going to visit the Bonzo without any more ado Wherewith the Gentlemen were not a little grieued because they had lost that good occasion of publishing their mindes which yet they determined to manifest and did that very day going all together vnto the Iudges vnto whom they spake in this manner We be all Christians and are willing and desirous to suffer banishment and death rather then for sake our fayth and religion and seeing that we haue not had meanes to signify so much to Arimadono in publike we desire you to do it for vs. So many they were that went thither with that protestation that although Arimadono were so much offended therewith that he commaunded they should be all put to death yet could it not be put in execution vnlesse he would haue left himselfe without seruantes to attend
of the Martyrdome of those that then were to dy First of all there went many of them before by six and six in a ranke then came the Martyrs the handes of the men being fast bound behind them the womens loose The little Iames intreated very hard that they would tye his hāds as they did the rest and scarce could they quiet him with telling him that there was neuer a cord to tye them withall They went one by one betwixt the Stewardes or Prefectes of the Confraternity with lighed candles in their hands in signification of the light of faith in their minds and burning loue of God in their hartes and after them a whole army of Christians singing aloud the Letanies of our Blessed Lady A vertuous man one of those that went in the company did offer to take vp Iames the little boy and to carry him in his armes but he humbly refusing his courtesy sayd I pray you let me go on foote for our Blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ I take it neyther went on horsbacke nor in a litter to be crucified and after this little labour I hope I shall haue certaine and eternall rest These wordes moued many that heard them vnto teares and made the good man take vp the holy Child by force and so he caried him vntil he came vnto the place of Martyrdome 18. Being come thither whilest the Officers were busy in binding them to the pillars of wood at the which they were to bee burned many came to take their leaues of them and to get some parcells of their garmentes to keep as Reliques In the meane while one of the Martyrs whose name was Leon Canyemō stood vp and spake aloud in this manner We be come hither good people to dye in the manner you see for the honor and glory of Almighty God and because we knowe there is no other meanes nor way vnto saluation but only by the holy Fayth of Iesus Christ and for it we ought not to make any reckoninge of this present life All you Christians that are come hither with so great feruour do knowe this well inough onely therefore we desire you for a farewell that you perseuer in the confession of this fayth without making any account in respect thereof of all that is in this world no nor of your very liues The rest which he speake could not be well heard After they were all bound to their pillars the Christians lifted vp aloft for the Martyrs and all the rest to looke and meditate vpon a very deuout picture of our Blessed Sauiour as he was bound to the pillar Then the souldiers putting fire vnto the wood and straw the Holy Martyrs in the middest therof withall deuotion called vpon the help and fauour of our Blessed Sauiour oftentymes to that end naming the most holy name of Iesus and al the Christians vpon their knees did sing the Creed the Pater noster Aue Maria and other praiers vntill the Martyrs had giuen their Holy Soules into the handes of God Iames the little Child when the ropes were burned with which he was bound vnto his pillar went treading vpō the Coales towardes his holy Mother without euer offering to go out of the fire as he might haue done As he went he sayd three tymes aloud Iesus Maria Iesus Maria and his Mother said vnto him looke vp my Child looke vp into heauen and so he did and then fell downe and dyed The Deuotion also of his holy sister the Virgin Magdalen was much noted of some and very worthily for when her handes were loosed the cordes wherewith they had beene bound being burned she tooke the hoate burning coales put them on her head for it is the custome of the Iaponians when they like any thing which is giuen them to put it on theyr heades in token that she did esteeme them as a Gatland of flowers and as pretious pearles wherewith being crowned and adorned she desired and meant to meet her heauenly spouse whome she loued aboue all other thinges and therewithall she gaue her soule into his holy handes Leon Canyemon making the signe of the Crosse gaue vp the Ghost and all of them made happy endes their soules being as it seemed more inflamed with the fire of the loue of God then their bodies scorched with the heate of the materiall fire The Christians who from the begining as I sayd before were al vpon their knees in prayer seeing that the holy Martyrs were now all dead reuerenced their holy ashes and without regard of the officers leaped into the fire tooke out thereof the Blessed bodies although therby some of them receaued no small hurt and domage by the fire A man of worth got the handes of the holy Virgin Martyr Magdalen and the Christians of Conzara got her body the other seauē were caried in Coffins to Nangasaqui and there deliuered to the Father Prouincial of the Society of Iesus and withall possible solemnity although not publique they were placed in their Church the Bishop of Iapon Don Luis Cerquyera being there present at that tyme and a little after the body of the holy Virgin Magdalen was brought thither also and laid with the rest So great was the deuotion of the Christians that they neyther left pillar nor coles that they did not take away for Reliques of them 23. The Lord Bishop made an authenticall information of al this history according to the custome of the Church and out of it was drawne that which is heere related A little after vpon the 29. of October another man named Thomas was put to death for the same cause He had beene banished eight yeares before out of the Kingdome of Fingo for the fayth of Christ at the present he had care of the Christians of a certaine town and he did it with such care diligence and fruit that many at his perswasion did confesse their fayth before the Iudges and for that cause Arimadono comaunded him to be put to death the which he endured very willingly and calling continually vpon the Blessed name of Iesus made an happy end How this last persecution of all did begin and of the causes thereof CHAP. V. MATTERS passing in the country of Arima in the manner before related there was all this while no change at all in the Citties of Meaco Fuximi and Ozaca nor in the Kingdome of Canga Noto of Bungo Fixen nor in Aqui a Citty of Firoxima nor in Nangasaqui and diuers other townes nor in the Ilandes of Xiqui and Cozura The Churches there stood open vnto all and Gods Word was freely preached therein although they were not without some feare and care to see what that tempest which threatned som greater storme to come would proue at length They celebrated in the yeare 1613. the Night of our Blessed Sauiour his Natiuity in all the places afore mentioned with great solemnity concourse and deuotion of the Christians And vpon the 27. of December begon in
vnto Gods calling and holy inspirations giuen her to be a Christian a very little before the departure of the Fathers was baptized to the great contentment of her selfe and all her Christian freindes 3. There was a little Child in Sacay who saying to his parents that he would be a Martyr with them and they telling him that if he could not suffer a little sparke of fire on his hand how would he suffer greater tormentes he tooke a hoat burning iron to try it in his hand if he could endure it his parentes detayned him but could not quiet him vntill they promised him they would carry him with them when they went to dy 4. There was another young youth nephew to a certaine Bonzo whose Tēple and Benefice he was to haue inherited and because he made himselfe a Christian his owne Father hung him by the feet and whipped him cruelly but for all that he would neuer leaue insisting that they should put his name downe in the Catalogue of Christians because he was he said a Christian and so would liue and die For which cause his Father did disinherite him and violently thrust him out of his house and he went imediatly to the Fathers of the Society making earnest suite to go away with them 5. All this tyme there was an extraordinary concourse of the Christians vnto the Churches notwithstanding all the floutes and mockes and reprehensions of the Gentills much frequenting of the Sacraments and prayer and the prayer of forty houres was almost continually kept in many places and it was the generall care of al by meanes of these holy exercises and diuers penances they did to prepare themselues to dye They were much grieued to depart from their spirituall Fathers maisters not knowing whether they should euer see them againe or no and so great and griuous was their lamentation for this respect that the very Gentills tooke great pitty and compassion both of them and the Fathers also saying publikely that the officers that hindered them did them great wrong and iniury not to let them go in their company seeing they did so much desire it 6. Vpon the 16 of February Sangamidono one of the principall Captaines and Tutor to the Prince of Yendo came to Meaco with a hundred and fifty horsemen and many more on foote vnder pretence to pull downe the Churches and destroy the Christians although as we shal see heerafter the Xogun had another intention therein The next day following he commanded to cast down the Church and House of the Society and to carry the wood thereof to the riuer side making a Proclamation that all that would not deny their faith should be burned with that wood and that euery one should prepare his pillar of wood whereunto to be tyed when they should be burned Many immediatly got them pillers and set them ready at their dores others that had no money to buy them withall sould some of their househould stuffe because when the tyme came they would not be without them 7. And they in this manner expecting the happy day of Martyrdome the foresayd wood was commanded to be burned publikely togeather with the wood of two other Chappell 's and of the Churches of Ozaca Fuximi Sacay to the great griefe and affliction of all the Christians and thereby they came to vnderstand that all that had beene done was only to terrify and put them into a feare For Sangamidono and the Gouernors of Meaco Ozaca seing their inuincible courage determined first of all to assault them by meanes of their freindes neighbors and kinred and if that did not preuaile then to disgrace some of them publikely and to blot out of the Catalogue the names of others eyther by force or by deceipt to comply in that manner with the Xogun thinking to giue him notice ōly of those that were in their iudgments most rebellious and obstinate 8. Presently hereupon the neighbors freinds and kinsfolkes of the Christians begone to enter in troupes into their houses some breaking downe and tearing in peeces the pictures of our Sauiour and his Saintes some taking away their beades and Agnus Deis and all other signes of Christianity they found others partly with threates partly with intreaties and importunities insisting that at the least they would consent that their names might be blotted out of the Catalogue This Combat did endure a good while and diuers were the euentes thereof Few were ouercome a great number eyther by force or by decept had their names blotted out of the Catalogue and the most constant were miserably vexed and afflicted 9. There was in Meaco a certaine street called the street of the Christians because al that dwelt therein except one only family were so with these they vsed extraordinary diligence to make them leaue their fayth and because they could not preuaile with them they banished two families as heades of all the rest and then in the sight of their husbands and fathers they put 27. persons women and Children into certaine sackes of straw into the which they vse to put their rice and tying them with cordes round about from top to toe they cast them one vpon another as though they had beene sackes of corne and afterwardes because they should not be smothered they laid them in the streets vpon the ground leauing them so for all men to behold a whole day and a night in exceeding cold weather and snow with men to keep them who continually did importune them that they would yeald at least in something or other But for all this and all they could do they could not ouercome them Yea other children there were that wept and cried very seriously because they were not put and tyed in sackes as their mothers and their sisters were and to quiet them there was no other way but to put them in where withall the Gentills did remaine astonished 10. The day following the Iudges did returne and affirming that the husbandes of those women were not men seeing they were not moued with the disgrace and punishment of their wiues and children they commanded they women to be loosed and the men to be tyed in the sackes and put to the same torment that their wiues were put vnto the day before threatning them that if they did not deny their faith they would cause them to be carried in that manner vpon a staffe through all the streetes of the citty to their publique shame ignominy and disgrace But by the grace of God they made small reckoning of their threates Then came there thither a great troupe of Gentills who first giuing them many reproachfull wordes and speaches did afterwardes intreat the Iudges that they would deliuer thē into their custody that they in their houses would giue thē such counsaile as should be conuenient for them And so it was agreed because indeed they were loath to fill the prisons full of Christians whose wordes in all this tyme were nothing but
Within a few dayes after his Lord asked him if he were a Christian because it had beene tould him that now he was none the page answered My Lord I am a Christian as you know and haue beene all wayes from a chyld and for all the world I will not leaue to be so I do desire to serue your Lordship in all you shall command me but to deny Christ that way not be and if for this cause your Lordship will cut of my head heere I offer it very willingly and with that he did vncouer his necke All that were present thought assuredly his Lord would haue cut of his head for that in such occasions many tymes he is not Mayster of himselfe but yet at that time he did bridle his passion praysed his pages resolutiō who by that meanes remayned with victory ouer the Diuell and his other enemies and was in more fauour with his Lord and more esteemed of then before Of the Christians of Bungo and of foure therin that gaue their liues for the fayth of Christ. CHAP. IX CHRISTIAN relion did florish very much in the Kingdome of Bungo in the tyme of King Francis both in the number of many noble Christians and also in the many Churches which the Society of Iesus had there But after his godly death his sonne Yoximune being banished by Taycosama all that noble company was dispersed into dyuers places although they perseuering in their fayth were occasion that others where they were did the same The Society in this Kingdome had three Residences in Facata Notzu and Xinga whither the Christians of other places did resort These also tasted of the same cup that those of other places did the Fathers being banished and their Churches ouerthrowne But before they went many came to confesse themselues from many leagnes off and to aske aduise concerning their soules busines diuers there were also although there wanted not some that were not so constant that notwithstanding all threats and intreaties remayned very strong and many thinges there happened of no small edification and worthy to be remembred 2. The Officers ordayned that seauen persons two men with their wiues and three Children should be carried to their publique shame through the streets round about the Castle the space of a league almost And one of them called Benet went all the way disoiplining himselfe and at the going vp of a steepy hill he said to another Christian O how wearisome would this affliction be if we did suffer it for our owne willes or for worldly respectes But our B. Sauiour for whose sake we vndergoe it doth make that we fcele it not To him be giuen infinite thankes for his mercy shewed vs heerin 3. There was made neere the way side a little yard or court and after their passing through the streetes they were put therein and then sackes and cordes and all other thinges being ready prepared they were put into them and bound therein as those of Meaco before had beene and so cast one vpon another and Benet put vnder them all And with a thicke cane in which he had vsed to keep holy water they did bynd and presse his hands so hard before his brest that for a whole day and a night in which they held him in that fashion it was a most cruell torment vnto him he was so much weakned therewith that the officers for feare he should haue dyed carried him he being not able to go himselfe to the house of a certaine Christian where when they had vnloosed him they began to perswade him to leaue his fayth and because he would not they carried him backe againe to the place from whence they had brought him bound and tyed him as he was before and there he remayned in that manner till the next day and then seeing that he was ready to giue vp the Ghost they carried him againe to the same house as before where he calling vpon the holy name of Iesus gaue vp his happy soule into our B. Sauiours hands the 7. of April 1614. And because the Christians should not reuerence his holy body they drew and dragged it to the riuer side there burned it and cast the ashes into the water But a Christian making as though he fished tooke out some of his bones that were not consumed with the fire caried them to Nangasaqui where the Fathers of the Society that had connerted and baptized him did bury them with all reuerence and decency conuenient 4. This Benet was borne in the Kingdome of Izuno in his youth he had been a Bonzo and liuing in Don Iusto his Country he was conuerted to the fayth of Christ together with his Mayster and diuers of his Schoolefellowes his wife children and companions remayning so constant that the officers seeing that in all that tyme and withall their tormentes they could not ouercome them they let them loose and cast them out of the country and so they went to Nangasaqui 5. At the same tyme three other Christians called Clement Michael and Linus the two last being sonnes to the former all substantiall men were much vrged that they should leaue their fayth and not preuayling with them the officers let them alone but soone after there came order from the Court from Inabadono Lord of that towne that in any case they should compell the Christians to fulfill the Xoguns comand whereupon Clement gaue a note vnder his hand vnto the Officers that he and his sonnes wholy renounced Christianity His sonnes when they vnderstood thereof were much afflicted and went imediatly vnto the Gouernour saying That they were Christians and that the note made by their Father was altogether without their consentes and that if he would giue them leaue to liue as Christians they would not make any exterior demonstration of it but if not that then they were there ready to suffer any torments yea and death also for their fayth The Gouernour answered that he had sworne neyther to fauour nor to dissemble in any sort with the Christians yet for all that he would take counsaile and aduise in this busines 6. Not longe after the Officers came armed to their howse and tooke them al three and Maxentia Michaels wife also and his two children and they carried them al to the Castle and there put thē in prison euery one by thēselues alone sparated from the rest thinking thereby the more easily to conquer thē make yeald but all in vaine for they could not ouercome any of them no not euen the little Children Linus Maxentia her sonne Peter were put in sackes and there being peeces of sharp pricking strawes left or put in the sackes as it seemeth to torment them the more one present would haue shaked them out of that sacke in which Maxentia was to be bound but she would not permit him saying That that torment was but very small and that she wished she had many bodies and liues to giue for her God
which they carried to Nangasaqui and deliuered vnto the Fathers of the Society 13. A sister of these glorious Martyrs of Christ that was present at their death gaue notice vnto their Father Clement of all that had passed therein desiring both him and her Nephew Peter to perseuere constant in their fayth imitating so worthy an example telling them withall that if they did shew feare and cowardize that besides the falling thereby into disgrace with God they could neuer after shew their faces euen before men Peter was alwaies very constant and although his Grand-father Clement had shewed fraylty as we signified before now he was very sory for it and asked pardon both of God and men telling withall the Iudges that he was a Christian and desired to giue his life for Christ as his sonnes and daughter-in-law had done but they being satissied with what he had already done gaue him leaue to go at liberty and liue as he listed himselfe 14. I will conclude this Chapter with two other thinges by which al may perceaue the constancy and feruour of the Christians of this Kingdome of Bungo There was a worthy Souldier much importuned by his Lord by meanes of other persons that he would accomodate himselfe vnto the tyme for the present and because he loued him very well and was loath to loose so faythfull a seruant seing others could not preuayle he went himselfe in person to perswade him The souldier vnderstood thereof and leauing behind him his sword dagger which otherwise they alwaies vse to weare he went out of his house to meet him and said My Lord I am resolued not to leaue to be a Christian because I hope in this religion to be saued If your Lordship come to perswade me the contrary it will be but lost labour and if you please you may cut off my head for it and therewith all he held out his necke for him to cut it off And he remayning in that manner a little sonne of his of no more then nyne yeares ould came out of the house and did the same that he saw his Father do and after him his Mother and Grand-mother with the selfe same resolution wherewith the Noble man was so astonished that although he were a Gentill and noted for his cruelty yet did he fall a weeping being ouercome with so great cōstancy returned backe vnto his house though after some few daies for feare of the Xogun he commanded the valorous Souldier to depart out of his Country to the which he willingly obeyed sory he had not obteyned the crowne of Martyrdome going himselfe and all his family to Nangasaqui 15. Another good Christian called Titus a substantiall man was in like manner persecuted by his Lord who seeing his great constancy commanded him to send him his sonne a child of nyne yeares old called Matthew He sent him presently and within two dayes after feigning as though he had killed the child with tormentes because he would not leaue to be a Christian he sent vnto him for his daughter Martina who was of 14 yeares and imediatly he sent her Within a while there came another message vnto him from his Lord that Martina was also put to a most cruell death that if he were yet so insensible that with al this he would not be moued to obey he should send his other sonne called Simon who was 16. yeares old and after that he sent for his wife called Marina and the valorous Christian sent them all most willingly saying that he had rather loose wife children life and all then the grace of God or leaue his religion and his wife and children al of them went with great content to offer themselues in sacrifice The Lord put euery one of them by themselues a part and then set vpon them both with intreaties and with threates but being not able to preuayle any thing at all with them first they powred very could water all ouer Marinas body to her daughter Martina they gaue no meate at all in three daies together and Simon the elder sonne they beat most cruelly and wrong his handes behynd him all of them notwithstanding this perseuering very constant still The Lord seeing himselfe so ouercome sent word to Marina that seeing her Children knew not what religion nor saluation meant she should make them leaue the Christian fayth and with that he would hould himselfe content and pardon both her and her husband She answered that she had offered to God both her owne and her childrens liues and so she could not giue them any such counsayle They had consiscated Titus his goodes before all this happened and for the finall resolution his Lord sent him word by a Brother of his owne with armed men that if he did not desist from his obstinate pertinacy it should cost him his life and one of his sonnes also at least the which was no ill newes to them but rather being much ioyed at the Message they all offered themselues most willingly to loose their liues for Christ but the Lord seeing their valour courage and constancy changed his determination pardoned them and gaue them liberty to liue as Christians Of other three that were put to death for the fayth of Christ in Facata and Aquizuqui CHAP. X. THE Fathers of the Society had two Churches and houses in the Kingdome of Chicuyen besides others which they visited now and then and one in Facata which Simeon Condera Lord of that Kingdome and one of the most valerous Captaines of Taycosama did buyld for his buriall place and another in Aquizuqui built by his brother Michael Sayemon douo both of them great fauourers and patrons of Christianity in Iapone 2. After the death of Simcon Condera Chicuyendono his sonne succeeded in the possession of that Kingdome and fauoured the Fathers Christians much who were many and some of them of noble parentage And although he were much molested and sollicited by the fauorites of the Xogun and especially by Sasioye that he should not permit Churches nor Fathers in his country yet did he still winke at them during his vncle Sayemondono his life who was alwaies a valerous defendour of the Fathers and Christians But after his death when the Xogun and his sonne put the Christians out of their houses and seruice in the yeare 1612. he being much more importuned then before because he would seeme to comply with them and withall conserue the Churches from being ruinated he sent word vnto the Fathers by foure Gentlemen of his house that he had beene a long tyme sollicited from the Court not to permit them in his Kingdome and that he did alwaies excuse himselfe in that his Father was a Christian and had buylded that Church and because he bore them good will by reason he saw they came from the furthest partes of the world for no other respect or interest but only to preach their religion he had alwaies hitherto resisted but now that the Xogun
banished for the same cause to a little Iland scarce inhabited did suffer there exceeding much in this occasion 7. Many noble personages in the Courtes of Yendo and Suruga did imitate the Xoguns proceedinges in this kind but aboue all the Prince of Toxogun did shew himselfe most cruell and rigorous moued partly by the Xoguns example but principally incited by the wordes of an English Pilot who spake most bitterly against religious men and Spaniardes making their persons odious vnto him and all that they did suspitious Whereupon many Christians of great worth quality were sent into banishment And this affliction had beene much more greeuous and more generall had not Itacuradono the Gouernor of Meaco an honorable moderate and morall man a friend vnto the Fathers signified vnto the Xogun that it was no reason that all the Christians being as they are people that liue in the Kingdome well and quietly and do hurt and iniury to none should be punished for the fault of some one or a few particuler persons of their Religion neyther do I hold it sayd he for good policy now that the Kingdome is in peace and quietnes to strike a string that may make to great a noyse perhaps put matters more out of tune then is by vs imagined 8. Vpon this good aduise the Xogun did for a while somewhat temper himselfe and gaue license againe that the Fathers of the Society might remaine and haue one Church within the Citty of Meaco and thereupon and by reason that the Gouernour did coÌ„maund to proclaime that the Xoguns former order was not to be vnderstood of merchantes tradesmen or common people but only of Souldiers and Gentlemen many of their Churches did remaine vntouched and the Christians in some good quietnesse for that many other Princes winked at them as at the Fathers also So that this persecution first of all begunne as it see meth in Suruga and Yendo although the principall blow did fal vpon the prouince of Taccacu or Arima which is all one 9. For when notice was giuen in the Country of Arâ—ma with what determination the new Arimadono was comming from the Court great was the griefe and affliction generally of all the Christians thereof but aboue all vnto the good Fathers of the Society the newes was most heauy seeing the euident danger of those whome with so great paynes care labour and trauaile they had connerted to the Christian fayth and for so many yeares instructed therein and that the Churches which with so great costes and charges they had builded for the seruing and honoring of Almighty God should now eyâ—her be destroyed or els turned into â— emples of Idols for the seruice of the Diuell And sinally that that flocke of Christ whereof they had had so great care should be now deliuered to the custody of cruell wolues the Bonzos without hauing any Pastor that might feed it keepe it and defend it Like good sheepheardes therefore they beganne to animate their sheep and arme them by meanes of the holy Sacramentes which they ministred vnto them making also many spirituall exhortations vnto them and pyous sermons perswading them therein to patience constancy and perseuerance to fasting prayer and true penance for their sinnes 10. As soone as Arimadono was arriued at Ximauara which is the first towne of that Prouince together with Sasiove and another fauourite of the Xogun who were his wicked counsaylers which was vpon the ninth of Iuly they published an edict or Proclamation in which was commaunded that all his subiectes and seruantes should leaue the faith of Christ and send for the Bonzos to instruct them in the sectes of Iapone appointing withal three Iudges vnto whoÌ„ they gaue order to procure by all meanes possible that all the Gentlemen of quality that had any rentes reuenewes or pensions from the Xogun should immediatly Ieaue to be Christians vnder paine of loosing both them and the rest of their goods and liuinges and thereby be reduced to extreme pouerty and most miserable estate And vpon the 13. day of the same moneth he sent word vnto the Fathers of the Society that seeing the Xogun had forbidden the profession of Christian religion his pleasure was they should immediatly depart out of his Country leauing their Churches and houses as they stood The ornaments of the Church the pictures and their bokes they had caused before to be conuaied to Nangasaqui and so they dispatched now the sooner obeying to his commaund though not without great greife and affliction for they had in that country a Colledge the best and biggest in all Iapone a Seminary also where they did bring vp many yong youthes and children of the Iaponians teaching them learning and vertue latin musicke and the characters of the Religions and sectes of Iapone and the manner how to confute them which hath beene one of the best and most efficacious meanes for the conuersion of those Gentiles They had also in that Country of Arima six other places of ordinary resideÌ„ce besids other Churches and houses which now and then they visited to the number of three score and ten and all these in one day were confiscated and they cast out of them Some of the Fathers remayned in the contry secretly disguised together with some of the Brothers also youths of the Seminary for the better helping of the poore afflicted Christians thereof And although they did it not without great labour and paines and exceeding danger of their liues yet was it wel recompensed with the great good they did thereby among the Christians who with great care loue and charity did hide them keep them and maintaine them 11. The Iudges appointed by young Arimadono for the examining and proceeding against the Christians sent for some of them one after another and did their best endeauors to perswade them to do some exterior act whereby at least they might make shew to haue obeyed to the Xoguns commaund in leauing of their faith Some although very few did easily condescend to their requests hopinge thereby to gaine the fauour of their Prince and these all of them were such as eyther were not well grounded in their faith or else were men of euil life and bad corrupted consciences Others moued and ouercome with the entreaties importunities and teares of of their kinred freinds acquaintaine shewed some weaknes and fraylty at the first it seeming to them eyther no sinne at all or else not very great exteriorly to dissemble for a time so that inwardly in their hartes they did not leaue their fayth thereby to giue contentment to their Prince and saue their owne estates But being afterwards aduised of their fault and told how great a sinne it was they were so seriously sorrowful and penitent therefore and did recompense their fall with so great courage seruour and constancy that some of them afterwards endured most cruel martyrdome and others suffered incredible afflictions want misery and pouerty for their faith
after they had publikely reuoked that which before they had of frailty done and this they did before the Iudges and Arimadono himselfe asking pardon of all for the offence and scandall they had committed through feare and in a manner vnawares All the rest answered so couragiously and constantly that they not only remayned conquerors but also so confounded the Iudges that they durst not passe any further in examining and questioning them and in this occasion there happened many thinges very notable and worthy of memory not only of men and women but of younge Virgins also and tender children which would be to long tedious to rehearse 12. Thomas Ondafeibioye a principall and most valerous souldier and one of the best Christians of that country who had two seuerall times before been banished for his fayth once in the yeare 1587. with Don Iusto Veondono whose subiect then he was and the second time in the yeare 1602. loosing then likewise all the liuing that he had for the same occasion was one of the first that was called by the Iudges but he not going in person vnto them vpon some occasion sent them his answere in writing in this manner following Neyther I nor my brother Matthias nor any person of my house shall shew himselfe disloyall to Almighâ—y God nor deny the holy Religion in the which from children we haue byn brought vp nor will we change our mindes for all that the world can offer or affoard I and my brother my mother my wife and children are ready to do any thing that Arimadono shall commaund vs so that it be not against the law of God and holy fayth which we professe Presently as soone as he had sent this message he sent for a Father of the Society of whome they all receiued the holy Sacramentes thereby the better to prepare themselues to Martyrdome and although at that time it did not take effect yet afterwardes it did as shall appeare in the sequele of this Narration Many others did answere to the Iudges with like constancy and resolution the which being perceiued by Arimadono because he was loath to loose so many true trusty faythfull and noble Captaines he therefore dissembled the matter at that time with Thomas and diuers others giuing them secretly leaue to be Christians so that exteriourly they made no great shew thereof but they were all resolued and he certified that they would not make any shew of the contrary in preiudice of their conscience religion Of so ne that were banished and others put to death for the fayth of Christ in the Prouince of Arima CHAP. III. ARIMADONO fearing he might disgust the Xogun and so perhaps loose his Estate if he did shew himselfe remisse in persecuting the Christians although on the other side he saw the courage they shewed commaunded vpon the twentith day of Iune that the landes and goodes of fiue rich Gentlemen should be confiscated and that they their wiues children and families should be put out of their houses taking no other thinge with them but only the apparrell on their backes charging withall that none should intertaine them in their houses nor giue them any food reliefe or sustenance vnder payne of seuere and grieuous punishment He caused moreouer officers to be set in the high wayes port townes and passages to the end they should not escape out of his country but perish there for hunger want and misery euen in they eyes of their dearest friendes and kinsfolkes Much they suffered by this meanes for liuers dayes liuing only vpon hearbes and such wild fruites as they found growing in the woodes being perpetually exposed to the cold the wind and raine which at that time happened to be very much vntill at length the Christians of Arima and other places found meanes to help and succour them and by the order and direction of one of the Society they made themselues little cabbins of straw among the mountaines for their aboad therein spending their time in fasting prayer and reading of good and holy bookes and so they led their liues a great while not only with great patience but with much ioy also comfort and content 2. Arimadono perceiuing by this that what hitherto he had done against the Christians did little or nothing preuaile he resolued with himselfe to put to death some of them to wit such as had shewed themselues more forward and feruorous by which meanes the happy lot of martyrdome befelvnto two brethren the one called Michael Soday of fifty yeares old or therabouts the other Matthias Coychi of one and thirty They were both of them borne in a towne of that Prouince called Ariye their parentes were persons of good quality and very worthy Christians Michael was alwayes accounted very deuout feruorous from his very childhood he was of so great vertue purity and integrity that none euer noted in him any thing that might be a mortall sinne He was but weake and sickly by reason of the hard vsage of his body with fasting hayre-cloth disciplines and other penances All his delight was in hearing sermons and reading good and pious bookes in somuch that he seemed rather a religious man then secular He was very charitable and desirous alwayes to help others all he could for which cause he was generally beloued of all and respected and esteemed as a father By the appointment of the Fathers of the Society he had for the space of fifteene yeares the care and direction of thirteene Congregations or Confraternities into which the deuouter sort of Christians for their excercise of vertue had put and placed themselues And in this imployment did his brother Matthias help him being as like vnto him in good qualities and vertuous inclination as he was in bloud and natural condition When the Fathers were banished from Arima as before is mentioned Michael called togeather all the Prefectes and Officers of the thirteene Congregations and told them that the time was now come in which they must all shew their faith and the desire they had of the saluation of their soules Let euery one therefore sayd he as ke those of his Confraternity what disposition and courage they feele and find within themselues Whereupon amongst themselues they made a catalogue or role in which within short time more then fifteene hundred with great spirit and resolution did write their names in sight that they were ready prepared to giue their liues and suffer al kind of torments rather then leaue and forsake the Christian religion 3. Michael and his brother were the two first whose names were written in the Catalogue and he sayd he did desire it should be so because he hoped by that meanes he might animate others to do the like And the reason why he wished the rest would imitate him and his brother therein was to the end that if the Iudges should offer any more to call the Christians to examination seeing their names written in the â—atalogue
they should haue no cause to â—â—oubt of their resolution conformity â—â—n desire to dye for Christ They had a Father of the Society hidden amongst them who with great care and secresy went from one place to another sayd â—â—asse preached administred the holy Sacraments vnto them But the diuell not being able to endure that those two good brethren should do so good seruice vnto God nor that the Christians should â—iue with such loue feruor as they did did so dispose that Arimadono and his Iudges came to haue notice and intelligence of all that passed which being knowne to them and they easily perceauing that whilest those two holy brethren liued they should not be able to do any thinge with the Christians of Ariye they therefore condemned them to death coÌ„mitting the execution therof vnto two principall men whome they willed to do it secretly because the Xogun had not commaunded that they should put to death any of the Christians but onely that they should moleste them in such manner that they of their owne accord for the auoiding of those troubles should leaue their Fayth and Religion 4. Vpon the Eue of S. Iames of the year 1612. the Father of the Society went to Michels house and there sayd masse the two dayes following heard their confessions gaue them the Blessed Sacrament and then retourned to a little Cottage where he did lye hidden In the afternoone which was vpon the day of the glorious Saint S. Anne did God Almighty choose to crowne these two happy brethren with the crowne of martyrdome Michael was taken and carried to a place where sometimes had stood a Church of the Misericordia and for that those that were to execute the Sentence were his friendes they notifyed it vnto him and wished him to prepare himselfe to dye Presently he lifted vp his eyes and handes to heauen giuing first thankes vnto Almighty God for so great a benefit and afterwardes he sayd â—nto those that brought him the newes This is a fauour which a long time I haue desired at God Almighty his handes and being so weake and sickly as I am it seemed to me that I should haue dyed of some ordinaâ—y sicknesse and disease and therefore now I am exceedingly reioyced with such happy â—ewes and so glorious a lotte Then he kneeled downe vpon the ground and prayed a little space when as the executioner came to him and sayd Brother Michael I beseech you that seing you are â—o dye for the loue of God that you would intreate him to pardon me this sinne for I am also a ChristiaÌ„ do this office God knowes of force and much against my will He answered with great â—â—ildnesse that he would do it very willingly and so his head was presently â—troken of whilest he was inuoking the holy name of Iesus His Brother Matthias they tooke at the same time in his owne house as he was foulding vp the ornamentes which the Father that day had vsed in the holy Sacrifice of the masse and carrying him aside they gaue him three or foure woundes with which he fell downe and dyed saying with a loud voyce Iesus Maria. 5. The executioner that cut of Michaels head did great reuerence to their two holy bodyes and taking some of their holy reliques he gaue notice to the Christians of their death and cause thereof So many came thither to reuerence theyr bodies and to get some of their reliques that they could scarce get them burried all that night at length they buried them though afterwardes they were taken vp againe and carried to the Church of Nangasaqui where they were likewise much reuerenced of all some taking peeces of their apparrell some parcels of their hayre others some of their bloud many therewith made the signe of the crosse on their own foreheades desiring much to imitate and follow them in dying for their fayth An old man of threescore and ten yeares called Ioachim as soone as he had notice of their death went running to the place where their bodies lay and imbracing Matthias his body by the seete he most earnestly desired the executioners who yet remayned there that they would do the like to him seing he also was a Christian and had promised Michael to dye in his company 6. Some monethes before this matter happened Lucy the mother to these two holy martivs a very deuout and vertuous Christian did see in a vision a most beautifull child who hauing two pretious stones in his handes shewed them vnto her and she desiring to take them in her handes he vanished away The next day following he did appeare againe with two nosegayes made of many goodly followers and when she desired to haue taken them as before he vanished away againe likewise the third day he appeared againe with two beautifull red roses in his handes at which she wondring told her sonne Michael of it and he afterwardes related it to another brother of his who is of the Society not long after she dyed and as seemes that Almighty God thereby would let her vnderstand how gratefull and beautifull the soules of her two sonnes were in his heauenly eyes 7. The same sentence of death was executed vpon Leon Quita Quinzayemon on the two and twenty day of August 1612. He was a Gentleman of a good house and a very valerous souldier of fifty yeares of age or thereaboutes he was borne at a towne called Chinxina and from his youth very vertuous and of exemplar life When Arimadono came first to Ximauara Leon sent him word that if he meant to make vse of his seruice it could not be but vpon condition that he would giue him leaue to liue a Christian for that otherwise he would not serue him He went vp and downe two monethes and more without his sword expecting an answere from Arimadono animating with great feruor all to constancy and to that end visiting the neighbour townes and villages And some wondring to see him go without his sword he told them Seing that I am not to defend myselfe when they come to kill me for Christes cause I haue no need at all to weare my weapon Going vp and downe in this manner he found that the Christians of one towne durst not bury publikely one that was dead and reprehending them for their cowardize therein they told him they feared some hurt and domage would befall him for the great boldnesse which he shewed To which he answered What can they do to me more then kill me and for that I am very ready whensoeuer they will for there is nothing that I more desire then to dy for Christ and saying so with his owne handes he buryed the dead body of the Christian 8. The Iudges did procure by all meanes possible to perswade him to accommodate himselfe vnto the time and so he might enioy his liuing and be in fauour with his Prince and a certaine Noble man that loued him very well called Camon who was
make inquiry after them Ximadono vsed more extremity for that he seized vpon the goodes and landes of the Christians of Caratzu banishing them out of his Countries And one among the rest who in that occasion left all he had with great courage and content was George Acasioye of whose notable feruour and glorious death we shall make mention in the 10. Chapter of the second Part of this narration Nabeximadono who was the Prince of that country gaue comand that the Church of Fundayama should be pulled downe but towardes the Christians no rigour at all was vsed so one of the Fathers did remayne there secretly visited theÌ„ al ofteÌ„tyms with no lesse labour then coÌ„tent 3. In this Countrey there was a Christian to whose care the keeping was committed of a Church and the thinges therein and certaine Gentills intending by force to take a picture out of it he tould them couragiously that he would sooner loose his head then let it go They durst not kill him without order from the Prince who at that tyme was fart off on the other syde they feared least he would fly away before the answere came The which when he vnderstood he bouldly went vnto them and said Go aske the Prince what his pleasure is to haue done with me and I will stay here till you returne If I fly you shall vnderstand thereby that I leaue to be a Christian which is that which you desire There he remayned expecting a good while at length the sentence came that they should take all he had from him and put him out of the Country and so it was put in execution and he taking with him the picture went to Nangasaqui more contented in his owne mind then if he had carried with him all his wealth and much more then that he had before 4. The third fourth houses which the Fathers had in this Kingdome were in Vracami and Mongui in which places because they were so neere to Nangasaqui there was no other thing done but only preparations made for the generall assault which all did expect would soone after follow Their fifth House was in Fucafori where there was more copious and glorious fruit This towne is subiect to the Lord of Fixen and standeth at the entrance of the Port or Hauen of Nangasaqui When Safioyedono was made Gouernor of Nangasaqui he being very zealous in the superstitious religion of the Gentills and hauing no place within the Citty where to vse his Heathenish rites all being there Christians he caused a little temple which they call Mia to be made in Fucafori whither he went to that purpose as often as occasion was required It greeued him very much to see a Church of the Christians there and he so contriued the matter that the yeare last past it was cast downe without any other domage done vnto the Christians but now vpon this occasion he caused a Proclamation to be made that all should leaue their fayth vnder great paines forfeytures to the which the Christians all with one accord answered that although it cost them their liues they would not do it Whereupon the Gouernour sending for the Chiefe of them gaue them very bad speaches calling them fooles Asses that wheras following the Sectes of Iapone they might saue their soules and ioyntly liue in pleasure prosperity and content yet they would rather follow a hard Religion taught only by a few strangers that with danger to loose their goodes and liues and the liberty of their wiues and Children 5. To the which one of the Christians in name of the rest answered in this manner My Lord the reason why we imbrace and follow the fayth of Christ is because it is manifest vnto vs that in it only we can be saued and not in any of the sectes of Iapone which be both very different and disagreeing among themselues and all of them without any solid ground and true foundation And in matters concerning the gayning or loosing of eternall life it were no wisdome but plaine folloy to haue too much regard to the losse of temporall goodes as all thinges in this world be The Gouernour replyed asking him If he had euer seen or spoken with any post or other messenger that came from the other world and brought newes of another life The reasons my Lord said he are so euident that there is another life and the testimonies and argumentes that our religion is the only truth are so strong that they be of much more force and officacy then the wordes of any Messenger in the world If it please your Lordship to heare the Sermons you shall easily see the truth of the Christian fayth and euidently perceaue the falsity of all the Sectes of Iapone With this the Gouernour growing into great choler commanded them imediatly to deliuer vp to him their Rosaries to whoÌ„ one named Peter answered very stoutly There is none here will leaue his fayth or deliuer vp his Rosary and it for this cause you will depriue vs of our liues we are all ready prepared to giue them willingly And with that he went away Peter his Father in law who was a Gentill fearing lest some hurt would come vnto him for that which he had spoken intreated the Gouernour to pardon him for that he was but a yong man and had spoken rashly without mature consideration and that he would enter into bondes to make him leaue his fayth 6. Peter vnderstanding what his Father in law had done and said presently sent vnto him his wife and children with this â—â—essage The loue of your daughter and grandchildren haue made you promise 〈◊〉 that which you ought not to haue done there therefore I send you them and I without them shall dy more freely and with more content And vnto the Gouernour he sent word that he would not stand to that which his Father in law had promised in his behalfe and that moreouer he was not sorry for the wordes which he had spoken in his presence and because he did expect no lesse then to be put to death for them he therefore for that effect sent him there is sword But the Gouernour dissembling the matter would not proceed any further against him contenting himselfe with his Father in law his word and promise wherby Peter escaped death at that tyme gayning notwithstanding doubtlesse for his worthy resolution great merit at God Almighty his handes 7. At the same tyme and vpon the same occasion there were two brethren named Mine Cosmo and Minâ— Luis who answered very constantly that in no case they would leaue the fayth of Christ the which for so many yeares they had professed And although the Gouernour vsed all meanes possible to make them condescend vnto his will at least in outward shew yet could he not moue them any thing at all they still resisting most couragiously He told them he was very sorry that they being of his name and something also
A BRIEFE RELATION OF THE PERSECVTION LATELY MADE Against the Catholike Christians in the Kingdome of IAPONIA Deuided into two Bookes Taken out of the Annuall Letters of the Fathers of the Society of IESVS and other Authenticall Informations Written in Spanish and printed first at Mexico in the West Indies the yeare of Christ M.DC.XVI AND Newly translated into English by W. W. Gent. THE FIRST PART IHS Permissu Superiorum M.DC.XIX The Contents IN this first Part is set downe what happened in Iaponia before the banishment thence of the Fathers of the Society of IESVS other Religious Persons that there preached the Christian Fayth IN the second is declared what succeeded after their departure TO ALL THAT SVFFER PERSECVTION IN ENGLAND FOR CATHOLIKE RELIGION THIS ensuing Relation being sent out of the VVest Indies where it was first printed to a friend of mine in Spaine from thence by him to me after I had read perused the same it seemed vnto me others also whose iudgmentes I fatre preferre before mine owne to be worthy the publike view Whereupon I resolued though my necessary occasions would scarce affoard me leasure to steale so much time from them as was necessary for the translating it out of Spanish into our English tongue More paynes and labour it cost me then at the first I thought it would haue done and I found therein that true by experience which I had often heard of others to wit that it is not so easy to translate out of one language into another as is commonly imagined Hauing at length finished the same I knew not to whome I might better direct it then to You the poore afflicted Catholikes of this our Countrey for whose comfort and encouragement I did indeed principally from the beginning intend it For although I do presume it wil be gratefull to all Christians of what nation or nature soeuer they be to vnderstand of the propagation increase and augmentation of Christian Religion in those Countries where before there was neuer any notice therof and of the constant perseuerance of those therein that haue so lately receiued and imbraced it yet am I certainly perswaded that it wil be to you much more welcome then to any other not only because these most worthy ChristiaÌ„s of Iaponia wherof this relatioÌ„ doth entreate be of the same Christian and Catholike Fayth and Religon that you be and not of any other priuate or particular sect or faction of which God knoweth there is to great a multitude in the Christian world in these miserable dayes of ours but also by reason of the great likenesse and similitude betwixt their case and yours If it be an axiome in Philosophy that Omne simile gaudet sibiâ— sâ—mili Euery thinge doth take a particuler delight in such thinges as be like vnto it selfe well may it be supposed that it wil be at least some kind of contentment vnto you amongst so many occasions of discomfort as are dayly offered to vnderstand of the estate of those that in many thinges do more symbolize with you then any other persons in the world For omitting that they be Inhabitants of an Iland as we be and of the greatest Iland in those partes of the world as we in these of the like Climate also that we be all thinges considered they in a manner Antipodes to vs and we to them first of all they be but lately conuerted to the true fayth of Christ from Infidelity and so be most of you from Schisme or Heresy which is a kind of infidelity to them it is grauÌ„ted according to the saying S. Paul to suffer for theyr faith and so it is to you they be falsly slaundered and calumniated in many thinges by the Diuels ministers and so be you they be persecuted for theyr Religion many of them to death more to losse of goods by the enemies of Christ and his holy Church and so be you very many amongst you hauing lost theyr liues and more theyr goods liuinges for no other cause but only the constant confession of the Catholike Religion Finally they for theyr valour and constancy in Gods cause be famous in all those partes of the world yea and in Europe also and you for yours be no lesse glorious both in all Europe and in the rest of the Christian world so that I may well say both of you and them that which the Apostle sayd to the Romanes whose religion both they and you imbrace fides vestra annuntiatur in vniuerso mundo your constancy in fayth is published and famous throughout the whole world These then be the reasons for which I thought it most expedient to dedicate this short Relation vnto You although there wanteth not also another which truly I must needes confesse was of great force to moue me thereunto the which is that I hoped thereby you would both be more carefull to commend in your prayers to Almighty God the necessities of those poore afflicted Christians your Brethren as also more willing to imitate theyr admirable examples of valour and courage in the cause of Christ and of patience and constancy in enduring crosses and persecutions troubles and tribulations for the same Many of you I know haue oftentimes occasions ministred of suffering wronges and iniuries losses and disgraces for the same cause the same Fayth and Religion for which they do endure all these cruell persecutions If then you do imitate theyr patience theyr courage and constancy theyr ioyfulnes and alacrity therein you shall obteyne thereby the like honour renowne in earth that they haue done and afterwardes in their company euerlasting crownes of glory in heauen for as the holy Apostle testifyeth Si socij passionum estis eritis consolationis if you be partakers of theyr sufferinges yee shall also be companions of theyr comfortes ioyes and consolations And because there be some things in the discourse of this relation which proceding from an extraordinary feruour are rather to be admired of all then imitated of any that is not after an especiall manner moued by Almighty God as we may prudeÌ„tly iudge those persons were that did them I doubt not but that you guided by discretion reuerencing such like actions as issuing from the particuler motion and inspiration of the holy Ghost will apply your endeauours only or principally to imitate those other thinges that are more conformable to the common course of vertuous and pious persons ' assisted with the grace of Christ knowing that thereby you shall both auoyd the domage that is incident to those that rashly thrust themselues into eminent dangers also gaine withall no small merit to you soules It shall not be needfull for me to aduertise you how this persecution of the poore Christians of Iapone was partly if not principally occasioned by persons of the same profession in religion as those be that persecute you nor yet to note how like the Diuell is vnto himselfe in all places causing the
of their apparrel vsing therein very many cerimonies They haue diuers fashions very different from ours with vs men weare hattes women euer somethinge on theyr heades they both men and women go bareheaded at all times and in all occasions both in the heate and could in sunne and wind in haile in snow and raine they mourne in white as we do in blacke blacke with them is worne in signe of ioy we hould it good to haue white teeth they thinke it otherwise and therefore dye them black we get on horse blacke on the right side they on the left we when in meeting we salute put of our hattes they put of theyr shoes When they visit one another he that is visited must not go out to meete the other that commeth to visit him nor rise vp if he be set in any place but rather contrary if he be standing he sittes downe to receiue him Our manner of musiâ—ke is not gratefull vnto them our meates distastfull our sweet odoriferous smels odious and abominable They cure their sicke quite contrary to vs giuing them raw meates and salt and sower thinges to eate In steed of kniues and spoones they vse two woodden stickes exceeding curiously and after a farre neater fashion then we they vse to eate their meate Whereas we write from one side of the paper to the other they write from the â—oppe to the bottome of the leafe making their liues downeward In all Iapone there is but one only language the which yet is so exceeding copious and of that variety that it may seeme to be many by reason that for almost euery thinge they haue very many wordes whereof some do signify it when mention is made thereof in contemptible manner others when in honorable sashion some are to be vsed onely by the common people others only by those of Nobility or Gentry some are only for men others only for women theyr manner of writing is very different also from their speach and theyr writing letters from theyr writing bookes theyr characters or letters are of a fashion farre different from ours and of that nature that with one only letter they signify sometimes a whole word sometimes many words In times past there was but one only King in all Iapone who was Monarch therof and obeyed and reuerenced exceedingly of all and liued with wondrous state and maiesty and him they called the Dayri or Vo but these Dayries giuing themselues at length by occasion of the great peace and quietnesse they enioyed to sloth and idlenes and to all kind of voluptuous pleasures and delightes about 500. yeares ago were by two principall captaines that rebelled against them dispossessed of a great part of the Kingdome they making themselues kinges of all they could get and maintaine by force of armes and afterwardes others moued by theyr example did the like so that within short time the Dayri although he still remayned with the title of vniuersall Lord of all Iapone yet had he small or no iurisdiction at all only a power to giue titles of honour and dignity according vnto mens desires or desertes the which he enioyeth to thi day without any gouernement at all scarce hauing meanes to maintaine himselfe in honorable fashion Since those times to these he hath euer beene accounted King our Empe or of Iapone that could by any meanes make himselfe Lord of the Tenca that is of some few Kingdomes or Prouinces neere adioyning to Meaco which is the principall Citty of all those countreys as London is in ours and so in our dayes there haue beene three who haue had the name and authority of Emperour one after the other not by any right or title of election or inheritance but obteyned by maine force or other wrongfull meanes The first of them was called Nobunanga who conquered six and thirty Kingdomes The second Taycosama or Quambacù who being a man very meanely borne brought vnder his dominion fifty Kingdomes or Prouinces The third is the Xogun who reâ—gneth at the present and hath raysed the persecution whereof this booke intreateth against the Christians and he as it seemeth is acknowledged as Lord of all the threescore and six Kingdomes of Iaponia These Emperours as absolute Lords and owners of all the country do dispose of al thinges as their pleasure and therefore for their owne greater security as soone as they haue gotten the gouerment by force or other meanes into their handes they deuide the kingdomes or prouinces vnto diuers of their freinds with obligation that they shall serue them in time of war with a certaine number of men at their owne charges and expences and these againe do deuide their prouinces amongst their freindes with the like obligation to be ready to serue them in all occasions reseruing to themselues sufficient for the maintenance of their house and family so that all the whole country doth in such maner depend of the Emperour that he giues and takes rayseth and pulleth downe enricheth and impouerisheth whome and when and how he pleaseth And it is the custom amongst them when they take from any one their Prouince or Estate or change them to another that al the gentlemen and souldiers that did depeÌ„d vpon that person do leaue that prouince together with him and either go with him or else seeke meanes to liue in some other place the trade semen artificers husbandmen and laborers onely remaining therein Those that be the Lords or petty kinges of particular prouinces or kingdomes as also all other principall personages as gouernors of townes and Citties besides the obligation aboue mentioned are bound at the begining of euery yere betwixt the ninth twentith day of the first moone for their acount is by Moones and after a different manner farre from ours to go vnto the Emperors Court to do him homage and acknowledge their obedience towards him and togeather therwith they must alwaies offer him some thinge of good value by way of present whereby he draweth to himselfe the greatest part of all the wealth of the contry by meanes thereof togeather with his owne reuenews which amount to two millioÌ„s or more euery yeare be groweth in short time to be exceeding rich potent strong and so powerfull that none almost dare withstand or contradict him in any thing no though he make himself a God as diuers of them haue procured to be accounted and esteemed And indeed most of these that be adored amongst them as Gods were eyther kinges famous for their valour in warre and feates of armes or else Bonzos singularly noted for their learning and eloquence or strict rigorous course of life These last they call Totoques the other Camis of whom they aske only earthly goods teÌ„porall blessings and benefittes as of the Totoques they do onely the selicity of the future life The principall or cheife of all these be two the one named Xaca the other Amida whome they worship and inuoke with great reuerence and deuotion Their
of the ruder sort From thence they went vnto Meaco and in their iourney which endured well nigh two monethes they suffered exceeding many miseries First they went barefoote all the way and then because the wayes were very dangerous and full of theeues who murthered all they robbed they were enforced to keep company with horsemen to runne though the hard stony wayes as fast as the others did ride towade also ouer many great riuers and other deepe waters in the way hauing afterwardes no meanes almost to dry rest or ease themselues no where finding any that would help or succour them take pitty or compassion on them but many almost euery where that egregiously abused and iniured them so that had they not carried some little rice in sachels on theyr backes for theyr sustenance it is very likely they had perished by the way for very want and necessity Being now arriued at Meaco they found all the Citty in vprore and armes no disposition at all for them to manifest the Christian fayth whereupon they were enforced almost immediatly to retourne againe to Amanguchi the same way and after the same fashion that they came from thence before And there Father Xauier did resolue notwithstanding all difficulties to set and settle himselfe to the preaching and planting of religion and because he had learned by experience that the Iaponians did neyther esteeme of men nor of theyr wordes vnlesse they were in exterior good fashion and well apparreled therefore to accommodate himselfe vnto them for their greater good he went vnto Tirando and there at they charge of the king of Portugall he put himselfe in good apparell and taking with him letters of fauour frō the viceroy of the Indies and of the Bishop of Goa which he had procured vnto the Princes of Iapon and certaine small thinges brought out of Europe as clockes and such like curiosities the which were giuen him by the Gouernor of Malaca to bestow in such occasions he returned backe againe to Amanguchi with Brother Iohn Fernandez and two or three Iaponians in his company where he made meanes to haue accesse vnto the King to whom by way of present he gaue those thinges which he had brought with him thither to that purpose The king accepted of them willingly and though he wondred at them as being rare and neuer seene before in those countryes yet much more did he admire at the greatnes of the giuers minde who did refuse a great quantity of gold and siluer and other thinges which he offered him in requitall thereof and only required that he would giue him licence to preach the fayth of Christ to whome and where he would the which he graunted easily and assigned him besides a certaine house of good capacity where he and his companions might remayne This licence being thus obteyned the which was all the holy Father did desire he and the Brother his Companion did set themselues immediatly to worke preaching all the day time in the streetes and middest of the market place an innumerable number of people flocking about them some to see and heare what they sayd others to laugh at their manner of speach others to marke their actions and mocke at their behauiour and in the night they did the same in the house where they lodged to those that came thither to visit them as many did some of courtesy but most of curiosity And in this manner they spent diuers monethes without seing any fruit at all of all their labours vntill at length one was conuerted vpon this occasion Brother Iohn Fernandez preaching one day in the street according to his wonted manner a Iaponian that passed by in a scornefull manner did spit at him and the filthy fleame falling iust vpon his face he wiping it of without making any shew of the least impatience in the world with great serenity of mind went forward in his speach the which being well marked and obserued by one of the standers by caused him within himselfe to frame this conceipt doubtlesse this doctrine must needs be very good that causeth in the professors thereof so great humility patience and constancy of mind in suffering iniuries and indignities and thereupon the Sermon being ended he followed the brother to their house where hauing learned the Creed the ten Commaundementes our Lords prayer the Salutation of our B Lady and diuers other prayers and being sufficiently instructed in all the mysteries of Christian religion and sorry for the sinnes of his former life he was the first in all that Citty that did receiue the holy Sacrament of baptisme and thereby was made a member of Christs holy Church and Congregation Soone after him diuers others also were baptized and within a short tyme the number of Christians there amounted to fiue hundred or there abouts and all of them as they well shewed in many occasions that happened afterwardes exceeding constant vertuous and perseuerant Matters being come to this good passe letters were brought vnto Father Xamer in which wa◠signified that it was precisely necessary for him to returne in person to the Indies vpon vrgent busines leauing therefore behind him Father Cosmo de Torres and Brother Iohn Fernandez to conserue and increase the best they could that little flocke of Christ which he had there begunne and gathered he went backe to Malaca and afterwardes to Goa from whence he sent some more of the Society vnto them to help towards the conuersion of Iapone◠the which they and others that succeded them did with such diligent care and industry God Almighty blessing their labours concuring thereunto with many miracles wrought by them that within the space of twenty yeares or thereaboutes there were in that country by their meanes and good endeauors more then an hundred and forty thousand Christians and amongst them many persons of great worth estimation as the King of Bungo a very potent Prince who for the deuotion and veneration he bare to Father Francis Xauier when he was baptized which was some yeares after the holy Fathers death would neede◠be called Francis by his name The King of Arima also named Don Protasio and his brother Don Bartholomew Prince of Omura a most pious and valerous Gentleman and diuers other Noble men who all agreeing amongst themselues to the end the whole world might vnderstand how sincerely they did beleeue and imbrace the fayth of Christ in the yeare 1583. they sent from thence to Rome which is well neere ten thousand miles foure young Gentlemen some of them very neere of kinred vnto the kinges before named to render obedience in their names vnto the most pious Pope Gregory the thirteenth who then liued as vnto the vicar of our Blessed Sauiour here on earth and cheife head pastor of all the Christians in the world After Father Xauier his death which was in the yeare 1552. the Superiors of the Society of IESVS still continued sending some of their subiectes to Iapone to procure the
increase of Christianity therein and some yeares ago others of other holy Religious Orders as of S. Dominicke S. Frauncis and S. Augustine haue gone thither also to the same inâ—ent whereby their holy endeauours many thousandes of soules haue beene deliuered out of the darkne of superstition and Idolatry and brought vnto the light of Christes onely true and Catholike Religion And in such prosperous manner did they go on assisted by the help of God and all of them in concord of hart and vnity of faith that there was no smal hope that the whol country would within a short time haue beene eyther all or the most part thereof conuerâ—ed to the Christian faith vntill now of late the raising of the persecution whereof this ensuing relation doth intreat hath been a great hinderance and impediment therunto as you wil easily perceiue by perusing thereof from the which I will now no longer detayne you THE FIRST PART OF THE RELATION OF THE PERSECVTION RAYSED IN THE YEARE OF OVR LORD M.DC.XIIII Against the Christians of Iaponia Wherein all the Priests and Religious persons were banished thence togeather with diuers other Christian Iaponians with the Martyrdome of some for their constant perseuerance in the profession of their Fayth Of the beginning causes and occasion of the Persecution CHAP. I. THE Church and Christiany of Iapon which now 66. years agoe was first founded by the Blessed Father Frauncis Xauier of the Society of Iesus and euer since then hath beeue principally conserued next after God by the labours and good endeauours of the Fathers of the same Society hath suffered many great and greeuous persecutions euen as the Primitiue Church did in the first beginning thereof Some of these Persecutions haue been particuler only in some Countries or Prouinces subiect to certeine Lordes or petty Kinges and these haue beene so many and so continuall that scarce euer the Christians haue beene without some molestation in one part or other as may appeare by the history of that Country written at large by Father Luis de Guzman of the Society of IESVS Others haue been generall caused by the Lords of the Tenca who were the Monarchs of al Iapone not only banishinge the Fathers of the Society destroying their Churches and houses and taking away from them all that they had but also banishing likewise the Christians of the country together with their kinred freinds and familiars confiscating their landes and goods and sinally bereauing the also of their liues 2. But neuer hitherto hath any beene eyther so generall or so rigorous as that which Minamoto Iyeyasu who at this present is the Xogun or Cubosama King and Lord of al Iapon did raise now two yeares agoe in the yeare 1614. For that if heretofore the Fathers were banished out of some one country or prouince they still found refuge in some other part or place of the kingdome and although Taycosama the predecessor in gouerment to him that now reigneth did twise cast downe and destroy all their Churches and commaunded them to depart his kingdome yet alwayes had they a Church standinge on foote in Nangasaqui a port towne in Iapon for the vse of the Portugall merchants who traffique thither and vnder colour of that they not onely remained there but also from theÌ„ce went secretly into many other prouinces of the kingdome and did great good amongst the Christians who likewise were neuer before vsed so hardly as at this time they be For that the Xogun in this persecution hath not onely caused all the Churches to be burned and razed to the ground and giuen expresse charge that no Priest nor preacher of the Christian religion whether he be a stranger or free-denizen should remaine therein but also hath coÌ„maunded that all the Christians do leaue their faith and religion vnder paine of banishment out of the kingdom or being put after many torments to some cruel kind of death Vpon this occasion there haue happened many accidents worthy of memory to the great honor and glory of Almighty God and very like to those of the primitiue Church as in the discourse of this Relation wil appeare 3. The causes and reasons of this so rigorous sentence and proceeding of the Xogun and of the execution thereof be diuers some of old and some of new Of old is the hatred of the Diuell who hauing had peaceable possession more then a 1000. yeares of al that kingdome and seing that now of late by reason of the preaching teaching holy life and instruction of the Fathers many thousands of soules were daily drawne from Idolatry and superstition to the knowledge and seruice of the true and euerliuing God their onely Lord maker creator and redeemer and that very probably within smal time if they were permitted he should be altogether dispossessed of the tyrannical dominioÌ„ he had so long exercised vpon them did therefore al his endeauours to hinder their prosperous proceedings especially for that already besides many thousandes that were departed this world there were then liuing more then two hundred and fifty thousand Christians so zealous feruorous in the seruice of their Lord and Sauiour that besides their diligence to learne and know all the duties of good Christians and their care in keeping obseruing gods precepts and commandements many of them did animate themselues to attaine to a higher perfection and to follow the Euangelicall Counsailes of Virginity Chastity voluntary pouerty recollection and religious life 4. This I say made him bestir himself and moue the Bonzos his Ministers to hate the Fathers bitterly and to procure their disgrace by al means possible the which was not very had to do because themselues did see that their credits with the people was much decreased since their comming into the country as also their gaines greatly diminished For which cause within short time after the entraÌ„ce of the Fathers to auert the minds of the people from them they published that they were Diuels in humane shape sent from hell to hinder the happy successe of the Iaponian Sectes that the kingdomes wheresoeuer they entred went presently to wracke that they did eate mans flesh and the like But all these reportes being found out in short time to be wholy false and vntrue reproachfull slaunders and forged calumniations they changed their note and begun another tune protesting in their Sermons that it ought not to be endured that a few poore straungers as the Fathers were should be permitted to procure with so great diligence endeauour as they did the destruction of their Idols Temples and Sectes that had beene alwaies so highely esteemed of all their ancestours and to bringe into their country another new law and religion and customes wholy opposite and contrary vnto those which so long time had beene professed and practised therein complayning moreouer that those that were made Christians in many thinges were more obedient vnto the Fathers then vnto their owne Princes naturall Lordes and that for their
religion they would by their perswasion loose both their liuinges honors and their liues Moreouer they sayd that it was not probable nor possible but that the Fathers vnder colour of preaching the religion and faith of Christ had some pretence of matter of state nor that any wise man could perswade himselfe that men of iudgment and discretion as the Fathers seemed to them to be would euer come from so far countries with so great cost and charges through so many and so euident perills and dangers both by seâ— and land as they did only for the saluation of the soules of other men as they pretend to do especially of such as they neuer sawe before nor do any wayes belonge or apperteine vnto them and that therefore doubtles there was some other temporal respect that moued them thereunto 5. And to giue a greater colour of likelyhood and shew of reason for what they did affirme they added thereunto diuers thinges which were most true as that the Spaniardes of which Nation most of the Fathers be be very warlike people and how they haue conquered the East and West Indies the Ilandes of Molucas and the Philippines that all the Christians conuerted by the Fathers are very obedient vnto them ready to do in â—ll thinges what they shall aduise and â—hat they are al very much vnited among themselues 6. With these and the like reasons â—hey easily persuaded diuers Princes of â—he Country who commonly are very â—ealous of their states to haue the Fathers â—n suspition seing especially before their â—yes what a reuolution had beene made â— little before in their owne country by a Bonzo of Ozaca who vnder colour of â—efending certaine Sectes had troubled molested both Taycosama Nobunanga and al the princes of Iapon Many of these reasons were alledged by Taycosama both â—n the yeare 1587. when he first banished the Fathers as also when he renowed the persecution in the yeare 1596. wherein he made exceeding hauocke among the Christians For although he were moued thereunto principally by reason of the desire he had to haue taken the great Spanish galeon called S. Philip which passed by that way vnto Noua Espana from the Philipines yet was he also not a little prouoked by the foolish wordes of a certaine Pilot who being asked how the Spaniardes had gained so many kingdomes he answered that they went first to traffique into them and that if therein they eyther receyued iniury of any or were not wel vsed or not receiued by the people of the coÌ„try that then they made warre against them and ouercomming them tooke possession of their kingdom and estats And being asked if they did not also for that cause send religious men before them he answered yes the which although it were most false and fabulous yet did Taycosama take it as a sufficient occasion to rayse a cruell persecution against al the Christians of Iapone 7. This suspition was confirmed in them yea much increased by certeine Englishmen and Hollanders who in the time of this Xogun do not onely traffique but also some of them reside and dwel within Iapone for they partly through the hare they haue and beare to religious men and Catholikes and partly for feare least the Spaniardes should be a meanes to hinder their traffique thither haue made many malicious and most vile reportes euen the very worst they could imagine or inuent both of the one and other As for example that the religious men are dangerous persons both wicked and rebellious that they do not preach Christs true Religion but onely their owne fancies imaginations and that for that cause they haue beene oft times banished by Christian princes in Europe out of their kingdomes and dominions that the Spaniardes haue no other end nor intention in comming thither but onely to bereaue them of their kingdom and gouerment alledging to that purpose and as it were in proofe thereof many particuler examples to make some shew of truth 8. That they were the authors of these false reportes came to be knowne from the Xogun himselfe who one day in speach vsed these wordes That if the Kinges and Princes of Europe do banish the Fathers out of their countries I shall do them no iniury to send them out of mine These and such like malitious rumors and reportes were in themselues sufficient to haue beene causes of greater harmes and mischeifes then they were for a longe time had not Almighty God in a maner bound and held the Gentiles handes who with the desire of continuinge traffique with the Spaniardes and Portugalls eyther would not heare or when they heard would neuer giue credit vnto such wicked and malitious vntruthes 9. The Diuell perceiuing this and knowinge well how that by occasion of the traffique from the Indies and Macan Christian religion found first entrance into Iapone and how by meanes thereof it hath hitherto also beene there conserued and that if it should cease religion could not probably be of longe continuance there he did therefore his vtmost endeauour to hinder it and for that cause it is most likely that first of all he moued the Heretikes to go thither to the end that by their false reportes they might bring into discredit with the Gentiles the Catholike religion and offer to bring them the same merchandise that the Spaniardes and Portugals haue done hitherto Secondly that the Xogun through the false informations of a Gouernor called Safioyedono and other his adherentes should most iniustly commaund that the ship of traffique of Macan should be set vpon and taken most iniuriously the which in the yeare 1610. by that occasioÌ„ was set on fire and burnt to the domage of diuers Christians and little lesse in all then a million of losse 10. And finally that some Iaponians did wrongfully take and vsurpe at the same time almost all the goodes of the ship called S. Frauncis of the Philippines which did ariue at the port towne of Quanto where they offered so many and so grosse iniuries vnto the Spaniardes and Portugals as were scarce to be endured and matters came thereby to that passe that it was thought it would haue been an occasion of the total ruine and destruction of all the Christianity of Iapone had it not pleased Almighty God by the good endeauours diligence and intercession of some freinds and especially of Don Iohn Arimadono who at that time was in great fauour with the Xogun to haue pacified matters and so calmed the tempest that was then rising against them Of the beginning of the Persecution in the Prouince of Arima CHAP. II. DON Iohn Arimadono aforesaid was Lord and Prince of all the Prouince of Arima He was an Auncient Christian a great benefactor and as it were the very prop and piller of the whole Church of Iapone as well for that he had caused the conuersion of all his subiectes to the Christian faith by meanes of the Fathers of the Society whome he alwaies
would not contradict their deuotion therein Afterwardes both hers as also the bodies of the children were carried to Nangasaqui and there buried withal respect conuenient in the Church of the Fathers of the Socyety of Iesus The sentence pronunced against Don Iohn Tacuyen Arimadono his great Vncle as also against the worthy Captaine George Yefengi of banishment and losse of their goodes whereof I spake before was also with all rigour put in execution Of eight Christian Iaponians that were burned aliue for the faith of Christ CHAP. IIII. SAFIOYE seeing that with his violent manner of proceeding putting some to death and banishing others he was so far from obteyning of his purpose and desire that rather matters were worse now then they were before for those that were but somwhat bold before were now much more encouraged by the examples they had seen and with the hope of victory heauenly reward and those that had shewed some weaknes frailty at the first by the same examples were moued to be very sory and repentant for their fall and rose vp againe with couragious resolution he now determined to change his rigour into another kind of crafty cunning persecution He sought out therefore a certaine Bonzo an auncient preacher of the Iaponian Sectes that was very famous in the Courtes of Suruga and Yendo and brought him to Arimadono telling him that if he could get the Christianes of his country to heare his Sermons without all doubt they would very quickly little esteeme wholy giue ouer and leane the Christian Fayth He wished him therefore to carry him to Arima with him and to make him preach therein Arimadono to giue content vnto Safioyedono and the Xogun was very willing therewithall and Banzui for so was the Bonzo his name was not backward but rather exceeding glad to go thinking doubtlesse he should do some great exploite and gaine immortall Fame in conuincing and conuerting of the Christians the Bonzos of Meaâ—o who by experience knew of how small effect their Sermons are against the Christian Fayth in the meane tyme laughing in their sleues to thinke how wholy his hopes would be frustrated 2. Assoone as the Christianes of Arima had intelligence of the Bonzo his comming towards them they begane forthwith to prepare themselues And sent vnto the Bishop and vnto Father Prouinciall of the Society to know of them what they might do neyther to preiudice their Consciences nor to be wanting in their duty to their Prince And it was resolued that they should neyther go out to meet the Bonzo nor afterwards to visit him The which although some of them did not obserue going at the petition of the chiefe Gouernour to visit him yet when they went they carried their beades in their handes and Agnus Deies at their neckes in signe that they were Christians 3. It was appointed by Arimadono that there should be a Temple or Chappell and an Altar made for the Bonzo his vse and because the Christians neyther for loue nor money neyther by threats nor intreaties could be brought to put their hands thereunto they were forced to fetch from other places Carpenters other workmen who were Gentills for the framing making thereof When the Temple was finished and all in readines Banzui would needs now haue them come to heare him preach Some went of curiosity to heare what he would say but before the end of his Sermon they did so laugh so mocke and deride him both in the Temple and after in the streets that the poore Bonzo almost besides himselfe did grieuously complaine to Safioye that insteed of honouring him as he expected they had brought him thither as it seemed wholy do disgrace him and make him loose his credit Telling him withall that if Arimadono would shew some exemplar punishment vpon some of the principall Christians the rest would be terrified therewith Whereupon the matter was proposed to Arimadono and by him and them it was determined that eight or ten of them should be put to death publikely together with their wiues and Children 4. Great was the feruour that was at that tyme amonge the Christians continuall their prayer and frequent their doing of peÌ„nances In many places they made the prayer of Forty houres continually without intermission carefully following the counsailes direction and exhortation of the Fathers of the Society that in disguised habits liued amongst them Innumerable daily entred into the Confraternities writing their names in the Cataloges euen with their owne bloud which to that end they let out of their bodies and making protestation that assisted by the grace of God they would remaine firme and constant in the confession of their Faith As soone as it was knowne that some of them should be put tormentes and afterwardes to death a wondrous great ioy arose amongst them all ech one congratulating the good newes with his neighbour freinds and kinred euery one also desirning that it might be his happy lot to be one of those that should dy for the Christian Cause in that occasion 5. Out of all the townes of the country there was six or seauen of euery Confraternity sent to the Citty of Arima to giue Intelligence when and where the sentence should be put in Execution before mentioned with intention all of them to be present there to make publike protestation of their faith and to shew how desirous they were to dy therefore And this was in such manner that almost al tradsmen and artificers did leaue their worke and occupations and merchantes did suspend their traffique vntil they saw what would be the yssue and conclusion thereof 6. But Safioye hauing vnderstood of all that passed amongst them fearing some vprore and doubting that he should be blamed for it at the Court seeing also that their resolution was such that to vse rigor towards them should be but to cast oyle into the fier rather augment their constancy then otherwise he comanded no more should be done in that busines and thereupon the Christians returned all vnto their houses with intention there to prepare theÌ„selues against another tyme for Martyrdome Notwithstanding this command of Safioye Banzui the Bonzo at the petitioÌ„ of Arimadono his wife who was an eager enemie vnto the Christians would needes vrge some Gentlewomen and pages that wayted in the pallace to take of him certaine scroles and graines which the Bonzos vse to giue and which they call Iuzus and Maburi but it was his misfortune and hard hap to gaine as little honor in this matter as he had done before by his Sermons for some of the yonger sort vpon that occasion not only refused to take his Iuzus with deuotion but also made him and them an obiect of their myrth and some of them being to much vrged by him in that busines cast his trumperio in his face for which he did reueng himselfe euen to the full causing some of of them to be put in prison for it and others
Meaco the first Thunder-clappe and signe of the future tempestuous stormes Itacuradono the Gouernour of the Citty comanding that the names of all the Christians should be taken and written downe in a Catalogue and the same was done in Fuximi and Ozaca the which caused no small trouble among the Christians especially they not knowing the cause and reason why it was so done vntill at length there came two letters the one from Safioye the other from Xozamburo both of them great fauorites of the Xogun The first was directed to the Father Rector of the Society of Iesus in Meaco the second to another Christian a very friend of his both of them dated from the Court vpon the eleauenth Moone and the contentes were that it had beene signified vnto the Xogun that the Christian Religion was such that those that did professe it did neyther obey nor esteeme of their Maisters Lordes nor Princes and that they did adore men put to death for Malefactors tooke their flesh and bones for Reliques as they termed them and wore them at their neckes And for proofe therof they related all that had passed about those Christians which had been burnt at Arima signifying that it had so beene told vnto him And that moreouer very many Christians did of late publiquely adore a man that for his rust desertes was crucified in Meace For al which he being much offended said that that Religion which teacheth such doctrine is doubtlesse of the Druell and therefore could not be tolerated in Iapone In the end they said that they were very sory to send them so bad newes but yet could not chuse but let them vnderstand thereof 2. This blow did grieue the Christians very much and to the end they might better vnderstand how the matter went and procure some remedy thereof after they had consulted amongst themselues they sent vnto the Court a Brother of the Society a man very expext and intelligent with intention that Father Rector should also go thither to that end soone after him Safioye had notice thereof and meeting with the Brother reprehended him exceedingly telling him moreouer that now there was no remedy for that the Xogun had giuen expresse Command that not one of all those that taught the religion of Christ whether they were strangers or borne in the Country should remayne in all Iapone and that therefore he should returne immediatly vnto Meaco from whence he came 3. The truth of the matter was that when Safioye came vnto the Court he found that many there talked very much of the 28. Martyrs that had beene there put to death in the Moneth of August last past as also of the great constancy of those that in Arima chose rather to be burned aliue then for one only houre deny their fayth of the courage likewise of those Christians that went thither to see that spectacle offering to dye with them and how they reuerenced their Reliques Some said it was too great a cruelty and that it had beene inough at the most to haue banished them and consiscated their goodes whereupon Safioye and others partly through the hatred they bare vnto the fayth of Christ and principally for the excusing of their owne cruelties did defame the Christians vnto the Xogun as disobedient stubborne and rebellious people that they did not feare death but rather did desire to be put to death as Malefactors and that they do esteeme and adore such like persons and a brother of Safioye did giue this reason thereof because said he Christ whome they hold for their Lord and Sauiour did dye vpon a Crosse as a Malefactor 4. But this proceeded from the late death of a Christian that was crucified in this manner Seauen persons were condemned to death in Meaca for hauing bought vncoyned siluer as it seemeth against some law of the country to that effect Six of them were Gentills and the seauenth was a Christian The Gentills were beheaded the Christian was crucified Many people according to the custome of all places went to see the execution and when the Christian gaue vp the Ghost the Christians that were present kneeled downe vpon their knees to cōmend his soule vnto God and thereupon some of the Gentills malicious persones tooke occasion to giue out that they did adore him that was crucified And to excuse their cruelty towards those of the Prouince of Arima they exagerated the matter saying that if one only Prouince was so obstinate that there was no remedy to make them obey neyther their Prince nor the Xogun what would it be if the greater part of Iapone were Christians as already they were very many in Meaco adding withall that as long as the Fathers were permitted in Iapone it was not possible there should be any remedy therein 5. These and the like thinges they did paint out and exaggerate in such manner to the Xogun and the Prince his sonne who before were nothing well affected but rather auerted from the Christians by reason of the false reportes of the Gentills and Heretikes that they resolued to banish all the Fathers out of Iapone and cruelly to persecute the Christians thereof saying that the Fathers as being strangers and religious persons were not much to be blamed for preaching of their religion seeing it was their office and profession so to do but that euery Prince and Lord were worthy to be blamed that did permit thē to liue and preach in their Countries much more the Christians there that gaue eare vnto them and did more esteeme of the doctrine that was taught them by a few strangers then of that with their ancestors had professed their Princes did imbrace and cōmand to be belieued followed and that therefore they did only banish the Fathers without doing them any other hurt or harme but only depriuing them of their Churches and Houses wheras those that were free Denizens should be secretly punished if they did not obey And so the Catalogue was first to know how many Christiās there were in those places then by that to procure that they should all of them leaue their fayth which was the selfe same manner they had vsed before with those of Yendo 6. All possible diligence was vsed by the Christians to see if they could by any meanes make the Xogun capable of the truth of matters falsly feigned against them and to giue him a true Information of the Catholique fayth But the Princes of Iapone are of that nature and disposition that if once in any thing they be resolued they scarce euer afterwards do change their mindes neither is there almost any that will or dare make intercession vnto them for another although it be in a matter the most iust that may be especially if the enemies of that person be in fauour with the Prince and themselues be not to receaue some benefit by the busines Whereupon it came to passe vpon the 12. of February 1614. that notwithstanding al the meanes that
could be wrought there was an expresse order made that al the Fathers in Iapone with al those that did belonge vnto them should be sent to Nangasaqui and there deliuered vnto their Superiors and vnto the Gouernors of the Citty that their Churches houses should be cast down 7. Vpon the 14 of the same moneth this order was notified vnto the Fathers of the Society of Meaco for that there was no other Church but theirs in that Citty and they were required to giue vp a Catalogue of the names of all the Fathers Brethren and Doxucos or Seminaristes as also of the seruantes they had to the end that none of them should remaine behind But because it was very necessary that some should stay secretly there for the helpe of the Christians of that Citty and of other townes and villages there about of eight Fathers they put only three in the Catalogue and of seauen Brethren other three and of 20. Seminaristes only six 8. Those three Fathers and their company were banished out of Meaco vpon the 21. of February and there was an infinite concourse of Gentills to see them for the Christians were not permitted by the officers to go some mocked at them others tooke compassion of them considering the innocency wherewith they had liued amongst them so many yeares When they were come into Fuximi they found the Fathers of the holy Order of S. Francis that did dwell there already put in baotes ready to depart and there they were all deliuered to a seruant of the Gouernor of Meaco that was appointed to carry them to Nangasaqui Downe the riuer they went and came to Ozaca before the breake of day and there were ioyned vnto them others of the Society and of S. Francis his order that did dwell in that Citty as also another Father with others of the Society that were brought from the Kingdomes of Canga and Noto so that vpon the 25. of that month there departed from Ozaca a reasonable fleet of banished persons for the faith of Christ 9. Before their departure Father Rector did offer vnto the Gouernors of Meaco and Ozaca a memoriall in which he answered to the false calumniations which were raysed against the Christiā fayth and Religion desiring them they would shew it vnto the Xogun and informe him of their innocenty Both of them did read it and sayd that which was therin conteyned stood with very great reason and that they thought that if the Xogun did se it he would desist from persecuting the Christians By the same order that those already mentioned were also banished the Fathers of the Society that dwelt in Firoxima and in the Kingdomes of Aqui Bingo Bungo and Figen of the country of Omura the Ilandes of Xiqui and Conzura as also before had beene in the yeares 1612. and 1613. those of Bugen Chicugo Chicugen together with the Fathers of S. Augustins order of Vsuqui and the Fathers of S. Dominicke of the Kingdome of Fijcn Finally in all Iapone there did not remaine so much as one Church which was not cast downe and destroyed all the Religious men being brought to the port of Nangasaqui except some few that lay hidden and went secretly disguised in diuers partes 10. The Society had at that time in Nangasaqui foure seuerall Residences the Colledge and Seminary all in one the Misericordia the Hospitall and the howse of All-saints and other two they had not far from thence there were also three Couentes there one of S. Augustine his order another of S. Dominicke and the third of S. Francis There were moreouer foure parish Churches of secular Priestes that were Iaponians borne besides other lesser Chappell 's The number of the Churches that were destroyed in all partes of Iapone may be gathered by that which the Society alone did loose in the yeare 1612. when the persecution did but begin in Arima although it were not vniuersall which were fourescore and seauen Residences Churches and Chappell 's It would be to tedious a matter to write in particuler all the molestations vexations which the Christians receaued vpon this occasion togeather with their valour courage patience and constancy therin the which is nothing diminished by the frailty which some exteriourly did shew seeing that it is no nouelty that some in all places be not so constāt in religion as they should euen in Europe it selfe where Christian Religion most florisheth and is of most continuance we haue to many examples thereof yea and which is more in the very primitiue Church of Christ there neuer wanted some that were vnconstant cowardly to too fearefull faint harted Of that which happened in Meaco and Ozaca CHAP. VI. MEACO is the most populous ancient Citty of Iapone and the ordinary Court of the Dayri who by right is the true Lord of all those Kingdomes It is the very well spring fountaine of al the Idolatry of that country and hath in it many Temples and Bonzoes Fuximi is another Citty distant six miles from Meaco although it be now almost ioyned with the suburbes thereof It was builded by Taycosama the predecessor of the Xogun that now reigneth who hath there a goodly great fortresse and it is his Garrison towne for the partes of Camy There he hath continually 6000. souldiers vnder the charge of 4. Captaines and the Generall of them all is Oquindono who is his owne brother Ozaca is 20. miles lower down the riuer towards the West and is also a very populous Citty hath many goodly Pallaces in it one of the best fortresses if not the best of all Iapone Taycosama did build it and his sonne Fideyor doth dwel in it to this day Sacay is six miles more towards the South and the Inhabitants thereof be all Merchantes and Tradesmen 2. In euery one of these Cittyes there were good store of Christians and all of them especially those of Meaco and Ozaca where were the greater number hearing of this newes did endeauour to moue themselues to feruour and deuotion The two Gouernors Itacuradono and Ichinocami did desire to put as few Christians into the Catalogue as might be partly because they saw it was a manifest miustice that was intended towards them and partly least they themselues should be blamed and rebuked for that there were so many But all the Christians euen the very Children would needes haue their names written in the Catalogue for that in Meaco alone there were at that tyme more then fower thousand whose names were taken Some there were that were then but only disposing of themselues in Catechizing to be Christians and were not yet baptized that did put in their names among the rest and more then threescore at that very tyme were baptized notwithstanding all the troubles likely to ensew affirming that they should hould thēselues for very happy to dy in so holy a religion and among the rest an ancient woman of threescore and ten yeares old that had very often resisted
in the sackes was so great that most of them or all did fall sicke therof 15. In Ozaca was the same affliction and persecution as in Meaco and the constancy of the Christians there no lesse then in the other place Those that went abroad about any busines left at home in writing how they were Christians that if there were any torments to be inflicted for being so they would returne presently to suffer them Others that were abroad when the newes was told them of the persecution left presently their businesse for the same end Some young youthes were most cruelly whipped by their parentes for being Christians and shut vp without any meate at all for a long tyme. Then arose a report that vpon a certaine day at such an houre the Christians should be put to death in such a market place Whereupon diuers of them did begin to giue all that they had vnto the poore and vpon the day appointed before the hour came there were more then three hundred come and expected in the place and many more there would haue beene had they not beene then by force deteyned by their freindes and kinsfolkes Fifty and eight were put in sacks in the manner afore rehearsed so carried through the streetes vnto a great bridge vpon the riuer where they were left fast bouÌ„d and diuers persons appointed to keepe them the rest were beaten away with cudgells yet as they went they did not cease to make publike profession of their fayth saying We are Christians 16. Amongst those that were put in sackes there were some Gentlemen of good worth who had thrust themselues into the thronge among the common people because they would not be fauoured nor exempted and a Nephew of the chiefe Lord of the Kingdome of Aua whose name was Iohn Xirey mon and his wife Magdalen no lesse noble then he she being then very great with child haâ—ing been banished a yeare and a halfe before thither for then fayth were both of them there also in the market place among the other Christians 17. That very night certaine Gentills came and asked that those that were put in sackes might be giuen vnto them and that they would be their suerties but the Christians refused their courtesy because it might be thereupon suspected that they had yealded to something that they ought not to haue done at length they let go the ordinary people and put 24. of the better sort into diuers prisons 18. In a towne neere vnto Ozaca the Gentills did take a Christian and because he would not deny his fayth they first pulled of all his clothes bound him to a piller and for two dayes together they burned him by little and little with dry reedes and straw the which they vse insteed of torches so that he could not dy of it because they would not do him the fauour to make him dye for Christ as he desired and being not able to ouercome him with all they could do to him they banished him together with other of his kinred that were Christians 19. The fury of this persecution did endure for ten daies space and at the end thereof there came from the Court letters in which the Xogun did declare Sangamidono for a Traytor and comanded that he should imediatly be banished into the Kingdome of Omi and that he spared his life in regard he had beene his Captayne so long tyme. And this was the reward of all his malice against the Christians And it was afterwards proued that that very day in which he pulled downe the Churches that very day was his Castle of Ondauara seized on all his landes and liuinges which were very great confiscated The Gentills themselues some of them did note how soone he was punished for his cruelty For conclusion of this Chapter I thinke it will not be amisse to relate a witty and pleasant prognostication which as they say was made in Meaco at this tyme by a Gentill one of their Southsayers For he casting a figure vpon this manner of proceeding neuer seene before of putting the Christians into sackes said these words The sackes be of Rice Rice is a seed that multiplyeth very much asigne that though they presse the Christian neuer so much they will greatly multiply The Gentills made a lest at it but some Christians thought that perhaps there was a greater mystery therin then was imagined Of some in Meaco Ozaca and Fuximi that were banished for Christian religion and others imprisoned CHAP. VII THE Christians of Meaco and Ozaca remayned prisoners a moneth But how great their valour courage and deuption was therein may well be gathered out of a letter which one of them wrote vnto a Father of the Society in this forme Vpon the eight day of this Moone they brought me vnto this prison with my wife and three Children I beseech you remember me in your holy Sacrifices and obteyne for me by your prayers of Almighty God perseuerance We are not vnmindful of those good consideratioÌ„s which you taught vs and although we be miserable sinners yet we do our endeauour euery day to communicate spiritually remembring our selues of the holy Sacrifice of the Masse We do also giue thankes dayly vnto Almighty God for his exceeding benefitts We feare no persecution nor esteeme our liues in any thing at all and this strength which we find and feele within our selue we acknowledge it for Gods fauour and the fruit of your care in teaching vs and we giue you thanâ—kes for all I vnderstand that all our companions stand very stedfast in their fayth of the which we are exceeding glad we are not forgetfull of them neyther day nor night And so once more desiring you would comend vs to Almighty God and giue vs your blessing I end 2. After this came the Xoguns sentence in which he comanded that all the prisoners with their wiues and Children should be banished to Taugaru which is at the end of al Iapone a very cold Countrey ouer against Tartaria and scarce inhabited and that those Gentlewomen which liued all together in one house in Meaco should be sent with other seauen or eight to Nangasaqui to be banished from thence out of Iapone and that those whose names were blotted out of the Catalogue should be compelled to follow some of the Sectes of Iapone There were ioyned together from Meaco and Ozaca vpon the 13. of Aprill threescore and thirteene who were deliuered vnto two Captaines to be carried into banishment but they seeing them to be so many and that some of them were knowne to be worthy and noble Captaines were afraid to take the charge of them so long away and therefore they intreated Itacuradono that eyther he would comand irons and fetters to be put vpon them or els some marke with fire to be made in their for heades wherby they might be knowne and taken againe in case they fled away from them Itacuradono laughing at them said It
seemes you do not know them nor the willingnes contentment with which they go into banishment I should be very glad I could deteyn thē for the compassion I haue of them Goe with security for those that goe in the manner that they do will not run away I warrant you Take my word for I knowe them very well 3. It so happened that the Officers bringing threescore and thirteene horses for them to ride vpon vnto a place where they were to take shipping one horse was ouerplus by reason that a little boy that was one of the forsaid number being hidden by his kinsfolkes was wanting and the Officers reflecting vpon it and saying that one of them was wanting a young youth that was come thither to take his leaue of some of those that were to go into banishment hearing them stept out and said Here I am take no care there is none wanting and saying so he leaped vpon the spare horse and with great content went along with the rest into banishment 4. They went all in a row one after another most of them very richly apparelled and exceedingly content Whereat many of the Gentills wondred not a little seeing that in their conceipt they had reason rather to shew griefe then any contentment at all in that occasion Diuers Christians accompanied them to Otzu with teares and a kind of holy enuy emulating their happines in suffering that which they did for Christ And they all that way went aminating those that were to returne and remaine there behind not to shew any weakenes frailty or cowardize in Gods cause nor to feare neyther losse of goodes nor life seeing that all in comparison of euerlasting life is but of small or of no account 5. The Fathers of the Society that liued at that tyme secretly and disguised in Meaco the better thereby to help the Christians did very much desire to haue accōpanied these their Ghostly children but it being both necessary for the greater good of others not to discouer themselues and daungerous to do it they therfore sent a good Christian a Iaponian borne vnto them in their names a man of much vertue and great confidence to help and animate them in their iorney who willingly with all his hart did vndertake that care being indeed himself desirous to dye with them They stayed in the port vntill the middest of May expecting wind to sayle the Northern Seas Thither in that tyme many Christians went to visit them and by a letter which one of them wrote vnto a Father of the Society of Ozaca may be gathered the manner of their going and how they did behaue themselues thus he wrote 6. Vpon the 22. of the third Moone which was vpon the 30. of Aprill I went to visit the banished persons which then were in Tzurunga I remayned so edified by them that I do assure you I felt in myselfe extraordinary shame and confusion accompanied together with deuotion All of them both men and women had caused the hayre of their heads to be shauen of euery day three seuerall tymes they made their prayer altogeather and at euery tyme they spent an houre therein they had so distributed matters among themselues that euery one did some office or other to help and serue the rest When they came to Tzurunga they were all put in a great warehouse the dores fast locked vpon them and there they passed all that night vpon the cold bare ground and exceeding glad they were that therein they did in some manner imitate the martyrs of whose afflictions and torments they did discourse amongst themselues The night following they had giuen them two matts to lye and sleep vpon their meate whilest they remayned there was a little rice with pottage made of certaine hearbes that were God knowes of an vnpleasant tast The Captaines that conducted them said once vnto them Because you were many and most of you skillfull in matters of armes we made some difficulty at the first to vndertake your conductiō but now seeing your manner of proceeding we see we had no reason at all to feare And verily with this resolution you haue shewed in choosing rather to be banished then leaue your fayth you haue giuen an euident testimony that it is the truth and the right way vnto saluation and if you had not done so you had put a great blot vpon your religion and giuen testimony that all which it teacheth were false and vntrue and doubtlesse if the prohibition of the Prince were not so strict as it is we would he are the sermons of so good and holy a doctrine This and much more I might write vnto you of that which the Captaines sayd moued with their good example Hitherto the letter 7. They departed afterwards from that port and ariued safey at the place whereunto they were banished there as was after signified they were well receaued and also holpen by the Prince thereof The Gentlewomen whereof I spake before together with others were sent in banishment to Nangasaqui where they were releeued by the charity of the Confraternities especially by that of the Misericordia Some also were banished at this tyme from Fuximi There was also one Peter a were graue man and an anciēt souldier much respected by Oquindono the Xoguns Brother who had endeauored much to make him leaue his fayth and not obteyning it he sent him word that it was the Xoguns pleasure that ther should not remayne one Christian in all Iapone that the Fathers were now banished and the Churches destroied that he could do no lesse but banish him if he did not leaue to be a Christian to which he answered I did not make my selfe a Christian because there be Fathers or Christians in Iapone but because I knewe there was no other way to saue my soule I am very sorry that they are banished and that the Churches be destroyed but yet I knowe that he that brought the from the furthest partes of the world hither can more easily bring thē againe from Macan Iuson which is neerer The Xogun can do no more but put them out of his Country for his owne tyme and if he will banish me also I shall find God I am sure wheresoeuer I go for he is I knowe in all places wheresoeuer And for conclusion he desired him not to speake any more vnto him about that busines but eyther banish him or command him to be put to death and so both he and other soldiers of worth that gaue like answers were banished with their families their goodes and liuings being all consiscated 8. Amongst the Cittizens of Fuximi was most persecuted one Marke Mangobioye a man of good account and much esteemed of the Gouernors and other of the Xoguns fauorites they vsed extraordinary diligence to make him relent but not being possible they banished him withall his family vnto Nangasaqui He told them he did accept of it but yet that was no banishment seeing they sent him
thither where the Fathers were Some frends of his that were Gentils did secretly entreate the Gouernors that they they would dissemble with him for a while that they would be his suerties that he should conforme himselfe The Gouernors were very wel coÌ„tent withal but he hauing notice thereof went vnto them saying That he was a Christian and that he would not leaue to be so for all the world and that therefore they might resolue eyther to kill him or banishe him as they pleased 9. They were much griued therat but there being no other remedy they sent him to Nangasaqui doing him the fauour not to confiscate his goodes Scarse was he arriued there it being 200. leagues from whence he went but there came letters vnto him from Meaco that Marina his wife her litle daughter should presently returne to Fuximi but not signifiyng wherefore nor for what cause it was They were all much troubled therewith and very loth to part one from the other but yet for all that they returned according to the commaund both of them with great resolution first cutting off their haire The Gouernors did intend eyther by threats or flatteries to make Marina yeald at least a little then by her meanes winne her husband to their will but she answered very constantly that although they should kill her or make her a slaue to be a drudge al the daies of her life in a kitchen she would not change her minde The Gouernors with this so vnexpected answere remained as it were astonished for they thought infallibly that she would easily yeald seeing her selfe alone without her husband and forsaken of her friendes and thereupon they let her go and she and her daughter returned both very ioyful to Nangasaqui hauing now made three iorneyes each of them 200. leagues a peece 10. In Meaco the officers had blotted out the names of diuers Christians in the Catalogue of some by force of others by fraudulent and deceiptfull meanes the parties themselues some of them openly repugning thereunto others being content to winke thereat but hauing afterwards great scruple of Conscience they went vnto two publique Officers called Choday protesting vnto them that they were and are still Christians and that it was contrary to their willes that their names were put out of the Catalogue leauing with them in writing their names and the streetes wherein they dwelt One of the Choday dissembled the matter with them and bad them if they were Christians they should be wary for feare of the Xogun The other was more rigorous caused thereupon Peter Chobieye Gyroyemon Riyemâ—n and others to the number of 13. to be put in prison Peter and his mother were banished to Tzâ—gara for their fayth the rest after many assaults were carried togeather with their wiues and children before the Gouerner where a principal person stepping forth and asking them why they naming once left their fayth did not performe their wordes and keep their promise but returned againe to professe that which once they had forsaken This is the cause sayd they why we come hither to let you and all the world knowe that we neuer left to be Christians and that for our religion we are ready to suffer torments yea and death it selfe Thereupon they laid hold on them al bound them with such cruelty that their hands their neekes and armes did swell exceedingly and Itacuradono fearing that all the Christians would do the same that they had done did reuyle them bitterly and told them that if they did not obey he would command that the men should be carried about the streetes to publique shame and the women to the stewes and they all answering that they would neuer obey in that matter presently they tooke the women and carried them to the foresaid place and the men through the principall streetes with a great and strange tumultuous noyse and vpon a little bord in a paper their sentence written thus For being Christians hauing once left their fayth the which was false But so they left them tyed all that day in a certaine little market place for all to laugh and mocke at them and within few houres after Iohn Yosâ—yemon Iames Mangaxichi were taken and carried in the same manner 11. Three of the Seminary of the Fathers of the Society went to them imediatly to animate encourage them another went to the street called the Christians street to warne all to make the prayer of Forty Houres to God for their perseuerance That night they were carried backe againe to prison and there they lay with irons at their neckes The next day they were carried to the bridge of their street there to be tyed to the postes of it and because the officers should vse no mercy towardes them the Iudge said vnto them Looke that you do as I comand you for the Gouernour is exceeding angry that you tyed them so gently this last night that two or three of them hath not the skinne rubbed of from their neckes with the ropts Tye them hard inough and if they dye of it it makes no matter I will beare you harmelesse With this the officers vsed them most cruelly and tyed them vp so high that they did scarce touch the ground with the tipps of their toes bynding moreouer their neckes so strait that they were almost strangled Three dayes they vsed them in this fashion the Gentills and the Bonzos comming thither continually to perswade them to accommodate themselues vnto the tyme but they little regarding their perswasions said vnto them Looke vpon vs and vnderstand that to suffer that which we do willingly and with the ioy you see is a sufficient signe that in our religioÌ„ there is meanes of saluation After they had done all this with them they carried them backe againe to prison in which from Iuly of the yeare 1614. vntil March 1615. when this Relation was written they did remayne suffering with great constancy in their fayth ioy in their afflictions 12. The valour of their wiues and daughters in that infamous place whereto they were sent was in my mind worthy eternall memory for to the end that no man that looked vpon them should lust after or desire them many of them did disfigure their owne faces making them all on a gore blood with little woundes they made in them For which cause their handes were after tyed but the Christians vsed a good deuise to get them out of that place to be kept in the house of an honest Christian where they did hitherto remayne firme in fayth and constant in their good purposes With these and the like examples those Christians that had shewed some weaknes before were moued to do pennance for their fraylty and inconstancy and afterwardes to be more constant couragious as in particuler it shal appeare of one Paul FioxayemoÌ„ of whose Martirdome we shall make mention in the 14. Chapter of the second part of this relation Of the
banishmēt of Don Iusto Tacayama and of other Gentlemen of Focoru of the Christians of Firoxima CHAP. VIII SOME fiue or six dayes iourney Northward from Meaco doe stand the Kingdomes of Canga Noto and Yetehu the prince whereof Figeuaono was very much affected to the Chistian religion and vsed the Fathers with great respect and curtesy 2. He had in his Kingdome diuers noble Christians Captaines and in particuler Don Iusto Tacayama Minaminobo whose memory is famous in the histories of the Society of Iesus of the East Indies and Iapone and Nayto Don Iohn Toruan who was Lord of almost al the Kingdome of Tamha and Nayto Don Thomas Vacmodono his sonne and Oquinada Thomas Quicuan a principall Gentleman of Bigen Don Iusto had alwaies with him some Father of the Society and a Brother and others of the Seminary that was in the Citty of Canazoua 3. When the newes of the persecution came first into those partes Don Iusto did determine to keepe the Father secretly to the end he might help the Christians there in case they came to dye for their fayth as all did hope and desire they should But presently there came a comand from the Xogun that the Father and those that were with him should be carried by officers vnto Nangasaqui and so it was of necessity put in execution but before his departure so great was the concourse of the Christians to confesse themselues to receaue the Blessed Sacrament and to take their leaues of him that the Church was scarce euer empty eyther day or night Three dayes after his departure together with the rest of his company Figendono did by order from the Xogun comand though much against his will that Don Iusto Don Iohn and Don Thomas with their Wiues Children and Grandchildren should be caried to Meaco and deliuered to Itacuradono and that all their seruantes should be banished if they did not leaue to be Christians Great was the assault that was giuen them there to accommodate themselues vnto the tyme least otherwise they should vndoe themselues and vtterly ruinate their Families which were of so great name fame and nobility But they as men experienced in such like Combats hauing lost before at other tymes and ventured for their fayth more then they could do now were nothing moued therwith saying that to honest men and such as know what it is to be Christians no man ought to mention any such matter no not in way of iest or merriment 4. One only day was giuen them to prepare themselues towards their iourney and so leauing their landes liuings wealth weapons howses and estates without any more then their only apparell on their backes and some thinges necessary for the way they tooke their iorney to Canozaua vpon the 15. day of February So Don Iusto like another Abraham left his Country togeather with his wife Iusta and fiue Grandchildren the eldest whereof was 16. yeares old and the yongest 8. and his daughter who was married vnto the sonne and heire of the Gouernour of those three kingdomes a man worth forty thousand ducats by the yeare This Lady for diuers reasons and principally because she desired to dy in this occasion with her Father went with him her husband being very willing therewith He was also a Christian and desired much to haue accompanied his Father-in-law but for iust occasions he would not permit him And so hauing made a generall confession of all his life with a Father of the Society before his departure he remained there expecting what would be the euent of these troubles with intentiō if God gaue him life to send after for his wife and both of them to dy togeather for the faith of Christ 5. When they went out of the Citty the Gentills did feare there would haue beene made some vprore by reason Don Iusto had so many seruantes freindes and wellwillers there and that all the world saw euidētly the manifest wrong and iniustice that was done to him and the rest and therefore they did arme themselues to preuent whatsoeuer might happen But he sent them word they needed not to feare saying That now he was not to fight with weapons as at other tymes they had seene him do but with patience and humility as the Law of God doth teach Many people did accompany them a little on their way some weeping to see such men that were a little before so rich and so esteemed in the Kingdome to go now out of it in banishment in pouerty and with officers to guard them not hauing done the least offence or committed any fault at all Others admyring to see such courage and constancy in them sayd Doubtlesse the Christian religion must needes be very good seeing that men of so good Iudgment vnderstanding as these be so wise noble and valiant do for it so little esteeme and so lightly regard their liues make so smal account of their goods honors estates 6. At the end of the first daies iorney it was told them that some were comming towards them with order to put them all to death the which when they heard with great ioy and gladnes they al setled themselues to their prayers without making the least signe of sadnes or shew of resistance in the world but rather when afterwards they vnderstood it was a false all-arme they were very sorry and grieued that it proued not so as it was reported 7. After ten daies iourney they arriued at Sacamoto three leagues from Meaco hauing endured much misery in the way passing ouer many high hills craggy mountaines full of snow which they could not go ouer but on foot and Don Iusto being so old as he was sicke withall was yet still the first ammating so much the rest that euen the children and yong damsells which neuer before knew what hardnes meant went with as great contentement ouer those mountaines dabling in the wet and trampling in the snow as if they had beene walking in stately Pallaces and pleasant galleries 8. Itacuradono vnderstood of their comming and fearing that if they should come into the Citty the Christians thereof would bee to much ēcouraged he wrote vnto the two Captaines that garded them that they should stay in Sacamoto vntill they had further order frō the Xogun It seemed vnto Don Iusto that their sentēce would be one of these three thinges eyther that they should be put to death there or els carried to Yendo Suruga and there made an end of with torments and disgrace or finally banished vnto diuers Kingdomes that so being separated one from the other they would assault them euery one by themselues to make them leaue their fayth telling them that the rest had conformed themselues and condescended to their will And this last he feared most of all by reason of the children and women that were among them least they therby might be circumuented for that cause he did preuent them with instructions bidding
them they should not giue any credit to such like false reportes and wishing thē also that thought they should heare that their owne parentes and all other Christians had denyed their fayth they should remanyne yet constant and perseuerant seeing that that was the only and secure way to saluation 9. At the end of thirty dayes there came a sentence from the Xogun that the men should be banished to Nangasaqui and that the women if they would might remaine in Meaco but that they should not carry any seruantes at all with them The women would not part from the men but went with them and in the iourney which did endure 20. dayes for want of seruantes and vpon other occasions they passed much misery and incomodity yet at length they ariued all at Nangasaqui and were there very well receaued 10. There were besides these diuers other principall Gentlemen banished frō Canozaua and sent to Tzugarum and in particuler Thomas Quiucan with his three sonnes who were men growne and also of good estates This Thomas was one of the principall Captaines of the prince of Bigen and of two other Kingdomes He had beene of the sect of Toequexus and so obstinate therein that although his sonns and freinds were most of them Christians yet was it not possible to make him leaue his Sect vntill it pleased Almighty God to open his eyes in the yeare 1600. by meanes of a Father of the Society But afterwards he became so feruorous and deuout a Christian that he was an example to them all He had a certaine faire Grange wherto he often retired to recollect himselfe to giue himselfe to prayer to read good bookes and do diuers kind of pennances Figendono did esteeme of him so-much that he made him one of the foure Iudges of all his Estate and for this cause greater were the assaultes that were giuen vnto him and his Sonnes but they defended themselues so manfully that they with three other Gentlemen rather chose to loose their goodes rentes and reuenues and to be banished out of their naturall soyle then to yeald in any the least thing against their fayth 11. In the same Citty there was a chiese Noble man who hauing diuers seruantes that were Christians did vse many perswasions to one of them that he would leaue it But he answered If it please your Lordship I am so conuinced with the force of the truth of our religion that it is impossible for me to leaue it neyther in being of it do I you any iniury at all but rather thereby an bound and obliged to serue you with more sidelity His Lord was so offended with this answere that he stroke him with his dagger and wounded him and meant to haue killed him with another blow and had done so had not some there held his hand and others taken away the valerous Champion of Christ who there vpon his knees stayed expecting and desiring it 12. In the Citty of Firoxima matters were carried after a calmer sort by reason that Fucuxima Tayudono Lord thereof and of the Kingdomes of Aqui and Bingo was a freind vnto the Christians and fauored the Fathers of the Society very much not only giuing them ample licence to make Christians in his Country but also being a Gentill himself gaue them a house and place wherein to dwell and part also of their maintenance and so by that meanes there were many worthy Christians in his Countryes But letting passe the fruit which those of the Society did in those and other neighbour Countries at that tyme. I will now only speake of that which passed there in the tyme of this persecution 13. In the beginning of February of the yeare 1614. Tayudono being at the Court of Yendo he wrote a very curteous letter vnto the Father that was superiour at Firoxima saying that he was very sory for their banishment but now it could not be remedied being so ordeined by the Xogun that he would be mindfull of them He also wrote vnto his Gouernors that they should send the Fathers withall courtesy to Nangasaqui and that as touching the Christians they should not medle with any but of the common sort and with those only for complement and fashion sake The Gentills there when they heard first the newes of the Fathers departure were very sory for it and came vnto thē to signify how much it grieued them for indeed they all did loue and esteeme them very much but therebeing no remedy one of the Fathers with others of their house remayned there secretly and the rest departed to Nangasaqui The Gouernors tooke from the Christians their beades pictures and Agnus Dei and put some of them into sackes as those of Meaco had beene and afterwardes making relation to Tayudono of what they had done and carring vnto him some of the Christians beades he said that they had done to much commanded the beades Agnus Dei and other thinges to be kept with reuerence as holy thinges 13. This Tayudono is one of the Princes of most Fame in all Iapone a notable warriour and a man of great resolution and courage in his businesses and because he had emulatours in the Court he wrote vnto foure of his Captaines that to giue contentment to the Xogun he desired them they would leaue their religion and that therein they should do him great seruice They answered that they desired much to dye in his seruice and that they were very sorry that in that matter which he demanded they could not giue him contentment For that setting a side that which was the principall to wit their fayth to God their Religion and Saluation euen in morall honesty and worldly honour being so knowne for Christians as they were they could not now pull backe their feet but that it would be a base and dishonorable thinge and a signe of a false hart cowardly mind neyther would any men of worth if they should goe from their fayth euer afterward put any trust or confidence in them That which they could and would do was to be carefull whilest they remayned with him in the Court not to make any exteriour shew of their being Christians by which any hurt or damage might come vnto him and that if this were not sufficient they their wiues and children were prepard rather to dy then to do any thing against the profession of their Fayth It was thought that Tayudono would haue been much offended with this answere but he did dissemble the matter rather esteeming them the more for it 14. This Prince had a Christian page who was much molested by other pages to make some signe that he was no Christian and to this end they feigned that his Lord did send vnto him for his beades and Agnus Dei but he would not deliuer them by any meanes wherewith they being much vexed to bring him into discredit with his Lord they tould him how they had now drawne him to deny his faith
had forbidden al Gentlemen and souldiers to be Christiās he could do no lesse then what was requested yet was he content that Tradesmen and common people should be so still and that he therefore desired them to send him a note of all the Gentlemens names that were Christians 3. The Fathers gaue him thankes for the fauour he shewed them but as concerning the note of the Gentlemens names they desired he would pardon them being so that they could not do it because it was a sinne and that they comming thither only with intention to make Christians if they should giue any such note as he required of thē it would be to pull downe with one hand what they set vp with the other and not to be true and faythfull to those that put confidence in them He sent another tyme to vrge them that they would giue it but they answering with good and curteous speaches resolued in no case to giue it although it should cost them all their liues Whereupon Chicuyendono desisting from his enterprise medled only with some that were publikely knowne Christians 4. The yeare following 1613. he went to the Court to visit the Xogun according to their custome euery new yeare and there vnderstanding that the Xogun was disgusted with him for fauouring the Fathers he wrote vnto Father Prouinciall of the Society that the Fathers should depart to Nangasaqui and that the Churches must be pulled downe to giue satisfaction to the Xogun but yet that he would be content that they should visit the Christians of his country secretly and so they did and no otherwise For although these Lordes or Princes of Iapone be great and potent Personages and well affected to religion yet the Xogun being opposite and contrary they cannot nor dare not resist him and so the best way was secretly to do what good they could Within a short tyme after arose the persecution at Facata It was there proclaimed that all the Christians should come together to a certaine place before a Temple whither being come they vrged them very much and to terrify the Multitude with the example of a few and shew themselues punctuall and exact in performing the Xoguns command they determined to vse some rigour with Thomas Xozayemon and Ioachim Xinden who were more forward then the rest 5. This Thomas was very feruorous in animating the Christians with his exhortations example of pennance mortification to perseuerance in their faith Ioachim for his vertue and good life was much knowne and beloued of all the principal persons of the Country He was a Father vnto the poore and being a Phisitian he cured them of almes No diligence was left vndone to moue and make them accomodate themselues vnto the tyme but they answering that in no case they could do it were presently sent to prison and there bound with cordes very strait vnto two postes but seeing that therewith they were not ouercome Chicuyendono comanded that they should be both of them hanged vpō a certaine tree neere vnto Facata and so left there vntyll they did deny their fayth 6. Vpon the 13. of March they did hange Ioachim vpon the tree which was a very high Pyne his feet vpward and his head hanging towards the ground And in the same tree they did also hange Thomas in the same manner but something below Ioachim and being in that terrible torment they did animate one the other with great ioy and alacrity Remember Brother Thomas sayd Ioachim that which our blessed Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ did suffer for vs vpon the Crosse and let vs giue him thankes for this fauour that he sheweth vs in suffering something to his imitation on a tree And although wee vnworthy yet in some respect wee do resemble S. Peter who was crucified with his head downeward I was euen thinking so sayd Thomas the consideration thereof doth ease my paine which is nothing to that which I do desire to suffer for Christ 7. The day following there was great concourse of people to see them some of the Gentills saying to Ioachim that they wondered he would be so obstinate as to suffer so great a torment for a thing so vncertaine as saluation is after a while he āswered I held my peace a while as being busied with God not much regarding men but not to seeme discourteous and because they may not thinke that we do repent our selues I pray you tell me one thing Those that haue receaued so many benefits honours and fauours of Chicuyendono as many of you that be present haue done if they should be brought to such extremity that eyther they must loose their liues or els bee disloyall vnto him would they not choose death and whatsoeuer affliction els rather then to be traytors vnto their Lord How then can wee being Gods creatures and hauing receaued so many benefitts of him as he hath bestowed vpon vs deny him now for all the tormentes that be or can be inslicted vpon vs With this answere the auditors were al conuinced and both Christians and Pagans did commend it much 8. Three dayes well nigh did those two holy men remayne in that manner hanging by the heeles not hauing so much as one bit of meat or drop of water giuen them all that tyme. At the end thereof the Officers still seeing them remaine so constant as they were did let them downe and caused them to be fast bound imediatly to a ladder which had a peece of wood put through it in forme of a Crosse A Christian asked them how they did Ioachim answered I suffered much when I was a souldier but such paynes as at this tyme I neuer felt before for it seemed to me that I was sawed through all my body but I conforted my selfe considering that al my tormentes were nothing compared to those which Christ suffered for me I did apply my paines to his in satisfaction of my sinnes Chicuyendono seeing their constancy and that with so prolonged and cruell a torment they could not be made to change their mindes gaue order that they should be beheaded which sentence being giuen they were imediately taken carried to execution to a place that was something distant thence Ioachim could not mooue himselfe and so he was carried thither vpon souldiers backes and Thomas went on foot both of them replenished with ioy and gladnes When they were come vnto the place hauing prayed a little space the executioner out of their heades they in the meane time often repeating the holy name of Iesus Their bodies and heades were conueyed to Nangasaqui giuen to Father Prouincial of the Society of Iesus Their holy death was a great encoragement to the Christians as their liues had also beene an example alwaies vnto thē A Bonzo preaching in that Citty soone after their death said in his Sermō to those of his sect Those men questiō lesse were of great valour there can be no doubt but that they are
saued seeing they suffered so much and with so great quiet and contentment for their faith 9. When Michael Saymoendono was Lord of Aquizuqui through his great zeale and feruour he was the occasion that more then fiue thousand of his seruantes souldiers and tenantes were baptized in the space of two yeares by meanes of the Fathers of the Society After his death the Estate was wholy changed only the husbandmen and cōmon people remayning therein who were committed to the charge of an old Bonzo a great enemy of the Christians He called them all vnto him and commanded them to write their names in a paper whether they would be Christiās or no and finding that the most of them did subscribe that they were Christians and would so continue he was much troubled thereat and publiquely gaue out that they meant to rise in rebellion Whereupon there came thither from the Castle of Fucuoca fiue Captaines with 300. souldiers who although they saw euidently that the report was false yet did they enter into their howses tooke away their beades pictures and other such like thinges which bare any shew of things belonging any way to Christian profession and not content therewith some they punished with tortures others they banished and therin though some shewed weaknes feare and frailty yet others and the greatest part stood stedfast with notable cōstancy of which the Gentills would take no notice but without all reason and examination of particulers did publish that they had all denied their fayth and so they exercised their fury only vpon Matthias Xichirobioye who was one of the formest in subscribing that he was a Christian and as it seemeth soreseeing that which would ensue did therefore assoone as he retorned home begin to prepare himself to dy for the same 10. Vpon the 14. of March the Gouernor sent some vnto him to perswade him not to be so obstinate nor to animate others to be disobedient to their Superiours and they entred into his house very violently and by force tooke away his beades from him the which grieued him very much for the present he reputing it as great a disgrace as if they had taken his weapons from him but after a little consideration he sayd vnto them The Fayth of a Christian doth not consist in his beades nor pictures but in the mind in the constāt profession thereof which by the grace and help of God I meane to do before the Gouernor and Captaines in part I haue done as may bee seene by my subscription which already I haue giuen They seeing that they were not able to preuayle with him went vnto the Gouernors Leiftenant who presently sent for him and he being set downe to dinner when the messenger came for him rose vp imediately without eating any thing with great ioy saying Let vs go for with the helpe of God I shall go now where I shall not need to eat any more 11. The Leiftenant asked him if he had giuen his name that he was a Christian and that he would not obey the Xogun To which he answered resolutely yes and that he was in that mind still and that they needed not to proceede further with him in more questions and demandes for that hee would not change from that for all the goodes of the world There they made him expect a while till they had examined some others and then they carried him to Aquizuqui where the Gouernor and Captaines were and in the way passing by an Idoll called Fachima which is the Idoll of Warre they threw him downe vpon the groūd beat him cruelly perhapps because hee would not worship it putting a rope about his necke and pulling it so hard that he was almost strangled therewith and could scarcely speake yet as well as he could he desired them they would flacke it a little that with better quiet and attention he might cōmend himselfe to God in that little time he thought he had to liue they answered him that seeing he had willfully put himselfe therin he must now haue patience You say very well said he for since I suffer this for the loue of God it is great reason I should endure it patiently Afterwardes they offered him to loose the rope a little but he would not saying Let me alone for I desire to suffer something for Christ in this little remaynder of my life 12. Being brought before the Iudges they asked him why he was so stiffe and obstinate in his opinion He answered because there is meanes of Saluation in the fayth of Christ and none at all in any of the Sectes of Iapone and because I do belieue said he this to be the truth I will suffer for it willingly this and whatsoeuer els Yf it be so said they why did you deliuer your beades and subscribe your name that you left to be a Christian My beades said he were taken away from me by force and although therin doth not consist the being of a Christian yet was I grieued so much therewith that it cost me good store of teares I gaue my name vnto the Gouernour that I am and alwaies will be a Christian and if there be any other contrary to this it is not myne but falsly forged For that I haue neyther said nor written any thing contrary to it nor euer will de by the grace of God Hereupon they thrust him out of the roome with great disgrace and reuyled him exceedingly saying among other thinges that a man so peruerse and obstinate as he could not be a good subiect to his Prince and so they adiudged him to death and imediatly he was carried to the place of execution whither he went praying all the way and being come thither he said aloud that all might heare I dye most willingly with great content and ioy for the fayth of Christ. Then he made a short prayer which being ended they cut off his head It was proued in the Authenticall processe which was made of his death that he pronounced the holy Name of Iesus three seuerall tymes after his head was cut off and the third tyme it was heard more distinctly then the rest the which caused great admiration in the standers by His holy head and body were carried afterward to Nangasaqui and there layd in the Church of the Society of Iesus of All-Saintes where likewise be the bodies of many other holy Martyrs Of the great Constancy of the Christians of Arima and how they prepared themselues to Martyrdome CHAP. XI ARIMADONO perceauing that with the torments banishmentes and martyrdomes before rehearsed the Christiās were rather more and more encouraged then otherwise and that the fyre wherewith some of them had been burned did seeme to inflame the rest in feruour and deuotion fearing least for that cause he should loose his Estate and being deluded by some that desired to succeed him in it he sent vnto the Xogun to intreat he might be changed to another Kingdome where he might haue
no medling with the Christians because the more he did torment them the more constant did they shew themselues so that now he knew not what to do with them Before an answere to his Letter came he heard the newes of what had passed against the Christians in Meaco and thereaboutes and thereupon he caused those Churches which as yet remayned standing to be ouerthrowne 2. Some Gentills did perswade him that the best meanes to make them yeald was to cause their wiues and daughters to be caried naked through the streetes to their publike shame And so it was determined wherewith the Christians were exceedingly troubled and afflicted Some of them were of opinion that the best course in that occasion was to shut vp all the women into houses and that the men should keep them there and defend their honors with their liues rather then expose them to so vile and dangerous a punishment but after taking more mature aduice they sent the principall persons of the Confraternities vnto to Prince to desire him they might be punished with the ordinary tormentes of banishment beheading crucifying burning frying and the like and that they hoped they should take all with patience being suffered for the loue of God for the obteyning of their soules Saluation but that to vse so vnusuall and indecent manner of punishment as that which was determined would not be well thought of at the Court. 3. Vpon this the execution was differred and insteed thereof it was commanded that all those that would perseuere Christians should leaue the rentes they had Whereupon imediately Fifty noble Gentlemen did leaue all that they had with great courage and alacrity remayning poore without house lands or rents or any reuenewes in the world Wherewith Arimadono for that tyme was satisfied expecting the Xoguns answere and Safioyes returne who was the Chiefe author of all this wickednes and in the meane tyme the Christians prepared themselues more and more for Martyrdome those of the Confraternities renewing the oath which they had made to be firme and constant in their fayth doubling also their prayers and penances and making the prayer of sorty houres in diuers places They also sent for a Father of the Society to come vnto Arima who there in a very few dayes didheare the Confessions of more then 800. persons secretly and which is worthy of noting the very Children the eldest amongst them not being fifteene yeares of age had there made amongst themselues a Confraternity in the honor of S. Ioseph wherein they made their determination which in this manner they set downe in writing Although the persecutors do pull out our tecth and plucke of our nayles giue vs the torment of the water and burne vs aliue we will neuer leaue the fayth of Christ which we professe 4. After that Safioye was come to Arima he sent for the 12. Stewardes or Prefectes of the Confraternities They all went very ioyfully thinking doubtlesse that they were sent for to be put to death for their religion many also besides went with them to see if they could be partakers of their crownes the rest remayned at home preparing themselues for the same Being come Safioye made this speach vnto them Through your obstinacy in not obeying to your Lord Prince he is now in daÌ„ger to loose his estate whereas if you would leaue to be Christians as the Xogun commandeth both he and you might remayne in peace and quietnes in your Country Consider well of it and know for most certaine that if you do not conforme your selues he will loose his estate and you shal be persecuted exceedingly To this speach of Safioye one of the Christians there present answered in the name of all the rest My Lord we need not consider nor consult concerning this Matter seeing that long ago we haue beene resolued therein As concerning the conseruation of Arimadono his estate it dependeth not vpon our being or not being Christians for that being so we shall be both more faythfull and more obedient vnto him then otherwise And as we awayes haue beene to his Father Don Iohn so will we be to him ready to serue him both with our goodes and liues But as concerning those thinges which touch the saluation good of our owne soules there is no reason that any force or violence should be offered vnto vs. If it be the pleasure of Superiour powers to take away Arimadono his estate from him because we be Christians we shall be very sory for it but haue no fault at all therein for we cannot put in hazard the saluation of our soules which is for euer to endure for an estate or life that is so short and brittle and so soone to haue an end as this 5. Notwithstanding this answere Safioye commanded them they should go and consult better vpon the matter among themselues and after they had well considered they should resolue what best they thought to do and declare playnely whether they would obey vnto the Xogun or no and leaue this obstinate cleauing vnto this new religion which the Fathers teach and preach 6. In Cuchinotzu which is not far from thence the Christians who 〈◊〉 very ancieÌ„t euer since the time of Father Cosmo de Torres companion of the Blessed Father Xauier made the same preparation and oathes among themselues that the others had done Safioye vnderstanding thereof sent for fiue of the chiefesâ— and made vnto them a speach like to that which he made vnto the others although something more vehement and with greater promises and they gate him the same answere that the Christians of Arima before had done and that many yeares ago they had made their resolution 7. Safioye was much offended with their constancy and sayd that seeing they were so obstinate in their opinion that he would giue notice thereof vnto the Xogun and that without all doubt if they did not obey Arimadono would loose his estate they be tormented cruelly and their wiues and children made slaues For the Xogun would haue his will whatsoeuer came of it We should be glad sayd they wee could conserue Arimadono his estate with our goodes and liues but if it cannot be otherwise done but by deâ—ying of our Fayth wee cannot do it and willing we shall bee to loose all wee haue for Christ and for the saluation of our soules As for obeyng the Xogun we will do it willingly in thinges that do not concerne â—ur Fayth 8. These fiue being returned to Cuchinotzu the feruour of the Christians there increased so much that whereas before there were but an 100. in the CoÌ„â—raternity now there entred therin 400. more all of them making protestation tody for their religion yea some Gentills also moued with their example were baptized with the same purpose and desire and many Christians which before had shewed themselues but frayle and weake were thereby confirmed and reduced to the fayth 9. Safioye went soone after to Nangasaqui and from thence
the Gentlemē also there were diuers whome he tempted proued oftentymes to see if they were truly firme and constant in their fayth or no and they were of the very principall about him and such as were in greatest fauour with him for he tooke great content to be serued and accompanied with men of valour and constancy as indeed they were for they did plainely signify vnto his greatest fauorite to the end that it might come to his notice that the first tyme their Lord did send a Message vnto them to leaue their fayth and religion he should ioyntly therewithall send some that might cut off their heades or put them to some other death for that they were not willing to shew themselues discourteous vnto him as it might be they might seeme if they came to be questioned about their religion for the which they were resolued to suffer any thing yea and finally to spend their bloud and giue vp their liues Of the Glorious Death of Adam Aracaua and of the Christians of Xiqui and Conzura CHAP. XII THE Ilandes of Xiqui or Amacusa and Conzura are part of the Kingdome of Fingo They did first belong vnto Don Augustino Tzun◠Camidono in whose tyme all the Inhabitants thereof were Christians baptized by the Fathers of the Society but after his death which was in the yeare 1600. they were giuen vnto Ximadono who put therein certaine Gouernours who although Gentills yet did they shew much fauour vnto the Fathers who vsed to visit them now and then for the keeping and conseruing thereof 2. When the newes of this persecution came vnto Ximadono he being then in the Kingdome of Fixen where commonly he makes his aboad he wrote presently vnto the Fathers that he was very sory to heare of that new order made by the Xogun but that he could not choose but be obedient thereunto and that therefore he desired they would depart his country vntill they saw what would be the end thereof 3. Hereupon they al departed soone after to the griefe of the Christians yea and of the Gentills also who did loue them very much But because the Christians should not remayne without all comfort although none of the Fathers could remayne amongst them yet did they leaue with them a good old man called Adam who was the Porter of their house and because he had a sonne that dwelt there in the towne of Xiqui could with better colour stay In Conzura also there stayed another whose name was Soter of whose glorious Martyrdome mention shall be made in the 9. Chapter of the second part of this relation 4. Ximadono sent word vnto his Gouernours that he went vnto the Court and that from thence he would write what should be done with the Christiās but being in the way aduertised how rigorously they were dealt withall in Meaco he wrote againe vnto Xiroyemondone his principall gouernor of those Ilandes and to the rest that they should not leaue one Christian in them vnder paine of loosing their estates yea and their liues also for that the Xogun had so commanded it The Gouernour vsed great diligence in the busines and after some tyme signified vnto Ximadono that there were now no Christians in the Ilands which he did it being most false because he bare no hatred but rather good affection towardes them thought therby to cōply sufficiently with the Xogun to whose command they would seeme to haue obeyed for feare of incurring his disgrace 5. Adam the good old man in the meane tyme went vp and downe visiting the Christians in their howses and animating them The Gouernour hauing intelligence thereof gaue command he should be taken that diligence should be vsed to perswade him to forsake his Fayth He hearing of it lifted vp his handes to heauen gaue many thankes to God and would not absent himselfe as some aduised him but went directly to his sones house there to expect the combat hoping for it afterwards to haue a crowne in heauen Thither came many Gētills that were his freinds to perswade him al they could but he with corage of mind did āswere them in this māner Are you not ashamed to perswade me to so base a thinge for a man of my age and that haue beene so many yeares a Christian Although it were only for worldly respect I cannot now go backe hauing serued the Fathers so many yeares receaued so many benefitts at their handes and I do remayne heere to do my lest endeauour that the rest of the Christians remayne constant in their faith how cā I leaue it my selfe Tell them that sent you and set you on worke that in this only busines I must neyther regard the Gouernour nor Ximadono nor the Xogun himselfe but only God Almighty who is my Lord and Sauiour 6. The same perswasions were made him by all the officers but he being nothing at all moued there with nor seeming much to regard them they tooke and carried him prisoner vnto the Castle vpō the Thursday before the holy Week wherewith he seemed exceeding glad because he said it was so neere the tyme of the passion of his Sauiour and Redeemer The Gouernour commanded that they should put him all that night in the prison and in some paine to see if therewithall he would be brought to change his determination but seeing in the morning no change at all in him he sent for him in presence of other Gentills he sayd vnto him Adam you knowe well inough the great loue that I alwaies did beare vnto the Fathers and that I beare no euill will vnto your religion but it is the Xoguns command and Ximadono hath signified vnto me that he will make me be put to death if I suffer so much as one only Christian to remayne in his Country let me intreat you therefore you would dissemble a little for the present and not to go animating the rest 7. Of your loue to the Fathers said Adam I am a good witnesse and they I know will neuer cease to be thankefull for it But in this matter seeing it is a thing that doth concerne the saluation of my soule I cannot bee obedient to you therein Your worship sayth that you persecute the Christiās against your will only because you would not loose your estate and life and I because I would not loose the estate of euerlasting life am determined to perseuer vnto death in the faith of Christ. If I for obeying you should be damned to the eternall torments of hell fire neyther your Worship nor the Xogun with al his power could deliuer me from them although yee could yet haue I receaued so many benefites of my Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ that I cannot without most base ingratitude cōmit so vile an act as to leaue his fayth Your Worship therefore may do with me as you please for neyther will I my selfe leaue my religion nor yet perswade any other to do it 8. The Gouernour
such tyme as another Pastor should be appointed and for that respect as also for the obligation of the common good of all the Christians of Iapone he determined with the aduice and counsaile of the rest of the religious to send vnto the Court Father Iames Mesquita of the Society who had beene a long tyme Rector of the Colledg of Nangasaqui was well acquainted with the Safioye to deale with the Xogun and to giue him information of the truth of all matters The Father went and did his best endeauours but the Safioye himselfe being the Chiefe sticler in the busines gaue him answere that it was not possible to haue audience in that matter because the Xogun was already fully resolued that not so much as one of all the Fathers should remayne in all the Country and therewith he comanded him imediatly to returne to Nangasaqui where all did prepare themselues to the conflict no lesse then in other places vsing to that end al spirituall meanes they could now that there was no hope in humane diligence 5. In the Colledge of the Society comonly there were wont to be before this persecution began foure thousand Cōmunicants and more in euery of the principall feastes of the yeare but now there was much greater concourse both of those that dwelt within the Citty as also of those that came from abroad and liued in other places Scarce were there any that did not make in this occasion a general confession of al their life thereby to prepare themselues the better to Martyrdome many both men and women made themselues new clothes therein to signify the gladnes and willingnes of their mindes to suffer death or any tormentes for their faith as also to receiue them therein with more decency To the end that al might be holpen and sufficiently instructed in this occasion this dōe with the least note possible was appointed in euery street one house where the people commonly met togeather to make the prayer of Fortie-howres six or seauen Preachers going out of the Colledge euery day thither to make them exhortations and instruct them how they ought to behaue themselues in the confession of their faith in their tormentes and in Martyrdome it selfe and in these places inumerable were the praiers fastes disciplines and other pennances which were done to that end 6. Whilest they were thus busied imployed there came letters from the Xogun that all the religious persons and those that were banished for their religiō should find ships at their owne charges to go out of the Country the October following the which newes did increase both the griefe and the feruour of the Christians who were all distributed into diuers Confraternities thereby the better and with greater vnion to helpe one the other as indeed by that meanes they did exceedingly But because it is an easy matter through zeale feruour to grow to some excesse therefore the Fathers tooke great care to counsayle them they should behaue themselues in such sort that they did not exasperate the Gentills nor giue them occasion to report that the cause of the persecution was some mutiny or rebellion on their parts and not only because they would not deny the fayth of Christ and particulerly they did procure that certaine writings which they made amongst themselues and subscribed with their names what they would do in case that the Fathers were put out of Iapone and themselues forced to deny their fayth should be done in that manner that the Gentills should haue no colour to calumniate them the which was a matter of very great importance confequence 7. The feruour of the Christians increasing dayly more more came at lēgthto that passe that not cōtented with their secret penances they began without euer consulting the Fathers therein to make open processions in the streets doing therein many publike penances About the beginning of May they made one or two all of them disciplining themselues therein and vpon the twelfe day of the same moneth there went one out of the Church of All-Saintes with diuers kindes of penances in which there were about a thousand penitentes some carryng heauy crosses on their backes others being loaden with chaines of Iron others fiercely disciplining of thēselues and the like in this manner visiting all the Churches of the towne asking with weeping eyes mercy at God Almighty his handes and diuers children went in their company singing the letanies with such deuotion as moued euen the hardest harts to melt with sorrow and their eyes to shee l aboundant teares In this manner they went continuing their procession vntil there were neyther street nor Confraternity in al the towne that did not make one or two at the least 8. Within the Octaues of Pentecost there were made two very solemne processions the first was ordered by the Fathers of S. Dominickes Order and therein were an exceeding number that did discipline themselues and diuers with ropes tyed to their neckes and crownes of pricking thornes vpon their heades The second was directed by the Fathers of S. Auguflines Order in which there were some 500. persons all clothed in purple weedes carriyng heauy crosses on their backes besides diuers others that went disciplining of themselues so that there was not scarce any one person in all the Citty man womā nor Child that did not some once some twice some thrice go in these processions doing som pennance or other therin all with intention to moue Almighty God to mercy towardes them and to shew the desire they had by this meanes to prepare themselues to suffer some thing for the loue of Christ For conclusion of all Father Prouinciall of the Society did appoint that a solemne procession of the blessed Sacrament should be made in the Colledge vpon Corpus Christi day the which was accordingly performed with very great solemnity cōcourse of people and denotion and after it the prayor of 40. houres was kept publikely there being Sermons made both in the morning and afternoone wherin the people were so moued to deuotion to sighes and teares that the Preacher at length could scarce be heard for them all which put many in good hope that God would heare their cryes and prayers and eyther tye the handes of those that were their enemies or giue them force and strength to get the victory 9. This feruorous māner of proceeding and to see moreouer that the Christians made so small account of temporall thinges did cause such an amaze in the seruantes of Safioye who were Gentills that they wrote forthwith vnto their Lord who was now comming from the Court signifiiyng vnto him that the Citty was all in an vprore all vnyted together and resolued not to obey the Xogun nor to let the Fathers depart the country paynting out the matter in the worst manner that they could and aduising him he should be carefull and consider how he came If these letters had come to Safioye his owne handes it had beene
an easy matter to haue informed him of the truth and pacified all but the Messenger missing of him in the way went directly vnto the Court of Surunga and gaue them to a sister of his who was in great league with the Xogun and she being a wicked woman a Gentill and an enemy to the Christian fayth went weeping with them vnto the Xogun and related the matter in such manner as though doubtlesse her brethren were both of them slaine already at Nangasaqui Wherewithall the Xogun was so moued to anger and indignation that laying his hand vpon his sword he swore that if Nangasaqui were neere hand he would go thither himselfe in person and put it all to sword and fire And fearing least Safioye alone could not be able to rule the Christians and bring them to due order and obedience he commanded that Surungadone one of the principall Captaines which he had in Fushimi should go thither with all his souldiers and gathering together all the rest thereabout that were needful should execute that there which should be thought most fitting and expedient How the Fathers of the Society of Iesus were banished the Churches of Nangasaqui destroyed CHAP. XV. SAFIOYDONO at his arrinall at Nangasaqui vpon the 23. of Iune hauing by the way done that in Arima which we mentioned in the 9. Chapter saw that all was quiet without any mutiny or rebellion at all and that the feruour which the Christians had shewed was only to aske mercy at Gods handes and shew that they were ready to suffer and giue their liues for Christ Within two daies after his comming he sent word vnto Father Prouinciall of the Society to the Superiours of the other Religious Orders and vnto the Secular Priestes that they should all make prouision for shipps in tyme for that not one of them whether he were stranger or free-Denizen should stay in the Country no not so much as any of the youthes of the Seminary the which caused a generall sorrow in all the Christians although the newes which imediately came vpon it that the ship of traffique of the Portugals was safely arriued from China thither did not only ioy the Gentills but also gaue some comfort vnto them for they hoped that vpon this occasion the Gentills through the great desire they haue to traffique with the Portugalls would wincke at them at least for a tyme especially it being most certaine that the Xogun himselfe had shewed great contentment when he heard thereof and commanded that all fauour and kind vsage should be shewed both to the Captaine and his Company 2. Hereupon Father Prouinciall delt with the Captaine and he very willingly offered himselfe to goe vnto the Court to intreate of the Xogun that at the least he would permit one Church in Nangasaqui as the Portugalls Spaniardes that liue there and go and come with their shipps had euer had and it was thought the best course to intreat Sasioyedono to ioyne with the Captaine in this petition to the Xogun because otherwise infallibly it would be crossed and neuer take effect Whilest they were busy in this consultations Surungadono came with his souldiers from the Court to Nangasqui and thinking to haue found all the Country in Rebellion as it was reported there he found no signe at all of any such thing wherewithall he shewed himselfe much disgusted and Safioyedono was no lesse with his comming thither Whereupon they sent new information vnto the Court but neyther true nor fauourable towardes the Christians both because they knew the Xogun could not endure theÌ„ was resolued to destroy the Christianity of al his Countries and also because they would not contradict one the other nor rayse any disgust or discontent among themselues for of this and their owne interest the Gentills of Iapone haue allwaies â—hore regard then eyther of reason or â—ustice equity or Conscience 3. Both Safioye and Surungadono were vnwilling that the Captaine of the Portugal ship should go vnto the Court â—aying that it would be an occasion of a greater breach if the Xogun should not graunt as they thought he would not â—hat which the Captaine in persoÌ„ should aske of him and that it were far better â—o send an embassage vnto him with a present the which although for this yeare perhapps it would not do much good yet would it be a disposition for the yeare following when his anger was once past to get a grant of what they desired There was no remedy but to follow their counsay le because it was impossible that any thing could haue successe which was against their good liking so thereupon foure or fiue Portugalls of good estimation were sent vnto the Court and hear caster wee shall signify what effect their iourney had 4. In the meane while Safioy 〈◊〉 not only sollicite the departure of 〈◊〉 Fathers by meanes of his own messageâ— but also forced the Gouernours of thâ—â— Citty and the most substantiall men 〈◊〉 euery street to enter into obligation 〈◊〉 to consent that any of the Fathers should remaine secretly hidden vnder paine 〈◊〉 their liues confiscation of their goods and bondage of their wiues and children The hope that the Fathers had that they might remaine at least some of them in Nangasaqui and from thence by little and little go recouering that which they had lost did something mitigate the sorrow which they conceyued for theâ—â— Churches lost and for the euill vsage of the Christians But now seeing themselues frustrate of that hope and that â—â— force they must forsake leaue desolate so many soules which for so long tyme they had guyded towards heauen and instructed in the knowledge and true seruice of Almighty God with so great labour care trauayle and paines did wound their very heartes with griefe which was also much increased seeing he teares and hearing the lamentations â—f those good Christians which continually came vnto them whilest they remayned there the which was now to â—e but a very little while for at that very tyme there came from the Court the â—nall resolution of all which was that although the Xogun had receaued the Embassage of the Portugalls and promiâ—ed them all fauour in such thinges as concerned their trade and traffique yet â—â— for other matters concerning the stay â—f some of the Fathers in Nangasaqui â—here was no remedy saying that by â—nly granting or permitting them one Church thereon other occasions heretofore they had by that meanes entred aâ—aine into all the Countries of Iapone and that therefore now he would see â—â— hee could put them out for good and all 5. There were in all Iapone 22. Priestes and fiue lay brethren of the holy order of S. Dominicke S. Franci and S. Austine seauen secular Priestes Iapoman borne and foure or fiue of other infenâ—â— our Orders Of the Society there were 117. Fathers and Brothers besides that in their Seminary they had coÌ„monly 〈◊〉 younge youthes which they brought vp in learning and
Sauiours sake 7. Peter first animating his mother and his vncle Linus then spake vnto the Gentills in this manner I warne you all that no body do giue false subscriptions in our names that we leaue our fayth for if you do I will go presently to Meaco to giue notice thereof vnto the Gouernor and he will hold you for falsifiers when I shall tell him that we alwaies haue been are Christians-Linus being in his sacke and saying his prayers something aloude some of the Gentills did put a gag in his mouth of clouen canes and tyed it like a brydle about his chinne and although afterwardes moued with compassion they tooke it away yet he earnestly entreating them to let him haue it still they easily agreed thereto and let him so remaine for two whole dayes together One that was there present did much desire to make him relent and to that end he carried him to his house and there both he and his wife did intreat him eueÌ„ with teares that he would leaue his religion for two or three dayes only promising if he would do so not only to procure him life and liberty but that they would also giue him good store of moÌ„ey besides but he little regarding their offers tould them they labored in vaine and so they returned him againe to the prison with his brother Michael where they both of them remayned preparing themselues to dy for Christ and from thence they wrote some letters to their friends abroad full of humility and resignation into our Sauiours handes By this one of Linus his writing we may gather the manner of the rest 8. This I write from the prison when at this present I do remaine through the grace of the holy Ghost and although a wretched and miserable sinner yet hauing my hope confidence placed in the mercy of Almighty God I do most earnestly intreat you would pray for me vnto him our Blessed Lady all the Saintes and happy soules of heauen that I may perseuere vnto the end Although vnworthy yet was I put into a sacke and so remayned one day and a night because I would not deny my fayth and after that they put me in prison with my Brother Micael I am determined and resolued by the grace of God and the help of your good prayers to perseuere euen vnto death in the seruice of my Sauiour Once more I beseech you to pray for me vnto God to giue me perseuerance for I am a great sinner and haue no other confidence but only in his diuine goodnes This sixt of the sixt moone 9. After 7. dayes vpon the 13. of Iuly these two holy brethren were adiudged to be burnt aliue which was very joyfull newes to them in so much that when they were taken out of prison Michael said to Linus Is it possible that only we two be so happy as to dy for Christ desiring much that his Father wife and Children might be companioÌ„s with them in their crowne And in part Almighty God did satisfy his desire for that Officers taking his wife Maxentia â—ut of the sacke in which she yet remained they carried her to the place were he and his brother were to be burned to see if with the sight of their torments he would any thing relent she seeing her husband was exceeding glad hoping he should accoÌ„pany him in that happy â—eath In the way diuers Christians weÌ„t â—o meet them and saluted them with â—reat reuerence desiring they would â—ray for them vnto God As they passed â—y the place where Benets body was burâ—ed Michaell made a low reuerence â—her to as to a holy place They went all â—he way which was about a league are foote and one of their seruants offering them shoes they would not accept of them saying they rather desired that for that little space their feet might be cut and mangled with stones that so they might suffer something for the loue of God And Maxentia although she was a heauy woman not accustomed to go on foot and hauing beene foure dayes togeather bound vp in a sacke yet she weÌ„t barefoot all that way with so great contentment that the very Gentills did admire her 10. Comming to the place of execution they found three pillers of wood set vp whereat they were to be burned the which they imbraced then praied for the space of halfe an houre then the two brethren giuing their beades and reliquiaries vnto a Christian that was present because they would not haue them burned put of their vpper garmeÌ„ts and each of them betooke himselfe vnto his piller wher vnto being tyed and fire put vnto the straw and boughes and other dry wood about them Linus saying Iesus Maria and Michael reciting of his Creed both their eyes being lifted vp and fixed fast on heauen they gaue their happy soules vnto Almighty God 11. Whilest this was in doing there were some that earnestly importuned Maxentia that at least exteriourly shee would make some shew or signe to haue left the faith of Christ But she would not rather much desiring to dy for coÌ„fessing it making offer three seueral times to go into the fire but they stil deteyned her with a rope which they had in their hands fast tyed vnto her necke and being not yet altogether out of hope to make her yeald they carried her to a howse thereby where they perswaded her most vehemently But she still answering that she was resolued and that to vse perswasions to her in that matter was but labour lost they carried her backe againe to the place of Execution where a soldier putting his sword twice vnto her throat fiersly threatned to kill her if she did not yeald whereat she said This is a goodly threat inaed seeing there is nothing that I do so much desire as to giue my life for the loue of God If you should tell me that you would deliuer me and set me fre that were the greatest thing that you could threaten me for I hauing seene my husband dy with such valour and courage for his Lord and God how can I enioy life but with great sorrow griefe and affliction 12. Which being said she tooke her haire that hung down vpoÌ„ her shoulders and backe and cast it before to the end it should not hinder the blow of the axe and then with an inuincible courage bidding the executioner do his office calling often vpon the B. Names Iesus and Maria she held out her head whilest he did cut it of They burned her bodie presently which being done they tooke the ashes together with those of her husband and his Brother Linus and put them into sackes as also the earth of the place of their Martyrdome cast them into the deepest place of all the riuer because the Christians should haue nothing at all of them no not of the earth where they suffered to reuerence as reliques although there wanted not some that afterwards found meanes to get some of them