fourth the younger sister called also Mary eleuen yeares old who were all beheadeth in the same manner by the handes of principall men of the Gentils hauing first praied and called vpon the holy names of Iesus Maria. Then came the happy and magnanimous mother Grace who seeing with the eyes of liuely faith her two yoūg daughters so well placed esp oused to the true spouse of their soules Christ our-Sauiour and her sonne Linus so rich with heauenly merites yeelded infinite thankes to the diuine Maiesty for so great benefits and then kneeling down with her daughter in law whose name was also Mary both of them inuoking the sweet name Iesus Maria cheerfully offered their heades to be cut of the mother in law being of the age of fifty yeares and the daughter in law of nineteene After these presently followed two woemen-seruants the one called Cecily the other Mary and a little child by name Michaell onely three yeares old which being not capable of feare left him who had brought him thither in his armes and went to Cecily this mother seated in the place where she was to dy she tenderly embracing her little one and deuoutly calling vpon Iesus and Mary was beheaded by a seruant of the Tono who at two blowes cut off the heades first of the mother then of her innocent child The last was the other seruant Mary who nothing daunted with the bloody spectacle of so many headlesse bodies fell downe vpon her knees and with much tendernesse of deuotion imploring the assistance of Christ Iesus and his Virgin Mother bowed her head to the bloody sword and made vp the number of nine glorious martyrs being of the age of two and twenty yeares The seruants of God hauing thus happily triumphed ouer death the Paynims couered their dead bodies with mattes but coming to couer Mary the wife of Gabriel they perceiued that her head was not quite of yea that she still called vpon Iesus Maria so were those blessed names imprinted in her pious hart that her head being almost deuided from her body and she more dead then liuing ceased not to inuoke them vnlesse we will say that after death for confusion of those Gentiles God the Creatour of all spoke by the mouth of his dead scruant The Paynims were much amazed at this sight yet nothing relenting in their cruelty beheaded a new the twise happy martyr and wrapping all the bodies in their seuerall mattes then tying a great stone to each of them cast them into the sea so to preuent the Religious veneration which the Christians would haue giuen to their holy relickes All these seruantes of God were borne with in the state of Firando sixe of them in the Citty it selfe the two seruantes in the Iland Igisuqui and Mary the Wife of Gabriel at a place called Xixi Mary that old woman had been baptized at womans estate was one of the first which receiued the Sacrament of Baptisme in Iaponia all the rest had been Christians from their craule their Fathers and grandfathers hauing been so before them The good old woman Mary was alwaies much giuen to deuotion and Almes-deedes Neither was Grace any whit behind her hauing moreouer a great zeale of soules which she euer shewed towardes the Christians of that Citty She was of the company of Mercy of which as being the head she had an especiall care and therfore procured diuerse waies to aduance Christianity and vertue She lodged our Fathers in her house for a long time she mortified her body with frequent disciplines and fasting euery friday and saterday thorough out the yeare she visited and comforted the sicke she assisted the poore in what she could at Christmasse and Easter she was wont to feast the Christians and with all to giue them good spirituall counsell It happened once vpon the Iaponians new yeares day that there dyed two sicke men one a Cittizen the other a strāger Grace came to know of it and without making any account of the Iaponians superstition who vpon that day will not so much as name the dead much lesse talke of burying them caused the Cittizen to be buried keeping the dead body of the stranger in her house for some daies to auoid the bruit of the Gentiles which afterwardes she buried in the Churchyard of the Christians When the Paynims came to know of this worke of mercy they commended it very much and ceased not openly to prayse the Christians for it The two daughters both Maries imitated very well their mother vertues and Linus was not inferiour to them Neither did Mary the wife of Gabriel come behind the rest and the two seruantes as well in good life as desire of dying for Christ might be compared with their mistresses Finally they all died for the faith of Christ vpon the third of March in the yeare of our Lord 1624. by commaundment of Massura Figendono Lord of Firando The death of fiue other Christians in Vsucca THe very day that the foresaid nine were put to death an old man of the age of seauenty sixe yeares by name Luke Morifebioye was be headed not farre from his owne house for that he constantly reiected two of the Tonos seruantes who perswaded him to deny his faith and his sonne of the age of forty leauen suffered death in like manner for the same cause and by the handes of the same executioner The same day an other old man of the age of fourscore and sixe called Anthony Girobioye inuoking the most blessed names of Iesus and Mary had his head cut off These three seruantes of God were natiue of the Iland Iquisuqui Luke in his old age leauing off worldly affaires as desirous to attend wholly to his deuotions retired himselfe to Vsucca There he instituted a Confraternity of S. Ignatius and as he was very zealous of the spirituall good of his neighbours made a separation in his house for our Fathers to come visit the Christians where he receiued F. Constantius which was a chief cause of his death Alexius the sonne followed his Fathers example in prouiding for the spirituall necessities of Christians for which cause he was made worthy to follow him also in suffering death for Christ. Antony had betaken himselfe to a retired life in the same place for the reasons which had moued Luke to his retirement He was an humble sincere and very charitable man he did not only visit the sicke but kept them also often times in his owne house therby to prouide the better for them he alwaies lodged our Fathers in his house and was ordinarily employed in the exercise of either spirituall or corporall workes of mercy in recompence wherof he was finally rewarded with the palme of martyrdom The day next ensuing after the death of these three was beheaded Mary the wife of Luke who being from home the day before at the time of their combat and returning at night vnderstood what had passed and presently resolued to go and present
perticulars which I could relate loaden with the merites of 22 yeares spent in Iaponia and 38 in the Society professed of 4. vowes the six and fifteeth of his age he was burned aliue for professing the faith of Iesus Christ. Brother Simon Iempo was borne in Nosu in the Kingdome of Fingo brought vp from a little one in a Monastery of the Bonzi and imbued in that tender age with the doctrine of Camu and Fotoqui God so disposed that the Bonzo his Master was conuerted vnto the faith of Christ and Simon following his exāple was baptised with some others at the age of 16. yeares at 18 he was admitted into the house of the Society as Dogicus or Alumnus and there liued with extraordinary satisfaction for fiue and twēty yeares full of good example and laudable behaviour his ordinary occupation was to helpe others in company of the Fathers by preaching teaching and reading vnto them spirituall bookes When as the Preachers of Gods word were banished into the Philippins Simon was of the number who the yeare after returned backe to Iaponia and finding the Christians sweating vnder the hearty burden of persecution it cannot be expressed with how much application he serued them The last six yeares of his life he imployed in the Prouinces of Quantom Oxu with still increasing labour and paines redoubled He assisted many Christians and conuerted many Infidels euen in the prison it selfe as hath been already set downe continuing a waies a faithfull companion vnto F. de Augelis in his Missions sparing no labours neither day nor night when occasion required He was euer desirous of two fauours from God one that he might be admitted into the Society the other that he might dy for the confession of his faith Both requestes were signed grāted he dying in flames at 43. yeares of age Howe foure and twenty Christians were put to death for the confession of Christian faith in the Citty of Iendo ALl this fire could not melt or molify the hardened hart of Xogun nor hinder from commaunding a new slaughter the 24. of December of 36. more men women some were burned others crucisied others cut in pieces in whose death many circumstances lay open the extraordinary hatred which he bare against our holy Faith Of these 36.24 were Christians the rest Gentils condemned either because they had lodged Christians in their house or answered for them to others Of the Christians 6 were burned aliue 5 women and one man 7 beheaded and crucisied The constancy of Mary Iagea the mother of Leo Faqucia Gonoxichi was aboue the rest remarquable who had lodged in her house Father Hierome de Angelis The gouernour bent all the forces of his wit to make her relent and therfore left nothing vnsaid which the Diuell could suggest him sometimes promising life otherwhiles threatening death then painting forth the dishonor which her children and husband would receiue a man so well knowne and so much made of in Court But Mary sleighted all answering that she could not but yeeld to a death which made her way to an eternall life and for the dishonors mentioned she esteemed them worthy the name of honors and therefore he should not need spend more wordes in this behalfe The assaultes were frequent but without effect and therfore she was condemned with the rest The day being come when this fatall sentence was to be executed this generous Matron bound vpon a horse marched formost with a smiling countenance vndaunted courage which strucke deepe admiration into the beholders Foure Christian woemē were the next that followed whose names are not yet come to our knowledge and then a man called Francis Cabe This was he who whilest the fifty aboue named were in the flames of Martyrdome went and declared himselfe to the Iudge professing himselfe to be a Christian After these followed eighteen little infantes so little that they knew not how to feare death and therfore they went sporting and playing and carrying in their handes such toyes as children passe their time with all A sight which drue teares euen from the Gentiles themselues Of these 18 sixteen were Christians Being come to the place appointed the first dispatched were these little ones against whom such barbarous cruelty was vsed that the onely rehearsall breeds horrour and amazement some they beheaded ther 's were clouen downe from the head to the foote others were cutt off by the midle others they held by one legge and hacked into seuerall peeces After this slaughter performed in the very eyes of the Christian woemen to strike the greater terrour into them eleuen men were crucified two of which were Christians the one Peter Ienzaimon the other Mathias Buneiemon the cause of their death was written in a table containing this That these men were punished with death for either letting their houses vnto Christians or answering for them to others Of which rancke were these two Christians who pearsed through with lances sent forth their last breath together with the sweet names of Iesus and Maria. This Matthias before this persecution had shewed some signes of weaknesse but going out of the prison he professed publickly before all that he was a Christian and in that quality desired to dy which he entreated the standers by to let the Xogun his Gouernours vnderstād The same was his declaration being now moūted vpon the Crosse To these mens handes being dead were fastned the heads of the little children slaine a little before Meane while the six Christians prepared for the flames with diuerse prayers and Litanies nothing daunted with these bloody spectacles Francis obeying the instinct of God became a Preacher animating his fellowes to suffer manfully and exhorting the lookers on to imbrace that faith which onely can stand with saluatiō Fier being put the Christians were seen with their eves fixed on heauen incessantly calling vpon those holy names of Iesus and Maria to giue vp their spotlesse soules not so much as shrinking or giuing the least signe of griefe or paine The cause of their death was set forth in a table saying These dy because they are Christians The two Gentills who were separated from the rest had also the cause of their death expressed for hauing lodged Faramonde against the Lawes All these ended their happy liues the 29. of December the same yeare by order of the same Xogun of Iende Of other seauenteen Christians burnt aliue in the Towne of Iendo for professing Christian Religion AMong the Gentills put to death the 24. of December one was a Page of the Xogun greatly in fauour for hauing let forth his house vnto Christians This exāple wrought so powerfully with the Gētils that streight they deferred to the Gouernour all the Obristians they knew and among the rest the wife of Laurence who was not summōd by the officers when her hushand was taken and with her twenty other Christians many of which were greatly assaulted but remained immooueable After six moneths imprisonment ten
other incommodities of the time The Father did his part to make sweet and easy the difficulties of the way by exhorting them to patience and constancy But aboue the rest was admired the courage of Leo who hauing had his leggs all squeesed with the torment outwent them all neuer shewing so much as the least signe of paine or feeling They had not gone farre when they met with an other Christian called Iulian Fiemon who declaring his profession made suite to be of the number and ledde to prison who obtained his petition to the no small comfort of the rest who hoped Almighty God would increase aswell their courage as their number Come at last to Xindai they were put into the common iayle by order from the Gouernour Suò being nine in number The Father desired much to haue spoken with the Suò to haue vndeceaued him but neither he nor any of the prisoners could euer obtainè to see him Before Father Diego and his came to Xindai many had been put to death with seuerall torments brought from seuerall parts The first who suffred in Xindai were Marke Cafroy and Mary his wife inhabitants of a certaine place calied Omura His officers comming vnto those parts certaine frindes of Marke not acquainting him affirmed to the persecutors that Marke and his wife were no more Christians they satisfied with this were already gone their waies when Marke and his wife vnderstanding how the businesse had been carried and therefore thinking thems lues bound to disclame from the imputation laied vpon them by discouering themselues and professing their faith openly before he officers left their house and gooes to the charge of certaine slaues and tooke a long iourney to ouertake the persecutours professe their faith though with losse of their liues Which they did accordingly neither could they be drawne from it by any meanes of persuasion They placed them both in publicke starke naked for the space of a whole day but this abating nothing their courage they were sent to Suò in Xindai who straight gaue order they should be burne aline being first ledde through all the streets of the towne with a trumpet before them declaring that these were so condemned for their obstinate professing of Christiā faith Whilst they were thus leade vp downe the towne towards the fier they met with new assaults life being profered them so they would yet relent but Marke answered in the name of both that no torments should euer take them frō the faith of Christ Thus came this happy couple vnto the place of execution where Marke bound to a stake with the sacred names of Iesus and Maria imprinted in his hart and lips rendred vp his soule a middest the flames the first of February 1624. Whilst Mary on the other side in the height of her torments melted into a shower of comfortable teares sweetly thanking the diuine goodnesse for hauing bestowed vpon her infinit benefits and this aboue the rest most deare vnto her For the confession of the same faith two more were burnt the Father and the sonne on seuerall daies the Father was called Andrew Camon and the sonne Paul Sancuro For the same cause another called Peter Chinzo gaue his head his body afterwards being cut into smale peeces On the 12 of February foure more were put to death Iohn Anzai a Physitian 60 yeares of age his wife also farr in yeares an other kinsmā called Andrew Icyomon and a seruant of Iohns called Lewis Andrew and Lewis were beheaded and their bodies after hacked in peeces But Iohn and Mary ranne a more difficult and glorious course First were they assaulted in their owne houses with threats and promises proceeding from their carnall friends and a bloody tyrant But Suò seeing his hopes deluded caused thē to be put into a great riuer which passed through the towne but many waters could not extinguish their Charity They suffred this torment with a merry countenance though in the deepest of Winter and a most bitter frost Now and then would they thrust them ouer head and eares bidding them deny their faith but all they could get from them was an absolute deniall So that dispairing to obtaine any thing this way they tooke them out of the riuer and naked as they were set them one horsebacke and led them through the Citty with a trumpet before thē declaring the cause of their punishment At the end of euery street they made thē comed wne from their horses and asked them a new whether they would deny their faith they persisting in the negatiue buckets of cold water were powred vpon them Thus passed they with incredible constancy through the whole Citty till they came to the chief street there being bound to the gates for in Iaponia euery street is shut in with railes they were exposed to the cruelty of all who cast so great aboundance of frozen water on them that nature yeelding they died in the midst of their torment with a deniall in there mouths loaden more with merits then with yeares leauing the Christians with comfort the Gen ils with confusion to lee such courage in an age so decrepit After these were beheaded Simon Ficoyemone Monica his wite and a son of theires whose name we know not These were put to death in Ioioma by commaund from the Lord of the place for professing Christian faith In Vsuquino one called Gaspar Ichniemon suffered the same death for the same cause It is now time to returne vnto F. Caruaglio his Companions whom we left in prison these vpon the 16 of February which is the last of the Iaponian yeare were taken out of iayle and led to a riuer which runs through the towne neare vnto which was a certaine lake paled about being round and filled with the water of the same riuer some two foote deep Here the prisoners being stripped naked and tyed each one to the stakes which were round about were compelled to sit downe in the water and there remained for the space of three hoares Meane while the tormented persons vsed no other language but this Iesus Maria Praised be the B. Sacrament Blessed be God for euer and 〈…〉 F. Diego encouraged them al not only by words but by example sitting in the water like a body of marble that felt nothing and when he left of exhorting his eyes modestly composed and as it were vanished in a profound contemplation left not of to preach Those who were present at this spectacle impior with compassion perswaded all they could those afflicted persons to abandon Christ but their answere was that they were ready rather to endure ten thousand torments Hereupon they turned their rage vpon the Father vomiting forth against him many iniurious threats doing him seuerall assrouts which he indured with incredible patience still animating his fellow patients Three houres being ended because the tyrant would not haue them die there they were drawne forth but in such pittifull plight that hardly could they moue a
yeare 1617 he made his profession of 4 vowes and was sent into Ofu he visited three seuerall times the Christians sent into banishment into Sungaru the last shire of Iaponia He went twice to Iezo and was the first Priest that euer saied Masse there He truailed ouer the kingdoms of Oxu and Deua taking the paines we haue else where specified speaking of F. de Angelis in the like occasion He was the first that resided in Aquita Xemboun where he planted in a manner what there was of Christianity here he had his part of a persecutiō raised against Christiās in which many were sent into banishment who perswading him to retire and to saue himself for the good of many he could neuer be induced to abandon his flock which likewise befell him at this time in the Country of Massamune He was infatigable in aduauncing and setting forward Christian Religion and to conclude he was endowed with extraordinary humility charity affability and other like vertues after 30. yeares spent in the Society and 15. in the mission of Iaponia abounding with merits he gaue vp his life for Christ the 46 yeare of his age In the countrey of Camofidadono one of the principall Lordes of the kingdom of Onu diuers Christians were sent into banishmēt others taken and some also newly conuerted shewed how fraile and weake mans nature is three hundred and threescore persons of age receiued baptisme before the persecution which proued to be so terrible that F. Iohn Matthew Adam of our Society had much a doe to hide his head or find sustenance necessary for life Of the persecution in the kingdome of Deud and the death of three Christians WHilst in the yeare 1623 the Xogun put so many Christians to death in Iendo there chaunced to be present in the court Yoxinobu Xataquedone Lord of the greatest part of the kingdome of Deua who fearing the displeasure of the Xogun gaue order vnto Fanyemon his chiefe Gouernour to make diligent inquiry after such Christians as were to be found in his estate and proceede with all rigour against them The Gouernour complyed so exactly with his charge that in a short space he cast into prison aboue two hundred and the greatest part persons of accoūt The first was a gentleman called Iohn Catauneme who being assaulted with all kind of stratagems persisted notwithstanding so constantly and preached Christian faith with such feruour to the standers by that they confessed themselues for conuinced and kept back from imbracing it with only feare This man had a little sonne of 7. yeares old whom he brought vp in this manner to make him constāt in his faith Be sure would he often say that thou vnder goe any death whatsoeuer rather then deny thy faith one day among the rest eare he was taken prisoner looking vpon his chile well saied he art thou resolued rather to be burnt aliue by the hande of the Iustice then to deny thy faith You Father replied the little one what doe you resolue vpon in the like case Why I would burne saith the Father So would I too answered the child I le try saith the Father whether thou be like to resist when occasion shall require Come hither take this burning coale into thy hande and keepe it till I bid the cast it away The childe opened his hand and the Father sayed in it a red hot coale which the child held in his hand till his Father bad him cast it downe though it had already burnt the skinne and singed the flesh His Father demaunding whether he found it hot One answered the child resolute to let himselfe bee burnt aliue as I am hath no great difficulty to hold a ceale in his hand for so short a space I his came to be knowne of both Christians and Gentills these were confounded and those encouraged to see so stronge an example in so weake a subiect With whole troupes of his friendes and kinsfolke was Iohn Fot Cauas Quiemon importuned for the space of 20. dayes who exhorted him at least in wordes to deny his faith But he true vnto Christ answered he would not doe it for all the gold in the world they called him mad-man but all in vaine wherefore despairing to preuaile with him they let vpon Lucy his wife who no lesse constant would not be drawne from her resolution with the consideration of goods children or her owne life and therefore Iohn being led to prison with his two sonnes she was left vnder guarde in her owne howse together with her lesser children as the custome was in the beginning of this persecution obserued towards woemen of quality One of these called Thomas being vnder age and therfore to haue stayed with his mother vsed so many stratagems that at length he found meanes to accompany his father to prison where he became a voluntary seruant of those imprisoned Confessours who were about some forty in number nor could any euer forbid him this worke of charity An other Christian called Alexius Moiemon being diuersly tempted assured them that not only the whole Citty of Cubota bet neither the Teno Ioxinoba though he came in person should be able to remoue him one inche from his faith He was not alone in this resolution but had many followers of which two were beheaded Lewys Tarogt and Mathew Xichyemon these two were in the seruice of a noble man in Iendo when the Christians were put to death and by him greatly solicited to deny their faith which he not obtaining put them out of his seruice giuing them warning not to goe to the kingdome of Deua but they desirous of a crowne of martyrdome went straight thither and obteined their desire and became with dying for Christ of seruants freemen the 7. of Febr. 1624. A certain young maide called Monica of 25 yeares of age was no lesse molested shee had serued some later yeares the wife of Sataquedone who as is mentioned else where not being able herselfe to receiue baptisme perswaded most of her seruants therunto of which Monica was one baptised by F. Diego Caruaglio Her mistresse though a gentill being sont into banishment for the lawe of Christ Monica was forced to leaue her and betake herselfe to the Citty of Cubota where she had many of kindred She grew so much in deuotion that to the end they might not importune her to marry she cut off her haire to giue her selfe more fully to Christian piety The Gouernour vnderstanding that she was Christian endeauoured by meanes of his owne wife to draw her back but Monica stood it out couragiously till one day the Gouernour in presence of many bid her resolue either to deny her faith or loose her head her answere was by stretching forth her neck and saying that her faith was dearer vnto her then her lise and in the saying her head was stroken off in the Citty of Cubota the yeare 1620. Notwithstanding all the troubles there haue been baptised in this kingdome three
effect brought him to the place of execution It is incredible with what ioy and gladnes he past on his way saying his beades and passing ouer a bridge where there was store of people he began to preach with great feruour assuring them there was no saluation but in that faith for which he was now to render vp his life Being come to the place of execution he cast himselfe vpon his knees and with a loude voice said the Confiteor then having made a litle mental prayer he brake forth into this affectuous exclamation Praised euer blessed be the holy name of Iesus who would haue thought his goodnes to haue been so great as to vouchsafe to call vnto himself by way of the crosse so vnworthy a sinner as my self The Gentils themselues like men distracted looked vpon one another saying If there be saluation to be found how can this man faile of it Then Matthias tooking vp to the crosse began in this manner I worship and reuerence thee ô crosse with all the veines of my hart sanctified in the person of my Sauiour Iesus Then praying a little he commended himself to God so was put vpon the crosse after which he so much thiâ—â—ted and there pearced with lances finished his life at 37 yeares of age the 17 of Febr. 1624. The night following some Christians with danger of their liues tooke his body from the crosse shutting it vp in a chest gaue it vp into the hands of one of our Fathers who placed it neere vnto an Altar where he faieth Masse This Matthias was borne in Aqui baptized some 7 yeares before his death by a Iaponese Father of ours he was singular in the practice of deuotion and penance inciting the Christians to Confession and was an instrument to bring many Gentils to receiue Baptisme by the hands of one of ours then in prison He serued with speciall care the imprisoned especially Religious persons He had passed his word to Francis Sintaro that he would rather dy then deny his faith thus gloriously kept his promise dying on a Crosse The death of Ioachim Curoyemon in Firoxima AS soone as the persecution began in Firoxima the Gentils neighbours to Ioachim began to assalt him seuerally and not preuailing of their owne authority they put guard at his dores and acquainted the Tono with what had passed He straight gaue order he should be put in prison in the Castle where after he had been some dayes inflexible in his resolutions he gaue sentence to haue him crucified ordaining with all the crosse should be very high to the end the Christians might not stealt away the body Ioachim hauing receiued these tydings fell downe vpon his knees to giue thankes to God for making him worthy to suffer and that vpon a crosse and that for so good a cause then putting about his necke his beades his Agnus Dei and a litle booke of praiers with a ioyfull looke he went to meete the Ministers of lustice who came to conduct him to the place of execution Being arriued he recommended himselfe with great deno ion vnto Almighty God and exhorted with extraordinary zeale the Gentiles to receiue the faith of Christ. Finally he was crucified and pearced froÌ„ side to side with a lance at 60 yeares of age the 8 of March 1624. by commaundment of the Tono This Ioachim was borne in Aqui of a singular meeknes humility much giuen to prayer and infatigable in assisting and seruing the Christians He was baptized in Firoxima 16 yeares before his death by one of ours The death of Iohn Tananguia Cufroi IN the yeare 1612 vnder Daifù Iohn was banished the citty for the first time but not loÌ„g after called for backe againe Then againe was he tried by seuerall waies the yeare 1615 and finally the yeare 1622 he was troubled anew and after many both threates and promisses was kept prisoner for a yeare The good seruant of God liued there very contentedly in continuall prayer fasting and penance He connerted with his good exhortation and baptized siue Gentiles his fellow low prisoners At last a yeare and halfe being spent in prison came the sentence of death sent from Catà Samonosuque who liued in Iendo Now long before Iohn had made his confession to one of our Fathers and was by his counsell much eÌ„couraged to suffer death for Christ When he first receiued newes of his death litting vp his eyes to heauen he gaue God thankes for so great a benefit then turning to him who brought the message he also thanked him desiring he would tell the Tono and the rest of the Gouernours that he deemed himselfe highly obliged vnto them Going out of prison he me with a great number of people to whom he solemnly protested that he was condemned to death not for theft or any other crime but meerely for the saith of Iesus Christ which he exhorted them all to embrace as the only way to saluation and the same did he repeate in seuerall places according as occasion was offered And when he was silent he went with his eyes fixed vpon heauen continually praying and commending himselfe to God Being come to the place of execution after he had exhorted all with a loud voice to receiue the faith of Christ which he was to seale with his blood and without which nothing could be auailable for saluation He was stripped naked and stretched vpon the earth and cut of by the middle whilest he was breathing sweetly forth the blessed names of Iesus and Maria he died the 14 of February 1624. Iohn was borne in the kingdom of zio he was baptised instructed by our Fathers thirty yeares before his death whilst he was in the seruice of Augustinus Conises Sunocamidono He remained alwaies most constant and very exemplar incredibly desirous and carefull of the spirituall good of his neighbours When our Fathers went in Mission he went with them and hauing an extraordinary gift in preaching he was the conuersion of many in these exercises did he continue till a generous death crowned his labours vnder Catà Simonosaque Lord of the greater part of zio Of Christianity in Nangasachi and the country about HEre are occupied six of our Fathers one Brother and eight Dogici The fruits of their labours being altogether like those of the yeares past I omit to set downe Thirty persons of age haue receiued Baptisme Many who trembled for feare and some who fell vnder the burden haue been set vpon their feete againe and encouraged Diuers Missions haue been vndertaken into Sassuma the Iland of Goto the Countries of Omura and diuers other places of the kingdom of Figen In Sassuma they found a true pillar of Christian Religion a Lady called Catherin in other in law to the Lord of the Country who in word and action advanceth Christian Religion This Lady hath been twice set vpon once by the Bongs who with superstitions papers of adoration and prayer sought to raw her to their
began with the wines and children of those whom two yeares before he had put to death by order of the Ienca their cause being not yet ended and he spared neither the maid-seinants nor little intants as it will appeare by the following relation The death of nine Christians of the house and family of Gabriel who had lodged F. Camillus Conitanstius of the Society of IESVS Two yeares agoe a Christian called Gabriel suffereth death in the Citty of Firanâ—o for hauing lodged F. Camillus Constanstius of the Society and euer since both his mother and the rest of his family had liued in daily expectation of their turne their cause yet hanging and they committed to the custody of their neighbours No sooner did the persecution begin but the family of Gabriel was giuen for lost whereupon the Gentiles began to looke to them more narrowly and to abridge them of their former liberty One of the neighbours the second man of the street went to visit Grace the mother of Gabriel and told her after an vpbraiding manner that the persecution raised at that present was a punishment sent by tenxo Daygun the chiefe Cami of Iaponia The holy woman resented exceedingly this blasphemous speech and boldly replyed that she wondred very much he would offend her eares with blaspheming God his holy law and that he might haue done much better in exhorting her to suffer with patience the neere approaching death for the honour and seruice of the only true God then by recounting the fables of the false Idolls to increase her affliction wherfore she desired him if he wished her well to speake of something else And the Paynim thus checked spoke not a word more During this time the Christians of that Citty gathered together in a particular house offered vs many feruent prayers to Almighty God begging of his goodnesse force of spirit and constancy or all but especially for the prisoners Linus the brother of Gabriell was much tempted but he allwaies answered that he would follow the steppes of his Father who had perseuered in the law of Christ vntill the end Some daies before the seruants of God receiued the senteÌ„ce of death they inuited to dinner the principall Paynims of the street and humbly craued pardon of them for some sharp answers which they had giuen earnestly beseeching them to speake no more vnto them of leauing their faith The Physitian of the Tono was the first man of their friendes who had newes of their death wherfore he went to them in a friendly manner acquainting them with what had passed told them that if they would change their mindes he would make meanes that the Tono should recall his sentence Linus made answer in name of the rest thanking him for his good will and told him that all the torments in the world should neuer make them abandon their Religion This newes came soone after to be knowne of the Physitians man who out of meer compassion went bewailing their case and spreading the newes about the Citty There was presently such flocking of friendes and acquaintance to visit them that the chiefe officer of the streete thought fit to turne them all backe for feare of an vprore About midnight came two of the Tonos seruants who confilcating all their goodes carryed them away scarce leauing so much as the cloathes vpoÌ„ their backes Then did the condemned Christians with a loud voice begin ioifully to recite diueise praiers and when the standers by would haue hindered them they answered that their temporall goods being taken away they had no reason to deprius them also of the spirituall riches of the soule their onely substance and possession then remaining The confiscatours admiring their speeches let them go on for the present but hauing sent away all the goods they bound Linus and all the rest sauing Marie the Grandmother of Gabriell and the sonne of a seruing woman who was so little that one of the officers carryed him away vpon his backe Vpon the 3 of March being sunday they were lead forth many Christians meeting them vpon the way who in taking their last leaue with many teares recommended themselues to their prayers earnestly desiring them when they came to heauen where they should be out of all danger that they would be mindfull of those who remained behind subiect to so many dangers and miseries Amongst the rest came one of Graces daughters with her husband of whom she tooke her leaue with a cheerfull countenance and great peace of mind charging them to remaine constant in the Religion in which they had been brought vp from children and promising to pray for them in heauen In like manner did Linus speake to the other Christians with such a pleasant smiling countenance that he made shew of nothing lesse then going to suffer death Finally they arriued at a place distant from Firando a quarter of a league where they found foure boates expecting them in two of which were carried the nine Christians who were to suffer death and in the other two the executioners of that iniustice When they were imbarked Grace tooke a paire of beades from about her necke and cast them a land to her sonne in law Then lifting vp a little Crucifixe in her hand this alone quoth she will serue my turne and with saying to she adored in the sight of all him who comforteth and giueth strength to those that suffer for him and with humble renerence kissed his holy image After this the watermeÌ„ began to launch forth and the deuout seruants of God accompanying the noise of the oares sometimes with singing pious hymnes sometimes reciting seuerall prayers aloud arriued at Coccidomari the place appointed for execution There they all tooke their places and Linus the only man of the company shewed himselfe a man indeed thanking the executioners for his death with a marueilous courage and vndaunted mind Then began they to recomeÌ„d themselues to God Almighty in which action they remained a great while In this time the youngest daughter of Grace of the age of eleuen yeares onely was so farre from being afraid either of death or those whom she saw ready to inflict it that turning to her mother with a great courage ô mother said she how much are we beholding to these seruants of the Tono who haue brought vs hither and will now send vs to heauen I pray you let vs thanke them and be exceeding ioyfull The first tharknelt downe was the good old woman Mary who lifting vp her handes and praying a while then calling vpon the holy names of Iesus and Mary was beheaded by one of her owne kinsmeÌ„ who according to the custome of Iaponia least she should dy by the haÌ„ds of some basefellow or other did himselfe with great respect and reuerence cut off her head at a blow she being about ninty yeares of age The second was the noble Linus of the age of 21. yeares The third his sister Mary of the age of 18. The
her selfe to the Tonos officers As she was going she met with those who had put to death her husband and the other two she presently stayed to heare what they would say and their proposition was the same which they had made to the rest to which she replyed I was baptized being but two yeares old and haue perseuered in the Christian Religion seauenty more can you imagin that I meane to forsake it now They left her for the present because it was night but the next day they came againe and receiuing the same answer led the good old woman to the place where they had beheaded her sonne Alexius told her that she must either change her Religion or dy the same death She imbraced the latter and kneeling downe with a cheerfull countenance first recommended her selfe to our Lord then offering her head to the sword died with the sweet names of Iesus and Mary in her mouth The wife of Lucas being thus dead the persecutours exercised their cruelty vpon the children of Alexius one of the which Thomas was ten yeares old an other fiue and the third an Infant borne three or foure daies before the Fathers death as yet vnchristened This bloody office was committed to a seruant of the house who by order of Figendonos Ministers cut of their heades All these Christians had been baptised by our Fathers except the little girle which was baptized in her owne blood A rare case in Iaponia which caused great admiratiō both for the infantes littlenesse and the cause of such a murder The death of Isabell Mother of Damianns and Beatrice his wise with their foure Children IN the yeare of our Lord 1622 Damianus being put to death and all his goods confiscated his wife with all her family was kept prisoner in her owne house hauing continually a double guard vpon her and a cord about her necke which was so tyed that she might neuerthelesse stirre about and dispatch her ordinary businesse The keepers weary of that tedious office did extreamly molest her by vrging her to forsake the Christian faith but she alwaies the same not the least daunted with the miseries of pouerty and long imprisonment answered onely this that she would be her husbandes companion as well in death as life ready to suffer all trouble and vexation for the loue of Iesus christ At two yeares end order came for the beheading of Beatrice and her children which they vnderstanding did euen leap for ioy only poore Isabell whose sentence was not come hung downe the head and shewed such manifest signes of true sorrow that the messenger acquainted the Tonos Lieutenant with it and he presently commanded she should dy with the rest At these happy tydinges the good old woman was reuiued and putting one her best apparell as the rest had done prepared for death Paul a child of eleuen yeares whilest the rest were making themselues ready with great ioy was very sad and pensiue by reason that some as he vnderstood were gone to beg his pardon but at length word was brought that no pardon would be granted Then might you haue seene in the face of this manly child a picture of his ioyfull hart so did he on the sudden pull vp his spirits and with marueilous alacrity make ready for death They departed al together from their owne house cheerfully bidding adieu to their friendes who met them vpon the way signified by their teares how loath they were to leaue them being no more to meete in this life Thus they imbarked being come within sight of the Iland Nacaie where Damian and his companiōs had suffered two yeares before Beatrice began to offer vp praiers of thankes giuing to the diuine Maiesty for the benefit bestowed vpon her husband and willed the rest for that end to recite with loud voices such praiers as they knew by hart By the way they met with the wife and Children of Iohn who were going also to shed their blood for the loue of Christ O happy encounter Who can expresse the reciprocall ioy the cordiall greetinges the zealous exhortations of these noble Christians There was no lamenting of each others hand fortune but mutuall encouragements to constancy and perseuerance which with vnited hartes and tongues they begged of the diuine goodnesse ioyning their two deuout quires in a consort of melodious praiers Thus cutting the waies with their oares and pearcing heauen with their voices they arriued at Gigoco a place of the Iland Nacaie Here the sixe first went a Land and Beatrice to giue her children good example was the first to kneele downe which she did with a marueilous courage manly spirit then lifting vp her handes to heauen and praying a while offered her head which with one stroke was deuided from her body Paul would be the next after his mother and was already vpon his knees but the cruell hangman seeing him girt in such sort with a towell as might hinder his blow bad him vnty it which he without the least signe of feare rising vp did very dexterously and then speedily falling downe vpon his knees againe as greedy of death with handes stretched forth to heauen whither he was taking his flight most deuoutly called vpon the holy names Iesus Maria and at the second stroke of the hangman lost his head and got a laurell Iohn the second sonne onely nine yeares old stood all this while on the right hand of his mother learning as well by her example as that of his elder brother how to play his part Wherefore knowing that his grandmother had chosen the last place and thinking it no pride to precede his sisters in such an occasion full of sweet deuotion well befitting his tender yeares bowed his knees to the ground and receiuing a mortall blow flow with his blessed soule to heauen No sooner were these three dead but the bloody butchers by exercise of cruelty growing more cruell tooke the younger sister by name Isabel onely leauen yeares old in most barbarous manner throwing her downe vpon the dead body of her mother cut her in peeces with their Cimitaries So did the mother become an Altar for the pretious sacrifice of her innocent daughter and the blessed child restore her blood and life to the fountaine from whence it sprung Magdalen the elder sister and eldest of the foure yet not aboue the age of thirteene yeares was so strengthened with the vigour of Gods holy grace that no cruelty could abate her courage wherefore drawing neare to her mothers body she knelt downe close by it with some holy enuy it may be to her sisters happy lot and imploring the assistance of Christ Iesus and the Virgin Mary was beheaded and crowned with glory at the same time Now had the good old Isabel obtained the first part of her desire which was as she said to see those dearest pledges out of daunger and safely placed in heauen the second was to beare them company of which she was
quickly made partaker yeelding her head to the sword and her soule to heauen ful fraught with the merites of many deathes Such was the glorious end of this thrice happy company very sutable to their vertuous liues Beatrice was borne of Christian parents in Tachinegama a place in the Iland Quisuchi She was alwaies religiously deuout and exceeding charitable she often visited and serued the ficke imitating in those workes of mercy her husbad Damian and she allwaies taught her children to open their hartes to no other loue but of Christ Iesus and his holy law Isabell her mother in the law who died of the age of 74 yeares was natiue of the same Iland and as well she as the rest had been baptized by our Fathers She was allwaies a deuout and constant Christian neuer regarding the Paynims of her alliance by whom she was therfore allwaies ill treated Her onely sonne Damianus being dead she was inflamed with a great desire of dying for Christ and so earnestly did she beg this grace of God Almighty that at length she obtained it for her selfe and all her family vpon the fifth day of March 1624. The death of Marie wife vnto Iohn Sucamoto and her foure sonnes AFter the death of Iohn the officers held their proceedings with Marie answerable to those wee haue already said they held with Beatrice for they kept her prisoner and put a gard ouer her in her owne house made her drag a rope about her neck and vexed her which other torments wherof we haue already spoken Vpon the same day on which Beatrice had notice giuen her from the Tono of her verdicte was Marie also and her children aduertised that they were to die So they made mutuall ioy and with leaue of the officers came together and after many congratulations they animated with interchange each the other to a cōstant suffering in so gloriouse a cause Andrew the eldest sonne of Marie a youth of singular piety recounted sundry examples and miracles which he had red where by they all found themselues much incouraged and for period of this festiuall gladnesse turning himselfe vnto the Christians who were there present he had them be of good comfort and continue that constancie where in they had so laudably hither to persisted and rest full of hope that the goodnesse of almighty God would in short time alay the present commotion and giue mighty increase to Christianity through out laponia The next morning at breake of day clad in most solemne attire they imbarked for the aforenamed Iland where being arriued Marie and Peter were put to death after those of the familie of Damianus ending their liues by the sword And Peter although he was but ten yeares of age yet did he with example of rare fortitude offer his head to the executioner There remained in the shippe three other sonnes of Iohn who being caried in to the maine sea were by those cruell officers without any sence of pittie or compassion thrust into seueral sacks which whē they had filled vp with straw they couered also ouer with others and hauing then bundled them vp bad them dispose themselues for death these holy Brothers did so and performed forthwith many actes of ardent and inflamed deuotion and the time being now arriued they were bound fast and then tossed and tumbled to and fro as if they had been wool-packes It may seeme Almighty God was pleased to shew an argument of his power in these 3 yonge-men for being wrapped vp each a part as we said they requested as a curtesy at the hāds of the executioners that they might be tyed all 3 together to the end they might be hoised ouer-bord all at once and as they were allready vnited together by the naturall tye of brotherhood and yet more straitly by supernaturall bonde of charitie in Christ our Lord they might in conformity hereof be now bound fast together and receaue their death iointly in the same place who by the feale thereof should be assured to enioy each other for eternity Their request was graunted them and with all a huge stone was annexed vnto the bundle And so soone as these louing brethren perceiued themselues now wrapped vp together in such sort that they were no more to be seuered according to their harts desire they interchangeably did animate themselues to die and so reioycing at the arriuall of that fortunate houre as they with most inflamed harts called vpon the names of Iesus and Maria they were throwne in to the sea where they ended their liues by a kinde of cruelty not yet heard of in Iaponia saue only in the state of Firando The eldest of these three called Andrew was of the age of 25 the second named Mancio of 23 and Iohn who was the youngest of twenty one yeares The seruāt of God Marie was natiue of Nexima an Iland in the state of Firando she was borne of Christian parentes and baptized in her infancy by our Fathers she was second wife vnto Iohn Quinzayemone who died in a glorious confession of his faith and she followed the forme of his foot steppes both in her life and death Andrew and the rest of his brethren were borne in Tacchinosami and were also baptized by ours Andrew was accustomed to reade a spirituall lecture vnto the people of his Country to giue them notice also of such feastes as were of precept and to assist them both by his aduite and instructions which is of most consideration he was vnto them all an example of good life a mirrour of all vertue This yoūgman after the death of his Father did so solicite the cause of Christianity as that he deserued to haue a laurell for his guerdon how be it our Lord God reserued the bestowing of it vnto this present time The death of Mithaell Iamando Fiemon and Visula his wife with thee of their children MIchael liued in a sea-port of the state of Firando called Cochi At such time as searche was made after the Christians the first whom the Gentiles fell vpon was Michaell whom they indeauoured by many allurements to withdraw from the faith whereof he made profession But he did not only as indeed he ought shew himselfe constant and resolute but addressed himselfe also vnto other Christians exhorting them one by one that they would not in any wise abandon tho law of heauen in consideration of any thing which might befall them on earth He had bred vp his children in such sorte and instilled into them such singular constancy that one of them being taken by some of the neighbours and for the space of two whole daies all which time they withheld him from his parents continually solicited as well by promises as threates although he was but a child of 13 yeares of age yet did he euer remaine most firme in profession of his faith replying euer vnto their pestiferons persuasions that they must vnderstand he was a Christian and resolued to die such Michael had
thanks with sweet interchange to God and blessed the houre in which they had been accused then animating by courle each the other they iointly begged forces of his diuine Maiestie for that last combat Hauing passed in this manner their way they came at last to Mossuiema where they both lost their heads each of them being 64 yeares of age or there about Their death hapned vpon the 10 of Iuly 1624 by commandement of Massura Veon and Tobiranga Xirpsaiemon Gouernours of the state of Omura These two seruants of God were borne in Nangaia a faire towne in Omura and had receiued holy baptisme at the hands of our Fathers many yeares before When the persecution began the house of Thomas serued for a Church and his zealous feruour receiuing augment by the increase thereof he intertained not only ours but also other religious that the neighbouring Christians might haue requisit helpe in so needfull a time Thomas was a husbandman but yet rich and wealthy Gonzalus was by profession a fisher man such was his singular zeale that he aided and assisted his neighbours nor only in temporall but in their spirituall affaires he was much giuen vnto prayer penance fasting He fasted thrice euery weeke and thrice enery weeke did he seuerely discipline himselfe He laboured much for the poore and obtained large almes for them he visited the sick with great câ—â—â—ity and helped to the freeing of many from certaine errours where into they were fallen procuring with all diligence that the Christians might often frequent the holy Sacrament of Confession But of other workes of mercy the burying of the dead seemed to be his proper care and peculiar businesse so zealously was he intent vnto that office When it was necessary to the helpe of Christians for our Fathers to passe secretly into any place he would conduct them in his barge and he would be sure they should lodge in his house if it were possible When as sundry religious men were kept for a longe time in durance at Omura he succoured them with many thinges where of they stoode in want and performed his charity with strange demonstration of the tender affectioÌ„ he bare towards Gods prisoners When any would indeauour to get the holy bodies of such as had suffered in defence of their faith they would alwaies haue recourse vnto Gonzalus and aduise with him and he would addresse them to the places keepe both them and the sacred pledges secretly in his house which after in conuenient time he would passe ouer to Nangasachi or whither so euer els is was needfull and he did these thinges so intrepidly and with such a constant tenour of proceeding that there would not appeare the least token of feare in his countenance euen in most perilous times To conclude the whole care and all the thoughts of Gonzalus were only bent vnto the seruice of allmighty God who disposing to reward both him and that other champion Themas euen in this life made them worthy to be enrolled in the resplendent host of glorious Martyrs who haue shed their blood in his quarrell The death of Father Michael Caruaglio of the Society of Iesus and of foure other Religious men of the holy orders of Saint Dominicke and Saint Francis who suffered for preaching of the holy Ghospell PAssing ouer that which I could say concerning the vertues of those other Religious for as much as the relation thereof belongeth vnto others I wil oÌ„ly touch some things which passed in the imprisonement and life of F. Caruaglio and afterward say a word concerning the death of each of them Father Michael was come to Omura to take the confessions of some in that Citty and the whole businesse was now ended with great secrecy when a certaine spy discouered him and gaue information of him to the Gouernour who addressed forthwith officers to apprehend him and hauing brought him to I know not what odde house they kept him there for the space of two daies with a rope about his neck a guard vpon him till such time as they had aduised with Gonrogù Gouernour of Nangasachi to know what should be done with him from whom order came that he should be put in prison with the rest But because this matter is clearely set downe by himselfe in a letter to F. Prouinciall I will therfore relate his owne wordes I came some few daies a goe to Omura to heare the Confessions of some in this place when a spy disclosing me to the Gouernour I was taken by his appointment and being conducted to a certaine particular house I remained there for the space of two daies with a rope about my neck a guard for my custody after which time order came from Nangasachs that I should be committed to prison with the rest but in those two daies it pleased God I should not be idle two of theÌ„ who were put to guard me being conuerted vnto our holy faith In prison albeit the narrownesse of the place was not a little troublesome it being but 16 hand full longe and 8 broad for foure others and my selfe yet I was much comforted as well in regard I might say Masse euery day as also for that I was in company of foure seruants of God of eminent deuotion and very spirituall one was a Father of Saint Dominickes Order an European Priest two were Recolectes of Saint Francis whereof the one was an European the other a Iaponese both Priests the fourth was an obseruant of the 3 rule of Saint Francis these foure so soone as they saw me made hast to embrace me and reioyced much to see me brought thither for hauing made profession of and preached our holy faith Vpon Saint Mary Magdalens day which B. Saint I haue euer honoured as my speciall patronesse began my imprisonment True it is we are restrained with in the close bounds of a narrow place but not yet like vnto our Sauiour Iesus Christ vpon the Crosse Verily I am not a litle coÌ„forted to see that they haue taken no man prisoner for my sake and that they haue not examined me concerning others so that there hath been no man molested in my behalfe it was meete that I only should suffer who am the greatest sinner These were the wordes of F. Caruaglio in his letter to F. Prouinciall He remained 13 moneths in this prison where he indured very much but with such sweetnesse and delight that in a letter which he wrote to F. Procurator he saith thus I was all infirme and feeble of body but much strengthened and recreated in spirit for God the Father of mercy when he permitteth new molestations he addeth new fauours and forces to support them I can affirme of my selfe that I feele great sweetnesse amiddest the trauels of my indurance nor should I euer haue imagined that to suffer for the loue of God had been a thing so full of delight and pleasure blessed be euer his diuine Maiestie thus he The processe of time gaue
THE PALME OF CHRISTIAN FORTITVDE Or the glorious combats of Christians in Iaponia Taken out of letters of the Society of IESVS from thence Anno 1624. Hier. ep 150. Triumphus Dei est passio Martyrum cruoris effusio inter tormenta latitia God triumphes when Martyrs suffer and shead their blood and reioyce in their torments With permission of Superiours Anno 1630. THE PREFACE HEre wrapt vp in a few sheetes of ordinary paper the Trāslatour offers thee ò Englād with a present of inestimable price with a carkanet of the richest gēmes the Orient euer sent into Europe Iewells of Iaponian pearle within the sea of persecution bred of the dew of Diuine grace infused into soules that by exact puritie of life and by magnanimous contempt of all earthly obiects were euer open towards God and ready to intromit his celestiall influences This fortunate and thrice happy Church was primitiuely planted by the great Indian Apostle S. Xauerius brought thither by the course of his charity which had no other bounds but the world watered by the succeeding labours of the Fathers of the Society of Iesus the sole workemen in that holy haruest for many yeares finally manured also by other Professours of Euangelicall Pouerty whom their vnquencheable zeale of soules vrged to passe thither from Europe ouer many vast worlds of water As Religious profession was the parent of these Christians so by this narration the theater of their vertues you may see they doe not degenerate but shew thēselues a worthy extract of so noble a stock a genuine offpring of so sacred a plantatiō a pourtraicture of diuine perfection corresponding to the high sanctimony of the Patterne In the course of their liues so enamoured of Pouerty so inflamed with Charity so deuoted to voluntary afflictiō of the body to disclplines wearing of haire clothes extraordinary fastings retired praying dedicating themselues to the teaching of the ignorant and helping of soules shine liuely lineaments of more then secular sanctity and assured markes of a Religious spirit superiour to the world In their deathes they blaze forth rare diuine miraculous examples of heroicall fortitude wherby the peerlesse lustre of primitiue Martyrdome is renewed in these dayes to shew the neuer decaying merit of the pretious Immaculate Blood in whose shining candour all Martyrs auncient and recent made white their Triumphall Robes The light of the Christian Roman Religion which from thee ó Catholicke Europe Iaponia receaued is here returned back againe with interest encrease adorned with glorious victories which by vertue thereof to the amazement of Infidels ouer Paganisme she hath obtained by thy Religion I say professing and practising veneration of Relickes Adoration of the Crosse prayer vnto Saints deuotion vnto Pardons hearing of holy Masse diuine worship of the Venerable Eucharist Sacramental Confession of sinnes the saying of Angelicall salutations to the B. Virgin in a set number on beades finally to pretermit other points ioint inuocation of IESVS MARIA euen till the last moment of their sacred breath This light of Religion to the splēdour of her shining victories improued she sends thee back to driue away the darknesse of heresy that ouershads some parte of thy dominions to discouer the blasphemy of their conceit who thinke thy Religiō Idolatrous and to open their eyes that by the light of new triūphes they may discerne who be the heires of Ancient Truth and not to doubt but in that Church is found the light of Apostolicall Faith where the vigour of Apostolicall Fortitude by the victory of torments and death to the ouerthrowe of Idolatrie flameth Such barbarous varietie of cruell torments they endured such glorious varietie of excellent vertues in their sufferings shined such a multitude of both sexes of all states and of all ages from aboue Ninetie till vnder Seauen were by Martyrdome crowned that this on Ilād within the space of one yeare may seeme to haue renewed all the famous examples of former Christian ages Here is more then one Laurence rosted in fires without groaning or stirring or somuch as shrinking with no other chaine then of charitie tied to the torment Here is more then one troupe put into freezing waters starued to death in winter nights not so much as one relenting the feruour of Faith keeping the frost of infidelitie frō their hart Here is more then one Andrew adoring the crosse prepared to be his deathbed and singing for ioy he was to die in the embracements therof Here is more then one Bartholomew fleade aliue or minced into morcells enduring as manie martyrdomes as he had members to satisfie the cruell gluttonie of death that would taste him by peece-meales Here is more then one Ignatius fearing nothing more then that the persecutour would be mercifull the torturer gentle the instruments of his death dull and not eager enough of his blood More then one Eleazarus willing to die rather a thousand deathes then to dissemble once or to permit the voice of another though without his priuitie or consent to belie the constancie of his faith More then one Adauctus who meeting with the companies of designed Martyrs going to the place of their death by spontaneous ioining encreased their nūber made the ioy of the heauēlie banquet the greater whilest all hartilie wellcome the deare vnexpected guest And to speake also of the other sexe by nature inferiour by faith equall by the renowne of Martyrdome in a sorte superiour vnto mē the strength of diuine grace shewing it self more admirablie in feeble bodies behold more then one Felicitas with drie eies looking on the martyrdomes of her children sending them before her to heauen as harbingers to prepare a place of blisse for their mother that was presentlie to followe More then one couragious mother that with her daughters entred into deepe gulfes holding each other by the hand as in a dance singing the praises of Christ on the waters as it were Carolles on the Christmas day of their happie natiuitie into eternall life More thē one Catherine by the qualitie of their birth Princesses ouercoming the infidelitie of the Paynime priests being after the victorie of manie torments and fearce combats cōsummated by the sword More then one Apollonia charged with yeares but more stored with merits of vertuous life readier to burne for Christ then the persecutour to put her into the fire More then one Agnes that ouercame tendernesse of age by maturity of faith lawfull witnesses of Christian truth before they could be witnesses in any cause of the world that receaued on their tēder neckes the murthering sword as ioifullie as if they had put on chaines of gold holding the daies of their martyrdomes as their marriadges feastes In a word here as I said within one Iland and in one yeare you shall finde in a manner all the memorable martyrdomes and glorious triumphes of the primitiue times reuiued and by new glorious imitation expressed to the quicke We the Catholickes of England who liue
in the happie danger of being partakers of the like crownes haue speciall cause to behold with ioie this Iaponian Palme-tree of Christian Fortitude translated and planted on English soile The victories of Martyrs recorded in writing be encouragemēts vnto martyrdomes that the Christian souldier as Saint Gregorie saith eo minus in certamine trepidet quo ante se positos tot virorum fortium triumphos videt so much the lesse doubt of the glorious successe of this combat in that he beholdes the manie conquests of triumphant Chāpiōs displaied to his sight And although you doe not want other examples of great force yet these may seem more potēt besides other respects because they are more recent Their sacred blood newlie issued out of the fornace of their ardent breast doth yet still freshlie euaporate diuine loue and by how much neerer they are to our daies by so much the more efficaciouslie they applie to vs their flames They were members of the same Church professours of the same Religion practisers of the same deuotions according not only the substance but also euerie circumstance which yet be variable with the time and we haue Preachers of all the same Religious Orders that were their guides leaders in those victorious combats The vexations we endure compared with theirs will seeme more tolerable and if they should grow to greater excesses we haue here cōfortable pledges to make vs sure the Faith we professe is able to conquer the most superlatiue rage of the world As from the vttermost coastes we receaue newes of rare crueltie so likewise from thence is brought the rare prize of the valiant woman Here we learne that many waters cannot extinguish her charity nor any frosts benumme harts inflamed therewith The fires of pouertie of disgrace of torment that rage without be not of equall force with the burning of her faith within Nor continuance of sharpe afflictions can be so extended by lēgth of time as to outreach her longing to suffer for her crucified Lord. O fire of heauen ô desire of Martirdome possesse our harts penetrate into our spirits consume the drosse of humane pretences quench in vs the flame of other loues O that to die for Religion that to suffer for Christ that the crowne and purple of martyrdome were the summe of all our wishes the marke of all our ambitions our meditation in the day our dreame in the night that we were in all our prayers still seeking to obtaine it in all our actions still ayming to deserue it in all our cogitations still longing to enioy it O let vs without partiality often view ourselues in this admired mirrour thereby to take away all dissimilitude from them in life whō we desire to paralell in the felicity of their death Of the Temporall State of Iaponia and the present condition of Christian Religion ALthough the Xogun of Iendo Lord of Iaponia hath deposed together with his gouernment the dignity of Xogun vpon his sonne he himself stepping to a greater yet hath this bred no alteration in things touching Christian religion as we hoped for at the change of the Gouernour For the Sonne equall to his Father in the hatred of Christians hath bene the death of many and the number exceeds that of former yeares since from the Moneth of December 1623 vnto Nouember of the yeare following a hundred threescore and fiue Christians haue ended their liues by seuerall torments Eight of which were Religious of S. Dominicke S. Francis and of the Society the rest Lay people Men Woemen and Children which shall be the subiect of our discourse This Persecution rose first in Iendo the head-citty now of Iaponia and the court of Xogun but soone after so dilated it self that no corner was exempt from it where any Christians were to be found Great store were slaine many cast into prison and others into banishment Some hid themselues others abandoned their owne houses fearing to suffer shipwracke of their faith in company of Gentils And many there were who like braue and valiant champions stood it out euen in the middest of a peruerse nation animating some weaker members which are euer found in a great body with the conuincing example of true Magnanimity in the suffrance of most exquisite torments It cannot be expressed what feare and trēbling occupied the harts of many when this tempest rose the more for that euery day new Ministers were apointed by Xogun himself who by all possible meanes of threats and torments sought to extort Religion from the harts of Christians Their industry in ferreting out Religious persōs and hindring their entrance into Iaponia was more then ordinary These oppositions and no marueile haue made our haruest lesse plentifull since some only thousāds haue bene baptized by the hands of ours and others who forward this noble enterprise But we hope for plenty and abundāce in tyme to come the soyle being moist and fatned with the blood of so many glorious Martyrs And to begin with the persecution raised in the Citty of Iendo in which together with forty seauen Christians F. Hierome de Angelis Brother Simon Iempo of the Society of Iesus and F. Francis Galbe of S. Francis Order gaue vp their liues you may note that though for this dozen years and more through the implacable hatred of the Emperour persecution hath still been in force against Christian Religion throughout the whole Empire yet in the Cittyes subiect immediatly to the Tenca Nangasachi only excepted there was a kind of silence or conniuency touching matters of Religion not that it was lawfull to preach or make publique professiō thereof vnder peril of death or banishment but that the Magistrats did either dissemble or neglect to looke after those who embraced Christianity Whilst we lay vnder this shadow of peace the Emperour vnexpectedly by occasion of the new dignity conferred vpon his sonne reuiuing his inuiterate hatred against Christians and especially their Preachers thought it a fitt occasion to destroy the ghospell by renewing the lawes of Iaponia amongst which there is one capitall against Christian faith the preaching whereof and the vsurping of the Empire are held in effect for the same things The Magistrats of Tenca demaunded whether or no it were necessary to insinuate the same by way of Proclamation to other Prin es the Xogun answered no for that it would be sufficient they should see how Christians were handled in Iendo to make them exercise the like in the Citties subiect to their gouernment neither was he deceiued in his opinion For no sooner came it to their knowledge that fifty Christians had been broiled aliue by commaunde from the Xogun but streight waies euery Prince beganne to bestirre himself in his owne dominions banishing imprisoning putting to death such as would not renounce the faith of Christ In the Citty of Iendo were resident F. Hierome de Angelis of the Society of Iesus and F Francis Galbo of the Order of S. Francis greatly fructifying
a most generous and noble-minded woman to his wife This woman when as sentence of death was now giuē against the whole family was much pressed by some Gentiles that she would giue vnto them at least her little daughter whom they much desired to reserue from death and willingly would haue taken vpon themselues the care of bringing her vp But this discreet Matrone made answer vnto thing demaund that although they be able to conuert this whole vniuerse into gold and had the power to make her Empresse of it all the promise hereof should not moue her to commit her children vnto the care of Gentiles The day appointed for their death being now arriued Michael tooke the bigger of his daughters called Clara in his armes and a candle which was lighted in his hand Vrsula putting her sonne Iohn before her with his candle also lighted threw her little infant Magdalena in to her bosome and bearing in her hand an other light shut vp this pious procession And they went with such euident demonstration of their solid ioy and namely the child Iohn that the very Gentiles themselues affirmed such comfort and alacrity could not proceed from any force of nature were it not succoured by some Superiour power Being now come to the place where they were to die Vrsula a woman worthy admiration for her courage made request that she might be put to death in the last place to the end she might for these were her owne words see before she died the things which were most deare vnto her placed in a hauen of security Hereupon the heads man to doe her the fauour strucke off at one blow with a Simitar the head of Michael who was now already prepared gaue with all a gash into the neck of the innocent child Clara who was in her Fathers armes redoubling therefore his blow he perfected that cruell acte And thus did the Father being 37 the daughter 7 yeares old happily end their liues This being done Iohn rose up and went vnto his mother requesting her to binde-vp his haire which lay down in his neck least it might be some hindrance to the blow when his head was to be struke of and the good mother did it in the best māner she could And then the sweet child turning vnto him who was to be his executioner and perceiuing him to be very young said vnto him if I mistake not you haue yet neuer cut off the head of any one be therefore aduised to doe your office with dexterity this said he lifted vp his eyes and handes to heauen inuoking the soueraigne names of Iesus and Maria then bowing downe receiued a blow which seuered at once his head quit from his body he being now as was said but thirteen yeares of age Vrsula hauing obserued this whole tragedy and vnderstanding right well that the catastrophe thereof was the placing of her sonne her daughter and her husband in the desired porte of security eleuated her eyes which were euen filled with teares to heauen and said Blessed he thou Lord of mercies who hast made me worthy to be present at this spectacle so wonderfull to men and gratefull to the Angells graunt now vnto me that hauing seene their end whom I loued so dearely I may be toyned with them in my death refuse not to aide me in this last conflict who offer intirely vnto shee my selfe and this pledge of my bowels this all which now is left me And here forbearing to speake any more whilst she was tenderly embracing her little infant Magdalena she receaued a blow from the chiefe executioner who at once beheaded with his persian sword both the mother and her little daughter Vrsula being but thirty foure yeares of age The behoulders were all so amazed with this rare example that for many daies after their whole discourse was of the constancy generosity of the Christians Michael was borne in the kingdom of Yamato and Vrsula his wife in Chicumgojambes they were both of them baptized by our Fathers so were their children also Michael was a man of singular deuotion and much giuen to praier he fasted also and punished his body by disciplines very frequently and his charity towards the poore was very remarkable Vrsula did not only imitate her husband but did both by example and words incite and stirre him vp to all vertue Like vnto these parents was their Sonne Iohn who albeit in so tender age was deuoutly accustomed to fast not only most saturdaies through out the yeare in honour of the euer immaculate Virgin but also in time of lent 3 daies euery weeke performed the like They perseuered all in the exercises of a good Christian life till such time as they were all crowned with Martyrdō which happened vpon the sixte day of March in the yeare 1624 by commaundmet of Missura Figendono Prince of Firando They were buried in the sea but we are confident their names shall not lie buried whom constancy in ouercomming torments hath made worthy of eternall fame The death of Catherine wife to Iohn Yuquinoura IOhn Yuquinoura was put to death as we said in the yeare 1622 but Catherine his wife was suffered to liue whom in regard of her eminent nobility the Patron of the Iland of Pisuuo laboured by all possible meanes to diuerte from the faith of Christ and not only he who was Lord of the Iland but all the Gentiles in like manner did diuersly solicit her without giuing any respit either to her body or mind so that it was worthy particuler admiration that the constant seruant of God should not deliuer her selfe ouer vnto them The people all strucken with admiration of her vnconquered spirit sought her out one day and hauing found her though indeed all this was done deceitfully to make further triall of her courage they bad her prepare her selfe to dy since she would admit no perswasions and abandon her faith the place of iustice the said should bee the cell of a certaine Hermit a famous Priest of their foolish Idols This noble-minded womā imagining all was true which they had told her put herselfe ioyfully into the way towards the place accompanying her steps with actes of contrition for her sinnes and a continuall reciting of her beads but being come to that desert hermitage the Gentiles solicited her to offer sacrifice to their Idols affirming that they had therfore brought her to that place Which when she hard flinging her selfe vpon the threshold of the dore she besought the B. Virgin and her deerest Sauiour with many teares sighs and ardent clamours for aide and supply of new forces where by she might euer remaine victorious ouer their wily stratagems So that the prouost himselfe admiring at the inflamed affection where with she made her prayer and moued with compassion towards her commauded that since there was no meanes to alter her designe they should surcease to molest her any farther The seruant of God remained that night in the house
of the Mother of that Idolatrouse Priest who seeing the great calamity which through their persecution she was brought into spent most part of the time in perswading her to haue regard vnto her nobility and not to bee so cruell and void of compassion towards her selfe as to suffer such abuse at the hands of the base and vulgar multitude but her words only flew in the winde and were not able to make any impression vpon the mind of Catherine whole vnuanquishable constancy was euer like vnto it selfe Next day the officers to take a new assay of her courage bound her fast to a pine-tree but seing that this seruant of God made no accounte thereof they then loosed her for a complement of their paynim cruelty hauing vtterly disrobed her of all garments behould they tyed her fast againe without either sence of humanity or regard vnto the nobility of this woman whose ancestors notwithstanding had been the Lords and sole rulers of that Country Yet she well furnished with a large prouision of patience did not only suffer with great indifferency this as I may say vnsupportable iniury but thristing for the loue of God after more and more torments she rubbed her selfe so against the rough and craggy barke of the tree that there powred out streames of blood of all sides of her When the Gentiles perceiued this they vnbound her once more and gathering vp her blood enuying the Christians that pledge which they knew they would both take vp and conserue so carefully they fastened her vnto a stake and she punishing her selfe as she had formerly done they led her to an old decayed and iniurious house there againe being now by the longe continuance become obdurate in their cruelty they bound her the third time to a poste of the said house yet in fine the tormentours were sooner wearied out then the person tormented So that the chiefe of those wicked officers perceauing that there was no hope to gaine ground of this generous seruant of God after many threats they left some few to guard her and themselues went to the Tono to giue him accounte of what had passed who vpon their relation gaue order forthwith she should be put to death The officers being returned with this commaundment loosing this our Martyr from the poste whereunto she was tyed and appareling her againe with her owne garments they obiected vnto her that she was stiffnecked and should soone gather the fruits of her obstinacy And the seruant of God imagining indeed what the matter was reioyced not a little at their words And perceauing that they in mockery hanged vpon her shoulders an old ragged banner which by chaunce was found in that forlorne place turning vnto the Gentiles who were present she said with a cheerfull countenance Goe to in Gods name torment and vexe me as much as you please for all th wronges and outragiouse iniures you shall possibly heape vpon me must needs seeme light yea sweet vnto me when I consider how many and how vnspeakable those were which yet it pleased my Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ to vnder goe for me poore sinner This being said they led her to the place of execution where being arriued she cast her selfe speedily on her knees and with hands and mind eleuated vnto God gaue thankes with great feeling vnto his diuine Maiesty who bad now graunted vnto her what she bad longe so ardently desired Here spent she some time in prayer and then vndauntedly offered her head vnto the sword which with one blow was seuered from her body she beīng now forty and eight yeares of age She was no sooner dead but the Gentiles taking her body put it into a sack and so threw it into the sea Yet for many daies after in all the circuit there about men had for sole subiecte of their discourse the wonderfull courage and constancy of this renowned seruant of God in so much that the very Gentiles themselues would be raising the trophes of her praises This seruant of God Catherine was natiue of Ichibu The was of noble extraction and both her Father and auncestors had beene Christians She was baptized by our Fathers and she was accustomed to lodge them often in her house She furthered together with her husband the good of Christians much in those parts admitting and entertaining them in all friendly manner yea she made an Oratory in her house that they being there assembled might receaue the most holy Sacraments The very first time her husband was solicited by the Gentiles to put off the precious garment of faith she said vnto him with great courage that he must also resolue neuer to come more in her sight if be gaue any way to their impious persuasions Which wordes the Gentiles tooke in great disdaine and euen then conceaued that wrathful fury which here they vented forth in so many cruell torments as wee haue said The death of Thomas Mattaichi THomas was by edict banished his country for his religion in the yeare 1622 after he had been oftē solicited by the Paynims though all in vaine to abandon his holy faith But for so much as he was found to bee in a place not aboue two leagues distant notice was giuen to the Tono thereof and that he continued Christian whereupon he gaue presently order that he should be beheaded He who was deputed to see him executed deliuered the message and desired him he would not be offēded with him since he did only what he was commaunded I am said the seruant of God so farre from being offended with ytu that I am much pleased with the good will you shew and am sorry the performance of your commaund hath put you to so great pames This said he set himselfe in the way to a little Iland called Cosima there kneeling downe ready for death the executioner tould him he must rise once more and strippe himselfe to the gridle He oboyed rising with no lesse peace of mind then serenity of countenance disaraied himselfe and then kneeling downe the second time he was beheaded being thirty fiue yeares of age He was borne in Xisi a place amōg the Ilands of Firando His Father and auncesters had been Christians and he had beene baptized by our Fathers He was very deuout feruent and much addicted vnto spirituall thinges he did attend and serue his Mother who yet was liuing with great humility he did helpe and assist Christians both by example of good life and counsell and he was a mirrour of true diligēce vnto all them of the Sodality wherof he was giuing euident demonstration by continuall exercises of piety what a true iudgment he framed of the painted foolery of this world His death happened vpon the third of Aprill 1624 God all mighty calling him to an eternall reward by a short during combat in defence of his holy faith Of foure others put to death for Religion in the Precincte of Firando THe want of good information concerning the ensuing
And the officers declaring that all his goods were forfetted led him vnto the place of execution a league from Vacamassu where he dwelled His wife and children with diuerse other Christians accompanied him on his waye who streaming forth fludds of teares Calistus intreated them they would forbeare weeping or if they neither would nor could refraine they should powre out teares of ioy and thankes giuing vnto the maiesty of almighty God for that so speciall fauour he had conserred vpon him Being arriued at Tabut the place where he was to dy it was permitted vnto him to write vnto diuerse of his friends and he did it in such sort as it is hard to say whether his words did shew more powerfully his great piety or solid ioy This done he clad him selfe a new that his outward attire might beare better proportion with the inward iubily of his mind and then for he was not yet bound he demaunded of the Sargeants that they would bind him and the rough fellows did it with such cruelty that the sole binding of him laied open a large field of paines vnto his patience Finally he gaue thankes vnto the chief officer so calling vpon the soueraigne names of Iesus and Maria his head was struck of vpon the 19 of Aprill 1624 in the fifty seuenth yeare of his age Calistus was natiue of Fiunga But he was baptized by our Fathers in the kingdom of Bungo when he was 15 yeares of age After he was regenerated by those waters of life he serued in our Church as Dogicke for ten yeares together he exercised the same function for some yeare in the Country of Arima and lastly perseuered in it for 27 yeares in the Ilands of Goto giuing alwaies great testimony of his singular zeale and exactnesse He did reside at Vacamaccu for as much as he might from thence most opportunely giue succour vnto the present necessities of Christians in those Ilands baptizing little infants teaching the Christian doctrine disposing the sicke to dy well burying the dead inducing the liuing vnto workes of piety in the midst of all these imployments extending his care vnto the Gentiles he would be euer with all diligēce instructing them at such time as they were disposing themselues for baptisme At such time as some of our Fathers made yearly visit in that circuit he would euer accompany them procuring that all the Christians should confesse and those who were fit for it receaue the most blessed Sacrament of the Altar In a word for these and the like offices of Christian charity he was esteemed by all the faithfull as their master and a most louing Father When the precedent persecution began he was sent in to banishment but when the fury thereof did relent as indeed he was generally well beloued there was earnest suite made for him and leaue was graunted for his returne Finally the diuine goodnesse disposing to reward his many labours made him worthy to dy in defence of his holy faith by cōmaundment of Vquauagidono Lord of the Ilands of Goto The death of Michael Sori and Quinzaiemon in the Ilandes of Goto MIchael and Quinzaiemon were with great feruour employing their best indeauours to promote the spirituall good and saluation of their neighbours in the Citty of Ochicha when two of the Tono his seruāts came to Michael and sollicited him to abandon the faith of Christ adding that such was the Xogun his pleasure And receiuing such answer as was meet and might be expected from such a seruant of God they full of disdaine intimated vnto him that he must dy At which words abundance of ioy did so powre it selfe downe vpon and redounded euen to the exteriour in such sort as it was a pregnant proof of his vndaunted courage Wherfore giuing thankes vnto thē who had brought him tydings so agreable vnto his harts desire apparelling himselfe in the attire he vsed on festiuall daies with great cheerfullnesse he made haste vnto the place appointed for his death And hauing disposed himselfe by prayer he was beheaded on the 19 of Aprill 1624 being seuenty two yeares of age when he suffered He was baptized by our Fathers being but a child in Ochicha the Citty he where was borne He did exercise himself much in vocall prayer he fasted all fridaies and did often punish himselfe by disciplines He made frequent excursions into the neere bordering places not only of the citty but country all about to assist his neighbours in their spirituall affaires he baptized the children succoured the sick disposing them to a happy passage from this life and with great diligence did bestow himselfe in burying their dead corps At such times as the solemne supplications of 40 houres prayer were celebrated he would be euer first in giuing good example vnto others so that the renowne of his singular piety caused great esteeme and veneration towards him in all men But that which in this seruant of God was most eminent was an ardent desire of suffering for Christ and the diuine Maiestie permitted at length that he should be put to death for defence of our holy faith in the manner we haue said Quinzaiemon a mā of great feruour in spirit liued in the same City wherof he also was natine he was accused vnto the Tono for his pious godly life had easily made him knowne and by his commaundment put to death A seruant of the Gouernour executing that most vniust sentence cut of his head Wee know not the certaine day but sure we are that it hapned the same yeare and by order of the same Tono The death of Thomas Nacangaua Mangosuque and Ioseph Gonzalo who suffred in Omura THomas and Gonzalus were accused vnto the Gouernour as noted Christians and leaders of the rest and peculiarly as fauourers of them of our Society inuiting and lodging them in their houses where they might administer the holy Sacraments vnto the faithfull in Nangaia a place siue leagues distant by sea from Omura Whereupon Thomas was presently cited to appeare And dispatching all busines with his kindred and frinds he departed imagining he was to see them no more Being arriued at Omura the officers came to bind him and he laying a side his poiniard offered him selfe with great humility vnto their bands Being presented to the iudges it was told him his life should be graunted him if he would renounce his faith but he contemning all such preiudiciall offers was sent back vnto his owne house where he remained with a straight guard vpon him till such time as he was condemned to die together with Ioseph Gonzalus who about that time was taken prisoner with diuerse other Christians vpon an accusatiō giuen in against them by the Paynims It is not possible to relate what sense of ioy these two shewed at their meeting to see that the prouidence of allmighty God had aslociated them in their death through whose goodnesse during their life they had been conioyned in the exercise of good workes They gaue
his life he was to giue in his last euidence and declaration of his faith he put of his shooes and stockings that so he might goe with all possible reuerence vnto that place where in he was to dy for Christ. Being now euen at the goale where vnto they so willingly made hast the 3 sonnes stoode with eyes fixed vpon the heauens when their Father bad them giue attentiue eare vnto what he should tell them You must then vnderstand said he that you are but earth and that all things contained in this wide vniuerse were created as helpes for man to the saluation of his soule which at this instant you are to offer vnto God who therefore hath created you that he might confer vpon you the blisse of eternall saluation He added heere vnto diuerse other edificatiue speeches when one of the Tonos sonnes a youth of tender yeares arriuing there the officers that he might speake no more tooke occasion to stop their mouthes in such sort that they could not vtter any word The young youth who came purposely to be present at this spectacle was desirous to see how well their Simitars would cut and therfore the officers would not put the condemned persons to death as they were accustomed to doe but in a more inhumane barbarous and cruell fashion to wit taking their blow from aboue the right arme in such sorte that the weapon issue forth vnder the lefte or contrary not vnlike vnto the fashion in which our deacons weare a stole and to giue more content vnto the yoūg Barbarian they tyed euery ones right hand vnto a stake and thus prepared they came forth first Leo and then his sonnes whilst the Barbarous Paynim recreated himselfe with his attendants to see how sharpe those swords or Simitars were which with one blow pearsing both flesh and bones would cut the body from side to side and in an instant deuide a man in two Leo was 60 yeares of age Andrew 25 Thomas 23 and Iohn twenty as well the Father as his sonnes were borne in a part of the kingdom of Bungo called Togi They dyed on the 28 of May 1624 by commaund of Inaba Friocodono Lord of Vsuqui a Principall place of the kingdome of Bungo THE TABLE OF the Temporall state of Iaponia and the present condition of Christian Religion Pag. 1. The exercise of the Christians in prison pag. 10. How the aboue named fifty Christians were burnt aliue by commaund from the Xogun pag. 13. The names of some of the aboue mentioned martyrs according to the order they stood beginning from the Citty pag. 20. A brief relation of the life of F. Hierom de Angelis of B. Simon Iempo of the Society of IESVS pag. 22. How foure and twenty Christians were put to death for the confession of Christian faith in the Citty of Iendo pag 28. Of other seauenteene Christians burnt aliue in the Towne of Iendo for professing Christian Religion pag. 31. A relation of the persecution raised in the beginning of the yeare 1624. in the Countries of Massamune in which aboue 24. Christians were put to death together with F. Diego Caruaglio of the Society of IESVS pag. 32 Of the persecution in the Kingdome of Deua the death of three Christiās pa. 54. Of Christianity in the Coūtry of Cami. pag. 58. The death of Francis Ioyama Sintaro in the Citty of Firoxima pag 68. The death of Mathias Xobora Schizaimō pag. 73. The death of Ioachim Curoyemon in Firoxima pag. 75. The death of Iohn Tananguia Cufroi pag. 76. Of the persecution of Christians in certaine places of the Kingdom of Figen p 86. The persecution of the Christians of the Citty of Firando and the terntory belonging to it in which eight and thirty suffered death pag 95. The death of nine Christiās of the house and family of Gabriel who had lodged F. Camillus Constantius of the Society of IESVS ibid. The death of fiue other Christians in Vsucca pag 104. The death of Isabell Mother of Damianus and Beatrice his wife with their foure children pag. 107. The death of Mary wife to Iohn Sucamoto and her foure sonnes pag. 122. The death of Michaell Iamando Fiemon and Vrsula his wife with three of their children pag. 115. The death of Catherine wife to Iohn Yuqumoura pag. 120. The death of Thomas Mattaicht p. 125. Of foure others put to death for Religion in the Precincte of Firando pag. 126. The death of Calisto Cambo a Christian of the Ilands of Goto pag. 131. The death of Michael Sori and Quinzaiemon in the Ilands of Goto pag. 134. The death of Thomas Nacangaua Mangosuque and Ioseph Gonzalo who suffered in Omura pag. 136. The death of Father Michael Caruaglio of the Society of IESVS and of foure other Religious men of the holy Orders of Saint Dominicke and Saint Francis who suffered for preaching of the holy Ghospell pag. 140. The state of Christianisme in Tacaco pag 153. The residence of Amacusa and missions of the Kingdome of Fingo pag. 155. The residence of the Kingdome of Chigugen and missions thereof pag. 157. The residence of the Kingdome of Bungo pag. 161. The death of Leo Mizaqui Xinyemon and of his three sonnes pag. 165. FINIS