in the sackes was so great that most of them or all did fall sicke therof 15. In Ozaca was the same affliction and persecution as in Meaco and the constancy of the Christians there no lesse then in the other place Those that went abroad about any busines left at home in writing how they were Christians that if there were any torments to be inflicted for being so they would returne presently to suffer them Others that were abroad when the newes was told them of the persecution left presently their businesse for the same end Some young youthes were most cruelly whipped by their parentes for being Christians and shut vp without any meate at all for a long tyme. Then arose a report that vpon a certaine day at such an houre the Christians should be put to death in such a market place Whereupon diuers of them did begin to giue all that they had vnto the poore and vpon the day appointed before the hour came there were more then three hundred come and expected in the place and many more there would haue beene had they not beene then by force deteyned by their freindes and kinsfolkes Fifty and eight were put in sacks in the manner afore rehearsed so carried through the streetes vnto a great bridge vpon the riuer where they were left fast bouÌ„d and diuers persons appointed to keepe them the rest were beaten away with cudgells yet as they went they did not cease to make publike profession of their fayth saying We are Christians 16. Amongst those that were put in sackes there were some Gentlemen of good worth who had thrust themselues into the thronge among the common people because they would not be fauoured nor exempted and a Nephew of the chiefe Lord of the Kingdome of Aua whose name was Iohn Xirey mon and his wife Magdalen no lesse noble then he she being then very great with child haâ—ing been banished a yeare and a halfe before thither for then fayth were both of them there also in the market place among the other Christians 17. That very night certaine Gentills came and asked that those that were put in sackes might be giuen vnto them and that they would be their suerties but the Christians refused their courtesy because it might be thereupon suspected that they had yealded to something that they ought not to haue done at length they let go the ordinary people and put 24. of the better sort into diuers prisons 18. In a towne neere vnto Ozaca the Gentills did take a Christian and because he would not deny his fayth they first pulled of all his clothes bound him to a piller and for two dayes together they burned him by little and little with dry reedes and straw the which they vse insteed of torches so that he could not dy of it because they would not do him the fauour to make him dye for Christ as he desired and being not able to ouercome him with all they could do to him they banished him together with other of his kinred that were Christians 19. The fury of this persecution did endure for ten daies space and at the end thereof there came from the Court letters in which the Xogun did declare Sangamidono for a Traytor and comanded that he should imediatly be banished into the Kingdome of Omi and that he spared his life in regard he had beene his Captayne so long tyme. And this was the reward of all his malice against the Christians And it was afterwards proued that that very day in which he pulled downe the Churches that very day was his Castle of Ondauara seized on all his landes and liuinges which were very great confiscated The Gentills themselues some of them did note how soone he was punished for his cruelty For conclusion of this Chapter I thinke it will not be amisse to relate a witty and pleasant prognostication which as they say was made in Meaco at this tyme by a Gentill one of their Southsayers For he casting a figure vpon this manner of proceeding neuer seene before of putting the Christians into sackes said these words The sackes be of Rice Rice is a seed that multiplyeth very much asigne that though they presse the Christian neuer so much they will greatly multiply The Gentills made a lest at it but some Christians thought that perhaps there was a greater mystery therin then was imagined Of some in Meaco Ozaca and Fuximi that were banished for Christian religion and others imprisoned CHAP. VII THE Christians of Meaco and Ozaca remayned prisoners a moneth But how great their valour courage and deuption was therein may well be gathered out of a letter which one of them wrote vnto a Father of the Society in this forme Vpon the eight day of this Moone they brought me vnto this prison with my wife and three Children I beseech you remember me in your holy Sacrifices and obteyne for me by your prayers of Almighty God perseuerance We are not vnmindful of those good consideratioÌ„s which you taught vs and although we be miserable sinners yet we do our endeauour euery day to communicate spiritually remembring our selues of the holy Sacrifice of the Masse We do also giue thankes dayly vnto Almighty God for his exceeding benefitts We feare no persecution nor esteeme our liues in any thing at all and this strength which we find and feele within our selue we acknowledge it for Gods fauour and the fruit of your care in teaching vs and we giue you thanâ—kes for all I vnderstand that all our companions stand very stedfast in their fayth of the which we are exceeding glad we are not forgetfull of them neyther day nor night And so once more desiring you would comend vs to Almighty God and giue vs your blessing I end 2. After this came the Xoguns sentence in which he comanded that all the prisoners with their wiues and Children should be banished to Taugaru which is at the end of al Iapone a very cold Countrey ouer against Tartaria and scarce inhabited and that those Gentlewomen which liued all together in one house in Meaco should be sent with other seauen or eight to Nangasaqui to be banished from thence out of Iapone and that those whose names were blotted out of the Catalogue should be compelled to follow some of the Sectes of Iapone There were ioyned together from Meaco and Ozaca vpon the 13. of Aprill threescore and thirteene who were deliuered vnto two Captaines to be carried into banishment but they seeing them to be so many and that some of them were knowne to be worthy and noble Captaines were afraid to take the charge of them so long away and therefore they intreated Itacuradono that eyther he would comand irons and fetters to be put vpon them or els some marke with fire to be made in their for heades wherby they might be knowne and taken againe in case they fled away from them Itacuradono laughing at them said It
they should haue no cause to â—â—oubt of their resolution conformity â—â—n desire to dye for Christ They had a Father of the Society hidden amongst them who with great care and secresy went from one place to another sayd â—â—asse preached administred the holy Sacraments vnto them But the diuell not being able to endure that those two good brethren should do so good seruice vnto God nor that the Christians should â—iue with such loue feruor as they did did so dispose that Arimadono and his Iudges came to haue notice and intelligence of all that passed which being knowne to them and they easily perceauing that whilest those two holy brethren liued they should not be able to do any thinge with the Christians of Ariye they therefore condemned them to death coÌ„mitting the execution therof vnto two principall men whome they willed to do it secretly because the Xogun had not commaunded that they should put to death any of the Christians but onely that they should moleste them in such manner that they of their owne accord for the auoiding of those troubles should leaue their Fayth and Religion 4. Vpon the Eue of S. Iames of the year 1612. the Father of the Society went to Michels house and there sayd masse the two dayes following heard their confessions gaue them the Blessed Sacrament and then retourned to a little Cottage where he did lye hidden In the afternoone which was vpon the day of the glorious Saint S. Anne did God Almighty choose to crowne these two happy brethren with the crowne of martyrdome Michael was taken and carried to a place where sometimes had stood a Church of the Misericordia and for that those that were to execute the Sentence were his friendes they notifyed it vnto him and wished him to prepare himselfe to dye Presently he lifted vp his eyes and handes to heauen giuing first thankes vnto Almighty God for so great a benefit and afterwardes he sayd â—nto those that brought him the newes This is a fauour which a long time I haue desired at God Almighty his handes and being so weake and sickly as I am it seemed to me that I should haue dyed of some ordinaâ—y sicknesse and disease and therefore now I am exceedingly reioyced with such happy â—ewes and so glorious a lotte Then he kneeled downe vpon the ground and prayed a little space when as the executioner came to him and sayd Brother Michael I beseech you that seing you are â—o dye for the loue of God that you would intreate him to pardon me this sinne for I am also a ChristiaÌ„ do this office God knowes of force and much against my will He answered with great â—â—ildnesse that he would do it very willingly and so his head was presently â—troken of whilest he was inuoking the holy name of Iesus His Brother Matthias they tooke at the same time in his owne house as he was foulding vp the ornamentes which the Father that day had vsed in the holy Sacrifice of the masse and carrying him aside they gaue him three or foure woundes with which he fell downe and dyed saying with a loud voyce Iesus Maria. 5. The executioner that cut of Michaels head did great reuerence to their two holy bodyes and taking some of their holy reliques he gaue notice to the Christians of their death and cause thereof So many came thither to reuerence theyr bodies and to get some of their reliques that they could scarce get them burried all that night at length they buried them though afterwardes they were taken vp againe and carried to the Church of Nangasaqui where they were likewise much reuerenced of all some taking peeces of their apparrell some parcels of their hayre others some of their bloud many therewith made the signe of the crosse on their own foreheades desiring much to imitate and follow them in dying for their fayth An old man of threescore and ten yeares called Ioachim as soone as he had notice of their death went running to the place where their bodies lay and imbracing Matthias his body by the seete he most earnestly desired the executioners who yet remayned there that they would do the like to him seing he also was a Christian and had promised Michael to dye in his company 6. Some monethes before this matter happened Lucy the mother to these two holy martivs a very deuout and vertuous Christian did see in a vision a most beautifull child who hauing two pretious stones in his handes shewed them vnto her and she desiring to take them in her handes he vanished away The next day following he did appeare againe with two nosegayes made of many goodly followers and when she desired to haue taken them as before he vanished away againe likewise the third day he appeared againe with two beautifull red roses in his handes at which she wondring told her sonne Michael of it and he afterwardes related it to another brother of his who is of the Society not long after she dyed and as seemes that Almighty God thereby would let her vnderstand how gratefull and beautifull the soules of her two sonnes were in his heauenly eyes 7. The same sentence of death was executed vpon Leon Quita Quinzayemon on the two and twenty day of August 1612. He was a Gentleman of a good house and a very valerous souldier of fifty yeares of age or thereaboutes he was borne at a towne called Chinxina and from his youth very vertuous and of exemplar life When Arimadono came first to Ximauara Leon sent him word that if he meant to make vse of his seruice it could not be but vpon condition that he would giue him leaue to liue a Christian for that otherwise he would not serue him He went vp and downe two monethes and more without his sword expecting an answere from Arimadono animating with great feruor all to constancy and to that end visiting the neighbour townes and villages And some wondring to see him go without his sword he told them Seing that I am not to defend myselfe when they come to kill me for Christes cause I haue no need at all to weare my weapon Going vp and downe in this manner he found that the Christians of one towne durst not bury publikely one that was dead and reprehending them for their cowardize therein they told him they feared some hurt and domage would befall him for the great boldnesse which he shewed To which he answered What can they do to me more then kill me and for that I am very ready whensoeuer they will for there is nothing that I more desire then to dy for Christ and saying so with his owne handes he buryed the dead body of the Christian 8. The Iudges did procure by all meanes possible to perswade him to accommodate himselfe vnto the time and so he might enioy his liuing and be in fauour with his Prince and a certaine Noble man that loued him very well called Camon who was
would not contradict their deuotion therein Afterwardes both hers as also the bodies of the children were carried to Nangasaqui and there buried withal respect conuenient in the Church of the Fathers of the Socyety of Iesus The sentence pronunced against Don Iohn Tacuyen Arimadono his great Vncle as also against the worthy Captaine George Yefengi of banishment and losse of their goodes whereof I spake before was also with all rigour put in execution Of eight Christian Iaponians that were burned aliue for the faith of Christ CHAP. IIII. SAFIOYE seeing that with his violent manner of proceeding putting some to death and banishing others he was so far from obteyning of his purpose and desire that rather matters were worse now then they were before for those that were but somwhat bold before were now much more encouraged by the examples they had seen and with the hope of victory heauenly reward and those that had shewed some weaknes frailty at the first by the same examples were moued to be very sory and repentant for their fall and rose vp againe with couragious resolution he now determined to change his rigour into another kind of crafty cunning persecution He sought out therefore a certaine Bonzo an auncient preacher of the Iaponian Sectes that was very famous in the Courtes of Suruga and Yendo and brought him to Arimadono telling him that if he could get the Christianes of his country to heare his Sermons without all doubt they would very quickly little esteeme wholy giue ouer and leane the Christian Fayth He wished him therefore to carry him to Arima with him and to make him preach therein Arimadono to giue content vnto Safioyedono and the Xogun was very willing therewithall and Banzui for so was the Bonzo his name was not backward but rather exceeding glad to go thinking doubtlesse he should do some great exploite and gaine immortall Fame in conuincing and conuerting of the Christians the Bonzos of Meaâ—o who by experience knew of how small effect their Sermons are against the Christian Fayth in the meane tyme laughing in their sleues to thinke how wholy his hopes would be frustrated 2. Assoone as the Christianes of Arima had intelligence of the Bonzo his comming towards them they begane forthwith to prepare themselues And sent vnto the Bishop and vnto Father Prouinciall of the Society to know of them what they might do neyther to preiudice their Consciences nor to be wanting in their duty to their Prince And it was resolued that they should neyther go out to meet the Bonzo nor afterwards to visit him The which although some of them did not obserue going at the petition of the chiefe Gouernour to visit him yet when they went they carried their beades in their handes and Agnus Deies at their neckes in signe that they were Christians 3. It was appointed by Arimadono that there should be a Temple or Chappell and an Altar made for the Bonzo his vse and because the Christians neyther for loue nor money neyther by threats nor intreaties could be brought to put their hands thereunto they were forced to fetch from other places Carpenters other workmen who were Gentills for the framing making thereof When the Temple was finished and all in readines Banzui would needs now haue them come to heare him preach Some went of curiosity to heare what he would say but before the end of his Sermon they did so laugh so mocke and deride him both in the Temple and after in the streets that the poore Bonzo almost besides himselfe did grieuously complaine to Safioye that insteed of honouring him as he expected they had brought him thither as it seemed wholy do disgrace him and make him loose his credit Telling him withall that if Arimadono would shew some exemplar punishment vpon some of the principall Christians the rest would be terrified therewith Whereupon the matter was proposed to Arimadono and by him and them it was determined that eight or ten of them should be put to death publikely together with their wiues and Children 4. Great was the feruour that was at that tyme amonge the Christians continuall their prayer and frequent their doing of peÌ„nances In many places they made the prayer of Forty houres continually without intermission carefully following the counsailes direction and exhortation of the Fathers of the Society that in disguised habits liued amongst them Innumerable daily entred into the Confraternities writing their names in the Cataloges euen with their owne bloud which to that end they let out of their bodies and making protestation that assisted by the grace of God they would remaine firme and constant in the confession of their Faith As soone as it was knowne that some of them should be put tormentes and afterwardes to death a wondrous great ioy arose amongst them all ech one congratulating the good newes with his neighbour freinds and kinred euery one also desirning that it might be his happy lot to be one of those that should dy for the Christian Cause in that occasion 5. Out of all the townes of the country there was six or seauen of euery Confraternity sent to the Citty of Arima to giue Intelligence when and where the sentence should be put in Execution before mentioned with intention all of them to be present there to make publike protestation of their faith and to shew how desirous they were to dy therefore And this was in such manner that almost al tradsmen and artificers did leaue their worke and occupations and merchantes did suspend their traffique vntil they saw what would be the yssue and conclusion thereof 6. But Safioye hauing vnderstood of all that passed amongst them fearing some vprore and doubting that he should be blamed for it at the Court seeing also that their resolution was such that to vse rigor towards them should be but to cast oyle into the fier rather augment their constancy then otherwise he comanded no more should be done in that busines and thereupon the Christians returned all vnto their houses with intention there to prepare theÌ„selues against another tyme for Martyrdome Notwithstanding this command of Safioye Banzui the Bonzo at the petitioÌ„ of Arimadono his wife who was an eager enemie vnto the Christians would needes vrge some Gentlewomen and pages that wayted in the pallace to take of him certaine scroles and graines which the Bonzos vse to giue and which they call Iuzus and Maburi but it was his misfortune and hard hap to gaine as little honor in this matter as he had done before by his Sermons for some of the yonger sort vpon that occasion not only refused to take his Iuzus with deuotion but also made him and them an obiect of their myrth and some of them being to much vrged by him in that busines cast his trumperio in his face for which he did reueng himselfe euen to the full causing some of of them to be put in prison for it and others
to be banished 7. A little after this there came newes from the Court that by occasion of a little Chappell that was built by the Christians for certaine poore leprous persons of Yendo the Xogun was so much offended therewith that after many examinations and other diligences vsed he comanded and caused 28. of them to be put to death at three seuerall tymes they all suffering most constantly so glorious a Martyrdome because they would not deny the Fayth of Christ Eight of them were put to death vpon the 16. day of August and fourteene vpon the 17. the rest in the next moneth following Moreouer he cōmanded that all the Christians whose names were written downe in the Catalogue whereof vpon some other occasion perhaps heereafter we may speake should be compelled to leaue their fayth This newes made great impression in Safioyedono and thereupon he tooke occasion to cause the Martyrdome of those whereof I purpose now to speake to be put to execution Safioyedono when he departed from Nangasaqui vnto the Court at Suruga sent word to Arimadono that it was reported in the Court that he was a Christian and that therefore he did not only not endeauour that his subiects should be otherwise but rather procured that the faith of Christ should daily florish more and more in his dominions and that doubtlesse the Xogun now at his going to the Court would aske him how the matter stood and that he must needs certify the truth although much against his wil which being knowne it seemed to him very likely that he would be sharply rebuked for permtting matters to be in that manner that they were He wished him therefor as a freind to consider wel what he did by reason he perceaued that his Estate vpon this respect was in great hazard and ieopardy 8. With this message Arimadono was at his wits end and almost besides himselfe seeing that it seemed to him he had already done almost all he could against the Christians and for that cause had depriued himselfe by putting some to death and sending others into banishment of the best most faithfull and ancient seruants of his house And thinking with himselfe that he should be vtterly vndone if Safioye did make such a Relation to the Xogun of him as he sayd he would he publickly protested that he had now no Christians in his house and that he therfore wondred very much any such reportes should be made of him When he made this protestation he imagined that none would haue contradicted that which he had sayd and so therby he should sufficiently haue complyed with Safioye But some that thinking perhapps that they had obligation in that occasion to manifest themselues answered him aloud and sayd yea and if it please your Excellency there be māy Christians in your house and those also that are very desirous to spend their bloud for their fayth and religion and there withall eight Gentlemen of the best note and quality in al Arima did manifest themselues for Christians 9. Arimadono was now much more greeued and afflicted then before and caused Safioye his letter to be shewed them desiring them for the loue they bare vnto him that they would accommodate themselues vnto the tyme. They answered him with couragious resolution that in no case and for no respect they could condescend to his request therein The day following which was vpon the first of October he called them all vnto him one by one and very earnestly teares accompaning his wordes spake vnto them in this manner My estate and honor wholy standeth at this present in your handes for as you cannot choose but know I haue many enemies who by this meanes do seeke my vtter ouerthrowe For the loue therefore that you beare me I beseech you make but only some kind of shew before the Bonzo for one day nay but for one houres space that you be no Christians and afterwards do euen as you please To the rest of the Christians you shall do a great good turne in doing so for I with this will rest satiffied and trouble no one man more and if you do it not I shall be compelled to proceed with rigor against thē all And although perhaps it be a sinne you are not ignorant that S. Peter being an Apostle yea the Chiefe of them all denied Christ and yet afterwards obteyned pardon for it much more may you who do not deny him in your hartes nor yet for feare but only make a shew to deny him and that for a very little tyme to conserue thereby a whole Prouince and the Christians therof in peace and quietnes 10. With these reasons and the like fiue of the eight did yeald themselues vnto his will and afterwardes he gaue assault vnto the other three reducing to their memory the many benefits they had receaued of his house and family he told them he meant to do them more and that it was no reason for a thing that might so easily be remedied to put in hazard his honor and estate But they answered him with such couragious constancy grounded vpon solide and substantiall reasons that being out of hope to bring them to his becke he went presently to Nangasaqui to take his leaue of Safioye to tell him what he had done and take his further aduise what afterwardes to do 11. The three glorious Confessors of Christ returned very ioyfully home confessed themselues immediatly with one of the Society and procured to prepare themselues for martyrdome which now it seemed they were almost assured of And vpon the fifth day of October came the sentence from Nangasaqui that they their wiues and Children should be burned aliue The same day in the afternoone it was notified vnto them and a certaine house appointed them for their prison vnto the which they went most willingly without any officer or other person to carry or conduct them thither The names of those that went in this māner were these Adrian Tacafati Mondo and Ioanna his wife Leon Fayaxida Lugutyemon and his wife Martha with two children Iames of eleauen yeares of age and Magdalen of eighteene a very vertuous virgin who with the licence of her ghostly Father and good liking of her parentes had made a vow of her virginity some yeares before Leon Taquendomi Canyemon and Paul Canyemon his sonne 12. And togeather with these did two other valorous souldiers of Christ enter into the prison to beare them company in dying for their fayth although afterwards they were put out from thence with no small griefe vnto their hartes because their names were not in the Catalogue Only there was wanting Monica the wife of Leon Taquendomi with a daughter of hers of nyne yeares old The reason of their absence was because it was reported credibly to her that the women should not be put to death whereupon she and her daughter not without many teares had before taken their leaues of her husband and sōne and they of them but
banishmēt of Don Iusto Tacayama and of other Gentlemen of Focoru of the Christians of Firoxima CHAP. VIII SOME fiue or six dayes iourney Northward from Meaco doe stand the Kingdomes of Canga Noto and Yetehu the prince whereof Figeuaono was very much affected to the Chistian religion and vsed the Fathers with great respect and curtesy 2. He had in his Kingdome diuers noble Christians Captaines and in particuler Don Iusto Tacayama Minaminobo whose memory is famous in the histories of the Society of Iesus of the East Indies and Iapone and Nayto Don Iohn Toruan who was Lord of almost al the Kingdome of Tamha and Nayto Don Thomas Vacmodono his sonne and Oquinada Thomas Quicuan a principall Gentleman of Bigen Don Iusto had alwaies with him some Father of the Society and a Brother and others of the Seminary that was in the Citty of Canazoua 3. When the newes of the persecution came first into those partes Don Iusto did determine to keepe the Father secretly to the end he might help the Christians there in case they came to dye for their fayth as all did hope and desire they should But presently there came a comand from the Xogun that the Father and those that were with him should be carried by officers vnto Nangasaqui and so it was of necessity put in execution but before his departure so great was the concourse of the Christians to confesse themselues to receaue the Blessed Sacrament and to take their leaues of him that the Church was scarce euer empty eyther day or night Three dayes after his departure together with the rest of his company Figendono did by order from the Xogun comand though much against his will that Don Iusto Don Iohn and Don Thomas with their Wiues Children and Grandchildren should be caried to Meaco and deliuered to Itacuradono and that all their seruantes should be banished if they did not leaue to be Christians Great was the assault that was giuen them there to accommodate themselues vnto the tyme least otherwise they should vndoe themselues and vtterly ruinate their Families which were of so great name fame and nobility But they as men experienced in such like Combats hauing lost before at other tymes and ventured for their fayth more then they could do now were nothing moued therwith saying that to honest men and such as know what it is to be Christians no man ought to mention any such matter no not in way of iest or merriment 4. One only day was giuen them to prepare themselues towards their iourney and so leauing their landes liuings wealth weapons howses and estates without any more then their only apparell on their backes and some thinges necessary for the way they tooke their iorney to Canozaua vpon the 15. day of February So Don Iusto like another Abraham left his Country togeather with his wife Iusta and fiue Grandchildren the eldest whereof was 16. yeares old and the yongest 8. and his daughter who was married vnto the sonne and heire of the Gouernour of those three kingdomes a man worth forty thousand ducats by the yeare This Lady for diuers reasons and principally because she desired to dy in this occasion with her Father went with him her husband being very willing therewith He was also a Christian and desired much to haue accompanied his Father-in-law but for iust occasions he would not permit him And so hauing made a generall confession of all his life with a Father of the Society before his departure he remained there expecting what would be the euent of these troubles with intentiō if God gaue him life to send after for his wife and both of them to dy togeather for the faith of Christ 5. When they went out of the Citty the Gentills did feare there would haue beene made some vprore by reason Don Iusto had so many seruantes freindes and wellwillers there and that all the world saw euidētly the manifest wrong and iniustice that was done to him and the rest and therefore they did arme themselues to preuent whatsoeuer might happen But he sent them word they needed not to feare saying That now he was not to fight with weapons as at other tymes they had seene him do but with patience and humility as the Law of God doth teach Many people did accompany them a little on their way some weeping to see such men that were a little before so rich and so esteemed in the Kingdome to go now out of it in banishment in pouerty and with officers to guard them not hauing done the least offence or committed any fault at all Others admyring to see such courage and constancy in them sayd Doubtlesse the Christian religion must needes be very good seeing that men of so good Iudgment vnderstanding as these be so wise noble and valiant do for it so little esteeme and so lightly regard their liues make so smal account of their goods honors estates 6. At the end of the first daies iorney it was told them that some were comming towards them with order to put them all to death the which when they heard with great ioy and gladnes they al setled themselues to their prayers without making the least signe of sadnes or shew of resistance in the world but rather when afterwards they vnderstood it was a false all-arme they were very sorry and grieued that it proued not so as it was reported 7. After ten daies iourney they arriued at Sacamoto three leagues from Meaco hauing endured much misery in the way passing ouer many high hills craggy mountaines full of snow which they could not go ouer but on foot and Don Iusto being so old as he was sicke withall was yet still the first ammating so much the rest that euen the children and yong damsells which neuer before knew what hardnes meant went with as great contentement ouer those mountaines dabling in the wet and trampling in the snow as if they had beene walking in stately Pallaces and pleasant galleries 8. Itacuradono vnderstood of their comming and fearing that if they should come into the Citty the Christians thereof would bee to much ēcouraged he wrote vnto the two Captaines that garded them that they should stay in Sacamoto vntill they had further order frō the Xogun It seemed vnto Don Iusto that their sentēce would be one of these three thinges eyther that they should be put to death there or els carried to Yendo Suruga and there made an end of with torments and disgrace or finally banished vnto diuers Kingdomes that so being separated one from the other they would assault them euery one by themselues to make them leaue their fayth telling them that the rest had conformed themselues and condescended to their will And this last he feared most of all by reason of the children and women that were among them least they therby might be circumuented for that cause he did preuent them with instructions bidding
the Gentlemē also there were diuers whome he tempted proued oftentymes to see if they were truly firme and constant in their fayth or no and they were of the very principall about him and such as were in greatest fauour with him for he tooke great content to be serued and accompanied with men of valour and constancy as indeed they were for they did plainely signify vnto his greatest fauorite to the end that it might come to his notice that the first tyme their Lord did send a Message vnto them to leaue their fayth and religion he should ioyntly therewithall send some that might cut off their heades or put them to some other death for that they were not willing to shew themselues discourteous vnto him as it might be they might seeme if they came to be questioned about their religion for the which they were resolued to suffer any thing yea and finally to spend their bloud and giue vp their liues Of the Glorious Death of Adam Aracaua and of the Christians of Xiqui and Conzura CHAP. XII THE Ilandes of Xiqui or Amacusa and Conzura are part of the Kingdome of Fingo They did first belong vnto Don Augustino Tzun◠Camidono in whose tyme all the Inhabitants thereof were Christians baptized by the Fathers of the Society but after his death which was in the yeare 1600. they were giuen vnto Ximadono who put therein certaine Gouernours who although Gentills yet did they shew much fauour vnto the Fathers who vsed to visit them now and then for the keeping and conseruing thereof 2. When the newes of this persecution came vnto Ximadono he being then in the Kingdome of Fixen where commonly he makes his aboad he wrote presently vnto the Fathers that he was very sory to heare of that new order made by the Xogun but that he could not choose but be obedient thereunto and that therefore he desired they would depart his country vntill they saw what would be the end thereof 3. Hereupon they al departed soone after to the griefe of the Christians yea and of the Gentills also who did loue them very much But because the Christians should not remayne without all comfort although none of the Fathers could remayne amongst them yet did they leaue with them a good old man called Adam who was the Porter of their house and because he had a sonne that dwelt there in the towne of Xiqui could with better colour stay In Conzura also there stayed another whose name was Soter of whose glorious Martyrdome mention shall be made in the 9. Chapter of the second part of this relation 4. Ximadono sent word vnto his Gouernours that he went vnto the Court and that from thence he would write what should be done with the Christiās but being in the way aduertised how rigorously they were dealt withall in Meaco he wrote againe vnto Xiroyemondone his principall gouernor of those Ilandes and to the rest that they should not leaue one Christian in them vnder paine of loosing their estates yea and their liues also for that the Xogun had so commanded it The Gouernour vsed great diligence in the busines and after some tyme signified vnto Ximadono that there were now no Christians in the Ilands which he did it being most false because he bare no hatred but rather good affection towardes them thought therby to cōply sufficiently with the Xogun to whose command they would seeme to haue obeyed for feare of incurring his disgrace 5. Adam the good old man in the meane tyme went vp and downe visiting the Christians in their howses and animating them The Gouernour hauing intelligence thereof gaue command he should be taken that diligence should be vsed to perswade him to forsake his Fayth He hearing of it lifted vp his handes to heauen gaue many thankes to God and would not absent himselfe as some aduised him but went directly to his sones house there to expect the combat hoping for it afterwards to haue a crowne in heauen Thither came many Gētills that were his freinds to perswade him al they could but he with corage of mind did āswere them in this māner Are you not ashamed to perswade me to so base a thinge for a man of my age and that haue beene so many yeares a Christian Although it were only for worldly respect I cannot now go backe hauing serued the Fathers so many yeares receaued so many benefitts at their handes and I do remayne heere to do my lest endeauour that the rest of the Christians remayne constant in their faith how cā I leaue it my selfe Tell them that sent you and set you on worke that in this only busines I must neyther regard the Gouernour nor Ximadono nor the Xogun himselfe but only God Almighty who is my Lord and Sauiour 6. The same perswasions were made him by all the officers but he being nothing at all moued there with nor seeming much to regard them they tooke and carried him prisoner vnto the Castle vpō the Thursday before the holy Week wherewith he seemed exceeding glad because he said it was so neere the tyme of the passion of his Sauiour and Redeemer The Gouernour commanded that they should put him all that night in the prison and in some paine to see if therewithall he would be brought to change his determination but seeing in the morning no change at all in him he sent for him in presence of other Gentills he sayd vnto him Adam you knowe well inough the great loue that I alwaies did beare vnto the Fathers and that I beare no euill will vnto your religion but it is the Xoguns command and Ximadono hath signified vnto me that he will make me be put to death if I suffer so much as one only Christian to remayne in his Country let me intreat you therefore you would dissemble a little for the present and not to go animating the rest 7. Of your loue to the Fathers said Adam I am a good witnesse and they I know will neuer cease to be thankefull for it But in this matter seeing it is a thing that doth concerne the saluation of my soule I cannot bee obedient to you therein Your worship sayth that you persecute the Christiās against your will only because you would not loose your estate and life and I because I would not loose the estate of euerlasting life am determined to perseuer vnto death in the faith of Christ. If I for obeying you should be damned to the eternall torments of hell fire neyther your Worship nor the Xogun with al his power could deliuer me from them although yee could yet haue I receaued so many benefites of my Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ that I cannot without most base ingratitude cōmit so vile an act as to leaue his fayth Your Worship therefore may do with me as you please for neyther will I my selfe leaue my religion nor yet perswade any other to do it 8. The Gouernour
dye for Christ Don Iusto hauing intelligence of their miseries and afflictions delt with Figendono who knew them very well to send for them and giue them entertainement Almighty God so disposing it to the end that as they had beene companions in their fayth in baptisme zeale and examplar life so they should also be in banishment which is a kind of prolonged martyrdome Of their receauing at Manilla and of the death of Don Iusto CHAP. XVII THIS was their estate when the third and last tempest was raysed against them as I mentioned in the VIII Chapter wherein they were by the Xoguns order sent to Nangasaqui there they liued with meruailous example vntill the end of October spending their tyme in pyous actions and workes of Charity Don Thomas and others made the spirituall exercise there Don Iohn could not by reason of his sicknesse with such deuotion as they seemed rather religious persons then such as they were After Don Iusto his death there was found a paper written with his hand of the good motions heauenly comfortes consolations which God had bestowed vpon him at diuers times At his being in Nangasaqui diuers Gentill Lordes did send to visit him desiring to deale with the Xogun to send for him to the Court and Fideyori Taycosamaes Sonne desired much to haue him for his Captaine Generall of Ozaca but he made small account of all these offers saying he would not change his banishment for all the world It is certaine that before he tooke shipping he kwew he should dy very soone so that in the 150 dayes which passed betwixt the sentence of his banishment and the tyme of his taking shippe he alwaies was expecting death and that with such quietnes and ioy as if he had beene then in his chiefe prosperity in so much that Yetchuydom Lord of the Kingdome of Bugen his great freind hauing vnderstood thereof although he were a Gentil sayd Yea marry Sir with this Don Iusto doth seale 〈◊〉 the rest of his worthy deedes and excellent exploites and if he had not done so he should haue disgraced himselfe and obscured them 2. Their Iorney by sea was not 〈◊〉 little troublesome vnto them they neuer hauing beene acquainted with Sea voyages before and carrying with them besydes so many women and Children But letting this passe as soone as in Manilla notice was giuen of their arriuall there was a generall ioy in all desiring to giue them all intertainement possible and in particuler the Gouernour thereof Don Iohn de Silua who had heard much of Don Iusto sent a Galley well appointed and therein some persons of account to giue him the welcome and to offer him all courtesy The wynd being contrary it was three or foure daies ere they could come to land When they landed all the great Artillery was shot off to welcome them and all the whole Citty and the religious persons thereof went vnto the Sea shoare the meet and receiue them as holy Confessors of Christ accōpanying them vnto the Pallace where the Gouernour and Iudges did imbrace them with all kindnes congratulating their comming thither and the courage they had shewed in suffering so much for their fayth as they had done offering vnto them both in their owne behalfes and in the kinges whatsoeuer should be necessary or conuenient for them Don Iusto in most courteous manner gaue them thankes for the great fauour and honor they had done to them they being altogether vnworthy thereof as not hauing beene so happy to giue their liues for Christ and so taking their leaues of them they were accompanied by the Cittizens vnto the Colledg of the Society of Iesus passing in the way by the great Church and by the Monastery of S. Augustine at the intreaty of the Clergy and Religious persons who came out of their gats to receiue them with musicke and solemnity The like was done the day following by the Fathers of the orders of S. Dominicke and S. Francis all kind of persons desiring to shew their forwardnes in honoring and entertayning them 3. Don Iusto liued only fourty dayes after his arriuall at Manilla and in that tyme he was often visited by the Gouernour by the Archbishop by the Religious men and all the principall persons of the Citty all of them conceiuing a great loue and affection towardes him and making no lesse esteeme of him then his worthinesse deserued But he taking small delight in any thing of this world desired nothing so much as a house a part where freed from visitation and complementes he might without distraction attend to the chiefe busines of his soule saying he feared very much least God would pay him in this life for that small seruice some did imagine he had done him It seemeth that Almighty God did meane to proue this his worthy souldier as he did his seruant Iob and that he would honor him both in life death in signe of the great crowne he would giue him in heauen for his great courage and constancy in his fayth For that eyther through the chang of ayre clymates or differences of meates or through the incomodities he had endured in his banishment and nauigation very contrary both to his nature yeares and complexion he fell sicke of a continuall feuer accompanied with a bloudy flux the which in small tyme brought him to his end 4. He knew presently that this disease was mortall and so he began to prepare himselfe for death and sayd vnto his Confessour Father I perceaue that I growe towardes my end although I make no shew of it because of not discomforting my family I am very well content and comforted therewithall it being Gods holy will and pleasure especially among so many religious persons and in so Christian a country as this is I pray you render many thanks in my behalfe vnto the Lord Gouernour the Archbishop Iudges Religious men and al the rest for the courtesy fauour and honor they haue done me As for my Wife Daughter Grandchildren take no care for I take none at all they and I am banished for Christes cause I do much esteeme the loue they haue alwaies borne me and that they would accompany me hither I hope that Almighty God for whose sake they are now in a strang country will be a true Father vnto them and so they shall haue no want of me He made a Testament such another as holy Tobias did comending vnto them perseuerance in their fayth and obedience vnto the Fathers and that if any of them did not well the rest should aduise and counsaile them and tell the Fathers of them and if they did not obey they should be depriued of their inheritance and of the name of his house Family This done he receaued the holy Sacramentes with great deuotion and after he was annealed he said often tymes I desire now to go to enioy my Lord and Sauiour and so he gaue his soule vnto his Creator about
midnight vpō the first of February 1615. In all the tyme of his sicknesse although it were very paynfull he neuer shewed the least signe of impatience in the world nor any feare at all nor griefe to leaue his Wife and Children altogeather vnprouided for and in a strange country but great quietnes of mynd and conformity with God Almighty his holy will 5. Exceeding great was the griefe which generally all did shew when this newes of his death was published lamenting on the one side the losse of so worthy a person whome they entirely loued and whose example if God had giuen him longer life might haue beene a potent meanes for the conuersion of his Country whensoeuer he had returned thereunto againe and on the other side comforting themselues hauing notice of his holy and happy death all holding and esteeming him as a most noble and worthy Confessour of Christ He was buried in the Church of the Society of Iesus whose Ghostly child he had alwaies beene There were present at his funeralls al the Magistrates of the Citty both Ecclesiasticall and secular all the religious men the whole Citty many kissing his handes in signe of great respect and reuerence At the taking of his body out of the house where it lay there arose a pyous contention who should carry his Coffin euery one being desirous to do that office thereby to honor him At length it was agreed that the Lord Gouernour Iudges should carry it vnto the street that then the Citty togeather with the Confraternity of the Misericordia whereof he was a Brother should from thence carry it vnto the Church and that there the Superiors of the religious Orders should take it conuey it to the place where it was to remaine during the tyme of the office of the dead 6. The Cleargy of the Cathedrall Church did celebrate the office both this day and the day of his solemne funerall with great deuotion the like was done by the religious of the holy orders of S. Dominicke and S. Francis in their Monasteries and by the Fathers of S. Augustines Order in the Colledge of the Society they bringing thither to that end such costly ornamentes and doing all in that fushion as might well haue beseemed the funeralls of a King Vpon the nynth day after his death all that had beene present at his buriall returned to his funeralls wherein after the holy sacrifice of the Masse ended was preached a notable sermon of the heroical vertues of Don Iusto whose Exequies they then solemnized to the great comfort and edification of all there present but more in particuler of the Iaponians whereof there were in Manilla more then a thousand persons at that tyme who much reioyced to see those so honoured in a strange country who for the fayth of Christ were so afflicted and persecuted in their owne 7. After the death of Don Iusto his wife Daughter and Grandchildren remayned with a new sorrow and affliction and Don Iohn Naytodono old and sickly with many Children and Grand-children Don Thomas in like manner as also the Lady Iulia with her Gentlewomen whereof we spake in the 6. Chapter all of them in a strange country not hauing any thing wherewithall to help themselues Whereupon the Gouernor Don Iohn de Silua with the counsayle and aduise of the Iudges and others of the Kinges officers at the petition of the Citty and religious persons thereof did in the name of his Maiesty prouide them of all thinges necessary for their sustenance with great liberality during the tyme they were to remaine in that Citty the which in all those Easterne partes will be a great praise of the Christian piety as also of the liberality of his Catholique Maiesty who doth so bountifully prouide carefully defend those that suffer for the only true and Catholique Religion The end of the first Part. TO THE READER I Suppose good Reader now that thou hast read the first Part of this Relation that thou doest desire or expect the second But indeed as yet I haue not seene it myselfe I haue written for it into Spayne vnto my friend which sent me this and I hope ere longe to haue it If I shall vnderstand that by the reading of this thou hast receiued any contentment it will greatly animate me to take the paynes to translate the other when it commeth In the meane tyme accept of my good will and so farewell THE TABLE of the Chapters OF the begining causes and occasion of the Persecution Chap. 1. Pag. 45. Of the beginning of the Persecution in the Prouince of Arima Chap. 2. pag. 58. Of some that were banished others put to death for the fayth of Christ in the Prouince of Arima Chap. 3 pag. 76. Of eight Christians Iaponians that were burned aliue for the sayth of Christ Chap. 4. pag. 102. How this last persecution of all did begin and of the causes thereof Chap. 5. pag. 130. Of that which happened in Meaco and Ozaca Chap. 6. pag. 143. Of some in Meaco Ozaca and Fuximi that were banished for Christian religion and others imprisoned Chap. 7. pag. 164. Of the banishment of Don Iusto Tacayama of other Gentlemen of Focoru of the Christiās of Firoxima Chap. 8. pag. 181. Of the Christians of Bungo and of foure therin that gaue their liues for the fayth of Christ Chap. 9. pag. 196. Of other three that were put to death for the fayth of Christ in Facata and Aquizuqui Chap. 10. pag. 214. Of the great constancy of the Christians of Arima and how they prepared themselues to Martyrdome Chap. 11. pag. 230. Of the Glorious death of Adam Aracaua and of the Christians of Xiqui Conzura Cap. 12. pag. 246. Of that which passed in other places and of the glorious death of Minalius in Fucofori Chap. 13. pag. 270. Of such thinges as passed in Nangasaqui before the banisbment Chap. 14. pag. 284. How the Fathers of the Society of Iesus were bamshed and the Churches of Nangasaqui destroyed Chap. 15. pag. 296. Of the arriuall of the Fathers of the Society at Macan and Manilla and of the notable vertues of Don Iusto Chap. 16. pag. 308. Of their receauing at Manilla and of the death of Iohn Iusto Chap. 17. pag. 339. FINIS