loss of it The Tartars by this means being put to a stand having enrich'd themselves with Booty destroy'd some thousands of poor Creatures with the Sword and burnt down their Dwellings to the Ground retreated back to their old Quarters in the Province of Leaotung During these Troubles the Emperor Vanlieus died in the Year 1620. After whose Death his Son Taichangus a valiant and prudent Prince succeeded who by the Conduct of his Affairs in a short time gave sufficiently to understand what good Services his Country was to expect from him had he not been unfortunately cut off by an untimely Death in the fourth Month of his Reign To whom was Successor his Son Thienkius a gallant Person and no ways inferior to his Father for Vertue and Courage This Monarch finding the unsetledness and danger of his Affairs made it his chiefest Concern to contract Friendship and support his Government with the Favor and Affection of his Neighbors for he had taken notice by experience how much the Empire of China had suffer'd by living always at great variance with the Tartar Kings of Ninche which border'd upon him In the first place therefore he endeavor'd to win the Favor of the King of Corea who had formerly sent to his Grandfather a Supply of twelve thousand Men to aid and assist him in this War but they being most of them kill'd and wounded he doubted lest this might make him take part against him and joyn with the Tartar for prevention whereof and to satisfie the King in every scruple he immediately sent an Ambassador to him to return him thanks for those great Succors he had sent and withal signifying his extraordinary Grief and Sorrow for the great loss which had fall'n upon the afore-menâ—ion'd Aids in that War but that he hoped in a short time to retaliate upon the Enemy the Wrongs they had done to him and his Kingdom And that his Embassy might be the more grateful he likewise sent several rich Presents and promis'd him his Assistance where and whensoever he should have occasion to make use of it But this friendly Message look'd not only for verbal Returns for it was design'd as a Motive to procure more Succors from him which without doubt he had reason to endeavor in regard the People of this Island of Corea which lies very near to Iapan have out of the Neighborhood far greater Strength than the Chineses And now craving leave for a little digression which may not be impertinent in regard there has been often mention made of this Island of Corea and the Inhabitants thereof I shall describe the same in short and all that is worth observation in the same It is unto this day doubted by those of Europe whether Corea be an Island or firm Land but according to the opinion of the best Writers it is a hanging Island surrounded with Water on all parts except the uttermost part which is joyn'd to the firm Land for though Trials have been made to Sail round about yet it could never be done as some People seem to affirm to us from their own experience though some there are that affirm the contrary But this Error proceeds from a mistake of a certain great Island call'd Fungina situaâ—e to the Southward of it to be Corea However it be this truth is most certain that all the Chinese Writers affirm Corea to be firm Land and joyning to the Kingdom of Ninche in Tartary Another mistake may arise from the varieâ—y of the Name given to it for the Chineses call it Chaosien therein following the Iapanners though by us of Europe it is call'd Corea Toward the North it borders upon the Kingdom of Ninche on the North-West it has for Confine the River Yalo the rest is surrounded and wash'd with the Sea The whole Island is divided into eight Provinces or Counties The middlemost and accounted the first bears the Name of Kinki wherein is situaâ—â— the Chief City of Pingiang the Court of the Kings The second toward the East is call'd Kiangyven but heretofore Gueipe The third situate toward thâ— West is now known by the Name of Hoangchui but was formerly call'd Châ—â—sien the Name at this day proper to the whole Island The fourth situate â—â—â—ward the South now call'd Civenlo was formerly nam'd Pienhari The fiâ—th also Southerly but inclining to the East is call'd Kingxan The sixth toward the South-West is Changing The seventh toward the North-East has the Name of Pingan In these Counties are several populous and rich Cities which for fashion and strength differ very little from those in China and built for the most part four-square The Country is very well Peopled throughout the whole having but one Form of Government not at all differing in Habit and using one and the same Form both of Speech and Writing Their Religion is the same with those of China holding the transmigration of the Soul out of one Body into another They all adore one Idol call'd Fe whereof I have already made mention The Bodies of their dead Friends they bury not till three years be fully elapsed and then they put them into very fine Coffins after the manner of the Chineses glu'd up so very close that no scent can strike through They give a greater liberty to their Women than the Chineses for they admit of them into any Company whereas the other will hardly suffer them to stir abroad Here also the Son or Daughter may Marry whom they think fit without asking the consent of Father or Mother which is quite contrary to the use of the Chineses and indeed all other civiliz'd People This Island is very fruitful in the product of all manner of Fruits necessary for the sustenance of Life especially of Wheat and Rice whereof there are twice a year plentiful Harvests Here also are made several sorts of Paper and curious Pencils of Wolves Hair which the Chineses and other neighboring People as well as themselves use in Writing Here grows likewise the Root Guiseng and as is reported are several Gold-Mines But notwithstanding all these Advantages of natural Commodities wherewith this Place abounds yet the Inhabitants thereof drive no Trade with any other forein People but only those of China and Iapan And thus much shall suffice to be spoken of Corea we will now return to give an Account of the sequel of the Wars The Chinese Emperor after his Embassy to the King of Corea to prevent the further Invasion of the Tartars and the better to oppose them muster'd several Troops rais'd for his assistance out of the fifteen Provinces or Kingdoms of the Empire and sent very great Armies towards Leaotung And the better to furnish such vast Armies with Provisions he caus'd an extraordinary great Fleet of Ships to be Equipp'd in the famous Port of Thiencin which were wholly employ'd to carry Provisions by Sea from all parts of China for their supply by the exact performance and observing whereof they had no want of any
this is the reason that the Houses in China and Iapan glitter and shine so bright that they dazle the Eyes of such as behold them This Paint also lays a shining colour upon Wood which is so beautiful and lasting that they use few or no Table-cloths at their Meals for if they spill any Grease or other Liquor upon the Table it is easily rubb'd off with a little fair Water without loss or damage of Colour CHAP. XV. Of Roots Herbs Flowers Reeds Trees and Fruits THE vast and large Territories of this Empire which reach not only very far from East to West but also from South to North occasioneth that in no part of the Universe so great a variety of Fruits is produced the true and natural cause whereof is the several tempers of the Air which must of necessity be granted in so immense Territories it being by experience known that some grow best under a hot Climate others under a cold and some under a well temper'd Air all which are to be found in this Country The Learned among themselves have describ'd at large in their Books what each Province doth produce by the view whereof and other particular Relations this may be affirm'd for truth in general That all things necessary for the sustenance of Man as well as for delight are to be had there in great abundance without being beholden to their Neighbors And thus much I dare from my own knowledge affirm That whatever is to be had in Europe is likewise found in China and if in truth there want any thing Nature hath supply'd that single defect with divers other things beyond those we have in Europe Now that it may be obvious to every Understanding with what a copious Harvest of Fruits and Vegetables mild Nature has bless'd this Empire and the Inhabitants thereof I shall briefly discourse thereof as followeth In Iungping the Chief City of the Province of Peking grows a very excellent Root and of great esteem call'd by them Ginseng but by the Islanders of Iapan Nisi The reason of the Chinese Name seems to be deriv'd from its shape in regard it artificially resembles a Man It is not much unlike to the Mandrake of Europe only it is much less neither do I much doubt but it is a sort of Mandrake in regard it has the same shape and vertue This Root being dried is yellow of colour and sweetish of taste but being chew'd it seems to be mingled with a little bitterness it is a great enlivener of the Spirits of a Man and therefore such as are of an hot and strong Constitution endanger their Lives by using it in regard of its strengthning Nature and Quality whereas Persons weak and feeble through Sickness or otherwise find great advantage in the use thereof for such is the soveraign Vertue of this Root that it has recover'd some that were brought to Deaths door for which its most rare Qualities it is become of so great Price that it is commonly sold for thrice its weight in Silver In Queicheu near to Liping grows the best Root of China there is of two sorts the true and counterfeit yet both natural the true grows near to this City and in other Places the counterfeit or to speak more properly the wild Root and is that which is brought generally into Europe It is of a reddish colour within but neither so big nor of so great Vertue as the true which grows and increases under Ground almost after the manner of Potatoes in India and especially in old Pine-tree Woods from whence they say this Root proceeds first of all from the Gum or Iuice of the Pine-tree which falling upon the Ground takes Root and brings forth an Herb which by degrees spreads it self upon the Earth and grows under Ground with knotty Roots in shape bigness and colour not unlike to the Indian Coco-Nuts but thinner and softer which they use in several Medicines This Root was first known in Europe in the Year 1535. when the Chineses brought the same to be sold in the City of Goa in India and although the like Root may grow in other parts of India as also in the West-Indies yet is it much inferior in goodness to that of the East the best whereof is tastless heavy sound and firm This Root hath a particular Vertue according to the Relation of Garcias for the Cure of the Spanish Pox and is soveraign against the Itch Tremblings Aches Gout c. It is also very good for a weak Stomach Headache the Stone in the Bladder proceeding from Cold. Here grows also great store of Ginger in this Country so purely and with such celerity as exceeds all in other Countries though it is true in several other Parts there is great store of Ginger to be had as at Bengala and upon the Islands Molucco c. which is for the most part brought into Europe Of this Root there are two sorts Male and Female which last is smaller of Leaf and Root than the first the Leaves are very like those of Reed so that whosoever never saw any Ginger grow would take them to be Reeds The Leaves of the Male sort through which run some greater Sinews or Veins rise not much higher than three Foot above Ground The Roots are of several weights and bigness whereof some have the length of four Spans full of Knots and shooting not deep into the Ground but like Reeds grow upon the surface of the Earth and are digg'd out of the Ground when the Leaves are wither'd which is about the middle of Summer when they take them up they break off a piece and fling it into the Ground again for an increase The Roots fresh taken up by reason of their abounding moisture are not so hot of taste as the dried which are laid a little into the Sun to harden thus prepar'd they fling Mold or Clay upon them to prevent them from being Worm-eaten which this Root is very subject to it increases very fast as do all other Spices which grow in such Places as lie near the Sea And though the Chineses and others Plant Ginger amongst the rest of their Herbs yet however it grows also wild but falls short of the goodness of that which is cultivated When they intend to prepare this Commodity for Sale they first pare it and then put it immediately into Pickle or Vinegar for an hour or two afterwards they take it out and lay it in the Sun to dry for the like space then they take it again into the House put it up into a dry place and there let it lie till all the moisture is drawn out which done they put it into Pickle with good store of Sugar And this kind of ordering makes it pleasant to the Pallat and abates much of its heat And this is generally known by the name of Green-Ginger which as a Sallet is us'd by the Chineses among other Herbs It is very soveraign for several Distempers as pain in the
certain mode of a Trinity in which they feign three Gods at length to co-unite into one Deity Of this also the Spanish Epistles make mention in these words They had notice of the Gospel because in the Province of Peking amongst other Idols there is the Figure of a Man which hath three Heads and they look one towards the other and the Chineses say That it signifies that all three of them have but one Will and Desire And a little after he saith There is another Image of the Figure of a Woman with a Child in her Arms. Father Martin Martinius reporteth That he hath seen in many Images the Prints or Footsteps of the Christian Faith in the Province of Fokien And he also asserteth That he beheld ancient Crosses and the Image of the Blessed Virgin embracing her Son which are now to be seen in our Church Now we may piously suppose these to be the Relicks of St. Thomas the Apostle or of some later Propagators of the Gospel and it is more probable that Idols had their original from the Persians Medes and the Indian Philosophers Heirs of the Egyptians amongst whom it was a peculiar Property to make many Statues to signifie the Effects of one thing They continually shave their Heads that give themselves up unto Contemplation on Mountains and in Caves Their Temples are so full of Idols made of Brass Marble Wood and Clay that you would take them of Egyptian Chappels The third Opinion of the Prophane Religion call'd Lanzu answereth to the Plebeians and Egyptian Magicians and had its original from a certain Philosopher who flourish'd at the same time with Confutius they feign that his Mother bare him eighty years in her Womb wherefore he was call'd Lanzu that is The Old Philosopher This Opinion promiseth Paradise unto those that are made up of Soul and Body and they hang up in their Temple the Effigies of certain Persons whom they fable to have soar'd up unto the Heavens they prescribe Methods of Exercises to attain the same which consist in vâ—rious Rites and certain Prayers also in Potions by which and with the favor of the Gods they promise a long Life It is the peculiar Office of the Priests of this Sect by impious Prayers to Exorcise Devils out of Houses which they attempt by affixing on the Walls the horrid shapes of Daemons delineated with Black on yellow Paper then they fill the Houses with such strange Cries that themselves seem to be Furies They also promise to fetch down Showers in a Drought to stop great Rains and to avert Private or Publick Misfortunes And these are the three chief Heads of the Opinions of these Idolaters but the subtlety of these Masters have wrought them into so many Meanders that they seem scarcely to be numbred and the incredible number of Images sufficiently shew the same which they do not only expose often to be ador'd in their Temples but also in each private Dwelling a Place is deputed for them and in the Market the Streets their Ships and Palaces they are first obvious to the sight wherein they imitate the Egyptians who were infamous for all sorts of Idols But to clear this First as the Egyptians and Grecians believ'd certain Deities to preside over the Universe so unto these do the Chineses build mystical Temples these they after the manner of the Egyptians pacifie and attract with various Rites and Ceremonies The second Argument that the Religion of the Chineses was borrow'd or deriv'd from the Egyptians is so manifest that no Person can in the least doubt or question the same and it is this That unto this very Day there are found Temples Dedicated unto Mars Venus Fortune Peace the Oreades or Nymphs of the Mountains and other Gods common both to the Grecians and Egyptians as the Ichnography of the Metropolitan City of Nanking in China no less elegantly than exactly Imprinted on Chinesian Silk by our Fathers and sent from China to Rome some years since will sufficiently prove which I have here adjoin'd as I Copied it with great fidelity to demonstrate the great Affinity that there was between the Chinesian Grecian and Egyptian Religions The Temples of the Chinesian Gods THE Temple of the Dragon of the Sea or Typhon The Temple of the Queen of Heaven Dedicated to the Moon The Temple Dedicated to Heaven The Temple Dedicated to Daemons and Spirits The Temple Dedicated to Mountains and Rivers that is to the Oreades and Nereiades The Temple of a Grateful Mind The Temple Dedicated to the Planet Mars The Temple Dedicated to the President of the Walls The Temple Dedicated to Good Peace The Temple Dedicated to the Spirit of Medicine Aesculapius or Apollo The Temple Dedicated to the President of the Woods or Diana The Altar of Heaven The Altar of the Earth Ceres The Altar of the God of Rain The Altar of the King of Birds These are so agreeable to the Grecian and Egyptian Deities that all their Idolatry seemeth to have made a Voyage thence into China The third Argument is That besides their Letters in which they come very near the Hieroglyphicks of the Egyptians as I have shew'd in the second Part of my Oedipus they have the same Ceremonies 'T is receiv'd for Truth on all hands That the Egyptians always ador'd the Figures of the Pyramids with a certain Divine Honor the Tracts of which sort of Worship continue in China for they have also Pyramids which they call Chinees and hold them in so great Veneration that no Person dares undertake any thing till such time as he hath perform'd his Devotion there I shall alledge Petrus Iarricus as a Witness of this Matter who in the fifth Book of his Indian History publish'd in French Chap. 51. speaking of them hath these words following Besides these Wooden Idols there are others which they call Chinees made for Workmanship in the fashion of Pyramids within which there is a certain kind of white Ants or Emmets which discover not themselves without but have their little Cabbins or Lodges within so that none know from whence they receive their nourishment The Idolaters stand much in fear of these Chinees insomuch that when they buy a Slave they first bring him before some one of these Pyramids with a Wine-Offering or other things which they Present unto it supplicating the Idol that if he should run away he would cause the Serpents Lizards and Tygers to kill and devour him whereupon the poor Slaves are so fearful that although they are ill us'd by their Masters yet do they never presume to forsake them From which it is apparent that the Chineses borrow'd all these Fopperies from the Egyptians Persians and others who as I have shewn in my Oedipus worshipp'd a Stone or Rock terminated in a Cone or a Pyramid in stead of a Deity but for the Novizonian Pyramids hear Father Martinius who in his Atlas fol. 57. thus describeth them In the Province of Foquien saith he are
respect Sina in their Language signifies A most brave and famous Countrey Others opposing will have this Kingdom to derive its Name from the Inhabitants of the City Chincheu because these People drive onely a constant Trade by Sea to most Places of Asia so that the Portugueses and Indians by leaving out the same Letters of the word Chincheu might easily give it the Name of China But those are in a very great Error that will have the word China to be derived from a certain word Cinch which by the Chineses is very much us'd The falseness of this Assertion will clearly appear from hence in that the Chineses who Trade with the Indians or Portugueses to those Places and go with their Ships to India us'd on the score of Civility and kind Respect to Greet each other in their Mothers Tongue not with the Name of Cinch but Sia Now that which appears to me to be a most probable Truth amongst the various Opinions of Writers is that which the Iesuit Martinus Martinii a Man of great Learning and Skill in the Antiquities of China has asserted in the sixth Book of his History of China the words whereof are as follow I shall not says he let this pass unmention'd which seems to me most likely That not onely by the Indians but also by Strangers the Name China took rise and original from the Generation Family or Branch of Cina who Govern'd in China in the 246. Year before the Birth of Christ So that we ought not to call it China but rather The Kingdom of Sinen or Cinen for in the time of those Kings which proceeded from this Branch the Name of Siners was first made known by Strangers and especially by the Indians By the Indians the Name of China afterwards came into use and was followed by the Portugueses after the Conquest of India for this Family of Cina Govern'd over the greatest part of the Siners who lived toward the West and continually had Wars with Foreiners When afterwards the Court or Seat of the Kingdom was Planted there received the Name of The Kingdom of China This Family of Cina being risen to the highest pitch of all Prosperity prov'd after a great Invader of others Territories insomuch that it seems no wonder that Strangers and remote Nations had the Name of Cina so frequent among them And though the Sineses call this farther part of Asia or Cina by several Names according to the Governing Families that happen to change yet however Foreiners do reserve the first Name which they heard And this is my Opinion concerning the Original of the Name Sina and according to this Assertion the first Letter of the word ought to be writ not with an S but with a C. All China was formerly divided by the Chinese Emperor Xunus into 12 Provinces afterwards the Emperor Yva who took upon him the Government after the Death of Xinus about 260 years before the Incarnation of our Saviour reduced all China into nine Provinces which onely at that time comprehended the Northern Parts of China and had for their Confines the River Kiang But after that they had Conquer'd the Southern Parts by degrees and somewhat Civiliz'd the Inhabitants the whole Kingdom of China was divided into 15 Provinces Amongst these also they reckon the Province of Leaotung which is situated on the West of Peking where the great Wall begins and the Hanging-Island of Corea both which pay Tribute to the Emperor There are several other Islands beside which pay also Tribute amongst which the Island Haman is the chiefest lying in the Sea over against the Province of Quangsi Among the Islands which are Tributary to this Kingdom is also accounted the Island Formosa which the Chineses call Lieukieu and situated over against the Province of Foken and also the Island Cheuxan over against the Province of Chekiang a very famous Place for Trading But of this more at large hereafter Six of the 15 Provinces verge upon the Sea as Peking Xantung Kiangnan or Nanking Cheaiang Foking and Quantung From hence toward the North lie the Midland Countries as Quangsi Kiangsi Huquang Honan and Xansi and toward the West the other four Xensi Sucheu Queicheu and Iunnan Lastly this Empire which comprehends 15 Kingdoms is also divided into the South and North-China South-China the Tartars call The Kingdom of Mangin and North-China The Kingdom of Catay In the first are nine Kingdoms and in the last six or eight if you will reckon amongst them the Kingdom of Leaotung and the Hanging-Island of Corea By what has been already said it doth clearly appear how far those are mistaken who write of another Empire beyond China which they call Catay as likewise of several Towns as Quinsey Cambalu and many other Fictions whereas in truth beyond the great Wall no other People live but Tartars who have no fixed Abodes but wander up and down the Countries in Wagons and so travel from Place to Place as may be found at large in the Writings of those who have sufficiently confuted this great Error and Mistake as Virgantius and Martinus Martinii in his Atlas of China Amongst the rest the Iesuits have likewise found by experience that beyond the Empire of China no Monarchy of Catay is to be found insomuch that the same People whom we call Chineses are by the Persians call'd Cataians This same Mistake has been likewise sufficiently and Learnedly confuted with undeniable Arguments by the most Learned Iacob Gool a Person of extraordinary Knowledge in all Arts of Literature and especially in the Oriental Languages and at present Arabick Professor in the University of Leyden in his Appendix to the Atlas of China The Kingdom of China is so inclos'd with several Islands and on the East and South with Seas that it seems almost to be four-square onely two great Mountains thrust themselves out toward the Sea which in the Chinese Language are called Tung The one lies by the Town of Ningpo from whence you may Sail in 40 hours to the Island of Iapan the other great Hill is in the Province of Xantung near to the Town of Tengoheu China situated in the farthest part of Asia borders toward the East South and West upon the great Indian Sea and is call'd Tung by the Chineses which signifies Easterly And on the North it is separated from the Kingdoms of Ninche and Nicolhan by that Famous Wall which was made by those of China against the Invasion of the Tartars Higher up toward the North it has for Frontiers the Kingdom of Taniju and a Wilderness call'd Samo which separates the North side of this China from the Kingdoms of Samahan and Cascar Upon the other Provinces situated toward the South joyn the Kingdoms of Prester-Iohn Geo which by the Chineses are call'd by one common Name Sifan as also Tibet Laos and Mien Likewise China reaches as far as Brangale and to some part of Tartary and the Mountains of Damascus which
which was written some Chinese Characters that foretold things that should come to pass On the sides stood several Vessels with Incense burning and in the middle was a woodden Dish with several Offerings in it which the Priests when they would know or foretel any thing bring to the Altar and Offer up to this Image Now the chief Offerings at such times are either Rice Wine or the Entrails of Beasts which being ceremoniously dispos'd the Priest draws some Reeds out of the Bambo's Basket and if they are in his opinion portentous of Ill he draws out others till he has drawn such as he believes prognosticate Good In this interim the Incense burns and at last the Priest falls upon his Knees and mumbles one thing or other to himself whereby he intends to pacifie the Idol and get him to favor his Suit In the Province of Xansi in the City of Taâ—ven is a Temple Dedicated to Siangus the wisest of their Emperors and of the Family of Chaus It is reported in their Histories that this Image which is made of very precious Stones being finish'd rose up of it self and went to the place which was appointed for its Station At Leugan upon the Mountain Peco which signifies The Mountain of Fruits is founded a Temple in honor of the Emperor Xiâ—â—ungus near which stands a famous Well Now according to the Saâ—ing of the Chineses Xinnungus receiv'd divers sorts of Seeds from an unknown Person and receiv'd Directions in what manner he should Sowe the same to gain a plentiful Harvest which he having experimented taught to his Subjects for which Benefit they erected this Temple to his Memory at very great Charge In the Province of Xensi in the City of Hanchang are five Temples whereof one is Dedicated to the Emperor Cangleangus because he had caus'd a Way to be cut through the Mountain and in perpetual memory of this his great Undertaking this Temple was erected In the Chief City of Kingang are three Temples full of Images and in the Province of Xantung in the Chief City of Cinan are several Near to Yencheu in the City of Ceu are fifteen stately Temples Dedicated to Helvutius and other renowned Heroes In the Province of Suchuen in the Chief City of Chingtu is one built to the Memory of King Cancungus because he taught the Inhabitants of that Kingdom the Art of raising and preparing of Silk-worms In the Province of Huquang near to Kiun is a large Hill call'd Vutang upon which are erected several Structures with Cloisters for Priests and the reason thereof may be for that here all Priests receive their Introduction who follow and teach the inward approv'd Doctrine of the separation of Soul and Body In the Province of Nanking near to the Chief City Ningque stands a very high and beautiful Edifice call'd Hiangsin that is to say The well-scented Heart and Dedicated to five Virgins who being assaulted by such as would have ravish'd them rather chose to die than have their Virginity violated in honor of whose Chastity the Inhabitants erected these Temples In the Province of Chekiang and in the Chief City of Hangcheu are found very many of these Buildings to which belong several thousands of Priests At Nanking on the Mountain Ni stands one of these Fabricks that hath at least a thousand Images to it and to every Image ten Priests And indeed to shorten this Relation there is hardly a Mountain or Hill in China of any Note but has a Temple upon it with Priests belonging to it In the Province of Fokien near to the City Cinggan lies a great Hill call'd Vay which has several Temples and Cloisters upon it abounding with Priests and Fryers most whereof worship Idols shave their Crowns and despise all Earthly Riches Possessions and Honors But that which is fullest of admiration is this It was said that amongst these Priests one of the chief call'd Chang who had two Chappels under his Command being convinc'd of the Error of his Way coming one day into his Temples broke all the Idols in pieces exclaiming bitterly against the Priests for having thus long deceiv'd him and keeping him in blind Ignorance from thenceforth embraceing the Christian Religion to the utmost period of his Life In the Province of Fokien near to the City Civencheu is a Temple call'd Caiyven which is worthy of admiration both for its heighth and largeness The outsides of this sumptuous Edifice are all of Marble and the inside most richly adorn'd with Idols of all sorts Among others there are some that exceed which are either cast in Copper or cut out of Marble made for Madam Fee having such curiosity of Workmanship that the Chineses say they were not made with mortal Hands Without the Imperial City of Nanking I was my self in one of the three Idol-Temples where Hell so as Virgil describes the same in the sixth Book of his Aeneids was so curiously Painted to the Life and adorn'd with rare Images of Plaister that it is enough to fill all Persons with admiration that look upon the same CHAP. X. Of Towers and Sea-Marks CHINA is very full of brave and well-built Towers whereof some are nine others seven Stories high many of which are only for Ornament but upon a great part of them call'd Ceuleu stand their Clock-workss and in others especially at Nanking are kept the Astrological Instruments Upon the Clock-house Turrets stands an Instrument which shews the hour of the day by means of Water which running from one Vessel into another raises a Board upon which is Pourtray'd a Mark for the time of the day and you are to observe That there is always one remaining there to take notice of the passing of the time who at every hour signifies the same to the People by beating upon a Drum and hanging out a Board with the Hour writ upon it in large Letters This Time-Drummer likewise gives notice if he discovers any Fire whereupon the People all rise to quench it In whose House soever the Fire happens through carelesness the Master thereof is punish'd with Death because of the fright and hazard he put his Neighbor in whose House joyning to his and built all of Timber as all Habitations there are was in very great danger of being likewise consum'd for all the Houses stand very close And this in truth is the cause of so great severity shew'd against such whose Houses are burnt through carelesness Upon the top of the Mountain Hiaiken stands a very ancient Tower which is very much decay'd but yet keeps the heighth of a hundred and eighty Paces but that which is most to be admir'd therein is that it is built of Stone which with infinite Labor Industry and Expence they must bring thither and then together with the Mortar carry up so great a heighth to build such a Tower In the Country of Huquang near to the City of Hanyang is a Tower call'd Xelonhoa which far excels all other such like
Structures in Art and Costliness It is said to have been erected upon this account There was a certain Daughter who was worthy remark for her Obedience to her Mother-in-law she having one day a Pullet for Dinner invited her Step-Dame to the eating part of it who accepting the Invitation and coming to participate thereof had no sooner tasted of it but she fell down dead The Daughter was immediately apprehended brought before a Iudg and accus'd of poysoning her Mother-in-law and the matter of Fact being so clear was condemn'd to die As she was going to the Place of Execution she hapned to pass by a Pomegranate-Tree then in Blossom which holding fast in her Hand she Pray'd as is said after this manner If I have poyson'd my Step-Mother may the Flowers of this Branch now in my Hand wither but if I be innocent let the Branch live and bring forth Fruit immediately Which words were hardly pass'd her Lips before that Branch which she held in her Hand hung full of Pomegranates In remembrance of which so famous Miracle the Inhabitants built this Tower and call'd it Xelenhoa which signifies A Pomegranate-Tree In the Province of Chekiang in the Chief City Hangcheu are four of these Towers each of them nine Stories high and in the great City Niencheu is another of the like heighth Near to the City Vencheu lies a Hill call'd Paocai upon whose top stands a Tower nine Stories high which serves for a Land-Mark to the Ships and Mariners Sailing at Sea Lastly in the Province of Chekiang near to the City of Hangcheu lies a Mountain call'd Funghoang upon the top whereof stands a like Tower of nine Stories high Triumphal Arches MOst of the Cities in China both small and great are adorn'd and beautifi'd with Triumphal Arches stately Towers and Pyramids made of Stone or Marble with great Art Cost and Ingenuity and adorn'd with Images being generally erected in honor of some famous Act Thing or Person Those who have done their Country any signal Service have some of these set up to eternize their Memory almost after the same manner as was formerly practis'd by the ancient Romans So also if any have been more excellent in Learning or if any Magistrate hath signaliz'd himself by his good behavior in his Employment in honor of such Arches Towers Pillars or Pyramids are built and commonly plac'd as Ornaments in the chiefest Streets and most populous places Their fashion is this they have three Roofs the biggest in the middle and on each side a small one underneath which Men pass as it were through a very broad Gate the sides are adorn'd with Lions and other Images curiously cut out of Marble and fix'd thereto or otherwise very artificially bor'd through and sometimes adorn'd with small Images cut out of Stone so that it is indeed a thing deservedly to be admir'd which way they can bore through such great Stones and cut Images out of them as they lie fix'd in the Building The whole Arch for the most part consists of three Stories and is on the Front and Back alike for fashion so that when you look upon the one side you have in effect seen both sides Upon the top of all lies a blue Stone upon which the Emperor's Name in whose Government the same was erected is curiously Engraven in Letters of Gold In the middle also lies a very large flat Stone upon which is writ in gilt or blue Letters the Name Country and Dignity of him in whose behalf this Edifice was erected CHAP. XI Of Rivers Channels High-Ways Bridges Ships c. THrough the Province of Suchue runs the River To as far as Sinfan being a Branch brought from the River Kiang by the Command of the Emperor Ivos to hinder the overflowing of that River In the Province of Chekiang are most of the Rivers which come from the North made by Art so useful as if they had been naturally so It is highly to be admir'd and meriting the highest Commendation to consider with what labor and pains they have effected such vast Undertakings for in some places there are very large Channels running far up into the Country which have been digg'd and are pav'd on both sides with Stone Over which Channels lie many great and heavy Sluces with several Bridges convenient for Travellers either by Land or Water In Ningpo the ninth City of the Province of Chekiang both sides of the artificial Rivers for several Miles together are made up with Stone At the end of every River lies a Sluce through which all Vessels must pass before they come into it In the Country of the City Xaohing is an artificial River toward the East three days Iourney in length both sides whereof are made up with Brick to prevent the Earth from falling in to choke or clog up the same Common Ways THE common Passages or High-ways in China are contriv'd as much for the convenience and ease of Travellers as in any Place or the World We begin in the Southern Provinces where most of their Ways 〈◊〉 even and smooth the very Hills being made passable and a Way hewn 〈◊〉 through the Rocks by the labor of Mens Hands Upon these so commodious Ways stand several Marks of Stone which declare the Distances of Places from one another and every ten Miles there is a Post appointed to câ—â—ry the Emperors and Magistrates Letters and Commands which being 〈◊〉 receiv'd are deliver'd with extraordinary speed so that there happens nothing in any part of the Country but it is presently known through all the Empire At every eighth Stone which is a days Iourney you have one of his Majesties ordinary Houses built on purpose to receive and treat at the Emperors Charge all Governor 's and Magistrates that travel that way upon the Emperor's Service but before their Arrival they send a Messenger to certifie what day they intend to be there so that the Governor or Magistrate arriving finds all things in a readiness for him to wit Provisions Horses Chairs Track-men and Vessels of all sorts if he need any for whatsoever he desires is given notice of by him in a Letter The Banks of the Rivers are no less well contriv'd for the ease of Passengers than the common Ways for they suffer no Trees to grow within eight Foot of the Rivers side lest they should be a hindrance to the Boats that are Tow'd along by Ropes In the Province of Fokien near to the City Hinghoa the Ways are well and strongly pav'd with Stone for above four Dutch Mile in length Near to the City Hoanting lies a deep small and darkish Valley through which runs a pav'd Way two Miles in length Upon the Mountain Mechi which is in truth a Wilderness lies a firm but very narrow Way made by Art for Travellers to pass over and upon Co is a very steep Way at least ten Dutch Miles Near to the City of Kiangxan there is a great Mountain call'd Civen at least three hundred
which occasions a Mere wherein grow Flowers of a Saffron colour whose like are no where else to be seen in all those Countries Several of these Flowers grow upon one Root being something bigger than the European Lilly and much handsomer for fashion resembling Tulips The Leaves of the Stalks are large and round and drive upon the Water as the Leaves of the Weeds do in Europe which at their Season they gather and dry and make them fit to be us'd by Shop-keepers in stead of Paper to put up their Wares in There are in some places whole Pools abounding with these Flowers which to say truth grow not there naturally but have been sow'd by one or other for that they are in great request amongst them But amongst all others the Chinese Rose must deservedly take place which changes colour every day twice for one time its all Purple and another time as white as Snow and were the scent thereof pleasant or delightful it might with merit challenge the World for a Peer The Chief City of Queicheu situate in the Province of Quangsi takes its Name from the Flower call'd Quei which although it grows in other Parts yet no where so plentifully as in this Province and chiefly under the Command of this City It grows upon a very high Tree which has Leaves proportion'd like them of a Laurel or Cinamon-tree but the Flowers are very small yellow of colour and have a fine smell After they are once in Flower they continue a long time blowing without withering or shedding or falling from the Tree and after they have done blowing the Tree shoots out again within a Month and has fresh Flowers whose colour is so fragrant that they perfume all those Parts where they grow The Tartars infuse these Flowers in the Iuice of Lemmons wherewith they colour the Hair of their Horses But the Chineses make delicate Confects of them which are delicious to the taste and pleasant to the smell Near to Kinhoa in the Province of Chekiang is a certain Flower by the Portuguese in India call'd Mogorin It grows upon a very small Tree is Milk-white and not unlike to the Iessamy Flower only it has more Leaves and exceeds it far for smell for one Flower is enough to perfume a whole House This Flower is in very great esteem with them so that in cold Weather they diligently house the Pots in which they grow And lastly near the City Pingyve in Queicheu grows in great abundance the well scented Iessamy Of Reeds IN the foregoing part of this Chapter you have had some Examples of the variety of Herbs Plants Flowers c. produc'd in several parts of China I shall now say something of the different sorts of Reeds growing there And first In Xanhung near Tengcheu grows a Reed that is naturally four-square In Huquang near the Mountain grows a sort of Reed which will last only three years but like a careful Sire before it dies it shoots out afresh at the Root thus every three years renewing by death and rising again In the Province of Nanking near Hoaigan is a great Mere wherein grows very large and high Reeds greatly esteem'd by the Inhabitants In Quanhung near the City Lochang upon the Mountain Chang grows a black Reed whereof the Chineses make Pipes and several other things of as pure a black and shining colour as if they were made of Ebony In the same Province upon the Mountain Lofen grows a Reed that exceeds all the rest for length and thickness the Stalks being at least four Foot thick In the Province of Chekiang near the City of Chucheu runs a Rivulet in which grow several sorts of Reed or Cane as hard as Iron and oftentimes three Handfuls thick and although they are hollow yet are they of strength sufficient to bear a great Burthen without breaking The biggest grow three or four Rods high some have green Stalks others Coal-black They make a very pleasant shew not only because of the flourishing Verdure of the Leaves for the most part of the Year but also because of the several Colours produc'd by the various sorts that grow altogether Of these notwithstanding their hardness before-mention'd such as are skilful Artists and know how to split the same into very thin pieces make Mattresses Baskets Canes c. Of the thinner and smaller sort they make Pikes and Lances which have sharp Irons at the ends They put them likewise to several other uses especially for the making of Perspective-Glasses in regard they are light straight thick and firm The Water that runs from this Reed when it is laid green upon the Fire is found being taken inwardly to be very soveraign to drive out of the Body all putrifi'd Blood occasion'd by Blows Falls or otherwise The young Shoots of it before they have any Leaves are boil'd with Flesh like Turnips and pickled in Vinegar are kept all the year for Sawce Amongst these various sorts of Reeds may be comprehended another kind that grows upon some Mountains in China in great abundance and is call'd by the Indians Rotang but in Europe Rotting or Iapan Canes And though these Canes are us'd in Europe to walk with yet the young Branches thereof being full of Iuice are eaten raw by the Chineses When these Canes are dried and struck one against another there will flie Sparks of Fire from them as from a Flint and as such they are made use of in some Places of the Indies This sort of Reed is very tough and being green is made use of in stead of Cords to tie or bind any thing withal The Inhabitants of Iava Iapan and other Islanders make therewith Cable for Anchors which will last longer in salt Water than Ropes made of Hemp and when any Merchants Ship Trading thither from Europe need any they make use of these they being strong enough to hold the weightiest Anchors The Fruit of this Rotting or Cane is eatable and pleasant to the Palate in form somewhat round about the bigness of a Ball having a Shell like a Chesnut hard but brittle Upon every Ioint from the bottom to the top sprouts out a small Branch in stead of Leaves upon which hangs the Fruit in Clusters Within the Body of this Fruit is a white Kernel from which they extract an Oyl not only good to eat but very soveraign in the cure of Wounds if dress'd therewith so that the Indian Slaves if they receive hurt at any time from these Rottings or Canes wherewith they are wont to be Corrected they forthwith make use of this Oyl Besides these before-mention'd there are found as well in China as divers other Parts of the Indies two other different sorts which are by the Indians call'd Bamboes The smaller of these is very full of Pith but the other doth so far exceed all the rest for bigness that I do not wonder in the least if some Writers both ancient and modern have sometimes call'd it a Tree This kind call'd
Fight furiously assail'd the Coreans in their Station so that there began a bloody Battel but both Armies were hardly Engag'd before the valiant Maovenlung came up with his and fell like Lightning into the Rere of the Tartars who now finding themselves beset before and behind with two such potent Armies and no other way for safety or escape than what their Zables could cut out for them resolv'd not to part with their Lives at a cheap rate and spurr'd on by despair they fought without any fear every one endeavoring to exceed the other in Valour and Courage so that in the very Writings of the Chineses they are extoll'd saying There was never the like Battel fought between them But that which is chiefly to be admir'd is that of three so great Armies none obtain'd the Victory but were all of them almost totally ruined and destroy'd There were kill'd fifty thousand Men on the side of the Tartars those of Corea had seventy thousand slain but the loss of the Chineses was so great that few or none escaped Those of the Tartars that surviv'd made their way home into their own Country as fast as they could by which means the King of Corea had the opportunity of recovering his Country again The Tartars having sustain'd so great an Overthrow were very careful afterwards how they provok'd the Inhabitants of Corea yet still they continu'd to make several Inroads into the Province of Leaotung till at last they wholly subdu'd the Eastern part and plunder'd the remainder thereof but this was done by fits and at several times for they never durst venture to seat themselves there nay they paid oftentimes very dear for their Robberies While Affairs stood in this posture the Emperor of China whose Name was Zungchinius sent his General Yvenus with a strong Army and a large Commission toward Leaotung having also private Instructions to conclude a Peace with the Tartars if they would agree to it but if they refus'd then forthwith to make a sharp War upon them And to say truth he was necessitated to make this Proposition for that his whole Empire was as it were over-spread with Highway-men and Robbers so that he stood in greatest fear of them for their numbers daily so increased that if they should once joyn into one Body it would be no difficult matter for them to make themselves Masters of the Kingdom This Yvenus upon whom the Emperor had conferr'd such high and ample Authority was a perfect Courtier of an affable and free Speech and one that knew very well how to use his Pen with so much advantage and ingenuity that there was hardly any one in the Court to be compar'd with him By these singular Perfections he had won not only the Heart of the Emperor but of all the Grandees so that the management of all Affairs was wholly left to him But here it must be observ'd That he was insatiably covetous of Wealth and consequently for obtaining thereof stuck not to perpetrate any clandestine Mischief otherwise by his more than common Parts he might undoubtedly have done extraordinary Services both to his Prince and Country But neither the greatness of the Trust repos'd in him nor the Love of his Country were in any measure answerable to his Thirst after Riches Unde habeat quaerat nemo sed oportet habere Of which avaricious temper of his the Tartars having information and looking upon him as a fit Instrument to be employ'd in their Design they never left sending to him extraordinary Presents accompanied with large Promises of the most eminent Preferments With which Baits being taken he contracted Friendship with them promising to give them his Assistance when it should lie in his power And as the first Proof of his Friendship to them through the cunning instigation of the Tartars he undertook privately to murther the valiant and faithful Commander Maoâ—enlung of whom the Tartars stood in great fear and awe which he accordingly effected with great secresie by inviting him to Dinner and poisoning him with a Cup of Drink which he caus'd to be given him at the Table Having thus clandestinely accomplish'd this his monstrous Undertaking he concludes a Peace with the Tartars upon most dishonorable and disadvantageous Terms for his Prince who no sooner read the same but he refus'd to Observe and Ratifie them Yvenus conscious of what he had done and well seeing that upon the making good of this Treaty of Peace his Honor and Authority depended advis'd the Tartars to force the Emperor his natural â—ord to the Observation thereof by force of Arms Whereupon in the year 1630. upon his Promises not to oppose them in the least if they would make an Invasion in some other Part of the Empire where he had no Command this treacherous Advice was no sooner given than accepted and put in execution for the Tartars doubted so little of the Promises of Yvenus by reason of his extraordinary Covetousness that without taking any further Counsel they pour'd their Forces into the Province of Peking Plundering all Places where they came and laying the same afterwards in Ashes and at last so was their Courage or rather Fury heightned that they laid Siege to the Imperial City of Peking at whose approach it is no marvel if the confusion and amazement were great not only amongst the Citizens but also amongst the Rix-Counsellors who in this dangerous vicissitude of Affairs earnestly advis'd the Emperor to leave the City and to retire to the Southern Provinces but he would by no means hearken to their Counsel saying That he would rather be cut in a thousand Pieces than that it should be said he fled for fear of the Tartars Wherefore both as a Valiant Soldier and Careful Prince he immediately gave order to his Commanders not to suffer any to depart out of the City upon pain of death but that they should incite and stir up all the People to a Courageous Defence While this was doing within the Tartars without began to Storm the City but were beaten off with great loss upon several Attempts so that they concluded to continue the Siege with more moderation and rather endeavor to take it by Famine than hazard the weakning of their Army by such fruitless and unsuccessful Assaults At length by advice of his Council the Emperor sent for Yvenus to come to his Assistance and Relief with the Army under his Command for as yet his Treachery was not discover'd who upon the first Intelligence to prevent the Emperor from having any suspicion of him came with his Army under the Walls of Peking but kept at a great distance from that of the Besiegers neither shew'd he any hostility against them but in stead thereof advis'd the Emperor to the Observation of the Terms upon which the Treaty of Peace the cause of this War had begun And this he strongly labor'd to perswade him to not only to prevent the discovery of the Treason but that so he might
against him with so great an Army and that himself was in no Condition to oppose them relinquisheth the Trust which he had thus long kept receives the new Honor and acknowledges the Tartar for lawful Emperor of China In this manner was he who not long before for the Protection of the Chineses was sent with an Army to subdue the Rebels now brought over to Fight against his own Country-men and with the Tartars help conquer the Empire and at last with the assistance of the Tartars having quite vanquish'd the Robbers in Xensi in a pitch'd Battel went and setled his Court in the City of Sigan And thus did the Tartars prefer this Lord to great Honors and Dignities who had so often fought against them with great Success but trusted him not with any Military Employment as well knowing what such an expert and valiant Commander well guarded with Soldiers whose Love in time of Peace he would purchase is able to do in case Fortune should afterwards become froward and begin to frown upon them What became of Licungzus is not certainly known for his Forces were most of them kill'd upon the Place by Usanguejus and therefore some are of opinion that he fell into the Slaughter amongst the rest for he never was heard of after that Battel The other Tartars who were sent towards Xantung and Peking soon made themselves Masters of them meeting with little or no resistance But yet the greatest stop that was after put to the Arms of the Tartars was the Law they publish'd whereby the Chineses were commanded to wear their Hair after the Tartar fashion This did very much alienate their Affections from the Tartars for they of China take great pride in their Hair and therefore did fight more valiantly to defend that than for the Safety and Preservation of the Empire or Emperor insomuch that thousands who perhaps otherwise would have submitted peaceably chose rather to lose their Heads than their Tresses Nevertheless the Tartars were so successful in their War that in the space of twelve Months they Conquer'd four Northern Provinces viz. Peking Xansi Xensi and Xantung but for the rest they us'd another means which got them more than the Sword and indeed was a good piece of Policy for they made no manner of alteration in the Government wheresoever they came but suffer'd the Conduct and Direction of all Civil Affairs both in City and Country to continue in the Hands of the Chinese Philosophers wherein it was setled before And this one thing brought the Tartar into such favor and esteem with the Chineses that they readily submitted themselves to their Command only herein consisted all the Marks of their Vassalage that the Conquerors reserv'd to themselves the sole management of all Martial Affairs nevertheless such Chinese Commanders as they had found faithful were still employ'd by them and even in the Imperial City it self the same Order as to the Civil Government was observ'd only one half of the Iudges were Tartars and the other Chineses In the mean time the Governors and Commanders of the Southern Provinces where the first Disturbance of the Robbers began having information of the Straits the Emperor was reduc'd to rais'd a great Army and were already upon their March to his Rescue but when they were certifi'd of his Death and the taking of the City they immediately return'd with all their Forces and not long after understood that the Tartars who by the means of Usanguejus were call'd in as Aids had possessed themselves of the whole Empire and were become absolute Masters thereof the very thoughts of which much perplexed their Spirits And this spread likewise a great consternation among all the People even as far as Nanking the Chief City of the Province of the same Name so that they did not know what to advise or do but at last the General took courage and set up after a long serious Consultation one of the Family of Taiminga being the next Heir to the Chinese Crown as Grandchild of the Emperor Vanlieus and Cousin of the last Emperor Zungchinius who heretofore kept his Court in the Province of Honan but for fear of the Robbers remov'd to Nanking where upon his Arrival the Inhabitants in great Pomp and State set the Crown upon his Head and Proclaim'd him Emperor by the Name of Hunquang in hopes to effect great matters by him in regard he was a valiant Prince He was no sooner seated in his Throne but he sent an Ambassador to the Tartars to demand a Peace upon Terms of leaving all the Northern Provinces to them which they had taken But the Tartars well understanding that the scope of this Embassy was only intended to gain time till the Chineses could recruit themselves with Men and Money rejected his Offers and return'd him answer That they would either have the whole Country or no part of it being resolv'd not to lay down their Arms till they had accomplish'd what they had undertaken In the mean time whilst the Ambassador was upon his return home and that both Parties prepar'd for the War there appear'd in Nanking a Youth who gave himself out for the eldest Son of the Emperor Zungchinius and endeavor'd to confirm it with some peculiar remarks of Truth And that which seem'd to make a great addition to the credit of this Report was that several Gelubdens and others who had been conversant in the Emperor's Court pretended to know him But Hunquang who had tasted the sweetness of Government and in some measure setled himself in the Throne refus'd to own him for the lawful Son of Zungchinius but caus'd him to be Apprehended as an Impostor with an Intention to put him to death And in this cruel Resolution he persisted notwithstanding that all the Commanders and Governors oppos'd him and extremely hated and maligned him for it for they gave credit to the Saying of the Youth This Business occasion'd so much and so long trouble among the Chineses that the Tartars in the interim took the opportunity to subject the Province of Nanking wherein they found little or no opposition in regard the Chinese Commanders were divided among themselves to that heighth of malice that some refus'd to hinder the Progress of the Tartars on purpose to work a Prejudice to the new Emperor Whereupon they came immediately to Hoaigan the first Chief City of the same Province and without making any stop or delay they took in the East side of the Yellow River and Ferried over the same in Boaâ—s though the other side thereof was well lin'd with Chinese Soldiers who no sooner perceiv'd the Tartars in earnest to put themselves aboard for Passage but they left their Station and fled like so many Sheep pursu'd by Wolves The Tartars thus got over which might have been easily prevented if the Guards appointed for defence of the Banks had shewn but the least Courage fell with their whole Army into the said Province and took and carried away
this following Decree of the Emperor was Publish'd The ultimate Decree of the Emperor To the Kingdom of Holland Health and Peace which out of its Cordial Love to Iustice hath subjected it self to Us and sent Ambassadors through the wide Sea to pay Us Tribute We nevertheless weighing in Our Mind the length of the Voyage with the Dangers incident thereunto do heartily grant them leave to come once every eight years to pay their Tribute unto this Court and this We do to make known to the Universe Our Affections to the People of the remotest Parts In all other things We give Our Royal Consent and Approbation to the Remonstrance of Our Court of Request Thus you see neither the Court nor Emperor have granted them Commerce in this Country which being deny'd there is little reason to think that they will return to pay their Tribute only whence they shall reap neither Honor nor Profit but contrarily Damage and Disgrace for although the Emperor should have return'd them Gifts of equal value to their Presents according to the Custom of other Countries yet the Expence of a Ship or two for the space almost of two years would be burthensom and ridiculous which however allowing the denial of Commerce to them if the Emperor had granted them their Return every year they might well have made up by a private Trade especially being so much in favor with the Vice-Roys of Canton and the Tartars thereabouts who would ingross the Profits thereof Therefore did God stir up the Hearts of the Chinese Mandorins unanimously to oppose and contradict it and at length when both Tartars and Chineses had granted their Return every fifth Year the Emperor by special Divine Providence hath augmented it to the eighth Year and before that Revolution come either the Emperor the Vice-Roys of Canton or the rest of their Favorers will be dead or the Hollanders will be destroy'd or the Times will be chang'd and other Government will succeed but if all these fail and the Hollanders will be so abject to return at the eight years end yet the Lord will minister some means to us for the ruining their Designs albeit there is little probability of their Return since they departed so highly discontented as they did as well by the strict Watches that were set over them as for that they were never admitted to the Emperor's Presence as Father Balion hath acquainted me in an Epistle which he wrote to me by a Post after my departure to Nanking wherein he thus writes The Hollanders may not come into the Kings Presence nor the Muscovites because they will not submit themselves to those Ceremonies of Reverence accustom'd in this Palace They are Novices and ignorant in Affairs and obstinate in refusing to accommodate themselves to the Customs of the Country God will at length discover his Mercies to the Catholick Portugueses here The Court of Requests exhibited a Remonstrance to the Emperor to grant them leave to return every fifth Year but not any liberty of Trade but the Emperor hath alter'd the fifth to the eighth Year which is equivalent with a forbidding them ever to return again The day before Publishing the Emperor's Decree whereof I here send your Father-hood a Copy Father Adam told me he had spoken with the Emperor Thus far Father Balion Your Lordships may observe how much our God doth favor and assist true Catholick Christians for the Tartars and Chineses are highly offended with the Hollanders and account them Barbarians for refusing the Ceremonies and Reverence of the Court and the Hollanders with the Muscovites are equally distasted because they could not be admitted to the Emperors Presence without them and very just is it that Hereticks and Schismaticks should depart with hatred and disgust that by their ill Example they might not give Scandal to the new Christianity here Planted nor cause the Religion of Europe to be ill spoken of Wherefore the most Noble Captain and the rest of the Governors of the Holy City be your Lordships of good Courage and hope strongly in the Bowels of the Mercy of God that as he hath suffer'd his City most faithful to his Divine Majesty of late Years to undergo so many Tribulations he hath done it for Direction only not for Destruction Doth Gold melted in the Furnace come out wasted and consum'd no but more pure bright and precious Can God forget the Piety of such a City which maintains so many Religious of all sorts and where so many Masses and Oblations are daily Offer'd Where is the Refuge and Sanctuary of Religion but in this City which is gloriously call'd The Name of God Can God forget his Promise he hath promis'd Tribulations and an hundred-fold for the Sufferings of his Saints and an hundred he will pay FINIS AN APPENDIX OR Special Remarks TAKEN AT LARGE OUT OF ATHANASIUS KIRCHER'S Antiquities of China PART I. CHAP. I. The Cause and Occasion of this Work IT is now about thirty years since I produc'd the Exposition of a certain Syro-Chinesian Monument found in China in the Year 1625. which although it gain'd no small Applause among the Readers of a more than ordinary Apprehension who were taken with the Novelty yet there were not wanting some incompetent Censurers or Criticks who ceased not to wound its Reputation by snarling and trifling Objections stabbing it with critical Steletto's albeit they prov'd in the sequel leaden and blunted viz. That there was never any Monument of such a kind in Nature and that therefore it was a meer Forgery This they endeavor'd by all means possible not only to persuade themselves to believe but also to raise a like Credulity in others These and the like Persons are deservedly and ought to be esteem'd for such who rejecting all Divine and Humane Faith approve of nothing but what they have seen themselves account nothing to be believ'd but what their own Brain hath dictated to them These are they that like troublesom Flesh-Flies flying at any obvious fatness soil that which is sincere and untainted and desist not to bespot that which is pure with a defil'd and Thrasonick Blast Amongst which was a certain modern Writer who blush'd not with all his Might and indeed with an insolent Scoff to question the truth of this Monument sometimes asserting it to be introduc'd by a Iesuitical Cheat and other whiles averring that it was a flat and plain Forgery of the Iesuits feigned both to deceive the Chineses and also to defraud them of their Treasures I shall conceal the Name of the Person partly out of a tenderness to Christian Charity and partly because in the Iudgment of prudent and knowing Men he seemeth unworthy of any Answer seeing that the truth of this Monument is establish'd and confirm'd by the Eye-witness of so many illustrious Authors by so many Books concerning this Method divulg'd throughout the whole Empire by the Chinesian Colais themselves Leo and Paule Persons of great Quality and instructed in the
Christian Religion the se â—ooks are commonly expos'd to the sight of Strangers in the Library of the Roman Colledge with the authentick Draught of the Monument it self sent from China and lastly approv'd by the whole Christian World so that it is of little concernment what an obscure Bragadocio barketh forth in the utmost Quarter of the World who if he had abstain'd from Calumnies and Scoffs and had prudently propos'd the Matter with some scrupulosity peradventure might better have sav'd his own Reputation and the Credit of his Work but so it hapneth by the just Iudgment of God that those who endeavor to traduce the Glory of the Divine Majesty by Cavils and Scoffs both contrary to Conscience and Charity for the most part at length suffer Shipwrack of their own Fame and Labors Mov'd therefore by these Reasons lest a Monument of so great Concern depriv'd of its Credit should run the hazard of being cast away I shall labor so by the Divine Assistance to establish the Truth of the Monument in this undertaken Work being my Contexture from the very bottom of the Matter confirm'd not only by the great attestation of the Fathers of our Society which have seen it with their own Eyes but also from the testimony of the Chineses themselves that from henceforth there may no place of doubting be left and the Heterodox themselves may be forc'd to confess the Interpretation of this Syro-Chinesian Inscription being consider'd that no other Doctrine was taught above a thousand years past by the Preachers of the Gospel which is not altogether consonant and conformable yea the very same with the Orthodox Doctrine now profess'd and therefore the Gospel Preached formerly in China is the same with that which the Universal Catholick Roman Church enjoineth to be believ'd at this Day as I shall afterwards prove by manifold strength of Argument Now that the Matter may be treated of in a requisite Order and Method I thought good first of all to annex a two-fold perfect and sincere Interpretation of this Stone expounded by the Chinesian Learned Men themselves from a Book Printed in Chinesian Characters and express'd verbatim in the genuine Pronunciation of the Chinesian words by Father Michael Boim a Person excellently skill'd in the Chinese Language as it will appear anon from his Epistle to the Reader I have also adjoin'd another Exposition with the Scholiasts avoiding the Chinese Phrase not so accustom'd to our Ears and that for the more sutable apprehending of the genuine Sence of the Table And this I did the rather that I might not seem to omit any thing by which the Monument might receive the greater Illustration And by reason some may justly question how those Syrian-Chaldeans the great Propagators of the Christian Religion could penetrate into those utmost Quarters of the Earth it appear'd not only congruous but also absolutely necessary for the confirmation of this Matter to administer Aid to the perplexed Reader in this obscure Labyrinth of various Travels by the flaming Pharos of this Work that is to direct him by Geographical Demonstrations from which if I do not deceive my self the Reader shall clearly understand That not only the Christian Doctrine but also the Superstitions of the Chineses and their Fables before the coming of our Saviour deriv'd their Original from one and the same Region that is from Egypt Graecia Syria and Chaldea Now where the vast Empire of the Chineses is into which the Monument sheweth the Gospel to have had an Entrance I shall rather hint at in a few words than endeavor to describe concerning which notwithstanding if the inquisitive Reader desireth farther satisfaction I shall remit him to have recourse unto the History of Father Nicholas Trigautius and Iohn Samedius as also to the Atlas Sinicus of Martine Martinius and many others where he shall find fully describ'd whatsoever relateth unto the Situation of China and its Wonders the Nature Property and Fertility of the Regions the multitude of its great and vast Cities and their Inhabitants and lastly the Politick and Civil Government in which regard this Empire seemeth not to give place to any Monarchy in the World My Business is only to explain those things which as they are controverted so likedo wonderfully render the Readers doubtful and perplex'd about the equivocation of the Terms and also to alledge in respect to the curious Reader the more rare Curiosities and Secrets of Things observ'd to be treasur'd up in this Nation and others adjacent not observ'd hitherto by any former Authors with the Prodigies both of Nature and Art each being recorded in their proper place CHINA the largest and vastest of Kingdoms as it was confin'd unto the utmost Bounds of Asia by the Creator of the Earthly Globe so also did it remain altogether unknown unto the Ancients even unto the Year 1220. when Marcus Paulus Venetus first discover'd it unto us under the Name of Catay as afterwards shall be made manifest On the East it is encompass'd with the Eastern Ocean On the North it hath Tartary adjoining separated by a Wall whose yet undiscover'd Bounds are extended even unto the Frozen Sea and questionless they are in some part or other continu'd to the North part of America with Anian whether it be a Sraight or Isthmos although unto this very time as with great pains it was search'd after by the Fathers of our Society employ'd in China the Limits of these vast Kingdoms and Lands have as yet been detected by no Person On the West it is encompass'd partly with Ridges of most high Mountains partly a Sandy Desart and other Kingdoms which we shall discourse of anon Lastly on the South it is limited with the Sea the Kingdoms of Touchinum Cochinchina Laum and others The Latitude beginneth from 18 Degrees and extendeth it self unto 43. that is it is distended by the interval of a thousand four hundred and forty Italian Miles from South to North and from the West unto the East it almost consisteth of the same Distance whence the Chineses do express it in their Maps in the form of a Quadrate although by our Geographers that are better skill'd in the Mathematicks it is describ'd in the Figure of a Crescent Now in reference unto the confusion of the Names of it it is as great as the diversity of the adjoining Nations are the Spaniards and the Portuguese call it China the Ancients as it â—s to be seen in Ptolemy Sin and Serica the Arabians Sin and the Sarazens Catay All which Appellations are so far I may say from being in use among the Chineses themselves that the Names are not so much as known as it is hence apparent for it is an immemorial Custom among the Chineses that as often as the Right of Dominion devolv'd from one Family to another according to the mutability of Humane Affairs so also was the Kingdom dignifi'd with a new Name by him that assum'd the Regalities which he
Stone it self to the Eye of the whole World in the Chinesian Idiome as it was Sculp'd in the Year of Christ 782. that from this most ancient Testimony every one may conjecture how true the Doctrine of the Catholicks is seeing the same was Preach'd in an opposite Quarter of the World amongst the Chineses Anno 636. of our Saviour that is about a thousand years since The Chinesian Original of the Stone is now conserv'd in the Library of the Roman Colledge that belongeth to the Fathers of the Society of Iesus and another Copy is to be seen in the Repository of the House of the Profession I my self also obtain'd from the most Grave Chinese Doctors and Masters at the very time that the Monument was found a Book Printed in the Chinese Language in which the Writing of the Stone was most truly and exactly express'd according to the true Original They advise the Chineses in the larger Preface adjoin'd to the Book that at length they would have recourse to the Masters of the great Occident for so they term the Fathers of the Society of Iesus and discover whether they Preach the same Law amongst the Chineses which their Ancestors with so many Emperors embrac'd a thousand Centuries ago and which the Fathers of the Society of Iesus exhibited in the Books Printed in the Chinese Language before the Stone was found Now it only remaineth that I should declare how this Marble Table was detected When after the Death of St. Francis Xavier the venerable Father Matthew Riccius and other Fathers of the Society of Iesus had introduc'd the Gospel of Christ into the more Inland Parts of China and had erected Residences and Churches in some Provinces and therefore the Propagation of the Holy Faith had made no small progress in that of Xensi Anno 1625. one of the Fathers of the same Society invited by Doctor Philip having Baptiz'd twenty Persons in his native Country of Sanyven he went with the same Doctor to see a Stone which they had found some Months before in the Village Chenche near the Metropolis Siganfu whilst they were casting up the Rubbish for the building of a Wall This Father writes which other Fathers who had fix'd their Abode and erected a Church in Siganfu with the Christians and Heathens also affirm'd That a Stone was found five Hands broad one thick and nine long the top whereof made like an oblong Pyramid of two Hands and one broad on the Vertex the Cross was Engraven above the Clouds that with its Branches seem'd to imitate the Flower-Deluce besides the Chinesian Inscription on the left side and beneath there appear'd the Names of the Syrian Priests and also other Chinesian Names of the same Priests under-written It is the Custom of the Chineses to have many Names whence also the Christians at this Day retain both the Name of the Saints they receiv'd in Baptism and another Chinese Name The Governor of the Place being certifi'd of the finding of this Monument commanded an elegant Composition to be made in praise of it and to be Engraven on such another like Marble Stone causing both of them to be plac'd in the Fane or Temple of the Bonzi that are call'd Tan Su a Mile distant from the Walls of the Metropolis Siganfu as a perpetual remembrance of the same Many other Footsteps of the Catholick Faith Preach'd to the Chineses were discover'd in the following Years which God seemeth not willing to have manifested but only at that very time in which the Preaching of the same Faith arriv'd amongst the Chineses by the Labor of the Fathers of our Society that so both the old and new Testimonies might affect the identity of the Catholick Faith and the truth of the Gospel might be rendred perspicuous and manifest unto all The like Images of the Holy Cross were seen in the Province of Fokien in the Year 1630. In the Province of Kiangsi also a miraculous Light shone forth Anno 1635. which was beheld by the Gentiles and also in the Mountains of Fokien and in the City Cyvencheu 1643. Crosses were found yea the venerable Father Martin Riccius when first he came into China found Xe tsu Kiao to be a Name signifying The Doctrine of the Crosses by which the Christians anciently that were Disciples of that Doctrine of the Cross were nam'd and I doubt not but all that were Christians in the Kingdoms of China when the Tartars about three hundred years past first invaded China and that they liv'd there mix'd with Sarazens Iews Nestorians and Gentiles that is to say in the Time of Marcus Paulus Venetus who travell'd unto Catay which is the very same with that we now call China And now whether St. Thomas or any other Apostle first Preach'd the Gospel to the Chineses is not yet certainly known Father Nicholas Trigautius collecteth from some ancient Testimonies of the Christians of the Church of Malabar in the Arch-bishoprick of Cranganor or De Serra which are termed The Christians of St. Thomas That in that Place as also in Meliapor which formerly was call'd Calamina and now by the Portuguese San Thome the holy Apostle Preach'd by reason that out of their Gaza or Treasury in the Office of St. Thomas is recited or rehearsed That by St. Thomas the Chineses and Ethiopians were Converted to the Truth by St. Thomas the Kingdom of Heaven took its flight and ascended to the Chineses And in the Antiphono the Ethiopians Indians Chineses and Persians in commemoration of St. Thomas Offer up Adoration unto his holy Name Also in an ancient Synodical Canon the Bishops of the great Province viz. those other Metropolitans of China India and Pases do send their Letters of Consent Add withal That he that Govern'd the Church De Serra at the coming of the Portuguese subscrib'd himself Metropolitan of all India and China But in truth things being more narrowly consider'd from those Circumstances and Footsteps which began to be manifest after the time of Father Trigautius we cannot certainly conclude that St. Thomas the Apostle Preach'd the Gospel himself amongst the Chineses for although these Footsteps of the Faith of Christ here found do evidently shew That the Christian Belief hath been in China yet notwithstanding those very Paths or Tracts do demonstrate that the Faith had its entrance into China when the Family of Heuhan Rul'd over three Kingdoms which are now united in Nanking the third Province of the Empire viz. in the Province of Kiangsi at the Shore of the River for Antron-Cross seems by its Inscription to have been fix'd according to the Chinesian Computation about the Year of Christ 239. which Cross weigh'd about three thousand weight whence the Faith and the Preachers of the same are certainly evinc'd to have come amongst the Southern Chineses about a thousand four hundred and fifteen years ago But in some years following the Knowledge of the Gospel being extinguish'd it was again renew'd by Priests out of Tacyu
that he seem'd to have founded them anew He appointed a Court and House for the reading of the Law beautifying and adorning Hospitals and Places of Receipt Over and above these Exercises of our holy Law he was very much given to Works of Charity every year calling together the four Priests of the Churches to whom he cordially perform'd all Offices of Love and Service he provided them with all necessary things for the space of fifty days he Fed such as were hungry Cloth'd such as were naked took care of such as were Sick and Weak and buried the Dead 15. In the time of Ta so there was no such Goodness heard of with all his Parsimony this Ta so was a Bonzius a Pagan kind of Priest who in a great Assembly of the Bonzii wherein was to be consulted concerning the Affairs of their Sect he undertook the Office of receiving Strangers and procuring every one all things necessary Therefore the Author in handling the Works of Charity of Oy â—ie places him before Ta so But although this was a Time in which the Gospel was Preach'd yet we see there were Men void of Good Works Wherefore that such heroick and noble Deeds may be declar'd and set in open view I have caus'd the same to be Engraven upon this great Stone 16. I say therefore That the true God is without any Beginning Pure Peaceable and Unchangeable He was the first Creator of All things he discover'd the Earth and lifted up the Heaven One of the Persons for the Eternal Salvation of Mankind was made Man he ascended into Heaven like the Sun destroying Darkness and in all things establishing a profound Verity 17. This most Glorious King who most truly is the Chief King of Kings takes away all difficulty using his own time The Heaven was stretch'd out and the Earth extended Most noble is our Gospel brought into the Kingdom of Tam asserting Knowledge erecting Churches and being both to the Living and the Dead as a Refuge or Guide and which exalting all Felicity restor'd Peace to the whole Universe 18. Cao Cum continuing in the Footsteps of his Grandfather gave his Mind to the new building of Churches so that with their loftiness and magnificence they fill'd the Land but the truth of this Law is its greatest Beauty He bestow'd on the Bishop a Title of Honor and the People enjoy'd a mirthful Peace without any irksom Toil. 19. The wise King Ni ven cum understood how to persevere in the true and right Way the Tables of the Kings were magnificent and illustrious the Royal Grants therein flourish'd and were resplendent their Figures glitter'd All the People highly reverenc'd them all things were improv'd and from hence all enjoy'd the Perfection of Happiness 20. This King So cum then Reigning came to the Church in proper Person The Sun of Sanctity shin'd and the enlightned Clouds dispell'd Darkness and Obscurity Thus Felicity being accumulated in the King's House all Vice was banish'd and our Empire restor'd by the taking away of Dissention 21. The King Tai cum fu was Obedient for Virtue he might compare with the Heaven and Earth he added as it were a Life to the People and made all things thrive He sent sweet Perfumes for the giving of Thanks and exercis'd Works of Charity The Sun and the Moon were united in one Person that is all flew to perform their Duty and Obedience to him 22. The King Kien cum being setled in the Government shew'd himself most virtuous he pacifi'd the four Seas by force of Arms he illustrated ten thousand in his Confines by Literature illuminated the Secrets of Men like a Candle and as it were in a Looking-glass seeing all things reviv'd the whole World so that even barbarous People took from his Example a Rule to live by 23. O how great how perfect and extending it self to all things is this Law Willing to give a Name thereto I could call it no other than The Divine Law Former Kings were not to seek how to dispose of their Affairs I a Vassal am only able to declare them and therefore I erect this most precious and wealthy Stone to be the Proclaimer of this excceeding Felicity 24. In the Empire of the Great Tam in the second Year of this Kien cum in the Year of our Lord 782. on the seventh Day of the Autumnal Month being Sunday or to say better The Lord's Day this Stone was erected Him ciu being then Bishop of the Chinese Church The Mandorin by Name Lieu sieci yen but by Title Ciao y cum or as others Chio y lam in which Office before him was Tai cieu sie su Can Kiun made this Inscription with his own Hand And this is the Explication of the Inscription Engrav'd on the Stone in which this truly is worthy of great admiration That the relation of so great a variety and multiplicity of Affairs and things as this Stone contains could be compris'd in so narrow a space and written with so few as eighteen thousand Characters Of this Writing there was a double Interpretation made this present is most conformable to that which was made at Peking and afterwards again by P. Michael Boim expos'd from the Chinese Exemplar being indeed more elegant and proper and likewise more conformable to the Chinese Language and although for that cause it seems less polite in our Tongue yet nevertheless is it most eloquent and having respect to the Phrase and Style of the Chinese Speech is by such as profess themselves Masters in the understanding of that Tongue judg'd the most deserving Praise of all others Now it is collected from this Monument That the Law of Christ was above a thousand years ago brought into China also with what Reverence and Honor it was receiv'd by the Emperors how and through what vast Provinces it was Preach'd how in the space of a hundred and fifty years wherein it chiefly flourish'd it was spread abroad what Persecutions it twice suffer'd and how by little and little it was so suppress'd that unless the remembrance had been preserv'd in this Monument no Footsteps thereof could have been trac'd for in all the Chinese Chronicles besides the Names of the Kings and Mandorins that then liv'd there is hardly any mention of it or any other Matters of those Times And this Stone was found a few years before the Fathers of the Society of Iesus arriv'd in China From whence it appears That the Interpretation of such sublime and notable things was only reserv'd to them who being eminently instructed in the Science as well of Humane as Divine Matters were to become the Preachers and Propagators of the same Law and Doctrine almost obliterated by the all-devouring Teeth of Time And this may suffice concerning the Inscription in the Chinese Language CHAP. III. An Interpretation of the Syriack Names inscrib'd upon the Monument NOW we proceed to the Inscription that is Insculp'd on the Margins which seeing it hath
being brought up in the Rites of the Law of the Gentiles even unto the Year 1256. in which the Great Cham Emperor of the Tartars making an Incursion into China or Cathay with an irresistible Army in a short space as I have related before subjected the whole Country unto his Dominion who as he was instructed in the Christian Religion so also a great multitude of Christians as Paulus Venetus and Haython relate entring with him Propagated themselves in a great number who at length when again the Natives recover'd the whole Empire and expell'd the Tartars the Christians also whether out of fear of Persecution or out of hope of living better among the Tartars left China and follow'd them and those that remain'd behind retain'd only some external Ceremonies And these are those Christians whom the Chineses by the Name of The Adorers of the Cross relate to have liv'd in China concerning which see what I have said before Therefore China being again accustom'd unto its Country Worship of Idols so continu'd unto the Year 1542. in which a new Light of Truth shone forth unto it for after that St. Francis Xavier an Apostle elected by God for the Salvation of the Indians had sown the Seed of the Word of God through all the unknown Parts of the World with a great and incredible gain of Souls and had gain'd Iapan an Island hardly noted to the World unto the Faith of Christ at length he apply'd his Mind inflam'd with a thirst of obtaining Souls unto Christ to the Conversion of the Chineses using his utmost endeavor that he might become Master of his Desires But it seem'd otherwise fit to the Divine disposal of the Heavenly Majesty for expecting an opportunity of entring China in Santian an Isle adjoining to the Coasts of China he was seiz'd with a Fever where being replenish'd with Merits and now ready to receive the Reward of Eternal Blessedness for those his signal Labors perform'd he rendred his Spirit unto his Creator and took his flight unto Heaven and what he could not perform of himself that he obtain'd with God by his Intercessions that his Successor in so great a Charge might accomplish after the following manner Alexander Valignanus of our Society who Anno 1582. conducted the three Vice-Roys of Iapan who were Converted to the Christian Faith to render Obedience to Pope Gregory the Thirteenth he I say had come out of Europe as appointed Visitor by the Vicar-General of all the Indies and now having pass'd over that part of India that is on this side of Ganges he set Sail to view that which is situate on the other side of Ganges and at length arriving in the Port of Amaca he determin'd with himself to pass over into Iaponia but being hinder'd by the Laws of Navigation he continu'd full ten Months in our Station of Amaca where being wholly inform'd of the Chinesian Affairs he resolv'd with great ardency to prosecute the Voyage or Expedition begun by his Predecessors that hitherto lay hid in the Embers for from the magnitude of the Empire the nobleness of the Nation their great Peace now enjoy'd for so many years the Prudence of the Magistrates as also the Political Mode of Government unto which none were admitted but only such Persons as were accomplish'd in all kinds of Literature from these Considerations I say he most rationally concluded That the Chineses being a Nation subtle and addicted unto the Studies of good Arts might so far at length be wrought upon as to admit of or tolerate certain Persons excelling in Virtue and Learning to abide or inhabit in their Empire and especially such as were not unskilful in their Country Language and Learning and he seem'd to be of opinion that in time it might so come to pass that the Rules and Statutes of the most holy Christian Law might have a propitious Influence on this Nation seeing they were so far from the disturbance of the Political or Civil Administration of the Republick or Empire that they would rather highly promote the same whence China abominating their Heathenish Vanities might conceive an hope or desire of the Heavenly good things and have an Eye unto Eternity therefore on that very account he commanded without any delay some Persons sent for out of India to employ their utmost Endeavors for the attaining of the Chinesian Language and Learning they were two Italians one Father Michael Rogerius and the other Father Matthew Riccius which when they had in some measure attain'd with very great Industry they entred the City of Canton with hope to get some Habitation in it but being often frustrated in their Intentions they return'd to Amaca It can hardly be express'd how many and various Adventures or Casualties interpos'd which rendred the Business of the undertaken Voyage if not desperate yet at least very much eclips'd and fading all which in the end being overcome the Matter was brought to the wish'd Conclusion by Father Matthew Riccius unto whom by the prosperous Lot of our Fathers the first Way was open'd into the Empire of China and to him also the blessed Success of the Christian Law ought deservedly to be ascrib'd This Person had been formerly the Scholar of Father Christopher Clavius one very well skill'd in the Mathematical Sciences he being associated unto Father Rogerius and being stor'd with abundance of curious things together with a formal Embassy from the Portuguese to the Vice-Roy of Canton made his Entrance into China and so bewitch'd the Fancy of the Governor with the Novelty of the Presents that he brought with him that he avouch'd that neiâ—â— he himself nor all China ever beheld the like and he also not only retain'd these Fathers with him as Persons dropt from Heaven but likewise shew'd them all the Respect and Civility that possibly he could The Fame of such great Matters being nois'd abroad possess'd the Minds not only of many Learned Persons in the Kingdom of Canton but throughout the whole Empire whom when they could not possibly behold in Presence or carry those admirable things with them that were so reported of they call'd them unto them every where by Letters dated out of all the Kingdoms to come and behold them for those things which were now grown common in Europe were esteem'd as Miracles in China being there as yet both unseen and unheard of Now there were amongst the rest a Clock both exact and curiously fram'd shewing besides the Hour of the Day the Rising and Setting of the Sun the Day of the Month and Age of the Moon There was also a Trigonal Glass which some thought to be an inestimable Iewel and others suppos'd it to be a part or portion of the Celestial Orb moreover Geographical Maps which express'd the Globe of the Earth unto the grat amazement and admiration of all For as the Chineses were of opinion that there was nothing else without the vast Empire of China so they could not apprehend that
admiration and to gain a Repute to the European World Lastly some Documents of Moral Philosophy unto which they are addicted to be approv'd not by vain gaiety of Words but Example of an exquisite excellent and innocent Life remov'd from all desires of Mundane Pretensions such as becometh the Apostolical Laborers in the Propagation of the Divine Law And as the Precepts of the Christian Faith seem to differ as much from the Religion of the Chineses as the Heaven doth from the Earth so it cannot be express'd how many Toils and Labors must be undergone and how many Dangers pass'd through that they may be rendred capable of receiving our most holy Law and the truth of the same genuinely explain'd Here the Vanities of Polytheism or of having many Deities must be confuted here Polygamie or Marrying of many Wives must be destroy'd by strength of Argument here the incomprehensible Mysteries of our Belief must be inculcated with great dexterity and caution wherein laboring with more than ordinary patience and continual subjection of the Body how many Calumnies must they be subject unto But for this peruse the History of Father Daniel Bartolus lately publish'd in the Italian Tongue And because the Preaching of the Gospel could not take root without the publication of Books I might treat opportunely in this Place concerning those publish'd on this Occasion As first the Works of the Venerable Father Matthew Riccius of Macera the Founder of the Chinesian Expedition after St. Francis Xavier Secondly Father Nicholas Trigautius a Flandrian of Doway Thirdly Father Iacob Rho of Milan all which writ many large and Learned Volumes And besides these there were many who publish'd large Treatises to satisfie the Curiosity of the Chineses as the two-fold Universal History of Father Nicholas Trigautius Father Iohn Terentius his Indian Pliny and many more particularly mention'd by our Author from Fol. 117. to 121. in which are the Particulars at large SOME Special Remarks TAKEN OUT OF ATHANASIUS KIRCHERS Antiquities of China PART III. Of the Idolatry of the Chineses THE Books of the Chineses mention only three Sects of Religion in China First that of the Learned next that call'd Sciequia and the third they term Lancu One of these three all the Chineses and other conterminate Nations which use the Chinesian Characters do profess such are those of Iapan Corian Tonchini and Cocincina These three Sects do very much resemble the Egyptian Priests or Wise-men their Hierogrammatists or those that were vers'd in the Sacred Writings and the Plebeians The Sect of the Learned Rule the Commonwealth abound in Books and are applauded above the rest They acknowledge Confutius as the Author and Chief of the Philosophers as the Egyptians do their Thoyt whom the Grecians call Hermes Trismegistus and as the Egyptians do their Sages worshipp'd one God whom they termed Hemphet so the Learned Men of China according to the Dictates of Confutius worship not Idols but one Deity whom they term The King of Heaven Concerning this Sect Trigautius in his Christian Expedition into China says They assert that the Function or Office of Sacrificing to and Worshipping of the King of Heaven doth only belong to the Prince and therefore the Emperor hath two most stately and magnificent Temples in his Palaces of Nanquin and Pequin the one Dedicated to Heaven the other to the Earth He himself formerly Sacrific'd in them but now the most grave Magistrates supply his Place they slay and Offer up Bulls and Sheep in Hecatombs to the Heaven and the Earth as the Egyptians did to Osiris and Isis and perform many other Rites The peculiar Temple of the Learned is that of Confutius which is erected by Law in every City in a Place above their Schools This stately Edifice adjoyns to the Magistrates Palace who is President over those that have taken the first Degree in that Learning In the most obvious place of the Temple is the Statue of Confutius full of Characters or in stead of a Statue his Name inscrib'd in Golden Letters on an elegant Table on each side of which stand the Statues of some of his Disciples whom the Chineses have Canoniz'd amongst the Deities of the inferior Order All the City Magistrates meet every New and Full-Moon in this Temple with those that have taken the Degree of Batchelors to honor their Master with accustom'd Crouching even to Prostration the Temple being all the while illuminated with lighted Torches and burning of Incense Much after the same manner the Egyptians on the first Day of the Month Thoth perform'd their Solemnities unto Mercury There are also various Statues of this God some of them very great others small and easily carried about one was communicated unto me by the Reverend Father Assistant of the Portuguese Society of Iesus Nunnius Mascaremias the which Engrav'd I thought good to adjoyn The second Sect of the Chineses which answereth to the Philosophers amongst the Egyptians is call'd Sciequia or Oympto but vulgarly Amida the Iaponeses term it Xaca and Amidabu This Law came to the Chineses from the West brought from a Kingdom call'd Threncio or Sciuro which Regions as Trigautius affirmeth are concluded under the only Name of Indostan situate between the River Indus and Ganges This Sect will easily appear by their Opinions to have proceeded from the Gymnosophists Brachmans Persians and Bactrians who anciently inhabited this Indostan and have Planted their Colonies in China for they hold a multitude of Worlds a Metempsychosis or Transmigration of Souls into Brutes professing all the Philosophy of Pythagoras Father Martinius in his Atlas thus relateth concerning them Xekiao saith he is a Sect which our Fathers hold to have been introduc'd into China first after Christ It admitteth a Transmigration of Souls after Death as a Punishment for Sins committed and that both external and internal They worship Idols and perpetually abstain from whatsoever had Life a Law judg'd necessary by them for a withdrawing of the rude Multitude from Vice and as an incitement to Vertue The internal Metempsychosis is that part of Moral Philosophy most famous and excellent as having reference unto the Vacuity and universal Victory of the Passions and deprav'd Affections that this may take place they hold that they pass into Plants and Animals as they were obnoxious and inclinable unto their Affections In their sceptical way they will have nothing to have the stamp of Truth in this Life but as we apprehend it and that Good and Bad are the same in respect of divers Taigautius subscribeth unto this This Opinion saith he fram'd with Democritus and others many Worlds but they seem chiefly to have borrow'd the Transmigration of Souls from the Doctrine of Pythagoras and they have added many other Fictions unto it to colour over the Falsity Now they appear not only to have receiv'd these Tenents from our Philosophers but also to have borrow'd a certain Shadow from the Evangelical Light for they introduce a