rich and maketh so much Cotton-wool that those of the Country affirme that there is only in the towne of Xanuchi and the precinct thereof which is large 200000 Loomes for this stuffe so that from that place only the King draweth 150000 crownes yearly In one house there useth to be many of them for they are narrow as the stuffe is Almost all the women are employed in this work The Court did reside in this Province for a long time and even to this day all the Courts of justice and priviledges thereof are conserved in the City of Nankim whose right name is Umthienfu and it seemeth to me to be the best and greatest City of the whole Kingdome both for the form of the building the largenesse of the streets the manners and dealing of the people and for the plentie and excellency of all things It hath admirable places of recreation and is so populous through its confines that the villages succeed one another in a manner from three miles to three miles although at this day by reason it wants the presence of the King it is in its selfe lesse populous neverthelesse in diverse parts thereof it is yet troublesome to walke the streets for the crowde of people that one meeteth Besides the many Palaces Temples Towers and Bridges doe render it very considerable In the wall thereof there are twelve gates barr'd with Iron and guarded with Artillery a good way without runneth another wall with no small ruines The circuit thereof for I was desirous to know the measure of it is two daies journey on horse-back That of the inner wall is eighteen miles both the one and the other have within them many populations gardens and fields which are tilled the bread whereof useth to be applied to the use of the souldiery within the City to the number of fourty thousand In one part thereof there is cast up an artificiall Mount on the top whereof there is seen a wooden spheare not armed although the circles thereof are placed at the latitude of the same City which is 32 degrees a small latitude in respect of the great colds but a very large one for the great heate which it suffereth The spheare is in circumference of a notable bignesse and is a very compleat piece of work It hath moreover a Tower divided into seaven stories of singular beauty for the workemanship thereof it being full of figures and wrought like Percellane an edifice which might be ranked among the most famous of ancient Rome The river cometh to kisse the feet of this City and sendeth up some armes of it selfe into it The name of the river is Yanchukiam that is to say the Sonne of the sea nor vainly is it so called it being the most aboundant in water of any that is knowne in the world There is also great plenty of fish We have foure Churches in this Province the first in Nankim with a house of Iesuites and is of a very ancient and exercised Christianity having suffered foure persecutions and come of from each of them with more vigour The second in the Towne of Xamhai with a great number of beleevers The third in the City of Xamkiam The fourth in the Towne of Kiatini beside these Churches there are many Oratories And so much shall suffice concerning the nine Southern Provinces CHAP. 3. Of the Northern Provinces SIx are the Provinces which are called Northern and their names are Honam Xemsi Kiansi Xantum Pekim and Leaotum The first lyeth in the latitude of 35 degrees as centre of the Kingdome and produceth most gallant fruits as well those that are proper to the Countrie as ours in Europe nor is the cheapnesse of them lesse I bought for a farthing and a halfe 88 Apricocks it hath nothing else notable except a Son of the Kings called Fovam the last of those which came out of the Palace He liveth with so great splendour and authoritie of a King that to be such he only wanteth the name and jurisdiction In Caifum the Metropolis thereof we have had onely for these few yeares a Church and house but a good plenty of Christians The second is Xemsi it lyeth in 36 degrees and more to the West it is very large but dry for want of water as also are the three neighbouring Provinces notwithstanding it doth abound in Wheate Barly and Maize of Rice they have but little All winter long they give wheat to their Beasts which are many particularly their sheep which they sheare three times a year once in the Spring another time in the Summer a third in the Autume but the first time of shearing yeeldeth the best wool From hence cometh all the wooll of which are made the felts and other things used either in this Province or elswhere They make there of no sort of cloath not using to spin wool but only Goats-hair of which they weave certain Stuffes for the hanging of their roomes in so great perfection that the most ordinary are better than ours and the Best are esteemed more precious than silk They make likewise of Goats-haire a very fine Felt which they call Tum and is made use of for garments But this is not made of every sort of Goats-hair but of a very fine haire which lyeth under the first They pull it out with great care and make it up in certain bals of the bignesse of an ordinary loafe and then put it out to be wrought with singular skill Musk is proper to this Province and because it is in question after what manner this excellent perfume is made I will give you account of it according to the most diligent enquiry I have made concerning it It is the Navel of an Animal about the bignesse of a small Stagge whose flesh is very good meate and only that part is taken containing that precious matter but all those Cods which are brought hither to us are not true and perfect Navells for the Chinesses have learnt to falsifie them by stuffing some peices of the skin of that Animall with musk that is vitiated and mingled with some other things Here is also Gold found but not in Mines for though there be Mines both of Gold and Silver the King doth not suffer them to be opened but out of Rivers and Eddies and although it be found only in smal peices and graines yet being put together it amounts to a great quantity there being Infinite people both young and old which go in search of it There is Rubarbe and Profumo which are not found in any other part for that which cometh from Persia doth not seem to be naturall to that place for of as many as have travelled through that countrie there is not any that gives an account to have seen there that healthfull plant It is something tall with leaves bigger than Cole-worts it doth not grow wilde as some have imagined but is Cultivated in gardens with a great deale of care In this Province is opened
year 757. XI Tai Zun Vemvu began to raigne in the year 764. XII Kien Chum Xim was King in the year 781. XII Vam Xe Chi Chim is a place in the Country of the Pagods and signifieth a remote Countrie Poli saith the interpreter is some vessel of glasse XIV Taso was a Bonzo of the sect of the Pagods who made a great assembly of the Bonzi to treate of the publike affaires of that religion and tooke care to lodge them and provide all necessaries for them XIX The Sunne and Moone c. Signifieth that all obeyed that King XXII Kien Chum was the year 782. In the other Paragraphs whereon we have made no Annotations there is nothing of obscuritie to require it It appeareth then evidently by the testimony of this venerable Antiquity that the Christian Religion was planted in China by the means abovesaid in the year of Christ 636 neverthelesse it is not to be imagined that it was not formerly brought thither by the preaching of the Apostles who as the holy Scripture saith did disperse themselves through the whole earth but as it happened in severall other Countries that after it had once been propagated there by them it came in time to be extinguished and was againe renued by the industry of others so it fell out in India where S. Thomas the Apostle had once preached the Gospel but all memory thereof being lost about the year 800. a rich Armenian Christian called Thomas the Canaanite restored the ancient Religion in the Citie of Mogo Doven or Patana repairing the Churches which had been formerly built by that holy Apostle and erecting others And upon this occasion of the likenesse of their names many have mistaken them to be all built by the first Thomas The same thing may probably have happened in China where the Gospel being received presently after it began to be published to the world and being afterward extinguished it was introduced again a second time whereof this inscription maketh mention and lastly a third time whereof we purpose to treat in the second part It seemeth necessarie thus to state the matter that we may not derogate from the Testimonie of those grave Authours whom I have formerly cited how St. Thomas the Apostle did preach in China and converted it to the true Religion The time wherein the memorie of the Holy Apostles preaching was lost was not much different both in India and China for by severall conjectures it appeareth that Thomas the Cananite renewed it in India in the eighth Century after Christ and by this stone it is manifest that it was in the seventh Centurie after Christ when it was preached in China and therefore without much difficultie it may be Concluded that this was not the first establishment of the Christian Religion there but rather a re-establishment of it The end of the first part THE SECOND PART VVherein is contained The Christianitie of the Kingdome OF CHINA CHAP. 1. Of the first beginnings of the Preaching of the Gospel in China ACcording to the opinion of Socrates he was to be esteemed no lesse injurious who spake against the Sunne than he who should denie the beautie of the light thereof with which it maketh the day and of that which is the fruit therof as Tertul. allegorizeth it that is the flower It would be no lesse a fault but rather more unpardonable in him who treating of the conversion of China should deny Franciscus Xaverius to have bin the flower of that day of Grace which having bin set there for so many ages is now risen again upon the Gentiles of that Monarchie He was the first who came to the gates therof with that Treasure of the holy Gospel after he had coÌ„municated it to so many severall Kingdomes and Provinces The glorious Saint Leo speaking of the Apostle St. Peter saith Iam Populos qui in circumcisione crediderunt erudierat jam Antiochenam Ecclesiam fundaverat jam Pontum Galatiam Cappadociam Asiam atque Bithyniam legibus Evangelicae Praedicationis impleverat nec aut dubius de provectu operis aut de spatio suae ignarus aetatis Trophaeum Crucis Christi Romanis arcibus inferebat All India doth confesse no lesse of their Apostle to whom the bounds of the East though very large seemed but narrow having already instructed in the faith the principall Cities thereof Goa and Cochin having planted the Gospel on the coasts of Pescaria having converted the Country of Travancor instructed Cambaâ—a and propagated the faith at Malacca preached the true religion at Macazar the Molucche Islands and finally converted the King of Bungo in â—iappon and filled all that Kingdom with the knowledge of the law of Christ yet still the desire of a greater harvest and to profit other Nations suffered him not to rest Studium proficiendi aliis otii illum impatientem reddidit as Robertus Abbas saith of another Labourer in the Gospel unde nec aut dubius de provectâ— operis aut despatiâ— suae ignarus aetatis Trophaeum Crucis Christi Sinicis arcibus inferebat This was his ayme these were his hopes and desires with which he undertooke the voyage of China when being arrived at Sanciana where the Divine Providence had appointed he should end his daies that being true which Tertullian saith Deus omnium conditor nil non ratione providit disposuit ordinavit And the Lord being well appayed with the intention of his servant and the ardent desires which he had to sacrifice his life in this enterprise as Abraham had to sacrifice the life of his sonne Isaac causing him to ascend up into Mount Sancian as he did Moses into Mount Nebo after he had shewed him the land he so much desired to conquer Mortuus est jubente deo the good man died by the ordination and appointment of Heaven after he had seen and shewed unto his Sons that land which he had gained like another Iacob for Ioseph with the bow of his will and the arrowes of his desires leaving them for an inheritance the conquest thereof together with his hereditary spirit which his sonnes and followers having received in part made their assault and at length entred this place and it is now about fifty years that they have kept it with many labours travels persecutions imprisonments Bastinadoes and in a word Egentes Angustiati Afflicti These being the armes with which the standard of the Christian faith is set up in the Kingdomes of the Gentiles and by means whereof together with the grace of God so many men have been converted unto Christianitie as you shall finde in this following relation After my returne into Europe and that my intention of seeking Labourers for this vine-yard was once divulged presently there were so many pretenders who made suit to me to be received that there is scarce a Province of our society from whence I have not received many letters from severall of the fathers wherein they did not only offer themselves but
there to this day the rate is very moderate CHAP. 2. Of the Provinces in particular and first of those of the South THis kingdome is divided into two parts South and North and both these subdivided into fifteen provinces as is above-said To this Southern part belong nine which are Cantone Quamsi Yunnam Fukien Kiamsi Suchuem Utquam Chekiam Nankim we will treate of these in this chapter and of the rest in the next That we may proceede distinctly speaking of them in the same order that we have named them Cantone is the first and lyeth in that part of the South that is properly named Quantum It is in the latitude of twenty three degrees it is large rich and abounding in wheat and rice of these it produceth each yeare two harvests though for the most part they are of a severall graine There is store of suger copper and tin materials which they worke with great variety into innumerable sorts of vessels as also workes made with Charam an excellent vernish and with guilding some whereof are transported into Europe The Jesuits in this province had two residencies with their Churches and houses vvhich perished by reason of Severall persecutions as you shall find hereafter The people are able Mechanicks and though of small invention yet they imitate excellently whatsoever they find invented To the City called also Cantone though the proper name thereof bee Guamcheufu the Portugesses go twice every year with their marchandice It is distant from Macao an hundred and five miles and Macao is distant from the first Islands and from the greater Cities of that Empire fifty four The circumference thereof is 15 good miles The concourse of merchants thither is very great and therefore it is more peopled than many of the other Cities The most and best commodities of that Kingdome are brought thither because it is the most open and free seat of trade in that nation And to say nothing of the six neighbouring kingdomes from whence all sorts of merchandise is brought thither as well by natives as strangers only that which the Portugesses take in for India Giappone and Manila cometh one year with another to five thousand three hundred chests of severall silke stuffes each chest including 100 pieces of the most substantial silks as velvet damask and sattin of the slighter stuffes as halfe-damasks painted and single taffities 250 peices of gold 2200 Ingots of 12 ounces weight a peece of musk seaven Pichi which is more then 35 Arrova's every Arrova weighing 25 pound of 6 ounces to the pound besides small pearle sugar Porcellane dishes China wood Rheâ—barbe and severall curious guilded workes and many other things of lesse importance it being hard to name them all even in a longer relation To this Province belongeth the Island of Aynan where pearls are fished in great plenty It is sufficiently populous by one city it hath Several villages on the North part thereof toowards the South there lyeth a barbarous people which admit the Chinesses only to trafficke and commerce without submitting to their dominion It produceth that precious wood of Aquila and that sweet wood which the Portugeses call rose-wood and the natives Hoalim and other things of lesse importance On the North side of Cantone the Province of Quamsi extendeth it selfe to the latitude of 25 degrees it enjoyes the same climate without any considerable difference so that it hath nothing particular which is notable and is counted the second Province Yunnam is the third and lyeth in the latitude of 24 degrees and is the furthest distant of any from the Centre of China it is a great countrie but hath little merchandise I know not any thing is brought from thence unlesse it bee that matter whereof they make the beads for chapplets which in Portugall they call Alambras and in Castile Ambares and are like Amber they are counted good against the catarre it is digged out of mines and sometimes in great peices it is redder than our Amber but not so cleane In this province is violated that custome of the Kingdome that women do not go to the market to buy or sell as in other countries of the world On the other side of Cantone is the fourth Province called Fâ—kieâ— or by another name Chincheo in the latitude of 26 degrees it is for the greatest part Mountanous and therefore not so well inhabited Contrary to the lawes of the Kingdom the Natives of this Province do go into the countries of the neighbouring strangers which are upon the sea-coasts It yeeldeth gold good sugar in great quantitie good Canvas-cloath for other linnen there is none in China There is made excellent paper of diverse kindes which for plenty goodnesse and cheapnesse is very remarkable They make use of printing no lesse conveniently and as it appeareth more anciently than in Europe although not in the very same manner for here after the printing of each sheet the letters are taken asunder there they carve what they would print upon boards or plate so that the bookes are still preserved entire in their work-houses and therefore as often as there is occasion they can reprint any book without the expence of new setting the letters This country is scituated upon the Sea-side and is another eminent port from whence are issued out of that Kingdom infinite Merchandise which are carried by the people of this country that are industrious and brought up to it to Manila Giappone and particularly to the Island Formosa which is even in the sight of the land for with a a good wind it is not above 24 houres voyage thither where they trade with the Hollanders There are two houses and Churches there belonging to our company under whose Government and direction are a great number of very good Christians who have about ten Churches belonging to them the which are visited by us very diligently at set times Two of their chiefe Churches are in the City of Fucheu which is their Metropolis another in the City of Cieumchu the rest in other Cities There are besides many particular Oratories The Island Formosa lyeth in the Latitude of 22 degrees it is situated between the Kingdomes of China and Giappone before you come thither you must passe by a great number of Islands named Liqueu the length of this Island is 150 miles the breadth 75. The Hollanders have there a fort placed in a sandy vale under which lyeth the Port which is encompassed with bankes of sand and if it were not distinguished and secured by certaine posts set up in the water the entrance would be very difficult even to those of the Countrie On the other side of the Island toward the East the Spanyards have a fort distant from that of the Hollanders 90 miles by sea and by land 45 as is reported The soyle of the Island is so fruitfull that it produceth grasse nine or ten palmes high a palme is nine inches English measure where the Hollanders feed their cattell There
the third Gate the which as I sayd above is a seate of much Merchandise for it hath two Cities in the borders thereof Gaucheu and Sucheu toward the West as Machao is in the Province of Contone toward the South from whence come numerous Caravans of above a thousand in company of severall Nations and Provinces but for the most part Moores Thus far came Brother Benedict-Goes to seek for the Kingdom of Cathaya which is no other than China it selfe whose voyage we will here breefly relate He departed in lent the year 1603 for to find out the truth of what was reported of the Kingdome of Cathaca by order of the superiors of India from the Kingdome of Mogor and the royal City of Laor in the Habit of an Armenian carrying Merchandise as well to live as to passe with the more facility The whole Caravan consisted of 500 Persons for the most part Sarasens and used to go every year from this royall City to another in another Kingdom named Cascar After a months voyage he arrived at a City named Athu of the same province with Laor thence in two months and a half to Passaur and after another month and a half sometimes travelling and sometimes resting he came to the City of Ghideli where he wanted little to have been slain by theeves And finally after 20 dayes more he came to the City of Cabu the most noble Merchant-towne of all the countries subjected to the Mogor from hence after some stay he passed to Parvám the last City of the Kingdom of Mogor then travelling for 20 daies over very high Mountains he came to Calcia a countrie of faire-hayred people and in other 25 dayes to Chema where he was forced to stay a month by reason of Civill broils and after many troubles and dangers of theeves and Banditti and having passed many countries of the Kings of Samarhan they came into the country of Tengo and at length he entred into the Metropolitan City of the Kingdom of Cascár called Tanghesár in the month of November in the same year At this City which is a noble seate of Merchandise for those Kingdomes the Caravan of Merchants which come from Cabull ended their voyage and a new Caravan setteth forth from thence to go to China But our Brother remained here first many months expecting the time of their departure and having in the meane time made himselfe known to the King of the country he obtained letters of favour and recommendations to all places whither he should go The time therefore being come he departed with ten horses for to carry himself his companion and his goods in company of the whole Caravan toward Chathyaya thaâ— is China in the moneth of November the year following and having travelled 25 dayes with a great deale of difficultie over stones and sand he came to the City of Aesu part of the Kingdom of Cascár after having passed a desart called Caracathai that is Black-earth and gone through many Cities at length he came to a City called Cialis in the same Kingdom of Cascár Here whilest he fitted himself for his journey there arrived Merchants which came from China of whom Brother Benedict learned some tydings of the City of Pekim and of our Fathers which had been there seen by these Sarasen Merchants So that he was satisfied that Cathaya was nothing else but China and the royall City named by the Sarasens Gambalú was Pekim From this City of Cialis Benedict departing with a few in company came in twenty dayes to Pucian and afterwards to Turphan Arâ—muth and Camul the last City of the Kingdome of Cialis From Camul after nine dayes journey they came to the wall of China at a placc called Chiacuon and so had entrance into China which he sought under the name of Cathaya Excepting therefore eleven dayes journey which was through a country peopled by Tartars all the rest of his voyage was through countries inhabited by Moors or Mahumetans Now to return to our story with these Caravans come Embassadours which the Princes of the Moors send to the King of China making every three yeares a small Embassie in respect both of the Persons and the presents and every five years a great one The most part of the Caravan remaine in the two above-named Cities which are upon the Frontiers trafficking there with their Merchandise The others go to comply with their charge and to offer the present in the name of five Kings which are the Kings of Rume Arabia Camul Eamarcan Tursan The first four know nothing of this Embassy the fifth although he know of it doth not make the present nor send the Embassy but hath only this advantage that he nameth the Embassadors The present is made by the Merchants among themselvs these coming to the Vice-roy of those parts the King hath advice given him of their arrival by a paper called a memoriall or petition as soone as they have leave from the Court and that their names are inrolled there depart 40. or 50. of them besides many more added to them who to have leave to enter into the kingdome to trade to eate at the Kings expenses give the captaine a Bribe of about a hundred or six-score crownes a man There goeth a long with them a Mandarine who entertaineth them of freecost while they travell But if they make any stay as they did in the Metropolis of the province for more than three monthes space the Kings expense ceaseth but not the benefit of their traffique for all that while they follow their Merchandise The Merchandise which they bring are Salt Armoniak fine Azure fine linnen carpets called Raisins knives and other small things The best and greatest Commoditie is a certain stone called Yaca which they bring from the Kingdom of Yauken the worst is of a whitish colour the finest is green it hath been of great price formerly in China and is still of good value They make thereof diverse sorts of Jewels for the ornament of the head and it is much used in the palaces the girdle which the King giveth to the Colai is embrodered with the finest sort therof which no other is allowed to use in this ornament That which they carry back in exchange of their commodities is Porcellane Rubies Musk raw-silk silk-stuffes diverse other rarities and medicinall drugges as Rubarb And this I do imagine is the same which is transported from Persia to these parts The Embassadours being arrived they offer their present which consisteth of a thousand Arrabas of this precious stone whereof we have spoken which maketh 1333. Italian pounds whereof 300. pounds are of the finest sort 340. horses which are to be left upon the frontier 300. small poynted Diamonds twelve Cattes of fine Azure which is about 100. Italian pounds 600. knives as many files The last present seeming to me improper to be presented to a King Ienquird what use the King made of them but I could not meet any one was
able to inform only a Captain told me that it was a very ancient thing for that present to be composed of such things with so much infallibility they durst not make any alteration Of the rest of the commodities which they bring if the King desireth any thing he sendeth to see and buy it At their return the King rewardeth them with two pieces of cloth of gold for each horse 30. pieces of yellow silk 30. pound of Chá ten of Musk 50. of a medicine called Tienyo and as many of Silver These Saracens told me that the present which they gave the King was not in their country worth above 7000 Crownes but what was given them by the King for their Embassie and voyage was noe lesse worth then 50000 Crownes a pretty good gayne but ordinary from those Princes From this Province goeth another Caravan for the powerful Kingdom of Tibet which carryeth diverse things in particular Silk-stuffs Porsellane and Chá Chá is a leafe of a tree about the bignesse of Mirtle in other Provinces of the hearbe Basil and in others of the small Pomgranat They drie it over the fire in iron-sives where it hardens and sticketh together There is of many sorts of it as well because the plant is various as also that the upper leaves do exceed the other in finenesse a property almost of all plants There is of it from a Crown a pound to four farthings according to the quality of it there being so many differences thereof It being thus dryed and cast into warme water it giveth it a colour smell and tast at the first unpleasing but custome makes it more acceptable T is much used in China and Giappone for it serveth not only for ordinary drink in stead of water but also for entertainment to strangers when they visit them as wine doth in the Northern parts it being throughout all those kingdoms esteemed a wretched niggardlinesse to give only good words to those that come to their house although they be strangers at least they must have Chá and if the visit be any thing long there must be added some fruit or sweet-meates sometimes they lay the cloath for this and when not they set it in two dishes upon a little square table Many vertues are related of this leaf certain it is that it is very wholesome and that neither in China nor Giappone there is any troubled with the stone nor is so much as the name of this disease known from whence may be inferred how great a preservative against this evill the use of this drink is it is also certain that it powerfully delivereth from the oppression of sleep whosoever desireth to watch either for necessitie or pleasure for by suppressing the fumes it easeth the head without any inconvenience and finally it is a known and admirable help for students For the rest I have not so great an assurance of it that I dare affirm it There is found also in this Province a most evident signe of the ancient Christianitie which hath been there as we shall relate in its order In the great Metropolis thereof we have a Church and a house with a well founded and fruitfull Christianity by whom also many particular Oratories are frequented Riansi is the third of these six Northern Provinces which we are now discoursing of It lyeth in the Latitude of thirty eight degrees it hath many mountaines which makes their Harvest but poore there is little wheate lesse Rice but most Maiz it is so aboundant in grapes that it serveth the whole Kingdome with Raisins and might furnish at least it selfe with wine as it succeeds in a Residence which we have there where we make now only enough for to serve the Masses but send also sufficient to the next Residencies It hath wells of fire for the use of their houses as we have of water in Europe they seeme to be Mines of sulphur set on fire so that opening a little the mouth of the well which must not be very large it sendeth forth so great a heade that they rost and boyle therewith whatsoever meate they desire Their ordinary fewell as likewise in all the confines thereof Stone-coale not small ones such as are found in some of our Countries of Europe but of a very considerable bignesse There are Mines very fruitfull of this matter which burneth with a great deale of ease In some parts as Pekim and Honam they lay it together in such manner that the fire lasteth day and night They make use of Bellowes to kindle it We have a house and a Church in the City of Kiamcheu another in that of Phucheu which are visited at their set times both the one and the other have a good and numerous Christianity and among them many of the Nobility There are not wanting Oratories as in other Cities by which the scarsity of Churches is supplied The fourth Province which is Xantun in the Latitude of 23. degrees lying betwixt Nankim and Pekim is very poore it suffereth many times a loathsome and malignant Infestation by Grillo's or field-Crickets and by consequence the terrible horrour of famine In the yeare 1616 a dogge bought to be eaten was worth more than a young man sold for a slave it produceth store of Cattell and of our fruits great peares many and good There groweth here in great number and varietie a fruit which seemed to some of us to be a peare of a good kind in so great aboundance that filling the Kingdom they overflow even to Macao although it be a great way off and that there are three large Provinces betwixt Pekim is the fift Province scituated in the Latitude of fourty degrees it enjoyeth the priviledge of having the Court in a City of the same name Though the proper name of it be Xunthienfu by the Sarances called Lambalud This good fortune befell it for so I may call it at the death of Humvù when a nephew of his named Vunlo who dwelt in this Province and was very potent usurped by violence the crowne against the right heire And so confiding more in them with whom he had alwaies lived as also to be the better able to make resistance against the Tartars which border upon him he removed the Court from Nankim and planted it here The people are lesse ingenious as commonly all Northern people are but more apt for labour and warre The soyle is very drie and favourable for health but barren of fruits for the common sustenance But this want is supplyed by that generall prerogative of Courts which draw all to them and overcome in this the proper nature of the place It hath Maiz Wheate and little Rice only for the use of the people of the Palace which is very numerous the Mandarines and Souldiers being many thousands The King keepeth in those rivers a thousand vessels flat-bottom'd by reason of the shallownesse of the water which only serve for the bringing of victualls to Court which they lade in
rascally Vagabonds and loytering Fellows they returned again to besiege the Metropolitan City but dispairing to take it by Force or Assaults they resolved to ruin it by a long siege that they might enjoy the immense Riches of that noble City and though this Town be three great Leagues in circumference yet they rounded it so by their lines as nothing could enter the City this drave them to some straits for although the Purveyer for victualls had brought in good store of provision in the two moneths space in which they were absent yet because that Province which used to be most plentifull was now deficient in Corn they could not make sufficient provision for six moneths siege for such an infinite multitude of people as were retired within the Walls Yet it held out most resolutely for the space of six moneths in which time though they were brought to hard shifts yet hoping alwaies for succour from their Emperor they would never submit to any conditions I dare not relate to what an excesse this Famin came to but it seems it surpassed the Famin of Hierusalem a pound of Rice was worth a pound of Silver and a pound of any old rotten skin was sold at ten Crowns dead mens flesh was sold publickly in the Shambles as Hogs flesh and it was held an act of Piety to expose the dead in the streets for others to feed on who shortly were to be food for others but I will passe over and conceal yet more horrible things than I have related This City lies towards the South side of that vast and precipitate River which the Chineses call Hoang because the streams alwaies appear of a yellowish saffron colour and because the River is higher than the plain levell downs of a Leagues distance from the Town they built upon the River side a long and strong Bulwark of great square stones to prevent all inundations The Emperours Army after long expectation came to relieve the Town and advanced as far as these Bulwarks and having considered the situation of the Country and Enemies Camp it was thought the fittest easiest way to raise the siege without giving battail and to let in the water upon the enemies Army by some breaches made in that long Wall or Bulwark It was in Autumn when they took this resolution and the River by reason of extraordinary rains was swoln bigger than ever before and they making the Sluces or inlets too great and the Breaches too wide gave way to such an Ocean of water as it overran the walls of the Town which were very stately and high involving not only many of the enemies in its ruin and destruction but also 300000. men and the City it self perished in those floods of water So the ancient City which heretofore had been honoured by the Emperor's Residence appeared no more a place of pleasure but a vast Pool or Lake for Monsters of the waters to inhabit for the houses of the Town were not over-run with water but also beaten down and also the Church of the Christians together with their Priest who was one of the Society of Jesus who when he could timely enough have saved himselfe chose rather to laydown his life for the sheepe For that City had many Christians The destruction of this City happened the ninth of Oct. 1642. about which time this famous Conductour of Theeves took the name of King with an addition of Xunvang which sounds as much as Prosperous and so was stiled Licungzus the prosperous and having in a manner taken all the Country of Honan into his Dominion he returned into the Province of Xensi and won it wholly to his subjection When he came to Sigan which is the Metropolis of Xensi he found some resistance from the Garrison but yet he took it in three daies and for a reward and encouragement to his Souldiers he gave it to them to pillage also for three daies space and then he gathered up all the Corn of the whole Province as well to keep all the Country in their duty to him as also to leave no Provision for the Emperours Army And now thinking himself secure of the whole Empire he took the name of Emperour upon him and stiled the Family wherein he thought to establish this Dignity Thienxunam as much as to say Obedient to Heaven By which Title he perswaded the Souldiers and the People that it was by the disposall of the Heavens that he should raign that he might deliver the people from the Emperours Avarice and extirpate those wicked Governours that so much vexed the Nation deliver them from all their perfidious plots For he knew well that this Glorious Title would be very acceptable to them of China who beleeve that Kingdoms and Empires come only from Heaven and are not gained by any Art or Industry of Man and that his actions might carry a face correspondent to his illustrious Title he began to use the People with all humility and sweetnesse not permitting any Souldier to wrong or injure them only he persecuted all the Officers call'd Presidents which he could find and all those he put to death and as for those that had been Presidents because he found them rich he made them pay great Fines and let them live remitting all Taxes in the places he subdued severely commanding that the subjects should be treated with all civility and courtesie So as all men applauding and loving so sweet and milde a Government easily submitted to his Power and Dominion but where the Governours use Tyranny there the subject hath little care of Fidelity There were in this City Sigan two Priests which served the Christians that were Jesuits and suffered much in the saccage of the City but being afterwards known for Strangers they were used with all humanity In the mean time a third cause of this Empires ruin grew up in the Court which was hatched in the Emperour Thienkins his time For that Emperour exalted an Eunuch called â—ueio to such a height and power as he gave the absolute and soveraign Command into his hands and passed so far as alwayes to stile him by the name of Father This extravagant power caused much Envy Dissention and banding one against another amongst the Governours Presidents Commanders and Counsellors and the Eunuch also added much to incense the flame by his indiscreet usage of the favour he possessed for if any man had touched him either in word or writing or expressed lesse respect unto him in conversation or behaviour or did not flatter the base fellow he would presently give order to put him to death though he were a very eminent person or at least degrade him from all Office or Dignity By which means he exasperated many and amongst the rest he offended Zunchinius when Prince who now by the death of his Brother without issue was come to to be Emperour of China This Emperour knew that the Eunuch had moved
Tartars together with many other neighbouring Cities I dwelt in a very fair house of the City Venxus the whole Town then being in a tumult by reason of the feare and flight of most of the Citizens Assoone as I understood of the approach of the Tartars I fixed over the fairest gate of the house a red paper very long and broad with this Inscription upon it Here dwells the European Doctar of the Divine Law For I had observed the China Governours when they take any journy to affixe such Inscriptions upon the houses where they happen to lodge that all men may take notice what great persons are there Likewise at the entrance of the greater Hall I set out my greatest and fairest-bound books to these I added my Mathematicall Instruments prospectives and other optick glasses and what else I thought might make the greatest show and withall I placed the picture of our Saviour upon an altar erected for that purpose By which fortunate stratagem I not on t only escaped the violence and plunder of the common Souldier but was invited and kindly entertained by the Tartarian Vice-Roy Who demanded of me whether I would with a good will change my China-habit and cut off my hair To which I readily consented and so he commanded me to be shaven there in his presence and I telling him that a shaven head would not so well suite with a China-Garment he pluk't off his own boots and made me draw them on put his Tartar bonnet on my head feasted me at his Table and accommodating me with his Passe dismissed me to my ancient quarters in the noble City Hancheu where we had a stately Church and Colledge In the siege of Kinlna the Tartars by reason of great Guns which continually plaid upon them and by the wise conduct and courage of their noble Commander suffered many and great losses insomuch as he forced them to pitch their Camp further from the City But at length they also brought Artillery from the chief City of the Province by which they made so many breaches in the Walls as these being in a manner dismantled they found entrance and burned and sacked it with all imaginable Hostility The Governour blew up himself and all his Family with a Barrel of Gunpowder in his own Pallace least he or his should fall into the Enemies hands The Province of Fokien is invironed with the bordering Countries of Quamgtung Kiansi and Chekiang from all which it is separated by a continuall Chain of Mountains which are in breadth of three dayes journey to passe over and withall so full of ragged and ruggy Clifts and obscure Vallies as they make the very Paths horrid dark and obscure at Noon day Insomuch as without any exaggeration they may well be parallelled either to the Grecian Straits of Thermopolis or to the Asian ruggy and strait passage of Taurus These places might have been easily defended if they had but placed a few Clowns to repel the Enemy or crossed the wayes by any incumbrances but the very imagination of a Tartar was grown so terrible to them as they fled at the very sight of their Horses leaving therefore these Mountains wholly ungarnished the Tartars found a passage but so very painful and full of difficulties as they were forced to leave much of their Baggage behind them and lost many of their Horses in those fearfull precipices but by this meanes they took the Province of Fokien with as much ease as it might have been defended for they hardly spent as much time in taking it as a man would doe to walk the extent of it The King himself named Lunguns which signifieth a Warlike Dragon shewed himself a fearful Sheep flying away with a good Army of men if that word rightly can be applyed to a numerous multitude that had no hearts but his flght served him for nothing for the Tartars following him with their swift and nimble Horses shot all this flock of silly Sheep to death with Arrows It is thought the King himself was involved in this Massacre for he never appeared nor was heard of afterwards Now because the whole Province submitted it self voluntarily unto them without any resistance it did not only suffer little from the Tartars but they had many choise and select Souldiers out of it and having thus again recruited their Army they made another irruption into the Countrie of Quamgtung and its worth remarking that the other Tartarian Commander who when the Army was divided as I related before had order to subdue the Mediterranean Countries with the same felicity and expedition passing victorious through the Provinces of Hâ—quaâ—g and Kiangsi entred also on one side of this Countrie of Quamgtung whilst the other came in by Fokien upon the other fide and because the Town of Naâ—kiung resolved to fight it out they consumed it all by fire and sword So the poor Country of Quamgtung oppressed by a double victorious Army was quickly over-run subdued After this one of these victorious Armies enriched with all the rarities of China was called back to Peking but yet they left a Garrison in every City assigning in the name of the King of Tartars both Civil and Martial Officers for the Countries Government The happie successe in taking the impregnable Province of Fokien is attributed by wise men to whose judgement I also submit to a more remote and hidden cause which I will briefly relate There was at this time a famous and renowned Pyrat called Chinchilungus this man was both in the Province of Fokien of which we are treating he first served the Portughese in Macao then he served the Hollander in the Island called Formosa where he was known to all strangers by the name of Iquon After this he became a Pyrat but being of quick and nimble wit he grew from this small and slender fortune to such a height and power as he was held either Superiour or equal to the Emperour of China for he had the Trade of India in his hand and he dealt with the Portugese in Macao with the Spaniards in the Phillippins with the Hollanders in the Island Formosa and new Holland with the Iaponians and with all the Kings and Princes of the Eastern parts in all manner of rich commodities He permitted none to transport the Wares of China but himself or his to whom he brought back the riches and the Silver of Europe and Indies for after he once rather extorted than obtained pardon of the King of China for his Pyracies he became so formidable as that he had no lesse than three thousand Ships of which he was Lord and Master Now was he contented with this fortune but aspired privately to no lesse than to the Empire But because he knew he never should be accepted of the Prefects and people as long as there was any of the Imperial Family of the Taiminges alive he hoped by the Tartars means to extinguish them wholly and after
this was done then he resolved to display his Banners and Ensigns in so pious a cause as the driving out the common Enemy from the bowels of the Kingdom and no doubt but under this pretext they would all have followed helped and even adored him as their Saviour It was therefore evident that he had secret correspondence with the Tartars and that he favoured them for his own profit And that which made the businesse more suspicious was that at that time when the Tartars made their irruption into Fokien he was then declared Lord Marshal of the Kingdom and all the Generals Commanders and Souldiers were either of his affinity or wholly at his Command and Obedience And therefore it is no wonder if the Tartars found an easie admittance into the Country of Fokien of which they presently made him King Pingnan as much as to say Pacifier of the South and they added many other Dignities and Offices of trust that they might more speciously illude him for either they knew his aspiring mind or else his great power and authoritie was suspicious and formidable to them but yet all the while that the General of the Tartars remained in Fokien they never expressed the least diffidence in him but both with favours courtesies presents and honours they studied how further to ingage him and promised him the Government of many more Provinces He made himself therefore secure of the Government of all the Southern Provinces but all happened quite contrary to his expectation for when this General of the Tartars who was observed as a little King was to depart to Peking the custom was for all the Officers of the Kingdom to conduct him for some part of his journy to give him an honourable farewell which last duty of Civility Iquan could not handsomely avoid nor indeed had he any reason to be diffident in him so as he left his Navie in the Port of Eocheu and accompanied the Royolet with great splendor and magnificence But when he came to take leave and demand Licence to return the General of the Tartars invited him a long to Peking where he promised him yet greater honours from the Kings own person to reward his Merits He endeavoured by all imaginable impediments to excuse this journey but nothing was accepted he was forced by their kindnesse to accompany them to Peking and so he was taken by Art who by Arms seemed Insuperable He is yet detained in Prison in Peking because his Brothers and Kindred hearing of his Captivitie presently seazed on the Fleet with which they have much infested China as we shall touch hereafter In the mean time the other Army which had passed the Mediterranean Provinces of Huquang Kiansi and Quamgtung invaded the Country of Quangsi But here it was that the Arms of the Tartars which hitherto were held invincible were shewed to beweak where they least expected opposition there they found a stop to their conquests It happened that in this Province of Quangsi the Vice-Roy called Khiu Thomas was a Christian and also all the Militia of that Country was commanded by Ching Lucas whose family for five Generations has served the Emperours of China with as much constancy and fidelity as they did Christ. These two having gathered many together which fled from all parts into Quangsi after the Tartars had taken many places in the Country overthrew the Tartarians in a set Battail and passing into the confining Province of Quamgtung they recovered all the Western part of it After this that they might have a head to fight for and who might command and govern them in all Occurrences and withall to draw the minds and hands of the Chineses to the common defence of the Country knowing that in the City of Queilin which is the head City of Quangsi there was one of the Taiminges Family living who was Nephew to the Great Vanleius they elected him Emperour and called by the name of Iungley This Prince fixed his Imperial seat in the noble City of Chatking in the Province of Quamgtung and hitherto has fought several times with the Tartars with good successe And in this Princes Court the chief Euncuh called Pang Acbilleus is the greatest favourite and a great Servant of Christ whom he hath long professed sincerely to worship both by word and deed for to propagate Christianitie he has ever maintained a mission of Jesuites about him by whose painfull endeavours many have embraced the Faith of Christ. And amongst others the very Mother of this Emperour his Wife and his eldest Son Heir of the Empire called Constantin did all imbrace Christianity May this Man by the praiers of all Christians prove another Constantine to the Empire of China The Emperour himself is not averse from Christianitie but hitherto he hath defer'd his Baptism but yet he permitted his Wife to send a Father of the Society to do homage to the Sea Apostolick as all Europe has heard God of his goodnesse grant him that felicity which may redound to the universal good of China and Gods greater glory But it was not only in Quangsi that the Chineses began to resume their courage but in the Province of Fokien also for no sooner was the Tartarian Army called back to Peking but a petty Heathen Priest broke out of the Mountains of Fokien with a band of seditious fellows and subduing the Tartarian Garrisons took the fair City of Kienning and many others from their subjection and others which lay lurking in the Mountaines following his example recovered also many other Cities about which time also the friends and Kindred of the Captive Iquon did extremely infest the Sea and making descents upon the Land vexed the Province extremely about the Quarters of Siuencheu and Changcheu At this time a chief Governour of the Tartarians Vice-roy of two Provinces was at Cheksang who hearing of these commotions came presently by night in great haste with all the force he could make towards the Mountains of Fokien for he with reason feared lest they should take possession of the Passages of those places which if they had done the whole Province had been re-gained But when this Vice-roy called Changus found the Mountains and Passages clear no opposition made in such difficult places he then proclamed himself victorious and his enemies persidious Rebels wherefore coming without resistance into the Country he besieged the City Kienning which was defended by Vangus This Siege held some weeks but he never could take the place by force and therefore having lost many of his men by assaults he judged it best rather to block up the place afar off than to besiege it so close and neer But yet by this he hindred other forces from joyning with Vangus so that he was not strong enough to sally out upon them When the noyse of these commotions came to Peking the Emperour presently sent a new supply to appease these tumults and this fresh Army comming to joyn
themselves constant to him And this memorial of him I owe as well to the singular friendship he was pleased to contract with me as also to his eminent vertues of which I my self the whole Church of Christians in China were both Spectators and Admirers for the space of twenty years He was Born in the Province of Nanquin in the City Changcho being called Kiu Thomas a Name most worthy of eternal Memory During the saccage of these Provinces news arrives from the Country of Suchuen which the notorious Brigand called Changhienchungus famous for his strange cruelty and abhominable villanies had so wasted that it begins again to be shaken with severall tempests of War though he seemed to be quite destroyed in the last Battails yet from thence doth appear again new trouble and vexation to the Empire The Province of Fokien also begins to grone under the same miserable condition of War for the Reverend Father Peter Canevary Native of Genua writes out of the City Changcheu which was besieged the 30. of March 1652. that Quesingus having made a descent from his Ships into that Province hath overrun the whole Country taken some Cities and Towns and carried on the War with great terrour to the Inhabitants Insomuch as the Tartarian Commanders keepe themselves and their Army in their Forts and other places of strength not daring to appear in the field to oppose him but yet he said they expected new forces and Succours from Peking by which they doubt not but quickly to subdue him This Quesingus who now vexeth this Province of Fokien is Son to the famous Pyrate Iquon or Chinchilungo whom the Tartars imprisoned by a slight as I recounted to you in my former History And to let you know what I further heard from some passengers of China who in the month of Ianuary 1653. were cast in a Ship of China upon the Coasts of an Island called New Holland whither I had been brought before by their Barks and Souldiers as their Prisoner These men related that a great Army of Tartars was arrived to subdue Quesingus whose Commander thought it fit to joyn Art to his Force and therefore he commanded a handfull of men to charge the Chinese Army and presently by feigning flight to retire to more advantageous and surer places In the mean time he had placed a number of Horse in a deep valley behind a Mountain towards which Quarters the fugitive Troops retired This flight gave courage to the Chinese and the desire of victory made them venture so far from the River Chang where their ships lay at Anchor as they found themselves environed by the Tartars Army This desperate condition which excluded the Chineses from returning to their Ships caused a very great and bloody slaughter in which there perished above 80000 of the Chineses Army Whilst Quesingus a spectator of this sad accident from the Mast of his Ships as they relate was heard to say that he would once more try his fortune against the Tartars but if she proved again adverse unto him he then would submit and shave his Hair like a Tartar Concerning the present state of Christian Religion being at Brussels this last Iunse in the year 1654. I received letters from China in which they gave me notice that the Father Jesuits were very favourably treated by the Tartars yea better than before that they permit free exercise of the Christian Catholick Religion through all their Kingdoms granting them leave not onely to enjoy their ancient Churches but also liberally contributing to build new ones so by the goodnesse of God that which endamaged others proveth gain to them But I reserve all particulars to a larger Relation in a greater Volume which shall continue Trigautius his History of the missions dispatched into China concluding with the year 1610 to these our present Times FINIS Books printed for and to be sold by Iohn Crook at the sign of the Ship in St Pauls Church-yard ANnales Veteris Testamenti à primâ Mundi Origine deducti unâ cum rerurn Asiaticarum Aegyptiacarum Chronico A tempoâ—ris Historici principio usque ad Maccabaicarum initia producto A Viro Reverendissimo Doctissimo Jacobo Usserio Archiepiâ—copo Armachno Folio Ejusdem Annalium Pars secunda quae ad annum Christi Octogesimum producitur unà cum harmoniâ— Evangeliorum ab exercitatissimo in Sacris literis Doctore Johanne Richardsono Episcopo Ardachensi conscripta Folio Ejusdem de Textûs Hebraici Veteris Testamenti Variantibus lectionibus ad Ludovicum Cappellum Epistola Quarto ejusdem de LXX interpretum versione syntagma quo hebraici textus veritas contra LXX interpretum versionis assertores declaratur vnà cum libro Estherae c ad pristinam antiquitatem cum obeliscis asteriscis leniscis reducto Quarto The Holy History centaining excellent Observations on all the remarkable Passages and Histories of the Old Testament With a Vindication of the Verity thereof from the aspersions of Atheists and Anti-Scripturians Written Originally in French by the curions Pen of Nicolas Caussin S. I. And now Elegantly rendred into English out of the Seventh and last Edition by a Person of Honor. Quaeto The Perfect Ambassador Treating of the Antiquity Priviledges and Behaviour of Men belonging to that Function By Francis Thynne Esquire 12o. Wisdome and Innocence or Prudence and Simplicity in the Examples of the Serpent and the Dove propounded to our imitation By Thomas Vane Doctor in Divinity and Physick 12o. The Spirituall Nursery decyphered in a Sermon Preached at Mercers Chappel in London Febr. 9. 1650. By Thomas Baker late Rector of St Mary the More in Exon. Quartâ— Seven Sermons Preached upon severall Occasions by the most Reverend and Learned Father in God William Laud late Archbishop of Canterbury c. heretofore Printed severally but now gathered together and re-printed 12o. Loci Communes D. Martini Lutheri ex Scriptis ipsius Latinis forma Gnomolcgica Aphoristica collecti in quinque classes distributi à M. Theodosio Fabritio Ecclesiae Gottingensis Pastore Quarto Disputatio Scolastica de Divina Providentia adversus Jesuitas Arminianos Socinianos de Domino Dei c studiis industria Samuelis Rhetorfortis S Theologiae Professoris in celebri inclyta Academia Andreapolitana Quarto A just vindication of the Church of England from the aspersion of criminal schisme by Iohn Bramhal Bishop of Derry Octavo His defence of true liberty from anti-cedent and extrinsecall necessity being an answer to a late book of Master Thomas Hobbs of Malmesbury Octavo His answer to Mons. Militiers Victory of truth with Militiers own Epistle Octavo Miscellanea sacra or devout and Spirituall essaies by Walter Mountague 4o. Parthenissa an excellent new Romance written by the Lord Broghill in 4 parts Quarto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sine introductorium anglico-latino-Graecum complectens colloquia familiaria Aesopi fabulas Luciani mortuorum Dialogos In usum scholarum per Johannem Shirly Octavo De Hibernia
them which have obtained the first places then the King with his owne hand bestoweth a reward on each of them He to whom he giveth the first gift being the chief of all the rest hath a particular name belonging to him ever after as also to the second and the third The first they câ—ll Chuam Yuen the next Pham Yuen the third Thoan Hoa and this name is of so great esteeme and reputation that in a few daies after the examination there is scarce any person through out the whole Kingdom that doth not know them by these names and not by the names of their fathers and Countrie which is a wonderfull thing in so vast a Kingdom as that is The honour is as great as that of our Dukes and Marquesses As well for the respect which is paid them throughout the whole realme as for the places of authority and trust where they are put to govern being the very same which were anciently conferred upon those great Lords whose authority was in another way correspondent to that which now these Doctours have These ceremonies being accomplisht there is yet another examination which although it be voluntarie there are few that absent themselves from it A new point is given they make their compositions and according to them there is an Election made of those who are to be admitted to the royall colledge They select only 30 of the most deserving and of them they admit five every year who only for being entred in so smal a number are alway providing with profitable places of government The other twenty five have particular Palaces assigned them where they assemble and become as Scholars under the discipline of a Colao who almost every day causeth them to compose somewhat and exercise themselves in all that belongeth to their learning and speculative government This continueth til the next examinations at which new persons enter and the other go forth and according to their degrees and antiquity are provided with the places of greatest importance at the court from whence unlesse it be to be Presidents of the examinations or some other particular imployment that lasteth but a short time and by the Kings order they never go out no not to be vice-royes which imployment is accounted below them because only those of the royal colledge are capable of the dignity of a Colao All the new Doctors are that year put into some employment unlesse there be any that is not of competent years That which helpeth this multitude to imployments is that the same year there is held a generall visitation throughout the whole Kingdome by which there are so many of the old Mandarines turned out that there are many places made void for the new ones and as this degree is of high account the visits congratulatious Feasts and Presents which are made upon this occasion are almost incredible The reward for bringing the first newes is many times worth 200 Crownes to the Messenger but commonly 50 assoon as the friends and kindred of those who are named among the three first above-mentioned hear of their promotion presently they erect unto them triumphall arches in their Cities or Villages not of wood coverd with Canvasse or past-bord but of pure Marble sumptuously wrought in the front whereof is engraved the name of the Person for whom they were erected the place he hath obtained and the year of his Doctour-ship in a word the world is the same throughout It is a vain thing to beleeve that he which hath not power should be admired heard or received with applause whether it be done out of zeale to the truth or out of flattery and interest CHAP. 10. Of the Books and Sciences of the Chinesses OF the Sciences of the Chinesses we cannot speak so very distinctly and clearly because really their Authours have not been so fortunate as Aristotle Plato and other Philosophers and wise men who have methodically handled them under their several Classes divisions and titles whereas the Chinesses have written little or no thing of many of the sciences and liberal arts and of the rest but superficially except those which concern good government and policie From the very beginning it hath been their chiefest aim to find out the best way of government the first that began this were the Kings Fohi Xinon and Hoamsi These three at the beginning gave themselves to their morall and speculative Sciences by way of mysticall even and odd numbers and other ciphers and notes by which they gave law to their subjects and from hand to hand these were alway communicated to the Kings who were the wisemen of that time and by this means did govern the Kingdome untill the Monarchie of Cheù which began 1123. years before the coming of our Saviour at which time Venuam and Checuam his youngest Sonne published these numbers and ancient notes and made a booke of them intitled Yechim giving likewise many morall precepts documents and orders to the whole Kingdome and following the steps of other Philosophers which lived according to the Stoick rule they had alway great care of the Government and publique good untill the time of Confusio who composed five bookes in order called by them Vehim which are at this day held as sacred He made also other bookes and of his sentences and sayings there have been since also many more bookes composed This Philosopher flourished about 150. yeares before the coming of Christ he was a man of a good nature well inclined to vertue prudent sentencious and a lover of the publique good He had many disciples which followed him he had a great desire to reform the world which even at that time began to lose its sinceritie and veracity changing the ancient manner of living and introducing moderne customes And so he governed in severall Kingdomes for when he saw that they did not live conformable to his precepts and counsells in one Kingdom he went to another yet not uncensured by many other Philosophers of that time who seeing the evill course which men tooke retired themselves to their villages and becoming husbandmen in their owne persons tilled their grounds Now it happened that one day Confusio passing along and being to go through a river whose ford he was not acquainted withall sent one to enquire of a man that was labouring thereabouts who was a Philosopher He asked the messenger who he was and being answered that he was a disciple of Confusio's who sate in his Coach expecting his answer The Philosopher replied let him go in a good houre he knoweth the way and hath no need of a guide signifying thereby that he went from Kingdome to Kingdome endeavouring to Governe in a time that was not proper for Philosophers to reigne in Neverthelesse in after times this man was in so great favour with the Chinesses and the bookes which he composed were held in so much credit as also the sayings and sentences which he left behind him that they do not only
they burn the bodie and put the ashes in earthern Iarres close stopped and then cast them into the rivers After the Chest followeth the place of Sepulture which every one provideth for himself and his posterity without the wals for within it is not permitted Of these places they make great account Some have in them very convenient houses they are kept lockt on the out-side and within are full of Cypresses which they usually plant there and other trees proper for that place They are many times little worth in respect of the quantitie of ground they contain but do cost them a great deal of mony if their Astrologer do judge them lucky places and fortunate for the Familie for none do make choice of them without his opinion In Burying they observe this order to lay the chief of the Family in the uppermost place and the rest by his side according to their degrees On the topp of the Sepulchre they place many ornaments wrought in stone and before them they set Stone-statues of severall Animals and above all Epitaphs and stones graved with elegant compositions in praise of the deceased The great men especially the Eunuches use another way of more vast expence For they build in such places Sumptuous Palaces with Halls underneath them like Coemeteries where there are Niches fitted to receive the Coffins of the deceased These Palaces serve them when they go thither and on The day of the dead at which time the whole Family is assembled to make their Sacrifices and Ceremonies For the poorer sort of people that cannot have a peculiar place of Sepulture there is ordinarily in every City a common place of Buriall They never faile to bury every one in the place of his Sepulture although it be never so remote from that where he dieth which happeneth often to the officers who by reason they are sent to govern in severall parts of the kingdome do many times come to die out of their own Country and upon that occasion cause them to be brought home and buried there neither doth it seem a custome voide of reason Iacob and Ioseph having used the same diligence upon that account At their death the first Ceremony is that before the dying Person breathe his last they bring him on a mattresse or quilt into the outward Hall where he is to expire I do not know what is the reason of this custome neither is it generally used of all for if he be a person of qualitie they let him alone in his bed and assoon as he is dead his eldest Son plucketh off the Coife and Cap from his head and pulling down the bed without any order overturneth the Beds-Tester and curtaines and partly by tearing and partly by breaking pulleth every thing down and with it covereth the Corps If it be a woman the women stay and if it be a man the men presently washing the dead Body according to their custome When they have washed it they wind it in a fine linnen cloth if he have any or else in a piece of silk After that they cloathe him in the best garment that he hath and upon him they lay the ensignes of his office and degree and when he is thus adorned they lay him into the Coffin which is made of very thick boards and strongly joynted On the inside of the Coffin they bestow two weights which they call Manos of Bitumen and after that one of Charan and then there is no danger that any ill smell can come through it The Coffin is then brought out and placed in the outward hall which is all hung with mourning On the top of the Coffin they lay his statue made by the life with his ensignes of honour just as he lieth in the Coffin Before it they set a Table and a Carpet behinde the Coffin they hang up certaine curtaines behind which the women stand On each side of the Coffin are his sonnes and grand-sonnes sitting on straw in very deep mourning In the first open Gallerie set about with Balansters which is before the hall there stand Trumpeters on each side thereof and at the great gate of the Palace on the inside in the Court are two drummers without the gate next the street there is hung out a great flagge made of pieces of paper reaching almost to the ground and it is a signall that their mourning is provided and that now they admit of visitants After that they advise all their friends and kindred thereof sending them a Thie of Mourning wherein with words of much affliction and humilitie they give them notice of their sorrow Then presently begin their Visits of Condoling which are done in this manner When the Visitant is come into the first Court presently he putteth on his Mourning-garment which he bringeth with him for that purpose The drummer beateth his drumme to give notice of his arrivall and while he passeth through the Court the Trumpets sound assoone as he cometh into the Hall the women behind the Curtains begin to weep and lament When he cometh up to the Table he layeth thereon a purse of paper with money in it to the value of twelve pence or eighteen pence which serveth for an Aide of the cost and some little perfumes Then upon the Carpet he maketh foure reverences part kneeling and part standing on his feet When they are ended presently the Sonnes rise up from the place where they are and go and place themselves on the left hand of the Visitant and make him as many reverences partly kneeling and partly on their feet at which time they are to weep or at least to make as if they wept When this is done without speaking a word they return to their places againe In the meane time the Visitant goeth forward and presently one of the remotest of the kindred in slighter mourning cometh to receive him and leadeth him into another roome where assoone as they are sate presently there is brought in some of their drink called Chia and dried fruits or else dried sweet meats of which for the most part they do not eat but taking a little put it into their sleeve and so take their leave This courtesie is esteemed so due that those friends who are at hand may by no means omit it and they who are farther off if they dwell in neighbouring Cities come in their own person But if they live very farre off they send one from home to do it in their name This ceremonie commonly lasteth eight or ten daies But they who live farre off may come or send to do it at what time they please When the Visits are over the eldest Sonne is obliged to go to all those of the same City that came to condole with him at his house but he hath no more to do but to come to the gate where without a Carpet is spread wheron he maketh his reverence leaveth a Thie and goeth his way After this they begin to think of the buriall which
any of these things the Mandarines take themselves large shares of them and if the better sort of people sacrifice such as are the heads of families it is divided among the kindred The ordinary sort of people after they have made their offering which is comonly boyled before hand take up every thing againe then having dressed it anew according to their fancy they make a feast with it where it is all eaten They sacrifice many other things as Banners and Umbrellas all of silk severall figures moulded in gold or silver or else made of Orpine or base gold great summes of mony made of cut paper All these things are to be sold ready made in the market places at the shops of severall Artificers and after they are sacrificed they burn them all Every man offereth sacrifice without any difference they having no determinate ministers appointed for this act neither indeed have they for other things as for offices or Divine service Burialls to sing and officiate at them with any exactnesse It belongeth only to the king to sacrifice to Heaven the Earth Sunne Moone Planets and Starres and if any others should do it in publick he were guilty of a great crime For this end they have two most famous Temples at the two Courts where the King sacrificeth at the foure seasons of the year Spring Summer Antumne and Winter going thither himselfe in person and if he cannot go he sendeth some other to officiate in his stead The great Lords and those who are Titelados sacrifice to the Mountaines Lakes c. The Gentlemen and Officers to the four seasons of the year and particular parts of the earth Hills and the like For the rest as to their Idols their houshold-gods Genij or Tutelar Angells any one sacrificeth that will there being set times and places appointed for it except at sometimes they do accomodate themselves both to the occasions and places as when any one is to take a voyage by water he offereth sacrifice on the day whereon he departeth and that either in the Barke or on the next shore CHAP. 20. Of the Militia and Armes of the Chinesses THe knowledge and skill of Warre and Military affairs is very ancient among the Chinesses as appeareth by their bookes and Histories and it is very certaine that they have conquered many famous Kingdomes it is also commonly beleeved that they did formerly conquer Ceilan and neere to that place in the City of Nagapatam there is to be seen at this day an edifice or building which they call The Pagod of the Chinesses and it is a Tradition among the people of that Countrie that it was built by them Neither truly is it a worke unfit to be compared to any of that Kingdome Neverthelesse their bookes make no mention at all of it but that is not a sufficient reason altogether to refute this Tradition for no more have they any memory left in their bookes of the ancient Christianitie which notwithstanding it is most certaine was there and was also very much dilated and spread abroad However it is manifest that they had 114. Kingdomes Tributary to them but at this day they have only the neighbouring Countries which are nothing neere so many and even of these some of them do deny them their tribute and others have been abandoned by the Chinesses themselves holding it better to retire themselves to their own in peace and quietnesse than to go on stil with warre and troubles to conquer or maintaine other Kingdomes Beside the Conquests and warres made with stranger Kingdomes they have had warre also for many yeares in their own Countrie so that beside many particular books that treate thereof they have one body of historie consisting of ten Tomes which only treateth of the warrs of those times of their Captaines their manner of warfare battailes victories and other things wherein are many notable things to be read which do clearly demonstrate that they have formerly been a valiant and warlike nation although there are but few such at this time The occasions how they came thus to grow lesse were very great as I shall shew hereafter At this day that which they have of warlike in the Kingdome is only the multitude which is very great for besides the Souldiery which they have in the frontiers of Tartarie and in the Armados and fleets which are at the mouths of the great rivers which runne into the Sea every Province and in that every City and Village of the Kingdome hath a proper militia of their own which is paid by them and commanded by their own Captaines and in case that any Province hath need of men they make use of the Souldierie of their own Cities and Townes which by order of the vice-roy is easily brought to one Rendevous And if there be occasion for them on the frontiers or any other place of the Kingdome presently by order from the King or his councell of warre they rayse the Souldiers of one or more Provinces according to the Present necessitie and the possibilitie of the Province all of them not being able to maintaine the same number of Souldiers These Souldiers are alwayes in readinesse and if one of them be wanting or die there are presently enow in the same Town though it be never so little who make suite for the employment and so the place is presently supplied In the City of Nankim they say there are 40000 Souldiers and in that of Pekim 80000. and throughout the whole Kingdome as Father Matthoeus Riccius affirmeth who lived in China many yeares and had very good Knowledge thereof above a million and Father Iohn Rodriguez who went very much up and down China and had opportunitie to see the principall places thereof and was very curious saith that he found by diligent search in their books that in the body of the Kingdome with all the Cities and Villages thereof there are 594000 Souldiers and on the great wals which confine on Tartarie 682888. and yet he did not put into this number the Souldiers of the Armado that guardeth the coast Nor wil this number seem so excessive if we consider that China alone beside that it is much more populous is as big as Spain France Italie Germanie the Low-Countries great Brittain and all the Islands belonging to it In all this multitude if we speak of them who guard the Frontiers there is no doubt but there is found some valour and courage and they have sometimes gallantly repulsed the Tartars and in the yeare 1596 when the Giapponesses after they had passed through all the Kingdome of Corea without finding any resistance would have entred China which they came on purpose to conquer the Chinesses repulsed them in such manner that after the losse of many men they were faine to put up their pipes and returne home without doing any thing so likewise the Souldiers of the Armado have made some assaults wherein they have been victorious But if we speake of
them who live in the Cities and Villages throughout the Kingdome they are but of small courage and valour but you must not conceive that they are only Souldiers and have no other profession for they are Inhabitants and natives of the same places and are Taylors Shoemakers c. They are alwaies ready to march at the Kings command and leaving their houses go to the warre whensoever there is occasion They are moreover obliged to appear at the musters and traynings for three months in the Spring and three in the Autumne the which are held in the great Cities every day infallibly where only a Tertia or third part of them do muster but in Villages they do all make their appearance every day The manner which they hold in this Militia is thus All the Souldiery whether of Foot or Horse are drawn up into a Body and if any be found missing there is an other put in his place and in that place and degree into which they are once admitted they almost ever remaine or are but little advanced I said almost alwayes because on the Frontires if any Souldier perform any notable exploit they sometimes make him a Captain and he is advanced to his degrees without being examined but this is a thing which falleth out very rarely For to make Captaines Lieutenants and Corporals c. there are examinations and in them two degrees are conferred which to make them be the better understood we will call Licentiats in arms and Doctours in arms The first examination is held in the chief Cities of the Provinces whither all pretenders do resort and in the same vniversity or generall Palace where the students are examined and there they are to be examined giving them for a point or Theme certaine doubts in matters of war to which they answer with their pen making thereon discourses and compositions The speculative triall being ended they come to the practick They must shoote nine arrowes standing still upon their feet and other nine on horse-back against a great Target whilest the horse is in his speed and of those who behave themselves best both in the triall of shooting and in that of composing some are chosen on whom the first degree is conferred which hath also its ensignes and ornaments The second degree is conferred at Court in the same year where all those who have obtained the first degree do assemble themselves and the examination is held in the same manner as before only there are more doubts concerning matters of warre proposed than before Their ensignes are the same with those of the Doctours in learning which is to be understood in the Cities while the Kingdom is in peace for in warre or publique actions where they assist as Souldiers they have their particular ensignes and ornaments of Captaines The graduates are employed the same yeare in the office of Captaines and so are advanced by degrees til they come it may be to be Captaines General although there be no war They who remaine only with the first degree are employed in the lesser and more ordinary charges of the warr but they are alwayes to be in somthing of command As for their Armes I say first that the use of Powder is very ancient in China and in fire-works wherein they are excellently skilfull they spend more powder in a year than in their Armies at this time in five Anciently it seemeth they used it more in the warr For even to this day there are to be seen on the gates of the City of Nankim on both sides of the town great Brasse Bombards or Cannon which though they be but short yet are very well made from whence it may be concluded that they have formerly been in use But now they know not how to make use of them and keep them only for ostentation Neverthelesse they make some use of Morter pieces or Spingards but they have but few and those ill-made They have also Dagges two palms long of Musket-bore they do stock three and sometimes fower of these together and shoot them off all at once In their ships of warr they carry Guns but they are very small ones neither do they know how to levell them at a mark But now since the Officers of China have made many fire-armes in Machao by meanes of the Portughesses Muskets began to come into China but the Armes which they commonly serve with are Bowes and Arrowes Lances Scimitars In the yeare 1621 the City of Macao sent for a present to the King three great pieces of Cannon with their Cannoniers belonging to them to acquaint him with the use of them which accordingly they did in Pekim to the great affrightment of many Mandarines who would needs be present to see them discharged At which time there fell out an unhappie accident which was that one of the Guns violently recoyling killed one Portughese and three or fower Chinesses besides many more that were Scared These Guns were highlie esteemed and carried to the Frontiers against the Tartars who not knowing of this new invention and coming on many together in a close Body received such a slaughter from an Iron piece that they were not only put to flight at that time but went on ever after with more caution For defensive Armes they use round Bucklers Caskes or Head-pieces and certaine plates of Iron three fingers broad laid one upon another of which they make Back and Brest-pieces they are but of little proof and are made only against arrowes In a word both their Armes and Souldiers are but little worth at this time The occasions thereof are many the First is the great ease and idlenesse in which they have lived these many yeares since the Kingdome hath been free from warr The Second is the great account they make of learning and the little esteem they have of Armes so that the least magistrate will dare to baffle a Captaine of Armes let him be never so great The Third is their manner of electing Captaines by way of examination as we have said being all raw Souldiers that understand nothing in matters of warr The Fourth is because all Souldiers are either couragious by nature or Spurred on to Gallantrie by the example of those Noble Persons who lead them or else they are animated by the discipline their Captaines do bring them up in But the Souldiers of China want all these occasions For commonly their courage is but little their Nobilitie lesse their Education least of all for they will bastinado a Souldier for any fault as if he were a child that went to schoole The fifth because in their Armies over all the Captaines and also the Generall himselfe there goeth a Generalissimo who is alwaies a man of the long robe This man marcheth alwaies in the middle of the maine Battalia and from the place of Battaile is many times a daies journy off so that he is too remote to give orders and to runne away in any case of danger he is
the one and the other side yet at the last the Chinesses had the victorie so great endeavour will men use to defend their own home A little while after this fight arrived at the Court of Pekim a Portughess named Gonsalvo Texera who was sent thither with an Embassie and a Present from the City of Macao who seeing the insolency of the Tartars and the feare of the Chinesses and judging that by it they might do service to the Crown of Portugall and a kindnesse to themselves in what the King of China might do for them offered to the Mandarines in the name of the City of Macao some Portughesses to assist them against the Tartars The profer was kindly accepted of and a Memoriall was presented to the King who presently returned a favourable answer The Councell of Warre dispatched a Father of our company to Macao who was already gone along with the Embassadours to negotiate this assistance with severall orders to the officers of Cantone to expedite the businesse as much as they could with all liberalitie and provision and convenience for the men that were desired of them Foure hundred men were put in order that is 200 Souldiers of which many were Portughesses some whereof were borne in Portugall and some there but the most of them were people of that Countrie who although they were Chinesses borne in Macao yet were bred up among the Portughesses after their manner and were good Souldiers and shot well in Guns To each Souldier was given a youth to serve him who was bought with the Kings money and so large pay for themselves that with it the Souldiers clothed themselves richly and provided themselves with armes and were after all that left very rich too These Souldiers set out from Macao with two Captaines one whereof was named Pietro Corderio the other Antonio Rodriquez del capoo with their Alfieres and other Officers When they were come to Cantone they mustered themselves with so much gallantrie and with such salutes of their Musquetrie that the Chinesses were astonished There they were furnished with boates to passe up the river with all convenience through the whole Province being presented by the Magistrates when they came to any of their Cities and Villages sending refreshment for them all of Hens Beefe Fruit Wine Rice c. They passed over the Mountaines which divide the Province of Cantone from that of Kiamsi and is lesse than a daies journey from the other River all on horse-back even to the meanest of their servants Presenty upon the other side of the Mountaine they were imbarqued againe and going down the River they crossed after the same manner almost all the Province of Kiamsie till they came to the Metropolis thereof where I lived at that time and had under my direction a good number of Christians there they stayed only to see the City and to be wel looked on by them They were invited by many of the noble men that they might looke upon the Fashion of their habit and other things which seemed strange to them they treated them with all manner of Courtesie and commended and admired all except the Slashing and pinking of their cloathes not being able to conceive why when a piece of stuffe is whole and new men should cut it in severall places for ornament But when they had seen this City these men returned without any other effect but the expense and great losse of the Chinesses occasioned by the Tartars in severall encounters because they were deprived of this succour The occasion of their returne was that the Chinesses who traffique in Cantone with the Portughesses and are their Correspondents for their businesse from which they draw a vast profit began to perceive that by this entrance and the good successe thereof of which they made no doubt at all it would be an easie thing for the Portughesses to obtaine licence to enter into the Kingdome and to do their businesse and sell their Merchandise themselves and by this meanes they should come to lose their gaines therefore before the Portughesses set out they used all their endeavour to hinder their going presenting many papers against it and at last the Magistrate answering that he could do no lesse having already parted with the money and distributed among the Souldiers not only ordinarie but very high and advantagious pay they offered at their owne charges to re-imburse the whole money to the King But seeing that this way neither they could obtaine their ends it is reported that they sent to Court that money which they would have given and presenting it to the Mandarines prevailed so that those very men who had proposed the Portugesses to the King as an important succour did againe present a memoriall wherein they expressed that there was now no need of them The King answered and I my selfe saw the Royal answer It is not long since that ye did propose to us that these men should enter into the Kingdome and assist us against the Tartars now ye say they are not necessarie When ye propose any thing it were good you considered of it better howbeit if they are not necessary let them returne In this manner did that expedition of the Portughesses come to an end without any profit at all to the Kingdome but much to the Souldiers besides that they had an opportunitie to see a good part of China The Tartars have ever since continued the warre after the same manner and do continue it to this day and have forced the Kingdome of Corea to pay them tribute as they payed to China although they stil pay to the Chinesses as much as they did formerly CHAP. 22. Of the King and Queenes of China and of the Eunuches ALthough the Chinesses have been so diligent in their Chronicles Records that they have preserved the memorie of above 3000 yeares to this time neverthelesse they have suffered a great losse and damage in the knowledge of many things contained in them by the burning of those books which are called by them The History and in reality the businesse was thus A King named Tien whither it were as some think out of the hatred he bore to learning or as some hold with more probabilitie that he might extinguish the memory of his Ancestours and leave only his owne to prosteritie excepting only the books of Phisick as only necessarie to the Common-Wealth commanded by a rigorous law that the rest of their books should be burnt with so much severitie as if every volume were guilty of high treason and under so great penalites for any that hid them that it was to cost him no lesse than his life and in effect he caused fourtie Litterati to be burned together with their books which they had hid This persecusion lasted the space of fourty years at what time they began to renew their ancient Chronicles by meanes of certaine books and fragments that had escaped some of them being buried under ground and others immured
wherein the other women lived are furnished againe with new women pickt chosen throughout the whole realme in time of which search there are many marriages made every one endeavouring to deliver his daughter from that subjection The eleventh The Nobilitie of the bloud royall do send deputies not every one but all those of one City to render obedience to the King and to acknowledge him for such In like manner also do the Tituladoes which cannot do it in their owne persons The twelfth is That all Officers from Vice-royes to the meanest Judges of Townes go in person to Court to render the same obedience on the behalfe of their Provinces Cities and Townes Lastly the Kings name is changed as is used among us at the election of the Pope and this is that name which is written in all publick acts on moneyes c. It is a name of a particular but royall person as that of this Kings Grandfather was Vam Lie of his father Thai Cham of his Brother who raigned first Thien Khi and of this King Teum Chim They have moreover three names which signifie a King The first is Kiun and by this they use to call forreigne Kings The second is Vam and by this name they call the Infantoes or Kings children joyning them together Kiun Vam they make a name by which their King may be called But the principall name is Ho Am Ti that is Emperour In the Palace the Women Eunuchs and other domesticks thereof call him Chu that is Lord. They call him also Thien Zu which is to say Sonne of Heaven not because they believe him to be such but because they hold that Empire is a gift of heaven as also to render the respect which is due to the royall person more sacred and in realitie the reverence which they use towards him seemeth more befitting a Divine than humane person and the manner how they behave themselves at this day in his presence is more proper for a Church than a prophane Palace I said at this day because in former times it was not so For then the Kings of China lived according to the fashion of the greatest part of the other Princes of the world They went abroad conversed hunted and there was one of them so greedy of this recreation that whereby he might have the opportunity of spending whole months together in hunting without returning to Court and attending upon the affaires of government did substitute one of his Sonnes in his place The Emperours did visit in person the whole Kingdome at what time there happened that story which is so famous in China and which deserveth likewise to be known in Europe The Emperour going this progresse in a certaine way met with a company of men who were leading certaine prisoners He caused the coach to stop and enquired what the matter was which as soone as he had understood he fell a weeping They who accompanied him began to comfort him and one of them said unto him Sir It is not possible but that in a Common-wealth there must be chastisements it cannot be avoyded so have the former Kings your predecessours commanded it to be so have the laws ordained it so doth the government of the state require it The King answered I weepe not to see these men prisoners nor to see them chastised I know very well that without rewards the good are not encouraged and without chastisement the wicked are not restrained and that chastisement is as necessary to the government of a Kingdome as bread is for the nourishment and sustenance thereof But I weepe because my time is not so happy as that of old was when the vertues of the Princes were such that they served as a bridle to the people and their example was sufficient to restraine the whole Kingdome without any other chastisement This was a Heathen who spake thus and who seeth not how much reason we have to envy these Heathens who although they are exceeded by us in the knowledge of things belonging to faith do yet oftentimes surpasse us in the practise of morall vertues According as I have said the ancient Kings did personally attend the Government giving audience very easily and very frequently to all their subjects In the time of King Tham there was a Colao who having been his Master was very powerfull with him who to preserve himselfe in his grace and favour studied more to speak what should please the King than to tell him the truth for the good of his state a most abominable thing But the Chinesses seeing his honour was great and the Kings favour towards him very extraordinary did dissemble it all notwithstanding they forbore not to speak of it among themselves and to taxe the flattery of the Colao One day certaine Captaines of the guard discoursing among themselves in the Palace concerning this point one of them being a little warmed with the discourse secretly withdrawing himselfe out of the company went into the hall where the King then was kneeled downe upon his knees before him the King asking what he would have He answered Leave to cut off the head of a flattering subject And who is that replied the King Such a one that stands there answered the other The King being angry said Against my Master dare you propose this and in my presene Let them take him away and cut off his head When they began to lay hands upon him he caught hold of a wooden balanster and as there were many pulling of him and he holding with a great deale of strength the balanster broke By that time the Kings anger was over and he commanded they should let him go and gave order that the balanster should be mended and that they should not make a new one that it might remaine a witnesse of the fact and the Memoriall of a subject that was not afraid to advise his King what he ought to do Such was the facility with which not only the Officers but any one whosoever of the people might have admission to the King so that within the first gate of the Palace there was always a Bell a Drumme and a Table overlaid with a white varnish as it were playstered over upon this he that would not speak to the King in person wrote what his request was which was presently carried to the King But whosoever would speak with him rang the Bell or beat the Drumme and presently they were brought in and had audience The Drumme remaines even to this day but as it seemeth to me rather in memory of the times past than for any use of the present for during twenty two years time I do not remember that it was ever beaten above once and he that did it was presently paid his pension in ready Bastinadoes for having disquieted the King who was about halfe a league off After this hard penance he was heard and allowed not to see or speak to the King but according to the custome now in
not use to be present there himselfe they alwayes assist in the Palace to receive and answer all businesse and the Memorialls which are every day given in These report them to the King who pronounceth the last sentence upon them These Colai are very much respected by all the Magistrates and at set times they do them reverence as to their superiours in a publick Hall The Colai stand up and all the Officers of the Court passe before them in their order and when they come right over against them they turne towards them and make them a profound Reverence to the very ground They call this Ceremony Quo Tham that is To passe the Hall Their ensignes or badges of honour are different from those of the rest and their girdle which they call Yù Xe is richly set with precious stones They only are allowed to weare it and it is given them by the King as in Europe Kings doe use to give Collars of their orders to their knights And when they are sick it is only to these that the King sendeth to visit them with Regaloes and dainties from the Palace and they do sufficiently gratifie the Eunuch that brings them for the least they give him is fifty crownes which is more in that Country than 200 here Beside these supreame and generall Governours at the Court who do not only govern that but the whole Kingdom also there are likewise particular and ordinary Governours and Judges of every City and these observe the same manner of Government as well in the Cities and Townes of the other Provinces as also in those of Pekim and Nankim where the two Courts are as shall be related hereafter CHAP. 26. Of the Government of the thirteen Provinces WE have formerly spoken of the universall Government of the whole Kingdome which resideth in the two Courts it followth now that we should speak of the particular Government of the Provinces every one whereof is a large Kingdom This Government resideth ordinarily in the Metropolis or chiefe City of each Province In each of these there are five Tribunalls that have a generall command over the whole Province and distinct offices among themselves Of these five two are supreame to which all others both of the Cities and Townes are subordinate But they among themselves are not subjected one to the other but are immediatly subbordinate to the King and the Royall Tribunalls These consist of one President or Iudge without any Assistant or Councellour although they have many other Officers The first of these two is the Vice-roy of the Province whom they call Tut Ham or Kiun Muen He hath power over all the Magistrates and people of the Province He Governeth for three years and hath constant Posts that come go from the Court at set times being to give account of whatsoever passeth in the Province He is received into the City in great pompe and state When he is ready to depart the Court many of the Officers of his Tribunal go thither to receive him others meet him a good part of the way where from City to City he is honourably accompanied both by horse and foot And three miles before he cometh to the City where he is to reside there go out certaine Captaines with 3000 Souldiers to receive him after these follow the Magistrates and after them an innumerable company of people The Second Office which is also absolute is called Cha Iven we have no Office in Europe that is answerable to it he is as it were Visitour of the Province It lasteth only a yeare it is of great rigour and much feared He hath authority to take Cognizans of all causes both Criminall and civill of the Militia of the Kings Patrimonie in a word of all He visiteth enquireth and informeth himself of all even to the Vice-roy himself the inferiour Mandarines and Judges he may punish or turne them out of their places Concerning the greater Mandarines if there be cause he is to give in Memorialls and they are from thence forward suspended from the function of their Offices till the Kings answer come from Court To him it belongeth to cause the sentences of Death given through the whole Province to be put in execution in order to which he assigneth the day and the City whither all those that are condemned shall be brought to him and there he is presented with a List of their names then taking his pensill he marketh six or seaven of them for if he prick more they count him cruell these are presently carried to execution and the rest returned to the prisons whence they came It belongeth also to him to visit the Wals Castles and publick places c. He setteth forth with a great traine and pomp having banners carried before him and other Ensignes of Rigour and Majestie This is usually every year There is another extraordinarie Officer of the same name He is created from time to time at the Queens request he hath great power and authoritie but it is only in favour of Piety and Mercy he visiteth all the Prisons of the Province and freeth all such as are imprisoned for light faults and that have no prosecutours and all those miserable wretches that have no meanes to free themselves he taketh into protection such causes as have been rejected and parties that could obtaine no favour he revoketh such sentences as have been unjustly given he maketh himselfe Protectour of the poore and in a word his whole authoritie is employed about works of mercy The Third Office is the Treasurer who is superintendent of the Kings Patrimonie through the whole Province He is subordinate to the Councell of the Patrimonie at Court He hath two Assistants one of the right hand and the other of the left each of these have their house and Tribunall within the circuit of the Treasurers Place He hath under him 26 lesser Mandarines that have severall charges and employments besides other Officers great and small of which sort there are very many belonging to this Tribunall To him it belongeth to overlooke the customes excise and other duties appertaining to the King of what kind soever to regulate all weights and measures all suites controversies punishments and sentences appertaining to the Kings Patrimonie or at least to remit them to what Tribunall he pleaseth to pay the ordinarie salaries to all Magistrates to the Kings kindred to the Captaines and Souldiers to provide all expences for the examinations to furnish and give the badges of honour to all Graduates to lay out money for the publick workes as Bridges High-wayes Palaces of the Mandarines Ships for the Navy c. In a word he is superintendent of whatsoever is spent or received of the Kings Revenue immediatly from the Governours Iudges and Tauli each for his own precinct and though the summe be never so small they must alwayes be paid in fine Silver which is afterwards melted by the Treasurer into Ingots weighing fifty Crownes a piece with the
divided into little squares it is fastened before if the Girdle be rich with large Buckles of Gold or Silver some weare them nine inches broad There are nine sorts of Buckels that is of Bufalo of Rhinoceros horne of Ivory of Tortoise-shell of Lignum Aquilae of Calambu of Silver Gold and precious stones Every one may not wear them indifferently according to their Fancies but suitable to the qualitie of the Office which he beareth The last Girdle which is of a precious stone called Yu Xe is given by the King himselfe to the Colai when they enter into their Office nor is any other suffered to weare it The Boots which they call Hive are not ordinarie but of a certaine particular make They are all black and turned down The Vest or Gowne is worne over their ordinary habit and is in all of the same fashion It is large loose and very becoming The colour is at their own choise but for the most part it is modest but on Feastivall daies it is Crimson These are the Ensignes of the Magistrates when ever they appear in publick for at home they leave them off and wear only the ordinarie habit of the Litterati and in the same manner they go among their friends to Banquets and places of recreation especially in hot weather Their externall Ensignes when they go abroad are the Sedan or Litter inlaid with Ivory and richly gilded all open without any cover at top to the end they may be the better seen There are some of them carried by two men others by foure others by six and some by eight according to the qualitie of the Mandarine When there are six or eight men only foure do carry the Sedan the others go by on each side and take their turnes The traine which followeth after them is more or lesse according to the dignitie of the Magistrate those of the greatest Qualitie cause two men to march before them at a great distance with a round staffe in the hands of each of something more than a mans length only for terrour for the king only may strike with a round staffe and all the way they go they make a cry Then follow two men bearing two Tablets silvered over whereon is written in great letters the Title of his dignitie then come foure or six more trayling after them cudgells made of a great tree called Bambu wherewith they are wont in those Countries to give the Bastinado to Delinquents then follow others with chaines in their hands and other instruments of Torture A little before the Sedan there marcheth one with an Umbrella or Sun-skreen and sometimes two they are made of silke and are as bigge as three of ours Close by the Sedan on one side is carried a great gilded fanne so bigge that a man is hardly able to beare it with which the Sun is kept off from him for the Umbrellas serve only for shew and Parade Immediatly before the Sedan is carried the Kings seale in a gilded Coffer placed upon a Machine like to that which we use in our Countries to carry the Images and Reliques of Saints upon in procession under a cloath of state borne up with foure small pillars This is carried by two men Behind the Sedan follow the Pages and other people both on horse and foot When he goeth through the street if there be any thing unseemly at the windowes as cloathes hanged out a drying or such like things presently they are taken in if they meet with any Beers or Hearses such as the dead are carried to buriall withall they overturne them to the ground people of Qualitie turne downe some other street to avoyd meeting of them they that are on horse-back alight they that are carried in chaires are set downe the people set themselves in ranke on both sides the way If it be a great Mandarine the multitude that stand looking upon him keep a profound silence In the meane while he sitteth in his chaire with so much gravity and composure of body that he doth not so much as move his eyes for to but looke on one side or other would in them be esteemed a notable fault When they make their first entrie into any City or Towne besides the traine which is appoynted to accompany them all the way they go and the Souldiers which guard them through the Townes and Cities where they passe and the Officers of their owne Tribunal who go many daies journyes off to receive them and the Souldiers of his owne Government who go out many miles to meet them and all the inferiour Mandarines who go out of the City to congratulate them at the gates of the Towne or City stand all the old men of that place in great number with their reverend white beards who on their knees bid him welcome in the name of the people The Mothers and wives of the Officers as their Sonnes or Husbands are preferred and advanced to higher offices and dignities are appointed by the King certaine honourable distinctions in their habit as also Titles whereby they are called such as are among us your Honour and your Excellency not that they are the same but that they have some resemblance more or lesse When any one of the most Eminent Officers die the King sendeth away post a Mandarine of the Court to solemnize his funeralls and this not only to the confines of the Kingdom but even out of it as to the Island of Hainam as it happened in the year 1617 at what time I spake with him who was sent hether by the King only for that purpose The King also after his death bestoweth the office of a Mandarine upon his Sonne or Nephew and if the deceased person be a Colao he bestoweth the like honour upon all his Sonnes or Nephewes who if they give a good Testimony of their abilitie in their Government are advanced yet higher and come to be Governours of Cityes The Palaces where they inhabit are large convenient and stately their Tribunals where they do Justice are magnificently adorned and attended by great store of Officers In the City of Nankim beside many others there are five Tribunals foure of the foure windes for so they call them and they are accordingly placed in the City toward the North toward the South c. The fift is in the middle of the City yet are they inferiour Tribunals for every one hath a President and two Collaterals and the President is no more than a Doctour and the two Collaterals are either simple Batchelers or else raised from the office of Notarie It is true that in small and ordinary causes these are the hands and feet of the Mandarines being faithfull and diligent executers of whatsoever they command them There are in every one of these Tribunals more than 300 men who serve them as Notaries Clerks and Serjeants some to apprehend men others to whip them others to carry letters and writings and such other Commissions but they do not
which saith That the City of Sucheu Hancheu is that upon earth which the habitation of the blessed is in heaven It is scituated in a pleasant River of fresh Water just as Venice is in the Sea it hath the greatest traffique of all the Kingdome the Merchandize from Macao being first brought thither from whence they are afterwards dispersed to all other parts Here the Father found Quitaizo his ancient friend in the Province of Canton by whom he was received with all manner of kindnesse and friendship and was also by him introduced and brought into credit with the whole City And being the Sonne of a principall Mandarine he was a great help to him in gaining the friendship of severall Mandarines of great authoritie for which and other good turnes he did us in Canton and other places and especially in Nankim he deserveth no small commendations and acknowledgment The Father gave him a triangular glasse which by his friend was taken for so precious a Jewel that he tipt both the ends of it with Gold and made a Case of Silver to put it in and after sold it for above 500. Crownes This honest man much desired that the Father would settle himself in that Citie and found a House there where he might assist and promote him with more convenience proposing many difficulties which would hinder the residence of the Fathers at Nankim Neverthelesse having weighed things better and taking that resolution which was most suitable to their occasions they went both of them to Nankim in the year 1599. where they found the state of affaires much altered from what it was the time before The Citie did now enjoy a profound peace and tranquillity the Giapponeses being beaten back into their own Countrie The Mandarine their friend was very glad of their coming and did them many singular favours as did also many others both Magistrates and other grave men and persons of account in that City particularly a Coli which is a kind of Censor or Syndic-royall named Choxelim wherefore the Father not only by their consent but also by their perswasion resolved to settle a residence and found a House in that Noble City which is the second of the whole Kingdome While the Father made his abode there he gave great proofe of himself and of the Sciences of Europe particularly of the Mathematiques He made a new Mappe of the World with the explanation thereof in the Chinesse language and characters which gained great reputation not only to the authour but also to Europe seeing there such a multitude of Noble Kingdomes and Cities so that the same Quitaizo and others with very Solemn Ceremonies made themselves Disciples to Father Riccius Neither was the authoritie lesse which the Father gained by the publick Disputes which he held concerning matters of Religion wherein to the admiration of all the Councels he ever had the Victorie so that the Fathers came to such a height of reputation that they were celebrated by many Letterati in Epigrams and Elogies In the meane time the companions of Father Riccius arrived after they had wintered by the way and endured many labours and hardships But when they found the Father in that City where a little before he was not only not received but also driven out with ignominie and shame now to have such credit and applause and so many friends who favoured him they forgot all their former sufferings and gave most hearty thanks to the Lord our God for that present prosperitie Not long after they began to think of buying an House for that wherein they lived was only hired Many were offered to them but such for the most part as were inconvenient for them among which there was one that was very large and capacious but haunted with Divells and Phantasmes so that none durst dwell in it This inconvenience useth commonly to be advantageous to us for wee not fearing these spirits which vanish at the first on-sett doe commonly purchase such houses at a very low rate and so it happened to Father Riccius wherefore after the bargain and sale was concluded the Fathers came over a while to dwell in that house where they lived very quietly without receiving any disturbance or inconvenience from those spirits Assoon as the Fathers had their House and Church there were not wanting those who did frequent it The first who was baptized in this City was an old man of seventy years of age he was a Noble man and had the office of Chinoci whereof we spake when we treated of that Nobility which descendeth by way of blood Presently his sonne followed him who was already a Letterato and was afterward made a great Mandarine and also his whole Familie his Grand-Sonnes and Daughters c. I knew them many yeares afterwards when they had made great progress in Vertue and Christian Pietie and are therefore worthy of Eternall memorie with many particular cases whereof we shall make mention hereafter This Familie was followed by others the number of Christians still encreasing as also their zeale to good works especially after the persecution whereof we will speak anon So that it may be said to be the best Christianitie of China although the most persecuted and molested The affaires of Nankim succeeding thus prosperously and these good beginnings shewing that that House would not only continue but also be enlarged and advanced Father Riccius sent one of his companions F. Lazarus Cataneus to Macao partly to give an account to the superiours of what had passed partly to get some curioâ—ities of Europe to make Presents of and partly to seek out some new companions to labour in that plentifull harvest The Father arrived at Macao with these glad tidings which were received with that joy which was fitting and shortly after having procured some Presents for the King and a fresh recruit of other Fathers he returned to Nankim where Father Riccius stayd for him who having his whole desires set upon Pekim after he had received the Presents and a fresh supply of companions deferred no longer to begin his second voyage for Pekim having not only the opinions but also the propitious assistance of some principall Mandarines in his favour It was the sixteenth day of May in the year 1600. when the Fathers Matthaeus Riccius and Didacus Pantoia and brother Sebastian Fernandes departed the second time for the Court in the same manner as before by water having accommodation given them in a barque belonging to an Eunuch who the more he conversed with the Fathers had still the more affection for them Having passed the Province of Nankim and being come into that of Xantum in the City where the Vice-roy of that Province doth reside Father Riccius was received with extraordinary respect by that Vice-roy He was visited in the barque presented and very much made off The memoriall or petition which he intended to present to the King was mended for him and put into a better form and
in the beleef of those things I had already heard by meanes of these Masters I learned that Heaven and Earth Mankind and all other things were made by God and that all things have their dedependance on him and are necessarilie subject unto his commands that no other Sect or law whatsoever besides this is conformable to truth that sinnes are forgiven only by God by the intermission of his Ministers that by him only the joyes of Heaven are conferred upon such who have a true and syncere sorrow for their sinnes and because I beleeve that by these meanes a man may obtain from God Grace and other benefits I beseech his Divine Majestie that he would so fill me with his truth that I may put it in execution by good works and may be able with a constant and firme resolution to worship the Heavenly Majestie and to conforme my self to his Holy precepts and ordinances And from the day wherein I shall receive Baptisme which cleanseth and washeth all filth and uncleanesse from the Soule I do promise by his Grace for the time to come wholly to extirpate out of my thoughts the Sect of the vain and false Gods as also their doctrines which are repugnant to reason and to take care that my thoughts do not in any wise runne after the superfluous desire of riches the vanitie of the world or the false and foolish pleasures thereof I will obey the Sovereign Lord and Father of all things and will follow the direct way of his law and by a constant watch upon my sences I will endeavour as much as is possible for me to reduce the light of that reason which God hath given me to its former Splendour I will begin with my self and afterward communicate unto others the benefit of those Graces I shall receive from his bountifull hand For as much as appertaineth unto the Articles of our Faith although I am not able to comprehend the greatnesse of each Mysterie neverthelesse I do from my heart submit my self to them and do firmly believe whatsoever is contained in them beseeching the Holy Ghost that he would illuminate my understanding with his light that I might be the better able to comprehend them Now therefore since I have begun again to feele the first impressions of faith my heart is like a tender eare of corne which is not yet come to its maturity wherefore I beseech the Mother of God that she will grant me strength and courage by her Intercession for me with God her Sonne that this my firm purpose constant resolution might never be staggered or shaken that he would open the powers of my soule and grant me a cleane and pure heart That he would open my mouth to declare his Divine law through the whole Kingdom to the end that none might be ignorant of the law of the True God or refuse to give obedience to it This was the profession in writing of Ignatius There was also baptized in this house by the hands of Father Iohn della Rocca who was superiour thereof Doctour Paul whose life we shall set downe more at large toward the end of this relation and who may justly be called the pillar of the Christianitie of China who was so much celebrated in the yearly letters so eminent in dignitie and honour having borne the highest office of the Kingdom that is of Colao so zealous in the Christian religion so exact in the observance of it so humble so vertuous and holy that every great thing may worthily be said of him This seed of the Holy Gospel was not contained within the walls of the City of Nankim but spread it selfe over the Province of the same name for upon the occasion of Dr. Pauls turning Christian and of his Fathers death at what time he went to Scianhai to celebrate his funeralls Father Lazarus Catanaeus went thether partly to visit him and partly to see how that Countrie was disposed to receive the word of God His journey had such good successe that presently after one Masse there were fifty Baptized and in two years after the number was encreased to two hundred the example of Dr. Paul being of great efficacy to that purpose There happened also at that time severall miracles as driving out of Devills healing of the sick and such like with which this new Christianitie was watred and the earth disposed to bring forth more fruit such as were afterwards and are still gathered there at this day There was also a house founded in that Towne and it is now one of the best Christianities in all China Whilest the Fathers of the three Southerne Residencies under went so much paines and trouble Father Mattheus Riccius was not idle at Pekim but rather was so busied that he had scarce time to breath partly for the visits of the Chinesses which he was also obliged to returne them nor could he have omitted it without injury and discourtesie and partly with the Christians and Catechumeni and partly in composing those bookes which are so much esteemed by the Chinesses In the mean while the reputation and esteeme of our religion was every day advanced and the number of Christians encreased by rare and miraculous events One of the Neophites or new Christians being delivered from death which he was unjustly condemned to suffer by the apparition of a man like unto the Image of our Saviour one night to that Judge who was to confirme the sentence who commanded him to save the life of that Innocent and two others whose recovery was despaired of by the Physitians were cured by the favour of the B. Virgin who visibly appeared to them spake to them and conforted them Notwithstanding his great employments Father Mattheus did not omit the other functions of his charge in the House he being superiour and having the care of the whole Mission which he governed with great care prudence and charity by reason of these continuall paines and care which he tooke or rather because the Lord was pleased to deliver his servant out of the troubles of this life to give him the reward of his sufferings he fell into a sicknesse and although all humane means were applyed and all possible care used to save his life yet all was to no purpose He desired to receive the Sacraments which accordingly he received with very great resentment and devotion The Fathers desired his blessing before he dyed about many questions which they asked him he gave particular answers to all among the rest to one who asked him Why he would leave them at a time when they had so great need of his company He answered I leave you the gate open to great victories which notwithstanding are not to be obtained without great pains and combats And so entertaining with discourse sometimes the Fathers sometimes the new Christians and very often raising up his heart and voice towards heaven in amorous Colloquies lying in his bed without any motion at all of his body
of the dangerous estate and condition of the Christians at Nankim Father Rocâ—a superiour of the Mission chanced to be at that time in Hamcheu who presently endeavoured to find some remedie for it by speaking with Doctour Michael and writing to Doctour Paul that by their leâ—ters they would perswade the Mandrines of Nankim to shew some favour to the Christians which accordingly they did with much zeale and efficacie especially Doctoâ—r Paul who observed to them in his writings fourteen principall poynts wherein our Holy Law did differ from the Sect of Palien Kiao The letters had not that effect that was hoped of them some of the Mandarines being rendered very averse to them by the power and perswasion of Xin who actually enjoying at that time the dignity of Colao every one endeavoured to gain his favour by following his inclinations And that was plainely seen by their answers which are not wont to be in such termes to Mandarines of so considerable Quality as those Christians were The answer to Doctour Paul was that the Law which his Lordship said was different from that Sect of Palien Kiao was not so but the very same both of them professing not to obey the King nor his Ministers as was plainly to be seen by the Fathers who being banished out of the Kingdom by the Kings order yet were so audacious that they still remained there and other things of the same straine which evidently shewed that they who gave such answers were changed as also for whose sake they gave them This unpleasing answer was followed by a thing of greater danger for in China even in the quietest times it is necessary to live very retired and reservedly which was the Intelligence that Doctour Paul had received how that not many daies before two Mandarines of the same City of Nankim had presented a Memoriall to the King against the Law of Christ both against the Chinesses who were followers of it as also the Fathers that did preach and propagate it accusing Doctour Michael by name for being a Christian and for keeping the Fathers in his House they did also accuse severall others for keeping of them and although they did not name Doctour Paul yet it might be easily understood that they meant him for one This news did require their most serious deliberation for when a businesse is brought before the King it is alwayes of dangerous consequence and doth ever shave or flea Doctour Paul immediately wrote to the Fathers that in what place soever they were they should without any farther delay resolve to retire themselves and to break off all commerce with all manner of persons whatsoever although they thought them never so safe or trusty giving way to the necessity of the times as at that present was very convenient for them Doctour Michael was of the contrary opinion at least he would not suffer those which lived in his own House to hide themselves Doctour Ignatius his Sonne also who dwelt in the City of Kiatiâ— was of opinion that the Fathers should keep themselves private and concealed for if any thing should be decreed to their disadvantage it could not be executed so suddenly but that there would be time enough for them to make their escape especially since the Mandarines of the City were their friends Although this were a very young man yet his Father who lived then at the Court was much satisfied with his opinion in that case Neverthelesse it was judged more expedient that we should withdraw our selves before the storm appeared and that afterward those who could not hide themselves should fly before they were apprehended by justice But the difficulty was where to find another secret place beside that where we were which was in a very populous City and among many of our trusty and faithfull friends and because it was so difficult to lie hid in that place we did think of searching out some desert but by reason that China is so populous that was no easie thing to be done At length it was resolved that we should all quit the habitations we were in some going to the Country Houses of the same Christians some to the sepulchres of others with a caution that if there did not come a favourable answer from the King there should be boates provided in a readinesse for to carry them up and down the Rivers where the not remaining long in any certain place would be a good way to secure them till the Lord should direct them to a better During this time Doctour Paul kept a man on purpose in the City of Sucheu where the Vice-roy of the Province hath his Residence for he may not dwell in the City of Nankim because it is the Kings Court as well as Pekim that assoon as the Kings answer came he might presently bring him word of it and according to the stile of that Country it was conceived that it might be delayed yet many dayes The Fathers expected ten weeks to their great discommodation and inconvenience because those things which might easily have been had in the Towns and Cities could not be come by but with a great deale of trouble as they lay thus hid neither did any answer come in all this time for which there were severall reasons given but the best seemed to be that these Memorials against our Holy Faith were sent with an Order that they should first be registred by Xin for whose sake they were presented who at the same time was put out of his Office So that when the Memorials came he had now no power nor authority to preferre them and so they were not presented at all for if they had been presented whether the King had answered them or no we should have been sure to have had notice of it Thus the storm ended which seemed to threaten us with a greater danger and the effect of it was turned upon Xin although upon another occasion for it is most certain that at the same time when the Petitions against the Law of Christ were sent from the Southern to the Northern Court the King took away his Office of Colao by reason the Mandarines of Pekim had petitioned against him and although they had endeavoured his disgrace for 16 months before yet they could never bring it about till then So that it seemeth the Lord did reserve the fall of this Tyrant for that time wherein he might have done the greatest mischiefe and would shew us what trust and confidence we ought to have in him upon the like occasions Our Doctours being of the opinion that the Memorials neither were nor would be presented the Fathers returned all to their Ancient Residencies although they were obliged to use more caution and to make fewer assemblies and this the rather because they did not yet receive good news from Nankim where there were new edicts published against the Christian Religion which news although on the one side it occasioned much grief to the Fathers yet on the
cum alijs praedicaverit ipse reprobus efficiatur nam exactam quaeâ—ere conformitatem in omnibus est potius pacem turbare This opinion likewise is favoured by the Glosse in capit Reus qui de paenitentia remissione where it is said That in favour of those who are newly converted to the Faith detrahendum est jure The Church hath often practised the same and particularly in the Councel of Florence where Pope Eugenius the Fourth did very prudently dissemble with the Greeks concerning the point of marriage for the Greeks not consenting to treate any thing concerning Marriage and the Pope having also already determined the point yet Synodicé Armeniis in decreto suo credendum tradens mirum dictu Graecos ob communem concordiam recentur initam fortius stabiliendam non explicitè ad hoc credendum obstrinxit imò pertinaciam eâ—rum in reliquis violata pace ne resilirent videns non vidit vel ut in Actis Concilij paâ—et non condemnavit If this was done to Persons of that authority quality and antiquity what shall we say of poor Neophytes but only that of St. Gregory Duris mentibus simul omnia abscindere impossibile esse not dubium est quia is qui locum ascendere nititur gradibus vel passibus non saltibus elevatur So that in the conversion of the Gentiles according to St. Gregory Suaviter c. prudenter subinsinuare non violenter abrumpere Apostolici muneris est St. Peter to preserve those Plants he had newly planted Inter Gentiles gentiliter inter judaeos judaicè victitavit And St. Paul Factus est Iudaeis tanquam Iudaus ut Iudaeos lucrifaceret ijs qui sub legeerant quasi sub lege esset ut eos qui sub lige erant lucrifaceret idque prudenter ad bonum animarum as Baronius declareth in his Annals in the year 51. This is that which the 〈…〉 Councells and Fathers have taught by precept and examples And notwithstanding all these Instructions how difficult is it to take the middle way by accommodating ones selfe to places times and persons and the severall course of things and how much good is lost not to say how much evill done and even such evill as at this day we see and lament by following everyone his own judgment and fancy whatsoever it be leaving that more certain and saving way which was used by the Saints I will conclude this Relation with a Paragraph of a Letter which the Patriark of Aethiopia Don Alphonso Mendez wrote from Goa to the Cardinalls of the Congregation de propagandâ fide who for his Learning Authority and Vertue and above all for his experience of Missions wherein he laboured and suffered much doth very much deserve to be believed He saith thus But at the end of this Letter I do judge it not from our purpose to be mind your Eminencies that God hath formerly commanded that a vine-yard should not be sowed with diverse seeds nor that a garment ought to be woven of Linnen and Woollen with which the Queen and Spouse is to be cloathed wherein is implied That the severall institutions and different manners of living of Religious Orders ought not to be entruded upon young and tender Churches such as are but yet in a manner sucklings but only to be introduced into such Churches as are come to their full strength and are fortified by a long continuance of years For many times emulation growing among them and many wanting prudence and others abounding in an indiscreet zeale they do many things which tend rather to ruine than edification c. The Lord blesse your Eminencies c. From Goa the eleventh of November 1638. The Liuely Effigies of Thein mingus y e present Emperour of the Western Tartars who hath Lately ouerrun and Possest himselfe allmost of the whole Empire of China BELLUM TARTARICUM OR THE CONQUEST OF The Great and most Renovvned Empire of CHINA By the Invasion of the TARTARS who in these last seven years have wholly subdued that vast Empire Together with a Map of the Provinces and chief Cities of the Countries for the better understanding of the STORY Written originally in LATINE by Martin Martinius present in the Countrey at most of the Passages herein related And now faithfully Translated into English LONDON Printed for Iohn Crook and are to be sold at his Shop at the Sign of the Ship in S. Pauls Church-yard 1655. LABORE ET CONSTANTIA To the Reader WHereas in the course of this insuing History there occurs frequent mention of the chiefe Provinces and Cities in China which have either been assaulted and defended subdued or destroyed by the severall Armies as well from North to South as from East to West least the pleasure and delight of this History should be any way diminished by the frequent re-encounter of harsh and barbarous names of Countries and Towns unknown to the European Reader I thought it good to prefix a little Geographical table of the Countries and chiefe Cities which might serve as a guide to conduct the eye of the understanding in the pursuit of the mentioned victories I confesse it is not so exact as the rigour of Geography exacts but yet it is such an one as was drawn by the hands of their learned Phylosophers and may well give a sufficient notion of all the places mentioned As for more exquisit and rare Maps both universal and particular as well of the Countries as of the Cities and of all the rarities they contain together with the exact knowledge of their Longitudes and Latitudes and of all that does belong either to Astronomy or Geography in relation to them with what may be expected from Natural or Humane History I reserve all these to my Atlas of China which I am composing taken from their own ancient records ever since the time of Noah all which I have with much pains and industry gathered up together and transported with me to Europe I will not therefore for the present deflower that work of its greatest beauty by an unseasonable exposition of it to the Readers view but expect till it grow to that perfection as I hope will satisfie the appetite of this our curious Age. SITVS PROVINCIARVâ— IMPERII SINIC 〈…〉 MDC.LIV BELLUM TARTARICUM OR The History of the Warres of the Tartars in China c. THe most ancient Nation of Tartars in Asia the Parent of many Nations hath been an Enemy to the Empire of China above four thousand years during which time they have had many sharp Wars with those of China in which they though sometimes worsted yet for the most part have remained the conquerors I call that Nation Tartars which inhabiteth the Northern parts behind that famous Wall which stretching out above 300. German Leagues from East to West hath ever served for a Rampart to hinder their irruptions into the said Empire This Country the Chineses having a defect of the letter Râ—anciently called Tata comprehending under this
neither was it safe for him to leave an enemy behind him nor could be receive victuals from the Emperour Iungley but by Cancheu which is the natural descent of the River and therefore when he heard of Lihuzu's defeat he presently besieged that City with his whole Army But whilst he was besieging this City there came unfortunately a new Army of Tartars from the Imperiall City of Peking which had order to recover this Province of Kiangsi and therefore Kinus was forced to raise his Siege to oppose their entrance by the Northern parts of the Country And at first having a vast Army and used to the Tartarian warfare he fought both valiantly and happily but not being able to sustain any longer their redoubled violent assaults he was forced to retire for his security to Nanchang the chief City of that Country which City the Tartars durst not venture to take by force but resolved to reduce it by a long Siege for which end they gathered together a Company of Country Clowns to make a large and spacious Trench round about the City to the River and there they placed Ships so as no Provision could possibly enter This City of Nanchang is great and extremely full of inhabitants besides the multitude of Souldiers which defended it at that time so as although Kinus had made great Provision for a Siege yet after some moneths he came to great want and pennury and yet he held it out though many dyed expecting stil some succours from the Emperour Iungley which could not be sent because the Souldiers of Quamgtung could never subdue the City of Chancheu by which his succour was to passe wherefore Kinus being brought to great extremity expressed his mind to his Souldiers in these words There is no further hope my faithful Companions but in our own valour and strength we must force our way through the Tartarian Army by dint of Sword be couragious and follow my example And having ordered all affairs he suddainly made a Sally out of the Town upon their Trenches where though he found a vigorous opposition yet with great difficulty he passed and forced their Trenches by which means he saved himself and his Army having killed many Tartars for it is constantly reported that Kinus with a good part of his Army lives in the Mountains expecting there some good occasion to renew the War He being thus escaped the Tartars pillaged the City and put all the Citizens to the sword for it is the Tartars custom to spare all Cities which submit to them and to those which have made resistance before they be taken they are more cruell but they never spare or pardon those Cities which revolt after they have once been taken In this Slaughter they killed the two Priests which there assisted the Christians and their ancient and fair Church was burned in the City After this the Tartars easily recovered the whole Country and having appeased all and left new Garisons in all places the Army returned victorious to the Royal City of Peking In the mean time this Court prepared new Armies to reduce Quamgtung with the other Provinces which acknowledged Iungley for the Emperour of China for the Tutor to the young King of Tartary finding the defections and rebellions in the Southern parts to be very frequent resolved to give those Quarters over to some Tributary Royolets the better to contain those Countries in their duties wherefore in the year MDCXLIX he sent three Armies consisting partly of Tartars and partly of Chineses under three Tributary Princes to govern these Provinces with absolute power and Dominion one of these was King of Fokien another of Quamgtung and the third of the Province of Quangsi but with this condition that first of all they should joyn their Forces to recover the Country of Quamgtung and drive away the Emperour Iungley But we shall say more of this hereafter now having seen the Rebellions of the South let us look a little back on the Rebellions in the North against the Tartars also In these Northern parts the Chineses shewed their desire of Liberty as much as they had done in the South where the Commanders though overthrown yet not taken retired into the abrupt and precipitious Mountains where they held Counsel how they might shake off the Tartars Dominion three of these heads inhabited the thickest and highest places of that mountanous Country the chiefest of whom was called Hous this man being strong in men invited the rest to joyn with him to deliver his Country from this miserable thraldome one of them consented the other could not come but sent him two thousand men to assist him so as Hous marched out with five and twenty thousand men which was no contemptible Army if they had been as couragious as numerous He put out a Proclamation in which he challenged the Tartars and threatened them all extremities and to the Chineses he promised all liberty and freedom and upon these hopes many Towns and Cities admitted him very willingly Sigan the Metropolitan of the Country was the only place able to resist him having within its Walls three thousand Tartars and two thousand selected men of China who served the Tartar The Governour of this Town hearing of Hous his motion gathered all things necessary for a long Siege till a new supply of Tartarian Forces could be sent him But when be heard that all the Towns and Cities in the Country did voluntarily submit themselves to Hous to prevent the like effect in this City he resolved to murder all the Citizens most barbarously nor would he ever be removed from this unhumane sentence till the Vice-Roy commanding and perswading and the Citizens promising all faithfull service at length he changed this Tyrannical Counsel But he commanded under pain of death that the Chineses who loved so much their Hair that they only cut a little of it away about their Temples should hereafter shave it off wholly and totally that so he might distinguish the Citizens from any others if perchance they entred he ordained besides that if any spoke more than two together they should all be presently killed he forbad all men to walk upon the Walls or to walk in the streets by night or to keep a fire or candle in his house by night and finally disarmed all declaring it death to inâ—â—inge any of these orders These things being thus ordered he sent out some Scoots to discover the enemies strength who were partly killed and partly came flying back to the City but this Tartarian Governour as well to make an oftentation of his strength as of his security commanded the City Gates to be left open nor would he permit the Draw Bridge to be raised or pulled up to shew he feared nothing But for all this the Commander Hous besieges this City afar off which was three leagues compasse out of the reach of their Artillery and to the end he might make a shew of
into his Ship but knowing he could not avoid death by another mans hand he chose rather to be his own executioner and so hanged himself Yet for all this the supreme Governour in the Emperours name granted to this Mans Son the same Dignity and Province which had been conferred upon the Father and thus the three Royolets joyning again having passed Nanking and Kiangsi came at length into the Province of Quamtung to carry on the War against the Emperour Iungley and at their first entrance they took many Cities which durst not oppose the strength of their Armies onely the City of Quangcheu resolved to try its fortune and strength This City of Quangcheu is a most rich and beautiful place environed with large waters only the Northern Gate joines to the Continent on all other sides it is entrable only by boate In this Town was the Son of the Captive Iquon whom I mentioned before besides there was a strong Garrison to defend it and amongst others many fugitives from Macao who were content to serve the Emperour Iungly for great stipends and by reason the Tartars had neither Ships nor skill to govern them and that the Town had both the one and the other it is no wonder if they endured almost a whole years Siege having the Sea open for their relief the Tartars made many assaults in which they lost many men and were ever beaten back and vigorously repelled This courage of theirs made the Tartars fall upon a resolution of beating down the Town Walls with their great Cannon which had such effect as in fine they took it the 24. of November MDCL and because it was remarked that they gave to one of the Prefects of the Town the same Office he had before it was suspected it was delivered by Treason The next day after they began to Plunder the City and the sackage endured from the 24. of November till the 5. of December in which they neither spared Man Woman or Child but all whosoever came in their way were cruelly put to the Sword nor was there heard any other Speech But Kill kill these barbarous Rebels yet they spared some Artificers to conserve the necessary Arts as also some strong and lusty men such as they saw able to carry away the Pillage of the City but finally the 6 day of December came out an Edict which forbad all further vexation after they had killed a hundred thousand men besides all those that perished severall wayes during the Siege After this bloody Tragedy all the Neighbouring Provinces sent voluntarily their Legates to submit demanding mercy which they obtained by the many rich presents which were offered After this the Royalet marched with his Army against the City Chaoking where the Emperour Iungley held his Court but he knowing himself far inferiour in Forces and unable to resist fled away with his whole Army and Family leaving the City to the Tartars mercy But whither this Emperour fled is yet wholly unknown to me for at this time I took Shipping in Fokien to the Philippines and from thence I was commanded to go for Europe by those whom I must not disobey But I make no doubt but the Emperour retired into the adjoyning Province called Quangsi Now to give the Reader a little touch how the Tartars stand affected to Christianity in the Metropolitan City of Quangcheu which as I now related was utterly destroyed we had a stately Church and there was a venerable person who had the care and superintendency of all the Christians whose name was Alvarus Semedo a Jesuit this Man they took tyed hand foot for many dayes and threatned to kil him every houre unlesse he would deliver the Christians Treasures but the poor man had no Treasure to produce so as he suffered much till at length the King heating of his case took pitty of his venerable gray Heirs and comely Person and gave him not onely his life and liberty but a Bible and a Breviary together with a good summe of Money for an Almes and finally a House to build a Church for Christians and this is lesse to be wondred at from him because heretofore he had been a Souldier under that famous Sun Ignatius whom I mentioned before where he knew what belonged to Christianity and also had seen the Jesuits in his Camp from whence he fled to the Tartars Nor is it onely this Tartar that favours us Christians but in a manner all the rest do love honour and esteem those Fathers and many have imbraced our Religion nor do we doubt but many more would follow their example if we could enter Tartary as now it is projecting where doubtlesse many great things may be performed for the reducing of that Nation to the Faith of Christ and perchance God has opened a way to the Tartars to enter China to give Christianity a passage into Tartary which hitherto to us hath been unknown and inaccessible About this time also they made War against the Kingdome of corea who of late years became also Tributary to the Tartars upon condition that they should still conserve their Hair and Habits but now the Tartars would needs constrain them to conform themselves to the Tartarian fashion and therefore all that Kingdome revolted from the Tartars but my departure hindred me from knowing since what has passed But all these glorious victories were much eclipsed by the sorrowfull death of Amavangus which happened in the beginining of the year MDCLI He was a Man to whom the Tartars owe their Empire in China and such an one as whom both Tartars and Chineses loved and feared for his prudence Justice humanity and skill in Martial affairs The death of this Potentate did much trouble the Court for the Brother to this Man called Quingtus would needs pretend to the Government of the Empire and of the young Emperour Xunchius but both the Tartars the Chineses resisted his claime alledging that being of sixteen year old he was able to govern the Kingdom himself in conformity to this opinion all the Presidents deposed the Ensignes of their Offices refusing ever to receive them from any but from the young installed Emperour Xunchius To which Constancy the King Kuintus Uncle to the Emperour prudently yeelded lest he should exasperate the minds of many and raise greater troubles in the Empire But I cannot doubt but the death of Amavangus must needs endanger the Tartarian Empire and bring all their affairs into great disturbance for they will hardly find a Man so beloved feared and expert in all Military Discipline and Government as he in effect shewed himself to be but time wil teach us what will become of all for since his death we have no certainty of any relation Now let us turne the threed of our discourse as I promised here above and consider the fortune and success of the other Great Brigand caled Changhienchungus to let the Reader understand how the