Meaco the first Thunder-clappe and signe of the future tempestuous stormes Itacuradono the Gouernour of the Citty comanding that the names of all the Christians should be taken and written downe in a Catalogue and the same was done in Fuximi and Ozaca the which caused no small trouble among the Christians especially they not knowing the cause and reason why it was so done vntill at length there came two letters the one from Safioye the other from Xozamburo both of them great fauorites of the Xogun The first was directed to the Father Rector of the Society of Iesus in Meaco the second to another Christian a very friend of his both of them dated from the Court vpon the eleauenth Moone and the contentes were that it had beene signified vnto the Xogun that the Christian Religion was such that those that did professe it did neyther obey nor esteeme of their Maisters Lordes nor Princes and that they did adore men put to death for Malefactors tooke their flesh and bones for Reliques as they termed them and wore them at their neckes And for proofe therof they related all that had passed about those Christians which had been burnt at Arima signifying that it had so beene told vnto him And that moreouer very many Christians did of late publiquely adore a man that for his rust desertes was crucified in Meace For al which he being much offended said that that Religion which teacheth such doctrine is doubtlesse of the Druell and therefore could not be tolerated in Iapone In the end they said that they were very sory to send them so bad newes but yet could not chuse but let them vnderstand thereof 2. This blow did grieue the Christians very much and to the end they might better vnderstand how the matter went and procure some remedy thereof after they had consulted amongst themselues they sent vnto the Court a Brother of the Society a man very expext and intelligent with intention that Father Rector should also go thither to that end soone after him Safioye had notice thereof and meeting with the Brother reprehended him exceedingly telling him moreouer that now there was no remedy for that the Xogun had giuen expresse Command that not one of all those that taught the religion of Christ whether they were strangers or borne in the Country should remayne in all Iapone and that therefore he should returne immediatly vnto Meaco from whence he came 3. The truth of the matter was that when Safioye came vnto the Court he found that many there talked very much of the 28. Martyrs that had beene there put to death in the Moneth of August last past as also of the great constancy of those that in Arima chose rather to be burned aliue then for one only houre deny their fayth of the courage likewise of those Christians that went thither to see that spectacle offering to dye with them and how they reuerenced their Reliques Some said it was too great a cruelty and that it had beene inough at the most to haue banished them and consiscated their goodes whereupon Safioye and others partly through the hatred they bare vnto the fayth of Christ and principally for the excusing of their owne cruelties did defame the Christians vnto the Xogun as disobedient stubborne and rebellious people that they did not feare death but rather did desire to be put to death as Malefactors and that they do esteeme and adore such like persons and a brother of Safioye did giue this reason thereof because said he Christ whome they hold for their Lord and Sauiour did dye vpon a Crosse as a Malefactor 4. But this proceeded from the late death of a Christian that was crucified in this manner Seauen persons were condemned to death in Meaca for hauing bought vncoyned siluer as it seemeth against some law of the country to that effect Six of them were Gentills and the seauenth was a Christian The Gentills were beheaded the Christian was crucified Many people according to the custome of all places went to see the execution and when the Christian gaue vp the Ghost the Christians that were present kneeled downe vpon their knees to cōmend his soule vnto God and thereupon some of the Gentills malicious persones tooke occasion to giue out that they did adore him that was crucified And to excuse their cruelty towards those of the Prouince of Arima they exagerated the matter saying that if one only Prouince was so obstinate that there was no remedy to make them obey neyther their Prince nor the Xogun what would it be if the greater part of Iapone were Christians as already they were very many in Meaco adding withall that as long as the Fathers were permitted in Iapone it was not possible there should be any remedy therein 5. These and the like thinges they did paint out and exaggerate in such manner to the Xogun and the Prince his sonne who before were nothing well affected but rather auerted from the Christians by reason of the false reportes of the Gentills and Heretikes that they resolued to banish all the Fathers out of Iapone and cruelly to persecute the Christians thereof saying that the Fathers as being strangers and religious persons were not much to be blamed for preaching of their religion seeing it was their office and profession so to do but that euery Prince and Lord were worthy to be blamed that did permit thē to liue and preach in their Countries much more the Christians there that gaue eare vnto them and did more esteeme of the doctrine that was taught them by a few strangers then of that with their ancestors had professed their Princes did imbrace and cōmand to be belieued followed and that therefore they did only banish the Fathers without doing them any other hurt or harme but only depriuing them of their Churches and Houses wheras those that were free Denizens should be secretly punished if they did not obey And so the Catalogue was first to know how many Christiās there were in those places then by that to procure that they should all of them leaue their fayth which was the selfe same manner they had vsed before with those of Yendo 6. All possible diligence was vsed by the Christians to see if they could by any meanes make the Xogun capable of the truth of matters falsly feigned against them and to giue him a true Information of the Catholique fayth But the Princes of Iapone are of that nature and disposition that if once in any thing they be resolued they scarce euer afterwards do change their mindes neither is there almost any that will or dare make intercession vnto them for another although it be in a matter the most iust that may be especially if the enemies of that person be in fauour with the Prince and themselues be not to receaue some benefit by the busines Whereupon it came to passe vpon the 12. of February 1614. that notwithstanding al the meanes that
saued seeing they suffered so much and with so great quiet and contentment for their faith 9. When Michael Saymoendono was Lord of Aquizuqui through his great zeale and feruour he was the occasion that more then fiue thousand of his seruantes souldiers and tenantes were baptized in the space of two yeares by meanes of the Fathers of the Society After his death the Estate was wholy changed only the husbandmen and cōmon people remayning therein who were committed to the charge of an old Bonzo a great enemy of the Christians He called them all vnto him and commanded them to write their names in a paper whether they would be Christiās or no and finding that the most of them did subscribe that they were Christians and would so continue he was much troubled thereat and publiquely gaue out that they meant to rise in rebellion Whereupon there came thither from the Castle of Fucuoca fiue Captaines with 300. souldiers who although they saw euidently that the report was false yet did they enter into their howses tooke away their beades pictures and other such like thinges which bare any shew of things belonging any way to Christian profession and not content therewith some they punished with tortures others they banished and therin though some shewed weaknes feare and frailty yet others and the greatest part stood stedfast with notable cōstancy of which the Gentills would take no notice but without all reason and examination of particulers did publish that they had all denied their fayth and so they exercised their fury only vpon Matthias Xichirobioye who was one of the formest in subscribing that he was a Christian and as it seemeth soreseeing that which would ensue did therefore assoone as he retorned home begin to prepare himself to dy for the same 10. Vpon the 14. of March the Gouernor sent some vnto him to perswade him not to be so obstinate nor to animate others to be disobedient to their Superiours and they entred into his house very violently and by force tooke away his beades from him the which grieued him very much for the present he reputing it as great a disgrace as if they had taken his weapons from him but after a little consideration he sayd vnto them The Fayth of a Christian doth not consist in his beades nor pictures but in the mind in the constāt profession thereof which by the grace and help of God I meane to do before the Gouernor and Captaines in part I haue done as may bee seene by my subscription which already I haue giuen They seeing that they were not able to preuayle with him went vnto the Gouernors Leiftenant who presently sent for him and he being set downe to dinner when the messenger came for him rose vp imediately without eating any thing with great ioy saying Let vs go for with the helpe of God I shall go now where I shall not need to eat any more 11. The Leiftenant asked him if he had giuen his name that he was a Christian and that he would not obey the Xogun To which he answered resolutely yes and that he was in that mind still and that they needed not to proceede further with him in more questions and demandes for that hee would not change from that for all the goodes of the world There they made him expect a while till they had examined some others and then they carried him to Aquizuqui where the Gouernor and Captaines were and in the way passing by an Idoll called Fachima which is the Idoll of Warre they threw him downe vpon the groūd beat him cruelly perhapps because hee would not worship it putting a rope about his necke and pulling it so hard that he was almost strangled therewith and could scarcely speake yet as well as he could he desired them they would flacke it a little that with better quiet and attention he might cōmend himselfe to God in that little time he thought he had to liue they answered him that seeing he had willfully put himselfe therin he must now haue patience You say very well said he for since I suffer this for the loue of God it is great reason I should endure it patiently Afterwardes they offered him to loose the rope a little but he would not saying Let me alone for I desire to suffer something for Christ in this little remaynder of my life 12. Being brought before the Iudges they asked him why he was so stiffe and obstinate in his opinion He answered because there is meanes of Saluation in the fayth of Christ and none at all in any of the Sectes of Iapone and because I do belieue said he this to be the truth I will suffer for it willingly this and whatsoeuer els Yf it be so said they why did you deliuer your beades and subscribe your name that you left to be a Christian My beades said he were taken away from me by force and although therin doth not consist the being of a Christian yet was I grieued so much therewith that it cost me good store of teares I gaue my name vnto the Gouernour that I am and alwaies will be a Christian and if there be any other contrary to this it is not myne but falsly forged For that I haue neyther said nor written any thing contrary to it nor euer will de by the grace of God Hereupon they thrust him out of the roome with great disgrace and reuyled him exceedingly saying among other thinges that a man so peruerse and obstinate as he could not be a good subiect to his Prince and so they adiudged him to death and imediatly he was carried to the place of execution whither he went praying all the way and being come thither he said aloud that all might heare I dye most willingly with great content and ioy for the fayth of Christ. Then he made a short prayer which being ended they cut off his head It was proued in the Authenticall processe which was made of his death that he pronounced the holy Name of Iesus three seuerall tymes after his head was cut off and the third tyme it was heard more distinctly then the rest the which caused great admiration in the standers by His holy head and body were carried afterward to Nangasaqui and there layd in the Church of the Society of Iesus of All-Saintes where likewise be the bodies of many other holy Martyrs Of the great Constancy of the Christians of Arima and how they prepared themselues to Martyrdome CHAP. XI ARIMADONO perceauing that with the torments banishmentes and martyrdomes before rehearsed the Christiās were rather more and more encouraged then otherwise and that the fyre wherewith some of them had been burned did seeme to inflame the rest in feruour and deuotion fearing least for that cause he should loose his Estate and being deluded by some that desired to succeed him in it he sent vnto the Xogun to intreat he might be changed to another Kingdome where he might haue
fauored very much not onely permitting them to preach freely to all in his dominions but also giuing them succour harbour therein euen in the time of the greatest fury of Taycosama his persecution exposing himselfe thereby to the danger of loosing his honour estate and life and that not once but oftentimes although he were therefore much molested both by some freinds of his owne as also by the Lords of the Tenca 2. There was close by his country of Arima āother Prouince which indeed of right belonged vnto him and had beene sometime possessed by his ancestors but now was vsurped by another man This prouince Don Iohn did much desire to obtaine by meanes and fauour of the Xogun to that end he vsed some meanes not so conformable either to reason or to the law of God as might haue beene wished and desired One was to marry his sonne heire who was already married to another wife vnto a yong lady that was grandchild to the Xogun Another was in hauing a hand by the appointment of the Xogun in the burning of the ship of Macan whereof we spake before vnder pretence of certaine iniuries done vnto some Iaponians it being indeed nothing so but onely a deuise and deceit of Safioyedono 3. It seemed vnto him that by making the people of that prouince which he pretended Christians by destroying Idolatry in it and building Churches to God therein that these sinnes which he committed to condescend with the Xogun get his fauor would be therby wel satisfied and the scandal giuen vnto the Christians eyther wholy taken away or else much qualefied but it happened much otherwise and indeed thinges though they be good and holy if they be brought to passe and compassed by euill meanes can haue no good end and commonly haue bad successe For first of all Almighty God permitted him to be deluded by a false fellow a counterfait and feigned Christian called Dayfachy Paulo who receauing of him many bribs both for himselfe and for other fauorites of the Xogun did persuade him that the Xogun had made him a graunt of that Prouince and that the Letters patentes therof were already drawne but afterwards it was found out all to be a meere cosenage and decept Wherupon Dayfachy was put in prison for it and being conuinced of Forgery was condemned to death and finally burned for falsifiyng the Kinges Letters Then Don Iohn his owne sonne called Saiemon Nosuque by the perswasion of his new maried wife the grand child of the Xogun and also carried away with ambition and desire of comaund ioyning and vniting himselfe with some of his Fathers mortall enemies made such complaintes and framed such articles against him vpon this occasion that they caused-him to be banished by the Xogun and his estate to be assigned to his sonne And finally by procurement of his owne sayd sonne his wife whom he had caused to marry against all right and reason hoping by her meanes more easily to compasse his desires to honor and streng then his house and family by their meanes I say and others who feared least comming to answere for himselfe he would discouer their false dealinges and accusations layd against him he was at length depriued of his life And in this ended the vnlawfull and euill grounded worldly pollicy of Don Iohn although he dyed very penitent for that he had done with great signes of true sorrow and contrition for his sinnes and of good preparation for his death forgiuing al iniuries had beene offered him and asking pardon of all whome he had offended And in him the whole new planted Church of all Iapone did loose exceeding much for he as I said before was a great defender supporter and a stay thereof 4. By reason of the bad procedings of Don Iohn in the thinges aforementioned and his euill successe therein the Gentills tooke occasion to speake their pleasure of the Catholike religion and to calumniate it as though the sinnes and imperfections of some particuler persons that professe it were to be imputed to their faith it being in it selfe most perfect pure and holy The Xogun also thereupon begun the persecution of the Christians of the Prouince of Arima who were all Don Iohn his subiectes and most louing towards him For being as he was euen from the very begining of his gouerment so great an enemy to Christian religion that he commanded that none of his house should be Christians vnder paine of loosing both their liuinges and their liues protesting publikely that all the princes of Iapone should do the like with their subiectes and earnestly entreating Don Iohn oftentimes that he would renounce his religion as being vnworthy to be professed of so principall a person as he was and that he would permit Temples to be built to the Idols in his Countryes vpon this occasion of the banishment of Don Iohn he sent word vnto his some Sayemon Nosuque that seing he did him the fauour to place him in his Fathers estate and gouernement as also to admit him to marry with his owne Grandchild that in recompence thereof he would haue him leaue to be a Christian and not only himselfe but all his seruantes and subiectes also and that he should banish the Fathers out of his Countryes And for the execution thereof he sent vnto him for his director and chiefe coūsayler in the businesse Safioye the Gouernor of Nangasaqui a great enemy to Christians Sayemon durst do no other then obey him in all he commaunded for feare of loosing his estate and so hereupon immediatly through the counsayle of his new Herodias his pretended wife and the policies of Safioyedono he begunne the persecution of Arima and of that was occasioned afterwardes the generall persecution in all Iapon as after shall appeare 5. The Xogun moreouer did commaund enquiry to be made amongst his owne Seruantes Souldiers and Captaines to see if any of them were Christians and hauing found that fourteene of them were so all of them persons of note and quality and fiue or six of them noble rich and his great faubrites he was exceedingly offended therewith and hauing vnderstood that after diligence vsed with them there was no meanes to make them change their mindes he banished them all togeather with their wiues and families in such rigorous manner that he commaunded all the Princes of Iapone vnder greiuous paynes and punishmentes that none should giue them any succour or entertainment whatsoeuer 6. Great was the courage and constancy which these good Christians shewed in this extremity in loosing their landes liuinges for our Sauiours sake rather then they would leaue his holy fayth whereof they made profession being ready also to loose their liues for the same cause if occasion had beene offered They suffered exceeding much themselues their wiues and children wandring vp and downe and going secretly here and there not finding any place where to abide Iulia also a principall Lady of the Court who was
they should haue no cause to â—â—oubt of their resolution conformity â—â—n desire to dye for Christ They had a Father of the Society hidden amongst them who with great care and secresy went from one place to another sayd â—â—asse preached administred the holy Sacraments vnto them But the diuell not being able to endure that those two good brethren should do so good seruice vnto God nor that the Christians should â—iue with such loue feruor as they did did so dispose that Arimadono and his Iudges came to haue notice and intelligence of all that passed which being knowne to them and they easily perceauing that whilest those two holy brethren liued they should not be able to do any thinge with the Christians of Ariye they therefore condemned them to death coÌ„mitting the execution therof vnto two principall men whome they willed to do it secretly because the Xogun had not commaunded that they should put to death any of the Christians but onely that they should moleste them in such manner that they of their owne accord for the auoiding of those troubles should leaue their Fayth and Religion 4. Vpon the Eue of S. Iames of the year 1612. the Father of the Society went to Michels house and there sayd masse the two dayes following heard their confessions gaue them the Blessed Sacrament and then retourned to a little Cottage where he did lye hidden In the afternoone which was vpon the day of the glorious Saint S. Anne did God Almighty choose to crowne these two happy brethren with the crowne of martyrdome Michael was taken and carried to a place where sometimes had stood a Church of the Misericordia and for that those that were to execute the Sentence were his friendes they notifyed it vnto him and wished him to prepare himselfe to dye Presently he lifted vp his eyes and handes to heauen giuing first thankes vnto Almighty God for so great a benefit and afterwardes he sayd â—nto those that brought him the newes This is a fauour which a long time I haue desired at God Almighty his handes and being so weake and sickly as I am it seemed to me that I should haue dyed of some ordinaâ—y sicknesse and disease and therefore now I am exceedingly reioyced with such happy â—ewes and so glorious a lotte Then he kneeled downe vpon the ground and prayed a little space when as the executioner came to him and sayd Brother Michael I beseech you that seing you are â—o dye for the loue of God that you would intreate him to pardon me this sinne for I am also a ChristiaÌ„ do this office God knowes of force and much against my will He answered with great â—â—ildnesse that he would do it very willingly and so his head was presently â—troken of whilest he was inuoking the holy name of Iesus His Brother Matthias they tooke at the same time in his owne house as he was foulding vp the ornamentes which the Father that day had vsed in the holy Sacrifice of the masse and carrying him aside they gaue him three or foure woundes with which he fell downe and dyed saying with a loud voyce Iesus Maria. 5. The executioner that cut of Michaels head did great reuerence to their two holy bodyes and taking some of their holy reliques he gaue notice to the Christians of their death and cause thereof So many came thither to reuerence theyr bodies and to get some of their reliques that they could scarce get them burried all that night at length they buried them though afterwardes they were taken vp againe and carried to the Church of Nangasaqui where they were likewise much reuerenced of all some taking peeces of their apparrell some parcels of their hayre others some of their bloud many therewith made the signe of the crosse on their own foreheades desiring much to imitate and follow them in dying for their fayth An old man of threescore and ten yeares called Ioachim as soone as he had notice of their death went running to the place where their bodies lay and imbracing Matthias his body by the seete he most earnestly desired the executioners who yet remayned there that they would do the like to him seing he also was a Christian and had promised Michael to dye in his company 6. Some monethes before this matter happened Lucy the mother to these two holy martivs a very deuout and vertuous Christian did see in a vision a most beautifull child who hauing two pretious stones in his handes shewed them vnto her and she desiring to take them in her handes he vanished away The next day following he did appeare againe with two nosegayes made of many goodly followers and when she desired to haue taken them as before he vanished away againe likewise the third day he appeared againe with two beautifull red roses in his handes at which she wondring told her sonne Michael of it and he afterwardes related it to another brother of his who is of the Society not long after she dyed and as seemes that Almighty God thereby would let her vnderstand how gratefull and beautifull the soules of her two sonnes were in his heauenly eyes 7. The same sentence of death was executed vpon Leon Quita Quinzayemon on the two and twenty day of August 1612. He was a Gentleman of a good house and a very valerous souldier of fifty yeares of age or thereaboutes he was borne at a towne called Chinxina and from his youth very vertuous and of exemplar life When Arimadono came first to Ximauara Leon sent him word that if he meant to make vse of his seruice it could not be but vpon condition that he would giue him leaue to liue a Christian for that otherwise he would not serue him He went vp and downe two monethes and more without his sword expecting an answere from Arimadono animating with great feruor all to constancy and to that end visiting the neighbour townes and villages And some wondring to see him go without his sword he told them Seing that I am not to defend myselfe when they come to kill me for Christes cause I haue no need at all to weare my weapon Going vp and downe in this manner he found that the Christians of one towne durst not bury publikely one that was dead and reprehending them for their cowardize therein they told him they feared some hurt and domage would befall him for the great boldnesse which he shewed To which he answered What can they do to me more then kill me and for that I am very ready whensoeuer they will for there is nothing that I more desire then to dy for Christ and saying so with his owne handes he buryed the dead body of the Christian 8. The Iudges did procure by all meanes possible to perswade him to accommodate himselfe vnto the time and so he might enioy his liuing and be in fauour with his Prince and a certaine Noble man that loued him very well called Camon who was
busines an enemy of Don Iusto perswaded Araqui that he was betrayed and that if he went he would loose both his estate and life It was a false report yet Araqui giuing credit thereunto retyred backe and declared himselfe for an enemy to Nobunanga Don Iusto for many reasons could not choose but follow him and take hiâ— part 14. Nobunanga had notice thereof raysed a great power and came again them vsing first many meanes to draâ— Don Iusto to his part because he knew him to be a very great Captaine that 〈◊〉 had a troup of gallant men and a Fortresse that was almost inuincible 〈◊〉 seeing it was not possible he tooke fâ—â— the last meanes this which was to seâ— him word that seeing the Christian â—â—ligion doth teach right and iustice to 〈◊〉 done that he should leaue the friendshâ—â— of Anaqui who without cause and 〈◊〉 gainst all right reason iustice and equity had made himselfe an enemy vnâ—â— him and that if he did not he would destroy the Churches and Christians in his Kingdomes and crucify the Fathers euen before his eyes that he should therefore consider well what he meant to do 15. This message was more terrible to Don Iusto then death it selfe would haue beene for on the one syde the friendship and great obligations he had to Araqui the oath he had made vnto him the pledges which he had giuen him his only Sonne and Sister who were innocentes should be doubtlesse â—laine if he yealded vnto Nobunanga the speach of the world that he was not loyall to his friend and aboue all that his Father Darius and his Captaines whereof the greater part were Gentills in no â—â—se would consent thereto these reasons I say did moue him very much not â—o leaue but still to stand to Araqui And on the other side the destruction of â—he Christians and Churches and the â—eath of the Fathers who were already prisoners in Nobunangas Campe did greatly vrge the contrary He confulted with one of the Fathers whome Nobunanga sent vnto him and by him he vnderstood that the oath which he had made to Araqui did not bynd him by reason it was only made with intention to make him and Nobunanga friendes but yet the reasons afore mentioned togeather with the teares of his mother and his wife would not permit him yet to make any resolution and so the Father returned to the campe to dye with the rest of his companions Darius and his Captaines all this while knowing nothing of the businesse Don Iusto theâ— replenished with griefe full of doubâ— and perplexity which way to turne himselfe entred into his Oratory and theâ— casting himselfe downe before a Crucifix he did at length resolue himselfe not without aboundant teares to sacrifice to God as another Abraham his only Sonne his sister his honor and estate and all he had Which being done be wrote a briefe letter and very secretly only with two pages attending on him went forthwith after the Father and kneeling downe vpon his knees he cut of his owne haire in signe of leauing off the world his two pages he sent backe vnto his Father and his Captaines with the letter he had written wherein he said that seeing himselfe in that occasioÌ„ in wonderous perplexity he found no other remedy but only death and seeing that it was not lawfull to kill himselfe as the Iaponians often do in such occasions he had determined to dye vnto the world that they should defend the Fortresse and the Country from Araqui and he would go to dye or be banished with the Fathers whose disciple now he had made himselfe by dying to the world 16. Darius and the rest remayned astonished with this newes and fearing least they might come by other meanes to Araqui his eares and thereupon his Daughter and Grandchild be put to some cruel and vntimely death he tooke post presently and went to Araqui himselfe protesting that he did not know of his Sonnes resolution and that he came to dye insteed of those two innocentes which he had as hostages Diuers there were that counsailed Araqui to crucify both him and the two Children for an example to all others but he did not consent thereto wondering much both at Iusto and Darius act and only caused them to be put in prison for a tyme. Nohumanga and all with him did highly commend Don Iusto his deed and sending for him to come vnto his Pallace he answered that he came not thither to serue him but to dy or be banished with the Fathers but God Almighty who meant only to proue and try him did so dispose that Araqui was ouercome his wife children kinsfolkes freindes all killed and crucified Darius and the two Children set free and safe deliuered and that he was both more honored then before and his câ—tate increased and the Fathers and Christians by his meanes more fauoured And this was the first occasion in which he shewed his loue to his Religion to the Fathers and the coÌ„mon Cause 17. The second was in the tyme of Quambacu or Taycosama A certaine Captaine called Aquechi killed Nobunanga in the yeare 1582. and Don Iusto was one of the priucipall that did reuenge his death and brake the army of the enimies and thereby was a great occasion that Quambacu did succeed in the Empire for which cause he was very much esteemed of him and the Christians greatly fauoured in that manner and that he was not held for a man of discretion that had not heard the Sermons of the Catechisme at Don Iustos perswasion By which meanes many noble personages were made Christians and baptized This prosperity did endure vntill the yeare 1587. in which Quambacu did set vpon the conquest of the Kingdomes of Ximo in which warres his principall Captaines were all Christians Don Iusto Don Augustine Condera Simeon the Lordes of Bungo Arima and Omura and others so great feruour being in the Campe that all was hearing of Sermons and making Crosses in their banners but all this was turned vpside downe by the accusation of an old Bonzo called Yacuin vpon this occasion 18. Quambacu had giuen vnto Don Iusto the estate of Acaxi and the Bonzi therof thinking doubtlesse they should be thereby vtterly vndone before he came to take possession they all of them went with their Idolls vnto Quambacu his mother to aske mercy and fauour by meanes of this Yacuin who was very great with her alledging that Don Iusto was a destroyer of Idols and Temples and therefore they intreated she would be a meanes that they their Temples with their reuenewes might be freed fauoured But Don Iusto held himselfe for much abused by them that they would accuse him in the Court he hauing done no iniury at all vnto them for which cause he would giue no eare vnto them They departed with many Complaintes against him and Yacuin rested very desirous to reuenge himselfe of this which he esteemed a disgrace of
after they had publikely reuoked that which before they had of frailty done and this they did before the Iudges and Arimadono himselfe asking pardon of all for the offence and scandall they had committed through feare and in a manner vnawares All the rest answered so couragiously and constantly that they not only remayned conquerors but also so confounded the Iudges that they durst not passe any further in examining and questioning them and in this occasion there happened many thinges very notable and worthy of memory not only of men and women but of younge Virgins also and tender children which would be to long tedious to rehearse 12. Thomas Ondafeibioye a principall and most valerous souldier and one of the best Christians of that country who had two seuerall times before been banished for his fayth once in the yeare 1587. with Don Iusto Veondono whose subiect then he was and the second time in the yeare 1602. loosing then likewise all the liuing that he had for the same occasion was one of the first that was called by the Iudges but he not going in person vnto them vpon some occasion sent them his answere in writing in this manner following Neyther I nor my brother Matthias nor any person of my house shall shew himselfe disloyall to Almighâ—y God nor deny the holy Religion in the which from children we haue byn brought vp nor will we change our mindes for all that the world can offer or affoard I and my brother my mother my wife and children are ready to do any thing that Arimadono shall commaund vs so that it be not against the law of God and holy fayth which we professe Presently as soone as he had sent this message he sent for a Father of the Society of whome they all receiued the holy Sacramentes thereby the better to prepare themselues to Martyrdome and although at that time it did not take effect yet afterwardes it did as shall appeare in the sequele of this Narration Many others did answere to the Iudges with like constancy and resolution the which being perceiued by Arimadono because he was loath to loose so many true trusty faythfull and noble Captaines he therefore dissembled the matter at that time with Thomas and diuers others giuing them secretly leaue to be Christians so that exteriourly they made no great shew thereof but they were all resolued and he certified that they would not make any shew of the contrary in preiudice of their conscience religion Of so ne that were banished and others put to death for the fayth of Christ in the Prouince of Arima CHAP. III. ARIMADONO fearing he might disgust the Xogun and so perhaps loose his Estate if he did shew himselfe remisse in persecuting the Christians although on the other side he saw the courage they shewed commaunded vpon the twentith day of Iune that the landes and goodes of fiue rich Gentlemen should be confiscated and that they their wiues children and families should be put out of their houses taking no other thinge with them but only the apparrell on their backes charging withall that none should intertaine them in their houses nor giue them any food reliefe or sustenance vnder payne of seuere and grieuous punishment He caused moreouer officers to be set in the high wayes port townes and passages to the end they should not escape out of his country but perish there for hunger want and misery euen in they eyes of their dearest friendes and kinsfolkes Much they suffered by this meanes for liuers dayes liuing only vpon hearbes and such wild fruites as they found growing in the woodes being perpetually exposed to the cold the wind and raine which at that time happened to be very much vntill at length the Christians of Arima and other places found meanes to help and succour them and by the order and direction of one of the Society they made themselues little cabbins of straw among the mountaines for their aboad therein spending their time in fasting prayer and reading of good and holy bookes and so they led their liues a great while not only with great patience but with much ioy also comfort and content 2. Arimadono perceiuing by this that what hitherto he had done against the Christians did little or nothing preuaile he resolued with himselfe to put to death some of them to wit such as had shewed themselues more forward and feruorous by which meanes the happy lot of martyrdome befelvnto two brethren the one called Michael Soday of fifty yeares old or therabouts the other Matthias Coychi of one and thirty They were both of them borne in a towne of that Prouince called Ariye their parentes were persons of good quality and very worthy Christians Michael was alwayes accounted very deuout feruorous from his very childhood he was of so great vertue purity and integrity that none euer noted in him any thing that might be a mortall sinne He was but weake and sickly by reason of the hard vsage of his body with fasting hayre-cloth disciplines and other penances All his delight was in hearing sermons and reading good and pious bookes in somuch that he seemed rather a religious man then secular He was very charitable and desirous alwayes to help others all he could for which cause he was generally beloued of all and respected and esteemed as a father By the appointment of the Fathers of the Society he had for the space of fifteene yeares the care and direction of thirteene Congregations or Confraternities into which the deuouter sort of Christians for their excercise of vertue had put and placed themselues And in this imployment did his brother Matthias help him being as like vnto him in good qualities and vertuous inclination as he was in bloud and natural condition When the Fathers were banished from Arima as before is mentioned Michael called togeather all the Prefectes and Officers of the thirteene Congregations and told them that the time was now come in which they must all shew their faith and the desire they had of the saluation of their soules Let euery one therefore sayd he as ke those of his Confraternity what disposition and courage they feele and find within themselues Whereupon amongst themselues they made a catalogue or role in which within short time more then fifteene hundred with great spirit and resolution did write their names in sight that they were ready prepared to giue their liues and suffer al kind of torments rather then leaue and forsake the Christian religion 3. Michael and his brother were the two first whose names were written in the Catalogue and he sayd he did desire it should be so because he hoped by that meanes he might animate others to do the like And the reason why he wished the rest would imitate him and his brother therein was to the end that if the Iudges should offer any more to call the Christians to examination seeing their names written in the â—atalogue
Vncle to Arimadono after diuers perswasions sayd vnto him What matter is it man if our Prince will go to hell let vs make no moreado but go with him thither too To whom he answered My Lord the obligation which the seruant hath to his maister and the subiect to his Prince doth end togeather with this life for in the next life they haue no power nor authority at all and if your Lordshippe will not beleeue me make try all if you please and call any of those captaines that haue dyed in your seruice or in the seruice of your ancestor and see if they do now answere to your call In such thinges therefore that doe concerne this present life I will very willingly serue my Prince but in those that do pertaine vnto the next and whereon my saluation doth depend he must pardon me I cannot nor I will not do it And vnto a brotherinlaw of Arimadono that did intreate him concerning the same matter he answered Although I confesse it will be something aâ—ffu ult vnto me to serue now one that hath left to be a Christian I hauing before serued in the warre two so good Christian Princes as were Don Iohn and his brother Don Stephen yet notwithstanding obtaine you that I may liue freely in my religion and I will do willingly that which you desire me In many other occasions likewise he sufficiently shewed his great zeal and feruor which for breuines sake I do not heere rehearse 9. In conclusion Arimadono because with his example and speaches he did much animate the rest gaue commaund vnto two stroÌ„g souldiers that they should kil him secretly for the reason before expressed They therefore sent for him one day vnto the castle and he imagining the cause to be that which indeed it was went thither with great alacrity and the souldiers going out to meet him asked him whither he weÌ„t He aÌ„swered that he went to the Castle called by the Prince wherfor said they to haue my head out of sayd he because I will not leaue to be a Christian and in this manner they weÌ„t talking with him and he wished them they would haue care to looke to the saluation of their soules all other businesses whatsoeuer in comparison thereof being of small account and consequence He made the signe of the Crosse vpon himselfe many times as he went alonge the way comming to a place where there had beene a Church of the Society he kneeled downe vpon the ground and prayed for a while which done he rising vp and going forward in the way one of the souldiers with his sword gaue him so great a blow vpon one of his shoulders that he cut him downe into the brest he then pronouncing the holy name of Iesus three times aloud vnbuckled his rapier and casting it away from him did his endeauour to blesse himselfe with making the signe of the Crosse and so fell downe and dyed The Christians came thither presently and because the sentence that Arimadono had giuen against him was publikely knowne as also the cause thereof togeather with the disposition and preparation he made for martyrdome they therefore tooke his holy body and sent it secretly to the house of the Society of Iesus in Nangasaqui where it was buryed with all due respect and reuerence 10. The happy deathes of the three foresayd martyrs caused so great feruour and courage in all the Christians of that Country and Estate that now they did not thinke nor talke of any other thing but onely how to prepare themselues to imitate and follow them to that end by the counsaile and aduise of one of the Society they began in the Citty of Arima to renew their Confraternities not admitting into them any one but onely such as were fully resolued to giue their liues and all they had yea and to suffer all kind of tormentes rather then to deny the faith of Christ They made amongst themselues certaine lawes and rules and set downe the fastes the disciplines and other pennanes they were to do Then they did deuide themselues into Decuria's Companies of ten to the end that meeting so in diuers places they might the better help one another And the like was done by the Christians in al the townes of that whole country of Arima with a kind of holy emulation but before any one could be admitted into any Confraternity they did many pennances and other thinges of piety to dispose themselues thereto The like was done by the women and by the children also the womeÌ„ thinking that in matters of deuotion they ought not to be inferior vnto men and the children desiring and endeauoring to imitate theyr parentes piety 11. And this was the preparation which the coÌ„mon people made although they were not comprehended in the Proclamation and we may with reason thinke that that which the gentlemen and other of better sort did make was not inferior vnto this Those who as I sayd before at the entreaty and importunity of their freindes had in the beginning exteriourly condescended to do some thinges not so conuenient being now exceeding sory and repentant for their fault desired no other thinge so much as some good occasion wherein publikely to acknowledge their error to make profession of their faith For which causes it being a custome among the Bonzos in their festiual dayes in signe that one is of their sect to take a booke made by Xaca which is called Foquequio and to put it vpon the heads of their parishioners or sectaries saying ther withall a certaine prayer and one of them hauing in treated Arimadono that vpon a certaine solemne day he and his Courtiers would do this ceremony they conspired amongst themselues not onely not to do it but also to disgrace the Bonzo if he did persist therein The day appointed came but notice being had of their determination and both Arimadono and the Bonzo being afrayd that if the ceremony were done it would redound more to their disgrace and to the encoragemeÌ„t of the Christians they thought it therefore more conuenient to omit the ceremony and so it was done Arimadono himselfe alone going to visit the Bonzo without any more ado Wherewith the Gentlemen were not a little grieued because they had lost that good occasion of publishing their mindes which yet they determined to manifest and did that very day going all together vnto the Iudges vnto whom they spake in this manner We be all Christians and are willing and desirous to suffer banishment and death rather then for sake our fayth and religion and seeing that we haue not had meanes to signify so much to Arimadono in publike we desire you to do it for vs. So many they were that went thither with that protestation that although Arimadono were so much offended therewith that he commaunded they should be all put to death yet could it not be put in execution vnlesse he would haue left himselfe without seruantes to attend
would not contradict their deuotion therein Afterwardes both hers as also the bodies of the children were carried to Nangasaqui and there buried withal respect conuenient in the Church of the Fathers of the Socyety of Iesus The sentence pronunced against Don Iohn Tacuyen Arimadono his great Vncle as also against the worthy Captaine George Yefengi of banishment and losse of their goodes whereof I spake before was also with all rigour put in execution Of eight Christian Iaponians that were burned aliue for the faith of Christ CHAP. IIII. SAFIOYE seeing that with his violent manner of proceeding putting some to death and banishing others he was so far from obteyning of his purpose and desire that rather matters were worse now then they were before for those that were but somwhat bold before were now much more encouraged by the examples they had seen and with the hope of victory heauenly reward and those that had shewed some weaknes frailty at the first by the same examples were moued to be very sory and repentant for their fall and rose vp againe with couragious resolution he now determined to change his rigour into another kind of crafty cunning persecution He sought out therefore a certaine Bonzo an auncient preacher of the Iaponian Sectes that was very famous in the Courtes of Suruga and Yendo and brought him to Arimadono telling him that if he could get the Christianes of his country to heare his Sermons without all doubt they would very quickly little esteeme wholy giue ouer and leane the Christian Fayth He wished him therefore to carry him to Arima with him and to make him preach therein Arimadono to giue content vnto Safioyedono and the Xogun was very willing therewithall and Banzui for so was the Bonzo his name was not backward but rather exceeding glad to go thinking doubtlesse he should do some great exploite and gaine immortall Fame in conuincing and conuerting of the Christians the Bonzos of Meaâ—o who by experience knew of how small effect their Sermons are against the Christian Fayth in the meane tyme laughing in their sleues to thinke how wholy his hopes would be frustrated 2. Assoone as the Christianes of Arima had intelligence of the Bonzo his comming towards them they begane forthwith to prepare themselues And sent vnto the Bishop and vnto Father Prouinciall of the Society to know of them what they might do neyther to preiudice their Consciences nor to be wanting in their duty to their Prince And it was resolued that they should neyther go out to meet the Bonzo nor afterwards to visit him The which although some of them did not obserue going at the petition of the chiefe Gouernour to visit him yet when they went they carried their beades in their handes and Agnus Deies at their neckes in signe that they were Christians 3. It was appointed by Arimadono that there should be a Temple or Chappell and an Altar made for the Bonzo his vse and because the Christians neyther for loue nor money neyther by threats nor intreaties could be brought to put their hands thereunto they were forced to fetch from other places Carpenters other workmen who were Gentills for the framing making thereof When the Temple was finished and all in readines Banzui would needs now haue them come to heare him preach Some went of curiosity to heare what he would say but before the end of his Sermon they did so laugh so mocke and deride him both in the Temple and after in the streets that the poore Bonzo almost besides himselfe did grieuously complaine to Safioye that insteed of honouring him as he expected they had brought him thither as it seemed wholy do disgrace him and make him loose his credit Telling him withall that if Arimadono would shew some exemplar punishment vpon some of the principall Christians the rest would be terrified therewith Whereupon the matter was proposed to Arimadono and by him and them it was determined that eight or ten of them should be put to death publikely together with their wiues and Children 4. Great was the feruour that was at that tyme amonge the Christians continuall their prayer and frequent their doing of peÌ„nances In many places they made the prayer of Forty houres continually without intermission carefully following the counsailes direction and exhortation of the Fathers of the Society that in disguised habits liued amongst them Innumerable daily entred into the Confraternities writing their names in the Cataloges euen with their owne bloud which to that end they let out of their bodies and making protestation that assisted by the grace of God they would remaine firme and constant in the confession of their Faith As soone as it was knowne that some of them should be put tormentes and afterwardes to death a wondrous great ioy arose amongst them all ech one congratulating the good newes with his neighbour freinds and kinred euery one also desirning that it might be his happy lot to be one of those that should dy for the Christian Cause in that occasion 5. Out of all the townes of the country there was six or seauen of euery Confraternity sent to the Citty of Arima to giue Intelligence when and where the sentence should be put in Execution before mentioned with intention all of them to be present there to make publike protestation of their faith and to shew how desirous they were to dy therefore And this was in such manner that almost al tradsmen and artificers did leaue their worke and occupations and merchantes did suspend their traffique vntil they saw what would be the yssue and conclusion thereof 6. But Safioye hauing vnderstood of all that passed amongst them fearing some vprore and doubting that he should be blamed for it at the Court seeing also that their resolution was such that to vse rigor towards them should be but to cast oyle into the fier rather augment their constancy then otherwise he comanded no more should be done in that busines and thereupon the Christians returned all vnto their houses with intention there to prepare theÌ„selues against another tyme for Martyrdome Notwithstanding this command of Safioye Banzui the Bonzo at the petitioÌ„ of Arimadono his wife who was an eager enemie vnto the Christians would needes vrge some Gentlewomen and pages that wayted in the pallace to take of him certaine scroles and graines which the Bonzos vse to giue and which they call Iuzus and Maburi but it was his misfortune and hard hap to gaine as little honor in this matter as he had done before by his Sermons for some of the yonger sort vpon that occasion not only refused to take his Iuzus with deuotion but also made him and them an obiect of their myrth and some of them being to much vrged by him in that busines cast his trumperio in his face for which he did reueng himselfe euen to the full causing some of of them to be put in prison for it and others
had forbidden al Gentlemen and souldiers to be Christiās he could do no lesse then what was requested yet was he content that Tradesmen and common people should be so still and that he therefore desired them to send him a note of all the Gentlemens names that were Christians 3. The Fathers gaue him thankes for the fauour he shewed them but as concerning the note of the Gentlemens names they desired he would pardon them being so that they could not do it because it was a sinne and that they comming thither only with intention to make Christians if they should giue any such note as he required of thē it would be to pull downe with one hand what they set vp with the other and not to be true and faythfull to those that put confidence in them He sent another tyme to vrge them that they would giue it but they answering with good and curteous speaches resolued in no case to giue it although it should cost them all their liues Whereupon Chicuyendono desisting from his enterprise medled only with some that were publikely knowne Christians 4. The yeare following 1613. he went to the Court to visit the Xogun according to their custome euery new yeare and there vnderstanding that the Xogun was disgusted with him for fauouring the Fathers he wrote vnto Father Prouinciall of the Society that the Fathers should depart to Nangasaqui and that the Churches must be pulled downe to giue satisfaction to the Xogun but yet that he would be content that they should visit the Christians of his country secretly and so they did and no otherwise For although these Lordes or Princes of Iapone be great and potent Personages and well affected to religion yet the Xogun being opposite and contrary they cannot nor dare not resist him and so the best way was secretly to do what good they could Within a short tyme after arose the persecution at Facata It was there proclaimed that all the Christians should come together to a certaine place before a Temple whither being come they vrged them very much and to terrify the Multitude with the example of a few and shew themselues punctuall and exact in performing the Xoguns command they determined to vse some rigour with Thomas Xozayemon and Ioachim Xinden who were more forward then the rest 5. This Thomas was very feruorous in animating the Christians with his exhortations example of pennance mortification to perseuerance in their faith Ioachim for his vertue and good life was much knowne and beloued of all the principal persons of the Country He was a Father vnto the poore and being a Phisitian he cured them of almes No diligence was left vndone to moue and make them accomodate themselues vnto the tyme but they answering that in no case they could do it were presently sent to prison and there bound with cordes very strait vnto two postes but seeing that therewith they were not ouercome Chicuyendono comanded that they should be both of them hanged vpō a certaine tree neere vnto Facata and so left there vntyll they did deny their fayth 6. Vpon the 13. of March they did hange Ioachim vpon the tree which was a very high Pyne his feet vpward and his head hanging towards the ground And in the same tree they did also hange Thomas in the same manner but something below Ioachim and being in that terrible torment they did animate one the other with great ioy and alacrity Remember Brother Thomas sayd Ioachim that which our blessed Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ did suffer for vs vpon the Crosse and let vs giue him thankes for this fauour that he sheweth vs in suffering something to his imitation on a tree And although wee vnworthy yet in some respect wee do resemble S. Peter who was crucified with his head downeward I was euen thinking so sayd Thomas the consideration thereof doth ease my paine which is nothing to that which I do desire to suffer for Christ 7. The day following there was great concourse of people to see them some of the Gentills saying to Ioachim that they wondered he would be so obstinate as to suffer so great a torment for a thing so vncertaine as saluation is after a while he āswered I held my peace a while as being busied with God not much regarding men but not to seeme discourteous and because they may not thinke that we do repent our selues I pray you tell me one thing Those that haue receaued so many benefits honours and fauours of Chicuyendono as many of you that be present haue done if they should be brought to such extremity that eyther they must loose their liues or els bee disloyall vnto him would they not choose death and whatsoeuer affliction els rather then to be traytors vnto their Lord How then can wee being Gods creatures and hauing receaued so many benefitts of him as he hath bestowed vpon vs deny him now for all the tormentes that be or can be inslicted vpon vs With this answere the auditors were al conuinced and both Christians and Pagans did commend it much 8. Three dayes well nigh did those two holy men remayne in that manner hanging by the heeles not hauing so much as one bit of meat or drop of water giuen them all that tyme. At the end thereof the Officers still seeing them remaine so constant as they were did let them downe and caused them to be fast bound imediatly to a ladder which had a peece of wood put through it in forme of a Crosse A Christian asked them how they did Ioachim answered I suffered much when I was a souldier but such paynes as at this tyme I neuer felt before for it seemed to me that I was sawed through all my body but I conforted my selfe considering that al my tormentes were nothing compared to those which Christ suffered for me I did apply my paines to his in satisfaction of my sinnes Chicuyendono seeing their constancy and that with so prolonged and cruell a torment they could not be made to change their mindes gaue order that they should be beheaded which sentence being giuen they were imediately taken carried to execution to a place that was something distant thence Ioachim could not mooue himselfe and so he was carried thither vpon souldiers backes and Thomas went on foot both of them replenished with ioy and gladnes When they were come vnto the place hauing prayed a little space the executioner out of their heades they in the meane time often repeating the holy name of Iesus Their bodies and heades were conueyed to Nangasaqui giuen to Father Prouincial of the Society of Iesus Their holy death was a great encoragement to the Christians as their liues had also beene an example alwaies vnto thē A Bonzo preaching in that Citty soone after their death said in his Sermō to those of his sect Those men questiō lesse were of great valour there can be no doubt but that they are
no medling with the Christians because the more he did torment them the more constant did they shew themselues so that now he knew not what to do with them Before an answere to his Letter came he heard the newes of what had passed against the Christians in Meaco and thereaboutes and thereupon he caused those Churches which as yet remayned standing to be ouerthrowne 2. Some Gentills did perswade him that the best meanes to make them yeald was to cause their wiues and daughters to be caried naked through the streetes to their publike shame And so it was determined wherewith the Christians were exceedingly troubled and afflicted Some of them were of opinion that the best course in that occasion was to shut vp all the women into houses and that the men should keep them there and defend their honors with their liues rather then expose them to so vile and dangerous a punishment but after taking more mature aduice they sent the principall persons of the Confraternities vnto to Prince to desire him they might be punished with the ordinary tormentes of banishment beheading crucifying burning frying and the like and that they hoped they should take all with patience being suffered for the loue of God for the obteyning of their soules Saluation but that to vse so vnusuall and indecent manner of punishment as that which was determined would not be well thought of at the Court. 3. Vpon this the execution was differred and insteed thereof it was commanded that all those that would perseuere Christians should leaue the rentes they had Whereupon imediately Fifty noble Gentlemen did leaue all that they had with great courage and alacrity remayning poore without house lands or rents or any reuenewes in the world Wherewith Arimadono for that tyme was satisfied expecting the Xoguns answere and Safioyes returne who was the Chiefe author of all this wickednes and in the meane tyme the Christians prepared themselues more and more for Martyrdome those of the Confraternities renewing the oath which they had made to be firme and constant in their fayth doubling also their prayers and penances and making the prayer of sorty houres in diuers places They also sent for a Father of the Society to come vnto Arima who there in a very few dayes didheare the Confessions of more then 800. persons secretly and which is worthy of noting the very Children the eldest amongst them not being fifteene yeares of age had there made amongst themselues a Confraternity in the honor of S. Ioseph wherein they made their determination which in this manner they set downe in writing Although the persecutors do pull out our tecth and plucke of our nayles giue vs the torment of the water and burne vs aliue we will neuer leaue the fayth of Christ which we professe 4. After that Safioye was come to Arima he sent for the 12. Stewardes or Prefectes of the Confraternities They all went very ioyfully thinking doubtlesse that they were sent for to be put to death for their religion many also besides went with them to see if they could be partakers of their crownes the rest remayned at home preparing themselues for the same Being come Safioye made this speach vnto them Through your obstinacy in not obeying to your Lord Prince he is now in daÌ„ger to loose his estate whereas if you would leaue to be Christians as the Xogun commandeth both he and you might remayne in peace and quietnes in your Country Consider well of it and know for most certaine that if you do not conforme your selues he will loose his estate and you shal be persecuted exceedingly To this speach of Safioye one of the Christians there present answered in the name of all the rest My Lord we need not consider nor consult concerning this Matter seeing that long ago we haue beene resolued therein As concerning the conseruation of Arimadono his estate it dependeth not vpon our being or not being Christians for that being so we shall be both more faythfull and more obedient vnto him then otherwise And as we awayes haue beene to his Father Don Iohn so will we be to him ready to serue him both with our goodes and liues But as concerning those thinges which touch the saluation good of our owne soules there is no reason that any force or violence should be offered vnto vs. If it be the pleasure of Superiour powers to take away Arimadono his estate from him because we be Christians we shall be very sory for it but haue no fault at all therein for we cannot put in hazard the saluation of our soules which is for euer to endure for an estate or life that is so short and brittle and so soone to haue an end as this 5. Notwithstanding this answere Safioye commanded them they should go and consult better vpon the matter among themselues and after they had well considered they should resolue what best they thought to do and declare playnely whether they would obey vnto the Xogun or no and leaue this obstinate cleauing vnto this new religion which the Fathers teach and preach 6. In Cuchinotzu which is not far from thence the Christians who 〈◊〉 very ancieÌ„t euer since the time of Father Cosmo de Torres companion of the Blessed Father Xauier made the same preparation and oathes among themselues that the others had done Safioye vnderstanding thereof sent for fiue of the chiefesâ— and made vnto them a speach like to that which he made vnto the others although something more vehement and with greater promises and they gate him the same answere that the Christians of Arima before had done and that many yeares ago they had made their resolution 7. Safioye was much offended with their constancy and sayd that seeing they were so obstinate in their opinion that he would giue notice thereof vnto the Xogun and that without all doubt if they did not obey Arimadono would loose his estate they be tormented cruelly and their wiues and children made slaues For the Xogun would haue his will whatsoeuer came of it We should be glad sayd they wee could conserue Arimadono his estate with our goodes and liues but if it cannot be otherwise done but by deâ—ying of our Fayth wee cannot do it and willing we shall bee to loose all wee haue for Christ and for the saluation of our soules As for obeyng the Xogun we will do it willingly in thinges that do not concerne â—ur Fayth 8. These fiue being returned to Cuchinotzu the feruour of the Christians there increased so much that whereas before there were but an 100. in the CoÌ„â—raternity now there entred therin 400. more all of them making protestation tody for their religion yea some Gentills also moued with their example were baptized with the same purpose and desire and many Christians which before had shewed themselues but frayle and weake were thereby confirmed and reduced to the fayth 9. Safioye went soone after to Nangasaqui and from thence
thereof euer after this he delighted very much to heare and speake of it That he had other heauenly visions besides this might be also gathered by his wordes though through humility he neuer would declare them vnto any 14. The Gouernour afterwardes vsed meanes that Adam might secretly escape and go vnto Nangasaqui and he hauing notice thereof said What fly in no case I. If they will banish me giuing me a note vnder their handes that hauing so long tyme perswaded me that I should leaue the fayth of Christ yet I would not and that therefore they do hanish me then will I goe and not otherwise 15. The Gouernour durst not giue him such a note but differred the sentence which was giuen of cutting of his toes and fingers by little and little carrying him naked through all the Ilandes for an example to all Chrastians vntill he had consulted the matter with the rest of Ximadono his Gouernours which when he had done and had related vnto them the whole discourse they all answered that it would be a great discredit both vnto him and Ximadon◠also if so rebellious and obstinate a fellow as they termed him were not seuerely punished that the sentence of death should be notified vnto him and if he did not change his minde also executed Hereupon immediatly they notified vnto Adam the sentence wherwith he receiued no small comfort And it being published in the Country thereaboutes there came thither so great a multitude of Christians to be present at his martyrdome that they durst not put him to death publiquely least they should take his body for reliques They caried him therefore bound vnto the Castle giuing out that this death should be very publique after some foure or fiue dayes 16. The Christians vsed all meanes possible for some of them at the least to haue beene present at his death but it could not be for one night very secretly they tooke him out of the Castle and carried him to the place of Martyrdome whither he went with great ioy and alacrity although the way was very rugged and the night exceeding darke and they had no torches nor other light at all because of going with more secrecy and whereas some of the company stumbled almost at euery step yet did he go with such agility and nimblenes that he was euer the foremost of them all Being come vnto the place he kneeled downe vpon his knees prayed most deuoutly and at two blowes had his head stroken off For it being so darke a night that the executioner could not see he gaue the first blow vpon his shoulders at the which he neuer so much as moued but quietly expected the second twice inuoking aloud the blessed name of Iesus And the Gentills themselues did testify that after his head was fallen downe vpon the ground he named twice more that most holy Name so loud that it might haue beene heard through all the valley whereat they wondering said That only to haue seene the constancy and ioy wherewithall Adam dyed were motiue inough to moue any man to be a Christian that it was not possible but that one dying so as he did should be saued 17. They tooke his holy body and trayled it vnto the Sea shoare and there wrapping it togeather with his head in a net tying stones vnto it to make it sinke they cast it into the Sea because the Christians should not find it so reuerence any of his reliques 18. Though this Martyrdome were done so secretly as I haue said yet did the Christians suspect it and thereupon some of them went vnto the place where it was done but they found there only some little quantity of his fresh bloud the which with part of his apparel they tooke with great deuotion and returned with all speed possible because the Gentills were now comming backe againe thither to couer the bloud to the end to signe at all should remaine of his Martyrdome The Christians of Xiqui and other places vsed great diligence with nets and hooks and other instrumentes to haue found and taken vp his holy body and there was a Spaniard that offered 500. Ducates to any one that could bring it him but it could not possibly be found 19. Diuers Christians did affirme that for many dayes togeather there was seene a great brightnes ouer the place where this holy seruant of God was put to death as also ouer that place of the Sea wherein his body was cast the which is so certaine so many Christians seeing it altogether sometymes fourty sōetymes fifty sometymes more notonce nor twice but often tymes that there can be made no doubt thereof Some there were that would not beleeue it because themselues did not see it with the rest which yet afterwardes hauing disposed themselues by prayer to that end did most cleerly euidently see and perceiue it Many notable thinges might be related of this holy man but omitting all the rest I will only set downe two which in my opinion seeme very worthy of memory An ancient Christian thinking in his hart within himselfe what tormentes might be giuē him which might make him wauer in the profession of his faith and all seeming very easy to him to endure only the thought that seauen younge Children which he had should be tormented before his face and that his wife should be carried through the streets to publique shame did terrify him exceeding much and make him somewhat wauer in his mind All this passed in his hart within himselfe not speaking of it one word at all to any one aliue This man afterwards went to visit Adam when he was in prison who seeing him said What an impression did the imaginatiō of your wiues publique shame and your Childrens tormenting make in you O what a deceipt is this Be not afrayd for he that giues courage for one thinge will giue also for the rest The man was astonished when he perceaued that Adam had seene and vnderstood that which he only thought within himselfe and was encouraged thereby to confesse his faith and suffer for it all that should be offered Another man being ouercome by faire words and intreaties did shew some frailty in the confession of his fayth who going afterwardes to visit Adam he reprehended him very sharply for it but after he was gone from thence Adam said vnto those that were present This man being importunated did shew some frailty but he will stoutly stand heere after for the honour of God And so it happened indeed for he repenting himselfe of his fault and very sory for it went to one of the Officers who had beene the occasion of his sinne and in his house in the presence of diuers Gentills said vnto him Sir you remember well the meanes you vsed with me to make me leaue the faith of Christ and I moued with your intreaties did shew my selfe vnconstant and cowardly But in very truth did not leaue to be a Christian nor to say my beades
of kinred vnto him would cause him insteed of fauour to proceed with rigour against them They answered that they their wiues children were Christians and by Godes holy grace would so remaine and that for their holy religion they were ready to giue their liues Whereupon the Gouernour comanded them to keep their owne house as a prison vntill he had consulted with the Prince what should be done Vpon this it seemed vnto them that they were now in great liklihood to obteine the crowne of Martirdōe which they so much desired the better therfore to prepare themselues thereto they went one night to Nangasaqui and there confessed themselues desiring the Fathers to pray for them that for their sinnes owne vnworthines they might not loose their crowne which they expected The same night they returned home againe made themselues now apparell and bought candles to carry in their handes when they should be carried to Martyrdome expecting euery houre with great desire their iudgment sentence and condemnation 8. Vpon Corpus Christi day in the morning the Gouernour sent word vnto Luis that he meant that day to go to recreate himselfe and see some filhing in the Sea and that he desired to haue him go with him to keep him company Luis at the first thought to haue excused himselfe by reason it was so great a holy day but afterwards vpon further consideration surmysing what the matter might be taking his leaue of all his family he went with much alacrity and the boat in which they went being now almost a league in the sea from the land the Gouernour sayd vnto him Luis do you remaine stil setled in the opinion you were of three dayes past in being and continuing still a Christian Yes indeed do I said Luis and am very well content and desirous to dye for it Thereupon all those that were in the boat mocked and scoffed at him as if he had beene a foole or a madman but he little regarded their wordes seemed to be nothing moued with their iniurious speaches the which the Gouernour perceiuing commanded that his head should be cut of imediatly the which was done at two blowes he being vpon his knees and most deuoutly inuoking the holy name of Iesus His head being cut off they tyed stones therunto as also vnto his holy body and cast them both into the sea because no reliques of him should remayne returning home they confiscated his goods house making his wife a slaue The same they did with the wife children and goods of Cosmo his elder brother whome they banished out of the country the which he accepted willingly being no lesse ioyfull to loose that which he had for Christ the full of sorrow that he was not companion to his brother in the Crowne of Martyrdome 9. The manner of Luis his Martyrdome being once known in Nangasaqui no diligence was left vndone to find his holy body being sought for by diuers persons with all care and diligence for fiue dayes togeather but could not find so much as the least signe thereof although they knewe the place where it was cast into the sea Vpon the fifth day they saw a kind of cleere brightnes ouer a certaine place as those that found it did affirme and taking that for a signe thereof they sought there and so found it presently carried it vnto the Fathers of the Society who did with alreuerence place it in the Church of the Miscricordia with intention heareafter when this storme is past to build a Church in Fucafori to the glory of God in memory of him Of such thinges as passed in Nangasaqui before the banishment CHAP. XIIII THERE were in Nangasaqui as I said in the 5. Chapter foure Churchs of the Society of Iesus three Monasteries of S. Austin S. Deminicke and S. Francis foure Parish Churches and three or foure Chappell 's All the inhabitantes thereof and of the country round about were Christians There at this time were al the Fathers gathered together expecting eyther the execution of the sentence giuen by the Xogun before mentioned of their finall banishment or els perhaps some mitigation thereof by meanes and mediation of the Portugall◠whose ships were shortly expected to come thither In the same expectation were Don Iusto Don Iohn and the rest of those that were banished from the Caini exceeding was the concourse of Christians from all partes of Iapone thither some to take their leaue others to receaue the Sacraments therby to arme themselues for the future fight all lamenting the losse they were to sustaine by the departure of their spirituall maysters pastors guides and ghostly Fathers and so great was their feruour that vntil the end of October they scarce euer let the Fathers rest neither by day nor night comming to them continually for icounsaile comfort direction and adu se 2. At the beginning of this yeare the Bishop of Iapone Don Luis Cerqueira of the Society of Iesus departed out of this life He was a man of great wisdom and learning and of no lesse vertue piety sanctity of life very zealous of the good of his Church which by his death at that tyme sustayned a wonderous losse Greatly was he grieued to see so cruell a persecution raysed against his flocke and that he could not by any meanes remedy it nor defend his sheep from the cruell wolues Some monthes before the persecution did begin he fell sicke and after with the newes thereof and griefe ther at his sicknesse dayly did increase and so within a few dayes no phisicke being of force to prolonge or sane his life he gaue his soule vnto Alm. God vnto whose paternall prouidence he did commend his poore afflicted Church desiring him eyther to defend and succour it or els to giue force and strength to the Christians to suffer and endure the violent and tyranicall proceedinges of the Gentills their enemies against them His death was vpon the 16. of February 1614. 3. Sixetene yeares had he gouerned that new planted Church with great rectitude and rare examplar life and in that tyme he had feene many different successes sometimes great prosperity in the connersion of many soules and men of worth vnto the fayth of Christ at other tymes great aduersicies afflictions and persecutions in all which he alwaies shewed a great quietnes and serenity of mind and a firme trust and confidence in God He was much respected and beloued of his flock of all the religious persons that were in Iapone yea the Xogun himselfe his Courtiers and Fauorites when some yeares agoe he did visit them did commend and esteeme him very much so did likewise all the Lordes and Princes though they were otherwise as Gentills not affected to religion for which reason at this tyme there was great want of him and his death was much lamented generally of all 4. After his death Father Prouinciall of the Society remayned with the care of the gouernement of the Bishopricke vntil
indecent or ill beseeming Christian Gentlemen and all this hauing no example at all nor any other thinge besides their fayth and religion that might oblige or moue theÌ„ thereuÌ„to but only the speaches sermons and perswasions of a few poore religious men that were meere strangers vnto them of no authority command or power in the Country but rather much hated disgraced and abased by the Bonzi and most of those that did professe the Religion of Iapone 8. Their second comendation may be for the great zeale they alwayes shewed in defending of the Church ministers thereof in the great combates and contradictions which it had in the beginning thereof Immediatly almost after they were baptized Miyoridono and Daniedono Don Iohns vnckle killed the Cubosama who was then the Lord of all Iapone the Bonzi who were then great with the Dayri who was the true owner of the Empire tooke that opportunity to get the Fathers banished by publique proclamation from the Dayri consilcating their House and Church and very hardly letting them passe with life In this occasion these worthy Gentlemen were the principall defence and almost only refuge the Fathers had in almost three yeares that their banishment endured And when Nobunanga entred Meaco by force of armes Darius and Don Iusto by Vatadono his meanes who was Gouernour of Meaco got theÌ„ restored in honorable sorte with ample Patentes from the new Cubosama and Nobunanga to preach the Ghospell freely where they pleased in despite of all the Bonzi and of the Dayri himselfe And all the tyme that Nobunanga liued who fauoured Don Iusto very much they were perpetuall defenders and vpholders of the Fathers in many great and grieuous persecutions raysed against them by the Bonzi exposing many tymes to danger for their sakes their estates their honors and their liues 9. Exceeding great likewise was the zeale they had of the conuersion of soules vnto the Christian fayth In the tyme Don Iohn was Lord of the Kingdome of Tamba for afterwardes he lost it in the tyme of Nobunanga his warrs he was the cause of great good therein in that kind The Country of Tucacuqui whereof Darius Don Iusto were Lords was full of Bonzi hauing many ancient Temples therein and very much inhabited by a sort of Gentills that were most obstinate yet such was their zeale their care and industry that partly by entreaties partly by benefittes partly by disputations they moued and perswaded many to imbrace the Christian fayth so that within few yeares there remayned not so much as one Gentill in all the CouÌ„try nor any Temple that eyther was not destroied or turned into a Church nor a Bonzo that was not eyther conuerted or els went willingly away vnto some other place The like they did in another Country that was giuen by Nobunanga and in Acaxi they begon to do the same By which may well be gathered the exceeding great number of Gentills that by their industry and meanes receaued the Christian faith They builded many Churches in all the townes set vp many crosses in high wayes and vpon montaines helping in all thinges the Fathers of the Society that had care there of the conuersion and instruction of the people and being still the first in prayer pennance and all other pious workes as Fathers and Maysters of their subiectes to the great admiration of all the Gentills that liued theraboutes 10. The same pious offices did they likewise exercise being at the Court among other Lords and Noble men For Don Iusto in particuler being so wise and prudent and so esteemed as he was generally of them all would neuer let occasion passe but by one meanes or other he would procure to giue notice to them all of the truth and solidity of Christian beliefe and of the falshood errors of their sectes and that with such efficacity that all the most principall Christians of the Court were conuerted by his perswasion or example and the Gentills that were the Fathers friends were al gained by his meanes Inso much that for diuers yeares the Gentills called the Christian religion the religion of Tacayama not knowing other name for it but this of Don Iusto who was so zealous a professor therof 11. Their integrity and examplar life was also very notable Darius being now old gaue ouer his estate and gouerment to spend his tyme in the chiefe busines of the saluation of his soule and the conuersion of his subiectes to the fayth of Christ and so dyed a very holy and a happy death in the yeare 1595. And Don Iusto his integrity and purity of life was so great he being a most noble and couragious gentleman in the very flower of his age and in the middest of manifold euill occasions that Taycosama the Emperour himselfe did highly coÌ„mend him for the same not without great wondeing thereat And many noble men that were conuinced in their vnderstanding of the truth and verity of Christian religion by the sermons which they heard sayd that the reasons why they were not baptized was because they could not liue a continent life in that manner as Don Iusto did it being a thing vnworthy to a noble man or to an honest mind to professe a religion and not liue accordingly therto 12. They were all also most deuout vnto the holy Sacramentes continually frequenting the same and all other actions of religious piety and so great was the respect they bare vnto the Fathers who were their spirituall guydes and Maysters that it was noted in Don Iusto that in the space of fifty yeares in which he dayly conuersed with them he was neuer heard nor knowne to speake so much as one only vnreuerent word to any one of them all for whatsoeuer cause or occasion that was offered And which is more notwithstanding all the good he did vnto them and for the Church and generall cause of all the Christians or euills that he suffered for the same it seemed vnto him to haue â—eene very small and not more but that which he was bound to do in honour â—nd yet three seuerall tymes had he for â—â—em and for his fayth and religion left â—â—s liuing and estate lost his honor and â—eputation and his life also as far as lay 〈◊〉 him to doe 13. The first tyme was soone after 〈◊〉 was a Christian vpon this occasion â—raqui the Lord of the Kingdome of â—zunocuni a great friend and benefactor 〈◊〉 his did determine to ryse against Noâ—â—nanga and ioyne with his enemies â—â—n Iusto was afflicted therewithall and â—â—d all his endeauour possible to make â—â—em friendes and to oblige Araqui the â—â—re vnto him he did renew an oath of â—â—elity and freindship which before he â—â—d made vnto him and gaue vnto him â—â—hostages and pledges of his fayth his â—â—ly Sonne and a sister of his owne â—â—o was then but a child Hereupon â—â—aqui put the matter into his handes â—â—d being in his iourney towards the Court about that
dye for Christ Don Iusto hauing intelligence of their miseries and afflictions delt with Figendono who knew them very well to send for them and giue them entertainement Almighty God so disposing it to the end that as they had beene companions in their fayth in baptisme zeale and examplar life so they should also be in banishment which is a kind of prolonged martyrdome Of their receauing at Manilla and of the death of Don Iusto CHAP. XVII THIS was their estate when the third and last tempest was raysed against them as I mentioned in the VIII Chapter wherein they were by the Xoguns order sent to Nangasaqui there they liued with meruailous example vntill the end of October spending their tyme in pyous actions and workes of Charity Don Thomas and others made the spirituall exercise there Don Iohn could not by reason of his sicknesse with such deuotion as they seemed rather religious persons then such as they were After Don Iusto his death there was found a paper written with his hand of the good motions heauenly comfortes consolations which God had bestowed vpon him at diuers times At his being in Nangasaqui diuers Gentill Lordes did send to visit him desiring to deale with the Xogun to send for him to the Court and Fideyori Taycosamaes Sonne desired much to haue him for his Captaine Generall of Ozaca but he made small account of all these offers saying he would not change his banishment for all the world It is certaine that before he tooke shipping he kwew he should dy very soone so that in the 150 dayes which passed betwixt the sentence of his banishment and the tyme of his taking shippe he alwaies was expecting death and that with such quietnes and ioy as if he had beene then in his chiefe prosperity in so much that Yetchuydom Lord of the Kingdome of Bugen his great freind hauing vnderstood thereof although he were a Gentil sayd Yea marry Sir with this Don Iusto doth seale 〈◊〉 the rest of his worthy deedes and excellent exploites and if he had not done so he should haue disgraced himselfe and obscured them 2. Their Iorney by sea was not 〈◊〉 little troublesome vnto them they neuer hauing beene acquainted with Sea voyages before and carrying with them besydes so many women and Children But letting this passe as soone as in Manilla notice was giuen of their arriuall there was a generall ioy in all desiring to giue them all intertainement possible and in particuler the Gouernour thereof Don Iohn de Silua who had heard much of Don Iusto sent a Galley well appointed and therein some persons of account to giue him the welcome and to offer him all courtesy The wynd being contrary it was three or foure daies ere they could come to land When they landed all the great Artillery was shot off to welcome them and all the whole Citty and the religious persons thereof went vnto the Sea shoare the meet and receiue them as holy Confessors of Christ accōpanying them vnto the Pallace where the Gouernour and Iudges did imbrace them with all kindnes congratulating their comming thither and the courage they had shewed in suffering so much for their fayth as they had done offering vnto them both in their owne behalfes and in the kinges whatsoeuer should be necessary or conuenient for them Don Iusto in most courteous manner gaue them thankes for the great fauour and honor they had done to them they being altogether vnworthy thereof as not hauing beene so happy to giue their liues for Christ and so taking their leaues of them they were accompanied by the Cittizens vnto the Colledg of the Society of Iesus passing in the way by the great Church and by the Monastery of S. Augustine at the intreaty of the Clergy and Religious persons who came out of their gats to receiue them with musicke and solemnity The like was done the day following by the Fathers of the orders of S. Dominicke and S. Francis all kind of persons desiring to shew their forwardnes in honoring and entertayning them 3. Don Iusto liued only fourty dayes after his arriuall at Manilla and in that tyme he was often visited by the Gouernour by the Archbishop by the Religious men and all the principall persons of the Citty all of them conceiuing a great loue and affection towardes him and making no lesse esteeme of him then his worthinesse deserued But he taking small delight in any thing of this world desired nothing so much as a house a part where freed from visitation and complementes he might without distraction attend to the chiefe busines of his soule saying he feared very much least God would pay him in this life for that small seruice some did imagine he had done him It seemeth that Almighty God did meane to proue this his worthy souldier as he did his seruant Iob and that he would honor him both in life death in signe of the great crowne he would giue him in heauen for his great courage and constancy in his fayth For that eyther through the chang of ayre clymates or differences of meates or through the incomodities he had endured in his banishment and nauigation very contrary both to his nature yeares and complexion he fell sicke of a continuall feuer accompanied with a bloudy flux the which in small tyme brought him to his end 4. He knew presently that this disease was mortall and so he began to prepare himselfe for death and sayd vnto his Confessour Father I perceaue that I growe towardes my end although I make no shew of it because of not discomforting my family I am very well content and comforted therewithall it being Gods holy will and pleasure especially among so many religious persons and in so Christian a country as this is I pray you render many thanks in my behalfe vnto the Lord Gouernour the Archbishop Iudges Religious men and al the rest for the courtesy fauour and honor they haue done me As for my Wife Daughter Grandchildren take no care for I take none at all they and I am banished for Christes cause I do much esteeme the loue they haue alwaies borne me and that they would accompany me hither I hope that Almighty God for whose sake they are now in a strang country will be a true Father vnto them and so they shall haue no want of me He made a Testament such another as holy Tobias did comending vnto them perseuerance in their fayth and obedience vnto the Fathers and that if any of them did not well the rest should aduise and counsaile them and tell the Fathers of them and if they did not obey they should be depriued of their inheritance and of the name of his house Family This done he receaued the holy Sacramentes with great deuotion and after he was annealed he said often tymes I desire now to go to enioy my Lord and Sauiour and so he gaue his soule vnto his Creator about