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
of the ruder sort From thence they went vnto Meaco and in their iourney which endured well nigh two monethes they suffered exceeding many miseries First they went barefoote all the way and then because the wayes were very dangerous and full of theeues who murthered all they robbed they were enforced to keep company with horsemen to runne though the hard stony wayes as fast as the others did ride towade also ouer many great riuers and other deepe waters in the way hauing afterwardes no meanes almost to dry rest or ease themselues no where finding any that would help or succour them take pitty or compassion on them but many almost euery where that egregiously abused and iniured them so that had they not carried some little rice in sachels on theyr backes for theyr sustenance it is very likely they had perished by the way for very want and necessity Being now arriued at Meaco they found all the Citty in vprore and armes no disposition at all for them to manifest the Christian fayth whereupon they were enforced almost immediatly to retourne againe to Amanguchi the same way and after the same fashion that they came from thence before And there Father Xauier did resolue notwithstanding all difficulties to set and settle himselfe to the preaching and planting of religion and because he had learned by experience that the Iaponians did neyther esteeme of men nor of theyr wordes vnlesse they were in exterior good fashion and well apparreled therefore to accommodate himselfe vnto them for their greater good he went vnto Tirando and there at they charge of the king of Portugall he put himselfe in good apparell and taking with him letters of fauour frō the viceroy of the Indies and of the Bishop of Goa which he had procured vnto the Princes of Iapon and certaine small thinges brought out of Europe as clockes and such like curiosities the which were giuen him by the Gouernor of Malaca to bestow in such occasions he returned backe againe to Amanguchi with Brother Iohn Fernandez and two or three Iaponians in his company where he made meanes to haue accesse vnto the King to whom by way of present he gaue those thinges which he had brought with him thither to that purpose The king accepted of them willingly and though he wondred at them as being rare and neuer seene before in those countryes yet much more did he admire at the greatnes of the giuers minde who did refuse a great quantity of gold and siluer and other thinges which he offered him in requitall thereof and only required that he would giue him licence to preach the fayth of Christ to whome and where he would the which he graunted easily and assigned him besides a certaine house of good capacity where he and his companions might remayne This licence being thus obteyned the which was all the holy Father did desire he and the Brother his Companion did set themselues immediatly to worke preaching all the day time in the streetes and middest of the market place an innumerable number of people flocking about them some to see and heare what they sayd others to laugh at their manner of speach others to marke their actions and mocke at their behauiour and in the night they did the same in the house where they lodged to those that came thither to visit them as many did some of courtesy but most of curiosity And in this manner they spent diuers monethes without seing any fruit at all of all their labours vntill at length one was conuerted vpon this occasion Brother Iohn Fernandez preaching one day in the street according to his wonted manner a Iaponian that passed by in a scornefull manner did spit at him and the filthy fleame falling iust vpon his face he wiping it of without making any shew of the least impatience in the world with great serenity of mind went forward in his speach the which being well marked and obserued by one of the standers by caused him within himselfe to frame this conceipt doubtlesse this doctrine must needs be very good that causeth in the professors thereof so great humility patience and constancy of mind in suffering iniuries and indignities and thereupon the Sermon being ended he followed the brother to their house where hauing learned the Creed the ten Commaundementes our Lords prayer the Salutation of our B Lady and diuers other prayers and being sufficiently instructed in all the mysteries of Christian religion and sorry for the sinnes of his former life he was the first in all that Citty that did receiue the holy Sacrament of baptisme and thereby was made a member of Christs holy Church and Congregation Soone after him diuers others also were baptized and within a short tyme the number of Christians there amounted to fiue hundred or there abouts and all of them as they well shewed in many occasions that happened afterwardes exceeding constant vertuous and perseuerant Matters being come to this good passe letters were brought vnto Father Xamer in which wa◠signified that it was precisely necessary for him to returne in person to the Indies vpon vrgent busines leauing therefore behind him Father Cosmo de Torres and Brother Iohn Fernandez to conserue and increase the best they could that little flocke of Christ which he had there begunne and gathered he went backe to Malaca and afterwardes to Goa from whence he sent some more of the Society vnto them to help towards the conuersion of Iapone◠the which they and others that succeded them did with such diligent care and industry God Almighty blessing their labours concuring thereunto with many miracles wrought by them that within the space of twenty yeares or thereaboutes there were in that country by their meanes and good endeauors more then an hundred and forty thousand Christians and amongst them many persons of great worth estimation as the King of Bungo a very potent Prince who for the deuotion and veneration he bare to Father Francis Xauier when he was baptized which was some yeares after the holy Fathers death would neede◠be called Francis by his name The King of Arima also named Don Protasio and his brother Don Bartholomew Prince of Omura a most pious and valerous Gentleman and diuers other Noble men who all agreeing amongst themselues to the end the whole world might vnderstand how sincerely they did beleeue and imbrace the fayth of Christ in the yeare 1583. they sent from thence to Rome which is well neere ten thousand miles foure young Gentlemen some of them very neere of kinred vnto the kinges before named to render obedience in their names vnto the most pious Pope Gregory the thirteenth who then liued as vnto the vicar of our Blessed Sauiour here on earth and cheife head pastor of all the Christians in the world After Father Xauier his death which was in the yeare 1552. the Superiors of the Society of IESVS still continued sending some of their subiectes to Iapone to procure the
Within a few dayes after his Lord asked him if he were a Christian because it had beene tould him that now he was none the page answered My Lord I am a Christian as you know and haue beene all wayes from a chyld and for all the world I will not leaue to be so I do desire to serue your Lordship in all you shall command me but to deny Christ that way not be and if for this cause your Lordship will cut of my head heere I offer it very willingly and with that he did vncouer his necke All that were present thought assuredly his Lord would haue cut of his head for that in such occasions many tymes he is not Mayster of himselfe but yet at that time he did bridle his passion praysed his pages resolutiō who by that meanes remayned with victory ouer the Diuell and his other enemies and was in more fauour with his Lord and more esteemed of then before Of the Christians of Bungo and of foure therin that gaue their liues for the fayth of Christ. CHAP. IX CHRISTIAN relion did florish very much in the Kingdome of Bungo in the tyme of King Francis both in the number of many noble Christians and also in the many Churches which the Society of Iesus had there But after his godly death his sonne Yoximune being banished by Taycosama all that noble company was dispersed into dyuers places although they perseuering in their fayth were occasion that others where they were did the same The Society in this Kingdome had three Residences in Facata Notzu and Xinga whither the Christians of other places did resort These also tasted of the same cup that those of other places did the Fathers being banished and their Churches ouerthrowne But before they went many came to confesse themselues from many leagnes off and to aske aduise concerning their soules busines diuers there were also although there wanted not some that were not so constant that notwithstanding all threats and intreaties remayned very strong and many thinges there happened of no small edification and worthy to be remembred 2. The Officers ordayned that seauen persons two men with their wiues and three Children should be carried to their publique shame through the streets round about the Castle the space of a league almost And one of them called Benet went all the way disoiplining himselfe and at the going vp of a steepy hill he said to another Christian O how wearisome would this affliction be if we did suffer it for our owne willes or for worldly respectes But our B. Sauiour for whose sake we vndergoe it doth make that we fcele it not To him be giuen infinite thankes for his mercy shewed vs heerin 3. There was made neere the way side a little yard or court and after their passing through the streetes they were put therein and then sackes and cordes and all other thinges being ready prepared they were put into them and bound therein as those of Meaco before had beene and so cast one vpon another and Benet put vnder them all And with a thicke cane in which he had vsed to keep holy water they did bynd and presse his hands so hard before his brest that for a whole day and a night in which they held him in that fashion it was a most cruell torment vnto him he was so much weakned therewith that the officers for feare he should haue dyed carried him he being not able to go himselfe to the house of a certaine Christian where when they had vnloosed him they began to perswade him to leaue his fayth and because he would not they carried him backe againe to the place from whence they had brought him bound and tyed him as he was before and there he remayned in that manner till the next day and then seeing that he was ready to giue vp the Ghost they carried him againe to the same house as before where he calling vpon the holy name of Iesus gaue vp his happy soule into our B. Sauiours hands the 7. of April 1614. And because the Christians should not reuerence his holy body they drew and dragged it to the riuer side there burned it and cast the ashes into the water But a Christian making as though he fished tooke out some of his bones that were not consumed with the fire caried them to Nangasaqui where the Fathers of the Society that had connerted and baptized him did bury them with all reuerence and decency conuenient 4. This Benet was borne in the Kingdome of Izuno in his youth he had been a Bonzo and liuing in Don Iusto his Country he was conuerted to the fayth of Christ together with his Mayster and diuers of his Schoolefellowes his wife children and companions remayning so constant that the officers seeing that in all that tyme and withall their tormentes they could not ouercome them they let them loose and cast them out of the country and so they went to Nangasaqui 5. At the same tyme three other Christians called Clement Michael and Linus the two last being sonnes to the former all substantiall men were much vrged that they should leaue their fayth and not preuayling with them the officers let them alone but soone after there came order from the Court from Inabadono Lord of that towne that in any case they should compell the Christians to fulfill the Xoguns comand whereupon Clement gaue a note vnder his hand vnto the Officers that he and his sonnes wholy renounced Christianity His sonnes when they vnderstood thereof were much afflicted and went imediatly vnto the Gouernour saying That they were Christians and that the note made by their Father was altogether without their consentes and that if he would giue them leaue to liue as Christians they would not make any exterior demonstration of it but if not that then they were there ready to suffer any torments yea and death also for their fayth The Gouernour answered that he had sworne neyther to fauour nor to dissemble in any sort with the Christians yet for all that he would take counsaile and aduise in this busines 6. Not longe after the Officers came armed to their howse and tooke them al three and Maxentia Michaels wife also and his two children and they carried them al to the Castle and there put thē in prison euery one by thēselues alone sparated from the rest thinking thereby the more easily to conquer thē make yeald but all in vaine for they could not ouercome any of them no not euen the little Children Linus Maxentia her sonne Peter were put in sackes and there being peeces of sharp pricking strawes left or put in the sackes as it seemeth to torment them the more one present would haue shaked them out of that sacke in which Maxentia was to be bound but she would not permit him saying That that torment was but very small and that she wished she had many bodies and liues to giue for her God
which they carried to Nangasaqui and deliuered vnto the Fathers of the Society 13. A sister of these glorious Martyrs of Christ that was present at their death gaue notice vnto their Father Clement of all that had passed therein desiring both him and her Nephew Peter to perseuere constant in their fayth imitating so worthy an example telling them withall that if they did shew feare and cowardize that besides the falling thereby into disgrace with God they could neuer after shew their faces euen before men Peter was alwaies very constant and although his Grand-father Clement had shewed fraylty as we signified before now he was very sory for it and asked pardon both of God and men telling withall the Iudges that he was a Christian and desired to giue his life for Christ as his sonnes and daughter-in-law had done but they being satissied with what he had already done gaue him leaue to go at liberty and liue as he listed himselfe 14. I will conclude this Chapter with two other thinges by which al may perceaue the constancy and feruour of the Christians of this Kingdome of Bungo There was a worthy Souldier much importuned by his Lord by meanes of other persons that he would accomodate himselfe vnto the tyme for the present and because he loued him very well and was loath to loose so faythfull a seruant seing others could not preuayle he went himselfe in person to perswade him The souldier vnderstood thereof and leauing behind him his sword dagger which otherwise they alwaies vse to weare he went out of his house to meet him and said My Lord I am resolued not to leaue to be a Christian because I hope in this religion to be saued If your Lordship come to perswade me the contrary it will be but lost labour and if you please you may cut off my head for it and therewith all he held out his necke for him to cut it off And he remayning in that manner a little sonne of his of no more then nyne yeares ould came out of the house and did the same that he saw his Father do and after him his Mother and Grand-mother with the selfe same resolution wherewith the Noble man was so astonished that although he were a Gentill and noted for his cruelty yet did he fall a weeping being ouercome with so great cōstancy returned backe vnto his house though after some few daies for feare of the Xogun he commanded the valorous Souldier to depart out of his Country to the which he willingly obeyed sory he had not obteyned the crowne of Martyrdome going himselfe and all his family to Nangasaqui 15. Another good Christian called Titus a substantiall man was in like manner persecuted by his Lord who seeing his great constancy commanded him to send him his sonne a child of nyne yeares old called Matthew He sent him presently and within two dayes after feigning as though he had killed the child with tormentes because he would not leaue to be a Christian he sent vnto him for his daughter Martina who was of 14 yeares and imediatly he sent her Within a while there came another message vnto him from his Lord that Martina was also put to a most cruell death that if he were yet so insensible that with al this he would not be moued to obey he should send his other sonne called Simon who was 16. yeares old and after that he sent for his wife called Marina and the valorous Christian sent them all most willingly saying that he had rather loose wife children life and all then the grace of God or leaue his religion and his wife and children al of them went with great content to offer themselues in sacrifice The Lord put euery one of them by themselues a part and then set vpon them both with intreaties and with threates but being not able to preuayle any thing at all with them first they powred very could water all ouer Marinas body to her daughter Martina they gaue no meate at all in three daies together and Simon the elder sonne they beat most cruelly and wrong his handes behynd him all of them notwithstanding this perseuering very constant still The Lord seeing himselfe so ouercome sent word to Marina that seeing her Children knew not what religion nor saluation meant she should make them leaue the Christian fayth and with that he would hould himselfe content and pardon both her and her husband She answered that she had offered to God both her owne and her childrens liues and so she could not giue them any such counsayle They had consiscated Titus his goodes before all this happened and for the finall resolution his Lord sent him word by a Brother of his owne with armed men that if he did not desist from his obstinate pertinacy it should cost him his life and one of his sonnes also at least the which was no ill newes to them but rather being much ioyed at the Message they all offered themselues most willingly to loose their liues for Christ but the Lord seeing their valour courage and constancy changed his determination pardoned them and gaue them liberty to liue as Christians Of other three that were put to death for the fayth of Christ in Facata and Aquizuqui CHAP. X. THE Fathers of the Society had two Churches and houses in the Kingdome of Chicuyen besides others which they visited now and then and one in Facata which Simeon Condera Lord of that Kingdome and one of the most valerous Captaines of Taycosama did buyld for his buriall place and another in Aquizuqui built by his brother Michael Sayemon douo both of them great fauourers and patrons of Christianity in Iapone 2. After the death of Simcon Condera Chicuyendono his sonne succeeded in the possession of that Kingdome and fauoured the Fathers Christians much who were many and some of them of noble parentage And although he were much molested and sollicited by the fauorites of the Xogun and especially by Sasioye that he should not permit Churches nor Fathers in his country yet did he still winke at them during his vncle Sayemondono his life who was alwaies a valerous defendour of the Fathers and Christians But after his death when the Xogun and his sonne put the Christians out of their houses and seruice in the yeare 1612. he being much more importuned then before because he would seeme to comply with them and withall conserue the Churches from being ruinated he sent word vnto the Fathers by foure Gentlemen of his house that he had beene a long tyme sollicited from the Court not to permit them in his Kingdome and that he did alwaies excuse himselfe in that his Father was a Christian and had buylded that Church and because he bore them good will by reason he saw they came from the furthest partes of the world for no other respect or interest but only to preach their religion he had alwaies hitherto resisted but now that the Xogun
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
midnight vpō the first of February 1615. In all the tyme of his sicknesse although it were very paynfull he neuer shewed the least signe of impatience in the world nor any feare at all nor griefe to leaue his Wife and Children altogeather vnprouided for and in a strange country but great quietnes of mynd and conformity with God Almighty his holy will 5. Exceeding great was the griefe which generally all did shew when this newes of his death was published lamenting on the one side the losse of so worthy a person whome they entirely loued and whose example if God had giuen him longer life might haue beene a potent meanes for the conuersion of his Country whensoeuer he had returned thereunto againe and on the other side comforting themselues hauing notice of his holy and happy death all holding and esteeming him as a most noble and worthy Confessour of Christ He was buried in the Church of the Society of Iesus whose Ghostly child he had alwaies beene There were present at his funeralls al the Magistrates of the Citty both Ecclesiasticall and secular all the religious men the whole Citty many kissing his handes in signe of great respect and reuerence At the taking of his body out of the house where it lay there arose a pyous contention who should carry his Coffin euery one being desirous to do that office thereby to honor him At length it was agreed that the Lord Gouernour Iudges should carry it vnto the street that then the Citty togeather with the Confraternity of the Misericordia whereof he was a Brother should from thence carry it vnto the Church and that there the Superiors of the religious Orders should take it conuey it to the place where it was to remaine during the tyme of the office of the dead 6. The Cleargy of the Cathedrall Church did celebrate the office both this day and the day of his solemne funerall with great deuotion the like was done by the religious of the holy orders of S. Dominicke and S. Francis in their Monasteries and by the Fathers of S. Augustines Order in the Colledge of the Society they bringing thither to that end such costly ornamentes and doing all in that fushion as might well haue beseemed the funeralls of a King Vpon the nynth day after his death all that had beene present at his buriall returned to his funeralls wherein after the holy sacrifice of the Masse ended was preached a notable sermon of the heroical vertues of Don Iusto whose Exequies they then solemnized to the great comfort and edification of all there present but more in particuler of the Iaponians whereof there were in Manilla more then a thousand persons at that tyme who much reioyced to see those so honoured in a strange country who for the fayth of Christ were so afflicted and persecuted in their owne 7. After the death of Don Iusto his wife Daughter and Grandchildren remayned with a new sorrow and affliction and Don Iohn Naytodono old and sickly with many Children and Grand-children Don Thomas in like manner as also the Lady Iulia with her Gentlewomen whereof we spake in the 6. Chapter all of them in a strange country not hauing any thing wherewithall to help themselues Whereupon the Gouernor Don Iohn de Silua with the counsayle and aduise of the Iudges and others of the Kinges officers at the petition of the Citty and religious persons thereof did in the name of his Maiesty prouide them of all thinges necessary for their sustenance with great liberality during the tyme they were to remaine in that Citty the which in all those Easterne partes will be a great praise of the Christian piety as also of the liberality of his Catholique Maiesty who doth so bountifully prouide carefully defend those that suffer for the only true and Catholique Religion The end of the first Part. TO THE READER I Suppose good Reader now that thou hast read the first Part of this Relation that thou doest desire or expect the second But indeed as yet I haue not seene it myselfe I haue written for it into Spayne vnto my friend which sent me this and I hope ere longe to haue it If I shall vnderstand that by the reading of this thou hast receiued any contentment it will greatly animate me to take the paynes to translate the other when it commeth In the meane tyme accept of my good will and so farewell THE TABLE of the Chapters OF the begining causes and occasion of the Persecution Chap. 1. Pag. 45. Of the beginning of the Persecution in the Prouince of Arima Chap. 2. pag. 58. Of some that were banished others put to death for the fayth of Christ in the Prouince of Arima Chap. 3 pag. 76. Of eight Christians Iaponians that were burned aliue for the sayth of Christ Chap. 4. pag. 102. How this last persecution of all did begin and of the causes thereof Chap. 5. pag. 130. Of that which happened in Meaco and Ozaca Chap. 6. pag. 143. Of some in Meaco Ozaca and Fuximi that were banished for Christian religion and others imprisoned Chap. 7. pag. 164. Of the banishment of Don Iusto Tacayama of other Gentlemen of Focoru of the Christiās of Firoxima Chap. 8. pag. 181. Of the Christians of Bungo and of foure therin that gaue their liues for the fayth of Christ Chap. 9. pag. 196. Of other three that were put to death for the fayth of Christ in Facata and Aquizuqui Chap. 10. pag. 214. Of the great constancy of the Christians of Arima and how they prepared themselues to Martyrdome Chap. 11. pag. 230. Of the Glorious death of Adam Aracaua and of the Christians of Xiqui Conzura Cap. 12. pag. 246. Of that which passed in other places and of the glorious death of Minalius in Fucofori Chap. 13. pag. 270. Of such thinges as passed in Nangasaqui before the banisbment Chap. 14. pag. 284. How the Fathers of the Society of Iesus were bamshed and the Churches of Nangasaqui destroyed Chap. 15. pag. 296. Of the arriuall of the Fathers of the Society at Macan and Manilla and of the notable vertues of Don Iusto Chap. 16. pag. 308. Of their receauing at Manilla and of the death of Iohn Iusto Chap. 17. pag. 339. FINIS
Bonzos which be those that teach and preach vnto them as our preistes to vs be deuided into ten or eleuen diuers Sectes very contrary amongst themselues though the most of them do agree in denying the prouidence of God and immortality of the soule the which they do to the end they may liue with more liberty and more freely giue theÌ„selues to al kind of lewd licentiousnes Besides these Gods som do adore the Heauens the Sunne and Stares others Oxen Stags and other baser creatures Not farre from Meaco they haue a sumptuous Temple dedicated to the Lisard which they reuerence as the God of learning wisdome and eloquence Many there be that do adore the Diuel who doth appeare vnto them in sundry formes and likenesses and makes them considently beleeue that all thinges do depend of him and that they prosper or haue ill successe according to the deuotion they beare and shew to him And in this miserable blindnes was al that whole contry vntil the yeare of our Lord 1549. in which the Blessed Father Francis Xauier a Preist of the Society of Iesus and one of the ten Companions of the holy Father Ignatius Loyola of happy memory who was the first Founder of that worthy Religious Order did enter thereinto to preach vnto them the Gospel of our Sauiour Iesus Christ the which he did vpon this occasion There was in a certeine port towne of Iapone called Cangoxima in the kingdome of Saxuma a wealthy substantial man named Angier who in his youth had committed some enormous crime and finding afterwardes his conscience much burdened and tormented therewith vsed all meanes possible he could inuent or that the Bonzos could imagine to aduise him to obteyne some remedy therefore and procure the peace and quiet of his mind but hauing after experience made of all the remedies that any of the Sectes of his country could affoard fouÌ„d that his affliction did still endure he was euen almost out of hope of euer obteyning ease or remedy vntill it happening afterwardes that the Portugalls comming with some ships vnto Cangoxima to traffique about merchandise were an occasion of raysing a new hope in him for he falling into familiar acquaintance with some of them and after much other talk hauing had by theyr meanes some notice of Christian religion as also of the great Sanctity and holinesse of life of Father Francis Xauier who at that time was famous in all the East Indies thought with himselfe that perhaps by his meanes he might find some salue for the soare of is wounded and afflicted conscience And therupon resoluing to go and seeke him out he left his house wife and family freinds kinsfolkes and country and taking with him onely a seruant or two he weÌ„t with the Portugals after many dangers past at sea of stormes temâ—estes soule weather and the like he arriued at length at Malaca a towne of great trade and traffique in the East Indies and there by good fortune to his great content he found the Father whom he sought and from thence went with him to Goa the chiefe Citty that the Portugalls possessed in all those countryes where hauing found by following his direction as much ease and comfort of his mind as he did wish for and desire and being sufficiently instructed in all the mysteries of Christian Religion he was baptized by him and named Pablo de la santa Fe that is Paul of the holy Faith Hauing thus obteyned his desire and being after some time to retourn againe into his country the Blessed Father Xauier whose whole desire was to propagate the fayth of Christ to the honor and glory of Almigty God and for the saluation of mens soules would needes accompany him carrying with him other two of the Society the one a Priest called Father Cosmo de Torres the other a lay brother whose name was Iohn Fernandez both of them Spaniardes borne and so they all departed from Goa in the moneth of April 1549. and at the end of May they came to Malaca from whence they arriued at Cangoxima in Iapone about the middest of August where being welcommed and well receiued of the freindes kinred and acquaintance of Paul the new conuerted Christian and hauing with much labour and iudustry learned a little of the Iaponian language they began to preach the Christian fayth publikely to all with the good leaue and liking of the Lord or Prince of the countrey who hoping to haue some benefit by the comming of the Portugalls into his countrey was content to giue way to the Fathers and let them preach but afterwardes perceiuing that some of the Portugells leauing his Porte went vnto another not farre off called Tirando in the Kingdome of Tigen he withdrew his fauour from them and by instigation of the Bonzos made a Proclamation that vnder payne of death none of his subiects should leaue their former Sectes to imbrace the Christian religion Whereupon Father Xauier after he had in vaine vsed all possible diligence to mollify the King and suffered diuers incommodities and iniuries with exceeding patience taking his leaue of those Christians that were already made which amounted to the number of an hundred or there aboutes he went vnto Tirando together with his two companions where being now somewhat more expert in the Iaponian tongue then they were before setting themselues to preach partly thereby and partly by the rare example of their liues they moued more in a few dayes to imbrace the sayth of Christ and to receiue the holy Sacrament of baptisme then they had done in a yeare before at Cangoxima Father Xauier did perswade himselfe that if he could get vnto Meaco which was the cheife Citty of Iapon the place where the Cubosama who was then the chiefe King of all the country did keepe his Court that there he might do more good and sooner come to giue notice of Christ and his religion to the principall persons of the Kingdome then in any other place and therefore hauing commended the care of the new conuerted Christians in Cangoxima to Paul the Iaponian and those of Tirando to Father Cosmo de Torres he and brother Iohn Fernandez tooke their iourney towardes Meaco and about the beginning of October they got vnto Amanguchi a goodly Citty at that time for since it hath beene burned sacked and destroyed euen in the hart of all Iapone almost three hundred miles distant from Tirando whither being come they were carried vnto the king or Prince thereof vnto whom they declared in the best manner they could the principall mysteries of Christian religion he neither shewing liking nor dislike of any thing they sayd and afterwardes they did the like in the publike streets and market places of the Citty wherein by reason they were but meanely apparreled according to the custome of religious men and spake the Iaponian language but very brokenly they were not only derided and mocked of all but also iniured and handled very hardly by some
vpon him or at least beene depriued of the more and better sort of them 12. One among the rest named Leon hauing shewed himselfe so constant that he was condemned to death therefore by Arimadono's speciall order because he vnderstood that a friend of his thinking to doe him a pleasure had counterfayted his hande and going to the Iudges therewith assured them therby that he had reuolted from his fayth he tooke foure witnesses with him went vnto the Iudges telling them he was a Christian and that the subscription which had beene shewed vnto them as his was not his but counterfayte and false The Iudges hauing heard him gaue order he should be sent immediatly into banishment His wife thinking that for this action of her husband both he and she should haue beene put to death put on the best apparell she had expecting therein the sentence and execution but as soone as she vnderstood that the punishment of death was changed into banishment leauing of her gay attire and her husband laying aside his weapons loosing all his wealth they departed from their house in poore apparell desirous to loose and leaue much more then they had done for our Blessed Sauiours sake 13. Arimadono at the beginning of the first moneth of the yeare 1613 went vnto the Court according to the custome of Iapone to visit the Xogun for that new yeare and being on the way his Iudges wrote vnto him of the great feruor of the Christians and how that euery day some came before them to make potestation of their fayth and therefore they desired him he would consider what they ought to do therein He answered that for a warning and example to the rest they should thrust out of Arima Don Iohn Tacry n who was his owne great Vncle a graue and aged Gentlemen of great esteeme and a father to the Christians taking from him the greatest part of his reuenewes And that they should depriue George Tefengi who was a very worthy Christian and had beene a famous Captaine about Meaco and banished also from the kingdome of Fingo lost his castle for his consciencesake of al his liuing banish him out of the country of Arima finally that they should put to death Thomas Onda Feibioye togeather with his brother mother and children 14. This Thomas was he that answered the Iudges so resolutly as we related in the end of the precedent Chapter and Arimadono because he was a man of notable courage and valour had giuen him once leaue to liue a Christian but not many monethes afterward he begun againe to intreate and vrge him very much that he would accommodate himselfe vnto the time assuring him that therein he should giue him great content Whereto he answered that neyther in honesty nor Christianity he could nor would shew himselfe disloyall vnto God but yet for all that he still persisted vrging him euen till a little before his departure towardes the Court and was much grieued to see he could not preuaile against his constant resolution the which Thomas wel perceyuing grew more carefull of himselfe and to be in better disposition for whatsoeuer might succeed he made a generall confession of all his life vnto the Father that went secretly and disguised amongst them of whome alwayes when he came to his house to celebrate the holy sacrifice of the masse he receiued the Sacramentes with particuler deuotion and all his discourse with him commonly was what a happy thing it was to giue ones life for the loue of God He vsually did much pennance and gaue himselfe to prayer grieuing oftentimes that he had lost so many good occasions to dye for Christes holy fayth and true religion 15. Vpon the 21. of Ianuary one of Arimadono his Gouernors sent for him to his house and another of them sent for his brother Matthias and there secretly they caused them to be slayne cutting of both their heades they calling at that time vpon our Blessed Sauiour with great deuotion and content commending their soules into his holy handes Thomas was one and forty yeares old when he was put to death and his brother Matthias was one and thirty both of them very well beloued of all sortes of people for their good nature and rare qualities but much more for their vertu and Christianity The Iudges sent word forthwith vnto their mother Martha of the death of her two somes signifying withall that she and her grandchildren must beare them company The which newes although to some it might seeme heauy yet did she receiue it with signes of great ioy and contentment and as though it had beene a message sent from heauen vnto her and giuing thankes to Almighty God to those that brought it her she sent immediatly for her two grandchildren whose names were Iustus and Iames the one of eleuen the other of nine yeares old Their mother Iusta was pardoned her life at the intreaty and intercession of some of her kinsfolkes although she nothing at all desired it it being to her worse then death not to dy in that occasion 16. When her children tooke their last leaue of her they spake these wordes vnto her God be with you deare Mother for we be sent for to accompany our Father vnto heauen both he and we will expect you there She kissing and blessing them gaue them great charge they should not be afraid of death nor shew any signe of feare or cowardize at all Then she and her good mother-in-law took their leaue of one another with many teares ech giuing the other good counsaile and aduise which being done the two little children with their good grand-mother were carried to a place by the sea side which was appointed for their executiō whither being come Iames the yonger of the two remembring the good counsaile that his mother had giuen him did himselfe vncouer his owne necke and layd downe his little head vpon the blocke in readines for the hangman to cut it of then deuoutly saying Iesus Maria three seuerall times the Executioner bereaued him of his life His brother Iustus with like constancy and more then manly fortitude did follow him Then their holy Grandmother Martha a graue matrone of three score yeares and one and the example of al that country of Arima glad to haue seene the Sacrifice of her sonnes and grandchildren for so good a cause deteyned her selfe a good while in her prayers and then giuing to some present certaine holy reliques which she had about her and to others her beades which she wore about her necke and some part also of her apparrell she desired them al very earnestly to pray for her to Almighty God and so falling againe to her prayers she had her head cut of by the same executioner that before had beheaded her two grandchildren Her head together with her bloud was carefully taken vp by the Christians that were there present notwithstanding the presence of the officers who eyther durst not or
to be banished 7. A little after this there came newes from the Court that by occasion of a little Chappell that was built by the Christians for certaine poore leprous persons of Yendo the Xogun was so much offended therewith that after many examinations and other diligences vsed he comanded and caused 28. of them to be put to death at three seuerall tymes they all suffering most constantly so glorious a Martyrdome because they would not deny the Fayth of Christ Eight of them were put to death vpon the 16. day of August and fourteene vpon the 17. the rest in the next moneth following Moreouer he cōmanded that all the Christians whose names were written downe in the Catalogue whereof vpon some other occasion perhaps heereafter we may speake should be compelled to leaue their fayth This newes made great impression in Safioyedono and thereupon he tooke occasion to cause the Martyrdome of those whereof I purpose now to speake to be put to execution Safioyedono when he departed from Nangasaqui vnto the Court at Suruga sent word to Arimadono that it was reported in the Court that he was a Christian and that therefore he did not only not endeauour that his subiects should be otherwise but rather procured that the faith of Christ should daily florish more and more in his dominions and that doubtlesse the Xogun now at his going to the Court would aske him how the matter stood and that he must needs certify the truth although much against his wil which being knowne it seemed to him very likely that he would be sharply rebuked for permtting matters to be in that manner that they were He wished him therefor as a freind to consider wel what he did by reason he perceaued that his Estate vpon this respect was in great hazard and ieopardy 8. With this message Arimadono was at his wits end and almost besides himselfe seeing that it seemed to him he had already done almost all he could against the Christians and for that cause had depriued himselfe by putting some to death and sending others into banishment of the best most faithfull and ancient seruants of his house And thinking with himselfe that he should be vtterly vndone if Safioye did make such a Relation to the Xogun of him as he sayd he would he publickly protested that he had now no Christians in his house and that he therfore wondred very much any such reportes should be made of him When he made this protestation he imagined that none would haue contradicted that which he had sayd and so therby he should sufficiently haue complyed with Safioye But some that thinking perhapps that they had obligation in that occasion to manifest themselues answered him aloud and sayd yea and if it please your Excellency there be māy Christians in your house and those also that are very desirous to spend their bloud for their fayth and religion and there withall eight Gentlemen of the best note and quality in al Arima did manifest themselues for Christians 9. Arimadono was now much more greeued and afflicted then before and caused Safioye his letter to be shewed them desiring them for the loue they bare vnto him that they would accommodate themselues vnto the tyme. They answered him with couragious resolution that in no case and for no respect they could condescend to his request therein The day following which was vpon the first of October he called them all vnto him one by one and very earnestly teares accompaning his wordes spake vnto them in this manner My estate and honor wholy standeth at this present in your handes for as you cannot choose but know I haue many enemies who by this meanes do seeke my vtter ouerthrowe For the loue therefore that you beare me I beseech you make but only some kind of shew before the Bonzo for one day nay but for one houres space that you be no Christians and afterwards do euen as you please To the rest of the Christians you shall do a great good turne in doing so for I with this will rest satiffied and trouble no one man more and if you do it not I shall be compelled to proceed with rigor against thē all And although perhaps it be a sinne you are not ignorant that S. Peter being an Apostle yea the Chiefe of them all denied Christ and yet afterwards obteyned pardon for it much more may you who do not deny him in your hartes nor yet for feare but only make a shew to deny him and that for a very little tyme to conserue thereby a whole Prouince and the Christians therof in peace and quietnes 10. With these reasons and the like fiue of the eight did yeald themselues vnto his will and afterwardes he gaue assault vnto the other three reducing to their memory the many benefits they had receaued of his house and family he told them he meant to do them more and that it was no reason for a thing that might so easily be remedied to put in hazard his honor and estate But they answered him with such couragious constancy grounded vpon solide and substantiall reasons that being out of hope to bring them to his becke he went presently to Nangasaqui to take his leaue of Safioye to tell him what he had done and take his further aduise what afterwardes to do 11. The three glorious Confessors of Christ returned very ioyfully home confessed themselues immediatly with one of the Society and procured to prepare themselues for martyrdome which now it seemed they were almost assured of And vpon the fifth day of October came the sentence from Nangasaqui that they their wiues and Children should be burned aliue The same day in the afternoone it was notified vnto them and a certaine house appointed them for their prison vnto the which they went most willingly without any officer or other person to carry or conduct them thither The names of those that went in this māner were these Adrian Tacafati Mondo and Ioanna his wife Leon Fayaxida Lugutyemon and his wife Martha with two children Iames of eleauen yeares of age and Magdalen of eighteene a very vertuous virgin who with the licence of her ghostly Father and good liking of her parentes had made a vow of her virginity some yeares before Leon Taquendomi Canyemon and Paul Canyemon his sonne 12. And togeather with these did two other valorous souldiers of Christ enter into the prison to beare them company in dying for their fayth although afterwards they were put out from thence with no small griefe vnto their hartes because their names were not in the Catalogue Only there was wanting Monica the wife of Leon Taquendomi with a daughter of hers of nyne yeares old The reason of their absence was because it was reported credibly to her that the women should not be put to death whereupon she and her daughter not without many teares had before taken their leaues of her husband and sōne and they of them but
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
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
he wrot vnto the Xogun how thinges passed in Arima whereupon not longe after there came order from him that Arimadono should go vnto the Kingdome of Fiunga which was but bad newes for him For whereas he hoped with the forsayd deuises to haue gotten a better Estate then that which he had before now he found that it fell out cleane otherwise and it was Godes punishment vpon him for his cruelty against the Christians for he lost his old estate which was very good and the subiects thereof very trusty and faythfull vnto him and that which was giuen him was nothing so but very dangerous and euen in the middest of all his enemies 10. This change and the many misfortunes which happened vnto him in his iorney both by sea and land loosing some shipps with a great quantity of his goodes and some of his seruantes also those only that were Gentills perishing and those that were Christians escaping encouraged them very much seeing how manifestly God Almighty began to punish his Infidelity and that the meanes which he tooke to conserue his estate was the principall to ouerthrow it and that he by whose counsell he had done so great mischiefe and wickednes to wit Safioyedono should be the man that wrought his vtter vndoing and perdition 11. The Kingdome of Biyen and a good part of that of Bungo doth at the present belong to Nangaou Yetchudono one of the most noble and wise Princes of Iapone who although a Gentill yet was very well affected to the Fathers of the Society to whome he and his sonne Naiquidono gaue a house and scituation many yeares ago in their Citties of Conzura and Nagatzu also leaue to preach and make as many Christians as they could by which meanes there were many noble Christians in his Kingdōs He was many tymes himselfe very neere being a Christian at the perswasion of Don Iusto whose most inward freind he was And although he was not so happy as to obteyne it yet his wife Dōna Gratia did as may be seene in the 9. Chap. of the second booke of the History of Iapone This Lady who was the daughter of Coreco Aquehi a great Lord that killed the famous Nobunanga was very wise and of an excellent wit and desired very much to heare the reasons and grounds of Christian Religiō much moued therto with that which her husband Yetchudono had related vnto her thereof but it was impossible that any man should get into her pallace nor for her to go out to that effect by reason that the noble Ladyes of Iapone be very closely kept in her husband was more rigorous in this point then any other 12. Yet so it happened afterward that Taycosama togeather with her husband and all the Princes of Iapone being in the warres of Satzuma in the yeare 1587. she found meanes to go out of her house to see the Temples of the Gentills of Ozaca and from thence she went secretly and disguised with many of her women to the Church of the Fathers of the Society that was in that Citty She tooke great pleasure and particuler contentment to see it and asking many doubtes and questions by meanes of her seruantes because she would not discouer her selfe about the Sects of Iapone concerning Christian religion she not only remayned very well satisfied but also exceeding desirous to heare the sermons of the Catechisme and because she had no other meanes she sent euery day some of the best intelligent more ancient of her women vnto the Church who hearing the Sermons did relate thē vnto her in the best manner that they could All the doubtes difficulties arguments that offered themselues vnto her against those thinges of Christian religion she heard she put downe still in writing to know the solution therof and being fully satisfied at length in all matters God Almighty giuing her an extraordinary light in the mysteries of our fayth she was baptized by a Christian Gentlewoman because it could not possibly be done otherwise that attended vpon her with wonderous contentment to her soule great aboundance of deuotion and extraordinary plenty of comfortable teares And although she neuer had any Priest or other religious person to giue her instructions yet did God Almighty togeather with her Name communicate speciall grace vnto her Her deuotion patience and humylity was extraordinary euidently appearing in all her actions and seene in her letter and messages 13. To the end she might write vpon occasion vnto the Fathers about her soules affayres and vnderstand their letters she secretly learned without the teaching of any both to read and writ after our manner of Europe much differing from theirs She caused some of her Children also to be baptized and fifteene or more of her women and maydes for which she receaued som vnkindnes ather husbands hands who yet when after her death he came to know that she both liued and dyed a Christian although he neuer knew the manner of her conuersion he shewed therefore great fauour alwaies vnto the Fathers and euery yeare did cause her aniuersary funeralls to be celebrated And although he were much molested by the Xogun and his Fauorites and of the Bonzi who neuer left intreating him to haue no Churches nor the Fathers in his Country yet neuer was he moued nor would giue any eare vnto them vntill the yeare 1611. in which Father Gregory Cespules whome he loued and esteemed very much departed out of this life For then vpon his death he tooke occasion to deliuer himselfe from the importunities of the Xogun his fauorites and so he then wished the Fathers that they would go vnto Nangasaqui whither he sent vnto thē the wood of their Houses and Churches not doing the least hurt or domage in the world vnto any of the Christians 14. When in the yeare 1614. he vnderstood how Don Iusto his great freind had left and lost his estate for his fayth religion he comended him very much for it and said If Don Iusto had not done in this occasion as he hath done he should haue blemished all the noble actions of his life For a magnanimous man both in prosperity and aduersity ought still to be the same without any chang or mutation at all 15. He sent diuers tymes vnto Nangasaqui to visit him and vnto a Father of the Society with whome he was acquainted he signified that he was very sory for the Xoguns manner of proceedinges and that Father sending vnto him a treatise in which were answered the false calumniatiōs made against the Christian religion by the enemies thereof he answered that he was well satisfied of all those thinges but that it was necessary to haue patience for a tyme. Notwithstanding all this to giue contentment to the Xogun he commanded that in his Country the common people should be examined as they were in other places among which there were some that shewed not such constancy as they ought to haue done Amongst
the Gentlemē also there were diuers whome he tempted proued oftentymes to see if they were truly firme and constant in their fayth or no and they were of the very principall about him and such as were in greatest fauour with him for he tooke great content to be serued and accompanied with men of valour and constancy as indeed they were for they did plainely signify vnto his greatest fauorite to the end that it might come to his notice that the first tyme their Lord did send a Message vnto them to leaue their fayth and religion he should ioyntly therewithall send some that might cut off their heades or put them to some other death for that they were not willing to shew themselues discourteous vnto him as it might be they might seeme if they came to be questioned about their religion for the which they were resolued to suffer any thing yea and finally to spend their bloud and giue vp their liues Of the Glorious Death of Adam Aracaua and of the Christians of Xiqui and Conzura CHAP. XII THE Ilandes of Xiqui or Amacusa and Conzura are part of the Kingdome of Fingo They did first belong vnto Don Augustino Tzun◠Camidono in whose tyme all the Inhabitants thereof were Christians baptized by the Fathers of the Society but after his death which was in the yeare 1600. they were giuen vnto Ximadono who put therein certaine Gouernours who although Gentills yet did they shew much fauour vnto the Fathers who vsed to visit them now and then for the keeping and conseruing thereof 2. When the newes of this persecution came vnto Ximadono he being then in the Kingdome of Fixen where commonly he makes his aboad he wrote presently vnto the Fathers that he was very sory to heare of that new order made by the Xogun but that he could not choose but be obedient thereunto and that therefore he desired they would depart his country vntill they saw what would be the end thereof 3. Hereupon they al departed soone after to the griefe of the Christians yea and of the Gentills also who did loue them very much But because the Christians should not remayne without all comfort although none of the Fathers could remayne amongst them yet did they leaue with them a good old man called Adam who was the Porter of their house and because he had a sonne that dwelt there in the towne of Xiqui could with better colour stay In Conzura also there stayed another whose name was Soter of whose glorious Martyrdome mention shall be made in the 9. Chapter of the second part of this relation 4. Ximadono sent word vnto his Gouernours that he went vnto the Court and that from thence he would write what should be done with the Christiās but being in the way aduertised how rigorously they were dealt withall in Meaco he wrote againe vnto Xiroyemondone his principall gouernor of those Ilandes and to the rest that they should not leaue one Christian in them vnder paine of loosing their estates yea and their liues also for that the Xogun had so commanded it The Gouernour vsed great diligence in the busines and after some tyme signified vnto Ximadono that there were now no Christians in the Ilands which he did it being most false because he bare no hatred but rather good affection towardes them thought therby to cōply sufficiently with the Xogun to whose command they would seeme to haue obeyed for feare of incurring his disgrace 5. Adam the good old man in the meane tyme went vp and downe visiting the Christians in their howses and animating them The Gouernour hauing intelligence thereof gaue command he should be taken that diligence should be vsed to perswade him to forsake his Fayth He hearing of it lifted vp his handes to heauen gaue many thankes to God and would not absent himselfe as some aduised him but went directly to his sones house there to expect the combat hoping for it afterwards to haue a crowne in heauen Thither came many Gētills that were his freinds to perswade him al they could but he with corage of mind did āswere them in this māner Are you not ashamed to perswade me to so base a thinge for a man of my age and that haue beene so many yeares a Christian Although it were only for worldly respect I cannot now go backe hauing serued the Fathers so many yeares receaued so many benefitts at their handes and I do remayne heere to do my lest endeauour that the rest of the Christians remayne constant in their faith how cā I leaue it my selfe Tell them that sent you and set you on worke that in this only busines I must neyther regard the Gouernour nor Ximadono nor the Xogun himselfe but only God Almighty who is my Lord and Sauiour 6. The same perswasions were made him by all the officers but he being nothing at all moued there with nor seeming much to regard them they tooke and carried him prisoner vnto the Castle vpō the Thursday before the holy Week wherewith he seemed exceeding glad because he said it was so neere the tyme of the passion of his Sauiour and Redeemer The Gouernour commanded that they should put him all that night in the prison and in some paine to see if therewithall he would be brought to change his determination but seeing in the morning no change at all in him he sent for him in presence of other Gentills he sayd vnto him Adam you knowe well inough the great loue that I alwaies did beare vnto the Fathers and that I beare no euill will vnto your religion but it is the Xoguns command and Ximadono hath signified vnto me that he will make me be put to death if I suffer so much as one only Christian to remayne in his Country let me intreat you therefore you would dissemble a little for the present and not to go animating the rest 7. Of your loue to the Fathers said Adam I am a good witnesse and they I know will neuer cease to be thankefull for it But in this matter seeing it is a thing that doth concerne the saluation of my soule I cannot bee obedient to you therein Your worship sayth that you persecute the Christiās against your will only because you would not loose your estate and life and I because I would not loose the estate of euerlasting life am determined to perseuer vnto death in the faith of Christ. If I for obeying you should be damned to the eternall torments of hell fire neyther your Worship nor the Xogun with al his power could deliuer me from them although yee could yet haue I receaued so many benefites of my Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ that I cannot without most base ingratitude cōmit so vile an act as to leaue his fayth Your Worship therefore may do with me as you please for neyther will I my selfe leaue my religion nor yet perswade any other to do it 8. The Gouernour
make inquiry after them Ximadono vsed more extremity for that he seized vpon the goodes and landes of the Christians of Caratzu banishing them out of his Countries And one among the rest who in that occasion left all he had with great courage and content was George Acasioye of whose notable feruour and glorious death we shall make mention in the 10. Chapter of the second Part of this narration Nabeximadono who was the Prince of that country gaue comand that the Church of Fundayama should be pulled downe but towardes the Christians no rigour at all was vsed so one of the Fathers did remayne there secretly visited theÌ„ al ofteÌ„tyms with no lesse labour then coÌ„tent 3. In this Countrey there was a Christian to whose care the keeping was committed of a Church and the thinges therein and certaine Gentills intending by force to take a picture out of it he tould them couragiously that he would sooner loose his head then let it go They durst not kill him without order from the Prince who at that tyme was fart off on the other syde they feared least he would fly away before the answere came The which when he vnderstood he bouldly went vnto them and said Go aske the Prince what his pleasure is to haue done with me and I will stay here till you returne If I fly you shall vnderstand thereby that I leaue to be a Christian which is that which you desire There he remayned expecting a good while at length the sentence came that they should take all he had from him and put him out of the Country and so it was put in execution and he taking with him the picture went to Nangasaqui more contented in his owne mind then if he had carried with him all his wealth and much more then that he had before 4. The third fourth houses which the Fathers had in this Kingdome were in Vracami and Mongui in which places because they were so neere to Nangasaqui there was no other thing done but only preparations made for the generall assault which all did expect would soone after follow Their fifth House was in Fucafori where there was more copious and glorious fruit This towne is subiect to the Lord of Fixen and standeth at the entrance of the Port or Hauen of Nangasaqui When Safioyedono was made Gouernor of Nangasaqui he being very zealous in the superstitious religion of the Gentills and hauing no place within the Citty where to vse his Heathenish rites all being there Christians he caused a little temple which they call Mia to be made in Fucafori whither he went to that purpose as often as occasion was required It greeued him very much to see a Church of the Christians there and he so contriued the matter that the yeare last past it was cast downe without any other domage done vnto the Christians but now vpon this occasion he caused a Proclamation to be made that all should leaue their fayth vnder great paines forfeytures to the which the Christians all with one accord answered that although it cost them their liues they would not do it Whereupon the Gouernour sending for the Chiefe of them gaue them very bad speaches calling them fooles Asses that wheras following the Sectes of Iapone they might saue their soules and ioyntly liue in pleasure prosperity and content yet they would rather follow a hard Religion taught only by a few strangers that with danger to loose their goodes and liues and the liberty of their wiues and Children 5. To the which one of the Christians in name of the rest answered in this manner My Lord the reason why we imbrace and follow the fayth of Christ is because it is manifest vnto vs that in it only we can be saued and not in any of the sectes of Iapone which be both very different and disagreeing among themselues and all of them without any solid ground and true foundation And in matters concerning the gayning or loosing of eternall life it were no wisdome but plaine folloy to haue too much regard to the losse of temporall goodes as all thinges in this world be The Gouernour replyed asking him If he had euer seen or spoken with any post or other messenger that came from the other world and brought newes of another life The reasons my Lord said he are so euident that there is another life and the testimonies and argumentes that our religion is the only truth are so strong that they be of much more force and officacy then the wordes of any Messenger in the world If it please your Lordship to heare the Sermons you shall easily see the truth of the Christian fayth and euidently perceaue the falsity of all the Sectes of Iapone With this the Gouernour growing into great choler commanded them imediatly to deliuer vp to him their Rosaries to whoÌ„ one named Peter answered very stoutly There is none here will leaue his fayth or deliuer vp his Rosary and it for this cause you will depriue vs of our liues we are all ready prepared to giue them willingly And with that he went away Peter his Father in law who was a Gentill fearing lest some hurt would come vnto him for that which he had spoken intreated the Gouernour to pardon him for that he was but a yong man and had spoken rashly without mature consideration and that he would enter into bondes to make him leaue his fayth 6. Peter vnderstanding what his Father in law had done and said presently sent vnto him his wife and children with this â—â—essage The loue of your daughter and grandchildren haue made you promise 〈◊〉 that which you ought not to haue done there therefore I send you them and I without them shall dy more freely and with more content And vnto the Gouernour he sent word that he would not stand to that which his Father in law had promised in his behalfe and that moreouer he was not sorry for the wordes which he had spoken in his presence and because he did expect no lesse then to be put to death for them he therefore for that effect sent him there is sword But the Gouernour dissembling the matter would not proceed any further against him contenting himselfe with his Father in law his word and promise wherby Peter escaped death at that tyme gayning notwithstanding doubtlesse for his worthy resolution great merit at God Almighty his handes 7. At the same tyme and vpon the same occasion there were two brethren named Mine Cosmo and Minâ— Luis who answered very constantly that in no case they would leaue the fayth of Christ the which for so many yeares they had professed And although the Gouernour vsed all meanes possible to make them condescend vnto his will at least in outward shew yet could he not moue them any thing at all they still resisting most couragiously He told them he was very sorry that they being of his name and something also