Christiās and thirty peeces of gold which mount to fifteene hundred crownes Thus was the accuser rewarded but with so many maledictions that euen the Gentiles themselues cursed him for it and wished he might not long enioy it The names of some of the aboue mentioned martyrs according to the order they stood beginning from the Citty 1. Iohn Faramondo 2. F. Hierom de Angelis 3. F. Francis Galbe 4. Leo Taqueua gonsichi 5. Fanzabusi Quaxia 6. Chosaiemon 7. Brother Simon Iempo 8. Peeter Xixabuco 9. Iohn Matazaiemon 10. Michael Quizaiemon 11. Là urence Cagichi 12. Mathias Iazaiemon 13. Laurence Caeuzaiemon 14. Matthias Quizaiem 15. Thomas Iosaeu 16. Peter Santario 17. Peter Sazaiemon 18. Matthias Xegigemon 19. Ignatius Choiemon 20. Simon Muam 21. Dois Ioccunu 22. Isaci 23. Bonauentura Quidairi 24. Iohn Xinocuro 25. Hilary Mangazaiemon 26. Francis Quizaiemon 27. Saximonoia Iinxichir 28. Iohn Chosaiemon 29. Roman Goniemon 30. Emanuel Buyemon 31. Peter Quiheiemon 32. Quizaburo 33. Peter Choiemon 34. Andrew Disuque 35. Raphael Quichaiemon 36. Quizichi 37. Antonio The names of the rest are yet vnknowne vnto vs. A breife Relation of the life of F. Hierom de Angelis and of Brother Simon Iempo of the Society of IESVS F. Hieronyme de Angelis was an Italian borne in Sicily he entred into the Society at 18. yeares of age being yet a scholler he obtained licence to embarke himselfe for the East Indies with a desire to haue passed into Iaponia in cōpany of F. Charles Spinola Eare they arriued into that no lesse dreaded then renowned Promontory of Buona Speranza they were forced to giue back and take land in Brasile where hauing remained some time they tooke their way into Portugall and by the way were taken by English Pyrates and brought into England on the way the ship being in full speedo F. Hierons chaunced to fall into the sea The heretiques made no great hast to helpe him but Allmighty God stretched forth his hand and so ordained that the Father who fell in at the fore-decke passing quite vnder the ship came vp aliue at the sterne and was freed from so great a daunger In England he was for some time prisoner as supposed a Spaniard Thence he was sent to Lisboa where he tooke the degree of Priesthood and then embarked himself for the Indies and remaining in China till the yeare 1602 finally passed into his desired Iaponia After a yeares studie spent in learning of the language he was sent by Superiours into Cami and made Superiour of a house of the Society in Fuximi Here he made his aboade for some yeares taking infinit paines as well in cultiuating and conseruing the auncient Christians as in making new Hence was he called by obedience to Surunga the Courte of Daifù there to found a residence for men of the Society He went couragiously and treading vnder foot all difficulties oppositions he founded a Residence which was the first of the Society in those parts He endeauoured the same ar Iendo But the day appointed for the buying of a house such a persecution was raised that he was forced to retire back to Surunga where he remained till all were generally banished out of Iaponia then by order of obedience he left his Residence and went to Meaco Thus banished with others he went to the Citty Nangasachi and hauing obtained leaue to liue disguised in Iaponia he gaue the bridle to his owne zeale and like a fiery dart passed through al those Kingdoms Prouinces penetrated farther to preach the Ghospell sleighting all paine and perill for so worthy and end Neither was the fruit inferiour to his labours When he went there was not in all those Kingdoms aboue a thousand Christians in Cami but afterwardes they grew by thousands he alone for his part hauing baptised ten thousand in the time of his aboade besides many thousandes more baptised since which may be attributed to the industry of this infatigable workeman who was the first Priest setting only aside the countries of Massamune where a F. of S. Francis Order laboured for a while who carried the light of the holy Ghospell to Fidandono Caguicasu Monganu Nambu Sungara all Prouinces of the great Kingdome of Oxu and thēselues equal to kingdoms more ouer he penetrated into the kingdoms of Yechigo Deua Sādo Masumai or Yezo which is farther then Iaponia He was the first that visited comforted those prime Cōfessours of Christ who the yeare 1614. were banished into Sungaru the last skirte of Iaponia ouercoming all daungers difficulties of a most longe an edious iourney His paines besides those which neceslarily accompany the conuersion of so many may be the better conceiued if you consider the nature of these vast and laborious Prouinces The coldes are intolerable the mountaines frequent and insupetable couered ouer with deepe snowes the waies lie oft times betweene craggy and high mountaines and therfore a Iaponese borne in any other kingdome will neuer come there at least to make his aboade And yet was our Father rauished with this feate conquering with the burning zeale of soules the frozen climat of the country There was a cruell tempest against the Christians in the Citty of Xindai The good Father streight made thither and there more then euer put forth his feruour fortifying them with the Sacraments and other spirituall helps according to their need The Christians might not all goe to him without daunger of discouery and hazard of their liues and therfore in a disguised weed he appointed them certaine place towards the euening where he met them like some ordinary passenger and there sometimes standing sometimes walking as occasion serued he tooke their confessions and gaue them by vertue of the Sacrament force and vigour to stand it out manfully In this Prouince he made his aboade from the yeare 1615. till the year 1621. And then by obedience was commaunded to go to the Citty of Iendo there to receiue the crowne of his labours Here he procured to haue a house though it cost him deare for the paines he tooke to conforme himselfe to the place time and companie so plucked him downe that he seemed quite an other man for whereas before he was fresh and ful faced he nowe became leane and altogether extenuated He remained in the Citty the space of two yeares for the incredible benefit of many Yet could he not refraine from his former missions but found a way into the Kingdoms of Iazu and Cai where numbers were conuerted by the labours of this great seruant of God His zeale was accompanied with many other parts and graces which made him gratious to all With a certaine pleasant affability he came so neere the humours of the Iaponesi that he wonne the hartes of all He embraced all with a smiling countenance and a harto that seemed to leape out of it selfe into others He was often with the sicke yeelding them all comfort and assistance in their necessities Finally to cut of many
yeare 1617 he made his profession of 4 vowes and was sent into Ofu he visited three seuerall times the Christians sent into banishment into Sungaru the last shire of Iaponia He went twice to Iezo and was the first Priest that euer saied Masse there He truailed ouer the kingdoms of Oxu and Deua taking the paines we haue else where specified speaking of F. de Angelis in the like occasion He was the first that resided in Aquita Xemboun where he planted in a manner what there was of Christianity here he had his part of a persecutiō raised against Christiās in which many were sent into banishment who perswading him to retire and to saue himself for the good of many he could neuer be induced to abandon his flock which likewise befell him at this time in the Country of Massamune He was infatigable in aduauncing and setting forward Christian Religion and to conclude he was endowed with extraordinary humility charity affability and other like vertues after 30. yeares spent in the Society and 15. in the mission of Iaponia abounding with merits he gaue vp his life for Christ the 46 yeare of his age In the countrey of Camofidadono one of the principall Lordes of the kingdom of Onu diuers Christians were sent into banishmēt others taken and some also newly conuerted shewed how fraile and weake mans nature is three hundred and threescore persons of age receiued baptisme before the persecution which proued to be so terrible that F. Iohn Matthew Adam of our Society had much a doe to hide his head or find sustenance necessary for life Of the persecution in the kingdome of Deud and the death of three Christians WHilst in the yeare 1623 the Xogun put so many Christians to death in Iendo there chaunced to be present in the court Yoxinobu Xataquedone Lord of the greatest part of the kingdome of Deua who fearing the displeasure of the Xogun gaue order vnto Fanyemon his chiefe Gouernour to make diligent inquiry after such Christians as were to be found in his estate and proceede with all rigour against them The Gouernour complyed so exactly with his charge that in a short space he cast into prison aboue two hundred and the greatest part persons of accoūt The first was a gentleman called Iohn Catauneme who being assaulted with all kind of stratagems persisted notwithstanding so constantly and preached Christian faith with such feruour to the standers by that they confessed themselues for conuinced and kept back from imbracing it with only feare This man had a little sonne of 7. yeares old whom he brought vp in this manner to make him constāt in his faith Be sure would he often say that thou vnder goe any death whatsoeuer rather then deny thy faith one day among the rest eare he was taken prisoner looking vpon his chile well saied he art thou resolued rather to be burnt aliue by the hande of the Iustice then to deny thy faith You Father replied the little one what doe you resolue vpon in the like case Why I would burne saith the Father So would I too answered the child I le try saith the Father whether thou be like to resist when occasion shall require Come hither take this burning coale into thy hande and keepe it till I bid the cast it away The childe opened his hand and the Father sayed in it a red hot coale which the child held in his hand till his Father bad him cast it downe though it had already burnt the skinne and singed the flesh His Father demaunding whether he found it hot One answered the child resolute to let himselfe bee burnt aliue as I am hath no great difficulty to hold a ceale in his hand for so short a space I his came to be knowne of both Christians and Gentills these were confounded and those encouraged to see so stronge an example in so weake a subiect With whole troupes of his friendes and kinsfolke was Iohn Fot Cauas Quiemon importuned for the space of 20. dayes who exhorted him at least in wordes to deny his faith But he true vnto Christ answered he would not doe it for all the gold in the world they called him mad-man but all in vaine wherefore despairing to preuaile with him they let vpon Lucy his wife who no lesse constant would not be drawne from her resolution with the consideration of goods children or her owne life and therefore Iohn being led to prison with his two sonnes she was left vnder guarde in her owne howse together with her lesser children as the custome was in the beginning of this persecution obserued towards woemen of quality One of these called Thomas being vnder age and therfore to haue stayed with his mother vsed so many stratagems that at length he found meanes to accompany his father to prison where he became a voluntary seruant of those imprisoned Confessours who were about some forty in number nor could any euer forbid him this worke of charity An other Christian called Alexius Moiemon being diuersly tempted assured them that not only the whole Citty of Cubota bet neither the Teno Ioxinoba though he came in person should be able to remoue him one inche from his faith He was not alone in this resolution but had many followers of which two were beheaded Lewys Tarogt and Mathew Xichyemon these two were in the seruice of a noble man in Iendo when the Christians were put to death and by him greatly solicited to deny their faith which he not obtaining put them out of his seruice giuing them warning not to goe to the kingdome of Deua but they desirous of a crowne of martyrdome went straight thither and obteined their desire and became with dying for Christ of seruants freemen the 7. of Febr. 1624. A certain young maide called Monica of 25 yeares of age was no lesse molested shee had serued some later yeares the wife of Sataquedone who as is mentioned else where not being able herselfe to receiue baptisme perswaded most of her seruants therunto of which Monica was one baptised by F. Diego Caruaglio Her mistresse though a gentill being sont into banishment for the lawe of Christ Monica was forced to leaue her and betake herselfe to the Citty of Cubota where she had many of kindred She grew so much in deuotion that to the end they might not importune her to marry she cut off her haire to giue her selfe more fully to Christian piety The Gouernour vnderstanding that she was Christian endeauoured by meanes of his owne wife to draw her back but Monica stood it out couragiously till one day the Gouernour in presence of many bid her resolue either to deny her faith or loose her head her answere was by stretching forth her neck and saying that her faith was dearer vnto her then her lise and in the saying her head was stroken off in the Citty of Cubota the yeare 1620. Notwithstanding all the troubles there haue been baptised in this kingdome three
possible are wee but onely foure Christians here where be the rest call them call them and let vs with hartes vnited resolue to stand to our faith when the edict shall be published against the Christians and so he dyed leauing those of that were present greatly enified to see a man both in his senses and bereaft of them esteeme so much his faith and saluation In the kingdome of Iomi hath been the like trouble the Christians of Saoyame a principall place of that kingdom armed themselues with the holy Sacraments to resist their enemies A certaine Gentill inhabitant of the said place and brother to one of the Gouernours had for some time before a desire to be baptized and vnderstanding of the persecution which began hee discoursed with himselfe in this manner If all the Christians be sent into banishment or put to death who shall baptize mee I will therefore take commoditie whilst I may and there vpon went and receaued Baptisme In the kingdome of Fococo the Christians escaped persecution for though they were terrified yet Faxuia Chichuyendono stirred nothing both because he iudged it time lost to goe about to perswade a gentleman a souldier to chang their opinions saying that he that was not constant in the seruice of God much lesse would be true to men and therefore neither he nor other cheife men went about to diuert the Christians from their beliefe A Priest of our Society hath taken his iourney into the kingdomes of Canga Noto and Iucchi there to visit helpe the Christians with the accustomed exercises of the Society The Christians of the kingdome of Quinocuni haue been visited where the Merchants only are persecuted and not the Noblemen F. Iohn Baptista Porro of our Society hath charge of Christians of the kingdomes of Farinia Byten Chiungoco and Schigoco being continually in Mission visiting helping now one part now another with great labour and no lesse fruite The newes of the persecution comming thither the good Pastour redoubled his diligence found them also resolute to giue their liues for Christ and to that end he gaue them the holy Sacraments the effects whereof were such that in their conflicts they all behaued themselues most constantly a few excepted the number whereof almighty God made vp with forty two new souldiers which he called to his side The Lord of the kingdom of Bisaen though he be not contrary in opinion to the law of Christ yet to cōforme himself to the will of the Xogun he ordained that all the Christians should be banished out of his state To which effect the proclamation came out of Ocayama the head Citty of that kingdome and least any mightly close it was ordained that euery one should giue vp his name in a paper setting downe the sect which he professed what Temple of the Idols he frequented what Bonzo he acknowledged for directour And straight all those were put out of the Citty who refused to doe it and by a particular grace from God all as well rich as poore gentlemen Merchants Magistrates or of what profession soeuer chose rather to bee depriued of all things then of God the officers vsed extreame rigour in executing their Commissions turning away euen the meanest pesants vsing al diligēce not only in great townes but euen in boroughes and villages and calling before them the heades of families to iustify that they had turned away all those that were Christians who in great numbers and with admirable constancy went reioycing into banishment preferring heauen before the land of Gayama and Bisem Of which number was a woman of account maried to a Gentill of her qualitie who was commaunded by the Gouernour either to turne her away or make her a Gentill Many perswasions were vsed to this end by all her kindred which she manfully resisted and rather chose in company of her seruants a volūtatie banishment towards Nangasachs though in a most vnseasonable time it being the depth of winter then to liue in continuall danger and occasions leading to perdition A certaine Page was threatned by his Master that he would cut of his head vnlesse he denied his religion the Page in stead of answearing stretched forth his bare neck ready to receiue the blow which yet the Gentill had not the hart to giue but turned him out of his seruice In the kingdome of Farima the tempest was not so fierce yet many were sent into banishment some turned away their seruants and others their very children for being Christians In the kingdome of Bithu one of those few who followed the law of Christ hearing the cruelty of the persecution left a certaine house he and his whole family which the Tono had giuen him saying it was not now time to dissemble He was therefore sent the second time into banishment and hartned all the rest to endure the incommodities which they were liable vnto by proclamation by gathering them together in his house and arming them with spirituall conference and reading pious bookes againsts all future encounters The kingdom of Bingo escaped better thē that of Aqui. One of our Fathers departed a moneth before from the Citty of Firoxima leauing all the Christians full of courage comfort when on the suddene comes forth a proclamation that all those who were Christians together with their wines and children should straight depart the Citty it was executed accordingly with no smal cruelty they being thrust not only out of their houses but of the highwaies and forced in the cold nights it being the middest of winter to ly in the open fields in so much that many fell sicke and some died thereof whose names are not yet come to our knowledge In all other places there abouts the like cruelty was vsed but all shewed inuincible courage many choosing rather to stay thē goe to the end they might be carried to prison and suffer death for Christ. Among many good some also were wanting in their duty of which one coming to himselfe againe writ a letter to the Gouernours giuing them to vnderstand that they should no longer misstake his meaning for that he was now resolued rather to part with his life then his Religion The Gouernours dissembled the matter with him but it passed otherwise with one Francis Ioyama Sintaro The death of Francis Ioyama Sintaro in the Gitty of Firoxima WHilst the Officers wēt from house to house to take euery mans name and beliefe in matter of Religion he Steward of Francis in the name of his Master who then was absent gaue vp in writing that no Christian dwelled in that Pallace which Francis at his returne hauing vnderstood first reprehended his Steward and then sent a note ro the officers ro let thē know his Steward had abused them for that he was indeed a Christian and so minded to cōtinue till death The Gonernours much amazed to see so great constancy in a youth determined to abate it vpon any tearmes First they employed his kinred
his life he was to giue in his last euidence and declaration of his faith he put of his shooes and stockings that so he might goe with all possible reuerence vnto that place where in he was to dy for Christ. Being now euen at the goale where vnto they so willingly made hast the 3 sonnes stoode with eyes fixed vpon the heauens when their Father bad them giue attentiue eare vnto what he should tell them You must then vnderstand said he that you are but earth and that all things contained in this wide vniuerse were created as helpes for man to the saluation of his soule which at this instant you are to offer vnto God who therefore hath created you that he might confer vpon you the blisse of eternall saluation He added heere vnto diuerse other edificatiue speeches when one of the Tonos sonnes a youth of tender yeares arriuing there the officers that he might speake no more tooke occasion to stop their mouthes in such sort that they could not vtter any word The young youth who came purposely to be present at this spectacle was desirous to see how well their Simitars would cut and therfore the officers would not put the condemned persons to death as they were accustomed to doe but in a more inhumane barbarous and cruell fashion to wit taking their blow from aboue the right arme in such sorte that the weapon issue forth vnder the lefte or contrary not vnlike vnto the fashion in which our deacons weare a stole and to giue more content vnto the yoūg Barbarian they tyed euery ones right hand vnto a stake and thus prepared they came forth first Leo and then his sonnes whilst the Barbarous Paynim recreated himselfe with his attendants to see how sharpe those swords or Simitars were which with one blow pearsing both flesh and bones would cut the body from side to side and in an instant deuide a man in two Leo was 60 yeares of age Andrew 25 Thomas 23 and Iohn twenty as well the Father as his sonnes were borne in a part of the kingdom of Bungo called Togi They dyed on the 28 of May 1624 by commaund of Inaba Friocodono Lord of Vsuqui a Principall place of the kingdome of Bungo THE TABLE OF the Temporall state of Iaponia and the present condition of Christian Religion Pag. 1. The exercise of the Christians in prison pag. 10. How the aboue named fifty Christians were burnt aliue by commaund from the Xogun pag. 13. The names of some of the aboue mentioned martyrs according to the order they stood beginning from the Citty pag. 20. A brief relation of the life of F. Hierom de Angelis of B. Simon Iempo of the Society of IESVS pag. 22. How foure and twenty Christians were put to death for the confession of Christian faith in the Citty of Iendo pag 28. Of other seauenteene Christians burnt aliue in the Towne of Iendo for professing Christian Religion pag. 31. A relation of the persecution raised in the beginning of the yeare 1624. in the Countries of Massamune in which aboue 24. Christians were put to death together with F. Diego Caruaglio of the Society of IESVS pag. 32 Of the persecution in the Kingdome of Deua the death of three Christiās pa. 54. Of Christianity in the Coūtry of Cami. pag. 58. The death of Francis Ioyama Sintaro in the Citty of Firoxima pag 68. The death of Mathias Xobora Schizaimō pag. 73. The death of Ioachim Curoyemon in Firoxima pag. 75. The death of Iohn Tananguia Cufroi pag. 76. Of the persecution of Christians in certaine places of the Kingdom of Figen p 86. The persecution of the Christians of the Citty of Firando and the terntory belonging to it in which eight and thirty suffered death pag 95. The death of nine Christiās of the house and family of Gabriel who had lodged F. Camillus Constantius of the Society of IESVS ibid. The death of fiue other Christians in Vsucca pag 104. The death of Isabell Mother of Damianus and Beatrice his wife with their foure children pag. 107. The death of Mary wife to Iohn Sucamoto and her foure sonnes pag. 122. The death of Michaell Iamando Fiemon and Vrsula his wife with three of their children pag. 115. The death of Catherine wife to Iohn Yuqumoura pag. 120. The death of Thomas Mattaicht p. 125. Of foure others put to death for Religion in the Precincte of Firando pag. 126. The death of Calisto Cambo a Christian of the Ilands of Goto pag. 131. The death of Michael Sori and Quinzaiemon in the Ilands of Goto pag. 134. The death of Thomas Nacangaua Mangosuque and Ioseph Gonzalo who suffered in Omura pag. 136. The death of Father Michael Caruaglio of the Society of IESVS and of foure other Religious men of the holy Orders of Saint Dominicke and Saint Francis who suffered for preaching of the holy Ghospell pag. 140. The state of Christianisme in Tacaco pag 153. The residence of Amacusa and missions of the Kingdome of Fingo pag. 155. The residence of the Kingdome of Chigugen and missions thereof pag. 157. The residence of the Kingdome of Bungo pag. 161. The death of Leo Mizaqui Xinyemon and of his three sonnes pag. 165. FINIS
as well in the manuring and fashioning the already Christians as in the conuersion of many Gentils whom they gained vnto God carrying themselues euer with that prudent moderation which was necessary in a tyme of Tempest Among those fourteene Christians which Daisù then Lord of Iaponia banished out of his seruice and Kingdom the yeare 1612 was one named Iohn Faramond rich and noble who three yeares after by commaund of the same Daifù had the ends of his toes and fingers chopped off and a Crosse printed in his forhead with an hot iron with a strict commaund that none vnder paine of death should receiue orlodge him throughout the whole Kingdom of Iaponia This Farramond had a seruant whom he had brought vp from a youth in whom he much consided who degenerating from the exemplar life of his Christian Master gaue himself to play and pastime and other ensuing vices and his money falling short of his designes to make himself rich with the price of iniquity he resolued like another Iudas to sell his Master and with him diuers others thereby to obtaine the reward promised to such as should discouer the transgressours of the law of Xogun Going then to the Gouernour of the Citty of Iendo called Ienoquida Cambioie he tould him that Faramond was neereat hād persisting in his Christianisme with many more and namely the Fathers whom he affirmed to teach and preach the law of Christ contrary to the Edict of Xogun The Gouernour takinge hold of the accusation straight commanded diuers of them to be apprehended who being demanded whether they were Christians all answered with an vndaunted courage Yes He demaunded further whether they knew where they Preacher is kept and hauinge extorted from one by violence of torments the lodginge of F. Hierome de Angelis he presently sent officers to apprehend him but the Father hauing had some inklinge of what had passed had changed his aboade The ministers of iustice preuented in theire expectacion turned their rage against those of the house who would fayne haue satisfyed them with a voluntarie confession of themselues being Christians but when nothing would serue the turne they vndertooke to effect that the Father should be forthcomminge and present himself before the Gouernour with this they departed and the Father soone was acquaynted with what had passed who straight resolued like a good Pastour to deliuer himself vp into the handes of the Gouernour for the safeguard of his sheepe and expose manfully his lyfe for the preachinge of Christ No sooner had he put on this holy resolutiō but straight the whole house burst forth into tears For though they deemed the Father most fortunate in his determinaciō yet could they not but extreamly feele the losse of such a Master and Pastour and the more for that to saue them harmlesse he exposed his owne life Many offered to accompany him though with the losse of their liues and he had much a doe to find out reasons sufficient to hinder their resolution and make them stay behind which he would faine haue persuaded Brother Simon Iempo saying he Would leaue him behind for the stay and confort of those good people to whom the good Brother replyed O Father what meanes your Reuerence to be so cruell towardes me I haue betherto accompanied you and so will euen vnto death and if the ministers of iustice deny me passage take me vnder your arme and carry me with you for neuer was I more desirous to be your Companion then in the act of dying for Christ Well sayd the Father be it so in Gods name And with that takinge leaue of his host he went to those who had beene accused to entertaine him with whom he spent that night exhorting them to dye manfully for the loue of Christ as it after fell out Next morninge at breake of day he departed to present himself with his Companion to the Gouernour who hauing examined them in many points layd them fast in prison F. Francis de Galbe hauing notice what passed retired him self to Camacure a dayes iourney of Iendo and being about to ship himself for an other place was discouered by a spy bound and sent vnto prison with many other Christians some dayes after F. de Angelis The choifest Christian taken in companie of F. Francis was one Hilarie Mongazaiemon of Camacura a man wealthie and noble Being taken prisoner he was assaulted by his friendes and kinred with all sorts of stratagems but all in vayne he resistinge with vnspeakable constancie all kindes of offers yea offeringe all he had in case of death vnto his seruants in token wherof he forgaue them great sūmes of money which they were owing him They demaunded he would at least in this entreamity by wordes disguise his Religion which he disdayning told them That neither lise non limme should make him either in word or deed belye the Fayth of his Redeemer His wyfe being taken with him put on her best apparell which Hilarius misliking told her The best thinges should haue beene left for God but the good woman no lesse generous then her husband replyed in this her intention was to honour God with her best attire in token of ioy and triumph to see themselues worthie of so great a fauour as to be imprisoned and seale his Law with their best blood Persecution was at the hottest in Iendo when F. Francir was taken at Camacura the ministers of iustice broke with violence into their houses sending them before the Gouernour and he layd them vp in prison so that in a short space the number arriued to fiftie The Children of the imprisoned were kept as prisoners day night in their owne houses all their goods being confiscated and consumed by the violence of vnder-officers so that the condition of poore Christians grew excessiuely intolerable The Gentils persued them thrusting them out of doores as persons contagious and dangerous the number of spyes and informers dayly multiplyed There was no sheltring place to hide themselues euen those who had partly yeelded were tormented with the sting of conscience and the feare of being taken notwithstandinge their conformity The ways were full of Officers imployed against Christians the gates watched and guarded day and night in so much that the least afflicted were the already imprisoned all things breeding horrour and amasement to those who were yet at liberty Many now constrayned to sleepe in the open ayre and sieldes not finding any that would harbour them banisht euen from the common Innes and Tauernes whether no sooner a man arriues but he in examined what Religion he professeth and if he proue a Christian he is sent away with a thousand reproaches yea the rigour is such that all the inhabitants of Iendo are cōstreined to giue vp their names and profession in writinge set downe what Bonzo they acknowledge for Master Withal the manner and behauiour of Christians and Gentils are so different and opposit that it is impossible to lye
hundred persons of age Of Christianity in the countries of Cami. IN these countries eight of our Society are resident six Fathers and two Brothers hauing charge of many Christians putting their hāds to seuerall missions of diuers kingdomes as well of Goquinat and others neare about as of Cugoco and Scigeco This yeare eleuen hundred threescore and two persons of age haue receiued baptisme who vnderstanding the newes of persecution made their recourse vnto God more diligently then euer by frequenting the holy Sacraments and other spirituall exercises and in particular by keeping in seuerall places the praier of the quarante houre In Ozaca there was an order that all Gentils who had Christians in their houses should dismisse them where vpon the poore Christians were put to their shifts suffering great extrean ity it being the depth of winter as well in their owne persons as in their poore children not findinge where to shelter themselues and oftentimes not permitted to lodge vpon the high waies for feare of displeasing the Xogun so that they were often constrained to take vp their rest in the midle of the open fieldes exposed to the violēce of extreame cold Their onely comfort was when they met together entertaining one an other as if they had been brothers and drowning their owne miseries wi h comfortable speeches and mutuall encouragements drawne from the person of their Redeemer When they met with any of our Fathers their sighs were a preludium to their tongues and their teares pleaded their cause before their wordes Yet God prouided a houle for his seruants which belonged to one of the chiefest Christians of that citty called Paul whither they all went and were prouide not only with spirituall helpes but euen with temporall For this worthy Paul hauing sent his wife childrē into the country stayer himselfe behind with two of our Fathers he helping to the vttermost of his forces their temporall necessities the Fathers employing themselues for their spirituall good arming them with the Sacraments with exhortations and the like and in particular encouraging them to stand resolutely in defence of their faith Yet they began to feare least the presence of the Fathers should encrease their persecutiō and that for many reasons so that the Superiour resolued to goe a good way out of towne and liue in a certaine little cotrage out of the way A certain Christian called Paul as rich in faith as he was poore in fortunes was extreāly set vpon by the Gentils and not permitted to goe vpon the waies such was their fury to make him deny Christ but he that was accustomed to this kind of sport hauing here to fore been banished for the Law of the true God tooke thence occasion to preach and denounce him with greater feruour In the territory of a certaine Gouernour called Anabu Auagi many Christians haue behaued thēsolues brauely among the rest a certain Physitian called Thomas who hauing been formerly banished for his faith now againe with more cōstancy then euer giuing the nay to his friends and kinsfolke was sent the second time with all his family into banishmēt to shew how deeply the name of Christ was printed in his hart These afflictions endured with all rigour foure monthes and more relenting nothing in the hart of the Citty though somewhat appeased in the Boroughes an Villages neare aboue Certaine Christians of the kingdom of Fococo eight daies iourny from Oxora haue greatly edified the Christians of these partes taking a long iourney to prepare themselues for this persecution by confessing and communicating There hath no wanted matter for other Christians to shew their valour and constancy for those namely of Sachai Fuximi and Meaco where a certaine Gentleman had the greatest parte of his goods confiscated and was himselfe sent into banishment whom not longe after aboue two hundred followed banished for the same cause from Sachai In Fuximi and Meaco notwithstanding the persecution two hundred persons of age haue been conuerted diuers in the afforesaid places gaue back and began to yeeld who afterwards with publicke demonstration of true repētance haue made satisfaction Neere vnto Coquinai the persecution hath caused some losse yet far greater hath been the gaine In a kingdome neere vnto Izzu the tempest of persecution carryed all before it by reason of the neernesse to Iendo yet the Christians though otherwise of late standing resisted manfully many enduring banishment and other calamities A Father of our Society was sent in Mission who gathered together the dispersed flocke a hundred and fifty of age hauing receaued Baptisme before the persecution began Another of our Fathers went to the kingdome of Ouari who set many on foot againe whom persecution had made stagger In a certaine place of this kingdeme called Ichinomiya Almighty Gods prouidence was particular in the conseruation of a handfull of Christians The Gentiles conspired together to worke them frō their faith but they both men woemen and Children resolued rather to dy then doe any misbeseeming a Christian The Gentils hauing tryed many waies to batter the Christians constancy all others failing tooke this as most expedient They sent vnto the Christians all their creditours to exact payment on a certaine day or otherwise to haue them deny their Faith which if they did their debtes should be pardoned them It was done accordingly but the good Christians though poore and labouring men for a great part to holpe out one another that euery one found meanes to pay his debts The Gentils raging here at begā to threaten them death but they more meeke then euer went and offered vp to their Masters all that was remaining saying they had now neede of nothing more since they hoped to dy for Christ. Thus did they conquer and not onely become victorious themselues but succoured also the necessities of other Christians who were banished for Christ which they did with inuincible Charity towards those particularly who had been cast out of the kingdom of Mino many of which had left their houses their goods and all their possessions In the kindom of Xefat the rigour was not so great onely there came out of a proclamation forbidding any one te let his house to Christians About this time there fell sicke in the fame place Cagiuata Fayemone a Christian of account who made knowne in the extremity of his sicknesse how much he esteemed the faith of Christ No sooner was he fallen downe but he called for a Confessarius and in the progresse of his disease all his thoughts were ēploved in making acts of Contrition piery which to a certaine seruant of his seemed excessiue and therefore said his Master was out of his witts but Fayemon answered that he knew full well what he did and that saluation could not be bought with too much diligence It happened finally that the force of his ficknesse put him besides himselfe and then turning towards the standers by he cryed out Who is there what meaneth this Is it
Tacaco THere are in sundry Residēces eight Fathers and one brother with their Dogickes to aide and assist the Christianity of Tacaco and of the elder sort of people a hundred and twelue haue beene already baptized At what time the Christians of Tacaco liued in peaceable tranquillity they were vnexpectedly accused vnto Massura Bungondono for burying the dead in the gardnes of their houses Bungondono was a great friend of all polished neatnes so that incensed with disdaine he commaunded that all the Christians should deliner the bodies of the dead vnto the Bonzi that otherwaise their goods should all be forfeited The Christians vnderstanding therof began to suspect this might be a begining of some such persecution as was already on foote in Iendo wherfore giuing notice to our Father who remained there and disposing themselues diuersly to death which had beene threatned them together with confiscation of their goods they testified by giuing vp their names as they were ready to shew in fact that they would rather die then transgresse the law of God The Gentiles who esteeme the Christians for opiniatres and obstinat people hauing vnderstood here of preuailed so far with the Tono that he should appease him selfe and dissemble the matter notwithstāding those sharpe threats he had published There was a Gentile conuerted by occasion of a Christian child with only obseruing how frequently he would retire himselfe to prayer it soeming to him a thing vnpossible that true safty and saluation should not be found in that lawe which was able to imprint such deuotion euenin little children wherfore he made a long voiage to find out our Fathers from whom receauing such instruction as was necessary he was baptized together with one of his daughters A renegado had adopted to his sonne a little boy which was Christian the child went one day very resolutly vnto him giuing him to vnderstand that he would leaue him the renegado amazed somewhat at this nouelty not reflecting on the Idol he kept in his house which the Gentiles by troopes came to adore asked him the reason therof and the child with great zeale making answer because said he I will not remaine in that house where the diuell dwells And he spoke this with such efficacy that the renegado entring into himselfe rouzed as it were from some deepe lethargy reuiewed his errour and vtterly forsaking all Idolla liueth at this present as a good Christian ought to doe The Residence of Amacusa and missions of the kingdom of Fingo THere resideth in Oiano one of the Ilands of Amacusa 1 Father of our Society who often times howbeit not without great trouble and dannger passeth into Fingo to visite comfort the Christians of that kingdom A certaine youngman hauing receiued baptisme one of the Bonz did complaine therof to his Father with great clamour and contention adding many threates that he would accuse him to the Gouernours but perceaning soone after that the Christians were accorded by common consent to aduenture their whole estates suffer banishment yea loose their lifes if so it should be necessary for defence of the new Christian and their faith chaunged his minde and so the troubles which were begining in that place fell to nothing At such time as one of our Fathers came into a certaine towne to visite the Christians a principall officer of the Tono gaue notice vnto him who was chiefe amongst the Christians that our Fathers might not be lodged and that he should be mindfull there of nor presuine to doe it for as much as he would seuerely punish the trāsgressours of that appointment Whereunto the Christian made answer that he was ready to vndergoe what so euer punishment and that he might therfore do what he thought good The Paynim hauing heard that resolute answer vnderstāding ther by that the Christian was prepared either to be outlawed or executed for his faith passed no farther in the matter Many haue beene confirmed in their faith by occasion of a little child whom one of our Fathers as he was teaching the Christian doctrine discouered to beare continually vpon his naked flesh a horrid rope straight gilded about him to doe as he saith pennance for his sinnes The same Father found also a woman who now for many yeares had abstained from eating flesh in satisfaction of a vow made vnto the most Blessed Virgin vnto whom she recommended her selfe begging by her assistance that she might escape the hāds of the Gentiles with whom she dwelt had obtained the fauour euen when she least imagined Albeit the Prince of Fingo was not very vehemēt in persecuting the Christians notwithstanding one of his principall attendants in absence of his Lord desirous to gratify the Xogun hath caused one Lewis and Mary his wife to be apprehended whom he holdeth prisoners in the Castle of Yassuxiro and vseth diuerse meanes to molest them They haue hetherto remained constant assisted and holpen by F. Francis Boldrino who makes diuerse excursions to succour the Christians of those parts God graūt them perseuerance for they exspect to dy as wel as the rest The Residence of the kingdom of Chigugen and missions thereof THe two Gouernours between whom the kingdom of Chigugen is denided to shew their fidelity to the Xogun first exiled all Christians strangers and then began to put forth cruell edicts against the inhabitants all which the stout followers of the lawe of Christ our Lord haue couragiously ouercome though true it is some few are found who haue fallen off frō their holy designe One of these Gouernours caused to be brought before him a principall and chiefe Christian a man welthy in riches but richer in faith This man being threatened with death in lieu of other answer offered his head ready to the sword wherat the Gentill not a little astouished commaunded for the present he should depart out of his presence admonishing him that he should thinke better and that he would afterwards call for him againe In an other towne they vsed the like threats to an other Christian but not being able to compasse their wicked intents the Gentils hauing sent him home they addressed officers to apprehend his wife and confiscate all his goods The newes was no sooner intimated when that constant woman turning to her husband said there could no better tidings haue beene brought vs wherfore take no further thought of me and forthwith taking her little infant in her armes with great feruour put her selfe on the way towards the Iudges to giue account of her selfe but a messenger met her soone on the way who gaue notice that for the present she was to returne and should be called for some other time and in cōclusion as well these named as the rest of that place were permitted to liue quietly their present resolution giuing a cleere remonstrance of of their future constancy In Tanaca the Gouernours experiēced no lesse promptnesse in the Christians to suffer either banishment or death for many hauing
beene molested none were ouercome and some not to put themselues into further daūger tooke vpon them a voluntary exile where they remained poore in commodities but rich in merits in the sight of God A certaine Christiā comming vnto an other Citty the Christians of that place demaunded of him wherfore he had abandoned his owne Country he made answer that he might not abandone his faith But the Christians inhabitants of this Citty reprehended him sharply and told him to fly was signe of a dastard and therfore that he should returne and if necessity should so require not doubt to spend his life in such a quarrell The Christian hearing this imagining he was obliged to returne without delay made hast vnto his Country Being returned a Bonzio a friend of his had soone espied him and imagining he had renounced his faith began to congratulate the matter with him But the Christians let him vnderstand that he was not only not chaunged but that the reason of his returne was that he might dy in honour of Christ our Lord. Whereupon the Bonzio grew into such disdaine that he swore he would find out meanes to vexe him But it pleased God that all did fade and fall to nothing for the Gouernour how be it he was informed of the whole matter yet he gaue order the Christian should be no farther molested Father Iulian Nacaura of our Society one of those foure Iaponesi who by meanes of our Fathers came Embassadours to Rome to render obedience in person of their Princes to his Holynesse hath care not only of this kingdom but of those also of Chigugen and Bugen It hath so fallen out that in diuerse places his visits hapned in the very time of the troubles and persecution by which occasion he hath suffered very much and his weaknesse sometimes was so great either in regard of the toyle of his iourney or violent oppression of famine that not being able to moue himselfe he was caried in mens armes The kingdom of Chigugen being deuolued vnto the Kings sonnes by the death of their Father it seemed good vnto the Gouernours to persecute the Christians as deeming that no vnsitt meanes to conserue the Xogun in good liking towards their new Lords but the moderation of the officers hath beene such that no great trouble hath befallen the Christians vpon this occasion The Christians of Aquizuqui haue giuen abundant testimony of their constancy A good Christian woman wife vnto a noble Paynim had heretofore beene much molested by her husband but now the rude barbarian proceeded so far as to clap a hote fire brand to her naked flesh vowing he would vse her yet more hardly if she would not recant Yet she not daunted with this cruelty remaines still constant in confession of Christ begging as saith a Father of ours with great instance of his diuine Maiesty that he will not abandone her and the same Father affirmes that she is most ready to suffer all possible torment in so holy a cause At this present Fosocaua Yeichndono sonne to Nangaochayuchu ruleth in the kingdom of Bugen This man is different from his Father and well affected vnto our affaires resembling therin rather his Mother called Grace whom we haue often mentioned in our former histories for a woman of good life and great feruour in profession of our holy faith The Residence of the Kingdom of Bunge BEfore the persecution began there were 44 of the elder sort baptized in this kingdom besides those who repenting themselues ranne back into the lap of our holy mother the church In some of those the iust chastisement of God hath particularly appeared For of many possessed persons diuerse haue beene found to be such as had abandoned their faith The house of a certaine Christian chaunced to be burned and when the fire had consumed all things to ashes he set himselfe to seeke certaine moneys which he had in a chest when the fire first tooke But in lieu of his money which he looked for he found what he sought not for as much as dispersing the cinders to and fro he found three pictures of Sainctes which were glued vpon a bord and yet had suffered no domage by the fire he found more ouer some payres of wooden beades which he knew to be such as had pardons to them he perceiued that others were burned which had not the Indulgēce as he very wel obserued The Christians hauing vnderstood the accident hold those pictures and hallowed beades in great reuerence and are much confirmed in their faith There doe reside in Bungo two seruants of the Xogun for no other respect then only to giue notice vnder hand of all that passeth in that kingdom and the Gouernours are not ignorant here of So that fearing to be accused they haue began to persecute the Christians in such sort that in mans memory there hath not beene the like either for politicall stratagems edictes threates or troublesome persuasions Father Ioannes de Costa to whom the care of those Christians is deputed hath beene so chaced from place to place that not finding any who durst receaue him he hath beene forced to retire himselfe into the furthest and most remote confines of the kingdom together with one Dogicke and one seruant and the persecution hastned so fast after him that it had almost driuen him out euen from those foilorne places But hauing ouercome all that difficulty he incurred imminent daūger of his life through a deadly sicknesse where into he tell as well through the incommodities of his dwelling as continuall and toylsome iorneies to diuerse places in succour of the Christians of whom howbeit some few are reuolted yet far more are they who hauing indured fierce combats for the faith of Christ remaine valiant and vnuanquishable Linus of whom we haue spoken in our former relations after many banishments formerly endured hath together with many other now latly beene outlawed with his wife and Children he hath suffered wonderfull much nor finding any one who would intertertaine him till at last he chaunced vpon a Christian called Iohn Diogo who hauing friendly receaued him and all them of his company into his house not long after was constrained himselfe to goe into banishment for Christ our Lord and trauell through many places not finding any one who euer would so much as lodge him such was the feare and terrour of Xogun his law Yet he endured all with such patience that many vnderstanding what had befallen him left their country of their owne accord that they might not be in daunger to leaue there faith An other Christian called Organtinus of 76 yeares of age and more hath already beene tryed in 5 seuerall persecutions and remained euer victorious This man as an old soldier and knowne for such of all men was in peculiar manner molested by the Tono but all his indeauours were frustrate for this our experienced warrier did neuer shew any the least signe of leuity or vnconstancy whereopon the Tono