people to laughter Euery one was attired in his owne habit with his eyes fixed vpon heauen When the fire was kindled which in regard of the smale quātity of wood burned very slowly so that the rope wher with Brother Lewis the Iaponese was bound being consumed he might haue departed at his pleasure The rest of his valorous associats were iointly with loud voice reciting a certaine deuote prayer and the fire grew to aduance it selfe when he departing from his stake with noble contempt of those raging flames made hast to doe reuerence and kisse submissiuely the hands of the Priests his companions then exhorting with a loud voice the standers by to imbrace the faith of Christ in which alone is true safety and saluation he returned generously vnto the stake againe and leaning him selfe vnto it without any further tying for he was already sufficiently bound in the bands of charity to Christ our Lord he endured without euer mouing him selfe the fury of those flames vntill at length he rendred his inuincible soule to God The others were already so oppressed with the smoke fire which had now taken possession of their mouthes that they could nor as they wished expresse themselues yet should you heare them now and then breake forth in to those sonereigne names of Iesus and Marta whose aide the seruants of God implored in their torments Father Michael Caruaglio for as much as there had beē more wood and a more vchement fier about him was the second who dyed after he had giuen diuerle arguments of his stout courage and extraordinary cōstancy Father Lewis Sassandra a Ioponese of the Order of Saint Francis dyed in the third place He obseruing that the cordes where with he had beene tyed were now consumed by the fire was desirous before he breathed forth his holy soule to goe and doe reuerence vnto the Priests his companions but making assay and not being able to moue himselfe his feete being already burned he remained at his owne stake from whence doing reuerence with profound inclination vnto those two his companions who yet were aliue he dyed with constancy worthy a Religious man adorned with so remarkable vertue as himselfe The other two remained the fire not well approoching to them and in particular to Father Lewis Sotello The executers of this cruelly resolued to take some quantity of strawe and other dry litter and setting it on fire they deuided it into two parts and yet for all this their piles not burning very violently gaue matter of more irkesome torment to these seruantes of God They remained therfore 3 houres in the fire euer immouable consuming away in lingering slow flames after which space of time they ended the course of a combat so much more glorious as it was produced longer vpon the 25 of Aug. 1624 by order of the Gouernours of Omura Nangasachī The glorious champions of Christ being dead that the Christians might not enioy their blessed bodies they burned them euen to cinders then putting the ashes into a sack and aduancing themselues into the wide sea there did those impious officers caste them abroad yea they set some to watch the place where they had suffered lest any bone or small relicke which might be left should be taking away Yet it hath pleased God notwithstanding all the diligence of the Paynims that the Christians found certaine bones and peeces of stakes to which they had beene bound which were taken vp and are conserued A man can not explicate how great the admiration of the Gentiles was and the confusion of some renegados who found themselues present at the spectacle And they confessed all that the ordinary heate which the season it selfe brought with it being vnsupportable they could not vnderstand by what forces the seruants of God were able to resist so immonably the lingring flames of the flow fire Father Michael Caruaglio by nation Portughese was borne in the City Braga he entred into the Society when he was twenty yeares of age and hauing ended his studies of Philosophy he imbarked for Iudia in the yeare 1602 where he both heard and read Diuinity with great satisfaction being 40 yeares of age and some what more he demaunded with diligent and earnest suite that he might be sent into China that so he might passe if it should be possible into Iaponia Hauing obtained leaue he went to sea in a galley together with one more of the Society but suffering shipwrack in their way they landed vpon the coaste of Malaca where continuing the voiage on foote in great penury and want they came at last vnto the Citty of Macao from hence Father Caruaglio by appointment of his Superiours shipped in secular attire for Iaponia in company of some other Portugheses and he was permitted to passe vnder title of an Indian souldier Being arriued at Nangasachi they were all strictly examined he only excepted So that coming to land he procured to find out a certaine Portughese in whose house he made his abode till such time as he was sent into the Ilād of Amacusa to learne the language In that Iland he sundry times fell sick as well for lack of food and necessary sustenance as for the immoderate colds of that clyrnat The ouerplus of his time which was not employed in study of the language he spent in prayer which in a manner he alwaies performed kneeling He would not say holy masse till first he had spent a whole houre either in reading spirituall bookes or meditating by way of preparation in the performance of that dreadfull sacrifice he shed teares in abundance and hauing ended it he would spend an other houre in thanks-giuing He was much deuoted vnto the B. Virgin He disciplined himselfe euery day and vpon the vigiles of solemne feasts twice powring out somtimes by the scars of hat rigorous instrument great quantity of his blood He wore in a manner alwaies a ragged haire cloth sometimes not cōtenting him selfe therwith a frocke of frozen ad hard iron serued him for a shirt He fasted 3 daies euery weeke but on the eue of chief feasts and all the fridaies of the yeare his abstinence was in bread and water only He added almes to his fasting giuing away for the loue of God now part now all that where on he should haue fed In a time of great dearth he sought for almes with much feeling and compassion and hauing procured some quantity he diuided it all vnto the poore and needy and namely to the peasants and country people Hauing learned the language in such sort that he could heare confessions he dedicated himselfe vnto the helpe of soules with admirable seruour till at length in the 27 yeare of his being in the Society the 47 of his age professed of 4 vowes he finished the course of his daies in Omura hauing alwaies led rather an Angelicall then mortall life as was the constant report of all such as were conuersant with him The state of Christianisme in
men and seauen woemen were burnt aliue out of the Citty gates of Iendo towards the East They indured their torment with incredible constancy for onely being Christians as appeared written in a table ouer each mans head Of these we haue not as yet the relation in particular onely we know that one died through the incommodity of the Prison so that there were eighteen in all who suffered for their Religion A Relation of the Persecution raised in the beginning of the yeare 1624. in the Coūtreies of Massamune in which aboue 24. Christians were put to death together with F. Diego Caruaglio of the Society of IESVS THe barbarous cruelty exercised by the Xogun vpon Christians in Iendo mooned al the chiefe of Iaponia to do the like in their seuerall kingdoms F. Diego Caruaglio of the Society was Residēt for the most part in the Citty of Xindai the Court of Massamune superior ouer those who were in the Country of Date or Idate Massamune He made often excursions into senerall parts to heare Confessions and administer the Sacraments vnto Christians there abouts One of his stations was Miuaque a territory belonging to a noble Christian called Iohn Goto knowne of all euen of Massamune himselfe for a Christian and permitted to be so together with his Vassals Hither was F. Diego come to celebrate with all solemnity the fests of Christinas and the three Kinges with their wonted peace and freedome when vpon the sudden an vnexpected tempest was raised Massamune had been present in Iende when the cruell sentence was executed vpon Christians and vnderstanding by a certaine seruant of his there were many in his kingdome of the same profession he gaue order diligence should be vsed to know their number Iohn Goto onely excepted The seruant departed with this order who had already kindled the coales by bidding his master looke about him otherwise he might incure some disgrace No sooner was he arriued to Xindai but he streight talked with the Gouernours about the businesse and the conclusion was that all those that had any rents from the Tono should be cōmaunded to giue vp the names of the Christians dwelling in their extent A chiefe man amonge the Gouernours was one called Moniau Iuami a capitall enemy of our profession and nothing affected to Iohn Goto and therefore with many bitter wordes he laboured to shew that it could not be the intention of Massamune to except Iohn Goto yea rather he was to be the first assaulted if they meant to root out Christianity Which an other Gouernour perceiuing called Ximonda Daisem straight gaue notice thereof to Iohn coniuring him with many reasons rather to change his opinion then vnder goe the danger of death and endanger the person of Massamune to whom be was so much beholding Iohn made answer that he acknowledged great benefits from Massamune but far greater from the handes of God to whom he was more bound then to all the world and therfore withed him to forbeare all contrary pers wasions which could neuer take place Daisem surcealed for the present but some dayes after inuiting Iohn vnto his house he led him into the most secret roomes thereof shewing him with great familiarity all the rare and pretious things he had without so much as mentioning Religion till vpon the sudden there came in the wife of Daisem who turning to Iohn with words full of tendernesse the contured him to for goe his beleef euen by that loue which had euer been betwixt her sonne and him which if she might obtaine she should testisie the greatnes of her obligation by cutting her haire and shauing her head which was the greatest offer she could make But Iohn kept his ground and gaue her a resolute answer that his faith was more deare vnto him then his life and there vpon tooke occasion to lay it downe in such liuely colours that Daisem in a iesting manner saied it seemes he hà th little mind to deny that faith which he endeauorcth so much to perswade vs so Iohn tooke his leaue victorious At his retourne home he acquainted F. Diego Caruaglio with what had passed and from that time they both beganne to prepare themselues for death Iohn writ a letter to the Gouernours to be shewed to Massamune wherein he prosessed his obligations to the Tono to be of that nature that in counter change he would willingly bestow his life when occasion should serue But as concerning the deposing his Faith he craued pardon if he disobeyed being other wise ready to accept either banishment or death from the hands of the Tono for the maintenance thereof without so much as conceiuing hardly or complaining of vnkindnesse The Father likewise prepared himselfe and heard the Confession of all the Christians and to the end his person or presence might be preiudiciall to none he retired himselfe after many teares of compassion protesting he would dy with them for them to a place not far of called Oroxie where being entertained by a good Christian called Mathias Ifiore he made vnto himselfe a little cottage adioyning vnto Mathias howse and there dwelt He tooke him neither Dogicke nor seruant but was accompanied by two Christians who neuer left him till death sent them all to eternity There passed not many daies when order came from Massamune to one of the principall Gouernours cōmaunding him to proceed with all rigour against Christians and namly that he should banish Iohn Goto vnles he denyed his faith The Gouernour vndertooke the charge with no small passion by reason some monethes before a kinsman of his had been put to death whom he could in no wise diuert from professing Christian Religion He dispatcht presently seuerall messengers into seuerall parts of the Prouince commaunding them to send al such Christans as would not conforme themselues to the prison of Xindai there to receaue their deserued punishment At the same time Massamune writ a letter in his owne hand to the Gouernour Daisem bidding him vse all possible perswasion to withdraw Iohn Goto from the law of Christ which not succeeding he should banish him the Countrey Daisem tooke the letter and went straight to assault him with all kinde of praiers promises and perswasions coniuring him to deny his faith at least in secret and none should know therof but only he and the Tono The generous champion of Christ was highly displeased at this proposition and therefore desired him to vse no more wordes in the businesse the law of Christ not remaining in the hart of him who denies it with his mouth The Daisem hauing heard this resolute answer called together all the nobles of Miuaque and the countrey about who layed their heades together and with common perswasions battered for a whole night the constant harte of Iohn de Goto but all in vaine Whilest this was in doing the officers of the Gouernour Suò made cruell warre vpon the Christians as well in the rerritory of Iohn de Goto as in the place where F.
thanks with sweet interchange to God and blessed the houre in which they had been accused then animating by courle each the other they iointly begged forces of his diuine Maiestie for that last combat Hauing passed in this manner their way they came at last to Mossuiema where they both lost their heads each of them being 64 yeares of age or there about Their death hapned vpon the 10 of Iuly 1624 by commandement of Massura Veon and Tobiranga Xirpsaiemon Gouernours of the state of Omura These two seruants of God were borne in Nangaia a faire towne in Omura and had receiued holy baptisme at the hands of our Fathers many yeares before When the persecution began the house of Thomas serued for a Church and his zealous feruour receiuing augment by the increase thereof he intertained not only ours but also other religious that the neighbouring Christians might haue requisit helpe in so needfull a time Thomas was a husbandman but yet rich and wealthy Gonzalus was by profession a fisher man such was his singular zeale that he aided and assisted his neighbours nor only in temporall but in their spirituall affaires he was much giuen vnto prayer penance fasting He fasted thrice euery weeke and thrice enery weeke did he seuerely discipline himselfe He laboured much for the poore and obtained large almes for them he visited the sick with great câ—â—â—ity and helped to the freeing of many from certaine errours where into they were fallen procuring with all diligence that the Christians might often frequent the holy Sacrament of Confession But of other workes of mercy the burying of the dead seemed to be his proper care and peculiar businesse so zealously was he intent vnto that office When it was necessary to the helpe of Christians for our Fathers to passe secretly into any place he would conduct them in his barge and he would be sure they should lodge in his house if it were possible When as sundry religious men were kept for a longe time in durance at Omura he succoured them with many thinges where of they stoode in want and performed his charity with strange demonstration of the tender affectioÌ„ he bare towards Gods prisoners When any would indeauour to get the holy bodies of such as had suffered in defence of their faith they would alwaies haue recourse vnto Gonzalus and aduise with him and he would addresse them to the places keepe both them and the sacred pledges secretly in his house which after in conuenient time he would passe ouer to Nangasachi or whither so euer els is was needfull and he did these thinges so intrepidly and with such a constant tenour of proceeding that there would not appeare the least token of feare in his countenance euen in most perilous times To conclude the whole care and all the thoughts of Gonzalus were only bent vnto the seruice of allmighty God who disposing to reward both him and that other champion Themas euen in this life made them worthy to be enrolled in the resplendent host of glorious Martyrs who haue shed their blood in his quarrell The death of Father Michael Caruaglio of the Society of Iesus and of foure other Religious men of the holy orders of Saint Dominicke and Saint Francis who suffered for preaching of the holy Ghospell PAssing ouer that which I could say concerning the vertues of those other Religious for as much as the relation thereof belongeth vnto others I wil oÌ„ly touch some things which passed in the imprisonement and life of F. Caruaglio and afterward say a word concerning the death of each of them Father Michael was come to Omura to take the confessions of some in that Citty and the whole businesse was now ended with great secrecy when a certaine spy discouered him and gaue information of him to the Gouernour who addressed forthwith officers to apprehend him and hauing brought him to I know not what odde house they kept him there for the space of two daies with a rope about his neck a guard vpon him till such time as they had aduised with Gonrogù Gouernour of Nangasachi to know what should be done with him from whom order came that he should be put in prison with the rest But because this matter is clearely set downe by himselfe in a letter to F. Prouinciall I will therfore relate his owne wordes I came some few daies a goe to Omura to heare the Confessions of some in this place when a spy disclosing me to the Gouernour I was taken by his appointment and being conducted to a certaine particular house I remained there for the space of two daies with a rope about my neck a guard for my custody after which time order came from Nangasachs that I should be committed to prison with the rest but in those two daies it pleased God I should not be idle two of theÌ„ who were put to guard me being conuerted vnto our holy faith In prison albeit the narrownesse of the place was not a little troublesome it being but 16 hand full longe and 8 broad for foure others and my selfe yet I was much comforted as well in regard I might say Masse euery day as also for that I was in company of foure seruants of God of eminent deuotion and very spirituall one was a Father of Saint Dominickes Order an European Priest two were Recolectes of Saint Francis whereof the one was an European the other a Iaponese both Priests the fourth was an obseruant of the 3 rule of Saint Francis these foure so soone as they saw me made hast to embrace me and reioyced much to see me brought thither for hauing made profession of and preached our holy faith Vpon Saint Mary Magdalens day which B. Saint I haue euer honoured as my speciall patronesse began my imprisonment True it is we are restrained with in the close bounds of a narrow place but not yet like vnto our Sauiour Iesus Christ vpon the Crosse Verily I am not a litle coÌ„forted to see that they haue taken no man prisoner for my sake and that they haue not examined me concerning others so that there hath been no man molested in my behalfe it was meete that I only should suffer who am the greatest sinner These were the wordes of F. Caruaglio in his letter to F. Prouinciall He remained 13 moneths in this prison where he indured very much but with such sweetnesse and delight that in a letter which he wrote to F. Procurator he saith thus I was all infirme and feeble of body but much strengthened and recreated in spirit for God the Father of mercy when he permitteth new molestations he addeth new fauours and forces to support them I can affirme of my selfe that I feele great sweetnesse amiddest the trauels of my indurance nor should I euer haue imagined that to suffer for the loue of God had been a thing so full of delight and pleasure blessed be euer his diuine Maiestie thus he The processe of time gaue
still increase vnto his sufferinges but far greater to his charity which in the brest of this seruant of God did kindle a most inflamed desire of suffering for Christ our Lord. Presaging his passage to a better life he tooke leaue of diuerse friends by letters from the prison and I haue thought good to set downe one of them in this place written vnto Father Benet Fernandez out of which it will easily appeard how he did euen long and languish with desire to dy for Iesus Christ. I knew well saith he that I was an vnprofitable seruant that I helped as much to the cōuersiō of the world in prison as out of prison Hence it hath pleased God to shut me vp in this restraint to the end that doing pēnāce for my sinnes imitating the example of these seruāts of God who are in durance with me I may redresse the time mispent and goe preparing my selfe to death which I much desire to the glory of his diuine maiesty in satisfaction of my offences True it is that setting my selfe to a due consideration heere of I am affrighted euen beyond measure but when I afterward reflect vpon that boundlesse goodnesse with maketh the Sunne to shine vpon the good and bad the wicked and the iust I can not but take courage and put great confidence in allmighty God whom me thinks I haue euer at hand hoping he will impart vnto me his holy grace in such abundance and so inable my weakenesse that I may dy resolutely for that law which at this presēt so many valorous champions amidst most cruell torments do defend and of old the holy Apostles haue protected with such aboundance of their blood O my most louing Father how happy should I be to see my selfe consuming in some hidious fire for the loue of so good a God! How fortunate would I thinke my selfe if disioyning limme from limme they would cut shread this body of mine into small pieces in honour of that Sauiour who hath preuented me with so many gifts followed them with ensuing fauours euer induring and bearing with mee who yet knew well my great ingratitude O most louing Iesus what shall this miserable sinner euer be able to doe that may be pleasing to thee By what labours may he satisfy What torments may he suffer to appease thee What gibbets hast thou disposed what raging fires hast thou prepared Oh my deare Lord what willest thou that I do Graunt what thou commandest and command what thou pleasest Now is the time my dearest Father to assist this your vnworthy seruant with your feruent prayers and holy sacrifices that our Lord will giue mee strength in what soeuer he pleaseth that I suffer for my sinnes and graunt me that for his glory and in testimony of his holy law I may endure many molestations yea sire or sword or what soeuer els the enemies of God can inuent to my punishment The world its pleasures riches honours let them by me be all and for euer loathed and let my whole contentment be to suffer for Iesus Christ. So that if his diuine Maiesty be pleased that I pine away in this prison Fiat voluntas eius Or if he rather wil that I liue vntill the day of iudgment in this narrow and forlorne place oppressed with continuall anguish and infirmity I freely offer my selfe vnto it But for as much as they write from Nangasachi that our end is nigh at hand I take therfore with this my last leave of a friend whom I loue so dearly in our Lord as your Reuerence Pray for me my dearest Father and I will euer doe the like for you From the prison of Omura 10 of Feb. 1624. Your seruāt vnworthy friēd in indurāce for his sint Michael Caruaglio Hitherto are his owne wordes out of which may easily be gathered his great feruour and spirit whereof he also giueth no lesse remonstrance in an other letter to Father Prouinciall where he writeth in this manners I vnderstand that in Iendo many haue suffered death for Christ O happy a thousand times ô blissefull marryrs of Iesus who haue not doubted in presence of the Court of Xogun to lay open in apparant view how vniust his lawes are how righteous those of our Omnipotent God for whose honour they haue vndauntedly spent their blood and liues O blisse ô happinesse without comparison ô holy hatred a death so much more fortunate by how much life seemes more miserable to me in this vale of teares So that I am compelled to say with Saint Paule cupie dissolui esse cum Christo O me poore wretch who for that I am a greene them only stored with sinnes am not admitted to those glorious cōbats which God reserueth to his elect Your Reuerence who are my Father and are so powerfull with our Lord God pray for me that he be pleased to looke downe fauourably and cast his eyes of mercy vpon me that as I am imprisoned for his loue so I may spēd my life to the increase of his glory and in satisfaction of my sinnes Thus wrote he in his letter to Father Prouinciall Finally order came from Nangasachi that all the Religious should be put to death who so soone as they had vnderstood the certainty thereof shewed extraordinary signes of ioy Vpon the 25 of Aug. they were led forth of prison all fiue fast bound with ropes about their necks and accompanied with a band of soldiers The Priests went each bearing a crosse in his hand continually fixed in prayers till such time as they came to shippe whither they entered with some few of the officers the rest cōtinuing their iourney by land They were arriued at the place appointed for their death a field called Facò when giuing thankes vnto those who had conducted them for the paines they had taken they went to land and the Priests lifting on high the crosses which they bare in their hands they began to recite psalmes with a loud voice when Father Caruaglio perceauing now a great multitude to be assembled turning vnto them You must vnderstand said he that wee are Christians and that wee dy of our free and voluntary accord for the faith of Christ our Lord. The admirable serenity of their countenances put their ioy so clearly in view of the beholders that amazed thereat they said these men seemed to goe rather to some feast or banquet then vnto death Finally their desired end approching the first who was tyed vnto a stake was Father Michael Caruaglio of our Society the second Father Peter Vasquez of the Order of Saint Dominicke The third Father Lewis Sotello The fourth Father Lewis Sassaudra both of the same Order of Saint Francis The fifth Brother Lewis Obseruant of the third Order a Iaponess Being tanked in this order they were boūd in such sort that after the cords should be burned they might yet be able to stirre themselues to the end their troubled action and disordered motion might incite the