set forth Bartholomew Diazio who Coasting Africa reach'd at last the great Southern Point which indeed was the Work if he had understood it and made right use thereof but there being disanimated by mutinous Mariners and stress of Weather giving a bad Epithet to the great Point calling it Cabo Buyig or Cabo Boyie because there he was stopt and soon after forc'd to return yet his wiser Master understanding it better Cape of Good Hope why so call'd nam'd it Cabo de Bona Esperanca that is The Cape of Good Hope A strange Voyage of a Franciscan Monk But whilst Diazio Rid before the great Southern Cape a Franciscan Monk call'd Anthonio his intimate Friend incited by a strange curiosity Landed there and ventur'd alone to seek his Fortune in so vast and unknown a World I tell this Story though not so pertinent because of the wonder that one Man should be so hardy to venture his single Person to travel through Countreys so full of Heat Drought and Desarts and Peopled with such as he could neither understand nor they him but thus he went not onely through all Africa but a great part of Asia reaching to Jerusalem there paying his Devotion he return'd to Lisbon giving the King an account of his miraculous adventures Upon this the King bethought himself of a less chargeable way than Rigging a Fleet which could onely discover the Coast to which end he employ'd Pedro de Cavillano and Alphonso Payva both skilful in the Arabick A wonderful Journey of two Portuguese as private Pilgrims to make Inspections of those Countreys which were yet to them unknown They first came to Naples then touched at Rhodes after visited Egypt and saw Grand Cair from thence to Jerusalem here paying due Tears to the holy Sepulchre they parted travelling several Ways Payva for Ethiopia where he died and Cavillano to Ormus so to Calicut in India Here he receiv'd Messages from the King his Master not to return till he was able to give him a good account of Africa Thus commanded he ventur'd into Ethiopia where the King of that Countrey became his great admirer much taken with his Person and Parts inviting him to dwell in his own Court and offering him if he would Marry a Lady of great Fortune and Noble Extract From the Emperors Palace he made means to send a Letter to the King of Portugal in which he inform'd him at large both of the Asiatick and African Countreys and amongst the rest described the City of Calicut and gave a Character of the Inhabitants who he said were of a swarthy and of an Olevaster Complexion scarce knowing ought of humanity or civil address unaffable irreligious and ignorant of all Moral Vertue they are proud of going naked from the Middle upwards onely above their Elbows they wear Armlets of Pearl and a Simiter in a Belt hangs thwart their Shoulders and about their Middle they wear Skirts or long Bases of Purple-Silk richly embroider'd with Gold Here the Female Sex are allow'd Polygamy one Woman may Marry as many Husbands as she pleases and those which enjoy the greatest number are esteem'd there the most Noble so there is no priority to their Children by Birth none knowing well their own Father but either they are all Co-heirs or else her Sisters Children Inherit That the Natives of Ethiopia were all Blacks and a kind of Christians but mix'd with an allay of Judaism and Mahumetan and how the Emperor maintain'd a great standing-Army to defend his Dignity and Territories which were very vast Emanuel King of Portugal is earnest to make farther Discoveries of Africa and India Soon after this Information King John died in the Year 1495. Emanuel succeeding him and willing to go on with the Work of Discoveries advised with his Peerage what was best to be done in so high a Concern His Council consisting more of private than publick Spirits who aim at Grandeurs and the general good first looking upon the difficulty danger and great Charge then considering as to the Honor and Profit they had gotten enough by the Discoveries in Africa already and it were meer madness to take upon them more than they were able to perform for sending fresh Ships and new Colonies to Plant remoter Countreys would weaken the Kingdom and disable their Navy neither would these new-found Lands turn to any other account more than to maintain those that settled there these and the like they alledged The publick-spirited Party which were and are commonly the fewest in all great Consultations convinced them in all their Arguments saying That they had no cause to complain of the Honor and Profit which the Nation had already gotten in their first Discoveries but that it should rather encourage them to proceed The King's Treasure being better suppli'd and the whole Nation much employ'd and more enrich'd by this their foreign Trade and should they neglect what they had so happily begun and undertaken they would not onely lose their Expence and Pains but the whole Affair would in time by degrees moulder away to nothing And if we should wave such honorable Enterprises as these who would attempt discourag'd by our example any Business that had the least face of difficulty or danger Thus the business being highly debated the King hearkned onely to those of his Council who advis'd according to his judgment and inclination and with all diligence speedily set forth four Ships well appointed with Soldiers Sea-men and all other Necessaries making Vasco de Gama their Admiral adding his Brother Paulo and Nicolao Celio for his assistance who set Sail on the tenth of June Anno 1497 follow'd with great sorrow cries and tears of the Adventurers Wives Children and their nearest Relations being possess'd with a prejudice that the Voyage was so long and dangerous that they should never see them again Having weigh'd Anchor first they directed their Course to the Fortunate Isles from thence to the Hesperides and having clear'd Cape de Verd they steer'd more Easterly till he lost all sight of Land and lay engag'd in the wide and open Sea three Moneths together when in ten Degrees of Southern Latitude Land appear'd towards which he made with all possible speed and soon anchor'd in the Mouth of a pleasant River where Landing he found some of the Natives whose Hair was short and curl'd and they of a swarthy Complexion were naked who never knowing what belong'd to Commerce nor having seen any Strangers before they made but small Traffick with them onely trucking Spikes and several sorts of Nails for Cattel and Fruit. Gama call'd this Place St. Hellens Bay and the River falling in it St. James River SEFALE From hence having refresh'd themselves they Sail'd on but making little way being ruffl'd often with foul Weather hollow Seas and a contrary Current still running Westward yet at last they reach'd the Confines of Zanguebar which he so call'd from the Name of that Saint and soon after cast Anchor
two Merchants of Tunis one of them whom they call'd Monzaido being well experienced in the Spanish Tongue and hospitable took him to his own House and afterward proffer'd all service and kindness to the Admiral Gama himself discovering the Condition of the Countrey and Inclinations of the Inhabitants Whereupon Gama sent this Merchant with two others joyn'd in Commission as Envoys to their Emperor or Zamarin who besought from Gama that he would permit them safe Landing that so he might present him Letters from his Master the Great King of Portugal which contain'd Matters of great consequence for the general good especially desiring an everlasting League of Amity and Peace How Gama was entertain'd The Zamarin or Emperor at that time resided in Pandarana a small City two Leagues from Calicut where Gama's Ambassadors had Audience and their Request without any scruple or dilatory demurs presently granted them taking it a great kindness and honour that he had made his Address on such an amicable purpose The Emperor also out of meer kindness advis'd them to come to Anchors under Pandarana there being a safer Harbor to protect them against the sudden violence of the Weather and that also there he might the better being so near in Person establish the Overtures of the King his Master And presently after he lent his prime Pleasure-Boat call'd Catuales from Pandarana to fetch Gama in fitting State to his Royal Palace But Gama Gama goes to the Emperor but not without being very circumâ—p ct who by late woful experience was grown cautelous considering the worst of what might happen chose twelve of his stoutest Sea-men to attend him as a Guard and some of his own Boats to wait ashore for his return and left the charge of his Ship to his Brother with Instructions that if any mischance should befall him which might detain him there or otherwise that he should speedily hoise Sail and carry the whole Relation to his Master the King of Portugal At that time these Indians had neither Horses nor other Cattel to carry Men or Burthens so that Gama was convey'd to the Palace in a Sedan In the Way he was met by some of the Emperors Attendance all Cloth'd in fine Linnen who employ'd for that purpose march'd orderly before him to the Palace and then conducting him by the Hand through several Anti-Chambers and Rooms of State The description of the Zamarin's Palace at Calicut at every Door and Entry standing ten of the Emperors Guard He entred at last the Presence which was very large and stately the Floor cover'd with a rich and costly Stuff interwoven with Silk and Gold the Walls hung with more rich and curious Tapestry round about upon ascending Steps on several Thrones all Princes his Privy Council sat The Emperor or Zamarin himself clad in white Cotton embroider'd all over with Golden Roses ty'd up with handsom Knots rich with invaluable Oriental Pearl lay supinely at his ease leaning upon his Elbow on a most glorious Couch wearing a Hat which rather resembled a Turbant of Massie Gold deckt with inestimable Jewels sparkling like Stars a great part of his Arms and Legs were neatly Hoop'd about with weighty Golden Rings which being Buckl'd sat close his Toes and Fingers Were cover'd with Jemald-Rings and Armlets set with Diamonds Near him stood an Officer with a flat Plate cover'd with Betel an Herb which the Indian Princes continually chew whose Vertue keeps always a sweet Breath and better than drinking allays Thirst correcting Crudities freeing the Stomach from all Qualms and the Head from melancholy disaffecting Vapors The Zamarin being of a black and swarthy Complexion his Body tall and burley his Limbs large and brawny for his Arms and Legs were naked shew'd enough in Countenance and Person the Majesty of a King Gama's Discourse to the Zamarin Gama being commanded to sit by an Interpreter declared first the occasion of his Address to his Imperial Majesty that he was sent from his Royal Master the King of Portugal in his behalf with Salutations and to kiss his Hand who endeavor'd being a great Prince himself to make amicable Leagues and everlasting Friendship with all other Foreign Monarchs wheresoever and in the first place with him hearing of his Majesties many singular Vertues Magnificence and Fame spread to the utmost Confines of the Universe he also commanded a Fleet to be Rigg'd and set forth under his Conduct who now having spent much time passing through many dangers an unmeasurable Way toss'd with all Winds on a turbulent Sea at last being happily Landed at this long desired Port and having receiv'd the extraordinary honor and favor of this his publick Hearing and Address he in the King of Portugal's Name humbly proposes what he so much desires that is not onely an establishment of a well-grounded Peace and friendly Correspondency betwixt the Princes but also that his and your People might drive a constant Trade and Commerce which might equivolently redound to the good and profit of both Nations Thus saying with a submiss and comely Posture he deliver'd his Letters written in Arabick and Portuguese with several Presents which though not costly yet their Novelty was such that the Emperor was strangely taken with several of them growing to that kindness thereupon that he proffer'd him all Friendship The Zamarin shews Friendship to Gama promising him of his own accord whatever he desir'd and then being more inquisitive entertain'd himself by enquiring of his King what manner of Person and the like then of his Countrey what and where it was and how far distant desiring to know of his strange Adventures in his so long a Voyage thither To all these he gave him a brief and handsom account which no less pleasing the Emperor caress'd him with a sumptuous Banquet after their manner both Parties being extremely satisfi'd Gama departed The fame of this Negotiation was next day all the News through the City all sorts of People for the most part well approving of what they heard onely the Saracen Merchants who were many and there residing drove a great and profitable Trade from thence to other Parts they hearing of this were strangely surprised being much troubled lest the Portuguese should break in upon them and carry a great part or all of this their rich Traffick into their own Channel nay this would not onely be destructive to their Estates but also to their Religion which is very catching by this means introduced might prove fatal to many of their Souls The Saracen Merchants incense the Zamarin against Gama These upon a double score love of Profit and hate of Christianity to which they bore an inveterate malice the next morning the primest of them gather'd together and went to the Palace with a ready Speech prepared to draw an odium upon the Portuguese who having ready admittance their business by their looks and behavior appearing to be serious and of no small concern they humbly shew'd to
Emperor and all his Train admir'd the Man that so much out-did all the rest especially Nobunanga himself so that he took him into his Service and preferring from place to place he came to great Dignity insomuch that the rest of the Courtiers that saw him rise before them and grow more and more in the Emperors favor spited him extremely their former Love turning into hatred and never rested contriving Plots not onely to bring him down in his Pride and Greatness but utterly to ruine him When an Accident hapned pat for their purpose which they were not negligent to lay hold on and thus it was A very rich Scymiter plated with Gold which the Emperor highly esteem'd being stoln from the Court and much inquiry after his Enemies insinuating whisper'd that no body could steal it but Toquixiro Is accus'd with Theft having as they said often prais'd and taken more than common notice of it This buzz'd about his Greatness having left him few Friends to shake off the Aspersion it was the general Talk and most of them being willing believ'd when an Intimate of his advis'd him to fly for when once it came to the Emperors Ear there was no way to avoid an ignominious Death He being of a quick Apprehension took his Friends Advice and absented but he was no sooner miss'd than his Enemies taking hold of the Advantage made the Business no more doubtful but all were satisfied that he and no other was the Thief the Emperor sending every where to apprehend him that he might receive condign Punishment for his so hainous Offence Whilst he thus absconded in a miserable condition fearing every minute to be taken and so die without mercy he secretly went up and down amongst the Goldsmiths inquiring cunningly after such Plates as those that were on the lost Scymiter as if he would buy such Golden Plates So by great accident he lighted upon them Then with a kind of Authority being a Courtier he question'd and threatned the Buyer who frighted to save his own Life found the Seller and so from hand to hand at last the Thief himself Manifests innocence whom bringing to the Court he was clearly acquitted of all and had the honor to be Executioner himself Cuts off the Thieves Head so cutting off the Malefactors Head laid it with the recover'd Plates at the Emperors Feet who straight receiving him into former Favor still advanc'd him the more vexing those by that means that had so falsly accus'd him Toquixiro at last obtaining to be a Governor Is made a Governor manag'd his Affairs with such Moderation and Prudence that he got the Love Applause and Estimation of all that were under his Concern which straight preferr'd him to a higher Place and of more Dignity ¶ THe Impregnable Castle which held out against Nobunanga and all his Power long after he was chosen Emperor still sallying out with strong and bold Parties fetching in Booty and often doing much damage and mischief round about in several Places now suppos'd altogether impossible to be taken in Nobunanga considering the Activity and Subtlity of this his Favorite he thought once more to Attaque it Leads an Army into the Field So making Toquixiro General of the Forces appointed for that purpose and Commissioning him at large set him upon the Work though with small hopes of carrying so considerable a Business But beyond his expectation and all others that scoff'd at it as a ridiculous Undertaking he behav'd himself so well and shew'd himself so great a Master of Arms that without much ado what had remain'd a Goad so long in the Emperors side and had baffl'd him so oft Takes the Castle of Nangafama he took in Thus the Emperor encourag'd with his Success sent him out against the King of Amanguci whom with the like good Fortune Subdues the King of Amanguci and without any great difficulty he subdu'd Thus being one of Nobunanga's Chief Lieutenants after his Defeat at Meaco being slain in the Imperial-Blood-Grove he took upon him the Authority of Protector of his third Son an Infant of three Years old whom he kept in a Castle shewing him all possible Reverence due to so hopeful and great a Prince For Nobunanga's eldest Son was slain with his Father and the second ran distracted The Deceas'd Emperors Wives Brother call'd Xibatadono being the nearest of his Relations left alive stomach'd much at the Proceedings of Toquixiro and oppos'd him in what he might whom to remove being such a Block in his way he resolv'd if possible to destroy and immediately sat down and vested the Fort wherein he resided with a close Siege Xibatadono finding himself thus suddenly surpris'd and so straightned that there was no means left to escape call'd a Council of all his Friends thus saying You all know our hard Condition and for my part rather than yield to the cruel Tyrant I am resolv'd to end this woful Life by Self-slaughter All my Request is That after Death Self-murder committed by Xibatadono and by all the Besieg'd you will see my Funerals in Fire and that nothing be left of me for that inhumane Rebel to boast of As for your selves make what Agreement you can for the Preservation of your Lives But there was not one in all the Company but approving of his Resolution were resolv'd to follow his Example Xibatadono return'd them all Thanks for their Fidelity towards him But before he took leave of this World he made them a Funeral-Feast loading his Tables with all Varieties the Roofs resounding with Vocal and Instrumental Musique such as the Place afforded Bowls of their beloved Chiaw and Wine still handed about So after they had Treated to the height they rose first filling the Hall with Combustible Matter as Bavins Brush-wood and the like which firing and the Flames at last ascending through the Roof then the bloody Banquet began Xibatadono first fell upon his Wife and Children and their Servants running them through or otherwise mortally wounding them who was follow'd by the rest of his Captains and Officers in like manner dispatching their Relations and Retinue Then throwing their Bodies into the Flames and standing upon them they ripp'd up their own Bowels Toquixiro takes Xibatadono's Fort. Mean while Toquixiro seeing the Smoke of the Castle ascending towards the Sky and thinking that the Fire had hapned accidentally thought to take hold of that Opportunity and so presently order'd a general Storm where finding no manner of Preparation nor Resistance neither at the Gates nor on the Walls entring he saw onely some Bodies not yet quite consum'd broyling on the Coals Which much represented the Misfortune that hapned to the ancient City Saguntus ¶ THis City Hannibal Storm'd in three Places and chiefly against a low part of the Wall which he set upon with several Engines for that purpose But the Besieg'd bestirr'd themselves so valiantly against the Assailants that they made great Slaughter
his then mutinying Spaniards a Stone hit him by chance of which Wound though not mortal he soon after died Francisco Pisaro conquers Peru. Five Years after Francisco Pisaro another Voyager and Conqueror seiz'd a second Empire being the large Territory of Peru in the Name of Charles the Fifth But of this he was not so soon Master spending six Years in finishing so great a Work yet at last he took Prisoner their King Atabalixa who though he us'd him not very civilly brought him the greatest mass of Treasure that ever was heard of in one Booty since the Creation for all the Utensils of the Court from the Scullery and the Kitchen-Boards to the Royal Table were all of massy Gold insomuch that the meanest Private Soldier shar'd no less than nine thousand Ducats besides whatever was embezell'd away Gets an invaluable Treasure Here Pisaro's Part was such an infinite Sum that Arithmetick would scarce find Figures for it the Revenues of which improv'd by Good-husbandry at Use might have made him the richest Person in the Universe and if he so pleas'd he might have easily set himself up a new Emperor had he not been defrauded of the most part of his new acquir'd and vast Riches by Almagro one whom he most trusted and his chief Companion and Confident Spaniards kill one another at Peru. This close Conveyance and grand Cheat of his was not kept so private but Pisaro had intelligence of the whole Fraud and from thence the Difference grew so high betwixt these former Friends that Love turning to Hatred they as Enemies stood upon their Guard In this Contrast and tumultuous gathering of Parties Ferdinand Brother to Francis Pisaro laid a Plot suddenly surprizing Almagro who being not able to make his Defence was slain But Diego Almagro's Son by an Indian Woman being hot upon Revenge like a bold Assassinate stood not to make close Contrivances but at high Noon entred the House of Francis Pisaro and amidst his Friends dispatch'd him And soon after Gonsalves Pisaro's Brother slew Diego who then Commanding All deserted the Emperor Charles the Fifth his Master and assum'd the Government upon himself which he not long enjoy'd For the just Authority of the Emperor being carried on with great Discretion by Peter Gasca suddenly overthrew his ill-grounded Government real Right prevailing over imaginary and usurp'd Regality such Grandeurs belonging only to Princes Thus the Usurper being defeated the Emperor was repossess'd Whilest Castile and Portugal were thus busi'd following their Fortunes and several new gotten Interests one in the East and the other in the West-Indies enlarging their several Territories till they at last began to Clash and Interfere and also the Portuguese then looking with an ill eye on the Golden Fleeces rich and mighty profit that Spain brought from the West the Spaniard on the other side as much grugding and repining at their new and great Trade of Spices which the Portuguese fetch'd from the East furnishing in a plentiful manner all Christendom which turn'd to no less account as they suppos'd than their Gold when also a great discontent and no small difference arose not easie to be reconcil'd The Portugal laid his claim to all new Discoveries being the first that broke the Ice and open'd the way for such adventures and withal challenged what ever was found not onely in the East but also in the West-Indies by his Commission and Patent granted him by Pope Eugenius the Fourth and Sign'd by his whole Consistory But Spain on the other side produc'd other Letters Sign'd by Pope Alexander he Sixth in which his Holiness expresly Conferr'd upon his Majesty in consideration of the Promulgation of the Gospel that might be by his means spread into many unknown Countreys all that lay Westward beyond Cape de Verd being on the main Land of Africa the Meridian of the Isles Hesperides so all on the other side to the South and East he Decreed for Portugal and indeed not improperly because so lay their business and both being possess'd of the same Division before Thus the Controversie being setled by the Court at Rome that Castile might not meddle any further in Eastern nor Portugal with Western Discoveries which both parties agreeing to observ'd the Orders Ferdinand Magellanus Sails about the World Till Ferdinand Magellanus one that had serv'd a long time under Alfonso Albuquerque in the East-Indian Expeditions for which being not rewarded according to his Expectation and as he thought he deserv'd bearing a private grudge on this account against King Emanuel making his Address proffer'd his Service to Charles the Fifth How it happen'd telling the Emperor that if he were pleas'd to Employ him he would undertake without the least breach of his Holiness Commission by a Western Course to find the Molucco Islands and so make him absolute Master of the Spicy as well as the Golden-World He considering the great profit of such a Trade and also by that means to lessen the Portuguese Commerce by taking from them such a yearly Revenue accepted of the proffer and in the Year Fifteen hundred and nineteen set him forth with five stout Vessels all well appointed for a long and new Expedition leaving Sivill he first directed his course towards Brasiel from thence Coasting on till he reach'd 53 degrees Southern Latitude here he discover'd those Straits which from his name are call'd Magellan In the Mouth of these one of his Ships Founder'd striking on a Rock another of his Vessels weary and horribly disgusting the Voyage Weighing Anchor stole from thence by night and ran away directly back to Sivill But Magellanus passing with many difficulties these unknown Straits open'd at last the great Southern Ocean where also suffering much by foul weather he came to the Island Subus where he and several of his prime Officers going a Shore where invited by the Natives farther into the Countrey to a Treatment who having gotten them at such an advantage suddenly expected Feasts Magellane murder'd turn'd to bloody Banquets and there amidst their Merriment by the Salvages they were all barbarously Murder'd Those few that escap'd the Massacre not able to Man three Ships were necessitated to burn one of them being the worst so they prosecuted their intended Voyage to the Molucco Islands here Anchoring before Tedor they took in their Lading of Spice which they so long had sought for And from thence Steering homewards one of them receiving so great a Leak could not possibly be sav'd by all their endeavors but that she sunk down-right with her whole Fraight and so rich a Burthen Of five Ships onely one returns home so that of five Sail that went chearfully forth return'd that being so crasie scarce one which after three years and so long expectation enter'd the Haven of Sivill with a poor Lading of tainted and dammag'd Spices But however the name of the Ship and Master that first of all Sailing a Western Course Girdled the World
them not to be decided but by the Sword and Force of Arms whereupon soon after they engag'd all their Forces that were there present resolving to venture all their Stakes both by Sea and Land Strength of the Netherlanders on Java The Hollanders had erected there two Store or Block-houses one whereof they call'd Nassau Fortifying the South-side of the Harbor and the other being last built was nam'd Fort Maurice On the North-side along the Shore they had rais'd a Platform with Palisadoes to plant their Cannon on but the Breast-work not being finish'd they lay open to the Enemy Also another Eastwards near the City on which were planted two Great Guns and three Sakers The Point of the River that lay North by Fort Maurice was rais'd two Foot high and made defensive with Trenches On this Point also were planted two Great Guns and five Sakers The North-West Point towards the Sea was of the same height as the Palisado'd Platform having a Breast-work of Wood and a Shelter against Rain with seven Sakers planted upon it The other side on the West had yet no Out-works which the Gallery of Fort Nassau supply'd from whence the Soldiers might play with their Muskets And in these Places they dispos'd of their whole Forces at Land Strength of the English and Javanners against the Netherlanders On the other side Jacatra had by this time a strong Wall built of red Stone and a high Tower planted with Ordnance which declaring for the English put it self in a Posture of Defence The English had onely their Store-house and a Breast-work at the Point of the Harbor made up of coyl'd Cables strengthned with Pyles and Earth well ramm'd together to stop the Netherlanders from entring into the Mouth of the Harbor In this Posture and all being prepar'd The Netherlanders fall upon the English the English first gave Fire which was presently answer'd by the Hollanders and so follow'd that suddenly they fired the English Store-house and became Masters of the Entry or Point of the River the Fort from Jacatra in the mean time playing upon the Hollanders which were as they say but two hundred and forty Men whereof eighty were Blacks Ware affbeeldinge Wegens het Casteel ende Stadt BATAVIA gelegen oâ—it groot Eylant JAVA Anno 1669. Aneract Portratura of the Castle and Citty BATAVIA Lying on the great Ilanâ— JAVA Anno 1669. The English demand the Netherlanders Fort. Captain Thomas Dale the English Admiral shot Arrows into the Hollanders Works with Letters expressing That he himself was no way accessary to the Blood which already had been spilt on both sides and also advising them not to deliver up their Fort to the Javanners which being of dangerous consequence to either Party they should do well to assist them with their Additional Defence and so save both Stakes in surrendring to them which if they would not he should do his best Indeavors to save their Lives and Goods from so merciless an Enemy by forcing them to it to which purpose he had already planted sixteen Pieces of Ordnance against Fort Maurice and would suddenly fetch up more from the Fleet. The next day he sent them a second Letter in the same manner promising them to save their Goods as well as Lives and give them two Months time to dispose of themselves and those that thought fit to receive Pay he would List with his own and use them with the like Respect and Kindness as if they were all one Nation Which if they refus'd or us'd delay he was prepar'd immediately to fire his Guns and at once with a general Assault to Storm them on every side Scarcity in the Fort. They had not within the Fort Amunition sufficient for one day in hot Service and the English having a great help by their Auxiliaries the Javanners and also a Victorious Fleet ready at Sea The Dutch being continually upon Duty were weary weakned and disheartned and also a Breach being made in their Works which could not possibly be made up ere they were Storm'd and as he threatned there was no hopes of Coens Return in four Months at least Upon these Considerations forc'd by an inevitable Necessity they thought it best not to refuse the English Proffer Articles on which the Fort was to be deliver'd to the English So they agreed to deliver them the Fort the Guns and what more belong'd to the Defence thereof and to the King of Jacatra all the Merchandise Money and Jewels But the English were to furnish out the Hollanders with a Vessel of two Guns fifty Muskets one Barrel of Powder and six Months Provision that so they might convey themselves to Cormandel In earnest whereof Admiral Dale receiv'd the Governor Coens Houshold-Plate the Fort and all things before-mention'd were to be deliver'd up so soon as the Ship was ready to receive them ¶ BUt just when they were upon Surrendring up the Fort and going from thence aboard the prepared Vessel according to the Articles a wonderful Accident hapned which gave quite another face to the whole Businefs A Merchant one Cornelius Houtebraken having admittance to Vanderbrook their Prisoner whom they had so treacherously seiz'd upon A strange Accidenâ— perswaded Cornelius to go to the Panagran or King of Bantam to intreat him to use what means he could to get him into his Custody and make him his Prisoner which if he did he would nobly requite at their Admiral Coens Return This Account the Merchant giving him and he considering that there might be an Advantage in having such a Pledge as the second Man of the Hollanders in his own Hands bethought himself of a way to put in Execution his Design which was thus Whilst Rama the English and the Hollanders were agreed and Articles of Surrender ready to be perform'd he sent Damagon a Prime Favorite of his with 2000-Men to Rama's Court Jacatra where venturing Damagon sets upon the King of Jacatra and securing the Passages sages with his own Soldiers went and presented the Panagran's Letter to Rama which whilst he was perusing he pull'd out a Steeletto and seizing on him setting the Point to the Kings Breast said Either resign thy kingdom to my Master the King of Bantam or die Rama being astonish'd and thus suddenly surpriz'd willinger to lose his Right and Possession than his Life yielded and at the same instant having no more warning took his Wife and eldest Son and so leaving his Palace and what else belong'd to him went like a willing Exile into strange Countreys where after he was driven to that Necessity that he turn'd Fisher-man going in a poor Canoo to Sea to maintain his Wife and Family Bantamers besiege the Netherlanders Fort. The English seeing so great and sudden an Alteration and the Work carried on so strangely the Bantamers to and about the Hollanders Fort and Vander Brook rescu'd and carried from thence to Bantam they plainly and evidently perceiv'd to their
the appointed Time none should dare presume thenceforth to worship any other God than that his Image in the Temple within the City Anzuquiama because he was Created by Heaven and Earth A great resort of People to Meaco This being Proclaim'd through all the Empire the great City Meaco was much too little for so vast a Concourse of People that in throngs flock'd daily thither So that several Leagues were taken up round about the City for the Entertainment of these mighty Multitudes the Town being first cramm'd up and many forc'd to ly aboard their Ships A new Idol Xantai On the Day of Celebration the young Prince Nobunanga's Son first began the Ceremony prostrating himself in a devout manner before the new Image Xantai After in order the Kings Princes and Nobles and other Eminent Persons in their respective Degrees At which time appear'd to their great amazement a wonderful Prodigy a Blazing Comet and also at Noon-day Fire falling from Heaven seeming to signifie sudden and sad Misfortunes all threatning and impending over the Head of Nobunanga A Temple and Idol at Dubo About a Mile from Meaco in the Village Dubo Nobunanga also built a fair Temple in which he set up an Image intended for his own and to the Life resembling himself The Idol sits Cross-legg'd in the middle of a Pedestal rais'd with broad Margins curiously Ingraven his Hands lying upon his Belly About his Neck hangs flying a loose Scarf Chains of precious Gems and Jewels adorn his Breast and Bosom and a tripple Chain of Pearl about his Neck Waste and Belly But the greatest Ornament was the Illustrious Crown which impalled his Head which thus Nobunanga made himself Master on MIAKO Thus they destroy'd the whole Royal Family onely preserving Cubo his younger Brother because he had taken the Order of Priesthood and that they might not suspect him hereafter they ty'd him with a Sacerdotal Vow and oblig'd him by the like Religious Promises but he by this means making his Escape he secretly convey'd himself to Vatadomo Governor of Loca who receiv'd him very courteously and perswaded to his assistance Nubunanga King of Boari who joyning together brought an Army of sixty thousand Men into the Field against the Emperors Murderers who finding themselves not able to resist they freely resign'd some of the prime Abettors being punish'd he in stead of putting in the next of Blood made himself absolute Master of the City and Castle of Meaco re-edifying the burnt Palace Meaco taken and the burut Palace re-built which for the sudden perfecting he neither spar'd Cost nor Labor employing fifteen thousand Men daily at Work and going up and down with a drawn Scymiter that none might be idle or lose any time where he cut off a Carpenter's Head for lifting up the Vail of a Woman by chance then passing by At last Nubunanga went on so victoriously that in short time he conquer'd and brought under his subjection thirty several Kingdoms also making himself Master of Cubo setting the Imperial Crown upon his Head as a Trophy of his Victories and afterwards put the same upon his new Idol in Dubo which represented him to the life that so he might whilst living be worshipp'd as a god to which end he wanted not store of Sycophant Courtiers and other City Flatterers that held him up in this his vanity making him believe That nothing could be more just and honorable for a Person that had perform'd such wondrous Acts and made so many Conquests by his Prudence sole Conduct and Valor But others resented hainously this his vain Imagination and proud Design not but that several Princes they had themselves deifi'd for their worthy Actions after they were deceased but that his ambition should aspire so high to be both God and Man at once and whilst he was yet living and subject to all mortal frailties he should blasphemiously presume to take place among the gods and receive Offerings and Sacrifice onely fit for Immortals and the ever blest unless said they we should make him a god for his Cruelty his Promise-breaking and Perjury for whatsoever Countreys were surrendred to him trusting in the Honor of a Prince his Oaths and Clemency he put without mercy to the Sword as if he had taken them by Storm and entred by violence But more than any King Aquechi being a bold and high-spirited Prince chaf'd and storm'd and would not sit down tamely and talk onely of this his prophane arrogance though he had oblig'd him with many great favors and bounty making him King of Tango and General over his whole Army yet in such a Point as this the honor of Religion and the true Worship of their ever just gods at the stake therefore converting the Emperors whole Forces against him he march'd up to Meaco the two and twentieth of June Anno 1582. The Prince Aquechi flays Nubunanga Nubunanga being thus suddenly surpris'd and beleaguer'd with his own Forces had no way to attempt his Escape but being follow'd close by the Enemy he was after some resistance slain in the Wood near the River of Meaco which from thence receiv'd the denomination of The Imperial Blood-Grove Revenues of the Temple at Dubo The Temple which he erected in the Village Dubo hath a Revenue of two hundred thousand Tail of Silver yearly every Japan Tail reckon'd to be five Shillings Sterling But now we will return again to Meaco Description of the City Meaco ¶ ON the side of this Imperial City is the great Mountain Duboyamma which runs to Iondo at whose Foot stands the Village Dubo adorn'd with the stately Temple erected there by Nobunanga whose lofty Roof is seen in some Places above the shading Trees The Idol Xaca at Dubo Within stands the great Idol Xaca taken for the chiefest in Japan for which cause the Temple is constantly Lockt up except at one time in the year when it is open'd with great Ceremony and entred first by that Order of Priesthood call'd Foquexus Several Opinions of the Japanners concerning their Religion ¶ THe Japanners differ so much in their Opinions in matters of Religion that they may be divided into three principal Sects which branch into many The Sect Xenxus The first call'd Xenxus acknowledge the Life to come a Reward for the Good and Punishment for all Evil doers The Bonzi are of this Opinion and chiefly shew great Reverence to their Idol Chamis The Idol Chamis for whose honor they have Founded several Temples and use his Name upon all serious Matters or when they take the Oath of Allegiance to their Emperor To him they bring several Offerings praying him either to remove those troubles which are upon them or else to grant them a victorious and happy success in all their Enterprises Pythagorea◠Doctrine embraced in Japan The second Perswasion allow also of the immortality of the Soul but according to Pythagoras That the Soul should be transmigrated
that Village in his Journey to Jedo after he had presented the Emperor Goysssio Samma with several things and treated with him about permitting the Hollanders to Trade in Japan Spex's Journey from Meaco to Surungo and Jedo Ambassador Spex entring Meaco the tenth of August Anno 1611. receiv'd ten of the Emperor's Horses and a Present from the Governor Itakara Froymondonne thence Riding on seven Leagues farther he rested one Night in Cusatz the next Day Dining in Sutsifama Sutsifamme in the Evening he arriv'd at Sesquinoso travelling from thence the next Morning to Jokeitz and Ferrying over the Bay which washes Mia about Sun-set having that day suffer'd much by the extreme heat of the Sun insomuch that one of his Train died thereof by the way they entred Naromi where he order'd him to be interr'd Then Riding through Occosacca to Josinda they posted to Futsigeda and Merico and towards Evening came to Surunga Makes his arrival known in Surunga The arrival of the Netherlands Ambassadors Spex and Peter Segerszoon was immediately made known to the chief of his Imperial Majesty's Council being Cosequidonne and Ikoto Siosabrandonne with entreaties that they might be permitted so soon as possible to the Presence and Audience of the Emperor The Ambassadors receiv'd in answer That they were heartily welcom from so far a Countrey and troublesom a Way through which they had travell'd thither and without all peradventure their arrival would be very acceptable to the Emperor to which end they would prepare all things in readiness against the next Morning for their Audience Which Cosequidonne perform'd bringing the Netherlanders the next Day to the Imperial Palace but could not be admitted the Emperor being busied receiving and looking over some grand Accounts of his Vice-Roys so that they were forc'd to stay and wait his leisure What happen'd to the Portuguese Ambassador before the Emperor Where whilst they tarried they nnderstood something of the business of the Spanish Ambassador who had been newly dispatch'd from thence before their coming who had first address'd himself in Person and afterward in Writing to his Majesties chief Councellor Cosequidonne and when he was presented to the Emperor humbly he laid his Presents down before him on his Throne near his Footstool being ten Pieces of Cloth of Gold Tissue a Golden Bowl and a Watch which the Emperor receiv'd but the Ambassador his Majesty not replying a word in answer to his Addresses was commanded to withdraw notwithstanding he entred the Court with a stately Train he himself richly Habited wearing a Gold Chain about his Neck His business to the Emperor was to excuse the death of the Japanners three years before condemn'd to die at Maccau also to make a Complaint of a great Spanish Carvil burnt at Nangesaque by which some lost above ten hundred thousand Ducats laying the whole blame upon the Emperors Officers there The Emperor's Answer Soon after the Great Minister of State Cosequidonne answer'd him That the Sea-men and chiefly the Captain and his Officers refus'd to take any Cognisance or give them any answer in point of satisfaction concerning the inhumane Murder of his Imperial Majesties Subjects in Maccau which plainly evidenc'd that where they were able they minded neither Right nor Justice but did then and would hereafter when they could carry all other Transactions before them by force and violence and that the Captains surly and stubborn answers so opposite to the Laws of all Nations shewing such a sleight respect to his Imperial Majesties Demands without granting the least redress forc'd his Majesty to take satisfaction by retaliation therefore where the Sword of Justice would not reach he made up his Audits by Fire burning their Ship Errors committed by the Castilian Ambassador before the Emperor Many Errors did the Spaniard commit in this his Embassy first in visiting the young Prince at Jedo before the Emperor then entring the City Surunga with forty Musqueteers and flourishing the Spanish Colours firing his Musquets sounding Trumpets and beating of Drums at the end of every Street The like folly he committed in his Speech to the Emperor making these four Propositions First That the Castilians should have free liberty according to their manner in any or all of his Majesties Ports and Harbors Secondly To Trade in all Maritim Parts of his Empire Thirdly That the Emperor should absolutely prohibit the Hollanders from trafficking in any of his Dominions to which purpose his Royal Master the King of Spain would be ready with a strong Fleet to joyn in his Assistance utterly to drive them from his Imperial Territories Lastly That the Castilians should not by any of his Subjects be obstructed in their Trade but to have egress and regress to what Towns and Markets soever to sell their own and buy the Countrey Commodities These were the Proposals he deliver'd first by word of Mouth and afterwards in Writing waiting five days in Surunga ere he deliver'd this his Message to the Emperor and before he went away the Gifts which he had presented to the Minister of State Cosequidonne were returne'd Spex and Segerszoon are appointed to come before the Emperor But whilst the Ambassadors Spex and Segerszoon attended some hours in the Court Cosequidonne sent them word That the Emperor could not give them Audience that day he being busie about other Dispatches but to morrow he would use his utmost endeavor to bring them to a Hearing so the following part of the day the Ambassadors spent in addressing themselves to the High Treasurer Ohoto Sionsabradonne a Person lookt very much upon for his great Prudence Presents given by Spex to the Emperors Privy-Council Affability and his endearing Conversation whom they presented with whole Pieces of Scarlet fine Damask-Linnen and several other Stuffs with many curious Flasks a Carbyne and a Powder-horn which he accepted shewing great civility and kindness proffering them his assistance in what ere he could and the rather because he had lately heard as he said that a Peace was concluded betwixt the King of Spain and the United Provinces for twelve years for before the Hollanders in time of War lookt more after Spanish Prizes then full freighting of their Vessels with such Merchandise as was proper for their Countrey which now he hop'd they would do Moreover they visited also the chief Minister of State Cosequidonne to whom they presented Gifts no way inferior to the foremention'd but he modestly refusing told them That they must needs have had great trouble in bringing them so long and tedious a Voyage Spex deals under-hand with Cosequidone Enquiring of them the Concern of their business to the Emperor they reply'd first That his Imperial Majesty would be graciously pleas'd to excuse the staying away of their Ships so long from Japan and also an Answer upon the Emperor's Letter The Reasons which they alledg'd thereto seem'd of so great consequence to Cosequidonne that he undertook to deliver
large Image which make up their University where Scholars Study and have their Residence in each of them are fair Libraries Japan Library stuft with innumerable Catalogues of Books where with a Skrew or turning of a Wheel what Book soever they desire to see presents it self Many Churches in Japan ¶ THe Number Magnificence and wonderful Riches of dedicated Places and Temples for Divine Worship are beyond admiration and almost incredible The greatest have dwelling in them to perform the Rites and Ceremonies twenty Priests the second Rate fifteen others ten and the least two Make bad use of them But these Structures built for religious intentions and commonly in the most luxurious and pleasantest Situation of the whole Isle are made by their dissolute and gormandizing Priests the Academies of all Debaucheries and especially the Schools of Gluttony Drunkenness and Lust who in their Frollicks in open view of all their Idols in a gallanting humor will not spare to prostitute their wanton Mistresses and for their more conveniency lay them at the Feet of their gods and make them Bolsters for their Adulteries Hendrick Hagenaer relates that he saw six Temples near Osacca at whose Doors stood large Images of Wood holding Boxes in their Hands into which the Japanners throw Pieces of Copper by them call'd Caxa A strange Chappel There is also a Chappel through the middle whereof runs a Stream into which the poor Women throw several Written Papers The Dining-Room wherein the Bonzi eat is very costly On one side of the Temple stands the Colledge of the Bonzi which is as glorious to behold and as strong being an hundred and twenty Foot long and thirty six Foot broad And also the Places where they sleep their Lodging-Rooms about the same are reckon'd to be an hundred and eighty besides many stately Halls whereof one stands on twenty four Cedar Columns in which is the Library of the Bonzi full of the choicest Japan Books Here are also several fair Stoves in deep Vaults and provided with all Necessaries Their Kitchins are very curiously furnish'd their Kettles made of the best Copper are two Foot and a half deep three in circumference and two Inches in thickness before these runs a Rivulet of fresh Water In the Nights they hang up twenty four Lanterns with lighted Candles in their Chambers Before this Colledge or Court of the Bonzi is a Pool that abounds with all sorts of Fish of which if any one should adventure to steal he is without mercy put to death This Temple Cobucui hath been built above seven hundred years The like Temple is also in Jedo in which the Idol Xaca of an exceeding huge stature may be seen This Image was erected formerly by the Widow of the Emperor Taykosame who caus'd it to be made hollow pouring it full of melted Copper and the out-side to be Gilt very costly Description of the Idol Xaca ¶ THe Head of this their god Xaca hath the likeness or Face of a middle-aged Man with a thin Beard the Hair of his Head cropt above his Ears his Cap folded like a Scarf about his Neck are Chains of Gold interlaid with Diamonds about his Middle a Scarf woven of Gold and Silver his Hands he holds forth but a little asunder in a praying posture about his Wrists are Strings with long Tassels and sits cross-Legg'd on a great Golden Plate before and behind him are two large Vessels in which they put their Offerings the Golden Plate whereon he sits covers a square Altar on whose Brim hangs twelve Pots by Gold Chains in which both Night and Day they burn Incense which are still supply'd with odoriferous Gums the Altar being square stands on a broad Foot cut with several Japan Characters What Xaca was formerly But this their god Xaca whom they worshipp'd when living was a great Proficient in the Pythagorean Doctrine which of old was most generall and a Religion most spread through all the World and much follow'd by the Greeks and Latines from whence the Grecian Fables of Transformation took their rise who according to Plato generally believ'd Plato 17.10 de Legibus that Orpheus after his death became a Swan Thamyras a Nightingale Ajax a Lyon Agamemnon turn'd to a Crane Ambros Lib. De Bono Mors. Cio Ambrose relates they also believ'd That the Souls of their Learned chang'd into Bees or Nightingales because that whilst living they had pleas'd the Peoples Ears with their sweet and eloquent Language but the Souls of the malicoius turn into Serpents Thieves and Robbers into Wolves Cozeners and Cheaters after their Death become Foxes every one changeth into such Creatures as best analogizeth with their several Vertues and Vices Plato and Pythagoras according to Herodotus first taught the Egyptians this Doctrine Zamolxis spread the same amongst the Northern Goths for which they worship him as a god The Druides spread it all over Gaul and Germany and the West Indians I know not how are much of that belief And Josephus tells us Joseph L. 18. Ant. G. 11. that the Pharisees amongst the Jews were much biassed with this Perswasion Julian fondly imagin'd That the Soul of Alexander the Great inform'd and gave life to his Body and therefore sleighted all dangers This their god Xaca saith Father Kircher the Indians call'd Rama the Tunkmensers Chiaga by the Chineses Xen Kian The Chineses derive him from India in the Province of Tien Turk Gnoe Moreover the Japanners have this Tradition concerning Xaca The Dream of Xaaca's Mother That his Mother dream'd that she saw a white Elephant issuing out of her Mouth and went into her left Side Why the white Elephants are of so great esteem in India From hence proceeds that great esteem which the Indians and chiefly those in China Lai Tunchim Siam and Pegu have of white Elephants for they are kept and attended on like Kings and feed on all variety of high Fare and in Golden Dishes The Nobility visit them in humble and submissive postures No other Quarrel than a white Elephant caus'd a great War Anno 1576 between the King of Siam and Pegu in which the Siams were so defeated that they not onely lost their white Elephant but were utterly subdu'd and brought under by the King of Pegu But this Yoke the succeeding Princes did soon shake off and were Masters of two white Elephants which in short time after dying caus'd great lamentation to the King and People of Siam judging them to be sent from Heaven as an evidence and earnest of future blessings Xaca Murder'd his Mother But the first piece of divine service which this their god Xaca in his humanity perform'd was offering his Mother which he himself kill'd lifting up his right Hand towards Heaven and his left pointing to the Ground said with a loud voice Behold neither Heaven nor Earth affords a greater and more holier Saint than I This done he withdrew to a dark
Silk when they are ready the Drummers beat and the signal being given they start the Race being betwixt a Man and a Horse they thus perform The Man holds the Horse by a single Rein drawn out with which he must not straiten nor hold in the Horse who runs at his full speed and the men by him when drawing near the Goal the foremention'd Posts and Cord the Horse and he must leap over at once together which done with equal dexterity he gains the propos'd Reward or Prize which if he fail making a feeble or no performance he not onely looseth the glory of the Victory but also all manner of Court-Preferment ¶ BUt as to what concerns the Dayro he is the onely true and lawful Heir of Japan and was formerly held in such Veneration by the Japanners that they honor'd him as a god and by this his great respect he kept the Empire a long time in Peace and Quietness till Anno 1550. During the Dayro's Government Japan never tasted the inconveniencies of a Civil War which after his removal from the Throne Civil Wars were terrible in Japan the reasons thereof brake out in that nature that scarce any Countrey in the World was ever a greater Stage or Blood-shed The salvage cruelties which they us'd against one another in that grand Commotion are unexpressable the Conquerors turn'd their new-gotten Provinces top-si-turvey killing not sparing Infants in the Cradle destroying and burning both Towns and Villages of which some to this day lie bury'd in their own Rubbish by which they sufficiently testifie the Destructions which were made by their Civil Wars in which Japan was turmoil'd above fifty years The occasion and beginning was thus The Dayro who is accounted so holy that the Sun must not shine upon him nor his Feet touch the Earth nor his Hair or Nails ever suffer'd to be cut which Custom hath been in use from many Ages to this day had a hundred and eighteen years ago two Sons of which the second according to an antient Law supply'd the place of Captain-General to be ready on all occasions to quell all manner of Insurrections either by substitute Kings or Subjects The eldest expected after his Fathers Decease to possess the Throne during whose life he held no Command Their Mother out of her affections to both prevail'd so far with the Dayro that the General-ship should be so divided betwixt both the Brothers that they might Command their Forces Alternately each his Trienial But the youngest when the time came that he should Resign his Commission to his eldest Brother refus'd and privately chose several Princes of Japan for to assist him if need should require by which means he Fortifi'd himself so strongly that he car'd for no Forces whatsoever no not his Father himself who immediately chose another General granting him Commission not onely to subdue but kill his Rebellious Son Soon after several of his Substitute Kings raising all their Forces brought a mighty Army together in the Field with which they went on so successfully that in short time they utterly defeated and destroy'd the Rebel and all his Forces Insurrection against the Dayro This was the first Rebellion and Insurrection that was made against the Dayro but by the death of his Son the War was no way finish'd For the conquering General taking that opportunity as having all the Forces under his Command after the Decease of the Dayro made himself Emperor of Japan Against him the young Dayro arose notwithstanding the new Emperor allow'd him all his former Revenues and shew'd him the same Respect as had formerly been shown to his Father At last the Dayro march'd towards the new Emperor whom by means of a chosen General by the Japanners call'd Cubo he defeated and slew This Conquering General not regarding the miserable end of the new-slain Emperor aim'd also at the Crown making himself absolute Master of all the Forces The Inland Wars in Japan are very cruel From hence proceeded a bloody War Kings and Princes dividing the Countrey appropriating Territories and Provinces to themselves which was not done without much trouble for by this means not onely Countrey against Countrey and City against City but also petty Villages had peculiar Wars one with another those which were Conquer'd were sure not to find the least mercy for they neither spar'd Houses nor Temples nor indeed poor Infants consuming and destroying all by Sword and Fire so that in short time whole Cities lay bury'd in Ashes Mioxindeu◠opposeth Cubo This new Cubo overcoming all at last setled himself on the Imperial Throne which was but for a small time for when he thought himself surest not thinking of the least Insurrection Mioxindono whom he had entrusted with all his Forces joyn'd in conspiracy with Dajondono Lord of Nara who had gotten an Army as we said before of twelve thousand Men which they drew up close to Meaco Soon after Mioxindono accompany'd with a strong Life-guard enter'd the City under pretence to congratulate the Emperor for some prime favors which he had pleas'd to shew him And to that purpose that he might the better bereave the Emperor of his Life privately and without disturbance he invited him to a Banquet in the Cloyster of the Bonzi near Meaco where he intended to put in Execution his bloody Design But the Emperor Cubo scenting the business suspected it the more because he had information that the Army was drawn up near Meaco made all things in readiness for his escape who being on the Way was perswaded and call'd back by some of his Council telling him that they could not perceive any such danger in the business accounting it ignoble for an Emperor to flye from a Prince which was his own Subject But in the interim Mioxindono entred the City Meaco with all his Forces and drew up towards the Palace but before he committed any hostility he sent to the Emperor Cubo demanding to send him the Heads of some of his Nobles whose insupportable Greatness as he pretended stood in his way which if the Emperor would grant a Peace should immediately be concluded and he would suddenly withdraw his Forces and depart from the City The Herald brought a Letter in which was written the Names of those Grandees which Mioxindono would have Executed An antient Courtier being sent from Cubo receiv'd the Paper which not without many reproaches to the Rebels he tore to pieces and returning again to the Emperors Presence One of the Emperors Courtiers stab himself drew out a Stilletto with which he desperately Stabbing himself fell dead on the Ground at the Emperor's Feet The Revenge of a Son taken for his Father After the same manner six more made away themselves But the Son of the old Courtier seeing his Father weltring in his own Bloud on a sudden ran out amongst the Rebels where having wounded and kill'd several of them he himself was slain Whilst
Vojocata saying That Nobunanga though aspir'd to such a heighth would suddenly fall and drop like a rotten Pear from the Tree of which Nobunanga had information and happening to light upon him in his way homewards though the Emperor much perswaded him yet he utterly destroy'd him and all his Relations levelling his Cloysters and banishing nis Wife and Children but all this was not enough to satisfie his revenge The famous School Facusangin He had a long time observ'd the famous School Pacusangin which the Bonzies had been Masters of and possess'd it in peace and quietness six hundred years together To this School or University belongs several Cloysters and a thousand Habitations no less convenient than costly which also to destroy he wanted some fair pretence to hide his unsatisfi'd revenge yet at last he found a way that answer'd his desire Some Robbers having pillag'd the Kingdom of Boari carry'd their Booty to the Facusangin Bonzies which opportunity he neglected not for having his Hands at liberty and a Peace being concluded between him and the Emperor he thought it the best time to satisfie his spleen Is ruin'd by Nobunanga and all the Boinzies slain whereupon he unexpeedctly fell upon Facusangin and destroy'd all the Bonnes setting most of their Houses on fire Anno 1573 which was the same Year that Nobunanga became Emperor These were the occasions that set the Bonzies so much against his being chosen Emperor by whom stirr'd up none more oppos'd than Xinguien King of Cainochuno who having banish'd his Father and also imprison'd his eldest Brother set himself on the Throne and wanting just Claim he betook himself to other practices that might better strengthen and improve his Title and therefore the Cloak of Religion must be his Royal Robe seeming Sanctity his Scepter and so shaving his Head and his Chin close he took the Order of the Bonzi performing all their Ceremonies and religious Duties punctual in all the stiff Formalities of well-dissembled Holiness attended constantly by six hundred Bonzies the rumor of which spread round the Countrey the Japanners not being accustom'd to see a King play the Priest and Officiate at Divine Service and that thrice a day straight believ'd so had he gain'd upon their Affections that he and onely he was appointed to re-establish the shaking Church and restore to its Pristine Glory now almost utterly defac'd their Ancient Religion On which great Multitudes from all Parts resorted to his Palace he giving out That he would Re-erect the destroy'd Temples and Cloysters on the Mountain Frenioama and also the famous Temple Consecrated to Canon These Promises and fair Pretences tickl'd the Ears of the Vulgar for Frenioama was always held to be the Supreme University for the Education of their Youth both in the Mysteries of Religion Study in Philosophy and other abstruse Learning Here also stood Canon's Temple highly esteem'd and so venerable amongst the People to whose Feast yearly great Multitudes from the several Territories round about use to resort invited by the hopes of the propos'd Rewards of Everlasting Bliss for all such as repair annually thither He also boasted That he would out-do if possible the Renown'd Xaca himself in Vindicating and Establishing their pure and ancient Religion under which their Ancestors liv'd happily ever since they first Planted in Japan His Letter to Nobunanga Thus the Business prepar'd and a good Ground-plot laid by this time his Admirers in several Places offer'd themselves and Forts their Lives and Fortunes to serve and be under his Conduct So that suddenly he grew as powerful and as great a Prince as the Emperor of which Nobunanga being sensible and perceiving his Power daily to encrease and also not a little shaken with a ranting Epistle from the high-flying Xinguen who subscribed thus Taindino Taxuxamon Xinguen that is Xinguen the King of Kings and Patriarch of all Religion The Emperor contrarily subscribing thus Dainoquin Tennomavon Nobunanga which is Nobunanga the Great Commander of Devils and Prime Leader of Wandering Spirits Besides Xinguen appear'd also the Prince Aquechi bred a Soldier who after slew Nobunanga before Meaco in the Imperial-Blood-Grove Nobunanga slain so call'd as we said before from his Death Amongst his Captains was a Prime Leader of a Noble Aspect call'd Faxiba whose Extract Life and Right to the Imperial Crown we will here relate Faxiba from whence he got that Name ¶ THis Name Faxiba the Emperor Nobunaga had given him when he led a puissant Army of the Emperors against the King Amanguci for when he was ready upon his March he entreated him to give him a new Name which Nobunanga granting whereas formerly he had been call'd Toquixiro he denominated him Faxiba which is to say Fly above the Wood by which the Emperor express'd his hopeful Success for the King of Amanguci against whom Faxiba was to fight bore the Name of Maridono which two first Syllables signified A Wood and the last Lord By which also Nobunanga would have them to understand That his new foremention'd General should by Conquest of his Enemy fly like a Bird over the Wood. Serves a Rustick to cut his Wood. This Faxiba formerly call'd Toquixiro was of a very mean Extract being Servant to a Rustick his business to cut Wood from a neighboring Hill and carry it home This was hard Labor the Mountain being very steep and craggy and his Master consum'd daily much Fewel who on a time had laid on more than he was us'd to do which Toquixiro observing took some of the Wood from the Fire putting the remaining Sticks up in such order that a few of them cast an exceeding great heat His Master taking much notice of this his handsome contrivance to make a greater and better Fire with much less Fewel judg'd hi◠Servant was fitter for other Employment than to be his Slave Whereupon he not onely commended him and freed him from his bad Service How he gets out of his Service into the Emperors but giving him Money bid him seek his Fortunes in the Wars or elsewhere not doubting but the Gods had better things laid up in store for him Soon after this Toquixiro began to have a more elevated opinion of himself and his swelling Thoughts aiming at something higher he travel'd big with hopes to Meaco where at first he got into the Service of a great Merchant and soon after he was preferr'd to a Noble-man a Prime Favorite of the Emperor Nobunanga's who one day happening to go with the Emperor a Hawking and Toquixiro being amongst the Faulconers and others of the Court-Retinue it chanc'd that one of the best Hawks flying at his Game hung tangled about the Bough of a high Tree by the Vervils and when none of them were able to climb the Tree Toquixiro's Master bid him see what he could do which he perform'd so well and with such comely agility and taking dexterity that the like having not been seen before the
hang several burning Lamps Hither the Japanners come daily to their Devotion some laying themselves flat on the Ground others bowing their Heads down to the Earth The Bouzies false Relations concerning the Ox. Strange Stories and Fables do the Bonzies relate to the Japanners concerning this Ox namely That the World before the Creation was inclos'd in a great Egg the Shell of which consisted of Brass With this Egg the World drove on the Water till at last the Moon by her piercing light drew up some of the bottom thereof which afterwards growing together became Earth and Stone on which the Egg lay fast and the Ox finding it butted so vehemently against the Brass Shell that breaking it the World came forth But the Ox blowing very much being heated with such hard Labor his Breath entred into a Calabash which grew to be a Man The Calabash the Bonzies call Pou and the first Man Pourang because he owes his original to a Calabash The Devil King of the Oxen. Gasper Villela relates that the Devil in his time possess'd the Japanners that he was the King of Oxen and that he would not leave off punishing them till they had built him a Temple and worshipp'd him in the shape of an Ox for which reason in some of the Japan Kingdoms it is present Death to kill an Ox. It deserves no small admiration Rom. 1.23 that the Heathens which chang'd the splendor of a never-dying God into the likeness of mortal Man Birds four-footed Beasts and creeping Animals but chiefly and most of all chose the shape of an Ox which made the Indians flock by thousands to the mountainous Province of Nakarecit belonging to the great Magor to offer to the Cow Matta standing in a costly Temple on a far more rich and costly Altar The Floor and Cieling of the Temple consisted of Golden Plates fastned together the Altar Inlay'd with Pearls and Diamonds But the Sacrifices themselves above all are to be admir'd at for the Indians cut off their Tongues burning it before Matta The Romans and Greeks were much concern'd in the use of an Ox. On the Hill Aventinus in Rome the Temple dedicated to Diana was hung full of Ox-Horns Those that were banish'd from Athens to Argiva were said to keep the Ox because a great Copper Ox was erected there and worshipp'd The Thracians and Egyptians offer'd Wine out of Ox-Horns when they promis'd Marriage or made other Obligations to one another The antient Romans had a long time no Coyn'd Silver nor Gold but made Money of Ox-Hides They also made a Law That no Judge should lay a greater Fine on any Criminal than thirty Oxen every Ox being reckon'd at four Shillings Julius Obsequen de Prodig And how common is it amongst the Latine Writers to ascribe the Language of a Man to an Ox for an Ox spake in Sicily when the Roman General Marcellus broke up the Siege before Nola and routed Hannibal in the heighth of his Victories Another Ox made a noise in Privernum when Hannibal fled from Marcellus The same is ascribed to this Beast among the Romans when Scipio subdu'd the resisting Spaniards At Formii an Ox cry'd out O Romans look to your selves when Antiochus came down with a mighty Army In Campania another Ox spoke whilst the Romans made themselves Masters of Sardinia At other times the distinct Language of an Ox was a bad Omen Volater l. 25. for in Frusimo an Ox was heard to speak when the Roman General Cneius Octavius was slain by the Guardian of the young King Antiochus and also another when the Romans receiv'd a great Overthrow near Numantia and another when the Cimbrians march'd with Victorious Arms to Italy about which Speech a Council was call'd that sat under the azure Canopy of Heaven In Sinuessa Cows brought forth Horses which signifi'd the destruction of Posthumius in France In Rome an Ox ran up Stairs and leap'd down from the highest Story letting them know by that that the Romans should be miserably beaten by Hannibal near the Lake Thrasimenes An Ox also in Essium breath'd Fire Moreover the Roman Priests offer'd a white Ox of five years old fetch'd from the Menanian or Felician Fields to Jupiter in the middle of every Moneth but the Egyptians a red Ox to Typhon and Pythagoras who else forbad the killing of Beasts because humane Souls transmigrated into their Bodies a grey Ox to the nine Muses Where Oxen may not be kill'd on pain of Death The Greek Law-giver Solon forbad very strictly the killing of an Ox either for Sacrifice or otherwise according to the opinion of the antient Greeks who accounted the killing of a Man to be a less sin than killing of an Ox wherefore Prometheus underwent great reproach because he was the first that cut an Oxes Throat and Homer the Greek Poet says That the Sun was exceedingly enrag'd against the Mariners of Ulysses that did not scruple to eat Ox-Flesh At Chusa an Egyptian City Venus was formerly worshipp'd with Ox-Horns on her Head Columella relates That the antient Latines condemn'd him to die that had kill'd an Ox. Oxen highly esteem'd by the Indians And what the Opinion is of the Oxen on the Coasts of Cormandel Malabare Calicut Gusaratte and in other Indian Territories Abraham Rogerius relates from the Mouth of the Brachman Padmanaba these are his words That as amongst all Beasts the Cows amongst all Fowls the Bird Garronda which is a red Sparrow with a white Ring about the Neck amongst all Trees the Ranasettou so amongst all Men the Generation of Brachmans was most acceptable to God Moreover Padmanaba relates That the Inhabitants of Cormandel are divided into four Tribes or Families namely the Brachmans Settrea's out of which the Kings are chosen Weinsja's divided in Comytis and Sitti-weapari and lastly the Soudra's The Settrea's and Soudra's eat Fish and Flesh that of Oxen onely excepted but the Brachmans and Weinsja's eat no Food that ever had liv'd according to the Commandment in their Vedam for so those Heathens call their Law-Book Why those Souls are the happiest that assume the Bodies of Oxen. These four Tribes hold the Pythagorean Transmigration making the Soul wander into other Bodies and esteem that Soul the most happy that enters into a Cow for which they give this Reason Eswara who next to Wistnow is their prime and chief Deity hath a Consort call'd Parvatia by which he begat five Sons viz. Viegneswara Vierrepadra Beirewa chief Judge over Men who after Death changes the Wicked into evil Serpents Comara Swami and Nandi which are also call'd Baswa and Basanna Handi is an Ox and Wahanan that is A Bearer whereon Eswara is carry'd The interring of Oxen very sumptuously performed Rogerus witnesseth that he hath seen a dead Ox to have had a more statelier Funeral than a Person of Quality sounding of Trumpets is usual where any one dies covering the Ox and offering Frankincense before him In like
the Decks unstow'd Nay if there blow a contrary Wind and a Storm yet they must away so soon as their Ammunition is brought aboard again If the Seamen are not quick in weighing their Anchors immediately a hundred Soldiers are sent to every Ship to cut their Cables and carry them out beyond the Priest-Mountain whether it be Night or Day making no distinction In the like hurry the Ambassadors Frisius and Brookhurst came from Japan and at last arriv'd safe in Holland A Second and Later DISCOURSE Concerning the EMPIRE OF JAPAN Japan Kingdoms JAPAN divided into five Provinces viz. Jamaystero Jetsengo Jetsesen Quanti and Ochio besides Saykok and Chiekok therein reckons these several Kingdoms according to Peter Davity that is Nangato Inami Suno Isxumi or Juxumi Aqui Foqui Inaba Bichu Mimazaca Fatima Tanqueina Tamba Tango Barosa Xamixiro Xamato Inzumo Quiy Jechigen Bonni Inga Xma Ixe Mino Cangan Noto Jetchu Fitaqui Ximano Boari Micava Cay Jenchingo Deva Chaneuque Tuttomu Furanga Izu Mucazi Ximonojuque Sangamie Xila Bungo Figen Arima Omura Saxuma or Sucuma Fingo Chicugen Chicungo Buigen Tosa or Tonsa Quiloo Aba or Ava Sanoqui or Samuqui Ho or Hyo besides the Islands Sado Voqui Ceuxima Iqua Abagi and Iniunoxima each of which makes also a Kingdom Chief Cities in Japan Nangato hath for its Metropolis the City Amanguei bordering the Sea and reckons ten thousand Houses The chief City of Mino is Guefu and also Funamaca of the Kingdom Boari The Kingdoms that lye Northerly belonging to Saykok are Buge Figen and Chichugen the Southern Fiunga or Finga Bonzumi or Ozumi Saxuma Bungo and Chungo Finga is divided betwixt two Lords the first Governs over Emacusa and the other over Xiqui But as the Dominion of Nangato is oftentimes call'd by the Name of its Metropolis Amanguei so also for the same Reasons the Kingdom Bonni is call'd Concor in which is very famous the strong Castle Saojama Moreover the Islands Firando and Goto belong to Saykok The Kingdom of Bungo boasts besides other eminent Places the Towns Vozuqui or Uzuqui Funay and the Fort Ximabara Next to Bungo joyns the Territory Figen famous for its Metropolis Riosoge The Dominion Arima borrows its denomination from the chief City besides which are also the Towns Arye Ximaga Canzula Chingia Saigo and Facirao This Realm Arima is by an In-let of the Sea commonly call'd The Bay of Arima divided from Fingo whose most eminent Cities are Uto Cateuxiro Nonzuy Consura Tondo Xiqui Catatinova Fondi and Amacusa The Metropolis of Omura is also call'd by the same Name as the whole Realm besides which there are the Towns Coru and Sonuguy Saxuma is famous for the City Cangoxima Mye and the Invincible Castle Cogiro Chicugen contains the eminent City Facata inhabited by many rich Merchants and also the Towns Chinsuchi and Xataqua In Chicungo stands the great City Corumi fortified with a strong Castle In Quiloo Osacca In Quanto the Imperial Residence Jedo In Caquinay that famous City Meaco Unlimited Power of the Japan Kings ¶ EVery King hath an unlimited Power within his own Territories only such as are too much oppress'd may appeal to the Emperor for Justice Nay every Master hath the same Authority over his Servants and every Father over his Children and yet all Persons even the Kings themselves are in such subjection under the Emperor that he doth with them what he pleases So that the Subjects must do what their Governors are desirous to have them and expect to be put to death when they think fit Pride of the Japan Nobles ¶ NO Persons whatsoever are so ambitious of Honor so high-minded and proud as the Japanners for not only their Kings but Cunixes that is Dukes and Tones which are like our European Barons nay ordinary Noblemen account themselves too good to answer any one with Words scorning almost to give the least Signal by Beck or Nod for what they would have to be done but sometimes write it down in Paper not valuing in the least to be belov'd nor fearing to be hated by their Subjects When any Person is remov'd by the Emperor from one Command to another his Subjects are always remov'd with him It seldom happens that the Crown remains long in one Family because for small occasions according to the Emperors pleasure they are deliver'd to others Not. Pol. It seems strange which Justus Lipsius relates of the Japan Emperors that at their Coronation they promise by Oath Strange Oath of the Japan Emperors To provide Necessary Rains and Sun-shine and also to prevent Storms and Floods hurtful to the Plants ¶ IN the more barren parts of Japan the Inhabitants are valianter than elsewhere Firando and Goto produce much Salt which they barter for Rice The Breeding of their Children in Japan The Japanners breed up their Children not only mildly but very prudently for if they should cry whole Nights they endeavor to silence them by fair means without the least snapping or using hard Language to them Before their Youths come to be seven years old they put them out to School where being tutor'd by the Bonzi they learn to Write and read till they are fourteen of which their Writing is the most troublesom Strange manner of Wriâ—â—â—g having four several sorts of Characters which differ not onely in shape but signification some Letters and Words being us'd in Writing to Noble-men others to the Common-people one Form of Speech in their Verses and a far differing Dialect in Prose The Teaching of Youth 〈◊〉 what manner Their Teaching is perform'd without rashness for there is no Japanner that will do any thing by foul means But they provoke the Children with Honor to strive one against another which seeming to be born in them they seek with their utmost Endeavors to exceed one another in Learning In their twelfth year they begin to wear Swords How they wear their Hair The Hair of their Foreheads the Children pull out with a pair of Pinchers the Burgesses half their Hair the Noblemen shave their Heads quite bare leaving a Tuft behind as a sign of his Nobility if they differ about Buying or Selling Commodities their Children decide the difference Japanners are very mannerly ¶ ABove all things it is much to be admir'd to see the Noble and Ignoble Citizens and Rusticks Youth and Age so mannerly and of a civil Deportment and Carriage as if they had been bred in an Emperors Court They abstain from Beef and Mutton as the Europeans do from Horse-flesh feeding most on Rice Fish and Venison and are very Moderate in all things to prolong their Lives and indeed they attain to a great and healthful Age. Live long Women with Child destroy their Fruit Child-bearing women destroy their fruit when they have not wherewithal to bring up their Children the Bonzies not accounting such Murder for Sin They have not the least Pity or Compassion on Strangers
two days and two nights with the Corps where sitting round about the Altar they may not during that time stir a foot from thence but must cry continually without ceasing to which every one uses her utmost endeavor thereby to express her exceeding forrow for if otherwise they forget this Ceremony they are immediately without regard of their Quality miserably beaten with short thick Cords by Women order'd by the King for that purpose On one side at some distance from the five Towers stood a brave Scaffold cover'd with thick gilded and oyl'd Paper on which the chief Priests of Siam sat Praying for the Deceased sometimes ceasing they gave Alms amongst the common People as abundance of Clothes Pots Pans Beds and other Houshold-stuff and also Carpenters Tools Axes Saws Augers and the like But besides this prime Scaffold there were several less for the ordinary Priests whose numbers amounted to above a thousand which were also employ'd either in Praying or distributing of Alms amongst the People In a spacious Place round about the five Towers stood twenty more out of which after Sun-set for fourteen days together rare and artificial Fire-works were shown The King burns his Daughters Corps The five and twentieth of February the whole Train that attended the Funeral two days before appear'd again in a far more splendid manner The King himself being present Rode on a young Elephant to the Altar on which the Corps stood where dismounting he set fire on it with a lighted Toâ—ch which suddenly grew to that heighth that the Flame took hold of all the five Towers and burnt not onely his Royal Daughters dead Body but all those Riches with which she sat in the Gold Chest when after some hours the heat gone and the Place grown cool he caus'd a search to be made amongst the Coals for the Bones Strange wonder of a piece of Bloody Flesh Ashes and melted Gold himself holding a Golden Urn in his Hand and receiving the gather'd Bones into it when a piece of raw Flesh all bloody which the Fire had not consum'd was found at which the King being exceedingly amaz'd ask'd his Council Oja Sabartiban which stood next to him and help'd him to gather the Reliques that were left what he thought concerning it Sabartiban answer'd Most mighty Lord your great understanding easily apprehends the meaning the business being so very apparent The King struck with a consternation ran immediately like a distracted Person to his Palace saying Now I see it plainly what I so long doubted namely that my Daughter was poyson'd Wherefore he suddenly seised on all the Women not excepting any that ever Serv'd the Princess in her Life-time and committed them all to safe Custody nay he took all those in his whole Dominions that at any time convers'd with her The eight and twentieth of February he began his scrutiny three hundred Ladies of Honor and other great Persons of Quality which had ever been in Company with the King's Daughter whilst she was living were driven through a huge Fire that according to the Siam Law they might be try'd if they were guilty or not which they knew by the Flames hurting or preserving them This Trial was perform'd not without great Charms and Incantations yet all of them passing safe through the Fire without receiving the least hurt were again set at liberty Mean while there was great suspicion that the youngest Daughter to the former King for the present King had in a Rebellion bereav'd his Predecessor both of his Life and Crown might have committed the Fact because being this King's Concubine she had sometime shew'd her self very much dissatisfi'd because he shew'd such exceeding kindness and great respects to his eldest Daughter and regarded not hers who also acknowledg'd him for her Father and indeed the suspicion grew the greater when the King was inform'd that this his Concubine was observ'd to laugh whilst every one present at the Funeral bewail'd the death of the Deceased For this jealousie the Princess with a great Train of her Ladies of Honor was forc'd also to go through the Fire all of them passing through without being hurt except the Princess who was very much burnt on both her Feet therefore she was immediately loaden with Silver Fetters and committed to a Prison where none were suffer'd to speak with her On the second of March she had publick Audience before all the Mandarins or Lords where whether out of fear of exquisite tortures or terrifi'd with the King's anger she freely said If the King will promise upon Oath that he will immediately Execute me and keep me no longer alive to be a scorn and derision to the World there will need but little trouble to find out the mystery of his Daughters death The Mandarins which remembred the former Condition and State of this Princess when her Father was King of Siam were no less amaz'd at her noble courage than inwardly prick'd with compassion to find out a means for her Deliverance but the fear they had of the present King quenched all such motions They reported that which she had said to his Majesty who immediately promis'd upon Oath that the Princess after real confession should not live an hour to be despis'd by the World Upon which she confessed That not without help of her Nurse she had prepar'd a Poyson which was so Charm'd that one piece of his or her Flesh that took it should not be consum'd by Fire whene're the so poyson'd should be burnt This Compound by a mistake the King's Daughter greedily swallow'd which thus prepar'd was intended for her Father that the death of so bloody a Tyrant who like a Villain treacherously took the Scepter out of my Fathers Hand that was lawful King of Siam and oppress'd the true Royal Family might satisfie my Revenge for my Fathers Death and to deliver those of Royal Blood from insupportable slavery No sooner was this Relation of hers carry'd to the King but he caused a great piece of Flesh to be cut out of the Princesses Side which he forc'd her with great threatnings to eat up and whilst she was swallowing the last Bit some of his Executioners appointed for that purpose fell upon her with drawn Swords and left not off till they had chopp'd her into a thousand pieces which they afterwards threw into the River Judia Not long after the Princesses Brother Son to the depos'd King of Siam was also Executed he being in the former Insurrection spar'd alive because he was suppos'd to be frantick but at his Death appear'd the contrary he also subtily contriving with his Sisters to destroy the King and make himself Master of the Crown and had not the Business been untimely betray'd he had no small hopes to repossess his Fathers lost Kingdoms Strange Image in Siam When the fore-mention'd Funeral Ceremonies were ended the King caus'd an Image to be made on which he bestow'd not onely all the melted Gold in the middle
his Kingdoms yet he resign'd up all his Kingdoms and Dominions and retir'd to the Territory of Fiungo where on a pleasant Plain he resolv'd to build a New City and to People the same with none but Christians to the end they might there all together live after God's Laws and Ordinances Travels to build a new City The fourth of October Anno 1578. he set Sail with his Fleet the Pennons and Flags of white Damask embroyder'd with red Crosses spreading from their Masts and Yards The Jesuits Capriales Lodowick Almeida and John the Japanner with a considerable number of Christians that were to inhabit the new-built City were Shipp'd aboar'd Upon his departure Franciscus commanded his eldest Son whom he appointed his Successor in all his Dominions That he should no ways molest the Christians but rather assist them in all things His Son is kind to the Jesuits The New King promis'd to perform his Fathers Command faithfully and indeed did more than he promis'd for he pull'd down the Temple of the Idol Camis and Fotoques and allow'd the Jesuits Means giving them also a place to build a stately Church in Usuquin and crost the Bonzies in all their undertakings acting all things after the Christian manner Against which resisted many Princes in Bungo being back'd by Riogozes King of Ximo which were too hard for the young King oftentimes loosing many Men in Skirmishes Cities and whole Dominions were taken from him either by Riogoze's Forces or mutinous Subjects in short it was so decree'd that Jacatondono his Son should be Disinherited of all his Jurisdictions Most of the Loyallest Subjects Voted that Jacatondono should Re-possess his former Authority Why he is in great danger to the end that the Crown of Bungo which was near lost might again by his Prudence be settled before it was quite Demolish'd Mean while Jacatondono now call'd Franciscus expecting daily that he should be forc'd out of his new Christian City in Fiunga march'd Arm'd into the Fields and his Necessity requiring Policy he came forth no less Prudent than Circumspect Franciscus re-possesses his throne four Councellors having by their ill advice order'd their Affairs badly those he drove first out of the Countrey then getting a considerable Army together he march'd against Chicacuro the head of the Rebels Both Parties lay Encamp'd one over against the other Franciscus inviting them daily to fight by Embattelling his Men but Chicacuro who had no very good opinion of his People would not hazard his Life in the hands of wavering Fortune during which time most of his Men quitted his Army His Conquest and went over to Franciscus Camp insomuch that all left him but eight hundred which being slain brought Peace and quietness to the Kingdom of Bungo After which the Conqueror went again to his new City Cuchimochi but liv'd not long after to enjoy the advantages of his gotten Victory For being upon his return from the Japan Emperor he was taken with the Plague at Usuquin of which many dy'd at that time yet notwithstanding though the Distemper threatned nothing but death yet he was desirous to be carry'd to Cuchimochi and being come within nine Miles of the place his Sickness so increas'd that he was necessitated to stay at Sucuma where soon after he gave up the Ghost Dies Anno 1587. The Jesuit Laguna had the ordering of the Funeral-Solemnity to which an incredible number of people came flocking from all parts of the adjacent Countreys The Corps was carry'd by four of the chiefest Peers Is bury'd on both sides went meaner Lords carrying Banners with red Crosses next follow'd the Queen and her Daughter and then a great company of Noble-men clos'd up the whole Train ¶ BUt besides the Province of Bungo several others have embrac'd the Christian Religion which happen'd thus When Xaverius Anno 1551. in November travel'd from Japan to Goa he took with him two Christian Japanners Mattheus and Bernard which were sent to salute his Holiness in Rome But Mattheus dying at Goa Bernard us proceeded in his Journey alone and was the first of the Japanners that kiss'd his Holiness Feet He in his return home-ward dy'd at Conimbrica in Spain Xaverius himself travel'd to China Xaverius leaves the Jesuits in Japan there to Preach the Gospel for the Japanners cry'd continually that the Chineses from whom the Japan Religion was Extracted did not imbrace the Christian Faith There stay'd behind in Japan Cosmus Turrianus and Joannes Fernandez besides two Japan Converts being Paul of the Holy Belief and Lawrence One-Eye by whose extraordinary diligence the Christian Religion was imbrac'd by many of the Commonalty the Jesuits teaching them the Commandments and the Gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity in Cangoxima Firando Amangucium and Bungo Xaverius a little before his death sent from Goa to Japan Balthazar Gago Edward Sylvius and Peter Alcacova after that went over thither also Casper Vilela Lodowick Almeida Gonsalves Fernandes Franciscus Caprialis Lodowick Frojus Joannes Baptista Montanus Organtinus Brixiensis Peter Diasius Arias Blandonius Arias Sanctius Duartes a Sylva Melchior Mugaez Franciscus Perezius and others These effected so much in few years that Christianity began now to increase wonderfully and as an effect of their Zeal they built several Towns Cloysters and Churches being every where highly respected and much esteem'd These successful Progresses gave hopes of a happy Event especially for that now Cosmus Turrianus and Edward Sylvius besides many Citizens in Amangucium Converted two Bonzies of Meaco and indeed Christianity so prevail'd both in strength and number that the Rusticks near Amangucium began to dispute with the Bonzi of which some falling short in the Arguments of their Religion were forc'd to flie for shame Not long after Turrianus built a great Church in the City intending there to perform in publick all Divine Services Some of the Courtiers were by this time also become Proselites and amongst the rest the King's Treasurer Ambrosius Eunadus Faisumius who soon after Dying was Inter'd in the following manner Edvard Sylv Epist Bungo 1555. Besides the Jesuit Edward Sylvius above two hundred young Christians went to his Burial a great Cross was carry'd before the Corps and a considerable number of Torches round about which turn'd the day into night not without great admiration of the Inhabitants by whom the Funeral Solemnities were perform'd quite contrary Fasumius his Widow feasted the Poor four days together after the Funeral A new Almshouse in Funaco distributing much Houshold-stuff and many Clothes among them Moreover Turrianus built a double Alms-house or Hospital in the City Funaco one side being for those that had the Leprosie which came flocking thither from all parts of Japan that Countrey being very subject to that distemper the second partition was for other sickly Persons over both these Turrianus made a Japan Christian Master one that was experienc'd in Physick How the Japanners kept
their Feasts ¶ THe Province of Amangucium was beyond all other Dominions full of Christians because the King embrac'd that Faith and promoted the same the People upon Festival days flock'd to the Temples in great numbers where the Jesuits represented the Sufferings of our Savior hanging a large Vane on the top of the Church with a Crucifi'd Man in the middle which done all the lights were quite put out and every one having stor'd themselves with Whips and Scourges disrobed the upper part of their bodies and Disciplin'd themselves so long till the fiftieth Psalm was read out On Palm-Sunday Also Palm-Sunday they distributed Consecrated Branches and went in Procession having a great Cross carry'd before them locking the Church-doors round about without stood a Jesuit holding a Cross in his hands saying aloud Open O ye Eternal Gates whereupon those within answer'd Who is the King of Honor At last walking two by two into the Temple towards the Altar a Jesuit Celebrated Mass At other times they walk'd about the Churches with Torches Casp Vilela Epist Eirando 1557. when hiding a Man in a Grave they plac'd two Arm'd Portuguese and two Youths with Helmets on to Guard the same then the Man arose out of the Grave so representing the Resurrection of Christ In the middle of the Church stood the great Altar on both sides of it were built several Chappels all hung with stately Pictures and rich Tapistry shewing the Crucifying on Golgotha the Resurrection Several representations in Japan to establish the Roman Religion and Ascention from Mount Olivet round about the Walls were plac'd a great number of Wax-Candles before the Altar in the corner of the Chappel hung a black Cloth behind which stood a Jesuit in the Habit of a Priest Nine times they sung Kyrieeleyson which done the Cloth was suddenly drawn aside and there appear'd on the Altar the Cross and other Images with many Ornaments then also the Jesuit came in open view whereupon the Bells Were rung then their Singers with Garlands about their Heads and lighted Torches in their Hands follow'd the Host who was carry'd through the Church under a rich Canopy The Province and City Amangucium suffer many inconveniencies This manner of Worship the Japanners were mightily taken withal and chiefly in the Province Amangucium where the Catholick Religion was no way less exercis'd than in the middle of Spain or Italy notwithstanding the City Amangucium had suffer'd much for it being in the space of five years twice pull'd down to the ground and was scarce Re-built when Anno 1557. the Drossaert Moridono laid the whole City the third time in Ashes the King with all the Christian Nobility and Souldiers flying to a Castle five Leagues from Amangucium was slain there with all his Retinue ¶ IN other places the Jesuits enjoy'd themselves in Peace and quietness and receiv'd yearly Revenues of the Lords of the Countreys for the promoting and teaching their Doctrine In the Royal City Facuta The Jesuits build several Churches in Japan they had built a stately Church and in Firando one to the honor of the Virgin Mary to which they got three more of the Bonzi which fled from thence In Meaco they bought a large House which they turn'd afterwards into a Church in Cangoxima they nestled first of all The King of Vocoajura proffer'd them a piece of ground twenty Miles in circumference where no heathen Japanners but onely Christians were permitted to live Within the City Saccay Villela built also a stately Church and another not altogether so costly was erected in the City Ximabra But those built by the Jesuits at Nangesaque exceeded all the other in splendor and magnificence The Japan King of Omura becomes first a Christian ¶ AMongst the first of the Japan Kings that receiv'd Baptism was Xumitanda King of Omura whilest the poor and needy also imbrac'd the same Faith because that according to the Testimony of John Peter Maffeus the Roman Priests taught them that every one according to their Abilities must assist the poor with Alms this King at his Baptism took to him the Name of Bartholomew It seems that the Jesuits brought this manner of changing of Names out of Europe to Japan according to a Custom us'd amongst the Popes who leave off their Christian-Name when they take upon them the Supreme Government of the Church Changes his name The first original of this exchanging of Names Onuphrius and Cardinal Baronius ascribe to Pope John the twelfth but most to Sergius the second who would be call'd so when he was chosen Pope Anno 844. upon the dislike of his own Name which before was Bocca de Porco as Platina Stella Bocca de Porco or Swines-snout Suffrid Epist 1. Suffridus and Aeneas Sylvius testifie Civil Wars against Xumitanda King of Omura But Xumitanda soon found great opposition for his relinquishing his old Heathenism for the Bonzies the prime Actors in this Plot stirr'd up Gotondono base Son of the Deceas'd King against Xumitanda pretending for a reason that he broke in pieces his Predecessors Image which before his Conversion he was wont to Perfume with Incense By this seeming zealous Pretext Gotondono soon got great Aid for every one was much inrag'd that the Old Religion should be banish'd from Omura and a New one brought in by the Portuguese Whereupon the Rebels joyning in a Body together set Omura on fire and storm'd the Palace but the King throwing a Tyger skin athwart his shoulders over a white Silk Suit on which was Embroider'd the Name Jesus with a Cross of Massy Gold on his Breast and a Garland of Roses about his Neck made his escape both through the Enemy and Fire to a Castle near the Sea-shore But Gotondono pursu'd him closely and getting several Ships from Goto and Firando Besieg'd him both by Sea and Land How he escap'd great danger Xumitanda could not possibly have escap'd had not his Father Xengandono by a subtile Policy made the Besieg'd fall at variance and fight among themselves for when he proffer'd the King of Arima's Daughter in Marriage to the chief of the Rebels he immediately sided with Xumitanda by which Conjunction being enabled he Sally'd out and slew the greater part of the Enemy and from thence forward for a considerable time he rul'd in Peace and quietness till Isafay his Brother-in-Law made private Combination with the Lord of Firando who sent a Fleet to Sea whilst Isafay laid the City Omura in Ashes Xumitanda at that time resided with a small Train Obtains many victories in a Castle scituate near the Sea Thither Isafay march'd with all speed and had undoubtedly slain the King had not some unexpected Forces happily come to his assistance with which he March'd to meet the Enemy and after a sharp Conflict utterly routed them The Ships belonging to Firando being separated by stress of Weather were lost The last that rose against Xumitanda was