Memoirs and observations typographical, physical, mathematical, mechanical, natural, civil, and ecclesiastical, made in a late journey through the empire of China, and published in several letters particularly upon the Chinese pottery and varnishing, the silk and other manufactures, the pearl fishing, the history of plants and animals, description of their cities and publick works, number of people, their language, manners and commerce, their habits, oeconomy, and government, the philosophy of Confucius, the state of Christianity : with many other curious and useful remarks / by Louis Le Compte ... ; translated from the Paris edition, and illustrated with figures.

To Monsieur Rouillié, Counsellor of State in Ordinary. Of the Establishment and Progress of the Christian Religion in China.

Sir,

THE Ardent Zeal which you have always shewed towards establishing and pro∣moting the Christian Religion in China, makes me hope that you will be pleased with the Letter, which I now take the boldness to write to you. You will not only read therein those things which I have already had the honour to dis∣course with you about so often, but also many other useful remarks, which I hope may be worthy your curiosity and attention.

It will without doubt bring you a great deal of comfort, by shewing you that your Care, your Prayers, and your Bounty have been seconded by Heaven; and that in contributing so much as you have done to the Conversion of so many Souls, you will at the end of the World be accounted a Father of many faithful.

But if in spight of all that I can say, you will not be made sensible of the great good you do there, for it is with the greatest difficulty that you are brought to

believe you do good: you will at least see that the fervent Missionaries, who for more than an Age have laboured in the large field of the Gospel, are not al∣together unworthy their Employment, and that the Fruits which they gather there, should be an en∣couragement to all Europe, to perfect this great Work which by them has been so happily began.

Among other things which the Emperor objected against us when discoursing of the Christian Religion, this was none of the weakest. If the knowledge of JESUS CHRIST, says he, sometimes is necessary for Salvation; and if God desires the Salvation of all Men; why has he so long kept us in ignorance and error? It is now above sixteen Ages since your Re∣ligion, the only way Men have to obtain Salvation, has been established in the World; we knew nothing of it here. Is China so inconsiderable as not to deserve to be thought of, while so many barbarous Nations have been enlightned?

The Missionaries have very solidly answered this objection, and that with so good a Face of Reason, as did give ample sati••faction to the Emperor. I do not here tell you, Sir, their answer; you do your self know all that could be possibly said thereto. But perhaps it will not be tedious to you to let you know that China has not been so much neglected as it thinks. We cannot inform our selves of all that has passed in this New World, since the death of our Sa∣viour; for the Chinese Histories seldom speak of any thing but what concerns Political Government. Yet the Divine Providence would be sufficiently justified in this point, if it had acted for the Salvation of China no more than has come to our knowledge.

There is no doubt but St. Thomas preached the true Faith in the Indies, and it is as certain that the Indians had then great dealings with the Chinese, to whom al∣most all India was tributary. It is therefore very pro∣bable

that this Apostle, to whom the care of this New World was committed, did not neglect the best part of it, which was then as much distinguished a∣bove the rest of the Eastern parts, as Italy was above the Western in the most flourishing condition of the Roman Empire. So that perhaps he himself travail∣led there, or at least sent some of his Followers.

This Conjecture, which carries its own Evidence with it, does still receive confirmation, from what the Chinese Histories relate concerning those times. Their History says that a Man came into China and preached Heavenly Doctrine. He was not an ordi∣nary Man, adds the History, his Life, his Miracles, and his Vertues made him admired by all the World. Furthermore one may read in an antient Breviary of the Church of Malabar, wrote in Chaldee these words, which are in the Office for St. Thomas his day. It was by St. Thomas's means that the Chinese and Aethiopi∣ans were Converted and came to the knowledge of the Truth. And in another place. It was by St. Thomas, that is to say, by the preaching of St. Thomas that the Kingdom of Heaven went into the Empire of China. And in an Anthem we read these words which fol∣low: The Indies, China, Persia, &c. offer up, in memo∣ry of St. Thomas, the worship due to thy holy Name. We can't tell what Conversions he wrought there, nor how long Religion flourished; but this is cer∣tain that if Religion hath not been' kept up in China till now, the Chinese may thank themselves, who by a criminal neglect and voluntary stubbornness, did so easily part with the gift of God.

Neither is this the only time wherein our Lord hath visited them. A great while after, that is in the seventh Century, a Catholick Patriarch of the Indies sent Missionaries thither, who preached the true Religion with good success. Altho' their History hath men∣tioned something of this, yet it is done in so few

words, and in so careless and obscure a manner, that we should never have had the happiness of being throughly acquainted with this Mission, were it not for an Accident which happened a few Years ago, which it pleased God to bring about, for the stronger establishing the Faith in this great Empire.

In the Year 1625, some Masons digging near Sig∣nanfou, the Capital of the Province of Chensi, found a long Table of Marble, which had been heretofore erected as a Monument in the manner they build them in China, and which time had buried in the ruins of some Building, or had hid in the Ground, so that no remains of it were visible. This Stone which was ten foot long and six foot broad, was very nicely examined, the more for this reason, because on the top of it there was a large Cross handsomly graved, below which was a long discourse in Chinese Cha∣racters, and other Letters which the Chinese did not understand; they were Syriack Characters. The Emperour had notice of it, and had a Copy of it sent him, and did command that the Monument should be carefully kept in a Pagode * 1.1, where it now is, about a mile from Signanfou. The substance of the Inscription on the Table is as follows.

There is a first principle of all things, of a spiritu∣al and intelligent Nature, who created all things out of Nothing, and who subsists in three Persons. At Man's Creation he endued him with original Justice, made him King of the Universe, and master of his own Passions; but the Devil drawing him into Temptation, corrupted his mind, and disturbed the inward peace and innocence of his heart. Hence sprang all those Misfortunes which overwhelm hu∣man kind, and all those different Factions into which we are crumbled.

Mankind, who since that fatal Fall did always walk in Darkness, would never have found out the path of Truth, if one of these three Persons of the Divinity, had not taken upon him the Nature of Man, which Man we call the Messia. An Angel proclaimed his coming, and some time after he was born of a Virgin in Iudea. This miraculous Birth was set forth by a new Star in the Heavens. Some Kings who observed the Star, came and offered Pre∣sents to the Divine Infant, that so the Law and Pre∣dictions of the twenty four Prophets might be ac∣complished.

He governed the World by instituting a very plain, Spiritual and Heavenly Law. He established eight Beatitudes. He endeavoured to disswade men from setting their hearts on the good things of this World, in order to fix in them a love of those good things which will never fail. He set forth the beautiful∣ness of the three principal Vertues. He set open the gates of Heaven to the Just, to which place he him∣self ascended at mid-day, leaving on Earth seven and twenty Books of his Doctrine, proper for the Con∣version of the World.

He instituted Baptism for the washing away Sin, and lay'd down his Life on the Cross for all men without exception. His Ministers cut not off their Beards, but have their Heads shaved excepting a circle of Hair which they leave on. They have no Servants, for they make themselves Superior to none whether in the height of Prosperity or in the depth of Affliction. Instead of heaping up Riches they willingly impart their little all to those who are in want. They Fast both for mortification of them∣selves, and in observance of the Laws. They re∣verence their Superiours and honour all good men. They pray seven times a day for the Dead and the Living. They offer Sacrifice every Week, to purge

them from their Sins, and to purifie their Hearts.

Even Kings who follow not this Law, whatsoe∣ver they do, can never make themselves truly esti∣mable among men. In the Reign of Tui▪tçoum a most wise and honoured Prince, Olopoüen coming from Iudea, after a long course of dangers by Sea and by Land, at last arrived at China in the Year of our Lord 636. The Emperour having notice of it, sent a Colao to meet him in the Suburbs of the Im∣perial City; with Orders to conduct him to the Pa∣lace. When he came there his Law was examined, and the truth of it acknowledged; so that the Emperour in favour of him made the following Edict.

No particular Name comprehends the true Law, neither are the Saints fixed to one place; they are scattered thro' the whole World, that they may be universally useful. A Man of Iudea, of exempla∣ry Vertue is arrived at our Court: We have exami∣ned his Doctrine, and found it admirable, with no mixture of Pride, and built upon those Principles which suppose the World had a beginning. This Law teaches the way of Salvation, and cannot but be extreamly useful to all our Subjects. I therefore judge it necessary that it be taught them. After∣ward he commanded that a Church should be built, and nominated one and twenty Persons to serve that Cure.

Kao the Son of Tai-çoum, succeeded him in the Year 651, and endeavoured to make that Religion flourish which his Father had received. He highly honoured the Bishop Olopoüen, and built in all the Provinces Churches for the true God. So that the Bonzes some Years after being alarm'd at the progress which Christianity had made, used all means to stop the course of it.

The Persecution was great, and the number of the faithful grew small, when our Lord raised up two persons of extraordinary Zeal, who defended the Faith with so much vigour, that in a little time it recovered its former lustre. The Emperor on his part strove to confirm it more and more; even so far as to command five Kings to go to Church, and pro∣strate themselves, before the Altar, and to erect o∣ther Churches in several Towns to the Honour of the God of the Christians. Thus the Foundation, hook by the struggle which the Bonzes made, be∣came more solid and better fixed than ever.

In the mean while the Prince himself continued to give great signs of his Piety; he made the Pi∣ctures of his Predecessors be carried to Church; he offered himself an hundred pieces of Silk upon the Altars; payed mighty respect to Ki-ho, a Missio∣nary newly arrived out of Iudea, and all his life time omitted nothing that was necessary for the propagating the Gospel in his Dominions. Ven∣min who succeeded him in the year 757. inherited his Vertue as well as Crown. He built five Churches. He was famous for his other great Qualities as well as for his care of Religion.

The following Emperors confirmed Christianity by their Edicts and Examples. We can pray for them without fearing that our Prayers will not be heard, for they were humble and peaceable; they bore with the faults of their Neighbours; and did good to all sorts of Men. Which is the true Character of Chri∣stianity, and is the true way to make Peace and Plenty flow into the greatest Kingdoms.

Others of them were exercised in the Works of the brightest Charity. The Emperor So-tçoum of∣fered at the Altar, and built Churches; besides he assembled together the Priests of four Churches, and for forty days served them himself with great re∣spect;

he fed the Poor, cloathed the Naked, healed the Sick, and buried the Dead. It is to keep up the memory of these great Actions, and to let Posterity know the present State of the Christian Religion here, that we have erected this Monument in the year 782.

This, Sir, is a faithful Epitomy of what is remark∣able in this famous remain of Chinese Antiquity. The Bonzes who keep it in one of their Temples near Sig∣nanfou, have erected over against it, a long Table of Marble every way like it, with Encomiums upon the Gods of the Country, to diminish as much as they can the glory which the Christian Religion receives from thence. The Chronicle of China confirms by the Order and Succession of the Emperors what the Monument says of it; but I am apt to think that the Vertues of those Emperors mentioned therein are ex∣alted too much some of whom in History are said to have done as much for Paganism, as this says they did for Christianity. However that be it is a plain testimony that the Faith was preached there and re∣ceived by a great many persons. It flourished there at least an hundred fourscore and six years, and per∣haps much longer for we' have no account of its failure, for the very memory of it was lost; and when the new Missionaries of our Society came thither, they found no sign or footstep of it.

It was in the year 1552. that Saint Xavier went thither in hopes to add this new Conquest to the Kingdom of JESUS CHRIST. It seemed that that great Man had made but an Essay in the Indies, and if I may use the expression, had but served an Apprentice∣ship to that Zeal, which he would be perfect Master of in China. And surely Moses never had a more ar∣dent desire to enter into the Holy Land, to gather with his People the Temporal Riches of that Coun∣try, than this Apostle longed to carry into this new World the Treasures of the Gospel. Both one and

t'other dyed by the Providence of God, in a time when their long Voyages and infinite Labours seemed answered by a great probability of success.

The Scripture tells us Moses's death was a punish∣ment to him for his lack of Faith; Saint Xavier's seems to be a reward for the abundance of his. God had a mind to reward his Zeal, his Labours, and his Cha∣rity; and was willing to defer for a time that torrent of Mercy which he designed for the Empire of China, that he might reward his Servant with that Glory, which he had procured for so many Nations. He dyed in the Isle of San-cham, or as we speak it San∣ciam, under the Jurisdiction of the Province of Can∣ton; it is well known that he lay in the ground several months, all which time God preserved him from the usual Corruption, from hence he was carried to Goa, where from that time he hath been honoured as the Protector of that place, and the Apostle of the East.

The touch of his body Consecrated the place of his burial. That Island became not only a famous place, but also an holy Land. Even the Heathens honoured it, and fled thither as to a City of Refuge. In the mean time Pirats haunted those Coasts, that no Vessels dared to go thereabouts, so that the place where this Sacred Tomb lay, was quite unknown to the Europeans; and it is but a little while ago that they discovered it by a particular accident.

In the year 1688. a Portuguese Vessel which com∣ing from Goa, had on Board the Governour of Macao, was seized by a sudden gust of Wind, and forced to let the Ship drive towards these Islands do what they could. They cast Anchor between the Isles of San∣ciam and Lampacao, which were so near one another as to make a kind of Haven. Contrary Winds con∣tinuing eight' days, gave Father Caroccio a Jesuite, who was on Board, an opportunity of satisfying his de∣vout

resolutions. He went on shoar, and was re∣solved in spight of Danger to go in search of the Saints Tomb. The Pilot and most part of the Sailors followed him, they searched the whole Island but to no purpose.

At at last a Chinese, an Inhabitant of the place, imagining with himself what it was which they so ardently sought after, undertook to guide them, and led them to a place which all the Inhabitants reve∣renced, and where he himself began to perform Acti∣ons and Gestures of Piety. The Father who could not understand him, began to search about for some sign or mark of the Sepulchre, and found at last a Stone five Cubits long, and three broad, upon which was cut these words in Latin, Portuguese, Chinese, and Iapon∣nese, Here Xavier a Man truly Apostolical was buried.

[illustration]

a. the Isle of Sanciam, b Lampacao c the Port d the Lomb of Saint Xavier.

Then they all fell on their Knees, and did with De∣votion kiss that Earth, which the Tears and the last Groans of that Apostle had sanctified. The Inhabi∣tants of the place came in and followed the Example of the Portuguese: even the English, for one of their Vessels came to an Anchor in the same place, came thither to honour the Saint, and prayed a great while at his Tomb. Father Caroccio some time after said Mass in his Pontificalibus, while the two Vessels, the English and Portuguese, did several times discharge their Artillery, and gave marks of their common joy.

Lastly, to preserve the memory of that holy place, they resolved to build a good square Wall all round the Tomb, and to dig a Ditch to secure it from all inun∣dations. In the midst between these Walls they raised the Stone which they found overturned, and built an Altar, as a Memorial of the august Sacrifice of the Eucharist which had been offered up there, which might also serve to Celebrate it upon again, if either Accident or Devotion should carry the Ministers of JESUS CHRIST thither any more. The People of the place did themselves assist toward the carry∣ing on this little work, and showed as much Zeal for the honour of the Saint as the Christians did.

This place is of itself very pleasant. You see there a small Plain extended from the bottom of a Hill, on one side of which is a Wood, on the other are Gar∣dens Cultivated; a Rivulet which turns and twines a∣bout, renders the Island very Fertile. It is not unin∣habited, as some have wrote, there are seventeen Vil∣lages in it. The Land is manured, even the very Mountains, and the Inhabitants are so far from want∣ing the necessaries of Life, that the growth of their Island is enough to carry on such Commerce as yields them a moderate plenty.

You will easily pardon me, Sir, for this short di∣gression concerning St. Francis Xavier. A Missio∣nary can't speak of him without being naturally in∣clined to enlarge about every thing that concerns this great Man. It was he who settled upon a solid Foundation all the Missions into the Indies, and who, in the last Years of his Life, encouraged his Brethren to enterprize the great Design of the Conversion of China. His Zeal passed into their minds and hearts; and tho' every body but Xavier thought it impossible that the Design should take effect, the Fathers Roger, Pasio, and Ricci, all three Italians, did resolve to spend all their pains, and if it were necessary, all their blood in this great Work.

The Difficulties which the Devil raised, did not discourage them. They entred one after the other into the Southern Provinces. The Novelty of their Doctrine brought them Auditors, and the Sanctity of their Lifes made those Auditors have a favourable opinion of them. At first they heard them with Pleasure, and afterwards with Admi∣ration. Father Ricci above all distinguished him∣self by his Zeal and Understanding. For he was thoroughly instructed in the Customs, the Religion, Laws, and Ceremonies of the Count••y, all which he had studied a long time before at Macao. He spoke their Language fluently, and understood their Wri∣tings perfectly; this was joyned to a sweet, easie, complaisant temper, and a certain insinuating beha∣viour, which none but himself had, which it was hard to resist; but above all, an ardour which the Holy Ghost instils into the Workmen of the Lords Harvest; all this, I say, got him the repute of a great Man and an Apostle.

Not but that he met with a great many rubs in the work of God. The Devil overthrew his Designs more than once. He had the Superstition of the Peo∣ple,

the Jealousie of the Bonzes, and the ill humour of the Mandarins to deal with; all which violently opposed what he was about to establish. Yet he ne∣ver gave over, and God gave him Perseverance, a Vertue very necessary in the beginning such Enter∣prises as these, which always meet with opposition, and which men of the best intentions in the World sometimes let fall, discouraged for want of present success to fortifie them in the prosecution of their Design.

Father Ricci, after many Years fruitless labour, had at last the comfort of seeing the Gospel flourish. He made many and mighty Conversions in the Pro∣vinces. The Mandarins themselves opened their eyes to the light of our holy Faith, which our Missionary carried even almost as far as to the Court. The Em∣peror Vanli then reigning, received him with great marks of Respect and Kindness: and among divers European Curiosities which the Father presented to him, he was so taken with some Pictures of our Sa∣viour and the Virgin Mary, that he ordered them to be set up in an high place in his Palace, as things to which he would have a respect fhewn.

This kind Welcome from the Emperour, gained him the Good will of all the Lords at Court; and in spight of the opposition of some Magistrates, who according to their custom, could never deal hand∣somly by a Stranger, he bought an House at Pekin, and gained such a Foundation and Establishment there, as hath been since the support of all the Mis∣sions into this Empire.

Religion was by this means known (and without it it would have been impossible to have supported it) thus it came into esteem, and was preached by the new Missionaries, who made great advantage of Fa∣ther Ricci's first Labours. The Court and all the

Provinces resounded every where with that adorable Name * 1.2, which the Jews heretofore, thro' the respect they bore to it, never so much as pronounced to their Proselites, and which the new-converted Chinese named to their Country-men with a respect yet greater. For the European Workmen being but few, gave an oppor∣tunity to several Mandarins to preach the Gospel, and there were some of them who by their Zeal and Un∣derstanding promoted the Affairs of Religion as much as the most fervent Missionaries.

It is true that these Successes were sometime after interrupted; for it is the Character of Truth, that it makes it self Enemies, and the lot of the Christi∣an Religion always to be persecuted. Providence being desirous to try the Fidelity of these new Chri∣stians, and to re-inflame the Zeal of their Ministers, permitted the Idol Priests to oppose the preaching of the Gospel. So that it very near came to pass, that a Cabal of some Bonzes, supported by several Man∣darins, had by the destruction of Father Ricci over∣thrown in one minute the Work of several Years.

B••t the greatest danger to this Holy Man and his Mission came from his own Brethren, I mean the European Christians. Some Portuguese of Macao in∣censed against the Jesuits, resolved to destroy them in China, altho' with them they destroyed the Chri∣stian Religion there. They could not but know what the Holy Intentions of those Fathers were in going thither, yet they accused them as Spies, who under pretence of preaching the Gospel, secretly managed a Conspiracy, and had a design to seize up∣on China by the force and assistance of the Iaponnese, Hollanders, and Christians of that Country.

It must needs be a great amazement to any one, who observes the rage and bitterness of these false Brethren, who altho' engaged by their Religion to

propagate the work of God even with the loss of their Lives, were yet resolved to destroy it by such vile and false Aspersions.

This Ridiculous Story which was set forth with Heat and Violence, and built upon some Circum∣stances which carried some shew of Truth, easily found Credit among the Chinese, naturally excessive∣ly Suspicious, and very well satisfied by a long expe∣rience that the least Commotions or Rebellion might bring the most powerful Empires to ruin.

The Persecution was very sharp, the weak Chri∣stians were scandalized, and did Apostatize from the Faith. Father Martinez was taken up, impri∣soned, and bastinado'd, till at length he died thro' his Torments: and if this Accusation of the Chri∣stians had ever came to the knowledge of the Court, it is very probable it would have been the utter over∣throw of Christianity here. But our Lord stop'd the growing Evil in its bud, and by the means of a Mandarin a particular Friend of Father Ricci gave Peace to the Mission and Liberty to the Evangelical Workmen.

After having surmounted a great many Obstacles of this nature, and preached the Gospel to an infi∣nite number of People, this fervent Missionary died. The Heathens judged him the wisest and most un∣derstanding Man of his Age, the Christians lov••d him as their Father, and the preachers of the Gospel made him a Model whereby to form themselves. He had the satisfaction of dying in the midst of a plen∣tiful Harvest; but was disturbed that there were so few Workmen to get it in. So that he recommended nothing more earnestly to his Brethren who assisted him in his last Sickness, than to receive with all ima∣ginable joy and comfort all those who should come to partake of their Labours. If they find, says he to them, when they arrive here Crosses from the Ene∣mies

of Christianity, do you sweeten the bitterness of them, by demonstrations of the most tender Friendship, and most inflamed Charity.

The Churches of China, of which he was the main support, were shaken by his Fall; for altho' the Em∣perour for some Years afterward shewed himself somewhat favourable to the Christian Religion, yet in 1615, there arose against it the cruellest Tem∣pest that it had ever yet suffered. It was occasioned by one of the principal Mandarins of Nankin.* 1.3. They chiefly set upon the Pa∣stors, thereby the easier to disperse the Flock. Some were cruelly beaten, others banished, almost all imprisoned and carried afterwards to Macao, after having the honour of suffering a thou∣sand injuries and reproaches for the love of IESUS CHRIST.

The Tempest lasted near six Years; but at last the Persecutor being himself accused, was by Gods Judg∣ment deprived both of his Offices and also of his Life. His death gave the Christians some respite, who after that multiplied more than ever, thro' the labours of a great many Missionaries. It was about this time * 1.4 that the Right Reve∣rend Fathers of the Order of St. Dominick joined with us; many of whom do at this time labour in China with a great deal of Zeal and Success.

About this time Father Adam Schaal a German ap∣peared at Courts, and added a new Lust••e to Christianity which had but newly sprang up again. He was per∣fectly skilled in Mathematicks, and made use of his knowledge therein to obtain the Emperors kindness; he was in a little time so highly in the Emperours favour, that he thought he should be able by his own Interest alone to Establish the Christian Religion solidly. He began to make use of his Interest with good success, when an Insurrection overturned the

whole Government, and with it all his promising hopes.

This great State whose Power seemed to be enough to secure it from the most violent Shock whatever, was made sensible then that there is nothing constant in this World. Some Robbers being met together, by the access of multitudes of Male-contents who joined them formed vast Armies: they burned Towns and plundered whole Provinces. China presently changed its Aspect, and from the most flourishing Empire became the Stage for the most bloody War. Never were there seen so many Murthers and Bar∣barities. The Emperour being surprised at Pekin, strangled himself for fear of falling into the hands of the Victors. The Usurper was soon drove out of the Throne by the Tartars, who seiz'd upon it. The Princes of the Blood who in different places were proclaimed Emperours, were vanquished or killed. Then all the Mandarins rose, some declaring for Tar∣tary, others for Liberty: others only carried on the Fighting Trade, in hopes to make their private For∣tunes from the publick Ruin.

Some of those last were rather Monsters than Men, who giving themselves to all that Licentiousness which the most inhumane Cruelty and Barbarity could prompt them to, made whole Provinces desolate, and shed more blood to satisfie their Brutality, than the most ambitious Prince in the World would for the Conquest of an Empire.

Religion, which groaned amidst those Troubles, had the comfort nevertheless of seeing many great Persons Converted; one Empress with her Son were Baptised; scarce either of them lived after their re∣ception of the Faith, the fruits of which they could not enjoy but in the other World. Lastly, the Tar∣tars by their Valour, and by a Conduct equal to the Policy of ancient Rome, made themselves Masters of

China, and in a few Years obliged all the Provinces to submit to a foreign Yoak.

Then we thought Religions Case desperate; but God, who needs not the assistance of Men when he hath a mind to support his own Work, inspired on a sudden this new Prince with a greater affection for the Christian Religion, than we dared hope for from the Chinese Emperours. He not only took away the Government of the Mathematicks from the Ma∣bometans, which they had possessed for 300 Years, and gave it to Father Adam; but by a special Pri∣vilege he suffered that Father to apply himself to him immediately in all things which concerned the Missi∣onaries, without first passing thro' the Formalities of the Courts of Justice, who are very severe to Stran∣gers. This signal Favour, joined with many others, raised up the Courage of the Christians, and gave the Heathens greater liberty to close with the true Religion. Many Persons of the best Quality at Pekin desired Baptism; the Provinces follow'd the Example of the Court, and the Harvest became so plentiful, that the Workmen were too few to gather it in.

Those who were employed therein, laboured with such an hearty Zeal, that we do at this present feel the effects of it. There were found Persons of emi∣nent Vertue, Prudence, and Understanding, whom God had formed during the Troubles and Civil Wars, and which the Spirit of the Almighty drew out of the Chaos, like so many Stars, to shed forth the Light of the Gospel, unto the most hidden parts of this vast Empire, accompanying their Preaching with Signs and Wonders.

Among those extraordinary Men Father Father, a Frenchman, distinguished himself above the rest. I had the happiness to tarry some time in that Pro∣vince which was allotted to his care; and I have, after so many Years, found the precious remains

there, which are the necessary consequences of Holi∣ness. Those who were witnesses of his Actions, tell to their Children the Miracles which he wrought to confirm them in their Faith, and altho' one need not believe all which they relate of him, we cannot ne∣vertheless deny that God did in many occasions give an extraordinary concurrence in several great things which he enterprised for his Glory.

It is worth knowing after what manner he founded the Mission of Ham-tçoum, a Town of the first Rank in Chensi, two days Journey distant from the Capital. He was invited thither by a Mandarin, and the small number of Christians which he found there, made him the more laborious to encrease their Number. God put into his hands a means of doing this which he never expected. One of the great Boroughs, which in China are as big as the Towns, was then over∣run by a prodigious multitude of Locusts, which eat up all the Leaves of the Trees, and gnawed the Grass to the very Roots.

The Inhabitants after having used all imaginable means, thought fit to apply themselves to Father Fa∣ber, whose repute was every where talked of. The Father took from thence an occasion to explain the principal Mysteries of our Faith, and added that if they would submit themselves thereto, they should not only be delivered from the Present Plague, but that also they should obtain innumerable Blessings, and Eternal Happiness. They embraced it willingly, and the Father to keep his word with them, marched in Ceremony into the Highways in his Stole and his Surplice; and sprinkled up and down holy water, accompanying his Action with the Prayers of the Church, but especially with a lively Faith. God heard the Voice of his Servant, and the next day all the Insects disappeared.

But the People, whose minds were wholly bent upon the things of this World, as soon as they saw themselves delivered, neglected the Counsel which the Missionary had given them. They were there∣fore immediately punished, and the Plague grew worse than it was before. Then they accused one the other of their want of Faith; they ran in Crouds to the Father's House, and casting themselves at his Feet: we will not rise up Father, said they, till you have pardoned us. We confess our fault, and pro∣test that if you will a second time deliver us from this Affliction with which Heaven threatens us, the whole Borough will immediately acknowledge your God, who alone can work such great Miracles.

The Father, to increase their Faith, made them beg a great while. At last inspired as before, he sent up his Prayer, and sprinkled his holy water, and by the next day there was not an Insect to be found in the Fields. Then the whole Borough being brought o∣ver to the Truth, followed the guidance of God's Holy Spirit; they were all instructed and formed in∣to a Church, which, tho' it was abandoned for some years, is still reckoned one of the devoutest Missions in China.

They say also of this Father that he has been car∣ried over Rivers thro' the Air, that they have seen him in an extasie, that he foretold his own Death, and did several other such Wonders; but the greatest Miracle of all was his life, which he spent in the con∣tinual exercise of all the Apostolical Virtues, in a profound Humility, in a severe Mortification, in a settled Patience, proof against all sorts of Injuries, in a flaming Charity, and a tender Devotion to the Mother of God, all which he practised to his death; to the Edification, and I may say the Admiration even of the Idolaters

While Christianity spread its Root deep through∣out the Provinces, it flourished every day more and more at Pekin; the Emperor did not seem far from it. He came often to our Church, and did there a∣dore the Divine Majesty in such an humble man∣ner as would have been commendable in a Christi∣an. There are still Writings from his own hand, wherein he acknowledges the beauty and the purity of our holy Law; but a Heart set upon sensual pl••a∣sures can never follow the directions of the Spirit; When Father Adam has been pressing upon him. You are, said he, in the right, but how can you expect that any one should be able to practise all these Laws? Take away two or three of the difficultest, and after that per∣haps we may agree to the rest. Thus this young Prince di∣vided between the Voice of human Nature and Grace, thought that we might favour Nature at the expence of Religion; but the Father gave him to understand, that we were only the Publishers, not the Authors of the Gospel. Nevertheless, my Lord, says the Fa∣ther to him one day, tho' we propose to the corrupt World a body of Morals which surpass their forces to comply with, and Mysteries which are above their Reason to comprehend, we do not from thence de∣spair to have our Doctrine received; because we do it by his order who can enlighten the most darkned Understanding, and strengthen the most weak Na∣ture.

These difficulties which the Emperor looks upon as insuperable did not take any thing from that kindness and respect which he bore to Father Adam. He al∣ways called him his Father, placed always his confi∣dence in him: he made him twenty visits in two years; and gave him leave to build two Churches in Pekin; and order'd those which in the Persecution had been demolished in the Provinces to be rebuilt: nay granted him whatever could any ways contribute

toward the solid establishment of the Faith, which without doubt would have made an infinite progress, had not a violent Passion changed the temper of that Prince, and took him away from us at a time when we had the most need of his Protection: we may justly say that his death was owing to an extraordina∣ry grief for the loss of a Concubine. This Woman, whom he had taken from her Husband, inclined him to the worship of false Gods, to that excess that he was wholly altered from what he was before as to his Opinions of Religion. And that time it was that he f••ll sick, his mind being full of Notions from the Bonzes, who swarmed in his Palace, and being vehe∣mently tormented by his Passion, so that he could not get a Moments rest. In the mean while as he loved the Father extremely, so was he desirous to see him once more before he dyed.

At this last meeting the good Missionary's Bowels yearn'd upon him. He was kneeling at the Prince's Beds-feet, whom he had Educated as his own Son, in hopes one day to make him Head of the true Religi∣on. He saw him there under the load of a violent Distemper, disturbed with the impure desires of un∣lawful Love, given up to Idols and their Priests, just upon the brink of death, and that death an Eternal one. The Emperor, who saw him in this concern, would not let him speak upon his Knees; but raised him up, and heard his last advice with somewhat less prejudice against it than usual; ordered him after∣ward a present of Tea, and dismissed him with such marks of tenderness as touched him to the bottom of his Soul, of which he was the more sensible, because he never could bring it about, to work in him a true Conversion.

His death was equally fatal to the Bonzes, who were thereupon driven from the Palace, and to the true Religion which was thereby brought within a

nails breadth of destruction. Many Churches built upon the Coasts of the Maritime Provinces were de∣stroyed, by an Edict which commanded that every body on the Coasts should retire ten or eleven Miles within Land, and destroy all Habitations within that compass all round the Coasts, because a famous Pi∣rate made use of them in carrying on a War against the Emperor. They were also just going to ruin Ma∣cao, and order was given to drive the Portuguese thence, when Father Adam used his utmost effort to save it. At this time all his Credit and Interest, which he had employed so much to the advantage of Reli∣gion, ended. For in a little time he became the ob∣ject of the most bloody Persecution that ever the Church sustered.

The four Mandarins who had the Regency during the Emperors minority, moved upon different▪ To∣picks, and especially animated against the Christians, to whom this Father was the main support, put him and three of his Companions into Prison. Other Preachers of the Gospel were summoned to Pekin, who met with the same treatment, and were loaded each with nine Chains. They burned their Books, their Beads, and Medals, and whatever else carried the Face of Religion; nevertheless they spared the Churches; as for the Christian Flock they met with a more mild usage.

Those famous Confessors had the honour to be dragged before all the Seats of Judgment. There it was that their Enemies did admire their Courage. But they were above all moved by the miserable con∣dition of Father Adam. That Venerable old Man, who but a day or two before was the Oracle of the Court, and the Favourite of a great Emperor, now appeared in the form of a Slave, loaded with Chains, and oppressed with Infirmities, dejected by the weight and burthen of Age, but much more by that of ca∣lumny

which labour'd to blemish his Innocence. He had a sort of Catarrhe which hindred him from making his defence; but Father Verbiest forsook him not, and answered for him, to his Enemies, in so sensible a manner, that the Judges could not enough admire the Constancy of the Pe••son ac∣cused, nor the heroical Charity of the Person who defended him. However as innocent as he was, he was condemned to be strangled, which is in China an honourable kind of Death; but afterwards, as tho' they repented that they had not been unjust enough, they repealed the Sentence, and gave another, where∣in the Father was condemned to be publickly exposed in the Market place, and be hacked alive into ten thousand pieces.

The Supreme Court sent the Sentence to the Re∣gency, and to the Princes of the Blood to have it confirmed; but God who had till then seemed to have relinquished his Servant, began to speak in fa∣vour of his Cause by a terrible Earthquake. The whole Land were confounded at this Prodigy. Every body exclaimed that Heaven itself would punish the inju∣stice of the Magistrates: who therefore to appease the People opened all the Prisons in the Town, and made an Act of Oblivion for all Criminals, ex∣cepting the Confessors of JESUS CHRIST who were still kept in Chains, as tho' they had been the only Victims for whom Heaven had no concern.

But because there arrived divers Prodigies, and in particular fire consumed great part of the Court of Justice, at last fear obtained that from these unrighte∣ous Judges, which innocence could not. They set Father Adam at liberty, and permitted him to go home to his House, till the Emperor should other∣wise dispose of him. This great Man blemished, in∣deed to outward appearance, by an ignominious Sen∣tence which was never repealed; but in truth full

of glory, for having defended the honour of Religion by exposing his own life, dyed a little while after, worn away by the toil of an Apostolical life, but more by the hardships and inconveniences of a trou∣blesome Prison.

His death was too precious in the Eyes of God, to be unaccompany'd with some signal blessing upon the sorrowful remains of persecuted Christianity. It is true that the Missionaries of the Provinces were banished to Canton, among which three were Dominicans, one a Franciscan, (and another of the same Order dyed in Prison) and one and twenty Jesuits; yet four were kept at the Court, whom the Providence of God made use of afterwards to settle Christianity again in its pristine splendor.

God himself revenged the innocence of his Servants. Sony the first Mandarin in the Regency, the most dangerous Enemy the Fathers had, dyed a month or two after. The second, named Soucama, was after∣wards indicted and condemned to a cruel death, his Goods Confiscated, his Children, in number seven, had their Heads cut off, excepting the third, who was cut to pieces alive, the punishment which that wicked Judge had design'd for Father Adam, and with which God chastised his Crimes in the Persons of his Chil∣dren. Yam-quam-sien, who had been the chief In∣strument in the Persecution, fared no better than them. After the death of Father Adam he was made President of the Mathematicks, and had the charge of the Kalendar of the Empire committed to him. Father Verbiest accused him, and plainly made ap∣pear the ignorance of this pitiful Mathematician.

This was a bold stroke, because the Presidents Party was very strong, and the flames which had caused the Persecution were not yet quenched. But many things concurred to give good success to this Enterprise. The understanding of the Father, the

kindness which the new Emperor had for the Euro∣peans, but especially the particular Providence of God which did secretly manage this important Affair. For it is certain that in the several tryals whereby they proved the goodness of our Mathematicks, the Heavens did so exactly agree with what our Fathers had foretold, even above the certainty which our Tables and Calculations could promise us, that it seemed as tho' God had guided the Stars, in such a course as was necessary to justifie our Missionaries ac∣count of them.

The President of the Mathematicks used his best endeavours to defend himself; and because he could not hide his Ignorance in Astronomy, he endeavoured to put upon the Judges, and persuade them that the Christian Religion contained much greater errors than those he was guilty of. In the midst of some meet∣ings where the Emperor was present, he behaved him∣self in such manner as the Emperor could scarcely bear with him. He layed his Hands across, and cryed out as loud as he could: See here, do but observe what these Fellows adore, and what they would have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 worship too, a Man who was hanged, a person who was crucified, let any one judge hereby of their understanding and good sense.

But all these Excursions served only to diminish his own Credit. This wicked person, more blameable for his Crimes than for his Ignorance, lost his charge and was condemned to death. Notwithstanding the Emperor suspended the Execution of the Sentence by reason of his extraordinary old Age; but God himself executed his Sentence of Vengeance. He smote him with an horrible Ulcer, and by his sorrow∣ful death, delivered Religion from this Monster of Iniquity.

Then the care of the Mathematicks was committed to Father Verbiest, the antient Missionaries were re∣called to their old Churches, but forbid to go about to build new ones, or to labour in the Conversion of the Chinese. Lastly, to magnifie our happiness, the memory of Father Adam was mightily respected even at Court. He was publickly justified and cleared, his Charges and Titles of honour were remanded him, and his Ancestors made Nobility. The Emperor him∣self appointed considerable sums of mony to build him a stately Mausoleum, which at this present is to be seen, in room of a Sepulchre, adorned with Sta∣tues and several Marble Figures according to the Cu∣stom of the Country.

Thus it is that God by a continual Vicissitude, proves the constancy of the Faithful by Persecution, and en∣courages them again by punishing their Persecutors. This happy Peace which the Church gained thro' Father Verbiests means, encouraged the Missionaries to repair that damage which Hell had done. Besides the Jesuits, there were several Fathers of the Orders of St. Francis, and St. Augustin, who entered into the Lords Vineyard. New establishments were gained every where, and notwithstanding any Prohibition a great number of Heathens were Converted to the Faith, being more afraid of eternal punishment, than of that with which the Laws of Man seemed to threaten them.

So ardent and so hasty a Zeal will perhaps make you amazed; but besides that Charity is always ha∣zardous, many things contributed to confirm those who might else be afraid of fatal consequences. The first of these is the great Authority which the Missio∣naries have acquired at Court in a small time. Espe∣cially the Emperor is satisfied that they despise Ho∣nours, and that at home they lead an Austere life.

The Prince is inform'd of this such ways that it is im∣possible he should be deceived. He had information from Spies, of all that passed in their Houses; even so nicely as to know their Mortifications and corporeal Penances.

He sends also to the Fathers Houses a young Tar∣tar, of good parts, under pretence to learn Philoso∣phy, but in reality to discover the most secret things in their Families, and to be himself, I think, an oc∣casion of offence. He stays there a year, without knowing what the Princes intentions are, who having sent for him into his presence commands him to tell him all the private disorders of these Fathers, and e∣specially how they have behaved themselves towards him. And when these young Men constantly bear Te∣stimony of the Fathers innocence: I see very well, says the Emperor, they have stop'd your Mouth with Presents, but I know a way to open it again. Then he makes him be severely slashed at several times, yet is not the pain enough to make the young Tartar speak against his Conscience. Which pleases the Prince mightily, who would be disturbed to find him∣self deceived in the Idea which he has formed to him∣self of these fervent Missionaries.

This obliges him afterward to take their part in an Assembly of the Mandarins, some of which do not esteem the Missionaries because their outward car∣riage seems so good. As for that Matter, says the Emperor to them, neither you nor I can find fault with them. After all that I can do to get information, I am persuaded that these People teach us nothing but what themselves practice, and they are indeed as modest as they appear outwardly to be.

The second reason which engaged the Emperor to favour the Missionaries, was the great understanding of Father Verbiest, who in a small time was reckoned the

learnedst Man in the Empire in all Faculties. His Re∣putation is every where spread abroad, and upon ma∣ny occasions his Opinion has the repute of an Oracle. Some Mandarins one day speaking of the Trinity, and using it as a Fable, one of them said, I do not know what the Christians mean, and am as much puzled as you; but Father Verbiest is of that opinion: what say you to that? Can a Man of his sence and understanding mistake? They all held their Tongues, and seemed to yield to this reason. So true is it that the use of humane Learning is so far from being (as some think) opposite to the Spirit of the Gospel, that it some∣times serves to establish it, and to render the most ob∣scure mysteries therein credible.

The third Reason, is that hearty love which the Emperor believes the Missionaries have for him. It is true the Missionaries omit nothing which they think will please him; and as they are the most inflexible and resolute against doing any thing contrary to their Religion, so are they the most complaisant and ready to comply with all the reasonable requests of the Em∣peror. A Rebellion which happened at this time, put it into Father Verbiests power to do the Crown a con∣siderable piece of Service.

Ousang••ei, that famous Chinese General, who had brought the Tartars into the Empire, thought he had then a good opportunity to drive them out again. He was naturally courageous, and in Chensi commanded the best of the Chinese Soldiery, and had got together a vast deal of mony. This made him set up to be Emperor, and made him believe he could easily com∣pass his design. And indeed he so ordered his mat∣ters that he made himself presently Master of the three great Provinces Yunnam, Soutçhouen, and Gueit çheou, afterwards a great part of the Province of Houquam acknowledged him. So that these posses∣sions and Chensi, which he had in possession a good

while before made him Master of almost a third of China.

These Conquests seemed to be the more secure to him, because at the same time, the Vice-Roys of Quantoum and Fokien followed his example, and gave the Emperor on that side a mighty diversion, and beside a powerful Pirate with a great Fleet attacked and in few days took the Island Formosa at the same time.

Less than this would have ruined the Tartars, if they had all concerted their business together; but jealousie which does oft overthrow the firmest Leagues, ruined their Projects. The King of Fokien fell out with that of Formosa, and to preserve himself from being damaged by his Fleet, made his Peace with the Emperor, who gave him such assistance as that he made his party good. The King of Quantoum being unwilling to be any ways under the direction or command of Ousanguei, left him, and put himself under the Protection of the Tartars, who turned all their Forces against this last Rebel, more formidable than all the rest together; for he was Master of all the Western Provinces, and the success which his Troops had hitherto met with, gave them Heart and Courage enough to undertake any thing.

After the Emperor had tryed many several ways to no purpose, he saw plainly that it was impossible to force them from the places where they had entrench∣ed without using his great Artillery: but the Cannon which he had were Iron, and so heavy that they dared not carry them over such steep Rocks, as they must do to come to him. He thought Father Verbiest might be assistant to him in this matter; he commanded the Father therefore to give directions for casting some Cannon after the European manner. The Father presently excused himself, saying that he had lived his whole life far from the noise of War, that he was

therefore little instructed in those affairs. He added also that being a Religious, and wholly employed in the concerns of another World, he would pray for his Majesty's good success; but that he humbly begged that his Majesty would be pleased to give him leave not to concern himself with the warfare of this World.

The Fathers Enemies (for a Missionary is never without some) thought that now they had an oppor∣tunity to undermine him. They persuaded the Em∣peror that what he commanded the Father to do, was no ways opposite to the will or intention of the Go∣spel: and that it was no more inconvenient to him to cast Cannon than to cast Machines and Mathe∣matical Instruments, especially when the good and safety of the Empire were concerned: that therefore without doubt the reason of the Fathers refusal was because he kept Correspondence with the Enemy, or at least because he had no respect for the Em∣peror. So that at last the Emperor gave the Father to understand, that he expected obedience to his last Order, not only upon pain of losing his own life, but also of having his Religion utterly rooted out.

This was to touch him in the most sensible part, and he was indeed too wise to stand out for a nicety or a scruple at the hazard of losing all that was va∣luable. I have already assured your Majesty that I have very little understanding in casting Cannon, said he to the Emperor; but since you command me I will endeavour to make your Workmen understand what our Books direct in this affair. He took there∣fore upon himself the care of this Work, and the Cannon was proved before the Emperor, and found to be extraordinary good. The Emperor was so well pleased with the Work, that he pulled off his Mantle, and in the presence of the whole Court gave it to Father Verbiest for a token of his Affection.

All the Pieces of Cannon were made very light and small, but strengthned with a stock of Wood from the mouth to the breech, and girt with several bands of Iron; so that the Cannons were strong e∣nough to bear the force of the Powder, and light enough to be carried thro' any, even the worst Roads. This new Artillery did every way answer what they proposed from it. The Enemy were obliged to leave their Intrenchments in disorder, and soon after to Ca∣pitulate; for they did not think it possible to hold out against those any longer, who could destroy them without coming themselves into reach.

Ousanguei was himself dead: his Son Hom-boa, who carried on the War, strangled himself thro' despair•• and the rest of them were in a small time utterly routed. So that the Emperor then began to Reign in Peace, and continued more and more to shew marks of Favour and Affection to the Missionaries. So that Father Verbiest has often sighing said, that the Lord's Vineyard was now open, that the Heathens them∣selves gave liberty to enter upon the Harvest, but that yet there were scarce any Workmen to bring it in.

They send to him for Pastors from every place, Tartary, the Kingdom of Corea, the Provinces of China, which have been left destitute by the death of their antient Pastors, invite or rather press him to succour them. Neither does this scarcity come from the Europeans want of Zeal, but from the differences which have arose between the sacred Congregation, who send Vicars Apostolical into the East, and the King of Portugal, who pretends to a right to nomi∣nate all the Bishops there, exclusively to any supe∣riour Ecclesiastical Power.

This Dispute cools the ardour of those fervent Mis∣sionaries, who dare not engage themselves where they must incur either the indignation of their Holy Fa∣ther,

or of a mighty Prince, both which things are very formidable. And thus the Work of God stood still, and those precious minutes were lost, which the favour of a great Emperour and the diligence of a zealous Missionary, might have made so useful to the firm establishing our Holy Faith. But this is one of the Ar••••na of Providence, which, after it hath confounded all the opposition of the enemies of the Gospel, even at the expence of working Mi∣racles, does sometimes suffer that the Zeal of Catho∣licks should do more harm to Religion, than the Ha∣tred and Jealousie of Idolaters.

Sometime after my Lord Bishop of Heliopolis was sent by the sacred Congregation with some French Ecclesiasticks, full of ardour to reform and encrease the new Christianity. This courageous Prelate had once already missed his Voyage: For contrary Winds having obliged him sometime before to put in at Manilla, a considerable Island under the Spanish Go∣vernment, he was taken up upon suspicion there, and obliged to return back into Europe by the way of Mexico. This accident which had broken his first measures, served only to fill his mind with new and those greater ones. He came to Paris, where his good intentions were well known. Rome heard him with pleasure, and followed his Projects in all that re∣spected the Eastern Missions. So that he came ho∣noured with a Power from the Holy See, and laded with the Alms of the Faithful, who expected nothing less from his Zeal than the Conversion of the New World.

He therefore once more passed over the Seas, and happily arrived at China, where he began to scatter abroad that Flame which should warm all the Missi∣onaries. The Jesuits and other Religious not only acknowledged his Authority, but also took the new Oath which the sacred Congregation had appointed,

altho' the King of Portugal had absolutely forbad it. For they thought that that Prince, in whom the love of Religion had always prevailed before his private interest, would not take it ill when he should know that their refusal of it might have occasioned the de∣struction of Christianity in China, and perhaps of the Missions in all the other parts of the East.

This was matter of great joy to the Bishop, who after this happy beginning, made ready, according to his former notions, to new Till this Vineyard of the Lord, whether he thought himself sent like the Prophet heretofore * 1.5. Ecce constitui te super gentes, ut destruas, & disperdas, & dissipes, &c. But God Almighty was sa∣tisfied with his good Intentions, and took him to him∣self a few months after his arrival. His death great∣ly surprised all the Faithful, it did especially afflict the fervent Ecclesiasticks who were the Companions of his Voyage; the other Missionaries submitted with resignation to the Will of God, being perswa∣ded that whatsoever Providence appoints, is always for his Glory, and for the good of the Elect, if they make a right use of it.

This was sweetned by the arrival of two other Bi∣shops, who a little while after supplied his place un∣der the Title of Vicars Apostolical. The first was Monsieur d' Argolis, an Italian of the Order of St. Francis, noted among those of his Order for his ex∣cellent Vertues, and extraordinary Knowledge. He had been employed in the chiefest business there, and our Holy Father thought he could not make choice of a wiser Man than he to place at the Helm of so flourishing a Mission. As he went by Siam, Mon∣sieur Constance understanding his worth presented him to the King, who would fain have kept him in his Kingdom; but because the Orders of the Holy See obliged him to go farther, he resolved at least to shew

him some marks of his esteem and affection toward him, in ordering him, and two of his Companions of the same Order, a considerable Pension. So that had it not been for the Revolutions which a little while after happened in his Kingdom, this Prince worthy of a better Fortune, would have had his Missi∣onaries in China, as well as the most zealous Princes in Europe.

Since this wise Prelate hath been in China, the na∣tural sweetness of his Temper hath very much con∣tributed to the comfort of the Faithful, and conver∣sion of the Heathen. He hath visited all the Pro∣vinces which the Holy See committed to his care, consecrating Priests, teaching and exhorting them, administring the Sacrament of Confirmation, uniting all their affections as much as possibly he could, whose different interests seems to have cooled their mutual Charity to one another in JESUS CHRIST. And tho' one would think that the Portuguese could never have a respect for him, because their pretensi∣ons are wholly opposite to this institution of Vicars Apostolical, yet he has behaved himself with so much Prudence, that all Nations here think themselves par∣ticularly obliged to him.

The second Bishop whom the Holy See has digni∣fied with the Title of Vicar Apostolical, is Monsieur de Basilee a Chinese, educated by the Fathers of Saint Francis's Order, afterwards taking upon himself the Order of St. Dominick. When he was only a Missionary, he had a flaming zeal for the Conversion of his dear Country, and during the Persecution of Father Adam, he was the main support of Religion in all the Pro∣vinces which he travelled through, and strengthned in the Faith. When he was consecrated Bishop, he performed all his Duties perfectly well, and the Holy See did so far approve of his Conduct as to l••t him nominate his Successor. He nominated his Vicar-General

the Reverend Father de Leonissa, an Italian of St. Francis's Order, who in his private Life might have been a Pattern to the most strict Religious, and in the important Employment of Vicar Apostolical, has shewn that he has all that Zeal, all that Prudence, and all that Constancy, which the Government of a great Church requires.

My Lord Bishop of Basilée after he had thus cho∣sen this worthy successor of his Apostleship, fell sick at Nankin, and died full of those happy Visions which God gives even in this World to his Saints. At his Death that Faith shined brightly, which had animated him in his Life-time; and his last minutes, wherein he appeared to be fulfilled with the most sensible touches of Christian hope, seemed to give him an antepast of the Joys of Paradise. All his trouble was for the Missionaries by whom he was affe∣ctionately beloved, and for the Christians who lost in him the first Priest, the first Religious, and the first Bishop that ever China had yet given to Christi∣anity. And as his blessed Memory was every where spread abroad, they have set up his Picture in several places; which the Reverend Father de Leonissa sent to the sacred Congregation, to preserve the Memory of a Prelate whose own Merit, as well as our parti∣cular Obligations to him, ought to make eternally respected.

Besides this the Pope honoured Mr. Maigrot and Mr. Pin with the Title of Vicars Apostolical, both of them Doctors of the Sorbon, diligent, zealous, and set upon following the Intentions of the Holy See, and in a word Companions of Mr. Heliopolis, and In∣heritors of a double portion of his Spirit.

If the number of Missionaries had been answer∣able to that of the Pastors, the Churches in China had now been perfectly filled; but, as I have said, the over care which every one has taken to provide

for it exclusively of others, has rendered People less desirous of going. Good men, nay even those who have occasioned these disorders, have mourned for them in secret. Some zealous Persons have endea∣voured to remedy this. My Lord Bishop of Mun∣ster and Paderborn, whom the care of his own Diocese did not hinder from extending his care even as far as the East, gave a settlement for six Missionaries for ever to China; but dying a little while after, his last Will was never executed. Others in France, in Spain, in Italy, took a great deal of pains to help this forsaken Mission, but they could never compass their designs.

Lewis the Great, who is himself as zealous for e∣stablishing the Gospel, as all the other Princes put together, among the great Designs which he has been intent upon to make Religion flourish in Europe, thought that he ought not to neglect that good which he might do in Asia. He was very sensible of the Necessities of China, which Father Verbiest had repre∣sented to him in one of his Letters, in the most sen∣sible manner in the World; and although he very well knew, that he could not make Missionaries (a quality which no body can give us but the Vicar of JESUS CHRIST) he doubted not but that Reli∣giouses who were exactly skilled in Mathematicks, in attaining, according to his Orders, an exact know∣ledge in Astronomy, might at the same time with good success, labour according to the design of their Institution, in the Conversion of Infidels. He was very well satisfied, that of all the means which hu∣man prudence could advantageously make use of in the most holy Actions, there were none which pro∣moted the concerns of Religion in China more than the Mathematicks.

Being therefore willing at once to satisfie his zeal for the advancement of the Gospel, and the desire

which he had of bringing the Sciences to perfection, he made choice of six Jesuits whom he thought capable of giving good satisfaction to the Learned, and Instru∣ction to intelligent Persons. Those who were thus appointed, could have wished they had all the abilities necessary for this Employment: They did neverthe∣less set out with a good Will, being ready to sacrifice their Lives and all their small Talents to the greater Glory of God, and by consequence to the pious De∣signs of the greatest Prince in the World.

When we came into China, we found it in the Condition I have been relating, the Harvest was plentiful every where, but it was almost destitute of Workmen; or (to make use of Father Intorcetta's words, one of the most noted Missionaries) drowned in those Tears, which the sorrow of seeing her self abandoned forced continually from her: Benedictus Deus qui fecit nobiscum Misericordiam suam, liberavit vos à naufragio, ut prope naufragam nostram missionem ab aquis lacrimarum, summique moeroris eriperet, vos omnes in corde servo, & tanquam veros Societatis filio•• virosque Apostolicos intimis animi praecordiis amplector, &c. Thus he spake to us in his first Letter, to encourage us to assist in the glorious Labours of his Mission.

Providence put it into our power in a little time to employ our selves usefully there; and if we had done no other good than was the drawing after us by our Example several other Missionaries who fol∣lowed us, and who now are full of their holy Labours in the Work of God; it would be a great comfort to us, and a very great advantage to China. But that which is much more comfortable is, that we have hereby contributed very much toward removing those lets and hindrances to the propagating the Gospel of which I spake before. For at the Remonstrance of Father Tachard, supported also by that of the Re∣verend Father General, Innocent XI. suspended the

Oath. And after Clement VIII. granted to the King of Portugal to nominate three Bishops, one of Pekin, the other of Nankin, and the third of Macao. And at this present our Holy Father, who in his own self hath all the Zeal, all the Piety, and all the Wisdom of his Predecessors, animated by the same Spirit, and moved (if I might do my self the honour of saying so) with what I have had the honour to represent unto him of the present State of these Missions, is about to regulate all the particulars therein by the prudent Councel and Advice of the sacred Congre∣gation. To the end that hereafter nothing may be so much laid to heart as the Interest of Religion, and that all Kingdoms of Europe being united in the Love of JESUS CHRIST, may with one con∣sent labour to bring about and perfect this great Work.

Thus, Sir, I have given you a general View of the Establishment and Progress of Christianity in the Empire of China, from the Preaching of the Apostles till these last Times. This Church heretofore very Famous, but after that wholly overturned by Super∣stition, hath at last been re-established one Age ago by one of the greatest Men of our Society, and aug∣mented by the Labours of a great many Missionaries, governed by wise Prelates, honoured by the Pro∣tection of many Emperours, supported by the Bounty of all the Princes of Europe; and, which is more for its Glory, persecuted by all the enemies of Truth, and made precious in the Eyes of God by the Chains, the banishment and blood of the Confessors. I am with all imaginable respect,

SIR,

Your most humble and most obedient Servant, L. J.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An Idols Temple.
• * 1.2

  Iehovah.
• * 1.3

  Chinkio.
• * 1.4

  1631.
• * 1.5

  Ier. 1.10.