Purchas his pilgrimes. part 3 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. II. The King sends for them, is delighted with their Clockes and Pictures; they are shut vp, after take a house, are admired for learning; Christianitie of China.

AS the cause of our trouble was the Kings not dispatching of our businesse, and our con∣ceiuing that hee misliked of our comming, so all was ended by his remembring by chance to aske where the strangers were, which certaine moneths past they had told him had brought him certaine Images, and certaine small Bells which strike of them∣selues [ 20] (for so they call Clocks) and wherefore they brought him not those things,* 1.1 and that they should fetch them quickly; and he gaue the charge of dispatching our businesse to a great Man∣darin of Paquin, to whom it belongeth to deale with Strangers.

These newes were brought to the Eunuch and vs, who for the executing of the Kings com∣mandement (whose Letter they obey without reply) sent vs word that wee must goe to Paquin, because the King sent for vs, and sent vs eft-soones all the Pieces which hee had in his possession, and the most part of those things which he had taken from vs, that wee our selues should put them in order, that they should receiue no hurt by the way, and gaue vs many men to carrie all our stuffe on their shoulders,* 1.2 and Horses for all our companie, and a Mandarin to accompanie vs. Wee were lodged all the way in the Palaces of the Mandarins very honourably. Hauing trauel∣led [ 30] foure dayes, we came to the walls of Paquin, and they lodged vs in an house without the walls.* 1.3 And because the King had referred the businesse to the Mandarin, which I spoke of, the Eunuch feared that hee should lose the thankes, which he thought to receiue of the King for that present, if another Mandarin should meddle with it. That day hee caused all things to be made readie of the Petition and remembrance, which therewithall he was to giue vnto the King, and earely in the morning with other things and much Siluer of the reuenues which he presented, being all guarded with many Horse-men and Foot-men, hee carryed it to the Kings Palaces. Who hauing the memoriall deliuered vnto him,* 1.4 commanded his men to receiue all things. They receiued the same: and when hee had seene all those strange things, the like whereof, or of so great excellencie, he had neuer seene before; they say that he rejoyced greatly, considering and [ 40] viewing all things a very long while,* 1.5 with great shew of admiration, especially of the Pictures and Clockes. Hee commanded them to bring vs to his Palaces, and to enquire of vs what kinde of thing those Clockes were, and what thing was needfull, for to haue them to goe well. Wee answered to the point. And from the place where we were on horsebacke, by poste on two Hor∣ses which we mounted,* 1.6 and with the like speed we came to the Court. At the same of our com∣ming, and for to see vs an infinite multitude of people assembled, (because Strangers are no ordinarie thing in China:) and when wee came to the Court, those which had the charge of vs, were enforced to make roome with staues. When we were come to a certayne place, a great Eunuch accompanied with aboue two hundred small ones, came downe to demand of [ 50] vs what the King commanded him, and to see how wee did handle those Clockes: They saw how we vsed them; but wee answered to the question, that it was needfull to ap∣point some bodie of good capacitie to learne, which in two or three dayes would learne how to vse them.

When they had returned the answer, the King appointed foure Eunuches of his principall Mathematicians,* 1.7 to learne it, and command them to receiue vs in the meane while in his house with••n his owne Palace. They receiued vs with much respect and good ente••taynment. A great multitude of Eunuches came to see vs, and euery one to enquire what came in his minde. But the King, which all those dayes was occupied in rejoycing for those new things, commanded the Images to bee placed in a principall Hall,* 1.8 whether, as the Eunuches told vs, the chiefe Queene [ 60] went to doe them reuerence: and they told vs of the King, that hee durst not keepe them neere him, being afrayd, because they seemed vnto him to bee aliue. Often times he sent Eunuches vnto vs,* 1.9 to enquire diuers things concerning our Countrey, whether it had any King, what man∣ner of Apparell he wore, and what kinde of Hat? (for in China they make great difference of

the apparell of the King, from the foot to the head, and of other men) and if wee had any Pi∣cture of him that we should shew it. We had a picture wherein was the Pope with his triple Crowne, and the Emperour, and the King with their Ensignes, kneeling before the name of God, and we gaue them it for a show, declaring that those were three kinde of Kings, and that all of them did worship the true God, which made Heauen and Earth, whose Image we had gi∣uen him. They carryed it vnto him, and because it seemed to bee small,* 1.10 he commanded them to draw another greater, in colours by it.

Afterward hee sent another to demand questions of the things of our Countrey, particularly of the Kings Houses. Wee had a Map of the Escuriall, newly cut in Copper, and a picture of the [ 10] Place of Saint Marke in Venice, both which wee gaue them.* 1.11 Though we suspect that they de∣liuered but the second, saying, that they durst not giue the other,* 1.12 because straight in haste hee would command them to paint them great, and there was none that durst take it vpon him, though wee know not whither they deliuered it afterward. Hee willed them further to en∣quire; after what manner wee buryed our Kings:* 1.13 because in the matter of Burials and Sepul∣chers, the Chinois are great South-sayers, and put a great part of their felicitie in a good manner and place of their Burials. At that time wee receiued a Map of the Death of his Majestie,* 1.14 (who liueth with God in glorie) and of the manner of his Funerall, and so we answered him, as it was in the Map, to wit, that they made him a Coffin within of Lead (which continueth long) and without of excellent Wood, and put these coffins in a Sepulcher of stone, and for this purpose, [ 20] there was a Church builded of purpose. They enquired many things of vs of this kinde these few dayes, where vnto wee answered, aduancing the things that belonged to the seruice of our Lord God, as much as we might, and concerned our Europe, as farre as the truth would permit vs, because that we deemed it to bee conuenient for the seruice of our Lord. They told the King so many things, that it seemed hee greatly desired to see vs: But on the other part,* 1.15 he thought it would bee too great a courtesie, and much beyond his custome, who neuer suffereth himselfe to be seene of his owne people, but of his Eunuchs, and Wiues that serue him, and somtime very sel∣dome of some one of the greatest Mandarins: yet, though he would not suffer himselfe altogether to bee ouercome of this temptation, yet he suffered himselfe in part, and hee sent to take our Pi∣ctures: which two Painters did, each of them by themselues as well as they could. Yet in truth [ 30] I neither knew my selfe nor my companion in that picture, but as it was they carryed it away.* 1.16 It was not after such figure and manner, as your Worship hath knowne mee, but with a Beard an handfull long, and a garment of a Learned honourable Chinois, though downe to the foote, and very modest: but from the head to the foot farre differing from our fashion.

After the Eunuches had beene instructed three dayes, the King in haste sent for the Clockes, which they carryed, and set in order before him; whereat hee tooke such pleasure,* 1.17 that he in∣creased their Dignitie, aduancing those foure which had learned this skill, to a greater place of their Order. The King asked them many questions of vs, what wee did eate, and how much, and many other trifles. Whereunto the Eunuches answered (as they told vs afterward) as wee could desire.

[ 40] They gaue vs all the welcomes of humanitie which the King did shew vs, appointing vs all to bee Mandarins (which is the reward and felicitie of the Chinois) which wee alwayes refu∣sed, saying, that we came not for that purpose, but onely to dilate the Law of God,* 1.18 neither could wee take that office vpon vs: But we were so neere to bee made Mandarins, that they told vs the King would bestow Dignitie vpon vs, that wee were enforced to beseech the Eunuches, that when occasion was offered, that his Majestie did aske them any thing, they would tell him plainely that we sought no kinde of Dignitie, nor could become Mandarins: who told him so much; whereby our Lord God deliuered vs out of much trouble, which wee should haue endu∣red in refusing the same, if the King had bestowed it vpon vs. Wee continued in these demands, questions and answers, goings and commings to the Kings Court: for now we had liued a whole [ 50] moneth abroad: in which time euery day I at least was there, when wee could not goe both, because Father Matthew Riccio was occupied with other Ghests and visitations. They enqui∣red and asked vs, what we would demand of the King? Wee told them,* 1.19 that we sought no profit at all; but if the King would giue vs vnder his hand, some certayne place and a House to dwell in, we would bee very glad; because wee had none other intent, but to stay in some cer∣tayne place, and to seeke to dilate the Law of God. For though it bee true, that our purpose did stretch it selfe further (as I haue sayd in the beginnning) yet wee found things in so different a disposition from that which we imagined, that it seemed an exceeding great errour, to make a∣ny motion to giue an entrance for more companie and Fathers: for it was certayne that we should doe no good, nor should finde any, which by any meanes durst presume to mooue it to the [ 60] King, and assuredly should lose all that we had done, and at last should cast our selues wholly out of the Kingdome: and therefore it was not conuenient that we should bee knowne, that we had any companions. And many of our friends gaue vs counsell, that wee should not seeme to seeke to dwell heere; for in that very point, they would haue vs in suspition. Yet neuer∣thelesse, we went as farre as we could, and as we thought might bee brought to passe, which

was, that we might haue the Kings license, that no Mandarin might (if hee would) cast vs out.

The Mandarin, to whom the King at the first had referred our businesse, seeing the Eunuch had wholly medled in the same without him, being much offended therewith, did frowne alto∣gether vpon vs, and made a warrant out, to take vs wheresoeuer they found vs, vttering certayne grieuous words against vs,* 1.20 because that being Strangers, and remayning in the Court, wee pre∣sented not our selues vnto him, to whom of right belonged all the businesse of Strangers. They were at the lodging where wee lay, and they shut vp our Boyes; for they neuer durst offer any discourtesie to Father Matthew Riccio, (which at that time was there.) At that time I was at the Kings Court, whither they sought to send me word to speake with the Eunuches, and that they, if they could, should aduertise the King thereof, that they had apprehended vs. But they [ 10] hindred with exceeding great care and diligence the going foorth of any bodie, and they stayed for me till I came home, (which came home thinking no harme at all) and when I was come in, they shut the doore without.

Wee rode the next day very honourably on Horsebacke to the audience of the Mandarin, and signified vnto him,* 1.21 that in that we did not present our selues, was not our fault; hee vsed vs w••ll, and honourably; but they put vs in an house with a Guard, where wee continued some three moneths, yet so that certayne Mandarins came to see vs. This Mandarin gaue the King a remembrance that hee held vs there:* 1.22 But that as our purpose was good to serue him with that pre∣sent, it was reason to giue vs some reward, setting downe that it would doe well to giue vs the Ensignes of the Mandarins, and to pay vs for that which wee had giuen him Royally; but that it was fit to send [ 20] vs away speedily into our Countrey, or to Canton (where vntill then wee had dwelt:) for it seemed not well, that Strangers should dwell and that in the Kings Court, entring into the Palace of the King eue∣rie day, being a thing so vnusuall. And in very deed hee had reason: for to suffer vs to enter into the Palace, or to stay and lye there, they did vs such a fauour, that of long time the King of Chi∣na hath neuer done to any Stranger. Wee feared some trouble by this Petition. But our Lord which had giuen vs this bitter morsell, afterwards made it sweet to vs againe, because the King made none account of it. And albeit diuers times afterward, the said Mandarin deliuered foure Petitions concerning this point, hee made as small account of the last as of the first. And diuers times the Eunuches told vs, that the Kings meaning was of all likelihood, that wee should stay heere,* 1.23 For feare lest wee should returne into our Countrey, to giue newes and knowledge of his King∣dome; as they delt with a Turke, which hath beene heere aboue fortie yeeres. True it is, that hee [ 30] answered as little, in performing nothing that was in the Petition: But wee tooke it for good satisfaction, that hee did not yeeld to that, that we might not lose the other thing, which was the principall.

When three moneths almost were spent, seeing the businesse would bee prolonged if wee at∣tended the Kings answer, and being shut vp we could doe nothing, nor negotiate any thing that we intended, nor deale in Gods matters, as we desired; wee sought to get out of this place, and to get a license to take a House,* 1.24 and there to stay wayting till the King would giue some order: and wee handled the matter so well, by meanes of certaine Mandarins which fauoured vs, and principally by the grace of our Lord, that wee obtained our whole desire: And we tooke an [ 40] house in the chiefe situation of this Citie: all that which they gaue vs at the Kings cost in that place, which was sufficient for our sustentation, after wee were gotten out they gaue vs the same allowance in like manner.

Many Mandarins of this Court, heard great fame of vs and of our things: and vnderstanding that we were come out of that place,* 1.25 b••gan to come in great numbers and concourse with much honour and respect, courtesie and presents to visite vs, and to enquire diuers things which they desired to know. For the fame that went of vs, that wee knew all Countries, and the things and customes of the World, and the materiall and spirituall things of Heauen, was great: and therefore euery one came to enquire that which hee desired.* 1.26 And though our knowledge be but little, in comparison of the knowledge which is in our Countrey: yet being compared with [ 50] theirs of China, which knoweth nothing of the world, saue their owne Kingdome, which by a common name thy call, The World: of God, and of the things of Heauen nothing, and of other things little, it was somewhat, and was sufficient to send them home amazed, and alwayes with a desire to returne.

* 1.27They saw a very faire and great Map of the world which wee brought with vs, and we shew∣ed them how bigge the world was, which they thought to bee so little, that they imagined that there was not so much more in all the same, as their Kingdome: And they looked one vpon ano∣ther,* 1.28 and sayd, wee are not so great as we imagined, seeing heere they shew vs, that our King∣dome, compared with the world, is like a grayne of Rice, in comparison of a great heape. They also thought, that there was no other Writing, nor no other Bookes in the world but theirs: [ 60] and when they saw ours, which at the least they saw in outward appearance, to bee much better then their owne, they were astonied, and put out of their errour, doing vs alwayes more and more honour: and chiefly they were astonied, when wee shewed vnto them certayne things in the Mathematickes which they knew not,* 1.29 giuing Clockes to certayne persons, which for this

end we made of purpose: and by these and other meanes, and principally by discoursing with them of Morall vertues, (whereof they write, speake▪ and haue many Bookes) and of Gods mat∣ters, there ranne so great a fame,* 1.30 that the greatest Mandarins of all this Kingdome (which are the greatest persons ne••t the King) sought to conuerse with vs, and to seeke our friendship: and so many sent vs presents, and others came to visite vs, with great numbers of people: others with much courtesie inuited vs to their houses: so that in foure moneths space, wee had gotten the greatest Mandarins of Pequin to be our friends, and readie to fauour vs is all things:* 1.31 And he which at this time particularly doth fauour and honour vs, i•• the President of that Audience▪ which hath the charge of vs, and at the first approoued vs: so that wee remayne Inhabitors of [ 10] this Citie, with all libertie that wee can desire, to deale with all such as are willing to heare the things that belong to our holy Law, and their saluation. And by this good successe, our Lord hath made vs forget all that is past. And though it bee true, that hitherto wee haue gotten no dispatch, nor resolution of the King, yet wee content our selues in that hee letteth vs stay heere, although he neuer grant vs more. For albeit by this our Iourney, we haue not obtayned all that wee desired, yet we hope that this our firme abode heere, shall tend greatly to the seruice of our Lord, and the good of this Mission.

They bee commonly of good vnderstandings, so that easily they fall into reason, and are capa∣ble: they haue not in the gouernment of this Kingdome,* 1.32 any thing that forbiddeth them to fol∣low what Law they list, nor any Law nor Obligation, which is contrarie to our holy Law. [ 20] They haue none which effectually and with authoritie doth exhort them vnto other Lawes, and with-draw them from the truth.* 1.33 For the Bonzi (which are dedicated for this purpose to Idols) are in the common conceit of all men, the most base, contemptible, and worst people in all Chi∣na, whose least care is, to exhort them to any thing more then to giue them somewhat: and thus they doe not onely not exhort them to follow Idols, but also with their bad manner of li∣uing, perswade them (as wee haue often heard of men of good iudgement) that it is not good to serue them, since their Ministers bee such. And so in this matter of worshipping of Idols, though there be many that worship them, and haue many of them, and vse their Ministers for their Funerals, and other things, yet with very small affection, and deuotion thereunto, we ea∣sily make them say that they are naught, and that it is not fit to worship them.

Yet, though these things and others which I 〈◊〉〈◊〉, doe helpe them with ease to follow the [ 30] Law of God, the counterpois is great, and commonly it weigheth downe the ballance on that side. For first because the matter of Strangers is so odious in China, and the dealing with them so suspicious, one sort because they disdayne it, as the Princes, who albeit they now conceiue bet∣ter of vs, yet to learne of Strangers, and to receiue a Law which is not of their owne meanes, they hardly perswade themselues: others for feare, as the base people.

The second difficultie, and perhaps the greatest, i•• a naturall obliuion, that all this Nation hath of another life, and of immortalitie, and of saluation or condemnation of the Soule:* 1.34 and not onely an obliuion, but also an auersion from all these things, wherein wee haue likewise found them to differ from all other Nations. And it is a thing to be noted, that since it is a thing [ 40] so naturall to Man to reuerence some God, either false or true, and to feare or loue him, and to conceiue or imagine what shall follow after this life: Those Chinois, (which on the other side are of so good capacities in humane things, and so wittie therein) bee as though they were de∣priued thereof; for they are almost all Atheists, not knowing nor worshipping neither false nor true God, nor neuer thinking what shall follow after this life:* 1.35 And those which a man would thinke are most bound hereunto, which are the Learned men, are they, which haue least know∣ledge hereof: yea, rather one of the chiefest things that they commend, is, not to beleeue any thing that concerneth another life, Hell, nor Paradise, which they wholly place in this life. The Bookes which they studie from their Child-hood, doe them much hurt,* 1.36 which are of certayne Philosophers aboue two thousand yeeres old, whom they esteeme little lesse, then if they were their God, to whom euery yeere they offer Sacrifices: of whom they hold so great an opinion, [ 50] that they thinke not that any thing more may bee knowne, then They knew. And oftentimes they haue asked vs, whether wee had not these Bookes in our Countrey? What other Bookes might we haue, that might compare with them? And as these Philosophers, as Gentiles, spake nothing of the other life, but onely of good Gouernment, and Morall vertues, they thought they might attayne so farre, without beleeuing that there could bee another life. By reason here∣of, and of the common vices which Paganisme draweth with it, which in this Countrey increase exceedingly, by reason of the fatnesse, abundance, and fruitfullnesse thereof, they feele great difficulties to vndergoe the yoke of Christ, (though it be so sweet) so contrarie to their appetite, which taketh from them the libertie which they haue, in keeping as many Wiues as they are a∣ble, and in a thousand other things.

[ 60] These later yeeres in the residencies of Canton, Nanquin, and heere in Paquin, were made some true Christians, which ouercame all these difficulties, and goe on forward with great integritie,* 1.37 constancie and feruour. In the Prouince of Canton, in a residencie which wee haue in Xaucheo, a principall Citie, haue beene Baptised within this two yeeres, about three hundred persons, which

according to the Letters which euen now wee receiued, doe all continue with great example and zeale. And the Mandarins and grauer sort of people, mooued by the good example which they giue, doe fauour them much: and especially, our Lord hath shewed many tokens of his fauour, in hauing shewed great plagues vpon such men, as persecuted them for becomming Christians. And aboue all, God hath shewed his ayde vpon the Women: who, besides the men, are very hard to bee wonne to receiue our holy Law,* 1.38 which is, the great priuatenesse which they vse, be∣cause it is not lawfull to see them, no not for their kinsfolkes. But as I say, herein the grace of our Lord God shewed it selfe very mightie, seeing it ouercame this difficultie, and so many of them were Baptised, after they had beene very well Catechised by the Fathers. On Sundayes and Holy-dayes, because they cannot come to Masse with the Men, yet at least in this beginning, [ 10] they meete in places appointed for that purpose,* 1.39 and there they Pray, and reason, and intreat of Diuine matters. The men for the exhortations that they make vnto them, haue dayes appoin∣ted of themselues, and with their owne consent, to conferre and repeate that which they haue told them: which going home they repeate to their Wiues and Daughters.

Euery day some bee Conuerted in Nanquin: graue and learned men doe enter. Heere in P••∣quin while wee haue beene heere, we haue Baptised some, and some great Mandarins come to heare. If our Lord doe helpe them, and shed his bloud vpon these Chinois, (as hee hath done in Iapon, and in other places) there will bee setled one of the most famous and learned foundations of Christianitie, that is in all the world. For the greatnesse of this Kingdome, their Lawes and Gouernment conformable to reason, their being so studious as they are, and giuen to Learning, [ 20] and to know so much as they know of Morall vertues, and their good capacities gentle, docile, and ingenious, and the great peace and quietnesse which they enioy, without hauing any bodie to trouble them with warre, promise much and giue great hope, that the v••ntage which they haue ouer other Nations lately discouered, in the gifts of Nature (being assisted by the grace of God) will helpe them in Gods matters.

And I assure your Worship, that if the doore were opened to Preach freely and to Baptise, I say not that the Fathers and Brethren of our Companie which might bee spared, but without a∣ny amplification at all, halfe the Religious men of all Europe, were needfull to attend so many Cities, Townes and places: and so infinite numbers of people as there are: albeit when Christi∣anitie is once begun indeed,* 1.40 there is such abundance of graue people and of much estimation, that [ 30] many of them might bee made Priests, Preachers, and Bishops, without feeling any want of those of Europe: since as now they bee Gentiles, and their hope goeth no further then to this life, there be many very great Mandarins▪ ••hose chiefe delight is to discourse of things concer∣ning Vertue,* 1.41 and oftentimes they meete together as it were in Fraternities to treate thereof; And the grauer sort doe make Orations, and Conferences together, perswading one another, and deliuering the meanes to gouerne well, and to follow vertue. And without doubt, the more wee see of this, and the more zeale in these Christians, so much the more our heart is rea∣die to burst to see them so destitute,* 1.42 and to haue so few meanes to obtayne necessarie remedie and helpe.

[ 40]

Notes

• * 1.1

  The King sends for them
• * 1.2

  Their iourney
• * 1.3

  They came to Paquin, in 4. dayes trauell.
• * 1.4

  The present is deliuered to the King.
• * 1.5

  Clockes and Pictures admi∣red.
• * 1.6

  They are sent for to the Court.
• * 1.7

  Eunuches are taught to vse the Clockes.
• * 1.8

  The Pictures.
• * 1.9

  The King of China his que∣stions.
• * 1.10

  Three kindes of Kings.
• * 1.11

  The Escuriall
• * 1.12

  Saint Markes.
• * 1.13

  Sepulchers.
• * 1.14

  Death of King Philip the 2.
• * 1.15

  The King ne∣uer suffereth himselfe to be seene of the common peo∣ple.
• * 1.16

  Bad Picture-drawers.
• * 1.17

  Eunuches pre∣ferred.
• * 1.18

  Iesuites offered to be Manda∣rins.
• * 1.19

  A Moneth▪
• * 1.20

  Mandarin of∣f••nded.
• * 1.21

  They are shut vp some three moneths.
• * 1.22

  Mandarins Pe∣tition.
• * 1.23

  A Turke kept there.
• * 1.24

  They hyer an House.
• * 1.25

  Visited by Mandarins.
• * 1.26

  China igno∣rance o•• the wor••d.

  Vse of Maps.
• * 1.27

  Ill Cosmogra∣phie.
• * 1.28

  Ignorance mo∣ther of arro∣gance.
• * 1.29

  Mathematicks
• * 1.30

  Ethikes.
• * 1.31

  Foure months
• * 1.32

  Hopes of Christianitie.
• * 1.33

  The basenesse of the Bonzi.
• * 1.34

  Indeuotion.
• * 1.35

  Almost Atheists
• * 1.36

  Bookes of Phi∣losophers, a∣boue 2000. yeeres old. Sacrifices to Philosophers.
• * 1.37

  Some Christians made there.
• * 1.38

  Closensse of Women.
• * 1.39

  Some relati∣ons of Con∣uersions are heere for bre∣uitie omitted.
• * 1.40

  Multitude of people.
• * 1.41

  Desire of Lear∣ning and Mo∣rall vertue.
• * 1.42

  Marke this zeale.