REPORTS OF JAPAN a.d. 



1565. 

 over, with many verses set downe in the walles in 

 commendation of that blessed company. Wherefore unto 

 this place both day and night many come very super- 

 stitiously in pilgrimage. It happened even then as 

 Aloisius Almeida and I went to christen a childe wee 

 traveiled that way at what time foure or five olde 

 women came foorth out of the aforesayd chappell with 

 beades in their handes (for in this point also the devill 

 counterfaiteth Christianitie) who partly scorned at us for [II. ii. 87.] 

 follie, partly frowned and taunted at our small devotion, 

 for passing by that holy monument without any rever- 

 ence or worship done thereunto at all. 



It remaineth now we speake two or three wordes of 

 those Sermons the Bonzii are woont to make, not so 

 many as ours in number, but assuredly very well pro- 

 vided for. The Pulpit is erected in a great temple 

 with a silke Canopie over it, therein standeth a costly 

 seate, before the seate a table with a bell and a booke. 

 At the houre of Sermon each sect of the Japans 

 resorteth to their owne doctors in divers Temples. Up 

 goeth the doctor into the Pulpit, and being set downe, 

 after that hee hath lordlike looked him about, signifieth 

 silence with his bell, and so readeth a fewe wordes of 

 that booke we spake of, the which he expoundeth 

 afterward more at large. These preachers be for the 

 most part eloquent, and apt to drawe with their speach 

 the mindes of their hearers. Wherefore to this ende 

 chieflie (such is their greedinesse) tendeth all their 

 talke, that the people bee brought under the colour of 

 godlinesse to enrich their monasteries, promising to 

 each one so much the more happinesse in the life to 

 come, how much the greater costes and charges they 

 bee at in Church matters and „ obsequies : notwithstand- 

 ing this multitude of superstitious Sects and companies, 

 and the diversities thereof amongst themselves : yet in 

 this principally all their Superintendents doe travell so 

 to perswade their Novices in their owne tales and lies, 

 that they thinke nothing els trueth, nothing els sure to 



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