A.D. 

 1590. 



The supersti- 

 tion of the 

 Saracens. 



Christian re- 

 ligion planted 

 in China. 



[II. ii. 98.] 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



are not permitted to sit beside them, and sometimes, if 

 the Magistrate please, are abased unto the punishment of 

 the bastonado : whereas in our lies of Japon it is farre 

 otherwise, Priests, even of false religion, being had in 

 so great honour among us. 



Leo. I heard also (Michael) that the Saracens super- 

 stition takes place in China : now, whether it doth or no, 

 you can resolve us. 



Michael. That forren superstition was brought into 

 China what time the Tartars invaded the kingdome, and 

 usurped the government thereof. All the Saracens there- 

 fore in China are originally descended of the Tartars, 

 who, because they were an infinite number, could not 

 utterly be expelled and rooted out of the kingdome, but 

 remaining still there, have propagated their posterity, 

 though not their religion. These therefore are souldiers 

 for the greater part of them, and sometimes doe obtaine 

 martiall dignities : and except a few ceremonies of their 

 superstition which is nowe become stale and almost worne 

 out, they doe live altogether after the Chinians fashion, 

 their predecessours being brought into the same king- 

 dome about foure hundred yeeres agoe. 



Linus. Now (Michael) let us heare you say somewhat 

 of the Christian religion, which as we hope hath set most 

 happy footing in that kingdome. 



Michael. I could say much concerning those most 

 wished and acceptable beginnings, were they not already 

 published in Japon by the letters of the fathers : howbeit 

 I will make a briefe rehearsall of all things, that I may 

 not seeme altogether to have abandoned this labour. 

 You know that from the time wherein the fathers of 

 the society arrived in our Hands, to the end they might 

 augment Christian religion, they were in like sort most 

 carefull how they might insinuate themselves into the 

 innermost parts of the kingdome of China. In the 

 middest of this endevour and travell Francis Xavier, a 

 most devout man of the foresayd society, departed out of 

 this present life at the lie of Sancian (which some call 



374 



