THE JESUITS IN CHINA
Fumochao.
One of Hanlin Colledge turneth Idol- Priest.
President of the Court of Magistrates, and other of the Grands, besides the Eunuches of the Palace, and some of the Queenes and Royall family. Amongst others was Fumochan a great man, who for withstanding the Fumochao. Eunuches capacitie in Uquam Province, was deprived, whipped, and three yeeres Imprisoned; but by others honored with Temples, Odours, Images, and Bookes in prayse of him, as a Saint, and the King wearyed by multitude of Petitions for him, granted him againe his libertie. Also Lingoson a great Magistrate and Mathematician as they accounted, became Ricius his Scholler, and was baptised Leo, borne at Hanceu, the chiefe Citie of Cechian, of which afterward.
Yet had Ricius a great enemy of a great Learned man of Hanlin Colledge, who in zeale of the Idol-sect had put away his Wife, and professed himselfe one of their Votaries or Shavelings, drew many Disciples after him, and writ many Bookes against the Literate Sect; and writ also against Ricius his bookes. One of the Kings Admonishers accused him to the King by Petition, and the King rescribing severely, hee slue himselfe: yea, the King ordayned, that if the Magistrates would become Apostata shavelings, they should leave their Robes and get them to the Deserts ; many accordingly chusing rather to leave their Offices, then their Idols. One Thacon
Thacon a famous infamous Priest.
was so famous, that the chiefe Queene daily worshipped his habit, (having no other meane of entercourse) and so proud that hee sent to Ricius to come and visite him, with the rites of kneeling. But on occasion of search for a Libell against the King, hee was found guiltie of writing ill of the King, for not professing Idols, and of ill usage to the Kings Mother, for which he was Whipped so, that before they could adde bonds, hee dyed. One which by torments confessed himselfe author of the Libell, had 1600. gobbets plucked from his flesh and then beheaded, a Death most (for the division of the body) abominable to the Chinois.
In the Xaucean Residence some stirre happened, whiles
Xauceum residence.
[III.ii.406.]
