Seeing they prevailed nothing by the ways they had attempted, and that persons of quality were not less enamoured of the Christian doctrine than the vulgar; and, on the other side, not daring to use violence, in respect of the king’s edicts, which permitted the profession of Christianity, they contrived a new artifice, which was to address a complaint to the king, of the king himself, on the part of their country deities.  The most considerable of the Bonzas having been elected, in a general assembly for this embassy, went to the prince, and told him, with an air rather threatening than submissive, that they came, in the name of Xaca and Amida, and the other deities of Japan, to demand of him, into what country he would banish them; that the gods were looking out for new habitations, and other temples, since he drove them shamefully out of his dominions, or rather out of theirs, to receive in their stead a stranger God, who usurps to himself divine honours, and will neither admit of a superior nor an equal.  They added haughtily, that it is true he was a king; but what a kind of king was a profane man?  Was it for him to be the arbiter of religion, and to judge the gods?  What probability was there too, that all the religions of Japan should err, and the most prudent of the nation be deceived after the run of so many ages?  What would posterity say, when they should hear, that the king of Saxuma, who held his crown from Amida and Xaca, overthrew their altars, and deprived them of the honours which they had so long enjoyed?  But what would not the neighbouring provinces attempt, to revenge the injury done to their divinities? that all things seemed lawful to be done on such occasions; and the least he had to fear was a civil war, and that, so much the more bloody, because it was founded on religion.

The conjuncture in which the Bonzas found the king, was favourable to them.  It was newly told him, that the ships of Portugal, which usually landed at Cangoxima, had now bent their course to Firando, and he was extremely troubled at it; not only because his estates should receive no more advantage by their trade, but also because the king of Firando, his enemy, would be the only gainer by his loss.  As the good-will which he shewed in the beginning to Father Xavier had scarce any other principle but interest, he grew cold to him immediately after this ill news; and this coldness made him incline to hearken to the Bonzas.  He granted all they demanded of him, and forbade his subjects, on pain of death, to become Christians, or to forsake the old religion of their country.

Whatsoever good inclinations there were in the people to receive the gospel, these new edicts hindered those of Cangoxima from any farther commerce with the three religious Christians; so easily the favour or displeasure of the prince can turn the people.

They, notwithstanding, whose heart the Almighty had already touched, and who were baptized, far from being wanting to the grace of their vocation, were more increased in faith, not exceeding the number of an hundred; they found themselves infinitely acknowledging to the Divine Mercy, which had elected them to compose this little flock.  Persecution itself augmented their fervour; and all of them declared to Father Xavier, that they were ready to suffer banishment or death, for the honour of our Saviour.