_How little they doo esteeme their idols whome they worshippe._
These miserable idolaters doo so little esteeme their idols, that it is
a great hope and confidence, that at what time soeuer the gospel shal
haue any entry into that country, straightwayes they will leaue off all
their superstitions: in particular in casting of lots, which is a thing
much vsed throughout all that kingdome: also this will be a great helpe
thereunto, for that they are generally men of good vnderstanding, and
ducible and subiect vnto reason, in so ample sort (as is declared by
that religious Dominicke aforesaid), he being in Canton in a temple
whereas they were sacrificing vnto their idols, being mooued with great
zeale to the honour of God, did throw certaine of them downe to the
grounde. When these idolaters did see his boldnesse, which seemed vnto
them to be without reason, they laide hands on him with an infernall
furie, with determination for to kill him: then he did request of them
that before they did execute it, that they would heare what he would
say: the which his petition seemed vnto the principals that were there
to bee iust, and commanded all the people to withdrawe themselues, and
to heare what he woulde say. Then he, with the spirit that God did put
in him, said, that they should aduertise themselues, for that God our
Lorde and creator of heauen and earth, had giuen vnto them so good
vnderstandings, and did equall them vnto the politikest nations in all
the world: that they should not imploy it vnto euil, neither subiect
themselues to worship vnto stones and blocks of wood, which haue no
discourse of reason, more then is giuen them by the workmen that did
make them, and it were more reason the idols should reuerence and
worship men, because they haue their similitude and likenesse: with
these words, and other such like in effect, they were all quieted, and
did not only approoue his saying to be true, but did giue him great
thankes, excusing themselues: saying, that vntill that time there was
none that euer did giue them to vnderstand so much, neither how they did
euill in doing their sacrifices, and in token of gratefulnes (leauing
their idols on the ground, and some broken all to pieces) they did beare
him company vnto his lodging. Hereby you may vnderstand with what
facilitie, by the helpe of almightie God, they may be reduced vnto our
Catholicke faith: opening (by the light of the gospel) the doore which
the diuell hath kept shut by false delusions so long time, although the
king, with all his gouernors and ministers, hath great care that in all
that kingdome there be none to induce nouelties, neither to admit
strangers or any new doctrin without license of the said king, and of
his roial counsel, vpon pain of death, the which is executed with great
rigor. They are people very ducible and apt to bee taught, and easie to
bee turned from their idolatrie, superstition, and false gods: the which
they haue in smal venerati[=o] as aforesaid. With great humility they do
receiue and approue corrections of their weaknes, and do know the
vauntage that is betwixt the gospell and their rights and vanities, and
do receiue the same with a verie good will, as it hath beene and is
seene in manie Chinos that haue receiued baptisme in the citie of
Manila, vpon one of the Ilands Philippinas, whereas they do dwell, and
leaue their owne naturall countrie for to enioy that which they
vnderstande to bee for the saluation of their soules. So that those who
haue receiued baptisme are become verie good Christians.