_The Author's Passage from the Southern Countries to_ Goa, _where
he was imprison'd by the Inquisition. The Story of a_ Chinese
_whom he met with there, and the Manner how they got their
Liberty._
The Captain of the Ship was a true _Spaniard_, who in every
Action discover'd the Pride and Genius of his Country, so that
tho' I should have been glad to have known by what happy Accident
this Ship was conducted to the Coasts of a Country where no Body
trades, it was impossible for me to learn it, for there was not
one of the Ship's Company that knew any thing of the Matter, and
I was afraid to ask the Churl for fear of being huff'd as others
had been. The Surgeon who spoke a little _Latin_, only said to me
one Day that they came from the _American_ Islands, whither they
had convoy'd some Merchant Ships, and carry'd Orders concerning
the Release of four or five Ships which the Chevalier _Tyssot_
Governor of _Surinam_ had caus'd to be stopp'd by way of
Reprisal, and that immediately after the Delivery of those Orders
they sail'd towards the Southern Countries where they went Ashore
twice. At the first time, continued he, nothing presented worthy
of the Captain's Attention. At our second Landing which might be
about seventy or eighty Leagues from the Place where you were,
ten Men were sent Ashore, but only two return'd who were those
that were left to take care of the Long-Boat, for the others had
been attack'd by the Natives of the Country who pursued them as
far as the Downs, where they took and cut them to pieces in Sight
of their Comrades, who had much ado to escape because the Water
was low, and their Boat was on dry Ground. We had a Desire to
have landed there also where we found you, but I fancy the
Account you gave of those Parts, put our Captain quite out of
Conceit with it, which whether true or not, I thought I heard say
that we were going in a straight Line to _Goa_.
Accordingly I observ'd, tho' I knew not why, that we had entirely
abandon'd the Country where we had been, and that we were
steering towards the North-East. But we could not finish our
Voyage without stopping, for the Captain was oblig'd to put in at
the Isle of _Bourbon_, five or six Degrees East of _Madagascar_,
where we stay'd ten Days to recruit ourselves, and to take in
fresh Water.
During the short Stay we made here, the Sailors continually
diverted themselves as long as their Money would hold out. The
Day before we came away, some of those that were Ashore got
drunk, particularly one, a Native of _Seville_ about thirty five
Years of Age, a very clever Fellow with large Whiskers which he
curl'd every now and then, and took more care of than of all the
rest of his Body. As drunk as he was, he came to the Long-Boat,
and no sooner was aboard, but he fell fast asleep. His Companions
that came after him, jogg'd him some on one Side, and some on
another, and made a hundred Grimaces to excite him to laugh with
them. A young _Portuguese_ who was very near as drunk as he,
being also desirous to try a Frolic, softly pull'd out his
Scissors, and slily cut off the _Spaniard_'s Left Whisker. They
all abhorr'd this Action, blam'd his Imprudence, and told him no
Good would come of it. And the next Morning the _Spaniard_ being
told by some Babler who it was that had play'd him that scurvy
Trick, he came to the Capstane where the other was helping to
weigh the Anchor, and without speaking one Word to him run his
Knife up to the very Hilt in his Breast. The _Portuguese_ however
had Strength to give the _Spaniard_ such a cursed Blow upon his
Head with a Lever he held in his Hand, that he fell down
stone-dead, and the _Portuguese_ himself after a little
staggering fell with his Nose against the Bridge of the
Forecastle, where he lost almost all his Blood in the Space of a
Quarter of an Hour, and gave up the Ghost in my Arms. Thus we
lost two brave Men at once, to the great Trouble of the Captain,
who thereupon made an Oath that he would punish the first of his
Men that he saw in Liquor in such a Manner as to make him
remember it. This however was no hinderance to our sailing, so
that we arriv'd happily at _Goa_ the 13th Day of _April_, 1663.
This famous City is situated in an Island of the same Name, which
is at least fifteen Miles in compass at the Mouth of the River
_Mondouï_. It has a good Harbour, a very famous Arsenal, and an
incomparable Hospital. As I had no Engagement on board the Ship,
the Captain had the Goodness to let me settle on that Island, and
follow my Profession there without demanding any thing for my
Passage. Most of my Comrades also went Ashore, some one Way, some
another.
I was directed to an Inn where the Landlord was extremely civil.
I had not been an Hour at his House, but he was so complaisant as
to offer me Lodging there gratis, 'till I could find a House to
my Fancy. I made a hearty Supper, and went to Bed betimes. It was
hot Weather, so that I laid myself down without any Thought near
the Bed-Post, with my Left Arm hanging out of the Bed almost to
the Ground. When I had been there at least four Hours, and was in
my first Sleep, something soft and lukewarm which mov'd up and
down upon my Hand, made me draw it up, but I was too drousy to
think what it might be. Falling into a Doze, soon after, the same
thing happen'd again and again, 'till being at last thoroughly
awak'd, I was surpriz'd to see something walk thro' the Room
which seem'd as big as a Calf. My Blood came into my Face, for I
could not imagine what it was, and tho' I verily believ'd that
all the Tales of Witches and Apparitions were old Women's
Stories, and had fasten'd the Door of my Chamber, in which I knew
not that there was another Bed besides mine, yet I then doubted
of the Truth of my Hypothesis. In the mean time, this frightful
Object after having taken some Turns about the Room, thought fit
to return directly to me. Upon this I drew back, crept to one
side as fast as it advanc'd to the other, and when I was almost
out of Bed as I thought, my Honour which was very great before,
increas'd prodigiously when I found something stir behind me. To
be plain, I was in a mortal Agony to see myself beset on all
Sides. The Palpitation of my Heart was inconceivable, could
hardly fetch Breath, and was all over in a Sweat. In short, the
very Moment that the one made as if he would throw himself upon
me, I heard a Voice from the other saying, What's the matter, are
not you well? At these Words I gave a dreadful Groan, which
plainly shew'd the Fright that I was in. Don't be afraid,
_reply'd he_, and who are you? _said I_, trembling all the while.
I am _John_, said he, a Sailor on board the Ship that you came
in. The D---l take you, _said I_, you have put a Trick upon me
that surely will cost me my Life. I am half dead already, and if
I han't Relief, 'tis impossible for me to recover. How the D---l
came you hither? _continued I_, and who is there in the Chamber
besides you? No Body, _said he_, and if you perceive any thing,
it can only be the Captain's Dog, which follow'd me hither last
Night. A Dog, _said I_, what, is it as big as an Ass? 'Tis the
great black Shock-Dog that you have seen a hundred times, _said
he_, but Fear is apt to magnify Objects, and to be sure he
appear'd to you bigger than he is. 'Twas that cursed Cur then,
_said I_, that came and lick'd my Hand three or four times before
I was quite awake. But once more I pray, how came you into my
Room? The Captain, _reply'd he_, went to sup with a Friend where
he detain'd me 'till ten o' Clock, and then bid me come and lie
here this Night. When I came, the Inn-keeper said he had no room
for me, but that if I had come an Hour or two sooner, I might
perhaps have taken half a Bed with a Stranger who was just
arriv'd in the _St. Jago_, and upon his explaining himself a
little farther, I was sure it must be you; so that after having
told him that we both came in the same Ship, he permitted me upon
my Word and Honour that you would not take it ill, to come and
bear you Company. All this, my Friend, would have been perfectly
right, _reply'd I_, if you had but spoke to me when you came into
the Room. I would have done so, _said he_, but you slept so
sound, that I thought it would be a Sin to disturb you. These
Circumstances reviv'd me very much, and I found my Spirits
recover by degrees, but they had been too much disorder'd for me
not to guard against the Consequence; therefore as soon as 'twas
Day, I made my _Portuguese_ get out of Bed, and charg'd him to
send for a Surgeon who breath'd a Vein, and took away five or six
Ounces of Blood, so that God be thank'd my Panic had no
Consequence, tho' certainly I never was in such a Terror before.
My Landlord, who scarce knew me again was affected at this
Incident, but we laugh'd at it afterwards, and he diverted every
one that came to his House with the Story.
I lodg'd ten Days after over-against the Dominicans Convent here,
which is a very fine one. Tho' I stay'd here but a very little
time, I had the Happiness to perform several Cures, which
procured me the Acquaintance of many People of Worth. One of the
Dominicans having broke his Leg by a Fall down Stairs, sent for
me, and tho' the Bone was shatter'd, yet I made such a Cure of
it, that at two Months end he walk'd as well as ever. This was of
very great Service to me; for the honest Friar thought he could
never do enough to shew his Love and Gratitude, and not only
himself, but all of his Order were fond of my Company at all my
leisure Hours, and I us'd to entertain them with a Narrative of
my Travels. Besides, they recommended me where-ever they went, so
that my Practice increased every Day, which brought me in a great
deal of Money, and I thought my self in a fair Way of acquiring a
considerable Estate. But Thanks to my unlucky Star, a fresh
Affair happened which gave me a great deal of Trouble, and had
like to have cost me my Life.
The Inhabitants of _Goa_ are made up of all Religions, Pagans,
Jews, Mahometans, but the Catholic is the prevailing Religion,
and the only one that is publickly exercis'd, The Clergy are
very rigid, and the Laity extremely superstitious, but you must
not think this proceeds from a Principle of Devotion, the former
being stupidly ignorant, and the latter excessively debauch'd,
the Women especially having the Character of inconceivable
Lasciviousness. Being a little at Ease, and having an Opportunity
to frequent several Companies, I often took the Liberty to banter
those Eaters of Crucifixes and Swallowers of Images, who think
they may with Impunity cut a Purse with one Hand as it were,
provided they tell their Beads with the other. A Man of my
Profession enrag'd to see how much Business I had, at the same
time that he could hardly get Bread; having heard me talk after
this manner several times, was such a Villain as to go and accuse
me of Heresy before the Inquisition, which is the most terrible
and the most unjust Tribunal in the World. For as I was going one
Day to the Governor's, who had sent for me to bleed one of his
Domestics, I was scarce fifty Paces from his House, but an
Officer came and said I must go with him, and at the same Instant
four of his Tipslaves surrounded me, and seizing me by the Collar
carry'd me on the 26th of _June_ 1669 to Prison, where they
loaded me with Fetters like the vilest of Criminals.
There were above twenty of us in a cursed Dungeon without Light.
There was a deep Hole, in the middle of it for the Prisoners
Necessities, but scarce any Body durst go near it for fear of
falling in, which was the Reason that every one dung'd where he
could, and that consequently there was an intolerable Stench.
The first Day that I was detain'd, I did nothing but sigh and
groan for the Loss of my Liberty, and with the Apprehension of
what I was soon to suffer from the Tyranny of the most implacable
Judges in the World. But being afterwards made sensible that all
this would answer no End, I thought that the best way to dispel
part of my Chagrin would be to start Conversation upon
indifferent Matters with the first Man that came in my Way. For
this end I address'd myself to most of my Fellow-Prisoners, some
of whom did not understand me, because I did not speak their
Language, and the others were so dejected, that they did not care
to answer me a Word; only one Man who was more patient and
sociable than the rest, said to me in _Portuguese_;
"You have but a melancholy Reception here, but you must not be
surpriz'd at it, for 'tis impossible without a happy Temper and a
great Courage not to be dispirited in so disagreeable a Place as
this, especially when a Man has been here some time. For my part,
I thank God, I am of an Age to bear a great deal, and am so
resign'd to the Decrees of Providence, that I laugh at all that
Man can do to me." Those are fine Qualities indeed, _said I_,
very few People are capable of so much Resolution. Of what
Religion are you, _said I_? I am, said he, _a Universalist_, or
of the Religion of honest Men. I love God with all my Heart, I
fear him, I worship him, and I endeavour to do to all Men without
Exception what I wish they would do to me. All that's very good,
_said I_, but you are undoubtedly of some Communion. People
seldom attain to your Age, but they declare for a certain Party
or Sect. Not I, _said he_, I make no difference between one
Society or Denomination and another; there is not one but has its
Beauties and its Blemishes, and I am persuaded there is none in
which a Man may not either be sav'd or damn'd. Verily, _said I_,
what you say confirms me in the Opinion I have had a long Time,
that there is not a greater Variety in Faces than there is in
Sentiments. This is true, _reply'd he_, not only with regard to
every Man in particular, but with Regard to every Day of one's
Life; what we thought of Yesterday in one Light, we look upon
to-day in another, and the Mind as well as the Body is subject to
a thousand Alterations.
I am a _Chinese_, continued he, and my Father was a Man in good
Circumstances, who took great Care of my Education, so that it
was not his Fault if I have not a good Stock of Learning. One _Du
Bourg_ a Missionary Jesuit having heard mention of him as of a
generous Man and of a numerous Family, found Ways and Means to
introduce himself among us. He was a Man not only civil, but
seemingly of an exemplary Piety, so that we all took an
unspeakable Pleasure in hearing him discourse. He gave each of us
a Catechism, which he desir'd us to read attentively, and
explain'd in a very easy familiar Way. After this there were
Conferences at our House two or three times a Week, in which it
must be own'd, that the Jesuit neglected nothing for our
Instruction. As there was little or no Perplexity in the Subjects
which he treated of at first, such as the Fall of Man, his
Redemption by the Son of God, and everlasting Happiness, we took
great Pleasure in his Lectures; but at last after two or three
Months were over, this Ecclesiastic who went on gradually, and
did not care to frighten us all at once when he began to explain
the Prophecies, and to display the Mysteries of the Trinity and
the Incarnation, my Father's Mind began to be uneasy. He could
not comprehend how Men of Sense that boast of the glorious Lights
of Revelation should not see that their Worship is envelop'd in
the thickest Darkness of Paganism. Is it not far flung, said he,
that People should take Pleasure in being wilfully blind to such
a Degree, as to have an Abhorrence of those who shew them
plainly, that their chief Maxims and the most essential Articles
of their Religion are miserable Puerilities, and Impertinencies
which they themselves say were a Stumbling-block to the Jews, and
Foolishness to the _Greeks_! Especially, _said he_, I tremble
when any Man goes to persuade me, that a Being, sovereignly
perfect and immaterial engender'd another corporeal God equal to
him from all Eternity, and that there is also another God, an
independent Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son, each
of the Three making a distinct Person, and being perfect God, and
yet all those Three making but one only perfect God. Certainly
this is making a strange _Chimæra_ of the most simple, and most
undivided Being.
The Jesuit wish'd he had not embark'd so far. He endeavour'd to
remove that Obstruction by the common Method of Theologues; but
not succeeding, he made use of this Comparison. Suppose, Sir,
_said he_, a Tree that bears Fruit incessantly; in such a Tree I
find three Things that have a very great Resemblance to the Holy
Trinity. I observe the Analogy between the Trunk and the Father,
between the Son and the Branches, and between the Holy Spirit and
the Fruit. The Trunk is as the Father, because both the Branches
and Fruit are produc'd from it; the Branches are as the Son, in
that they are produc'd from the Trunk as so many Arms or
Conveyance for distributing to Mankind, all that proceeds from
the Trunk. And the Fruit is as the Holy Spirit, considering that
it comes to us both from the Trunk and the Branches, as so many
Assurances or Testimonies of their Goodness. I own, that when
Eternity is the Point in Question, the Resemblance ceases,
because 'tis not possible to find a Proportion betwixt Finite and
Infinite, be the former ever so ancient and extensive. Mean time,
'tis as true on the other hand, that when we examine the Kernels,
or the Seeds of the Fruit of this Tree with a good Microscope, we
observe not only a Tree already form'd with its Branches, but the
Fruit also, tho' a little confus'd; a true Emblem this of the
Deity consider'd during and before the Creation of the World, at
which Time it appear'd but as one entire Tree without Distinction
of Branches and of Fruit. But to come from hence to the Thing I
aim at, 'tis evident that whatever Difference you make between
the Trunk, Branches, and Fruits of a Tree, there is essentially
none at all; they are indeed different Parts, yet all those Parts
together constitute but one Whole. It signifies nothing to say
that the Trunk is not the Branches, and that the Branches are
not the Fruit. I affirm that this Distinction is not real, that
is to say, that those Things cannot subsist independently one of
the other as when they are united. In order to make a compleat
Tree such as we have imagin'd, there must necessarily be a
Conjunction of a Trunk, Branches, and Fruit, yet each has its
particular Use; the first, as I said before, creates or produces,
the second bears, displays, and gives, and the third by its
Presence and Operations confirms in the Belief we entertain with
Regard to the second and the first. 'Tis one and the same
Substance variously represented, one Agent which operates after
divers Manners, but in the main is only one, and cannot be
consider'd as several without a manifest Contradiction. God is
but One in Essence: In the Oeconomy of Salvation he is consider'd
as the Author and Father of Mankind: In the Affair of Redemption
he is look'd upon as an obedient submissive and humble Son who
satisfies the Justice of his Father; and when the Business is the
Application and Distribution of his Grace, he is consider'd as
the Holy Ghost.
After this Manner and no other, _said my Father, interrupting
him_, I conceive of the Meaning of the Word Trinity, but there is
something else couch'd under it, or you would not have made so
many Periphrases; I don't like any of these Ways of acting;
formerly I thought you an honest Man, but now I find you a Cheat,
and taking him by the Arm he thrust him out of his House for good
and all; then turning about to us, _he said_, Don't you observe
the Absurdities in this Sophister's Arguments? According to his
Way of talking, this Jesus whom he preaches up to us so much, and
whom he makes equal with God, had not so much Credit as to pay by
his ignominious Death the Debt which the first Man contracted by
eating the forbidden Fruit, because _Adam_, who, according to
him, was created to live eternally, thereby deserv'd Death
Temporal and Eternal, and because Christ only preserv'd _Adam_'s
Posterity from the latter of those Deaths of which we have not
any Certainty, and of which many Nations are ignorant; whereas he
was not able to redeem us from the Death, which we know by
Experience, and which, _said he_, was impos'd upon us as a
Punishment. And what is yet more remarkable upon this Head is,
that the Terms of this Redemption are burdensome, and much more
difficult to put in practice, than those to which the Jews were
subject under the old Dispensation. The _Israelites_, as the
Christians themselves say, were only bound to do good Works; the
Law requir'd nothing of 'em but Sprinklings and such other
Ceremonies; but under the New Covenant Faith is added to good
Works, and a Faith strong enough to believe all the Mysteries of
Religion without doubting, notwithstanding they are repugnant to
Reason and good Sense. As for my own Part, Children, _said he_, I
renounce such wild Opinions, and will positively hear no more of
them.
I was then twenty two Years of Age, and consequently at Years of
Discretion: I could not for my Life see the Wildness of those
Opinions which my Father cry'd out so much against. My Director
(to do him justice) had only taught, that _Adam_ was threatned
with Temporal Death, if he transgress'd; and that the Design of
_Christ_'s Sufferings was not to take this Penalty off from
Mankind, but to make them more than Amends by procuring for them
Eternal Life in another World. To teach this, I thought, was not
to represent _Christ_ as wanting any Credit with God; unless it
had been necessary to the Happiness of when that the Temporal
Death should have been superseded, the contrary of which seem'd
more probable. I saw too that under the old Dispensation Faith
was required of the Jews, as it is now under the Gospel requir'd
of _Christians_. They were bound to believe not only that there
is a God, but that it _Moses_'s Law was of Divine Origin, that he
wrought Miracles, and that a _Messias_ was to come. These were
some of their Articles of Faith; and tho' the Number of a
Christian's Articles is enlarg'd, yet none of those which my
Director had taught me, seem'd to my Reason to contain such
Propositions as a Divine Power did not reach to. However my
Father's Temper was such that he could not bear his Children to
make him Replies, so that I was forc'd to obey, or run the Risque
of being chastis'd.
After this, I did not see the Monk above three or four times in
six Months, which was such an insupportable Mortification to me,
that one Day having acquainted me of a Voyage he intended to make
to _Goa_, I inform'd myself which Way he was to go, and without
saying a Word to any Soul, I set out two Days before him, and
went fifteen Leagues from Home to stay for him. The good Man was
transported to see me, but when I told him what was the Motive of
my meeting him, he had like to have discarded me for fear of the
Consequences, so that I was oblig'd to give him my Oath that I
would, where ever we came, declare what indeed was no more than
the Truth, that he had no hand in this Excursion of mine, and
that I would always endeavour at the Hazard of my Life to clear
him from any such Accusation.
When we came hither, I intreated him to find me out some Person
with whom I might live in the nature of a Domestic. It was not
long before Father _Du Bourg_ procur'd what I wanted, for he
plac'd me with one _Pelciano_ a _Portuguese_ Physician whom he
knew intimately. This honest Man who had a great deal of Regard
for me, took so much Pains to teach me his Language, that
notwithstanding my ordinary Avocations, I was able to speak it in
a very short Time. He likewise took a singular Pleasure in
instructing me in his Religion, but tho' he was not so
prevaricating as the Jesuit, I was shock'd at a great many
Things, which I thought either ridiculous, or manifestly
contradictory. I was also at some Trouble to reconcile your
Chronology, which limits the Creation of the World to the Term of
about 6000 Years, with ours and that of the _Indians_, who extend
it with a great deal of Probability to a Distance almost
infinite. Besides, I was extremely perplex'd which of the Sects
to make choice of, when I heard that the Christians as well as
others, are divided into a Number of Societies which differ so
much in their Opinions as to cause an irreconcileable Hatred
between them, so far as to damn one another; and that even in
every one of these Societies there's I know not how many
different Sorts of Opinions. My Master to whom I propos'd my
Scruples, and who made use of all his Rhetoric to solve them,
expected I should prefer the _Romish_ Religion to all others,
probably because 'twas that which he profess'd himself. But
being shock'd at the ridiculous Superstitions which I found those
of that Communion were guilty of, I earnestly begg'd him to tell
me seriously what he thought it adviseable for me to do.
Well my Lad, _said he_, remain as you are, or else turn to that
Side where you think to find most Advantage. I will not make use
of the Authority of _Polybius_, a very famous Historian about 200
Years before _Christ_, who pretended, as he says in his sixth
Chapter, "That the Gods, as well as Punishments and Rewards after
this Life, are only the chimerical Productions of the Ancients,
which would be very insignificant if a Republic was to be form'd
to consist only of good Men; but because there is no State where
the People are not irregular and wicked, 'tis absolutely
necessary for keeping them in Awe, to make use of the Panic
Terrors of another World, to admit, believe and intirely to
conform to them, on Pain of passing for Madmen and Fools." As
this great Man was a Pagan, 'tis not fair to quote him among us
upon a Fact of such Consequence. So that it shall suffice to tell
you, that 'tis a Maxim with Great Men as well as the Learned to
accommodate themselves to Times and Seasons. 'Tis indifferent in
what Church, or with what People we worship God, provided we
serve him with Respect and Veneration. He is the only common
Father of all Mankind, and is willing to grant them all
Salvation. 'Tis neither the Denomination of _Catholic_,
_Calvinist_, _Lutheran_ nor _Anabaptist_, by which People are
sav'd, but by Faith and good Works, The Man that leads a good
Life is acceptable; to God, wherever he dwells, and Providence
which trieth the Heart and the Reins, can easily distinguish a
Believer from 100000 wicked and ungodly Persons. Most of the
Articles which set Men at Variance in Religion are not so
essential as is pretended by the Clergy; 'tis often a Matter of
Indifference whether they are accepted or rejected; and provided
there are any of Consequence, 'tis always certain that no Body
knows our Hearts, and 'tis an easy Thing to associate with Fools,
and even to imitate their external Grimaces without embracing
their ridiculous Opinions. Worship is not attach'd to any
particular Place, nor is Adoration paid any longer on the
Mountain or in _Jerusalem_. God no longer requires the Blood of
Heifers for his Satisfaction, nor the Distorsions of the Body. My
Son, _says he_, give me thy Heart. This, _I said,_ appears to me
very rational, I most humbly thank you for your Advice; and
according to these Principles I shall be content with keeping up
the Title of a Christian, without attaching myself absolutely to
any one Sect. Ever since that Time, continued the _Chinese_,
while I travell'd with Mons. _Pelciano_, I attended at all the
Divine Services without any Scruple, and without giving Offence
to any Person whatsoever.
But, I _reply'd_, how came you to be committed here? Indeed I
know nothing of the Cause, _said he_, unless it be for having
perhaps spoke a little too freely of the Mystery of the
Incarnation; for I remember, I talk'd of that Matter publickly
three or four Days before my Imprisonment. Mean time 'tis an
Article that I shall never be silent about; for tho' I call my
self a Christian, and am really so, I am far from designing it to
the Prejudice of the Author of all things. Jesus Christ himself,
if he were here, wou'd clear me. How great a Man soever this
Divine Prophet was, 'tis sufficient to believe him the Son of
God, by way of Eminence, and 'tis affronting him, to think him
capable of attributing that Title to himself by Nature. It may
also be affirm'd that he is truly our Mediator, because he has
pointed out the way of Salvation to us, and the Means of keeping
in that way. His Morals were undeniably pure, his Life holy, and
his Doctrines divine, and he confirm'd the Truth of them by his
Death; but that he is God Almighty, and Everlasting, the same
Essence as the Father, and yet personally distinct from him, and
engender'd from all Eternity, conceiv'd immediately of the Holy
Ghost, or of God himself, and born of an immaculate Virgin, is
what he has not pretended to, tho' others, with the greatest
Injustice in the World, put those Words into his Mouth. 'Tis very
true, as I have heard my Master say an hundred times, that the
Scripture introduces God saying to him, _Thou art my Son_, but
then it adds immediately after, _This Day have I begotten thee_.
And as to the Word Virgin, 'tis certain, that in the original
Language it also signifies a young Woman. Besides there are many
Expositors who say, that the appropriating those Passages to
Jesus Christ is doing Violence to the Text.
Finally, I must tell you, that the very Miracles, which are
ascrib'd to this Great Person, are not to be understood
literally, but in an improper and figurative Sense, as all the
Parables of the Gospel are understood in. Thus, for Example, the
Story of the Temptation, which appears to be ridiculous and
impossible, if taken literally, means nothing but that the Kings
and Princes of the Earth, who are as high as the Mountains above
other Mortals, the Clergy, those Directors of Consciences, who
preach in the Temples and sacrifice at the Altars, are equally
liable to Trials and Temptations with the poor illiterate people
in the Deserts, but that there is nothing which ought to divert
them from their Duty, and to hinder them from paying their Homage
to the Monarch of Heaven and Earth. The Persons possess'd with
Devils mean repenting Sinners, and the Swine, into which the
Devils that possess'd them were sent, signify Wretches abandon'd
to all manner of Uncleanness, and plung'd over head and ears in
Wickedness. The Faith of a Believer appears from the Example of
_Peter_, when he walk'd up on the Waters, and his Unbelief from
his sinking; his Virtue from his resolving to follow his Master
in the most evident Dangers; and his Infirmity from his denying
him the very Instant that a silly Woman accus'd him of being one
of his Company when he fell into the Hands of his Enemies. In a
word, all the extraordinary Events, as the Cure of Cripples,
Blindness, Palsies, and such other Ailments, as well as the
Resurrection of the Dead, mention'd in the History of the Life of
Christ, are to be understood in a spiritual Sense; for then there
is no Difficulty in explaining the Scripture, and they to whom it
appears ridiculous or mysterious, will find it intelligble and
easy; and so is the Old Testament, when we consider it only as a
Compound of Emblems, Allegories, Metaphors, Hyperboles, Types and
Comparisons invented for the Comfort and Instruction of the
Children of God.
What you have now told me, _said I_, would furnish us Matter for
a long Conversation, but I believe it would be to no Purpose. All
that I can tell you is that the Jesuit _Du Bourg_ is a very
Politick Gentleman, your Master a _Portuguese Jew_, and for your
own Part, I look upon you as a Volunteer, or a Free Person, and
not as a lifted Soldier. As long as a Man is not engag'd to any
particular Captain, he may go and serve where he pleases without
any Body's calling him to Account; but from the Moment that he is
inlisted, he cannot leave his Company without the Permission of
his Leader, and if he deserts he is a Criminal, and is punish'd
according to the Laws. You say you are a Christian, tho' you are
very far short of it 'till you have abjur'd Paganism, and
embrac'd the Sect that you like Best among the Christians. You
are not properly speaking subject to any Censure, and I persuade
myself that if they who detain you here knew you, you would not
stay here long. When all's said and done you are not under their
Jurisdiction, and in this City there's entire Freedom for People
of all Nations. Represent this to your Judge the next Time that
you appear before him, not forgetting to say that you are a
_Chinese_; and if you don't make mention of Christianity, I
question not but you will do very well, and that you will get off
for a Correction which you have very well deserv'd.
If ever I get out of their Clutches, _reply'd he_, I assure you
I'll never get in again. I have, Thanks to God, wherewithal to
live at Home, and can do very well after the manner I propose to
myself, and even tho' our Domestic Affairs should not find me
Employment, as long as my Father is living, I can spend my Time
in making Telescopes and Microscopes.
How Microscopes, _said I_, where did you learn the Use of those
Things? At Mons. _Peliciano_'s, reply'd he, who is as well
skill'd in them as any Man in all the _Indies_. Father _Du Bourg_
meddles with them too, and even pretends to excel in them, but
after all what he does that Way is worth nothing. The Microscopes
which I make magnify Objects inconceivably. They make a Grain of
Sand appear as big as an Ostrich's Egg, a Fly as large as an
Elephant, and they help you plainly to distinguish Bodies which
are imperceptible to the naked Eye. What I have admir'd a hundred
Times is that by the help of this little Instrument, we find that
our Bodies are cover'd with Scales one upon another like the Back
of a Carp. And my Master lays it down for a Maxim that the Air we
breathe is Water rarify'd, which only differs from that of Fish
in Proportion as the Greater is to the Less; and I believe
likewise that our Thick Air is compos'd of Particles much more
gross in Proportion to the Subtle Matter, than those of Water can
be. This Thought is founded upon Experiments which I have seen
him make several Times, and which perhaps you will not be sorry
to know.
He took two Bottles, one full of Water in which he put some small
Fish; the other of Thick Air in which he put Birds, Mice, Rats,
Squirrels, and other such Animals, after which he pump'd the Air
out of the one, and the Water out of the other. Then making an
Observation with certain Glasses of a Figure in a manner
Hyperbolical, it appear'd there was not so much difference
between the Particles of the Water which went out of the one, and
the Particles of Air that remain'd, as there was between the
Particles of Air and the Parcels of pure Matter in the other; to
which may be added that Fish live longer in the one than those
little Animals in the other. But Glasses of this Sort are of
difficult Construction, at least I have not been able hitherto to
make them to due Perfection. To this I have heard it objected
that if you take three different Vessels seal'd hermetically and
fill'd, the first with Water, the second with Air, and the third
with subtile Matter, and put a live Sparrow in each; it was
always observ'd that the Flesh of this Animal was corrupted in a
few Days in the first Vessel, whereas in the others it did not
suffer the least Alteration in several Years, From hence it seems
to follow that the Particles of Water must be more gross and more
efficacious than those of Air, because otherwise this would
proceed by degrees; that is to say, that if the Water corrupts
Flesh in eight Days, the Air must do it in sixteen, and the
subtile Matter in twenty four, supposing an Equality in their
Differences, whereas 'tis found that Water alone is capable of
this Operation. But 'tis probable that, the Greatness of the
Parts has not so much Share in this Dissolution as the Figure
and Agitation in the Agent on the one hand, and the Disposal of
those same Parts in the Patient on the other, because there are
Bodies, such as Oak-timber, which keep much longer in Water than
the Air; whereas, on the contrary, Fire destroys Ash-wood in a
Day, when Water cou'd not do it in an Age.
'Tis a curious Subject, _reply'd I_, but do you know what your
Doctor thinks about the Production of Animals? He thinks, said
he, that Generation is the only way by which they are produc'd,
whatever Argument may be invented to favour a contrary Opinion.
For as to the Instance of Fruits with Worms in them, whereof
there's no Appearance without which way they got within, this is
attended with no Difficulty. To explain this matter it must be
observ'd, that Flies and such Insects commonly creep into the
Chinks of Trees and Plants, not only to shelter themselves from
the Injuries of the Air, but to get Nourishment from the Sap; so
that if the Eggs of such Vermin happen to be in the Place where
Fruit is to be form'd, that which is nearest being encompass'd
with the first Drop of the Moisture that issues out of it for its
Formation, lies inclos'd in it, and lives in it till the Fruit is
ripe, or as long as there remains any thing for it to subsist on;
and when such Provision is spent, it penetrates thro' the
Obstacle that stops it, and makes its Way out. To confirm this
Opinion by undeniable Proof, only look upon the Gall-nut, and if
you examine its Production carefully, you will find something in
it that is surprizing.
The Gall-nut is an Excrement, or, if you please, _said he_, a
sort of little Apples that grow in the Leaves of Oaks, after this
manner: There are certain black Flies, which in the Season lay
their delicate Eggs on the lower side of the Leaves of those
great Trees, for fear they should be scorch'd by the Heat of the
Sun: As soon as these little Animals are hatch'd, they break
thro' the Covering which gives them Shade, and pierce thro' the
Veins of it, in order to be nourish'd by the Juice that comes out
of it in a great Quantity. If it then happens that one of these
Insects be environ'd with a Drop that has any due Consistency, it
stays there while such Drop congeals, grows and becomes a Fruit
at last, of the Bigness of a Pigeon's Egg, more or less, and it
does not go out of it till 'tis become a Fly, or till the Fruit
which it was in a manner produc'd, be too dry to give it
Nourishment. He confirm'd this Hypothesis by other Arguments
which I don't remember.
Three Weeks after my Imprisonment I was carry'd to the Holy
Office: The Judge having ask'd me the Place of my Birth, my Age
and my Religion (to which I answer'd very readily) conjur'd me to
declare with my own Mouth the Reason of my being detain'd,
because there was no better Method for my speedy Deliverance out
of Trouble, expecting, no doubt, that I should act with regard to
that Tribunal, as I wou'd before God, that is to say, make
Confession of my Faults, in order to obtain Mercy. I protested to
him, that I had not done or said any thing which I cou'd reproach
my self with, or which any body cou'd lawfully lay to my Charge;
that God was Witness of my Innocence, and that it must: be some
ill-minded Person, who perhaps envy'd my Success in my Business,
that had done me the Mischief to accuse me of some Crime that I
had never committed. In fine, I gave him to understand, that I
had great Dependance upon his Goodness, and that if he did but
inquire into my Life he wou'd soon be convinc'd of the Truth of
what I told him.
The same thing happened to me a fortnight after, and so on till I
had been examin'd seven times; after which the Inquisitor told
me, that since I did not care to make a true Confession of the
Crimes I had committed, as a means of recovering my Liberty, they
should proceed to declare against me. At the same time the
Secretary read the Depositions, which set forth that I had spoke
contemptibly of the Images of Saints, Crucifixes, Purgatory, and
the Infallibility of the Holy Office. What say you to that? _said
the Judge_, I own, _said I_, that when I beheld the Irregularity
of most of the Inhabitants of this City, I could not help
declaring in several Places, that I was surpriz'd to see, that
People, who scrupled to pass before a Crucifix often made of vile
Stuff, without paying a profound Reverence to it, or were afraid
to neglect one Day without falling down twenty times before
Images of Paper, made no Scruple to wallow in the Ordure of the
most infamous Vices that can be committed in a Society of
reasonable Creatures. 'Tis also true, that I spoke of Purgatory,
as a Place which I thought very unnecessary, because 'tis
sufficient for a Christian to believe that his Saviour's Blood
cleanseth him from all his Sins. And as to Infallibility, _said
I_, I don't think it can be lawfully ascrib'd to any but God, all
Men being Sinners, according to several plain Passages of the
holy Scripture. I own, _said I_, that I talk'd after this manner,
but God knows that 'twas only with a View to glorify his Name,
and from the Abhorrence I had to see so much Licentiousness in a
Place where Piety and Devotion are pretended to reign in a very
eminent Degree, and not with any Design to offend Religion or the
holy Office. You took too great a Liberty, Friend, reply'd the
Inquisitor; if you had however confess'd all this at first, it
wou'd not have been the worse for you, tho' your Guilt wou'd have
been the same. Mean time the Secretary, who wrote down my
Confession in the Nature of a formal Deposition, order'd me to
sign it, whereupon a Process was commenc'd against me; I was
condemn'd to the Gallies for Life, and all my Goods confiscated.
We were about an hundred and fifty poor Wretches, who, on the 8th
of _January_, 1670, were turn'd out of this terrible Place, some
to be banish'd, of whom our _Chinese_ was one, some to be
whipp'd, and three, who had been accus'd of Magic, were burnt
alive, particularly a poor old Man of four-score and three, whom
two different Orders of Monks had depriv'd of a very considerable
Inheritance, by forcing his Brother, who was a rich Man, to make
a Will, by which they got Possession of all that he left behind
him at his Death, on pretence of delivering his Soul forthwith
out of Purgatory. This unjust Proceeding so exasperated the old
Man, that he cou'd not help fretting at it, and raving against
those Persons whom he took to be the Authors of this Injustice,
whereupon they loaded him with Crimes that deserv'd Burning, and
did not cease to prosecute him till they saw him consum'd to
Ashes.