colour, and without beards; but in the new world, white, and bearded men
were found, who had never commerce with the _Spaniards_; and whom you
cannot affirme to be any other than _Israelites_; because also as they
could never be overcome, so shall they never be fully knowne, as
appeares by what followes. _Petrus Simon_ a _Franciscan_, in his History
of finding out the firme Land, saith, that in the reigne of _Charles_
the fifth, he commanded one called _Philippus de Utre_ thither, to
discover, and plant those Countries; that he found them unknowne toward
the North of _America_ about five degrees, in the Province of _Omeguas_,
which is neare the Province of _Venezuela_, and now is called
_Garracas_. And he having learned of their neighbours, the greatnesse of
that people both in wealth, and in war, he determined to war upon them.
Who when they had marched a good way, at last found a rich City, full of
people, and faire buildings; and not farre off two Husband-men tilling
the ground; whom they would have made Prisoners, that they might be
their interpreters. But when they saw themselves set on, they fled apace
towards the City; but _Philippus d’Utre_ and his Souldiers followed them
hard on Horse-back, and had almost taken them; whereupon the Husband-men
stood still, and with their Speares wounded _Philip_ in the breast,
piercing through his Brest-plate made of wooll to keep off Arrowes. He
wondering at the dexterity of that people, judged it a wiser course, not
to make war upon that Province, and people so expert in warre, and who
dared to resist armed men. Therefore he retreated with his Company. And
to this day none goe to that people, neither is it knowne which way to
goe to them. It is probable that they are _Israelites_ whom God
preserves in that place against the day of redemption. _Alonsus de
Erzilla_ testifies the same thing, in 2. part. _Sua Araucaniæ._ _Cant._
27. where describing those places, he thus speakes in Spanish.
_Some Countries there, so populous are seen,
As one continued City; which have been
Never as yet discovered; but unknowne
To other Nations; have laine hid alone;
Not found by forreigne sword, nor forreigne trade
Doe either seeke, nor suffer to be made,
But unacquainted live, till God shall please
To manifest his secrets: shew us these._
_SECT. 8._
_Ioannes Castilianus Vicarius_ living in the City _Pampelona_ of _Nova
Granada_ in _Peru_, saith, that when _Gonzalus Pisarrus_ had revolted
from his people, he sent some to search out new Countries of the
_Indians_ who lived East-ward, whose number could never be knowne,
because that (as some say) their Country is above two thousand miles in
length, if you compute from the head of the river _Maragnon_, which runs
neare _Andes_ of _Cusco_, unto the place where it runs into the Sea,
where therefore the River began to be navigable, _Petrus d’Orsna_ being
a Captaine, went by water, and his Souldiers with him, in Vessels called
Canows; which when they were too small for the force of the streame, he
built Brigandines, on the banke of the River _Guariaga_, which washing
the Province _Chachapoyas_, runs into _Maragnon_. He was scarce gone
aboard his Brigandines, when one of his own Souldiers named _Aquirre_, a
stout man, killed him, who by common consent succeeded the slaine. When
they had gone a little way, they found a plaine without a mountaine,
where many houses stood on each side of the banke of _Maragnon_, being
built by the _Indians_. They still went on for forty eight houres
together, and saw nothing but tall, and white houses, which they feared
to goe into, because the Inhabitants were numerous, and because they
heard the noyse of Hammers; for which cause they thought the Inhabitants
to be Gold-smiths. They went on still, and now sayled in the North Sea,
but alwayes neare to the shoare of the Province of _Margareta_, where
_Aquirre_ was catcht by the Inhabitants and hanged; for they heard that
he had killed his Captaine _Petrus de Orsua_.
_SECT. 9._
_Caspar Bergarensis_ (whom I have oft spoke with) went from the City
_Laxa_, which is in the Province of _Quiti_ in _Peru_, and accompanied
the Colonell _Don Diego Vaca de la Vega_ going to seeke a new Country.
In the yeare 1622. they came to the Province _Jarguasongo_, which had
been discovered by Captaine _Salines_; and they passed the Mountaines
_Cordilleræ_, where the River _Maragnon_ is not above a stones cast
over. In the Province of the _Inde Mainenses_ they built a City, whose
name was St. _Franciscus de Borja_, at _Esquilache_. In his company were
one hundred _Spaniards_ in Canows. Having conquered those _Indians_, and
compelling them to sweare fealty to the King of _Spaine_; the Colonell
being instructed by the _Mainenses_, went to other places, after he had
put a Garrison into his new City. Having sailed fifty leagues in the
River (he found some Cottages of the _Indians_ which there hid
themselves) by favour of many Rivers which there run into _Maragnon_.
When they had sayled into the River _Guariaga_, where _Petrus de Orsua_
had built his Brigandines, and was killed by _Aquirre_; they asked the
_Indians_ whom they had taken (who were called _Guariaga_, from the
Rivers name) what people doe live on the Rivers side? they told the
Colonell, that five dayes journey off, there live men of tall stature,
comely in presence, and have as great beards as the _Spaniards_ have,
valiant, and warlike, who are not skilled in Canowes, though the rest of
the _Indians_ use no other; he presently returned the same way he came.
_SECT. 10._
In _Farnambuc_ about forty yeares since, eight _Tabaiares_ had a minde
to looke out new Countries, and to see whether the Land that was beyond,
and unknowne, were inhabited. They having spent foure moneths in
travelling Westward, they came to mountaines, to whose top they got with
difficulty, and found a plaine which a pleasant river doth compasse, by
whose banke side dwelt a people who loved commerce, they were white, and
bearded; and this five of the _Tabaires_ (for three perished by the way,
and only five returned) told to the _Brasilians_ after nine moneths.
_SECT. 11._
In our time, under King _Philip_ the third, Captaine _Ferdinades de
Queiros_ being returned out of _India_ (where he had spent most of his
life) to _Rome_, he shewed a Table of Lands yet undiscovered. From
thence he went to _Madrid_, and five ships were given him by the
Governour of _Panama_ (to whom he was sent) to perfect his designe. He
began his journey, and was scarcely entred the South Sea, but he found
Land, which he called, _The Isle of Solomon_, and _Hierusalem_, for
reasons which he told me. He in his course of sayling alwayes kept close
to the shoare of those Islands; he saw those Islanders of a browne
colour, and took many; others dwelt in greater Islands, and more
fruitfull; these were white, and wore long garments of silk; and the
Pilot being bid to bring his Ship neare the shoare, he split his Ship
upon a Rock, (and the Islanders running greedily to the sight) which
being sunke, the Captaine went thence, looking for the firme Land, which
he found to be forty degrees beyond; and he went three hundred miles
neare the shoare; and when he perceived the Country to be inhabited by
the smoke which he saw, and would put into a Port on the side of the
River, there ran to him many white men, of yellow haire, tall like
Giants, richly cloathed, and of long beards. But one of the Vessels
being wracked in the Havens mouth, he was forced to put out to Sea;
whereupon the Islanders sent two Chaloffi of a browne colour, (as the
inhabitants were of the first Island) with sheep, and other provisions,
and fruits, but desiring, and threatning them, if they did not depart:
The Captaine brought those Chaloffi into _Spaine_, from whom the
_Spaniards_ could learne nothing but by signes; and instead of answers,
(when they were asked) would shew their beards, as if such those were,
who were their Lords, and had sent them, and if they were asked about
Religion, they would hold up their fingers to Heaven, implying, that
they worshipped but one God. A little while after, they dyed in
_Spaine_. The Captaine returned to _Panama_, having left his two Ships
which were wracked; and when the Governour sued him, by meanes of the
Senators, who are over the _Indian_ affaires, he was dismissed, and
returned with his Ships into _Spaine_, where he abode two yeares before
his matters were dispatched. But the King created him Marquesse of the
Countries found out by him, and commanded to give him a good Army,
where-with to compasse his designes. But he scarce got to _Panama_, when
he dyed, not without suspition of being poysoned by the Governour.
_SECT. 12._
That which I am about to tell, shall serve for a proofe of that which I
said of the _West-Indians_. A Dutch Mariner told me, that not long since
he was with his ship in _America_, seven degrees towards the North
between _Maragnon_, and great _Para_, and he put into an Harbour in a
pleasant River, where he found some _Indians_ who understood _Spanish_,
of whom he bought Meats, and Dywood; after he had stayed there six
moneths, he understood that that River extended eighteen leagues towards
the _Carybes Indians_, as far as the ship could goe; and that the River
is divided there into three branches, and they sayling two months on the
left hand, there met them white men, and bearded, well bred, well
cloathed, and abounding with gold and silver; they dwelt in Cities
enclosed with wals, and full of people; and that some _Indians_ of
_Oronoch_ went thither, and brought home much gold, silver, and many
precious stones, Which he having understood, sent thither some Sea-men;
but the _Indian_ dyed by the way, who was their guide, and so they did
not proceed, but stayed there two months, and trucked with the _Indians_
who were sixty leagues from Sea. That Province is called _Jisbia_, and
is subject to _Zealand_; they have no commerce with the _Spaniards_, and
the inhabitants travell securely every way. I heard that story by
accident from that _Dutch_ Master of the Ship; whence some of us
guessing them to be _Israelites_, had purposed to send him againe to
enquire more fully. But he dyed suddenly the last yeare, whence it
seemes that God doth not permit that those purposes should take any
effect till the end of dayes.
_SECT. 13._
Yet I give more credit to our _Montezinus_, being a _Portingal_, and a
_Jew_ of our Order; borne in a City of _Portingal_, called _Villefleur_,
of honest and known Parents, a man about forty yeares old, honest, and
not ambitious. He went to the _Indies_, where he was put into the
Inquisition, as the successor of many who were borne in _Portingal_, and
descended from them, whom the King of _Portingal_, _Don Manuel_ forced
to turne Christians: (_O wicked, and unjust action_, saith _Osorius_;
and a little after, _This was done neither according to Law, nor
Religion_,) and yet to this day they privately keep their Religion,
which they had changed, being forced thereto. He being freed from the
Inquisition, very diligently sought out these things, and oft spoke with
those men, and then was not quiet till he came hither, and had told us
that good newes. He endured much in that journey, and was driven to
great want, so that no house would give him food, or give him money for
his worke. I my selfe was well acquainted with him for six months
together that he lived here; and sometimes I made him take an Oath in
the presence of honest men, that what he had told, was true. Then he
went to _Farnambuc_, where two yeares after he dyed, taking the same
Oath at his death. Which if it be so, why should not I beleeve a man
that was vertuous, and having all that which men call gaine. And who
knowes but that shortly the truth of that Prognostick may appeare, which
our _Montezinus_ learned from the _Mohanes_; answerable to that which
_Jacobus Verus_ an Astrologer of _Prague_ writ after the apparition of
the Comet in _Ann._ 1618. and dedicated to his Highnesse the Prince
_Palatine_, where he thus discourseth: The Comet going towards the
South, doth intimate that the Cities and Provinces which God doth
threaten, are those of the _West-Indies_, which shall revolt from the
King of _Spaine_, who will finde that losse greater then he imagined,
not that the _Indians_ rebell against him of themselves, but that they
are provoked to it being stirred up by others. Neither did the Comet
only fore-tell that, but the eclipse of the Sun, which was in that
Country the yeare before. Thus far the Astrologer. Our ancient Rabbins
say, though we doe not beleeve the Astrologers in all things, yet we doe
not wholly reject them, who sometimes tell truth.
_SECT. 14._
Thus farre of the _West-Indies_, of which _Isaiah_ may be understood
(because it lyes in the midst of the Sea, and also hath many Islands) in
_Isa._ 60.9. _The isles shall waite for me, and the ships of Tarshish
first, to bring their Sons from far, their silver and their gold with
them_, Jer. 31.10. _Heare the Word of the Lord O ye Nations, and declare
it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattereth Israel will gather
him_, Psal. 97.1. _The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoyce, and the
multitude of isles be glad._ Where part of the ten Tribes doe dwell
unknown to this day.
_SECT. 15._
You must know that all the ten Tribes were not carried away at the same
time. _Pul_ the King of _Assyria_ (as I shew in the second part of my
Reconciler) conquered, and carried away the Tribes of _Reuben_, _Gad_,
and halfe _Manasseh_, in the reigne of _Peka_, as you may see in _1
Chron._ 5.26. and _Josephus in li._ 9. _c._ 11. _Tiglahpileser_ eight
yeares after took _Ijon_, _Abel-beth-maachah_, _Hazor-Gilead_,
_Galilee_, all the land of _Naphtali_, and he carryed away all the
Captives into _Assyria_, in _2 King._ 15.29. At last _Shalmaneser_ King
of _Assyria_, nine yeares after, in the reign of _Hoshea_ the Son of
_Elah_, besieged _Samaria_ three yeares; which being taken, he carried
away. _Hoshea_, with the rest of the Tribes, in _2 King._ 17.6. Of those
three times the Prophet _Isaiah_ speakes, _Isa._ 9.1. saying, the first
captivity was gentle, if you compare it with the last, which was
grievous, and unsufferable, when the Kingdome and Monarchy of _Israel_
ceased.
_SECT. 16._
The ten Tribes being conquered at severall times, we must thinke they
were carried into severall places. As we beleeve they went to the
_West-Indies_ by the strait of _Anian_, so we thinke that out of
_Tartary_ they went to _China_, by that famous wall in the confines of
both. Our argument to prove it, is taken from the authority of two
Jesuites, who erected their Colledges in those Countries. _Nicholaus
Trigantius_ a Dutch-man in his discourse of the Christian expedition
under-taken by the Jesuites to _Sina_, saith, We finde that in former
time the _Jewes_ came into these Kingdomes. And when that society had
for some yeares seated it selfe in the Court of the _Pequinenses_, a
certaine _Jew_ came to _P. Matthæus Riccius_; he was borne in
_Chamfamfu_ the metropolis of the Province _Honan_, and was surnamed
_Ogay_; and now being licensed to the degree of a Doctor, he went to
_Pequin_. But when he read in a certaine Booke writ by a Doctor of
_China_, concerning the _European_ affaires, That our fathers are not
_Sarazens_, and know no God but the Lord of Heaven and Earth; and would
perswade himselfe that ours did professe the Law of _Moses_, he went
into the Church with _P. Matthæas Riccius_. On an Altar there was the
effigies of the Virgin _Mary_, and the childe Jesus, whom St. _John_ his
fore-runner worshipped with bended knees; now that day was the Holy-day
of _John_ the Baptist. The _Jew_ thinking it was the effigies of
_Rebecca_, and her two Sons, _Jacob_ and _Esau_, he bowed also to the
Image, but with this Apology, that he worshipped no Images, but that he
could not but honour these who were the Parents of our Nation. And he
asking if the foure Evangelists on both sides of the Altar, were not
foure of the twelve sons of _Jacob_; the Jesuite answered, Yes, thinking
he had asked of the twelve Apostles. But afterward the _Jew_
acknowledged to the Jesuite that he was an _Israelite_; and he found the
Kings Bible, and acknowledged the _Hebrew_ Letters, though he could not
read them. By this occasion our people learnt, that ten or twelve
families of _Israelites_ were there, and had built a very neat Synagogue
which cost ten thousand Crownes, in which they have kept the five Bookes
of _Moses_ with great veneration for six hundred yeares. He also
affirmed, that in _Hamcheu_ the Metropolis of the Province _Chequiona_,
there are farre more Families, with a Synagogue; and else-where that
many Families live without a Synagogue, because that by little and
little they are extinguished. He relating many things out of the Old
Testament, he differed but little in pronouncing those names. He said,
that some among them were not ignorant of the _Hebrew_ Tongue, but that
himselfe had neglected it, having studied the _China_ Tongue from a
Childe. For which cause he was counted almost unworthy of their society,
by the Ruler of the Synagogue. But he chiefly looked after this, that he
might get to be Doctor. Three yeares after _P. Matthæus Riccius_ sent
one of our brethren to that Metropolis, who found all those things true.
He compared the beginnings, and endings of the Bookes which the _Jewes_
keep in their Synagogue, with our Pentateuch, and saw no difference,
this only, that those had no pricks. The other Jesuite is _Alfonsus
Cimedro_, who likewise saith, that there is a great number of _Jewes_ in
the Province of _Oroensis_, on the West part of _China_, who know
nothing of the comming, and suffering of Jesus. And he from thence
gathers, that they are of the ten Tribes, (which opinion I also am of)
because those _Chineses_ observe many _Jewish_ Rites, which you may see
in a manuscript, which the noble _Jaochimus Wicofortius_ hath. And why
might not some of them saile from _China_ to _New-Spaine_, through the
streight between _China_, and _Anian_, and _Quivira_, which doe border
upon _New-Spaine_; and from thence they went to the Isles of _Panama_,
_Peru_, and those thereabouts. These in my judgement are those
_Chineses_ of whom _Isaiah_ speakes, Chap. 49. vers. 12. (treating about
_Israels_ returne to his Country.) _Behold, these shall come from
afarre, and these from the North, and from the West, and these from the
Land of Sinim._ And so _Ptolomy_ in _lib._ 7. _c._ 3. _tab._ 11. cals it
The country of _Sinim_, or _Sina_; and this is the true sense of the
words; _Aben Ezra_ therefore is mistaken, who derives it of Sene, a bush
or wood, which he placeth in _Ægypt_.
_SECT. 17._