historicalgeogra00psal

the Ifle Formofa. 169
the fame Law is in force againft the Chriftians
in formofa , as was made againft them in
Japan,
FRom
The CONCLV SION.
what has been faid of the Caufes of the
great Perfecution of the Chriftians in Japan^
we may clearly underftand how great a prejudice
the Jefuits have done to Chriftianity, and what
a Reproach and Difgrace they have brought upon
the Chriftian Name, by impofing their Popilh
Errors upon the People as neceffary Articles of
Faith, and bydefigningthat barbarous and bloody
Maffaae upon all the poor Pagans : Whereas,
if they had propos'd the Chriftian Religion in its
purity and fimplicity, and behav'd themfelves towards
their Profelytes with that Meeknefs, Charity
and Sincerity , which became their Apoftolical
Office (and I found in my good Guide) I
dare affirm, that in all probability the whole Empire
of Japan had now been Chriftian ; But by
their mifreprefentations and wicked pra£tices,the
Japannefe have fuch a falfe notion of Chriftia*
tiity, and fuch ftrong prejudices againft it, that
it would be much more difficult now to convert
them 5 nay, the door is fhut againft any Chriftians
who might have fuch a charitable Defign,
or would attempt to remove their prejudices, and
poflefs their Minds with a juft Idea of Chriftianity.
How deteftable then was the Wickedneft
cf the Jefuits, which occalion'd all this Mifchief I
And how deplorable is the Cafe of thefe poox
Vagans^ who are pow io fetter'd in Chains of
Datknefs,