We have already mentioned the perverse temper of the people of Japan.
[22]
The
magistrates considered the firmness which Christianity inspires, when
they attempted to make the people renounce their faith, as in itself
most dangerous; they fancied that it increased their obstinacy. The law
of Japan punishes severely the least disobedience. The people were
ordered to renounce the Christian religion; they did not renounce it;
this was disobedience; the magistrates punished this crime; and the
continuance in disobedience seemed to deserve another punishment.
Punishments among the Japanese are considered as the revenge of an
insult done to the prince; the songs of triumph sung by our martyrs
appeared as an outrage against him: the title of martyr provoked the
magistrates; in their opinion it signified rebel; they did all in their
power to prevent their obtaining it. Then it was that their minds were
exasperated, and a horrid struggle was seen between the tribunals that
condemned and the accused who suffered; between the civil laws and those
of religion.
