“Their resolution is all the more admired, since they knew so little of God’s word"

 

In the early 1600s, the Tokugawa government was severely persecuting Japanese Christians. Here is a Dutch Protestant witness to Japanese converts amazing fortitude in spite of their lack of having Scripture. “Their resolution is all the more admired, since they knew so little of God’s word; so that one might term it stubbornness rather than steadfastness; because (so far as Holy Writ is concerned) they know but little, and can only read a Pater Noster and an Ave Maria, besides a few prayers to Saints; the Romish priests exhorted then not to recant, upon pain of the loss of their salvation, accompanied with many dire threats. It is indeed extraordinary that among them are so many who remain steadfast to the end, and endure so many insufferable torments, in despite of their scanty knowledge of the Holy Scriptures.” What if they had the entire Bible translated into Japanese? What strength and grace that would have been during the time of trial.