their clothes and ornaments, and by the mode of dressing their hair.3 Decree 18th. Christians are forbidden to drink, or even to trade in spirituous liquors. Decree 19th. They are also forbidden to use different weights and measures, and commanded to adopt the usual weight of the market or shop where they may be trading. Decree 20th. It is rendered lawful for daughters to inherit their parents' property, in default of male issue. They are also declared to be as entitled to a portion of the family estate as their brothers. All kinsmen possessed of property that ought to have descended to the females of the family, are required to make restitution as far as practicable. Decree 21st. It is declared illegal to adopt sons except in default of legitimate children. All sons adopted by those who shall have lawful heirs, whether born before or after their adoption, are incapable of inheriting the family estate, or even of receiving a legacy out of it beyond one third of its value. Decree 22nd. The Synod commands the Bishop of the diocese not to sanction such unjust adoptions, under any circumstances what ever. Decree 23rd. All Vicars are required to use 3 It will soon be seen, that the Jesuit missionaries studiously conformed to the heathen habits in every respect, for the purpose of passing themselves off as brahmins. So far are the romanists in India from conforming to the terms of this Decree, that it is often impossible to distinguish them from their heathen neighbours. Hindoos of high caste wear a mark on their foreheads to denote the god they worship; which mark the Roman converts and their children are actually permitted to retain, when their caste is sufficiently respectable to entitle them to wear it. This disgraceful compromise protestant missionaries have never consented to make. A. D. 1599. CHAP. 1. their best endeavours to persuade the Christians now living in an uncivilized manner in the heaths or jungles, to dwell together, and to build new villages, with churches, for their mutual convenience and edification. Decree 24th. The Synod determines to entreat the King of Portugal to protect the Christians of this bishopric against the alleged oppression, injustice, and grievances, of their heathen kings and governors. The Metropolitan is requested to transmit this supplication to his majesty, and to assure him of the readiness of all the Christians of this bishopric to serve him.4 4 This shows how we are to understand the assertion of Ferdinand Guerreiro, that, "wherever the Jesuits are, they retain the subjects in the obedience due to the king and his governors." (Note on Sess. viii. Decree 40). It also proves, that the rajah of Cochin "was not jealous without cause," when he suspected, "that the Archbishop had a state design in the great pains and charge he was at in the reduction of his Christian subjects." "Though nothing was talked of but the Pope, and the Roman obedience;" yet he saw reason to believe," that the king of Spain, and the augmentation of his strength in the Indies by the accession of so many new subjects, was the main spring in the enterprise. I will not say, though it is probable enough, that the Archbishop, by magnifying this service at the court of Spain, got first to be governor of the Indies, and afterwards to be governor of all the dominions of Portugal, and president of the council of state at Madrid; but this we are sure of, that that service to the crown of Spain was much boasted of here in Europe by others. For the Jesuit Ilayus, in his book De Rebus Japonicis, speaking of this very thing saith," "Quæ res quanto Regiæ Majestati emolumento sit latura, &c." Those persons will know what advantage this service would afford to his Majesty, who understand of what vast importance it was to recall to the obedience of the Roman Church, and to receive into the faith and government of his Catholic Majesty, the most excellent nation in all India, who have embraced the Christian religion from the times of St. Thomas, and were so numerous and powerful, that they had 30,000 men in arms ready to unite with the Portuguese." Geddes, p. 412. 66 Decree 25th. In conclusion, it is determined, that the original of the foregoing Decrees shall be signed by the Archbishop, Archdeacon, and other members, and kept in the archives of the Jesuits' College at Vaipicotta: and that a copy attested with the same signatures be kept in the archives of the Metropolitan Church of Angamale. The vicars are ordered to circulate copies throughout the diocese; to have them frequently read in all the churches on Sundays or holidays; and to use their authority to have them observed in all respects, and in every place. This the Synod expresses its confidence that they will do, with the help of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who liveth and reigneth for ever: Amen. A. D. 1599. PROCEEDINGS AFTER THE SYNOD. Decrees ed into parishes. 1. After the decrees were read, the bishopriced by was divided into seventy-five parishes, whose all present bounds were greater or less, as was judged to of Angabishopric of be most convenient for the administration of the male dividholy sacraments, and for the spiritual edification of the faithful: vicars were also nominated to them all, and the churches that were not able to maintain a vicar were united in one benefice. This appointment was contrary to the practice of the Syrians," who had several cattanars attached to each church; and the only prerogative that distinguished one above 5 It is worthy of remark, that monasticism was unknown to these Syrians, and that it is, perhaps, the only ancient church which has been kept free from this prolific source of superstition. (La Croze, pp, 277, 278.) This is another proof of their great antiquity, and of their freedom from all connexion with Rome before the date of this synod. CHAP. I. Archbishop's ad assembly and pre the rest, was that of seniority. The oldest always presided at their ecclesiastical assemblies; but in the public services of the church he ministered conjointly with his brethren. It was now determined, however, to appoint one responsible minister over each church; and after these vicars were named, they were brought in one by one to kiss the Metropolitan's hand; who at the same time collated them to their several churches, explaining to them the greatness of their authority, together with the duties and responsibility of their office. He also commanded the people to acknowledge them as their parish priests, and the shepherds of their souls. After they had, one by one, gone through this ceremony, the Archbishop admonished them all together, in the presence of the people, to comply with the obligations of their sacred function; and then the whole assembly falling on their knees before him, he delivered to them the following charge. 2. "Venerable and beloved brethren, and feldress to the low priests, and particular pastors of the faithTe Deum ful, we let you all to understand, that we, Procession though unworthy of it, are in the place of tended mi- Aaron, and ye of Eleazar and Ehitaman, the lower priests; we are in the place of the Apostles of our Lord Christ, ye in that of the seventytwo disciples; we are to give a strict account of you at the tremendous day of judgment, you of the people that are now committed to you: now racle-Me nezes re turns thanks and dismisses the Synod with his benediction. 6 This charge gives a brief recapitulation of some of the foregoing decrees. La Croze truly says of it, that it contains nothing but what is very trifling (Il ne contient rien que de fort trivial, p. 278.) On so solemn an occasion, when dismissing such a body of ministers to their respective cures, it is heart-rending to see what vast importance is attached to ceremonious observances, and that the interests of immortal souls are so disregarded! See Geddes, 415-422. that we may be all found good and faithful stewards in our master's house, we do admonish and beseech you, beloved brethren in Christ, to remember what we are about to say unto you, and, which is of the most importance, be sure to observe it, and put it in execution. In the first place, we do admonish and beseech you in the Lord, to have your life and conversation unblamable, yielding the savour of a good name, and example to the people of God, in suffering no women, and especially those of which the world may entertain any suspicion, though slaves, to live in your houses, neither are you to converse with any of the sex; you must not fail to rise every night to recite the divine office in the church, which must be performed at some certain hour; and after that is done, none of you must say mass otherwise than fasting, and after midnight forward, and in the holy habits, which must always be kept clean, ye shall receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all reverence and humility, confessing your sins to some approved confessor, with great contrition and sorrow for them, but especially if your consciences do check you for any fault you have committed. The corporal and palls must be made of linen, neither can they without an Apostolical dispensation, be made of any other cloth, and must be always kept clean. The holy vessels you are always to wash with your own hands, and that in other clean vessels dedicated to that use; putting the water wherein they are washed, either in the font or into some cistern dug for the purpose in the churchyard, and drying them with all diligence. The altar must be covered with clean towels, of which at the time of celebration there must be at least three with a corporal, neither must any thing A. D. 1599. |