A. D. 1657. to depart. 37. In the evening, the three cattanars in the Archdeacon's interest upon whom the lot had fallen, went with the people to the missionaries, Carmelites and told them that they had now nothing more are desired to do there, unless, in compliance with the unanimous wish of the assembly, the Archdeacon were regularly consecrated, and maintained in possession of his dignity. "That," one of the Carmelites answered, "is absolutely impossible." What then, replied the cattanars, have you come hither for, if you are unable to supply our wants? Without the consecration of the Archdeacon, there is no peace to be looked for, and you have nothing to do amongst us." 66 Rome success. pre 38. Such was the termination of that assem- Uncompromising prebly from which the missionaries had pleased tensions of themselves with great expectations. In conse- vents their quence of their own pertinacity in rejecting all overtures on the Syrians' very simple and reasonable terms, it came to nothing. Whereas, had they shown any disposition to conciliate them, instead of demanding an unconditional surrender, they might have brought the business to a favourable issue, both for the Pope and the Portuguese. Though unable themselves to consecrate the Archdeacon, yet had they manifested an inclination to meet this demand, and ultimately succeeded in obtaining it, there can be little doubt that Rome would to this day have retained her jurisdiction in the diocese; and it is not improbable that Portugal would still have possessed some at least of her ancient establishments on the coast of Malabar. But, happily for the Syrians in the present instance, and happily for Christendom in numerous similar cases, the determination of the pontiff of the triple crown, to concede nothing that might CHAP. I. Christians divided about validity of either imply a compromise of his supremacy, or tend to sanction in the Church any thing that did not originate with himself, has led, under the gracious Providence of Almighty God, to the preservation and diffusion of that 'liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free."7 Although, to subserve some immediate purpose, men who detest her character, may yet coalesce with Rome; there can, nevertheless, be little apprehension, that any but the weak and ignorant, the credulous and superstitious, will ever again submit to her domination and as without this it is incompatible with her pretensions to be satisfied, her temporary allies will never fail to break from her when the object of their coalition shall be attained. While, therefore, it cannot but be deplored, that any should be induced, from such, or any motives to shut their eyes to her abominations; we may, notwithstanding, regard her uncompromising pretensions as an impassable barrier to her resumption of universal sway. This is the conclusion of one 8 who had studied the character of the papacy, with a mind apparently free from all religious predilections, but well furnished with information, and endowed with capacity to investigate almost any subject. "A pope inspired with sentiments of toleration and charity towards those who refuse a blind submission to his opinions and decisions, is a contradiction in terms." But, though the papacy remains unaltered, the public mind has undergone a change; and we hope and believe that it will never more submit to such imperious dictation. 39. It was now manifest that the Archdeacon and his friends had committed a great mistake A. D. 1657. cration formed, and mosities ensue. in urging the Carmelites to consecrate him. His first application was natural: but when he found that they had neither inclination nor Archdeaauthority to comply with his request, it would con's consecertainly have been wiser not to have repeated two parties it, and to have stood upon his independence violent aniof Rome. Instead of gaining any thing by it, he lost in public estimation; for most men interpreted the anxiety he showed on the subject, as a tacit admission of the invalidity of his consecration; and hence many scruples arose in their minds as to the obedience they owed him, and his authority to perform episcopal functions. The missionaries, though far inferior in cunning to Menezes, had too much address not to improve the advantage thus given them; and they availed themselves of the opportunity to sow divisions in the diocese, which ended in the formation of two parties that continue to the present day, one adhering to Rome, the other to the Archdeacon. The seeds of this disunion had been sown indeed long before; but hitherto they were kept from germinating by the hope which all men cherished, that this rupture, though generally feared, might be averted. But now that the division had taken place, religious enmities and contentions, the most bitter of all animosities, sprang up in every direction. As usual, there was no want of miracles in support of the Romish party. They were called in so frequently, that the history of Vincent Maria is as full of them, as the pages of Livy are of heathen prodigies: but they are too ridiculous for the judicious reader's notice.' What in the pagan we deplore, in the Christian we abominate; for he had the word of Revelation to teach him better. CHAP. I. Several churches submit to Rome. Others refuse, unwil don Arch deacon; Carmelites propose to supersede him by electing another 40. Although the missionaries could not obtain the general reunion which they expected from the assembly, yet they succeeded in gaining over several particular churches. The first that gave in their adhesion to Rome were those of Diamper and Mutane, in the kingdom of Cochin. On the 22d of July in the same year, 1657, the cattanars of those places assembled in their respective churches, where, prostrating themselves before the Carmelites, they implored absolution from the censures they had incurred by their schism. This was, of course, instantly granted; and these examples were soon followed by the churches of Martiere and Carturté, whose cattanars entreated the Carmelites to come and bestow on them the same grace. With this also they immediately complied, though not without the parade of great solemnity. At the latter place they made a magnificent procession, in which Father Vincent, according to the custom of the country, carried a Bible, covered with massive gold, and garnished with precious stones. The procession was accompanied with the firing of cannon; and the missionaries were received at the church door under parasols of rich damask, fringed with gold. Hence some idea may be formed of the wealth of this people at that time. 41. There were several other churches willing ling to aban- to unite in this submission could they have done so without forsaking the Archdeacon. The most considerable of these was that of Mangate, whose cattanars offered to submit, provided that ecclesiastic might be allowed to retain his dignity. The missionaries told them again, that they were making their reconciliation to the Church of Rome depend on a condition him by fair with which it was impossible to comply; that this not acceded to they try to conciliate promises. 66 the only way to make their own submission, and to gain the Archdeacon, was to abandon him, that he might feel himself driven to the necessity of yielding on their terms. But this proposition was not at all to their mind. "The Archdeacon," said they, "is our natural head we can"not therefore consent to lose him. Without "him our religion would be very imperfect, "and endless divisions would rise up amongst us. Our ruin would be a spectacle most "agreeable to the heathen princes, who have always regarded us with more fear than love. "Indeed, we are preserved only by the credit "of the Archdeacon, and are therefore bound "to maintain him. Even the Churches who "have forsaken him have no other object in "view. They think to compel him to submit through fear; we hope to gain him in a friendly manner, by evincing our attachment "to his person and dignity." These arguments disconcerted the missionaries, who now seemed to have only one expedient left, which was, to propose the deposition of the Archdeacon, and the election of another person in his place. This proposal was instantly rejected; for the people saw at once, that it would be both inexpedient and in vain to attempt to set the Archdeacon aside. He had been too long in possession of his office to be so easily superseded; and the respectability of his family gave him an influence in Malabar that could not fail to attach a strong party to his person. The missionaries found, therefore, that nothing was to be gained at Mangate, and they thought again of shifting their course. 66 In former times some devout persons, whom no violence could subdue, and no arguments persuade to submit to Rome, have relaxed A. D. 1657. |