V. CHAP. him, who was their true Bishop, and not meddle with matters that he did not understand. In conclusion, he said, that as for the Archdeacon, he had determined, that if he did not come and submit to him by the next Saturday, he would turn him out of his place, and put another into it; and that he could not but look upon him as a very bad Christian, if it were only for his having communicated the affairs of Christianity to his Highness, whom all the world knew to be an infidel. The Rajah is said to have been " desperately angry" at what Menezes had said about his religion and his idols. He was too prudent, however, to touch on that tender subject, and coolly answered, "You may expect the Archdeacon, one Saturday, two Saturdays, three Saturdays." At this the Archbishop flew out again, and, striking his cane upon the ground with great violence, exclaimed, "I will not expect him one, two, and "three Saturdays; but if I live, I will depose "him if he does not come and submit before "the next. He deserves to be deposed, if for "no other reason, for having dared to com"promise the interests of Christianity, by engaging your Highness in its affairs, though he "knows you to be an infidel." The Rajah could not but stand amazed at the overbearing spirit and the injustice of this man, in exclaiming so vehemently against the Archdeacon for endeavouring to interest him in matters, which he himself laboured so hard, in so unchristian a temper, and with so little scruple, to compel him to patronise. Seeing, however, that the more they talked, the more furious he grew, and raised his voice the higher; and thinking, no doubt, that the question at issue between the Archdeacon and Menezes was not 66 worth all this contention; he put on a cheerful countenance, and said to him, with great good humour. "Well, they shall do as you desire. "There is nothing I have studied so much as to please your Lordship." This at once pacified the Archbishop, who replied, that it was what he had always expected from his Highness. He then apologized for throwing himself into such a passion; expressing a hope, that the Rajah would not be surprised at it when he knew, that he was pledged to maintain the cause of Christianity to the utmost, and that for the least of its interests he was bound in duty to sacrifice his head, should any one choose to cut it off. To this the Rajah made answer, "Your "head is as dear to me as my own. If I knew "of any that sought after it, they should not keep their own upon their shoulders much longer. I will be answerable for whatever may happen to you." 66 In order to turn the conversation, the Rajah began to complain of the misconduct of the Portuguese in his dominions; and the Archbishop was not backward, in his turn, to promise him satisfaction, engaging to do him justice in all that was reasonable. They then discoursed for some time on matters of less importance: and when the Rajah rose to depart, the Archbishop accompanied him to the landing place, where they exchanged protestations of friendship, and parted on good terms. A. D. 1599. behaviour character of 21. When we consider the forbearance of Inconsist this heathen prince towards a stranger, who tours had so rudely insulted himself, his officers, and, with the above all, his gods, we must confess that he a Christian, exhibited a temper much more becoming a Christian, than that displayed by the Archbishop. Little does this prelate seem to have and the office of a Bishop. СНАР. V. At the deacon submits, and subscribes articles in private. 3 studied the character which our Lord required His disciples to learn-to be, like Him, "meek and lowly in heart." Nor did he show that he was much better acquainted with St. Paul's description of a Christian Bishop, who, besides other essential graces mentioned by the Apostle, must be "of GOOD BEHAVIOUR, NOT READY TO QUARREL, and OFFER WRONG, as one in wine; but PATIENT, NOT A BRAWLEer.' Had St. Paul commanded, instead of prohibiting, such behaviour; or, could it be shown that the Bible anywhere, directly or indirectly, sanctions the defence of religion by such means as the Archbishop used; then there would have been some reason in the excuse he offered for his passion. Whereas now, it is utterly indefensible; for it was an outrageous violation of every precept and example of the New Testament, and committed by the very person who claimed to be regarded as the first Christian prelate and teacher in India. 22. He knew, however, that this mode of command, proceeding was the most likely to attain his the Arch- object; and, therefore, he did not scruple to give all considerations of Christian propriety and consistency to the winds. If it failed, as it necessarily must, to commend to the heathen the religion of the meek and lowly Jesus; it at least served the cause of the Archbishop's master at Rome, and that satisfied his conscience. For it led immediately to the Archdeacon's submission; and, shortly after, to that of a great portion of the Syrians. The Rajah was too wise a politician to endanger his interests with the Portuguese by again provoking a man of the Archbishop's rank and disposition. 1 Matt. xi. 29. 21 Tim. iii. 2-4. Although the prelate had actually interfered to prevent the Christians from submitting to the temporal jurisdiction of the Rajahs of Cochin, Mangate, and other princes to whom they were subject; yet the Rajah felt that he had no alternative, but either to humour him, or to incur the displeasure of his government. Incapable of appreciating the consequences of sacrificing the liberty of his Christian subjects to his own political expediency, as soon as he returned home, he wrote to the Archdeacon, desiring him to come without delay, and submit to the Archbishop. He wrote also to the Rajah of Mangate, in whose dominions that ecclesiastic then resided, that in case he found him reluctant to do as required, he was to compel him to obey. This letter was too much for the Archdeacon's Christian principle. There is reason to fear that he placed more confidence in man than in God: for when he saw himself abandoned by the powerful monarch who had hitherto protected him, instead of exercising faith in the arm of Omnipotence, to bring to nought his enemy's designs, he wrote immediately to the Archbishop, as the Rajah required, declaring that he was now ready to throw himself at his feet, and obey all his commands, within the time that he had prescribed. He begged, however, to be permitted to wait upon him any where but at Cranganore; for as that fortress belonged to the Portuguese, he was afraid of trusting himself there, lest he should be seized and sent to Goa. The Archbishop complied so far with his request, as to appoint the meeting at the Jesuits' College at Vaipicotta. The Archdeacon arrived there first, with a numerous company of cattanars and respectable Syrians, and waited in the church A. D. 1599. CHAP. the arrival of Menezes. As soon as the prelate entered, the Archdeacon came forward, and throwing himself at his feet, made his humble confession in the words of the prodigal. "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and "in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be "called thy son': I do humbly beg pardon "for all my resistance and faults, which have "been great indeed." This humiliation is to be attributed to his fears, rather than to any change that had taken place in his sentiments. Menezes, who was intimately acquainted with human nature, could not but suspect this; yet it answered his present purpose to give him credit for sincerity. Raising him from the ground, he embraced him with apparent tenderness, and assured him that he forgat all that was past. He said also, that God's mercy in reducing him at last to the Catholic Church, was greater than the malice of the Devil, which had been the cause of his not returning sooner; that he would certainly receive that great reward which is reserved in heaven for those who bring so many souls to the purity of the faith, as he was convinced that he would do by his example; that he would therefore have him subscribe the profession of Faith and the ten articles without delay. Before complying with this requisition, the Archdeacon begged to speak a word in private to Menezes, promising afterwards to do whatever he commanded. His request being granted, when they were alone, he declared himself ready to give his subscription publicly if the Archbishop desired it; though he ventured to suggest, that it would be more advisable for the present to subscribe in private, on 4 Luke xv. 21. |