many writers prophesied concerning Him, " and announced His approach. So that when He arrived, every body believed that it was by "Him alone that men would be saved." "But "how can I know," the Rajah then asked him, "that those persons have ever been upon the "earth, and preached what you tell me?" This was a fair question, and Menezes met it with another. "I beseech your highness," said he, "to answer a question that I am going to put; and then I will answer yours. Have 66 66 you not sometimes told me, that at the first "arrival of the Portuguese in India, the Rajahs "of Cochin received them with friendship; "and that since then two of the principal "noblemen of the country have died in defence "of our nation?" "These facts are true,' said the Rajah. "And how do you know that?" inquired Menezes. "We know it," he answered, "from persons who then lived and "witnessed it. Besides, both our historians "and yours agree in their statements of the "fact therefore no one can question them." "Just so," answered the prelate ; " and that "is precisely the case with respect to the "writers of whom I have now spoken. They "were eye-witnesses of the actions of the Son "of God. But there is this difference in their "favour. Human histories are liable to exaggeration, and even falsehood: whereas, Di"vine histories are free from all such suspicion, God, who is infallible truth, having directed "the pen of those who wrote them." The Rajah was shrewd enough to see the force of this argument, and, not knowing how to answer it, endeavoured to evade it with a laugh. He then said, Though these reasonings do "not convince me, yet I take pleasure in hear 66 A. D. 1599. CHAP. 66 66 66 66 ing them, because they show me on what the Christian religion is founded. If you desire ' it, I will assemble my brahmins and the "learned men of my kingdom, and they shall "answer your reasons in my presence." "Your proposal pleases me much," said the prelate, " and I have demanded a similar interview with many princes on this coast, some of whom "have promised to give me one, but none have kept their word. The brahmins dare not "hold such a dispute: no man can speak against the truth unless devoid of its spirit.' The Rajah, finding he had gone too far in making a proposition that it would be inconvenient to fulfil, said, "Your departure for Goa presses, and I have too much business on "hand to assemble the brahmins at present." "Your highness will never have time for it,' said Menezes." However, to obviate your 66 excuses, if you will call them, I will postpone my departure till they come." The Rajah, however, preferred putting off the assembly till the prelate's next visit to the coast: upon which Menezes, more accustomed to dictate than to argue, grew impatient, and threatened him with condemnation at the general judgment if he did not attend to the truths that were proposed for his acceptance. "Well," said he rising, "we will speak about that when we are "there." Not so," replied Menezes, "that "will not be a place to discourse in for every "one will then have to listen to his final doom; "and your highness will then be condemned "to associate with the demons whom you "adore." At this the Rajah manifested some displeasure, and put an end to the conversation, saying, "These discussions are too severe, and "too difficult." 66 Who can read this important conference without regretting, that the heart of Menezes was not as much under the influence of the principles of the Bible, as he seems to have been acquainted with its history! he would then have followed up his argument, by developing the internal evidence of the Gospel's authenticity, with which the heathen have nothing to compare; and by endeavouring to commend it to his distinguished auditor's acceptance, in the meek and condescending spirit of its Author. But the Rajah could not have so soon forgotten the insolence with which the Archbishop had long brow-beaten himself and his ministers; and the recollection must have tended to neutralize the strongest reasons that such a teacher might advance in favour of his religion. The common sense of most men would suggest and apply the sentiment contained in the proverb, "Physician heal thyself," though they had never heard the text; for, however unexceptionable his discourse, we cannot but listen with distrust to the teaching of one whose character fails to illustrate his doctrine. A. D. 1599. alleged su 42. The Portuguese describe this prince as The Rajah's superstitious in the extreme; which is not very perstitious consistent with the character for prudence, po- character. litical skill, and integrity, for which they give him credit. They declare that he forsook his kingdom for five years, to go on pilgrimage to all the pagodas in India, disguised in the habit of a mendicant, and exposed to a thousand insults. The Portuguese governor of Cochin is said to have remonstrated with him on the extent to which he carried his superstitious observances. and to have warned him of the danger to which he exposed his life: for he told him that the physicians expressed their conviction, that his I. CHAP. abstinence, and the severity of his devotions, would soon put an end to his days. This remonstrance, instead of moderating his enthusiasm, seemed, it is said, only to stimulate him to renewed ardour. He answered the governor, that he esteemed the least of his religious performances as worth more than a hundred thousand lives like his. What a field for contemplation is opened here, not only to princes, but to all who possess the everlasting Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! There is no law upon earth so reasonable, nor any promises of future good so excellent, as those revealed in the Bible: neither are there any so universally neglected. It has been truly remarked, that on the one hand, the Christian religion groans under the weight of tyrannical oppression and a thousand vain traditions; and that, on the other, it is almost annihilated through an unbridled license, which is content with a general knowledge of its law, and shakes off its obligations.2 Menezes 43. With reference to the Rajah of Cochin ; offends him. his scrupulous attention to what he thought religious duty, indicated a tenderness of conscience that would have afforded a promising ground for the seeds of Divine truth, had Menezes possessed the wisdom and patience indispensable in a Christian minister. But, instead of attempting to repair the breach he had made in the Rajah's good understanding towards himself and the Portuguese; he continued to widen it by repeated provocations, as long as he remained at Cochin. His first act after this conference was, in the very capital of this sovereign, to confer on the Rajah of Porca the title of Brother-in-arms to the King of Portugal. The 2 La Croze, pp. 327, 328. ceremony was performed with great pomp, which could not fail to increase the chagrin of the Cochin Rajah, who for many years had been the only prince on the coast honoured with this title, which had obtained for him additional respect from the other princes of the country. Many other acts of the Archbishop at this time were most offensive to this prince, who was the oldest and most faithful ally of his nation; and it is with great probability conjectured,3 that he thereby sowed the seeds of that enmity which afterwards sprang up against the Portuguese, and ultimately led to their expulsion from the Malabar coast. A. D. 1599. Embarks touches on Canara for Goa the coast of Rutt Jattra 44. At length the Archbishop embarked for Goa, the Archdeacon and cattanars accompanying him to the vessel, and the people in various ways expressing their attachment to his person -self-imand his doctrines. On his passage, he visited molations. several establishments of the Portuguese on the coast of Canara, to the North of Malabar, the principal of which were, Mangalore, Barcelore, and Onore. At the last place he was informed, that some Christians were in the habit of attending the great festival of the idol of Garsopa, a neighbouring town, which was celebrated with the ceremony of the Rutt Jattra, and attended by a vast concourse of heathen from all parts of the kingdom of Canara. The Rutt was a large car, like a pyramidal tower, decorated with great splendour: upon this the idol was placed, accompanied by musicians and numerous brahmins, who were employed in presenting offerings to the image during the procession. The people drew the car, with its burden, round the spacious walls of the pagoda, preceded by 3 La Croze, 326. |