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ultimately to prevail: yet, knowing the calamities. in which nations have invariably been involved while resisting their encroachments, and reducing them again to the obedience of the civil authorities, every citizen of a free country, every friend to humanity, every faithful believer in the Gospel of peace, is bound to withstand to to the utmost their aspirations after political ascendency.

29. The Carmelite Bishop, seeing that his departure was inevitable, resolved to make the most of the time allowed him to prevent the total ruin of his cause. His first step was to consecrate a native Bishop, whom he might leave to supply his place as Apostolic Vicar. The person he selected was a cattanar, named Alexander de Campo, whom he consecrated Bishop in partibus Infidelium, by the title of Bishop of Megara. He has given no reason for not calling him Bishop of Cranganore; but it is supposed to have been, either because the Portuguese no longer possessed that town, or because he was fearful of offending the Jesuits, who still claimed the see, and clung to the hope of resuming it at no distant period. The new prelate was consecrated at Carturté, with the approbation of the Rajah, for whose countenance the Carmelite paid two thousand fanams. This was the first native Indian Bishop. His consecration was followed by the solemn excommunication of the Archdeacon and all his adherents; after which, the Italian prelate hastened to Cochin, where the Dutch were becoming impatient for his arrival.

30. Here he renewed his entreaties with the commanding officer to be allowed to remain on the coast, but in vain. All that he could obtain, was a promise of protection for his new prelate,

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CHAP.

II.

Bishop endeavours to dissuade the Dutch chaplain from attempting to

against whom, being a native of the country, there was no tangible objection. He then endeavoured, and with equal success, to prejudice the governor's mind against the Archdeacon. That officer had previously been advised by the Portuguese to treat him as an Archdevil, instead of an Archdeacon, and he told the Carmelite Bishop, that he perceived that ecclesiastic to be an arrant rogue. This was even before he had seen the poor man, or held any communication with him. With the Dutchman's mind thus prepossessed against him, when he arrived at Cochin, a few days after, he was refused an audience, though he brought a letter of introduction from the Rajah of Teccancur. The new Bishop, on the contrary, was favoured with a flattering reception. The general saluted him, and gave him a public assurance of protection for himself and all his flock. No doubt he thought the party supported by the Portuguese would be the stronger, and that it was, therefore, most for the interest of his nation to countenance them: but had he taken time to make himself acquainted with the circumstances and character of both parties, he would have seen cause to question even the policy of his conduct: and, certainly, the exercise of even-handed justice, which was due equally to both, would have done him more honour than this precipitate abandonment of the defenceless upon the partial representations of an enemy.

31. The Archdeacon, finding how his adversary was received, retired in dismay: but the Carmelite prelate was encouraged to repeat his solicitations in behalf of his Bishop of convert the Megara. He had an interview also with the gives a false principal Dutch chaplain. This was, probably, view of their the celebrated Baldæus, who, in his account of

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the taking of Cochin, speaks of having seen and known the prelate at that place. His object with the chaplain was, to discourage any attempts that might be contemplated to convert the native Christians. He told him, that it would be in vain to flatter himself with the hope of reducing them to the Reformed religion. For," said he, they are persuaded that "the very essence of Christianity consists in "three particulars diametrically opposed to the "Articles of Luther and Calvin: namely, The "adoration of images and the crucifix; fastings and prayers; and masses for the souls "in purgatory. The cattanars, who are the "flower of the principal families on the coast, "derive all their subsistance from these practices, and they would sooner be torn to pieces "than abandon what they regard as the essentials of Christianity." 7

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To be convinced of the falsehood of these assertions, we have only to revert to the contrary statements made by the Portuguese historian, Gouvea, who, as we have seen, actually represents the Syrians' aversion to these dogmas as forming the chief impediment to the progress of Menezes. That prelate's efforts were directed in vain to induce them to receive the very tenets here so confidently attributed to them. In fact, from the testimony of Baldæus, and from still more recent accounts, we learn, that the Carmelite was here giving a description of the religion of the Portuguese and Italians, which he had laboured with so little effect to force upon the Syrians: and his wickedness in thus imputing to them notions that he knew they abhorred, could be equalled only by his

7 Giuseppe di S. Maria, p. 86. La Croze, pp. 416, 417.

A. D. 1663.

II.

CHAP. effrontery in publishing an account of what he had done. Upon the principles of Romish morality, which not only sanctions falsehood, but even demands it when required by the interests of the church, we may account for such a misrepresentation, though from a Bishop. But to proclaim it to the world was altogether a gratuitous service, and evinced, that he was as little ashamed of publishing his falsehood as if he thought it a meritorious deed. Notwithstanding the Bishop's attempt to prejudice the Dutch chaplain against the Syrians, he afterwards wrote to their Archdeacon, inviting him to a friendly conference on religious truth: but this ecclesiastic was too much disheartened by the countenance given to his rival to accept the invitation.

He sails for Goa: receives tidings of the new prelate's

success.

Peace between Holland and Portugal;

32. Having made the best arrangements he could for himself and his church, the Bishop, with deep regret, quitted Malabar, and embarked for Goa; where he arrived in safety, and was honourably welcomed by the Viceroy, Antonio de Mello de Castro. Not long after his arrival, he was encouraged by favourable tidings from the South. A letter from his new Bishop informed him of all, indeed, it is suspected, more than all, that had been done since his departure. He stated, that he himself had succeeded to his wishes, and that the Archdeacon had fallen into the greatest disrepute that he wanted nothing but money to cause the very name and memory of that pretended Bishop, Thomas de Campo, to be totally forgotten in the diocese, and that very soon he would cease to be mentioned.9

33. These successes, if such they may be called, were soon followed by the news of peace 9 Ibid, p. 108.

8 Ibid, p. 88.

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1664.

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being concluded between the crown of Portugal and the United States of Holland. The Carmelite Bishop ventured to hope that this Bishop tries auspicious event would open his way back to return to Malabar; but herein he was greatly mistaken. Malabar. The Dutch knew from experience the political character of the papacy, and its restless struggles, under all circumstances, for temporal possessions and civil power. They were also aware, that the danger to their interests in India from these causes, instead of being diminished, would actually be augmented in times of peace; for that they would then be very naturally more off their guard against the encroachments of the romanists; while the vigilance of these would be increased, to avail themselves of every opportunity which the relaxing caution of the Dutch might give them to prosecute their designs. It is conceded, that the romanists act in this manner in accordance with their vows and belief. But this, instead of proving the Dutch commander's policy to be illiberal, only strengthens the conviction of its necessity. Would a soldier escape impeachment who should be less watchful against the forces of a neighbouring power, if he knew that, although avowedly at peace, they were insidiously carrying on hostile intentions against his camp or country? Such enemies had the Dutch already found in the romish ecclesiastics, and they were, therefore, resolved not to trust them again. Had they acted otherwise in the present instance, they would not have been faithful to their nation's interests. After all that had passed, at Brazil and in Ceylon, they could not but feel their conquests in Malabar insecure so long as a European monk remained in the country."

It is a singular coincidence, that about this period Great

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