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PRINCETON, N. J.

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Purchased by the Mary Chaves Dulles Fund.

Division >•-■* ^'"^ ^^

Section

COLLECTION OF PURITAN AND ENGLISH THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE

LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY

y^

Imprimatur.

Ge(K Royfe^ R. R. in Chrifla Vatri ac Dom- Dm. Johan- ni Archie^, Canuar. à Sa-r cris Domejiicis.

try c

X

.^ês^..

HIS TOR

O F TH E

Church 0Í Malabar,

FROM

The time of its being firft difcoverM by the 9ortugue:^s in the Year i jdi.

Giving an Account of The Perfecutfofts arid Violent Methods of the Roman Prelates, to Reduce them to the Subjeâionof the Church of ROME*

Together;with the

SYNODof DIAMPER,

Celebrated in the Year of our Lord 1599^

With fome Remarks upon the Faith add Do- Brine of the Chrifliâns of St. Thomas in the Indies, agreeing with the Chnrch of En- gland^ in oppofition to that of Rome.

Done out of Portugueze into Englifli.

By MICHAEL'GEDDES, Chancellor . of the Cathedral Church of SARI) M.

LONDON,

Printed for Sam. Smttb, and Benj. IValfotd^ at the Princess-Arms in St. VaulhCburcb-Tardj 1694.

TO THE

Right Reverend Father in GOD,

GILBERT,

By Divine Providence Lord Biihop OÍ SAFvVM, and Chancellor of the moft Noble Order of the

GARTER.

May it pleafc your Lordfliip,

W Hat ever your Thoughts may be of all that can he called mine in this PVorl^, I am certain you will approve of the dejign I had in

^ 3 ma^ng

The Dedication.

mating it fublicJ^ 5 n^hich was toja^ tisfie the World^ That there has al- ways been a confiderahle vifible Church ufon Earthy that never be- lieved the Doftrines of the Pope'a Supremacy, Purgatory, Tranfub- ftantiation. Adoration of Images, Auricular Confeffion^d^c To i^hich good End^ if this Treatife jhould any ways contribute (^as I amferfuadedit mufi ^ I am then fecure^ that for that Reafon alone you will -pardon any Mi- jiaJ^s I may have made in futting it together ; as alfo the Prefur/iption of inviting you to read it^ by prefixing your great Name to it j a thing I jhould never have ventured to have done^ had 1 not found by experience your Lordfhifs Candor andGoodnefs to be equal J to the h^own exaÚnefs of

your

The Dedication. your Judgment. I begyour Lordjhif'i teffingy and aUy

My L o R p^

Your Lordfliip's moft humble ^nd moft obliged Servant,

Michael Geddes^

A.

o F T H E

Principal Matters contained in the

I S T o R Y

OF THE

Church of Malabar.

A.

ABd-Jefu or Fchedy who, p. i^. Sent bycheCW- dsan Bifhops with the SubmiiTion of their whole Church to the Pope, the Council of Trent then fitting, ibid^ Ak'hi, a famous Amazoa comes to Gorf» her Clwrafter and Bufi- nefs, p. 43

Aleixo de Menerei, Archbifhopof Goa, p. 39. deiiroiis to reduce the Chriftians of St. Tbomar to the Obedience of the Rowan Chut ch, and to that end treats with Jacoby Mar Simeon's Vicar General, p. 41, 41. Writes to

Mar Abraham^ &c, ibid. Make's the Arch-Deacon of tiie Serray Vicar Apoitolical of the faid Dioctfs, in Conjundion with Francijco ilo?^andthe Rcâor of the Jefnits College of Vati'icor- ta, againll the Pope's exprcfs order, p. 44. Refolves to go in Perfon to the Sirra, and why, p 45, 52. Writes a Let- ter to the Arch-Deacon, p. 47, Blam'd for imploying the je- fuitSy makes ufe of a Frar.cij.an Friar to go to the Arcli-Dea- con, and why, p. 51. His De- iign upon Cunahle^ p- 52, 5 ^. Complimented by the Magt- Araces of Cochinjy p. 53. He recommends the Bufinefs of * * Citrahie

A Table of the

Cmahle to them, p. $4. His be- haviour to the King of Cochimy p. 55. Applies himfelf to the reduftion of the Chriilians of St. Thomas, p. 56. Paniquais oppofe hira, p. 58. His rtcep- tion at Vaipicotta, p. 59. His Sermon a::d Te^ir, p. 59, 60. Tells them the News of Purga- tory.., p. 60. Refolves to hin- der the Malabar Chriftians to pray for the Pasrriírch of Babj/- kniy p. di. Excommunicates all that do, ibid. Caufes the Arch'Veacon ar.d Caçanares to Sign the Excommunication, i- bid. His obilinacy herein, p. ^3. Confirms i'ome Boys ac Pa- rx, p. 66. Goes to Mangate butftayed noi,and rt'hy,p.Ó7. Denyed Entrance ac Chegwee, ibid. Dehorced from his Encer- ptize, ibid. He dijfcourfes to the Chegureans of the Pope's Su- premacy , p- 70. Received friendly at Canhur, and why, p. 71. Sails for Pon-ca^ and is kindly received, and why, ib. Complimented by the King of the Country, who dchres to be admitted a Byother in Arms to the K'w^ of Vortugal, p. 71. The Arch Biilioo's Anfwcr, ib. Breaks iiis Promife, ibid. Gees to Cell I aon, and whv, 71, 72. Sends to the Capciin General to come and dcmolifli it,p. 73. A touch of his Treachery and Cunning, p. 73, -4 Hishioji I'ofts, p 74. A Rcfleâion up- on him, p. 7'i. Heiiifjppoints the Outcn of Changanate^ ibid. Sails to Cnchim, and wliy, ibid. Goes to Motandnrte^ p. 76. The Kingcf Cochim jealoiwof liim,

Hiftory.

ihid. the Arch-Bifhop Ex- communicates i im, ibid. Sails for Dwwfcr, p 78. Defignsto confer Orders, and vvhén,iW. Writes to the Arch- Deacon to to affift at the Solemnity, with the Arch-Deacon's Anfwer, (h. Ordains 37 ac Diamper, p. 79. Goes to CartHrte, and wh.it hap- pened in the way, p. io. Gains Ittmato Mapulaand It imane Ma- pdla, two Brothers, to his fide, ibid. ^ His Anfwer to the Queen of Pimenta, p. 8i- A plcà- fant Scuffle bccwixc him and a Caçatiar, p. 82, 83. Refoives to decole the Arch-De3con,f>uc is periwadcd to deftrr it for Twenty Davs, p. 83 Names Thomas Curia, a Kinfman of the Arch-Deáccn's,to his place, ibid. Makes another Ordinati- on, p. 84. Intends a Solemn Proccflfion, wherein a Sorcerer undertakes to kill him, but is prevented, p. 84, 85. Invi- ted to the Hercha, p. 85. But dcfires to be excufcd, p. 8<5. They fend him his Portion home, and what it wa?, ibid. Applauded for his Charity, ib. Coiifirms a great many at Kag- f ill, ibid. A Reflcâi'on,p. 87. Goes lo Molandurtc, and what happened there, p. 87. The difference between him and the King of Cnchim touching the Chridians of xMolundurte, p. 87, S8. RcturnstoD7.iw;)fr, p. 89. Is angry with the Chief Regidor, :Líd,ãiid 90. r'rcJchcs,Confirmy, nridacquaintb them with his ha- ving t:<communicated theArch- Deacon, p. 90. Caiturte, Mo- landiirtc, Vi>impcr, ar.d fevcral other

A Table of

other Villages brought under his Obedience, fyc. p. 91, 92. Writes a long Letter to the Arch Dcacon,p, 92. Sails to iJarame, and baulk'd in his dcfign, how, p» 93, 94- Receives the Arch-Deacon's Letter of Sub- miffion, p. 94, Orders him to Subfcribe ten Articles, p. 94, 95, 96. Goes to Cochim^ and why, p. ÇÍ, 97. Receives ad- vice of the Ring of Cochini's having begun a War with the Caimal, p. 97. DiiTwades him from it by threats, and what pafs'd between them, p. 99, ICO, '10 1, 102, 103. Writes to the King of Mandate to forcethe Arch-Deacon ro fub- mir, p. 103. He fubmits, and is received, butdefirestoSign the Articles privately, p. 104, 105. Agreed to, ibid- The Arch-Eiihop returns to Cranga- por, p. 107. Compofcsthe De- crees of the Synod, and enga- ges the Princes to aifiil: him thereat, ibid. His trick to fe- „ cu^e the Major Vo:e in the Sy-

' nod, ibid, and 108. Father Simotfs Pieíietâion upon lii.n, ibid. Ccmes to Diamper the 9'hof7«n?jand what lie á\à.,ibid.

Antniiio Galvam, with the help of franàfco de Cajiro, faid to con- vert five Kir^s in the Ifland of Maxacar, p. 28. He firft dif- covcred the King of Portugafi Title to the Clove, ^c. ibid.

A'xh BiJJ)op: See Akixo de Alene-

Aych-Dsacono'i ú\zS2fra declines the Signing Pope Pim IV's pro- feifion of Faith, p. 44, 4<;. which is diíTerabled by Dm A-

the Hiftory.

leixode Memxp, p. 4-,. Af- femblcs a Synod at Aniamdey and why, p. 45. Afraid of the Axch-Bifhop's corainp into the Serra., p. 47. Siibfcribes the Creed of Pius IV. a ad why, p. 52. Meets the Arcí-,-Bííhop aiCochi^t p. 57, 58. Where- in he was to comply, p. 57- His Attendance, p. 58, 59; The refult of their Meeting, p. 59. Deferrs to meet the Arch- Bifliop at Vaipicotta., and why, p- 60. Mis Speech to the Chr;- ííiansof St. Thomas^ p. 6a, ^5. ' Flings out of the Church of Parii in a Paifion, and why, p. 66. Shut up in a Houfe at Ç/»?- gtiree, denying to fee tr.e Arch- Bifhop, p. Ó7. The Arch-Ei- ihop makes him fair Promifes, p. 6S. Whereupon he per- fwades tlic People zndCaqinarer to treat with the Arch-Bifhop, ibid. His Difcourfe with tlie Arch-Biihop, and the Arch-Bi- ihop's Anfwer, p. 69, 70, Pre- rending himfelf ' fick at Can- hm-y he returns to Chígmee^ p. 71. Orders an Edid to be publiihcd, and why, p. 79* Pretends to fubmit and Sign Articles, p. 94, 95, 95, 98. but makes delays, p. og. The King of ãíangate againlt hí4 fub- mitting, ibid. TheArch-DtM- con refolves to throw hunfc^f at the Arch Bifhop's Fcer, bu c defires to wait upon kinj .c fome ocher" place Chan CrM:gi*' nor, p. 104. Meejs bisn at Vui- picotta in die JctuKS College, acd fubmirs, p. ic^.

•".'f

B.

Bflty/on anciently fubjeft to- the Parriarch of Atimd\ P' i6. The Ronf'P) pretences thereto concradiâed, p. 17. Of old the Metropoltf of ÀjJ)ria, p. 1 8

Bread and the Cup delivered into the hands cf Prieils tobcOr- dainM, net eficntial to Orders, p. 34. Council of Florence in the fame Error, ibid. Condemn- . ed by all,particularly by Cardi- Bal Lugo^ Becanw^ and Morinm, p. 24,3 5, 56, 57. Fallibility of the Rsman Church inferred from hence, p. 3 5

Ctrganur ^ the Oldcft warns the

Arch-Bifliop to leave Diawper^

p. 79.

Citganares abjure the Patriarch of Babylon , and reconcile them- felves to the Cb.urcli of Rome^

. P- 8?

Caimal of Ans^amale waits upon the Arch-Bifhop, who prefents him, p. ic6, 107.

Carturte , High Mafs pcrform'd there with Muiick, which put th? Cacanares and People quite cut of conceit with the /lawrt» Worfliip, p- 80, 8 1.

Catalogue of the Viceroys of the IndieSy p. no. And of the Prelatcfi , Bifhops , afld Arch- Bifliops of Qaa »hd Bjfliops of Cochiniy p- III» I» 2,

Chegtaee^ the Inhabicants rhercof

. Ariicle with the Arch-Bifhop, P--70

Chri^ians introduce the »fe of

A Table of the Hiftory.

Artillery amongilthe MAlaiarSy

P- ?

Cbfdiitns of St. Thomas fend their

Sons to the College at Cranga- fior where they are inftrudted afier tire Ron'.an Way, p. 9. Proves ineffectual to the redu- cing of then>, p. 10. Enraged againft the Latins^ p. 46. Two Jefuits narrowly cfcape being murdered by them, ibid. The befl Fire-men in the Indies^ p. <fi' Enrag'd at the Arch- Biihop's Excommunication , p- <5a

Church of Mimgate filfd with Houfhoid Goods and Women, 3rd why, p. 67

Clement VII[. his Briefs againfl Mar- Abraham^ p. 4c.

Cochinty King thereof griev'd at Dim ,4/eiro"sdelign upon Cunak- /?, endeavours to diflwade him from it by Stratagem, p. 54»55- without fuecefs, ibid, where- upon he makes War upon the Caimaly and why, ibid»

Coulaon, a Fortrefs belonging to the Portuguese, P» 7i«

Crufado Ball brought into the In- dies by t'rancijco faiia a Domi- fiicjtt Friar, p. 44.

Cunahle a ftrong Fortrefs poiTefs'd by Mahometan Pyrares, p. 52.

D.

Dominicans build a Fortrefs at Sq- loy,, and Garrifonit, p. 27.

È.

Elias pretended Patriarch of Ba- i.>7<w?,hisDirgra^e, p 14. Sends his pretended Arch- Di aeon to

j4 Talk of

Rome with a Book and Leccer, ibid. The Contents of the Let- ter, tòid. Ojcis Pope Paul v. with a Story of his own making, p. 15. which is conrraj^âed by the :?5 Cacon of thc Council of Nicey ■>\,i-j, p. 16.

Eugenius the IV. how he fuppor- ted his Reputation, p. 1 4- i'-

F-

F-er-nnndd Vinagre f a Secular Prieft,

commands a Squadron , ^c.

'■--■. p. :7.

St. Fr/inwdeHra^a whole Fleec

' -of Jores for the Psrtuguexf,

'the Manner how, p. 42,4:;.

Francifco Ro^ , a Jefuite, nude

Bifitop of the Sena in Room

of May. Mr abam deceas'd, p.44,

his Speech to the Arch-BiOiop,

-^ -»--•- ^'ip. 84.

G-

Gfw«/io, who, p. 28. his Speech,

iHd i^ Jeq. (:■'■'' -" George: See Arch-Deacon. Gw^urj' the XIII. Iflues his Briefs

agáinft M.tr- Abraham , 92. A

Provincial Council call'd tlrere-

upon at Coit, ibid.

H.

The Hidakam\ Letter to the For- tugnexe Vice roy, p. 24, 2-,

2^,27,

Jaaby Mar-Simeon's \\civ Gy:ntrã[ . refufes to comply with Vom Aleixo de Menes^es Arch-Bifhop ' of Goay p. 42.

5

the Hifíory.

JefHits afraid of the ChrirtiJns of Sc. Tljorrjctiy p. 46. their ill requital of Dom Aleixo de Mene. zeSy and wherein, p. 4^, 49. Rcfieftion on their inftneerity, p. 50.

M.

Afalab.ír its beginning and Lati-. rude, p. I. the Diveis Kingdoms thereof, ibid, the Princes f here- of Heathens, ibid.

k Malax ar Chrifti.m Boy beat by their PrieOs for naming the Pope in his Prayers, p. 50.

Manuel de Faria his Charader of Arch-Biihcp Meni^^es, p 74.

Mar Audixuy Patriarch of BubJon, p. f I.

Afar Abraham fucceeds Mar Jo- fepb as Bifhop of the Serra^ p. 18. Sent Prifoner to Home^ but efcapes, p. 20. Goes thi- ther volurtarily, i^c. His treir- inent at Venicey Sec. p. 21. Ex- pefts a quift Po/Uffion of his Biflioprick, p. 30. Tricks us'd by theF(Jr/-;/5?/e;^f.to detain him, ibid. ComHvM to a Convent, p. 31. Efcapes to ifahbar. aM how, ibid. Profefles himfelf a Romaniff ftill, p. 52. He pairs to the Council, and once more abjures, p. 33. Sends the Here- tical Bocks of his Diocefs ;o be burnt, ^[irr. ibid The Coun- cil ended, he returns to his Biflioprick ann rccnrs, p 37.

>;HÍ5 Letter' to the Parr;?fch of

:■ B^b/hn, ^c. 37,3'. Receives M^ir Simenn as hi'; Ccadjurcr, p. 38. Who oppcíí-s him, ibid. He openly owns the Chaldean Fai;ii, 40. Ikd-rid, p ii-Serds to

A Table of

to B.ii;:;nforanoiherCoadjutor, i but htuder'd by the JOiligence ' cf the Arch-Bifliop, ibid. Kis [\ Deatli, P'M-

JViar Jcfepk, B'ifhop of rhe Chriili- atisof 3r. Tbomau p. n. Taken Piifoner and fent to Portu- gal^ Sec. p. 12. Finds favour wirh the Queen Regent, and is fent back, ibid. Promifcs to re- duce Iv.s Dioccfs to the Roniiin Obedience, ibid. Returns to Gorf, p. Í0 Denies to preach the Romati Dodrincs in his Biilioprick, ibid, and pretends revelation for izjbid. For which the Arch-Bifhop is angry with him, ibid. His Biflioprick divi- ded, p. 20. Complains of Afav' Abraham to the Fortugueze, ibid. I Profeffes the fame Doctrines he ' abjured in Portugal^ p. 22. Mar Simeov, Patriarch of Babylon, p. i8. Another Mar Simeon, M-tr Abra- ham's coad;utor,inveigIedby the Frar,cifcans to go to Rome for Orders, p. 3B, 39. Leaves oiie ' ^acob his Vicar-General in his Abknce,ibid. Examined before the Inquifition, and declared hy Pope Sixtus V. not to be in Orders, ibid. Put into the Hands of Djm Aleixo de Mener^s , Arch Bifnop of Go4, ibid. Who confines him to a Francifcan Convene in Lisbon^ ibid.

Dom Matthias Arch-Biftiop of Goa calls a Provincial Council, p. 40. and fummons Mai Abra- ham to repair to it, ibid.\N\\{ch he declines, and declares him- fcif for the Chaldean Faith, ibid. Mufes Bit/ Cepha, who, p. 18.

t/^e Hiftory.

N.

Ka^g^i-Hcai Ordination touchVl on, p. 21.

A'.jriJ/Keaii'in Arms for the Arch- Deac^oi'/l' P' 92.

Ncrcho:, v/iiit, p. 85.

"^^' O.

OlWs publiflied for the calling a S) nod the 2o(h of June at Di- awper, p. 106

Oriental Prela-es never applied themfelves to the Pope, but for Incereft, p. 17.

P.

Pare Marca, a Mahometan Pyrate, built Cmahley p. 52.

Paul Ill's pretence for tranflating the Council of Trent to Eolog- nia^ p. 14.

Paru and the Inhabitants 'there- of dcfcnbed , p. (Í3, 64. They arm againfi: the Arch- Eiftiop, ibid. 1 heir Church full of Armed Men, :b!d. The Arch- Bifhop's Sermon to 'em, p. 65. They are angry therear, ibid, Pcrfwaded by the Arch-Bilhop grow worfe, p. 66,

Pimer.ta, the Queen thereof or- ders the Arcli-Biihop to leave her Kingdom within three days, upon pain of Death, p. 81.

Pius V. iifues a Brief for the ap- prehending Mar Jofeph, p 24.

Portugueiey A Charafter ot their Zeal by a Minilter of State, p. 4, 5. Another, p. 6- Try by Vio- lence to bring the Chriftians of St. Thomas under obedience of the /vOOT.jn Church, p, 11. And in order thereto refolve to feize their Eifhop and fend him to Rome, ibid, Manuel de fMid's ob- fcrvaticn

fervation of their Tyranny, p. 22,25. Th*yfo far provoke ttie Infidels that chcy are like co lofe all, p. 24. Atilrcliari's opinfDn of chem, p. 28. Driven out of the 1^1 nd ho, ibid. A great Slaugh- ter of them before Cknahle, p. 75. A refoluce and noble Saying of a PmHguezc Captain, p. 7 3

A Talk of the Hiflory.

um. ibid. Prefenrs a Confefllon of Faith to the Pope, p. i :?. In ftead of refUrning to B,ib)lon goes CO Chararnet, where the Mahometans puc him to Death, and why, j^iJ.

^Mr^ *'

R.

Romans drove from Char ami t by the Cbaldieans, P- i?*

Serra^ What, p. 2. Its Inhabi- tancs cail'd Chriftians of Sc. Tho- fnas , how long fubjcd to the Patriarch of Babylon, ibid. When difcover'd to tlie Euro- f€uns , and by whom , ibid. They put themfelves under the protedion of the King of Portugal. p. 3.

Socercr undertakesto kill the Arch-

, Bifhop but is prevented, p. 84, 85. His punifliment, p. 85.

Synod opuVd, p. 108, lop .

T.

St. Ihomof his Crofs and Rciiqucs found at Meliapor, p. 6. The Legend thereof, ibid, and p. 7. Bones of three Jndian Kings found in his Grave, p. 7, 8. Alfo a Copper Place vv iih a Do- nation graved therein, concain- ing an Imprecation (liU ufcd hv the Kings of 6irf/w, " p. 8;

Tkm Siud who, p. "12. Submits himfelf to the Pope, ibid, and receives the Patriarchal Palli-'

U.

yaip':cdtta,a. College' built there by

,the jeiuicesjand why,p. lo. In-

eficrtual CO rl;c reducing the

, ..Chriilians of Sj:. fhoitias to

* their Religion^' " '* , ibid.

Vajco l>e Gama goes to Cochim wich a Fleet, p. 3. The Chriiii. ans of Sc. Thómaí crave his prottition, ibid. Not in a Con- dition to tiicSt ir, ibid.

Venetians, thtir Policy to fecure their Trade in the Ind'fcs, p. 5.

Viceroy approves of a Peace v\irh ti e SariiOiim, p. 77. A Cata- logue of the Viceroys of the Indies, p. 110.

Vincent, a Francifcan Friar fenc , to Cravganor to rcduce.che Chri.. ilian? of Sc. Tcomas^ to the Ro- man Church, p. li. His La- bours Aringcly magnified, and why, p- 9. ijuiids a College at Cranganor^ and why, ibid.

Vniare Cher are thougli Chriilen'd, i]il! prcfciTes hífíikii aFieathen, and why> , ; ^ p. 77.

\\\

War breaks ou:,becv.T"n the Kings of AUrgiisc ond parii., p 46.

Hii/;e not li'cl by tV,t\ I'^.d.'ivms in tliC p;din3tinn of ' Pricils, p. ^3. Deny d cheL,aKyin the Siciiiment by the lio/ruwijlsy

P- '6h 54-

7< :K

A

A

T A B L

O F T Í I E

CONTENTS

O F T H E

DECREES

OF THE

Synod of Diamper.

PVblicathn of the Synod, Pige 89, ?cc.

ACTION I.

The Sfeech at the openingy p. 97.

Decree I. For the cxtirpntion of ieveral Errors , Hereiies and Schifms cue of the Church of JVfalabttr^ for Acknowledging the Pope as Supream, and for beginning the Synod in Order to a hcfornurioo thereof, p- loc.

Dec. n. Excommunication to be ipfo fnilo incurred by fuch as have been call'd to the Synod, and depare without the Metropo- litanas Leave : Alfo a Command to all to offer any thing tend- ing to the Honour of God, and the Reformadon o/";/;*? church 0/ Malabar, p. jt.2.

Dec. III. All differences about Prcherainence in the Church, to be decided by the Ajctropo- litany p. J eg.

Dec

A Table of the Decrees.

Pit. IV Confeffion, Mafs , and the Sacramenc to be celebrated for the Succefs of the SyRod,in what oianner. p- 103.

Dec. V. Junto% prohibited during theScillon, p. 104.

ACTION II.

77;e Merropolitan's Speech, p. 105

Dec. II. That the Synod make

profcflfioii of Faith according

to the Council oflrenf, and

take anj Oath to follow it in

all things, p. 106. The Profejfm

and Oath of the Faith, p.-io7'

p£c. III. AllPriefts, Deacons, and

Sub-deacons of the Biihoprick

to take the fame Oath, and

that none be admitted to holy

Orders without ic, P- ^9

ACTION. IIL

Dec I, Errors in Faith Condenin- ed, and a Rule for reflifying

thereof, laid down in XfV. Chapters, P- 120

Dec. 11. Faults and Defers in the Syriack_ Tranflarion of the new Teftament, condemn'd, and or- dered to be reflored, p- 135 DfcIII. To the fame purpofe, p. 135. Dici IV. Condemns three Hca- theniib Errors frequent among the Chriftians of Malabar, viz. Tranfmigratiov, Fate, and, That (■very Man may be faie d by bis tton Laws, ail If hkb are good and lead to Heaven, p. 137.

Dec. V. Coodcrnns this Herefy, namely, Ibat ft k a gyisvoAs

Si» fo much as D /]>e<t<. or think. of the Paffion ■ of Cbri}}, &c. p. 199 Vec. VI. Condemns the Errors of the Nejlorians againfl our Lady, p. 140 Dec. Vlf. That the Lavo of St. Tho- mas U one, and that of St. Pe- ter another. Condemn" d , p. 142 Dec. VIII. Orders EscommUDi- cation of any one that ihall name the Patriarch of Babylott ViHverfal Pajhr or H ad of the Catholick Church, or any Other, except only the Pope of Roíhe, p. 144. Vec. IX- All Days fee apart for the commemoracion of Nejla- riui, or any of his followers, prohibited, and Raman Saints ordered to be commeraotatcd in lieu thiftof, P* MÇ

Dec, X. The Church of Angamale new Chriften'd and dedicated to St. Hormifda the Martyr jic having before been dedicated to St. HorinufiQ the Nefioriatt Herecick, P* 150

Dec. XI. 1 he Apoftles Creed re- flored as in the Romun Church p.i5i- Dfc. XII. Chrijlian C'aildrLQ per- mitted to be taught Reading and Writing by i,jJ-/c/School- maflers with ioAxc Limitations, p. 151 Dec. XI 11. CAri^iWSchooImafters prohibited die Setting up of Pa?ods in ihcir SchoclsVp. 1 53 Dec. XIV. Piol.ibiíí all Ciiriftians to keep, tranfiate , read , or hear read to others, any Here- tical Books, whereof a greac many are mentioiicd,

p.iH Vet.

A Table of

Dec. XV. Errors and Hercfies in the Common-Prayer and Brevi- aries ordered to be correAed and purged, p. 167

Dec. XVI. All Perfons commaod- f d to deliver their Syrian Books to the Metropolitan and Francif- co Ko:^, to be Correfted, (^c.

P 171

Dec. XVII. None but fuch Pricfts

as are Licens'd and Conform

tothe Doitrine of the Trent

Council, fufFer'd to preach,

p. 173

Dec. XVIII. All Priefts that have delivered any Errors or fabu- lous Scories in their Sermons are ordered to recant them publickly upon pain of Excom- manication, p. 174

Dec. XIX. Makes Void all Oaths a- gainft yielding Obedience to the RomanChmch under pain oi the greater Excommnnication^ pi7 5

Dec. XX. Contains the Profefm of the Synod, P« >77

Pec. XXI. The Synod refolvesto be governed in all things by the laft Trcni Council, p. 178

Dec. XXII. Submits tothe Inqui- fition, p. '79

Dec. XXIII. All Perfons who ihall AÔ, Speak, or Write again ft the Holy Catholick Faith, to be profecuted and puniih'd by the Prelate, p. i8i

ACTION IV.

of the Sacraments o/Baptifm and Confirmacion, p. i8i

Of the DoUrine of the Holy Sacra- ment r,f Baptifm, 187.

Dec. I. New form for Baptifm,znd the old ones abrogated p. 1 89

the Decrees.

Dec. II. All Baptised according ^0

the old Forms to fubmit them"

fclves to the Metropolitan at his

Vifitation for his Direftions,

p. 189

Dec. III. Oiders all Prieils to make enquiry who have not been Ba- ptized through any Defauk,and to baptize all fuch privately, without taking any Fees, p. 1 90

Dec. IV. To the fame Purpofe p. 191

Dec. V. Children to be Chrijiened on the 8th. Day,vvith ferae Li- mitations, p. 192

Dec. VI. The Error Condemned of not Baptijjng the Infants of Excommunicate Parents, p. 1 94

Dec. VII. Exhortation to allParents and fuch as are prefent at Wo- mens Labours, not to fuffer an Infacc to die without Baptifm. Allowance to any Man, Wo-, man, or Child, that knows the Form , to Baptise fuch in cafe of eminent Neceifity. How the Ciiild is to be order'd if it recover, p. 194

Dec. VI I L Chriftian Data's or Mid- wives recommended,and Vicars exhorted to inftruft them in the Form of Baptifm^ p. 196

Dec. IX. Infidel Slaves ordered to be Bapti^^ed^ P* *97

Dec. X. Chriflians not to be

fold to Infidels for Slaves,

p. 197

Dec. XL Forbids Auguries^ P'i99

Dec. XÍI. Foundlings how to be ordered, p. 200

Dec. XIIL Converts how to be order'd, p. 200

Dec XIV. H)/> Oils commanded,

with the manner of uiing them,

p. 20 r

Dec.

A Table of the Decrees.

Dec. XV. Commands the ufc of Cod-Fathers and God-M'jtkers iu Briptijm , ncc ufed before,

p. 2C2,

Bee. XVÍ. Prohibits' Old TJla- tament ("fomc few excepted) and Heathenil}} Names to be gi- ven toChildfe3,ordering[thofe of the KeKo according to the Chriftian Oeconomy, p. 204

Vec. XVII. Orders Children to be

called by no other Names than

thofe Jthey were Chrijiened by,

p ;o5

P^c XVIII. Commands that

' . Children be Chriitened in order as they are brought to Church, wiihouc any diftinftion of Perfons, p. 2c6

Dec. XIX. Commands the build- ing of Fonts. p, 207

Dec. XX. Regilhr-Books- co be ufed in all Churches, and their life, p. 20S

The Doãrine of the Sacrament of Confirmation, p. 209

Dec. I. The Sactarocnr of Confit-

mation commanded co be ufed,

p. 213

Vec. II. Denounces Excommmka- lion againil all chofc that fpeak againll it 01 vilify it, p. 214

Vec. III. God-Fathers and God- Mothers of \yhac Age, to be ufed in Confirmation or Cbrifm ai well as Baptifm, p. 216

ACTION V.

Jhe Doãrine of the Holy Sacra- ment of the Euchariil, p. 217

Dec. I. 1 he Flciy Etichariji when to be Cekbraced, p. 220

Dec. ir. Ail Chriftiaos above the Age of 1 4 commanded to Re^ ceix>e this Sacrament once a Year at leaft, p. 222.

Dec. III. None to Receive before

CorfelJim co a Lawful Prieft,

p. 225

D?c. IV, Commands to Receive

Failing with forae Li:iiiration,

p. 224

Dec. V. The Sicr.imentio be re- ceived as a Viaticum in danger of Death. The Vicar thac fuf- fers any to die wichouc it, though his Fault, to be fufpead- ed for fix Months, p. 225

D'X. VI. Women with Child to Confefs and Receive alictle be- fore their time, p. 216

Dec. VII. Priefls to Communicate

once a Month ac leaft in their

• Surplice and Stole, p. 227

D.c. VIU. Priefis not to Receive the Sacrament before Confeffton^ nor fay m4^ having any fcru- ple of ilíorí-íí/ Sin, P-^sj

Dec. IX. Deacons and Subdeacont

when co Receive the Sacrament,

p. 22S

Tf}e Do^rine of the Holy Sacri- fice of the Mafs. p. 228

Dec. I. Direftions for faying Mafs and many things inthe Chaldxan Mffals to be reaiiied, p. -> -^ i

Pec. II. ThtM'ffdsoi Neftorils, Theodorus , and Diodornf to be burnt, p. 245

Dec. III. A grand Error of the Nejhrians condem n'd, p. 216

Dec. IV. Tlie Roman Mafs to be

tranflated i.to Syrian., and ufed

cn panicular Occafions, ^c.

p. 247.

Dec. V. Who CO handle the Hoh

M^'-^y p 2a 8

Dec,

A Table of

D«, Vl. Vctmihhc stole to none but De^KonSy p. 24 8

Dec. VII. Orders Stampt to be made in aJJ Churches for the fíojí, p. Z4P

Dec. VIII. Orders whac Wine is to be ufcd in celebrating rhe Euchayiji. p. 250.

Dfc. IX. The King of Fortugal to fend a Pipe and an half, or two Pipes of Mufcate I W'lnc for the life of che Sacratmnty and ho\s to bc,uied, p. 250

l^ec. X. -• tones of the Altar to be confccrated by the Metropolitan^

Dec. XL fíoif Vefxments to be pro- vided by rhe Met) ?p:i:tancaz of the Almr- of the Pi'illi, p. 253

Dec.Xl}. All PetKis, not .ha- ving lawful impeditneuc, com- manded to hear a whde Afafs CTCry >S;</;i.z^ and Holydajry\i,;^c. p. 2 >3

Die. XIII. Dlrefts how often to hear A:,ifs, to be capable of the Blefingy and fucli as hear it not fo often as direfted, to be Excommunicate, p. 2<i5

DfcXIV. Prohibits f/eatken Mu-

ficians to renjain in the Church

afcér Creed ox Sermon h ended,

p. ISO

Dw. XV. Exhorts all to procure Afajfes to be faid for the Souls of thcirrfíCf/i/êiFncDds,p.2 56

ACTION VI.

Cf the H)ly Sicrnmeiit of Penance and Extrcam Undion, p. 2<5r

Vec. I. ílún Cottfejjion declared a Jtfortat Sia, P-^-ô^

Dec. II. All Fcrfons to come to

tke Decrees.

Confefjion from Eight Ycafs old and upwards, ^ i6S

Dec. III. All Miilcrs of Families' admoniilied ro caufe all]in their Families to Confefsy p. 2Í9

Dec IV. Confejjion injoin'd upon probable Danger oi Death, or any greit SicJ^nefsy p. I70

Dec. V. Obliges Women with Child to Confefs, P-27I

Dec. vr. Orders how thofe are to be confejfed that have tlie SwaS" Pox, V , ,'P'ã7^.

i'fc. VIL Exhorts to frequent ConfeJJion, p. 27 2^.

Dec. VÍ4I. ;Who to take Confejjionfy "T " p-27?

Dec. IX. Abfol'itim upon Confeijlon how to be Adminiiired, and by whom, p. 274

Dec. X. Direâs in what Cafes Con- feffurs may abfolve Penitents,

P-27 5

Dec XL Excommunication and AB- folktion whcn'proper, p. 277

Dec. XII. Priefts Confeprs to have a. written Licence from the Prelate, P--78

Dec. XTII. ConfeJJors thjt under-

ftacd the M<ilabnr TóBgue , ro

be made Ufc af^ and whv,

• '.^ ... P-28i

Dec. XIV. None can abfolve in the Sacramental Court but luch as took the Confefion, p. a 8 1

Dec. XV. The Sacramental Fcrm. of AbfolHtiony not to be ufed as a Prayer , but in its proper Place, P 2S2

Tie Vo^rins of the Sacrament of Ejftrcamllnáion, p. 282

Dec. I. The ufe of the Extream VnUion recommended , wirh dircdions therein, p. 28';

Dec, II. ConfeJJirs to Inftruft Sick Fer-

A Table of the Decrees.

Perfcns in the JXk of Em em Vnãhn, P-2B5

Dec. III. The Manner in which tile Extream Vn^ion is to be ad- miuiftred, * . .^.p.^j^Sy

ACTION VII.

of ff^e Sacrament f of Order and

Matrimony» p. 288

Of the Doilrine of the Sacrament

' of Order, p. 28S

Dec, I. Ordiins who are fit \ot. Or- der s^ P^9'

"Dec. 11. Such as have been Simo- nakally ordained , difpenfed with, P-293

Dec III, None ro celebrate that liave the Leprofie^ p. 2.95

Dec. IV. Such as live in Malice not capable of the Cajlure, or Eleffwg.'Zcc. P- 294

Dec V. Diredions for faying the Divm Offices ; declared a Mor- tal Sin not to recite the whole,

Vec. VI. "eómmarids the Athanafi- an Creed to be tranilated into Syrian, atid the Clergy to get it by heart, p. 297

Dec. Vir. Exhorts Clergymen not to be abfcnt at Divine Service, with direftions for their Beha- viour thereat, &c. p. 297

Dec. Vlfl. Clergmenxo be dedu- fted in their part of the Divi- dend for every time of abfencc, except in cafe of lawful Impe- dinien-, P^pS

Dec IX. Commands that no ff:cor- cifms be ufcd fave thofeof the Church of Rome, p. 299

T>ec. X. Forbids under pain of the Greater Excommunicatm all

SiiperJi}tioMf,f{eatheniJJ} Cuftoms of foretelling lucJ^y and' unlucky Days for Marriage, &c. p. 300

Dec. XI. Priefls not to Eat or Di iak with Infidels, or in V Tavein or Fublick Eating Hoúfç upon pain of Sufperfm, and why, p. gof

Dec. Xif. Commands the Clergy to wear a diítiníl Habit from the Laity, with other direfti- ons for their Bchayiour,p. 30?,

Dfc.XIII. Clergy not to meddre in ^pc^/iw Affairs, P- 3^5

Dec. XIV. Commands all the Clergy to wear the Fiabit, Ton- fw, and Shaven Crown,p. 204

Dec. XV. No Ecclefiaflick_ to re- ceive pay from any King as 4 Soldier, P 3«^4

Dec. XVf. No Clerk, in Orders to Marry upon pain of Excommu- nication, P* 3'5 5

Dec. XVII. Suffers fuch as have been married^ and turn away xhtiv Wives t to exerci fe their FunHion, p, go8

rec XVIir. W^x'iJ of Prieíís cal- led Catatiara*s, to be degraded from their Flonour in the. Church , and benefit in the i'rcfits, unlefs they leave their Husband*, p. 509

Dec. XIX. Declares how far tl^s S)nod is to be guided by the Trent Council, P- ?io

Dec: XX. Forbids 5/roon;', p,3ii

Dec. XXI. Provides Means for

the preventing of Simnnj,

P- 314

Dec. XXII. Provides further for

„, the preventloii of Sirpany, p.

314

D^c. XXIII. None to be put in

Orderi. during the Vacdrcv ci

(he

A Table of the Decrees.

the See, and why, P 31^

Tl)e Dii/rine of the Sacrameit

0/ Matrimony, P- 3^7

Dec. I. Marriage to be ce'ebraced according ro the diredions of the Council of Trent, ji. '^20

Dec. II. None to be Married with- out prefent Confent, together with the Marriage Form, and the manner of Confenting, p. 321

Dec. III. Banns to be publiihed ac- cording to the Council of T/eni, how, P* 323

Dec. IV. Orders a Regiftcr for MarriageSy as alfo a Method for regifiring them, P- 3 2 4.

Dec. V. Marriages to'be celeb ra- brated in the Church, and the Parties to be Married to Con- fefsy and receive the Eucbariji before they can be Marriid,

P-325 Dec. VI. Degrees oiKjndreàvi\\crc

Marriage is prohibited, p. 3i<5 Dec VII. Spiritual Kindred prohi-

biied, what, p. 3^8

Dec. VIU. The Metropolitan to iii-

fpence with fuch ^Tiarriages boih

pail, prefent, andtocome,^rc.

p. ?29

Dei. IX. Umiccnfed times for Marr)irg, which, ?• 33 t

Dec. X. Ordains what Age Par- ties to be Married ihaU be of,

Dec XI. Separations in úúi Mat- ter forbid, P' 332

Dec. XII. Declares all Marriages void that arc not performed according to tlie Form of the Council of Trent, p. 33 ^

Dec. XIII. Forbids Fo/;á'*'»/, p.

P-33+ Dec. XIV. Confultmg of Wi^.

ifards, md\xfwg Heat kcniJfiySii'

erflitious Ceremonies for fuc- ^cefs in Marriage prohibited, p.

P-335 Dec. XV. /^gainft Heathenijh Ce- remonies in Marriage Contrafts, p. 33^ Dec. XVI. Againfl a Judaical Ce- remony ufed by Married Peo- P'«ij ' P- 337

ACTION VÍ1L

of the Reformation of Church- Affairs, p. 338 Dec. I. For dividing the Diocefs into Parifhes, and appointing Miniftcrs, &-C, P- 338 Dec. II Vivifion and Vniting of Parifhes belongs to the Pre- late, (i^c. p. 340 Dec. III. Pluralities condemned, p. 341 Dec. IV. No Parochial Church to . be without a Curate, p 3^2 Dec. V. The difufe of Chriftianity ordered to be enquired into,

, P3'5

Dec. VI. Orders the Church of

Travancor to be rebuilt, and a

Vicar CúiZ/ifCí/ to the place, p.

344

Dec. VII. Orders Preachers to be

fent to Tadamalla, and why,

P 3 4 Dec. VIII. nree Vcffels of 0// to

bs kept in the Church, p. 345

Dec. IX. .^a/y D^;/ or Feafls of the Church, on what days to bekepr, p. 347

Dec. X, Fajls, upon what daysto be kept, p. :55o

Dec. XI. The Malavar Chriilians Cuftom of Keeping Lent ap- proved of, p. 3V3

Tec. XII. How far Fafting obliga- tory,

A Table of the Decrees.

tory, p.

Dec. X 11 1. Softie mathem(l)V rn^f condemned, p.':^55

DfC. XIV. The life of Confecrated Ajljes, P 35^-

Dec. XV. No Fle/h to be Eat up- on Saturdays^ but in fome cafes permitted on Wednefdays^ p.

Dec. XVI. The Obligation of mt eating F/e/& lafts from Midnight to Midnighr, (^c. P- BS?

Dec. XVII. Water to be bleffed by throwing holy Salt into it ; how to be ufed, P- 3';8

Dec. XVni. Boys and Oirls to be inftrufted in the DoCtrims of the Church of Rome, p. 550

Dec. XIX. Diredions for faying the Avemary^ P-3<Í2

Dec. XX. Commands Bowing ac at the Name of Jefus^ p. :j62

Vec. XXI. Mattins and Procefms

order'd on Chriflmas Eve, p.

963

Dec. XXÍI. SurpHce and íío/e or- dered to be ufed in the Admi- niftracionof Sacraments,^. ■^6'^

life. XXIII. CarJles to be b'lef- fed, when, p. 3(£á

Dec. XXIV. Coramandtng an Ll- niverfal Ccjfation from Work on the Sabbath Day, V-3(^7

Dec. XXV. Churches formerly dedicated to Marxobro and Mar- phrod to be dedicated to AÍÍ Saints, (^c. p. 568

Pec. XX vr. The i^wrj Box to be kept in the Overfeers Houfe,3nd why, and how, ?• 372'

Dec. XXVI!. Capiars appointed to keep the Churches clean, p.

375

D^c. XXVUlCupb^ards and Chells

ordered to be kept in the Ve-

firiei, and why, P- 374

Dec. XXIX. Images to be fet up in Churches, p. 374

Dec. XXX. Churches to be re-co«- fecrated , for what , p- 376

Dec. XXXI. Stcl^ Perfons prohi- bited to lie in theChurch,p.577

Dec. XXXn. All dead Corps to to be buried in Holy Ground,ind by a Prieil, p. 378

Dec. XXXIII. Orders for the fiK- r}ing fuch as die of the Smail- Pox, p. 379

Dec. XXXIV. No Church to change the Name by which ic ví3iconíecrated, P- 379

Dec. XXXV. Gentle Methods re- commended for the reducing of Infidels to the Church, p.^S i

Dec. XXXVÍ. Orders ail Foot Feo-

pie that defire to turn CÀJr/^i-

ans to be received to Baptifm,

38z

Dec. XXXVII. Commands thac

all be taught to Crofs thetnfelves

from the Left to the Kight^

p. 383

Dec. XXXVIII. Execution of Wills declared to belong to the Bi- fhops, p. g8d.

Dec. XXXIX. The Office of Bm- ai to be performed for all, ex- cept fuch as die under Excom- tnmication or utter Impeniterfce,

p. 385

Dec. XL. Grants Licence to the Jefuits of the College of Vai- picafr«, and why, P'385

Dt c. XLI. The Chriftians of St. Tnomas to be obliged by the Conft itutions of the Bifhoprick of Coa, p. 587

ACTION ÍX.

!^ the Reformation of Mamers,

■'^'-•■■•^'■- ' p.^SS

Die.

A Table of the Decrees.

Tkc. I. Orders the Extirpation cf Superfluirns and Heatheniflj Cu- ftoms, p.3S8

Dec. II. Declares what is Su^er- Jlitiony and what nor, p. 3 ? 9

Dec. Hi. Forbids Heathenifl) Turi- fications, P« 391

Dec. iV. For'oids Chnfiians to fre- quent Heathen Fe/?iw/?eJ,p.39 1

Dec. V. Contai ns fome farthtr di- rcftions for chrijlians, p- 392

Dec. VI. Prohibits the confukipg of Witches and Fortune-Tellersy

. ... P-^93 Dec. VII. No Chnltians to pra-

âifc Witchcraft or Conjuring^

p- gç-? flee. VIII. Agamft Diabolical

charms ^ p. 595

Dec. IX. Declares what Interejl

is lawful, P-397

Dec. X. More againft Extortioiiy

P 398 Dec. XT. Forbids Concuhtnage^ p.

^99

Dec. XII. Contains an Admoniti- on to Mafiers and Fathers of Families.) p. 400

Dec. XIII. Prohibits Chriftians the B«;fn^ and SeZ/wá Children or Kindred, p. 400

Dec. XIV. Approves of giving the Tenth part of their Wives Portion to the Church.) ((^c. P- 4'^'2

Vec, XV. Commands differences zvcioiigChrijYians to be decided by rhe Prelate^ p. 402

Dec. XVI. Chriftians forbid to

jake ufe of Ordeals for tryal )f their InmcetKey p. 405

Dec. XV(I. CAr/^ww commanded to diftinguifh themfclves from K\\t Heathens, how, P^'^S

Dec. XVIII. Prohibits Chriftians to drink or fell Orraca, p. 406

Dec XIX. A certain Weight for

Merchandize commanded, p.

405

Dec. XX. Females to inherit in default of Ifliie Male, p. 407

Dec. XXI. Adoption of Sons not lawful, except, <^c- p. 409

Vec. XXU. Forbids the Prclarc to certifie the Adoption of Chil- dren, where the Wi/o/'tfr has a- ny of his own, p. 410

Dec. XXIil. Chriftians defired to

cohabit in Villages, and why,

p.4ir

Vec. XXIV. Defires the King of Portugal to take all the Chri- flians of Malabar under his Protcâion, P'4il

Dec. XXV. Orders all Vicars to have a Copy of the Decrees of the Synod, and why. The Conclufion, being a Recapitulati- on as it were of the whole Sy- nod, made by the Metropolitan to the Clergy and People ; with fome other Remarkables,p,4i3

Dom Andre Biftjf o/Cochim'i Letter to the S)nodt P- 43 2

T h e 5/noit V A n fw e r, P« 4 4^

A Preface to a Mijfntf

Short Hiftory

o F T H E

Church of MALABAR:

From the time of its being flrfi Dif- covered by the Portuguezes, in the Tear 1*^01. until the Celebration of the foUomng Synod in the Tear 1599.

TH E Country of Mdahar begins at Catia-- nor^ a Town in the Northern 'Latitude of 1 1 degrees and 20 minutes , and ends at Cape Comorim^ in the Northern Latitude of 7 degrees and \às.

It contains divers Kingdoms, as Cochim , TrU" vancor^ Qundaca^ Pimenta^ Margate^ 8fc. and a- bounds with Ports, as Calecut^ Cale^ Cochim^ Cou' Um^ 8cc. Moft of its Princes and Nations are Hi Athens^ and extreamly fuperftitious in the Wor-

a (hip

2 JJhort Hijlory of

ihip of Pagodf, of which there are feveral a- mong them of incredible Riches.

The Serra or Gate, as the Natives call it, is a Ridge of Mountains running 200 Leagues from North to South, the South end whereof is inha- bited by Chriftians, who call themfelves the C6ri- fiians of St, Thomas^ upon the account of their ha- ving firft been converted to the Chriftian Faith by the Apoftle of that Name. They have al- ways, oratleafl: for 1300 years, been under the Patriarch of Babylon^ who, as their Meterane or Arch-Bifhop died, took care to fend them ano- ther, who refided ftill among them, and was had in great Reverence both by Chriftians and Infidels. As for the Dodrines and Cuftoms of this Church, I (hall referr the Reader to the Ac- counts he will meet with of them in the follow- ing Hiftory.

The firft news of this ancient, but remote Church , was brought to Europe by Pedral- vares Cabral , who putting into Cranganor in the year 1501. and meeting there with feveral of thofe Chriftians, he perfwaded two of them, who were Brothers, to come along with him to Vor- iugal^ where the eldeft, whofe Name was Mat- thias^ died at Lisbon 5 and the other,whofe Name was Jofeph^ went firft to Rome^ and from thence to Venice^ where, upon his information, a Tra6i: was publiih'd in Latin of the State of the Church of MJabar, and is printed at the end of Fafcicu' lus Teffjponwj,

The

the Church 0/ Malabar. 7

The year following the Chriftians oiSt, Tho- mas hearing of Don Vafco da Gania being at Co^ chim^ with a coniiderable Fleet of Ships , fent fome of their Body to let him know, that under- ftanding that he was a Subjeft of a Chriftian King, they beg'd the favour of him to take them under his Mailers Protection, that fo they might be de- fended againft the Oppreffions and Injuries which were done them daily by Infidel Princes, and for a lafting Teftimony of their having put them- felves under the King of Portugal^ they fent his Majefty a Rod tipp d at both ends w'ith Silver, with three little Bells at the head of it, which had been the Sceptre of their Chriftian Kings , for fuch they are reported to have had formerly, tho* upon no very good grounds, fo far as I can per- ceive.

The Admiral Vafio da Gar/ta^ not being in a condition at that time, to do any more for them, gave them a great many good words, promiiing them, in his Mafters name, the favour and pro- tedion they had defired, and which he was fen- fible they ftood in great need of.

In the year 1505 two Chriftians, who were fa- mous for their great skill in cafting great Guns, and whom , for that reafon, Don Vafco da Gama had taken along with him to the hzdies^ ran o- ver to the Samorim , and were the fir ft that in- troduc'd the ufe cf Artillery among the Malabar s: For the Venetians forefeeing that their great ///- dian Trade would be utterly rum'd, by the new Pafiage that was difcover'd to the Indus by the

a 2 Ope

4 A /J?ort Hijlory of

Cape of Good Hope^ if the Portugueze fliou'd once get iiny footing in thoie partSjSre (aid to have fent thofe two Engineers, who were their natural born Subjeds, into the Portugueze fervice, on purpoíè to go over to the Indians^ to teach them the ufe of Great Guns, and other Fire-arms, that they might be the better able to oppofe the Portit" guezGs.

Bnt after this forementioned Complement of the Admiral, we hear no more of thefe Chriftians, till about the Year 1545, the Portuguezes being all that while too biifie in making new Conqaefts, and the Friars, who were fent thither, too much employed in building and providing commodi- ous Seats for their Convents, to attend to any fo- reign Buíineís, of what nature foever.

This 40 Years negled of a Chriftianity, which was juft under their Nofes, puts me in mind of what a Minifter of State faid of the PortMgusze Zeal in the Indies.

" Vana es Senor It k a vain conceit^ if

^ ( fp^'^^'^E, ^^ Philip it pledfe your Majefty ,

*' IV, ) la Opinion que (fpeaking to Philip IV.)

" entre Nationes tudas that the World has enter-

*' tienen Portuguczes de tain d of the Zeal of the

"^ Religiofos por las con- Portuguezesw^i?// account

^' verfiones Orientales : of theConver flans that have

*' Aquilas conquiftas las been made by them in the

" Emprendio la codi- Indies, for it was Cove-

"cia, no la Religion, toufncfs and not^Zeal that

'* las conveiiiones ic engaged them to nmke all

Hizi-

the Church 0/ M a l a b a. r. 5

" Hizieroii por obra thofe Câ^/qnejis, The Con *' divina y char id ad de ver fio ns that have bee?i '' peribnas religioins par- wade there were perform- " ticulares, el commun edby the Divhie Power, " y diredion de la co- and the charity of a fit» " rona attendio a de- particular Friars^ the Go- " predar Reynos y Ci- vernment and Crown ha^ " dades, alii avia mas ving no other aim therein, " dilatados converfio- hut the robbing of King-' 'Mies a donde avia doms anã Oties-^ and '* mas que hartar la co- there wcreflili th' great- " dicia , y alia eran eft Co?iverJiõnsivhere there " hombres obftinados , teas mofl to gratify their " donde no avia que Covetoufncfs. But where " robar , concluding: y there was swthing to be " ceiTa Religion quan- had^ there the People were *' do no ie fique la co- Obdurate^ and not to he ''dicia, y que no en- wrought upon. Andfo we *' tran en el cielo to- fee their Zed expired *' dos los, que dizen íè- quickly in ali places^ where *' nor abrid nos. it was j/ot animated by

Covetoufnefs , and how they who had nothing clfe to fay but, Lo^tS Opeil Um to 1105 were not thought ft to enter into Heaven,

Manuel de Faria alíb in the Third Tome of his Afa Portuguefa, after having reckoned up the Errors (as he calls them) of the Chriftians of St. TIjomas, makes the folio v;ing Reflection

a 3 upon

6 A fhòn Hijlory of

upon his Countrymen s having been fo long in reducing them to the Ro;;ían Church.

*' Gran laftima es oir It is a floamefd thing

"que uvieííè efto in (faith he) that this

'•^ frente de los Portu- Church JloGuld contime an

" guefes en la India a Himdreâ Tears in the

" los cien annos de fu Neighbourhood of the

" affiftancia en ella 5 y Portuguezes without be-

"lo que es mas a los ing reduced to the Ro-

" mefmos oios de pre- man Faith , and which

*' lados en Goa. La makes it ftill the worfe^

" verdad es que deftos tinder the Eye of the Bi-

" eran los Hercadores /loops of Goa , but the

'' que Chrifto hallo en truth is^ thofe Merchants

"el Templo y echo del whom Chrift whipped out

" açote. of the Temple^ werefuch

as-thefe,

Tho' after all, the Portuguezes Negligence in this matter was nothing fo fcandalous as the Vio- lences they afterwards made ufe of in the re- ducing of them.

In the Year 1544. the Crofs and other Reliques of St. Thomas^ which have (ince made fuch a Noiíè in the World, were found at Mdiapor^ the Legend whereof in ihort is. That the Portuguezes as they were pulling down an old Chappel in order to rç-^ hnild it J met with a vafl Stone fome Foot under- grmnd^ which having lifted up with great eafe^ they found all the Earth under itjiaind deep with Bloody that appear d very fre/h^ and thereon a Crofs excel- lently

the 0?urch 0/ Malabar. 7

k^tfy well cut^ After the fashion of that of the Mi- litary Order of Aviz in Portugal, a-nd over it a. Dove or Veacock. ffor the learned are not agreed which 'twas) and above that a bloody Dagger, There was alfo an Infcription on the Stone^ but in Letters that no Body h^evp what to make of There- was a Crofs of the fame Saint , a?zd found much after the fame manner by the Portugaezes /« Me- liapor in the Tear 1522. with this Infcription:

2,t t\]t time íDôen Thomas fotiníieíi iW Cettiple, tfie iStino: of Meiiapor matie |)im a ^cant of tije Cuttoms» of all fte ^ecc6aiiDí?eíi tíjat toetre ti?ouD:6t into tljat po^t, Wi\) ^titp m^ toe

Cento pait of t6e <Õm^^. With this ^Crofe were atfo found the Bones of St. Thomas, which were reckoned by all the World before to have bejn lodged at Edeila. There was alfo found an ancient Record of St. Thomas'/ having converted the ¥iing of Me- iiapor (who it's like was the Prince that gave him the forementioned Grant) by drawing a great piece of Timber ajljore ^ which the King and St. Thomas both pretended a right to , .<fter all the Kings 'Elephants^ and all the Wit of Man rvere not able fo much as to wag it. A Prophecy of St. Thomas was alfo found in the fame Treafure^ de- claring that whenever the Sea fjoud come up to Meiiapor, which was then Twelve Leagues from it ^ a Nation fiou d come from the IVeft, which fjoud preach the very fame Faith that he had preached. And to put all this Indian Treafure together, for it is pity any of it ihould be loft, the Bones of the Three Kings were found in the fame

a 4 Grave

8 A [hort Hlflory of

Grave with thofe of the Apoftle, which were known to be theirs, by an ancient MS. which gave ú\Q following account of them. The King of Nubia and Arabia 21?^/ Melchior, Baltafar was King of Goli and Saba, Gaip?.r was King of Tur- (i, Infula, and Grifola or Malabar, where the Bo- dy of St. Thomas lieth^ by whom they were all three confecrated Bijhops^ and were afterwards mar- tyrd with him. I leave the Examination of the truth of this MS, to the City of Cologne^ whofe concern it is.

Among other things there was a Copper plate found, with the following Donation engraved upon it .- Thk is the Tejiimony of AIms^ hy which Paradife is acquired^ and which all the following Kings ^ who Jldall diftribate the faid Alms, /hall cerlnnly obtain: Whereas they that JImU refufe to give them^ jhall be Six Thonfand Tears with Worms in Hell. This Imprecation is literally ufed by the ancient Kings of S^ain in moft of their cha- ritable Donations 5 but whether the Spanijh Kings had it from the Indian^ or the Indian from the Spaniard^ is not certainly known.

in the Year 1645. T>om Joan Dalhuquerqneth^ iirft Arch-Bifhop of G^^, being aibamed, it's like, of their talking fo much m Europe^ and doing fo little in India in the matters of Reli- gion, fends one Vincent , a Francifcan Friar, of which Order the Arch-Bifhop himfelf was, to Cranganor^ to try what he could do towards the reducing of thoL- Chriftians to the obedience of the Roman Church. The Labours of this

fin-

the Church of M a.l a b a rí 9

íingle Friar are fo ftrangely magnified by the Portugnezes ^ that it looks as if it were done on purpofe to excufe their not employing of more Hands in a Wor'li, which here in Europe they pretended was their chief Bufinefs in the In* dies. For he is faid not only to have preached daily in their Churches , ^hich were built af- ter the faihion of the Pagod Temples, but alio to have built feveral Churches among them af^ ter the Latin way 5 and at laft, by the order of the Vice-Roy and Archbiihop, upon his having in- form'd them of the fmall fuccefs that his preach- ing had had among them , to have ereded a College at Cranganor in the Year 1 546. in order to the inftrufting of their Sons in the Learning and Ufages of the Latin Church.

By the way. It is fomewhat ftrange how Fri- ar Vincent^ who is not íàid to have had the gift of Tongues, no more than the Jefuite Xavier^ who himfelf complained. That for want of it he was forc'd to prattle more like a Child, than preach like an Apoftle among the Infidels, fhou'd commeace fo powerful a Preacher among the Malabars, the very firft Year of his being in the Indies 5 a Year being a very ihort time for a Man to make himfelf fo far Mafter of a ftrange Language, as to he able to Preach therein to any . purpofe.

But tho' the Chriftians of St. Thomas did not deny to fend their Sons to this College, íèveral of whom , after their having been taught Latin, were Ordained Priefh, according to the Roman

Rites:

1 o JjhoH Hifiwy cf

Rites : Yet this had little or ho effeft as to the reducing of that Church to the Papal Obedience, to which they ftill continued fo averie, that they treated thofe Natives with the fame difregard that they did the other Latin Priefts.

Thus matters continued with the Church of Mdabar till the Year 1587. when the Jefuits i- magining the reafon why this Chriftianity was ib little benefitted by having feveral of their Sons bred in the College at Cranganor^ was their not being taught Chaldee or Syriack^^ which is the Language all their Offices are in , did thereup- on ered a new College, which was built at the ible charge of Antonio Quedei Morales , at a place called Chanota^ or Vaipicotta^ a Village inha- bited by thofe Chriftians, and which is about a League from Crangamr,

But notwithftanding the Jefuits , by educa- ting feveral of the Malabars in the Chaldee Tongue, and inftruding them thorowly in the Latin Faith, did qualify them to íèrve the Roman Church in her Pretenfions. Yet all this fignified very little, none that had been educated by them daring fo much as to mutter the leaft Word againit any of their ancient Dodrines, or in favour of the Roman^ or to alter any thing in their Offices, or forbear praying for the Bifhopof Babylon as their Patriarch, in the Mafs,

Wherefore the Portugtiezes finding that theie Chriftians were not by any thing that Friars could íày or do to them, to be perfwaded out of their ancient Faith, or to forfake their pre-

fent

the Church of Malabar. 1 1

fent Bifhop to fubmit themfelves to the Pope, a- gainft whom they were Co poflèííed , that they coQ d not endure fo much as to hear him na- med, refolved , at laft, to try other methods with them, that is, to try what Violence would do, the Method to whichiPopery, where-cver it is, owes both its Propagation and Eftabliihment.

And that they did not betake themfelves to this courfe fooner, we are not to imagine was in the leaft owing to their temper, or to any difpofition that was in them, to try iirft what fair and gentle means would do 5 for they muft know nothing of the Spirit: of Popery^ that can imagine it to be capable of any fuch thing -, but it was owing purely to the circumftances of their Affairs 5 for that before their Government had fpread it felf, and taken a good root in thoie Parts, it would not have been fafe for them to have made ufe of thofe rude and boifterous Me- thods for the reduction of thefe Chriftians, which we ihall fee they did afterwards, when they had in a manner gotten that whole Countrey into their own Power : In purfuance of the fore- mentioned Refolution, the Portugue'zes determi- ned to have their Biihop, to v/hoíe prefence a- mong them they attributed their conftancy in their ancient Faith, feized in order to fend him loRome^ which was executed accordingly.

Their Biihop at that time (for they had but One of that Order among them) was one Mar Jofeph^ who, according to ancient Cuftom, had been fent thicber by Mar Andixa^ Patriarch qF

1 1 A fhort Hiflory of

Babylon, He is acknowledged by the Portugnezes to have reformed divers Abules in that Church, and to have put things in a much better order than he found them in. Mar Jofeph being brought Prifoner from Cochim to Goa^ was Em- barked upon the firft Ships that went to Portu- gal, with an intent of fending him to Rowe 5 but being arrived at Lisbon, he, by his Addrefs and appearances of an extraordinary Sanftity, did fo far infinuate himfelf into the favour and good opinion of Dona Caterina, who was Queen Regent at that time, and of the Infanta Dona Maria, that he was fent back by the next Ships to Goa, with the Queen Regents Letters, order- ing him to be permitted to live quietly in his Bifhoprick , he having promifed the Cardinal Infante Don Anrique, who was at that time In- quifitor-General , and the Pope's Legate a latere to the Crown of Portugal, to do all that was in his power tonrards the reducing of his Dioceis to the Roman obedience.

In the Year 1552, one TumSind, or Sinton Sa- lacan, a Monk of the Order of St. Pachomius^ who pretended to have been chofe Patriarch of Moffii , or Scleucia Parthorum , or Babylon, for they are all the fame by the whole Clergy of Perfia and Âjjyria, came to Rome and fubmitted bimfelf to the Pope 5 by whom, according to fome, he was confecrated a Biihop, tho' others will have it, that he had only his Eaftern Confecra- tion confirmed, and afterwards received the Pa- triarchal Pallium. He prefented Letters and a

Con-

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. i ^

Confefllon of Faith to the Pope^ which he pre- tended were fent by all the Eaftern Biíhops : In the Letters the Pope's Supremacy was exalted as high, as if they had been writ by a Paraiite Canonift , which Letters, together with the Con- feffion of Faith, were done into Latin and Prin- ted by Mafins : He gave out alfo, that he was attended by Seventy Perfons of note as far as Jen/falem^znd from thence only by Three, where- of one died by the way, and another remained iick in the Journey 5 and the third, whol'ename was Calafi^ came with him to Rome, Turn Siud^ after he was difmifled at Rome^ inftead of re- turning to Babylon^ went and lived in an ob- fcure place called Charamet or Âmeã^ where in a ihort time he was put to death by the Maho^ tnetans 5 and, as it is faid, at the inftigation of the Chrijlians of thoíe Parts, who, to the great diicredit of the pretenfionshe had made at Rome, would never own him nor his Authority. But this ill Succefs did not hinder another Monk of the fame Order, whofe name was Aid Jefn or Hehed^ who had writ feveral Books in defence of Nefioriamfm^iiom coming to Rome with the fame preteniions, in the Year 1562 ^ and he could ne- ver have come in a better time, by reafon of the Council ofTre/^i being then fitting, to which he was fent with great Solemnity to repreíènt nothing leis than all the CÂ<í/i^if<2« Biíhops, having before at Rome in their Name, made the fub- miííion of that whole Church to the Pope : This method of making a noife with Mod^Pr^Utei^

had

14 A fhort Hijlory of

had been made great uíe of by fome former 'Popes, So Eugemus the IV. maintained his tot- tering reputation againft the Council of Bajtl^ by an appearance of Grecians and Armenians iij the Council of Florence : And ^aul the III. gra- ced his Tranflation of the Council from Trent to Bolongia^ which was fo ftoutly oppofed by the Emperor and Spanijh Biftiops, by fending one 5ye- phen to Bolognia with the iplendid Title of the Armenian Patriarch.

This Humor was carried on by one Elias ^ who like wife pretended to be chofe Patriarch of Ba-- hylon'-, he fent íèveral N//«a<? '/ to the Pope with the Submiííion of the Babylonijh Church, and a ConfeiTion of Faith , but theíè t^uncios ípoiled their bufineis by over-afting their Parts 3 for it having been diicovered, that the better tofup- port their Pretence of the Chda^an Church agreeing with the Church oiPiome'wi all things, tfiey had tore íèveral Pages out of their Church- Offices, they were difmiííèd with difgrace.

However this did not diicourage Elias ( as in- deed what will a hungry Monk > ) from fending one Adam Camará^ his pretended Arch-Deacon, to Kome^ three Years after that misfortune 5 who, together with his Patriarch's Letter, delivered to the Pope a Book of his own compoiing, con- cerning the Reconciliation of the Chalda^an Church to the Roman^ which he defired might be dili- gently examined. In his Letter he told Paul V. That let Hereticks do what they will^ he for his part was refolved r/ever to go againfi the Holy Precepts of

the

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r^ 15

the Apoftles and Orthodox Fathers^ who had all af- firmed the See of great Rome to be the Head of all other Sees, bnt would always confefs that the Roman Church was the Mother of all the other Churches in the Worlds and that all that did not own her to be fo, were accurfed. It's obfervable, that this Elias had a ftretch of Courtíhip beyond bis begging Predeceiibrs ; which was his aifuring the Pope, That all their Clergy anciently had their Orders immediately from Roy^e^ and that that Cuftom continued, till feveral that were going to Rome on that Errand were murdered by the way 5 which having feveral times happened, the Pope when he came to hear of it, did of his free Grace fay, Let us ordain them a "Patriarch j and not only fo^ but permit them to chufe him^ that fo they may not perifi thus by the way : And thus, iaid good Elias^ we received all the Authority we pretend to from Rome^ and not from our felves, as they pretend to do 5 ( and the greater Wretches they) who trample upon the Canons of the Apoftles, and the Laws of the Fathers. It is from this blind Story that the Roman Doâ:ors have endea- voured to perfuade the World, that all the Ba^ bylonijh Bifhops do own, that they derived their Power of Ordination from the Wefiern Fathers, meaning the Biihops of Rome^ no doubt.

Now what crude Stuff is this, that thoíè hun- gry Monks ferved up to the Pope, and was as greedily fwallowed at Rome^ there being not the leaft Colour of Truth in any. part of the Story. For as to the ancient Cuftom that is fo confident-

17

x6 J Jhon Hijlory of

ly affirmed, it is plainly contradifted by the 33d Arabic^ Canon of the Council of Nice^ which tho* not the genuine Canons of that Council, are yet very ancient. The Canon runs thus :

Canon 35. Let the See <?/Seleucia, which if one of the Eaftern Cities^ he honoured lik^wife^ and have the Title of Catholicon, and let the Prelate thereof^ ordain Arch-Bijhops as the O' iher Patriarchs do, that fi the Eaftern Chri^ fiians who live under Heathens^ may not he wronged by waiting the Patriarch of Antioch'x leifure^ or by going to him^ but way have a way opened to them to fupply their own NeceJJities 5 neither will any injury be done to the Patriarch of Antioch thereby y feeing he has confented to its being thus^ upon the Synods having defired it of him, *

From which Canon it is plain, That the Church of Seleucia or Babylon was anciently fubjeft to the Patriarch of Antioch^ who of all the Patriarchs was their nigheft Neighbour. So that if the Chal" d<ean Biihops do own that they derived all their Authority from the Wejiern Fathers , as is pre- tended they do, they muft mean by the Wejiern Fathers, the Biihops of Antioch.

And as to its being faid. That the Chaldean Bi- ihops do to this day own that they had their Or- dinations from the Wefiern Fathers, meaning the Biihops of Rome^ the falfhood of that Pretence appears evidently, not only from what has been

fai4

the Church o/" Malabar. 1/

faid, but from the whole Tenor of the following Synod, and of all the late Reports of the Por- tiiguezes concerning that Church : As it does like- wiíè, That all thofe Patriarchs of Babylo??^ who came to Rome^ notwithftanding the great Noife they made in this Part of the World, were mere Impoftors,never owned by the Churches they pre- tended to be Patriarchs of. Father Simon (peak- ing of this in the 95 Page of his Hifloire Critiqney confeílèth their magnifying the Pope's Power as they did, to have been a piece of grofs Flattery, but withal, will have it to have been Pardonable in fuch poor Wretches, who would not other- wiie have been fuffered to have approached the Pope, to whom they came mioEurape on purpofe to make their Court, for, as he obferves upon the fame occafion, few or none of the Oriental Prelates ever applied themfelves to the Pope, but for the promoting of fome particular intereft, which was one reafon why the reunions they pre- tended to make did not laft long. But tho' for fome time thefe mock^Prelates being fupported by the Pope, made a fhift to keep the face of a Church 2itCharamet^ none of themever daring to go to Mofidy ytz after a little time the true Chal^ d£an Prelates obliged them to leave Charametj froui whence they retired to ZeinaWack^^ a yet remoter Place on the borders of Perfta^ where from little, in a fhort time, they dwindled to nothing.

The Prelates of Babylon we fee were anciently ililed Biihops of Sekncia, a City not far from

A Ctejiphon

1 8 J port Hijlory of

Ctefipkm ^ from whence it was tbat Siwon^ who fuiiered Martyrdom under Sapo/ is ftiled Biibop of Sekuda and Ctefphon^ of which City we meet with this following Account in Straho, Babylon was an ck fitly the Metropolk of Ailyria, ivhich now Seleucia of Tigris z'j, near to which is a great Village called Cteiiphon, : '•re the Kings of Parthia ufed to fpend the Winter 1 fpare Seleucia,, that it might not be continually opf Jfed ivith Soldiers and Scythi- ans : but notwithflanding this Change of the Metro- polis^ m the Country all about is jlill called Babylon, fo the Native fy tho' Born in the very City i?/'Seleucia, are ftill called Babylonians from the Region^ and z^<?i Seleucians.

in the Bihliotheca Patrum, there is a Treatifè of Paradife tranilated out of Syriack^ into Latine^ by MafiM^ writ by one Mofes Bar Cepha^ who is ftiled Btihop in Eethraman and Bethleno^ and Cu- rator of the Ecclejiajlical Affairs of the Mozul or Seleucia Varthorum, This Mofes ílouriíhed in the Tenth Century.

But it is time to leave thefe Shant Prelates^ who run ib faft to Rome of their own accord, and re- turn to the true ones, who were forc'd to go thi- ther much againft their Wills.

After the Chriftians of the Serra had heard of their Arch-Biihop's being fent a Prifoner to Por- tugal^ defpairing of ever feeing him again, they ient fecretly to Mar Simeon^ Patriarch of Baby- lon^ defiring him to order them a new Arch-Bi- ihop, who ftraightways fent them one Mar Abra- ham, who having gotten into the Scrra in a dif-

guife.

the Chmxh 0/ M a l a b a r. 1 p

guiíè, notwithftanding the great care the Pcrtn- gfiezes had taken to have intercepted him, he was received by the whole Church as their Bi- ihop, with great joy. But he had not been long there, before he had the news of Mar Jofeph^s being returned to Goa^ where having. prefented the Letters he had brought along with him, he was permitted to go back to his Biihoprick.

The Arch-Biibop of Goa who .had vvjit to FortHgd^ that they ihould by no means ever fuf- fer Mdr Jofeph to return to the hidies^ was not without ftrong jealouiies of his having prevari- cated in all that he had promifed, and what did very much confirm him therein, was, that Mar Jo- ftph when he defired him to take fome Friars a- long with him to preach the Romait Doftrines in his Biihoprick, did not only deny to do it, but furthermore pretended, that it v/as reveal'd to him the Night before, that it was no ways convenient. The A.rch-Biiliop being netled o.t this pretence, told him with great hear. That he had better Revelation from the Scriptures of his not being the Paftor whom God would have to feed his Sheep, but a Wolf in Sheep's cloathing, of whom our Saviour had (aid, That they n>ere to be klioivn by their J<rií7tí^ and that their Highnejfes would quickly be fenfible how much they had been impofed upon by him.

Notwithftanding all this, he was permitted to goto his Biilioprick, tho'for no other rcaf::n, its like, but to give birth to a Schifm, by which means the ^ortnguezes hoped to be able to com-

A 2 pafs

2 o J p?ort Hijlory of

país. their ends upon that Church the eaííer. Divide ó' iritpera^ being a piece of Policy that is well underftood, and has been much pradi- fed by the i^i?/?^;/ Church. And if this was their drift in fending him back to his Diocefs, they were not out in their Policy, for Mar Jofeph was not fooner in the Serra^ than the whole Bi- fhoprick was divided, fome adhering to Mar A- hraham^ and Others to Marjofeph^ as their true Prelate.

But Mar Jofeph finding Mar Abrahams Party to he much the more numerous, by reafon of the Communication he had had with the La- tins^ did thcrenpon betake himfelf to thecouríè that all diftreílèd People, whopreferr their own Intereft to that of the Publick, take, and com- plains to the Portugueses of Mar Abraham^ not only ns an Ufurper, but as a moft bitter Enemy to the Roman Church.

The Viceroy^ who was glad of this occafion, ftraightways difpaich'd an Order to theGovernour of Cochim^ to have Mar Abraham apprehended, and to fend him Priibner to Goa^ in order to iend him to Rome^ which was executed accor- dingly. But the Ship whereon Mar Abraham, was Embarked, being forced by ftrefs of Weather into Mazambique^ a Port belonging to the Portu- gnezes in the Southern Coafts of Africk^^ he made a (hift to efcape, and by the way of Melindo and Ormus^ to get to the Patriarch of Babylon^ from whom having received new Briefs to Fortifie his Title, he refolved to return to his Biihoprick 5

but

the Church 0/ M a l a b a'r. 21

but having afterwards coniidered better on the matter, and being fenfiblc, that if he went thi- ther without thePi^/'e'sOrderjthat the Portugnezes would quickly make the Serra too hot for him, he altered his Mind, and refolved to try his For- tune at Ro/;/e^ and to take a Journey thither over Land 5 being come to Rome^ after having abju- red his ancient Faith, and reconciled himfelf to the Church, and promifed to reduce that of Ma- labar to its obedience, he obtained of Rius the Fourth, all fuch Briefs as were any ways neccf- fary, having alio the Title of Arch-Bifiop^ which he and his Predeceííòrs had enjoyed, given him therein.

But being at Venice^ in his way home, the Di- innes there difcovering, as it is faid, both from the Nature of the Opinions that he had abjured, and from his own Confeffion, that he had never been lawfully Ordained, did oblige him to re- ceive all Orders ^ from the firfi tonfitre to the Priefihood. He was ordained Prrejl by the Ei- fhop of Sl Salvador and Confecrated a BrJ/jop by the Patriarch of Venice.

This Venetian Confecration, if it is not a down- right Naggs-Head Story , is a Scurvy refledion upon the Pope's Infallibility, who herein was not only deceived in a matter of Faci^ in giving Bf/efs to one, as an Arch-Biihop, who really was not at all in Holj Orders^ but he muft alfo have been deceived in a matter of Doiirine^ in being igno- rant, that fome of the Opinions which had been Abjured before him by Mar Abraham ^ were of

A 3 fuch

12 A p?ort Hijlory of

fuch a nature as to incapacitate him for Orders, While Mar Abraham WAs'in this. Voyage, Mar Jofiph hpAmcy himfelf in the quiet Poiiellion of his whole Biihoprick, did not irorbear to profeis and teach the Doftrines he had abjared in Portu- gal The Biihop of Cochim^ who was his next Neighbour , having heard thereof, acquainted ■ the Arch-Biillop of Goa therewith, and he L>on Am-újíie, the Cardinal Infante, who at that time Governed P<?ri//^^/ in the Minority of his Nephew Don ScbaJlia^^^ andthe Cardinal informed the Pope of the whole matter.

Thefe repeated Tyrannies of the Porifigjfezes in

the Indies^ of dragging ancient Biihops thus out of

their own Country and Diocefs, and tumbling

them fo about the World, I cannot but reckon

among thoíè violent injuftices for vyhich Manuel

de Faria in the very laft words of his Afa Portu-

gfiefi^ tells us, God has puniilied them lb viiibly.

The obiervation is ib remarkable, and to this day

fo litterally true, as I have been told by feveral

, intelHgent Poriuguezes^ that I iliall fet it down in

tfie Author's own words. " Ponderacion muy

" notable ay en efto, y es, que dequanta perfona

'' paííãran a la India ya como Governadores, ya

'' como Capitanes, ya como Mercadores, aunque

" efto ultimo iiempre iue de todos : y de quantos

" deftos alcançaran groeíTuiimas haziendas, no fe

" ve oy in el Reyno de Portugal ninguna caía o

" Mayo razgo que fe fundafie con ellas, o lo me-

'^ nosquefea cofa de importância : ni tarn poco

" ay en la India alguna cafa grande deíla calidad :

"aun-

the Church 0/ M a i. a b a r, 2 j

*' aunque tambien aya avid-o alia Portiiguefes q '' iuntaron macho y avo algunos de a mill,ion,v de " dos millionesy dea tres,y a uade a quacroje'lno " luzirie a nadie coniiderablemente tanta hazien- " da como tantos iuntaron, fe hade emendar, que " fue,y es,y fera pero por una de dos razones.o por " ambas, la primera porq' permeticndo Dios efte " viaie folo para dilatar fa norabre, y verdedero " cuito, eftos navigantes trataron por la mayor " parte de lo material de la facrilega codicia, co- " metiendo muchas maldades, para hartarfe, en " vez de tractar de la religion : y otra porq' lo " masdefto fueganado por raedios injuftos dc ti- " ranias, robos, y toda fuerte de infolencia, como " confta de . muchos lugares deftas Hiftorias. It is remãrkíible^ that amo^g all the Pcrjb/if who have gone to the Indies, whether as Qovernours^ Capains^ or Aiercha?its^ of which fort- mofl of them irere in trnthy there has not been one that hm raifcd a Fu- mily of any conjideration out of the Goods they have got in thofe Parts^ either there or in Portugal, tho^ there have been feveral of them that have got thcrc^ one^ tW9^ three ^ or four Millions, Noiv, that no- thing that's conjtderable of all thefe vafi Treafires, JJ.wuld any where appear^ mufl be for 07ie or both of thefe two Reafons^ firfi^ that whereas God permitted the Difcovery of this Voyage^ only for the propagation of his Narne^ and, true Worfnp (but not by fuch barbarous Methods as the forementioned I daie fay) thefe Travellers have^ fir the mofi part^ purfied the ends of a Sacrilegious Covefoufnefs^ cGmmiiii^g many Injufices to fill their Coffers^ injiead ofhavrr^g

A 4 a}7%

24 A fíjort Hiftory of

any regard to Religion'^ the other is^ becaufe the mojh of thofe Riches were gained by the tinjuji means of Tyrannies^ Robberies^ and all fort of Infolencies^ of which yon have many Iniiances in the foregoing Hi- ftory,

Pius V. upon this lilued forth a Brief bear- ing date the 15th. OÍ January 1567. direfting it to Dom Jorge^ Arch-Bifhop of Goa, and com- manding him to ufe all diligence to have Mar Jofeph forthwith Apprehended and fent to Rome^ in purfuance whereof he was feized, and íènt Prifoner to Portugal^ upon the firft Ships that went, whence he was carried to Rome^ where he died.

Neither were the Violences they made uíè of to Convert Infidels^ any whit inferior to thoíè they exercifed upon the poor Chaldsan Chriftians, by which they came to provoke the Infidel Princes to that degree, that they had like to have loft all that they had in the Indies by it. For the Hidal- caon whoBeiieged Goa in the Year 1570. both in his Letters to the Viceroy Don Lttk d* At aide ^ and in the Speech he made to his Captains, when he firft communicated to them his defign of dri- ving the Portuguezes out of the Indies^ gave thoíè Violences for the chief caufe of his War. Thofe Letters and Speech being too long to be here Inferted, I fhall only fet down fo much of them as relates direftly to this matter.

In his firft Letter to the Fueroy^ after having complained of fome other Grievances, he tells him, That he vpos certainly informed that at Ormus,

Dio,

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. 25

Dio, Chaul, and all the other Portugueze Portr^ hk Subjeãs Ships were all flriãly fearched^ and all the Boys and Girls that were found Aboard^ of what' foever ^uality^ AbyiTnes or Mahometans, were forcibly carried apjoar^ and there detai?ied from their parents or Majiers, This, faith he, is a matter that 1 cannot but be extreamly offended with 5 neither can I judge otherwife of your permitting fuch Violences^ but that you have a mind to break, with me, for if you had not I cannot be perfwaded that your People durii prefume to commit fuch Infolencies : He goes on. Let it fuffice that no difference can happen be- tween us, but what gives me great difpleafure, and that 1 am both a Brother and an AUie of the King of Portugal, and do efteem you as my particular Friend^ to put a flop to thk matter, that fo my Subjeíls may have no further caiife to complain thereof BeJideSy I am confident the King of Portugal will not thanks any, that fmll be inflrumental in making a Breach between me and him, by compelling my Subjeãs thus againfl their Wills to turnChrijiians, apraclice, íàith ht^that's abominable in the fight of all the World ^ nay^ lam confident that Jefus Chrift himfelfthe God whom you adore, cannot be well pleajed with fuch Service as this : Force and Compulfion in all fuch Cafes, being what God, Kings, and all the People of the World do abominate. The work, of turning People fom one Pieligion to another, if it be not done by the Divine Infpiration, and the immediate Will of God can ne- ver be fincere, neither can Converts have any in- ward refpeã for a Religion, which they are com^ pelled to Profdjs. I do thetefore intreat you ta fee

that

2Ó JJhort Hijlory of

thiit this matter be fpeedily redrejjed^ hut efpecially t/M't ofttakifTg Peoples Children from them by violence^ whiclo is a thing I ft an d amazed at^ and am in duty bound to fee remedied. ■

In his fecond Letter he thanks the Viceroy for an Order he had fent to,Or////,i:f, and the other P^jrtftgueze Ports, prohibiting all fach Violences, but at the fame time tells him. That his Order was mt in the leaft regarded j for that i/je Portuguezes mttvithftanding it, went on ftill in their former Qmrfes^ to which he tells him, If there ivere fwt a jpeedy and efèãnal flop put, it mud necejfkrily be' get a War betwixt him and the Portuguezes ^ adding. That as he knew that neither God, nor wife Kings, took any delight in Difcords, fo he was certain that there was no Religion in the World, that jnftified the forcing of People from one Religion to ano- ther.

And in bis Speech to his Captains he tells them, The Portuguezes at fir ft came among ns, under the -notion of Merchants, promijing to help us to fever al Goods that we wanted, but that afterwards by making of trifling Prefents to fome weak Princes and other Arts, they had obtained leave to build Store-Houfes for their Wares upon the Coafi , but that inftead of Ware- Houfes , they had built Fortreffès , by which pieans they had ftrengthned themfelves fo in India, both by Sea and Land, that it was more than time for the Natives to look ^bout them, and to join to^ gether to extirpate fuch cruel Tyrants and Ravagers offo many Kingdoms, and Enemies to the general quiet and commerce of the World j and that for one

thing

the Church 0/ M a l a b a ni 27

fhf^g cffeciall)\ which was what m^ patience was able to endure^ their compelli?ig tfje Indians i^ all places where they had Power^ to change their Religion,

In this Affair the Chrifiian and Mahometan^ of which Sedt this Hidalcaon was , feem to have changed Parts, the Mahoj^ictaji writing therein like a Chrijlian, and the Chriflians behaving them- felves like Mahometans,

Vndet h£c opprohria nobis Vel did potuijje.

About this time the Dominican Friars^ under pretence of building a Convent, built a Fortreis at Solor^ into which, as foon as it was finifhed, the Viceroy put a ftrong Garrifon : There were perpetual Bickerings betwixt this Garrifon and the Natives, in moft of which, fome of the Friars^ as they were Converting thofe Infidels^ with Swords in their hands, fuffered Martyrdom.

We read of a hmous Portngjieze MijJIonarj about this time, it was one Fernando Vinagre^ who, the' a Secular Prieft , Commanded the Squadron that was fent to the ailiftance of the FLing of 77- dore--) in which occaííon he is faid to have be- haved himftlf both like a great Captain, and a great Apcftle, and to have appeared one day in Armour^ and another in a' Surplice, and to have Baptized feveral in his Armour, with his S?frplice over it. In thcfe a la Dragoon Converfions, he was feconded by his Admii'al. Antonio Galvam who with the aiiiftance of Captain Francifio da

Caflro^

2 8 A fhon Hi/lory of

Cafiro, is úià to have Converted five Kings in the Ifland of Mazacar 5 and tho' he was reallv no other than a St, Ruth, yet he is faid by the Portiigneze Hiftorians to be another St. Paul,' in Governing all that came under his Power both with his Sword and with his Voice, A Sword and Voice, fay they, worthy of a glorious eternity. It was this Antonio that firft difcovered the King of Portugal's fpecial Title to ú\.ç.Clovt, which, for having five Points, he faid, had the King of Portugah Arms, which are the five Wounds of Ghrift ftamp'd upon it.

The fame Author tells us, and approves of what an Indian faid of the Portuguezcs, when in the height of their Triumphs : Let them alone ^ íàid the Indian, for they will quickly come to loje that as Covetous Merchants, which they have gained as admirable Soldiers 5 they now Conquer Afia, but it will not be long before Afia will Conquer them.

The Emperor of Perf.t is reported by the fame Author to have made the fame Predidion, who being told by the P(7r///^//ez,e Ambaílàdor, when he asked him how many of the Governours of the Indies Heads his Mafter had chopped off, that he had not taken oflf one, replied. If that is true, it is not pojfible the Portuguezes JJjould hold the Indies long.

About this time the Portuguezes were driven out of the Illand of Ito by the Natives. They were fi:irred up to do it by a Speech made by one Gcmulio, a confiderable Native, wherein he told the Portuguezes in a full Aliembly of them. That if they Preached to others that there was a God

in

theChurch of }^ KL A, BA. K, 29

^u Heaven^ who obferved all that was done on Earthy and would certainly Reward all Good^ and PuniJI) all Evil-Deeds^ without believing it thentfelves^ or without praãifing what they believed^ they were cer- tainly guilty of the Abomination^ which fuch a God Mufl detefl above all others : He like wife told them. They were Strangers come from the very Skirts of the World, and will you, íàith he, who are the Off- Jpring of the Shades, which the Sun leaves when /i goes down, prefnme to Tyrannize over us, who enter- tained you fo kindly, and have been fo long a San- ãuary to you .<? If thefe be the Cufloms of your Coun- try, you muji know they are what we Abominate ^^ return, return therefore to your native darknefs, or your ancient Habitations, where the want of Light will hide your Anions, and do you not come hither to commit them in the very apple of the Eye of the Sun, as it rifeth out of his brightefi Cradle, Ton /jreíZcà Chrift Crucified to us, and at the fame time Crucifie thofe you have perfwaded to believe in him, Tou will mak^ others to be Chriftians, without ap- pearing to be fuch your felves, Tou mufl know we are not ignorant of what you have done to the King of Xael, and how you rewarded his great kindnefs and Civility to you, with Violences and Outrages^ and his SubjeUs good turns with dijhonouring their Wives : We kriow lih^wife how you have ufed the Queen of Aram, whom, after fie had lojl both her Kingdom and Husband to fecure you , you have difionourably thrown ojf, as one who could be of no further ufe to you. Be gone therefor^ immediately out of this IJland^ and hereafter don t you pre fume to

fit

3 o A floort H'ljlory of

fet your Foot^ or fo mtfch as cajl your Eye iipoft it. The Hiftorian vvho^rektes this, tho' a Portiigueze^ makes this reflexion upon it. Thus we lofe Places by our Infolencies, which we gained by our Valour,

When Mar Abraham returned to Goa over Land, by the way of Ormifs^ and found Mar Jofeph Shipped off for Portugal^ thereupon he flattered himfelf with the hopes of meeting with nothing to moleft him in the Pofleffion of his Blfhoprick , but he quickly found himfelf decei- ved, for having prefented the Pope's Briefs ^ and other Papers he brought along with him to the Arch-Biihop, the Portuguezes not having the fame reaibn to permit him to return to the Serra^ as they had when they permitted Mar Jofeph^ which, as I have obferved, was done on purpoie to give riie to a Schifm, he was told, that before they would put him in Pofleffion of his Biihoprick, they muO: fir ft have both the Briefs and his hfi.r- mations ftridly examined, that fo they might be fatisfied he had not impoied upon his Holinefs,

Wherefore, tho' refolved whatever came on't, never to let Mar Abraham go out of their hands, yet that they might not feem to refufe to pay a due refpedt to the Popes Briefs j the Arch-BiQiop and others, after having examined all his Papers, found feveral flaws in them, which were declared to be fufficicnt to juftifie their detaining of him : This is no more than what the Cunomfls can do, and do daily in the cleareft caies, it being impof- iible to have s^y Matrimonial or other caufe drawn up, or worded fo accurately, that the Canonifls^

and

the Church 0/ M a l A b a r. ^ l

and efpecially if the Pope defire it, will not find feveral Nullities in. Upon the publication of the nullity of the Pope's Briefi^ as having beiiii obtained by miiinformation, poor Mar Abraham^ inftead of being ftnt back in Triumph to his Bifhoprick, as he expected, was, after ail the Pains he had been at, confined to the Dominican Convent at Goa^ there to remain till fuch time as the Pope^ Anfwer came^to the Arch-Bifldops In- formation of his Caíè.

Mar Ahrahar//^ being feniible that to be con- fined till that came, was the fame thing as to be condemned to be a Prifoner for Life, refolved, let what would be the ifiiie, to try to make his efcape, which,iafter feveral unfuccefsful Attempts, he did, at laíí, upon an Holy Thurfday at Might, while the Friars were all imployed in the Chapel, and having gotten over 'to the Continent, he ported away to Malabar^ where he was received with great Joy and Feftivity by all the Chriííians, who having two of their Àrch-Biíliops Prifoners among the Portiiguez^er^ defpaired of ever feeing another Babylomflj Bifhop among them.

The Viceroy and Arch-Bifiop were much trou- bled at Mar Abrahams having made his efcape thus^and v/rit ftraightways to the Biihop of Gc^i;/;', and all the Gove incurs upon the Coaft oi Mala- bar^ to have him apprehended if he was above Xitound 5 but Mar Abraham knowing how it would be, took care to keep himfelf, as far as he could, out of their reach, never adventuring to viiit any of the Churches that were in the Neigh- bour-

^t A fhort Htflory of

hoxxxhooà oi Cochim^ or of any other PortHguezè Garrifon.

Bat tho* after this Mar Abraham is faid, in all his Letters to the Portuguezes to have ftill profef- fed himfelf a Romani (t ^ and not only fo, but to have re-ordained all that had been ordained by him formerly ^ yet it is certain, that in all things elíè he aded quite otherwife in hisDioceis, where he continued not only to preach his old Dõãrines^ but in his Prayers ftill named the Bi- ihop of Babylon as his Patriarch.

Gregory XIII. being informed of this by the Arch-Bifiop of Goa^ and other Prelates of the " Indies^ iilued forth a Briefs bearing date the 28th. of November^ 1578. direfting it to Mar Abraham^ and commanding him therein to re- pair to the next Provincial Council that íhould be Aííèmbled at Goa^ to affift at it, and to ob- íèrve all the Decrees that íhould be made therein, relating to his Bifhopiick, and that he might not excufe his not obeying this Briefs by pretending that he could not do it with fafety , the Pope like- wiíè fent him Letters of fafe Conclua^ to go and come without being any ways molelted.

In purfuance whereof i)í7/?/ Vicente da Fo^feca, Si Friar ^ of the Order of St. Dominick^^ and Arch-BiJJjop of Goa ^ having called a Provincial Council, which was the third of Goa, ordered the forementioned Brief to be intimated to Mar Abraham^ and together with the Pope'^, his own, and the Viceroy's Lei/er/ of fafe Condnuf ^to be íènt

to him.

Mar

the Church 0/ Malabar. ^J

Mar Abraham^ having well confidered the matter, and perceiving how difficult it would be for him to efcape being Dragoon'd by the PortHgtiezes^ whofe power increafed daily in thofe Parts, if he ihould difobey this Summons, deter-, mined, whatever came on it, to repair to the Council, át which he alTifted, and was obliged once more to Abjure, and make a profellion oF- the Roman Faith, promiíing withal, to fee all the Decrees made in that Synod^ in relation to his Bifhopiick, punârually executed , and to fend in all che Heretick Books in his Diocefs to be burn- ed Oi amended 5 and having confeiTed, that in the Qrdimtmr ofPriefi<- there was no Wine in the Cup. which he deli^cied into their hands, toge- ther with the Heft, he was commanded to Or-. dain all thiit he bad Ordained before over- again.

Now if this, of there being no Wine in the Cup, which was delivered into the hands of thofe v/ho weve Ordained Prkjis^ was the only ground wher -on the Romanijis founded the in- validity Oi the ChalddBan Orders, as it is the only thing they have been pleafed to inftance in, what a firexh was this to invalidate the Orders of a whole Church by? But for Canonifts and School- mer. ]~jy SnhúXÚQS invented on purpofe tofupport a late Error, or to ferve a prefent turn, to wound Chriirianity in its very Vitals, is a praftice too eomrn' .n to be wondred at. I am fure the Church of B/jme has much more reafon to apprehend that the Sacrilege of denying the Cup to the Laity

B in

34 JJhort Híjlory of

» in the Sacrament, may make her Communion im- perfed and inefFedual, than that this alone fhould make Ordinations fo.

But after all this ftir, the Doftrineof the deli- vering the Bread and Cup] into the hands of thofe who are to be ordained Priefts, being ef- fential |ò Orders, is fo far from being true, that it is owned to be á Novelty by all the Modern Learned Divines of the Church of Rome^ and is moreover cpntradifted by her daily Pradice, who, as all the World knows, allows the Greeks Orders to be good, in the Collation whereof ilie knows, the Bread and Cup is not put into the hands of thofè who are ordained Priefts.

It is true, the Council of Florence^ in her In- ftrudions to ú\^ Armenians^ feems to have doted into the fame Error v/ith this of the Portugnezes^ in making that new Ceremony eííèntial to Ori/er/. But let that be as it will, it is certain that both t|ie preient pradice of the Roman Church, and all her truly Learned Sons, the Modern Schoolmen not excepted, do condemn it as an Errors for which Í (hall only quote two of her moft emi- nent Schoolmen, and one of her ableft Criticks.

Cardinal Lf/go^ in his 2 Difp. de Sacramentis^ faith as followeth, Aliunde antem hahemus , non porreãionem fayfk ^ vini determinate reqniri ex

■ divina inflitiítionc, cum Gr£ci abfqne ilia porreãi- one ordinentiir j ergo fatendtim eji thrift urn ft)lum voliiijfc pro materiu ali quod figmim proportionatnm- hoc vet illiid.

And

the Church o/'Malabar. 55-

And Becanus^ iri the third part of his Scho- laftical Divinity, Cha^, 26. of the Sacrament of Order, has as follows ; Concilium Florentinum in injíruãione Armmoruin folum meminit materia acci' dentalk^ que ab Ecclejta. frit irtftituta^ which was the delivering of the Bread and Cup, non autem Jubjiantidis^ quam Chriflus pr£fcripfity which is the irapofition of hands , Q»ia h^c ex S^riptnrfs ^ antiquis Patribus erat fatis cognita^ non autem ilia, Addo^ ft hoc argumentum valeret^ pojje optime retor- queri ita^ Antiqua concilia non ajjignant aliam ma- teriam nifi impofitionem manuum^ er^(7, 8cc. He con- cludes thus, Nota antiqua concilia ajfignàjjè mate- riam a Chrijio inflitutam^ Florentinur/t vero mate^ am ajjigjtàjjè^ quam EccleJ/a introduxit^ that is the Latin only. By this one may fee, that the Church OÍ Rome is not To uniform a Body as (he pretends to be, being thus inconfiftent with her felf in a thing of fo high a nature, as that, of what is^ and rvhat is not ejjential to Orders :■ and we may ièe likewife, how fhe will break thorow all ancient Doârrines and Rules, rather than not difgrace all Bodies of Chriftians, which deny her Obedience, by unchurching them by fome fubtilty or other 5 and indeed, thorow the cleareft evidences of matter of Fad, as (he does in the cafe of the Or- ders of the Church of England, And further- more , how apt (he is to look upon her own novel Inventions as the main Subftantials of Re- ligion.

To whom I (hall only add Mor i nu s ^ whofe judgment in a cafe of this nature is of more

B 2 weight

1 6 A p?ort Hijlory of

weight, than that of the whole Tribe of School- men. Who in the i Chap, of his firft Exercitati- on, De Sacrts Ordwationibus^ faith, Nemo^ ut mU hi "Videtur , dubitare potefl^ antiquos Latinos^ a qnibus accepimns d^ Ordinationes^ d^ quod facer do' tes fjtmus^ legitime Ó* valide facer dotes cenfecraffe^ Ó* c£tera facrarum Ordinationum munia contuliffe : F^adem antiquar urn Gr£corum ratio. Certijfimum enim ejl 0^ evidenti\fimum^ neminem Ordinationes Gr£cas criminari poffi^ quin crimen in Latinos re" dundet^ cum utrique mutuo alterius Ordinationes pro- baverint : Gr£cufque apud Latinos^ df* Latinus a- pud Gr£Cos fine ulla unquam Ordinationis querela facra Myfteria celebraverit : pari veritatis evidentia cerium eji recentiores Latinos in hunc ufque diem le- gitimas Ordinationes celebraj/e 0* celebrare, eadem ratio hodiernorum Gr£corum^ cum itt ex iis qu£ manifeflijfime )y oÍv^tv-^Íol quadam demonflrata funt^ ab anti quis non differ ant ^ eofque publico in fui s Or- dinibus minijirantes fufcipiat Ecclcfa Romana^ fern- perque ftifieperit. And in his ieventh Exercitati- on, fpeaking of the delivering the Bread and Cup into the hands of thofe that are ordained Priefts, he acknowledgeth it to' be a late Cere- mony in the Roman Church. Antiqui Ritualcs Latini^ non f ecus ac Gr^ci^ ifiam injirumentorum traditionem nobis non exhibent : ^uidquid fpe&at ad ill am mater iam Ó* formam ab iis abefi. Duo ritus Ordinationis editi, unus RowdH in fanai Gre- gorii facramentario ex Bibliotheca Vàticanà^ alter Pa^ r.'fiis ab Hugone Muitiardo^ ex Bibliotheca Corbeienfi^ ijia omnia ?iobis non reprsfeniant duo antiquijjimi

Fata-

the Omrch 0/ Malabar. 37

Petaviani literk uncialibus fcripti qui pr£ c£teris eminent , duo alii fecundum ijios antiquifflmi Ó* egregie Jplendidéqne frripti^ qui ar/ipli fnnt^ d^ multa Ordinationibns iUis exhibent , qii£ viàeri pojfimt nonnecejpiria^ quorum unus eji Rotomage^^fis^ alter Rhemenjii. Tres alii^ quorum primus Senonenjis eft, dno alii Corbeienfes^ nnus a Roar ado fcriptuf^ nunc vertitur annus oSiogentefimus primus , alter a. Rotaldo precedente multo junior^ fed copiofijjimus^ qui quecunque noverat ad Ordinationes pertinere^ iis ditavit Sacramentariam fmtm 5 denique unns e Bib- liotheca Thuana perantiquus^ C^ alter Bellovacenfis, In all which ancient Rituals^ he faith, there is a profound filence of this Ceremony.

The Council being ended, Mar Abraham re- turned to his Biihoprick, where he obferved no- thing of what he had promifed and fwore, fave that of ordaining his Priefts again the third time, at which Ordinations there were feveral Jefuites^ who were skilled in the Syriack^ Tongue, that af- fifted to fee that nothing was omitted that was eilential.

Not long after a Letter of Mar Abraham to the Patriarch of Babylon was intercepted, wherein he informed him of his having been at a Council of the Biihops of the Indies at Goa^ whither he had gone purely out of fear of the Portuguezes, who, he íàid, vpere over his Head^as a Hammer over an Anvil : but when he was there, that he had delivered in a Profeifion of his Faith, which none of the Latm Biihops were able to contradid, profeifing

B 3 him-

3 8 A fhort Hiftory of

himfelf to his Patriarch a Dogmatift of the ChaU d<ean Faith.

Mar Abraham being grown ancient and very much broke, by the long and unintermitting Per- fecutionsof the Portnguezes^ was willing to have a Coadjutor from Babylon^ who might, after, his Death, alio fucceed him in his Biihoprick, and accordingly had one Mar Simeon fent to him by the Patriarch of Babylon,

Mar Simeon was no íboner fixed in the Ssrra^ but, finding the People, by reafon of his never having had anything to do with the Latins^to have a much greater Affeítion for him than they had for Mar Abraham^ who, tho' to his Sorrow, had been fo much among them, he was encouraged tofetupfor foleBiihop, and having fixed his »See at Carturte^ one of the principal Towns of the Chriftians^of St. Thomas^ was much favoured by the Qiieen of Pimenta^ in vvhofe Territories Car- turte is.

Thefe two Bifhops fell prefently to fulminate their Excommunications one againft another, to the great diilurbance of the whole Dioceis, and Mar Abraham finding his Adverfary to gain ground of him daily, complains of him to the Viceroy and Arch- Biihop oi Goa^ defiring them to drive Mar Simeon out of the Serra^ who was not only an Intruder, but a bitter Enemy to the Latin Faith.

The Viceroy, tho' he had no great kiiidnefs for Mar Abraham^ yet confidering that he was Biihop of the Serra^ by the Pope s appointment,

re-

the Church o/^ M a l a b a r, 3 p

refolved, if it were poííible, to eàfe hirn of his Adverfary, and underftanding that it would be a difficult thing for him to get. Mar Simeon into his hands by open force, he employed ibme Frafz- cifcan Friars to inveigle him with fair promiies to go to Rome, and get the Pope's Brief for the Bi- (hoprick, without which he could never exped: to enjoy it peaceably. .

Mar Simeon having firil: conftituted one Jacob, a Pariih Prieft his Virar General during his Ab- fence, was perfwaded by the Friars to go along with them to Cochim, from whence he was fent tCkGoa^ and from Goa upon the firrt Ships toP<?r- tugnl, and from thence to Rome, where, after having been examined by the Inquifitioin, he was declared by Pope Sixfns V. not to be in Holy Orders , and was with that Sentence upon him ient by the Cardinal St. Scvcriana to Philip the Second, who put him into the hands oíDom Aleixo de Menezes, whom he was then fending to Goa, to be Arch-Biihop of that place.

Arch-Bifhop Menezes, inílead of carrying him along with him to the Indie f, which was what Mar Simeon expefted, coniined him to a Francifcan Convent in Lisbon, from whence he is íàid to . have v/rote Letters by every Fleet, that went to the Indies to his Vicar-General J^r/?/», and in all his Letters to have iiill ftiled VàmÇá^ Metropolitan of the Indies y and to have profefs'd the Chaldean Dodrines^ theíè Letters were found by Arch- Biihop Menezes in the Serra, when he viiited it, by whom they were fent to the chief Tribunal of

B 4 ■ ' the

4©- •• A p?ort Htflory of

the General Inquifition of Portugal^ where if they found Mar Simeon alive, they doubtleis made him change his Francifcan Priion for that of the Inqnifition^ where they would take care he ihould write no more fuch Letters.

Dom Matthias^ Arch-Biihop of Goa^ having in the Year 1590. called another Provincial Coun- cil, did, in conformity to Gregory XIII's Briefs Summon Mar Abraham to repair to it, who being íènfíble how ill he had complied with what he promifed in the former Council, returned no o- ther Anfwer to the Summons, but a Saying, which, he faid^ was a Proverb in his Country, That the Cat that bites a Snah§ is afraid of her Cord^ inti- mating thereby, that he durft.not truft the Por^ tugifezes and Latin Bifhops any more : AftCF which he diílèmbled no longer, but in all things declared himfelf to be of the Chald£an Faith.

Clement V1ÍI. being informed of all this, di- fpatched a Briefs bearing date the 2'jth, oi January 1595. wherein he Commanded Dom Aleixo de Menezes J ArchBiíliop of Goa to make Inquifi- ti^n into the Crimes and Errors of Mar Abraham^ and in cafe he found him guilty of fuch things as he had been accufed of, to have him apprehended and fecured in Goa'^ as alio to appoint a Gover- nou r or Vicar- Apofloli cal of the Roman Communi- on over his Bifhoprick, and upon Mar Abraham's Death to take care that no Biihop coming from Babylon fhould be fufFered to enter into thç Serra to íucceed.

This

the Church o/" M a l a b a r. 41

This Brief was delivered to the Arch-Bifhop before he went to the Indies^ by virtue whereof, and in obedience to the Pope's Commands, he made Inquifiticn into the Crimes and Errors of Mar Abraham^ and finding him guilty of all that he had been aecufed of, he fent him his Proeeis without Summoning him to appear at Goa^ by reafon of his having been Bed- rid for fome time. ' .

The Arch-Biihop furthermore underftanding by the Informations he had taken, that Mar A- braham^ in conjunftion with all the Chriftians of his Dioceisj had fent to the Patriarch of Babylon for another Coadjutor^ Commanded thoíè oíOrmus and of all other places that lay in the way, under grievous Cenfures, to ftop all Chald£an^ Ferfian^ or Armenian Ecclefiafticks that ihould come to- wards the Indies without his Pafs. This Order was fo punctually executed, that one who came to Ormus with the Title of the Arch-Biihop of the Serra^ was difcovered in a difguife, and ient home again. There were feveral others of thoie Priefts andBifhops who attempted to get into the Serra in the Habit of Mariners, were ftopt, to the great Grief of the Chriftians of St. Thomas^ who, the more they íàw their Clergy Perfecuted, re- ípeâred them the more, and grew e^ery day more zealous for their ancient Doftrines and Rites.

The Arch-Biihop being much encouraged by the Succefs of this diligence, laid the matter of the reduftion of this Church to the obedience of the Roman^ much more to Heart than any of his

Pre-

41 Afhort Híflory of •

Predeceííors had ever done. The iiril he applied himfeli to was Jacobs whom Mar Simeon had left his Vicar General^ to whom he writ a long Letter, paííionately entreating him to throw away the Commiffion he had from Mar Simeon^ who was Convidted at Rome of not being in Holy Orders, and to fubmit himfelf to the Papal AutJdority 5 making him large Promifes of what he would do for him, if he complied with his defires. But Jacobs who died preiently after, was deaf to all the Arch-Biihop could íày to him, making it his whole bufinefs to enflame his Flock againft the Latins^ and their Dodrines.

The Arch-Biihop did not negled at the fame time to write earneftly to Mar Abraham^ as alio to the Arch-Deacon , who is the only Dignitary in that Church under the Biihop, and who is employed by him as his Ficar General, calling upon them to purge their Dioceis of the Errors wherewith it had been fo long infeded, and to reduce it to the Roman OhediQnce.

St. Francis, about this time, deftroyed a whole Fleet of J ores to the Portugueze, who, tho' he was» not ieen by any of the Portugnezes in the Fight , which was very bloody on both fides, yet a Cook who belonged to a Capuchin Convent not far off, haying hid himfelf in the Ruines of their Church, faw a Friar in his own Habit Board the Fleet of Jores, one after another, whom he fp terrified with his very look,^ as to put them all to flight immediately, and purfiied theai out of fight : This formidable Friar was afterwards

dif'

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. • 4}

difcovered to bt St. Francis ^ but tho' the Hifto- rian has not been pleafed to tell us how it came to be known certainly, he tells us it was an Adi- on very proper for St. Francis , who was the lively image of Chrifi^ to appear thus and con- found "the Enemies of Chrjflianity^ by faying. It is L Now, if this Story did not rebuild the Capuchins ruined Church , the Portngnezes were not fo gratetiil as they ufe to be in fuch cafes. But this was nothing to what their own iSt. An- thony did for them five or fix Years afterwards in a Land Battle, wherein he wasieenby feveral, where the greateft fury of the Battle was. Mow- ing down whole Squadrons of the Enemy, and at the fame time extinguiihing the Fire of the E- nemies Artillery with the Sleeve of his Sacred Habit. There were feveral Portuguezes^ its true, fell in this Fight, but they muft have been killed by fomething elfe than Fire- Arms, or at leaft than Cannon.

In the Year 1584. there came a famous Ama- zon to Goa^ who had been drove out of her Country by the Hidaicaon ^ her name was Abehi 5 ihe had Fought in feveral Battles to admiration 5 and tho' when (he came to Goa^ ihe was 62 years of Age, ihe is reported to have had a great deal of Wit, and the ruines of an exquiiite Beauty 3 (he pretended to have bufinefs of great moment to communicate to the Viceroy , but the Inqui- • ikion, no body kuev/ why, put a ftop to the Ne- gotiation ; which, after having kept her Pri- foner for fome time, baniihed her to Ormus^

from

44 ^ port Hijlory of

from whence having made her eícape, (he went to the Great Mogul's Court.

In the Year 1599. the Bull of Cruzada was firft brought into the Indies by Francifco Faria^ a Dominican Friar 5 and indeed confidering how great a Elevenue that BuU is to the Pope in Spain, and Portugal^ it is very much that it did not find its way into the Indiei fooner.

When the Arch-Biihop was vifiting the City of Damaon, he received Letters of the i6th, of Feb. 1597. from the Viceroy Matthias Dalbuquev' que^ advifing him of the Death of Mar Abra- ham, On the íàme day he received this news, he in obedience to the Pope's Briefs conftituted Francifco Roz^ a Jefuite^ and who was afterwards made Bifhop of the Serra^ Governour and Fic^ir^ Jpoflolical of the (aid Dioceis.

The May following the Arch-Bifhop being re- turned to Goa^ a Confultation was held about the Affairs of the Church of the Serra, where it was unanimouily agreed 5 that notwithftanding the Pope in his Brief had commanded none to be made Governour or Ficar Aoojhlical of the Dioceis, but what was of the Roman Communi- on, it was convenient to nominate the prefent Arch-D:;acon to it, which they did, joining Francifco Roz, and the Re^or of the Jefnites- College of Vaipicotta, in Comraiifion with him. * But it being required of the Arch-Deacon, that he fhou'd fubfcribe the Profefllon of Faith made by Vius IV. before he had his Patent he decli- ned doing it, pretending he was iiot fatisfied

with

the Church 0/ M A l a b a r; 45

with having two joyned with him in Com- milTion.

The Arch-Eiihop, tho' he was fenfible that it was the Subfcription that ftuck with him chiefly, thought fit to diflemble, ib far as to feem to be- Heve him, and by a new Patent conftituted him the fole Governour of the Biihoprick.

The Arch-Deacon accepted of this Patent, but at the fame time declared, That it gave him do Authority but what he had before 3 but when he was called upon to Subicribe the forementi- oned Profeffion of Faith, he defired four Months to confider of it, hoping by that time a Bifhop might be fent them by the Patriarch of Babylon^ when the four Months were expired. Being ur- ged a freih to Subfcribe, he told them flatly, that he would never do it, nor fubmit to the Roman Church, which he was fure had nothing to do with the Apoftolical Church of St. Thomas^ no more than that of St. Thomas had to do with the Roman, And not being íàtisfied with having made this Declaration as to himfelf, he further- more afl^embled a Synod of moft of the Priefts, and moft fubftantial Chriftians at Angamak^ the Metropolis of the Dioceis, where they all fwore to ftand by their Arch-Deacon^ in the defence of the ancient Faith they and their Fore-fathers had been bred up in, fo as not to fuíFer the leaft alte- ration to be made therein, nor ever to admit of any Bifhop, but what ihould be fent them by the Patriarch of Babylon 5 of all which they made a publick Inftrument, and having Sworn to main- tain

4 d J flmt . Hi/lory of

tain it with their Lives and Fortunes, ordered it to be pubhflied thorow the whole Diocefs.

After the meeting of this Synod, the Chrifti- ans of St. Thomas canie to be fo far enraged againft the Latins^ for what they had done to deftroy their ancient Faith., and for their having treated fo many of their Arch-Biíhçps, íb barbaroufly as they had done, that they would fuííer no Latin Prieft to officiate in their Churches, nor fomuch.^ as to live among them. Two Jefuites^ one at AngdMâk^ and another at Carturte^ having very narrowly efcaped being murdered by them. The Jefiites^ and other Latin Priefts, were fo far inti- midated, by the fury that Synod had put that whole Chriftianity into , that for fome time none of them were found fo hardy, as to ven- ture to go among them.

The news of this great and unexpeded Heat, as it did ftrangely affiid the Arch-Biihop, who had fet his Heart fo much on the reducing of thofe Chriftian.s 5 fo it v^^as the thing that made him refolve to go in Perfon to the Serra to try what his Prefence and Authority would do.

Not only the Viceroy, but the whole Clergy and Laity, and particularly the whole Chapter of Goa^ together in a body, did all they could, as it is faid, to diilwade him from fo dangerous an enterprife, but tho' he was deaf to all the Re- ftionftrances of his Friends , • yet upon a War breaking out fuddenly in the Year 1598. betwixt the Kings of Margate and Paru, in whofe Ter- ritories moil of thefe Chriftian Churches ftand,

he

the Church of Malabar. 47

.he thought fit to put off his Journey for that Year, fatisfying himfelf with writing a Letter to the Arch-Deacon to perfwade him to reconcile him- felf and his Church to that oiRomCy and acquaint- ing him with his Intentions to vifit all the Churches in the Serra, in Perfon, fo foon as the foremen- tioned War was over, which he believed would be very fpeedily.

The Arch-Deacon, when he received this Let- ter, dreading nothing fo much as the Arch-Bi- ihop s coming in Perfon among them, declared that he had refuíèd to Subfcribe the forementi- oned Profeffion of Faith, for.no other reafon, but becaufe he was Commanded to do it before the Redor of the Jefuites College of Vaipicotta^ with whom and his whole Order he pretended to be juftly diííàtisfied, giving the Arch-Biihop to underftand at the fame time, that if he would, order any other Prieft or Friar to take his Sub- icription, that he was ready to make it.

But the Arch-Biihop looking upon this only as a Trick to throw an Odium upon the whole Order of Jefuites^ and that for no other reafon, but becaufe they were themòft induftrious in the reduftion of thoíè Chriftians to the i^i?^/^^ Faith, would not comply with the Arch-Deacon*s Re- queft, in naming fome body elfe to take his Sub- fcription 5 for which Conduft the Arch-Biihqg was very much blamed, moil People, and efpe- cially the other Orders of Friars murmuring a- gainft him, as one grown fo fond of thcjefiites^ as to lofe the reduction of fo many thoufand

Souls,

48 J pmt Hiflory of

Souls, rather thaa difpleaíè the Jefuftes^

But the Jefftites , who facrifice all Interefts and Obligations to the Honour of their Order, have requited the Arch-Biihop but very ill for this his great kindneis for them, in having re- ported this Affair fo herein Europe, as to rob him of that which he efteemed his chief Glory , to wit, the Reduftion of this Church to the Roman Faith.

For in the Hiflory of the Jefnites in the Indies, publifhed by Picire dn Jarri, a Jefidte, and prin- ted at BourdeaHx, in the Year 1608. we have all that is faid by the Portugueses of Mar Abraham ^ and his Arch-Deacon's great averfion to thef Roman Church, and particularly to the whole Or- der of Jefuites, flatly contradided 5 for in that HiftOry we are told that Mar Abraham had fuch an extraordinary kindnefs for the Jefuites, that for fome time before his Death, he put himfelf fo entirely into their hands, as to be governed by them in all things ^ and that the Arch-Deacon George had fuch an high Opinion of their worth, as to declare to all the World, that without their aid and aííiftance, he ihould not know after the Arch-Bifhop's Death, how to Govern the Dioceis* It is furthermore faid, that Mar Abraham, when he was upon his Death-bed called the Redor of the College of Vaipicotta to him, and having all kis Clergy about him, declared, that he commit- ted his Flock to the Biihop of Rome, as the chief Paftor and Prelate of the whole Church , and ComninJed the Arch-Deacon, and all his Priefts,

to

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. 49

to obey the Jefuitcs^ whom his Hou^rcfs had km to cultivate that Vineyard in all things, and to be fare to follow the Do6l:nnes that the/ taught, which were the whole truth, and nothing but • the truth 5 after which Charge he is (aid farther- more to have befeeched and conjured the fLedor, by the love ofChrifl^ and the great friendppúiÇXQ had been always between them, to take care of the Government of his Church after his Death, and to have ordered an authentick inilrumcnt to be made of all this to remain as a Teilimony of his laftWill, and of the Faith he died in.

The fame Hiftory furthermore tells us, That this Church was fo far reconciled to the Pope, in the Year, 1596. that when the Jitbile of Clement VIII. was publiílied among them by the Jefidtes^ they gave his Holif/efs a thoufand Blef^ iings for it, and took a fingular pleafure in pro- nouncing his Name 5 and that during the whole time of the Jubile, they were at Church from Morning to Ni^hr, without taking any refeftion, and were fo zealous to confcfs themfelves to the Fathers, that they waited in the Church till Mid- night in great Crowds to do it. Now accor- ding to this report of things, the Arch-Eiihop, when became into theSerra^ hnd lirtle more to do than to open his Arms to embrace a People, who, being beforehand prepared by the J^fiitcs. were ready to throw themíelve-; iiico thv-rn.

But to leave Romance, and return to Hiftory, having only obfervcd by the way, that it is vi- iible from this grofs mifreprefcntation of thofe

C AL

50 JJJ?ort Hijlory of

Affairs, how little regard is to be had to the Jcfintes Reports of their Feats in the Indies 5 iince to fupporc a S;ory purely invented for the Honour of their Order, they do not boggle to pretend to have an authentick inftrument of the truth ot it, and that drawn up by the Order of a dying Prelate. ^ ■

But a thing happened at this time, which, tho' in it felf not coniiderable, did abundantly ma- nifeil how little difpofed the Clergy of this Church was to fubmit to the 'Pope,

A Boy, that went to School to the Jefiites at Vajpicotta^ having been taught by them to name the Pope in his Prayers before the Patriarch of B<2/>:}'/i>-^,being over-heard doing it in the Church by feme of the Malabar Priefts,was,atter they had beat him feverely, turned but of the Church 5 they fpoke alio to his Father to whip him out of pray- ing for the Pope, who, they faid, was none of their Prelate, nor had any thing to do with them. The Arch-Bifhop being informed thereof, writ immediately to the Arch Deacon, commanding him to make Examples of thofe impudent He- reticks, for what they had faid and done to the Boy: which the Arch- Deacon was fo far from doing, that he Honoured them the more for it. By the way, the jfe/////e.f, teaching their Scho- lars to pray for the Patriarch of Babylon^ tho' after the Pope, is one inftance, among others, of their Confcience, in thofe Parts, being fubfer- vicnt to their Policy.

But

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. j i

But the World continuing ftill to blame the Àrch-Biíhop for not putting the Affairs of the Serra into fome other hands than thofe of the Jcfiites, againft whofe order that whole Church was fo much incenied , he was obhged at laO:, tho' contrary to his Inclination, to fend a F-ra^i^ cifcan Friar to the Arch-peacon, with authority to take his Subfcripcion to the Roman Creed, and to require him to puniíh the Priefts, who had beat the Boy for naming the Pope in his Pray- er?.

The Arch-Deacon having nothing to objed againft the Francifcan Friar, and being extreamly defirous, if it was poííible, to keep the Arch- Biiliop from coming into the Serra^ tho' he refu- fed to Subfcribe the Creed of Pws ÍV. yet con- defcended to Subícribe a Confeííion of Faith, wherein he prcfeííed himfelf a CathoUcí^^ and that he believed as the Church believed , but without naming the Roj^an^ or acknowledging the Pope as univerial Paftor of the Church 5 he is furthermore faid, upon the Arch-Biftiop's iig- nifying his diflàtisfaâ:ion at the ambiguous Pro- feilion he had made, to have given his confent publickly to that of Phfs IV. being read to him in Portfígíícze^ of which he did not underftand a Syllable. But let that be as it will, it is cer- tain that he continued ftill to teach, that the Pope was the head of his own Church, but had nothing to do with that of St. Tho^j.fs,

C 2 The

5 2 A p?ort Hiftory of

The Arch-Biibop not being able to brook fuch thing? any longer, fix d a day for his going to- wards the Serra^ and when the Viceroy and the whole Clergy beg'd of him not to expofehis Per- fon to flich viiible danger, thev could have no other anfwer from him bin this. That his lifi w K hut too fecure in this cafe^ fi^if^g he had ne- •ver merited enough to entitle him to the Honour of being a M^irtyr. However, left his Humility might deceive him in pailing a Judgment upon himielf, he did not think fit to truft too much to his want of Merits 5 and for that re.3ifon went attended with a good Guard, he had alfo aCom- miflion to treat with all the Princes of Malabar^ about Peace and War, and particularly to en- gage the Samorim to aflift the Portugueze to take Cmiahle^ aFortrefs lately poíièllèd by a com- pany of Mahometan Pyrates, who did very much difturb the Portugueze Trade upon that Coaft. This Neftof Pyrates, was firft built by one Pate Marca^ a Mahometan^ who having in a ihort time enriched it ftrangely with the Spoils of the Por- tJfguezes^ both by Sea and Land , left it at his Death to his Nephew Mahomet Cnnahle Marca» This Mahomet was Governour, or rather Prince of it at this time^ and as he was nothing inferior to his Uncle in Courage or Condud, fo he had Fortified the place fo as to make it abfolutely one of the ftrongeft Garrifons m the Indies^ nei- ther did he infult the Portugnezes only, but the Mdldbars alfo, and particularly the Samorim^ in whofe Country Cnnahle flood, and who had given

leave

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. 5 J

leave to his Uncle to fortifie that place, on pur- poie to incommode the Fortugitcze.

And tho' the 'Portugneze Hiftcrians will have it, that he took this Ati'air of Omahle only in the Vi^ay to his Viiitation 5 yet by the courfe of his pro- cedure, one would be tempted to think, that it was what principally carried him to thofe Parts.

On the 2jth, of December^ 1593. the Arch- Biihop Embarked upon a Gaily Commanded by Don Álvaro de Mene%es^ and on the day oi Epi- phany^ arrived at the Bar of Cunahle^ where he joined the whole Porpfgueze Armada, Comman- ded by the Viceroy's Brother, he was falured with all the Guns and Mufick of the Fleets and liaving called a Council of War, and hearci the feveral Opinions of all the Captains con- cerning the beft way to take Omahle^ he difpatch^ ed the refolucion they had come to thereon, to the Council of Stare at Goa:^ a moft Apoftolical begin- ning of a Vifitation. After having put the Siege of Cnnahle into a good Poiture, he departed with a good Convoy to Cananor^ where he continued 16 days, and then failed to Cachim^ where he was fplendidly received by the Governour and the whole City, at the Stairs they had made on purpofe for him to Land at.

Next day, when the Magiftrates of the City came to Complement him at his Houíè, he ac- quainted them with his defign of reducing the Chriftians of St. Thomas before he returned tp

C 3 Qo4^

54 J fl?ort Híflory of

Goa, defiring their affiftance therein, which ikey frankly promifed him.

The day following His Grace having called the common Council of the City together, re- commended the enterprife of Cnnahle to them, whom he made fo fenfible of how great impor- tance it was to their City above all others, to have that Fortrefs wrefted out of the hands of the Ma- hometan Py rates, who had lately made themfelves Mailers of it, that they immediately caufed 150 Men to be Raiied and Armed at their own Charge, whom, together with a great quantity of all forts of Ammunition, they fent upon fiveftout Ships to joyn the Armada before Cunahle j the Arch-Bi^ (hop alio, to give the more life to the enterprife, fent one of the beft of his own Manchnas or Yachts, mann'd with his own menial Servants, along with them.

The King oiCochim was much troubled to hear of the Arch-Biihop's being fo hot upon the re- dudioii of Cufiahle, being fenfible that a Peace betwixt the Portnguezes and the Samorim, with- out whofe aíTiítance by Land, it-woud be hard for them to reduce that Fortrefs,muft be the Con- íèquence of the enterprife. And as there had been nothing,the Kings of C(7õfe/had been always more careful to hinder fuch a Peace, which they than did on purpofe to keep the Portngnezes in a clofer dependance upon them 5 fo the preíènt King fol- lowing the wife meafures of his Anceftors, en^ deavour'd, by a Stratagem, to deftroythe Con- fidence he faw the PortugneLcs had already repo-

fcd

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. 55

fed in the Samonm. To which end he fent his Chief Jiijhce^ and one Jou^z de Miranda^ a Gentleman of Cochim^ to wait upon the Arch- Bijhop and to acquaint his Grace from him, that he had received certain advice from fome Spies he had in the Samorim Cabinet- Council, that that Prince, whenever the Port/ignezef Landed, in- ftead of joyning with them, had determined to cat them all off in revenge of the niany In- juries they had done his Anceftors, of which danger he thought himfelf obliged , both as a Friend and a Brother in Arms to the King of Portugal to advife him.

The Arch-Bijhop , who underftood the In- trigues of Princes, as well as any Man living, returned the King his Thanks for his intelligence, but withal fent him word, that they were re- folved totruft the Samorim in,thisoccafion^ and the rather, becaufe they did not want Power to be revenged on all that iliould deceive the í^í^g of Portugal either in Peace or War. ' .;/ ^ , ..

The King, when he found his Plot had not fucceeded according to his expedntion, refolved to; divert the Samorim from fending an Army to Ciinahle^ by making a War prefcntly upon the Caimal^ or Prince of Coritgeirii his Friend and AUie : and having with incredible expedition got an Army of 60000 Men to-Jether, he fent to let the Arch-Bifiop know , tnat before he: marched he defigned to wait upon him. The Arch'Bifiop, tho'he did not go over his Threfní.Ad to meet the King, received him, when he ca^j le,

C 4 v.ith

56 A jlmt Hijlory of

with great Civility , and after the Complements were over, acquainted him firft, with his In- tention of viiiting. all the Chrijiian Churches in the Serra^ in order to reduce them to the true Chriftian Faith, from which they had very much f.verved ^ teUing him, that fince great numbers of thofe Churches were within his Territories, he expeâ:ed his aíTiftance in fo good a v^ork :. of which being ailured by the King, the Arch-Bi/Ijop went on and told him, that there was another thing that he muft not deny him, and that was to put off his War with the Caimd till Gtnahle was taken 5 the Ring gave many reafons why he could not deferr it , but the Arch-Bijhop preft him fo hard upon the point, that before they parted, he made him promiíè to disband hie Army.

The Arch-B;fl)op\\^Vmg put the Affairs of the Siege in a good pofture, begun to apply himfelf to the reduction of the Chriftians of St. Thomas ^ and the firft ftep he made towards it, was to fend to the Arch- Deacon to come and fpeak with him at Coihzm. But after having expefted him fome days, and finding that he neither came himfelf, nor returned him any anfwer, he con- cluded, as well he might, that he was afraid to venture himfelf in that City, whereupon he íènt him a Letter of fafe Conduâ^ fwearing he would not queftion him about any thing that was paft.

The Arrh-Dcaco;/^ Upon this occafion, Aííem- blçd a great number of Caçanares, and other

con-

the Church 0/ Malabar. 57

confiderable Chriftians to confult together what was beft to be done. It was agreed on all hands, that the Arch-Deacon ihou'd go and wait upon his LordfhJp^ who was a Perfon of that Autho- rity as to be able to undo them all at once, by depriving them of their Pepper-Trzdç, if they ihould difoblige him, and beiides, he was able to oblige their Kings, who were all very much at his Devotion, to Sacrifice all their Lives and E- ftates to his difpleafure 5 and what made them the willinger to comply with him therein, was, their being confident that they íhould be quickly rid of his Company, fince Winter was at hand, which they thought would certainly call him to Goa.

Upon all which Confiderations it was agreed. That they ihould give way to his faying of Mafs^ and his Preaching in their Churches, which their Books told them was a common Civility, that is every where paid to Biihops, tho' out of their own Dioceílès 5 but as for any Adts of Jurifdidi- on, fuch as Vifiting, Conferring Orders, Excom- municating, and the like, if he ihould pretend to exercife any fuch A6ts, as it was to be feared he would, that they (hou'd then put him off as well as they couM with delays, until he returned to Goa^ which they thought he would in two Months at fartheft ^ by which means they might, without embroiling themfelves with fo powerful a Prelate, wait till they had a Bifhop fent them by the Patriarch of Babylon, to whom they had writ for one 5 of all which they made a pub- lick

58 A Jhort Htflory of

Ikk Inftruraent, and for their further Security, brought together a Body of 3000 brave Men, who were all well Armed 5 the Chriftians of St. Thomas being, by much, both the ftouteft and beft Firemen in the Indies^ as the Portn- gnezes knew very well, which made them be the more zealous to reduce them to the Roman Churchy in order to make them Subjeds to the King of Portugal.

The Arch'Bifiop fent alio at the fame time to fome of their Parnqnais ^ fome of which have 40CO, fome 600c Men at their Command, to come and fpeak with him at Cochim , but they, inftead of going thither, took an Oath folemnly to make themfelves Amoucos^ after the Cuftora of the Malavars^ againft him, in cafe he offer'd any violence to their Arch-Deacon, or to any other of their Priefts. When the Malavars devote themfelves to be Amoucos for any cauie, they defend it to the laft drop of their Blood, with- out either fear or wit.

With two of thefe 'Paniqnak , and 3000 Men well Armed, the Arch-Deacon came to wait up- on the Arch-Biflop at Cochim. Don Antonio de "Noronha, the Governour of the City, met them without the Gates, and conduded them to the Arch-BiJIjops Palace. The Arch-Deacon, when he came before the Arch-Bijhop kneeled down and kifs'd his Hand, as did all the other Caçanares that were in his Company 3 the two Paniquais were alfo prefented to his Lordjhip by the Arch-Deacon^ who when the Arch-Bipop, and the Governour,

and

the Church 0/ Malabar. jp

and the Arch-Deacoa came to fit down, placed themfelvcb at the Elbows of the Arch-Bifljop*^ Chair, where they ftood all the while with their broad Swords naked over his Head. The door of the Room where they were being iliut, to keep out the Crowd, thoíè that ftood without imagining that it was done to make their Arch- Deacon a Priibner, faid to one another, this is the time to die for our Arch-Deacon^ and for the Church of St. Thomas^ but being aíTured that their Arch-Deacon Was in no danger, they were quieted.

After the hubbub was over, and they had dif- courfed together for fome time, ic was agreed, that the Arch-Bifiop ihould go next day to Faipi- cotta^ which upon the account of its having a College of Jefaites in it , (hould be the firft Church he ihould Vifir, and that the Arch- Dea- con with his Caçanaresj ihould repair thither im- mediately.

The Jrch'Bifiop having furniihed himfelf with all Necellaries for his Voyage, embarked with all his Retinue uponffeven Tones or Grf^/>j,and Roque- de Mello Pereyro , who had been Governour of Malaca^ attended him with two G^^/ex more, and Joan Pereyra de Miranda^ who was afterwards Governour of Cranganor with one.

Being arrived at Vaipicotta^ he was conduced by the Jefaites^ and their Scholars, and the whole Village to the Church, where, with his MitrQ on his Head, and his Crofier in his hand, he gave them a long Sermon. His Text was. He that.

enter-*

6o A p?on Hijlory of

entereth not in by the door. See. on which words he told them at length, That none were true Pa- jiorsj hut what entered in by the door of the Komzn church, and were fent by the Pope, who was Chrifi's Vicar 5 'which none of their former Prelates having been, who had been all fent to them by the Schifma- tical Bijhopf of Babylon, they were all Thieves and Murderers of the Flock. When he had done his Sermon, he bid them come next day to the Church to be confirmed, which fome did 5 to whom, after he had confirmed them, he told the news of Purgatory, â place moft of them had never heard of before.

Ail this while no Arch-Deacon appeared, who came not to Vaipi coita, till two days after the arrival of the Ârch-Bijíjop. He had delayed his coming on purpofe, that he might not by his pre- fence, feem to confent to any of thofe things, which he knew the Arch-Bi/Jjop would offer to do at that place.

Tho' the Arch-Bifjop knew well enough what it was that had made the Arch-Deacon loiter Co behind , yet he difíèmbled fo far as to receive him very kindly, treating with him about the cDurfe he was to take in the reduction of the Church, who Teemed to approve of every thing that was propofed to him.

The Arch-Bi/hop went daily to Matins and Vefpers, which were fung by thofe of the Semi- nary in Chaldee, but coming tounderftand at lafV, for he under ftood Chaldee no more than he did Malavar, that they prayed therein for the Patri- arch

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r,' 61

arch of Babylon^ ftiling him the Univerjal Pajior of the Church, a Title that all Patriarchs, as well as the Pope, have aíííimed to themfelves for fome Hundred of Years (nay, by what Gre* gory I. has faid of that Title, I do not know but the Pope might be one of the laft that aíTumed it ) he refolved not to permit fo wicked a thing to be done any longer, notwithftanding all that the good Jefiites, who out of Policy had all along complyed with it, could íày to diiiwade him ^ and fo having one Evening, without com- municating his defign to any one, called all the Jefmtes, Mafters of the Seminary, and the Arch^ Deacon, and his Ca^anares, together at his Lodg* ings, having firft made a Speech to them to prove, That the Pope was the only Head of the Church on Earth, and that the Bijhop of Babylon zvas a Here' tu\ and Schifmatick^ , he pulled out of his Pocket an Excommunication lat£ fcntentj£, commanding his Secretary to read it with an audible Voice, and his Interpreter to declare it to thoíè that did not underftand Latin, in Malavar, by which he Commanded, That no Perfon Secular or Ecile/í- aflick^ do from henceforward prefu.'^/e to pray fir the Patriarch of Babylon. He Commanded the Arch-Deacon and C^i^tnares to fignit, and finding the Arch -Deacon had a great mind to have fhuf- fled it off, he faid to him, Sign it. Father, fir it if fill time the Axe were laid to the Root of the Tree 5 to which the Arch-Deacon returned no an- fvver , but Signed it without faying a woid, as did all the other Cii^a/zares , after which

it

6i A [hort Hiftory of

it was fixed to the Gates of the Church.

The Chriftians of the Village, when they came to hear of what had been done, run, as if they had been Mad, in a Body to the Arch-Dea-^ cons Lodgings, where, with one voice, they íèt up a moft lamentable howl, crying out, That the Arch-BJfiop of Goa, rvith his Portuguezes was come to defiroy their Religion , a;id had ajfronted their Patriarch, by whom they had been Governed for above 1 200 T(^ars 5 and after having exclaimed againft the Arch-Bifiop at a moft hi. ter rate, and bewailed their great Mifery, in having Strangers come among them to deftroy the Rehgion they had been born and bred in, they told their Cajja- nares^ that if they would but give way to it, they would either Sacrifice their Lives in defence of their Religion, or be revenged on thofe that had affronted it.

But the Arch-Deacon having made a fign, that he defired to be heard, they all held their Peace, he told them, There was a time for all things^ and that that was not a time for Revenge^ but DiJJimn- lation 5 that it was true he had Signed the Excom- munication , but that he did it purely out of Fear^ for they were to confider^ that^ be fides the Strength the Arch-Bi(hop had brought along with him^ he had engaged the King of Cochim, in whofe Country they teere^ to proteã him in all he did^ and who, if they fhould offer any ajfront to the Arch-Biiliop , would certainly revenge it on their Lives and Ejiates, As to himfelf he was refolved to die in defence of the Religion of his Country, fooner thoji confcfit to the

intra-

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. 6 j

inlrodHãionofVo^txy'-) adding, The Portuguezes» if they lik^d their own Religion^ might live in it^ in God's Name^ and he krievp no Body that would trouble them for it ; but that he fiw no reafon why they fl:>0Hld thus difiurb and perfecute People in their own Country^ hecaufe they will not turn Papifts, or change their old Religion for theirs^ and that a-s to the Arch-Biihop, the thing that made him fo furious to dejiroy the Authority of f^e Patriarch of Babylon was, that he might make himfelf Primate of the In- dies 5 to which he hoped, none of the Chrifiians of Malabar would ever confent, or would ever be per- fwaded to forfake their old Religion for that of Popery. At this they all gave a great ihout, crying, They would lofe their Lives, and all they had in the World, before they would do it. But none of the forementioned Amoucos being among them, it's like, at that time' they went no fur- ther.

The Portugueses upon this uproar , did not forbear to blame the Arch- Bifljop, for having pub- liihed fuch an Excommunication, contrary to the advice of all that were about him, advifing him to haften aboard his Galleys if he would ftcure his Perfon^ he told them 5 He was fo far from re- penting for what he had done, that were it to do again, he would do it, and that injiead of retreating to Cochim, he would go next Morning to Paru.

Paru is the Metropolis of a Kingdom, wherein the nobleft Body of all the Chriftians of St. Thomas lives, bat withal, the mofl: violent againft P<?/?er/, as they had fufficiently manifefted on ieveral oc-

cafionsj

04 Jfhort Hijiory of

caiions 5 for tho' Doit Jorge \dH Cruz^ and I^on Joan dn Cruz , both Natives of the Country^ had been fent by the Portuguezes to Rovie in the time of Gregory XIII. who had done them great Honours there, and had granted them ma- ny Indulgences for their Churches, and withal, a Privileged Altar therein, yet their Countrymen did not only flight all thoíè Indulgences^ but would not fo much as fuffer them, tho* of two of the ncbleft Families in the Country, to offici- ate in any of their Churches, and at laft forc'd them to leave the Kingdom, their own Brethren and Kinsfolk, having the firft hand in their ex- pulfion.

The Chriftians of Paru^ tho' thus afFeded to • the Roman Church, had, according to the fore- mentioned Agreement, prepared great Feflivities for the reception of the Arch-Bijljop^ hoping, by fuch Complements, to have kept him from doing any buiinefs^ but, having the Night before he came, heard of what he had done at Vaipi- cotta to their Patriarch , they turned all their Fefizvitks into Armt^ and were fo much inceníèd againft him, that when he Landed, he was met by eight or ten Períbns only that waited on the Arch-Deacon,

The Arch'Bi/hop^ tho' he read trouble and de- jedion in all their Countenances, feemed to take no notice of it, but with hJs Crofs carried before him went diredly to the Church, which, con- trary to Cuftom, he found full of Armed Men, without fo much as one Woman or Child a-

mongft

the Omrch 0/ M a l a B a r, 6 j

mongft them 5 whereupon, being appreheniive left his Guards and Servants, ii they continued afhoar, might come to Blows with the MaUvars^ whom he faw fo much difpofed to Quarrel, he Commanded them all aboard except two Priefts, who were to aííift at the Offices.

The Arch-Br/ljop having put on his Pontificah^ and given his Bleirmg to the Congregation, made a long difcouríè to them, ihewing them , That there vcas but one true Re'ighri , rvhich n>as the Roman, and that all Chrifl-iuns were under an in- difpenfable obligation to frbmit themjelves to the Pope. After he had done his Sermon, which lafted an hour and an half, and explained to them the Doftrine of the Sacrament of Confirvia. tjon^ and then called upon them to come to it 5 the Congregation, tho' they had heard him till then very quietly, began to cry out with greac fury. That they xcoitld never be Confirmed by /j////, that being a thing that none of their Prelates had ever jijed^ and that it w.is 710 Sacrament of Chyiii's Injiitittion^ but an lnve?ition of the Portuguezes to make them their Slaves^ by fetting a Mark on their Foreheads, and giving; them a Box on the Ear, which is what nil the Rornan^\\\ ops do in Co^ifir- niation^ and tho the Daft a rds in Vaipicotta had been fo tarne as to fuffr themfelves to be buffered and en^ flaved by him^ they would never endure it^ nor fuf- fer bird to touch their Beards^ or t heir' IVi ver Faces 5 that he might go home in a good hour to his Poxiu- guezes, and let them alone with their Religion^ and if he did continue to dijlurb them thus^ it fiould

D coji

66 A íliort Hiftory of

cojl him dear. The Arch-BJfiop heard all this with great patience, and fitting down, endea- voured to convince them of the Truth of the Sacrament of Confirmation-^ but when hp per- ceived that they were the worfe, rather than the better for what he faid to them, having mu- ftered all his Courage together, he rofe up, and having advanced two fteps with his Crofier in his hand, he told them with great heat, That the Faith he Preached to ihem was the Faith of Chrift and St. Thomas, and iV(fs believed by all ChriflianSy and that he iv^fs ready to die to confirm the truth of it 5 but they being as ready to die for their Reli- gion as he was, or pretended to be, for his, that Argument had no eíFeót at all upon them. He furthermore challenged all thofe that Talked a- gainji 'the Roman Faith by Night in Corners , to come forth^ if they durji^ to difpute with him pub' lickjy j which the ■ Arch-Deacon^ who the Night before had allembled moO: of the confiderable Chriftians of Barii together, and had made them promiíè never to throw off the Patriarch of Ba~ bylon^ taking to himíèlf, he rofe up in a paííion, and having asked aloud who they -were that taught Herefies in' the dark^^ and that Preached no where but in Corners^ flung out of the Churchy and going into the Town picked up eight or ten Boys, whom he prefented to the Arch-Bijhop to be confirmed by him, pretending, that with all that he was able to do, he could periwade no more to come : The Arch-Bi/hop having confirmed thefe Boys, returned to his GalUes very angry,

and

the Church o/^Malabar. 67

and finding there was nothing more to be done at Paru, he determined to Sail next Morning to Mangate^ to fee how thoíè Chriflians ftood af-

When he came to the Church of Margate ^ a Town chiefly inhabited by Chriftians, he found the Church filled with Houíhold Goods and Wo- men, by reafon of the War that was then on foot between the Kings of Margate and Paru. After having comforted the Chriftians for the Loííes they had fuftained, and given them his Bleffing, he began to Preach againit the Errors they had been Educated in. But having advice that there were fome Jmon<^os coming after him from Paru^ he went ftraightways aboard his Gallies, and row- ing away before Night, he arrived next Morn- ing at Cheguree^ a. place belonging to his Friend the King of Cochim 5 where having fent aihore an Order to the Ca(^anares and Chriflians to meet him at the Church, he had word fent him,that the Church doors were all (hut, and there was nei- ther Man, Woman, nor Child, to be feen in the whole Village 5 he was informed 'at Night, that the Arch-Deacon was in the Town , but that he had fhut himfelf up in a Houfe, and was reiblved never to fee his Lordfiip again.

The Portugnezes that were in his Train, as well Ecclefiafticks as Seculars, were at him perpetually to give over this enterprife, and not to expofe his Perfon and Dignity (as he did) to no purpofe, but inftead of returning any anfwer to their

D 2 Impor-

68 J fl?ortHiJlory of

Importunities, he retired all alone to his Cabh/,. where he wrote a long Letter to the Arch- Deacon^ in which he iwcre that he remembred nothing that was paft, and that he had no defign of doing him any harm, and if he would but do him the favour to come and fpeak with him once more, he did not doubt but that hefhould be able to convince him of his Errors, promiilng with all to do great things for him, if he vvould but endrely fubmit himfelf to the Roman Church.

This Letter was delivered the fame Night to the Arch-Deacon^ who having read it, called the Cacanares together, and told them, that it being a icandalous thing in them to decline treating with the Arch-B/fljop above board , about the Affairs of Religion, he was for their going to wait upon him to hear what he could iay, but with fuch a Guard, that it ihould not be in his Power to make'them Prifoners. Having all agreed to this Propoiition, they fent to the Arch B/pop to let him know, That if he would be pleafed to come aihoar, they would wait upon him : The Areh'Bifiop fent them back word, That the Sun was too hot to ftand in, and defired them therefore to come aboard his Galley, which lay with her Ster;^ on ground. The Arch- Deacon and Qi^anares feeing the Galley quite furrounded by their People ventured to go aboard ; where being come, they were conduced to the Arch- Bif/jops Cabin, where they found him with all his Pritils, Jefuftcs^ and feveral Gentlemen ex- pcding them. After fome difcourfe, the Arch-

Dcacoft

the Church 0/ M a l a b a ii. 60

Deacon told the Arch-Bijhop ^ That it was fn/e ihey had not received his Grace fo courtcoufly as might have been expccfed^ nor indeed as they inten- ded to have done\. had he not fallen fo foul upon , their Patriarch, -pphow^ tho he had been f leafed to call an excommunicate Heretick^^ they k^^ew to be both a Catholrcl^ and a moji holy Man^ and endea- voured to introduce fever al Novelties into the Serra, which they and their forefathers had never fo much as heard of before. To all which the Arch-B/fop anfwercd, That he was fure they were not ignorant of the Patriarch of BabylonV being a ProfijfdK^-- ftorian, and not to trouble them with any Arguments to prove that all Neftorians .muf be Htreticl^f^ he would only ask_ them one (ingle '^jtejiion^ which was, Whether they believed; the Gofpel of St. John ? They told him they did^ and would die ratLer than deny any thing that was revealed in it. Well then^ faid the Arch-Bifiop^ -pray tell me^ how you can re- concile what St. John fa/th^ The word Was made Flefli, and dwelt among us, with what your Pa- triarchs and Bifjops have taught ynu^ to wit^ that the Word did not make it ftlf ficib, and that Chrift was not God, and that God did not make himfelf Man, for do you not jing in yojtrXkurches 7ípon the Feaji of the Nativity ^ that the Word did not make it felf FlejJj^ as the unbelieving Romans • teach^ but did only dwell in Chrifl as in a Temple, The Arch-Deacon returned no nnfwer to this» but paffing to another point, fliid to the Arch- Bifjopj Tour Grace would fain perfvcade us likewifi.^ that nonç .can be Caved out of the Obedience of the

D J "Ro

70 J Jhort H'tflory of

Roman Churchy which is what St. John no where fzitk^ that ever I could fee 5 heftdes^ we have in our Archives a Letter of St, Caius, Bijhifp of Rome, wherein he confejjeth that he had iiothing to do with the Church of Babylon, no more than the Church of Babylon had to do with his Church, We have alfo another Letter^ which is called in our Books the Letter of the Lord's-day, becaufe it is faid upon that day to have fallen down from Heaven^ where- in the fame Truth is affirmed. Here the Arch-Bijloop run into a long difcoarfe of the Primacy of St. Feter^ and of the Fopes being his Succeííor, and Chrifi's Vicar upon Earth ^ after which they came at laft to this Agreement, That as to matters of Faith, a Synod fhould be called to determine them ^ and that in the mean while the Arch-Bi- Jhop might, if he pleafed, give the Bleiling, and Preach in any of their Churches, but ihould not be received in them as their Prelate, but as a Biihop that was a Stranger, neither ihould he pretend to Co^Jirm^ or do any other Epifcopal Ad within that DioceG. This Agreement was Signed by the Arch-Bifiop and the Arch-Deacon^ and all the Ca<^anares who were preíènt, with a Declaration that the Synod ihould be Celebrated before IVhitfuntide^ and that the Arch-Deacon lliould no longer ftir up the People againft him, nor go attended with fuch Troops of Armed Men as he had done formerly. '" '"^'

This Agreement being Signed, the Arch-Bi- /hop fet Sail for Canhw\ whither the Arch-Deacon went by Land, not daring to truft himfelf by

Wa-

.the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. 71

Water, where he would have been in the Power of the Portugueses,

At Canhur he was received very friendly by the Chrifiians^ who had been told by the Arch- Deacon^ that he did not pretend to come among them as their Prelate, but only as a Stranger, but tho'he kept to his Agreement fo far as not to of- fer to do any thing but give the BleiTing and Preach, yet in his Sermon^ which vvas a very long one, he talked fo much of the Roman Churchy and its Supremacy , and of the obligation all Churches were under to fubmit to it, that the whole Congregation were much offended with him, úiQ Arch' Deacon was likewife difcontented with it, and being Sick, or at leaft pretending he was, returned to Cheguree to be cured 5 and the Arch-BiJ/jop having other work on his hands, vvas willing enough to difmifs him^ who, in purfu- ance of thelnftruftion he brought with him from Goa^ was obliged to haften to Coulaon^ a Fortreis belonging to the Portifgu.:%es^ to íèe in what condition it was, and to take fome couríè to have the Fort the King of Trav.mcor was build- ing in its Neighbourhood, and would much in- commode it, demolifhed. „ '._^',',

On the íiríl of March he fet Sail for ifeftle that is within two Leagues of Cochim^ where the Governour and Bifliop^ot" the City met him, to whom having communicated his Defigns, he Sailed diredly ^otForcoa^ where the King of the Country had been fome days expeding him ^ he went to a Church that was there in the Evening,

D 4 where

7 % A fJport Hijlory of

where he was kinuly received by the Chriftians ; the King, who profeiled a great Friendmip for the Porti/gííezes, having Commanded them, upon pain of hii difpleafare, to comply with the Arch- Bifiop in all things. After having Preached, he vt^ent to Lodge at the Houfe of the Caç^anar^ whi- ther the Ring came at Night to vifit him , the Arch-Bifiop entertained him very friendly, and thanked him for the kindnefs he had fhewed to úiQChrijlians of St. Thomas^ and their Churches, and for having cleared his Coaft of Pyrates : the King, after fome Complements defired to be admitted to the Honour of being a Brother in Arms to the King of Portugal^ as the King of Cochim had been : The Arch-Bifiop told him, that was aa Honour the King of Portugal never did to any King, before he had merited it by fome íignal Service ; however, he promifed to do all that lay in his Power to help him to it.

Next Morning the Arch-Bijímp went to Church, where he faid Mafs^ and afterwards confirmed the whole Congregation, notwithftanding his late folemn Promiie to the contrary, as indeed none but Fools will ever exped, thatPapifts will ob- ferveany fuch Promifes longer than the lirft op- portunity they have to break them. ' :*■'

From PorcoA he failed diredly to Coidaon, where, under pretence of vifiting a Church that ftood near the Fort the King of Travancor was building, he took a view of the Fort, and finding it was near finiftied, and would in ã few days :haivc a Ganifon put m it, he immediately dif-

patched

the Church 0/ Malabar. 7j

patched away a Meííènger to the Captain Gene- ral of the Fleet and Troops that were before G/- ?iahle^ to come forthwith with his whole Armada, todemoliih the faid Fort, which, if he came quick- Jy, he mi^ht do with great eafe, for that he would find none in it but Workmen.

Now you muft know that the Arch-Bijhop^ when he was laft at the Bar oiCunahk^ notwith- ftanding that the Ring of Travancor and the For- tHguezes were at that time in Peace, had left a private Order with the General, that ib íbon as he was Mafter of Cnnahk^ he íhould fet Sail im- mediately Vv'ith the whole Armada^ and demoliih this Fort, which, by reaibn of Cnmhles not being yet taken, had not been executed.

But while the Arch-Bijhop was expecting the Captain-General, he received the bad news of a great Qaughter of PortHguezes in an Attack they had made upon Cunahle^ and that the Captain- General was retired to Cochim to have his wound- ed Men cured 5 from whence he intended to come and wait upon him for further Orders.

The Arch-Bift)op was extreamly troubled at this >3ews, as well upon the account of the great numbers of Peribns of Quality that had been killed in the Aólion, as becauíè he feared it would very much hearten the Kings of Malabar^ who had till then ftill looked upon the Portttguezes as Invincible. V/herefore, to prevent the ill effeds thai the true News of this Defeat might have up- on the Minds of the Princes of Malabar^ he dif- -I Patched Letters immediately to all of them to * ^"^ V acquaint

74 A fhort Hi/lory of

acquaint them with the great Vidory the Poriu^ guezes had obtained before Cunahk ; and tho' he acknowledged, that it was purchaied with the Blood of feveral brave Men, among whom were fome of his own Kindred, who were very dear to him, yet he did not doubt but that they would infallibly carry the Place, at the next Attack they made.

Thefe tricks of the Ârch-Btjloop coming fo thick, one upon the neck of another,for here we have no fewer than three of them in lefs than a Fortnight, puts me in mind of what Manud de Faria íàith of him in the ^d. Tome of his Âfa Portuguefa^ which I (hall give the Reader in his own words, " Efte illuftre Prelado eftuviera yo por ventura "en el numero de los íantos, íi no paííàra a " Efpanna a donde le quito efta gloria , en la " opinion mortal, la deíicil dei acierto en el " maneio de los grandes pueftos que vinoa ocupar, " o fueííen íolicitu|dos,?o fueííèn ofrecidos. This lUufirious PfelatCj had he never returned to Spain, had^ in all probability^ been made a Saint before this time, where, thro"* the difficulty there is in the managery of high Pojis, whether offered to him or procured by SoUicitations, he loji all the Glory he had acquired in the Indies in the Opinion of the World,

His High Pofts in Spain ^ which the Author faith he does not know whether he procured by Sol- licitations or not, were the Primacy of Braga^ and Viceroyjldip of Portugal, under Philip III. for two Years, and the PrefidentJJjip of the Council of

State

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. 75

State of Portugal at Madrid^ in which Office and Court he died.

What his Mifcarriages were in Spai^í, whereby he is faid to have forfeited his Glory, I have not been able to learn 5 but whatever they were, one would think that the violating of a folemn Agree- ment openly, within a Week after it was made, and the ordering a Fort belonging to a Prince, that was in Peace with them, to be treacheroufly demoliihed, and the difperfing of notorious Falihoods only to ferve a turn, ought to be no very good title to Saintjhip. But the Arch-Bifljop^ if he could have had hands to have executed it, had íèrved the Ring of Travancor a much woríè trick than this, when he was upon his Vifitation that was after the Synod. We are told of a live- ly thing (poke by a PortHgueze Captain, that was very brave, but had fcarce Bread to eat, who, in this Siege, having feven of his Teeth ftruck out with a Mofquet-Bullet, after he had wiped his Mouth faid. The Mahometan Lid done him no Ifijury^ and had ktioxon douhtUfs he had no need of Teeth, But to return to the Story.

The Arch-Bijhop , after having lent this falfe News about, and having fent to the Queen of Chaffganate^ to let her know, that he ihould not be able to m.eet her according to his Promiíè, until he returned 5 Sailed in great haft to Cí^cã/^,^. to conferr with the Captain- General, and to' confult whether it would not be convenient to make an abiolute Peace with the Samorim^ and the rather becauíè he had been fo true to his

Word,

yé A [hort Hijlory of

Word, in carrying on the Siege of CunahU» It was agreed on all hands that fuch a Peace would be convenient at that time 5 however, they would not venture to conclude it before they had the Viceroy <, Opinion of it, to whom they fent the Projed.

The Arch-Bijhop^ after he had difpatched this bufineis. Sailed to MoUndnrte^ a great place of Chriftians, where he was received very kindly/ which kindnefs of theirs is faid to have coft them dear 5 for the King of Cochim^ to whom Molandurte belongs , being grown extreamly jealous that the Jrch-Bi/hop, under a pretence of reducing the Chriftians of Sr. Tko/f/a^ to the obe- dience of the Roman Church, defigned to bring them under the obedience of the Crown of Por- tugal^ as it is plain he did from the 2â^th Decree of the laft Âãion of the following Synod, for this very reafon laid a great Tribute upon them, which they have not been able to this day to fhake off 5 and furthermore Commanded them, upon pain of Death, to repair to Angamde to their Arch' Deacoft, who being there, and having heard, it's like, of the Arch-Bifhop's having vio- lated their Agreement within lefs than a Week after it was made, begun to thunder out Excom- munications againft him , writing to all his Churches to have nothing more to do with him, and to all the Princes of Malabar, to have a care of him as a Perfon that had ill defigns upon their Subjeds.

While

the Church 0/ Malabar. yy

While the Jrch-Bifljop was at Molandurte^ vvhere he confirmed and exercifed all Epifcopal Aits, he received Letters from the Viceroy ap- proving his Projeiâ of Peace with the Samorim^ and defiring him to return to Vaipim to Sign it, which he did in great hade, as did the Gover- noLir and Biihop of Qochim alio, who both met him there.

This Peace was much promoted on the Samo^ Tim fide by his Nephew and firft Minifter Vmare Cher are ^ who, notwithftanding he had been pri- vately Chriftned by Father Roz,^ had leave to con- tinue to Profefs himfelf a Heathen ftill,the better to enable him to ierve the Portuguezes^ which he did eíFedually, both by communicating to them daily all the Secrets of his Uncles Cabinet- Coun- cil, whereot he v/as Prefident, and by difpofing him to have a good opinion of the FortiigHczes:^ which was what he would not have been in a ca- pacity to have done, but would have been imme- diately difgraced , and turned out of all , had he diicovered himfelf to have been a Chriftian fo ibon as he was Baptized. And as for the Arch'B^fiopj we find he was ib far from condemm:; ing either the Pi ince or the Jefuite for this fcan- dalous diiiimulation, that after the Celebration of the Synod he confirmed and anointed the Prince therein, by giving him the Sacrament of Chrifm or Confirmation^ with the fame Secrefic, and tlic fame Difpeníàtion as the Jjçíuix ha4 given him that of Baptifm. .Ji-B^fdni?. -mi

After

7 8 A fhort Híftory of

After he had difpatched the Peace, Signed to the Captain-General, he íèt Sail for Diamper, the ancient Seat of feveral of the Biíhops of the Serra^ where meeting with feveral that had a mind to take Orders, there having been no Ordination in the Biihoprick for two Years, he gave notice that he intended to conferr Or- ders on the Sdturday before the Fifth Snnday in Lent.

He writ alio to the Arch-Deacon to come and affift at the Solemnity 5 the Arch-Deacon was much concerned at the news , and writ him back word, That this was contrary to the late A- greement they had made together^ and that his do- ing of it would put an end to the Affair of the Synod^ which he feemed to dejire fo much^ fince the prin- cipal point that was to he debated therein was^

WibttW i)e m^ tíjeíi* ip^late o? no f But the

Arch BiJIoop fanfying that the Arch-Deacon talked of a Synod only to amufe him and gain time, writ him word, that nothing ihould hinder him from Conferring Orders at the time appointed^ and not only ib, but that he would exercife all other Ads of Epiicopal Jurifdiftion, in obedience to the Pope's Briefs^ to whom all the Churches of the World were fubjeâ:. The Arch-Deacon finding he was abfolately determined to Ordain, deiired him, fince he was refolved to do't right or wrong, to Ordain none but Latins^ for ib they called not only the Portuguezes^ but all the Malavars^ who were bred up under the Jefuites. The Arch-Bipop fent him word again, that he ^ would

ihe Church o/^Malabar. y^

would Ordain both Latins and Chald(eans^ it be- ing his bufinefs to deftroy that diftindion by bringing all Chriftians under one head. Upon this the Arch-Deacon finding nothing elfe would do, ordered an Ediâ: to be publiíhed in all the Churches of the Diocefs, prohibiting all Chrift;- ans, upon pain of Excommunication, lata fettten- ti£^ to receive any Orders from him, with which he fent another Inftrument, commanding all Priefts and Chriftian People not to fuíFer him to come into any of their Churches, as alfo not to be prefent at any of his Majfes or Sertmns,

The Arch-Bifiop had Preached two days fol- lowing, and had confirmed a great many before thefe Inftruments had reached Diam^er.:^ but after they came once to be publiíhed, they put a full ftop to what went on fo currently before : The oldeft Ca^anar of the Church requiring the Arck* Bijhop^ upon the receipt of them, to leave the place, and not to offer to fet his Foot in their Church any more, nor to Confirm any Body, which among them, who anointed Children on the Head when they were Baptized, was an un- neceílàry Ceremony.

Notwithftanding this, the Arch-Bifhop continued ilill a Preaching, and when the day appointed for the Ordination was come. Ordained 57 on it, having firil obliged them to fubfcribe the Faith of ^ius IV. and to fwear obedience to the Pope. After this Solemnity was over, the Arch-Bijhop determined to pafs the Holy Wee-k-y and Eafler at Carturte, a confiderable Town of

Chri-

8o JJhort Hijlory of

Chriftiant in the Dominions of the Queen of 'Pimenta, He took, feveral Churches in his way thither, at fome of which he met with a kind Reception, at others the Chriftians would not ib much as iee him. Being^ arrived at Carturte, after a dangerous Voyage, on the Friday before Palm-SHnday^ he went to Church betimes next Morning, where having (aid Mafs^ and Preached, he Commanded the Congregation not to fail to be at Church next day, for that he had fome- thing of Importance to communicate to them^ and having the íàme Night invited feveralof the moft confiderable Chriftians of the place aboard his Galley, by fome means or other , for you muft underftand he was not fparing of his Money in this occafion, no more than he was of his Promifes, he gained two of the moft fubftantial among them intirely to his Party, who did him afterwards very great Service : Their Names were Itimato Mapnla^ and Itimane Mapnla.

The Arch-Bijhop not knowing but that the Por- í«^«e;&eí Mufick might charm the common People, and reconcile them to the Latin Service, to which they feemed to have a great averfion, íènt for a full Quire from Cochim^ and on Valni- Sunday had high Mafs performed with the fame Ceremony and Majefty that he could have had it done at Goo. : but the Ca<^a/rares and People were fo far from being fatisfied with the Muiick and pompous Ceremony of that Service, that if they liked it ill before, they hked it a great deal woríè after that, as in truth none but they that

place

the Church 0/ M a l a b a k. 81

place all Religion in external Performances can do otherwife, there being no PaiTion which that Service will not excite in its Spectators ( which is all the People are) fooner than Devotion.

The Queen of Pimenta being impor tun'd to it by feveral Chriftians, and her own Jealouiies, fent an Order to the Arch-Bifiop to leave her Kingdom íe three days upon pain of Death, and not to trouble her Subjeds with his Novelties^ un- der which, (he had reafon to apprehend £bme ill defign againft her State was couched. But the Arch'BiJhop knew his own ftrength too well to be frighted away with Paper Threats, and ib fent the Queen back word poiitively, that he would not ftir out of her Territories before he had liniihed the work that had brought him thither, telling her withal, That he was fervbig her rather than othermfe in what h^ was doings anã that her Anceftors had granted privileges to the Arch- Bijhop of the Serra, bnt being Infidels had fiever offered to concern themfelves in the matters of their Religion , That ifjhe Jliould Murther him^ fije mnfh kftoTv^ that fhe Muthered the fee 0 fid Man in the Indies 0 and that his would he the deareji Blood that ever flje Jpilt in herLifi'^ fmce the Portuguezes, the Greatnefs of whofe Power fie and her Kingdom cokld not be but fenjible of having fo often fdt i/, would infal- ' libly Revenge his Death to the utmofi, n

What made the Arch-Bifiop the ftouter in úm occafion, was his knowing that he had fecured moftof her Regedores^ namely him oi Carturte, and the Country about it to his Party, vvhoai

E he

82 Â P)Qrt Biflory of

he had engaged by very ridi Prefents to favour and proted him in the execiuion of hisdeiigns. The Arcb-Bijhop having thus intimidated the Queen, and uribed her Officers, began to make bolder fteps than he had offered to make before, and ib íeeiníT a CacAnir at Church one day, whom he had excommunicated but a little before, for having prefumed to excommunicate him, he ient to htm to get him out of the Church, which was no place for an excommunicate Rebel as he was. The C^C'-z^/i^r laughed at the Order, and told him very briskly. That he would not go out oftheChnrch^ for that he rvas none of hk FreUte^ treithcr aid he vdne Roman Excommitnicationi ?w more than he did the dirt under his fiet ; the Roman Church having nothing to do with the Church of the Serra j the Arch-Bijhop not being able to bear fijch a pubUck Affront, and knowing his Party in the Church to be the ftronger, commanded the Ser- vice and Mufick to ceafe 5 and turning towards the place where the Qçanar ftood, commanded him to come up to him, which the Cacanar re- fufing to do with great fcorn 5 he was dragged up to him by fome C/çrí/Mrc/, and others that he had gained to his Party, and being kept down upon his Knees before him, was commanded to beg his Lord/Ijip's Pardon, he told them refolutely. He would die before he would do it^ or any thing where* by he jljonld ackftowledge him his Prelate. The Arch'Bijbop perceiving that he was not to" be ter- rified into a compliance, ordered him to be turned out of the Church 3 the Cacanar told

him,

the Church 0/ Malabar. 8^

him. He would not be turned out of a Church where he hud more to do than he had, 5 upon this the whole Church was all in an uproar, fome ftriving to keep him in the Church, and others to thruft him out, but the Ar^f-h-Bífiops Party being the lironger, after a great dirturbancej turned out he was.

The Night following feveral Caç^nares nnd others, abjured the Patriarch of Babylon , and were reconciled to the Church of Ro/^/e rit the Arch'Bifljofs Lodgings , which were over the Church. After which the Arch-Biihop was re- iblved either to make the Arch- Deacon bend> or to break with him totally 0 and ^o having all his Converts together, without whofe advife he told them he would never do any thing 5 he de- clared to them that he could no longer bear v/ith the Arch-Deacons Rebellion, and was therefore determined to depofe hira, and put another in his place, naming one Thomas Curia a near Kins- man of the Arch-Deacons^ to be his Succelior. They all owned that His Grace had great reafon to be angry with the Arch-Deacon :) but yet fee- ing he was but a young Man, and had had the ill luck to be in the hands of bad Counfellor?, they intreated UisGrace^ before he declared his place void, to allow them fome time to admoniih him in, and to try whether they could not per- fwadehim to Conformity 5 for which they dí:fí' red but twenty days, promiiing, that if he did not fubmit within the time, that they vv'ould never own him more, but would fubmit to any

E 2 Jnh'

^4 A flm-í Hijlory of

Arch- Deacon that His Grace fhould fet over them. Next day they fent fix to treat with him, who, tho' they took a great deal of pains to perfwade him to lubmit himíèlf to the Arch-Bijkof^ could not prevail with*him to do it.

On Eãjlér-Eve the Arch- Bi [loop had a iecond Ordination, whereat he Ordained a great many that had been hind red by the Regedores from coming to the firii. The íàme day Francifco Roz^ the Jefh'ite^ who ivas afterwards made Bi- liiop of the Serra by the Pope, came to wait upon the Arch-Bifljop^ who, after Mafs^ told him. That he could tjot- believe he was in CarturtCciJ'/iere, not ma fiy Months ago^ having a mind to fay Mafs, he was forced to have the Church doors opened to him hy the Ç^ec;/s Regedor, and where, ivhen he eleva- ted the Sacrament, the People all fldnt their Eyes^ that they anight not fee it 5 and heat one of his Scho- lars fir having named the Pope in his Prayers 5 and when he fÍKwed them an Image of our Lady, cried

oKt, snuiiv tint!) tfiat mtijinefe, m nccCMftmnsf, linn roi tijat itafoii m not ano^ jnolis oj pa^

On Eaftcr-day the Arch-Bifiop intended to have n niv>fl: it>lernn Procejjion, which the Heathens having notice of, were refolved either to hinder or diif urb it 5 but finding they were not ftrong enough to do the former, by reafoil of the jRe- gedores guarding the Arch-Bifljop as he did, they hired the mod infamous Sorcerer of the whole Country to kill the Arch-Bifiop in the Procejfton^ which he undertook to do with a Charm that

had

the Church o/^ M a l a b a r . 85

l»d never failed him, but as he begun to do his Tricl{s in the Frocejfior?^ he was feized on and íènt to Prifon, and a Currier was immediately difpatched away to the Qiieen to acquaint her with what had been done : The Queen ftraight- ways fent back an Order, that he ihould be put on the Caloete^ which is a iharp Stake faftned in the Ground, which being ftuck thorow the Body of the Malefadtor, he dies thereon in great tor- ment. But the Arch-BijJ)op would not give way to his being punifhed fo^ But condemned him to greater punifliment, in lending him to Cockim to Row in the Gallies as long as he lived, which ihews how great the Atch-Bifíjops Power, how- ever he came by it, was at Carturtc^ where he made his firft great Converfion.

When the Morning- Service vvas over, the Arck- Bijhop was invited by the Caça;7ares to the Nircha^ which is a Feaft kept in the Church on certain days, all the Chriiiians that are prefent (kiing down to it. The Biiliop, if prefent, craves the Bleifing, and in his abience, the eldeft Piicft of the Church. The Biihop has one half ot the Proviiion, the Priefts a quarter, and the People a quarter among them. In many Churches there are certain Rents dedicated to the maintenance of thofe Feafts , which fecm to be the fame with the Apoftolical Agap£ or Love -Feafts^ I do not know but St. Paul might allude to this double Portion that the Biihop has at thefe Feafts, when he íàith, That they who ruh wçll^ and hi^ur itp the Word and Doãvinè ^ are

E 3 xporthy

8(5 A [liort Hijlory of

tvorthy of double Honour 'j and the rather becaufe he immediately fabjoyns. Thou flmlt not muz,zls the Ox that treadeth out the Corn^ Sec. BefideS it is evident from St. Cyprian^ 94 Ep. to his Church of Carthage^ that the Clergy were (aid to be Honoured, according to the proportion they had of the Publick Offerings where fpeak- ing of Aiivdlu-f and CellerinuSy two Confeliòrs, he writes, Presbj/teru honorem defignajje nos illit jafrt fciatis^ Ó* fporttdk iifdent cum Preshyteris honorentHY^ C^ diviponts menfurnas diquatis (luanti- tdtihm parthintitr»

The Arck-Bijhop being tired with the iService of the day, defired to be excufed affifting at the NercLi 5 neverthelefs he had his double Portion lent home, it was a great branch of Figs^ and ieveral Cakes made of Rice and Honey ^ with feveral other Oiflies dreííèd a la Modede Malabar. In the Evening the Arch-Bijhop went and vi- iiced all the Sick in the Town, and gave them both Money and Ghoftly Couníèl , the People imagining that this was the common Practice of all the Roman Prelates^ began to cry them up to the Skies, as much more humble and charita^ ble than the Chaldean Biihop.

On Eafter-Tttefday the Arch-Bijloop went out to Nagpiii, a Church about a quarter of a League from Cartnrte^ where having Preached, he confir- med a great many, and reconciled feveral Caca- nares to the Ron/an Church. By the way, it is fomething ftrange too, how the Arch-Bifhop^ tho' he was able to School their Kings and Regedores^

who

the Church' of Mal kBè.K. 87

who all fpoke Portr-gueze^ ihould be Co powerful a Preacher as the Portugueze make him to have been among the Malavars^ coníidering that he nei- ther knew a word of their Language,nor they of his. Next day the Arch-Bifldop fet Sail for Molan- dnrte^ where, when he arrived , he found the People much changed from what they were, when he was there laft, for they had fhuc the Church doors againft him, neither did there fo much as one fingle Perfon appear to receive him at the place where he was to Land, which was a quarter of a League from the Tovv^n.

The Arch-Bifiop underftanding how things were afhoar, did not offer to Land for fear of raifing a Tumult, but wrote away immediately to the Governour of Cochim^ to fend the King of Cochims chief Regedor to him bçfore Mo- landnrte. The King, tho' he did not love to hear of the Chriftians of St. Thomas^ fubniitting them- íèlves to the Arch-Bifljop^ being very feniible, if they were once brought under Fornfgucze Eifliops, it would not be long before they vvould be- em 1 rely under the Crown of Portugal too ^ by which means he ihould lofe* 50000 of the beft Soldiers in his Kingdom 3 yet at the íàme time he appear- ed very zealous to promote that work, hraing more than once Commanded all his ChriHian Subjeds in all things to do what the Arch-Bijhop would have them, and accordingly when the Go- vernour fent him word that the Arch-Biff^op deii- red to fpeak with the c\\\ç:í Regedor ar MoLindurte^ be immediately ordered him to go and wait on him. E 4 When

88 JJhort Htpry of

When the Regedor was come, the Arch-Bijhop complained to him of the vexation his Mafter had given the Chriftians of MoUndurte^ for no other reaibn but for the kind reception they had given him when he was there laft. The Regedor endeavoured to palhate the matter, and promifed to acquaint his Mafter with what the Arcb-Bifiop had told him, Who^ if any thing were amifs^ he ikid, vpould be fure to redrefs it^ and to give hk Gi2iCt fatkfaãion. The Arch-Bijhop here took him up ihort, and told him, That he ex- pected no kjndnefs from his Majler^ fince he had de- nied him fo fmall a favour^ as to order the Muf- quets that were lodged in the Quire of the Churchy to be removed to a proper place^ which, tho he had faithfully promifed to do, yet he underflood the Muf quets ivere there flill. The Regedor told him, The Regedor of the Place, and not hk Mafter, was to blame for that, who, to his knowledge, was ordered to have done it.

Upon this the Arch-Bifiop and Regedor went to Church together, where the Regedor, in his hear- ing, commanded all the Chriftians of the place, in the King's Name, to do whatfoever the Arch- Brjljop ihould command them. But, tho' he is (aid, at the fame time to have whifpered íbme in the Ear, That the Ring would rather that they iliould adhere to their Arch-Deacon, and their old Cuftoms, than fubrait to the Arch-Bifjop, yet that did not appear in the fudden change that was wrought in. their Carriage, by what the Regador had told them publicklyj for they

who

th Church o/ M A L A B A R. 85)

who but the day before would not fo much as endure to fee the Arch-Bifiop^ were, without any other Argument, reconciled to the Church of Rome^ and him the next day.

From Molandnrte the Arch-Bifiop went a íè- cond time to Diamper, where the chici Regedor^ according to hispromife, met him again. The Arch-Bijhop complained to him of the Regedor. of the place , who had not only hindred the Chriftians from coming at him, but encouraged íèveral Heathens to deride and threaten him 5 as the chief Regedor was offering to excuie his Bro- ther, the Arch'Bifiop interrupted him, and ftrik- ing the Cane he had in his hand three times againft the Ground, bid him in a great fury not to offer to fpeak^ to him^ for that he h^iew his Heart well enough^ and that he bore an ill will to all Chriftians ^ but there's another^ faid he, / blame more than yoH^ and that's your Majier^ who^ notwithflanding hk being Brother in Arms to the iC/>/^i?/ Portugal, frffers me to be abufed in his Country 5 but you may tell your Majier from me^ that the King of Portu- gal fiall k^orv hovp I have been ufed by him, and that it will not be long before he JJjallJmart for it. The Regedor defiring to appeaíè him, did aíTure his Grace^ That his Majier k^new nothing of what had been done to him at Diamper 5 and that fo foon as he was acquainted with it^ he would be fure t4> mak^ Examples of all thofe that had any way af- fronted his Grace. This put the Arch-Bijhop in a greater Paflion than he was in before 5 he iaid. This was all Trick,^ and that he had troRted toa

often

CO , J Jhort Hiftory of

often with Kings^ and knew their Tempers too well to be made believe^ that thgy would not fee themfelves obeyed when they had a mind to it.

The Regedor aílbred him a fecond time, that his Mailer always had, and always would favour his defigns in the Serra^ I fljall quickiy know that^ (aid the Arch-Biíhop, for if you be fincere^ yon will frefently call all the Chrifiians together^ and Command them^ in the Things Name to acknow- ledge me a<i their Prelate^ and to unite themfelves to the Church i?/Rome. The Regedor promiíed •to do it preiently, and having called all the Chriftians together, commanded them before the Arch'BiJIiop on pain of the King's high difpleafure, to obey the Arch-Bifiop in all things, alluring them withal, that this was His Majefty's Will, and therefore they (hould give no credit to any that ihould whifper the contrary to them 5 and thus, by Heftoring and Bribing of Kings and their Regedores, the Arch-Bijhop made bothfudden and great Converfions.

Having difmifled the Regedor^ the Arch-BiJJjop gave them a Sermon, and commanded them to come to Church next Morning to be confirmed by him. Next day after the Confirmation, he told them. That he had Excommunicated and De- pofed the Arch-Deacon, as a Rebel to the Pope, who is Chriji's Vicar on Earth 5 and that he told them of it on purpofe that they might have no more Communication with fuch a Rebel, but might ac^ knowledge him for their Prelate. The People feemed to be íatisfied with what he had <ione,

and

ihe Church 0/ M a l a b a r; pi

and to blame the Arch-Deacon for his obftinacy. In the Evening he viiited the Sick, and gave large Alms to the Widows and Orphans of the Town, telling them withal , that what he did was their Prelate's duty, and not to take Money from them as their former Biihops had done \ but he forgot to tell them, that whereas their former Prelates had lived altogether upon Alms, having no fettled Revenues to maintain them, by reaibn of their living under Princes who were Infidels^ that he had above icooo Crowns a Year in Rents that were certain. Befides, by having repreíènted what he was doing in the Serra^ as a great Service to the Crown, he had the Command of the Publick Treafure at Goa^ which was never fo great as at this time 5 the Viceroy Don Matthias de Albuquerque having in the Year 1597 left 80000 Ducats, and an im- meníè Summ in Jewels therein.

This Trick^^ for it defervcs no better Name, together with his Heftoring of Kings and their Regedores as he did, made a great many People wiih themfelves under Portugueze Prelates, who, they law, would not fufFer their Princes to Ty- rannize over them, but would efpouíè all their Quarrels, and defend them in their Rights, which was what the Chaldean Prelates were not able to do.

The Arch Bifiop now having by the forefaid

Methods brought three fuch confiderable places,

as Carturte, Mofkndurte, and Diamper^ befides fe-

veral fmall Villages, under his Obedience 5 and

' being

91 Â fhoYt Híftory of

being alfo fure of all the Churches that are in the Kingdom oi'Porca^ Gundara^ Marca^ and Batimena^ whofe Rings had already Commanded all their Subjefts to obey him in every thing : The Arch- Deacon hearing how things went, began to be íèníible, that it would not be poffible for him to contend with fo powerful an Adverfary much longer -, and that he muft therefore, either fub- mit or be fent a Priíbner to Portugal^ the Arch- Bijbop having fo blocked the Serra up to prevent a Chaldean Biftiop's coming thither , that it was not poffible for him to make his eicape, if he had a mind to run his Country rather than renounce his Religion.

The Arch-Bipop being informed by a Caçanar^ that the Arth-Deacon was in great perplexity what he had beft to do, writ him a long Letter, wherein among other things he cited him to ap- pear before the Judgment- feat of God^ to anfwer for the Splits that were non> hummg in Hell^ by his ha- ving kept them from being reconciled to the Roman Churchy out of which there is no Salvation, To which Letter the Arch-Deacon returned an anfwer in a ftrain quite different from what he had writ in formerly.

Before this Letter came to his. hand, the Arch- Bijhop having done his work at Diamper^ was failed to Narame, a coniiderable Village of Chri- ftians, which he found all in Arms, having all bound themfelves with an Oath never to foríàke their Rehgion and Arch-Deacon., but to defend them v^ith the laft drop of their Blood ? and fo

when

the Church of Malabar. pj

when the Arch-Bijhop was ready to Land to go to Church, they called to him to ftay where he was 3 for befides that, the Church doors were ihut, there was not one Perfon among them, who would have any Communication with him. Whereupon the Arch-Bipop , according to his Cuftom, fent immediately to the Regedor of the Country, which alfo belonged to the King of Ctfchim to come aboard, for that he had feme- thing to fay to him.

What made the Arch-Bifiop , making fuch great ufe of Kings and Regedores^ who were all infidels in the Converfion of thefe Chriftians to the Roman Church, the more unpardonable, was, that but a little before he had made the Arch^ Deacons interefting of Infidel Princes in the Af- fairs of Chriftianity , with which they were not to be fufFered to meddle, the chief Article for which he deferved to be depoíèd.

The Regedor being come aboard , the Arch- Bi/hop fpoke to him to go aihoar, and do as much for him at Narame , as the chief Regedor had done at Molandurte and Diamper, The Regedor promifed him he would, but when he came aihoar to caufe the Church to be opened, there was no body left in the Town 5 for the Chri- ftians hearing of his coming, and what his bufi- nefs was, had all hid themfelves , that ib they might not be conftrained to break the Oath they had made fo lately. The Arch-BiJhop^ when the Regedor brought him word how it \iias, Was in a great Paifion with him, and would not be per-

fwaded

94 A p?ort Hijlory of

fwaded but that he had underhand fomented this divifion. But however thefe Chriftians came to be incenfed againft the Arch-BiJIjop^ it is certain they were to that degree, that they denied him freih Provifions for his Money, fo that he was forcd to live upon the Rice and Bisket that was aboard for fome days.

While the Arch-Bifhop was in this Diet, the Arch-Deaconh Letter came to his hand,- the fub- ftance whereof was, That he was overcome at tajl by the irrepfiahle force of Truths and rvas refolved to fubmit himfelf to the Roman CÃ//rcÃ, irttreAtmg his Grace to pardon all the by pafi Errors of an igno- rant Son,

The Arch-Bifiop tho' he was extream glad at the news, would not difcover that he was, but told the Caç^anar that brought it very gravely, That he had been fo often deceived by the Aich- Deacon, that he did not k^ow how to truji him^ and that he never would any more^ before he had fubfcribed the Ten following Articles,

I. That he abjured all the Errors of Nefto- rius, and of aU hk Followers^ Diodorus and The- odorus (who, by the way, were both in their Graves before Nejlorius was ever heard of) ac- k^towledging them to be curfed Hereticks, that are burning in Hell for their. Errors»

II. That he Jljould confefs there was but one Chrifiian Law,

ill. That

theChurch of WÍala-rkk; 95

III. Tkat he pjoM fubfcribe the Confejjion of Faith , which he fent to him from Goa, when he made him Governour of the Bijhoprick.

IV. That he fljofild deliver all the Books of the Diocefs to be amended or burnt according as they dejerved,

V. That he fljoM Jwear Obedience to the Pope, ^ St. PeterV SncreJJòr , and Chrifi's Vicar upon Earthy and the Sifpream Head of all Chrijtians^ and of all BiJhopSj Arch'Bifhops^ Primates and Patri- archs in the Worlds fo that none can be faved out of his obedience,

VI. That he fljonld cnrfe the Patriarch of Baby- lon, as a Neftorian Heretic^ and Schifmatick^^ and jwear never to obey him any more in any matter^ nor to have any further Commerce or Communica- tion with him by Letters or otherwifi.

VÍÍ, That he Jhould fvear never to receive any BiJJjop or Prelate in the Serra, but what Jhould be fent thither by the Pope, and to obey whomfoever he fent,

V^II. That he jljould fwear to ackfiowledge and obey him for his true Prelate, as beif^g made Jo by the Pope.

IX. That

9 6 Afhort Híftory of

IX. That he Jhould pafs Olas or Frovijions for the Ajjkmbling of a Diocefan Synod^ to treat of all fnch matters , as the Arch-Bijhop Jhould thin^ fit^ and frvear to be prefect at it himfelf,

X. That he f/jould accompany the Arch-Biihop peaceably , wherefoever he tpent^ without any thing of Guards^ and Jljonld go along with him in his Galley to all the Churches he had a mind to mfit,

Thefè Articles being made and (igned by the Arch'Bifiop^ he delivered them to the Caç^ànar^ together with a Letter, wherein he bid the Arch- Deacon^ if he was not fully refolved to fubicribe them, allowing him but twenty days to do it in, not to appear before him ^ and being wil- ling to íècure himfelf of the fidelity of the Bearer, he obliged him, before he difmifs'd him, to fwear obedience to the Roman Church, ma- king him fwear alio to return, and never to have any thing more to do with the Arch- Deacon , in cafe he refuíèd to fign the Ar- ticles.

Having difmiíícd this Meflenger, the Arch- Bijbop returned to Cochim^ where his main bu- iinefs was to get the Governour of the place to )oyn with him, to prefs the King of Cochim to aííift him cordially in his defign of uniting the Church of St. Thomas to that of Rome ; and while he was fatisfying the Governour of

what

the Church o/^ M a l a b a r. çy

what Importance fuch an Union would be to the Portugffeze Intereft in the Indies^ which was what he hirafelf had all along as much in his Eye, as the Governour could have for his Heart : The King having heard of his being in Town, came very opportunely to pay him a viiit, in which, before they parted, the King renewed his pro- mife to him of commanding all his Chriftian Subjeâs to obey him in all things ; with which promife the Arch-Bi(hop returned well ^ati.^fied to Cranganor^ in order to fettle the Affair of the Synod.

The day after his arrival there, he had Letters brought him by a Patamar^ or Currier, from the King of Samorim^ adviiing him . of the King of Cochim^6 having begun a War upon the Caimal or Prince of Corugeira his AUie, to which if a ftop were not put iuddenly, it would necellarily oblige him to withdraw his Army from before Cnnahle ^ which was what the King of Cochim aimed at. So foon as the Arch-Bifúop had read theie Letters, he diípatçhed a Currier away im- mediately after the King of Cochim y who was already on his March^, deliring him not to make a War upon the Caimd till after Cunahh was taken, fince it could not be done without di- verting the Samorim from the Siege of Omahle, who was then before it, expelling the return of the Portugfieze Armada^ which would be with him in the beginning of the Spring, he writ alfo to the Governour cf Cochim , and the Commiifioners of the Tnafiry to come to

F 'him 1

98 A jhort Hijlory of

him 5 whom, after fome diicourfe about the bu- iinefs, he ordered to ^p after the Ring of Cochim^ and to ftop him in his Mnrch.

Before the Arch-Bifljop left Crangamr^ he recei- ved a Letter from the Arch-Deacon^ wherein he wrote to him> That^ tho he was ready to fnhfcribe aã the Articles he had fent him^ yet that it was not pojjible fir him to wait upon His Grace in Co Jhort a time as he had fixed. * .

The Arch-Bifiop underftanding that the King of Man gat e^ in whofe Country the Arch-Deacon was at that time, was very much againft his fubmitting to him*, fent a Servant of his own with a fplendid Retinue to him, to let him know, That^ if he fiould' ofi[er to hinder the Arch- Deacon fiom coming to him^ the JCing ofi Portugal fioiild k^ow of it^ vpho was refolved to revenge all the vprongs that were done to him in the Serra to the utmofi of hk Power. The Ring,, who had too great a dependance on the Portuguezcs^ to pro- vpke one of the Arch-Bifiop's Charader and Spi- rit, ient him word. That the Arch-Deacon /y/ight wait upon him when he pleafed for all him ^ and that he never had any thoughts of hindring him. For all that, the Arch-Deacon did not come, having in truth no Stomach to the morfel the Arch-Bifiop had prepared for him. Whereupon the Arch-Bifiop fent a couple o^Jefuitesto him, to let hi in know, That that was his lafl admonition^ and that if he did not come to him in eight days . he

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. pc>

he . would infallibly depofi him and put another in his place.

The Governour and Commiilioners having prevaited with the King of Cochim to deiift from the War s the King, in his return home, refoh^ed to take Cranganor in his way. The Arch-Bifiop having received advice that he was ready to Land, was civiler to him than he had been for- merly, and went to the Caiz of the Caftle to meet him, and after fome Complements had paíTèd on both (ides, they went together to an Hermitage that was not far off. Where they difcouríèd alone for a confiderable time 5 after vvhich the King called in his chief Regedor^ and ieveral of his Nobles, and the Arch-Bijhop^ the Captain of the Caftle , and fome of his own Servants. Before whom the Arch-Bifloop thanked His Highnefs for having defifted from the War o^ CorHgeira, promifing him thanks alio from the King of Portugal for it, but told him wiihal» That this miiji not hinder him from acquainting His Highnefs with his being much dijfiliificd at his having nfd him fo as hz had done. The King defired His LordJJjip to tell for what he was difpleafèd, there being nothing that he was fj defi- ro us of^ as to fatisfie him in all things. The Arch-Bijhop told him with a frowning Coun- tenance, That when his Brother in Arms ^ the King of Portugal, fent him into the Serra, he ex- peãed he fljonld have been defended there by His Highneis, and not only fo but that he would ha-vt ajfffied him to the mmoft in the Pious dcfign he .

F a came

1 òo ' A p?ort Hiftory of

came about ^ in confidence of which Proteãion anã Ajfijiance it tvas that he left Goa to come into thofe Paris^ but that he had found himfelf mifera" hly deceived^ there not being a Prince in Malabar, in whofe Dominions he had been (and he had been in the moft of them) but what had fiewed him more favour than His Highnefs, who had loaded fome of his Chriflian Subje^s with Taxes^ for no other reafon , but for having given him a kind Reception. Here the chief Regedor interpoíèd, and deíír ed him to let His Majefty know what the Affronts or L;juries were that he had received in any part of his Dominions, The Arch-Bifhop re- plied with great paííion, «S/V, There is no Body knows them all better than you do, fince they were done before your Eyes 5 however, you were pleafed to wink ^t them ; nay, I do not knoiv but you might have a hand in procuring them j and therefore pray do j70t you offer to conceal them from your Mafler.' The King protefted he had never heard of any Injury or Affront that had been put upon His Lordfiip in any part of his Territories. The Arch- Bifjop, without any Ceremony, told him. It was not fo, for that he himfelf had ac- quainted His Highneis fever al times by Letter, of what he fuffered from his SubjeBs, but could never have them remedied as he expe&ed, and as they ought to have been by one that owed fo much to the Portugueze as His Highnefs did, wherefore, (aid he, for the future Til complain of none but my own ICing^ for having fent me from a Palace at Goa, where I lived at my eafe and infplendor, to wander

about

the Church of Mal ab a k, loi

about the Serra, afíd be abufed as I have been. This does not agree very well with what is faid before of his going into the6'^;T^ purely out of Zeal and Devotion, and contrary to all that the Viceroy and others could fay or do to hinder him 3 but upon his upbraiding the King with his not having anfwered his expedations, nor the obliga- tions which he owed to the Portugnezes^ who, of a petty Prince, had made him a great Monarch 5 the King ask'd him, as well he might, ivbat hk Lordihip meant^ deiiring him to injiance in what particulars he had been thus aggrieved j whereupon the Arch-Bifljop told him of what had been done at Molandurte and Diamper^ and charged him with having encouraged the Arch-Deacon in his Rebellion, to whom he had granted feveralO^^f or Provifidns, without having granted him one as yet. The King told bim he would treat with the Governour of Cochim about an OUa for his Lordfijip. This put the Arch^Bifiop in a much greater paiTion than he was in before : for he reckoned the King flighted him, in faying he would treat with the Governour about a thing that was his immediate concern j whereupon he told his Majefiy, That it had been always his cuflor/i to put him off with delays^ that for his own part he defired nofte of his 0\\2lS'-) and that the ChriflioJis of St, Thomas, if they had been true Chrijiians^ wonld never havefaffered their Kings to have meddled with ^natters of Religion % but efpeciaUy being Infidels anti Idolaters, as he wa^^ and. who not h^owing^ the tme Godj Wdrfiipp'd Stocks and Stones.^ and Devils w^-

10 2. À p?ort Hijlory of

ficiíd of him : That for his part he could not hut wonder at His HighnefsV taking upon him to fa^ vour the patriarch of Babylon agahifl the Pope, ivho tmderftood fiothing of the difference between them j That His Highnefs would do well thercfre to leave his Chriflian S^/bJe&s to him^ who was their true "Prelate , and 7tot to meddle with matters he did not underfiand : That a^ for the Arch-Deacon he had determined that if he dtd not come and fuhmit to him by next Saturday, to turn him out of his place ^ and put another into it^ and that he could not but look^ upon the Arch- Deacon as an ill Chriflian^ if for no other reafon^ for that of having commnni- cated the Affairs of Chriftianity to His Hi.ghnefs, whom all the World k^ow to be an ■Infid.cl. The King was defperately angry at what the Arch- Bifiop had íãid of his Idols -^ however being a very wife Prince he. did not touch upon that ftring, but told him, His Lordfiip might exped the Aye h- Deacon one Saturday ^ two Saturdays^ and three Saturdays. The Arch-Bifliop took the words QUt of his Mouth, and ftriking his Cane againfl: ti>e Ground in great Fury, faid, / will not expeB him one^ two, and three Saturdays, but if I live I will depofe him if he does not come and fubmit before the next^ and that he deferved to he Depojcd^ if for no other reafon^ for his having interefled His High- neis in the concerns of Chriftianity, notwithjiand- ing he kiiew him to be an Infidel. The King, who could not help ftanding amazed at the Arch- Bifjop condemning the Arch-Deacon {o much for endeavouring to intereft him in a thing which

he

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. 10^

he himfelf at the ilune time was fwaggering him into, perceiving that the more they talked, the Arch-B/fiop i;rew the more farious, and talked the louder, pufon a pleafant Countenance, and told him with great fweetnefs , That there ivas nothing he had ever fiudie-d fa much as to ,pleãfe Hk. Lordfljip'. With this the Arch Bijkops Pa (lion be- ing iomething mitigated, he replied, It was what he had ahvay's expeEled from.Hti Highneis, and that he hoped, he would not wonder to fee him put iiit-o fo great a Pajfion^ in a cafe wherein Ch'rijh unity was fo much concerned^ fir the leaji of ivhofe Inter eji he was bound in duty to facrifice hk Head. The King told him, That if he k^ew of any that fought after his Head^ they fiou Id not k^ep their own long upon their Shoulders. After they had ir.adc an end of this hot biiiinefs, they talked for iome time of indiíFerent matters^ and when the King was for going, the Arch-Bifiop accompanied him to the Caiz^ where -they are iaid to have parted very good Friends^ which if they did, the King con- fidering how he had been treated, wa^' certainly the beft natured Prince that e\'er wore a Crown, and in a very fubftantial point a. much better Chriftian than the Jrc^'Bii^i^j?.

This rancoiinter was of no fmail advantage to the Arch-Bifiop in the reduction of that Chrifli- anityi) for the King fearing to provoke one of the Arch'Bifijop's Charadler and Tem.per,' fo Toon as he had left him, writ away immediarely to the Arch- Deacon to come and fubmit himfelf to the Arch'Bifioop:, he writ alio to the King of Mangatè^

F 4 in

1 04 J port Híflory of

in cafe be found the Arch-Deacon not willing to do it, to oblige him to it.

Upon the receipt of this Letter the Arch-Dea- con fent away immediately to the Jrch-Bifljop^ to let him know, That he was ready to throw him- felf at his Grace^s Feet, and to obey all his Com- mands, and that within the time he had prefixed 5 but withal, defired to wait upon him fome where elfe than in Craf^ganor ^ which being a Fortrefs belonging to the PorUiguezes ^ he was afraid to truft hirafelf in , there being nothing that he dreaded fo much as being fome time or other kidnapped for Goa, However the Arch-Bijhop complyed fo far with his Fears as to order him to meet him at theJefiites-CoWcgemVaipicotta, fhey met firft in the Church, where the Arch- Deacon threw himfelf at the Arch-BiJIjops Feev^ vvith the words of the Prodigal in his mouth, Fa- iher^ I have .finneci againfl Heaven , ajid againfl thee J and am no more worthy to be called thy Son. I do hiiffxhly beg Pdrd'j?i for all Kiy Errors^ n-'hich have been great. The Arch-Bifiop lifting him up and embracing him tenderly, told him, all that .was pad was forgot 3 and that God's Mercy in jeducing him to the CathoUck^ Church was greater than the Malice of the Devil, which had been the cauie of his returning -no fooner, that he Vvoiild certainly have that great Reward that is referved in Heaven fgr thole that bring fo many Souls to the purity of the Faith, as he was confi- dent he would do by his Example, that he would .thfiiefpre;'havje^ him fubicribe the Profeifion of •V Faith

the Church 0/ M a. l a b a r. 105

Faith and ten Articles immediately. The Jrch- Deacon beg d to fpeak one word firft with His Grace in private, promiiing, after that todo whatibever His Grace fhould command him 5 and being alone, he told him, That if His Grace would have it ib, he was ready to fubfcribe the ProfefQon and Ar- ticles publickly, tho\ with fubmiffion he thought it would be better if he would allow him to do it in private, for the fake of that Chriftianity who were not as yet fo well inftru6i:ed as they ought to be ; but that before the meeting of the Synod, at which he promifed to fign them publickly , he hoped to be able to prepare them for the recei- ving of whatfoever fhould be therein determined, which he believed he (hould be able to do the more effedually , if they knew nothing of his having already fubmltted to the Roma?i Church, The Arch'Bipop anfwered, That notwithfianding a Frofejfion of the Faith was by fo much the better^ as it vpas the more piiblick^ , neverthelefs he fo far approved of his Reafon as to difpenfc with his ma-: kjfJg it openly, Vv hereupon they and thejefuite Francifco Roz, repaired to the Arch-Bipops Lodg- ings, and having iliut the doors, the Arch- Deacon kneeled down before a Crucifix that frood on the Arch-BJfl)op\ Table , and laying his hands upon the Mijful^ fwore to the Ten Articles, and to the Profeffion of Faith, to which the Arch-Bifiop obliged him to put his hand, to prevent his de- nying it afterwards.

Next Morning all the C abanares being called to. gether, the Arch-Bifiof acquainted thçm with his

in-

I o 6 A Jhort Hlftory of

intention of calling a Synod very fpeedily, which they all agreed to. It was then debated where it ihould meet, fome were for its being, held at Angamale^ the Metropolis oF the Dioceis, but the Arch'Bijhop would not hear of its being held there for three Reaibns 5 the firft was, That the Chriftians of Angamale were the Chriftians of the whole Bifhoprick that were moft addided to their old Religion, Secondly^ It was not in the Domi- nions of the King oiCochim^ the Prince of Malabar that had the greateft dependance upon úitFortu- guezes 5 And Lafilji^ Becaufe it was at tqo great a diftancefrom the Portugueze Garrifon of Cochim. It was carried therefore that it íhould be held in the Town' of Diamper^ which was but a little way from Cochim^ and (hould begin on the 20th, ofJii/2e^ bong tht ^d. Simday after Wh7tfu?itide.

In purfuance whereof the Arch-Bifiop and Arch- Deacon did both iiliie forth their 0//as, command- ing all Priefts and Procurators of the People,, who were four from every Town, to aiiemble toge- ther at the Town oi Diamper ^ on the 20th. of June next, there to celebrate a Diocefan Synod. The Ollas bore date the nth, of May^ Co that there were fix Weeks allowed for the preparing of bufineis, which the Arch-BiJIoop made good uíè of

Before the Arch-Bijhop left Faipicotta, the Caiwal of Angamfile^ who was called the blacky King of Malabar^ came to give him a vifit; The Arch- Bifloop received him kindly, and at parting pre- fentcd him with fome pieces of very rich Cloath^

which

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. 1 07

which was what he went well furniíhed withal from Goa^ having laid out i8cco Pardaos in Goods, to make Prefents of in the Serra. The Caimal^ who was a boifterous and bloody Princç, was fo well pleafed with his Prefent, that he pro- mifed the Jrch*Bifiop to fee him obeyed in all things.

After which the Jrch-Bifiop returned to Cran- ganor^ where he compofed the Decrees of the Synod, which were all writ with his own Hand, word for word as they are publiihed. As foon as he had finiíhed them he had them tranflated out of Portiigiieze into Malavar. He likewiie Confecrated there a Stone Altar for every Church in the Serra^ which was what they all wanted.

What remained to be done, after having en- gaged all the Neighbouring Princes, and their Regedorf to affift him, was to fecure the Major Vote in the Synod 5 and in order thereunto he Ordained no fewer than fifty Priefts on Trinity- Simday^ in the Church of Parn^ which fifty being added to the thirty eight he had Ordained but a little before at Diamper, and to thofe he had Ordained atCarturte^ who are faid to have been many, muft make up at leaft two thirds of the Priefts that were prefent at the Synod, who in all were but 153. of which two thirds the Arch-Bifiop was fecure, having before he Or- dained them, made them abjure their old Reli- gion, and fubfcribe the Creed of Pius IV.

He was alfo induftrioiBto fecure tohimfelf the

Votes of feveral of the moftconfiderable among

• the

1 o8 A [hort Hijlory of

the Procurators^ by making them great Preíènts, giving to one of them a Crofs fet with Diamonds of great value, as he did another of equal price^ to anjold Caçamr, who had been a great Com- panion of Arch-BiQiop Mar Abraham, Upon which, and the other Precautions made uie of by the Ârch-Bijhop to compais his ends in the Synod, Father Simon in his 1 09 Pag. of his HiftorieCritique^ makes the following judicious refledion : AU that thefe methods have hitherto produced^ ferves only to let the World fee by what means the Roman Religion has been efiablipjed in the Eaft, which ISe that knows will not wonder^ that all the re-unions which have been made with thofe People we call Schifmaticks in thofe Parts J have beenfo JJdort lived.

On the ^th. of June the Arch-Bijhop accompa- nied with fix Jefuites and his Confefior , who were alt Divines, and feveral Ca(^anares^ arrived at Diamper^ where he immediately erefted a Junto of eight of the moft popular Caçanares , before whom he laid the Decrees, defiring their opini- on of them ^ and when they came to confider the Decrees relating to manners, he called four of the graveft of the Procurators alfo to be preíènt at the Examination of them j after fome Debates- the Decrees were all agreed to by the Junta, which, for that reafon, was given out to be the Author of them.

On the 2ctL of June 1199. the Synod was opened,at which folemnity were preient the Dean and Chapter of Cochim, with their whole ^iire, ^b iCiCo the Governour, the CommiiTioners of the

jyea-.

the Church 0/ M a l a b a r. 1 09

Treafury^ and the Chamber of the fame City, and íèveral other 'Portuguezes oi Quality.

I will detain the Reader no longer from the perufal of the Synod it felf , in which he is not to wonder if he meets with the whole mafs of PopQry, confidering that all its Decrees were cpm- poíèd by a Popiih Arch^Bifhop who ailembled it on purpofe to eftabliíh the Roman Religion" in the Serra , in the doing whereof, tho' he was in- ftrumental in letting the World know more of the Orthodoxy of that Apoftolical Church, than its like they would ever have known of it other- wiie, we have reafon to bleis Providence, but none at all to thank him for it, who intended nothing leis than the making of fuch a happy dis- covery.

ACa*

A Catalogue of the Vice^Roys and Governors of the Indies^ from the Year 1505. to the Year 1599.

I T^O» Franc tico de Almeyda. JL-^ 1 Alphonfo de Albuquerque.

5 Lcfe Soares de Albergaria.

4 Diego Lopes de Sequeyra.

5 Don Duarte de Menez>es.

6 Don Vafco de Gama Conde de Vtdigueyra,

7 Don "Enrique de Menezes.

8 Pedro de Mufcarenhas.

9 Lope 'Uâz, de Sampayo.

10 Nuno de Cunha.

II Don Garcia de Noronha. ^^

11 Don Effevan de Gama. 15 Martin Alphonfo de Soufa.

14 Don yuan de Caftro,

15 Garcia de Sa.

16 Jorge Cabral.

1 7 Don Alonfo de Noronha.

18 Don Pedro Mufcarenhas.

19 Francifco Barreto.

10 Don Conftantino de Barganca.

21 Don Francifco Coutinho Conde de Redondo.

22 Juan de MendiÇa.

25 Don Antónia de Noronha.

24 Don Luis de At aide.

25 Don Antonio de Noronha.

26 Antonio Moniz, Barreto. 17 Don LorenÇo de Tavara.

28 Don Diego de Menez,es.

29 Don Luis de At aide Conde de Atouguia.

30 Fernando Telles de MenezJes.

3 1 Don Francifco Mufcarenhas Conde de Santa Cruz,. 52 Don Duarte de Menezes.

5 5 Manuel de So.ufa Coutinho, 34 Matias de Albuquerque. 5 < Don Francifco de Gama Conie de Vidigueyra, r^ •' A Cata-

J Catalogue of ifce'Prelates, Bifliops, and Axài- BiíLops of Goa , and of the Bifliops of Cochim , till the time of the Celebration of the Synod of Diamper.

HE City of Goa was taken by the Vice- Roy Don Alphonfo Albuquerque ^ in the Year 151c.

The iirfi: Prelate thereof was Dom Duarte nu- ne% a Dominican Friar, and Biihop of Laodicea.

The fecohd was Dom Fernando Vaqueito^ Biiliop of Auren,

In tht Year 1537. Gi?^ was made an Epifcopal See by Pope Paid III. and put under the Metro- politan OÍ Funthal^ a City in the Ifland of Madera,

The fir ft Bifhop thereof was Don Frandfco ds Mela,

The fecond was J)<7//i Juan de Albuquerque 3l Francifcan Friar, who held it above 14 Years. In his time, that is to fay, in the Year 1557. it was made a Metropolitan and Primate of all the Indies by Pope Faul V. who, at the fame time, ereded an Inquiiition at Goa.

The fecond Arch-Bifhop was one Dom Gafpar^ who reíígned it after he had held it feven Years.

The third was Dom Jorge Temudo^ a Do^ir/ican

Friar, who was tranfldted to it from Cockim. He

Governed it tvvo Years and eight Months, and

after his Death Dom Gafpar who before refigned

. it.

A Catalogue of the Prelates, ^c,

it, returned to it again and Governed it till he died.

The fourth was Dom Enrique deTavara^ stDo- mink an Friar, who was alfo tranflated from Cochim»

The fifth was Dom Ficente de Fonfeca, a Domi- nican Friar.

The fixth was Dom Mattheo^ a Friar of the Order o( Chrifi ^ who was likewife tranflated from Cochim.

The ieventh was Dom Aleixo de Menezes, an Auftin Friar, who was Governour General of the Indies for three Years, and was afterwards tran- flated to the Primacy of Braga, was Governour of Portugal for tjvo Years 5 and after that Prefi- dent of the Council of State of Pi?r/«^^/ at Ma- drid^ where he died.

Cochim was made a Biihoprick in the Year, 1559.

The firft Bifhop thereof was Dom Jorge Temudo.

The íècond Dom Enrique de Tavara.

The third Dom Mattheo, Theie three were all tranflated to Goa.

The fourth was Dom Andres^ a Difcaloeat Fran- cifcan Friar.

THE

THE

P R E F A C

TO T H E

READER.

THE following Synod is printed at the end of the Hiilory of Dom Frey Aleixo de Mene:^Sj Archbidiop of Gods Vification of the Chriftians of Sainc Tloomas in the Serra or Mountain of Malabar ^ made immediately after the Celebration, and in purfuance of the Order of the faid Syr nod ; the Hiilory of which Vifitation was compos'd by Antonio de Goiivca^ an Auftln friar ^ and Reader of Divinity in Goa^ at the Command of the Provincial of his Order in Portugal, It contains divers things that are fit for all Proteftants to know ; namely, the rude and boifterous Methods, that the ^man Prelates, where they may do it with lafety^make ufc of in the Reduction of thofe

G they

PREFACE.

tliey call Hereticks ; together with clear Con- firmations of the Truth of what we meet with in the Fourteenth, and other Decrees of the Third A<5lion of this Synod j to wit, That the Three great Dodrines of Popery, the Topes Supremacy^ Tranfuhftanúaúon^ the Adoration of Images^ were never believed nor pradifed at any time in this ancient Apo- ftolical Church ^ but, on the contrary, were rejeóled and condemned by her, and that in her Publick Offices. So that upon what we learn from this Synod and Hiftory, I think one may venture to fay, That before the time of the late Reformation, there was no Church that we know of, no not that of the Vaudois., abating that one thing of her being infeóted with the Herefie of Nejlorius, of which lOO fhe is cleared by one of the <l{oman' Communion, that had fo Few Er- rors in Doólrine, as the Church of Ma- labar.

If the Synod I here publifli fliould be well received, as I have reaibn to hope it will, by all Proteftants, and lovers of Truth, upon the account of the clear Difcoveries

ic

PREFACE.

it makes of the forementioned Popidi Et- rors, having never been at any time the Doctrines of the Univerilil Church, which vi^e knovi^^ is confidently affirmed, and much boafted of ^ ani^ for further fatisfaótion in fo important a Matter, the above-named Hiftory fhould be defired , I fliall be rea- dy to tranflate and pubHih it with all ex- pedition, alone, and in the fame Volume with this of the Synod ; together with the beft Account I can procure of the Church of Malabar y3,nd the other Oriental Churches, that were never within the Bounds of the ^man Empire ,• for it is in thofe Churches that we are to expeâ: to meet with the leaft of the Leaven of Popery.

As to the Synod, to prevent all furmxifes of its being a Piece either .forged by fom.e Proteftant,or of no Authority in the Church of (2^o??2e, tho' fet forth by a Member of her Communion j I have, together with the whole Title Page, which tells where, when, and by whom it was printed, tranflated and publifhed all the Licences that it came out wkh : And if any ihould fufpeót theTranf-

G 2 lation,

P PREFACE.

Ution, if they pleafe, they may fatisfie them- felves of its Fidelity, by having recourfe to the Original in the Bodleian Library at Ox- ford i to which, as the fafeft, as well as no- bleft Repofitory of Books in the World, I defign to give it.

I have here and there added fome fliort Remarks upon fome PaíTages, which will not, I hope, be unacceptable to the Rea- der,

The

The Doctrines wherein the Church of Malabar agrees with the Church of Eti- glandy and differs from that of (?^?we.

I. O He condemns the Pope's "Supremacy,

i3 2. She affirms that the Church of Rome ^ fallen from the true Faith,

3. She denies Tranfubjlantiation^ or that Chriji^s Body and Blood are really and fnbji anti ally in the Eucharifl.

4. She condemns Images^ and the Adoration of them as Idolatrous.

5. She makes no ufe of Oils i?t the Adminijiration of Baptifm,

6. She allows of no Spiritual Affinity,

7. She denies Purgatory.

8. She denies the neceffity of Auricular Confjflon,

9. She l^nows nothing of Extream TJnãion,

10. She allows her Prieps to Marry as often as they have a mind^and Ordains fuch m have been mar- ried three or four times ^ and to Widows ^without any fcruple,

1 1 . She dinies Matrimony to be a Sacrament.

12. She holds but two Orders^ Priejihood^ and Dia- conate,

1 5. She Celebrates in Eeavened Bread.

14. She Confccrates with Prayer.

1 5. She denies Confirmation to be a Sacrament,

G 3 /«

In the Account that is giVen of the DoHnnes of the Church of Malabar, in the Eighteenth Cha[)ter of the Firjl ^ook of the fiftation^

SRe is iaid, I. Not to adore Images. 2. To hold but Three Sacraments, Baptifm, the Eu- charift, and Order. ^. To make no ufe of Oils. 4. To have had no Knowledge of Confirmation or Extream Unction. 5. To abhor Auricular Confeilion. 6. To hold many enormous Errors about the Eucharift, infomuch that the Author ' of the Hiftory faith, he is inclined to believe, that the Heretickj of our. Times, meaning Pro- teftants, the revivers of all forgotten Errors, and Ignorances, might have had their Dodrine a. bout the Eucharifc from them. 7. To Ordain luch as have been married feveral times, and to Widows, and to approve of her Priefts marry- ing as oit:en as they have a mind. 8. That ihe abhors the Pope and the Church of Rowe as Anti- Chriftian, in pretending to a Superiority and Ju- rifdiition over all other Churches.

A Dio-

A

Diocefan SYNOD

Of the Church and Bifhoprick of

ANGAMALE,

Belonging to the Ancient Chriftians of St. Thomas in the Serra or. Mountains of

Celebrated by the moft ^yerend Lord Dom Frey Aleixo de Menezes^ Archbi(Í70p^ Metropolitan of Goa, Tr'tm^te of the indies , and the See being "Vacant^ of the ahoye-yiamed ^IjJnfrkky by Virtue of two briefs of the mofl Holy Fa- ther Tope Clement 8i/;. on the third Sunday. after Pentecoft, being the loch. day o/July, in the Year of our Lord i 5 99. in the Church of All-Saints, in the Town and I^ingdom of Diamper, Suhje^ to the I\ing of Cothin, an Infidel ; in which the f aid BiJI?opricky with all the Chriflians thereunto belongings Jubmitted it f elf. to the Tope and the Holy Rom an Church. .

Printed at Conimbra^ in the Shop of Diogo Gomez» Lanreyro^ Printer to the Univeriity, in the * Year of our Lord, 1606.

G -4 THE

TH E Father of the Society of Jefus intruded ■with the revijing of Books in Conimbra, having perufed the Synod mentioned in the follo'wing Petition, and the Inqmfition of the faid City having upon his Approbation, given Licence to VriJit the fame, we do Order, That after it is Printed, it be., together "with the Book Intituled, The Journey of the Seira or Mountains, iranfmitted to this Council, that it may he compared -with the Original^ and Licenfed ; without which it. Jhall not be m^de puhlick.

Marcos Teixira, * Ruy Piz de veiga.

I Have perufed this Synod, and to me it appears to be a Work that deferves to be Printed ; for be fides the found Doãrine contained therein , it will be of great Ufe and Confo- lation to all, and very neceffary to the extirpating of the Er- rors, Schifm, and Herefies /own by Hereticks, and parti- cularly the Neftorians in the ancient Chrifiiamty, planted in the Indies by the Apoftle St. Thomas.

Odob. ^^d. 1 505.

Joan Pinto.

BT virtue of a particular CommiJJion to us granted in this behalf, by the Council of the General Inquiftion cfthefe Kingdoms i having feen the Information of Father Joan Pinto, Revifor of jhis City, we give Licence for the Frinting of the Book Intituled, The Synod, and the Jour- ney of the Serra ; provided that after it is Printedj it he fent to the faid Council, to be compared with the Ori- ginal j and to have leave to be made publick.

Jan. II, 1606.

Joan Alvarez Brandon.

It may be Printed, Conimbra^ 25/^. of Feb. i6oé;

The Biihop Conde»

THE

89

THE

PuBLiGATioN and Calling

OF THE

SYNOD.

OM Frey Aleixo de Menezes, fy the msrey of God^ and the Holy Roman See^ Archbijhop^ Metropolitan of Goa , Pri- mate of the Indies, and the Oriental Partf^ &c. To the Reverend in Chriji , Father George, Archdeacon of the Chriftians of St. Thomas in the Serra of the Kingdom i?/Malabar, and to all other Priejis, Curates^ Deacons and Subdeacons^ and to all Tovpns^ Villages^ and Hamlets^ and to all Chri- fiian People of the faid Bifldoprick^ Health in our Lord Jefus Chriji,

We give you all^ and every one of you in parti- cular to underftand^ that the moft Holy Father Pope Clement VIII. our Lord Bifiop of Rome, and Vi- car of our Lord Jefus Chriji upon earthy at this time frejiding in the Church of God '^ having fent two

Briefs

o o The Pablícation and Call j no-

/ 0

Briefs dh'e0ed to Z)s, one of the 27 th. í?/Jan. in the Tear 1 595, and the other of the 2 1{\.. of the fame Months in the Tear I ^^ J -, in which ^ by virtue of his Pajhral Office^ and that ZJniverfal Power be- queathed to the Supream^ Holy and Apoflolical Chair of St, Peter over all the Churches in the World, by yefns Chrift the Son of God our Lord and Redeemer^ he . com?nandcd us upon the death of the Archbifiop Mar- Abraham/^ take Poffejfion of this Church and.Bi- fjoprick,^ fo as not to fuffer any Bifiop or Prelate coming pom Babylon, to enter therein, as has been hitherto the Cuftom, all that come from thence being Schifmafickj, Heréticas, and Neftorians, out of the Obedience of the Holy Roman Church, and SubjeB to the Patriarch of Babylon, the Head of the, [aid ' Hercfji ; and to appoint a Governour or Apoflolical Vicar to Rule the fiid Diocefs both in Spirituals and Temporals, until fuch time as the Holy Roman Church pmll provide it of a proper Paflor 5 which being read by us, we were defirous to execute the Apoflolical Mandates with due Reverence and Obe- dience j befides, that the fame was incumbent on us of right (the faid Church having no Chapter to take care of it during the vacancy of the See^ as Metro- politan and Primate of this and all the other Churches of the Indies, and the Oriental Parts,

But perceiving that our Mandate in that behalf had no effeB, what we had ordered, not having been obeyed in the faid Dijcefs, fo that what our mofl Holy Father, the Bifhop of Rome, had deflgned, Wits like to be frujlrated, after having laboured therein for the fpace of two Tears, Schifm and Difobedicnce to

the

of the S Y N o D. pi

the ApoftoUcal Sce^ having been fo rooted hi that Diocefs for a great many Tears^ that the Inhabi- tants thereof, injiead of yielding Obedience to the Apoftolical^ and Our Mandates 5 on the contrary upon ■ the intimaXion thereof did daily harden themfelves more and more^ committing greater Ojfences againji the Obedience due to the Holy Roman Church ^ af- ter having commended the Matter to God^ and or- dered the fame to be done through our whole Diocefs^ and. after mature Advice^ by which Methods the Apoflolical Mandates might be befi executed. 5 and being alfa moved by the Piety of the People^ and the Mercy God had fiewn them in having preferved Co many thoufand Souls in the Faith of our Lord Jefus Chrift^ from the time that the Holy Apojile St. Tho- mas had Preached^ to them until this day^ notivith- flanding their having lived ' among fi many ~ Heathens^ and. been fcattered in divers places^ their Churches and all belonging to them, having been al- ways fub'jeci to idolatrous Kings and Princes ^ 'and 7?icompaJfd with Idols and Pagods^ and that with- . out holding any correfpondence with any other Chri- ftians before the coming of the Porcuguczes into thefe Parts 5 we being Ukevpife d.cjirous that the La- bours of the Holy Apojile St. Thomas, which ftiU remained among them, fiould not be loft for want of found Docirine'-i and that the J^poftolical Aiundatcs might nat be frujirated,- did determine, and having provided for the Government of our own Church during our abfence, did prepare to go in Pcrfon la take Poffejfon of the far d Bifjoprick^, to fee ifhy our Prefence we might be able to reduce them to

the

pi The Publication and Calling

the Obedietice of the Holy Roman Churchy mnd purge put the Herefes and falje Doãrines fown among themy and introduced by the Schifmatical Prelates^ and Neftorian Heretic ks that had governed them under the Obedience of the Patriarch of Babylon j as alfo to call in and purge the Bookj containing thofe Herejtes 5 and according to our Pafloral Du- ty^ fo far as God fiould enable us^ to Preach to them in Perfon the CatholicJ^ Truth.

Accordingly going into the f aid Bifioprick^^we fet a- hout vifiting the Churches thereof'-, but' at that time Satan^ the great Enemy of the good of Souls ^ having Jlirred up great Commotions^ and much oppofition againft this our juft intent^ great numbers departs ing from us^ and forming a Schifm agai/;Jl the Holy Roman Churchy after having pajfed through many troubles and dangers^ out of all which God of his great mercy ^ not remembring our fins and evil deeds ^ was pleafcd to deliver us^ and to grant us an intire Peace for the Merits of the glorious Apoftle St. Thomas the Patron of this Chriftianity^ but chiefly of his own great Clemency and Mercy ^ which makes^ that he doth not delight in the death of a (inner, buc rather that he (liould return and lives and by coming all to the light of the Truth, may joyn with us in the Confejfion of the Catholick^ Faith^ approving our Do&rine and Intention^and fubmitting themjelves to the Obedience of the Holy Roman Church ; which being by us obferved^ after having returned Thanks to God, we thought fit, in order to the compajjing and fe cur ing of all thofe good Effeãs^ to affembk a Diocefan Synod in fome com-

modioHs

of the S Y N o D. pj

modioHs place near the middle of the faid Diocefs^ thereto Treat of all fuch Matters as are convenient for the himour ofGod^ the exaltation of the Holy CatholickJFaith and Divine Wer(hip-, the good, of the Churchy the extirpation of Vice ^ the Reforma- tion of the Chriflians of the faid Diocefs^ and the profit and peace of their Souls 5 to which end ha- ving pitched upon the Town and Church of Diam- per,

We do hereby let all the Inhabitants and Chrifli- ans of the faid Bijhoprick^^ as well Ecclefiafiickj as Laick/^ of what State or Condition foever^ to un- derjiand^ that we do call and afiemble a Diocefin Synod in the faid Town of Diamper, on the loth, of June of this prefent Tear 1599, being the Third Sunday after Whitiuntide 5 and do therefore, by Virtue of holy Obedience, and upon pain of Excom- munication, latse Sententise, Command the Reverend the Arch-Deacon of this Diocefs, and all the other Priejis of the fame, that fid all not be hindered by Age, or fome other jujl Impediment, to be pre fen f in the faid Town of Diamper, there with m to ce- lebrate a Diocefan Synod conformable to the Holy Canons : And whereas, by immemorial Cujiom, and' a Right introduced into thk Diocefs from its Begin- ning, and confented to by all the Infidel ICings of Malabar, the whole Government as it were, and the Cognizance of all Matters wherein Chriflians are a- ny ways concerned , has belonged to the Church, and the Prelate thereof:^ and it having likewife been an ancient Cuflom in the fame, to give an Account to the People of whatfoever has keen ordained in

th%

94 Ths Publication and Calling

the Churchy in order to its bewg the better ohferved by ail: We do therefore under the fame Precept af^d Cetifure^ command all Chrifians in all Towns af^d ViUages of this BiJIooprick^ 5 and where there are no Villages , all that ufe to ajfjemble together at any Church as belonging to it , immediately upon this cur Pleafure being intimated to them , to chufe Four of the moft Honourable^ Confcientious^ and Ex- perienced Perfons among them^ to come in their Name at the faid time , to the faid Synod , with fuf^cient Power i to Approve^ «S"/^^, Confirm^ and Confult in their Name^ fo as to oblige themfelves thereby to comply with whatfoever fjall be deter- mined in the Synod, And that thefe Commijjioners may demand or propofe whatfoever they foall judge to be of Import anee to the Synod^ and for the Spiri- tual or Temporal Good of their People ; We do grant free Liberty to all in this Diocefs^ as well 'Ecclefia- ftichj as Laickfj that have any Complaints]^ Grie- vances^ or Controverfes about any fitch Matters as are decidable by the Prelate^ or other Chrijlians^ to reprefent the fame to the Synod :, where they fiall be heard with Patience , and have Jujiice done them according to the Sacred Canons^ Cufioms^ and lawful ZJjages of the Country,

And whereas we are informed that there are fe- veral things in this Bijlwprick^ which are the Caufes of great Contentions^ we do therefore not only give leave j hut da alfo admoniJI) and command all that are concerned in any fitch Matters , that forbearing all other ways that are prejudicial to Chrijiiani-

of the Synod. pç

ty , they do noro wake tife of this jnji and holy way of pitting an end to all their Debates : And fince to bring all thefe things to a good ijfde the favour and ajfiftance cf God is necejfary ^ from ■whom all good things do -proceed , and voithout whom Tve can do nothings wherefore to engage the Di- vine Clemency by Prayer to be favourable to us^ following the laudable Cujlom of the Holy Fathers^ and Ancient Councils^ we do Admon/fi ^ and in the Name of God earneflly reqitefl^ all the faithful Chrijiians of this BiJJjoprick,^ pom this time for- ward t/ntil the end of the Synod^ to exercife them- felves with a pure and clean hearty in Fafling^ Alms^ Prayer^ and other worhj of Piety ^ inftant- ly hefeeching God to enlighten the Z)nderjiandings of all that fiall meet together^ and fo to enflame our Wills with Divine Love^ that we may determine nothing but what is right , and may obferve and comply with whatfoever fiall be Decreed 5 talking for our httercejfor^ our Lady the 7noji Holy Vir- gin Mary, of whofe Praife and Honour we are fo Treat particularly 5 as alfo the Glorious Apoftle St. Thomas, the Mafler^ Patron , and Proteãor of this Church ^ and all the other Saints in Hea- ven^ that fo this Synod may begin, and proceed in Peace and univerfal Concord, a;ià may end to the Praife^ Honour, and Glory of God our Ford /»** ever. And that this our Publication of a Dio- cefan Synod may come to the knowledge of all that are concerned, we Will and Command it to be Read in all the Churches of this Bifiopriç^ to the People on the Sunday next after the intimdtioft

there-

p6 The Publication and Calling, ^c,

thereof to the Curates^ and after that, to be fix^ ed to the Gates of the Church.

Dated from Chanotta^ the \\th. of May^ under our Seal, and the Great Seal of our Chan^ eery, and Written by Andre Cerqueira , Se- cretary to the moft Illuftrious Archbiihop and Primate, in the Year 1599.

Pny Aleixo Arcehispo^ Grimas,

fr H E

97

THE

ACTS and DECREES

o F T H %y

SYNOD of Diamper.

Action I»

N the Name of the mofl: Holy and undivided Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghofr, in the Year of cur Lord 1599, on the 20th of Jfinc^ hún^xhQÚúià Sunday after WhitfH?itJde^ in the fe- venth Year of the Pontificate of our moft holy Lord, Clewent Vlll. the Supreme ^.oman Biiliop, and in the firft Year of the Reign of the Catho- lick King Fhiljp^ the Second Ring of Portugal^ and Jlgarvefj and of MaUtcco ^ the lUuftrious Lord JDom Francifco da. Gama Conde de Vidigeyra^ Ad- miral of the Indie i^ being Vice-roy in the Town OÍ Diamper^ fubject to the King oí Cochim^ an in- fidel and Heathen, in the Church of AU-Sujnts^ in the Biihoprick of Angamale of the Chriftians of St. Thorn O'S in the Serra of Malabar^ the See being vacant by the death of the Arch-Bifliop

p8

The Acls and Decrees

M^ir-Ahrahãm^ there aílemblcd in a Dioceían Sy- nod according i£> the Holy Canons, the moil II- luflrions and moft Reverend Lord Dom Frey A- leixo dc Meficzes^ Arch-Biihop Metropolitan of Goa^ Primate of the Indies^ and the Oriental Parts, together with all the Priefts and Curates of the faid Bifhoprick ^ and the Procurators of all the Towns and Corporations in the Htme, with great Numbers of other Perfons belonging to the faid Church, and called to the faid Synod by the moil Reverend Metropolitan : Where, after ha- ving given Thanks to God for his having extin- gui fned and compofed all the Alterations and Commotions by which Satan^ the Enemy to all . that is Good, had endeavoured to hinder the af- fembling of this Synod 3 and being all filled with Joy, to íèe themfelyes met together to Treat of things pertaining to the Service of God, the Pu- rity of the Faith, and the Good of Chriftianity and their own Souls , the moft lUuftrious Me- tropolitan did celebrate the Solemn Mafs for the removing oi: Schifm, as it is in the Roma?i Miilal 3 and having preached to the People to the fame purpofe, the Mafs being ended , he re-invefted himfeU in his Pontifical Robes, and read the Of- fice for the beginning of a Synod, as it is in the Koman Pontifical 5 which being over, and the Metropolitan íèated in his Chair, with all the Ec~ clefiafticks and Secular Procurators about him in their order, he told them, That he celebrated this Holy Synod by Virtue of two Briefs of the Holy Father our Lord Pope Clement VUL in

which

of the Synod of Diamper. 99

which his Holinefs had recommended to him the Government of that Church, after the death of the Arch-Biihop 2^arahran, \m\'ú liich time as it ihould be provided of a Paftor and Prtiate^ befides, that the fame belonged to him as the Me- tropolitan thereof, and Primate of the Indies^ and all the Oriental Parts, by the Canons, the See thereof being vacant, and it having no Chap- ter to take care of it during the vacrmcyô which Briefs being faithfully tranflated into the 24aLz- bar Tongue, were immediately read, and recei- ved with that Reverence and Obedience that was due to them : A/ter which the Lord Metro- politan told them, That feeing he had but little knowledge of the Malabar Tongue, it Was ne- cefiàry for him to have {^ome. faithful Perron,and that was well verfed in Eccleiiaftical Affairs, to relate truly in the Congregations what he fliould fay, or what fnculd be fpoke to him: Where- upon Jacob, a Pfiefl, and Curate of the Church of Pallurtc in the faid Biihoprick, n Perfon well skilled both in the l-^ortifgueze and ALilahr Lan- guages, was prefently pitched upon bv commcn Confent 0 who being called by the Lord Metropo- litan, was charged by him with the Office of In- terpreter to himfelf and the Holy Synod, giving him an Oath at the fame time upon the" Holy Gofpels, well and faithfully to diicharge the faid Office, and truly and exactly to relate all that fhould be laid by his Lordlhip or any o:her Per- fon in the Synod, without any addition or dimi- rxiition 5 as alfo to read in the Congregations

H 2 all

loo The Jcis and 'Decrees

all the Decrees and Determinations of the Synods which were to be in the Malabar Tongue : And whereas Truth it felf has teftified. That in the mouth of two or three there is all Truth 5 there- fore for the greater iecurity, there were given to the faid Interpreter, by the mod Reverend Me- tropolitan, as AiTiftants, the Reverend Fathers,

«... r. J '^' Fraticifco Roz^dSià Antonio Tof-

*^ He was aftef wards r^ A ■ c t r

made Biihop of the cano ot the Society or Jeius chriiTians of St. no- in the College of Vaipcotta. "^'** . in this Diocefs, who being well

skilled in the Malabar Tongue , were to ob- ierve all that was related by the Interpreter, and in cafe he was at any time faulty, to corred him j there were beiides feveral others prefent, Natives 2s vi^ell as Tortiigiiezes^ that were well vers'd in both Languages.

Decree I.

THe Congregation being met, and all placed according to their Order, the Metropoli- tan feated in his Chair, faid, In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, Three Perfons and One only True God. Amen.

My beloved Brethren , you the Venerable Prieits, and my moft dear Sons in ChriO:, you the Repreicntatives and Procurators of the People, Does it plcafe you, that for the Praife and Glory of the Holy and undivided Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, and for the Increafe and Exaltation, of the Catholick Faith, and the Chri- ftian Religion, of the Inhabitants of this Bifliop-

rick,

of the S Y N o D of Diamper. i o i

rick, and for the deftrudion of the Herefies and Errors which have been Town therein by feveral Hereticks and Schifmaticks, and for the purging of Books from the falfc Ooftrines contained in them, and for the perfecl: Union of this Church with the whole Church Catholick and Univerfal, and for the yielding of Obedience to the Supreme Bifhop of Rome, the llniverCil Paftor of the Church, and Succeilor in the Chair of St. Pete)\ and Vicar of Chrift upon Earth, from whom you have for fome time departed, and for the extir- pation of Simony, which has been much pra- difed in this Bifíioprick, and for the regulating of the iVdminiftrarion of the Holy Sacraments of the Church, and the necefiary Ufe of them, and for the Reformation of the Affairs of the Church and the Clergy, and the Cuftoms of all the Chriftian People of this Diocefs -■, We fhould begin a Diocefan Synod of this Biilioprick of the Scrrd ^ They anAvered, It pleafeth us. Then the mod Reverend Metropolitan aiked them a- gain 5 Venerable Brethren, and moft beloved Sons in Chrift, iince you arepleafedto begin a Synod, after having offered Prayers to God, from whom all Good proceedeth, it will be convenient, that the Matters to be treated of appertaining to our Holy Faith, the Church, the Divine Offices, the Adminiftration of the Holy Sacraments, and the Cuftoms of the v;hole People, be entertained by you with Benignity and Charity, and afterwards by God's Aiuftance comiplied with, with much Reverence ■, and that every one of you fhould

H 3 faiih-

102 The Acls ana Decrees

faithfally procure the Reformation of fuch things in this Synod as you know to be amifs, and if a- - ny that are preftnt (hou'd happen to be diúàtií^ fíed with any thing that iliall be faid or done therein, let them without any fcruple declare their Opinion publickly, that fo by God's Grace 3t may be examined, and all things may be truly itated as is deiired , but let not Strife or Con- tention find any room among you to the per- verting of Juftice and Reafon , neither be ye afraid of iearching after and embracing the Truth.

Decree ii.

npHe Synod by Virtue of Holy Obedience, and -^ upon pain of Excommunication to be in- curred ipfofião^ does comm.and all Perfcns what- ioever, Ecclefiaftical and Secular, that have been called to, and are prefent at this Synod, not to de- part the Town of Diamper^ where the faid Sy- nod is celebrated, without exprefs leave from themoft lUuftrious Metropolitan, before the Sy- nod is ended, and they have Ogned the Decrees thereof with their own Hand, or till all the reft are difmifb'd: The Synod does likewife Requeft and Comm.and all that have any Matter that is fitting to be offered to it for the Advancement of God's Honour, and the Good of the Chriftians of this Eiihoprick, to acquaint the Metropolitan therewith, either by Word or Writing, or fome Third Perfcn, that fo what is convenient may be determined therein.

Decree

of the S Y NOD of Diamper. lo]

Decree in.

E it known and declared to all prefent and _ abfent, That no prejudice ihall be done,or follow to any Town, Corporation, or Village, as to any Preeminence they may pretend to, by the celebration of this Synod in the Town of Diamper ; as alfo that no Church, or Perfon fhail fuffer by reafon of the Places they fit in, in this Synod, but Ihali have their Rights and Privileges, in the fame ftate and vigour that they were in be- for/e^ and if any Doubts fnould happen to ariie about this or any fuch Matter , let them be brought before the Illuftrious Metropolitan 5 Vi^here both Parties being heard, they ihall have Juftice done them.

Decree iv..

'"T'Tlis Synod knowing that all that is Good is -*- fi-om God,and that every perfed Giftcometh down from the Father of Light, v/hogiveth per- fect Wifdom to thoíè that with an humble Heart pray for it; and being wiilial íèníible that 'the beginning of true Wifdom is the fear of the Lord ^ we do admoniib and command all Chriftians, as well Eccleiiafticks as Seculars gathered toi^ether " in this Place, to contefs their Sins with a true contrition for them, and all Pritfts to iay Mais", and others to receive the moil Holy Sacrament of the Altar, befeeching our Lord w-ith humble

H 4 aad

1 04 TJ;^ /^^^ ^«^ Decrees

and devout Prayers for good Succefs to all that fhall be Treated of in this Synod ; to which in- tent, there ftiall be two iblemn Maííès faid in the Church every day during the Seííion of the Sy- nod , one of the Latws to the Holy Spirit, and the other of the Syrians to our Lady the Blefied Virgin Mary^ whofe Praife and Honour is to be particularly Treated of, which Maííès íliall be faid at fuch hours as to be no hindrance to the Congregations, which henceforward ihall meet every day in the Church at Seven in the Morning, They iliall likewife, Latins as well as Syrians^ e- very day after Sun-fet Sing the folemn Litanies of the Church, with a Commemoration of our Lady for the good intention of the Syncd,

T>mzz V.

THE Synod, for the preventing of fome Inconveniences that may otherwife hap- pen, and to leave no room for unneceiTary and hurtful Debates, does command by virtue of Obedience, and upon pain of Excommunication to be ipfo faUo incurred. That while the Con- gregations laft, no Perfon whatfoever, Ecclcfia- ftick or Secular, prefume to meet together in any Jun6èoes with any Perfons, Eccleiiafticks or Secu- lars, to Treat of any Matters appertaining to the Synod, or this Church, without exprefs Licence from the moft llluftrious Metropolitan 5 that fo all that is deiired, may be handled publickly, and in the Congregation , thofe Meetings only

cxcep-

of the Synod of Diamper. 105

excepted which are kept by the People in mdtr to their propofing of Matters to be confulted a- bout, according to ancient Cuftom, and the Or- der of the faid Metropolitan.

A C T I o N 11.

^^N the fecond Day after the finging of the ^^ Antjphony^ Pfalm, Prayers, and Hymn, as they are in the Roman Pontifical^ the moft Reve- rend Metropolitan being feated in his Chair, ílúd. Venerable and Beloved Brethren, the Priefts, and you my deareft Sons in Chrift, the Procurators and Reprefentatives ot the People, We having done Httle more Yeilerday than celebrate the Divine Offices, and Preach to the People, it is fit we ihould begin to Day to Treat ot Matters appertaining to the Synod. In the firft place, of thofe that belong to the Integrity and Truth of our Holy Catholick Faith, and the ProfeiTion of the fame , which before we go about, I do again admonifh you in our Lord Jefus Chrift, that all fuch things as you fhall judge to (land in need of Reformation in this Eifhoprick, or any part thereof, may be iignified to us, or to the Congregation, that fo with the Divine fa- vour and affiftance, ail things by your Diligence and Charity, may be brought into fo good Eftate as is defircd, for the praiie of the Name of our Lord Jefu^ Chrift.

1 o6 ^ The J^s and Decrees

W

Decree il.

THat this Synod may in all things Govern it felf according to the Diredbions of the Holy Canons, and tread in the Footfteps of the Holy General Councils, and particularly of the Holy Council of Trent, upon the knowledge it has of the Neceilities of this Church, and of the diveriity of Opinions that have been hitherto therein concerning Matters of our Holy Catho- lick Faith, and of the Errors contrary thereunto, which have been ibwed in this Diocefs by Hereticks and Schifmaticks : it doth command all Perfons Ecclefiafticks and Seculars, called hither, either in their own Name,or in the Name of others,Eccl.eii- afticks or Laicks, of this Bifhoprick, to make Pro- feííion and Oath of the following Faith, in the hands of the moil: lllufcrious Metropolitan, Pre- iident of this Synod : And for the more eifeftual execution of this Decree, and to provoke others by his own Example, the moft Illuftrious Metro- pohtan having robed himíèlf in his Pontificals, but without his Mitre, kneeling down before the Altar, and having laid his hands upon a Crois that was upon a Book of the Gofpels, did in his own Name, as the preient Prelate and Metro- politan of the Dioceé, and in the Name of all the Chriftians belonging to the íàm.e, and every Perfon thereof. Secular and Eccleíiaíiick, make Profeffion and Oath of the Faith following, which was immediately declared to all that were prefent.

The

of the Synod of Diamper. 107

Tk Trofij/ion and Oath of the Faith,

"N the Name of the moil Holy and undivided _ Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, one only true God, in the Year of our Lord, 1599, in the Seventh Year of the Pontificate of our moft Holy Lord Ckmefit VilL Biihop of Romc^ in the Town of Diamper^ in the Kingdom of Malabar^ in the Eafl'hidies^m the Church of Ail- Sai fit s^ on the 21 fl. of Jnne^ in a Dioceian Synod of the Biihoprick of Serra^ Aílèmbled by the moft lllu- ftrious and Reverend Lord Dom Frey Aleixo de Menezes , Arch-Biíhop Metropolitan of Goa. , and the Oriental Parts, and the See being vacant, of the faid Biihoprick 5

I N, do of my own free Will, without any manner of force and conftraint, for the Salva- tion of my Soul, believing it in my heart, pro- teffc , that with a firm Faith Í do believe, and confefs, all and every one of the Articles con- tained in the Symbol of Faith which is ufed in Holy Mother Roman Church.

I believe in one God tke Father Jlmighty^ Ma^ k§r of Heaven and Earthy and of all things vifble and invifible :

And in one Lord Jefis Chrifl^ the only begotten Son of God^ begotten of his Father before all Worlds ^^ God ofGod^ Light of Lights very God of very God^ begotten^ not made^ being of one fibjiance with the Father^ by whom all things were made : Who fir

us

io8 The AHs and decrees

Hs Men^ and for our Salvation^ came down from Heaven^ and was Incarnate by the Holy Ghoft of the Virgin Mary, and was made Man^ and was Crucified alfo for us under Pontius Pilate \ He fuffkred and was buried^ and the third day he rofe again according to the Scriptures^ and afcended into Heaven^ and fitteth on the right hand of the Father , atid he fiall come again with Glory to Judge both the ^ick^ and the Dead: whofe Kingdom fiall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghoft^ the Lord and giver of Lifc^ who proceedeth from the Father^ and the Son^ who ivith the Father and the Son together is worJJnpped and glorified^ who fpake by the Pro- phets. And I believe one Catholick^ and ApofloUck^ Church ^ 1 acknowledge one Baptifm, for the remijji- on of Sins '-) and 1 look^ for the Refurre&ion of the Dead 5 and the Life of the World to come,

I do firmly receive and embrace all Apoíloli- cal and Ecclefiaftical Traditions, and all the Ob- fervances and Conftitutions of the faid Church , I admit the Holy Scriptures in that fence wherein it has ever been , and is ftill held by Mother Church, to vi^hom it belongeth to judge of the true Sence and Interpretation of the Holy Scrip- tures '-) neither will I either receive or interpret it but according to the unanimous confent. of the Fathers.

I do conf-eTs likcvvife, that there are Seven true and proper Sacraments of the New Teftament, inftitutcd by Chrift our Lord, which areall necef-

fary

of the Synod 0/ Diamper. top

fary to the health of Mankind, tho' not to every particular Perfon 5 they are, Baptifm, Confirma- tion, the Eucharift, Order, Penance, Matrimo- ny, and Extream Undtion, which do all conferf Grace on thofe that receive them worthily 5 and of thefe feven Sacraments, that Baptifm, Confir- mation, and Orders, are to be received but once, neither can they be repeated without great Sa- crilege.

I admit and receive all the Cuftoms, Rites, and Ceremonies, received and approved of in the Roman Church, in the folemn Adminiftration of the faid feven Sacraments, and do alfo receive and embrace all in general, and every thing in particular, that has been defined and declared concerning Original Sin, and Juftification, in the Holy Council of Trent,

I do hkewife confefs, that in the Mafs there is ofFer'd to God a true and proper Sacrifice of Pardon both for the Quick and the Dead 5 and that in the mcft Holy Sacrament of the Eu- charift, there is the true , real , and fubftantial Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Di- vinity of our Lord Jefas Chrift^ and that the whole fubftance of the Bread is by Coníè- cration turned into the Body of Chrift, and the vv^hole fubftance of the Wine into his Blood 5 which Converfion the Catholick Church calls TranfithflantJation : Moreover, I do confeis, that under each Species Chrift is entire, and the true Sacrament is received.

I

lio T7;e Aãs and Decrees

I do conftantly hold and confefs, that there is a * purgatory , and that the Souls which are cleanfing from their Sins, do receive benefit from the Prayers and Devotions of the Faithful.

I do like wife affirm, that f the Souls of the Juft

* idltrgatD^P»] John Fifjer, Bifhop of Rochejter^m his 1 8ifc Ar- ticle againft Luthir, does acknow- ledge the Dodrine of Purgatory to be an Article of Faith of no long {landing in the Church. Multa finquit^ fmt deqmbus inpriwitiva EcclefiÀ nulla quxflio faãura fuerat , qnx tamen poller tor um diligentlly fubortif dub'ttathnibm jam evoferunt perfpkua. Nemo cert è jam duhitat Or- thodoxw an Purgatorium fit, de quo tamen apud prifcos illos nulla, vel qnàm rarijjima fiebat mentio^fed ^ Gr<ecU ad hunc ufque diem, mn eji credit um Purgatorium ejje. Leg.tt qui velit Gritcorum veterum Commen- tarios, iff nullum fquantum opinorj aut quàm rarijjlmum de Purgatório fermonem inveniet. Quamdiu enim nu'Ja fuerat de Purgatório cura -, Ne- mo qusfivit Iniulgentias, nam ex ilh pendet omnis Indulgentiarum ex- tjiimatio j quum itaque Pugatorium t am fero cognitum ac receptum Eccle- fiitfuerit univerfe, quit jam de Indul- gentiis mirari poteft quod in principio nafcentis Eccleft^ nuUw fuerat ea- rum ufi44, coeperunt igitur Indulgen- tÍ£,poftquam ad Purgatmii cruciattti aliquando trepidatum ell.

t m)t ^OUl0 of tl)t luno This was the common Opinion of the Ancient Fathers j namely, Iien£tti 3X. the end of his ^i/jBookj Jujiin. Qiiicfi.qSth, TertuUian in his 4f A Book againft Marcion i Ori^en

in his "jtb Homily upon Levitictti, and a great many other places i Laãantiw in the 2 1/? Chap, of his 1th Book j Viãorinw in his Com- mentary upon the words, I far» under the Altar ; Ambrofiw in- his zd Book oiCain and Abel; Chryfo- flom in his ^pi/rHomily upon thofe words, If in thU life only^ in the \ft to the Corinth. The Author of the fmperfeft Work , in his ^\tb Homily upon St. Matthew '^ Auflin in his Enarration upon the 26th Pfalm i Theodoret in his Com- mentaries upon the v\th to the Heb. Oecumenins in his Commen- taries upon the fame place j TIko- phylaã in his Commentaries upon the 2^d of St. Lul(e j Aretha on thofe words, fJorv long, 0 Lord, &c. Euthymiw upon the 2-s,d of St. Lul(e j and Bernard in his Sermon upon All-Saints day : And to Pope /o^'n the 2 2^ being charged witli having believed this Doftrine, Bellarmin returns the following Anfwer, Joannem hunc zzdum. reverá, fenfijfs Animas nm xifuras Deum nifi pofl refurreãionem, CAtc- rum hoc fenfijfe quando adhttc fentire licebat fine periculo H^refis, nulla enim adhu'c pr.tcejprat Ecckfit de- finitio. Which Confellion makes the Doftrines of praying to Saints, and of Purgatcry, and of Indul- gences, to be very new Articles of Faith.

and

of the Synod of Diattiper. 1 1 1

and Faithful, which at their departure out of this Life, have entirely fatisfied for the Puniíhment due to the Sins that they have committed 5 as alfo thofe in Purgatory which have made an end of fatis- fying for their fins according to the Divine Pleafure and Ordination 5 as alfo thofe who after Baptifm have committed no Sin , do at the moment of their death go immediately into Heaven, where they behold God as he is : And I do condemn, and anathematize the Herefy of thoie, who think that the Souls of the Juft are in' a Terreftrial Pa- radife till the day of Judgment 5 and that the Damned are not Tormented any otherwife than by the certainty they have of the Torments they are to enter into after the day of Judgment, r

And I do confefs, and affirm , that the Saints now reigning with Chrift in Heaven, are to be Reverenced, and Invoked, and that they offer Prayers to Gqd for us, whofe Relicks are like- wiíè to be reverenced on Earth : And moreover, that the "^ Images of our Lord ChrifV, açdof our Lady the Glorious Virgin Marj/^ and of all the other Saints, are to be kept, ufed, and reve- renced, with due Honour and Veneration.

* !31niagP0»] Gyraldui^ a Le»r- idárà [mus ea fuerit Njfpocrati <^

net! Pa pi ft, in the igf/j Page of Angeronx covfignare •■, iUud certè nan

the Hiftory of the Gcdf, fpcaking prdirermittam^ Nos dko Chrifliams^

of InMgcs in the Cliurch of KomCy ut aliqHando Komanos^fiaffc fine Ima-

faith, At de ijliufmodi magU tm- ginibM in primitiva^ qmt x'ocatur,

tire pojfumHí, quam palam loqui, Eçclefià. ■

1 1 1 TIjC Jãs and Decrees

I do alio believe, that our Lady the moft Holy Virgin Mary is the proper and true Mother of God, and ought to be called ib by the Faithful^ for having brought forth according to the Fleib, without any pain or pailion, the true Son of God, and that (he always continued a Virgin, in, and after her Deliverance, having never been defiled by any aftual Sin.

I do confefs, that the power of granting In- dulgences was left to the Church by our Lord Jefus Chrift ^ the ufe whereof I do affirm to be healthful and profitable to all Chriftian People.

I do acknowledge the Holy, Catholick, and Apoftolick Roman Church to be the Head, Mo- ther and Miftrefs of all other Churches in the World 5 and do hold all that are not fubjed and obedient to her, to be Heretical, Schifmatical, and difobedient to our Lord Jefus Chrift, and his Commands, and to the Order that he left in the Church, and to be Aliens from Eterrfal Salvation.

I do promiíè and (wear true Obedience to the Pope, the Roman Biihop, the Succeflbr of the Bleiied Prince of the Apoftles St. Pe/er, and Vicar of our Lord Jefus Chrift on earth, the Head of the whole Church on earth, and Doftor and Mafter of the fame, and the Father, Prelate, and Paftor of all Chriftians 5 and do confefs, that all who deny Obedience to the faid Roman Bifliop, the Vicar of Chrift, are TranfgreiTors of the Divine Commands, and cannot attain to Eter- nal Life.

1

of the Synod of Diamper. i i 3

I do without any fcruple receive, approve, and confeis all other Matters, defined and declared in the Sacred Canons, and General Councils, and chiefly in the Holy Council of Treat 5 and dó in the fame manner condemn, reje£r, and anathe- matize every thing that is contrary to the fame 5 together with all Heretics condemned, rejeded and anathematized by thefaid Church 5 Namely^ the Diabolical and perverfe Herefie of Neflorim^ together with its perveríè Author Ne/?í??7Ã'if, and. its falfe Teachers "^ Theodorusdi'^a'^ Dlodorns^ and all that have and do follow it, who being per- fwaded and feduced by the Devi], do impiouily maintain, That our Lord and Saviour Chriii:

* 2ni)E0D0^llSi.] They Pnould not have been fo hard upon Theo- dorw^ioT Pope Hononi4i\ f4ke,who by Name was condemned toge- ther with him[by the 5ÍÃ. Gene- ral Council 5 and^I am miftakcn, if Pighiuiy and fome other Popiih Writers, have not for that very reafon laboured hard to vindicate Theidorus's Memory.

t ?2)iOtlOJUSi.] Dm Pin in his £^tk. Century of Chriftianity, p. 189. faith : As to what concerns his Doârine of the Incarnation, we could better judge of it, if we had his Books ; bat there is no great probability, that one who was praifed, efteemed and che-^ riihed by Meletiw, Sz. Bafil^ St. Gregory Navan^en, Sz.EpiphaniuSy and even by St. AthanafiuSy and his Succeffors Peter and Timor hj of Alexandria ^ who was alfo con- Udered in ii General Council as

one of the moíí Learned and moil Orthodox Bifhops of all the Eaft y and in ihort, who was Mafier to Sc. Chryfofiom, ihould be guilty of fo grofs an Error as that oí Nú^ JioiíHí, 'Tis true, that iie hid for his Scholar tkeodonii of Afopfue- Jiiay and that he was accufed of the fame Error with Nejloriw^ and that he was condemned as convifted of this Error alter his Death in tlie '^th. Council. Buc befides, that there have been fome Ferfons who have undertaken to juftifie him : Yet if it fliould be granted chat he was guilty of this Error, it would not f jIIow that he learned it of his Mailer, iince we daily fee Heretical Difciples who have had Orthodox Mailers. Should not the Faich of 5r, Chry- foftom rather ferve co jallifie Dio- doruf, than the Error of Jheodc- ruí £ò condemn him .'

I

Gon-

1 1 4 The Jãs and Decrees

confifts of Two Perfons, afErmmg the Divine Word not to have taken the Fleih into a Unity of Per ion with it felf, but only to have dwelt therein as in a Temple, and fo will not fay, that God was Incarnate, or that our Lady, the moft Blefled Virgin M^;7,was the Mother of God, but only the Mother of Chrift , all which I re- je8:, condemn and anathematize as Diabolical He- refies 5 and dobeheve, and embrace, and approve of all that was determined about this Matter, in the Council of Ephefm^ confifting of two hun- dred Fathers, in which by order of Celeftine ift, Bifhop of Rome^ the Bleílèd St. Cyril^ Patriarch of Alexa?idria^ was Preiidcnt, whom I acknow- ledge to be a Saint now enjoying God, and that all that blafpheme him are in a ftate of Damnation.

Moreover, I do condemn all that fay, that the Paffion of our Saviour ought not to be menti- oned, and that it is an Injury to him to do it 5 on the contrary, I do believe and confeis, that the Confideration and Difcourfes thereof are ho* ly, and of benefit to Souls.

I do likewife confefs and believe, that in pure Chriftianity there is only one Law of our Lord Jefus Chrift, true God, and true Man 5 in like manneras there is no more than one only trueGod, one only Faith,andone only Baptifm 5 which one onlyLavv was preached by all thebolyApoftles,and theirDifciples andSuccefíòrs after the fame manner. I do therefore condemn and rejed all thoíè who ignorantly teach, That there was one Law of S*!.

Thomas y

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 1 5

Thomas^ and another Law of St. Peter^ and that they are fo different as not to have any thing to do with one another^as alio all other Hereíics and Errors condemned by Holy Mother Church. This true and Catholick Faith, out of which there is- no Salvation, and Vv^hich at prefent I do of my own free Will, profeis and truly hold and be- lieve, I fhall with the help of God endeavour to keep entire, and undefiled to my laft breath ^ and conftantly to hold and profeis, and to procure its being held, profeííed, preached, and taught by all that are fubjed to me, or that fhall be any ways under my care. I N. do promife and vow to God, and Swear to this Holy Crofs of our Lord Chrift : So help me God, and the Contents ofthis Gofpel"*".

I do alio Promife, Vow and Swear to God, this Crois, and thefe Holy Gofpels, never to re» ceive into this Church and Biilioprick of the.S'er- r^, any Bifhop, Archbiiliop, Prelate, Paftor or Governour whatfoever, but whatihail be imme-

* Pagninw Gaudentiw, uLczTncd pinum, Tertiillianum (^ obferva

Pdpift, in his zd. Book Ds Vua quàm parci funt^y d^rn vefiTunt .luid.

ChrifiianorHm^ makes this judiei- divim fid^ fcr.tuint Chyijlianu

cus reíieftion upon ihe Church of Sedfubficuta (ecuLi tain rmnha defi'

Rome's long Creed. Mírabitur r.iermt, ^ addidsiiint, «r ingentix

aliquu, cum tarn Lite pateant limi- Vokmina. nunc noftram comphãuntitr

tes Theohgie Chrijlian^^ Scriptores Theoligi-im : ei ergo, qui de vita.

Vetu.fiijJimoSj quiqus jlorttermt ante chn(tianorum ante tiwpna Conflan-

Coníiaritinum, brevi admodum rati- tini agity danda dpa a ejf, ut exponat

oney non multisque €ffaiis complecli incremcntum Dog'natuni Catholito-

precípua Cafita Chnjiianói Keligio- rkm ; quod tamsn nefcio anr.on offcn-

fli , Summamque M'>fleriorum qu.e fumm jh uans n-jirds. tniditafunt ab Apojltlis : Lege J,i-

I 2 diately

1 1 6 The JBs and Decrees

diately appointed by the Holy Apoftolical See, and the Bifhop of K<?/^/e, and that whomfoever he fhall appoint. Í will receive and obey as my true Paftor, without expefting any Meílàge, or having any further dependance upon the Patri- arch of Bdyloji^ whom I condemn, rejeet and anathematize, as being a Nefiorúm Heretickand Schifraatick, and out of the Obedience of the Holy Roman Church, and for that reafon out of a ftate of Salvation : And I do fwear and promife, never to obey him any more, nor to communicate with him in any Matter : All this that I have profeiTed and declared, I do pro- miie, vow and fwear to Almighty God, and this Holy Crofs of Chrift : So help me God, and the Contents of thefe Gofpels, Amen,

The moft Reverend Metropolitan, after ha- ving made this Proteftation and Confeilion of Faith, rofe up, and feating himfelf in his Chair, Vv'iih his Mitre on his Head, and the Holy Go- Ipels, with a Crofs upon them in his hands ^ the Reverend Gfi^r^e, Archdeacon of the (aid Eiiliop- rick of the Scrra^ kneeling down before him, made the fame Profeilion of Faith, w ith a loud and intelligible Voice, in the Malabar Tongue, taking an Oath in the hands of the Lord Metro- politan, and after him all the Priefts, Deacons, Subdeacons, and other Ecclefiafticks that were prefent, being upon their Knees, "jacob^ Curate of Pallarty^ and Interpreter to the Synod, read the (aid Profeilion in Malabar^ all of them fay- ing

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 1 7

ing it along with him 5 which being ended, they all took the Oath in the hands of the Lord Me- tropolitan, who asked them one by one in parti- cular. Whether they did firmly believe all that was contained in the Profeiiion 5 as alio whether they did believe and confeis all that is believed and profeílèd by the Holy Mother Church of Rome^ and did rejedi: all that fne rejeds, and if they did anathematize the cvirfed Herefie of the Néjiorians^ with all its falfities, and all the Au- thors and Cheriihers of the fame ^ Namely, the perverfe ISJefioriufj Theodoms^ and Diodorus^ to- gether with all their Followers 5 and whether they did acknowledge the Ho\y Roffía?í Church to bèthe Mother,and Miftreft"^',and Head of all the Churches in the World, and confefs that all that

*■ There is no Chrirtian Church beiides the Roman, and a hahdful of Maronites, who pur together, are not the fourth part of Chrj. ftendom^ but whsT deny this Su- premacy, and do with Pope Gre- gory I. condemn is as an Anti- chrifiian and Heretical Ururpati- on. It isnorhing fo much as this Magifterial Pride of the Rorran Churclr that makes the Papifts to be by much the moil generally hated Sea of People in the whole World •, for not to fpeak of the Jewi, Mahor.etans and Heathens, who hate them infinitely beyond all other Seéts of Religion, the G^eek. and AkxandrUn Chriilians have them in fuch detefiarion, as

to reckon an A!t?r defiled by a Roman Pi'ieiVs having cclcbraicd thereon : And for the Mufcjvitcs, F'-jjl'v/ms tells us, their greatc ft: imp-í-ecaxion is, Í hope, to libero fee tdfee fo far abandoned, as io turn Papiil. The Abbijfm Chri- llians, zsGtídiuus tells us, do !\oc only condemn the RonjMÚJls as Heretick?, but do affi.m, that they ure worfe than Miho-fittuns^ and in the 2ith. Chap, of the ârfi Book of Archbiihop Mem^^-A Vi- fjtation, it is faid that the Chal- d£iin and Malabar Chriftiins did fo abhorr the Pope, that they could net endure fo much as lo he«r him named.

\yer^

ii8 The Jãs and Decrees

were not obedient to her, were out of a ftate of Salvation 5 and if they did promife and fvvcar true Obedience and fubjedtionto themoft Holy Father the Pope and Biihop of Rome^ as Univerfal Paftor of the Church, and Si^cceilbr of St.Veter^ the Prince of the Apoftles, and Vi- Cir of Chrift upon Earth, without any manner of dcpendance upon the" Schiimatical Patriarch of Babylon? ^ to whom tho' contrary to Juilice, they had hitherto beenfubjecl, and if they did pro- mife never to receive any other Biihop into this DioccG, but what iliall be fent by the Holy Ro* r,7an Church, by the appointment of our Lord the Pope, and that whorafoever he ihall ordain, they will acknowledge and obey for their Pre- late, as becomes true Catholicks, and Sons of the Church, anathematizing the Patriarch of Bahy^ lo?7^ as a Nefiorian Heretick, out of the Obedi- ence of the Holy Roman Church, and promi- iing and fwearing never to obey him more in any matter, nor to have any further Commerce or Communion with lím in things appertaining to the Church.

To all which, and every particular, they did all, and every one of them for themfelves with their hands upon the Crofs and the Gofpel, fwear and proteil to God by the Holy Gofpel, and the Crofs of Chrift. After the Ecclefiafticks had made this ProfeiTion and Oath, the Procurators and Reprefentatives of the People, by virtue of the Powers they had , made the fame in their own Tsame, and in the Mame of the People of

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 1 9

the Biihroprick, as did alfa all the other Chri- ftians that were prefent.

Decree ni.

npHe^ynod doth command all Priefts, Deacons, -*- and Sub-Deacons, of this Bifhoprick, that were not preient at this Solemnity, to make the forefaid Oath and profeííion of Faith in the hands of the raoft lUuftrious Metropolitan, at the Vifitation of their Churches, which he intends to make fpeedily, or in the hands of fuch as he ihall depute for thofe that ihall be abfent at the time of the Vifitation , that To there may be none in Holy Orders in this Biihoprick but what has made this Profeííion in the manner afcrefaid. The Synod doth likewiíè declare, That hereafter none fhall be capable of undertaking any Vicaridge, or Cure of a Church, until they have made the faid ProfeiTion, in the hands cf their Prelate, or of íbmeCommifíionated by him for that purpoie, as airo,that all that take Holy Orders,do firft make the faid Profeííion in the fame manner 5 and if any of the forementioned, which God forbid, fhall refufe to do it, that they ihall thereupon be declared Excommunicate, until they comply, and withal be vehemently fufpeded ol: Kerefy, and be puniihed according to the Sacred Canons. ^

I 4 ACTI-

1 1 o 77;e Aãs and Decrees

Action IIL

iEcauíè without Faith it is inipoíTible to pleafe God 5 and the Holy Catholick Faith, without which none can be faved, is the begianing of true Life, and the foundation of all our Good , the Purity thereof being that, that diftinguifhes Chriilians and Catholicks from all other People 5 wherefore the Synod being feniible, that by means of fome Heretical Perfons, and Books icattered ?ill over this Biihoprick, many Errors and Falfi- ties have been Town therein, with which many are poifoned, and more may be, doth judge it necelFary, befides the profeflion of Faith that has been made, further to declare to the People in ibme Chapters , the chief Articles of our Holy Catholick Faith, and to point at, and obferve the Errors contained in their Books, and to have them Preached againft in this Biihoprick, that fo knowing the raifchief and falfehood of them, ^hey may avoid them.

Tk

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 1 1

CHAP. I.

^The Docirine of Faith,

,llr Holy Faith, that is believed with one una- nimous confent by the Catholick Church rpread all over the World, is, That we believe in One only True, Almighty , Immutable, In- compreheniible, and Ineffable God, the Eternal Father, Son, and Holy Ghofl-, One in EííèncCj and Three in Perfons 5 the Father not begotten, the Son begotten of the Father, and of the fame fubftance with him, and equal to him, and the Holy Ghoft proceeding eternally from the Fa- ther and the Son 5 not as from two Principals, or two Inipirations, bat from both as from one only Principal, and one only Infpiration •, the Father is not the Son, nor the Holy Spirit 5 the Holy Spirit is no*: the Father, nor the Son 5 but the Father is only the Father, the Son is only the Son, and the Holy Spirit is only the Holy Spirit, none of them being before another in Eternity, nor fuperiour to another in Majefty, nor inferi- our to another in Power, but were all without beginning or end 5 the Father is he who begot, the Son is he who was born, and the Holy Ghoft he who proceedeth, Confubftantial, Equal, alike Almighty, and alike Eternal. Thefe three Per- fons are one only God, and not three Gods, one

only

121 The A^s and Decrees

only EiTence and Subftance , one Nature, one Immenfity , one Principal , one Creator of all things Vifible and Inviiible , Corporal and Spiri- tual, who when he pleafed, created all things, with his goodnefs, and would that they lliould be all very good.

CHAP. II.

Furthermore 3 That the only begotten Son of God, who is always with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, Confubftantial to the Father, at the time appointed by the profound Wifdom of the Divine Mercy , for the redeeming of Men from the fin of Adam , and from all o:hcr fins, was truly Incarnate by the operation of the Holy Spirit, in the pure Womb of our Lady the moft Blefied Virgin Mary^ and in her took our true and intire Nature of Man, that is, a Body and rational Soul, into the Unity of the Divine Per- ibn 5 which Unity was fuch, that our Lord Jefiis Chrift is God and Man, and the Son of God, and the Son of Man, in as much as he was the Son of the Blefíèd Virgin 5 fo that the one Nature is not confounded with the other, neither did the one pais into , nor mix it felf with the other 5 neither did either of them vanifh, or ceafe to be 5 but in one only Perion , or in one Divine Sup- poiitum, there are two perfeft Natures, a Divine and Humane, but fo that the properties of both Natures are ilill prefer ved, there being two Wills,

the

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 1 j

the Divine and Humane, and two Operations, Chrift ftill continuing one j for as the Form of God does not dertroy the Form of a Servant, io the Form of a Servant does not diminiih the Form of God 5 becaufe he who is true God, is alio true Man : God, becaufe in the begmm^g he was the Word^ and the Word was with God^ and God was the Word: Man, becaufe the Word was made FleJJj^ and died among- us : God , becaufe by his own Power he fati^fied five Thoufand Men with five Loaves, and promifed the Water of Eternal Life to the Samaritan Woman, and raifed Lazarns from the Grave when he had been dead four days, and gave fight to the^ Blind, cured the Sick, and commanded the Winds and the Seas : Man, becaufe he fuffered Hunger and Thirfl, was weary in the Way, was faftned with Nails to the Crofs, and died thereon : Equal to the Eternal Father as to the Divinity, and Inferior to the Father as to the Humanity, and Mortal, and PafTible.

CHAP. in.

Furthermore 5 That the fame Son of God that was Incarnate, was truly born of the Virgin Mary^ and had his Sac^^cd Body formed of the pure Blood of the fame hioft Bleíièd Vir- gin, and is truly her Son 5 for v/hich reafon we confefs her to be truly the Mother of God, and that (he ought to be fo called and invocated

by

1 14 ^'^^^ ^^^ ^^^ Decrees

by the whole Catholick Church 5 for that fhe really and truly brought forth according to the Fleih, tho' without any Pain or Paííion, the true Son of God, made Man 5 and that the faid Son of God Incarnate, truly fuíFered for us^ and was truly dead and buried, and in his Soul truly de- fcended into Hell, or Limbo , to redeem the Souls of the Holy Fathers, which were therein, and did truly rife again from the dead the third day, and afterwards for forty days taught his Difciples , fpeaking with them of the Kingdom of Heaven, and immediately by his own Power afcended into the Heavens, where he fits at the right hand of the Majefty, Glory, and Power of the Father, from whence he fhall come to Jud2:e the quick and the dead, and to give to every cne according to their Works.

C H A P. IV.

Furthermore 5 That none that are defcended from Adam^ ever were or can be faved by any other means, than by Faith in the Mediator betwixt God and Man, our Lord Jefus Chrift, the Son of God 5 who by his Blood and Death reconciled us to the Eternal Father, by having fatisfied him for our Debts ^ the Faith before our Saviour appeared in the World, being to believe in him who was to come , as after his appearance, to believe in him who is come, and by his Blood and Death has faved us,

CHAP,

of the Synod of Diamper. 125

CHAP. V.

F""Urthermore 5 That all we who are born of "* Adard by the way of Natural Generation, are born Children of Wrath, with the guilt of Original Sin , incurred by the difobedience of jdam^ in whom we all finned , and which we all committed in him 5 for which fin, Adam loft for himfelf, and us, Holinefs and Righteoufiiefi, and fo that guilt of fin is derived to all of us by Generation, we having all finned in him, as the Apoftle St. Vanl tells us, that by one Man Sin entred into the World, and -by Sin Death, and fo Death pajfed upon all Men, all hnving finned , in him, but notvvithitanding this guilt is derived to us by Generation ^ nevcrthelefs our Souls are not deiived by Generation as our Bodies are, but are created by God of nothing, and by the Divine Ordination infufed into our Bodies, at the time when they are perfectly formed and orga- nized, and in the inllant in which they are in- fufed into our Bodies, they contradt the guilt of Original Sin, which we committed in Adam^ and for v/hich vve were all expelled the Kingdom of Heaven, and deprived of God for ever j but which is now pardoned by Holy Baptifm, by which our Souls are cleanfed from, the guilt of that fin, and of Children of Wrath, and Aliens from Glory, we are made the bleílèd Sons of God, and Heirs of Heaven , wherein iikewife all

our

\i6 The AEls and Decrees

our other fins and adlual tranígreííions , where there are any, together with all the puniihments due to the fame, are forgiven.

CHAP. VI.

Furthermore^ That the Souls of all thoíè that have committed no fin after Baptifm, and of thofe who having committed fins, have done condign Penance, and have made an en- tire and equal fatisfadion for them, are carried immediately into Heaven , where they behold God, Three and One as he is 5 and do partake of the Divine Vifion, in proportion to the di- yerfity of their Merits, fome more perfectly than others, and in the fame manner they who die in any Actual Mortal fin, without having done condign puniihment for it 5 or only in Original fin, do go ftraightway down into Hell, there to be tormentejd with Eternal puniihments, though unequal, according to the meafure of their guilt.

CHAP. VIL

Furthermore^ That all Chriftians departing this life in Charity, and having truly repented of the fins they have committed, before they have mnde full l^tisfadion to the Divine Juftice for the fame , are at their death carried into Purgatorj/^ where their guilt is purged away by

Firej

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 27 Fire, and other puniihments in fuch a ipace of time as by theDivine Ordination is fuitable to their Quality, or until they have entirely fatisfied for them, after which they are carried up into Glo- ry, there to en)oy God 5 and that in Purgatory the Prayers, Alms, and other Works of Piety that are performed by the Faithful that are alive, for the Faithful that are dead, are profitable to them 5 but above all, the holy Sacrifice of the Mais, for their ,being relaxed from the puniih- ments that they fuíFer, and for the (hortning of jtheir banifhment from Heaven.

F

CHAP. VIII.

Urthermore, That at the day of Judgment, our Bodies, tho' crumbled into duft and aihes, (hall be railed up the fame that they were in this Life, and be reunited to their Souls, thoíè of the Righteous to be cloathed with Glory, and to reign with Chrift for ever in the Heavens^^ and thofe of the Wicked, to be together with their fouls tormented for ever in the Company of Devils in the Eternal and real Fire of Hell.

CHAR

liS Tl?é AÈis and Decrees

CHAP. IX.

Furthermore, That in the beginning, and in Time God created all things Vifible and In- vifible. Corporeal and Spiritual, and the Empy- rean Heavens full of Angels, of whom, thofe that continued fubjed to God were confirmed in Grace, enjoying God with all the perfeftions and Gifts wherewith they were created, as thoib who difobeyed him fell into Hell, which God fò íbon as they finned made for them, where they are tormented for ever with the rigour of Ju- ftice 5 not only with puniihments of iois, in be- ing Eternally deprived of the Divine Vifion, which they were created to have enjoyed, but with real Fire, and other Eternal Torments al- fo 5 and do tempt men, endeavouring to do them all the mifchief they are able, out of envy, for the Bleffings that are referved for the Juft, and which they have forfeited by their fins, and out of hatred they have for God and his Works, and that intrinfical Malice they are hardned in.

CHAP. X;

Furthermore, That the Bleiled Angels and Saints that reign with Chrift in the Heavens are to be venerated, and invoked by the Faith- ful, defiring of God a Remedy for our wants

through

of the S Y íiOT> of Diainper. 1 27

through their InterceíTionô and of them that they would intercede for us, which they do daily by offering up our Prayers and Pefi- tions to God 5 That the Bodies and Re- 'liques of Saints ought to be had in veneration, in being carefully kept, kifled and adored by the Faithful, and placed under the Holy Altars, and other confecrated places, upon the account of their having been lively Members of Chrift, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit, ar.d becaufe they are to be raifed again at the day of Judgment,and andclothedwithEternalGiory inHeaven,and God vouchfafes many Bleiiings upon Earth by them.

C H A ?7 XL ~~

Furthermore, That the images of our Lord Chrift, and of our Lady the Glorious Virgin Marji^ and of the Holy Angels that are painted after our manner, and of other Saints which the Church believes to be in Heaven, ought to be kept and ufed in all decent places ^ not only in the houfes of the Faithful, but chiefly in Church- es and' Altars, and to be reverenced and adored with due veneration, and with the fame that is ^ due to the Perfons they ieprefent ; not that we believe that there is any thing of Divinity or*Vir- tue in them for which they ought to be honour- ed, or that we put our Hope and Confidence in

*tinirtue-3 if there is nothing Virgin Afary^ ivhen there is fcarce

of Virtue in one Image more than a Church or Chappel in their way,

another, why do People go fo wherein there is coc an Imagc

many hundred miles to pray to of her. iomc particular Images oi the

K • them.

t^o The Acls and Decrees

them, as the "^ Heathens did in their Idols 5 but becaufe the Honour which we pay to them, re- ferrs to what they reprefent, ib that in proftra- ting our felves before their Images, we adore Chriflr, and reverence the Saints, whoíè Images they are : In hke manner we adore the iign of the Crofs, with the Worfhip off Latria^ which is due only to God, becaufe it is a fign repreient- ing the Son of God our Lord Jefus Chrift upon the Crois, and which he himfelf hath told us will be the fign of the Son of Man in the Day of Judg- ment, and with the fame Worihip of Latria we adore the Images of our Lord Jefus Chrift, be- caufe they reprefent him.

^l^eatljfnslThe Learned Hea- thens made che very fame decla- ration concerning their woi flip- ping of Images.

t ?Latria.]The faying that this LAtr'hifix Supream worihip is only Relative, cannot excufe it from being Idolatrous,wichout excufing the groíTeft Worfhip among the Heathen, it being imporâble in Nacure to giveany otherWorihip, than what is relative to an Image, wlien worfhipped asfuch.

Mminus PaefiKi AiU, Bifhop of Guidc::^ in Spa'in^ ir» the third part of his BooI< of Traditions, p. 115. palfcth a fevcre, but juft cciifure upon the Worfiiip here cftablifhed. Cv'jus dniirjns^ nul- lum Çqmd ego vidsrhn) ajferuntva- lidum fundamentam, quod pojjit.fide- les ddid quod dKent obligari. Netm neqtie Saipturam, neque Tra'-irio' nem Ecde/ix^ neq\ com munem feti' Jum íaníhrum, neq\ Cenc'itii Ger.era- Ijs d. terminat'mcm aliqimm^ncc eti-

am rationem quit hoc efficaciter fu^ deri pojfit adducunt. Et p. 225. Certe baud dijjlmile, imo forte ma» ]iS fcandalum infrmit paratur^ qui has díftinfíiones prorfm ignorant^ nee pojjimt nifi en ando intelligerc Cut ego ipfe in multis fimplicibm experimen- to deprehendif cum ab eiifcifcitarer. quid de hac re ftntirent) in eo quod dicitur eâdem adoratione adorandum ejje Imaginem^ qua. ^ rem cujw ef}. Nam cum videant Jimulachrum ope- Yofè fculptum, (tffabrè expolitum^ in eminenti loco templi pofitum^ ipfum- que à multitudine veneratum, iyjtt- per h^ec audiantf quod eodem henore debeat honor ari quo ((y res cu)m e(}, colitur^ certe in multis fimplicibas periculofijfimHS err or k affcHw facile poteji adgenerari, quo putent aliquid Numink latere in imagine^ fie quoq--, ret reprtefentata tum nomen, tumglo' riam, ad imaginem facile poffunt transferre : quod maximè periculo- fum ejfejudico»

CHAP.

of the Synod of Diamper. i ^ i

CHAP. XÍÍ.

Furthermore, the Church profefieth that eve- ry Períon as ibon as he is born, hath a Guardian Angel given hira, whofe bufinefs it is to excite People to what is good, and to deli- ver them from many evils which they would o- therwiíè have fallen into, which Angel proteds and accompanies People through their whole lives, doing all it can to keep them from Sin, and all other Evils, that fo it may bring them to'Eter- nal Life, and is always fuggefting good things to their Free Will, from which we receive many Bleilings as well Spiritual as Temporal, notwith- ftanding we neither fee them, nor underftand how they do it , and thefe we call our Guardian Angels.

CHAP. XÍIÍ.

Furthermore, That the Catholick Church is one and the íàme all over the World, having for its Paftor the chief Bifhop of Rome^ Succeflbr in the Chair of the Blefíèd Prince of the Apo- ftles, St. Feter^ to whom, and by him to his Smc- ceflòrs, our Lord Jefus Chrift delivered the full power of ruling and governing his whole Church 5 from whence it is, that the Romajt Church is the Head of the whole Church, and the Father, Ma- fter and Doctor of all Chriinans 5 and the Pre-

K 2 late

132 The ABs and Decrees

late of all in common, and of all Priefts, Bi- fliops, Archbiihops, Primates and Patriarchs, of whatíbéver Church they are s as alio the Paftor of all Emperors, Rings, Princes and Lords : In a word, of all that are Chriftians, and of all the Faithful People, Hence it is, that all that are not under the Obedience of the faid Roman Bifhop, the Vicar of Chrift upon Earth, are out of a ftate of Salvation, and iliall be condemned to Hell as Hereticks and Schifmaticks, for their Dii^ obedience to the Commands of our Lord Jeius Chrift, and the Order that he left in his Church.

CHAP. XIV.

Furthermore, that One and the fame God is ' the Author of the New and Old Tefta- ment, of the ProphetSjUnd the Gofpels, the Saints of both thofe Teftamcnts being infpired in the Writing of them with the fame Holy Spirit 5 and fo the Catholick Church receives all the Cano- nical Books of both Teftaments, which contain in them ' nothing but what is infallibly true, and was difi:atedby the Holy Spirit: To wjt, of the Old Teftament the five Books of Mofes^ Genefis^ ExocL'/s^ Leviticus^ Nfi/;;bers^ DetiteroHOfriy 5 as al- fo Jofljital the two Books of Judges^ Ruth^ the four Books of Kings^ the two Books oi Chroni- cles^ the flrft Book of EJhlrc^s^ the fecond which is called Nehemias^TobJt^ Judith^ Efther^ Job, the Pfalms of DiW/dy being 1 50, the Proverbs, Ec-

clefajles^

of th S r N o D of Diamper. 1 3 5

defiafles^ÚitSongofSo?igs^ the Book oiW7fdom^ EccleJtajikuF^ the four greater Prophets, viz. Ifau ah^ Jeremiah^ Ezekjcl, Darnel 5 the twelve leííer, viz. Hofea^ J^-h Amos^ Ohadi^h^ Jonah^ Micah^ Niihum^ Habakknk,^ Zepkaniah^ Haggai^ Zcchariah^ Mdachi^ and the firft and fecond oi Maccdbees 5 and of the New Tcilamenr, St. Mattkcrr^ St. Mark^^ St. Lu\e^ and St. Johi^ the Ads of the A- poftles writ by St. L///<e, the fourteen Epiftles of St. Paul^ viz. One to tlie Roiyjans^ two to the Co- rinthians^ one to the Galatians^ one totheEp^^- J/anSj one to the Philippians^ one to the Colojjians^ two to the Thejfalo?naas^ two to Timothy^ one to Titui^ one to Phikmon^ and to the Hebrews 5 two of the Apoftle St. Petei\ three of the Apoitle St, John^ one of the Apoftle St. James^ one of the Apoftle St. Jncie, and xhe Revelation of the Apo- ftle Sujohn^ all which Books, with all their parts are Canonical, and contain in them nothing but what is infallibly true.

THe Synod declareth, that in the Books of the New Teftamenc ufed in this Church, and writ in the Syrian or 6)r/V;<:4 Tongue, there is wanting in the Gofpel of St. Jobn^ the bcgin^ ning of the ^th. Chapter, the Hiftory of the AduU tereis that was carried before our Lord Chiift 5 as alfo in the lotb. of St. Luke^ where it is faid, that Chrijl fent feventy tivo Difcipks, it is faid, he fent feventy Difciples 'j and in the 6th, of St.

1^4 Tl^^ ^^^ ^^^d Decrees

Matthew^ the words. For thine is the Kingdom^ the Power ^ and the Glory for ever^ is added to the end of the Lord's Prayer, there is alfo want- ing in the faid Books the fecond Epiftle of St. Feter^ the fecond and third Epiftles of St. Ji?^//, and that oiJude\, and the Revelation of St. John^ and in the 4^,6. Chapter of the firft Epiftle of St. J-ohn^ this Verfe is wanting, having been impi- oufly left out, ^i filuit Jejkm^ tton eft ex Deo ^ and in the %th. Chapter of the fame Epiftle, theíè words are wanting, There are three that hear Record in Heazfen^ the Father^ the Word^ and the Holy Ghoft^ and thefe three are One 5 and in the Old Teftament there are wanting the Books of Efther^ Tobit, and Wifdom^ all which the Synod commandeth to be tranOated, and the paflages that are wanting to be reftored to their Purity, according to the Chaldee Copies, which are emend- ed, and the Vulgar Latin Edition made ufe of by holy Mother Church, that fo this Church may have the Holy Scriptures entire, and may ufe it with all its parts, as it was written, and as it is to be ufed in the Univerfal Church, to v»^hich end the Synod defireth the Reverend Father Fra?iciJco Roz, of the Society of Jefus, and ProfeObr of the Syrian Tongue in the Col- lege of Vaiprrotta in this Biihoprick, that he would be pleaicd to take the trouble thereot up- on him, for which he is fo well qualified by tea- fon of his great skill both in the Syrian Language, .and the Scripture.

of the Synod of Diamper. i j 5 Decree in.

WHereas the Holy Scriptures are the Pillars that fupport our Holy Faith, and as it were the Foundations whereon it ftands, and wherein the Truth and Purity thereof is to be met with, which has made all Hereticks in their endeavours to deftroy the ííiid Faith, conftantly and induftrioufly to corrupt the Text of the Divine Scriptures, partly by taking away fuch paíiàges as did manifeftly contradid their Er- rors, and by perverting other places ib as to make them "^ feem to favour them 5 which hath alio happened4n^this Bifhoprick, through its ha- ving been governed by Biihops who were Nefto- rian Hereticks, and that ufed the fame pradices upon the Holy Scriptures, that were in their hands in favour of their Herefies, as in the loth.o? the Ads of the Apoftles, where St. Paul faith, Tak^ heed to your felvcr^ and the whole Churchy over which the Holy Spirit hath made you Bifl30ps to rule the Church ofGod^ which he purchafed with his Blood 3 the word God is impiouily changed for

• ^ttm to faiJOUr tI}Cm.] Ic of Ifaiah, which they make uie of

is hard to give any other reafon to promote Pilgrimages to Jeru-

thati this, why the Church of /rf/ew, nor thatinthe iith.io the

Rome, tho' fmce the time of the Hebrevps, which feems to make

Conncil of Trent, fhe has corred- for the Adoration ot Images ; nor

cd fome hundreds of Errors in that in the firft Chapter of the

the Vulgar Latin, did not think Si^.Epift. of St. F^rer, which feems.

fit to correft that in the -^d. of to give fome countenance to the

Gene/if, which they apply to the Invocation of Saints. Virgin Mtrj j noif that in chç 1 1 th,

R4 <im

1 1 6 The ABs and Decrees

that of Chriji, and it is iaid that Chrifl hatb made them to govern hh Churchy ivhich he pur^ ch.ued with h;s ovpn Blood 5 becaufe xhe Nejioyians ^ being inftigated by the Devil, will not acknow- ledge according to the Catholick Truth, that God ftiffcred íínd (bed his Blood for us ^ and in the fourth Chapter of the firft Epiftle of St. jfi'^z/, this Veríè is left out, ^i folvit Jefnrn^ 7ton eji ex Deo'^ becaufe it contradicis the Neftorians^ who do impioufly divide Chrifl:, by making him to have two Perfons, and in the Q,d. Chap, of the iame Epiftle, where it is faid. In this we kftovp the LoveofGod^^ becaufe he laid dorvn his Life fir m^ the word God'i^ maliciouily left out, and that of Chrifh put in its ftead, faying, That in this wekitow the hove of Chrifh^ 8cc. and fo it favours the iVê- florian Hereiie, which denies God to have dyed for us 5 and in the zd. Chap, of the Epiftleto the Hebren>s^ where the Apoftle faith. We have feen Jefi^ for the P^/Jfon of his Death crowned ivith glo- ry and honour^ that he by the Grace of God Jlwuld t afie death fir all men '-^ xViQ Surian^ 'x\\.q better to make a ditTerence of Perfons in Chrifl:., which was what Neftoritis taught, has impioufly added, PVe have fen Jcfus fir thepajfjon ofkis death crown- ed P:>ith honour and glory ^ that the Grace ofGod^Çpr^" ter Deum^ or befldes God) might tafU death for all 5 and in the 6th. of St. Luke^ where our Lord Chvift faith, LeiHÍ^ hoping fir nothing again ^ to favour and juftiiie their Ufury, they have made Le^d^ and from thence hope for fomething : , AU which places being depri^ved and corrupted by

Here-

of the Synod of Diamper. 157

Hereticks, the Synod commandeth to be cor- refted in all their Books, and to be reftored ac- cording to the Purity and Truth of the Vulgar Edition ufed by Holy Mother Church, entreat- ing the moft 111 uftrious Metropolitan forthwith to viíít the Chuidies of this Dioceis, either in Per- fon, or by fome well skilled in the SjriaTi Tongue, whom he fhall be pleafed to depute.

Decree iv.

THe Synod being informed that the Chri- ftians of this Diocefs, by reafon of the Communication they have with Infidels, and by living among tliem, have imbibed feveral of their Errors and Ignorances, namely, three that are the common Errors of all the Infidels of theíè parts ; the firft is, That there is a "^ Tranfmigrati- on of Souls, which after Death go either into the Bodies of Bcafts, or of fome other Men , which befides that it is a great Ignorance, is alfo an Er- ror contrary to the Catholick Faith, which teach- eth, That our Souls after Death are carried to Heaven or Hell, or Purgatory, or Limhts^ ac- cording to every ones Merits, and that there is no fuch fabulous and falfe Tranfmigration.

^ SCranfmigration» 3 This the Souls of the Juft departed this was not the Doârine of this Life, were in a Terreflrial Para- Church, as appears plainly from dife, where they were to remain what is faid in twenty places of till the day of Judgment. %\m Synod, of her believing, tha;

The

138 T7;e Jãs and J)ecnes

The íècond is. That all things come neceflari- ly to pais, or through * Fate or Fortune, which they call the Nativity of Men, who they íày are compelled to be what they are, and that there is' no help for it ^ which is a manifeft Error, and condemned by Holy Mother Church, for as much as it deftroys that Liberty of Will , with which God created us, leaving us in the power of our own Will, to do Good or Evil, to obey his Holy Inipirations and Internal Motions, by which he excites to Good, or to refift Evil 5 fo that as it de- pends on his Divine mercy and goodnefs to move us to Good, fo it depends on oar Free-Will, whether by his affiftance we will obey thoíè In- fpirations, and will profit our felves of his Inter- nal Motions, or of our own free Will refufe to do it 3 or in a word, do Well, or 111 5 fo that if we periih for doing any thing that is 111, it is the fault of our own Free- Will 5 astheCatho- iick Faith teaches us ^ and not from the fate of our Nativity ,as the ignorant Heathens will have it.

The third is , \ That every one may he laved in his own Law , all which are Good , and lead Men to Heaven. Now this is a manifeft Herefy \ there being no other Law upon earth in which Salvation is to be found, befides that of

* I am very apt to believe that Memory of his pretended Father, they are here falfely accufed of in making Predeflination and Fate attributing all things to Fate, for to be equally deftruftivc of hu- no other reafoD but becaufe they mane Liberty, believed Predeftination •, which f This is an Error thux. Jufi'm if it was fo, Arch-Bifhop Mene^s^ Af'trtyr^ Clement Alexan irims^ and who was himfelf ao Auft'in Fryar, othersofthcPhilofophical Father* fiie-.ved but Ijctle refpeft to the fcem to have beçn in.

oqr

of the Synod of Diamper. 139

our Saviour Chrift, for that he only teacheththe Truth ^ fo that all that live in any other Sed, are out of a ftate of Salvation, and (hall be condemn- ed to Hell 5 there being no other Name given to Men, by v^hich we can be faved ^ but only the Name of our Lord Jefus Chrift the Son of God, who was Crucified for us ; All which Er- rors, the Synod commandeth the Vicars and Preachers often to preach againft in the hearing of the ignorant People, and all Confeilors to examine their Penitents concerning them, and to teach them the Catholick Truth.

^mtz V.

THis Synod being informed, that there is a dangerous Herefy, and very injurious to our Lord Jefus Chrift, fown and preached through this Diocefs 5 which is, That it is a "^ grievous fin fo much as to think or (peak of our Saviour's Holy Paííion : and as there are a great many of this Opinion, fo the doing of it has formerly been prohibited by impious Cenfures 5 all which is a manifeft Error, and extreamly prejudicial to the Souls of all faithful Chriftians , and the fruit and profit of Souls, arifing from fuch Confiderations, and Diicourfes,which is very great,as vvell for that love and aifeftion which they beget in us, for our Saviour, who fuffer'd for our Salvation, as

* <25^irtJOU0 ^inQHow does the Sacrament of the Eucharift i this confift with their having fo or with their Preaching that it was many Crofles in their Churches, Chrift, and not the Son of God, and Houfes, as they tell us they that fu&red upon the Crofs. ' had j or with their adminiilrin^

for

140 < The Jãs and decrees

for the Example of thofe Vertues which were ib lllaftrious in his Holy Paffion, and the hatred of Sin, for which he fuffer'd fo much, and the fear of the Divine Juftice which he fo rigoroufly íàtis- fied, and the confidence of our Salvation by fuch a plenteous Redemption 5 and the ufe of the Sacraments , to which he applyed the virtue of his Holy Pailion, and other infinite benefits which are derived from thence to our Souls, which Error included another no leis prejudicial, and which is alfo common among the Nejiorians 3 the condemning of Holy Images , for that if it were an Impiety to think of the Paffion of our Lord Chrift, it mull: follow that all thofe things are unlawful, that move or contribute thereun- to 5 as, the Sign of the Holy Crofs 5 and all Images of the Holy Paffion , all which is a grois and manifeft Herefy : Wherefore the Synod doth recommend it to all Preachers, Confeíiòrs, and Reftors of Churches , frequently to perfwade their People to the confideration of thofe Di- vine Myfteries ^ and to that end, they ihall ad- vife them to the Devotion of the i^<?/^r;' of our Lady the moil Bleííèd Virgin Mary^ wherein are contained all the principal Myfteries of the Life of our Lord Chrift, with profitable Medita- tions upon them.

Decree VL

AMong the many Errors fown in this Dioceis, and left in the Books thereof, by the per- fidious Nefiorzan Hereticks, there being feveral againft our Lady, the moft BleiFed Virgin Mary,

thç

of the Synod 0/ Diamper. 141

the Mother of God, the only Remedy of Chri- ftians, the Mother of Mercy, and the Advocate of Sinners, the Queen of Angels. The Synod doth therefore declare, That it is the Doftrine of the Catholick Faith, that the Holy Virgin was never at any time ftained with the guilt of any aftual fin 5 and that it is Pious to believe, that ihe was alfo Conceived without Original Sin , it ieeming to be moft agreeable to the Dignity ofthe Mother of God, that it (hould be fo 5 the' it is true, that Holy Mother Church f has not ??s yet determined any thing about that matter. Furthermore, the Catholick Faith tcacheth, that ihe was always, before, in, and after Child-birth, a moft pure Virgin, and that ihe brought forth the Son of God, made Man, without any Pain, or PalTion 5 having none of thofe things which are common to other Women after Child-birth, nor no need of any created ailiftance to help her to bring forth, or afterwards, there being nothing in her but what was pure, the Eternal Word, made Fleib, fpringing omof her Womb, the Clauftrum of her pure Virginity being fhut,

fi^aSincta^VEtDftfrmineB] lUa Virgo Maria, IllaSanãa^ lila

It is much ihe has noc,Í! nee the In- eleCia à primo , Originarioque psc-

vention of the Holy Reliques in the cato pr£fervata futt^ (^ ab omni ml-

Mounrains of Granada^ among ^â. libera; atque hjic Veritas Apà- 'which there was a Book in Arabic^ fiolorum Concilium e/?, quam qui ne-

of S Cí'í:i//w,vvho wasconfccrated gaverit^ malediãw ((^ excommuni' Eifhop of Eliberif by St. Peter zx\á ' catuí erit, ^ falutem non confeque-

St. Paul at Rome, with this Tide, tur, fed in aternum dawnabitur :

De Dono Gloria ^ Dono Tormer.tj j All which Reliques, and this Book

in which there is the following among the refi, were after a fevere

Definition of the Immaculate Con- and* impartial Examinatioo, ap-

ception íTiade by all the Apoftlfs, proved of, and received as ge-

being met together to Solemnize nuine, by a late Provincial Synod

the È;{equJesofi:her'^eíred Virgin: hi Sixain." Whcn

14^ The Jãs and Decrees

when the time, determined in the Confiftory of the Holy Trinity was come, to the great Spiritual Joy and fatisfa&ion of the íàid Bleflèd Virgin ^ for which reafon ihe ought truly to be ftiled the Mother of God, and not only the Mother of Chrifl: , and that when (he departed this Life, ihe was immediately carried up into Heaven, where by a particular privilege due to her Merits, ihe enjoys God both in Body and Soul, without waiting for the general Refurreftion 3 there be- ing no reafon why that Body, out of which there was moft Holy Fleih formed, for the Son of God made Man, ihould as other Bodies be diilblved into Duft and Afhes, but that it ihould be im- mediately exalted and glorified, and placed high above all the Quires of Angels, as Holy Mother Church iings and confeiTeth,* concerning the whole of which matter , the Impious Neftorian Hereticks have fpoke, and writ, even in tlie Bre- viaries ufed in this Biíhoprick, a great many Blaipheraies and Hereíies.

U- ©eccee vii.

npHe Synod is with great forrow fenfiblc of -■• that Herefy, and perverie Error, fown by the Schifmaticks in this Diocefs, to the great pre- ■ judice of Souls 5 which is , That there was one Law of St. Thomas^znà another of St. Pe/er, which made "^ two different and diflindt Churches, and

♦ fittDO Different. 3 By all this had nothing of Superiority or which the Synod calls Two Laws, Jurifdiftion over one another j the Chri Aians of Sr. Thomas meant which is a moft cercain and anciene

only, That the Churches planted truth, by the Apoftks io divers Regions,

both

of the Synod of Diamper. 142 both immediately from Chrift 3 and that the one had nothing to do with the other 3 neither did the Prelate of the one owe any obedience to the Prelate of the other 5 and that they who had fol- lowed the Law of St. Peter, had endeavoured to deftroy the Law of St, Thomas, for which they had been puniíhed by him 5 all which is a manifeft Error, Schifm, and Herefy, there be- ing but one Law to all Chriftians, which is that which was given and declared by Jeiiis Chrift the Son of God5and preached by the Holy Apoftles all over the World, as one Faith, one Baptifra, there being but one Lord of all, and one Ca- tholick and Apoftolick Church, of which our Lord Chrift, God and Man, who Founded it, is the only Spoufe 5 and one only Univeríàl Pa- ftor, to whom all other Prelates owe obedience, the Pope and Biihop of Rome, Succeííòr in the Chair of St. Peter, the Prince of the Apoftles 3 to whom our Lord Jefus Chrift bequeathed that Supream Authority, and by him to his Succeííòrs 5 which Catholick Dodtrine is neceííary to Eternal Life : Wherefore the Synod doth command all Pariih Priefts, and Preachers, to Treat often of this matter, by reafon of the great need there is of having this Biíhoprick well inftruóted therein.

Decree

144 T7;e Jãs and Decrees

•Decree Viii.

■pjOr that, till the very time of the mofl: Illu- ^ ftrious Metropolitan entring into this Dio- cefs, there was a certain Herefy twice repeated in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mafs, and twice more in the Divine Office, in calling the Patriarch of Babylofj^ the Univerfal Paftor, and Head of the Catholick Church, iq all places, and as often as they happen to name him 5 a Title that is due only to the mod Holy Father , the Bifhop of Rome^ Succeflbr of the Prince of the Apoftles, St. ^eter^ and Vicar of Chrift on Earth : the Sy- nod doth therefore command in virtue of Obe- dience, and upon pain of Excommunication to be ipfo fdcio incurred, that no PeiTon of this Bi- ihoprick, Seculir or Eccleiiafiical , ihall from henceforward prefume, by Word or Writing, either in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mafs, or in the Divine Office, or in any other occafion, to befrow that Title on the fiid Patriarch of Bdby- Ion, or on anv other Prelate, befides our Lord, the Bifhop of Rome 5 and whofoever Hiall dare to contravene this Order, (hall be declared Excom- municate, and held for a Schifnatick and Here- tick, and ihall be puniíhed as fuch, according to the Holy Canons : And whereas the Patriarchs OÍ Babylon., to whom this Church was fabjeâ:, are Nefiorians, the Heads of that curled Seft, ' and Schifinaticks out of the Obedience of the Holy Roman Church, and Aliens from ourjioly Catho-

lick

of the Synod of Diampen 145

lick Faith, and are for that reafon Excommuni- cate and accuiTed 5 and it not being; lawful to joyn with fuch in the Church in publick as fcnnd Excommunicate: Wherefore this BiihopricV:, up- on its having now yielded a perfeft Obedience to the moil Holy Father, the Pope, Chrift's Vicar upon Earth, to which it was obliged by Divine Authority, and upon pain of Damnation, ihall not from henceforward have any manner of depen- dance upon the faid Patriarch oi Babylon-^ and the prefent Sy nod,does under the faid precept of Obe- dience, and upon pain of Excommunication to be ipfo faão incurred, prohibit all Priefts, and Curates, from henceforward to name the faid Patriarch of Bahjlon in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mais, or in any other Divine Office, in the Pray- ers of the Church, even without the falfe Title of Univerfal Paftor ^ but inflead thereof, ihall name our Lord the Pope, Vv'ho is our true Pallor, as alfo ot the whole Church, and after him, the Lord Biihop of the Diocefs, for the time being ^ and whofoever (Ixall malicioufly and knowingly adl: the contrary, ihall be declared Excommimi- cate, and otherwife punith'd at the plealure of his Prelate, according to his contumacy.

W

Decree ix.

'Hereas all the Breviaries ufed in this Church are Nefioria^^ and by the commands of Prelates of the fame Seòl, on a certain day the impious and falfe Heretick Nefiorju^ is Comme- morated m this Bithoprick, and a Day is kept to

L hW

14^ - The ASls and Decrees

his. Honour, and at other times, Theodorm^ Dio- dorus^ Abbaratho^ Abraham , Narfai , Barchauma^ Johana^, HormifcU^ and Michael, who are alio JSJeJiorian Hereticks, were hkewiíè Commemora- ted 5 Nejiorius, Theodorufy and Diodorus^ being commemorated on the Friday after the Nativity , and on the feventh Friday after that, Abraham^ and Narfiii, and all the above-named 3 and all of them on every Thurfday in the Year , in the faid Nefloria/t Office, and every day in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mafs, and the Divine Office 5 and notwithftanding in fome places ihey have not of late named Nejiorins^ Theodorus^ and Diodorus^ but do ftill continue to name Abraham^ Narfai^ Abba Barchau/jia^ Johafi'an^ Hormifda^ and Michael^ in the Bleííing that the Prieft gives to the Peo- ple at the end of the Mafs 5 wherein they defire Hormifdd to deliver them from evil, being his Difciples 5 as alio on all Fridays in the Year they commemorate as Saints, the faid Hormifda^ Jo- feph , Michael , Johanan , Barchauma , Barianda^ Rabba Hedfa^ Machai^ Hixoi.m^ Caurixo^ Avahixo^ Lixo^ Xanlixo , Barmim Lixo , Metidor , Cohada Ifrael^ Ezekiah Lixo , David Lixo^ Barai Ifrael^ Jnlianiis Handixo , &c. who were all Nejiorian Hereticks, and as is evident from the faid Maílès, , and from their Li^es, Commemorations, and Praiies, beftowed upon them, the Heads of the faid Se6l. Therefore the Synod in Virtue of Holy Obe- dience, and upon pain of Excommunication to be ipfo fa&o incurred, doth prohibit ail Prieils, and Curates, and all other Perfons, as well Se-

, cular,

■ of the Synod cf Diamper. 1 47

cular, as Eccleiiafticks, in this Diocefsat any time, either in common, or in particular, to comme- morate any oftheforefaid Hereticks, or to keep a day to them, or to celebrate their Feftivities, with any Solemnity, or to make any mention of them in the Divine Offices , or in the Mais or any where elfe, or to direftany Prayers to them, either in common, or particular, or to make any Vows, Promifes, Offerings, or any Nercha's to them 5 or to have their Images either in the Churches, or in their x^ioufes 5 and in no wiie to give them that Worfhip, and Veneration, which is due to Saints , and that they raze their Names out of their Books, Calendars, and Offi- ces 5 and that their Maílès be cut out of their Breviaries, and Miílàls, and burnt, and their Commemorations extinguiihed, that fo their Me- mory may perifn among the faithful, all oi them having been curfed and excommunicate Hereticks, and condemrled by Holy Mother Church , and are "^ at this tim.e burning in the torments of

"^ 3t ti\iS time burning] well as Impiecv, fo farasro have

This raih Judgment bnngj to my the Author queilioned. for it i yec

mind what the Conde ds Erekera, it wodld fecm that God would nor

inhisHiilory printed about four- fufter it to go long unounifhed j

teen years ago at Lisbon, faid of vvlioa few years ;Tf:er,i'ufFcred chac

Ring Charles having Ipent fome great Miniiter to go out of the

rime in Devotion upon the Scaf- World after fuch a manner, thac

fold, thac feeing he died a Here- they muft have a great di^al of

rick, than Devotion was of noo- Chjrityi,y.erd,that can chink well

ther benefit to him, but as it pro- of the future frate cf his Sou! *, for

longed his life a few miouces ; But the unhappy Min Murtliered him-

tho' our Princes, for I have reafon fejf j which is â thing r'ria: very id-

to believe chey heard of ir,did noc dom happens in F::itiig^il, chink nc to refeiit chis Saucinefs, as

L 2 Hell,

148 The JBs and Decrees

Hell, for their Crimes and Hereiies, and for their having been the f followers of fuch a curfed Sed ^ the Synod dorh furihermore command, that inftead of them, on the Friday next after the Natl vie y, St. Athanajius^ St. Gregory 'Nazian- xeti^ St. Bdjil^ St. ^ohn Chryfoflom , and St. Cyril

t i[oi!otefr0 of fuel) ] Tlie Church of Korr.e is nor wuhouc HtTctitks in her Martyrologics, and Cale ndaiSj for, not to fpeak of Eiifebvu C-firievfts, Sc Gerge^ Lucifer Calaritanw^ B^irfitiuphiuf, and others ; tlie Learned Wiilefius, in his Trad of ihc Roman Marty rology, gives the following Ac- count of Tl^^dotus Biihop oi Lao- dkea : Jam vero iiia qu£ in áiíh Mart)rologio, Adoniifi,(^ Rofwediy legur.tur fecundo die Novetr.bris. La- odice£ T/^^eodoti Epfcofi^ qui arte Median f'Ut , dejo ipta funt ex Ruffini, lib 7. cap. ult Sed Compi- iator ifte mn anirr.advei tit Tbeodotum huiic LaoJke-'! Evifcopum, cujus eo ha tandanonem intexuit Eufebius A'ianarutn par 'i urn prcicipunin fau- trem jmjje •, qmppe qui ^ ab initio Ariaiiti/n dogma tutatus fjf, <^ poft Kicjinim: ConciHum, cotifpiratione cum Ariavii fnHi}, Eujiatbium de Anti- ochenti fede dejecerity ut fcribit Thendoretus lib. i. htfi. cap. 24. Kic eft Theodotus cut Eufebius libros fuos de Pr.fpuratio'ie Evangeltci vmcupctvit ; (fy ch]iM meminit Suidas in voce, 'ATcM/tci£<©". Idem quo- que Error irrepfit in Martyrolngtum RoTianum, quod patrum rneinoria, jujfu Sixti quirt i edit urn, (j^ Baronii mtationibuf iUullmtum efl \ nee fati* wiruri i>ojfum quonatn ttiodo id Baronii

diU^r.niam, fugerit. Furthermore, The Church of Rorne has feveral Saints in her prefent Calendars, and Martyrologies, that were ne- ver in being, or were never of humare racej and here not to mention St. Almanal^jw, or St.i4/- wj^jttííj^, upon the iji. of Januarys nor Sc. Zinorii, on the i^th. of the fame Month; on the 24r/j. of July., in the prefent Reformed Roiran Martyrology , it is faid, Amiterri in vefiinn Paffio Saniio' rum Militum OHoginta triumj a- morg \^\\on\ (zi BaroniM learned- ly obfcrves} Florev.tinw and Foeiix were two of the moft Eminent. Now in the ancient Martyrology publif}?ed by Alaria Flo^'entinWy ic is faid upon the fame dayj/n Arr.it erninu civitate Miliaria 85° ab urbe Romana via Salutaria nata- InSanãiViilorini-^ and in another ancient one, called Mtrtinianum, ic is writ. In Amiterninli civitate Mil. ^^ ab urbe Romana via Salu- taria Sanili Vi5lurini-y and in the C^ueen of 5'irefl'en's Martyrology, is writ, In Amiterna civitate Mil. 83 ab urbe Roma Sanili ^iilurinij and in the Corbey Mai t /rology, thus i In Amiternina civitate Mili- ario Octogcfimo tenia ab urbe Rnma via Salutaria natalif S'^rfli ViBorini Martjris. So ih^c here we have

of

of the Synod of Diamper. i4(>

oÇ Alexandria^ (hall be Commemorared , and on the íèventh Friday following, St. Ami/n, S:. A///- hrofe^ St. Gregory^ and St. Ephrev/^ who was men- tioned by them among the Hereticks , and on Wedmfdays^ jll Sai fits and ConFeilors together ^ and in the Commemorations of the Divine Offi- ces, and Mafs, they ihall Commemorate all the forenamed Saints, in the place of the above-men- tioned Hereticks 5 neither Qiall any one that íhall prefume to do the contrary, be nbiolved from the Cenfures he has incurred, until he hath un- dergone a condign Penance, or fach a one as his Prelate fhall think fit to impofe upon him, and fhall thereupon be obliged to curie all the faid Hereticks, and their damnable Sect, and to make Oath of the Faith publickly, and to fubmit to all other puniihments that his Rebellion fhall deferve, and if he is an Ecclefiaftick, he (hall moreover be fufpended from his Orders, and Beneiices, and puniihed according to the Holy Canons.

Eighty-three IrciUan Miles Cano- nized , and made Eiglic^ -three Martyrs, and Souldiers, vvirh their Captain and Lieutenants Names.

Again, On the y6th. oi Fib, in the prefent Reformed Roman Martyrology, ii is faid j In JE^ypto Sanai Juliani Mart)rUy cum aliis quinque Millibits : Now if this is the Julianw that was PamfhUiUi'i, Coropariion,as doubclcfs it is, tiiey muil then have encreaied iiis

Company mightily, <"or they sverc buc five that lutíercJ v^i..h nim in y¥.g)pt , who ic is probable were Souldiers ; and lo the cov.uàttcú. word MiU. came to be taken t; r Milk: Tins nukes nic iufped that there may be fome Uich mi- ftake in Sz. V^fulai Army of E- kvi^n chcufand Virgins. For iome of her Saints who were Hc.uhens, fee che Remarks upon 15 Decree^

L3

IDmtz

Vjo The AEis and Decrees

Decree x.

^KTHcreas the Church of A»g^mile^ called the ' ' Archbiihop's, was built by Mdr- Abraham^ and dedicated to Hormifda the Abbot, common- ly called St. Hormtifio^ who was a 'Nefiorian Ke- retick, and a great Ring-leader of that Sea:, and for that reafcn was abhorred by all Catholicks, who are called Romans^ as is reported in his Life writ in the Surian Tongue, and which was ordained to be burnt by the moftllluftrious Me- tropolitan, upon the account of the manifold Hereiies and Blafphemies contained therein, and the many falfe Miracles faid to be w^rought by him, in confirmation of the Nefiorian Sea: : There- fore the Synod does in virtue of Obedience, and upon pain of Excommunication, to be jpfi^ fa&o incurred, prohibit the Obfervation of the two Feftivities that have been dedicated to his Me- mory, the one upon the firfl: of September^ the other iixteen days after Eafler'-, and the dedi- cating of any Church to him, Commanding the abovenamed Church to be dedicated to St. Hor- ^ifda the Martyr, who was alio ^Ferfian., and whoie Feflivity is celebrated upon the -Si/», of Auguft^ upon which day the Feaft of the (aid Church riiall be obferved , and on the Rctablo they are to make the Pidlure, wherein the Martyr- dom of the faid Saint fhall be drawn to thebeft advantage, that fo the People may learn to what Saint the faid Church is dedicated, and all the

Prayers

of the S.y X o D of Diamper. 1^5 1

Prayers and Devotion that níèd to be perform- ed upon the Feftivities of the Htretick Hormif- da^ may be direded to this Glorious Saint.

Decree xi.

SEeingin the Creed, or Holy Symbol of Faith, ordained by the Sacred iipoftles,and declared by the Holy Councils, which is fung in the Mais, all the principal Myfteries and Articles of our Faith are contained, it is not fit that any thing fhould be added to it, or taken from it, but that it iliould be fung in this Biilioprick as it is all over the Univerfal Church 5 wherefore the Synod doth Order, that the words which are wanting in the Creed that is faid in the Mafs be added to it 3 where fpeaking of Chrift, it it faid, that he was born of the Father before all Times, there is wanting, God ofGod^ Light of Lights very God of very God^ that fo it may in all things be con- formable to what is fung in the Uníveríal Church, ufing alfo the word Omfiib'fantid to the Father, and not what is faid inftead thereof in the Snri- attj^ Son of the Ejfence of the Father,

Decree xii.

NOtwithftanding it is contrary to the Sacred Canons, That the Children of Chiiilians ihould go to School to Heathen Mailers : Never- thelefs, feeing this Church is under fo many Hea- then Kings, who many times will not fuffer any

L 4 but

1 5 z 7)?e JBs and Decrees

but Infidels to be Schoolmafters , wherefore the Synod doth command and declare, That in all Schools, whether for Reading or Writing, where- in the Mailers have Pagods^ to which they oblige their Children at their coming into the School to pay their Reverence, as the Cuilom is , that it (hall not be lawful for Chriftian Parents or Guardians to fend Chriftian Children to fuch School?, upon pain of being proceeded againft as Idolaters f, but if there ihould be any fuch Schools, wherein the Heathen Mailers will con- fent that Chriftian Children ihall pay no Reve- rence, nor be obhged to any Heathen Ceremo- ny, in cafe there is no Chriftian Mafternear, they may be fent to fuch Schools, their Parents in- ftruciing them that they muft pay no reverence but only to the Mafter, and that they muft ufe none of the Ceremonies of the Heathen Chil- dren, that fo they may not "^ fuck in Idolatry as Mothers Milk. Furthermore, the Synod doth earneftly recommend it to all Towns and Villa- ges, to do all that is in their Power to have their Children Educated by Chriftian Mafters, and as for Reading and Writing, to have the Parifti-Pfiefti to teach them to do that in their

* èlick ill "ilíiOÍatrpO ^^^7 ^^^^ foever it may be in other would have done well ro have places, was fafe or not in Mala- confidered, whether the incro- bar^ before they did it, and whe- ducing of the Adoration of Ima- ther the reconciling them to Ima- ges into a Chriftianity that was ges might boc difpofe them to planted amidft Heathens and un- Heathcnifm. act Idolatrous Princes, how Inno-

Houfes :

of the Synod of Diamper, 15J

Houíès : But as to thofe mailers who do oblige Chriftian Children to do reverence to their Pa- godi 5 the Synod in virtue of Holy Obedience, and upon pain of Excommunication to be Ipfa filão incurred, doth command all Fathers of Fa- milies, and others that have charge of Children, not to confent to their going to fuch Schools 5 and doing the contrary, let them be declared Excommunicate, and be rigoroufly punifhed by the Prelate, neither fhall iuch Children be fuffer- ed to enter the Church , as to which matter the Vicars and Priefts ought to be extreamly vigi- lant, to prevent Childrens being Educated in Ido- latry ^ and where-e'er there is a Chriftian School- mafter in any Town, or near it, the Children of Chriftians are not to go to School to Infidels.

Decree xiii.

'T^He Synod being certainly informed, that -^ there are fome Chriftian Schoolmafters, who to conform themfelves toothers, and to have the more Scholars, do fet up Pagods and Idols in their Schools, to which the Heathen Children pay reverence, doth command all the faid School- mafters.. fo foon as it fhall be intimated to them, upon pain of Excommunication, to remove the faid Pagods Idols, and Reverence out of their Schools, and not to give way to Heathen Chil- dren, paying any fuch adoration 5 and whofoever fhall be found guilty thereof, fnall be declared Excommunicate, and dcnycd the Communion

of

154 ^^^ ^^^ ^'^^ Decrees

of the Church, and of all Chriftians, and dying, (hall not be buried in holy Ground, nor have Chriftian Burial, nor have any Prayers faid for them, and let this Decree be publiihed by the Vicars of the Churches to which fuch do be- long.

Decree xiv.

npHe Purity of the Faith being prefer ved by -^ nothing more than by Books of found and holy Do6trine 5 and on the contrary, there being nothing whereby the Minds of People are more corrupted, than by Books of fufpicious and He- retical Dodrines , Errors being by their means eafily infinuated into the Hearts of the Ignorant, that read or hear them : Wherefore the Synod knowing that this Biihoprick is full of Books writ in the Surian Tongue by Neftorian Hereticks, and Perfons of other Deviliih Seas, which abound with Herefies, Blafphemies and falfe Doftrines, doth command in virtue of Obedience, and up- on pain of Excommunication to be ipfo faão in- curred, that no Perfon, of what quality and con- dition foever, ihall from henceforward prefume to keep, tranllate, read or hear read to others, any of the following Books.

The Book intituled, The Infancy of our Saviour, Or The Hiflory of our Lady y condemned former- ly by the ancient Saints, for being full of Blaf- phemies, Herefies, and fabulous Stories, where among others it is faid, that the Annunciation of

the

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 5 5

the Angel was made in the Temple of Jerufalem^ where our Lady was, which contradids the Go- ipel of St. Luke^ which faith, it was made in Na- zareth'f as alio that Jofeph had adually another Wife and Children, when he was betrothed to the Holy Virgin 5 and that he often reproved the Child Jefus for hit naughty Tricks 5 that the Child Jefus went to School to the Rabbins, and learnt of them, with a thoufand other Fables and Blafphemies of th:.- fame Nature, and things un- worthy of our Lord Chrift, whereas the Gofpel íàith, that the Jetvs were aftonifhed at his WiG dom, asking how he came by fo much Learning, having never been taught 5 that the Devil tempt- ed Chrift before his Faft of forty days, which is contrary to the Gofpel 5 that St. Jofeph^ to be fa- tisfied whether the Virgin had committed Adul- tery, carried her before the Priefts, who accord- ing to the Law gave her the Water of Jealoufie to drink :, that our Lady brought forth with pain, and parting from her Com.pany, not being able to go farther, (he retired to a Stable at Bethlehem , that neither our Lady, nor any other Saint is in Heaven enjoying God, but are all in a Terre- ftrial Paradiie, where they are to remain till the day of Judgment, with other Errors, too many to be related : But it is the Synod's pleafure to inftance in iom.e of the chief Errors contained in the Books that it condemns, that fo all may be fatibfied of the reafon why they are prohibited to be read, or kept upon pain cf Excommunica- tion, and that all m.ay avoid and burn them

with

1 5 6 The JBs and t>ecms

with the greater Horror, and for other juft and neceííàry refpefts.

Alio the Book of John Burialdan^ wherein it is íàid in divers places, That there were two Per- fons, a Divine and Humane, in Chrift, which is contrary to the Cathohck Faith, which confef- fes one only Divine Perfcn : It is alfo faid. That the Names of Chrift and Emanuel are the Names of the Humane Perfon only, and for that reafon that the moft fweet Name jefu^ is not to be ado- red 5 that the Union of the Incarnation is com- mon to all the Three Divine Perfons, who were all Incarnated 5 that our Lord Chrift is the adop- ted, and not the Natural Son of God 5 that the Union of the Incarnation is accidental, and is only that of Love betwixt the Divine and Hu- mane Perfons.

Alfo the Book intituled, The Procejjion of the Holy Spirit ^ wherein it is endeavoured to be proved at large, that the Holy Spirit proceedeth only from the Father, and not from the Son, which is contrary to the Catholick Truth, which teaches, that he proceeds from the Father and the Son.

Alfo the Book entituled Margarita Fidei^ ovlhe Jeivel ofFaithji wherein it is pretended to be prov- ed at large, That our Lady, the moft Holy Virgin, neither is,nor ought to be ftiledthe Mother ofGod, but the Mother of Chrift ^ that in Chrift there are two Perfons, the one of the Word, and the other of Jefus 5 that the Union of the Incarnation is only an accidental Union of Love and Power, and not

a

• of the Synod 0/ Diamper. 157

a fubftantial Union 5 that there are three diftindt Faiths, which is divided into three ProfeiTions, the "Neftoridn^ Jacobite and Roman ^ that the A/e- jiorian is the true Faith that was taught by the Apoftle, and that the Roman is falíè and Hereti- cal, and was introduced by force of Arms, and the Authority of Heretical Emperors, into the greateft part of the World 5 that to Excommu- nicate Ncftorim^ is to Excommunicate the Apo- ftles and Prophets, and the whole Scripture 5 that they that do not believe his Dodtrine, fhall not inherit Eternal Life 5 that they that follow Nefioriw, received their Faith from the Apoillcs, which has been prcíèrved to this day in the Church of Babylon of the Syrians^ That Matrimo- ny neither is^ nor can be a Sacrament ^ that the iign of the Crofs is one of the Sacraments of the Church in(\ituted by Chrift, that the Fire of Hell is Metaphorical, not real 5 that the Roman Church k fallen from the Faith ^ condemning it like- jvife for not celebrating in leavened Breads accord- ing to what the Church has received from the A- poftles, for which it is faid the Romans are Here- ticks.

Alfo the Book of the Fathers, wherein it is faid. That our Lady neither is, nor ought to be called the Mother of God 5 that the Patriarch of Babylon of the Nefiorians^ is the Univerfal Head of the Church immediately under Chrift, that the Fire of Hell is not real, but fpiritual ^ that it isHerefietofay, that God was born, or dyedj that there are two Perfonsin Chrift,

Alfo

1 5 8 71)6 ASis and Decrees

Alfo a Book of the Life of Abbot Ifaias^ coni- mented by a Neflorid}?^ wherein it is faid, That the Union is common to all the Three Perfcns 5 that St. Cyril of Akxíinãria^ who condemned ATe- ftorius^ was an impious Heretick, and is now in Hell, for having caught, that there is but One Perfon in Chrift:, whrieas, as often as Neflori- us, Theodoriis and Diodorus are named, they are ftiled Saints, and blelled , by whoíè Authority it is there proved, that the Saints ihall not en- joy God before the day of Judgment ; and that till then they ihall be in an obfcure place, which they call Ede^, near to the Terreftrial Paradiíè j and that by fo much the woríè as any one has been, he is tormented "^ the leis for it in Hell, by reaibn of his greater conformity and friendfliip with the Devils 5 that the Word was not made

* STíjelefó fO^ Itin^clU] ven, to fpit and trample upon This of fixing fomething that is the Crucifix, and to declare that juftly abominable to all Mankind, Chrift was a falfe Prophet ; the upon her Adverfaries, has been Albigenfes are faid to have held the conftanc praâice of the it lawful to deny their Faith, Church of Rome : So the Empe- when interrogated upon it by a ror Michael Balbui^ becaufe he Magiftrate, to have held, that pro- was an Enemy to Image-worihip, mitcnous Venery was lawful, but is faid to have laughed at the that Matrimony was Hell and Prophets, not to have believed Damnation •-, char the Souls of there were any Devils, and to Men were as Mortal as their Bo- have placed Judof among tlie diesj that the way of chooiing Saints i the Templars, upon the their chief Priefts, was by coiling Pope and the French Kings con- an Infanc from one to another, fpiring together to deftroy their and that Ije in whofe hands the Order, are faid to have obliged Infant expired, had that Office, all their Novices to blafpheme and that the Devil was unjuftly God, to renounce Chrift, the Vir- thrown out of Heaven, gin Aiarjtf and all the Saints in Hea-

Man,

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 5 9

Man, and that it is Blafphemy to affipm it ^ tfiàt Chrift conquer'd all the Paffions of Sin by a Pow- er derived from God, and not by his own itrength 0 that St. Cyril was a Heretick in teach- ing, that there was but One Perfon in Chrift 5 that the Divine and Humane Nature were uni- ted in Chrift accidentally by Love 5 that the whole Trinity was incarnated 5 that God dwelt in Chrift as in a Rational Temple, giving him power to do all the good things he did ^ that the Souls of the Juft will be in a Terreftrial Pa- ra dife till the day of Judgment 5 that the Wick- ed when they dye in Mortal Sin, are carried to a place called Eden^ where they fuíFer only by the fenfe of the punifhraents they know they are to undergo after the day of Judgment.

Alfo the Book of Synods, wherein there is a forged Letter of Pope Caius^ with falfe Subfcrip- tions of a great many other Weftern Bifliops, di- reded tothoie oi Babylon^ wherein it is acknow- ledged, that the Church of Rome ought to be fubjed to that of Babylon^ which with all that are fubjeâ: to her, are immediately under Chrift, without owing any reverence to the Romm Bi- ihop, they fay like wife. That the ^i?/^^» Church is fallen from the Faith^ having perverted the Ca- nons of the Apoftles, by the force of Heretical Emperors Arms 5 and that the Romans are He- reticks, for not celebrating in leavened Bread, which has been the inviolable Cuftom of the Church derived from our Saviour, and his Ho- ly Apoftles 3 that all the BiQiops that followed

Nefioriufy

\6o Tl)e AEis and Decrees

Nefiorius, ought to be much efteemed, and when named, to be ftiled S^tints 5 and to have their Reliques reverenced : That Matrimony is not a Sacrament^ that it may be diíTolved for the bad conditions of the Parties : That Ufnry is Law- ful, and there is no Sin in it.

Alfo the Book of Timothy the Patriarch, where, in three Chapters, The mofl Holy Sacrament of the Altar is blafphemeds it being impioufly ailerted in them , That the true Body of our Lord Chriji if not there^ but only the Figure thereof.

Alio the Letter which they pretend came down from Heaven, called the Letter of the Lords day^ wherein the Roman Church is accufcd of having fallen from the Faith, and having violated the Domingo, or Lord's-day Letter.

Alfo the Book called Maclamatas^ wherein the diftindion of two Perfons in Ghrift, and the accedental Union of the Incarnation are pre- tended to be proved at large, and are confirmed vnth feveral falfe and Blafphemous Similitudes.

Alfo the Book intituled Z) guarda, or the Rofe ; w^herein it is faid, That there are two Perfons in Chrift ^ that the Union of the Incarnation was Accidental , that our Lady brought forth with Pain '-, and the Sons of Jofeph, which he had by his other Wife, being in company, went for a Midwife to her, with other Blafphemies.

Alfo the Book intituled Ca;/jiz,j wherein it is iaid, That the Divine Word, and the Son of the Virgin are not the fame, and that our Lady brought forth with Pain.

Alfo

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 6 1

Alfo the Book intituled Menra ; wherein it is faid, That our Lord Chrift is only the Image of the Word 5 that the Subftance of God dwelt in Chrift as in a Temple^ that Chrift is next to the Divinity 5 that Chrift was made the Com- " panion of God.

Alfo the Book of Orders ^ wherein it is fhid. That the Form, and not the iVlatter, is neceííàry to Orders 5 and the Forms therein are likewife Erroneous 5 thatthereare only two Orders, Di^ aco^ate and Pri efi hood ':,th2it Altars of Wood, and not of Stone, are to be Confecrated 5 there are alfo Prayers in it for thoie that are converted from any other Sed to Nefloriamfm^ in form of an Abfolution from the Excommunication they had incurred for not having followed Neflorms^ and of a reconciliation to the Church.

Alfo the Book of Homilies 5 wherein it is faid. That the Holy Encharijl is only the Image ofChrifl^ and is dijiinguijided from him^ as an Image is from a true Man ; and that the Body of our Lord Je- fis Chrift is not there^ nor no vihcre elfe hut in Heaven : That the whole Trinity was Incarnate 5 that Chrift is only the Temple, of the Divinity, and God only by Reprefentation 5 that the Soul of Chrift descended not into Hell, but was car- ried to the Paradife of Eden'-^ that whofoever affirm.s the contrary, errs, and that we therefore err in our Creed : There are therein likewiíè fome Letters of fome Heretical Synods, in which it is faid. That the Patriarch of Babylon is not fubjeit to the Roman Bifhop 5 with an Oath -to

M be

\6i The Acls and Decrees

be taken to the faid Patriarch, as the Head of the Church, wherehi People Swear to obey him, and htm only, and not the Biihop of Rome, Alio a Book intituled , An Expofition of the Gofpels-f wherein it is every where pretended to be proved , That there are two Perfons in Chrifl: , and that Chrift as a pure Creature, was obliged to adore God , and ftood in need of Praver^ that be was the Temple of the moft Holy Trinity^ that Chrift's Soul when he died, defcended not into Hell, but was carried to the Paradife of Ede^tj which was the place he pro- mifed to the Thief on the Crofs : That our Lady, the Virgin, deferved to be reproved for having vainly imagined, that (he was Mother to one that was to be a great King , looking upon Chrift as no other than a pure Mans and prefuming that he was to have a Temporal Empire, as well as the reft of the Jervs ; That the Evangelifts did not Record all Chrift's Adions in Truth as they were, they not having been prefent at ie- veral of them 5 which was the reafon why they differed from one another fo much: That the Wife Men that came from the Eafl^ received no favour from God, for the Journey they took '-, neither did they believe in Chrift 5 that Chrift was the adopted Son of God, it being as im- poííible that he ftiould be God's Natural Son, as it is that Juft Men ftiould be fo 3 that he re- ceived new Grace in Baptifin, which he had not before , that he is only the Image of the Word j and the pure Temple of the Holy Spirit j that

the

of the Synod of Diamper. \6i

the Holy Encharifl ir only the Image of the Body of Chriji^ which is only in Heaven at the right hand of the Father^ and not here on Earth : That Chrift, as pure Man, did not know when the day of Judgment was to be: That when St. Thomas put his Hand into Chrift's Side, and faid , My Lord, and my God I he did not fpeak to Chrift 5 for that he that was raifed was not God s but it was only an Exclamation made to God upon his beholding fuch a Miracle: That the Autho- rity that ChriQ. gave to St. ^eter over the Church, was the fame that he gave to other Priefrs 5 lo that his Succeííòrs have no more Power or Ju- rifdiftion than other Bifhops: That our Lady, the Virgin, is not the Mother of God ; That the firft Epiftle of St. 'john, and that of St. James^ are not the Writings of thofe Holy Apoftles, but of fome other Perfons of the fame Name , and therefore are not Canonical.

Alfo the Book of Hormifda Raban , who is ftiled a Saints wherein it is faid, That NeJioriuT was a Saint, and Martyr , and fuitered for the Truth 5 and- that St. Cyril, who períècuted him, was the Prieil: and Minifter of, the I3evil, and is now in Hell : That Images are filthy and a- bominable Idols, and ought not to be adored 5 and that, St. Cyril, as a Heretick invented and intro- duced them : There are alfo many falfe Mira- cles Recorded in this Book , which are faid to have been wrought by Hormifda in confirmati- on of the Nejtorian Doftrine 5 with an Account of v/hat he faffered from the Catholicks^ for being obftinate jn his Hereiy. M 2 Alfo

1 ^4 ^'^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ Decrees

Alfo the Book of Lots^ into which they put that they call the Rhig of Solomon, with a great many more Superftitions, for the choice of good Days to Marry upon, and for feveral other uíès ^ wherein are contained many Blafphemies, and Heathenifli Obfervances 5 as alfo all other Books of Lots^ and for chufing of Days, the Synod prohibits under the fame Cenfure.

Alfo the Book written after the manner of 't' Flos Sana orHm\^\{Qxún are contained the Lives of a great many Neftonan Hereticks, who are there called Saints , and not only that entire Book, but alfo any of the Lives contained there- in, which may be, current ieparately 5 namely, thofe of Abraham^ ftiled the Great^ of George Ab- bot Cardeg , whom they call a Martyr j Jacobs AbbcM^ Saurixo^ Johanan^ Gauri^ Raban, Sabacat^ Ocama^ Dankl^ Barcaula^ Raban Nn?ia^ Jacob^ Rabat the Great , Dad/xo^ JomarnJia , Schalita^

t JflO0 S^anctO^Um»] Let expofuiffe.quàm expcfuemt Catholkh

tbfir Les^nds be as fabulous as non res dico Imperatorum^ fed Mar-

they will, I am fure they cannot f;r«w, Vhgimm ^ (fy Confefforum.

be worfe »haiuhofe of the Church lUi cnim in probtf^ aut Philofophify

of Rome ; namely, her Flos San- aut Principibw, nee vitia^ nee fufpi-

ilorum^ which is certainly the dul- clones vhinrum tacent, in improbii

hi\ Romance that ever law the etiam colores virtutumprodunt.Noftri

Sun. aut em pleriquc vel affeilibm infer vi-

Melchtor Canw, the B'ihop of ««f, vel de induJJria quoque ità

canaries y in his i \th. Book de Lo multa conjingmr, ut eoram me nimi-

eis Theologrcis, gives this juft Cha- rum non folum pudeat, fed etiam

ra<fter of them : Dolenter hoe dico t<edear. In illo enifi Miraculorum

potiuSy quàmcontumelinfè^ multo à mnnlira fitpius qnàm vera miracula

Laertio fevetim vitas Philofopiiorum legos :■ banc auream fe.legendac homo

fcriptas^ quàm ã Chriflianu vitas fcripfit ferrei orU^plumbei cordis ^ani-

Sanclomm; longéquc incorruptius <^ mi certè p0riim feveri ^ prudentU. integriks Suetonium res C^farum

Ihab,

of the Synod of Diamper. 16 5

Ihah^ Ahimekch the Expofitor, Ahrahar^^ another Abraham Natpraya^ Jobcarder^ Joh^?^ Ircafca^ Ne- ftonus^ JaH^?aw^ Barcurra^ Raban Gabarona^ Scha- bibi^ Barcima^ Titus^ Raban Sapor ^ Gregory the Me- tropolitan, George^ Monarh^ Xahucalmaran ^ Jo- feph^ Nathanael^ Simon Abbot Chabita^ Zinai Abbot ^ Audixo^ "John Crafcaya^ Barcahade^ Italaah^ John Sahadiii^ Aha, Xalita, Joa?iacoreta, Xari, another John, Elias, Joadarmah, Ananixo, another '^ohn. Bar he tt a, Rabat Simeon, N arfai Nub an , Raban Theodorns, Rabat Do6tor, Abda, Abolaminer, Ra- bantarfaha of Cadarvi^ Xuuelmarati , Serginãnda^ Xunealmaran, Dadixo, another Abraham, E'^^ekjcl- dufa , Rabai Perca, David Barnutar, Hormifda, Pition, Salomon Abbot, Raban Machixo, another George, Mtichiqna, another Abraham, Apuimacan^ Xaurixo, Ixofauran, Jofedec, Raban Camixo, Bar- dirt a Abbot, Abraham Barmaharail, Gco>ge Raban, Zliva Abbot, Guiriaco Rabanhaut, Jofeph Abbot, Zaca, Nafbian, Jefus Abbot, Aaron Bncattxo, A ft an, another Abraham, Xonxa Abbot, Amanixo Gafraya, Sahedona Biihop, Jofeph, A'^aya, Ifzhaha B.lhop, Jacob, whom they call a Prophet, Ixaiaku, Ru* nuco Ramain, Jobar Malchi : Who were all Ne- ftorian Hereticks, and the chief followers of that curfed Sea:, as is evident from their Lives, which are full of Herefies, Blafphemies, and falfe and '^ fabulous Miracles, with which they pretend to Authorize their Sed.

* jfabulOUji ^iríiclf0] For guilty of; hut to do it with the people not only to condemn that Air, and aíTuranee of an unquefti- in others, which they chemfeives onable Innocency, cam or be de- are vifibly and infinitely more nied to be no common privilege-,

M 3. AlfQ

66

The JEls and ^Decrees

Ahb the Book called Varifman^ or the Perfian Med7ci}2e^\v\i\c\i\s> full of Sc/rceriei,teaching certain Methods whereby one may do mifchief to their enemies,and may gain Womenjand for a great ma- ny other lewd and prohibited purpoles 5 there are likewife in it ftrange Names of Devils, ot whom they affirm, that whofccver (hall carry the Nanjes of (even of them about him writ in a Paper, fhall be in no danger of any Evil ; It contains alio many "''SuperílitiouâExorcifms for thecafting out of De- vils 5 mixing fome Godly words with others that are not Intelligible^ and with the Invocation of the moll: Holy Trinity, oftentimes deiiring the doing

Vsr were all she falfe Miracles, that have been pretended to be wrought by all the otlier St its of Religion, put together, they would fall infinitely ihortof whac may be met wich in any iingle Saint's Life, or in confirmation of any ÍJngleDoftrine of the Church of Rome \ moil of which too, are what Cunia faid of them, rather Monftra Miraailorum than vera Miracula, or any thing the.

*^upf raiiirne^jcc^cifms; ]

I do not think they had an Exor- cifm in any of their Books, that was more abfurd than that we meet with in the Sacerdotale Ro- m<in;/r?;, printed ac Venice no longer ago than the Year 15-5. where the Prieft when he meets wi'h a fallen Devil, tliat will not tell his Name, nor give any account of himfelf, is orderM ro fall upon him with Fr<ccjpio tibi fub poena ExcommuracationH majorU <(y mino-

rU, ut refponJeas, <fy- dicas mihi No- men (^ Diem ify" Horam exirus tut : I fhall no make rhar rcflcdion up- on fhis Excrcifm, which is very obvious at the firft hearing of it : I: was with fome fuch Exorcifm as this, doubtlefs, that ihe^ got out of the Devil rhar raiied the terrible Perfecution m Japan, -hat he was feet 'hi her from England^ where he had been employed a grea. many Years in perfecuring o{ Roman Catholi kjj upon hich ihe Jefuit I«vj F/flf^ro, the Wri- ter of ihe Perfecution, makes this grave Remark j Thar doubtlefs it is wiih Devils as it is with Men ; that fome of them have particular Talents for fome rarticular ^" orks j and that chis Devil's Talent muft doubtlefs hive 1-in chietiy towirds the raifing of bloody l^trfccuions ag;iinil Citholicks, and the Chri* Aian Faith.

of

of the Synod of DLimper. 1 67

of lewd things, and enormous fins, joyning the Merits of Nejioriusana his followers, many times, in the fame Prayer with thofeofthe bleiled Virgin, and thofeof their Devils, withthofe of the Holy Angels '-, all which is very common in this Diocefs , moft Curates having this Book, and making ufe of it to this very day j all which fort of Books the Sy- nod prohibits in this Diocefs under the forementi- oned cenfures^ and whofoever from henceforwards (hall be found to have any of them, bcfides the cen- fure they have incurred thereby, ftallbe feverely puniihed by their Prelate.

Decree xv.

■) lit the forementioned Herefies are not only _^ to be met with in thefe Books, but are like- wife in the Common Prayer, and Breviaries that they, ufe in their Churches, which having been compofed by Neflorian Hereticks, are full of Blafphemies, Herefies, Fables, and Apocry- phal ftories, whereby inftead of praifing God, they are continually blafpheming him in their Divine Offices.

In the Book called the Great Breviary^ it is faid. That the Divine Word did notailume Fleih, ignorantly pretending to prove it thus ^ becaufe if the Word had afiiumed FlePn, to what purpoie was the Holy Spirit's overiliadowing the Virgin ? In the fame Breviary the whole Oiiice of Ad- vent is Heretical, it being every where affirmed therein, that Chrifthad two Perfons, and calling

M 4 biss

i 68 Tlys AEis and decrees

him continually only the Temple of God 5 and in the Feaft of the Nativity, there is a propofi- tion in one of the folemn Antiphona's, that di- reóbly contradids St. John^ in which it is faid, that the Word was not made FleJIj^ and that all that be- lieve the contrary, are difobedient to the Church, and are obftinate Pvcbels againft the Faith ^ fo that the whole Office> ot the Advent and Nativi- ty are little elfe than pure Blafphemy.

In the Book of Prayers for the great Faif, it is frequently faid, that there were two Perfons, a Divine and Humane in Chrift. It contains al- io feveral Commemorations of Ncjiorius^ and o- ther Hereticks his Followers, affirming Mamdeay^ Theodorí0 and Diodorus^ and other ISlefiorian He- reticks, to have been the Followers of St. £- fhrem.

In the Greater Breviary, which they call Budre and Gaza^ or The Treafure of Prayers^ it is every where faid, that there aretwo Perfonsin Chrift, and one reprefentation of the Son of God 5 that he is the Image of the Word, and the Temple of the fame 5 that the Divine Perfon did enlighten the Humane, and that Chrift advanced in Grace and Knowledge by degrees ^ that our Lady never carried God in her Womb, as Hereticks affirm, Chrift being a Man like to others, and that (he ought not to be called the Mother of God, but only the Mother of the fccond Adam 5 that the whole Trinity aiiumed Humanity, and that St. Matthew taught the Hebrews fo 5 that God did not make himfelf Flcfh, which he only took as

a

of the Synod of Diamper. \6^

a Dwelling to cover his Glory , that God ac- companyed Chrift on the Crois, but had not ta- ken the Humanity, neither was it God that fuf- fered , that the Word of the Father changed it ielf into Humanity, and by the Son of Marji re- deemed Mankind , that the Father Eternal took Fle(h in the fame manner as the Son 5 that the Angel delivered his Mellage to the Virgin in the Temple, and not at Nazareth ; that the pains of travail opened the Womb of the Virgin, who brought forth with labour after the manner of other Women 5 that ^ in the mofl Holy Sacra- ment of the Eucharijl^ there is 72ot the true Body of Chrifi i with a thoufand more Blafphemies about

* 3In tl)e moff l^olp ^ac ra-

mmt.] The Chriftians who live icattercti about Mefopotamia and Àffyria, and whofe Patriarch re- fidesac the Monaftery of St.Raban Hurnex^ the Perfian, in the Gordya- an Mountains, 40 miles above Ni- niveh, tho' kutychians^ and for that reafon Enemies to the Chal- dean Chriftians, do agree with them in denying Tranfubftantia- tion, as appears from the follow- ing Prayer taken out of their Miflal, and communicated to me by my Learned Friend Dr. Hide. Angeli ^ homines laudabunt te, 0 Chrilie, Sacriflcere pro nobif, qui per Sacrament a, qn£ funt in Eccle- fia taa, docuijU nos, jecundum magni- fi<^entiam tuam^ quod ftcut in Pane, ^ Vino Uixura fmX à te dUVinHa, in Virtute (^ potentia idem funt te' Cum. Sic etiam Corpus quod à mbis, difiinSlHm eji à verbo in Jubjiatitia,

cum ilia tamen qui accipit tllnd^ admitum efi in magnipcentia <iy potentia. Sic credimw <ti "i"' we- tuimus ab iniquitate, quod in uno (fc. una h'}pojiitfi)fit filiiufatemury (fy- non efi duo ftcut iinprobi, Qid eft, ficut dicunt Nejioriatu) mn enimin completionibm Sacripdi-, Corpus 2^ CoipHi jrungimm, fed unwn per ji- dcm, jicut docuifli nos in Evangelio tuo, latts tibi qui per Sacramenta tua., inflruxilU nos ut lau-emm no- men tuum.

Now I take this Teftimony a- gainft Tranfubflanciation to be much the ftronger for it's being given by the Eutychians, to whofe Herefie Tranfubftannatioa, had is . been believed, would have given great Countenance -, as indeed I cannot but reckon thofe Herccicks ■having no where made ufe of c|i4C Doârine to fupport their Hereiie, ,to be a ccnfiderable Argument of

its

1 70 The Aãs and Decrees

it 3 that Nefioriifs was a Preacher of Truth 5 and in feveral places God is praifed for having de- clared the ^xmhloTheodorus ;!inà D/odorus, who was Mafter to Neftorius 5 and in feveral Prayers they befeech God to chaftife thofe that believe otherwife than Neftorius^ ' and his Followers, whofe Faith they fay is founded on St. Peter\ and the reft of the Apoftles 5 Moreover it is faid, that the Holy Virgin, and her Spoufc Jo- feph^ appeared before the Priefts, who could not tell how (he had conceived ^ and that Jmages are Idols J and ought not to be adored^ nor fo much as h^p in Churches or in Houfes of Chriftians 5 there are like wife O^ices oi Neji or i us and his Follow- ers, and Commemorations of feveral Here- ticks.

In the Office for Priefts departed, it is fung,

That in the moft holy Sacrament of the Altar,

. there is only the Virtue ofChriJi^ but not his true Bo^

its not having been believed ei- cbeety or the Orthodox, than we ther by themftlves, or by the Or- have from the Manichees abftain- thodox i for had the latter belie- ing from the Cup in the Sicramenc ved it, tho' they had not done it for no other reafon, but becaufe tliemfelves, they could not have they did not think it lawful to failed to have ufcd it as Argumen- drink Wine, and from the Ortho- tum ad heminem^ which is what doxes proving againft them from they have no where done, it is that very Inftitution that it was true, this is only a Negative Ar- lawful, and endeavouring to con- gumenr, bur it is as true, that it is vine e them by feveral Arguments, fo circumftantiated as to be of e- that it was their Duty to receive qual force with one that is pofi- the Cup in the Sacrament •, and tive. So again, I do not fee how all this without ever fo much as we could have had a clearer proof once intimating,that the Liquor in of Tranfubftantiation, not having the Cup, when it came to be re- been believed either by the Mani- ceived, was Blood and not Wine.

of the Synod of Diamper. 171

dy a^id Blood':, all which Books and Breviaries, tho' they do well deferve to be burnt, for theie and other Errors that they contain, yet there being no other at prefent in this Diocefs, for the keeping up of Divine Service, and the celebra- tion of R.ehgious Oflfees, until fuch time as they ihall be furniihed with new Breviaries, which the Synod deiires they may fpeedily, and that ibme may be Printed for them at St. Peters in Ro;^e 5 the Synod doth order them to be ccrre- ded and purged from all their Errors, and Com- memorations of Hereticks, and the entire Offices for all fuch 5 and the Offices of Advent and the Nativity to be entirely tore out of their Brevia- ries and burnt, entreating the moft Illuftrioiis Metropohtan to fee it done at his next Viiitati- on in all the Churches oftheDioceis, command- ing all Curates in virtue of Obedience, and up- on pain of Excommunication to be ipfifaão in- curred, to produce the faid Books, and all the other Books that they have, as well of publick as of private Ufe, and of Prayers, as well as of the Mafs, before the faid Lord Metropolitan at his Vifitation, in order to their being correfted by Perfons appointed for that work, in confor- mity to what is here ordained.

Oecree xvi.

FO R the prefervation of the Purity of the Faith, the Synod does command all Priefts, Curates, and all other Perfons, of whatfoever

Con-

I7Z The ABs anã Decrees

Condition, or Quality, within this Biflioprick, in virtue of Obedience, and upon pain of Ex- communication within two Months after the pub- lication thereof (hall come to their knowledge, to deliver all the Books thev have written in the Syrian Tongue, either wi:h their own hand>, or by ibme other Perfon, to the moftllluftrioUbXietro- politan, which they may do at the Vifiraiion that he intends to hold fpeedily, or to Father Francifco Rêz, of the Society of Jefus, Prnfelior of the Syrian Tongue in the College of Vaipicotta^ or to the faid College, in order to their being peruíèd and correfted, or deftroyed, as fha.ll be thought moft convenient, the Books of Com- mon Prayer being excepted, which are to be emended in the form aboveíàid , and under the íàme Precept of Obedience, and pain of Excom- munication, the Synod does command, That no Peribn, of what Condition or Quality foever within this Bifhoprick, ihallprefume to tranilate any Book into the Syrian Tongue, without ex- prefs Licenie from the Prelate, with a Declara- tion of the Book to which it is granted, the Books of Holy Scripture and Pfalms only except- ed 5 and until fuch time as this Church fliall be provided with a Bifhop, the moft lUuftrious Me- tropolitan doth commit the Power of granting all fuch Licenfes to the Reverend Father Fran- cifco Roz^ of the Society of Jefus, by reaibn of his great skill in thofe Books, and in the Chaldee and 5ym« Languages.

Decree

of the Synod 0/ Diamper, 17 j Decree xvii.

o Eeing the Purity of Faith and good Manners O doth very much depend on the Dodrine that is preached to the People 5 wherefore the Synod, being informed that there are íèveral ig- norant Curates who do take upon them to preach, and make Diícouríes in publick, where- in they teach feveral Errors and Herefies that they meet with in Books that they do not un- derftand, and feveral fabulous and Apocryphal things, thofe efpecially which they take out of the Book of the Infancy of our Saviour^ and other Apocryphal and Heretical writings, doth com- mand that none prefume to preach, or make any fet Difcourfe to the People, but who are Licen- fed by the Prelate in Writing, who (ball firft, exa- mine them diligently, as to their fufficiency and Doftrine, according to the Holy Council oiTrent-^ and when there ihall happen to be no Prelate during the vacancy of the See, the mofl: lUu- ftrious Metropolitan doth commit the care there- of to the Reftor of the Jefuits College of Vaipai. cotta in this Dioceis, that fo he, and fuch of the Fathers as he ihall name, may make the faid Examinations, of which they ihall give a Certi- ficate fealed by the Redor ^ and at the next Vi- fitation the Lord Metropolitan ihall name fuch as ihall appear to him to be moft for the benefit of the People of this Bithoprick, in order to their being rightly inftrufted, and whofoever

ihall

1 74 -^^^ ^^^ ^'^^ Decrees

ihall, without having undergone fuch an Exami- nation, and without having obtained a Licenie thereupon, in writing, under the hand of the Biihop, or Prelate, prefume to preach, or make any Diícouríès to the People, ihall be fuipended from their Office and Benefice for a Year ^ never- thelefs, all Vicars may in their own Churches make fuch Difccuríès to their People, as they ihall judge necefiary, out of the Holy Scriptures, and other approved Books , to which end the Synod doth earnefVly defire, that there may be a Catechifm made in the Malabar Tongue, out of which there may be every Sunday fomething read to the People : And whereas the Synod is informed that the moft lUuftrious Metropolitan is already about fuch a Work , and has reaibn to hope that it may be done by the end of the Vifitation, it doth command, ib foon as it is finiih- ed and publiihed. That all Vicars do every Sun- day at the time of Offering, or before, or after Mafs, read a Chapter of the fame to the People in conformity to the Orders they ihall receive.

'DtiUZ XVIII.

WHereas, through the Ignorance and bad Dodrines of the Priefts of this Dioceis, occafioned by their having been accuftomed to read Heretical and Apocryphal Books, they do many times deliver Errors, and fabulous Stories, in their Sermons, and Admonitions to the People, without knowing what they fay themfelves :

Where-

of the Synod o/Diamper. 175

Therefore, to prevent the Peoples being mif- taught, the Synod doth command, That when- foever it ihould be proved to the Prelate, that any fuch thing has been delivered in pub- lick, or in any Congregation, that the Prelate ha- ving drawn up a Form of Recantation in Wri- ting, fhall fend to the faid Curates, or the Per- fons that have delivered fuch things, comman- ding them to retraâ: and unfay the fame in pub- lick, either by reading the faid Recantation, or by declaring the Contents of it to the People, and teaching them the Truth, which if any iliall refufe to do, which God forbid, they ihall be declared Excommunicate, and (hall be puniihed according to the Holy Canons , and the quality of the Matter they deliviered 5 which (hall be executed with great rigour, if it [hall appear to have been fpoke with Knowledge and Malice, but where it ihall be found to have flow'd from Ig- norance, and an innocent Mind, it ihall fuffice that a ready Obedience be paid to the faid Satis- faction and Recantation.

Decree XiX.

THe Synod having been informed of íèveral Meetings that were in this Diocefs, upon the death of Biibop Mar- Abraham^ in which both publick and private Oaths were taken, againft yielding Obedience to the Holy Roma?t Church, íèveral Curates, and others, obliging themfelves never to confent to any change either in the

Govern-

17^ Tlye ASls and Decrees

Government of the Biihoprick, or in matters of Faith, nor to receive any Bifhop thatihould be fent to them by the Holy Apoftolical See, or by any other way, than by the Order of the Schifma- tical. Heretical , Nejiorian Patriarch of Baby to ft, with feveral other particulars, contrary to the Sacred Canons, and the Obedience that is due to the moil Holy Roman Pontificate 5 doth declare all '^ fuch Oaihs, or any other taken, or that ihall be taken in the fame manner, to be void, and of no force 5 and that they do not only not ob- lige the Coniciences of thofe that have taken them, but that as they were raíhly and malicioufly • taken, io it is an Impiety and Schifm to keep them 5 denouncing the Sentence of the greater Excommunication upon all thofe that made them, or took them j This Synod having above all o- ther things promifed and fworn to yield Obedi- ence to the Commands of the Pope, and the Holy Apoftolical See, according to the Holy Ca- nons, and never to receive any Biiliop or Pre- late, but what fhall be fent by the Holy Roman Church, to which it of right belongs to provide Prelates and Biihops to aíl the Churches in the World, and to receive thofe that he (hall fend, without any doubt or fcruple, acknowledging them for the true Prelates and Paftors of their Souls, without waiting for any other Order, beiides that of theBiihop oiRome^ notwithftan-

* ^UCl) flDatllfli.] We may defend aChurcluhatisnotPopifl?» fee by this what doughty Securi- arc, in cht opinion of Papifts. ties, Protnifes, or Oachs made to

ding

of the Synod of Diamper. 177

ding any impious Oaths that may have been made at any time to the contrary..

Decree XX.

THis preíènt Synod, together 'with all the Priefts and faithful People of this Dioceis, doth embrace all the Holy General Councils re- ceived by Holy Mother Church, believing and confeíííng all that was determined in them, ana- thematizing, rejeiiing, and condemning all that they have rejeded and condemned 5 but efpeci- ally it doth with great Veneration receive and embrace the firft Holy Council of Ephefus, con- fifting of 200 Fathers, firmly believing all that was therein determined, and rejefting and con- demning whatibever it condemned 5 but above all, the Diabolical Herefy of the Neftorians^ which has been for many Years preached and be- lieved in this Diocefs , which together with its Author Neftorius^ and all his Followers, the faid Council did rejedt , and anathematize 5 who be- ing taught by the Devil , held that there were Two Perfons in our Lord Chrift 3 affirming alfo, that the Divine Word did not take Fleih, into the Unity of its Peribn , but only for an Habitation , or Holy Dwelling , as a Temple 5 and that it ought not to be faid, that God was In- carnate, or that he Died, nor that our l-ady, the Glorious Virgin, was the Mother of God, but only the Mother of Chrift, with other Diaboli- cal Herefies, all which this Synod does condemn,

N rejeót.

1/8 ' The Atls ana Decrees

rejed, and anathematize, embracing the Holy Catholick Faith , in that purity and integrity, that it is believed, and profefled in, by the Ho- ly Mother i^<7/^^« Church, the Miftrefs of all Churches, to which in all things it fubmits itfelf according to the profeiCon it has made. Further- more, this Synod does acknowledge the Glo- rious Cyril Archbiihop and Patriarch of Alex- andria. , who by Order of the Bifhop of Rome^ '\ prefided in the Holy Ephefan Council, to be a Bleílèd Saint, at this time enjoying God in Hea- ven 5 and that his Doftrine in the faid Council againft the Nejiorians, is Holy, and univerfally received in the Catholick Church, profeiTmg all that rejeft it, to be Excommunicated Hereticks.

Decree xxi.

Furthermore , This prefent Synod, with all the Priefts and faithful People of this Dio- cefs, doth embrace the laft ^ Holy and Sacred Council of Trent^ and does not only believe and

f i&^f£OE?3-3 St. Cyril prefi- Studio, ^ dicenái arte clarus^ qttit

áed in the Ephefan Council iti his ad Dei honorem, & veram Ecclefta

own righr, being the only Patri- reformationem cffenty fuadebaf, cut

arch that was picfcnc at ir. pUriqueex Concilti Patribw, hurnn'

* l^Olp Council of Trcnt.3 mrumpotÍHírerutn,quàmdivinarum

Jufliniams, a Noble Venetian^ in curam habentes, refragabantur : va-

the i§fABookofhisHiftory ofi'i- riifjue opinionibw Sanaa Synods

wcfjgives the following account of di]fidente, nil quod reilum^ {anifum,

die Holinefs of the Trent Cou ncil : piiimque foret Jtecernipotuityomniaque

ReligionU cauftMn Tridentino Conci- confufioney (fy" ccecitate plena erant,

lid parum profperos fuccejfus habebaty tantaque Pralatos ambitio cceperaty

ob dijjsntientes ânimos ^ cxcamque ut nulla apud eos fideiy Religionifque

Pralatorum ambitionem, Solw autem pro vera Ecclefix reformatione ratio

Cardinals Lothoriniiuit Vir pietatk haberetur.

confeis

of th Synod of Diamper. 179

confefs all that was determined and approved of therein, and rejed, and anathematize all that that Council rejeâ:ed and condemned 5 but doth moreover receive and embrace the faid Council as to all matters therein determined, relating to the reformation of the Church, and all Chriftian People , promiiing and fwearing to Govern it ÇÚÍ according to the Rules thereof, and to ob- ierve the fame Forms that are obfcrved in the Catholick Church, and as are obferved in this Province of the Indies, and in all the other Pro» vinces, and Suffragans to the Metropohs of Gí?í 3 in order to the removing of all Abufes and Cu- ftoms that are contrary to the Decrees of the íàid Council of Trent ^ by which only it is refolved to Govern it felf as to all matters relating to the Government of the Church, and the Refor- mation of the Manners of this faithful and Ca- tholick People, any Cuftoms, tho' immemorial, in thisBiihoprick, to the contrary notwithftanding.

T

'Dzmt XXII.

'His prefent Synod, together with all the _ Priefts and faithful People of this Diocefs, doth with great fubmiíTion, and reverence, fub- mit it felf to the Holy, Upright, Juft and Necef- fary Court of the Holy Qííicé of the f Inquiiition,

*

.+ UnijUifttion.] This agrees in his Chair he could not have

with what Pattl the Illi. faidof delivered a greater truth- AHea-

the Inquifition upon his Death- then Koman Synod would never

bed, that it was the Pillar of the have been guilty of calling that áa

Church of Roma j if he had been Upright and Juft Court, which

N 2 .in

t8o

The AEls and ^Decrees ■

in thefe Parts Eftabliihcd , and being fenfiblehow much the Integrity of the Faith depends upon that Tribunal, it does promife and {wear to be obedient to all its Commands in all things there- unto pertaining, being, after the Example of all other Bifhopricks in this Province, willing that all matters of Faith ibould be judged of by the fame Court, or by fuch Perfons as it fhall de- pute : And notwithftanding the faid Holy Office has not hitherto, by reafon of this Church's ha- ving been ieparated, and had little or no cor-

neither fufFcrs its PrifoHcrs to know the particular Crime where- of fhey arc accufed, nor the Per- fons that accufe them, nor the Witneííts that dcpofe againfl thtm, Aãs 2$. V. r ió- I refcrr thofc that have a mind to be fa- tisfied of the Jufiiceof this Court, to the Hiftory of the Inquj; tion of Goa, which was the Inqnifition this Synod put the Church of Ma- labar under, publ.fhed by a French Fapift who wash^nnfelfa Prifoner ui it j .tho' I mufl tell them that as bad as his Treatment was there- in, that it was but Play to wliat it would have been, had he pro- fefs'd himfeU a Protcftdnt, or not 10 have been of the Roman Com- munion,tho'he had once been of it. Bulenger^ tho' otherwile a fierce Papift, gives this following account of this Holy. Office, inter h.*:c aUum à ronttjice cum H'fpanu Rege, ut Inquifnio fíifpanica Medioianum inferretury quod tarn acerbe tu lore Jnfubres, ut defeClionu ccnfilia ini-

erint. Ea qudtftro in Hifpanii Mauris deprehendendii infiituta ejl^ per cujtti caufaniy tfy" mmen, crebro innocent es ac fcelerk integri cuflodia mancipan- tury opibus evertmtur , vita. ^ dignitate falfis triminibus circum- venti fpoliantur. Si vocula farte à Delatoribw excepta eft, Majeflatis illico polhlanlur , in ultimx fortit kommbiu crimina pratentatdy mex in Viroi Principes diftriãa funt. Jacent plerumque tres annos in fttu ^ pidore carcerisy priufquam libello aut noto crimine arcejfantur : alii nuiliw criminii comperti judicio affíi- guntur : quidcim in fqualore earcerk igmrati contabcfcmt. Auriculariiy frumentariiy quadruplatores jubdoU grajfantury qui rei faiendt Studio in Dixit urn capita involanty ^non tarn (rimina judicio, quam objeila- menta jur^io pr lata quarunt. Ser- mones inter familiares tjabitos in rem non modo feriam^fed capitalem ducunt. And Aiaxeray a Papifl too, in the Life of Henry \\. calls the In- quiiicion a Dreadful Monjler.

reffon-

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 8 1

tefpondence with the Apoftolical See, or with any of the Churches that are fubjeâ: to it, med- led with any Perfons belonging to this Biihop- rick, yet now for the benefit of their Souls, as to Abfolutions in cafes of Faith, which are known to be referved to that Court , This prcfent Sy- nod doth befeech the Lords Inquifiiors to Autho- rize fome Learned Men within this Biihoprick, or the Jefuits of the College of Faipicotta, and of otlier refidences of the fame Religion in the faid. Dioceis, to Abfolve all fuch as (hall itand in need thereof, and that with fuch limitations as they ihall think fit , confidering how difficult it is for the People inhabiting the Sen\i^ to have recourie to the Tribunal at Goa , neither can it be otherwife, confidering that they live in the raidft of infidels, but that fuch neceOary 'Cafes will ibmetimes happen, and efpecially to rude and ignorant People.

DtCttt XXIÍÍ.

THe Prefervation of the Purity of the Faith, and the prevention of Peoples being cor- rupted with hlie and ftrange Doftiines, being a thing of the greateft importance , this Synod doth therefore command all Perfons, of what Q^uality or Condition foever in this Billiopiick, that whenfoe ver they (hall happen to know of any Chriftians doing, fpeaking, or writing any thing that is contrary to the Holy Catholick Faith, or of any that iliall give aílíftance or

N 3 coun-

iSi The ABs and Decrees

countenance thereunto, to "^ dilate them with 'all poiTible Expedition and Secrecy to the Prelate, or to the Vicars of the Church, or to fome o- ther faithful Peribn, who will immediately give an account thereof, that fo fuch a courfe may be forthwith taken, as the neceffity of the Mat- ter ihall require ^ the Synod in virtue of Obedi- ence commanding the faid Vicars, and Perfonsto who:n fuch things Ihall be denounced to intimate them with all poffible fpeed.

* what a Confufion muft this is newly and forcibly converted to praâice aceds make in a place that the Roman Church.

Action IV.

Of the Sacraments of'Baptifm^ and Confirmation,

'TpHe Holy Sacraments of the Gofpel, inftituted -^ by our Saviour and Redeemer jeiiJsChrift the Son of God, for the Remedy and Salvation of Men, and to which he hath applyed the Vir- tue of his Holy Paffion, and infinite Merits, and by vi'hich all true Holinefs begins in us, and be- ing begun, is encreafed, and being loft is reco- vered, are f Seven, to wit, Baptifm^ Confirmation^ the Eiicharijij Fetiitence^ Extrear/t UnUion^ Or-

t^Eben] The Doftrine of who lived above a thoufand years

the Seven Sacraments is fo great after the Apoftles, being the firft

a Novelty in the Church of /lome, he quotes for ir. This is a long

(for it is in no other Church) time for an Apoftolical Traditi-

that BeZ/rfrwHe :.h all his read- on to run under ground-, and

ing, was not able to produce the which is yet more wonderful,

teftimony of one Father for ir, that it ihould break out in an

Creek.riot Latin: Peter Lombardy Age that knew nothing 'of Ec-

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 8 3

der^ and M.ttrimony : All which do differ much from the Sacraments of the Old Law, which did not caufe, but did only fignifie the Grace that waste be given by the Pailion of Chrifr, where- as our Sacraments do contain Grace, and give it to all thofe that receive them worthily 5 the firft^i'e were ordained for the Spiritual perfe- fting of every Man only with relation to him- ielf, the two laji were appointed for the good Government and encreafe of the Church ; by B^ptifm we are fpiritually born again to God 5 by Conjirmaúon we are advanced in Grace, for- tified in the Faith, and being Regenerated and. ilrengthened, we are fupported by the Divine Food of the E/zrA^r/^/?, and Sacrament of theAl- tar, and when we chance by Sin to fall into any di- ftemper of Soul, we are Spiritually reilored by Vcnitence^ and both Spiritually and Corporally by Extredm Un&ion 5 by the Sacrament of Or- der^ the Church is governed, and Spiritually multiplied, and by Matrimony Corporally : All thefe Sacraments are perfected by three Caufes 3 that is, Things as their matter. Words as their form, and the Perfon that is to ad.ninifter them with an f Intention of doing what the Church

deiiaftical Antiquity, or indeed f ^líltcntípn ] This Doflrine

of any orher fore of Learning > after all cl-itir calk ouh.c neceíHcy

but this was the common face of there is of an ir.filiiMe certainty

all the /l3A«<in Doftrines and Ri:cf , in all matters oi Religion, mail

which they prciend to have re- make chcm to be very f*r from

ceived from the Apoftks, only having any fuch ccrciincy of chcir

by the way of the dark and un- being CUriOians, or of their ha-

certain conveyance of Oui Tra- ving either a Prieft, or a Bifhop

dition. in their Church. For as they

N^ 4 ' doth 5

1 84 T??e /^Bs and Decrees

doth 5 and where any of thefe three Caufes arc wanting, they are not perfeft, neither indeed is any Sacrament adminifter'd.^ all the Ceremonies and Rites, approved and made ufe of by Holy Mother Church, in the adminiftration of the Sa- craments are holy, and cannot be defpifed, neg- le6l:cd,or '^ changed for others without a great Sin, notwithftanding they do not appertain to the In-

cannot be infallibly cerrain of any Bifhop or Pricil's inrencion in the Adminiftration of the Sacraments, fo they may be certain that it is poflible that Bifhops and Priefts may be fo wicked as not to intend what the Church docs in fuch adminiftration, nay, to intend the contrary j for there was a Parifh-Prieft burnt not many Years ago a.t Lisbon, whoconfef- fed at his Death, that whenever he baptized, or confecratcd, he had a formed Intention not to adrainifter thofe Sacraments.

*Ct}an2Ei5-] This is very ftrange, confidering that moft of thofe Rites are but new even in the Roman Church, that of the Elevation of the Hoft not excep- ted : Of the Elevation of the Hoft, Cardinal Bona in the i-^th. Chap, of his zd. Book of Litur- gies, faith, Non enim liquet qu£ prima Origo fuerit in Ecckfui La- tina, ekvar.di Sacra M)fleria, Jfa- iim ac cmfecrata funt; in antiquii enim Sacramentorum Hbris, (fj in codkibm Ordinii Romani, tarn ex- cufis quàm MSS, nee in prifcif ri- tuum ExpofitoribiM, Alcuino, Alma- riOy Wiilfrido, Aficro'oio (f^ alia, aliquod ejw vcftigiHm reperitur.

As to Peoples being prefent ac Mafs, that did not communicate ac the fame time, the fame Car- dinal faith in the i/\th. Chap, of his firft Book, Primi ^ Secmdi pojl Chrijium fceculi foelicitat htec fuit, cum mulntudo crcdentium, quorum (^ erat Cor unum, ^ anima. una, ardentiffimo Dei amore fuccen- fa, nihil impenfiM defiderabat^ quàm ad hoc fupercoekfte convivi- um accedne, in quo anima de Deo faginatur, ut loquitur Tertullianw ; at propè finem Tatii ccepit fervor iUe langue fcere, (^ numerni commu- nicantium imminui, quam tepidita- tem tegrè ferentes Patres Concilii lUiberitani, Cap, 1^. Statuerunt, Epifcopum non debere munera ab €0 accipere qui nsn communicat. Patres item Cone. Antioch. Can. 1. Omnes qui ingrediuntur Ecclefiam, ^ je à perceptions Sanãx Com- trvnionK avertunt, ab Ecclefià re- mover decreverunt : Patres de- nique Cone. Tolet. Cap. i ■3,. Eos ab- Jiineri prxcepermt, qui irtrant Ec- clefiam, (fy" non Communicant. Whst the Cardinal faith here of thtfe two Pradices, makes al- moft the whole Roman Worftiip at this time to be a meet Novel- ty, the whole of that Worftiip con-

of the Synod of Diamper. 185

confining almoft now in Peoples going to Mafs upon Sundays and Holy-days, which the Church ob- liges them to, not obliging them at the fame time to communicate above once a Year, and in ado- ring the Hoft when the Prieft ele- vates it. As to the Prieft's put- ting the Sacrament into the mouth of the Communicants, the fame Cardinal in the i "jtb. Chap, of his fecond Book, faith, Sacra Com- munio antiquo ritu, mn ore excipi fo- hbat, ut bodiè fir, jed mam, quam qui fufceperat, On reverenrer admo- vebat. As to the Prieft's fpeak- ing the words of Confecration fo low that no body can hear him, in his nth. Chap, of the fame Book, be faith ^ Graci ify- alii Orientates verba confecra'tonis ela- th voce pronunciant, ^ populw re- fpondety Amen. Eundem morem Jer- vabat olim Ecclefia Occidentalism omnes enim audiebant verba confe- crationif ; poftea Jlatutum eft, ut Canon fubmiffa vice recitaretur : ç[y fic defiit ea confuetudo^ feculo deci- mo, ut conjicio.

As to the ufage of her denying the Cup to the People, in tie iSfA. Chap, of his fecond Book, "he faich. Semper enim ij ubique ab Ecclefix primordiif uff, ad fdculum dmdecimum, fub fpecie panis (^' Vivi in Ecclefi'u commmicârunt fideles ; caepitq-f paulatim ejwi ffculi iriiio ufm calici^ obfolefcere^ plerifq-., Epif- copif eum populo inter dicentibm^ <h fic paulatim introducia eft Commu- nio fub joli fpecie paris ■■, quod à ml- lo negari poreft, qui vel levijjiml rerum Ecclefiafticarum notitiu imbu- tiu eft[.

And as to her making ufe of Un- leavened Bread, in the 2id, Chap.

of his firft Book, he faith ; Qiioifi- V éteres Patres^ percurrere (fy- om- nem evolver e antiquitatem libeaty inveniemui proculdiibio fic à tem- pore Apoftolorum^ <^ de incept de pane Encharifticd. ofines loqui, ut non nifi de communis (^ ferment ato commode inteUigi^ i^ explicari que- ant.

As to her giving the Sacrament in Wafers, in the i-^d. Chap, of the fame Book, he faith ^ Vivente Humberto qui floruit Anno 1245. pann confecrandm inZ/chariftiâ. tan- ta mcigmtudinis eraty ut ex eo con- fecratfe tot particnld frangi fojjent qmt erant necef\aris adpopulumcom- municandam, fy panis qui tradeba- tur taliifkitj ut dcglutiri non poffet, nifi dentibus comminutus.

And as to her keeping the confecraced Bread, or Hofls as (he calls them, after the Commu- nion is over, he fa'th in the fame Book j Ne retiquidi Sacratnenti fu- pereffent^ fspe recretum e/i, ut trt particult confecrarentur, quot erant parati ad communior.em -, (^T fi quid refiduurrforet, àfacerdcte, feu Mi- niftrii coTiwederetur ; quod fi conti- gerit ut Mimjlforum incúria putre- fcerint^ftatuit Concilium Arelatetfe apud fo<in. X. l.Cep. -jé. utigne comburatur, (fj cinUjuxta Altare fe- pciiatur •, idq-, in ufufuiffi' docet Al- gerus, Lib.z. Cap i.

Now I take this acknowledged change of Rices in the Admini- ftiation of the Eucharift, to be a very great Evidence, tint there has been a Change of belief about ir, and indeed to have been the Natural Corfequence of fuch a change, ai,dfoI believe will any body clfe that ftiall confider ic impartially.

tegrity

\%6 Tl?e Afts and Decrees

tegrity or Eííènce of the Sacraments y there are three that imprint a Spiritual fign on the Soul, that can never be blotted out , it is called a Charaãer^ which is the reafon why thofe Sacra- ments are never to be repeated ^ they are Bap- tifm^ Confirmation and Orders , the other four, that is, Penitence^ the Eucharijl^ Extream Un- ãion^ and Matrimony^ imprint no Spiritual Sign in the Soul, and fo may be repeated with due Order , but tho' thefe feven Sacraments are all Divine, and do contain Grace, and difpenie it to their worthy R^eceivers, deferving oar moft profound Reverence and Adoration, on the ac- count of the Majefty of their Inftitutor, who was our Lord Jefus Chrift the Son of God, as alfo for the affiftance of the Holy Spirit, who operates in conjundion with them , and for the virtue that is in them for the curing of Souls, the Treafare of the PaiTion of our Lord Jefus Chrift, being depoiited in them, and difpenfed to us by their means , Neverthelefs this does not hinder, but that in fome refpeds, fome of them raay be more worthy than others, and may de- ferve a greater reverence and veneration. Thefe Sacraments were all inftituted by our Lord Je- fus Chrift before his Afcention into Heaven, that ÍO by their means he might communicate Grace, and other Spiritual Benefits, he had merited for us by his Death on the Crofs, confirming them to the faithful by his Word and Promifes, that ib by ufing them lawfully, and with due diipo- fitions, we might be afcertained of his commu-

nicatmg

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 87

nicating himfelf, and all the fruits othis Paííion to us, in every one of them, in fuch a manner as he reprefents himfelf in them.

I7;e DoBrine of the Holy Sacrament of Saptifm,

THe firft of all the Sacraments is that of Bap- tifm, which is the Gate of the Spiritual Life, and that whereby we are made capable of the other Sacraments, of which without it we are no ways capable 5 for as a Man muft firft be born, before he can enjoy the good things of the Na- tural Life, fo Men before they are born again in Baptifm, are not capable of enjoying the hea- venly advantages of a Spiritual Life, it being by Baptiim that we are made Members of Chrift, and are incorporated into the Chriftian Com- mon-wealth, and the Myftical Body of the Church 5 for as by the firft man Death came up- on all, tor the Sin of Difobedicnce committed by him and us, for which Sin we were exclu- ded the Kingdom of Heaven, and were born - Children of Wrath, and feparated from God, Co that without being born again of Water and the Spirit, we cannot enter into the K.ingdom of Heaven, as Chrift himfelf has taught us 5 fo that as we were born Children of Wrath, by Baptifm we return to be Children of Grace, and as we wxre born in fin the Sons of Men, in Baptifm we are born the Sons of God 5 all that are bap- tized

1 8 8 T??e AB;s and Decrees

tized in Chrift, as St. Paul hath it, having put on •Chrift : The Matter of this Sacrament, is true, natural, and common Water^ as of the Sea, Ri- vers, Fountains, Lakes, or Rain, and no other, tho* never fo pure and clean ^ all others being Liquors, and not natural Water : The Form is, I Baptize thee in the name of the Father^ and of the Son^ and of the Holy Ghojl. The Minifter of this Sacrament is a Prieft, to whom it belongs by virtue of his Office, but in cafe of neceility, not only a Prieft or Deacon, but a Lay-man, or Woman, nay an Infidel, a Mahometan^ a Here- tick, or Jerv : In a word, any Peribn that can Baptize, ufing the Form of the Church, and in- tending to do what fbe does , may adminifter this Sacrament : For feeing none can be faved without being Baptized, therefore as our Lord ordained Water,ithan which nothing is more ready at hand, to be the matter of this Sacrament, io he would exclude no Man from being the Mini- fter thereof ^ the effects and virtue of this Sacra- ment, is, the pardon and remiííion of all fins O- riginal and Aftual, and of all puniftiments due to them 5 for which reafon there is no Penance to be enjoyned thofe that are Baptized, for any fin they committed before Baptifm , all that die after Baptifm, before they have committed any fin, going directly to Heaven, where they enjoy -'the Divine Vifion for ever.

Decree

of the Synod 0/ Diamper. 189 lõzttzz I.

WHereas in the Examination of the Forms of the adminiftration of the Sacraments of the Church in this Diocefs, made by the moft Re- verend Metropolitan in his laft Vifitation, he found that in divers Churches there were diffe- rent Forms ufed , and written in the Baptifteries, fome Curates ufing the Form following , "^ N. i/ Baptized and perfeãed^ in the name of the Father^ Atnen 5 in the name of the Son^ Amen ^ in the name of the Holy Ghoji^ Amen ; Others ufing the Qreek^ Form, laying, Baptizetur fervus Chrifli^in nomine Patris^ Amen ^ in nomine Filii^ Amen j in nojnine Spiritus Sanãi^ Amen, The Synod in virtue of Obedience, and upon pain of Excommunication to be ipfo faão incurred, doth command, that no Perfon ihall prefume hereafter to ufe either theíè, or any other Forms , but that which is ufed in the Holy Roman Church 5 I Baptize thee in the name of the Father^ and of th^ Son, and of the Holy Ghofi 5 and that all other Forms be blot- ted out of their Baptifteries, and Books, and this be put in their place.

* The Andenc Form of Baptizing was by Prayer.

Decree II.

np His Synod being informed, That at divers

-■- times they have ufed different Forms of

Baptifm in this Diocefs , which were introduced

by

\^o Tin Aãs and Decrees

by Schiftnatical and Ignorant Prelates, fome of which were not LegitimatCj neither was the Sa- crament adminiftred by them, as was declared by the moft llluftrious Metropolitan, and others, after a ftridt Examination ^ and others were very doubtful , doth therefore in the name of the Holy Ghoft, defire and command all the faith- ful Chriftians of this Dioceís to declare to the faid Metropolitan at the Viíitation he intends to make of the Churches of this Dioceís, or to Per- fons deputed by him , the time when they were Baptized, that fo according to the Form that was then uíèd, a faving remedy may be provided, in conformity to what ihall be ordained therein, and that all fubmit themfelves to whatfoever he (hall be pleaied to order.

Decree iii.

FOrafmuch as the Synod is informed , that there are many Perfons in this Dioceís, and eipecially among thofe that live in the Heaths, and are far from any Church, who tho' they are not Baptized, yet being of a Chriftian race, do pro- feis themíèlves Chriftians, and when they come where there is a Church , do go to it and receive the Holy Sacraments with others, and out of meer ihame of letting it be known that they are not Chriftened, do die without Bap- tifm 5 and others becauie they will not pay the Fees, which are Simoniacally demanded of them : It doth therefore command all Vicars of Chur- ches

of the Synod o/Diamper. i p i

ches to make diligent inquiry through their whole Parifhes and the Heaths, to fee if there are any that are not Chriftened, befides the fearch that the moft lUuftrious Metropolitan does intend at his next Viíitation, as he did at his former 5 and that the íàid Vicars on the high Feftivals, upon which thofe that live in the Heaths do ufually come to Church, íhall admonifti them all in ge- neral, that in caíè there are any among them that have never been baptized, or that have fome reafon to doubt whether they have or not, that they go to them and acquaint them therewith in private, that fo they may beíècretly Chriften- ed, and without paying any Fee, letting them know that they are not Chriftians, nor capable of inheriting Eternal Life, nor of receiving the Holy Sacraments without being baptized b and all Prea- chers (hall frequently give the fame admonition, and all Confeííòrs muft be careful to ask all rude Chriftians that live in the Heaths, whether they have been baptized, and in cafe it appear doubt- ful^ they ftiall then baptize them privately. The Synod grants the fame Liceníè to all Priefts with- in or without this Diocefs, to baptize all fuch íè- cretly, in what place foever they ftiall think fit.

Decree I v.

np H E Synod being informed that there are

-■- fome fmall Villages in this Diocefs, which,

by reafon of the great diftance they are at from

any Church, and through the negligence of their

Pre-

192 Tlje ASis and Decrees

Prelates and Priefts, tho* they call themíèlves Chriftians of St. Thomas^ becaufe defcended of fuch, yet are not Baptized, having nothing of Chriftians but the bare name, doth command a diligent enquiry to be made into this matter, recommending the fam.e to the moft Reverend Metropolitan , and commanding all Vicars of Churches to iearch all places bordering upon their Pariihes, and to oblige all fuch to be Bap- tized : The Synod dothlikewife command Chap- pels to be built in or near to all fuch Villages, and to be provided with fuch Curates as may in- ftruA them in all matters of Faith, that Co there may be none in all thefe parts that call them- felves Chriftians of St. Thomas , but what are Baptized ^ and of fome Pariíh where they may receive the Sacraments.

Decree v.

BY reaibn of the great negligence that is ib viiible in the Chriftians of this Biftioprick, in bringing their Children to be baptized within eight days after they are born, according to the Cuftom of the Church, but chiefly among thofe that live at a confiderable diftance from any Church, whofe Children are many times fome Months or Years old before they are Chriften'd 3 the Synod doth ftridtly command, That all Chil- dren be baptized on the 8/Ã. day after they arc born, according to the cuftom of the Univer- fal Church, without there ftiould be fome dan- ger

of the Synod of Diamper. 19^

ger of their dying before, in which cafe they ought to be Chriftened immediately, or that \t ihonld fo happen, that if they are not baptized fooner, they cannot be in a long time, in which caie alfo they ought to be prefently Chriftened 5 and for thofe that live in Heaths^ and far frcm any Church, if they Qiould not be able to bring their Children to be baptized on the eighth day, they muft not fail to bring them betwixt the fifteenth and the tvv^entieth 5 and all that are found to be negligent herein, let them be puniíhM íèverely ^ and whofoever iliall negledt to bring their own Children, or others that they have the charge of-, tho* their Slaves, to Baptiim for above a Month, let them be thrown out of the Church, neither (hall it be lawful for any Prieft to go to their Houíès, or to give them the Cajiuri^ or á Vifit, no not in order to perfwade them to bring their Children to Baptifm ; But if it (hould be probable that the length cf the Way might en^ danger the Child's Life, then let the Father or Guardian fignifie fo much to the Vicar of the Church to which they belong, that a fit remedy may be taken therein, that the Baptifrt of the Infant be no longer deferred 5 and in fuch Cafes the Synod doth command all Vicars either in Perion^ or by fome other Priefl:, to haften to go 5 the doing thereof with dihgence being one of the higheft Duties of their Funâion.

O Oecreg

104 T^he ABs ana Decrees

Decree vi.

THe prefent Synod doth condemn the Cuftom or Abufe which has hitherto obtained in this Diocefs, of not Baptizing the Infants of Pa- rents that are Excommanicated, for fear of ha- ving fome Communion with them, by which means it often happens, that Children continue unbaptized for many Years , thereby running a great hazard of dying without Baptifm^ and ordaining the contrary, commands the Children of Excommunicated Parents to be Chriften'd as well as others, and to that intent declares, That ' they that go into fach Families to fetch fuch Children, or ihall carry or accompany them to Church, fhall incurr no cenfure or puniihment whatfoever for fo doing , neverthelefs, the Per- fons that are Excommunicated ihall not be fuf- fer'd to go along with them, nor (hall o- thers go to any Feaft or Banquet at their Houíès which they may have made on that occafion.

Decree vii.

THe Synod doth exhort and admoniih all Fa- thers and Mothers , and all other Perfons that are prefent at Womens Labour, to be care- ful not to fuíFer any Infant to die without Bap- tifm : Wherefore if they ihall perceive the Child when it is born, to be weak, or in danger of dying prefently, they ihall then , if it can be

done,

of the Synod of Diamper. 1.95

done, call the Vicar, or in his abfence any other Pfieft, to come immediately to Baptize the In- fant 5 but if the danger (hall be fuch as not to , admit of any delay, in that cafe any Perfon that is prefent fhall Baptize it in the Church 5 throw- ing Water upon its Face, and faying, 1 B.iptizs thee in the name of the Father^ a?zd of the Son^ and the Holy Ghofl^ Amen : which (ball be done by EcclefiaCticks, if any are prefefit, rather than Laicks, and by Men, rather than Women, if they know the Form 5 but if they do not, then any one that knows it may perform it 5 and when Infants are in danger of dying in the birth, in cafe the Head or any other principal Member doth appear, tho' the whole Body (hould not, they ihall fprinkle the Member that appears with Wa- ter, ufing the Form, And = as forthofe that have been Baptized in this manner, if they ihall hap- pen to live, and it ihall be proved that they were Baptized on the Head, or the greater part of the Body, they ihall not then be Chriften'd again, but ihall only be carried to the Church to be anointed with the Holy Oils 5 but if the Baptifm was perfor- med on any other part, they ihall then be Bap- tized again, but with a Condition, faying, If thou art not Baptized^ 1 Baptize thee in the name of the Father^ and of the Son ^ and of the Holy Gkojt ^ Amen: And after the fame manner Priefts, and others ihall behave themfelves, as to fach Per- fons of whofe Baptifm they have any reafon to doubt 5 provid-ed , if there are any other pre- fent, it ihall not be lawful for the Parents ci

O 2 fiich

1 9 6 The JBs and Decrees

fuch Infants to Baptize them, that they may not contrad the Spiritual Relation of Godfather, or Godmother 5 but in .cafe there íhould be no body elfe prefent, and the Child íhould be in apparent danger of Death, in fuch a cafe of ne- ceffity, the Father or Mother muft Baptize it.

decree vill.

THe Synod doth earneftly recommend to all People , to procure Chriftian Data*s or Midvvives in all their Towns, and fuch as know the Form of Baptifm, and are able to fuccour the neceffities of Infants when born in danger ; And whereas Infidel Daias do ufe a great many Ceremonies and Superftitions with Infants, which are foreign to the purity and integrity of the Gcfpel, and eipecially fuch of them as are M^- hometans , the Vicars (hall therefore take care frequently to inftrud all their People, but eipe- cially the Data's^ in the Form of Baptifm, that fo every body may know how to fuccour the neceffities of Infants when they are born 5 and the Confefiors of the Daias muft be fure to ex- amine them as to the íãid Form, and having in- ftrueled them therein, ihall acquaint them how much it is their duty to be perfed in it.

Oecrcc

of í/;e S Y N o D of Diamper. i p/

Ç)£Ccee IX.

THe Synod doth command , That no Perfon preiiime to keep an Infidel Slave without Baptizing him ^ whom, if they are Infants, they ihall Baptize prefently i and if come to years of difcretion, they fhall take care to inftrudt in the Faith, in order to make them Chriftians, but without any manner of Compulfion, befides that of continual Perfuafion 0 and whofoever ihould be found to have an Infidel Child that is not Baptized, or one that is of Age and does defirç to be, (hall be feverely puniihed by the Prelate, and the Parties ihall be Chriftencd ; In this the Vicars ought to beextreamly vigilant, andefpe- , cially when they make the Roll of Confeííions, and inquire what Perfons are in every Family, and who arc not Chriftians, and why they are not.

£)ccrec x,

npHere being fome Chriftians ib unmindful of ' -*• their ChriftianObligcUions,as to iell Cnriftians tõlnfidels , contrary to the Holy Canons, who by that means are certainly conftrained to Apoftatize from the Faith , wherefore the Synod in virtue of Obedience, and upon pain of Excomniunica- tion to be ipfo faão incurred , doth command. That no Chriftian prefume to Sell any of the Faithful to Infidels 3 and that whofoever (hall be fovmd to have done it, fhall be forthwith ^^^ ■ O 3 dçclar

ipS The ABs and Decrees

declared Excommunicate, and fhall not be Ab- folved, until he hath redeemed the faid Chri- frian, tho' he ihould coft him more than what he ibid him for 5 or until it (hall be manifeft to the Vicar of the Church, and to other Curates, and the whole People, that it cannot be done, in which cafe he iliall not be Abfolved until by- way of Penance he has refunded the Money that he received , with which the Vicar and Church- wardens íhall buy an Infidel , whom they íhall Chrijien , great numbers of fuch being fold daily in Malabar --^ anii the Perfon fo bought íhall have his liberty, and íhall be ceramitted to the care of fome devout fubftan- tiai Chriftian that will Educate him for God's fake. Moreover, the Synod in virtue of Obedi- ence, doth prohibit all Chriftians to Sell any Boys cr Girls, tho'. they are not Baptized, to any Af^- ho}77ctan^ Jerr^ or Heathen 5 it being certain, that fuch when fold to Infidels, will never come to the knov/ledge of the Faith 5 tho' when it is ne- ceílàry, and they are their lawful Slaves, they may fell them to other Chriftians : Whofoever fhall tranfgreis herein, iliall be feverely punifh- ed, except the Perion that was fold was Twenty Years of Age 5 and it is manifeft to the Vicar, to whom he fhall be carried before he is fold, that he refufed to be Baptized.

3?ecrce

of the Synod of Diamper. i pp Decree XI.

THe Heathens of thefe Parts being fo ftrange- ly addifted to Angnrks , and Siiperftition?, as fomeciraes to kill their Children which are born on thoíè days which they reckon to be Un- lucky, imagining they muft be miferable if they live, the Mothers , that they may not Murther them with their own hands , leaving them in Heaths, or at the bottom of fome Tree, or in a Ditch, there to periih , wherefore the Synod doth command all the faithful Chriftians of this Ei(hoprick, That whereas living among fuch Hea- thens, and being their Neighbours, they cannot for the moft part but know what palies in their Houies , to be very watchful in this cafe 5 and whenfoever they fliall know of any Infants be- ing thus expofed, or (hall find them at any time in the Heaths, to carry them home to their Houfes, andcheriih them with Chriftian Charit}', either Baptizing them thcmfelves, or procuring it to be done 5 and if when they find them, they (hall apprehend them to be near dying, notwithftanding they may know that their Pa- rents will take it ill of them, who by thus ex- pofing them have loft their dominion over them, they fhall Baptize them immediately , whereby the Church will acquire a right in them, and as a Holy Mother, is glad to receive them 5 and if it fhould fo happen that thofe by whom they are fqund, are not in a condition to breed them

O 4 ijp.

2, op Tl)e ABs and Decrees

up,they ihall then carry them to the Vicar,and the other Curates of the Church, whom we com- mand in the name of Chrift, to call together the chief Men of the Pariih, to take fome couríe a- bout the bringing up of the Child :, aqd if there is no well-difpofed Perfon that will for the love of God, take the charge thereof upon him, they ihall then procure a Nurfe, and whatfoever elfe is nece0àry, if there can be no other way found, out of the Alms and Fabrick of the Church.

Decree xiL

THe Synod commands , That the Infants that are left at the Gates of the Churches, or in any other place, if it does not manifeilly appear that they are already Chriflned, (hall be Baptized, and (hall be brought up in the fame manner as is prefcribed for the Children of In- fidels that are found expofed in the Heaths, the Vicars doing all they can to prevail with ibme to undertake the charge of their Education for God's fake,

Decree XilL

ALL that fhall be converted from Heathe- nifm to Chriftianity, being of Age , ihall be well inftruded in the matters of Faith, be- fore they (hall be admitted to Baptifm, and ihall knojv at leaft how to Crofs therafelves, and be able to fay the Fater Nojier , Jve Marjf^ the

Creedy

of the Synod of Diamper. 201

Creed^ and the Commandments^ as well as they can be taught 5 in which Matter there has been hi- therto a great Negleft, commanding the Vicars to examine all fuch in the Faith before theyChri- ften them, without they ihould happen to be in danger of Death before they have learn'd thoíè things 5 in which cafe their making a profeffion of Faith, and the necefíàry Myfteries thereof, and fignifying a defire to be Baptized, (hall be fuffi- cient : And whereas the Synod is inform'd, that great numbers of Infidels living among Chrifti- ans, have long defired Baptifm of them, but through the coldneis of Priefts and others, have had none that would be at the pains to inftrudt them, it doth therefore charge the Confciences of the Vicars therewith , fpeedily to fet about inftrufting fuch, according to the fervour of thofe that defire it, that fo they may be brought to the Sacred Font of Baptifm, defiring all other Chriftians likewiíè to be diligent and zealous in that Matter.

©ectec XIV.

T^He Holy Oils having hitherto not been uíèd ■■- in this Biihoprick in any of the Sacraments^ and if any have been ufed, it having been with- out any diftindlion, and without being Bleílèd by the Biihop'5 wherefore for remedy thereof, the moft Illu(lrious MetropoUtan, in his Refor» tnation of the Afifairs of this Church, having on the Thurjday of the laft Holy Week bleíTed tl^e

Oils.

202 Tl)e J^s and Decrees

OHs^ and furniihed all the Churches therewith, in- ftruding them in their Holy Ufes and Diftinfti- ons 5 the Synod doth therefore command all Vi- cars in virtue of holy obedience5to ufe the íàid Oils in Baptifm, Anointing all that are Baptized there- with on the Breaft , and the Sides, and after they are Baptized, anointing them with the Holy Chrifm on the Head, and making the fign of the Crofs thereon with their Thumb dipt in the Ho- ly Oils , or with a Feather kept in the Veilel for that uíè, wiping the Oil off afterwards with a Cloth or Towel, which fhall likewife be kept in the fame place : The Synod doth alio com- mand under the fame Precept , That all Cu- rates and Vicars do celebrate this Sacrament, with the Rites and Ceremonies, Exorcifms and Prayers, that are contained in the Roman Cere- montai '^ which the moft lUuftrious Metropolitan has order'd to be Tranflated into Syrian for the adminiftration of all the Sacraments, and is to be kept in all Churches , and that the Priefts when they adminifter Baptifm folemnly in the Church, ihall have on a Surplice^ and a Stole a- bout their Necks, for the more decent admini- ftration of that Sacrament , and ftiall not per- form it in their ordinary wearing Habit, as they have done hitherto.

'Dztxtz XV.

WHereas hitherto the ancient Cuftom of the Church of having Godfathers and Godmo- thers, has not been in ufe in this Biíhoprick, by

which

oftheSrviODof Diamper. 203

which means there has been no knowledge therein, of the Spiritual Affinity that is contraâ:- ed betwixt the Party Baptized, and the Parents thereof, and the Godfathers and Godmothers, therefore the Synod does command , That all that are Baptized, ihall have one or two God- fathers and Godmothers, to prefent them in the Church, and to touch them on the Head before Baptifm , and •to receive them from the Holy Font : The Men muft be fourteen Years of Age at leaft, and the Women twelve, neither ihall any be admitted under thofe Ages. The Synod doth likewife declare. That there is fuch a clofe Spiritual Affinity betwixt the Godfathers and Godmothers, and their God-children, and the Parents of the Children , that they can never Marry with one another, without a Difpenfation from the Pope, or from one empowered by him, and which is feldom granted , and never but when there is a very urgent caufe for it 5 and that iuch Marriages celebrated without a Diipen- iation, are void, and of no eifeft. The Synod furthermore declares, That this Spiritual Affinity reacheth no further than to the one or two God- fathers, and one Godmother, but not to thoíê that ihall ftand for them , tho' they touch the Heads of the Children, neither (hall the Prieft admit above two.

SD^ccee

204 ^^ ^^ ^^^ Vecrees

Decree xvi.

SEêing that by our Lord Jefus Chrift, and his Death, we are paiTed from the Old Lavp^ to the New Law of Grace, it is therefore reaibn- able, that we íhould in all things be ingrafted into the fame ; and whereas in this Biftioprick Chriftians do take feveral of the Names of the Saints of the Old Tejlament^ as alfo íèveral of the Names of the Country, infomuch that there are but very few called by any of the Names of the Law of Grace 5 wherefore the Synod doth command the Priefts to do all they can to have the Names of the Law of Grace given in Bap- tifm, but chiefly thofe of the Holy Apoftles, and of the Saints that are moil celebrated in the Church, not intending hereby to take them from any Devotion that feveral among them may have for fome of the Saints of the Old Teftament^ whoíè Names have been hitherto very common in the Dioceis, fuch as Abraham^ Jacob^Zacharias^ and others j nevetheleis from henceforward they ihall not prefume to take the Name of Hijo^ which has been very common among them, nei- ther fhall the Priefts ever give it to any, it be- ing the moft fweet * Name of JESVS, tq

* illame of 3IcfU0.3 The to be offended with (uch a Name ; Fortuguezes had the leaft reafon Emanuel being by much the of any Chriftians that I know of, moft common Name in Portugal,

which

of th Synod of Diampcr. lOj

which that Relpeit and \ Reverence is due, that none ought to take it upon them 5 . for that in the naming thereof, all K.nees both in Heaven and Earthy and under the Earthy ought to bovp them- fehes, and every Tongue ought to confefs, that ■Jt is from that Divine Name that we defire all the good things that we enjoy on Earth '^ command- ing all that are called by that Name, to change it for another when they come to be Con- firmed 3 and as for the common Names of the Countrey, they may ftill retain them, if they are fuch as have been ufed only among Chri- ftians, but not among the Heathens, for as to thofe Names which the Heathens have |{ in com- mon with Chriftians , the Synod will not have them to be given in Baptifm, charging the Vicars and Priefts that Baptize, to take care thereof.

t 3ilEljerence3 Francifco Rs^y

and the other Jefuits, ought to fj 3In COmtUOn.] The Popes»

hare had their Order excepted among whom we have had fo

here, for if the Synod^s Reafon many AUxuidert and JuUhs^s,

why none ought to be called by have had little regard to this

that BleiTed Name holds good, Rule. it will reach their Order no lefs than particular Ferfons.

Occtee

20 6 The Aãs and Decrees

Dectec XVii.

THe Synod being informed, That there are fome Chriftians fo far unmindful of their Duties in this Matter, as to give other Names to their Children, than the * Chriftian Names they received in Baptifm, and fometimes fijch as are not ufed among Chriftians j it doth there- fore ft ridly command, that no Chriftian ftiall prefume to give their Children, or to call them by any. other Names, than thofe that were given them when they were Chriftened 5 or when there fhall happen to be any )uft caufe for the changing of their Baptifmal Names, it (hall be done only at their Confirmation, and whoibever fhall tranfgrefs herein, (hall be feverely punifhed by the Prelate , and the Priefts muft not be want- ing frequently to admoniih their People there- of.

'^ €lui0m iliameíí. ] This left their Baptifmal Names which is what feveral Popes have done, were Chriftian, and have taken who upon their Creation, have thofe that were rank Heathen.

Decree xviir.

'' I^He Synod being informed. That when ma- -*- ny Children are brought together to be Baptized, there are great heats, which ftiall be firft Chriftened 5 and that after having lay'd Wa- gers, they give Money to the Curates for the

pre-

of the Synod o/Diamper. 207

preference, all which are intolerable diforders, and fuch fcandalous abominations as the Church ought not by any means to give way to, and which might be eafily prevented, if People could but be perfwaded to bring their Children to be Chriftened upon the eighth day, it being their deferring of their Baptifm fo long, that is the caufe of fo many coming together 5 wherefore for the removing of thefe diforders in the Church, the Synod doth command that the Chil- dren be baptized as they come, without any di- ftinftion of firft or laft, and that the Priefts do accuftom themíèlves, either to baptize the poor- eft firft, or all indifferently 5 and the Vicar or Prieft that ftiall be found to have taken Money, or any Fee, before or after Baptifm, tho' it ihould be voluntarily oiFer'd, and of never fo fmall va- lue, or only what is to be Eat, ftiall be con- demned of Simony, and puniftied according to the Canons.

Decree xix.

IN all Parochial Churches there ftiall with all poflible expedition be Fonts provi- ded for Baptifm, which may be built with the Fabrick Money, or with the Alms Money of the Church, or by a Colledion among the Pariftii- oners 5 it muft be ereded in a decent place, in a corner of the Church, and ftiall have a hole in the bottom, through which the Water may be conveyed away, that fo it may not be thrown

out

2o8 The ASls ana Decrees

out where it may be trod upon, or treated with any irreverence, it (hall alfo be cloíè covered at top, and locked up, and until fuch time as a Font (hall be provided, they íhall have a Veííel of fome Metal or other, which íhall be put to no other ufe, and íhall be always kept in fome decent place in the Church, or Sacriity 5 neither íhall they hereafter make ufe of any common VeiTel, as has been the Cuftom hitherto ^ and the Water they have baptized with, íhall be thrown in fome place of the Church, where it will not be trod upon, and all the Water that íhall be made ufe of in Baptifm, whether it be in a Font, or a Veiiel, íhall be bleíTed with the Holy Chrifm, according to the Roman Ceremo* nial, which they are to make uíè of.

Decree xx.

npHis Synod, conforming it felf to the De- -■" crees of the Holy Council of Trent^ and the Univerfal ufages of the Church, doth com- mand every Pariíh-Church to provide a Book, wherein the Vicar íhall regifter the Names of all that are baptized, together with the "Names of the Parents, and of the place where they live, and of the Godfathers and Godmothers, naming the place alfo where they were Chriftened, the day of the Month, and the Year, in this Form ; On fuch a day of the month, in the Year N, IN. Vicar of the Church of N. baptized there^ or in fuch a place, N. the Son of N. and of N. naming

of the Synod o/" D lam per. 209

the Father and Mother Natives ot fuch a place, and the Godfathers and Godmothers were N. and N. the Vicar figning his Name to it at the bottom 0 and when anv Prieft that is not the Vi- car (hall Chriften a Child, which ihall never be done without the Vicars leave, he (hall Regi- fter it thus : I N. Curate, with leave from the Vicar of fuch a Church, naming both the Vicar and the Church, did Baptize N. and fo on as a- bove, figning his Name at the bottom 5 which Book ihall be always kept in the Church, and the Vicars (hall be obliged to give an account thereof, and at every Viiitation to ihew it to the Prelate, out of which the Curates are to give Certificates of the Age of fuch as are to be Mar- ried, or to receive Holy Orders, that fo their Age may be certainly known 5 and that fuch Matters may not be fo in the dark, as they have been formerly, when there v/as no certain way of coming to the knov^^ledge of Peoples Age, which muft needs create great icruples in thts Minds of fuch as were to be Married or Or- dained.

The jOoFlrine of the Sacrament of Confrmation.

THe Second Sacrament is Confirmation^ which our Lord Chrift inftituted, in order to the confirming and eftabhfhing of Chriftians in the Faith, fo that nothing might be able to fe- parate them from it through the Power of the

P Holy

2\o The Jcls and Decrees

Holy Ghoft which is given therein, particularly to that effect 5 befides the lanftifying Grace which it gives in common with the otirer Divine Sa- craments 5 the Matter of this Sacrament is the Holy Oyl ofChriiin, made of the Oyl of the Ohve-^tree, fignifying the light and purity of the Confcience , and of Balfam, vv^hich figniiies the fvveet fmell pf a good Name, both mixed together, and blelièd by the hand of the Eiihop , the Form are the words fpoke by the Bifliop when he dips his Thumb into the faid Chrifm, makmg therewith the Sign of the Crofs on the Forehead of the Perfon that is confirmed, faying, Ifign thee with the fign of the Crofsj and do can- firm thee nith the Chrifm of Healthy in the Name of the Father^ and of the Son^ and of the Holy Ghofi ; to which the Bifhop fubjoyns three holy and whohbme Prayers, wherein he befeeches God to fill thofe that are confirmed with his Divine Spi- rit. The ordinary Minifter of "^ Confirmation is the Bifhop, for tho' fimple Priefts may perform ie- veral other Undions, this can be done only by

'*" The Englifh Jefu'us, who dinary AiTiflances, that the Chrifm could not endure thac the Pope in Baptifm had nor only the iigni- fhould put a Biihop over them fication, but al! the effefts of Con- here in England^ in their Books firmation, fo far at leaft as to wherein they laboured to prove make ic not to be very necefla- thac there was no need of one, ry. In a word, that Confirmati- fpoke very llightingly of Cor.fir- on was not (imply neceííary, nei- mation ; affirming it to be a Sacra ther Necejitate Medity not Necef. ment that was not enjoyncd but fitate Pr^^cepti ^ fo that it was not only where it might be had very likely, that the want of it in Eng' cafily •, chat the cflcâs thereof land was the caufe of fo many might be abundantly fupplycd by Peoples a poftarizing from the Ca- the other Sacraments, nay by or- tholick Faith : So little do either

a

of the Synod of Diamper. 2 1 1

a Biihop, theBiihops being the Succeííors of the Apoftles, by the impofitiori of whofe hands the Holy Ghoft was given 5 in the place of which impofition of hands the Church gives Confirma-» tion, Chrift having fo ordained it, wherein the Holy Ghoft is given likewife ^ Neverthelefs, by a difpenfation trom the Holy See, and by no o- ther way, when there is anv very urgent Ccca- fion , or when it happens to be neceilary for the good of the Faithful , fimple Priefts may confirm with Chrifm , that has been confecrated by a Biihop in the forementioned Form 5 the effeâ: of this Sacrament is, that there- in the Holy Ghoft is given, tctheftrengchening

the Sacraments, or the Hierarchy, not excepting che Papacy ic felf, fignifie, when they ftand in the way of che Jefuits ambition.

I do not except the Papacy, becaufe when it was generally be- lieved that Clement the Vlllch. was refolved to condemn Molina"*, Book of 5cifnf/4 Media^ the Spa- nijlj Jefuits endeavoured to ward off that blow, by affirming in their pubUck ConciufioBs in their College at Complutum^ that it was not a matter of Faith, to believe that Clement the Vlllch. was true Popf ; for which Luifiw turrianm the Prefident of the Difputation, the Redor of the College, and Vafque^, who were pre lent at the Aft, were all fummoncd to appear before the Inguifition of Toledo, asOafpar H-jYtiidus, GregO' ry d^U Camará^ aad Alx>are:^ de

Villegeii, were to appear at Rime before che Pope, for having de- fended the fame Concliifion pub- lickly in the faid Univerf;cy much about che fame time ^ fo chat had C/e/;zenrcheVIiIch.condemncdj/> /iw.i's Book after the whole order of the Jefuits hsd cfpoufed ihe me- rits thereof fo publickly, which the Dominicans Í2\' ht would cer- tainly have done, had he but li- ved a few Months longer, Ignati. w Loyola appearing to fome Jefu- its in5p4?n,andaíruring them thac Jiiotinas Book would never be condemned by anv Pope nocwich- ilanding j we fhould have had Simony, or fome other NyJiiiy found in his Eleâi :n by the Jefu- irs before this time : By this we fee thac Jefoits have wherewuh to intimidate Pope-:, as v\e]I as Princes ar.d Biiliops.

and

2 12 The Jãs and Decrees

and fortifying of the Soul, as it was given to the Apoftles on the day of Pentecoji^ that Chrifti- ans may with boldnefs confefs the Name of Chrift and his Cathohck Faith, for which rea- fon the Perfon confirmed is anointed on the forehead with the Sign of the Crofs, that being the moil open place of the Body, and the Seat of Shame and Confufion, which is very diffe- rent from what is done to People when they are baptized, who are anointed on the Head 5 Peo- ple are confirmed on the forehead, that they may not be aihamed to confeis the Name of je- fas Chrift and his Crofs, which as the Apoftle iai^h, is to the Jews an Offence^ and to the Heathens foolijimefs '■) this Sacrament differs much from that of Baptifm, for as by Baptifm we are born into the Faith, fo by this we are confirmed therein 5 for as in the "Natural Life, to be born is different from growing, fo in the Spiritual Life it is one thing to be born to Grace and Faith, which is done inBaptifm, and another toencreaieandgrow ftronger therein, which is done in Confirmation, and fo in Baptifm we are born to a Spiritual Life, and are afterwards prepared and confirmed for our Warfare, and do receive fo much ftrength, that no dangers or terrors of Puniiliments, or Lofiès, or Torments, or Deaths are able to fepa- rate us from the Confeffion of the Name of Chrift, and of the true Faith we profefs.

iDmtz

of the Synod of Diamper. 2 1 5 Decree i.

FOrafmuch as hitherto there has been no uie, nor fo much as Knowledge of the Holy Sa- crament of Confirmation among the Chrifrians of this Bifhoprick, the Heretical Prelates that go- verned it, having neglected to feed the People in a great many cafes with whoUbme Catholick Food 5 therefore the Synod doth declare, That all Perfons who are come to the ufe of reafon, ought to receive this Holy Sacrament, halving the opportunity of receiving it at the hands of a Bifhop, and that all Mailers of Families, and o- thers having the Charge of Children', are in Du- ty bound to command their Children and Slaves to receive the faid Sacrament, and that all who out of contumacy or contempt (hall refufe to re- ceive it, or to order fuch as belong to them to go to it, are guilty of a Mortal Sin, and if they negleft it out of a conceit of it's not being a Sa- crament, they areHereticks and Aliens fiom the true Catholick Faiths wherefore the Synod doth command, that in the Vilitation that is to be madefpeedily by the moO: Illuftrious Metropoli- tan in the Churches of this Bifhoprick, all Men and Women that are above feven years old do come to be Chriften'd or Confirmed, thcfe on- ly excepted who were confirmed by the faid Lord in his former Vifitation, or at fome other, or on ibme other occafion, by fome other Bifhop 5 this Sacrament as well as that of Baptifm being ne-

P I Ytr

t- 1 4 'Vhe AEis ana 3ecrees

vçr to be repeated, in fo much, that all that re- ceive it a fecond time wittingly, are guilty of a great piece of Sacrilege, befide?, that they re- ceive no Sacrament thereby : But in caíè any are doubtful whether they have ever been confirm- ed or not, or iliould not remember that they were ever, they (ball declare fo much to the (aid Lord, or to the Biihop that is to confirm them, that they may order the matter according to the merit of their doubts : But if any, which God forbid, fhould facrilegioufly- and obflinately de- ipife the faid Sacrament, it being proved upon them, they (ball be declared Excommunicate until fuch tim-e as they have done condign Pe- nance, and (hall be puniihed at the pleafure of the Prelate.

Decree ii.

THe Synod, to its great forrovv, having been informed, that fome ignorant PerfoBs in ^Sacred Matters and the Dodrine of the fjòly Sa- craments of the Church, being inftigated by the Devil to periift in their cur fed Schifm, did in fe- veral places reiifi: the moil lUuftrious Metropoli- tan in his former Viiitation of thefe Churches, ib far as not only to refufe to receive the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation from him, bUt did al- fo oppofe him publickly in the Churches, and that many did abfent themfelves , fome whereof excufed themfelves by pretending, that it was an unneceííl\ry thing,and that they had never feen nor

heard

of the S Y N on of Diamper. 2 1 y

heard of it before, and others that they fliould be affronted by the Holy Ceremony oi the Pre- lates touching their Cheek ^ Icurriloufly upbrai- ding thoíè that had received ir, with baíè pro- voking words, telling them that they had iiif- fer'd themfelves to be affronted and buffeted, v^ith other fuch Sacrilegious Expreíiions, full of Infidelity and Herefy , ariiing from the Schifm wherein they have been brought up ; Whole Towns confpiring together Co iar in this Mutiny, that the deipifing or receiving this Holy Sacra- ment, became the Teft of their obedience or difobedience to the faid Metropolitan, doth therefore (notwithftanding it knows they have ali in common, and every one in particular repen- ted of this, and being fenfible of the greatnefs of the error they committed thertin, have beg'd pardon for it, and upon their having confef 'd their Ignorance, have been gracioufly received by the faid Lord Metropolitan, and having fubmitted themfelves to the obedience of the Holy Roman Church, are ready to do all that,iliall be enjoy- ned them, to prevent the life however, that none for the time coming may commit the like faults or Sacrileges) command, That if any (which God forbid) ihall dare to do or (ay any fuch thing againft this Sacrament or the Holy Ceremonies and Rites wherewith it is adminiPtred to th^ Faithful, that they be declared Excommunicate, and be feparated from the Church and the Com- munion of' the Faithful, until fuch time as they have undergone condign Penance at the plea-

P 4 Uue

2 1 6 77;e JFls 'and Decrees

iureof the Prelate, and fhall demonftrate their due fubjeftion to the obedience of the Holy Church, and have taken the Oath of the Faith contained in this Synod, and declared that all that rejed and defpife the Rites and Ceremonies approved of, and received in the Church, in the folemn adminiftration of this and the other Sa- craments, are Hereticks and Apoftates from our Holy Catholick Faith, as was determin d in the Holy Council of Tretit^ and ought to be pro- ceeded againft and puniíhed as fuch, according to the Sacred Canons.

Decree in.

npHe Synod doth declare, That in the Sacra- -^ ment of Confirmation or Chrifm^úitvç, muft be a'Godfather and Godmother as well as in Baptifm^ to preíènt fuch as are to be Confirmed according to the ancient Cuftom of Holy Mother Church, but there fhall be but only one Godfather and Godmother , who muft themfelves have been Confirmed , it being very indecent, that any Perfon íhould preíènt one to have that done to him, which they have not had done to themfelves 0 and that the Man (hall be above 14, and the Wo- man above 12 Years Old, or one of them at leaft ihall be of that Age ^ and in this Cafe the Godfathers and Godmothers do contraâ; the fame Spiritual Affinities and the fame Impediments that the others do in BapUfm^ the faid Spiritual Affi- nity being equally contraded' in both thefe Sacraments, AcTi.

of tjje Synod of Diamper. 217

Action V.

Of the Holy Sacra7?ient of the Eucharift, and of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mais.

T/je Doãrine of the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharift.

THe third Sacrament in the Oi Jcr of the Spiritual Life^ h the Holy Em-hariji , tho' in Veneration, Sanftity and «dignity, it is the fiift and moft excellent, for containing in it the tr/n\ real and fnbftantial Boày and Bloody together Vyiih the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jefus Chriji, the Son of God, true God^ and true Man^ our Sa- viour and Redeemer'^ which reas 7?:fitutcd by him the day before he fufferd for m^ as the moft fveet Remate^ or Conclufion of all his Workf, and a Me- morialof his Fãjfion^ the fílfilli}?g of all the ancient I'igureSj the oreatefl of all ths Miracles that ever he wrought^ and for the fingnlar Confolation of the Faithful in his abfence. The Matter of this Sa- crament is Bread of Wheats and Wine of ihe Grape only, fo that all that Confecrare in Bread made oi Rice^ or of any thing elfe but the Flower of Wheats or of Wine that was not preiled out of the ripe Grape of the Vine do not make the Sacram.ent^ there mufi alio be Water rrúy.i: A with the Wine before it is Gonfecrated, but in a much fmailer quantity than the Wine, that Ío it may eaiily "^ tarn it felf into Wine before the Con-

* STurn.] For Wa:er to rum Miracle as for the Pneii to tura it felf ioto Wine, is as great a Wine into Elcod.

fecration:

2 1 8 Tl?e J^s md Deems

fecration : which mixture is therefore made, becaufe from the Teftimony of Holy Fathers, Holy Mother Church believes that our Lord Chrift himfelf did fo, whofe having mixed Water with the Wine that he Confecrated, makes it a great Sin to omit to do it. It is alfo agreeable to the reprefentation of the Myftery of what paííèd on the Crofs, and of our Lord Chrift, out of whofe precious Side flowed Water and Bhod 5 as alio to fignifie the EfFed of this Sa- crament, which is the Union of the Faithful with Chrift, the Water fignifying the Faithful, and the Wine our Lord Chrift, and the converfion of the Water into the Wine^ the Union of our Souls with Chrift by means of this Divine Sacrament, according to wha^t our Lordfaid^ He that eateth my FleJJj and drinketh my Bloody divelleth in me^ and I in him. The Form of this Sacrament is the words of our Saviour, by which the Sacra- ment is made 5 for tho' the Prieft pronounceth many and divers words in the Mafs^ and makes many Prayers and Petitions to God, yet when he comes to Confecrate, he ufeth only the words of Chrift, none others belonging to the fub- ftance of Confecration 5 fo the Prieft ipeaking in the Perfon of Chrift, makes this Divine Sacra- ment, becaufe by virtue of thofe words, he tur- neth the fubftance oi Bread into the fubftance of the Body of Chrift, and the whole fubftance of the Wine into his Bloody there remaining nothing of Bread and Wine after that, but only the Ac- cidents or Species of them ^ and that after fuch

a

of the S Y ^^ o i> of Diamper. 2 1 o

a manner, that the whole of Chrift's Body and Soul, and Divinity, are contained under every Particle of both, tho' never ib fmall when feparated 5 fo that in every crumb of the Hoft, tho' never fo fmall , there is Chrift intire, and in every drop of the Species of Wine that is feparated there is Chrift entire, ib that in each of the Species whole Chrift, God and Man is re- ceived, as alfo the true Sacrament 5 for which realbn Holy Mother Church does not ufe to Communicate the Faithful but t under one Spe- cies, becaufe in that they receive Chrift entire. To this Divine Sacrament the Worftiip, Venera- tion and II Adoration of Ltíír/í2 is due, or the

t SilnDfr one ^prciejsf.]

What makes the Sacrilege of de- nying the Cup to the People in the Sacrament to be fomething the greater, is, that moft of the Roman Doftors do hold, that there is more Grace convey 'd to People by communicating under both the Species of Bread and Wine, than under that of Bread only, Vafques^ Cap. 2. Huifi. 80. Art. 1 2. Difp.2 1 5. Nay, Pope Clement the VI?*, in his Bull to the King of England in the Year 1341, acknowledgeth as much, wherein he tells that King, that he granted him the privilege of communicacing un- der both kinds, that he might re- ceive the more Grace by receiving the Sacrament fo.

ÍI ^DO^afion.]] The Primitive Chriftians muft have been People of a ftrange confidence in tri-

umphing as they did over the flupidity of the Heathen Worihip, for being direftcd to Objefts than were fubjeit to all the Accidents and Cafuakies, thatany other Bo- dies are fubjeft to, had they thera- felves ar the fame time Worfliiped the H0ÍI, which is fubjcft to more Accider.cs than che Scone, Wood, or Brafs of the Heathen Im?ges; for they that do Worihip ir can- not deny, but that the Hoft may be Stole, Burnt, eat by Mice, or other Verraine, and if kcp' too long, will of ic felf Mould and Corrupt. They muft cerrainly have the privilege of believing what they have a mind to, thsc can believe , That if the Pri- mitive Chriftians had had any fuch Doftrine as tllis of Tranfubihima- tbn among themj confidering how many, efpccially- in times of Per-

fame

2 20 The JEis and J)ecrees

fame tbat is due to God who is contained there- in, and is really prefent there. The EfFeâ: that this Sacrament worketh on the Souls of thofe that receive it worthily, is the Union of the Man with Chrift, and by it, through Grace, the Man is incorporated into Chrift, and joyned to his Members : Moreover by this Sacrament, Grace is increaíèd in all fuch as receive it worthily, ib that whatever eíFeds Carnal eating and drinking works upon a Man as to his Corporal Life, the fame are wrought upon Man by this Divine Sa- crament as to a Spiritual Life.

fccution , apoftatized from the mentioned any fuch thing, confi-

Faith, that it was poifible for them dering the Wic and Spite of the

to have concealed it from Celfm, Men, is a demonftration , that

Luctan, Porphyry^ and above all, there could be no fuch Doftrine

from Julian the Apoftate ; or among Chriftians in their days ;

that thofe Heathens, if they had neither can Schelflrat's Doilrina

but had the leaft inkling thereof /IrMW, confide ring the great num-

would not have made the World bers, quality, and temper of Re-

tohave rung with the noife of it; negado's, do any fervice in this

wherefore their having never caie.

THere being nothing fo neceflary for the Faithful, as the acknowledgement of, and thankfulnefs for fo profound a Bleifmg, and fo excellent a Mercy as that which our Lord Chrift did for us, in leaving himfelf under the Sacra- mental Species, to be the true Food of our Souls, and for the confolation, fupport, and remedy of the Spiritual Life of Believers, we ought there- fore wholly to occupy our felves in the Venera- tion

of the Synod 0/ Diampcr. 221

tion of that Divine Myftery : In order whereunto. Holy Mother Church , befides the continual Thanks and Veneration which ihe always gives and ihews, hath ordained a particular Day in the Year for the celebration of the Memory of fo great a Bleiling : which not being * obferved in this Diocefs, the Synod deiiring that in all things this Church may conform her felf to the Cuftoms of the Holy Mother, the Univerfal Church of Rome doth command the Feftivity of the moft Holy Sacrament to be Celebrated in all the Churches of this Diocefs , on the Thurfday after Trinity Sunday^ according to the Stile of theíè Parts, and the faid Day to be kept by all forts of People 5 and that thereon, either be- fore or after Mafs^ they make a ProceJJion through the Town , or in fome convenient place with all poffible Solemnity, in the fame manner as they do upon Eafler-day,

* jSDbfertco in tl^ig] This

Feaft is of later ftanding by at leaft 100 Years, than iheDodrine of Tra}ifub(tantiatton : Ic was In- ftituted in the Year 1240 by Pope Vrban^ as is commonly faid upon a Vifion a Nun had,of the Chui ch's being Imperfeft for want of it j but the Spaniards will have a Mi- racle that was wrought in Spain at that time, which is both too long and too ridiculous to relate , to have given occafion to the Pope's inftitucing ic. The Indulgencas

granted to it by Pope Vrban^ Martin, and Eugenm^ are 500 days Pardon to all that ihall.be pre- fenc at its firft VejperSy 500 to al! that fhall be prefent at tlie Mafs of the day, 500 to ajl^'that fhall be at its fecond Vefpers^ and Ç00 to every day of its Ociiix.es ^ as alfo 500 to every hour of them *, and wherefoever it finds any place interdiâed, ic takes off the Interdict for eight days.

1

V

©ccree

221 Tlje Aãs and Decrees

2)ectec 11.

THe Synod doth declare, That every faith- ful Chriftian fo foon as he attains to the Years of perfect Diicretion, that is to fay, Men at the Age of fourteen, more or lefs, according as their Confeilors (hall think fit, and Women having a Capacity to know what they do at the Age of twelve, are obliged to receive the mod Holy Sacrament oi the Eucharifi^ once a Year in Lefit, or at Eajier^ from the hands of their own Vicar or Curate of their Church, and that whofo- ever does not receive it, being capable, betwixt the beginning of Le»t^ and the fecond Sunday after E^|ler^ fhall be declared Excommunicate on the third Sunday^ and be held as iuch until! they have confefied themfelves, and Communi- cated. Nevertheleis the Synod gives Licence to fuch Vicars as know their PariQies to be of that Nature, that it is not poilible for the People to comply with this Obligation in fo ihort a time, to wait 'till Whjtfnntide^ and then to declare ihem h provided that before they declare thoie that live on the Heaths, they fhall firft take care to admonifh them, either by themfelves, or by others of known fidelity, that ib they may do their Duty herein, letting them know if they fail, that they muft be declared Excommunicate. The Curates muft alfo be fure to obferve who have complyed with this Obligation, putting their Names in a Roll as is ordered in ConfeiTi-

i)n.

of th Synod o/Diamper. 2 2 j

on. But notwithftanding the Sacred Canons do oblige the Faithful only to confefs and ccmmu- nicare once a Year at the time aforefaid, never- thelefs the Vicars (hall advife their Parifhioners to do it oftner, namely at Chrifimafs and Whit^ funtide^ and the Jjfnnipion of our Ladj^ giving warning thereof ftill the Sunday before.

Decree HI.

npHe Synod doth declare and teach, That no -^ Chriftian, how contrite foever for his Sins, may lawfully come to receive the Divine Sacra- ment of the Altar^ being guilty of any Mortal Sin, without having firft confeílèd all his Sins entirely, to fome approved Prieft that has Au- thority to receive his ConfeiTion, that being the Tryal and Examination that the Apoftle fpeaks of, and faith a Man ought to make of himfelf, and being fo approved and confefíèd, let him eat of the Divine Bread, and drink of the Di- vine Cup 5 For he that eateth aud drwketh vf^rvor- thily^ and with a Confcience of Sin, eateth and drinketh Judgniej^t and Condemnation to himfelf:^ for which reafon this Divine Sacrament muft not be given to publick Sinners, without they have left their Sins, as publick Witches, and common Women, and fuch as keep Concubines publick- ly, and fuch as are in open mahce, before they are reconciled, and all other open Sinners what- foever. In which Matter the Vicars muft be ex- treamly careful, beingfeniiblcjihat as it is a grie- vous

2 24 ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ Decrees

vous Sin in fuch to receive the Divine Sacrament, before they have forfaken their Sins ^ Co itislike- vviíè a grievous offence in them to give the Sa- crament to fuch publick Sinners, and who are known by all to live in fuch Sins, and not to have forfaken them, notwithftanding they (hould have been confeiTed by others, and (hould bring a Note of their being abfolved. This matter ought to be kid home to the Confciences of the Vicars by reafon of the great diííbluteneís that there is in this Bifhoprick. in giving the Commu- nion to publick Sinners, and efpecially to thoíè that keep Concubines, and are Married, but will not live with their Wives, and to others who live in open Malice, without any Body to hinder them, of all which the Vicars muft give a ftridt Account to God •, but at the point of death they may give the Divine Sacrament even to fuch as have been publick Sinners, if they are not finally impenitent.

Decree iv.

npHe Synod teacheth. That this Divine Sacra- -^ ment ought to be received Falling, as Ho- ly Mother Church commands, and that upon the day on which people are to communicate, they are neither to eat nor drink any thing from Midnight untill after they have received the

Com-

of the Synod of Diamper. 225

Gommunion, not to do To being ^ a mofl: giie- vous Sacrilege, fuch only excepted as are under any great infirmity, or much fpent with Sick- nefs, who may take Electuaries, and other light things to ftrengthen them, of which the Con- fellbr muft be judge.

* 31 moil grÍEbOU0 ^arri- Apoftlesw'.ienhefirftinftkutedir,

lfge.3 Tho' the cuiiom ÓÍ re- ror by the Faithful for fome Ages,

ceiving the Sacrament Fafting is they muft needs carry themattc*^

very laudable, yet confidcring too far, that call the receivir.gic

that it was not fo received by our ochervvife than Parting, a grievous

Bleffed Saviour himfelf, nor his Sacrilege.

Decree v.

~^Hriftians are not only bound to receive the J raoft Holy Sacrament of x\íq Altar once a Year, at Eafler^ but as often as they are in pro- bable danger of Death, and efpecially in any great Sicknefs, for which reafon this Divine Sacrament is called the Viaticum , that is to fay, the Support in the v/ay from a Mortal to an Eternal Life, wherefore the Synod doth com- mand all Sick People, whofe Diftempers are any- thing dangerous, to receive it with much De- votion t, and as they that look after the Sick ought to give the Vicars timely Notice, {o the Vicars them-felves muft be diligent to enquire what Perfóns are fick in their Pariíhes , that fo before|they come to be too weak, at a time whe a it will do them no prejudice, they may be brought in a Palanquin, or in fomething elfe that

Q^ covers

11 6 Tk Jãs and Decrees

covers them, to the Church, there to receive the Holy Sacrament 5 for which ufe there (hall be a Palanquin^ or Net, made commodious with Car- pets, in every Church, in which the Sick ihall be carried with due care, which ihall be bought within a month after the publication hereof out of the Fabrick money of the Church, all which the Synod doth recommend earneftly to the Vi- cars, this being truly the chief Duty of their Of- fice 5 and if it ihall any time happen that a Pari- ihioner ihall die without having received the Communion, thro' the Vicars default, the (aid Vicar iliall be fufpended for fix months, from his Office and Benefice, and if it happen thorow the Vicars not having been adviíed thereof, then thofe that attended the Sick Perfon, ihall be fe- verely puniihed by the Prelate. *

íDectee vi.

' Hereas Women are many times in danger of Death in Child-bed, a great many dying therein, the Synod doth therefore de- clare. That all Women with Child ought about the time when they reckon they are to be deli- vered, to confeis themfelves, and receive the Ho- ly Sacrament, but efpecially before the Birth of their iirft Child, in which the danger is greateflr, recommending it to them to be careful to doit in time, that they may not be prevented by their Labour from going to Church. Such alio as de- fign to undertake any long and dangerous Voy- age,

of the Synod 0/ Diamper. 227

age, ought to do the íàme,to whom the Synod recommends it much, and requires it of them.

Decree vir.

FOraimuch as there are feveral Priefts and Ca^ zanares of this Dioceís that do never cele- brate, fome by reafon of their having been or- dained when they were but Boys, and fo do wait till they come to be of a due Age, and o- thers through other Impediments, therefore the Synod doth command all fuch to receive the Ho- ly Sacrament upon all the folemn Feftivities, and at leaft once á month, wiihing they would do it every Smtday with a due preparation and re- verence 5 and as often as any Prieft doth com- municate, he (hall be in a Surplice and Stole^ with a Crofs on his Breafl: to diftinguiih him from other People, by reafon of the Reverence and Refped that is due to the Sacerdotal Office which he bears.

©ectee vm.

SEeing as is aforefaid, it is not lawful for any Perfon to come to the moft Holy Sacrament of the Altar, having the leaft icruple of any Mor- tal Sin about him, without having been Sacra- mentally confefs'd, the Synod doth declare, That even to Priefts it is not lawful, and that none finding in themfelves the leaft fcruple of Mortal Sin, and having an opportunity of a ConfeiTor, q 2 iliall

2i8 The AEis and Decrees

ihall fay Mafs, tho' under an Obligation to do it, without having Brft coiiicired themfelves : But befides, that fuch when under any icruple are obhged to confeG, for the greater purity of their Souls, tho' under no fcruple the Synod com- mands all Priefts to confefs at leaft once a Week.

Dectxe ix.

^'T^^He Synod doth furthermore command all -*- Deaccns and Sub- Deacons, that Minifter iblemnly in the folemo Mujfes on SHndayí and Saints-days, to receive the moft Holy Sacrament at thoxQ; times, and on the Feftivity of our Lord Chriji^ our Lãdy^ and the Holy Apoflles^ all the Chama-Le s^ ox: C\Qvgy ú\2Lt are in the Churchy of which the Vicars ought to take fpecial care, and the Prelate in his Viikations is to make diligent In- quiry, how thefc things are obferved.

The DoBr'mc of the Holy Sacrifice of the

ah.

^]pHe great Love of God to Mankind, does -^ not oilly appear in the Inftitution of the Holy Sacran^ent of the Eacharifl^ and in the putting of his Divine Body and Blood under the Sacramental Species^ to be the heavenly Food of our Souls, by which the Spiritual Lileismain- tained and prcfcrvcd, but in his having likewife lo inftitutcd it, that the Catbolid^^ Church Mili- tant

of the Synod of Diamper. 229

tant might have a perpetual and vifible Sacrifice for the purging away of our fins, and fiar turn- ing the Wrath of cur Heavenly Father, who is many times offended with cur wickednefs into Mercy, and the rigour of his juft puniihunent in- to Clemency: So in the Mafs there is oifered. unto God a true and proper Sacrifice, for the pardon both of the Living and of the Dead, by the offering; of the which Sacrifice the Lord is 10 far appeafed as to give Grace, and the Gift of Jlepentance to Sinners, and by means thereof does forgive Men their Sins and Otrences, tho' never fo enormous 5 the Hofi that is oifered by the Miniitry of the Prieft on the Altar of the Church, being one and the fame that was oifered for us on theCrois, with no other ditference be- fides that of the reafon of their being offered : And Co it is not only offered for the Sins, Punifh- ments, Satisfaftions, and other "Neceifities ofthe Faithful that are Living, but alfo for the Dead, departed in Chrifr, and that are in the Torments oÇ Purgatory^hén^, not as yet fully purged by rea- fon of their not having made acompleat fatistadtion for the punifhm':nts due to their fins, it being but juft andreafcn:ibie,that all ihould be bencfiiedby a Sacrifice, which was inftiiutedfor theKeaiedy and Health of all Mankind', which Oblation is of that purity, that no indignity or wickednefs in the Offerers is abJe to defile it : 10 that as to the fubftance, value, and acceptation, it is the fame when offered by a wicked and unclean finner, as when- by a pure and holy Prieft, becaufe it

Q, 3 doe

2J0 The JBs and Decrees

does not derive its Dignity from the Offerer^ but from the Majefty and excellency of what is offer- ed, neither does the Eternal Father accept there-*, of for the Merits and Vertue of the Prieft that offers it, but for the value of the Sacrifice it felf, and the infinite Merits of Chrifi^ v^^ho is offered therein 5 io that our Saviour being about to cfi'cr himfelf to God the Father on the Altar of the Crois, could not poffibly have given us a greater expreííion of his immenfe Love for us, than by leaving us this vifible Sacrifice in his Church, in v^hich the Blood which was preíènt- 1y to be once offered upon the Altar of the Crois, vas to be renewed every day upon the Altar of ihe Church , and the Memory thereof to our great profit, was to be adored every where in the Church until the end of the World , which Divine Sacrifice is offered to God only , not- withftanding it is fometimes celebrated in Me- mory and Honour of the Martyrs , and other SaiKts in Bliis 5 it not being offered to them but to God only, who has been pleaíèd to Crown them with Immortal Honour, rendring him there- by our bound en thanks for the notable Vidory of the Alartjrs , and the publick Mercies and Bleffings he has vouchíàfed to other Saints^ and for the Vidories which by thefe means they ob- tained over the World, the Flefh, and the De- vil 5 befeeching the faid Saints to be pleafed to intercede for us in Heaven, whofe Memories we celebrate on Earth : and tho' the Divine Encha- rifl OQQ'i ftiil continue to be "a Sacrament, yet it is never a Sacrifice, but as it is offered in the Mafs,

of the Synod of Diamper. i j i Decree i.

FOrafmuch as it is of great moment, that all things belonging to the Sacrifice of the Mi^/r, (hould be preierv'd pure and undefiled,and where- as this Church has been for "^ i -200 years from under the Obedience of the Holy Roman Church, thç Mi- ftrefs of all the other Churches, and from whence all good Government and true Doftrines do come, all the Biihops that came hither from Babylon ha- ving been Schifmaticks and Nefiorian Hereticks, who have added to, and taken from the Mafs at their pleafure without any order , from whence it has come to pafs, that feveral things are fcMÍled into the Syrian Mafs which is íàid in this DiocelJ, without any confideration, and fuch things too as may give occafion to many Impious and He- retical Errors : For which, if due Order were obferved, all the Mijlfids of this Biihoprick ought to be burned, as alfo tor their having been of Ne- fiorianwÇk^ and compiled by Ncjiorian Hereticks, but being there are no other at prefent, they are tolerated , until fuch time as our Lord the Popç íhall take fome Order therein, and there

* 1200, ,||ear0»] it would to ú\t Pope ztuxeCmmloiTrent^

puzzle them to prove that they was j which Father Paul tells us

had ever been at any time under made a mighty noife in the World,

her obediencei however this iho»vs the Court of Rome boafting there-

what a Cheat that fubmiíTion of upon , that the Pope had goc

the Patriarch oiBabylon^ in his own more new Subjcds by that fubmif-

name, and in the name of all the fion, than he had loft by the Ks-

ChuTçhçs thaÇ|Werc fubjeít to him, formation»

Q, 4 fliall

2^^ .T^^^ ^s mi Decrees

fa all be MiJJals fent by him printed in the Chat- dee Tongue, which is what this Synod humbly and earneftly deiires may be done : And in the mean time, it doth command, that the Mijjkls now in ufe be purged and reformed as to all the following Matters, and that tillfuch time as they are fo purged, which the moil lUuftrious Metro- politan, with the aíliílance of fome Perfons well verfed in the Chdcke Tongue will fee done the next Viiitation, no Prieft (hall prefume to make ufe of them any more.

Whereas from the above declared Doctrine of this Sacrament it is evident, that the Prieft does not Confecrate wath his own words, but with thofc of our Lord Cbrifly the Author and Infti- tutor of the faid Divine Sacrament j it is not therefore lawful to add any Claufe, how good foevcr in it felf to the Form of Confccration, or to what our Lord Ckrift faid therein ^ in which . we do not comprehend the word E^nra ^ which the Church of F^ome adds to the Confccration of the Body and Blood ^ for beiides that, there is the f Tradition of the Holy Jpojilcf, for our Lord Chrifl^s having ufcd it in the Confccration

fHCrílDiíinn ^ This is v/Hk & Ax_ifno famei]tato^ify diu agitata

(he confidcnrly pretends ro have hter Grscos (^ Latitm, fartmmpo-

for ail her Novelties. Cardinal tins qucfr, verttatis inveniendie jhi-

Bora in the %.{ Ciiap. of Ins dio^ut in fimiUbm fieri fokt^atque

liril Eook of Liturgias , pslfech bine faãum eft ut pertinacirer am-

thtr following true judgment tenderirtfucúnquifcfiiecor.fHCtudinem.,

upon the common praftice of the à Chrijl'o (^T ab Apoiiolis ad mftra

Church of Rome in a!I fuch ufqite tempra derivavi : fed ft omif-

Matters j Orta dcindc eft 4 fere fis ha: de re Sckolafticorum fubtili-

f-tculis poji 6 S)noinmcontroverfi.ide tatibw çfy arg'imentis qu* aptid

of

of the Synod o/^ Diamper. ijj

of the Bodjij and that St. Matthew alfo relates it in the Confecration of the Cup^ it is no Clauie or diftind Sentence, but a conjunfticn to a Sen- tence of the words of Chrift which immediately follow. As alfo the word JEterni in the Coniecra- tion of the Cup 5 and the v/ords Mjifterinni Fidei^ which tho' not mentioned by the Evangelifts, yet as it is proved by Apojiolkal Tradition? ^ were ufed by our Lord Chnji in the Confecration of the Qip 5 and for that reafon the Holy Church continues to ufe them irt the fame , but as for the words added to the Confecration of the Cup in the Syrian Miflal, Et hoc erit vobk pigmis in fécula feculorum^ they being no where in any of the four Evangehfts, nor in any Book of the New Teftament, and it not appearing to the Church by Apoftolical Tradition^ that Chrift ufed them in that Confecration, the Synod doth prohibit them to be ufed therein any more 0 but the words in themfelves being good and Holy, and agreeable

ipfoslegipoffmt^víritãtemfincerè<^ the Cardinal goes on, Q^isnonvi- fine ajfeiltt ad altermam partem ex det Scholajluos ad banc rem per- leteriitn Patritm monumentU ■& ex traClandam pr. occupatis memtbus praxi Ecclefi.i inv^fligdre volueri- acceiJtQe, cum einm ab infantiafola mw, inveniemus p'oculdubio, quam azyma offtni viderinr, eaque fola in parvi momenti fint in re, qus. àfaão fcbolis ^ in exedris prxdicari audi- pendet^ Do^orum fpecuUtiones 5 turn erint, ea fylajemper in vfufuiffe ere- perfpicuè cognoJcettiHi multum inter- diderunt, ify" hoc poftto variai fubin- effe inter têmpora qux prítcejfermt, deconvenientias^variaque argumenta iy qH£ poftea fecuta funt ^- erfque excogitúnwt^ ut quod femel concepg' turpiter errare^quiexpróifentirerum rant ^ f\rmiii4 jlahUirent. Never j\atu omnem ^ftimant antiquitatem ; was there a truer ctefcription given which is what the church of Rome of any tiling, than this the Car- has done above chefe 600 Years, dinal gives of the Genius of the and will do tor all that Cardinal People that defend the Novelties Bona or any body elfe can tell her of the Cburcb of Rome. of theunrcafonablenefsof ic. Euç ^q

2J4 ^^ ^^^ cind Deems

to what Holy Church (ingeth of this Divine Sa- crament, that it is the pledge of the Glory that xve expeãy that we may keep to the Old Miffàl fo far as the fincerity of the Faith, and the pu- rity of this Divine Sacrifice will permit, the Prieft ihall fay them after the elevation of the C»p, where making a profound Reverence, he ihall begin the following Prayers with them, only changing the word Vohis, which was ufed as fpoke by Chrift, for Nobis^ as fpoke by himfelf, laying, Hoc erit nobis fignus ^ and for the words in fécula faculorum which follow , they being commonly faid in the Church of fuch Matters only as are to laft for ever , or are wiihed to be Eternal, feeing the ufe of this Divine Sa- crament as well as of the reft, is to continue but to the end of the World, (they having been in- ftitutedonly as a remedy for our Spiritual necef- iities in this life, for in the other we are to fee our Lord no more under Sacramental Species , but clearly as he is , neither fhall we in Heaven eat this Divine Bread of Angels Sacramentally, but ihall eat as the Angels do in the Vifion of the» Divine Word.) The words in frcula f£CHlorum ihall be therefore left out, and inftead thereof ihall be put nfque ad confummationem faculty lay- ing, hoc erit nobis pignus ujque ad confummationem^ faculty the Sacrament being a pledge only for fo long as we do not fee the Glory that we hope for, but is and ever will be fuch a pledge in this life, Chriii: having promiíed to his Church, that he vpjU be with her to the end of the Worlds

fo

of the SmOD of Diamper. i j 5

(b that the Divine Sacraments, which were in- ftitutcd for our benefit, can never fail till then 5 after theíè words the Prieft (hall go on with what immediately follows in the Mafs , Gloria tibi^ Domncy gloria tibi^ and ib on.

Furthermore in the Confecration of the Cup there is added to the words of Chrift, novi tefia- menti qui pro vobk^ 8cc. novi ó* ^terni teflamenti myflerium fidei^ qui pro vobis d^ pro multis^ &c. Therefore the Synod doth command, That the words of Confecration of the Body and Blood be reformed, and put in all their Mtjfds^ according to the Canon of the Roman Miilal ufed in the Univerfal Church without the leaft addition or diminution, and with the fame Adorations, In- clinations, and Ceremonies as are in the Roman Miflal.

Furthermore, where the Prieft faith Domintfs Deus nofier quando fpirabit in nobis odor fnainjjl' mm^ it is faid in the fame Prayer, ó* cum anim4i noflr^ veritatis tH£ fcientia fnerint illujirat£^ tunc occurremus dik&o filio tuo^ 8cc. fpeaking of the day of Judgment , it fliaU be faid, Cum corpora noflra veritatis tu£ fplendore fnerint iUufirata^ tunc occHrremus dileão filio tuo^ the Souls of the Juft being illuminated and glorified in Heaven before the day of Judgment, which is the time when the Bodies receive their Glory, this Paflage feeming to allude to the Nejiorian Herefie, which teacheth that the Souls of the Juft do not fee God, nor are Glorified, nor are in Blifs> before the day of Judgment»

Furthsi»

2^6 77;e Jãs and Decrees

Furthermore, where the Deacon íàith. Orando pro fanais patribur noflris Patriarcha noflro pajiore univerfalis totius Ecclefi£ Catholic<e^ meaning the Schifmatick of Babylon^ Ó* Epifcopo hujus Metro- polis 5 it ihall be faid Fro fanais Patribus nojlris^ beatijfimo Fapa noflro totius Ecclefi£ Catholic£ paftore, naming him by his Name, d^ Epifcopo hujus Me- tropolis^ naming him alfo, Ò' Miniftrisipforum'-^zna a little lower where the Deacon praying, faith, pr£cipnè nos oportet orare pro incolumitate Patrum noflrorum fãnBorum^ domini Patriarch£ totius Ec- €leJ/£ Catholic£ paftoris^ naming the Patriarch of Babylon by ISJame, inftead thereof he (hall fay, Pr£cipiíè oportet nos orare pro incolumitate patrum noflrorum Domini Pap£ , naming him alio, Ó* Epifcopi hujus Metropolis^ naming him alio.

Furthermore, when the Deacon a little before faith, Commemoramus autem beatijfimam Mariam^ mrginem Mat rem Chrifli 0* falvatoris^w. (hall be faid Sana am Matrem Dei vivi , ó' faivatoris, ó' Re- demptoris noflri^Scc. becauíè theperveríe Neflorians do impiouQy deny the Bleílèd Virgin to be the Mo- ther of God, as has been obferved.

Furthermore, when the Deacon a httle low- er iaith , Qommemoramtis quoque Patres noflros fanBos 0* veritatis DoBores Dominum Ó* SanBum Neflorium, 8cc. all which is Heretical, it being an impious thing facrilegioufly to pray to God to prefervethe Doftrine of Neflorius^ and of o- ther Hereticks his followers in the Church, all the forementioned having been fuch except St. Ephraim ^ whçrefore inftead of them he ihall íày.

Com-

of the Synod 0/ Dkmper. 2^7

Commemoramm qmque V aires noflros fanUos veri^ tatis Doãores S. Cyrillum^ 8cc. And tho' in ibme MiJJhls the Names of Nejioriu^^ Theodorm^ and Diodorus are already left out, yet they do ftill remain in fome, and the Names of Abraham and 'Narcijfm^ two of the Ringleaders of that curíèd Seft are in all of them. Wherefore there muft be care taken to have them alio left out.

Furthermore, in the beginning of the Prayer wherein the Deacon faith, Oportet nos or are c^ ex alt are unum Deum Patrem Do mi num omnium adoratione dignijfimum^ qui per Chriflum fecit no- bis bonamfpem^ it fhall be ^id, ^i per Jefum Chrijium filium fmm Dominnm nojirum fecit nobis bonam fpem.

Furthermore, where the Prieft pouting the Wine into the Cup faith, Mifceatur pretioftfs Sanguis in Cálice Djmini nojiri Jefu Chrifli^ it ihall be iaid, Mifceatur Vinum in Cálice Domini nojiri^ that no occafion may be given to the Error of calling the Wine before it is confecrated, Tke Precious Blood ofChriji^ alluding to the condem- ned Cuftom of the Greeks-^ who as they offer the Bread and Wine before they are confecrated, fb they adore them too, faying they do it for what they are to be, and prefently after v/here the Prieft fiiith, Expeãans expeãavi Dominum^ Corpus Chrijii S^ fanguinem eju'S pretiofum fuper fanãiim altare offer amus^ it ihall be faid for the fame rea- icn, Panem Sana um Ó^ Calicem pretiofum offtratnus 5 and immediately after v/here the Deacon faith, Edc7'7t pauperes ò' faturabuntur^ Corpus Chrifii &

San-

2j8 17;^ ABs and Decrees

Sangninew ejus pretiofum Juper fmUum altare offè' ramus : He (hall fay for tfie fòme reaíbn, Edent pauper es & faturabuntur^ Fanem fan^Hmy(^ Calicem pretiofupt, 8cc.

Furthermore, where the Priefl: with a low Voice in the Prayer, which begins, Offeratur ^ glori£ immoktur^ faith, 0* Chriftus qui oblatm eft pro Jalute nojlra^ he fliall íày, Jefus Chriftm Dominus nofier Deifilius qui obUtns c/^, 8f c. And where the Prieft railing his Voice faith, Gloria Patri^ &c. Fiat Commemoratio Virginis Mari£ Matris Chrifii^ he ihall íày. Fiat commemoratio Virginis Maris Matris ipfius Dei Ó* Domini nojiri Jefu Chrifli 3 And a little lower, where the Deacon faith , In f£cula ufque in focula^ Amen^ Amen^ Apojloli ipfitfs filii Ó* amici unigenti'-i he ihall íày , Apofioli ipfiusfiliiDei d^ amici. And where the Prieit hcgms, Pufilli cummajoribus ^ and íàith, Refur- re&ione tua fuperglorioja refufcitabk eos ad gloriam tuam^ he íhall íày. Per Fiefurreãionem tuamfuper* gloriofam fufcitabis eos.

Furthermore, where the Deacon faith, Ef- fundite coram illo corda veftra, jejunio^ oratione^ 0* pcsnitentia^ placaverunt Chrijium^ Patrem quoque Ó* Spiritumejm fanãum^ wherein faying, Spiri- turn fanãum ejus^ they ieem to allude to the Error of the Greeks^ that the Holy Spirit proceedeth only from the Father, and not from the Father and the Son , as from one principal, as the Catholick Faith confeíièth, and becaufe the Nejlorians by rea,- fon of the great Communication they have had with the Greeks , have imbibed fome of their Er- rors,

of áe Synod o/Diamper. 259

rorsjthat there may be therefore no countenance given to fuch an Error, it íhall be reformed thus, Placaveruftt Patrem Filium^ d^ Spiritum, Sana urn, ^ Furthermore, In the Prayer where the Prieft faith , Dominus Deus fortk^ ttia eíi Ecclejia fan" &a Catholica, qH£ admirahili Chrijii tut pajjione entpta efi 5 it (hall be laid, ^£ admirabili Chrifii filii tui^ 8cc.

Furthermore, near the end of the Gofpel ta- ken out of that Chapter of St. John^ which, as has been obierved, is corrupted in the Syrian Tranflation, where it is read quoniam venit hora in qua omnes qui in monumtntis funt audient vocem ipfíHs^ it íhall be read audient vocem filii Dei^ as it is in the Goipel.

Furthermore, in the Creed that is fung in the Mafs there are wanting leveral fubftantial words, where fpeaking of our Lord Chrift^ and faying that he was born of the Father before all Worlds^ there is wanting God of God, light of light, very God of very God, all which (hall be added to it : as alfo the word confubfiantial to the Father, lea- ving out the words that are in its place, in the Syrian, filim effentien Patris, and the whole íhall be reformed and tranflated into the íàme words, as it is fung in the Catholick Church in the Ro- man Míílàl.

Furthermore, preíèntly after the Creed, where the Deacon praying for, and making a Comme- moration of the Holy Apofiles, Martyrs and Con- fejfors, deííres of God that he would raiíè them up that they may be Crowned with Glory at the Re-

furreftion

240 77?g JBs and Decrees

furredion of the Êead, faying, Oremus^ inquam^ ut refirreciione qH£ eji ex mortuis a Deo corona do» nemnr^ which beiides that it is not the Cuftom of the Church to pray for the Holy Apofiles^ Mar- tyrs^ and Confcjfors^ nor to defire any good thing for them, whom we believe to be in poíleííion of BliG, but much rather to '^ Pray to them, to intercede for us, and to obtain for us of God, wliofe famihar Friends they are, all that we ftand in need of, and is of importance, both as to ail our Spiritual and juft Temporal Concerns 5 it feems to allude to the Nejiorian Opinion, That the Souls of the Saints are not to fee God, until after their Bodies are raifed at tlie day of Judgment , and that till then they are in a Terre- ftrid Parad/fe^ which is Irnpious and Heretical , wherefore the Synod doth command. That iince there are no fuch Prayers ufed in the Church, nor any fuch Petitions made to God in behalf of the Saints, notwithftanding they are faid in the Reve- lation to make them for themfelves, that thofe words be blotted out , and what follows be joined with what went before, faying, ó* Con- fijfores hujíís loci c^ omnium Regionum^ or emus ^ inquam , nt det nobis ut efficiamur focii eornm^ &c. leaving out the fore-mentioned words 3 and at the end of the Prayer where it is faid, per gratiam

* ^^a|> to tlicm»3 The Met- in the Petition Thi Kjngdom come ;

lahetr Cuftom in this is much the and in the Office for the Burial

anciencer, as appears from all the of the Dead, where \vc bcfeecb God

ancient Liturgies ; in all which of his gracious goodnefs, flmtly to

Petitions Cliriftians prayed for the accompliJJj the number of his Elsify

Dead no ocherwife than as we and to bajien his Kingdom.

pray for tliera in the Lord's Prayer,

Chrip

of the Sy í;oj> of Diamper. 241

Chrijii^ it (hall be iaid ^ergratiam Dei^ 0* Domini nofiri Jefu Chrifli,

Furthermore where the Prieft begins Confite- mur Ó* laudamm^ JDomine Deus nofier^ where he iaith below Dignos nos fecifli difienfatione ficra' nientornm fanãorum corporis ^ finguinis Chrifli tui^ it (hall be faid Chrifli filii tui ^ as alfo before where the Prieft fpeaketh to thofe on the right fide of the Altar, and they anfwer with the Dea- con Chriflus exAudiat orationes tnas^ hoc facrificium quodtn offers fro /e, fro nobis ^ C^ pro toto orbe a minimo ufque ad maximum^ the laft words ó*fro toto orbe a minimo ufque ad maximum^ muft be left out, for the Mafs being a publick Prayer of the Church, Infidels^ Schifmatickj and Hereticks are not to be prayed for therein, but only Catholickj^ and fuch as are united to the Church , wherefore inftead thereof it ihall be faid, quod tu offers pro te^ pro nobis ^ d^ pro univerfa Ecclefla Catkolica^ ^ omnibus orthodoxis^ atque Apoflolide Ó* Catholiae fidei cultoribus.

Furthermore, where the Prieft begins Etiam Domine Deus BxerciUmm^ where he faith, d^pro Sacerdotibns^ Regib^^ d^ Principibus^ it ihall be íàid, Ó* pro Regibus é^ Principibus Catholicis^the. thriftians of this Church being fubjedt to hfidel Princes 5 and a little lower, where the Prieft be- gins Tu Domine cui propter^ &c. where he faith, recordatione corporis d^ fanguinis^ it iliall be iaid, Chrifli filii tui 5 and a little lower in the fame Prayer, near the end, it ftiall be faid, fanguins Chrifli filii tfii redsmpfa,

■ K Farther-

24^ The JBs and Decrees

Furthermore, where the Deacon and Clergy praying, do íày, Et pro ommbtu Patriarchis^ Epi- fcopis^ Ó' Presbperk, 8cc. it ihall be faid, 0* pro beatíjpfíw P^p'a noftro^ naming him, 0* pro omni- bus Pdtrhirchk 0* Epifcopk,

Furthermore, in the Hymn faid by the Clergy, and the Deacon altematim after the elevation of themoft Holy Sacrament, intheVerfe where the Prieft faith, ^ando ad fanãum^altare i?7greditHry manus fuas pure protendit m ccelum^ d^ invitat fpirjtitm qui de fnperk defce^idit Ó* confecrat cor- pus d^ fanguimm Chrifli^ in which words the Prieft ieems to call upon the Holy Ghoft, to come down from Heaven to conlecrate the Body of Chrift, as if it were not the Prieft that confe- crated it , whereas in truth it is the Prieft that does it, tho' not in his own words, but the words of Chrift 3 wherefore that no colour may be given to fuch an error, it ftiall be íãid, manus fuas pure protendit in caelum 0" confecrat corpus <d^ fangninem Chrijii , leaving out the words of Ó' invitat fpiritum qui de fuperk defcendit^ &c. and the following words a feculo ufque in fdiculum.

Furthermore, in the Prayer faid by the Dea- con, which begins Omnes timorc pariter Ó* amore accedamus^ where it is (aid, unigenitus Dei mortale corpusá^fpiritualem^ rationalem^ intmortalemque ani-\ warn ex filijs hon/inun/ fufcepit, that there may be no countenance given to an^rror held by fomej and followed by feveral Ncflorians^ that the Soul as -well as the Body, is ex traduce^ or derived from the Parents ; whereas in truth it is created

by

of the Synod of Diamper. 243

by God out of nothing, and infufed into the Body when it is perfedly formed ^ it (hall there- fore be faid unigenitus Dei mortale corpus exfilik hominum^ 0" fpriUiaUrd^ rationalem^ immdrtdem- que animam ffifiepit. As alio where the Deacon after the Communion of the Prieft, inviting the People to communicate, faith, fratres mei fufci- pite corpus ipjtus fifii ^ he (hall iay ipfius filii Dei,

Furthermore, in the firfl: word of the Bene- diction of the People, where he faith, lUe qui benedictt nos in ccelis^ per filium HHmanitatiSy he (hall fay Ver filium faum 5 and in the firft Bleffing which the Prieft gives to the People, at the end of the Mafs , where he faith, Ca- thedra gloriofii Catholicorum orientalium^ meaning Schifmatical Babylon^ he ihall fay bcnedicatur Ca- thedra gloriofa Romafjãj and in the following verie of the fame Bleffing, where fpeaking of the Bi- ihop of the Diocefs, he faith, Dominus totius gre^ gis epifcopus plenus fobrietate cujiodiatur a malo^ 8cc. he fhall name our Lord the Pope, faying,, Domi- nius totius gregis catholici Papa A/, plenus fobrie- tate cujiodiatur a malo^ una cum bono Doãore^ d^ Epifcopo noflro N. naming him by his Name: And a little after in the fame Bletling, where he faith, lUujlris in congregatione Sanciorum religiofus Hor- mifda^ fattãitas janãitatum^ 8f c. the name of Hor^ mifda^ who as has been obferved, was a Nejio- rian Heretick, ihall be left out, and inftead there- of he ihall fay, lUujlrk in congregatione Sancio- rum S. Apoftolus Thomo'S^ 8cc. all that follows

R 2 agree-

^44 "^t^^ -^^^ ^^^^ Decrees >

agreeing very well v/ith that glorious Apoflle, who firft taught the Faith in thefe parts, and not to that falfe Heretick.

Furthermore, in the firft Vèrfe of the Bleiling of the Solemn Days, where it is faid of the Di- vine Word, ^wi faãuf eji homo^ ó' opcruit fpe^ ciem fuam in filio hominis^ for fear of the iVe- florian Dodrine it íhall be íàid, gwi fiiãus ejl homo^ C^ operurt Divinitatem fnam humilitate tjo- fira-i and a little lower where it is faid, Benedic Eccleflitm tnam qii£ patitm\-d^ in ovili pejjlmi D£- monis ecce cOMprehejiditur , it ihali be faid, ^<e fatitur i»fcftdtio?2es a pejjimo D^mone^ libera iU Um^ &c. for the Catholick Church tho* it be infefted and perfecuted by the Devil, is not held nor oyercome by him, our Saviour having pro- mifed, that all the Powers of Hell ftmll never pre* vail againfl her. And afterwards where it is faid, Benedic dextr atua fihrifle^congregationem hanc^it (ball be faid, Benedic dextra tua^ JefaChriJle, Sec. and in the fame Bleiung, where it is faid. Salva Re- ges noflros d^ Duces »i?/?r<?/, it (hall be faid, Salva Reges noflros d^ Duces nojiros Catholicos^ all the Kings and Princes of this Church being Infidels^ and ib ought not to be prayed for in the pub- lick Prayers of the Mafs 5 and a little after, where it is fàid, Sicut dccet coram ipfojefu Salva-» tore^ it (hall be faid, Coram ipfo Jefi Deo Salba- tore^ becaufe of the Ncftorian error $ and in the lait Verfe but one of that Bleííing , where ilt is faid,- ^7 comedi t corpus menm ó* hihit ex Jangui?ie meo finãificante liierabitur ah inferno per me^ the

words

of the Synod of Diamper, -245

words of ChriiV, Hahct qjitam ster^am^ (hall be uied inftead oi Liberabitur ab it^fir^io i, and in the end of the third Bleffing, where it is faid, Glo- ria illi ex ontni ore Jefi Domifio^ it fh all be faid, Jefii Dof^/i^o Deo^htcauCc the Nejiorians do im- piouQy affirm. That the name of Jefus is the fzaetie of a htimAue Verfon^ and does not agree to God.

All the above-mentioned particular the Synod doth command to be Corredted.as is here ordered, with fuch caution as is neceflary in thefe Matters, wherein the curfed Neflorian Hereticks have ibwn fo many Errors.

Decree ii.

WHereas in the Mijfals of this Dioceis there are fome MaJJès that were made by Nejh- r/;^, others by Theodorus^^nò. others by Diodorits^ their Mafter, which are appointed to be faid on fome certain days, and which, carrying thofe Names in their Titles, are full of Errors and Herefies , the Synod doth command all fuch Maf- fes, entire as they are, to be taken out, and burnt, and in virtue of Obedience, and upon pain oF Ex- communication Lat£ Sententi£^ doth prohibit all Priefts from henceforward to prefume to ufc them, ordering them to be forthvvith cut out of their Books, and at the next Vifitacion to be delivered by them to the moft Illnflrious Metro- politan^ or to fuch as he fhall appoint to correct their Books, that fo thefe MaJJès may be burnt.

K 3 ^mu

2^6 The Acis and Decrees

Decree in.

TTTHereas in the Maffis of this Biilioprick, there ^^ is an impious facrilegious Ceremony, which is the Priefts, after having dipt that part of the Hoft^ after his having divided it, which he holds in his right hand, and has made the fign of the Crois upon the other part that is upon the Fatw^ opening this latter part that was upon the Patin with the Nail of his right Thumb, to the end, according to their Opinion, that the Blood may penetrate the Body, that fo the Blood and Body may be joyned together, which is ignorantly done in allufion to the Hereiie of Nefionus^ or of his Followers, who do impioufly affirm, That under the Element of Bread is only the Body ofChrijl mthoHt Bloody and under the Element of Wine the Blood without the Body: Wherefore the Synod doth command in virtue of Holy Obedience, and upon pain of Excommunicatioit to be Ipfo faãa incurred, that no Prieft prefume to uíè any iuch Ceremony, and that they throw it out of their Maííes, for that befides it alludes to the foremen- tioned Hereiie, it contains a great ignorance in íuppoíing that the Species can penetiute the Bo- dy and Blood of Chrift.

Decree

of the Synod of Diamper. 247

T>ttXtZ !V.

FOrafmuch as the Syrian Mafs is too long for Prieits that have a mind to celebrate daily, the Synod doth grant Licenfe for thetran- ilating of the Roman Mafs into Syrian^ defiring the Reverend Father Francijco Roz^ of the So- ciety of Jefus to undertake the Work, which Mafs together with all the Roman Ceremonies the Prieft may fay on particular Occafions, but the folemn and fung Maffès of the day ihall be al- ways the Syrian^ as they fhall be emended by the moft Reverend Metropolitan : and fuch Priefts as are able to fay Majfeshoth. in Latin and Syrian in the Churches of other Dioceííès, .may fay it in Latin^ but not in this Biihoprick, in which to avoid confufion, it fhall be faid only in Syrian, Wherefore the Synod delires the Biihops of thoie parts to give Licenfe, that the Priefts of this Dio- ceis, having Letters dimiffory from their Prelate, that do not know how to fay Mafs in Latin^ may be permitted to fay the Syrian Mafs in their Churches, or at leaft the Roman tr'anflated with all its Ceremonies into Syrian , the Schifm which this Church has. been in, being now thorow the goodnefs of God removed, entreating the moft lUuftrious Metropolitan^ the Prefident of this Sy- nod, that he would be pleafed to prefent this Petition in behalf of the Priefls of this Dioceft to the firfl Provincial Council that (hall be cele-

R 4 brated

24^ Tí^^e Ms md Decrees

bmted in the Province, that foif the Fathers (hall think fit, it may pafs into a Decree.

Decree v.

WHereas the Power of handling the Holy Veííèls is given particularly to the. order OÍ the Subdeacon, this Synod doth command that from henceforward if the Minifter th:t í^í-ifts at the Mafs be not a Subdeacon^ that the Prieit (hall not put the 'Patin into his hand, when he is or- dered by the Syrian Mafs to do it, fuch a one having no Authority to touch it ^ but he may lay his hand only on the ftone or wood of the Altar, fo as not to touch the Putin, which is according, to the Rubrick, of the M^Jfd, which fuppofesthePerfonth:.: ^ííiítsat the Mafs to be a Deacon., ordering exprefly that the IPriefi fljall pit the Fat in into the hand oft he Deacon,

Decree VL

ITTHereas the Stole that is thrown over the ^' Shoulders is the particular Badge of the Or- der of Deacon^ it is not lawfn! Lherefore for any Peribn that has not taken the faid Order, to uie the Stole in the Church with any publick Cere- mony i, and v/hereas hitherio all of the Clergy that have aíTifted at Mafs^ tho' but in 7;:fcrior Or- ders, or wiihont them, have wore the faid Stole over their ffloulders, no lefs than the Deacons^ contrary to the Cercmoniak^ which fuppofeth him

that

of the Synod o/" Diamper. '249

thataffifts at the Mafs to be a Deacon^ the Sy- nod doth therefore ordain and command, that from henceforward the Chantazes, who do affift at the Mafs^ and are not Deitcons^ be not per- mitted to wear the Stole 3 it would alfo be de- cent for the Deacons wherf they wear the Stole^ to be in a Surplice^ and to have a Ti?2re/, and not to have it over their ordinary wearing Cloths, as has been hitherto the Cuftom.

Decree vli.

THe Synod doth command, That in all Churches there be Stamps of Hofis (or In- ftruments wherewith to print the Wafers that are to be Confecrated) which fhall be bought forthwith out of the Fabrick-money, or the Alms of the Church ^ and that the Vicars takecareto* be always provided of the flour of Wheat, for the making of them, which they muft be fure not to mix with any thing elíè, as is dene com- monly in other Bread, for fear there ihould be no Confecration therein 5 wherefore they muft either make them themíèlves, or employ fuch as are of known Skill and Fidelity to do it, and the fame care (hall be taken of the Wine that it be no other than that of Portugal^ and that it be not mixed with the Juice of Raifins^ or with any other Wines of the Countrey for the fame dan- ger.

Decree

2 JO The Jãs and T>ecrees

Decree viii.

THe Synod doth earneftly recommend it to the Pr lefts of this Diocefs to take heed in what Wine they celebrate, having been inform- ed. That as fome Churches, by reafon of their Poverty, are without Portugal Wine, fo where it is that the Prieft keeps it in Glafs Bottles, where being in a fmall quantity, and kept a long time, it muft neceílàrily decay and turn to Vi- negar, with which they celebrate notwithftand- ing, not coniidering the danger there is of there being no Confecration ^ for remedy whereof the Synod in the ftrideft manner that it can, d©th command, That in every Church there ihall be in the Vicars keeping afweet pipe, or (mall Run- let of Wood, or a Frask, in which the Wine for •the M^ffif ihall be kept, and that the Vicars be extreamly careful, that the Wine do not decay or turn to Vinegar , which if it ihould happen fo as to have loft the eíTence of Wine in the Opi- nion of thofe that have good Palates, they ftiall not then celebrate therewith, it being a great Sacrilege to do it, feeing there can be no Confe- cration.

Decree ix.

WHereas for want o( Portugal Wine, it ma- ny times falls out that there are no Maf- fes celebrated in this Diocefs, to the great pre- judice

of the Synod o/Diamper. 251

judice of the Faithful Chriftians, who for that reafon are feveral months without hearing Maj^^ and without an opportunity of receiving the moft Holy Sacrament, and the Sick of receiving the Holy Viaticum'^ wherefore the Synod, for remedy hereof, doth entreat his Majefiy the King of Portugal^ out of his great Piety, and as he is Froteãor of the Chriftians of thefe parts, once a Year to fend us as an Alms, a Pipe and a half, or two Pipes oi Mufcatel Wme oi Portugal, to be diftributed among the Chriftian Churches of this Biihoprick, and of the whole hdies , and till inch time as an Anfwer (hall be returned to this Petition, the moft llluftrious Lord Archbijhop of Goa, Domffi'aj Akixo de Menezes, Metropoli- tan of this Church, Primate of fndia, and Pre- fident of this Synod, is pkaied to give the faid quantity of Wine to be diftributed among the Churches of this Biftioprick, the diftribution whereof ftiall be made by the Prelate according to the Informations he ihall receive of the Ne- ceftities of every Parifti, and whereas all the fuc- ceiles of this Life are uncertain, if this ftioulá happen to fail at any time, the Prelate ftiall then at his Vifitation take fo much out of the ftock of every Church as ftiall fuffice to purchafe what Wine is necefíàry, and the Wine ftiall be commit- ted to the Vicar, who ftiall make ufe ot it only in the Majfes that are faid in the Church, and order ftiall be taken that the Mafs of the day, which belongs to the whole Parifti, and is the chief obligation of the Church, ftiall be celebra- ted without tail. jDííXCS

2 5 2 The Jãs and J)ecrees

£)ecree x.

THis Synod being very doubtful whether the Stones of the Altar, on which the Maffet are faid in the Churches of this Dioceis, be con- fecrated with Holy Oil, or truly Bleiled, by rea- fon of the fmall care and knowledge which the former Prelates coming from Babylon had of fuch Matters , doth command , That all fuch as are not well known to have been lawfully Confecra- ted, (hall be brought to the moll: Reverend Ale- tropolitan that they may be Confecrated by him, whom the Synod doth intreat to provide fuch Churches with Stones as want them : Comman- ding likewife, aM Cups that are not of Gold, Sil- ver, Copper or Tin, to be broke, and "^no Cups to be ufed but what are made of one of thefe Metals, and thai Mafs be never faid in any of thefe after they are broken , and feeing there are many Churches that for want of Cups have no Majjès^ the Lord Metropolitan is defired to give order, that all Churches be furniihed with Cups.

*i|ioCupif.3 In the Pri- of Ment^^ being asked in the

mitive Cliurch they thought it no Council of Tribnris , whether ic

fuch Crime to make ufe of wooden were Lawful to celebrate in

C/.'/i/ice/ in the celebration of the Wooden Chalices^ anfwered ,

Sacrament. So Hmoriut in the íí»ond>im Sacerdotes aurei ligneis

89 Chap, of his 3. Book De^emwii Cal'tcibus utebantur^ nunc è contra,

animtfy faith, Ayoflili <ly eorum lignei Sacerdotes oureis utuntur

fuccejf^res in iigneis Calicibus M'ffiU Calicibkf. celebrurunt ; And Boniface Biihop

Decree

of the S y N o p of Diamper. 2 5 j IDztuz XI.

WHereas there are many poor Churches in this Biihoprick, and efpecially in the Heaths^ that have no confecrated Veftments for the faying cf Mafs^ and for that reafon have but few faid in them, to the great prejudice of the faithful Pariihioners 5 therefore the Synod doth command. That out of the Alms of the Pariih the moft Reverend Metropolitan may provide all Churches with Holy Veftments, íb that none may be without them, and» for that reaibn be with- out having Majjes every Sunday:, and in thoie Parifhes where the Alms ihall not be found to be fufficient to do it, the faid Lord Metropolitan is 4e- fired to take fuch order therein, that they may be fome way or other provided, and have fo great a want fupplied.

Decree xil.

Hereas the Chriftians of this Diocefs have not hitherto heard Majs as upon obliga- tion, having never imagined that the not hearing thereof upon fome particular days was a mortal fin^for which reafon,rome have without any fcruple neglected going to hear it, and others have not flayed to hear it out 5 therefore the Synod doth declare. That it is the Precept of the Univerfal Church,, and that upon penalty of a mortal Sin, that all Chriftians, Men and Women, having no

lawfoi

254 ^^^ ^^^ and Decrees

lawful impediment,, do hear an entire Mafs upon every Sunday and Holy-day that is commanded to be kept, if they have the opportunity of a Prieft to fay it to them. As alfo, that all Ma- ilers of Families are obliged by the faid Precept, to make their Children, and fuch of their Servants and Slaves as are Chriftians, and all other Perfons living in their Families, to go every Smday and Holy-day to hear Mafs^ which every one ihall endeavour to hear at his own Par ifh- Church, or at the place where he then happens to be , and as for thofe who with juft reafon are afraid to leave their Houíès alone without any body in them, and eípecially fuch as live in Heaths^ and are a great way from any Church , they íhall fo order the matter, that all in their Families (hall take their turns» of going to Mafs and (lay- ing at home on Sundays 5 and the Vicars of the Churches muft be careful to mark all fuch as are negligent herein, and reprove, admoniih, and puniih them, fo as they fhall judge neceííàry : and where there is any number of Clergj^ they (ball fing the Mafs on Sundays and Holy-days : and when there is not a competent number, there the Mafs ihall be faid at a convenient hour, the whole Pariib being prefent, and he ihall at the fame time Preach, publifh their Admonitions, the Banes of Matrimony, and whatfoever elíè is neceíTary in the Church.

Decree

of the Synod of Diamper. 2 j 5

Decree xiil.

TH-e Synod being informed that moft of all the Chriftians that live out of Towns and Villages in the Heaths , being a great way from Church, do go to Church but once a Year, on the three days before Lent^ which they call Monorbo, and then rather to fill their Bellies with what is given by Chriftians at that time, than to hear Mafs'^ aind that there are others who content themfelves with going to hear Mafs twice or thrice in the Year, and fo have no opportunity of being inftruded in matters of Faith and Religion as they ought to be, nor of complying with their Obligations, doth command all Chriftians living within two Leagues of the Church to go to Mafs at leaft once a Month, and on the principal Feflivities of our Lord and Ladj/^ commanding the Vicars alfo to conftrain them to do it , and ail fuch as are but one League, to hear Mafs once a Fortnight, and fuch as are lefs than a League, to hear it every Sunday and Holy-day, comman- ding all that ftiall trangrefs herein, being obfti- nate, after the third Admonition, to be thrown out of the Church v/hen they come thither 5 neither (hall the Prieft go to their Houfes,or give them the G?/2//re, or Bleiling, until they ihall come to heariVi^/r, more or lefs, in the Form afore- faid 5 and befides, they ftiall be puniftied b}^ the Prelate as he ftiall think good.

Decree

2^6 Voe ABs and "Decrees.

T>mzz XIV.

WHereas upon íèveral Feftivals of the Church there are Muficians called to the celebrati- on thereof, according to the cuftom of the Coun- try, who are all Heathens^ fmall care being taken in what part of the Church they are placed, or to hinder them from playing during the time of the Holy Sacrifice, at which no Excommunicate Perfon or Infidel ought to be prefent, there- fore the Synod doth command, that great care be taken not to fufFer them to remain in the Church after the Creed is faid, or the Sermon, if there be one, is ended, that ib they may not be- hold the Holy Sacrament ^ the Vicar (hall alio be careful to drive all Heathens who may come up- on fuch occafion, from the Doors and Windows of the Church.

©ectee xv.

WHereas there is nothing that is fo great a help to the Souls of the Faithful that are in the Fire OÍ '^ Purgatory as the Holy Sacrifice of the Maffy of which there is no memory remaining in

* idurgatO^Ji. ] I ihall give in the matter of Indulgences to the Reader one inftance out of a Souls io Furgitory. hundred of the Topes liberality

Indulgenciat

of the S r N o D of Diamper. 257

" TNdulgencias Concedidas pello " X Papa Adriano VI. de boa Me- " moria ás contas, ou grãos que *' benzeo á Inftancía do Illultrif- "íimo Cardeal Laquinaues Tri- " germano Barbirino no Anno de *'i5Z3. E. Confirmadas pelo *' SantiíTimo Padre Gregório De- "cimo tercio aos r6 de Mayo *'de 1576. E bien aíliconfirma- *' das pelo Saníliífimo Padre Pape " Paulo quinto no anno de 1607. " E. também agora confirmadas " por noíTo fanciífimo Papa Ur- *' bano Oftavo no quarto anno de **fue Pontificado.

*' Primeiramente, quem tiuer " humaideftas contas, rezando hum •* Pater Noter, et huma Ave Maria "cada dia tira três Almas das *' penas do Purgatório & de for " em Domingo, ou em Dia fe fe- " fta rezando dobrado tira de is.

" Itera, Cada fexta feira re- *' Zando finco vezes O Pater No- *' fter, & Ave Maria à honra das " finco chagas, de Chrifto, gan- "ha fetenta mil annos de per- "dam, et remiíTam de todos fe- *' us peccados.

"Icem, em cada Sabbado re- "zando fete Pater Noftres, et fete " Ave Marias, aos ítiç. gozos de *' noíTa Senhora, ganha indulgea- " cia fem numero.

"Item, Quem nano poder cor- "rer as eftaçoens de Roma na " Quarefma rezando finco Pater " noftres, ec finco Ave Marias *' diante da imagem de humCru- *' cifixo ganha as ditas eflaçoens "dentro et fora, dos muros de "Roma Scjerufalem.

" Item,Trazendo configo huma "dcftas rontas confeffado, et ** comungado ganha indulgência

" plenária, et remiíTam de todos " feus peccados.

"Irem, O Sacerdote, quecon* " feíTa ec comunga ganha indul- " gencia plenária, et remiíTam de "todos feus peccados, ec alem. "dirto ganha tam bem todas as "indulgências, que eftam dcn- " tro, ec fora de Roma, & Hiera- " falem.

"Itemí a vendo comungado, "quantas vezes rezerO Pater No- "íter, & à Ave Maria» tantas almas " tira do Purgatório.

"Irem, Concede fua Santidade, "que eftas contas, qua fua Santi* "dade benzeo, poíTam tocar a *' outras, as quaes tocadas ficam "com as mefmas graças, falvo que cftas tocadas nam poíTam to- " car as outras Dada em Roma a " 15 de Janeiro de 1607.

"Nos Joano AmbrofioRcferen- " dario Apoftolico Viflo eí^ar "conforme com o Original, pò- " decorrer efte Summario de ín- "dulgencia Lisboa 11. de Jur.ho " de 1641. Er. Joano de Vafcoce!. "Franc.Card.de Torn.SebaíTiano " Csefar de Mcnefes.

"Com. Licença. Em. Lisboa <'Na Officina de Domingos Caríiey- " ro Anno \í6o.

Indulgences grar.ted by Pope A- drian VI. of Blejjed Mcm:>ry^ to forni Beads or Grains rçhich he' blejjed at the inliance of the trojl IllujlrioHi Cardinitl Laquin^ucs Tri- germano Barbarino, in the Tear 1523. and vpbkb mere confirmed by the troft ff-Jy Father Gregory X* on the: 6 of May 1570. ^nd wer* 3 rtf/j

258

The AEls and T>ecrees

alfo confirmed by the mofl Holy Fa- ther Pope Paul V. in the Tear 1607. and vrere now again confirmed by our Holy Father Pope Urban VIII. in the 4th Tear of his Pontificate.

Fir ft. Whofoever 0yaã have one of thefe Beadsy and (Imll recite a Pater Nofter a^^d an Ave Mary e- very day, (fjall tal^ three Souls out of the Tnrments 0/ Purgatory ; and if he (full double them upon a Sun- day or fíoh-da:J:ef}}aíI tiil(eoutfix.

1. If he p^ili fay five Pater No- Aers and five Ave Maries to the honour of the fi.ve Wounds of Chrijl upon a Fiiday, he fhall gain feventy . thoufar.d Tars Pardon and Kemijfion of all ks Sins

3 . If he flmU every Saturday fay feven Pater Nofters, andfeven Ave Maries to the feven Joys of our Lady, he flmll gain Indulgences without number.

4. He that cannot go the Stations at Rome in Lent, // he fhall fay five Pater Nofters and five Ave Maries before a Cruciã^^he fijall gain the faid Stãúons within and without. the Wal/s. of Rome and ]erah\cm.

5. He that fl}all bring one of thefe Beads along with him, and fliall Cotrfefs and Communicate, fl}allgain a plenary Indulgence and remijfion cf aH his Sins.

6. The Prieft that ffjali Confefs bim^ and give him the Sacrament, flmll likewife gain a plenary Indul- gence, and the remijfton of all his Sins ; and tnoreover, all the Indul- gences which are within and with- out Rome and Jerufalera.

7. Having Communicated, as of ten at he fhall fay a Pater Nofter and Ave Mary, fo many Souls be jfjall tal^e out o/Purgatory.

His Holinefs does likewife grant. That thefe Beads which have been blefjed by his Holinefs, may touch other Beads, which being touched by them, (hall have the fame Graces, faving that thofe which are touched cannot touch others.

Dated at Rome the içh. of January, An. xóo-j.

We John Ambrofio, Referen- dary Apoftolick, having jeen thit fummary of Indulgence to be con- formable to the Original, it maybe Publifhed. Er. Joan, de Vafconcel. Franc. Card, de Torn. Qxizx dc Menefes.

With Licence. In Lisbon in the 5ÃÍ);) o/Domingo Carneyro, i6io.

this DioceG , that Holy Sacrifice having been in- ftituted for the health and remedy of the Living and of the Dead : Wherefore the Synod doth ex- hort all the Faithful of this Biihoprick to accuftom

them-

of the Synod of Diamper. 259

themfelves to procure '^ MaJJes to be faid for the Souls of their deceafed Friends, and to leave fomething by Will that they may have Majfer faid for their own Souls, which will be much more profitable for them than the Feafts that they uíèd to make for their Kindred and others in- vited to their Funerals 0 which Cuftom ihall be left off, and inftead thereof, they ihall give a

'*■ ípaíTejS-] Private .%í^í are not only a flat contradiftion to the Primitive Praftice, but to the very office wherein they are celebra- ted, all that office being made in the name of a Congregation, not only as prcfenc, but as communi- cating. A demonitration that the offices of the Roman Church are older than her Errors 5 it is plain likevvife from the very Canon of the iW.í/í, that when that Office was compofed, Tranfubjlantiation was notfo much as dreamt of in the Roman Church •, but as to the thing in hand , Cardinal Bona in the 3 Chap, of his i Bock of Li- turgies, faith, Ab initio Sacrijicium principaliter irjiitutum /«ff, utpub- licèiac folemniter firer , Clero ify- popuio ajiante ac commuricante, ipfe tenor Mijfe ify" veteris Ecdefne praxis evincmt •, omnes enim Crati- ones atque ipia Canonis verba in plurali numero tanquam pluriam no- mine , proferuntur '. hinc facer dos populum imitat ad Orationem dicens Oremus, ^ poji Communionem ait quod ore fumpfimw , &c. Suntque fere omnes ejufdem tenoris Orationes fix peraciâ Comriiunione recitantur : And in the iSfòChap. of the fame

Book he faich, Soknne hoc fiat in litraqiis Ecclefia Grxca & La- tina, Mtunum 'iff idem SacificiutTi a fluribus interdum Sacerdctibut csleb^aretur-f Epifcoto enim ftve PreS' bjtero celebrante , reliqui q^otquot aderar.t Epifcopi feu Vresbyteri fimul celebrabant e']i<fdemqne Sacrificii par- ticipes erant, écc- Anda little af- ter he adds, Cur autem dcfsrit ilTe mos cayfa mihi videt^r fuiffe primo quidem quod fundatis ordimbus men^ dicantibus ify longe latcqne prcpa'^a- tis, multiplicara funt onera Miff ar um^ atque adeo necejfe fuit fmgulos Sa^ cerdotes, ut iis jatisfa:erent finguln diebus priva tim celebrare , deinJe quia charitas multnum refrtxit^ ceffarit etiam frequens accejfus ad hoc Sacf amentum ade/) ut hodie nee ipfi quidem minifiri in plerif^ue Ec- clefiis Commur.icent^ licet Sacripcii cooper antur. To which the Cardi- nal might have added the Intro- duâlon of the Voilrine of Purga- ta-ry, and the confequent DoHrine of Miffes being the moft etfeitual means of delivering the Souls one of the Torments thereof. So John the IV. of Portugal, ortiered ten thoufand Maffes to be faid for his Soul, as foon as he was dcad^

S 2

BoU

2 6o The JBs and Decrees

Dole to the Poor, which is alfo very profitable to the Souls of the departed. And that the De- cree relating to fuch Majfes may have its due cííed, the Synod doth command. That all that ihall be found to have died worth 2C00 Fanoins^ and have lefc nothing for a certain number of Majfes to be iaid for their Souls, iliall have fo much taken out of their Eftates before they ihall be divided among the Heirs, as ihall pro- cure the faying of five Mdjfe.i for their Souls, which ihall be depofited by the Executors in the hands of the Church-wardens, by them to bedi- ftributed among five Priefts, that they may be the fooner faid 5 and where there are more than five Priefts, the Alms fliall be given to the five Eldeft, there not being fufficient to divide among them all 5 and where there is only the Vicar of the Church, the whole ihall be given to him: which Cuftom cf procuring Majfes to be faid for the Souls of the Faithful departed this Life, as it is ufed in the Univerfal Church, fo it is what this Synod is extreamly defirous to introduce into this Biihoprick, wherein it has been totally dif- uíèd, recommending this Matter earneftly to the Preachers and Confeííors, to perfuade all Chri- ftians to it in their Sermons and Confeffions, and to the Vicars to do the fame in their Admonitions.

Ac T I-

•/ the S Y N o D of Diamper. i6i

Action VL

Of the Holy Sacrament of Penance and Extream Unótion.

THe Fourth Sacrarnent is that of Penatice^ in which the Ads of the Penitent arc, as it were, the Matter, and are diftinguiihed into theie three parts, Contrition of Hearty Confejjion of the Mouthy and Satisfaãionfor Sins^ according to the direãion of the Confcjfor. It belongs to the Con- trition of the hearty that the Penitent be forry at his Soul for the Sins that he has committed, and detefting them, is firmly refolved not to com- mit them any more : which Contrition^ xho it fometimes happen to be perfeâ: through Charity, ib as to reconcile one to God even before he has aftually received the Sacrarnent oi Co^vfejjlon, yec it can never be perfed, nor a means of reconci- liation with God, if not attended with a readi- nefs and purpofe of mind to confeis thofe very fina which it is converfint about ; fuch fins be- ing no lefs fubjed than others, to the Keys and the ingagements to Cojfcjfion. It belongs to the Confejjion of the mouthy that the Penitent Confeis himfelf entirely to his own Prieft, as to all the fins that he remembers, ufing all due diligence according to the length of the time, fince he laft ConfelTed himfelf 5 and this Confejjion is jot to be only of fins in general, nor only of the

S ^ $peciei

%6i The ABs and J)ecrees

Specks of them, but of every fin in particular, and as tar as the Penitent is able to remember of their number ^ declaring withal, all the ag- gravating Circumftances, and all fuch as change the Species 'j in a word, all mortal fins, how ft- cret foever, tho' only in thoughts and wicked defires --, as alfo all faults committed againft the two laft Commandments 5 Thou fialt mt covet thy Neighhopirs Wijè-, Thou flmlt not covet any thing that is another s 5 filch fins being at ibme times more dangerous for the Soul, than others that are open 5 all which we are commanded to do by the Divine Law 5 our Saviour when he afcended into Heaven, leaving the Priefts for his Vicars upon Earth, and conftituting them Judges, before whom all mortal fins committed by ChrJitians, were to be brought, that by the power of the Re)^s, which he committed to them 10 forgive or retain fins, they may pronounce Sentence, Vv'hich cannot be juft and Righteous, neither can the puniihments they impofe be e- qual or proportionated to the Nature of the Faults, without their having a full knowledge of the fame, as of the matter that they pafs Sentence upon ^ vvhich knowledge cannot be had but by -the Penitents confefiing all and every Mortal^in^ whereon Judgment is to pais, not only in gene- ral, but in fpccje and number, making mention of every fiach Sin in particular, with all its ne- cefiary circumftances, that fo a juft fentence of abrokuion or retention may be pronounced up- on them. And as to Venial Sins which we fre- quently

^ of the Synod of Diamper. 26}

quently fall into, and for which we are not ex- cluded from the Grace of God, tho' the confef- fing of, and being abfolved from them, is very profitable to the Soul, yet we are nor under any fuch precife obligation of confeffing thera, there being other ways by which they may be pardoned, fo that it is no fin not to diicover them. The third part of Penitence^ is, Satisfj- &ion for Sins according to the judgment of the Con- fijjbr 5 which fatisfaãion is chiefly performed by Prayer, Fading and Alms, the Penitent being obliged to comply v.ith the Penance impofed upon him by the Prieii, who being as a Judge in the place of God, ought to impofe what he thinks to be necefiary, not only with refpeft to the amendment of Sin for the future, bar chief ly with refpect to the Satisfiãion and Pe?rancc ofpaftSins. The Form of this Sacram.ent ii^, / ahfolve thec^ to which neceílàry words the Church has thought fit to add the words following, from all thy Siffs^ in the Na/^^e of the bather^ of the Sof/, and of the Holy Ghofi. There are alfo fome Pray- ers which the Prieft fiich iinmediately after o- ver the Penitent, which, tho' th.y are not ei- fential to the form, yciare very profit.ible and healthful for the Penitent. Now by pronouncin^qj the form, not only all the Sins that are confei- fed, but all thofe likewife which afier a due di- ligence and Examination of the Confcience do not occurr to the Memory, fo as to be difcover- ed, all fuch being included in the faid Cont'eiii- on, are all pardoned 5 tho' with an obligation of

S 4 - con-

264 TJ^e ^s and Decrees *

confeiTmg them, if they ihould ever after come to be rcmembred, fins being as it were chains to the Soul, from which it is delivered by the abfolution of the Prieft, which is applicable to fjch, as by virtue of contrition joyned with a deiire of confeiTmg, have obtained pardon of God for their Sins, which they were under an obli- gation to have confeiled : as alfo to thoíè Sins which were never confeOed, becaufe not re- membred after a due diUgence, and to thoie likewife which having been once lawfully con- fef ed and truly pardoned, are by the Penitent of his own accord, and for the greater Penance confeilc-d and fubmitted to the Keys íèveral times. The Ivlinifter of this Sacrament is a Pried, rt>Lâ hath Authority to ahfohe^ and is either the Or- dwary^ as tne Prelates, or fuch as are commiííion- fd a Lid approved of by them. The eíFedt of this S.icramentis, The ahfolatjon aridpardon of Sifts, and for that icifon it h by the Doctors proper- ly called the Table after Shipirracl^^ becauie the Grace wliich was given to us in Bapiifm, being loft by the commiiiion of Mortal Sin, by which we make Ship wrack thereof, and of all the other Vertuc!» and Gifts, which together therewith were poured down upon us, there remains no other remedy or means whereby we can be fa- ved, DIM only by the plank of penance^ or the Sacraiiient of Cofrfijion 5 for that without this ei- the»* actually received, or firmly purpofed ac- cording to the command of Holy Mother Church v.ith contrition, wherein íuch a purpofe is al- ways

of the Synod of Diamper, 265

ways included, we cannot be faved nor enter into the Kingdom of Heaven 5 for which reaibn this Sacrament ought to be much reverenced and frequented, as the only remedy that finnershave for all their evils.

Decree i

VliJHereas an entire Sacramental C(i?»^^<?;/ is of • "^ Divine right, and neceílàry to all thoíè who after Baptifm fall into any Mortal Sin, and Holy Mother Church doth command all faith- ful Chriftians who are come to the uíè of Rea- * ion, upon pain of Mortal Sin, to confefs at lead once a Year in the time of Letit, or at Eafler^ when all that are capable are bound likewiie to receive the moil holy Sacrament of the Al- tar, declaring all that negleft to do it, to be excommunicate 5 and notwithftanding, this Pre»* cept has not hitherto been in ufe in this Bifhop- rick, in which no Chriftian has ever confeiTed upon Obligation, and a great many not at alJ, which was occafioned through their ignorance of this healthful precept, and of the neceíTity of this Divine Sacrament, this Church having been governed by Schifmatical Chald^eatis^ and Neftori^ an Hereticks, the particular Enemies of this Sa- crament, being the caufe of their being totally unacquainted with the Virtue, Efficacy, andNe- ceflity thereof. Seme not ufing it all, others being perfwaded by the Devil into a vain and fuperftitious Opinion, That if they ihould con- fefs

t66 Tlje ASls and Decrees

fefs themfelves, they íhould die immediately, all which having been made known to the moft II- luflrious Metropolitan in his firft Vifitation of thefe Churches, he at that time perfvvadcd a great many that had never done it before to confefs themfelves, having undeceived them as to the unreaibfiableand pernicious miftakes which they lay under, therefore the Synod the more to further this, doth declare that it is the Duty of every faithful Chriftian, upon penalty of Mortal Sin, to obferve the precept of the Church concerning Confejfion^ at the time by her deter- mined and founded on the Divine precept of Cof7fejJio*n^ for all fuch as are fallen from Grace, by the Commiilion of any Mortal ^m^ and doth command all faithful Chriftians Men and Wo- men, that are arrived at the Years of Diicreti- on, to confefs themfelves to their own Vicar, or to fuch Priefts as are licenfed by the Prelate to hear Confeilions, at the time of Lent^ or againft Eafier^ and that whofoever ihall not have com- plyed. with this Precept, or is not confeílèd Ibmetime betwixt the beginning of Lewi, and the fecond Snndãy after Eafter, fhall be in the Church declared Excommunicate by the Vicar without waiting for any order from the Prelate to do it, until he has eíFedually confeíTed him- felf, and has undergone the puniihment due to his Rebellion 5 and if the Vicar ihall for fome juft reafon think fit to wait any longer, for fome that have been negligent, and who being bufie have defired to be difpenfed with till Whit-

ffifrtide^

of the Synod o/Diamper. i67

fnntide^ it íhall be in their power to bear with them, according to what is determined in the 7d. Decree of the ph, Aãion^ of the Sacrament of the Eucharift^ having firft admoniihed thoíè that live in the Heaths^ or are at Sea, or enga- ged in Buiinefs in fuch places where there are no Churches to confefs in, that when they return home, they are bound to do' it within a month.

And that the whole of this may be executed, with the more eafe, and be performed as is rea- fonable, the Vicars of the Churches (hall be obli- ged a month or more before Lent^ if it be ne- ceiTary to go to all the Houfes of their Pariíhes belonging to Chriftians, however remote in the Heaths^ either in Perfon, or by fome other Cler- gyman, whom in Confcience they can truft with fuch a bufinefs, and taking the Names of all the Chriftians even to theA'ery Slaves in-every Fa- mily that are nine Years old and upward, and of thofe too that are abroad, obferving whether they do return home after the time ot the Obli- gation, and having made a Roll of Parchment of all that are of Age to conftli. themfelves, they íhall afterwards make a mark at their Names as they come to ConfeiTion, that fo they may know certainly who have, and who have not comply- ed, that the Difobedient may be Excommunica- ted, which we declare to be the precife Obliga- tion of their Office, the Paftor being bound to know his Sheep, that he may give them Food, and fo far as he is able, fupply all their necei^

iities.

2^8 Tie Ais and Vecrees

fities, Temporal as well as Spiritual, and to have their number, that he may know when any are loft 5 and for the perteding of fuch a Roll the Vicars may take the advantage of the Monoibo^ at which time all Chriftians do flock to the Churches, at which time likewife they may hear of many that live in the Heaths, And as to thoíè that have confeílèd themfelves to ibme other approved Confeflors, they (hall bring a Note figned by them of their having been confeííèd, which they (hall deliver to their Vicar, who fhall thereupon mark them in his Roll \, but tho' it is lawful for them to confefs themielves to Confeflors that are Strangers, yet they cannot receive the moft Holy Sacrament, nor the Com- munion upon Obligation in Lent any where, but in their own Parifh Churches, and the Prelates in their Vifitations (hall call for thoie Rolls, in order tt) inform themfelves how this Decree is obferved.

Decree n.

WHereas the Precept of Confejjion obligeth all that have the ufe of Reafon, and con- fcience of mortal Sin , which happens fooner to fome than others, the Synod therefore taking the raoft fafe and probable v/ay, according to the knowledge it hath of the People of Malabar^ dcth ordain, That at eight Years old and up- ward, all People fhall Confefs themfelves, and that without prohibiting fuch as are younger and

capable

of the Synod 0/ Diamper. 269

capable to do it fooner , on the contrary, the Vicars, if they (hall underftand that there are any under eight , of íò much Judgment and Difcretion, as to be capable of committing a mortal Sin, they ihall immediately conftrain them to come to Confijfion^ as being oblig'd to it, which muft be left to the difcretion of the Pariih Priefts.

Decree ni.

''I^He Synod doth admoniih all Mailers of Fa- -^ milies, and all that have the charge of o- thers, to be careful to make all the Períbns in their Families to confeis themfelves at the time of Obligation, and particularly their Servants and Slaves, both Men and Women, v^ho if they do never come to Confejjion^ their Mafters and none elíè muft be certainly in the Fault, in ha- ving negle£ted to put them in mind of it, and to order them to do it, it being their Duty, and that upon penalty of Mortal Sin, to call upon them to do it, of which they muft give a ftriâ: Account to God, the Apoftle St. Vaul affirming, That he who does not take care of his Servants^ has denied the Faith^ and is worfe than an Infidel ^ which words are chiefly to be underftood of the Spiritual Neceffities of thofe of his Family, and of Matters appertaining to their Salvation 5 about which matters the Vicars ought to be very care- ful, and muft obferve whether the Slaves, whole Names as well as others, they muft have down in their Rolls, do come to Confejfion^ declaring

fuch

270 Tl^^ ^^s (^nd Deems

fuch of them as have not complied with theii obligation at the time appointed, Excommuni- cate,having firft admonifhed their Mafters to com- mi<nd them to come, and acquainted them with the Declaration that will be made if they do not: and the Vicars that fhall be found negligent here- in, (hall be punilhed at the diicretion of the Prelate.

Dectee iv.

ALL faithful Chriftians are not only obliged to Confeis themfelves once a Year , under penalty of mortal Sin, but alio as often as they are in any probable danger of Death, or are very Sick, they are under the fame obligation ^ wherefore the Sick Perfons or thofe that attend them, fo ibon as ever they (hall apprehend any danger, where-ever they live, tho' in the Heaths^ (hall (end to call a Confelíòr, and ihall adviie the Vicar of the Church thereof, who ihall ei- ther go himfelf,- or fend another to hear their Confeiiions. The Vicars are alfo to underftand, that it is their indifpenfible duty to enquire after the Sick, and either to go to Confefs them themfelves, or to fend another to do it, when- foever they (hall be fent for, that fo none may die without the Holy Sacrament of ConfejfioK^ they being guilty of the Condemnation of iuch ©f their Sheep as go to Hell for not having con- feílèd their Sins before they died, if it v/as through their fault or negligence it was not done. And

the

of th Synod of Diamper. 27 1

the Vicar , through vvhofe fault or negligence any of the Parifh (hall die without Confejfioft^ ihall be fufpended from his OfEce and Benefice for a whole Year without any difpeniation, and another ihall be appointed to fupply his Cure, and the Perfons that attend the Sick, that (hall negled to fend for the Pariih-Prieft, ihall be feverely puniihed at the diicretion of the Prelate 5 and fuch as die in Hamlets or in Heaths without Çonfejpon^ if they did not fend to call a Confelíòr) if their death was not fo fudden as to prevent them, ihall not be buried in Holy Ground, nei- ther (hall the Clergy go to their Houies, or fay the Office of the Dead for them, nor fo much as the Chata,

Decree v,

NOt only fuch as are dangeroufly Sick , but _ all that are any ways in danger of Death, are obliged to Confefs themíelves ^ wherefore iince all Women in Child-birth, are in danger thereof, they ihall before they are in Labour, Confefs themfelves , but efpecially before the birth of their firft Child , at which time the danger is known to be the greateft^ and íhall likewife, if capable, receive the moft Holy Sa- crament 5 and if any fuch, not being furprized by their Labour, ihall die without Confejjion, or being in vifible danger, did not defire it, their negligence being proved, and efpecially if they lived in Towns, they fhall be proceeded againft

in

27^ Tlye ABs and Decrees

in the fame manner, as thoíè are who through their own fault die Wixhom Confej]ion2& is above decreed.

Decree vi.

npHe Synod being informed that the gfeateft -*- part of thofe that die of the Small-Pox^ tho* they lived in Towns and defired Confejfion^ do die without it, that Diftemper being fo very dangerous and infedious , that the Priefts are airaid of coming near thoie that have it ^ doth command all Vicars to be careful, that none fuch do die without Confijfion^ and either to go them- felves, in PerfoUjOr to iend one to Confefs them 5 a due regard being ftill to be had to their own health, either by confeifing them at fome difl:ance,or fo that the Wind (hall blow the fteams from them, and by having taken prefervatives againft tlie Di- ftemper ^ that fo none may die without ConfiJJi- 0», which is what the Synod doth very earneftly recommend to them in the Lord.

Decree vn.

'T^He Synod doth earneftly recommend to all -*- the faithful Chriftians Inhabitants of this Biihoprick, not to fatisfie themfelves with having confeíièd their Sins once a Year at Eajier^ when they are bound to it upon the penalty of mortal Sin 5 but that they do frequently make ufe of this Sacrament, in proportion to the Sins they fall

into

0^ ífe S Y N o D o/ Diamper. 273

into daily, and not to fail to Confefs themíèlves on the Feftivities of the Nativity of the Holy Ghofl^ and the Ajfumpion of our Lady^ and at the Wake of their Pariih, and the Vicars muft not fail to admoniih their People thereof on the Sunday before thofe Feftivities.

©eccee viiL

THe Synod doth declare, That notv/ith- ftanding the power of pardoning Sins is annexed to the Sacerdotal Order, nevertheleis that all Priefts cannot hear CofifiJJio?fs^ but only fuch as are Licenfed by the Prelate 5 for the AÍfc of Abfolution being an Aâ: of Jurifdidion, and Judicature, cannot be without Subjects , which the Prelate only can give when he appoints Con- feííòrs with fuch limitations as he thinks neceíTà- ry ^ fo that a Prieft haviHg no Licence, or tranf- greiling the bounds that were fet to him by his Prelate, if he ihall prefume to hear Confeííions and Abfolve, his Confeííions and Abfolutions are void and of no force 5 neither are the Sins of the Penitents pardoned, who are therefore bound to Confeis themfelves again to a Confefibr that has power to Abfolve, as if they had not Con- fèíTed before, but when any one is in probable danger of Death, and cannot have a Prieft that is Licenied, any Prieft, tho' he is not Licenfed, may Confefs apd Abfolve him in that cafe.

Decree

274 ^'-^^ ^^^ ^^^J- 'Decrees

Decitr IX.

Hereas it belongs to the good Government of the Church and the Faithful, that Crimes of a heinous nature ihould be judged not by ev^ery Pried, but by Prelates or Biihops, becaufe for thnt reafon Chriftians will be the more fearful to commit them 5 befides that, it has alwayb been the Cuftom oi the Church, to refeiA'e to the Pre! aces, and even to the Pope as the Univerfal Head of the Church, fome Crimes from which they and none elfe can Ab- folve, or not do it without their leave : there- fore the Synod doth declare, That notwithftan- ding this Dcftrine has not hitherto been under- ftood or praftifed in this Eifhr;piick, by reafon of the great Ignorance of the Church and facred Canons that has reigned therein : Nevertheleis, that the ordinary Confeííors have no power to Abfolve in cafes refcrved to the Prelate, and leafi: of all in thofe that are rcferved to the Pope, namely, thofe contained in the Btil/a Cosn^ Domini'^ which all Confefibrs ought to be ac- quainted wich 5 neither can they Abfolve in the Crime of Herefy, or in any cafes wherein the Faith is concerned ^ all which do belong to the Court of the Holy Office of Ivquifition^ or to fuch as are Commiilioned by them, or to the Bi- iliop who by himfelf may Abfolve in the Form OÍ the Holy Council of Trewi, and according to the Ordinations of the Holy Fathers : Nei- ther

o/í/;e S Y NO D o/ Diamper. 275

ther can ordinary Confefíòrs difpenfe with or change the Vows of Penitents, becauíè that be- longs to the Prelate, or fuch as arc deputed by him, or that have obtained Apoftolical Privi- leges to that eíFed. Only at the point of Death, not only approved Conteffors, but alio all fimple Priefts, there being no other to be had, are ob- liged to hear Confejfions^ and may alio Abfolve in all Cafes and from all Cenftires to vvhomfoe er referved. Tho' as to" the Cenfures with this Obligation, that if the Sick Pei Ton fiiall recover, they lliall return to the Perfons again to whom they were before referved , from whom they iliall receive fuch healthful Penance as ihall be thought meet.

©eccee x.

Hat Confeiibrs may the better know in what Cafes they may, and in whatCafes they may not abfolve their Penitents, having no Authority to do ir, the Synod doth command the Bulla CceKaDomim^'ana. all the Caies referved in this Bifhoprick to be pafted on a Board, and fct up in all Sacrifties^ and where there are no Sacriftjcí^m the chief Chapel in every Church in the Malabar Tongue, for the direftion of the ConfeíTors, and doth furthermore in its regulation of the reíèr-^ ved Cafes in this Dioceft, declare, That willful Murther, publickly committed with violence on the Perfon of an Kcclefiaftick, the voluntary firing of Houfcs, or of any Goods belonging to

T 2 Chri-

7/6 The JEis and Decrees

Chridians, formal Simony both in the givers and receivers, marrying wuhout he Vicar and two Wi neííès, Schifm and Difobedience agamft the Prelate, in all that are guilty thereof, or that fa- vour fuch as are, the having of any ot the Books condemned by this Synod in their Houfes, or the reading of any of them, the performing of the publick Ceremonies called Taliconnm Coliconu^ the having of Pagods cr Idols in their Houfes, and the giving them any Veneration, have all the cenfure of Excommunication annexed to them, of which tho' fome are "^ rderved by Lavv, yet that they might be the better known, it was thought fit to have them expreíièd here.

"^ J^ffcrbrl?, ] This is what deilroys all Dilcipline in the Church of Ro/ne, ard ^vhat the BiPoops rherco^ complain of io much. D'liams Abuienfis in the "i'^d. page of his Book of Crun- cils, gives the following account of it, Efl in urbe Romaníi ptrnicio- filí abwui qui di^iwulamne quudam jam diu toleratur, nam fcelerattf- Jimi hcmves Epifcopornm (^ alio- rum Judicum ordinariorum , )nfijf- fimam punitionem tjfugientes tan- quam ad tuti;Jimum ajylum Roma- ram accedunt curiam^ nihil dind cogit antes quam qund eoipjofivt à gravijjimii maxima cum Juftitije jaílurâ immuves : Hinc fane paffim videmm Cierkos Crimtnum atro- affimnrum autores^ ab ordinariif Judicibui fugientes in Romanam Curiam^ proprin beneflciU^ qute obti- mbant^ tíquijjimè piivatoSy brevi compendio icmporii in Hifpaniam pa-

niamque redire ita liberos^ ut non tanrum beneficia^ quibui ob fcelera privjti fuerant , cum máximo de- decore líj '-juftititt^ contemptu^favore (^ importunii precibm obtinuerini ite'^um apud Romanam Curiam ; fed <^ aliif pinguioribm honorati in pr^mi»m crimitmm^ liberam itcrum wiUies peccandi licentiam fere im- petrave) int\ (unt enim in Curia. Rc- maivi tot Officiates, quorum munu4 pctijjimum ejl pYtf. avarititi maxima (^ voracitate ab ipfts litigantibm ^ aliif extorquere, ut tandem jam nihil cbt inert apud e andem curiam poQit, aliter quam ingenti peatniu, veluti in pretium rei ímfetrat£ im- penfâ. And in the 6aÀ^. Page he gives the Pope himfelf the follow- ing wholfome advice; Caveredi- bet fummm ipfe Fontifex, ne dum agitur de morum cenfura, qui ad ciericos, Fpifcopos (/^ alios chriflian<e profejjhn'u hominesy omnino in ipfo omni'

of the S Y N o D of Diamper. 277

omriumcapite requirantitr^ea morum tot advtrfw vaturalia ^ Dhira

corredio atque injhiutto qnx à f»b- jura fcekra^ palam in totVAi orbii

ditis exigenda eii : fr£[ertim vero fcan-iulími perwittantur ; id evim

mud el} ab eo podidandcim, acdeni- adeoj.im in omnium aures dev^ntt,

que fummopere petendum, ne in cu- ut à nemrm, njfi is prorfm à (erfu

ria Romana ofcitanter tot confractw alienm judicni cupiat^ tAccri pojfit, Simoniaciy tot manifejt£ fa:ides,

Decree xi.

THe Sentence of Excommunication being the laft and moil rigorous punishment of the Church, and which for that rtiifon ought not to be inflidted but with great Caution and Confidc- ration, the Synod doth thereiore condemn the facility wherewith it has been ufed in this Dio- ceis upon very (light and impertinent occaiions, commanding it not to be infliâred hereafttr, but for weighty caufes, and with great coníiderati« on, and never by word of mouth, but always in Writing. The Synod doth like vvife condemn what has been formerly commanded in this Bi- ihoprick, which was, that in certain Cafes Pe- nitents were not to be abfolved, but at the hour of Death, and in fome not then neither, which is contrary to Chriftian Charity, and the Rules of the Church, who as a Pious Mother at all times receives true Pemtents, and never ilnits the Gates of Salvation againft any of her Chil- dren : So that let their Crim^es be never fo enor- mous, yet upon their doing Penance, and ex- preiTmg a deep forrow for their Sins, and yield- ing the fatisfadtion that is impofed upon them, they are gracioufly 'received, and made free at

T3 leaii

178 The Acis and Decrees

leaft in the Internal or Sncramental Court: But being there is no other punifhment in this Church, by reafon of its being under Kings that are Lifi. dels, bey en d that of Excommunication or Ex- cUifion from the Church, ibme who are ablbl- ved in the. Internal Court may ftiil continue ex- communicate in the External, fo as not to be permitted to enter the Church 5 and tho' the Priefts may go to their Houfes, they fhall. not give them the Cafinre^ until fuch time as the Pre- late fhall order it to be done, having a regard to the heinoufnefs of their Crimes, and the length of time from the Commiiiion of them, that by this means the facility wherewith the Chriftians of this Diocefs commit feveral Crimies, namely Murther, and the Ceremonies of the Tdkomtm may be removed. ' *

Decree Xli.

FOrafmuch.as the Ignorance of Confefibrs is the deftruftion of Penitents, and thorow the Error of the Key, there is nothing done, and it being known to the Synod that in this Dioceis there are many Confeílòrs that are fuch idiots, as not to know what they do in ConfeiTion, all the Priefts exercifing themfelves therein with- out ever having been examined as to their fuf- ficiency 5 it doth therefore command, that from henceforward no Prieft iliall prefume to hear ConfefTions without being Licenfed thereunto in writing by the Prelate, which Licenfe fhall not

be

of the Synod of Diamper, 279

be granted to any, but what have been fir ft exa- mined by Learned Perfons, as to their fufficien- cy for fuch an Employment, and until flich time as this Church is provided of Prelates to regulate all fuch matters to the beft of their underftand- in^, the Synod doth commit the Examination and Approbation to the ^ Fathers of the Society of Jcfifs, of the College of Vaipicotta^ upon

jf a*{)eri(. 3 This is what the' Billiops and other Orders in the Church of Rome compl-in of fo much, that the Jjjuitt every where in the //j.^reiingrofs all Ju- riídiâion and Advantage"; to thcm- fclves. OÍ their ingrofll ig all to themfclves to the exclunon of all other orders in Cbina^ Japan, and the other pares of the Eaji- Indies^ we have large complaints in the Apologies of Diego CoJlado a Dominican, and in the Letter of Father Luis Sotela, a Franafcan, written to Vrbav VIÍÍ. and as to the IVeft Indies, Bifhop Pallabox in his Defence of Ecckfiaftical Jurifditftion againft the Jesuits, who had worryed him out of his Archbiihoprick,afccr twenty more fuch charges, faveth, ' En las

* provincias del Peru ha fetenta

* annos que fe quez an las Cache-

* drales, de que las Rcligiofos de la *Çompania com immoderadifli- *mosadquifjiones lesdefpoian de

* los diesmos, ejlos caliando y paf- *fando y comprands haziendos

* con grandiíTima paz y Tilencio

* van dcfnud ando a los ocifposde

* fus rentas, a los pohes de fu fo-

* corro, a los Cabildas de fu con-

*grua fuflenracion lo rnifmo hazen 'eia la iiueva Efpana, quanto mas

* corre et tiempo, tanto mas crece

* eldano iegan ya con la naval a ' hafta cl'ihueilo. 7 hat is, In the Provinces of Peru, the Cathedrals have compi.iined thefe 70 Tears of the Jefuirs robbing them of their Ttthes, by their vafi -pu* chafes, they hold their Tongues, and go on purcha- fing Eft.ites, nithout any mife, thereby gripping the Bifjops of their Rents, the poor of their Alrns, and the Chapter of a convenient m>'in' tenance ; they do the fame in New Spam, and tbU e il hits gone on in- creafing daily, fo that they are no'cv come TO the bone with their Rafr. * Revego a Dios, faith the fame Bi/fjop, 'Que ne fean las piucas ' de un rabardillo psligroiiilimo, 'que neceRie dc fercurado en ' algunos hiJDS defta [Religion por- ' lama no del pontífice fumo com 'rcpitiJas fangrias de '•anro podcr; And I pray God that thefe things be not the fpots of a mofi dangerom iiialign.ir.t Feavouf, not to be cured infmeofihe Sins of that Reli giap, any other a>a-s than by repeated bleed' ir.gifrom the Chief Font i^.

T4

vvhofe

28o Tloe ABs mi Decrees

whoíe Examination and Approbation, and a Li- cence granted by the Governour v/hora themofi: lUuftrioifs Metropolitan will leave in this Biihop- rick, the Priefts may hear Confeffions with the limitations exprelTed in the faid Licences, and all fuch as are at prefent ConíeíTors, íhall be exami- ned by order of the Lord Metropolitan at his next Vifitationj and fuch of the Clergy as (hall be made Parifli-Priefts, or Vicars, (ball be firft examined, and approved of in the iame form to be Confeilbrs, that fo fach as are not qualified to be Confeilbrs, may not be admitted Vicars, vi^hofe precife Obligation it is to confeis their Sheep : And all Confeilbrs that are not appro- ved of by the faid Lord Metropolitan in the form aforefaid, this Synod doth fufpend from the Of- fice of Confeíiòr till fuch time as they (hall be efFeftually examined and allowed of, and if any Prieft, which God forbid, (hall be found hear- ing Confeifions without fiach a Licence, except in the caie of danger of Death, and where no Confeíiòr is to be had, he fhall be fufpended from his Office and Benefice for a Year, and be further puniíhed according to the degree of his Contumacy, and the Penitents íhall be admo- niihed to confeis themfelves again to ibme appror ] vcdConfeflbr,

Decree

' of the St NOD of Diamper, 281

Decree XIII.

BY reafon of the great want there is of know- ing and able Confeilbrs in this Biihoprick, the Synod for the fake of the Sheep thereof doth approve of all fuch ConfeiTors as underftand the Malabar Tongue, and are Liceníèd Confeííòrs in any other Diocefs, of whom aifo the Prelate may make ufe for the affiftance of the Pariih- Priefts in Le»t^ where it ihall be judged necef- íàry, and efpecially of the Priefts of this Diocefs reiiding at Cochim,

Decree xiv.

THe Synod doth grievoufly condemn the Sacrilegious Ignorance of thofe Priefts, who when they have confeiled any at the com- mand of the Prelate, or of any other by whom they are authorized, after having heard the Sins of their Penitents, do carry them to the faid Pre- late, to be abfolved by him in the Sacramental Court 5 which was what happened to the m-oft ll-. luftrious Metropolitan in thefe parts 5 the Synod doth therefore teach and declare. That none can abfolve the Penitent in the Sacramental Court, but the Prieft only that heard his Sins 5 for whereas he is the Judge, it is he that ought to pafs fentence and abfolve , in conformity to what he has heard confeiled, the contrary be- ing a grofsand manifeft Error.

Decree

i8z T7;e Aãs and Decrees

^ttttZ XV.

FOrafmuch as there are fome ignorant Cler- gymen, who being deiired by Chriftians to read the Gofpels and Prayers to them, or to give them the Bleffing on their heads, do igno- ran^V ufe the form of Sacramental Abfolution, faying, / abfolve thee from thy Sins in the Name of the Father^ 8cc. wherefore the Synod doth advertife and admoniih them not to commit fuch an Error, it being a moft grievous Sacrilege to apply the Sacramental form, where it ought not to be, wherefore they ihall only read the Go- ipels and Prayers allowed, ending with the Bleffing In the Name of the Father ^ 8cc.

The DoFi/me of the Sacrament of Ex- tream Unótion.

THe fifth Sacrament of Fxtream Unãion has for its matter, the Oyl of Olive bkjfed by a, Bijhopj it is called Extream 'Dnãion^ becauíè it is the laft of all the Holy Undtions, inftituted by our Lord Chriftin his Church, and the laft that is received by a Chriftian ^ this Sacrament is to be adminiftred to an adult Perfon that is fick, when apprehended to be in probable danger of death, who is to be anointed by the Prieft the only minifter of this Sacrament, on thofe parts wherewith he hath offended God chiefly ^ that is to fay, on the Eyes, becaufe of Sins commit- ted

of the S Y N o,D o/Diampcr. 283

ted by the fight 5 en both the Ears, becaufe of Sins committed by hearings on the mouth, be- caufe of Sins committe-d by tailing and ipeaking 5 on both the hands,for the fins committed in feeling and touching 5 on both the Feet, for the Sins com- mitted in walking : on the Loins and Reins, for be- ing the chief feat of Carnal pleafure 5 every one of which parts muft be anointed by the Prieft, making the fign oftheCrofs upon them with his Thumb dipt in Holy Oil, and at the fame time repeating the words of the form, which are, £;' this Holy Unãion^ and his mojl tender mercy may our Lord forgive thee all the Sins thoit haji committed by thyfght ^ and io on, naming every part or fenfe as it is anointed : The effeS of this Sacrament, is the Health of the Soul, and of the Body alfo, fo far as it is convenient and neceilary to the Soul, which is the chiefs moreover, it waiheth away the Reliques of fin, if there are any remaining in the Soul, comforting the Soul of the Sick withall, and confirming and exciting in it a great confidence in the Divine Mercy, by vir- tue of which Confolation it fufFers the troubles of Sicknefs with the more patience, and with the greater eaferefiftsthe Temptations of Satan, whofe cuCtom it is to aíTault the Soul with ex- traordinarv violence in ics lalf Hour : It like- wife cheriihes and fuccours the Body, fo iar^iis it is convenient for the falvation of the Soul, as S. James teacheth us in his Canonical Epiftle, faying, Is any one Sick^^ let him call for the Priejis of the Chnrch^ and they J/jall pray over him^ anoint- ing

284 TJ^ JEis and Decrees

ing him With Oyl in the "Name of the Lord, attà the Vrayer of Faith fljall fave the Sicl{^ and the ijoràjhall give hint eafe, and if he he in Sins ^ they fhall be forgiven him : The Apoftle in faying they fiall be pardoned^ demonftrates it to be a Sacra- ment, whoíè Virtue and Nature is to conferr Grace, that pardoneth Sins, and in faying. If any arefick, among you^ he declares the time when this Sacrament is to be received, that is in time of dangerous Sicknefs 5 and in faying, they Jljall call the Priejis of the Church, he iheweth that the Priefts are the only Minifters of this Sacrament, and in faying, they {hall be anointed tvith Oil in the Name of the Lord, he iheweth, that Holy Oil is the matter of this Sacrament 5 and in faying, they fhall pray over the Sicl{, anointing, he ihew- eth, that the form of this Sacrament is to be pro- nounced by way of deprecation, or Prayer 5 and in faying, the Lord fiaU give him eafe, he ihew- eth alfo, that the effed of this Sacrament is to give health to the Body, io far as it is convenient and neceffary to the health of the Soul. And where- as this Sacrament was inftitutedfor the uíè of the Sick, none but what are dangeroufly fo muft take it, and a Perfon who (hall recover after having received it, may when dangeroufly fick receive it again, it having been inftituted by our Lord for that end 5 and to prepare, defend and forti- fie us at the time of our departure out of this life, whenfoever it is.

Dttm

of the Synod of Diamper. 185 Decree i.

jHerefe^ in this Bifhoprick there has not been hitherto any ufe of the Sacrament of Ext ream Unliion^ in which for want of Ca- tholick Inftruâion, there has been no knowledge of the Inftitution, EiFefts, or Efficacy thereof 5 therefore, the Synod does moft earneftly re- commend the ufe of this Sacrament, comman- ding the Vicars to be vigilant over the Sick of their Parifhes, where- ever they live, whether in the Villages or in the Heaths 5 and whenever they fhall hear of any in danger of Death, to car- ry the moft Holy Sacrament of Unãion^ and adminifter it to them according to the Ronton Ceremonial, which is to be tranflated into Syru an^ and kept in all Churches, anointing them with Oil, and making the fign of the Crois with Holy Oil on both their Eyes ' (hut 5 doing the right iirft, and then the left, upon the Eye-laihes, and upon both the Ears, the Noftrils, and the Mouth, being (hut, on both the Lips j but if the Diftemper iliould be fuch, that the Sick Per* fon's Mouth cannot be ihut, or not without dan- ger, then the upper Lip ihall be anointed, ma- king the fign of the Crofs upon it 5 as alfo both the Palms of the Hands , the Balls of the Féet and the Loins, ordering the Sick Perfon to be moved gently 5 neither is it necefiàry that any more of thefe parts iliould be anointed than what is convenient for the making the fign of the

Crois

1 8 6 Tl?e A[is and Decrees.

Grofs with the Holy Oil 3 and the Prieft muft be fure to remember in this , as in all other Sa- craments, to join the Form with the Matter, re- peating the words of the Form ashe anoints the parts : If the Sick Perfon fhall happen to ex- pire while the Prieft is anointing, the Prieft be- ing fatisfied that he is dead , fhall proceed no further with the Office 5 and the Vicar, through whofe negligence any Pariftiioner (hall die with- out having received this Sacrament , ihall be fufpended from his Office and Benefice for fix Months.

Oecree ii.

FOrafmuch as the Troubles the Sick are in, together with the want of good Inftrudi- ons in matters appertaining to their Salvation, do but too often make them unmindful of. the Holy Sacraments 5 wherefore the Synod doth command and earneftly recommend it to all Gonfefiiors that are called upon to Confeis any Sick Perfon to inftrudt them in the Dodrine and Efficacy of this Sacrament of Unãion^ admonifti- ing, perfuading and intreating them when they ihall come to ftand in need of it, to have it adminiftred to them ^ and they ftiall alfo admo- niih the People, and particularly thofe who at- tend the Sick Perfon, not to fail to call the Vicar when it is neceííhry, that is, when they apprehend the Sick Perfon to be in any danger, and before he has loft his Seníès, to give him

the

of the Synod of Diamper. 287

the Holy Vn^ion , and fuch as ihall be negligent therein, beiides the offence they do to God and the Sick Perfon, (hall be puniihed feverely at the pleafure ot the Prelate.

Decree ill.

THe Synod doth command the Priefts that go to anoint the Sick, tho* it ihould be to the Hamlets^ to go in their Surplice and Stole, carrying the Velíèl the Holy Oil is in, in their hands, covered with a piece of Silk, with great reverence, having the Ckamns or Pariih-Clerk before them with the Crofs of the Church in his Arms, who, or fome other Perfon, fha 11 alfo car- ry a Pot of Holy Water, and if it is in the Night, a Lanthorn or fome other Light before him, that fo all People may know what he is going about ^ and if the Sick Perfon is in a condition, he ihall perfuade him to Confei^^ himfeif again, and be reconciled, notwithftanding he ihould have Con- feiled himfeif the day before, letting the Sick Perfon know that it is neceilary in order to his receiving the Holy Sacrament of Unãion with the greater purity 5 and when the Prieft (hall be to carry this Sacrament a long way to thofethat live in Heaths^ he ihall go in the heft Form he can, and ihall carry the Surplice and Stole along with him, that ib when he comes to adminifler the Sacram.ent, he may do it with all due reve- rence 0 he ihall likewife, if the Sick Perfon has not a Crucifix of his own , leave one upon his

Pillow,

*88 TJe Afts and Decrees

Pillow, exhorting him to fix both his Eyes and confidence thereon at his laft minute, begging by it the pardon of his Sins of our Lord, who for our fake died thereon.

Action VII.

Of the Holy Sacraments of Order and Matrimony, . r:

T^e Doãrine of the S^icrament of Oidcr.

nPHe fixth Sacrament is that oi Order ^ which •*■ was inftituted by our Lord Jefus Chrift the day before he fuffered for us, after that he had made an end of inftituting the Sacrament of the Eucharift, that fo he might inftitute the Sacrifice and the Priefts that were to offer it together 5 at which time he created the Apoftles Priefts, giving them withal power to confecrate others, that io the Sacrifice and the Priefthood might be continued in the Church till the end of the World. The Matter of this Sacrament is that which is delivered to the Perfon that is ordained, for the exercife of that Order he has received 5 to the PrieiVs, a Cup with Wine in it, and a Patten with Bread ^ to a Deacon the Book of the Gofpels^ and to a Sub-Deacon an empty Cup and Patten, and fo as to the other in feriou r Orders: The Form of the Priefthood and other Orders, ^e the words fpoke by the Billiop when he

deli-

of the Synod of Diamper. iSp

delivers to every one that which belongs to his Miniftry and the exerciie of his Order, The Minifter of this Sacrament is only a Biihop, to whom only Chrift committed the power of Coníècrating Priefts 3 the effeâ: of it is the en- creaíè of Grace, to the end that the Perfon or- dained may be a fit Minifter. This Sacrament was inftituted by Chrift as highly neceilary in his Church 3 for a Sacrifice and Priefthood are fo join- ed, that the one cannot be without the other 5 wherefore fince under the New Teftament the vifible Sacrifice of the Holy Encharift was to be inftituted, it became therefore neceíTàry, that there fliould be a new, vifible and eternal Prieft- hood in the fame Church, whereby the ancient Priefthood of the Old Law was tranflared 5 and there were Priefts provided accordingly for the Offering of the Divine Sacrifice 5 which Priefts be- ing lawfully ordained , our Lord Jefas Chrift has given them power over his true and real Body, to Coníècrate, Offer, and Ad minifter it, as alio o- ver his Myftical Body the Church 3 giving them power to pardon and retain Sins ^ to which power it likewife belongs to rule and govern all Chri- ftian People, and to lead them in the way to Eternal Life. Now the Priefthood being fo high an Oifice, that it may be exercifed with the more decency and veneration, it was conveni- ent that there ftiould be different Orders or Minifters, who are bound by their Fundion to íèrve the Priefthood, and to be divided in fuch a manner, that after having received the Clerical

V Tofifure^

IÇO The AEis and Decrees

Tonfnre^ they are to àfcend through the lower to the higher Orders. The * lower are the Ojiiary^ Reader^ Exorei fl^ Acoljthus, The higher thole which are called Holy ^ and are the Sub- DeacoJi^ Deacon^ and Prieji , to which degrees there is joined that of BiJ/jops , who fucceeded in the place of the Apoftlcs, and as St. Paul íàith, are ordained to govern theChfirchofGodj fo that they are in a higher degree than the Priefls, and to them only it belongs, by virtue of their Office, to adminifter the Sacrament of Cof7firmation^ to Confecrate the Holy Oil of Chrifm^ and to Confecrate Altars and Churches, and or- dain Priefts and other Bifhops. The Church en- joins Conthtency and Chajiity to all that take Holy Holy , that fo being difingaged from ,all other bufincfsthey may employ themfelves whol- ly in the Miniftry of the Altar , and be intent only en matters appertaining to our Lord, and Divine Worihip. The Church does not admit Slaves to be Priefls , becaufe it is neceííáry to the Divine Woriliip, that the Minifters thereof ihould be free and not fubjed to others , and

* íLoiXicr.3 That there was fed non probant , dkenium igitur

none cf the lefier Ecclefianical cum St. Ti^oma^ qmd temforibm

Order in the Primitive Churcli is Apojlolorum^ omnia Minifleria qu£

acknoulcdgcd by Card. B:na \n ordinibw rtiinoribm competunt, non ã

his Book of Liturgies , Tertia dijiinilii perfonis^ fed uno duntaxat

claffis Miuijhantium ^ faith the Miniftro exerccbantuTy contingii ni-

Card. Ckricos minoram ordinum [om- mirum Ecclefis. quod hominibm folcty

pkCiithr^ Acol)thos,Jcil. Exorcifl^f, qui dum tenue palrimoninm k^bent^

leílorcs (^ OJiiarios, quos antiquiffi- uno fervo contenti fmt , qui foLm

mos e^i i^ ixb Apolhlti vel ab im- omnia adminifirat ^ fi vero reditus

mediatis eiruin Succejforibw iiijii- augeantur, fcrvorum etiam augitur

tutosj Doçiores ScholaJ}ici fiffermi^ mmerníj eoque modo oefcit família.

that

J

of the Synod of Diamper. 2 9 1

that they ihonld not have been guilty of Miir- tber or Blood, neither muft they have been born out of lawful Wedlock, nor have any blemiih or maim, nor have been twice Married, nor have married a Widow, nor be Soys that are not come to perfeâ: Age ^ all which is ordered for jaft Reafons and Confideration^, and out of refpeâ: to the high Myftery wherein they are exercifed.

Decree i.

Hereas it has been hitherto the Cailom ^^V of this Dioceis to ordain Boys even Priefts, and that without examining their Lives and Manners, having for Money and not for any extraordinary fufficiency, all the Orders In- feriour, as well as Holy, conferred upon them ^,in one day, contrary to the Holy Canons and the Laws cf the Church : Therefore the Synod doth command. That from henceforward, none be ordained bat what have firft been examined as to their Sufficiency, Lives, and Manner?, which ^.£ball be done by the Prelate, or by íòme ap- **^i)ointed by him, fearing God, and who arc ob- felervers of the Holy Canons , and the Forms of ^^'the Holy Council of Tref:t. A-nd whereas in ^!the íàid Council it is commanded. That none [vie ordained Sub-Deacon under Two and Twcn- 'ty, nor Deacon under Three and Twenty, nor Prieft till they are Five and Twenty :> this Sy- nod doth command the íàme to be inviolably ^^- V 2 obfer-

592 The Acls and Decrees

obferved 5 declaring, that no Prelate can difpeníè therewith without being particularly impowered and authorized thereunto by the Apoftolical See. And forafmuch as there are great numbers in this Diocefs that have been ordained before they were at that Age, the Synod fufpends all iiich, whether PrieQs, Deacons, or Sub-Deacons, from the exercife of their fcveral Functions, until fuch time as they have perfectly attained to it, they ihali neverthelefs hold their Places, and reap the benefits thereof, in the fame manner as if they were in the exercife of their Funftions: Andas . to their Sufficiency, the Synod doth declare, That as the Council of 7rc/7i requires, that all that are ordained do underftand Latin^ fo in this Dioceis it is required, that all that are ordained if they do not underiland LMin^ fhould underftand Sy- rian : Neither íhall any Syrian that does not un- derftand it Co well, as to be able to read and iing it, fo as to underftand what they fay in the Offices, be admitted into Orders, or at leaft not into thofe that are Holy*

Drci'ce n.

ALL that are in Orders in this Diocefs having been Simonaically ordained in having pay d a certain price, upon a foimal Bargain for their Orders, have thereby incurr'd the grievous pu- niiliments of the Law. Neverihekfs in conii- deration of their Ignorance, and the falfe Do- éfcrine wherein they have been educated by their

former

of the Synod of Diamper. 29 j

former Prelates, the Mofl Reverend Metropolitiu;^ both by his ordinary Authority, this iSec being va- cant, and the Apoftolical Authority committed to him over this Church, doth Abfolve all that have been fo ordained, from all Penaliies andCenfurcs which by the Law they have incurred, by having been Simonaically ordained, commandmg them to have no farther fcruple? about that matter, and difpenfing with them all as to the exerciie of their Orders, fo that they may lavvfully offici- ate, as in right they may and ought to do.

Decree m.

' I ^He Synod being informed that there are -■- ieveral Priefts, who tho' infected with the Leprofie, and miferably deformed thereby, do prefume to Celebrate, to the great loathing of the People, and to handle the Holy Vcileli and Veftments, to the endangering of th^- healch of others, doth command , That none that are notorioufly Leprous, do prefume to Celebrate, all fuch being irregular according to the Law of Corporal defcfts , on the account of the diiguft they give to People when they fee them Celebrate in fuch a condition, and receive the moft Holy Sacrament of the Altar at th^ir hands.

Yti i>3J/,

V g^ Drct:e

2^4 '^^■'^ ^'^^ ^^^^ Decrees

Decree iv.

Hcrcas it is the cuftom to receive the Ojbire or Blcffing from the hands of the oldeft Cler£>y-man that officiates in the Quire, and for all that are prcfent to return it to him *, which according to the ufage of this Dioceis, contains in it a Symbol of Charity, Communion, and BrotV.crly Love , the Synod being informed that there are thoie, who not being in Charity with their Neighbours, do not fpeak to them, nor take them by the hand , and do neither give nor take the Cafinre from them , thereby diicovering that they live in mahce with their Neighbours, denying them the ordinary Ecclefi- aftical Salutation tifcd in the Church of this Dioccfs j doth command, that all that fhall re- faie to give or receive the fame, be puniíhed by the Prelate as Perfons living in hatred or out of charity with their Neighbours 5 and that un- til fuch time as they ibali give the faid Cafiure^ they ihall not be fuíFered to come to the Altar, according to the command of our Lord Jefus Chrift : Neither fliall they be permitted to offici- ate or Minifter in the Church 5 neither ihall the BleiTing be given them until they have eíFedtu- ally reconciled themfclves to their Brother.

Dtmz

of the Synod of Diamper. 295 Decree v.

WHereas it is the Precept of the Llniverfal Church, that all that are in Holy Orders do recite the whole Divine Office, and theufàge of this Diocefs is, to recite it only when they go to Church, and there, tho' it happen to be near ended before they come, having heard a little to go away immediately, reckoning they have complied with their Obligation, tho' they do not fay over what they were not prefent ar, there being very few that recite the Divine Office in their Houfes, fome imagining that they are not bound to do it any where bnt in the Church, and others excufing themfelves for want of Books, there being but very few, and thofe that are, are in Manufcript in this Biihopiick ^ therefore the Synod doth declare, That all that are in Holy Orders, are obliged upon pain of Mortal Sin, to recite the whole Divine Office as it is recited in the Churchy and that all fuch as (hall come late, fhall be obliged to recite what they have milled^ and if they do not recite it in the Church, they ihall do it at home in their Houfes, * having the conveniency of a Book, which being what a great many do want, the Synod obligeth all fuch to recite the faid Divine Office bv Beads, that fo there may be none but what perform this duty either by Book or Beads : And tho' the Divine Office confifts of feven diftind Ca- nonical hours, yet in this Church, in conformity

V 4 ta

^9^ 77;^ ^Bs and Decrees

to the Breviary thereof, they (hall only recite one part at two times in the Morning, and the other part in the Evening, without making any other difference in the Divine Office, beiides that of repeating one part thereof in the Morning and the other in the Evening , and whereas they who have no Books are to recite with Beads, fach beginning in the Morning as the Divine Office is begun in the Church, ihall fay Thirty, three Pater Nafiers ^ and as many Ave Maries^ with the Gloria Patri^ &c. in the Mor- ning ^ and v/hen they are ended, they (hall more- over fay twelve Pater Nofiers^ and twelve Ave Maries^ for the Souls of the Faithful departed, and one Pater Nojier and one Ave Mary for the Pope, and the fame for the Eiihop , inftead of the Prayers that are faid for them in the Church ; and inftead of the Prayers that are to be re- cited by them in the Evening , they fhall íày Thirty-three Pater Nojiers^ and as many Ave Ma- ries^ with the Gloria Patri, &c. as in the Mor- ning 5 and when they are ended , they ihall lay "^nine Ave Maries to our Lady,and one Pater Nojier and one Ave Mary for the Pope, and another for the Biftiop as in the Morning, provided that

■<..-.

"" i^inp.^ Tc would have been has one made to him *, and of this

no true Rotnan Devotion, had not the TabuU Votiv* in their Chur-

the Ave Maries exceeded che FaHr ches, are a clear demonftration,

Núfiers -J for one may fpeak within there being few or none of ihefe

compafs, and fay, that the bieíTed Tables (and there are vaft num-

Virgin has ten Prayers and an hun- bers of them in feveral Churches}

dred Vows made to her in the but what are dedicated folely ro

Church of Rme^ where Chrift the honour of the blefled yir^in.

fuch

of the Synod of Diamper. 297

fuch as have Books ihall recite by them, and not by Beads, and fuch as recite by Beads, if they have faid any of the Prayers either in the Morning or Evening at Church, ihalJ not be ob- liged to recite them again, but ihall only recite thofe which they may have omitted there.

SDccrcc vr.

THe Synod doth command the Creed of St. Athanafiuf, ^icunque vult^ to be tranflated into Syrian^ and to be put into all the Brevia- ries^ and Books of Prayer of this Diocels, and to be read every o'wWrf)' in the Church immediately after Morning Service, defiring the Reverend Father Francifio Roz, of the Society of Jefus to tranflate it, and all the Curates and Clergy to learn the faid Creed by Heart, which is what the Holy Canons recommend to them, for as much as that Creed contains in it fummarily the chief Myfteries of our Faith, and is uíèd and fung in the Univerfal Church.

Decree vir.

npHe Synod doth earneftly recommend it to -■- all the Clergymen and Curates, not to be abfent from Church at the time of Divine Ser- vice, Morning nor Evening, and that none of- fer to talk or divert themielves there any other way, as has been the Cuitom, or to difpoie themielves to ileep whilil others are reciting,

who

apS 77;e AEls ana Decrees

whcr are alfo to take notice, that in reciting they ought not to begin a new Verfe before the Con- gregation has done with the former, and that tho' it has hitherto been the cuftom for the old- eft Clergyman that was prefent at Divine Service to give the Caflure^ that from henceforward the true Vicar of the Church being prefent, fhallin every thing be preferred to all others as he is the particular Paftor of the Church.

Idmtt VIII.

THere being no reafon why they that do not minifter in the Church, íhould be e- qually rewarded with thofe that do , it feems juft to the Synod that the Curates and other Cler- gymen, that are abíènt either from Morning or Evening Service, or from the Mafs of the day on Simdays and Holydays, be marked by the Vi- car, or the oldeft Clergyman in his abíènce, that when the Dividend comes to be made, for eve- ry time they have been abfent ib much may be deduded from their ihare, as they that make the diftribution (hall think fit, in proportion to the quantity of the Dividend, which (hall be done only when they are not hindred by fome lawful Impediment, as Sicknefs, or are not other- wiie employed in the Service of the Church, or by the Prelate, in all which cafes they are to be excufed : and the Sconfes fball be equally divi- ded among the reft.

Vztuz

of the Synod of Diampcr. i^p

t)tcm IX.

THe Synod being informed, that great num- bers of Clergy-men do ufe fuperftitious and Heathen Exorcifms, taking words out of an impious and prohibited Book called Farifman^ for the cafting out of Devils, doth command in virtue of Holy Obedience, that none prefume to ufe any other exorcifms to that eíFed, but fuch as the Roman Church makes ufe of, and have been approved of by the Holy Fathers, which are to be bound up with the Ofiices of the Admi- niftration of the Sacraments, and all Clergymen, that (hall be found to ufe any other, or to ufe any unknown fuperftitious words or Ceremo^ nies with fuch as are poílèílèd, íhall be fufpended from their Office and Benefice for a Year, and be fubjeâ: to what other penalties the Prelate iliall be pleafed to lay upon them, according to the quality of the Superftitions they have made ufe of5 and in cafe they fhall after they have been admonifhed and cenfured, perfift therein, they (hall then be Excommunicated ^ and when it iliall appear that any have adted thus upon any compaâ: or contraft with the Devil, which God forbid, as it is faid fome do, they fnall be declared Excommunicate, until they have done the condign Penance, which the Prelate íhall have impofed upcn them, and iliall be more- over fufpended from their OSice and Benefice during their Lives, without any hopes of a dif-

penfation.

^oo Tl^e J&s and Vecnes

peníàtion, and (hall be yet further punifhcd, as. the Law requires they ihould be, who are guil- ty of filch Crimes, and are convided of having had a compad with the Devi!.

»,y'^

Decree X. ^^io/^^''

WHereas there are íèveral Clergymen, who; according to the fuperftitious Cuftomof the Heathens, do give good days for Marriages, and do íèveral other things, at the requeft of Chriftians for the Heathens, and for that end, keep an account of the lucky and unlucky days of the Gentiles in their Books, and do ufe fome of their Prayers, and do make Schemes after the manner of Aftrologers , as appears from feve- ral even of their Church-books, the Synod doth command in virtue of Holy Obedience, and upon pain of the greater Excommunication, that no Eccleiiaftical or Secular, or Caffanar^ (hall dare to give good or bad days for Marriages, or on any other occafion, or to draw any thing out of a Book of Lots, and namely out of that which is generally bound up with the Book called Pa" rijman^ or out of any other place, or by whom- foever invented 5 and whofoever ihall tranfgreis lierein fhall be declared excommunicate, and ihall befuipended from their Office for a Year, and fix Months from their Benefice, it being the duty of the Priefts rather to admoniih the People to avoid all Heathen Superftitions, and to chufe the folemn days of the Church, or the

Saints

of the Synod of Diamper. j 0 1

Saints days, who may intreat God for them, for the celebration of their Marriages, or any other days they pleaíe, all days being good to thoie that do good upon them, being all equally the work of Gods hands. Thoie only which are fpent in the greateft works and the higher cele- bration of the Divine Myfteries, being the days that are to be moft reverenced.

Decree xi.

WHereas it is decent that Priefts being the Mafters , from whom the People are to learn good Manners ihould themfelves give good example, the Synod is therefore much concern- ed for the fcandal fome give by their being dif- orderly in their eating and drinking, to the great difgrace of the Sacerdotal Office among (b many Infidels^ and does recommend Moderation to them, ordering fuch as ihall be found at any time overtaken with drink to be iharply repro- ved by the Prelate, and if it appear that they are frequently fo drunk, as to loie their Judg- ment, they ihall be fufpended from theExercife of their Orders for ever, tho' not from reading Prayers with others in the Church, nor from the profits they may receive from thence. The Synod doth likewife command, That no Prieft ihall dare to eat or diink in a Tavern or Pub- lick Eating houfe, it being very uabeccming the gravity cf the Sacerdotal Office fo to do, and is therefore forbid the Priefts by Law : it

doth

2 01 T7;e Jãs and 'Decrees

doth likewife prohibit all Priefts to eat with /«- fidels^ whether Heathens^ Mahometans^ or jft'n?/.

Upon pain of being fufpended for four Months,

from their Office and Benefice.

Dectee xir.

IT being convenient that Clergymen fhould al- ways go in a habit different from that of the Laity, and in fuch a one as becomes their Fun- dion, wherefore the Synod doth command, that no Clergymen prefume to go abroad in Dou- blets with their Skirts flanting out, as has been too cuftomary, or with any open Linen: but when they ihall go into Town, or to the Church, or when they travel upon the Road, they ihall wear u white and black, or blew Veftment, ac- cording to Cuftom, and a Hat or Bonnet on their Heads , neither ihall they at any time go difguiíèd, no not at Nights, nor when they go a hunting, or Fifhing : and all that ihall tranfgreis herein ihall be feverely puniihed ^ neither (hall they walh themíèlves, or if they do, it ihall not be in the Company of Women, according to the cuitom of the Country, it bdng a thing very unbecoming the gravity of the Mini- fters of the Church: and as for their Beards, they ihall be left to their liberty to do what they ihall think fit, only fuch as are Young ihall not fufFer their Beards to grow, but iliall ilill keep them ihaved, and they that v/car them

vefy

- o/ í 7?e S y N o D of Diamper. 30}

very long, ihall take care to '^ cut off the Hair, that grows near their Lips, that fo they may not be a hinderance to their receiving the Blood of the Cup in the Mafs^ by being fo long as to touch it.

^Cut 3 This is one of the | thebdkiofTranfnbJ}antiatm has many fuperfticious Cautels that [ introduced into the Roman Church,

T>mtt XIII.

WHereas the Apoftle S. Panl faith. That the Peribns that are particularly dedicated to the fervice of God and the Divine Worihip, ought not to entangle themfelves in fecular Affairs, for which reaibn all Clerks are by the Sacred Ca- nons prohibited to Merchandize, a thing very lit- tle obierved in this Diocefs, therefore the Synod doth prohibit all the Clerks thereof to go upon the publick Exchange, or to Farm any of the Revenues, or to be Factors or Agents, or to farm any Contracts iingly,or in Company: or to fell any forts of Merchant Goods publickly in their houfes, or any fort of Viâuals, or to bear any "^ fecular Office, all that ihall tranfgrefs herein, (hall be moft rigoroufly punifhed by the Prektc, and if they do not reform, fhall be fufpended from their Orders, and fuch as are Tarcgas^ if they iliall not renounce that Office within a month, ihall not be iuffer- ed to enter the Church, and iliall be fufpended from their Office and Benefice, until fuch time as they have eifeftually abandoned it.

* Secular. 3 There are leve - in 3 years was made the Supream

ral Cuftom-houfes, where you fhall Governor of the Inaies^ could noc

feldom fail to find je/wii difpatch- but eKccute this Decree vvich a

ing Sugar, Tobacco, and other very good Grace.

Coodi: f he Archbiihop who vçith-

Decjcee

304 T1?e ASl$ and Decrees

T>ttm XIV.

WHercas feveral Priefts in this Dioceis not having the fear of God or of the Church, or of their Prelates, before their eyes, and with- out having a due regard to the high Station and Dignity they are in, do occupy themíèlves in Secular Bufineisand in publick. Merchandize, and that they may do it the more fecurely, do neither wear the Sacerdotal Habit, nor the Tonfure^ nor any mannei of Crown, but do wear their Hair long like the Laity : Therefore the Synod doth command in vertue of obedience, and upon pain of Excommunication, That all Clerks in Holy Orders, do wear the Habit Tonfure and fhaved Crown, and not long Hair after the faíhion of the Laity 5 and that whofoever (hall tranfgreis herein , (hall be declared Excommunicate, until they have put on the iaid Habit and Tonfure^ and (hall have their Crown ihaved as other Ecclefiafticks.

5>ecrec XV.

WHereas there are íèveral Eccleíiafticks, as well Cajfafzars as Chamazes^ who being unmind- ful of their obligations, to free themfelves from ibme vexations of Infidel Kings , or, which is yet more fcandalous, to be favoured and pro- tefted byfuch Princes againft their Prelates, that they may not puniih them for their faults, do

receive

of the Sr NOD o/'Diampen jof

receive Pay from the faid Kings as the Natives do, whereby they are obliged to take the Field as • Souldiers, and Fight when commanded, which is exprefly contrary to the Holy Canons and Ec- clefiaftical Laws: Therefore the Synod doth command in virtue of obedience, and upon pain of Excommunication to be ipfo faão incurred. That no Cajjknar nor Chamai do from henceforward prefume to receive pay from any Ring as a Soul- dier, and that whofoever ihalltranfgrers herein, (hall be immediately declared Excommumcate,and ihall not be Abfolved before they have renounced the faid pay, and all the obligations thereof, and have undergone condign puniibment for their fault.

Decree xvi.

IT having been the Univerfal cuftom from the beginning of the Church, for all that are in- Holy Orders, and efpecially Priefts, to keep Chaftity and Conttnency, as is evident from all the ancient Councils, Eajiern and Weflem 5 and tho' in the beginning of the Church, as well for the want of Priefts, as for the making ufe of feveral Learned Men who were Married when they turned Chriftians , but net having been;.., twice Married, feveral who were Married were not only confecrated Priefts but Biftiops alfo 5 which cuftom ftill remains both in the Greek, Church , and in fome that are fubjed to the Apoftolical See^ by which it is tolerated for juft Reafons : Neverthelefs the Chu rch Catholick did never confent that Priefts (hould Marry after . X they

^q6 The Acls and Decrees

they are in Orders , but was much rather for • having fach as were Married to leave their Wives, that that they might ferve the better in the Holy Miniftry : And v/hereas in this Dioceis (which the Synod has taken notice of with great forrow)- through their vile ignorance ot the Law, and the abounding iniquity of the Times, and their ha- ving been governed by Schiimatical Prelates, Priefts have Married after they were in Orders, nay have taken Orders on purpofe that they might Marry the better , -and have frequently Married Widows, and fome have Married three or four times, making no account of the impe- diment of Bigamy , fo ftriftly obferved in the Church from the beginning, but did, notwith- itanding that, go on ftill exerciiing their Fundi- on, fome few excepted, who after they had been twice Married, gave over celebrating and per- forming all other Exercifes and Minifteries of Priefts ; all which they thought they might do lawfully by virtue of a Licence granted by their Prelates, who notwithftanding they prohibited them to Marry upon pain of Excommunication, and had declared them Excommunicate, did neverthelefs Abfolve them for a fum of Money, or upon fome Simonaical contradt 5 fo that not- withftanding that Excommunication, they did all Marry and continued in Wedlock, reckoning themfelves fafe in Confcience upon their having obtained a Licence after fuch a manner: All which being detefted by the Synod as the inven- tions of the Devil , and deviled by the covet-

oufnefs

• of the S Y N o i> of Diamper. 3 07

oufnefs of Schifmaticks , and defiring to reftore this Church to its due purity, and the ufage of the Roman Church, doth command, in virtue of obedience and upon pain of Excommunication lat£ Sententi£j that henceforward no Clerk ia Holy Orders prefume to Marry, nor ihall any Cajpinar Marry any fuch, nor iliall any prefume to be prefent at any fuch Marriage , nor give Council, Favour, pr Aííiftance thereunto : And whoever ihall oííendin any of thefe particulars, muft know that they are Excommunicate and Curfed, and are to be declared as fuch by the Church '■) and as to thofe who are already Mar- ried, the Synod fufpends them all, whether Married once or oftner, from the Minidery of their Orders, and all Sacerdotal Ads, until fuch time as they have put away their Wives efFedu- ally , which is what the Synod intreats them in the Lord to do : And to thofe who have been twice Married , or have Married Widov/s, or Women that were publickly difhoneH:, the Synod doth command all fuch as being Bigamifts , and having Married contrary to their confciences, as it appears feveral ot them have done; by their giving over thereupon to Celebrate, notwith- ftanding their having obtained a Licence from their Biihop , in virtue of. obedience and upon pain of being declared Excommunicate, fofoon as this Decree (hall come to their knovv/ledge, to turn off the faid Vv^omen , not only as to Bed and Board, but io as not to dwell in the fame Houfe with them s declaring,^ that until they

X 2 have

3o8 The ABs and Decrees

have done it they are in Mortal Sin^ and do live in Concubinate , fuch Marriages having never been true or valid , but on the contrary, void and of no force : neither can any Prelate or Biihop grant Licences in fuch cafe, having no Authority to do it, by reafon of its being con- trary to the Rules of the Church, th^t have been always punftually obferved, and conWry to the Holy general Councils received all over the World 5 and as to thofe who have been but once Married, the Synod will confult the moft Holy Pope and Biihop of Rome , that he as Prelate and Head of the whole Church of God, and Mafter and Doóbor of the fame, may teach * and command what ought to be done therein, and whatfoever his Holwefs ihall ordain, (hall be punâ:ually obferved.

íDecrec xvii.

''T^He Synod doth declare. That thoíè Priefts -^ who as obedient Sons (hall follow the ad- vice of the Synod in turning away their Wives, may, alter they have fo done, continue in the exerciie of theii Funftions 5 and if not other- wife hiLdered, may Celebrate, notwithftanding they hcve been twice Married, or may have Married Widows, iince by fuch Weddings not being true Marriages, they did not incurr the irregularity of Bigamy : All which the Synod grants out of pure Grace, being extreamly de- firous to have them turn away fuch Women, and

out

of the Synod of Diamper. 309

out of refpecl to their Ignorance , and the Cheat that was put upon them by their Pielates, who inftead of inftrufting them better, granted them Licences : And whereas all Priefts that Mar- ry are Irregular, according to the Holy Canons, the moft lUuflrioHs Metropolitan by the Ordina- ry, as well as the Apoftolical Authority, that he has in this Church by reafon of the Sets being vacant , doth difpenfe with the Priefts and all the other Clergy-men in Holy Orders that ihall yield obedience to the Synod, in turning away their Wives, and fhall defiie to continue to offi- ciate, as to the faid irregularity which they have incurred, granting them Licence as to this free- ly and without fcruple, to exercife their Orders,

lOtzm xviii.

WHereas the Wives of Priefts who are cal- led Qtatiaras or Cajjkfieiras , have not only the moft Honourable place in the Church for their being fuch, and are the more reveren- ced, but do moreover partake of the profits of the Churches wherein their Husbands miniftred equally with the furviving Priefts , and have fometimes a greater (hare of them than any of the Priefts, by reafon of the Seniority and Prehe- minence that their Husbands had in the Churchy therefore the Synod doth ordain , That iiich of them as do not from henceforward depart from their Husbands, ftiall receive no fach benefit : but if obeying the admonition of the Synod

X 3 . they

^ 1 o The Acis and Decrees

they [hall leave their Husbands, they (hall then iiTimediately receive their proportion as an Alms to help to faftain them and their Famihes, and ' ihall injoy the fame place and Honour in the Church, and every where eife which they did before.

Oectee xix.

THe Synod doth declare, That notwithilan- ding it has received the Holy Council of Trent^ with all its Decrees, relating both to the good Government of the Church and Man- ners, nevertheleis that what was declared therein relating toPriefts Baii:ards,not being permitted to Minifter in the fame Church, wherein the Fathers have Minillered before, is not to be extended, to the Sons of the Married Priefts in this Dio- ceis that are now born, by reafon of the great numbers there are of fuch at prefent in all Churches, and of other great inconveniencies that would follow thereupon 5 it is therefore permitted to fuch to Minifter, nay to be Vicars of the Churches wherein their Fathers have offi- ciated^ but this is to be underftoo4 of fuch only as were born of Marriages, that were reputed true, the provifion of the forementioned Holy Council being to take place, as to all that (hall be born hereafter.

Decree

of the Synod of Diamper. J 1 1

Decree xx.

WHereas the fin of "^ Simony is one of the greatefi: offences in the Church, and a per- nicious plague therein, which God has always puniihed with great rigour, it being the ielling of Spiritual things for Money ^ and this Bifhop-

*■ ^imonp,] This noife of Simony was railed for r.o other reafon, but to throw Dire on the Memory of their former Bifhops, whofe Fees at their Ordination Tvere not in all probability fo great as they are at Qoct^ and had as little in them of a formal Bargain : But the truth is, Simony, as well as Herefy, is a Stone the Church of Komt throws blind-fold ac all that difplcafe her, tho' at the fame time ihe's the Church in the World that's moil guilty of it \ fo when flie was crving fhame of the Emperors as Simoniacks , Fe- trw Ctemangis tells us, (he her fel f was toríí44 negotiatm'Hy latrocinii <^ Tapinte officina., in quo venalia. ex- ponmtur Sacramenta^ venales ordi- nes. And Didacnf Abulenfis^ a lear- ned Spamfl) Bifhop, and who v\as no ftranger ac Rome^ ac the fame time fhe was thus reproaching the poor Church of Malabar, tells us in his Book of Councils, that vi- tium Simonu frequens efl ^ veluti tes hpneftiljlma in ufum deducitur in Curia. Romana^ nulla urquam puni-

tione hujiti fcelerU à '■judicibiís Ec- . contra eleilum p'.hji oppini vera ^ defiaflicM prjimi^â , I do not de- indubitata h rreji f, & eleFiUi Simo- ny buc the Canons and Bulls of niacs annllus pro P,ipà habeatw» ' that Church are fevcre againfl all

X 4 rick^

forts of Simony^ namely, the Bull of Juliui the ir. publifhcd in the Year 1555, ap/iinli Simony^ in ob- taininp, the Pap:icy, I flull here fet down the fuhftance of chac Bull, and then leave ic to any to •udge, whctl^er according ta that Bull we have had fo much as one true Pope fince ic was made, or are likely ever to have one fo Jong as the Papacy continues fo great a preferment.

Si Papa el'gatur per Simoniam^ nempe aUquc) Cardinale quomodo libet/ fujfiagium ferente, data vol accepta. vel proniffi picuniu, vel bonis cu]uf> libet generis, Caflrii ^Officii s. Bene- fiHf, Promi^oaihii.', velObligatio- Tiibus^ veiper fe, vel per aiium^ pro- Portifice mn bubeatur, item etiam/i duarum partium f^jfr^-'giis, veluna- nirni Carditmliurn concórdia, ctiam per viam ajfurnptior.is comorditer ne- mine difcrepante, iy eiiam [tns {cru- tiniu fíilh fit elí^Uo, nulhn exii}at ^ nihil ]t:ris eUHwacquirat, five in Spiritua'ibw, five in Temporalis bin, (Ar contra ekStiini per Simoniam ovpotii criminii exceptin p''(Jít, ficui

3 1 2 . Tl)e AHs and Decrees

rick, which the Synod takes notice of with great legrer, having hitht:-io abcucded with it, Mo- ney having been pubhckly taken for the ad- miniilration of the Holy Sacrarnenrs, and after fuch a manner that none of them were given, before the Money was either pu^ into the Prieft's hands, or into the Church Box, to be divided among them, no, not fo much as the Holy Sacra- ment of the Eucharift, at which all pious Ears do tremble, nor any other Sacraments or Difpen- íàtions for Marriages, nor Abfolutions from Ex- ; communication, nor the Confecrations of Stones, nor any of the leiTer Orders, nor Licences, nor Keverendas^ to go to feceive thofe Orders in a- nother place, nor Letters DimiiTory for Clerks, to go to other Diocefiès , all which was done at a Rated Price, or by a Publick Agreement : All which the Sydod detefting as a moft execrable and horrid abomination, doth therefore in virtue of Holy Obedience, and upon pain of Excom- munication to be i^fo faão incurred, command,- That no Money, nor nothing elfe, be taken for any of the forefaid. things 3 and that no Priefts ihall dare to take any thing for the adminiftra- tion of any of the Sacraments, nor to give them upon any fuch coniideration to any Perfon what- foever, but ihall give the Holy Sacrament gratk to the Faithful, according to the Precept of our Lord Chrift, who faid, Jrrccly yon have received^ freely yon fiall give 5 neither ihall they fo much as receive Alms that the Faithful would give voluntarily, though not given ^ith any refpe(^

tQ

of the Synod of Diamper. 3 1 3

to -iire'^acranient, if offered at the fame time wlien the Sacrament is adminiftred: And the Prieft that íhall be found to tranfgrefs herein, befides being Excommunicated, íhall be fufpen- ded from his Office and Benefice for three Years, and the Vicars muft take care to advertife the People thereof. The Synod being more- over informed, That a great many poor People who live in the Heaths^ do not bring their Chil- dren to be Baptized, becaufe they have not fo much Money as is demanded , doth order the Prieft to b/e íàtisfied with the profits ariiingfrom ttte-Dead, the Alms they receive for their Majfer, in which the Synod declares there is nothing of Simony^ but only a congruous maintenance for the Prieft that Celebrates, given by the Perfon that he recommends, and with the other Alms which the Faithful are accuftomed to give ^ which being Juft and Holy, (hall be divided af- ter the fame manner as they have been former- ly : And the Synod doth declare further, That fuch as are abfolved from Excommunication, if it was for any great Crime that they were under that Cenfure, though there can be nothing taken for their Abfolution, yet for the- Fault that they have coramitted,yiey may, by way of Puniihment, be Condemned in a Pecuniary Muld, if Autho- rized by the Prelate, which Money muft be put to fome Pious ufe, or employed in the building of a Church 3 and the Offender being Poor, he may be employed in Perfon to do fome work about a Churchy for fo long as ftiall be thought

fit.

314 T^^^ ^^^ and Decrees

fit, áí^á in that Cafe no Money iliall be required

of him.

Dectee xxi.

THe Synod deiiring by all means poifible to deftroy and root out of this Diocefs the pernicious Vice diSimony^ which it underftands to have been encreafed in part by the want the Minifters of the Church are in of a neceflary maintenance, doth therefore moft earneftly en- treat the People of this Bifhoprick to apply a certain Yearly Summ to be raifed by the way of Alms, CoUeáion, or AílèíTment, or by the way of Tithes, according to Peoples Abihties 5 for the fupport of the Vicar and Curate of their Souls, and the other Minifters that are neceílàry to the Divine Service in the Church, which the moft Revere?id Metropolitan may treat about in every Par.ifti^ for they muft know, that Chri- ftians are bound both by Divine and Humane Laws to maintain the Priefts which pray to God for them, and give Spiritual Food to their Souls, of which they are to render an account to God and their Prelates.

©ecree xxii.

^Hat this Synod may by all ways poilible fup- ply the Neceflities of the Minifters of the Church, and by that means extirpate Simony 5 . befides what it deiires the People to contribute

towards

of the Synod of Diamper. ^ \ 5

towards their maintenance, undçrftanding their Poverty to be fuch, that they are npt able to fup- ply them with fo much as is necefíàry, it doth further befeech his Cathohck Majefiy^ the King of Portugal^ that ás Protedor of th^ Chriftians of thefe parts, and the only Chriflian King and Lord in the Indies^ he would be gracioufly pleaíèd to provide the Vicars of this Church with a fufficient Maintenance, as he does in all the other Qiurch- esof the Indies^ allowing them at leaft fifteen thoufand Cruzados to be divided among them all, befides what (hall be gathered for them in their refpeftive Pari(hes 5 which as the Synod is informed, is the Summ that was formerly defi- red of his Majefty in the third Provincial Coun- cil of G^^, in order to the reducing of this Church . to the Obedience of the Church of Rome^ and the extirpating of Simony, The Synod doth moreover intreat the raoft Illtiftrious Metropolitan. to prefent this their Petition to his Majefty , in the Name of this Church, repreienting therewith the great NeceiTities of the Minifters thereof, and that until fuch time as they ihall have his Ma- jefty's Anfwer, the faid Lord Archbiftiop, Metro- politan of this Church,and Preiident of the Synod, Dom fray Aleixo de Menezes^ underftanding how effeftual a courfe this will be for the rooting the Peftilential Sin of iS^^i?^^ out of this Dioceis, and for the tying of Vicars to their Churches, there to govern the Faithful, and adminifter the Holy Sacraments to them, would be pleaied to give the faid Summ of fifteen thoufand Cruzado's

Yearly

5 1 6 The A^s and decrees

Yearly out of hi^ own Revenues, and to pay it Quarterly at Goa^ to be divided among the faid Vicars, the diftribution whereof the Synod or- ders to be made in all Churches according to the Allotments, in the Inftrument paílèd, and figned and fealed by the faid Lord Arch-bifhop, under the Great Seal of his Chancery, every Church being to receive fo much, as was now read in the prefence of the whole Synod.

Oecrec xxiii.

WHereas this Dioceis is not only provided with a fufEcient number of Clergy, but has a great many more than are neceflary, and the Holy Council of Tre^t having prohibited that any more ihould be ordained than what are neceflary for the Churches, the Synod doth therefore command, that during the vacancy of this See^ none ihall be put into ^ Holy Orders, neither ihall any Kevenndd's^ or Licences be granted for that purpoíè, fach only as are in Holy Orders may go afcending therein, as the Governour, who is to be left in this Dioceis by the moft lUuftrious Metropolitan ihall judge convenient : The Synod doth alfo put fuch as do afpire to Priefts Holy Orders in mind of not fail- ing to learn the Dodtfine of the Sacraments, and the Form of Sacramental Abíblution, fo as to

* If this was one of the Grie- | ing above a Hundred Priefts a- vances of this Church, the Arch- j mong them in lefs than three Biihop did not do well in Ordaih- 1 Monchs time»

be

of the Synod 0/ Diamper. 317

be ready to ufe them on all occafions, and in all Cafes of Neceiliry, as alfo the abfolution from Cenfures, or at leaft the Conditional one, which always goes before the Sacramental Abiolution from Sins in Confeilion.

The DoSirine of the Sacrament of Matrimony.

THe ieventh Sacrament is that of Matrimo- mony^ which according to the Apoftle is the fignification of that Union which is betwixt Chrift and his Church. The efficient Cauíè of Matrimony regularly, is the Confent of both par- ties declared by Words or Signs at pr£feriti. This Sacrament our Lord Jefas Chrift Founded on the Matrimonial Contratlr, which has always been in the World, and in all Religions, from whence it is that Matrimony is to be confidered in two refpefts^ either as a Natural Contradt, or as a Sacrament inftituted by our Lord Jefus Chrift : The Bond of Matrimony God hath made to be perpetual, infomuch that it cannot be diflolved by any thing but Death, according to what Chrift íàid. Whom God hath joined let no Man put afunder 5 which is alfo in it felf very con- venient. As it is a Sacrament, there is Grace re- ceived therein, as in other Sacraments, our Lord Chrift, who was the Author and Inftitutor of the Divine Sacraments, having by his Pailion merited Grace for us, whereby the Natural Love which is betwixt the Married couple is perfeâ:- ed, and the conjundtion that is betwixt them is

con-

:j i 8 Tl)e J^s and Decrees

confirmed, and made Perpetual, and the Huf- band and Wife are Sandified. There are two Regions or Ends for which Matrimony was or- dained and inftituted 5 the firft and principal is the Procreation or Generation of Children, for the confervation of the World, and the multi- plication of the Faithful, and Servants of God, The fecond is, for a remedy for Uncleannefs., and that fuch as are incUned to that Vice, might have a remedy given them by God, fo that li- ving with their Wives, they might not fall into, that Sin, from whence it is that People may not only Marry once, but as often as one of the Parties dies, becaufe this end of Matrimony may not only be compaiTed in the firft, but equally in the fubíèquent Marriages , wherefore the Church detefts thofe as Hereticks, who condemn fecond Marriages, holding them to be unlawful, as fome Hereticks did anciently, and as ibme of the moft Superftitious Heathens do at this day in theie Parts 5 from whence it may alfo be colleded, that this Sacrament may not only be lawfully ce- lebrated betwixt Perfons capable of having Chil- dren^ but alio betwixt thofe, who according to the ordinary courfe of Nature, cannot have any, becaufe the iecond end may be anfwered in fuch Marriages 3 but where neither the one nor the other end can be anfwered, as in Children, for whom the Church has let a certain time, and in fuch as are under a Natural Impotency that will laft as long as they Hve, as to Matrimonial Ads, Matrimony is not to be celebrated : And

tho'

Of th Synod of Diamper. 3 1 p

tho' both under the Law of Nature and of Mofes ^ there were Diipenfations whereby Matri- mony was made to deviate from its firft Origi- nal, fome of the. Patriarchs having had feveral Wives at once by a Divine Difpenfation, and the Law of Mofes having permitted Divorces, or the repudiating of Wives, yet under the Evan- gehcal Law, by which Matrimony was perfected and reftored again to its firft Eftate and Purity^ it is prohibited for a Man to have more than one Wife at a time» and to turn away his Wife and take another fo long as (he lives. The Be- nefits of Marriage are three principally j the firft is the Generation and Education of Chil- dren for the Worihip and Service of the true God 5 the fecond is the Fidelity which the Mar- ried couple ought to keep to one another 5 and the third is the Perpetuity of Matrimony, which, in that it cannot be diifolved, fignifies that in- feparable Conjundtion and Union that is betwixt Chrift and his Church : And notwithftanding for the caufe of Fornication or Adultery, it is law- ful for the Married couple to part as to Coha- bitation, yet it is not lawful to Marry with any other, becaufe the Bond of Matrimony, being once lawfully tied, is Perpetual, and cannot be difiblved by any thing but the death of one of the Parties.

Dtrnz

3io 'The ABs and Decrees

Decree i. i

Holy Mother Church has always fo ordered the celebration of Matrimony^ as to make it to be underftood to be a Holy thing, aYid thac as Holy, it ought to be Holily treated ^ where- fore for the removing of feveral inconveniencies, and thofe efpecially that attend Clandeftine Mar- riages, ihe has ordained and commanded, that Matrimony be celebrated in the face of the Church by the Vicar, or PariQi-Prieft, or fome other Prieft, Licenfed by him or the Prelate, and in the prefence of two or three Witneíiès at leaft 5 and that all Marriages that are not celebrated with this Solemnity by the Pariíh-Prieft before two Witneíiès, are void and null : And that the Prieft, who without leave from the Pariíh-Prieft, and the Parifh-Prieil who without two Witneíiès íhall prefume to Marry any couple , íhall be íèverely punifhed. Now the Synod under- ftanding that this Rule is not obíèrved in this Diocefs, but that the Peribns who are to be mar- ried do imploy any Prieft, and are married where they pleaíè, from which great Inconveniencies and Diforders do many times follow, different Rites and Ceremonies being alfo ufed in divers places in the celebration thereof, doth command, that all that is above related be punftually ob- íèrved according to the Decrees of the Holy Council of Trent ^ which has been received by tlus Church in this Synod , declaring all Marri-

' ages

of the Synod of Diamper. j 2 i

ages not celebrated in this Form, or not by the Parilli-Prieft before two Witnefíès, to be null, and the Parties not to be Married, neither are they to be permitted to live together as Man and Wife : And the Priefts who ihall prefume to Marry without leave from the Pariila-Prieft or Ordinary^ íhall be fufpended from their Orders and Benefices for one Year without Indulgence, and the Marriage (hall be declared void, and the Parties ihall be obliged to Marry again in the forefaid Form. The Synod doth furthermore declare, That the Contrafted may be Married by the Parifb-Prieft of either of the Parties, tho' the ordinary Cuftom is to be Married by the Parilh-Prieft where the Woman lives.

"Dmtz n.

WHereas Matrimony ought to be celebrated with words fignifying a prefent Confent, and in many places of this Diocefs, it is com- monly celebrated with words iignifying only a Confent for the time to come : Therefore the Synod doth command, That when the Perfons that are to be Married, come to the Door of the Church, the Parifh-Prieff, or fome other PriefV, having his or the Prelates Licence, being in his Surplice^ with his Stok^ and at leaft tv/o Wit- nefles prefent, (hall ask them, if they are pleafed to Marry 5 and if they fay they arc, or expreis their Confent by fome other evident figns, the Prieft then (hall take one end of his Stok , and

Y b.ying

5 2 1 The AEls and Decrees

laying it on the Palm of his left Hand , Ihall take the right Hand of the Bride and lay it on the Stole, and lay the Palm of the right Hand of the Bridegroom on the Palm of the right Hand of the Bride, in form of a Crofs, and covering both their Hands with the other end of the Stole , and laying his own right Hand upon all, ÍO that the Hands of both Parties, and both the ends of the Stole are betwixt the Prieft's Hands 5 After having bleíièd them with the iign of the Crofs, he ihall fay, In the name of the Fatherland of the Son, ana of the Holy Ghoft^ Amen'-y and ihall make the Bride fay firft , 1 N. receive thee N. for my lavpfd Husband , fo as the Holy Mother Church of Rome doth command 5 and (hall afterwards make the Bridegroom fay the fame words, i N. receive thee N. for my lavpful Wife, fo as the Holy Mother Church i?/Rome doth com- mand--^ and after they have both faid thefe words, the Prieft fhall fay, l,hy the Authority I have, do join you in Matrimony i?7 the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghojl, Amen 5 after which he ihall fprinkle them both with Holy Water, faying, By this fpr inkling of Holy Water ^ the Lord give you Health and Blejjing, Amen, And ^ if neither of the Parties was ever Married be- fore, they iliall then be carried before the High Altar, where being upon their Knees, the Prieft (hall give them the Bleilings, as they are in the Roman Ceremonial of the adminiftration of thte\- Sacraments, which iç to be tranflated into Syrian^ H and to be ufed in all Churches 5 but if either '

of

of the Synod of Diamper. ^ 2 j

of the Parties have been Married before , he (hall not then give them the faid Bleííings, but difmifs them, after having faid a Prayer in the Church.

T

Decree III.

Hat there may be no Frauds.in Matrimony, and that the Impediments, which, if they were known, would hinder the fame, may be diicovered 5 and that in all things we may con- form our felves to the Decrees of the Holy Coun- cil of Trent^ the Synod doth command , That what is ordained by the faid Holy Council, be pundually obferved 5 to wit, That the Par- ties to be Married, ihall have their Banns pub- liihed by the Vicar, or by one appointed by him , on three Sundays or Holy-days in the Churches where the Bridegroom and Bride live, when the People are aílèmbled at Mafi^ in this Form 5 N. bom infuch aplace^ doespurpofe to Marry N . the Daughter of N. and N. horn infuch a place , wherefore if there be any that k^tovp any Impedi- mento they muft declare it upon pain ofRxcommu- nication : And the Vicar, in cafe he has any lawful Impediment declared unto him, ihall not Marry the Parties before he has made the Pre- late acquainted therewith, that fo he may de- termine what is jufttobedone therein; which Publications caiiiiot be difpenfed with by any but by the Prelate, or one reprefenting him: And in caíè it is probable that if fuch Publi-

Y 2 cations

324 The Ms and 2)ecrm ' > '^^^^^^^

cations are made, there are thoíè that will licioufly endeavour to hinder the Marriage, tho' in fuch a cafe the parties may be received with- out them, yet for the better diicovery of other Impediments that may happen to be therein, they cannot be joined together, nor receive the Blef- fings, tho* capable thereof, before the publicati- ons are made in the Churches, without the Pre- late fhould be pleafed to difpenfe therewith, t,Ci whofc i^rudence and Judgment the Holy Coun-i cil of Trent has committed the whole of thiii Matter, and the Prieft who ihall receive anj; couple without a Liceníè from the Prelate, be- fore fuch publications have been made, fhall bo iiifpended from his Office and Benefice for fo months.

Decree iv.

THis Synod conforming it felf in all things t( the Holy Council of Trent^ doth com mand that in every Pariih there be a Book, 2i was ordered as to Baptifm, wherein the Vica: of the Church ihall write the Names of the Mai ricd Perfons, and the Place, day of the Monti and Year, and the Names of the two Witnelft commonly called the Padrinhos, where the were Married, regiftring them thus, 0« f»rh Day of fuch a Month and Tear^ I N. Vicar of tl Church, naming the Saint to whom it is dedic: ted, in fuch apart, naming where the (aid Chare is, did joy n N, the Son of N, and N. to N. ti

Daughtt X

of the Sy N OB of Diamper. 325

Daughter ofl^. and of^. born in fuch a place, both at the gate of the Church according to the Holy Conn^ cil of Trent, the WitneJ/cf were N. and N. to which the Vicar and the two Witnefles (hall fign their >iames, and' when any Prieft (hall by a Licenie from the Vicar, or Prelate, marry any couple, he (hall write. On fuch a day of fuch a Months ana Tcar^ IN, a Prieji^by a Licenfefrom the Ficar of fuch a placcy or front the Bifiop^ if he granted the Li- cenie, did receive at the gate of the Church N, na- ming him, the Son ofN. and N. naming his Pa- rents, born in fuch a place, naming the Town ac- cording to the Holy Council of Trent, the Wit^ nojfes were N. and N. to which the faid two Witneííès and Prieft (hall put their Names ^ which Book (hall be kept among the Regifters of the Church, and the Prelate at his Viiitations ihall fee that there be no fault or negled there- in.

Decree v.

^''\ Stloiy Matrimony is a Sacrament, and as jtx, inch conveys Grace, it ought therefore to be received with great Purity and Holinefs, where- fore this Synod conforming it felf to the Holy Council OÍ Trent, doth exhort and admoniih, and command all that are to be Married, that at leaft three days before the celebration of this Sacra- ment, they do confeis themCelves, and being ca- pable do receive the Holy Sacrament of the Eu- charifi neither (hall the Vicars receive them be- • .j^-^;r^..^,.jo,i- fore

316 The ABs and Decrees

fore they have complyed with this Obligation, concerning which they (hall make diUgent En- quiry. The Synod doth furthermore command. That all Marriages be celebrated in the Church, and that the Parifh-Prieft do not accommodate himfelf to the negligence of thofe who do not care to be feen to marry in the Church , but declaring withall that wherefoever Matrimony is celebra- ted, if it be done by a Pariih-Prieft, and in the prefence of two Witneifes, .it is true and valid, tho' the Pariih-Prieft ought not to Marry any out of the Church, but upon very urgent Rea- fons.

T>mtz VI.

Here have been always in the Church, even under the Old Law prohibited degrees of Kindred, within which Matrimony was not to be celebrated, and being celebrated, was null, and that not only as to fuch as were prohibited by a Divine Natural Law,as betwixt Perfons in the firft degree, and betwixt Brothers and Sifters, but as to others alfo who are prohibited by a Divine pofi- tive Law ^ wherefore the Synod doth declare, that the degrees at this time prohibited in the Church, without which Matrifjwny cannot be celebrated without a Difpenfation, and being celebrated, is void, are only to the fourth de- gree inclu five of Confanguinity, and of Affinity only to the fecond degree, as firft Coufins, fe- cond Coufins, third Coufins, fourth Coufins, by

Fa-

of the Synod of Diamper. 327

Father and Mother, and the fame degrees are prohibited in the Kindred of Affinity, betwixt the Kinsfolk of the Husband and Wife, with whom either of the Parties have been Married , and befides, that the Kindred in the firft and Se- cond degree only with fuch, or of chofe with whom either of the Parties have at any time had unlawful Carnal Knowledge, beyond which de- grees there are no other of Carnal Kindred that •can hinder Matrimony^ but in all thefe that have been mentioned, all Marriages that are made, are null, and of no force, and all thoíèthat have Married ib, do live in the Mortal Sin of foul For- nication : but if any upon juft and reaibnable accounts (hall deiire to Marry within any of theie degrees that are prohibited only by a pofitive Law, they muft have ^ recourfe to the Holy Apo-

* SRcfOUrfe. ] The church ceiving the rated fumm in Tar-

of ilowf fecms to have multiplied tugal^ had the Difpenfation dif-

prohibitions in Matrimonial mac- patched at Raw?, and fenc to

ters forno other end, but to get him by the Jevps that live there,

the more Money by Difpenfati- who by reafon of their gene-

ons. In Romana Curia^ faith Di- ral Corrcfpondence, have in a

dacm Abidenfts, adea frequentes manner ingrciíed the whole trade

difpenfationes ad Matrimonia con- of Dilpenfttioni, fo little is the ho-

trahenda inter Conf anguine os^ ut nour of Chriilianicy regarded

jurif Canonici pchibitiones hac in by iome People, vvhere it clafh-

parte nullu fint impedimento^ nifi eth with convenicncies. Ema^

his qui paiiperes fmty nee patrima- nuel King of Portugal^ with a

ninm habent unde poffint aliquam difpenfation Married twoSiilerSj

fummamproobtinenda difpenfatione notwithftanding his having had

erogare. I have a rate by m.e a Son by the krfi •, and I knew

of _ Matrimonial Difpenfations, a Nobleman in a certain Popiih

which is too long to be here in- Country that was both Uncle and

ferted. I had ic from a Prote- firft Coufm tO his Wife. dint Merchant, who upon re-

Y 4 ftolick

328 The Ms and Decrees

ftolick See for a Difpenfation, or to their Pre- late, having power from the faid See to do it, declaring the degree of Kindred wherein they defire to be difpeníèd, together with the Caufes why they do defire it, in which the Prelate íhall do what he (hall judge convenient in the Lord, and fo the Prelate being impowered by the Ho- ly See to do it, (hall do it gratis, without taking any thing for the difpenfation, tho' the Parties of their own accord ihould offer to pay_ him for iti^ JioiloqA srij oi ara^l

oiQ úúitii booii £ V, DcCtee VII. ííê nf bbHaqir

BEfides the Carnal Kindred of Confanguinity and Affinity, which hinders Matrimony in certain degrees, there isalfo another fort of Kin- dred that does the íàme, which is called Spiri- tual Kindred, and is contraded in Bapifm be- twixt the Godfather and Godmother, and the Child that is Baptized, and the Parents of the íàid Child, and in Confirmation or Chrifm betwixt thofe who offer and prefent the Perfon that is confirmed, as was ordered in the Decrees of Baptifm and Confirmation 5 which Spiritual Kin- dred of Godfathers and Godmothers, and Gof- fips, does fo hinder the celebration of Matrimo- ny, that without a Difpenfation from the Apo- ftohck See, or from fome authorized by the Po'pe to that purpofe, the Matrimony is null, and of no force, all that live therein living in Fornica- tion, andaftateof Damnation, and if any that

are

of the Synod of Diamper. 329

are thus a kin have a mind to marry together, they (hall preferr a Petition, as they Úiall be di- refted hereafter, but are to know that the Church does very feldomor never, but for weighty Cau- fes difpenfe in Cafes of Spiritual Affinity.

.H aril id b^ JDecree viii.

WHèreàs hitherto the prohtbited'^ degree?, and the refervation of difpenfing with the fame to the Apoftolical &, has not been under- ftood in this Dioceis, the Prelates thereof having difpenfed in all degrees, prohibited only by a poiitive Law, without having had Authority for what they did, fo that great numbers by virtue of fuch Difpenfations, have lived many Years in a Married Eftate, without any fcruple concern- ing what was granted by their Prelates , for which reafon the Synod for the greater fecurity of the Confciences of fuch People has thought fit that the moft Reverend Metropolitan ihould difpeníè with them in all the faid degrees, by virtue of the Apoftolick Authority granted to him in theie parts to thateíFed, and particular- ly by the brief of Gregory the X1IÍ. of glorious Memory, obtained at the inftance of the Jefnits^ and confirmed by our Holy Father Clement the VIII, at this time prefiding in the Church of God 5 wherefore for the quieting of the Confci- ences of iuch as have been Married with the forementioned Difpenfations, the faid Lord with the approbation of the Fathers of the Society,

doth

3 } o Tl:)e AEls and Decrees

dotk by the Authority of the faid Brief, effedu- ally difpenfe in all and every one of the faid degrees of Spiritual as well as Carnal Kindred and Affinity, which are prohibited only by a po- iitive Law, and with all Perfons who have Mar- ried within the fame with fuch difpenfations fo far as of right can or ought to be done, as much as if they were here particularly named ^ com- manding them for the further fecurity of their Confciences to be "^ Married again privately in their Houfes, or elfewhere, as they íhall judge molt convenient, by any Prieft they pleafe, there being two WitneiTes prefent, according to the form of the Holy Council of Trent : And the Synod doth command that henceforward fuch Difpenfations be not granted any otherwife than in form of the Briefs of the Holy Apoftolick See in theie parts to that effed, declaring all that íhall be granted otherwife to be null, and of no force , and the Marriages that are celebrated by virtue of them, to be void, and the Parties not to be Married.

* í^arrieD. 3 By this Decree all the Children born before fuch Marriages were born Baftards '-, now how many thoufandBaftards

would fuch a Decree make in any Councry, where fuch Prohibiti- ons concerning Natural and Spi- ritual Affinity are not regarded ?

SDectee

of the S Y M o D of Diamper. j j i

Decree ix.

THe Synod recognizing for the time to come the ancient prohibition, obferved in the UniverfalGhurchof not Marrying, from thefirft day OÍ Advefit nntW the Epipha^y^ and from Jflj- vpednefday until the Sunday of the Oãaves of Ea- fter inclufíve, doth command the fame to be in- violably obíèrvedin thisDiocefs, adding to thofe days the time from ^inquageffma Sunday forward when by ancient cuftom Lent is begun in this Church, but that at all other times, tho' of Fail- ing, marriage may be celebrated as People ihall think fit.

Decree x.

\)l 7Hereas in this Diocefs there has hitherto V V been no refpedt had in the celebration OÍ Matrimony to the Age of the Parties that the Law appoints, therefore the Synod doth com- mand, that no Man ihall be Married hereafter, until he has attained the Age of fourteen Years at leaft, nor no Woman before (lie is full twelve, declaring that herein the Prelates have no power to difpenfe, but can only, if any that are under that Age fhould pretend to marry, judge in their Confciences whether they are ripe for Matrimo- ny^ and judging them to be io^ may grant them a Licenfe, and difpenfe with their marrying j nevertbeleis, for feveral juft refpeds, and the

greater

5^2 The ASls and Decrees

greater íècurity of Peoples Confciences, and to re- move as far as is poflible for the Synod to do it, the imitations of the marriages that are fo much in uíè among the Heathens, who marry people very young, there being alio great numbers in jthis Diocefs who have been married at nine or içn Years old, or under, the Synod will not 4iave the faid Difpenfation or Anticipation of time to exceed four months as to men, and fix as to Women j nor to be granted by any but the Biihop 5 and if any man hereafter fhall pre- fume to marry without fuch a Difpenfation, be- fore he has attained the Age of fourteen, or any Woman while (he is under twelve, all fuch mar- riages (hall be void, but may be refolved into Contrads dc fitturo^ and the Priefts that (hall marry any fuch, (hall be fufpended from their pfEce and Benefice, for fix months, and the Par- ties (hall be kept afunder until they are of a due Age.

Dmtz XT.

-Í5.

He Synod being informed, that great num- ^_^ bers of married people in this Dioceis do, «jyithout any fentence of the Church, ( to which "all Matrimonial cauics do belong ) forfake their Wives, and, to the great offence of God, ab- ."íènt themfelves from them for a long time toge- ther, doth command that there be no fuch fepa- Xiations made without the order of the Church,

aixi if any ihall preiiime to make them, that

^j oj^fjibiu

of the Synod o/ Diamper. 33 j

they be conftrained to come together again, up- on pain of Excommunication, or whatfoever o- ther Penalty the Biihop (hall think fit to infliâ: ; and in cafe they refufe to comply, they (hall be declared Excommunicate, until fuch time as they return to one another 5 and in caie they have any juil Caufe to feparate, they (hall carry it before the Prelate to be Judged according to Law, and what is Juft, and (hall be obliged by Cenfures to ftand to his laft determination. The Synod doth furthermore declare, That the non-payment of the Portion that may have beeti promifed, is no juft Caufe to leave their Wives, which they might have been careful to have iecured before they were Married to them $' and that whoib- ever íhall forfake their Wives on that account, (hall be puniftied and conftrained by Excom- munication to live with them.

Decree xil.

'T^He Synod being informed that the Black "*■ Slaves that are Chriftians , and even fuch of them as live in the Mountains with Chriftians, do Marry without a Prieft, by only tying a Thred about the Brides Neck, according to the uíãge of the Heathens , doth declare. That all fuch Marriages are void and null , and that all that live fo, do live in Uncleannefs 3 commanding all that have been fo Married , to be brought to the Church, there to be Married by the Vicar, according to the Form of the Holy Trent Council,

' and

5^4 ^-^^ ^^^ and Decrees

and as is above ordered. The Vicars rauft take pains to inform themfelves of the Marriages of all inch Slaves, in order to make them obferve the faid Decree inviolably j and the Mailers who have confented that their Slaves or Servants ihould be thus Married , and have celebrated fuch Marriages themfelves, and ihall not íènd them to Church to be Married, tho' they defire it, iliall be feverely punifhed at the pleafure of the Prelate, and ihall be told of the great wrong they do to their own Confciences therein, and of the Scandal they give to Chriftianity.

^zcm xiir.

T^He Synod being informed that ibme -■- of the Chrlftians of the Mountains have been Married to feveral Women in the face of the Church, their firil Wife being ftill alive, to the great affront and injury of the Holy Sacra- ment of Matrimony , doth command all Vicars and Curates at their firft inititution into their Churches, immediately to make flrift enquiry into this Matter , and to force all fuch to Uve with their firft Wives, and, in cafe they refufe, to declare them Excommunicate, until fuch time as they comply, and do turn away all their other Wives, removing them from the place where they live, which fhall be done to all, who du- ring the life of their firfl Wife have prefamed to take others until they ihall be brought to Jive only with the firfl 5 and befides, they fhall tt be

of the Synod of Diamper. 3 ^ j

be puniihed with other punifhments at the plea- fure of the Prelate, or of the Holy Office of ^ Inquifitton to which this doth belong.

* There are two Crimes which Inquifitm^ where having confefs-

both the Jnquifition and Civil ed their Fault, and fubmicted

Courts take cognizance of, that themfelves to Penance, they are

is, Polygamy ^nd Sodomy. The in no further danger, and fo by

Civil Courts punifh both with that ihift fave their lives. No\y

Death, the Inqnifitm only with this Politick piece of Clemency,

Penances : This makes, that all for it is no other, quite drowns

that are guiliy of either of thofe the noife of all the barbarous

Crimes , when they apprehend Cruelties of the Court of Inquifi-

themfelves in any danger of being tian, and alone gains it the repu-

accufed of them before the Civil tation of being a much more

Judges, do cake Sanduary in the merciful Tribunal than the Civil.

£)a:ree xiv.

WHereas it is a thing unworthy of a Chri- ftian to obíèrve the Superftitious Cere- monies of the Heathens, from whence it is ima- gined good Succeis may be derived, the Synod being informed that there areíbme ill Chriftians, that, in imitation of the Heathens, do go to fome of them, and others to fome of their own 'Su- perftitious Priefts , to learn which are the beft Days and Hours to be Married on , after the manner of the Infidels ^^ and do furthermore on their Wedding-day make certain Circles, into which they put Rice, and certain Perfons ufing feveral Superftitious Ceremonies, which are plain- ly Heathen, and do moreover make certain Figures behind their Doors to.make thei'r Marri- age Fortunate, and ufe íèveral Prayers with Ce- remonies,

a 6 77;e JEis and Decrees

remonies, which they call the Ring of Solomon^ all which being Deviliíh, Superftitious, and Hea- theniih Ceremonies, condemned by Holy Mo- ther Church : Wherefore the Synod doth com- mand and exhort all Faithful Chriftians, neither to pradife anyfuch Ceremonies themfelves, nor to fuíFer others to ufe them in their Houfes j and that all who fhall prefume to praâiíè them them- íèlves, or permit others to do it in their Houfes, (hall be denied the Sacrament for a whole Year, and be rigorouily puniíhed at the pleafure of the Prelate: and the fame ihall be done to thole that go to Heathens, to leara what Days are Fortunate.

Dcctce XV.

THe Synod having been informed, that whea Contraârs de fkturo are celebrated among the Chriftians of this Diocefs, or Marriages are concerted, that it is performed with fome Hea- theniih and Superftitious Ceremonies, and that many times when the Parties contraâred are not of Age, or have not Judgment enough to give their coníènt, doth command, that no fuch Con- tracts be made, but when the Parties contrading are of fuflScient Age to underftand what they do, and are capable of giving their confent de fnturo 5 and, if the Parents will make fuch Matches, they ihall do it by a (imple Writing , or by (baking Hands, çr by any other way that has nothing of Superftition in it 3 neither ihall they

uie

of the S T N o D of Diampet. j ; 7

OÍè any Superftitious Ceremonies, upon, pain of being feverely chaftifed at the pleaiure of the Prelate 5 commanding the Priefts, in virtue of Holy Obedience, not to be preíènt at Contracts, where any fuch damnable Superftitions are per- formed, that fo they may not feem to Autho- rize them by their Perfon and Dignity.

imi^ ^ 2)ecrcc xvi.

j^-

'T^He Synod doth condemn the Cuflom, or •*- abufe that has obtained in this Diocefs of the new-married couple's not going to Church till after the fourth day after their Marriage, when they ufe to VVaíh themfelves, which is ac- cording to the Judaical Ceremonies condemned by the Law of Chrifi:, but on the contrary, doth exhort all new-married People, without refpect of Days, to go to Church and iay their Prayer?, knowing for certain, that if any of the Days that they ftay irom Church, íhould happen either to be a SatHt's'day or a Sunday^ upon which all People are obliged to hear Mafi^ that they fin mortally in not hearing it, if hindred by no o- ther caufe : Neither are they to imagine, that fuch Waihings do any way contribute to the Spiritual Health of their Souls, the VVorihip of Cod, or the Reverence of the Church.

Act I-

338 The Jfis and Vecrees

Action VIII.

Of the ^formation of Church-Ajfalrs,

Decree i.

WHereas the Univerfal Catholick Church is Ruled, Infpired, and Taught by the Holy Spirit, by vvhofe direâ:ion,for the betterGovern- ment of Chriftians, and the more ccramodious adminiftration of the Sacraments to the Faithful, it has divided the Provinces of the whole World into Dioceiies, which are all fubjedt to their Teveral BiQiops f. and the Dioceiies into Pariihes, which are allfubjeâ: to their Pariih-Priefts, fo that as the Dioceiies and all the faithful Inhabi- tants of the fame are fubjed to their feveral Bi- (hops, and through them to the Biihop of Rome, the Univerfal Pajior and Head of the Churchy and Chnfi's Vicar upon Earth 5 fo all the faithful In- habitants in every PariQi are fubjed to their Redor or Vicar, that adminiiler the Sacraments to them, and are the particular Paftors and Cu- rates of their Souls, through whom they are fubjed to their Biihop, and through the Biihop to the Pope, and through the Pope to Chrift 5 which Order has been at all times preiervcd in the Church all over the World , and for want whereof, this Church is ib Confufed and Dif- erderly as it is 3 every one doing what íèems

good.

tf the Synod of Diamper. 359

^ood in his own eyes, without ever being cal- fed to an Account for what they do, having none that are under any obligation to take care of their Souls, nor no particular Paftor to affift them in their Neceffities , nor diftinâ: Pariíhes, unto which every one is bound to refort 5 there- fore this Synod conforming itfelf to the Govern- ment of the whole Catholick Church, doth or- dain, that this Dioceis be alfo divided into Pa- riíhes, allotting fuch a number of People to each Parifh as ihall be found moft convenient, and. furniihing them with particular Vicars and Cu- rates, tQ watch over the Souls of the Faithful , and as^ for other Priefts and Curates that- ihall be in any Church, they (hall be therein as Be- neficed Rerfoni, and Co-adjutors to the Vicars in the adminiftratioa of the Sacraments to the Peo- ple, as alfo in the Divine Service and VVcrihip of the Church, as they have hitherto, been, ha- ving the fame Profits and Dividend they had formerly, fave that the Synod intends to deprive them of thofe Fees which formerly they Simo- naically received for adminiftration of the Sacra- ments,as to which they ihall obíèrve what is before decreed, as the Vicarsi and Pariih-Priefts are to have what is allotted for their maintenance in the Twenty- firft and Twenty-fecond Decrees, and the faid Vicars ihall make a Roll of ail the inhabitants of their feveral Pariíhes, that fo they may be acquainted with their Cuftoms and way of living, and may adminifter the Sacram.ents unto them, and comfort them in their Troubles

Z 2 and

540 The ABs and Decrees

and Neceffities 5 neither ihall the Faithful receive the Sacrament from any but their own Vicar^ without his Licence in Form.

THe Synod doth declare, That the Divifion of Parifhes, and the laying ot People to them, has at all times belonged to the Prelate 5 ÍO that he may at any time Divide or Unite Pariihes at his pleafure, and as he ihall find to be moft convenient for the adminiftration of the Sacraments to the Faithful, to whom it alfo be- longs to provide Vicars and Curates for Churches, whom he may Inftitute or Depoie as often as he ihall judge it to beneceííàry, to the better feed- ing of the Flock of Chrift, which he is charged with, and is to give an account of 3 and for the preient the moft Reverend Metropolitan (hall make fuch a reparition of Pariihes and People in this his Vifitation, Uniting or Dividing them as ihall feem to him to be moft commodious for the adminiftration of the Sacraments to the Faith- ful, who at the end of the Synod will name Vicars for every Parifh : And the Synod, for the juft Refpeds and the better Government of the Church, will not have any Vicars ío Efta- bliihed, as not to be removable at the pleafure of the Prelate.

©ectcc

of íí>^ S Y N o D of Diamper. 341

©ectce III.

THe Synod doth furthermore declare. That no Prieft (hall hold Two Churches with Cure, or receive the Fruits of them according to the Holy Canons : And whereas in this Dioceis there are many that have two or three Churches, which they have had commended unto them in íèveral parts, either becaufe they were built by their Relations, or for fome other Keafon 5 all which being a great Abufe, the Synod doth de- clare, That after the divifion of the Pariihes is made, none (hall have any Jurifdidion therein befides their proper Vicars, to whom only it ihall belong to order all the Affairs of their Churches, and to whom whofoever ihall deny to yield Obedience, ihall be declared Excommunicate, and (hall be puniibed at the pleafure of the Pre- late as difturbers of the Church 5 and all fuch Priefts as are in prefent poffeffion of the Churches, if quahfied, and there be no juft Impediment, the Synod will have it be inftituted Vicars of one of their Pariíhes, as the moft Reverend Me- tropolitan ihall think fit, not that the Synod in- tends to proliibit the Prelate, in cafe he is not provided of a fufficient number of able Priefts, or where there is not a fufficient maintenance, to recommend two Churches to one Vicar, pror vided they are at fuch a diftance that he can look after both, without any wrong to the adraifiiftration of the Sacraments. However,

Z § this

34^ Tk JBs and Decrees

this ihall never be done, but when there is an urgent and neceflary Reafon for it.

Decree iv.

TITHereas there are a great many Churches in ' ' this Diocefs that have no Priefts, to the great detriment of the Faithful , who by that means are for feveral Years without Mafs^ or any to adminifter the Sacraments to them, as has ap- peared to the Reverend Metropolitan in his Vifi- tation of the Churches , in fome of which he found there had been no Majffes faid in five or fix Years, and that there are Children of that or a greater Age, that have never been Bap- tized 5 therefore the Synod both command. That there be no Church that is made Parochial, how poor and inconfiderable foever the People may be, for any long time without a Curate or Vicar to adminifter the Sacraments to the Faith- ful, of which the Prelate is to take fpecial care , and if it ihould fo happen, as it does too often, that he cannot have a Prieft to fupply fuch Cures, in that Cafe, the Synod declares, that the Prelate may oblige whomibever he pleafeth, by Penal- ties and Ceniures to íèrve fuch Churches, that ib the NeceiTities of the Faithful may be pro- / vidèd for , giving them whereon to fubfift in the faid Churches.

Decree

of the Synod of Diamper. 34 j jDccrec v.

nPHe Synod being informed that there are -*- many Villages in this Dioceis, which, by reaibn of their great diftance from any Church, have little of Chriftianity left in them befidesthe Name of the Chriftians of St. Thomm^ which has been occafioned through the great negligence of the former Schifmathd Prelates of this Biihop- rick 5 wherefore the Syrvod doth, in virtue of Holy Obedience, command all Priefts that are nominated Vicars, fo foon as they (hall come to their Churches, to make a ftrid inquiry into the Chriftians that live in the Skirts of their Parifhes, and to report what they iliall diicover as to this Matter to the moft Reverend Metropolitan, th^t fo he may take fuch courle therein as fliall be moft for the Service of Chrift, and the Be- nefit of Souls 5 and the. fame diligence ihall be uíèd in all Parts, where there are fuch People found, and have never been Baptized , and where it is thought neceííàry, there ftiall be New Churches built, and Vicars appointed for the reducing fuch to true Chriftianity, and the ufe of the Holy Sacraments of the Church.

Z 4 D:atz

344 1'''^ ^^ ^^^ í)ecrees

Decree Ví.

Hereas the Church oiTravancor is at this time totally deraoliihed, the greatef part of itsPariihioners having above forty Years ago turned perfed Heathens, all v^^hich has hap- pened through the negligence of fending Priefts among them by reafon of their great diftance from any other Church, there being nevertheleis feveral good Chriftians there ftill, therefore the Synod doth command, that a Vicar be forthwith collated to that place, who (hall fet immediate- ly about rebuilding the Churchy there (hall like- wife be fome Preachers fent along with him to reduce the faid People into the bofom of Holy Mother Church, and to the Holy Catholick Faith of ChrifV, according to the Orders given therein by the mod Reverend M^etropolita??^ and the Vi- car ihall continue there baptizing and receiving all, according to the neceíTity of the Church, for which an Qlla^ or Licenfe has been already obtained from the ¥>AY\gi^i Travancor^ and ihall from henceforth continue in the Church accord- ing to the neceifity thereof. ' ■ •'

Decree viL

^He Synod being informed. That upon the ^ borders of the Territories belonging td the Scmorim King of- Calecut^ at the diftance of four leagues from any Church in this Biihoprick,

there

of the Synod of Diamper. 345

there is a Country called Tadamal/a, in which there are certain Villages of Chriftians, who were anciently of this Church, but at prefent have nothing of Chriftianity but the bare Name, doth command that Priefts and Preachers be íènt thither immediately from this Church to reduce them to the Catholick Faith, and baptize them, in which matter, through the diligences that have been ufed by the moft Reverend Metropo- litm^ they will meet with no difficulties on the part of thofe who have loft their Chriftianity only for want of Inftrudion, and the Synod doth recommend this People, as a Member of their Church to the Spiritual Care of the moft Reverend Metroplitan,

Decree viii.

WHereas the ufe of the Holy Oils was in- ftituted by Chrift in the Church, who made the Oil oiChrifm^xhi^ matter of the Sacrament oiConfirmation and Extream Utiãien 5 and did fur- thermore appoint other Holy Undions for the Ca- techumeni^ delivering the Dodlrine of the Confecra- tion of fuch Oils in his laft Supper to his Difciples,as we are taught by Holy Tradition from the Apoftlei and theDoftrine of the Holy Fathers of theChurch, and there having not withstanding this been no fuch thing in ufe, or known in this Church to this day : Therefore the Synod doth command, that in all Pariih Churches there be a Box that (hall hold three Veííèls of Plate, TiHj or Glais, in

^4^^ T7;e Aãs and Decrees

in which the Holy Oils fhall be kept with due Decency and Reverence, with their feveral Names upon each Veflel, fo that they may not be ufed one for another, commanding the Vicars that are to be nominated, not to go from hence without carrying thefe Boxes along with them, to their refpedive Churches, which the moft Re- verend Metropolitan will furoiili thern withal, and with the Holy Oils which be ccnfecrated on Holy Thurfday laft for this purpofc in the Church o(CartHrte in this Diocefs, which Boxes theyihall put under Lock and Key in their Repoiitories, either in the chief Chapel of the high Altar, or in their Veftries, or near to the Font, having them always decently covered with Silk, or in caíè the Vicars live at a confiderable diftance from their Churches, or in the Heaths^ in fome decent place in their Houfes for fear of Infidel Robbers, and that they may be always at hand, when they (hall be called to adminifter the Sa- crament of Unãion^ and whenibever they are carried to Church for Baptifm, or are carried to the Sick, they (hall be always carried by a Prieft, if it is poiiiblej but at leaft by one in Holy Orders , and upon Holy Thurfday they ihall either burn all the Oils that remain of that Year in the Lamps of the Church, or pour them into the Font, ib as after that day not to make ufe of any Oils but fuch as are new, which af- ter Eafter they ihall either go or fend to the Prelate for, or to the place where he has or- dered them to be diftributed, and in cafe the 4 ^^r^n See

of the Synod of Diamper. 3 4/

See be vacant, they (hall then by order from the Governour of the Diocefs, have recourfe to the Bifhop oiCochim, and the Vicars that ihall negled to go or fend for the faid Holy Oils for the ufe of their Churches, fo as not to have them within a month after Eafler^ (hall be fufpended by the Prelate, who is defired to be very watch- ful in this matter, from his Office [and Benefice for fix months, and be obliged to fetch them, and the Children that ihall be baptized during that time, ihall be anointed with the Holy Oils of Baptifm when they come, neither ihall the Vicars depart from hence, until they are fully inftruded in the ufe of the Oils by Perfons ap- pointed by the Synod to teach them, that fo they may not bemiftaken in the adminiftration of the Holy Sacraments.

lOZittZ IX. ,

THere being a great Confafion in this Bi- (hoprickas to the Holy days that are to be kept under the Obligation of a Mortal Sin, as well as to the hearing of Mafs^ as to the doing of Work 5 wherefore the Synod doth declare that they are thefe following, to wit, all Úíq Sun- days in the Year.

In Jamtary^ the firfl: day being the Circumci"" (ton of our Lord^ and the fixth being the Feaft of the Èpphany,

In February^ the fecond day being the 'Purifi- cation of our Lady J and the twenty fourth being

the

348 The AHs and Vecrees

the Feaft of the Apoftle St. M^ííÃen?, which in the Biílèxtile isto be celebrated on the twenty fifth.

In March J the twenty fifth day, being the Ammciatiojt of our hady.

In April^ the twenty third being the Feaft of St. George the Martyr-, according to the cuftom of this Biihoprick.

In May^ the firft being the Feaft of the Apo- ftles St. Philip and St. James.

In June^ the twenty fourth being the Feaft of St. John the Baptift, and the twenty ninth being the Feaft of St. Feter and St. Pad,

In July^ the fecond being the Viftation of our Lady^ and the third being the Feaft of the glo- rious Apoftle St. Thomas^ which by ibme is iaid to be the day t)f his Tranflation, by others of his arrival in thefe parts, and which has by an^ cient cuftom been ftill kept in this Biftioprick 5 and the twenty fifth being the Feaft of the Apo- ftle St. James,

In Jngiiftj the fixth being the Tr an figuration of our Lora^ according to the cuftom of this Bi- ihoprick, the fifteenth the Ajfumpion of our Lady^ and the twenty fourth the Feaft of St. Bartholo- •meiv the Apoftle.

In September^ the eighth being the "Nativity of our Ladyy the fourteenth the Feaft of the Holy Crofsj according to the cuftom of riiis Biihop- rick. The twenty firft the Feaft of St. Matthew the Apoftle, the twenty ninth the Feaft of ^t. Michael the Archangel.

In October J the twenty feventh being the Feaft

of thé Synod of Diàmper^ 3 49

of the Apoftles St. Simon and St. Jude,

In Ndvef.-.écr^ the fiift being the Feaft of All Saints^ thz thirtieth of St. Andrew the Apoftle.

In Dccei^her^ the eighth being the Coftception of our Lady, the eighteenth being the day where- on the ^ Holy Croís of the Apoftle St. Thomas did fweat : the twenty firft being the Feaft of the fame Holy Apoftle St. Thomas 5 the twenty fifth the Feaft of the Nativity 5 the twenty fixth the Feaft of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, the twenty feventh of St. John the Evangelift, the twenty eighth of the Innocents,

The Thnrfday of our Lord's Supper, from the time the Offices are begun in the Church until midnight, according to the cuftom of the Church. Eafter^^nà the three days following, notwithftand- ing they may have hitherto obferved only two days. The day of our Lord'si4/^e;3f//<7//,the moft Holy Feaft oiPentecofi^ with the two following days.

The moft Holy Feaft of the BodyofGod^ or of the moft Holy Sacrament, which, according to the cuftom of thefe parts, they celebrate on the Thnrfday after Eajier,

* 3^0ípC^0C8í'3 Theftone Írf</ríf Earpeffrfmn, being the i8íí»

Crofs that was found under oiDectmber^ in the Year 1557.

ground at Maliapor, with the and to have continued always to

Blood 0Í St, Thomas, and the fweac upon the fame Feftivityun-

Sword wherewith he was Mar- til the Year 1566.10 which pious

tyr'd , by Gabriel de Ataide, a Fraud, for that is the beit that

Porí«á«e:^e Prieft, as he was dig- can be faidofit, the Archbifhop

ging a Foundation for a Church, and Synod it feems gave fo much

about the Year 1347. is reported credit, as to dedicate the i8f//.

to have fweat at a moil prodi- of December to the Memory there-

gious rate upon the day of our of.

Alio

J 5 o Tl?e JlJs and Decrees

Alfo the days of the Confecration of their Churches, and the Feafts of the Saints, to whom they were Dedicated, in their own Parifhes only.

The Synod doth furthermore declare, That the Fridays from Chriftmas to Le«i, which life to be obíèrved in fome Parts, ihall not be kept hereafter, the Saints that were Celebrated on ibme of them, having their particular Feafts 5 and others of them being Dedicated to Hereticks, as is above obíèrved, whofe Memories ought not to be Celebrated 5 and the Vicars (hall not fail on Sundays at Mafs^ to v/arn the People of all the Holy- days of the Week, that fo they may be advertifed to keep them.

Oeceee x.

Not only what Holy-days were to be kept, were uncertain, and not uniformly obíèr- ved in this Biihoprick, but the fame alfo hap- pened to the Fafting-days, which Chriilians are under an obhgation to keep 5 wherefore the Synod doth declare, that the Failing-days , as well the Ancient ones , as thofe that are now commanded, are thefe follovv'ing.

The Holy and Solemn Faft of Lent ^ which according to the Cuftom of this Bifhoprick, be- gins upon the Monday after QuinqHagefima.

The Holy Faft of Advent , which is kept in this Bifhoprick with great rigor from the Sunday^ that is next to the firft of December^ until Chriftmas,

The

of the Synod of Diamper. 3 5 i

The firft day of February^ being the Vigil of the Purification of our Lady^ the i^d, being the Vigil of St. Matthias the Apoftle.

The 23^/. of Jum^ being the Vigil of St. John the Baptift, and the 28^/». of St. Peter and St. P^?///. The 24ÍÃ. of Jiily^ being the Vigil of St. James the Apoftle.

The iith. OÍ ÂHgufi:^ being the Vigil of the AJfumption of our Lady^ and the 2^d, of St. Bar- tholomevp the Apoftle.

The 7th. of September^ being the Vigil of our Ladys iSlativity^ the 13^^. of the iZ^/)/ Crofs,

The 27ÍÃ. of O^i^/'er, being the Vigil of St. Si- mon and Jnde^ and the laft, of ÂU-Saints.

The 29ÍÃ. of November^ being the Vigil of St. Andrevp.

The 2i/. of December^ being the Vigil of the Glorious Apoftle St. Ihomoi^ on the 24ÍÃ. of our Saviour's Nativity^ notwithftanding thefe two do both fall in Advent.

And that this Diocefs may be in all things conformable to the Cuftoms of the UniverÊl Church, the Synod doth command, the Faji of the four Times to" be publiftied and obferved therein, they are the íirí\. Wednefday^ Friday^ znd Saturday after the firft Sunday in Lent'-, and the the firft Wednesday and Friday^ and Saturday after Whitfuntide , and the firft Wednefday^ Friday^ and Saturday after the Feaft of the Holy Crojs^ in Sep- tember '-^ and the Wednefday^ Friday^ and Saturday after the Feaft of the Holy Crofs, on the i^th. of December^ which falls in with the Advent Faft.

And

352 TJ^e ABs and Decrees

And the Synod doth furthermore declare. That the Faft of our Ladys AJJumption^ which be- gins on the firft of Auguft^ and lafts to the day of the Feftivity, and the Faft that is called the Apoftles^ which begins on the firft day after Whit- funtide^ and lafts fifty days, notwithftanding they are Holy and Laudable, it wiíheth they were not kept as they are by the Chriftians of this Dioceis , after the fame manner as the ancient Fafts are^ nevertheleis, fince they are obíèrved by fome and not by others, that there may be no Scruples nor Diíbrder, the Synod doth de- clare, that the keeping of them is not comman- ded under the Precept of a Mortal Sin, though they may be kept out of Devotion by thofe that have a mind to't, neither are People under any obligation to a Lent Fare on thefe Days 5 and as to the three Fafting Days of the Prophet Jonas^ called Monombo , which begins eighteen days be- fore the firft day in Lent^ the Synod, out of re- fped to its Antiquity and Holineís, doth permit it to be obferved with great ftriftneís : But whereas People do aííèmble together in the Churches on thofe days, there to eat the Nerchaf that are diftributed, the Synod , tho' it is not willing to oblige People to Faft on thoíè three days under the obligation of a Mortal Sin, doth nevertheleis oblige them to a Lent Diet at leaft upon them 3 and the Vicars ftiall be obliged to give notice to the People of all the Fafts of the Week upon Sundays^ that ib all may be warned to obferve them.

of the Srn 0J> of Diamper. g 5 j

^Decree t\.

^T^He Synod doth approve of the Holy and -*" Laudable Cuftom obferved by the Chriftians of this Oiocefs, of eating neither Eggs nor Cheeie, nor any thing made of Milk, norofFifh, and of abilaining totally from Wine , and from their Wives during the whole time of Lent-^ all which it deiires them to continue to obferve inviolably, as alfo to begin the Fail upon the day after .^'/V/- qno-gefima Sunday ^ and fome Abufes being retor* med, it doth declare. That Fafting doth not only coniift in Peoples abftaining from feme forts of Meat, but alfo in their not eating fo often as they may defire , the Integrity of the Precept cf Fafcing obliging People not to eat above one Meal a day 5 and that at "^ an hour appointed, and at Night they that (hall (land in need of

* The Fails of the Church of Rome, as they are now obferved, are little elfe than aMockery of the Duty, cf which Card. Bona in the 21^? Chapter of his firft Book of Liturgies, complains as loiid as he durft: Ita fallum e/f, faith the Cardinal , ut non prorfw vene- rarda vetuflas interierit, dum ordo â fanfíís patribifi pr<efcíptw, faltem in publica officiorum recitatiotie, retine- tur , quarmis legittmus borarum pHTiHiu nuUo tnodo attendatur, neque eram hora nona officium, tenia vel quarta pojl meridiem in Vigiltis pfat- limiti, nejue vefperas in Quadrage- Jimay circa folis occafum, jed una

A a

vel duabus horis ante meridiem, qua anticipatio , ut doãijfimm France* liaus fcribit Cap. 34. qiutdam eji mftri temporis calamitas, ne dicam abufus : C<epit hxchorarum praven- tio pojl jitcubm duodccimum intro- duci, cum prijtina feveritas paulatlm relaxata, mo'dior aifciplina jf.cceffn^ de qua. fatius eji tacere quam loqui. And fo that they may obferve ti e ancient Rule of not eatirg upon a Fafting- day till afcer VcfperSy they have turned the Morning in- to Evening, and fay the Vefpeis 3z Ten i Clock, that they may go to Dinner at Eleven.

it,

3 54 ^^'^ ^^^ ^^^ Decrees

it, and have an appetite to drink for their Healths-fake, may eat a light Collation, accor- ding to the permiffion of the Church , but if they ihall exceed either in the quality or quan- tity of the faid Collation, or eat oftner than twice after this manner , they do violate the Fafr, and Sin Mortally 5 and if through infirmi- ty or weakneis, they (hould break the Faft up- on any day, they ihall not, as fome imagine, be releafed by their having broke Lent once: from continuing the FaiV, but on the contrary, they (hall be guilty of fo many Mortal Sins, as there are days of Obligation , on which they ncgledt to Faft: They are alfo bound to Faft on all the Saints days, tho' never fo Solemn, that ihall fall in Lent , Sunday only excepted, upon which it is not lawful for any Chriftian to Faft, as to which matter there are great Abuíès introduced in to this Dioceis.

Decree xii.

THe Synod doth declare, That notwithftan- ding Fafting is of great benefit, that it doth not intend to oblige any that are under one and Twenty, nor fuch as are very ancient, or weak, or fickly , nor Women with Child , nor thoie that give Suck, nor thofe that cannot Faft con- veniently by reafon of ibme hard Labour they are obliged to, to Faft any otherwiíè than by eating a Lent Diet on Fafting- days, as to which too the weak and fick are excepted, who may

at

of the Synod of Diamper. 355

at all times eat what is neceíTary to their health 5 and it iliall alfo be lawful for Women with Child to eat whatfoever they long for, to pi^- vent Abortion.

©eeree xin.

THe Synod doth very much condemn what ibme ignorant obfervers of Heatheniih Su- perftition imagine, viz. That if they do not waíli their Bodies betimes in the Morning on a Faft- day, their Faft will be of no worth, and that if they happen to touch any of a baíè Race, or a Naires , they rauil wafn themielves to make their Fail to be of any Merit, and declares, that all fuch Wailiings and Superftitious touches, are commanded neither by God nor the Church, and are no ways proper for Chriftians^ and doth furthermore command the obfervers of all fuch Superftitions to be puniffied feverely by the Pre- late, as followers of "^ Heatheniili Vanities, con- demned by Holy Mother Church, earaeftly de- firing that all fuch things may be totally rooted *put ofthe hearts oftheveryi/^/Tí^e// in thisDioceis,

^^eatíjenííí) ^UperfíífiOIlff.j cil oíConftantimpk under Leo Ifau-

The Church of /iowe has httlerea- r«j, palfed upon the endeavours

fon to condemn any praffife pure- of ciiofe who were for introducing

ly for being Heathen, her Crea- Images into the Chriflian Church ^

ture Worfíjipj with ai! the Ceremo- That to do it would be to reftore

nies thereof, being viiibly of fuch Heathemfm again under a Scheme

extraâion j for it was a true judg- of Chrijhanity. ment that the Fathers of the Coun-

A a 2 'Dmzt

1^6 The Jãs and Decrees

©ecree xiv.

N

lOtwithftanding the Synod doth approve of M the laudable Cuftom that has obtained in this Diocefs of beginning the Holy Fail: oiLent^ upon the Monday following ^inquagejfima Sun- day : Never thelefs in conformity to the ufage of the Univerfal Church, it doth ordain and com- mand, that on the riW//e/?/^j/ following, they con- fecrate Aíhes in the Church, which fhall befprin- kled on the Heads of the People by the Prieft that celebrates Mafs^ uiing thefe words, Remem- ber Alan that thoit art cluji^ and that to duji thon fialt return^ as he is direded by the Roman Ce- remonial tranllated into Syrian^ by the order of the moft Reverend. Metropolitan^ leading by this Holy Ceremony the Faithful to a deeper Repen- tance, for their Sins, and a fenfe of their own vilenefs in that Holy time 5 which Aíhes fo far as it can be done, ihall be made of the branches that were bleflèd the former Year upon Palm Sunday^ which is called Ofana in this Dioceft, as it is likewife ordered in the fai d Ceremonial, but at the fame time the People ihall be told that this is only a Holy Çe^çemony of the Churcfct^ and hot a Sacrament. • 3::t *a

Decree

of the Synod of Diamper. 357 Decree xv.

THat this Bilhoprick may in all things be conformable to the Cuftoms of the Ca- tholick Church, the Synod doth command all the Members thereof upon pain of Mortal Sin, not to eat Fleih upon Saturdajs^ in memory of our Lord's Burial, but Eggs, Milk, Butter or Checfe they may lawfully eat upon S^itiirdays^ as alfo upon all Fifh days that are not Fafts, and fince the cuftom of not eating FleQi on Wcdnef- days is not obferved over the whole Diocefs, but only in fome parts thereof, and that but by a few ^ the Synod doth declare, that albeit that cuftom is Holy and Laudable, and it were to be wiihed that it were univerfaliy obferved by all Chriftians, it doth not think fit to oblige People thereunto upon pain of Sin, fo that all that lift may eat Fleih upon IVed.nefdays,

\ 6\ .::iili.\ [hid

Decree XVL

''r^He Synod doth declare, That the Obligati- -■- of not eating Flefh on prohibited days, lafts from midnight to midnight, beginning at the midnight of the prohibited day, and ending at the midnight of the day following, fo that the Obligation of not eating Fleili upon. Fry days and Saturdays^ begins at the midnight oi Fry- day^ and ends on the midnight of Sunday^ and the Obligation of ceafing from labour begins at

A a 3 the

358 The Acls and Decrees

the midnight of the faid day, and ends at the midnight of Monday ; being to underftand that in beginning the Fafts and Feftivities on the Even- ing of the former, and continuing them to the Evening of the latter day, they do conform themfelves to the Cuftoms and Rites of the Jews condemned by Holy Mother Church, in which days and their obfervances arc not reckoned from Evening to Evening, but from midnight to midnight.

Decree xvii.

jHereas it is the Cuftom of the Univeríàl )/ Church, to have * Hoiy Water at the entrance of the Churches, that io the Faithful by rprinkling theraíèlves therewith, may have their Venial Sins pardoned, and the Holy Water that has been hitherto made ufe of in this Dio- cefs has not been bleílèd by the Prieft, nor by any Prayer of the Church, the Sextonf only throwing a little of the Clay intoit,that is brought by Pilgrims from the Sepulchre of St. Thomas^ or from feme oiher Holy Place relating to him, and where fuch Clay has been wanting, the faid Sexto-TS have thrown fomc^ Grains of Inceníè into it: Whereupon without any further Confecrati- on, it has been eflecmed Holy : Therefore the

* ^Clp» 3 This Ceremony of dcmned in the former Decree, as

fprirkling the people with Holy is acknowledged by the Learned

Water, is no Icfs of Heathen Ex- Valefius., in his Annotations on the

traftion than the wafhings con- 6 Ch. of ihe 6 Book of 50:533^^0.

Synod

of the Synod of Diamper. ^59

Synod doth declare, that fuch Water is not Ho- ly, and that the Faithful ought not to make uleof it, and albeit that all the Eaith of Holy places, and of the Sepulchres of Saints approved of by the Church, ought to be kept with much Veneration, yet that the Earth of the Holy places belonging to St. Thomas^ has not the vir- tue of fuch a Confecration in it: for which rea- fon it commands all Priefts to blefs the faid Wa- ter, by throwing Holy Salt into it, accoraing to the cuftomofthe Univerfal Church, as is di- rected by the Roman Ceremonial tranllated into Syrian by the order of the moft Reverend Me- Jropolitan^ according to the Form whereof the true Vicars íhall take care to confecrate Water, and every «S^/^/T^ Evening, or Smiday Morning to furniih the Water-pots therewith, and w^onSan- days the People being afíèmbled,the Prieft being in ,his Surplice and Stole^ but without his Planet^ (hall , before he begins M^í/j , fprinkle the whoiC\Çongre- gation, repeating the iiz/i/p^i'^^?, and the Prayer contained in the faid Ceremonial : and at MaJJes sit which the Deacon and Sub-Deacun oiiiciaie, the ^Deacon may repeat the Antiphona^ but the Prayer J^ihall always be faid by the Prieft. The Vicars mull: ^alib inftrud the People at their entrin^ into the _^Çhurch, to take Holy Water and blefs them- i^íèlves therewith, in the form of a Crois, and to give over the faying the Prayer to the impious Fleretick Nejioriuf» which they ufed to do v/hen they took Holy Water as they entred into the Church, the Synod condemning the íàme as He- retical and Blafphemous, A a 4 ptçrçç

3^0

TItc Ms and Decrees

Decree xvili. ^h,^u«z'1o

■Rcreas thegreateft part of the People of this Birnoprick are not inftructed in the Dq- Urine^ and they that are, know only the ^aUr Jslofler^ and Ave Mary in the Syrian Tongue, which they do not underftand, and moil of the Children know not how to blefs themfelves, nay the Clergy themfelves are ignorant thereof, not being able to fay the Commandments 5 there- fore the Synod doth command, that in all Pariili Churches in the Morning and Evening, as the Vicar {hall think mcft convenient, one of the Boys o£ the Bell-man fliall ring the little Bell to call the Boys and Girls together in the Church, where being aOembled, the Vicar, or feme o- ther Clergyman that he ihall appoint, ihall in- ÇtxuÕL them in the Doctrine, that is to fay, the Sign of the Crofs, the Pater JNofier^ Ave Mary^ the Creed^ and the Commandments of God^ and the Churchy the Articles of Faith^ and other Chri- ftian Dodrines in the Malabar Tongue, that fo all may undcrí\ãnd them, and not in the Syri- an^ which the People do not underftand, it be- ing the cuftom of the Church to teach the Do- Brine to Children, and to the People in their Mother Tongue, and furthermore upon all Sun- days and Holydays, either before or after Mafs^ the Vicar ihall teach the íàid Do&rine in the Congregation, that fo all may be inftrufted there- in, and (hall alfo after having called the people

toge-

of the Synod of Diamper. ^ói

together with a Bell, teach it on the Evenings of Sundays^ and i.s for the Churches that are in the Heaths^ the Vicars (hall give orders that the Children, or at leaft fuch of them as arenigheft to the Church, ihall upon a certain day of the Week come to learn the Doãrine^ employing o- thers perfons to inftrud the reft therein, and the Schoolmafters that teach Syrian^ or that teach to read and write, ihall every day before they begin School repeat the iaid DoUrim to their Scholars in Malabar^ neither ihall any in- ferior'Orders, no not the firji Tofjfure^ be given to Children before they can fay the whole Do- ãrine in Malabar^ in which they muft be exami- ned according to the Holy Council of Tr^;?/, and in all Churches there (hall be a Book of the "^ Do- ãrine in the Malabar Tongue, for the inftrudi- on of Children : which the Synod doth entreat the Father Redtor, of the College of Jefuits of Vaipicotta^ to order to be tranflated by fome of that College, commanding all the Churches of this Diocefs, as alio exhorting all the Chriftians

* lE^Ottrine. ] The Chrifti- there is one Pfieft of a thoufand

ans of Miiabar would certainly in Spain or Portugal, who if they

lofe the fecond Comraandmenr, fhould have the whole Second

by receiving this Roman Doãrine, Commandment repeated to them

in which that Commandment ne- would not fay, what I have heard

ver appears, no not as pare of more than one, and thofe very

thcfirft, nay in the Tridentine d- grave Priefts too, fay of it, That

techifm, tho' writ in Larin, and it might be John Calvin's, but they

for the Dfc of Parifli-Priefts, there vcerefwre it was none of God's Com-

is only the three firft words of it mandments, mcmioned, and I doooc believe

thereof

J 6 2 ' The AEls mi Decrees

thereof at Night to caufe the faid Doãrtm to be taught in their Houfes to their whole Fami- lies, that fo their Servants and Slaves may be inftrudted therein, and the Confeííòrs in their ConfeiTions muft not fail to examine their Peni- tents in the Doãrine^ and to exhort them to learn it.

Deccec xix,

THat the Faithful Chriftians in this Diocefs may in their Common Prayer be confor- mable to the whole Catholick Church, they muft not from henceforward fay the Ave Mary^ as they have been taught by the Perfidious Nefiori- ansj but muft fay it thus, Ave Mary full of Grace^ the Lord he with thee^ blejfed art thon among Wo" men^ blejfed is 'Jefus the fruit of thy Womb 5 Holy Mother of Cod pray fir us Sinners^ now^ and at the hour of our Death^ Amen^ J^f^' And in this form it ihall beinferted into all the Prayer Books . of thisDioceis.

©ectee xx.

WHereas the Chriftians of this Diocefs do not fhew the leaft Reverence to the raoft Holy Name of Jefus when it is mentioned, which arifeth from the falfe Doftrine of the Nefiorian Hereticks, who do impioufly aílèrt. That it is not worthy of R.everence,being theName of a Humane Perfon, teaching falily that there are two Pcr-

fons

of the Synod of Diamper. 36^

ions in Chrift, therefore fince that Divine Name contains in it fo many Divine Myfteries, being the Name of our Redemption, and the Name above all Names, Jt which St. PaulMth^ every kpee in Heaven and in "Earthy and below the Earth ought to bow^ the Synod doth command, that as often either in the Gofpel or Prayers of the Mafs^ or OflBces, or any where elfe that that Name is mentioned, all People do reverently bow their Body,whether they be fitting or ftanding, and the Clergy and other Chriftians, having their Caps on ihall take them off, and the Vicars and Preachers muft not neg- led to put their People frequently in mind there- of 5 and whereas the Name Lyo is the fame with the moft fweet Name of Jefus in the Malabar Language, and is commonly given to Children in Baptifm 5 the Synod doth ftridly prohibit the giving of that Name to any body for the future, commanding all that are called by it, to take another Name in Confirmation, or at any other time, it being a great irreverence for any one to be called by fo high and Divine a Name.

Decree xxi.

WHereas it is neceííàry that the Feaft of Chrift's ISJativity fliould be celebrated with great folemnity and uniformity through the -whole Catholick Church 5 the Synod doth copi- mand that on the Eve of that Feftivity, all the Clergy and People do afíèmble together in the Church, there to fay the Matins, with the great- eft

3S4 T7;^ ^^s and Decrees

eft Solemnity poiTible, and that after they have done thefe Prayers, which fhall end about Mid- night, they ftiall make the cuftomary Proceilion, which being over, a Solemn Mafs fhall be iaid, with all poflible Feftivity , after which the Prieft may iay a Mafs at break of day, and a third at the ufual time of Mafs , for the Prieft mnft know, that for the greater Solemnity of this Feftival, they are permitted to fay three Maffès upon it, that is, one at Midnight, one at break of day, and a third at the ordinary time, or being private M^/, all three together after break of day , but being publick, (hall be all faid in the fore-mentioned Order 5 neither ftiall they after the firft two take the Lavatory^ but after having received the Blood, ihall go on with the Mafs without taking the Lavatory^ that fo they may be Fafting to celebrate the third 5 and they fhall be very careful to have the Cups well fcoured, and their Fingers waftied clean with Water, which fhall be prefervcd in a particular Veiiel in order to its being afterwards either thrown into a Pond, or poured under the Altar, or into the Baptifmal Water that is in the Font 3 and if any Prieft through careleísneís fhould in either of the two firft Maps take the Lavatory^ after that it fhall not be lawful for him to fay any more, becaufe the Mafs is not to be celebra- ted but Fafting, which the taking of the Lavatory breaks. vl^^ii ^*'' iz^av... í c^U.^di 1

'Dtttit

of th Synod of Diaiiiper. j é j ©fcree xxii.

'^"T" He Synod doth command, That thePriefts ? in the folemn adminiftration of the Sacra- ments of Baptifm^ Matrimony^ and Extream Un- Uion^ or when they adminifter the Holy Eachariji without the Mafs^ for the greater decency and reverence for what they are about, do wear a Surplice with a Stole about their Necks : And whereas hitherto there has been no fuch thing as a Surplice in this Biihoprick, the moft Reve- rend Metropolitan having been pleafed to pro- vide fuch Veftments as are necefíàry in this Bi- ihoprick, no Vicar fhall go from hence without taking a Surplice along with him, which he is to wear in the adminiftration of the Holy Sacra- ments, wherein the Synod commands them like- wife to ufe the Rites and Ceremonies prefcribed in the Roman Ceremonial, which the iaid Lord Metropolitan has commanded to be tranflated in- to Syrian and to be kept in all Churches , which contains the Forms of Biiptizing, of Anointing the Sick, of Marrying , of Sacramental Abiblution, with the cuftomary Prayers therein 5 of adnii- niflring the Holy Sacrament of the Altar, of the Exorcifms of the Church, for People poííeíTed with the Devil, the Bleifings of Holy Water, of Aihes, of Chains and Branches, as alfo the Form of Burying the Dead, Cld and Young, and of reconciling Churches and Church- Yard?. Which Books being Bound, fliall be kept in all Churches,

neither

7^66 Tloe Jãs and Decrees

neither (hall any Prieft preiume to apply them to his own private ufe, or to take them out of the Church : And the Synod doth earneftly re- commend it to the Reftor of the College of the Jefnits oiPaipcotta^ to have always ibme of theie Books Tranflated by fome of the (aid College by him, in order to the fupplying of the Neceííities of theíè Churches.

'£>ttUZ XXIIl.

'T^He Synod defiring that this Church may in -■- all things be conformable to the Holy Ro- man and whole Italian Church, doth command. That on the fecond of February^ being the day of our Lady's Purification^ before Mafs^ the Wax Candles v^^hich are in the Church, be Bleft, as alio all the Candles that (hall be brought by the People out of Devotion, according to the Ro- man Ceremonial , tranflated into Syrian ; and after the publick and folemn BenediòYion is over, there fhall be a Proceííion in or round the Church, in which all the Clergy ihall carry Bleiled Can- dles lighted in their hands, as the People ihall alfo do that have any,in Memory of the Myftery of.our Lord Jefus Chrift, the Divine Light and Splen- dor of the Father, firft entrance into the Tem- ple, there to offer himfelf to his Eternal Father, cloathed with our Humanity : So likewife upon the Monday^ Tnefday^ and Wednefday before the Feaft of our Lord's Holy Aficnfion^ in the Mor- ning, either before or after Mafs^ there iliall be

of the Synod of Diamper. 3 ($7

a Proceflion in the Church, or where the Vicar ihall appoint, in which the Litanies fliall be faid according to the cuftoms of the Church , which ihall alfo be tranflated in the faid Roman Cere- monial , expunging the Names of all the Here- ticks, who according to the cuftora of the Ne- jtorians^ were commemorated in this Church 5 and it is the defire of the Synod, that the ufe of the faid Litanies be brought into this Church ' to be read in their Neceffities, or when they de- fire to implore the Divine Mercy.

Decree xxiv.

'T^He Synod being informed, that in the re- -^ mote parts of this Biihoprick, as well to- wards the South, as towards the North ^ the Chri- ftians that dwell in the Heaths are guilty of Working and Merchandizing on Sundays and Ho- ly-days, efpecially in the Evenings, doth com- mand the Vicars to be very vigilant in this Matter, and to admoniih and reprehend all that they ihall find fo doing 5 and if after three par- ticular Admonitions, they ihall not reform, they ihall after that be thrown out of the Church, ■ and have the Caflure denied them 5 neither ihall "any Prieft go into their Houfes until they have yielded Obedience.

Decree

3<58

TJoe ABs and Decrees

Decree xxv.

TTT'Hereas in this Diocefs there are many ^^ Churches dedicated to Marxohrp and Mar- phrod, who are commonly ftiled Saints^ of whom there is * nothing known, only it is commonly (aid, That they came into thefe Farts and vpr ought

* iliotijing fenoton.] At

Compoftellay the moil famous place of Devotion in 3l[Sp4Ín, the Peo pie pray to fome that they know as little of, as the Malabars do of Aiarphrod.

For the famous Spanifl) Antiqua- ry Ambrofius Morales^ in the 9Í&. Book of his Chronicle, gives us a particular Account of an Altar with fome Names upon it that he met with there, and that had great Devotion paid to it.

In the famous Monafie^y of the Eenedidine N«n/ that joins to the Holy Church of St. James, faith Morales, and is dedicated to the Glorious Martyr Pelayo, whom in that Country they commonly caS St. Payo, there is av Ara on the Altar, tvh'xh they affirm to have been Confecrated by the Apoftles, and that they themfelves faid Mafs on it, and that it tvas brought thither with the bleffed Body of St. James. jViw there is not , faith Morales, not only no foundation for the Truth of this Story, but there is juji ca!:fe to believe, that that Stone, which ii at prefent in the fame jiate it was in when it was firjl made, could never be an Altar. I obferved it with great attention in the company

of fever al great and learned Men, who had all the fame thoughts of it that I had, the thing indeed being too clear and manifefi for any fuch to doubt of ; for it is vifible, that the Stone is the Grave- Stone of fome Heathens, with this following pfcription.

VMS ATI AMO Et AT- TE T LVMPSaO VIRIA E MO NEVTIS VIANO XVI KT S.E. C.

The words are very plain and clear, there not being a Letter want- ing; fo that notrvithflanding the Blunders committed by the Graven in Spelling it, they may be with great eafe Tra^ijlated, which I wiJ do as weã as I can into Spanifh.

♦* This Stone is Confecrated to " the Gods of the Dead, and De- " dicated to the Memories of " Atiamo, and of Atte, and of " Lumpfa, as alfo to her Memory '* who Erefted it, Viria Emofa. " their pious Grandchild, being "id Years of Age.

Tins

of the Synod of Diamper. 1 6c}

this is what the Stone contains^ therefore, they that Confecrated it an Altar i rpould have done well to have defaced the Letters^ by which means they would have removed the indig- mty that ft ares all People in the face, that confider what a thing it is to have the mofi Holy Body and Blood of Cbriji our Redeemer^ con- fecrated and placed upon the Tomb- Stone of Heathens, whereon the De- vils are invocated. thus far Morales.

But as this Stone has had a great deal of Honour done it, incoming to be Coniecrated an Altar in fuch a famous place of Devotion , fo the Perfons whofe Names are up- on it, have had no lefs done to them, who are all great Sainrs in that Country , and particularly Piano^ wiio in all probability is the Sr. Payo, to whom the Church and Monaflery is dedicated.

For firft, Sala:^ar\n his Spanifjj Martyrology upon the 50th. day of Decejr.bcY, gives this following Account of the faid Stone and Perfons. Don Didacus Sequinus, Ei(l^>p of Auria, who has Epitomi-^ed the Life of his Predecejfor Senan- du\y gives therein the foilowing Ex- pofition of the Infcription that is up- on this Altar Stone, in the Galccian Language y which /jiftory I have mw by me in MSS.

Confegrada a Decs Maximo,

Atiamp, Er.ito , Telumpfa Viriamo NepotifpianOy XuuitOy Teliforo,

Forem Martyres e padczeron em Gali-ja., no Pago Sarenfe antes que Ô Apoflolo fe fofe a Jerufa-

letn^ e por ifto deyxon efía Ara, a feus Difcipolos, paraque fobce de la dixieiem Mifia, en niembra- za deftes Santos : afi dexou ef- crito 6 Bifpo Don Serrando : That isto fa^i

' Confrecated to the greateft Godj

* Atiamo, Erato, Telumpfa, Viriamo^

* Nepotifpianoy Xuuito, Teliforo^

* Were all Martyrs, and fulfered

* in Galeciain the Village of Sarep,

* before the Apoftle went co Jcru- ^ falem, who for thai: reaiou itfc ' this Altar to his Difcipks. to fay *Mafs on in memory of chofe

* Saints, as Bifliop Don Serrando *has!efc upon Record.

Lobarinus cells us, ihat Don Ser- randus after having given a de- fcription of the Alcar , fubjoins the following Account of it

' Efte he ò Retrayto de Ara *que dcyxo efcripta o Apofiol

* Santiago, 3 feus difcipolos, e he ' un tanto da que trouxa con figo

* nó mar , fobre que , p^ufjran

* o fanto corpo e fobre dc la deria *nnira Arcádio i Bifpo do Orcncs 'en fan Maria Madre-, autro canto

* como eíle efta en fan Fayo, de ' Santiago com iilas mifnias letras 'defios Santos Martyres. That is to fay : This is the Portraiture of the Altar which the Apofile 5^ James left, with an Inja ittion upon it, to his Difciples, who curried uQother of the fame Dimenfions, and with the fame Infcription, along rvith him to Sea ; upon which his Holy Body n-as laid, and Arcadius the firft Li(}iop of Orenes^ faid Mafs upon it in the Church of St. Mary the Mather -of b Gody

The ABs and Decrees

370

God •, the other which if the fame mthtbis,iiin thiChurch c/5f.Payo of Compoileila, Tsoith the fame Names ofthefe Holy Mart}rs.

I liope the Reader will pardon me, if I oftcr one cr two more inrtancesof the fjme Nature.

In the Spani/fj Martyrology up- on the 22íí^. of Mj), ic is faid, Suntiiu Puhlini Bebim Vemfln4 Martyr qui pntcm in honor em tern- fli beat.e AUri<; andiiit^fetente Or- dine Oretar.orum ut patcret aditm ad Tcmplum^ XX. CHS- in quo ponte fu£ Pietatis^ huynfmodi in xifceri' b.u lapidii Monnmentum reliquit.

P. B/HBIUS VENUSTUS P. B.T.BUVENETÍEP E.ÍLSISCERIS NEPOS ORETANUS. PETEN- TEORDINE ET FOPULO, IN HONOREM DOMllS DIVINE, PONTEM FECIT EX HS XXC. CIRCENSIBLISEDITIS.

a D.

This needs no Commentary, it being plain from t'ne Monumcnc ic fclf, chat this P. h^BlVS was a Heathen, and thac Domiif Di- zina herein mentioned, was not a Church ded'cJced to theblelled Viigin, but to Ibme Heathen god. And at Ebna in Portugal^ Si. Viariiu, \\\\o infallibly cures all pains in tl;e Loins, and for tluc reafon is very much prated co, was railed out of fuch another Heathen Ronuin Monument , V. hereon r/.j»«//2 Curator was writ, as Refendius lel'.s us.

Cut as in fome places they have made Saints of Heathers, in o hers they have made Heachet:s ofSnas: For in cheCaftle of /.r- tia in Tortt'.galj there is over tb.e

Inner Gate a Stone Statue, with a long infcription under it, of which there is noching legible from the ground but the word Venerifj which is very plain, the Portugueze who fhewed us the place, for we were feveral Pro- teftants in Company, told us very gravely that theCaftlc was built by the Romans^ and thac the Statue we faw fo much defaced, the Head and Arms being broke of, and the Body very much mailed with Scones, was the Statue of the Roman Goddefs Venw : we kept our Councenanccs as well as we could, perceiving plainly, thac neither th.e Cafile nor the Statue were Roman work, and the Letters oiVcmrif were per- fedly Gothick, fo I and two more having induftrioulTy loft our For- - tu^ue^e, wt refolved if pcffible to find out the truth of the matter, andi* after fome poring, we be- gan to difcovcr fomc mere Let- ters, and with fome pains fpelc cue the word ^nte after Venerii ^ whereupon v.e concluded, thac Veneris t\\txc muft htzVcrby zx\à not a Subjiantive, and thac Vene- rii ante mnú be cheend ofaMon- kiih Verfe : and we were quick- ly fatiified chat ic was fo by what followed, which v^as,

Pertrar.fire cave^ nifi prin4 dixeris

Ave Regina cceli mater,

what followed was fo defaced thac we couU make nothing of it, neither indeed were we foli- ctcous about ir, being abundantly fatisiicd from what we had read, cliac sc was 4 Scacue of the moij BieiTed

of the Synod of Diamper. 7^'fl

Blefled Virgin ; when we return- found him and them all in the

ed to ■ our Portugue^Cy we asked fame Story, that the Name of

him as we did the People alfo ac the Goddefs was written under it,

our Inn, how he came to know and that it was the conftanc Tra-

certainly that it was the Statue dition of the City and Country, of a Heathen Goddefs, and we

wrought Miracles, and returned afterwards to Babylon^ from whence they came, others aífirm-» ing that they died in Coulaon, there being no- thing writ of them that is Authentick, neither does it appear that they were ever canonized by the Church ; but on the contrary, fince they came from Babylon^ there is juft caufe to fufped: that they might be Hereticks: Wherefore the Synod doth command, That all the Churches which are dedicated to them, be dedicated to all the Saints, and that the Feftivities ufed to be kept to their Honour , and the Ner- chm that ufed to be given upon their days, (hall be given on All Saints day, being the iirft of November : and for the future there be no more Churches dedicated to them. Churches and Feftivities being never to be dedicated, nor Pray- ers made to any but to Saints canonized and ap« proved of by the Church.

%h 2

37^ The JSls and Decrees

©eccec XXVÍ.

WHereas Experience has demonftrated that many Churches have been Robbed by reafon of the Poors Box being kept in them and not opened in many Years, no not when the neceilities of the Churches did require it j therefore the Synod doth command , That in every Church upon the firft of January there be choíè four fubftantial and confciencious Men to be Overfeers of the Poor, and to take care of the Church, who at the end of the Year fhall open the Poors Box and take out all the Alms they find therein, which (hall be put down in a Book by one of the four Overfeers, and the iaid Alms fhall be afterwards put into a Cheft Lock- ed with three different Keys, which fhall ftand in any one of their Houfes as they íhall agree, of which Keys the Vicar iliall have one, and the other two the two Overieers, who are not the Scrivener, nor in whofe Houfes the Cheft is not kept: He that's the Scrivener fhall alfo have a Book, in which he íhall fet down the Expences of the faid Alms, how much has been laid out upon the Fabrick of the Church , and in the reparation of the Walls and Roof, how much in adorning it, and in neceílàry Linen, and in Pidures, and in keeping it clean : And when- foever there is any great extraordinary Expence, it fhall not be made without the conient of the four Overfeers, according to cuftom, neither

iiiall

of ík S Y N o D of Diamper. 37 j

ihall the Cheft be opened bat when they are all five prefent, or fome ox\e in the place of him that is lawfully hindred 5 and when new Over- feers are chofe, the old ones ihall deliver the iiiid Cheft to them, for which the Eleit ihall give a Receipt, that fo it may always appear how much has been received and how much is re- maining : And the Prelate in his Vifitation ihall look over the iaid Books and inform himfelf of the Expences, and may order the Alms to be difpofed of as he (ball think fit and neceííàry. And the Synod intreats the moft Reverend Me- tropolitan to fee that this Decree be put in exe- - cution at the Vifitation he intends to make, it being a thing of great advantage to the Churches.

Decree xxvu.

^ X THereas moft of the Churches of this Dio- V\ cefs are kept very Nafty, being full of Duft and Cobwebs, for want of an Officer to keep the Church clean , therefore the Synod doth command, that the Overfetr^ appoint a Capiar^ who fiiall be paid out of the Alms, for Sweep- ing the Church and keeping clean the Lamps and Candlefticks, and the Capiar ihall take care that the Church be Swept at leaft three times a Week, and there be always one Lamp at leaft lighted before the High Altar, and the Vefiels wherein the Lamp-Oil is kept, without they be fo fmall as not to be feen, fhall not be kept in the Church, nor the Bátegas ov Kettles, nor any

B b 3 thijig

2 74 '^'^^ -^^^ ^^^ i)ecrees

thing elfe that is undecent, but ihall be kept in the Capiars or Overfcers Hcufes , that fo the Church tpay be kept clean and decent.

Decree xxviiL

He Synod doth command , That in all Veftries of Churches there be Cupboards and Chefts with Locks, to keep the Cups, Cor- porals, and Ornaments in 5 and where there is no Veftry until one ihall be built, they ihall be kept ibme where in the Church , except in the Hedths^ where the Churches are in danger of being robbed , where the Vicars ihall keep them in fheir Houfes, and fh-all by no means leave any of them upon the Altars, as has been the cuftom, which v/as the occafion of the Ornaments be- ing fo dirty, and of the Altars being fo much out of order : And whereas raoft of the chief Chapels are extreamly dark , they ihall take care to have Windows opened , and fortified with iron to let in Air and Light, which muft nevertheleis be fo contrived, that the Heathens when they come may not fee the Divine Myile- ries thoroy/ them.

Decree xxix.

THereas almoft all the Churches of this Dior

cefs are without Pidures, which was the

effeâ: of their being governed by Nefiorian Víq-

í-ç[ick?3 who do not allow of the healthful uie

of

y

of the Synod of Diamper. 375

of Sacred Images^ therefore the Synod doth command , That in Churches that are finiihed, the firft work that ihall be done alter that of the Baptifmal Font out of the Alms of the Pa- riih, ihall be to fet up fome Images, according to the diredlions of the Prelate , who fnall al- ways be confulted about every PiftiU'c^ and af- ter that of the High Altar is once fet up, if the Church has any Side- Altars, they íliaíl alfo have Images fet up in them, and on every Altar befides an Image, there ihall be a Crofs or fome Matter or other fet up 5 and in all Churches that are large enough, and yet have no Pulpits, Pul- pits fhall be erefted for the Preaching of the word of God 5 and they ftiall alfo put Bells in their Steeples to be rung at meet times, and to call the People to Church, which iliall not be hung within the Church, where befides that they can- not be rung as they ought to be, they do take up too much room ^ and in places where there is danger of having their Bells dole, they fliall have their Steeples fortified and (hut up after the manner of Towers , and where the Kings and Bramens of the Pagods will not conient to their having a Building higher than the Church, which often happens through their imagining th^t the Pagods are made melancholly by the hearing of fuch Bells f, they iliallhang them with- in the Church but at fuch a height, that they may ring them without touching them with their hands, and that they ihall take up no room be- low in the Church 3 and in thofe Churches where

B b 4 they

37Ó Tl^e Ms and Decrees

they have no Bells, the Synod grants Licence un- til Rich time as they can procure fonie, to make ufe of BcTards, as they have done formerly, to call the Faithful together, and to give the Signal at the Mafs,

T)ttm XXX.

He Synod doth teach and declare, That by ancient Right always obferved in the Church, Churches mav be fo violated in certain Csfes, that it is not lawful to Celebrate inthem,nor to bury the Dead until they are reconciled, which through ignorance of the Canons has not hither- to been obferved in this Bifhoprickf, the Cafes are, ivhe^z hufiutne Blood is injuriou fly (bed in the Church, or there is a Natural Caufe given of fuch (bedding, or of Death 5 as if one has a Mortal Wound given him in the Church, or a Wound that fetches Blood, notvvithftanding the Wounded Perfon fhall be got out of the Church before any Blood isfhed, but if the Wound was given without the Church, notwithftanding the Blood thereof fhould come to be ilied therein, lhe Church is not violated thereby 5 and by a Wound that is injuriouily given in the Church, whereby Blood is {bed, tho' the Wound fliould not prove Mortal, the Church is violated. The fecònd Caie is , when humane Seed is voluntari- ly /pent in the Church , tho' in conjugal Copula- tion : The third is, when one that is Exconwm^ nicated is buried in the Church: ■ The fourth,

n'hcn

of the Synod of Diamper. ^yy

when an Infidel is buried in it ^ in which Caie the Church is not only to be reconciled, but the Walls are alfo to be fcraped : The fifth is , voken the Church has been Confecrated or Blejfed by a Bipoop that vpas publickly Excommunicate 5 in all which Cafes the Church is to be reconciled, which reconciliation being to be done to a Church that was Confecrated by a Biihop, none but a Biihop can perform it : But having been only Blefled by one, or by a Prieft , the Vicar may perform the Reconcihation , according to the Form, and with the Prayers and Ceremonies contained in the Roman Ceremonial Tranflated into Syrian , and it is to be obferved, that when a Church is violated, the Church-yard that be- longs to it is violated alfo , if they are not at fome diftance the one from the other, but when the Church-yard is violated in any of the forementioned Cafes, the Church it belongs and is joined to, is not violated thereby.

Decree xxxi.

]T being of mighty moment that Confecrated Churches be had in great Reverence 5 and whereas in this Diocefs it is a common thing for Sick People out of Devotion to lie in Churches with their Wives and Families for feveral days, hoping thereby to be cured of their Oiftempers, which cannot be done without many Services , wherefore the Synod doth command. That no Perfon whatfoever, tho' never fo Sick , do lie

in

578 IXe ASls and Decrees

in the Church with his Family, the time of War only excepted, but the Sick having performed their Devotion , ihall lie at home at their own Houfes, or if they ihall deiire it may Lodge in ibme Houfe^ that are near to the Church, or in the Porches thereof, but by no means within the Church.

T>zint XXXII.

WHereas there is a great negled in carrying the Corps of thofe that die in the Heaths to the Church, which are fometimes buried with- out a Prieft, and in unconfecrated Earth 5 where- fore the Synod doth command. That the Kindred, or thofe in whofe Houfes Chriftians do die, do carry their Corps, how far foe ver they may live off, near to the Church, where the Vicars (hall go to fetch them, with the Crofs of the Church, and in their Surplice and Stole^ praying all the way they go with the reft of the Clergy, and Interr them, which all, tho' never fo poor, ihall be obliged to do : And if at the time when they bring the Corps they ihall meet with no Priefts in the Church, they ihall then aíTemble as many Chriftians together as conveniently they can, and bury the Corps in the Church- yard, praying for their Souls with Chriftian Charity : And who- foever fhall negledt to bring their Dead to the Church, and ihall bury them in Profane Ground, ihall be feverely puniihed by the Bifhop.

I3eccee

w

0/ ífce S Y li o D o/ Diamper. 3 79 Decree xxxiii.

Hereas the Small-Pox is looked upon ia theíè parts as a very dangerous and infe- dious Difteraper, for which reafon a great ma- ny Chriftians dying thereof are not carried to the Church, nor buried in Holy ground 5 here- fore the Synod doth very much recommend it to the Vicars to take order, that the Corps of fuch as die of that Sicknefs may be brought with due caution to the Church-yard, where they with the reft of the Clergy at fome diftance are to recommend them, and pray for them, as they do for others, and to fee them interr'd: all which Chriftian Charity will teach them to doj according to the Obligation of their Office.

Decree xxxiv.

'T^He Synod doth order that no Town or Vil- -*- lage, wherein there is a Church dedicated to any Saint, ihall dedicate the fame to any o- ther, or if they do, they ihall appoint another Orago^ or Wake, fo as to have two Feftivals to prevent thofe Emulations that are common in thefe parts. The Synod alio condemns the '^ Ig- norance of thofe Chriftians who imagine that they

* 31ffn02ance '] upon S. Te- a great many people complain of

refa bemg joyned with St. James, the Indignity done to St. James^

in the Patronage oí Spain by Pope their old Patron and General in

Vrban the Vlllih. how loud did all their Wars, by that Partner-

380 Tie JBs and Vecrees

do an injury to a Church, in dedicating a New one in the fame Country to a different Saint, from whence it is that all the Churches in the fame Country are as it were called by the fame Name, and doth furthermore command, Tliat upon the Oragds of Churches where there are Sermons, people having no Sermon in their own Parifh, do repair thither that fo there may be no divifions among Churches, to the prejudice of Charity and Chriftian Unity, as the Synod is informed there is in many places, all which it is deiirous to remove, as not becoming Chrifti- ans, and for the further fervice of the Church commands Fraternities to be ereded, but efpe- cially for the feftivities, by which means fuch things as are neceííàry for the Church may be greatly advanced.

fhip. Among others, í^«íx;eí/(3, as That the Saints in Heaven did re- in Honour bound, being a Knight fent fuch Affronts. 3. That it was of the Order of Sx.. fames^ drew monftrous Ingratitude in Spain to his pen in his Patron s (parrel, treat a Patron thus,who had fought and having laid down this as an perfonally on Horfebacic for her undeniable pofition. That St. in all her Battels with the Moors, James muft necejjarily be difpara' among whom to this day the Cap- ged bi having onejoyned with hinji tain on theWhitehorfe wasformi- and efpeciallj! a Woman^ in a Patro- dable. As to the Text in Scrip- nage he had enjoyed folelyfor fo ma- ture urged by S. Terefd's Friends tiy Ages ', did manfully maintain for fuch a partnerihip. i'/^. It k that, its being faid in the Pope's not good for manto be alone y I mil Bn\l,That nothing was grantedt herein mahehiman help meet for him. He to 5.Terefa that fhould be inany wife faith, That confidering what was to the prejudice or diminution of St. the true intent of thofe words James, did make that whole grant when they were fpoke, fuch an null and void, for that joyning her application of them was profane with St. James in fuch an Office and Heretical* mufl neccffarily leflcn him : idly.

Decree

of the Synod of Diampen j 8 1

Decree xxxv.

THe Synod doth very much recommend it to the Vicars of Churches, and other Priefts to labour much in the Converfion of Infidels^ and that by juft and gentle methods, namely, by the preaching of the Gofpel to bring them to the Catholick Faith, and to omit no opportuni- ty of inftrufting as well the Naires as the Chegos^ or baíèr fort of People in the knowledge of the Truths but above all, the poor Malleans who live in the Heaths, who as the Synod is inform- ed, are lefs wedded to their Errors, particular- ly that of the Adoration of Idols, and are much better difpoíèd to receive the Evangelical Doftrine than others 5 and wheníbever any Infidel is converted, the Prieft ihall advife the Prelate thereof, that he may take fuch order therein as he (hall judge mcft convenient, and to be moft for the fervice of Chrifl:, earneftly entreating that the Converfions that are begun in fome parts by the moft Reverend Metropoli- tan^ may be carried on by the Clergy of this Dioceis, by providing themfelves continually of fuch Priefts as are fit to advance the fame, and where-ever there is any confiderable number of Converts, they ftiall immediately build Church- es, and appoint Vicars to take the Cure of their Souls.

Decree

J 8 X Tl?e A5ls md Decrees

Decree xxxvi.

WHereas the Synod is informed, That the meaner fort of People are much better difpoíèd to receive the Faith than the Naires^ or Nobles, and being ei^reamly defirous to find Ibme way whereby fuch well difpofed People may be made Chriftians, fo as to aíTemble toge- ther with the old Chriftians, as why íhould they not, fince they all adore the fame God, with whom there is no diftinftion ofPeribns,and are all of the fame Faith, and do all uíè the fame Sacra- ments, and whereas after matu re deliberation,and having oftentimes recommended the matter to God, and conferred about the moft proper me- thods for the eifedrng oi it in the Congregati- ons, we have not been able to find any, that are effedual, by reafon of the Heathen Kings and Lords to whom all the Chriftians in thefe parts are fubjed, who, if they ftiould obferve that we withdraw their common Subjects from their ReUgion, would correfpond with us no longer to the lois of the Trade and Commerce we do at prefent maintain with them, all which being ob- íèrved by the Synod, it doth command that if any of the poorer fort of People ftiall deiire to turn Chriftian, that they be received to Baptifm, and the Prelate ftiall be advifed thereof, that he may give order for the building of diflinót Churches for them, and may appoint Priefts to take the Cure thereof, that to the meaner fort of

of the Synod of Diamper. 3 83

People may not have the Gate of Chriftianity and Salvation (hut againft them, as it has been hitherto in this Church 3 and in caie they have not a Church to themfelves, they ihall then hear Mafs without doors in the Porch, until Chrift (hall provide fome better way for them, and the Heathen Kings (hall be brought to allow the mean People that turn Chriftians to be efteemed as Noble,upon the account of the Relation that all Chriftians ftand in to one another : and the Sy- nod doth beg it of His Majefty the King of P<?r- tugal^ that by means of the great Power he has in thefe parts, he would procure this privilege of the Kings and Lords of Malabar^

Decree xxxvii.

T^He Synod being defirous that the Church of -*- the Serra^ fhould in all things be confor- mable to the Latin cuftoms, or Holy Mother Church of Rome^ unto which See ihe has now yielded a perfed Obedience, and whereas in the Roman Church, the cuftom is to make the Sign of the Crofs and Bleilings from the left to the right, fo that in faying, In the Name of the Fa- ther^ and of the Son^ and of the Holy Ghofi^ they put their hand on their Forehead, and after that deicended to their Breaft, where after having croiTed themfelves, they go next to the left Shoul- der, and from thence to the right, thereby fig- nifying among other Myfteries, that by virtue of the Crofs of Chrift the Son of God, we are

tran-

384 7?;e JBs and Decrees

tranflated from the left hand, the place of Repro- bates, to the right, the place of the Eleâ: 5 and the cuftom of this Diocefs is to make the faid fign from the right to the left 0 wherefore the Synod doth command that all Children and all other Peo- ple be taught to crofs and blefs themfelves from the left to the right, according to the Latin cu- ftom, which ihall alfo be obferved by the Priefts in the bleffings they give to the People, and in the Croffes they make in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mafs^ and the Adminiftration of the other

Sacraments,

©ectee xxxviir.

THe Synod doth declare. That the Executi- on of Laft Wills lawfully made by decea- fed Chriftians does by the Canon Law belong to Prelates and Biihops, who are to take care that they be obfer^^ed , and that whatfoever Chrifti- an has made a Will that is valid according to the cuftom of the place, if it is not comply ed with in a Year after the Death of the Teftator, the Bifliop (hall by cenfures, and other Penalties, if found neceflary conftrain the Heirs, or others, whofe Duty it is to fulfill the fame.

Darn

of the Synod of Diamper. j 8 5

Deem xxxix.

WHereas it often happens that Perfons dy- ing who were under the fcandal of ha- ving committed fome grievous Sin, tho' never proved upon them, are upon that account de- nyed the Prayers, and other Offices of the Dead, eipecially if they defired Confeffion, and were confeffed at their Death, which is contrary to the order and cuftom of the Church, which deprives none of her publick Prayers, but fuch as die Ex- communicate, or in the Aâ: of fome Mortal Sin, without having given any fign of Contrition : Therefore the Synod doth command, that what- ibever Sins one may have committed, if thecen- fure of Excommunication was not annexed to them f. or unlefs the Perfon died in the very Ad of fome Mortal Sin, without giving any fign of Contrition, or flowly in his Bed, without defi- ling to be confeílèd, or to have a Prieft called to him to that eíFed, as is appointed by the Decrees of the Sacrament of Penance^ they ihall pray and perform the Office of the Dead for him, and bu- ry him in Holy Ground with the fame Prayers they do other People.

©eccee XL.

THe Synod having; thanked the Jefiits of the College of Vaipcotta in this Diocefsj and of the other Refidencies, for the pains they

C c ' have

3 Sá The Ms 4)ti Decrees

have been at in inftrufting the Chriftians of theie parts, does for the greater benefit of the Souls of the faid Chriftians, grant Licence to the faid Re- ligions, as well of the College, as of their other greater Reiideneies to preach and hear Confeffi- cns, and adminifter the Sacraments in all Chur- ches where-eveir they come, without ftânding in need of any further Licence, the Sacrament of McLtrimony only excepted, which it (hall not be lawful for them to adminifter without leave from, or at the requeft of the Parifli- Priefts, command- ing all Vicars and Curates of Churches, and all the People to receive the faid Fathers cheerful- ly, and to entertain them with great Kindneis and Thank?, for the great trouble they are at in travelling continually ever the Mountains only for the Salvation of their Souls, and rejoyce to learn from them how to adminifter the Sacra- ments, and to have their Flocks inftruc^ed by them in all fuch Dodrines as are neceiiary to their Souls, and their Vicars ftiall oblige their People to come to Church, to hear them, when- ever they preach, tlie Synod being very confi- dent, that the faid Fathers will exercife all the iaid Fnnfttons in great Love and Charity with the Parifn, and all the other Priefts of th& ' Church.

'^ZiKZZ

of th S Y N o p of Diaraper. |8'7 C)ectee XLI.

Hereas the Conftitutions of the Biílioprick OÍ Goa have been received in the Pro- vincial Councils thereof, and have been ordered to be obierved thorow the whole Province, of which this Church being a Suffragan^ is obliged by the faid Councils, and to which this Synod yield- ing a due Obedience, doth command. That in all things that can be obferved in this Biíhoprick, or concerning which there is no proviíion made m this Synod, the iaid Conftitutions be kept and obeyed, and doth likewife command, That Appeals whenfoever made from Sentences given in this Biíhoprick to the Meírí?pí>//í^;?, fuch Ap- peals being made in fuch Cafes wherein the Ca- nons allow them, ihall be granted , neverthe- kfs not intending hereby to alter any thing iri that mild method of the Prelate, and four or more Perfons compofing Matters amicably to the prevention of many Difcords, but if the Parties ihall not fubmit to fuch determinations, but will appeal to the. Metropolitan^ it (hall not be denyed them, being done in due form.

Ce â Acíi-

J 88 The ABs and Decrees

Action IX.

Of the (^formation of Manners»

Decree I.

WHereas of all the evil Cuftoms that are to be Footed from among the Faithful, thofe are the raoft dangerous which have fomething of the Heathen Superftition in them, of which this Biihoprick is full , therefore the Synod deiiring that allfuch cuftoms were totally extirpated, that fo Chrifiians may enjoy Chriftianity in its purity, doth in order thereunto command,that aU Superfti- tious waihings which are by fome moft fuperftiti- oufly praftifed as Holy Ceremonies be utterly abo- li fhed, fuch as the wartiing of Dead Corps the Day afcer they have given z Dole , reckoning it a Sin to negled fuch wailiings, the making of Circles with Rice, into which they put the Parties that are to be Married, having given Rice before to Chil- dren, as alio the taking a thred out with great Su- perftition when they cut a Webof Cloath, and the taking two grains of AWe back again, after they have fold and meafured it : all which Heatheniih Vanities the Synod totally prohibits, commanding oil that ihali ufe them hereafter to be feverely puniilied.

Decree

i

of th S Y ?í o D of Diamper. 389 Decree n.

THo* it would much rejoice the Synod to fee the Superftitious and abfurd Cwftoms of the Heathen malavars of the better ibrt not mixing with the lower, and of having no com- munication or correfpondence with thofe that have but touched any of them, totally abohilied among theChriftians of this Biihoprick s yet for- afmuch as the Chriftians thereof, by reaíbn of their being fubjeâ: to Infidel Princes, whom they are forced to obey in all things, wherein the Faith is no ways concerned, and that Chriftians, if they (hould but touch thofe of the bafer rank, could not after that, according to the Laws, have any Trade or communication with the better fort of People, and ib would not be able to live among them 5 for which reafon the Synod doth declare. That the cuftom of not touching any of the bafer fort, being obferved only in com- plyance with the Heathens , and looked upon c.s a Superftitious Heathen Vanity, and not volunta- rily obferved, is no Superftition, nor for the above- mentioned Reafons any matter of fcruple, and that Chriftians may in all places thus lawfully obferve it , where there are Naires or any of the better fortf or where it is likely they may be, or may come to hear of it : But in all places w^here thefe Cauies do not concurr, or in iecrer, or among the Porti/guezes^ this Superftition cannot be obferved without" doing a great injury to C c 3 their

^po The^Jãs and Decreed

their Confciences 5 on the contrary, the Synod doth admoniih all the Faithful to receive all fuch with great Love and Charity, tho' never fo, poor nnd mean, and efpecially if they are Chrih ftjans , knowing that there is no diftinftron of Perfons with God, who is Lord of all": And albeit they do not touch the bafe fort of Peo- ple upon the forementioned account, yet if they ihould happen to touch any of them, they íhalí not waih themfelves thereupon, that being a thing that can never come to the knowledge of the Heathens, and would therefore be a manifeft Superftition ^ thofe alfo that will not touch the Ndtres^ or if they ihould, do waih themfelves, v/hich, as the Synod is informed, is what the Chriftians in the Sonthern parts do obferve, where the forementioned impediment is not among the Heathens, who are rather fcandalizcd by fuch a contemptuous Carriage : Therefore the Synod doth ccmsmand all that fhall be found guilty of forbearing to touch fuch , or having touched them, iball wafii themfelves, to be feverely pn- niihed as Superftitious followers of the Heathen Cuitoms, and commands the Preachers and Con- felibrs to admcnifn them thereof in their Ssr- niohs and ConfeiTions,

Deccce

of the S V N o D of Ufamper. 3 p i Oecçíc HI

''T^He Synod being informçcl, that in fomc parts -■- when any one of the bafer fort do but couch the Cifterns of Chriftians , that Chriftians dp * Difef^polear or Purify them, by performing cer- tain Ceremonies after the manner of the Hea- thens, which is very contrary to the Purity of the Chriftian Rehgion, being an intolerable Sii- perdition, doth with great rigour command thofe that make the faid Difempokdmsnto or Vurificati- on^ oruie the faid Ceremonies, to be thrown out of the Communion of the Church, and to be de- nied the Cajltire during the Prelate's pleafure, or at leaft for one Year, and to be punifhed with the Penalties that fuch Ceremonies do deferve.

* This word Dí/èm;)o/M>-, comes j this vile caft of People is called from Lleas , which is the name ( by.

Decree iv.

"ITjTHereas in the Feaft of the Heathen, called ^^ Qna^ which is Celebrated in Auguji ^ in vyhich they go out one againft another with Bows and Arrows, and other Arms, in which conflids fome are killed, and more wounded 5 and fome Chriftians, unmindful of their Obliga- tions, living among them, and communicating much with them, do go forth with them, and Armed as they are to the faid Feafts, and are thereby liable to the fame Difafters : Therefore

C c 4 the

59i 'ti'if ABs and Decrees

the Synod doth command all the Faithful Chri- ftians of this BJihoprick, in Holy Obedience, and upon pain of Excommunication, not to prefume to refer t to this or any other Heathen Feftivity, tho' there fhould be no Ceremony belonging to a Vdgod therein , forafniuch as all fuch Feafts are dedicated to the faid Pagods, and are celebrated and cbferved to their Honour and Veneration 5 which is the rather to be forbore in this of the 0/;.^, by reafon of the danger of death that there is probably therein, the Heathens fuperftitioufly imagining that all that die in that occafion, go immediately to Heaven ^ but Chriftians fhall only obferve their own Holy Feftivities am.ong them- ^ielves, and that wjth a due moderation and de- cency, as becomes the Profeílòrs of the Law of Chrift^ without having any thing to do with the Snperftitious Fefuvals of the Heathens, vi^hich are dedicated to the Honour of the Devil, and if any Chriftian ihall die in the faid Heathen Feaftj he ihall be denied Eccleíiaftical Burial.

V

^ttttt V.

Ai:hful Chriftians muft not only avoid the Ceremonies and Saperftitions of the Heathens^ but thi^ Jt/dairal Rites and Ceremonies alio, which were alx abrogated by the fufiicient promulgati- on of -the Gofpel, for which reaibn the Synod, tho' it doth very much commend the Holy Cu- ftom of carrying Children to Church forty dsys ifi^'tGjíh^V;^re.bpri3, to offer, theni tc the Lord,

of the Synod of Diamper. ^ ^ j

In imitation and praife of what was done by our Lady the raoft Holy Virgin ^ nevertheleís it con- demns the feparating of Women for the faid forty days after the birth of a Male, as if they were unclean fo as not to fuííer them to enter into the Church, imagining they would fin in doing it, and eighty days after the birth of a Female 5 both which are Jtwiffj Ceremonies, that are now abrogated, and not only ufelefs but prejudicial, and as fuch, the Synod doth totally prohibit the obíèrvance of them 5 declaring, that if Women have Health and Strength fooner, they ihall be obliged to go to Church to hear Mafs upon Sundays 2i\\à Holy- days ; and after forty days they may,according to their Cuftom, carry their Sons to Church with Devotion, underftanding that there is no Precept of the Church for it, but that it is only a pious Devotion of faithful Women that are willing to make fuch an Offering of their Sons to God in imitation of the moft Holy Virgin Mary^ the Mother of God, taking her for the Intercefior of the Children thus offered to God both for Spirituals and Temporals.

Decree vi.

ONe of the greateft Sins in the fight of God, and which he has always prohibited and punilhed above all others , is the confilting of Witches^ and fuch as hold a cofrefpondence with the Devil 5 wherefore the Synod being informed that a great many Chriftians of this Biíhoprick,

and

394 ^ ^^^ ^^^ Decrees

and efpecially among thofe that live in the Heaths^ by reafon of the Communication they have with hfidels , and their having fo many Witches and Fortime-tellers about them, when they intend to Marry, have recourfe to fuch People to know what Succefs they ihall havç, governing themíèlves fo much by what they are told , as to break off Matches after they are concluded, and to make new ones at the plea- fure of the faid Witches i^ as alfo when they are Sick, that they fend for fuch People to perforn^ fome Ceremony whereby they hope to have their Health reftored 5 and at other times to help them to Children , and to difcover Thefts , and for ieveral other purpofes ; all which are things re- pugnant to the Chriftian Religion, doth corar mand all Chriftians convifted of having con- fulted any of the faid Witches for theíè or any other purpofes , to be thrown out of the Church ; neither (hall any Priefl: go to their Houfes or give them the Cafinre^ during the Prelate's plea- fure , or for one Year at leaft , and (hall be puniihed with fnch other Penalties as the Ce- remonies they performed and confented to ihall deferve.

Decree

of the Synod of EKamper. r^j

Decree vii.

THe Synod being informed, that fome wic- ked Chriftians are not content only to go to Witches to confult them, but do furthermore fend for them to their Houfes, where they joyn vvith them in the Invocation of their Pagods^ and in making offerings and Sacrifices to them, in killing Dogs, and performing other Ceremonies, that are contrary to the Faith, namely, one which they call ToUicannm^ OUicamtm^ Bellicornm^ Co' nnm^ which they do often publickly to the great fcandal of Chriftianity, as if they were not Chri- ftians, and at other times permit the Heathens to perform them in their Houfes, doth command in virtue of Holy Obedience, and upon pain of Excommunication to be Ipfo faão incurred, that no Chriftian (hall prefume to perform any of the faid Ceremonies, or confent to the perfor- ming of them in their Houfes, and that all that do tranfgrefs therein, ihall be declared Excommuni- cate in the Church, until they ihall beg for mer- cy, and have undergone condign and publick Puniihment in the Church, and tho' upon their Repentance appearing to be true and iincere, they may be abfolved, yet they ihall not have the Cajiure given them, neither fhall any Prieft go to their Houfes in two Years, fave in caíè of peril of Death 5 and they who ihall go to offer any thing to a Pagod^ or (hall make any Vow to one, ihall be puniilied after the fame manner,

and

^p6 The AEls and "Decrees

and with the fame Penarice, and (hall incurrEx» communication Ipfi faão, in all which Matters the Vicar muft be very watchful for the preven- tion of all fuch Idolatries.

Decree viii.

AGieat many ignorant Chriftians of this Bi- ihoprick being unmindful of the Purity of their Chriftian Obligations, do carry Notes a- bout them which have been given them by Witches for the Cure of their Diftempers, hoping for relief from their vertue, hanging them like- wife about the Necks of their Cattle to keep them well, and putting them in their Orchards to encreafe the Fruit, and communicating them to feveral other things for various effeds 5 all which the Synod detefting as Diabolical, doth command all that are guilty thereof to be fevere- ly puniihed by the Prelate, and all Vicars not to permit any fuch Offenders to enter into the Church, nor to give them the Cajiure^ and no Priefks to go to their Houfes, and they fhall be compell'd to deliver all fuch Notes to their Vi- cars to be torn, and all that have ufed any of them, tho' they (hould never do it more, fhall be puniihed for the fpace of fix months with the raid Penalties,

2?CCltÇ

of the Synod of Diamper. j 97 5)ecree ix.

THe Onzena^ or praâice of llfury, is a grie- vous Sin in the fight of God, and is very much condemned in the Scriptures, Chrift com- manding us to lend to others , homing for nO' thing again , and the Synod being very much troubled to find the greateft part of the Chrifti- ans of this Dioceis entangled therein, through their ignorance of what gains are lawful, and what are not, and of what may be kept, and what ought to be reftored, doth therefore admoniih in the Lord, all Faithful Chriftians to confult the Learned about thefe Matters, giving them an account of all their Contrads, in order to their being rightly inftruâ:ed as to what they may lawfully take for Money they have lent out. And the Synod doth furthermore declare, that according to the beft Information it has receiv- ed, the Intereft of Money in Malabar is Ten per Cent, and whatever is taken more, if the Prin- cipal runs no "^ risk is Onzena^ or Uiury, and as

* 3ííÍ0fe» 3 Moft Convents in with the common praftice of rhe trading Cities lend out Money ac Church of Rome^ the Monks and 6 or 7 fer Cent, and take as much Friars not excepted, yet it plain- care to fecure tlieir Principal, as ly contradiâs the Doârine of any Ufurer whatfoever, fo that that Church, which is, that all the diftinfticn of Lucrum CeffanSy fort cf Ufury is a Mortal Sin jfor zx\à Damnum emergens viWl cither if the taking of lo ^er Cent, {or jliftifie a legal Intereft in gene- Money, and thai where the prin- ral, or it will not juftifie what cipal runs no risk, is not Ufury, it the^ lending Convents do. But will be hard to tell what ij. tho' this Decree falls in exaâly

to

^ j>8 The JSls and Decrees

to the Ten they (hall likewife confult the Learn- ed, to whom they (hall declare how Money may be improved in the place where it is lent, that ÍO they may be able to tell them, whether k be lawful for them to take fo much, for it may hap- pen that in ibme places, there will not be ib ^nuch to be got by the Negotiating of Money, which muft make fuch an high intereft to be there unlawful, and whoroe\»er Ihali tak-e -more than Ten per Cent, if bis Principal runs no risk, after having been three times admoniihed by the Prelate or Vicar without Amendment ftiall be declared Excommunicate, and ihall not be ab- folved until he has diíTolved the faid Contrad.

£)cci;ec X.

npHe Synod doth condemn the taking of One ^ pr Cent, hy the month, where the Principal Tuns no risk, being fecured by a pledge, and of Two per Cent, by the Month, if the one is not payed punftually, fuch Contrafts being veryiin- juft and manifeft Onzena^ or Ufury, fo that nei- ther the want of a pledge, nor any thing elfe can Juftifie the taking of Two per Cent, by the month, if the Principal is not in danger, all which Con- trads the Synod doth prohibit, and the Vicars to give their confent to any fuch, and where they are made to diííòlve them, compelling all that are faulty therein by Penalties and Cenfures if it ihall be found neceflary : The Synod doth furthermore condemn their calling all Gain ari-

fing

of the StkCd of Diamper. 399

fing from Money, Onzena^ becaufe it gives occafi- on for forae to imagine that all fuch Gain is un- lawful, and notwithftanding fuch Gain is law- ful, and may be juftly taken in feveral Cafes, to fcruple the taking any.

S)ect:ee xi.

TT/'Hereas there are great numbers of Chrifti- '^ ans who for want of having the Fear of God and the Church before their Eyes, do co- habit publickly with Concubines, to the great fcandai of Chriftianity 5 the Vicars ihall there- fore with great Charity admoniih all fuch Of- fenders, three times declaring to them. That if they do not reform, they muft declare them Ex- communicate, and if after fo many Admonitions they do not turn away their Concubines, they muft be Excommunicated until they are effeftual- ly parted, and be puniihed with other Penalties at the pleafure of the Prelate, according to the time that they have lived in that Sin , and when it (hall fo happen that their Concubines are their Slaves, they ihall conftrain them not only to turn them out of their Houfes, but to fend them out of the Country where they live, that there may be no more danger of their re- lapfing, which ihall be hkewife obferved as to all other Women where there is the fame danger.

Decree

400 Tl)e ASis and Decrees

Decree xii.

npHe Synod doth very earneftly recommend it -*- to all Mafters and Fathers of Families, to be very watchful over the Lives and Manners of their Slaves and Servants, and the rather for ha- ving been informed, that moft of the Black Wo- men belonging to Chriftians in this Biihoprick, do lead very ill Lives in being publick Whores, and known to be fuch by their Mafters^ never going to Mdfs or Conpjfion^ and being totally ig- norant of the Chriftian PLeligion, their Mafters taking no care to have them inftruâred therein, or of the good of their Souls, notwithftanding the Obligation they are under of doing it, St. Vaul having told us» that he that does not tai^e care ofhk Family^ is worfe than an Infidel. Where- fore the Synod doth very much recommend it to the Vicars of Churches to be very watchful over, and to make diligent Inquiry into the Lives of the Slaves that are in their Pariihes, and as they ihall fee occaiion to exhort their Mafters, and oblige them not to fufFer their Slaves to live in a Cnful State.

Decree xin.

"11 rHereas fevcral poor wretched Chriftians fol« ^ lowing the Cuftom of the Heathen among whom they live, when they find themfelves pin- ched with any want, do, contrary to all right and

reafon,

of the S y ÍÍ OD t)f Diamper. J^õ-i

rcafon, fell their Children : Wherefore the Synod doth in Virtue of Obedience, arid npon pain of the greater Excommunication, prohibit all Cbrt-* ftians to fell their Children, or any of their Kin- dred, no not to other Ghriftians, and doth un- der the fame Precept and cenfure forbid all Ghriftians to buy any fuch, or to keep them as Slaves, except when they fee Parents fo far de- fpife this prohibition, as to be ready to fell their Children to Infidels, in which cafe they may buy them to keep the Chriftian Children from coming under the power of Heathens, whom neverthelefs they ihall not keep as Slavesj but ihall forthwith fignifie what they have done, t(? the Prelate, that he ma^^ take fuch courfe there- in, that the Buyer may have his Money, and the Child its liberty, and the Seller may bepuniihed : all that ihall buy fuch Children in any other cafe* as well as thofe that fell them, (hall be held Excom-^ tnunicate until they have effeÓtually diílblved all fuch Bargains ^ and if the Child do happen to be made an Infidel, he that fold it ihall not» be ab- folved until he has ranfomed the faid Child, or at leaft until the Vicar and People are fatisfied of his having done all that he is able to have re- deemed it, and the Synod doth furthermore re-^ commend it to the Vicars and Curates of Chur- ches, and to all Chriftian People, that whenever any fuch thing happens, they do all that is' in their power to recover fuch Children, rind to tanfom them whatever it coft, by contributing Money towards itj and by complaining thereof

D d to

40I The Aãs and T>ecrees

to their Kings, and advifing the Prelate of it, leaving no means untried to refcue fuch Chil- dren, that fo they may not be bred up Infidels.

. Dectee xiv.

'TpHe Synod doth approve of the laudable -^ Cuftom of this Dioceis of Mens giving the Tenth part of their Wives Portion when they are Married, to the Church 5 as alio of that of making a repartition of the faid Alms betwixt the Fabrick of the Church and the Priefts there- of 5 and whereas this Cuftom does not obtain^ all over the Diocefs, and efpecially in the Southern. Parts, the Synod doth intreat and command all' People to conform themfelves to the fame , and willeth that the People among whom this Cuftom is not as yet introduced, may be obliged to it by their Procurators , there being no reaibn, iince it is obierved in the greater part of this Dioceis, why it ihould not be eftabliftied all over it.

Decree xv.

WHereas by the ancient Cuftom confented to/ by the Infidel Kings oi Malabar^ the whole Governfenent of the Chriftians of this Biihoprick, , not only in Spirituals but in Temporals alfo, is devolved to the Church and the Bifhop thereof who is to determine all differences that are 9^ mong Chriftians, and that fome dreading th^ Juaice an^^ Judgmer^,^,flf ,^e ^r^^^ in their

r .. . Con-

of the S T N o D of Diamptr. 40 ^

Controverfies , do without any fear of God, carry them before Infidel Rings and their Judges, who are eafily bribed to do as they would have them, to the great prejudice of ChriftiaDity 3 the faid Kings taking occafion from thence to intrude themfelves into the Affairs of Chrifiians, by which means, befides that they do not under- ftand fuch Matters, being Tyrants and Idolaters, they become very grievous and vexatious to Chriftians 5 for the avoiding of which, and feve- ral other mifchiefs arifing from thence to Chri- ftianity, the Synod doth ftriftly command all the Chriftians of this Diocefs, not upon any pretence whatfoever, to prefume to carry any of their Cauies before Infidel Kings or their Judge?, with- out exprefs Licence from the Pre! are ; which, whenfoever it iliall be judged neceííàry , H^all be granted to them as (hall be thoughu fit in the Lord ^ but all Caufes ihall be firft carried before the Prelate, that he may judge or corapTcfe them according to Reafon and Juftice y and all that (hall do otherwife, fhall be feverely punifhed for the fame, at the pleafure of the Prelate , and be thrown out of the Church for fo long time as he (hall think fit.

Í ■ ^ ©ectcc XVL

WHereas the Chriftians of this Bifhcprick are fubjed: to Kings and Lords that are Infidels, by whom they are many times obliged toliandleBars of hot Iron, or to thruft their

Dd 2 Hand

404 The AEls and Decrees

Hand into boyling Oil, or to fwim thorow Ri- vers that are full of Snakes , reckoning, that if they are innocent, none of thoie things can hurt them, but will certainly, if guilty of what they are accufed ; And feeing ther-e dre not wanting, ibme ill- minded Chriftians, who finding theni- felves unjuftiy accufed, do voluntarily offer them* felves to undergo the faid Ordeals for the mani- feftation of their Innocency j. and notwithftan- ding that it is true that God has fometimes con- curr'd with Peoples Innocency and Simplicity in fuch Cafes, by not fuifering them to be hurt by fuch things ô nevertheleís íince for any to offer themfelves to undergo fuch Ordeals^ is to tempt God, and to pretend to work a Miracle, which is not lawful, and may fometimes fo fucceed, as to be a great affront to our Cathplick Faith , therefore the Synod doth prohibit all Chriftians to prefume to offer themfdves to undergo any fuch Ordeali^ knowing that they fin mortally in fo doing , in being guilty therein of tempting God^ commanding ail that. íhalí tranfgrefb there- in, to be feverely puniftied. And when it (hall happen that any fuch Ordeals fhall be ib impo- fed upon them by their Infidel Princes, that there is no avoiding it, in fuch Cafes they (hall fubmit themfelves to the Will of God, as to the Injuftices and Violences laid upon them by Infidel Tyrants^ and in cafe of any Oath being tendred to them by infidels, wherein they muft fwear by their Pagods , they mufi: know that they ought rather to fuffer death, than take any fuch Ojtb,

the

of the Synod of Dlamper. 405

lhe taking of an Oath being an ad of Worfhip and Veneration, that is due to God alone: Nei- ther ihall Chriftians ufe any Ordeals among them- felves, or Oaths, but fuch as were in ufe in the Church, the forefaid Oaths being what Chriftians ought to dread more than all the Torments of the World.

Decree xvii,

WHereas the diftindion of the Faithful from Unbelievers, even by outward figns and habits, is a thing which has always been endea- voured, that fo the one may be known and di- vided from the other 5 therefore the Synod ha- ving obferved that there is no diftindkion neither in their Habits nor in their Hair, nor in any thing elfe, betwixt the Chriftians of this J )ioceft and the Heathen Naires , doth command, that hencefcfl-ward no Chriftian do prefume to bore their Ears, or to do any thing to make .them large, except Women , among whom it is an Univerfal Ornament ^ and whofoever ftiall tranf- grefs herein, fhall be puniftied at the pleafure of the Prelate, who ftiall not fuffer them to wear an Ornament of Gold or of any thing elfe in their Ears 5 and whofover ftiall prefume to wear any fuch Ornament, ftiall be thrown out of the Church,neither ftiall the Cajim-e be given them un- til fuch time as they are brought to yield eifedual Obedience, and to leave off all fuch Ornaments 3 but as for thofe wbofe Ears are bored already,

Dd 3 if

40 6 The Jcls and Decrees

if they are not Children, they may wear what they pleafe, or what they have accuftomed them- felves to. .

Decree xviii.

'He Synod being defiro-us to reftifie what- ever is amiis in this Dioceis, and ib far as it is poffible, to reform all evil Cuftoms , and having obferved the great Debauchery of many, and efpecially of the poorer fort, in drinking Grraca^ from whence do follow maiiy Diiafters, Murders, and Wounds^ wherefore in order to the preventing fuch IViifchiefs fo far as is poffible, the Synod doth prohibit the felling of Orracam any Chriftian Inn, neither ihall Chri- ftians Trade in that Commodity upon pain of being puniilied at the pleafure of the Prelate, by which means not only Diforders, but the great Communication the Faithful hath with the Hea- then in fuch Inns, will alio be prevented.

Decree xix.

WHereasit Is a manifeft Injuftice to have di- verfe Weights in the fame Country, the Synod being informed, that in many Markets of this Bifhoprick every one fells with what Weights they pleafe, doth command. That there be but one Weight for the fame Merchandize in a Mar- ket and all the Shops thereof, and that it be the pfual Weight of the place 5 to which all that do

not

of the Synod of Diamper. 407

not yield Obedience, fhall be admoniihed by the Vicars, and ii they do not reform thereupon, fhall chaftifed at the pleafure of the Prelate , who Ihall conftrain them to the fame by Penalties and Cenfures, if they ihall be found neceííáry , there being no other Government among the Chrifti- ans of this Diocefs but that of the Church, nor no other coercive Powei?; t>ut that of Cenfures.

'.^ú^imé'^ iiSyttUZ XX.

' ;■ n ■ OH»; /'<]\:m

-TX/Hereas an unreafonable Cuftom has efetain- r;;'^' cd in this Diocefs, wz.. That Males only inherit their Fathers Goods, the Females having no fhare at all thereof^ and that not only when there are Sons, but when there are Daughters only, and they unmarried, and many times In- fants, by which means great numbers of them periih, and others ruin themfelves for want of neceflaries ,' the Fathers Goods falling to the Males that are next in Blood, tho' never ib re- mote or collateral, there being no regard had to Daughters no more than if their Parents were under no obligation to provide for them 5 all which being very unreafonable, and contrary to the natural right that Sons and Daughters ic-have to fucceed, to the good of their Parents, - the Kindred who have thus poflèíTed themfelves of fuch Goods, are bound to reftore them to the Daughters as the lawfal Heireiies to them 5 wherefore the Synod doth decree and decbre this Cuftom to be UnjaiV, and that the next

D d 4 a- kin

4q8 Tl)^ Ms and Decrees

a-kin can have no right when there areDaughr ters to inherit their Father's Eftate , and being poílefièd of fach Eftates , are bound in confci- ençe to reftore them, neither is it lawful for the Males to divide the Eftate among them, with- out giving any equal Portion to the Females 5 or if they have not done it already, they ftand in? dgbted for their Portions ^ or if the Father has difpofed of the third part of his Eftate by Will, the remaining two parts ftjall be equally divided betwixt the Sons and the Daughters, the Porti- ons that have been received by thofe that are fnarried being difcounted , all which the Synod doth command to be obferved, intreating and commanding all the Chriftians of the Diocefs to receive this Decree as a Law , and obíèrve it intirely, it being laid as a duty upon their Con- fciences 0 snd if any (hall ad: other wife, and be- ing a Kinfman, fhall fcize upon the Goods be- longing to Daughters 5 or being a Son, ftiall de- ay w give Portions to his Sifters, or being in poílèffion of the íàid Goods, ihall refufe to make reftitutioa y the Prelate, if it cannot be done otherwiie, ihall compeli them to it by Penalties and Cenfures , declaring them Excommunicate,' without any hope of Abfolution, until fuch time as they fnail pay an efiedual Obedience, and piall make reítituiion^

ca

!o/ the Synod of Diamper. 40^

Decree xxr.

THe Adoption of Sons is not lawful, but in defeâ: of natural Children 5 which not be- ing underftood by the Chriftians of this Bifhop- rick through their ignorance of the Law, they do commonly Adopt the Children of their Slaves born in their Houíès, or of other People, difin» heriting their lawfully begotten Children, foraq- times upon the account of ibme diíFerences they have had with them , and fometimes only for the affeâion they have to Strangers, all which is contrary to Law and Reaion, and is a mani- feft injuftice and wrong done to their legitimate Children , wherefore the Synod doth declare, that the faid Adoptions muft not be pradtifed where there are natural Children, and being done are void, fo that' the Perfons thus Adopted are not capable of inheriting any thing, except what may be left them by way of Legacy, which muft not exceed the third of the Eft ate 5 no, not tho' the Adoption was made before there were any Legitimate Children to inherit. The Synod doth furthermore declare. That the A- doptions which have been made iDefore the cele- bration of this Synod, where there are Children, and the Adopted are not in actual poílèffion of the Eftaté, are void, neither ftiall the Adopted have any (hare thereof, or having had any, ihall be obliged to reftore it, to which if it be found peceííàry, the'Prelate ihall compeli thern by Pen-

ipaltiçs,

41 o Tk Aãs and Decrees

nakics and Cenfures s but as to thofe who by virtue of fuch Adoptions, have for a long time been in quiet pofieííion of Eftates, the Synod by this Decree does not intend to difpoíièís them thereof, by reafon of the great difturbance "and confufion the doing fo would make in this Dioceis, which is what this Synod pretends to hinder, leaving every one however in fuch Cafes, at liberty to take their remedy at Law.

Decree xxii.

WHereas the way of Adopting by ancient Cuftom in this Diocefs, is. to carry the

^Parties that are to be Adopted before the Biihop or Prelate, with certain Teftimonials , before whom they declare, that they take fuch a one for their Son, whereupon the Biihop paiTeth an OUa or Certificate, and fo the Adoption is per- feded ^ the Synod doth command. That from kenceforward, the Prelate do not accept of an Adoption from any that have Children of their own ^ or in cafe they have none, yet it íhall be declared in the OUa^ That if they fhall afterwards happen to have any , that the íàid OUa íhall be void to all intents and purpofes^ by which means the great Injuftices that

vjre now fo common in this Diocefs will be prevented.

2?cctee

of the Synod of Diampen 4 \ i

S)ecree xxni.

THe Synod being defirous to have all the Chriftians of this Diocefs to live together in Villages, by reafon of the great inconveni- encies they are under that live in the Heaths^ as well by reafon of the great communication they muft have with Infidels, as for wanting opportunities of going to Church, and Sacra- ments, whereby they are kept in ignorance of Chriftianity, doth in order thereunto very ear- lieftly recommend it to all Chriftians that live in Heaths^ to do all they are able, either to come and live in fonie Village, ortobaild new Villages with Churches, that fo they may live more civilly, and be ieparated from the com- munication of Infidels, and be the better in- ftrufted in the Cuftoms of our Holy Catholick Faith, recommending it earneftly to the Vicars to perfuade their Sheep thereunto, for the Spi- ritual profit they will receive thereby: which the Prelate ihall alio endeavour with all his

power.

©ecree xxiv.

^T^He Synod having taken into confideration -*- the manifold Injuftices , Oppreilions and Grievances wherev/ith Infidel Kings and Gover- nours do often treat the Chriftians of this Bi- fhoprick 5 aiid that cut of enmity to our Holy Catholick Faith, and obferving the neceility they

are

41?- The ABs and Decrees

are in of Defence and Proteftion , doth with great inftance deiire, That his Majefty the King of Portugal would be gracioufly pleafed to take all the Chriftians of this Biihoprick under hh Favour and "^ Protedion , he being the only Ghriftian King or Lord in all thefe Oriental Parts , and the Chriftians of this Diocefs ihall on their

* ^^OtCííion.] By this we kCj the King of Cochim was doc jealous without reafon, that the Arch-Bifhop had a Scare deilgti in the great pains and charge he was at in the reduélion of his Ghrifti- an Subjeftsj and tho' nothing was talked of but the Pop\ and the Roman Obedience, that the King of Spaitii and the augmen- tation of his fircngth in the Indies by the acceilion of fo many new Subjeds, was the main Spring in the Enterprize. I will noc fay, tho' it is probable enough, that the Arch-Bifhop by magnifying this Service ac the Courc of Spain, got firft to be Governour of che Indies, and afterwards to be Go- vernour of all the Dominions of Portugal, and Prefident of thç Council of State at Madrid ; but this we are fure of, that that Ser- vice to the Crown of Spdn was much boailed of here in Ewope by others. For the Jefuic //<?>«/ in his Book De Rebus Japonick, fpeaking of this very thing, faith, Chx res quanto Regite Majeftati emolumento fit latuya, mrunt qui non ignorant, quanti fit momenti, gentem in tota India leãijjimam, à temporibus B. Thoma Chrijiiano cul- tui dedi^um^ tàmç^v.e mmerofum (^

potentem, ut armatos ad Trtginta Millia in prompt u h abe at cum Lttft- tanis unire, ad Eccleftee Romans obedientiam revocare, <iy in Fidem. ditionemque Regis Catholici accipere. But as it is vifible that the in- creaiin^ of the Portuguen^eiirength in the Indies, by the acceflion of fo many new Suhjefts, was what both zhç Arch-Bi(íiop and Spanifh Government aimed at chiefly in the troublefome and chargeable reduition of this Church : So it is certain , that from this very Year 1 599, the Portii^ue^e Hifto- rians do begin to reckon the dc- clination-ofcheir ftrength inthofe parts; who give the following Account of the three Ages of cheir Indian Government j that it was in its Infancy till the Y^ar ' S^i, and from that time iill the Year 1600, in ics Manhood or full firength, and ever fmcc has been in its Old declining Age, and is now in truth become fo decrepit^, as to be only the Ghoftofa great Name. Neither is this to be won- dred at, confidering how common a thing it is for God to blaft the moil promifing Securities, when obtained by fuch violent and un-: lawful Methods,

of the Synod 0/ Diamper. 41 j

parts be ready at all times to facrifice their Lives to their Holy Catholick Faith, the preíèrvatioíi of Chriftianity , and the defence of Chriftirins, which they (hall be always prepared to do with their Lives and Fortunes 5 befeeching the moft Reverend Metropolitan^ Prefident of this Synod, to prefent this their Petition to his Majefty, and to let him know how ready all the Chriftians of this Biihoprick are to íèrve him.

'S>ZtUZ XXV*

WHereas in this Synod , Matters pertaining to our Holy Catholick Faith,the Holy Sacra- ments of the Church, the Reformation of Affairs thereof, and the Cuftoms of Chriftian People have been handled 5 the Synod doth command all Vicars of Churches not to fail to have all its Decrees Tranfcrib'ed from the Original Malabar^ and to have a Copy thereof in all their Churches, Signed by the Reverend the Arch-Deaeon of this Diocefs, and the Reftor of the College of Vatpicotta^ and upon every Sunday and Holy-day^ when there is no Sermon nor no Lefture upon the Catechifm fet forth by the moft Reverend Metropolitan , that a portion of this Synod be read to the People 5 but on the Seaibns when the faid Catechifm is ordered to be read, it ihall be read on SHndays^^xià the Synod upon Holy- days^ that fo all that is decreed therein may come to the knowledge of the People, and may be remembred and obferved by them 5 the Ori- ginal

414 ^ ^^^ ^^^ and Decrees

ginal of the faid Synod being Signed by the moft Reverend Metwpolitan and all the other Members thereof, (hall be put in the Archives of the JefuJtes College oi Vaipicottam this Dio- cefs, from whence fo many Copies as (ball be thought neceilary , fhall be tranfmitted to the Churches 3 there (hall alio be another Original Signed by the moft Reverend Metropolitan^ the Arch-Deacon, and other Members, kept in the Archives' of the Church of Angamale^ called the Arch-Biihop's &e, that all Copies may at all times be Correded according to either of thoie Originals 3 and the Synod doth furthermore re- commend it to all Vicars, Priefts, and Curates, and to all and every Chriftian of this Dioceis, and commands them all in the Lord to conform themiclves to the Decrees of this Diocefan Synod, and ib far as is in their power, to obierve and caufe them to be obferved inviolably, and to govern themíèlves by them in all things 3 which the Synod is confident they will do with the help of God the Father^ Son^ and Holy Ghojiy Vi>ho liveth and reigneth for ever : Amen,

After the Decrees were read, the Biihoprick was divided into Seventy-five parifhes, whofe Bounds were greater or leííèr as was judged to be moft convenient for' the adminiftration of the Holy Sacraments, and the Spiritual Food of the Faithful, Vicars were alfo nominated to them all, and the Churches that were not able to maintain a Vicar were united : The Vicars after they were named , were brought in one

by

o/í/?e Synod p/ Diamper. - 41 j

by one to kiis the Metropolitans Hand, who at the fame time gave them their Collation, de- claring to them the greatnefs of their Authority, and of the Obligations of their Office, and com- nianding the People to acknowledge them as their Pariih-Priefts and the Shepherds of their Souls. After they had all, one after another, per- formed this Ceremony , they were admoniihed all together in the prefence of the People by the moft Reverend Metropolitan^ to comply with the Obligations of their Funftion, and being all upon their Knees before him, he delivered the following Charge to them.

' Venerable and beloved Brethren, and fel- ' low Priefts, and particular Paftors of the Faith-

* ful, We let you all to underftand, that we, tho*

* unworthy of it, are in the place of Aaron, sind ' ye of Eleazar and Ehitaman, the lower Priefts 3 ' we are in the place of the Apoflles of our Lord ' Chrift, y^ in that of the Seventy-two Difciples 0 ' we are to give a ftriâ: Account of you at the ' tremendous Day of Judgment , you of the ' People that are now committed to you : Now ' that we may be all found good and faithful ' Stewards in our Mafter's Houfe, we do admo-

* niih and befeech you , beloved Brethren in

* Chrift, to remember what we are about to fay

* unto you, and which is of moft importance,

* be fure to obíèrve it and put jt in execution. In ' the firft place we do admonifti and beíèech you

* in the Lord, to have your Life and Conver-

«fatious unblam^iç,> yielditug íhç.6your of a

..i vji^.^^iiv :>..?.,•' ,^«..«..-^.^. «good

4^6 TItc Aã$ and Decreed

good Name, and Example to the People of God,' in fuíFering no Women, and efpecially thofe of which the World may entertain any fufpicion, tho' Slaves, to live in your Houfes^ neither are you to converfe with any of the Sex ^ you muft not tail to rife every Night to recite the Divine Office in the Church, which muft be performed at fome certain hour^ and after that is done, none of you muft fay Mafs otherwife than Fafting, and after Midnight for- ward^ and in the Holy Habits, which muft al- ways be kept clean, ye ftiall receive the Body and Blood of our Cord Jefus Chrift, with ali Reverence and Humility, confefling your Sins to fome approved Confeflbr, with great con- trition and forrow for them, but eipecially if your Coniciences do check you for any fault you have committed. The Corporal and Valls muft be made of Linen, neither can they with- out an Apoftolical 'difpenfation, be made of any other Cloth, and muft be always kept clean. The Holy Veffels you are always to wafti with your own hands, and that in other clean VeiTcls dedicated to that uie 5 putting the Water where- in they were waftied, either into the Font or into ibme Ciftern dug for the purpofe in the Church-yard, and drying them with all dili- gence. The Altar muft be covered with clean Towels, of which at the time of Celebnttion. there muft be at leaft three with a Cor pôr aL neither muft any thing befides Reliques or Sacfed things belonging to the Altar be laid upon it*

of the Synod of Diamf)er. 2^\f

* The Miííâls, Breviaries, and Pn^yer^ Books, muft ^ be perfed and entire: Your Churches nfufr be 'well covered,. and both the Walls and Pave- ' ments muft be kept clean. In the Sacrifty, or ' fomewhere near to the High Altar,there muft be a ' place to hold Water, wherein the Corporals and ' Holy Veílèls are to be waihed, as alfo the Hands of

* thoie that have touched any of the Pioly Oils ^ ' and in the Sacrifty there muft be a Vellel with

* dean Water for the Prielb and others that ' have miniftred at the Altar, to wafn their ' Hatids, and a clean Towel to dry them ^ the ' Gates and Porches of the Churches muft be ' ftrong and well ftiut. None of you ftialltake ' the cure of a Church upon you without the ' Prelate's knowledge and order, notVv^ithrtanding 'you ftiould be called to it by the People 5 'neither fhall any of you leave the Churches you ' have a. Title to, nor be tranflnced to another ' Church v^ithout his Order. None iliall pre- ' fume to hold more than one Church, contrary ' to the difpoiition of the Holy Canons. The ' Jurifdiction of no Church ftiall be divided a- ' raong many, but every Church fhall have its 'own Parifti-Prieft and Paftor. None (hall Ce- ' lebrate any v;here but in a Church, or with any ' fort of Arms. None ftiail give the Holy Sa- ' craraentto any of another PariQ), v/iihouc leave ' from their Parifn-pMeft. hi the celebraticn of ' the M^fs ye [hall all obferve the fame Ccrerao- ' mes,that there may be no Confuiion nor Scandal. 'TheChaliCe or Patten muft be of Gold, Silver,

E e 'Brafs

41 8 Tl7e JBs and Decrees

«Brafs orTinn, and not of Iron, Glafs, Copper, ' or Wood. The Pariih and other Priefts muft ' vifit and comfort the Sick in their Pariihes,

* ConfeiTing them and giving them the moft Holy

* Sacrament of the Altar, and the Holy Unftion, < with their own hands , admoniihing the Sick ' when they vifit them to defire thoíè Sacraments, ' when they (hall judge them necelíàry. None

* fhall take any Fee for baptizing or for the ad-

* miniftring of any Sacrament, or for burying the

* Dead. No Child ihall die without Baptifm

* through your negligence, nor no fick Perion ' without Confejfioff^ and the Holy Commnnion.

* None of you ihall Drink to exceis, or be noted

* for the fame, or for being quarrelfom 5 None ' of you rauft bear Arms, nor eat and drink in

* Taverns and Inns. Ye ihall not eat with, an ' Itjfidel^ Mahometajf^ Jen\ or Hcathen 5 neither

* (hall you imploy your felf in Hawking, Hun-

* ting, or Shooting. What you' know of the

* Gofpel of Chrift, of the Holy Scriptures, and

* of good Examples join'd with pure Catholick ' Dodrine, ye fhall deliver to the People on the ' Lord's'day and Holy- days, preaching the word 'of God, to the edification of your Flocks. You ' muft take care of the Poor, and of Strangers ' and Widows, of the Sick and the Orphans of

* your feveral Pariihes. You muft be fure to keep ' Hofpitality, inviting Strangers to your Tables, 'therein giving good Example to others. Up-

* on every Lord's- day before NUfs ye ihall Bleis ' the Water with Salt in the Church, with which

'you

of the S Y N o D 0/ Diamper. 41^

' yqu are to fprinkle the People, taking it out ^ of a Veflel or Pot made for that purpofe. Ye ' (hall not pawn any Sacred Veílèls or Ornaments ' of the Church, neither to Heathen nor Chrifti- ^ an. Ye ihall not take Ufury, nor engage your ' felves in Contrads or Farms, nor in any Secular ' publick Office ; ye ihall not alienate the Goods ' which ye have acquired after ye were in Orders^ ' becaufe they belong to the Church , neither ' (hall ye fell or change any thing belonging to

* the Church. In Churches where there are Bap- ' tifmal Fonts, they fhall always be kept clean, ' and where there are none, ye (hall have a par» ' ticular VeiTel for Baptifm, which (hall be put ' to no other ufe, and (ball be kept in fome de^ ' cent place in the Church or Sacrifty. Ye ihall

* teach your Pariihioners, and eipecially the Chil- ' dren, Ú\t Articles of the Creed, the Pater Nofier, ^ the Commandments of the Law of God and ' of Holy Mother Church , the Fafts of the ' four Seafons , and the Vigils. And before ' Lefit ye (hal4 call upon your People to ' Coniefs, and (hall hear their Confeffions with

* great charity and zeal, for their Spiritual profit. ' Upon the Feafts of the Nativity^ Eafier, and

* Whitfhntide^ ye (hall exhort all the Faithful to re-

* ceive the moft Holy Sacrament of Ch rift's Body, ^ and at Eajier at leaft ye fhall take heed that all

* that are capable do receive it. All quarrels, diffe- ' rences and enmities that ihall arife among your ^ Subjects , ye fhali endeavour to compoie and

* oblige them all to live as Friends in Chriftian

E e 2 Charity 5

4 lo The Jãs and Decrees

« Charity 5 and if there be any that give offence by < refiiiing to fpeak to their Neighbours, being in

* malice with thern, ye ihall admcnifh them there-

* of, and fo long as they continue to behave them- « ielves fo, ye (hall not faiFer them to receive the ' Holy Sacrament of the Altar. At certain times, ^ but chiefly upon folemn Feftivities and Fails, ye ' fhall admoniQi Married Men, according to a

* Holy Gounci), to abftain from their Wives.

* None of you (hall wear coloured Cloaths, cr ,* any Habit but what is grave and decent for

* Prierts to wear. Ye (hall inftruâ: your People

* to forbear Working on Sundaj/sând Holy-days:, 'neither (liall ye fufFer Women to Sing or Dance ' in the Church. Ye (ball not communicate with « any that are Excommunicate, nor prefume fo

* much as to Celebrate where any fuch are pre- ' fent. Ye fhall admonifh your People not to ' Marry with any that are contracted to others,

* nor with their near Kinfwomen, nor with any 'they have itole out of their Fathers Houíès , ' neither iliall ye íiifíer the iblemnities of Mar- ' riage, and of carrying home a Bride, to beat

* a time prohibited by the Church. Ye ihall 'conftrain Shepherds and other Servants to hear ' M^fs. at lead every Lcrd^s-day^ and ihall ad- 'moniih God- fathers and God mothers to teadi ' their God-children the Creed and Pater Noftcr^ 'or to appoint others to inftrud them. The ' Chrjfm or Holy Oil of the Catechumeni^ and Sick, ' (hall be kept in the Church under Lock and Key, ' and in a decent and fecure place, of which ye

'ihall

of the S Y x o D of Diamper. 4Z i

' Qiall give none away, no not by way of Alais, 'it being a moft; grievous Sacrilege to do it. ' Every one of you muft have a Catechifm, an ' Expoiition of the Creed, and of the Prayers *■ of the Church, conformable to the Expoiivion

* of the Holy Catholick Doctors, by which yc '■ may both ediiie your feives arid others. Ye ' muft alfo have this Synod, that fo you may go- ' vern both your feives and your People by its ' Rules. Ye ihall declare the Catholick Fai:h ' to all that will learn it. The Introitus to the ^ Mafs^ the ]?rnyers^ Epijilcs^ Gofpelf, and Creed 'in the M«i/}, (hall be read with a loud and ' intelhgible Voice, hut xhc Secret Prajcrs of the ' Ca?;on and Co jifcc ration^ fhall be fpoke flowly

* and diftinâ:ly, but with a low Voice: When ' ye recite in the Quire, ye muft let one Vcrfe ' be ended before ye begin another, and not ' confound the Service by chopping it up and ' jumbling it together. Ye muft ftudy to have ' St. i4í/jí2;/<2/7//cf's Creed, v/hich contains the Ca- ' tholick Faith, by heart, and repeat it dayly : ' The Exonijms^ Prayers, the order of "Baptifm, ' Unâion of the Sick, the recommendation of ' the S0UI5 and the burial of the Dead, ye mult ' underftand and practife, according to the Holy ' Canons, and the ufe of the Holy Ror/ian Church, ' the Mother and Miftrefs of ail the other Churches ^ in the World, as alfo the Exorcifmsn and the ' confecration of Salt and Waaler. Ye Qiall ftudy 'to underftand Singing, and. the things that arc 'Cham^id iq, th^ Church,- )a^^,ai&. /the Rnbricks

E e 3 ' 'of

421 TItc JSls and Dtcrm

' of the Breviary and Mijjkl^ that ye may be able ' to find what you look for I as alfo the Account ^ of the Moveable Feafts, and oiEaften, in which, ' that you may not be miftaken, ye muft be fure ' to have the Martyrology of the Saints in all your

* Churches, which we will take care to have ^ tranflated into Syrian. All which ye ihall ob- '^ ferve, that fo by thefe and your other good ^ Works , ye may, by the help of God, bring ^ both your felves and your People to that Glo- ^ ry which ihall endure for ever, and be beftow- ^ ed on you through the Grace of our Lord Jefus ^Chrift, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

* liveth and reigneth for ever and ever: Amen,

The Speech and Admonition to the Vicars and Priefts being ended, the moft Reverend Metro- politan commanded them all to Sign the Origi- nal Decrees of the Synod, tranflated into M^/W- l?ar, defiling them, if they had the leaft fcrupie concerning any thing commanded or declared in the Synod, thofe excepted that have been de- creed and decided already , that they would ilgnifie them openly before they Subfcribed, that there might be no doubt or controverfie about 11 ny thing hereafter : So after ieveral Doubts had been coniidercd and fatisfied, they did $à\ unanir£iOí3íly Suhfcribe to the Synod. ^*

Then the Books of the Synod were delivered to the molt Reverend Metrapolitan^ who being in his Pofítificaís , ;md feated e^n his Throne with a Mitie on his Headj Subfcribed the faid

Decrees ^

of the Synod of Diamper. 42 j

Decrees ^ which being done, a Table was íèt in the middle of the chief Chappel, and the De- crees being laid upon it, all that were called to ihr Synod, as well Eccleiiafticks as Secular Pro- curators, Signed and Subfcribed them with their own hands before the whole Synod and People. The Synod coniifted of 819, «//z,. 133 Priefts, befides Deacons and Sub-Deacons , and others of the Clergy, and 660 Procurators of the Peo- ple, and other principal Men of the Laity, befides the Inhabitants of the Town of Diamptr^ where the Synod was held, and of ieveral other neigh- bouring Villages 5 there were likewiie prefent a great number of Portuguezes^ who came along with Do?7 Antonio De Neronha^ Governour of Cochim, who together with all the other Magi- ftrates of the City, aíTifted at the Synod.

The Decrees being Signed, the moft Reverend Metropolitan rofe up, and having taken off his Mitre, kneeled down before the High Altar, and begun the Te Deum^ with which, to the great joy of ail that were prefent, a folemn ProceiTion round the Church was begun , the Quire finging that and fome other Píàlms, the Latines in Latin^ and the Native Priefts in Chaldcc^ and the People their Feftivity in Malabar : proceeding to praiie God with abundance of tears and joy, in three Tongues in the Unity of the Faith, and Good- will among them all, for having at laft obtained that, which they had To long defired of Almighty God, Three Perfons^ and One Nature^ the Father^ the Son^ and the Holy Ghofi^ who liveth and reigneth for ever : Amen. E e 4 After

4X4 The Ms and Decrees

After the Proceffion was over, the niofl Re^ x^ercnd Metrnpoht an gomg to the High Altar^ rzd.àxh^VY2LytX Exàíidi qt{£f!imHr^ Domine^ as it is in ú\Q¥ontijÍ€al'-^ which being ended, he feated . hirafelf upon his Throne with the Mitre on his Head, and his Paftoral Staff in his Hand, and clirefting his Difceurfe to the People iaid, 1 give many ihankj to Almighty God the Author of all good thi)igf^ for this great, favour he has vouchfafed to niQ a/fd j'otiy and ail the faithfnl people of this Eifioprickj, in fermitting us to celebrate this Synod matigre all the ipipediments which Satan the enemy ofSouls^ had created to obflruli it^ by fiirring up Contentions and Debates on pnrpofe to feparate thk Chriftiamty from the Union of the Catholick^ Churchy and to hep them in their old Errors^ as you all very mell kpoiv, I do alfo give n/any thanks to God, for hk having been p leafed to order Matters fb^ that this rvhc-le Affhir Jhould end with fo much Joy^ Peace and. Concord, as you all fee it does, andfo much to the forrow of Infidel and Idolatrous Kings^ and of all the other . Enemies of our Holy Catkolick^ Faith. I do alfo than\ you my moft dear Brethren and fellow Priefh and Coadjutors, and you my be- loved Sons the Procurators of the People^ and all the other principal P-erfons who have been prefent at this Synod, that not regarding the troubles of the Ways and Times , nor the difpleafure of the Kings to whom you are fubjeCl $ you have, as true Chriftians defirous of Salvation, ov^r-lool{ed aU thofe, Inconveniencies , and obeyed our Precept in affem- hling your fèhes together to treat about the good

of the Synod of Diamper. 415

of your Souls , for which- God will reward you ivith Eterml Life^ ^f you perfevere in the purity of the Faith you have here profeji, and which you have been taught by this Synod^ and fJdall conform your Lives and Manners to its Decrees. I trufl in the Lord that he will carry you back^ fafe to your Houfes^ and blefs you and your Families and Pofierity for ever 5 which God of his infinitç Grace and Mercy grant. Amen.

This Difcouríè being ended, the moft Reve- rend Metropolitan rofe up, and with abundance of tears gave his folemn BleiTing to the People, and after that, the Arch- Deacon with a loud voice faid , Let us depart in peace ''^ to which the whole Synod anfwered in the name of Chrift, - Amen. And thus the Diocefan Synod ended the 26th of June^ in the Year 1599, to the Honour and Praife of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit^ liveth and reigneth for ever : Amen.

The Synod being ended in conformity to what had been ordained therein, there was gi- ven to every one of the Vicars that was nomi- nated to any Church by the moft Reverend Metropolitan^ a Stone Altar, Confecrated by his LordJIjip for that purpofe, their former Altars not having been duly Confecrated 5 as alio a Box with the Vefíels of Holy Oils, together with Directions how to uíè them : There was more- over a Book of the Adminiftration of the Sacra- ments according to the Roman ufe , tranflated into Chaldee and Syrian, given to every Vicar,

and

42 ó Th AEls and Decrees

and another which contained the whole Chrifti- an Doftrine in the Malabar Tongue, for the inftrudion of Children and others, as alfoa Sur- plice to be ufed in the adminiftration of Sacra- ments, which was what had never been in uie among them , the Churches were alio furnifhed with Corporals, Veftments, Frontais, Cups, and what- ever elíè was neceflary .to the Miniftry of the Altar, all which were wanting in moft Churches j and all the Controverfies, whether betwixt Corporations or particular Perfons, that were brought before the Synod, were decided by the moft Reverend Metropolitan and his Alíèf- íbrs, after which they all departed in peace. -

The moft Reverend Metropolitau, as foon as the Synod was ended, begun his Viiication of all the Churches in the Diocefs, in order to put the Decrees of the Synod in execution » reciting the principal and moft neceílàry of them in every Church, and delivering the Books, Breviaries, and Miííàls, as well of the Churches as of par- ticular Perfons every where, and burning the Books condemned by the Synod, and correâing others, puting the Vicars in poíTeííion of their Churches, who were every where received as fuch by the People, who fettled Revenues upon them 5 of which, together with what was given them by the moft Reverend Metropolitan ^ they made OUas^ or Inftruments in the Churches, cre- ating four Church- wardens, and opening the Church Boxes, and in a word, ordering whate- ver was neceflary to be done. The Clergy,

who

of the Synod of Diamper. 417

who had not been prefent at the Synod, made a" profeifion of the Faith, the Confeilors were ex- amined, and had Licences given them in writing according to their abilities, and the neceíTity of the Church, prohibiting all others to hear Con- feffions : Where there was a Font, they alio Baptized all the Children that they found un- chriftened^ and had thoíè brought in that were in the Heaths , where there were many that were Eight and Ten Years old unchriftened. ' They Conlfirmed the whole People, and Abfolved all that were Excommunicate 5 many of which, ac- cording to their cuftom , had continued ib for twenty or thirty Years, and efpecially for Mur- ther, for which they never grant Abfolution, no not at the hour of death 5 the Metropolitan preach- ed every day to Chriftians in the Church, and to Jnfidels (who flocked to fee him) in the Church Porch, treating with them about Baptiim when he came to fay Ingredimini in SanUam Dei Ec- cleftam^ feveral of which he perfuaded to turn Chriftians, who after having learned their Cate= chiim, were Baptized by him at other places : He Catechized the Children in the Malabar Tongue , and finding there was none of them that underftood their Catechifm , he ordered them to be taught it every day out of Books that were kept in the Church. Finally, where he met with any that were difpoíèd to Marry, he Married them, and gave Orders about every thing elfe relating to the Synod, which he did in the Form following,

After

428 The AEls and Decrees

. After the mo(\ Pveverend Metropolitan had been received by the whole People with great Joy and Feftivity , according to their faihion, and carried in Proceiiion to the Church, the way as he went being covered with Cloth or Mats, or Boughs of Trees , after the common Ceremony of Bleííing and Abfolution, the whole People both Men and Women , came with a mofc profound Humility and Reverence to kiis his Hands, and to yield Obedience to him 5 he went to Church betimes in the Morning with the whole Clergy and People f. where after ha- ving Confelled himíèlf before the High Altar, which he did for the great need there was of having thofe Chriftians inftruded in the Sacrament of Confeifion,which was in ufe among them but in few places, he faid Mafs, When Mafs was ended. Father Francifio Roz, Mafter of the Chal^ dean and Syrian Languages in the Jefuites Col- lege at Faipicotta^ with the reft of the Fathers deputed to that Work, and fome of the moft learned Cac^anares afiembled together in the Sa- crifty, or in fome other place appointed, where in obedience to the Excommunication of the Synod, all the Syrian Books were brought be- fore them, as well thofe that belonged to the Churches, as thofe belonging to private Perfons ; all which were emended, delivering thofe which were condemned by the Synod to the Metro- politan^ who burnt them all. The Metropolitan having in the mean time put on his Pontificals^ fat down and Preached at length to the People^

ail

of the Synod g/ Diamper. 429

all the neceilary Doftrines of Faith and Man- ners 5 after which Difcourfe the chief Decrees of the Synod were pubhfhed , and a Proceííi- OQ for the Dead was made round the Church, to which fuch vaft multitudes of Heathens re- forted to fee the Novelty, and the Pontifical Vefiments, that they filled the Church-yard and Windows' : After the Proceffion for the Dead was ended, and the Dodrine of 'Purgatory^ and the benefits of praying for them declared, the Metropolitan having feated himfelf, began a Dif- courfe of the Sacrament of Confirmation^ accor- ding to the neceffities of the People, and after that Anointed all that were prefent, then he Baptized all the Children of Chrifiian Parents in his Pontificals^ and fuch of the adult Hea- thens as deiired it, who were called together the day before to that purpofe. The Metropo- litan whenever he came to the words Ingredimi^ ni Sana am Dei Ecck^am^ beginning a Diícouríè to the Heathens and Naires^ that flocked to fee the Ceremony performed, who the' all Armed with Bows and Arrows and other Weapons, and in their own Country remote from the Portu* gnezes^ did quietly and chearfuUy hear all that he faid to them, not only concerning the Faith of Jefus Chrift, but alfo the indignities and hard words which he beftowed upon their Idols and Priefls in order to undeceive them : When the Sermon and Baptifm was over, the Eccleiiafticks that were not prefent at the Synod, made a pro- feíTion of the Faiih before the People in tiie

hands

43 o Tl?e AEls and Decrees

hands of the Metropolitan^ and having called all the Children together, and ordering them to kneel round his Chair, he began a Chamaz, or fet of Prayers in their own Tongue , which they all íàid after him, and having Bleílèd them all, made a Diicourfe to them fuitable to their Age, to^" the great iatisfaftion of their Parents, teaching them the Veneration that is due to the moft fweet Name of Jefas^ to which, agreeable to the NeflorUn Doftrine wherein they had been edu- cated, they had payed no manner of Refped : After that he induced the Vicar in the preíènce of the People, charging him with the Flock which received him for their Paftor, and where there were any to be Married he Married them ^ great numbers alfo Confeiied themfelves to him, and received the moft Holy Sacrament at his hands, among whom were abundance of Ancient People, whohad never ConfeOed themfc4ves be- fore : In the Evening the People aOerabled to^ gether and agreed about the Stipend, they de?: termined to fettle upon their Vicar, which vvas Regiftred in OUas^ that were to be kept in thç Church 5 and having opened the Money-Box of the Church, they diftributed fuch Alms as they thought neceíTary. The Metropolitan and the Fathers that were in his Company, having ex- amined the Ca^a^ares, to fuch as hè found to be qualified for it, he granted a Licence in writing to be Confeííòrs ; after that he heard all the Com- plaints and Controverfíesthat were among Chrifti- ans, and having thofe four principal Men, with the

confent

of th Synod of CHamper. 4 j \

confent of the Parties, they decided them all according to the Cuftoms of the Country, and the Judgment of the Metropolitan^ íò as to exdude all árther Procefs or Appeals 5 he then Abfol- ved all that were Excommunicate , and feveral that had lain twenty or thirty Years under that Cenfure, there being feveral Cafes wherein they were fo barbarous, as never to grant Abíòluti- on, no not at the hour of Death, injoyning every one fuch Penances as were fuitable to their Faults, omitting nothing that he judged neceííàry to the good of the Church and People 5 in all which he was accompanied and affifted by five Jefuites^ who were all zealous for the Salvation of Souls, and well skilled in the Malabar Tongue, and two of them in the Chaldee alfo, they wer^ Father Hieronyr4o Cotta^ Father Jorgye de Crafio, Father Francifco Roz^ who is now the moft wor- thy Biihop of that Dioceís, Father AntomQ Tú- fcano, and Brother Johu Maria : Father Freji Braz, de Santa Maria^ a Divine of the Order of St. AuftiHy was Confeílòr to the moft lUuftrious Metropolitan , there were alio three Canons of the Metropolitan Church of Goa^ and the Metro- politans two Chaplains , and feveral Qa^anares that were Natives, who celebrated the Divine Offices both in Chaldee and Syrian^ whom the moft llluftrious Metropolitan made great ufe of in íèveral Occafions. In the reduftion of this Church to the Cátholick Faith, many remarkable things happened, in which God manifefted how much that Work j^asi fon.his r^^vkei .and in ""'"^^^"^^^"•^-^ ■ ^ the

4j^ T7;e JBs and tkcrm

the Vifitation of the Churches there were íe» veral Succeílès of great edification, and that were much for God^s Praife, which (hall, God willing, be written in another place, for his Glory who liveth and reigneih for ever. Ámtn*

The Letter of Dom Andre Bifhop of Coclnm, to the Synod, being Affembled.

T^Rethren^ in my judgment all you who are cal- \jt hi the Chriftians of St. Thomas, do owe PiHch to God^ for his having hy means of that Apofile^ chofe you from among fitch multitudes of Infidels as the Eail is filled with .^ to enlighten your under jlandings with the Truths and for having made you ^ as St. Peter faith, a Holy Nation, a purchaíèd People .* For you are not to imagine ihat your Forefathers did defirve more at the hands of God, than the other Infidels that were their Con- temporaries, and yet you fee hovp God was pleafed to chufe them^ and you by their means, when at the fame time he left others and their Pofterity in their natural M.ifery'^ for which there ran he no other Caufc ajfigned , htit that it was the Will of God to extend that Mercy to you and your Forefathers, which he denied to all the other Peo- ple of thefe Parts ^ and what makes this Mercy to be the greater and more Vlnflrious, is. That God was pleafed to bring ypu to the Faith, not by the Minijhy of fome obfimx Pcrfon of fmall Authority,

which

of the Synod of Diamper. 4J5

which has been the Cafe of m.iny other Chrijiians^ hut by fending two chofn and beloved Apoftks to yoii^ for your greater Honour^ and that this Church mght J4ijlly ftik 7t /^//^'Apoíloiical:, a privilege that VPds granted but to few Churches that arc now in being in the Worlds iiud which the l\ictro[wlitan of Qox\^ ilaruinople voas long ago amhitiov.s of nj arming to himfelf if he might have bee^i permiiied. But Satan, the great Enemy to all that's Good^ envying the great Glory of this Churchy luboiircd to forv the Tares of Errours and Hcrefes in this Eield of Chriji's, and the Apojile St. Thomas 5 and fo coming from Babylon and the hand, of the Chalcicrins, he brought along 'ivith him fome of the JDiftiples ef the perfidious "Neftorius to pervert this Clwrch,- This Neftorius rras condemned as a EJeretick^ in Aiia minor, in the City of Ephefus, in a Council of 200 Bifops^ and aftcnvards in a Council cf 630 Bifiops: He rcas fo wickçd and perverje an Herctick^, that befides the puniflmient infiClcd. c?t him fir his Sins by Men^ God alfi begun to pU" nijh him in this JLife^ c>^^^"S ^-'^^^^ "^^ '^ vccre an carncfi of thcfc Punijhments and Torments rwhich be is now fn firing in Elell '^ pr befides his being depofcd and deprived of his Bijhopric!\^ ani Condemned by the forementiohxd and other fijl/oiv- ing Councils^ and Banijhed by lhe Sentem e çf the Empcrour Theodofius the U. n^ho then R^igfied^ to the Dcfarts íT/^iEgypr, and hií having his Bocks btfrned by the command of the fiiid Emperour le- fore his death , his Tongue with which he h<d uttered finch great BLifphemics, rotted m his Mouthy " F f ' as

4J4 Xk ^Bs {tnd Decrees ■

as did alfo Jdh wJjole Body^ and bei /!g eat up with

Lice he expired'^ firreudring his Soul to the Devil^

as Evagrius, a Noble Writer who lived at the fame

time^ relates 5 and the fame is reported of him by

^^icephorus, Cedrenus, a^d other Greek Writers.

^he Difciples of this curfed Heretick^ being brought

^ into this Chhrch by the Devil^ fowed their Errours

in it }pjth/)itt being obfervèd by you^ who were a

..ftniple fincere People --^ infomuch that St. Thomas

^when he was on Earthy might have faid the fame

J,fhat St.l^'^iiudid to thofe of Ephefus , where

^^Keilorius ja-izj" afterwards Condemned'^ 1 know

that after my departure greedy Wolves fhall

.come among you^ not fparing the Fiock : And

well might the Paflors you have had among you

be fi?//t'5 , devouring Wolves.^ who being a bafe

and inconjidcrahle People^ had no other intent hut

-J^fi, vçh y ail of. all they could , taking Money for

0j!'ders y "^ Difpçnfãtions^ for Ahfolutions^ and for

all Sacraments úrtd Sacred things , as you very

well k}2on> 5 a thing fo abominable in , the fight of

■,Çjod^ that St. Vq\:(:y the Prince of the Apojlles^ for

^4his Sin only threw Simon Viãgus out of the Churchy

and Excommujiicated him^ as you may fee. in the

Ads of the ApoGlesf infomuch^ Brethren^ that we

fee that filfiltd in you ^ and. in your. Prelates^ who

came from Babylon, which was foretold by God

* ^ifpcnfutíOnçO what was ever heard of in th« Bjh-

■ Goulfl die poor Maiavar s cqk^- ^/i^nChurchjOr that the Declamer

4, ^çlurie from hence, but thac either was one of a ,ftrange aííurance

'.r.o fuch thing às tlie taking of to condeinn the doing of it at

'^oncy for Wfpenfatiorif , i^c. iuch a Tragical rate as he does.

of the Synod of Diartiper. 4] J

fo many Years before by the Prophet ííaiah, The Shepherds themielves had no underftanding, they have all gone out of the Way, and froni the firft to the laft are all turned to Cove- touíheís. For God's fah^^ Brethren^ tell me what fort of Prelates ana . BiJIdops could they be, who fought nothing but their own Intereji^ and who gave Orders and Difpenfations^ and did every thing that belongs to a Bifiop, without being Bijhops themfelves, or fo much as Priefts or Clerks ^ but were pure Laicks^ as they themfehes afterwards con- fiffid : What Difpenfation , what Sacrament^ what Grace, could he who was difpenfed with and or- dained, receive from thofe who were no Bijhops^ nor fo much as Clerks, but pure Laicas ^ nay La içares, in whofe Habit they came out of their own Coun- try. Brethren , this is the Fruit which they fend you from Babylon, Hereticks and pure Laicas, and Barbarians for Bifiops : Tell me what has Mala- bar to do with Babylon, and what correfpondence is there betwixt the moft pure Doãrine of Chrifl^ which was preached to you by the great Apojile St. Thomas, and the barbarous Frrours which were brought hither by Arabians /zW Chaldeans ^ríJ/^í Ba- bylonia and from their Mafier the Apojiate Nefto- tius^ Believe me. Brethren, ihefe are they of whoni St. Paul fpok^ in his Epijile to his Scholar Titus, That there ihould come Men teaching what they ought not to teach, for fihhy lucre: And fo it fell out for thefe Men, that they might not Ijfe the profits and Honours they were unjujilj^ f offered of, did all they could ta put into yottr

F f 2 heads

43^ The Jcis and Decrees

heads that the Doãriíte of St, Peter was differ e>jt from that which had been t aright you by ^Ç/, Tho- mas : It is true that the Doãrirte of the Apojile St, Peter is contrary to the Herefiesthat have been brought hither from Babylon , but not what was f reached here by St. Thomas : For what St. Tho- tnas, that alfo St. Peter taught , and Chriji him- fclf and all his other Difiiples taught ^ for as St, Paul faith^ there is one Lord , one Faith, one Baptilm, and one Church, of which Chriftis the Head, aiid that on Earth St. Feter and his Suc- ceilbrs the Bifhops of Ro//ze : For that St, Peter and his Succcffors are the Head of the whole Church * on Earth is plain^from what Chriji before his Pajjion fromifed St, Peter, as it is recorded in the 1 6, Chap^ of St. Matthew, where Chriji , afier having exa- uiimd his Faith^ faid to him , Thou art Feter ^ and upon this Rock I will build my Church, and I will give thee the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, O'C Words which he fpok^ to \\none of the refl^of the Apojiles ^ but to St: Peter only. And St, John in the lafi Chapter of his Gofpel tells us., That Chriji^ after his Refurreãion^ ha- ving askçd St. Peter // he loved him more than all. other things , and., St, Peter had anfivercd, that he kliew very well that he did^ faid to him three feveral times , Feed my Lambs, feed my

* ÍDn cartliO Biihop finite did noc ÍO fair in quoting, \_A.'id on Earthy St. I'cter and his S^c- ceffwrs^ the Bifliops o/Romc, i^c.'] as Sc. Pants words

II iRone] This is a miftake, for lie gave the fame Coramiifi- on to all his ApoAles after his Refurreftion,

Lambs,

of the Synod 0/ Diamper. 437

Lambs, feed my Sheep : By -rvhich words he made him the limvcrfd Pãftor of his Steeps ana afier him all the B^ibops of Fvome who were to fitcceed him in that Office-^ for Chrift has but one Fold for all his Sheep^ and one only Church : and fo \ in, the Creed that is fimg in the hiafs^ we fiy^ Iht- lieve in one Holy and Apoftolical Church: and fo Chriji her Sponfe faid of his Church in the Canticles, My Dove, my pcríeâ:,, is but cne^ that /> to fay^ my Dove^ my perfM^ which \k th Chfirrh^ is bnt one : And St. John in his lOtB. Chapter tells us, that the Son of God fpe^kj^^g fo his Difciples concerning his intent of culling the Gentiles to his Faith^ faid, 1 have other Sheep which are not of this Fold, whom 1 muft biing in, that there may be one Fold and one Shep- herd. JSJow that Fold wherein the Jews and Gen- tiks were to concurr in one only Faith, if the Ca- tholick. Church, and that Skpherd was St, Peter, and all his Saccejfòrs the Bifjops of Rome 5 eve- ry one of which as he is Bijhop of Rome, is the mziverfal Pajhr of the ^ ivhok Church of God, in- fomnch as that all who will not he fihjcã to kim^ are not of the number of the Sheep of Chrift, but are without the Fold of the Church, being SchTf- maticks and Heretickf, fir fitch are all who are difobedient to the Roman Church 5 in which Ko- man Church there never was nor will be any en'or

* i^IjOle-T If this had bcfn the Faith ot che whole Chriltian Church ac the time when the Crefds' wcrç made, the compilers

of tfiem would anH ought to hsve added Koim» co Cacholick ia the Creed,'

Ff 5

7ft

4} 8 The AEls and T^ecrees

in Faith, by reafon of Chrijl's promije, who^ as St. Luke reports, fpeaki-fg to St. Peter, faid to him 5 I have prayed for thee, Peter, that the 1* Faith of thy Church may never fail : The Faith of other particular Churches , as we have fieti, may fail, hut the Faith of the Roman Church has never failed ncr never will. Wherefore, Brer- thren, faflen your fehes clofe to this firm Pi/Iar of the Roman Church , againji which, according to our Saviours fromifes, the Gates of Hell fhall pever prevail ^ vohich Gates are the Herejies that are, and have been in the World : Tou ought there- fore to render many thanhj to God, for his having relieved you at this time, by fending you the Lord Arch-Bifnop for a Spiritual Pafior and Majicr, who having left his Dwelling, and quiet is at all this Trouble, only for the fake of your Salvation, dnd to refcue you from the errors you have hither- to Ifved in : For I k^ow and am certain, that he is one of thofe Paflors which God fpoke of by Jeremiah 5 And 1 will give you Paftors accor- 3ing to my heart, and they ihall feed you with Knowledge and Dodrine. Hitherto you have been fed with Errors and Ignorances , and your Pafior s have fought gain , and not the Salvation of your Spuls : This Pafior, as you fee, does not come to take any of your Goods from you, but ta fpend his own for your profit, and to put you in ■ lhe right way to Heaven and Salvation : From

t ifaitljO Here the Biihop | ture again in quoting the [F(àth makes very bold with the Scrip- j of thy church'] as Si.Lukfò Wocds,

Ij whence

of the Synod o/^^ Diamper. 43 p.

II vphence yoH may chart f perceive the great diffe- rence there is betmxt hi/uaud thofi other PaflorSy or to fpeali more properly^ thoie Wolves , which, yoH have had hitherto among yon , as our Lord fiifh^ in Sheeps cloathing. Hitherto your Errors have had fome excufe^ hecaufe you could l{noix> no jnor^ hut what your Majiers taught you j whereas front henceforward^ you pal/ have no inanner of excufe^ neither before God nor Man^ ^fj'^^^ do not keconie fuch^ as all that love yon defire yon to he, _JTh^ Faith and Do^rine that has been preached to yon by the Arch-Bifiop^ is the Faith of all the Chri^ ftians in the Indies, and of aU Clerks and Religi-^^ OHs in thefe PartSy and which ííZ^ Poitugal, Spaiq,' and in a word all "^ Chrifiendom holds. This if the Faith that was taught by the Son of God^ the Faith that St. Thomas preached^ and ivo^ prcacl^ ed alfo by St, Peter and the reji of the Apo filers and if any fl? all teach the contrary^ let him be, a'S St. Paul faith^ Anathema , and Excommunicated and expelled the Society of the Faithful, as he , is font Chrijiy his Faith and Grace, Fhe Jj^rd give you a perfeU kfzowledge of himfelf as it is defircd by your Brother in the Lfiid- Writ at Cochitil the 28i/>^/June, 1599*4 , ■:

Your Broth c,F in the Lprd, . Biihop FRET ANDREÍ II ©Itjcnce.] I do noc believe "^ Cl]^iíleniiom.] The Re-

thac tlie ArchBifhopsof MaLibar frmed-, the Gree4> die iVvi'totfire,

%áde half fo much of their Bi- úr^Qeo^gian^úxç Armeaian^úitM'

íhoprick, as Biihop Andre did of mckian^ AlexandtLitiy and Jbjjpn

his of Cochim^ or as Father Rf3^ Church, are in fcems no pivc of

the Jefuit made of Malabar^ atcer Chrifiendom with cliis Declkmer. he was preferred to it by the Pope.

F f 4 The

44^^ '^kê.i^Bs and V cerces

- ■■ ♦ '

The S Y i%':o.. d''S- ■Apíwen

The Lord Áfílft Us,

'^'P the mpít Illuílrious and Fvcvcrend Lord ' 'Pom Jndrc ^ the mofl; worthy Biíhop of Cochim ; The Dioceían Synod of the Chriílians oí St.Thomas of che Biflioprick of tht Sefra^ aflembled in the Town of Jjidmper^ wifiiedi eteriial Heakh and Pro- Í per icy ia our Lord.

"^ Ur f/iofl Reverend Metropolitan ordered your moft lUnjlrioHs Lord (hip's Letter to this Syiiod to he read in a full Affimbly cf'ihe Priefis a/^d People j and having heard and ynderjlood it^ we rejoiced exceedÍ7!gly intheLord^ to ^ercsivc- that the Holy Doãrine taught m by your Lordiliip, is the fame with that our'^ltivor

\po]\iàn has preached in all our Churches^ and has declared, in this Sy7?od , as affo the fame that is -preached hy the Lathers all over this Diocefs^ by rrhieh weans tvc are ike more confirmed in the Catholic^ Fkith:) and the Obedience vpe owe to the Holy Reman Churchy our true Mother, and to our Lord the Pope, the Succcjf)r of St, Peter , and Chriji's Vicar upon Earth, as is manifeji from the

' Aãs of the fqid Synod , Signed by Us^ a^'yonr Lordfiip may fee j and if 'tc^ havç hither tp been

' . TPdjiting

o/ ífce S Y N o D of Diamper. 44 1

rp anting to our Duty inthefe Matter s^H did fJot proceed from anyObftitiacy of Mind, or from any Inclination ive had to he Hereticks^or Schifmaticks, but purely for want of the Light of true Doárine and healthful (ind Catholich^ Food, which was not given us by our Pre- lates, but ivho did injie ad thereof poyfonus with, the filfe Doãrines of Neftorius , and feveral other Errors j from which we are now, by the Di'^i^^ Mercy, refiued^ and by the goodnefs of God, and the Minifiry of our MctropoVitun, enlightened : from whence alfo rofe the B~ebeUio?i which ivas made by us, when the Truth began to be firfi preached to us ^ as alfo all the Troubles and Vex- ations that we gave to our Metropolitan, and th^ manifefi Dangers we expofed him to j for all which''-' we are now heartily firry, and do dayly more and more lament it : But whereas God has been plea- fed to enlighten us with his Doãrine, the Metro- politan being difcouraged by none of thofe things to go on preaching in our Churches , the light of the Truth coming to us by that means, we have cordially embraced, and have with an unanimous confent and great alacrity, made profejfion thereof in this Synod 3 having alfo put the Affairs of our Church in the be ft Order we were able, and fib- ^^itiing our felves to the Judgment of our Metro- politan Mar Aleixo , who as our Majier , has inftru^ed us in all things : But whereas his Lord-- Jljip , after his Vijitation of this Diocefs is over, is to go to rejide in his "^ own Diocefs, which we

* £DtDn ^íCCefóO The I the end of hfs Vifitadon, when Arch Bifhop cured rhem of thefe lhe made a folemn renunciation fears, for fome time at leaft, at | of the Arch-Biflioprick of Goa^

tak^

442' TJ?e ,JSis and Decrees

takç notice of to our great Sorrow^ by which meafts we {hall want a Special Protection j we do therefore hegy that until fuch time as God Jloall be pieafed to fend the Pafior among us^ which we expeà from the Holy Apofiolical See^ your Lord/hip, as being the Prelate that lives neareii to us ^ and from whom and your PredeceJJors , this Church has re- ceived fo many Favors^ would be pieafed to tah^ us under your proteBion^ and to concern your felf in all our Affairs^ and to favour the Prelate^ which the Metropolitan with his wonted kindnefs and benignity to his Flock^^ intends to leave among us. And feeing your moft lUuflrious Lord (hip in your Charity has been pieafed to favour us with a Letter^ we take confidence from thence^ to beg of you^ That whereas our Priefts^ both for their Spi- ritual ConfoUtioHy and other Necejjities^ do frequent- ly refort to your City and feveral parts of your Diocefsj where it will be neceffary for them to fay Mãfs^ which they have hitherto been hindred from doings by reafon of their not being in a perJèB Union with the Holy Mother Church of Rome, we now being in fuch an Union^ as much as can be defired ^ the Synod doth humbly befeech your

and as folemn an acceptation of but ic feems all would not do,

that of the Serra^ atid that judi- for the next News we hear of

cially and in Form-, defiring rhe him, is, That inftead of being

Chridians of Sc. Thomas, to whom gratified with the Arch-Bil"hoprick

he delivered both thofc Inftru- of the 5err<i,he was condemned to

ments, to follicice the Pope and be Govcrnour-Geneial of the In-

King of 5p4Í/i Í0 give way to the dies ior three Years, and after

Traoflition •, and promifing wjth- that tranilaied xq thç. Primacy of

al to employ all his own Intereil toftugal. in both CO perfwade chem to ic j

Lord'

o/ ífce S Y N o D of Diamper. 44 j

Lordfhíp that you vpould be pleafed to give leave to fuch of our Priefts as have a Licence from onr Prelate to fay Mafs in your Churches^ at leaft the Roman tranjlated into Syrian , that it may ap- pear thereby that we arc all one in the Unity of one only Catholick. Church 5 and that the divifeon which Satan had made betwixt us, andmoji other Chur- ches is at an end, all Churches making one one- ly Catholicf{_ Church , as your Lordjhip has clear^ ly taught us, as a vigilant Pafior^ in your learned Letter. The Lord preferve your Lordfhip*s mofl lUuflrious Perfon^ and prolong your Tears, for the good of the Church and the profit of the Sheep of Chrifl, Writ in the Synod of Diamper the 7 $th. of June, 1599.

Praife be to God.

A

■ í	t^'J^ ..	^\%-^^i^^	,-^í ^
	^^tr" A		• ■ .j;)^""v i-tT'! . "°^r:.
Preface	to a	Ml	â"sitr.
^í:.&r^: mx'^iS		morn	om ZL^J ,j^m:^

_ , ^, oyi'^i

Tlyi Màfsthat is henceforth to he ufeàhy tlx

ancient Cbrtflians of St. Thomas of the

^íBif^oprick 0/ Angamale i« the Serra of

Malabar, in the Eaft-índies, f urged jof the

. ...Neftorian Errors and Slafphemics tt abounded imthri^ hy the 7noft lUuJirious and ^Vere?id Dom Frcy Aleixo De Menezes, JrchSi- jhop of Goa, and Trimate of the Indies, at

?sthe time when he reduced them to the Obedi- ence of the Holy Roman Church. Tranflated word for word out of Syriack or Syrian,

j.iinto Latin. s :-i o%, ginhijh.

,r_

Mong the other things which the moil _ Reverend Arch-Bifliop of Goa^ and Piim.ite of the Indies^ Dont Frey Akixo de Mene:^s^ put in Order in the Diecefan Synod, affembled by him ia the Biihop- rick of Jngamale of the Serra of Malahar,

of

A Preface to a Missal.

of the Chriftians of Sc. Tioomas^ in which he purged the Church of the Nejiorian Hereííes, and reduced it to the Obediencç of the Holy <I(oman Church; one of the chief was the reforming the Syrian Mafs, which was faid in the Chaídee Tongue in this Biihoprick, which having been com- pofed or inlarged by Nejiorian Hercticks, was full of Errors and Blafphemies both in the Prayers and Commemorations of NeftoriuSj TJyeodonis^ and Diodorus y and le* veral other Nejiorian Hereticks, to whom as to Saints, they prayed, for to intercede for them : And whereas this People was in a profound Ignorance, nay the very Bifhops, who came from !Babylon, not knowing the true Form of Confeaation , all of them adding to it and taking from it at their pleaiure , there being no certain particular Forni of Coníècration among them, un- til a certain Arch Bifhop came who had more knowledge than the reft in Eccle- fiaftical Matters, and the Holy Scriptures ,• wko perceiving that the Forrn wherewith they Coníècrated , contained in- ic^^fotóí

Erro s^

A Preface to a Missal.

Errors, contrary to the Truth of the Di- vine Sacrament, did eftabliili the true Form, adding fome words to ic , both in the Coniecration of the Body and Blood, in contradidtion to the Error and Herefie of thofe who fay that the Sacrament is only the Figure of the !Body of Chriji our Lord. From whence ic is more than probable^ the Hercticks of our Times, the revivers of the Errors of all the ancient condem- ned Se6ls, took this Opinion : The Form eftabliihed by the forementioned Arch-Bi- fliop was, Jbis is in truth my "Body ; this is in truth the Cup of my Blood , which was fhed for you and for many^ for the propitia- tion and remijjhn of your Sins ; cmd this fljall he a pledge to you for ever and ever -, in which Form they have now Confecraced for feveral Years. But the moft Reve- rend Arch-Bilhop Primate, having remo- ved the words that are not neceffary, e- ftabliflied the proper Form ufed in the Catholick Church, as it is in the ^nian Mijfaly laying afide divers and Sacrilegious . and ignorant Ceremonies alfo, which fig-

nified

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