Book 1  Continuation .....................
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Having dismissed the Regedor, the Arch-Bishop 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 Deposed the Arch-Deacon, as a Rebel to the Pope, who is Christ’s Vicar on Earth; and that he told them of it on purpose that they might have no more Communication with such a Rebel, but might acknowledge him for their Prelate. The People seemed to be satisfied with what he had done, and to blame the Arch-Deacon for his obstinacy. In the Evening he visited 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 Bishops had done; but he forgot to tell them, that whereas their former Prelates had lived altogether upon Alms, having no settled Revenues to maintain them, by reason of their living under Princes who were Infidels, that he had above 20000 Crowns a Year in Rents that were certain. Besides, by having represented what he was doing in the Serra, as a great Service to the Crown, he had the Command of the Publick Treasure at Goa, which was never so great as at this time; the Viceroy Don Matthias de Albuquerque having in the Year 1597 left 80000 Ducats, and an immense Summ in Jewels therein.

This Trick, for it deserves no better Name, together with his Hectoring of Kings and their Regedores as he did, made a great many People wish themselves under Portugueze Prelates, who, they saw, would not suffer their Princes to Tyrannize over them, but would espouse all their Quarrels, and defend them in their Rights, which was what the Chaldaean Prelates were not able to do.

The Arch-Bishop now having by the foresaid Methods brought three such considerable places, as Carturte, Molandurte, and Diamper, besides several small Villages, under his Obedience; and being also sure of all the Churches that are in the Kingdom of Porca, Gundara, Marca, and Batimena, whose Kings had already Commanded all their Subjects to obey him in every thing: The Arch-Deacon hearing how things went, began to be sensible, that it would not be possible for him to contend with so powerful an Adversary much longer; and that he must therefore, either submit or be sent a Prisoner to Portugal, the Arch-Bishop having so blocked the Serra up to prevent a Chaldaean bishop’s coming thither, that it was not possible for him to make his escape, if he had a mind to run his Country rather than renounce his Religion.

The Arch-Bishop being informed by a Caçanar, that the Arch-Deacon was in great perplexity what he had best to do, writ him a long Letter, wherein among other things he cited him to appear before the Judgment-seat of God, to answer for the Souls that were now burning in Hell, by his having kept them from being reconciled to the Roman Church, out of which there is no Salvation. To which Letter the Arch-Deacon returned an answer in a strain quite different from what he had writ in formerly.

Before this Letter came to his hand, the Arch-Bishop having done his work at Diamper, was sailed to Narame, a considerable Village of Christians, which he found all in Arms, having all bound themselves with an Oath never to forsake their Religion and Arch- Deacon, but to defend them with the last drop of their Blood; and so when the Arch-Bishop was ready to Land to go to Church, they called to him to stay where he was; for besides that, the Church doors were shut, there was not one Person among them, who would have any Communication with him. Whereupon the Arch-Bishop, according to his Custom, sent immediately to the Regedor of the Country, which also belonged to the King of Cochim to come aboard, for that he had something to say to him.

What made the Arch-Bishop, making such great use of Kings and Regedores, who were all Infidels in the Conversion of these Christians to the Roman Church, the more unpardonable, was, that but a little before he had made the Arch-Deacon’s interesting of Infidel Princes in the Affairs of Christianity, with which they were not to be suffered to meddle, the chief Article for which he deserved to be deposed.

The Regedor being come aboard, the Arch-Bishop spoke to him to go ashoar, and do as much for him at Narame, as the chief Regedor had done at Molandurte and Diamper. The Regedor promised him he would, but when he came ashoar to cause the Church to be opened, there was no body left in the Town; for the Christians hearing of his coming, and what his business was, had all hid themselves, that so they might not be constrained to break the Oath they had made so lately. The Arch-Bishop, when the Regedor brought him word how it was, was in a great Passion with him, and would not be perswaded but that he had underhand fomented this division. But however these Christians came to be incensed against the Arch- Bishop, it is certain they were to that degree, that they denied him fresh Provisions for his Money, so that he was forc’d to live upon the Rice and Bisket that was aboard for some days.

While the Arch-Bishop was in this Diet, the Arch-Deacon’s Letter came to his hand, the substance whereof was, That he was overcome at last by the irresistable force of Truth, and was resolved to submit himself to the Roman Church, intreating his Grace to pardon all the by past Errors of an ignorant Son.

The Arch-Bishop tho’ he was extream glad at the news, would not discover that he was, but told the Caçanar that brought it very gravely, That he had been so often deceived by the Arch-Deacon, that he did not know how to trust him, and that he never would any more, before he had subscribed the Ten following Articles.

1. That he abjured all the Errors of Nestorius, and of all his Followers, Diodorus and Theodorus (who, by the way, were both in their Graves before Nestorius was ever heard of) acknowledging them to be cursed Hereticks, that are burning in Hell for their Errors.

II. That he should confess there was but one Christian Law.

III. That he should subscribe the Confession of Faith, which he sent to him from Goa, when he made him Governour of the Bishoprick.

IV. That he should deliver all the Books of the Diocess to be amended or burnt according as they deserved.

V. That he should swear Obedience to the Pope, as St. Peter’s Successor, and Christ’s Vicar upon Earth, and the Supream Head of all Christians, and of all Bishops, Arch-Bishops, Primates and Patriarchs in the World, so that none can be saved out of his obedience.

VI. That he should curse the Patriarch of Babylon, as a Nestorian Heretick and Schismatick, and swear never to obey him any more in any matter, nor to have any further Commerce or Communication with him by Letters or otherwise.

VII. That he should swear never to receive any Bishop or Prelate in the Serra, but what should be sent thither by the Pope, and to obey whomsoever he sent.

VIII. That he should swear to acknowledge and obey him for his true Prelate, as being made so by the Pope.

IX. That he should pass Olas or Provisions for the Assembling of a Diocesan Synod, to treat of all such matters, as the Arch-Bishop should think fit, and swear to be present at it himself.

X. That he should accompany the Arch-Bishop peaceably, wheresoever he went, without any thing of Guards, and should go along with him in his Galley to all the Churches he had a mind to visit.

These Articles being made and signed by the Arch-Bishop, he delivered them to the Caçanar, together with a Letter, wherein he bid the Arch-Deacon, if he was not fully resolved to subscribe them, allowing him but twenty days to do it in, not to appear before him; and being willing to secure himself of the fidelity of the Bearer, he obliged him, before he dismiss’d him, to swear obedience to the Roman Church, making him swear also to return, and never to have any thing more to do with the Arch-Deacon, in case he refused to sign the Articles.

Having dismissed this Messenger, the Arch-Bishop returned to Cochim, where his main business was to get the Governour of the place to joyn with him, to press the King of Cochim to assist him cordially in his design of uniting the Church of St. Thomas to that of Rome; and while he was satisfying the Governour of what Importance such an Union would be to the Portugueze Interest in the Indies, which was what he himself 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 visit, in which, before they parted, the King renewed his promise to him of commanding all his Christian Subjects to obey him in all things; with which promise the Arch-Bishop returned well satisfied to Cranganor, in order to settle 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, advising him of the King of Cochim’s having begun a War upon the Caimal or Prince of Corugeira his Allie, to which if a stop were not put suddenly, it would necessarily oblige him to withdraw his Army from before Cunahle, which was what the King of Cochim aimed at. So soon as the Arch-Bishop had read these Letters, he dispatched a Currier away immediately after the King of Cochim, who was already on his March, desiring him not to make a War upon the Caimal till after Cunahle was taken, since it could not be done without diverting the Samorim from the Siege of Cunahle, who was then before it, expecting the return of the Portugueze Armada, which would be with him in the beginning of the Spring, he writ also to the Governour of Cochim, and the Commissioners of the Treasury to come to him; whom, after some discourse about the business, he ordered to go after the King of Cochim, and to stop him in his March.

Before the Arch-Bishop left Cranganor, he received a Letter from the Arch-Deacon, wherein he wrote to him, That, tho’ he was ready to subscribe all the Articles he had sent him, yet that it was not possible for him to wait upon His Grace in so short a time as he had fixed.

The Arch-Bishop understanding that the King of Mangate, in whose Country the Arch-Deacon was at that time, was very much against his submitting to him, sent a Servant of his own with a splendid Retinue to him, to let him know, That, if he should offer to hinder the Arch-Deacon from coming to him, the King of Portugal should know of it, who was resolved to revenge all the wrongs that were done to him in the Serra to the utmost of his Power. The King, who had too great a dependance on the Portuguezes, to provoke one of the Arch-Bishop’s Character and Spirit, sent him word, That the Arch-Deacon might wait upon him when he pleased 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 morsel the Arch-Bishop had prepared for him. Whereupon the Arch-Bishop sent a couple of Jesuites to him, to let him know, That that was his last admonition, and that if he did not come to him in eight days he would infallibly depose him and put another in his place.

The Governour and Commissioners having prevailed with the King of Cochim to desist from the War; the King, in his return home, resolved to take Cranganor in his way. The Arch-Bishop having received advice that he was ready to Land, was civiler to him than he had been formerly, and went to the Caiz of the Castle to meet him, and after some Complements had passed on both sides, they went together to an Hermitage that was not far off. Where they discoursed alone for a considerable time; after which the King called in his chief Regedor, and several of his Nobles, and the Arch-Bishop, the Captain of the Castle, and some of his own servants. Before whom the Arch-Bishop thanked His Highness for having desisted from the War of Corugeira, promising him thanks also from the King of Portugal for it, but told him withal, That this must not hinder him from acquainting His Highness with his being much dissatisfied at his having used him so as he had done. The King desired His Lordship to tell for’ what he was displeased, there being nothing that he was so desirous of, as to satisfie him in all things. The Arch-Bishop told him with a frowning Countenance, That when his Brother in Arms, the King of Portugal, sent him into the Serra, he expected he should have been defended there by His Highness, and not only so but that he would have assisted him to the utmost in the Pious design he came about; in confidence of which Protection and Assistance it was that he left Goa to come into those Parts, but that he had found himself miserably deceived, there not being a Prince in Malabar, in whose Dominions he had been (and he had been in the most of them) but what had shewed him more favour than His Highness, who had loaded some of his Christian Subjects with Taxes, for no other reason, but for having given him a kind Reception. Here the chief Regedor interposed, and desired him to let His Majesty know what the Affronts or Injuries were that he had received in any part of his Dominions. The Arch-Bishop replied with great passion, Sir, There is no Body knows them all better than you do, since they were done before your Eyes; however, you were pleased to wink at them; nay, I do not know but you might have a hand in procuring them; and therefore pray do not you offer to conceal them from your Master. The King protested he had never heard of any Injury or Affront that had been put upon His Lordship in any part of his Territories. The Arch-Bishop, without any Ceremony, told him, It was not so, for that he himself had acquainted His Highness several times by Letter, of what he suffered from his Subjects, but could never have them remedied as he expected, and as they ought to have been by one that owed so much to the Portugueze as His Highness did, wherefore, said he, for the future I’ll complain of none but my own King, for having sent me from a Palace at Goa, where I lived at my ease and in splendor, to wander about the Serra, and be abused as I have been. This does not agree very well with what is said before of his going into the Serra purely out of Zeal and Devotion, and contrary to all that the Viceroy and others could say or do to hinder him; but upon his upbraiding the King with his not having answered his expectations, nor the obligations which he owed to the Portuguezes, who, of a petty Prince, had made him a great Monarch; the King ask’d him, as well he might, what his Lordship meant, desiring him to instance in what particulars he had been thus aggrieved; whereupon the Arch-Bishop 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 several Ollas or Provisions, without having granted him one as yet. The King told him he would treat with the Governour of Cochim about an Olla for his Lordship. This put the Arch- Bishop in a much greater passion than he was in before: for he reckoned the King slighted him, in saying he would treat with the Governour about a thing that was his immediate concern; whereupon he told his Majesty, That it had been always his custom to put him off with delays, that for his own part he desired none of his Ollas; and that the Christians of St. Thomas, if they had been true Christians, would never have suffered their Kings to have meddled with matters of Religion; but especially being Infidels and Idolaters, as he was, and who not knowing the true God, Worshipp’d Stocks and Stones, and Devils instead of him: That for his part he could not but wonder at His Highness’s taking upon him to favour the Patriarch of Babylon against the Pope, who understood nothing of the difference between them; That His Highness would do well therefore to leave his Christian Subjects to him, who was their true Prelate, and not to meddle with matters he did not understand: That as for the Arch-Deacon he had determined that if he did not come and submit 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 Christian, if for no other reason, for that of having communicated the Affairs of Christianity to His Highness, whom all the World know to be an Infidel. The King was desperately angry at what the Arch-Bishop had said of his Idols; however being a very wise Prince he did not touch upon that string, but told him, His Lordship might expect the Arch-Deacon one Saturday, two Saturdays and three Saturdays. The arch-Bishop took the words out of his Mouth, and striking his Cane against the Ground in great Fury, said, I will not expect him one, two, and three Saturdays, but if I live I will depose him if he does not come and submit before the next, and that he deserved to be Deposed, if for no other reason, for his having interested His Highness in the concerns of Christianity, notwithstanding he knew him to be an Infidel. The King, who could not help standing amazed at the Arch-Bishop condemning the Arch-Deacon so much for endeavouring to interest him in a thing which he himself at the same time was swaggering him into, perceiving that the more they talked, the Arch-Bishop grew the more furious, and talked the louder, put on a pleasant Countenance, and told him with great sweetness, That there was nothing he had ever studied so much as to please His Lordship. With this the Arch-Bishops Passion being something mitigated, he replied, it was what he had always expected from His Highness, and that he hoped he would not wonder to see him put into so great a Passion, in a case wherein Christianity was so much concerned, for the least of whose Interest he was bound in duty to sacrifice his Head. The King told him, That if he knew of any that sought after his Head, they should not keep their own long upon their Shoulders. After they had made an end of this hot business, they talked for some time of indifferent matters; and when the King was for going, the Arch-Bishop accompanied him to the Caiz, where they are said to have parted very good Friends; which if they did, the King considering how he had been treated, was certainly the best natured Prince that ever wore a Crown, and in a very substantial point a much better Christian than the Arch-Bishop.

This rancounter was of no small advantage to the Arch-Bishop in the reduction of that Christianity; for the King fearing to provoke one of the Arch-Bishop’s Character and Temper, so soon as he had left him, writ away immediately to the Arch-Deacon to come and submit himself to the Arch-Bishop, he writ also to the King of Mangate, in case he found the Arch-Deacon not willing to do it, to oblige him to it.

Upon the receipt of this Letter the Arch-Deacon sent away immediately to the Arch-Bishop, to let him know, That he was ready to throw himself at his Grace’s Feet, and to obey all his Commands, and that within the time he had prefixed; but withal, desired to wait upon him some where else than in Cranganor, which being a Fortress belonging to the Portuguezes, he was afraid to trust himself in, there being nothing that he dreaded so much as being some time or other kidnapped for Goa. However the Arch- Bishop complyed so far with his Fears as to order him to meet him at the Jesuites-College in Vaipicotta. They met first in the Church, where the Arch-Deacon threw himself at the Arch-Bishop’s Feet, with the words of the Prodigal in his mouth, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and against thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son. I do humbly beg Pardon for all my Errors, which have been great. The Arch-Bishop lifting him up and embracing him tenderly, told him, all that was past was forgot; and that God’s Mercy in reducing him to the Catholick Church was greater than the Malice of the Devil, which had been the cause of his returning no sooner, that he would certainly have that great Reward that is reserved in Heaven for those that bring so many Souls to the purity of the Faith, as he was confident he would do by his Example; that he would therefore have him subscribe the Profession of Faith and ten Articles immediately. The Arch-Deacon beg’d to speak one word first with His Grace in private, promising, after that to do whatsoever His Grace should command him; and being alone, he told him, That if His Grace would have it so, he was ready to subscribe the Profession and Articles publickly, tho’, with submission he thought it would be better if he would allow him to do it in private, for the sake of that Christianity who were not as yet so well instructed as they ought to be; but that before the meeting of the Synod, at which he promised to sign them publickly, he hoped to be able to prepare them for the receiving of whatsoever should be therein determined, which he believed he should be able to do the more effectually, if they knew nothing of his having already submitted to the Roman Church. The Arch-Bishop answered, That notwithstanding a Profession of the Faith was by so much the better, as it was the more publick, nevertheless he so far approved of his Reason as to dispense with his making it openly. Whereupon they and the Jesuite Francisco Roz repaired to the Arch-Bishop’s Lodgings, and having shut the doors, the Arch- Deacon kneeled down before a Crucifix that stood on the Arch- Bishop’s Table, and laying his hands upon the Missal, swore to the Ten Articles, and to the Profession of Faith, to which the Arch-Bishop obliged him to put his hand, to prevent his denying it afterwards.

Next Morning all the Caçanares being called together, the Arch- Bishop acquainted them with his intention of calling a Synod very speedily, which they all agreed to. It was then debated where it should meet, some were for its being held at Angamale, the Metropolis of the Diocess, but the Arch-Bishop would not hear of its being held there for three Reasons; the first was, That the Christians of Angamale were the Christians of the whole Bishoprick that were most addicted to their old Religion, Secondly, It was not in the Dominions of the King of Cochim, the Prince of Malabar that had the greatest dependance upon the Portuguezes; And Lastly, Because it was at too great a distance from the Portugueze Garrison of Cochim. It was carried therefore that it should be held in the Town of Diamper, which was but a little way from Cochim, and should begin on the 20th. of June, being the 3d. Sunday after Whitsuntide.

In pursuance whereof the Arch-Bishop and Arch-Deacon did both issue forth their Ollas, commanding all Priests and Procurators of the People, who were four from every Town, to assemble together at the Town of Diamper, on the 20th. of June next, there to celebrate a Diocesan Synod. The Ollas bore date the 11th. of May, so that there were six Weeks allowed for the preparing of business, which the Arch-Bishop made good use of.

Before the Arch-Bishop left Vaipicotta, the Caimal of Angamale, who was called the black King of Malabar, came to give him a visit: The Arch-Bishop received him kindly, and at parting presented him with some pieces of very rich Cloath; which was what he went well furnished withal from Goa, having laid out 18000 Pardaos in Goods, to make Presents of in the Serra. The Caimal, who was a boisterous and bloody Prince, was so well pleased with his Present, that he promised the Arch-Bishop to see him obeyed in all things.

After which the Arch-Bishop returned to Cranganor, where he composed the Decrees of the Synod, which were all writ with his own Hand, word for word as they are published. As soon as he had finished them he had them translated out of Portugueze into Malavar. He likewise Consecrated there a Stone Altar for every Church in the Serra, which was what they all wanted.

What remained to be done, after having engaged all the Neighbouring Princes, and their Regedors to assist him, was to secure the Major Vote in the Synod; and in order thereunto he Ordained no fewer than fifty priests on Trinity Sunday, in the Church of Paru, which fifty being added to the thirty eight he had Ordained but a little before at Diamper, and to those he had Ordained at Carturte, who are said to have been many, must make up at least two thirds of the Priests that were present at the Synod, who in all were but 153 of which two thirds the Arch-Bishop was secure, having before he Ordained them, made them abjure their old Religion, and subscribe the Creed of Pius IV.

He was also industrious to secure to himself the Votes of several of the most considerable among the Procurators, by making them great Presents, giving to one of them a Cross set with Diamonds of great value, as he did another of equal price, to an old Caçanar, who had been a great Companion of Arch-Bishop Mar Abraham. Upon which, and the other Precautions made use of by the Arch- Bishop to compass his ends in the Synod, Father Simon in his 109 Pag. of his Historie Critique, makes the following judicious reflection : All that these methods have hitherto produced, serves only to let the World see by what means the Roman Religion has been established in the East, which he that knows will not wonder, that all the re-unions which have been made with those People we call Schismaticks in those Parts, have been so short lived.

On the 9th. of June the Arch-Bishop accompanied with six Jesuites and his Confessor, who were all Divines, and several Caçanares, arrived at Diamper, where he immediately erected a Junto of eight of the most popular Caçanares, before whom he laid the Decrees, desiring their opinion of them; and when they came to consider the Decrees relating to manners, he called four of the gravest of the Procurators also to be present at the Examination of them; after some Debates the Decrees were all agreed to by the Junto, which, for that reason, was given out to be the Author of them.

On the 20th. of June 1599. the Synod was opened, at which solemnity were present the Dean and Chapter of Cochim, with their whole Quire, as also the Governour, the Commissioners of the Treasury, and the Chamber of the same City, and several other Portuguezes of Quality.

I will detain the Reader no longer from the perusal of the Synod it self, in which he is not to wonder if he meets with the whole mass of Popery, considering that all its Decrees were composed by a Popish Arch-Bishop who assembled it on purpose to establish the Roman Religion in the Serra; in the doing whereof, tho’ he was instrumental in letting the World know more of the Orthodoxy of that Apostolical Church, than its like they would ever have known of it otherwise, we have reason to bless Providence, but none at all to thank him for it, who intended nothing less than the making of such a happy discovery.

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

A Catalogue of the Prelates, Bishops, and Arch-Bishops of Goa, and of the Bishops of Cochim, till the time of the Celebration of the Synod of Diamper.

The City of Goa was taken by the Vice-Roy Don Alphonso Albu
querque, in the Year 1510.

The first Prelate thereof was Dom Duarte nunez a Dominican Friar, and Bishop of Laodicea.

The second was Dom Fernando Vaqueito, Bishop of Auren.

In the Year 1537. Goa was made an Episcopal See by Pope Paul III. and put under the Metropolitan of Funchal, a City in the Island of Madera.

The first Bishop thereof was Don Francisco de Mela.

The second was Dom Juan de Albuquerque a Franciscan Friar, who held it above 14 Years. In his time, that is to say, in the Year 1557. it was made a Metropolitan and Primate of all the Indies by Pope Paul V. who, at the same time, erected an Inquisition at Goa.

The second Arch-Bishop was one Dom Gaspar, who resigned it after he had held it seven Years.

The third was Dom Jorge Temudo, a Dominican Friar, who was translated to it from Cochim. He Governed it two years and eight Months, and after his Death Dom Gaspar who before resigned it, returned to it again and Governed it till he died.

The fourth was Dom Enrique de Tavara, a Dominican Friar, who was also translated from Cochim.

The fifth was Dom Vicente de Fonseca, a Dominican Friar.

The sixth was Dom Mattheo, a Friar of the Order of Christ, who was likewise translated from Cochim.

The seventh was Dom Aleixo de Menezes, an Austin Friar, who was Governour General of the Indies for three Years, and was afterwards translated to the Primacy of Braga, was Governour of Portugal for two Years; and after that President of the Council of State of Portugal at Madrid, where he died.

Cochim was made a Bishoprick in the Year, 1559.

The first Bishop thereof was Dom Jorge Temudo.

The second Dom Enrique de Tavara.

The third Dom Mattheo. These three were all translated to Goa.

The fourth was Dom Andres, a Discalceat Franciscan Friar.

The following Synod is printed at the end of the History of Dom
Frey Aleixo de Menezes, Archbishop of Goa’s Visitation of the Christians of Saint Thomas in the Serra or Mountain of Malabar, made immediately after the Celebration, and in pursuance of the Order of the said Synod; the History of which Visitation was compos’d by Antonio de Gouvea, an Austin 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 Protestants to know; namely, the rude and boisterous Methods, that the Roman Prelates, where they may do it with safety, make use of in the Reduction of those they call Hereticks; together with clear Confirmations of the Truth of what we meet with in the Fourteenth, and other Decrees of the Third Action of this Synod; to wit, That the Three great Doctrines of Popery, the Pope’s Supremacy, Transubstantiation, the Adoration of Images, were never believed nor practised at any time in this ancient Apostolical Church; but, on the contrary, were rejected and condemned by her, and that in her Publick Offices. So that upon what we learn from this Synod and history, I think one may venture to say, 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 infected with the Heresie of Nestorius, of which too she is cleared by one of the Roman Communion, that had so Few Errors in Doctrine, as the Church of Malabar.

If the Synod I here publish should be well received, as I have reason to hope it will, by all Protestants, and lovers of Truth, upon the account of the clear Discoveries it makes of the forementioned Popish Errors, having never been at any time the Doctrines of the Universal Church, which we know is confidently affirmed, and much boasted of; and for further satisfaction in so important a Matter, the above named History should be desired, I shall be ready to translate and publish it with all expedition, alone, and in the same Volume with this of the Synod; together with the best Account I can procure of the Church of Malabar, and the other Oriental Churches, that were never within the Bounds of the Roman Empire; for it is in those Churches that we are to expect to meet with the least of the Leaven of Popery.

As to the Synod, to prevent all surmises of its being a Piece either forged by some Protestant, or of no Authority in the Church of Rome, tho’ set forth by a Member of her Communion; I have, together with the whole Title Page, which tells where, when, and by whom it was printed, translated and published all the Licences that it came out with: And if any should suspect the Translation, if they please, they may satisfie themselves of its Fidelity, by having recourse to the Original in the Bodleian Library at Oxford; to which, as the safest, as well as noblest Repository of Books in the World, I design to give it.

I have here and there added some short Remarks upon some Passages, which will not, I hope, be unacceptable to the Reader.

The Doctrines wherein the Church of Malabar agrees with the Church of England, and differs from that of Rome.

2. She affirms that the Church of Rome is fallen from the true Faith.

In the Account that is given of the Doctrines of the Church of Malabar, in the Eighteenth Chapter of the First Book of the Visitation,

She is said, 1. Not to adore Images. 2. To hold but Three Sacraments, Baptism, the Eucharist, and Order. 3. To make no use of Oils. 4. To have had no knowledge of Confirmation or Extream Unction. 5. To abhor Auricular Confession. 6. To hold many enormous Errors about the Eucharist, insomuch that the Author of the History saith, he is inclined to believe, that the Hereticks of our Times, meaning Protestants, the revivers of all forgotten Errors, and Ignorances, might have had their Doctrine about the Eucharist from them. 7. To Ordain such as have been married several times, and to Widows, and to approve of her Priests marrying as often as they have a mind. 8. That she abhors the Pope and the Church of Rome as Anti-Christian, in pretending to a Superiority and Jurisdiction over all other Churches.

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

Celebrated by the most Reverend Lord Dom Frey Aleixo de Menezes, Archbishop, Metropolitan of Goa, Primate of the Indies, and the See being vacant, of the above-named Bishoprick, by virtue of two Briefs of the most Holy Father Pope Clement 8th. on the third Sunday after Pentecost, being the 20th, day of July, in the year of our Lord 1599. in the Church of All-Saints, in the Town and Kingdom of Diamper, Subject to the King of Cochin, an Infidel; in which the said Bishoprick, with all the Christians thereunto belonging, submitted it self to the pope and the Holy Roman Church.

Printed at Conimbra, in the shop of Diogo Gomez Laureyro, printer to the University, in the year of our Lord, 1606.

The Father of the society of Jesus intrusted with the revising of
Books in Conimbra, having perused the Synod mentioned in the following petition, and the Inquisition of the said city having upon his Approbation, given Licence to print the same, we do Order, That after it is printed, it be, together with the Book Intituled, The Journey of the Serra or Mountains, transmitted to this Council, that it may be compared with the Original, and Licensed; without which it shall not be made publick.

Marcos Teixira,

Ruy Piz de veiga.

I have perused this Synod, and to me it appears to be a work
that deserves to be printed; for besides the sound Doctrine contained therein, it will be of great Use and consolation to all, and very necessary to the extirpating of the Errors, Schism, and Heresies sown by Hereticks, and particularly the Nestorians in the ancient Christianity, planted in the Indies by the Apostle St. Thomas.

Octob. 23d. 1605.

Joan Pinto.

By virtue of a particular commission to us granted in this behalf, by
the Council of the General Inquisition of these kingdoms; having seen the Information of Father Joan Pinto, Revisor of this City, we give Licence for the printing of the Book Intituled, The Synod, and the Journey of the Serra; provided that after it is printed, it be sent to the said Council, to be compared with the Original, and to have leave to be made publick.

Jan. II. 1606.

Joan Alvarez Brandon.

It may be printed, Conimbra, 25th. of Feb. 1606.

The Bishop Conde.

Dom Frey Aleixo de Menezes, by the mercy of God, and the Holy Roman See, Archbishop, Metropolitan of Goa, Primate
of the Indies, and the Oriental Parts, &c. To the reverend in Christ, Father George, Archdeacon of the Christians of St. Thomas in the Serra of the Kingdom of Malabar, and to all other Priests, Curates, Deacons and Subdeacons, and to all towns, Villages, and Hamlets, and to all Christian People of the said Bishoprick, Health in our Lord Jesus Christ.

We give you all, and every one of you in particular to understand, that the most Holy Father pope Clement VIII. our Lord Bishop of Rome, and Vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ upon earth, at this time presiding in the Church of God; having sent two Briefs directed to Us, one of the 27th. of Jan. in the Year 1595, and the other of the 21st. of the same Month, in the Year 1597; in which, by virtue of his Pastoral Office, and that Universal Power bequeathed to the Supream, Holy and Apostolical Chair of St. Peter over all the Churches in the World, by Jesus Christ the Son of God our Lord and Redeemer, he commanded us upon the death of the Archbishop Mar-Abraham, to take Possession of this Church and Bishoprick, so as not to suffer any Bishop or Prelate coming from Babylon, to enter therein, as has been hitherto the Custom, all that come from thence being Schismaticks, Hereticks, and Nestorians, out of the Obedience of the Holy Roman Church, and subject to the Patriarch of Babylon, the Head of the said Heresy; and to appoint a Governour or Apostolical Vicar to Rule the said Diocess both in Spirituals and Temporals, until such time as the Holy Roman Church shall provide it of a proper Pastor; which being read by us, we were desirous to execute the Apostolical Mandates with due Reverence and Obedience; besides, that the same was incumbent on us of right (the said Church having no Chapter to take care of it during the vacancy of the See) as Metropolitan 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 effect, what we had ordered, not having been obeyed in the said Diocess, so that what our most Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, had designed, was like to be frustrated, after having laboured therein for the space of two Years, Schism and Disobedience to the Apostolical See, having been so rooted in that Diocess for a great many Years, that the Inhabitants thereof, instead of yielding Obedience to the Apostolical, and Our Mandates; on the contrary upon the intimation thereof, did daily harden themselves more and more; committing greater Offences against the Obedience due to the Holy Roman Church; after having commended the Matter to God, and ordered the same to be done through our whole Diocess, and after mature Advice, by which Methods the Apostolical Mandates might be best executed; and being also moved by the Piety of the People, and the Mercy God had shewn them in having preserved so many thousand Souls in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, from the time that the Holy Apostle St. Thomas had Preached to them until this day, notwithstanding their having lived among so many Heathens, and been scattered in divers places, their Churches and all belonging to them, having been always subject to Idolatrous Kings and Princes, and incompassed with Idols and Pagods, and that without holding any correspondence with any other Christians before the coming of the Portuguezes into these Parts; we being likewise desirous that the Labours of the Holy Apostle St. Thomas, which still remained among them, should not be lost for want of sound Doctrine; and that the Apostolical Mandates might not be frustrated, did determine, and having provided for the Government of our own Church during our absence, did prepare to go in Person to take Possession of the said Bishoprick, to see if by our Presence we might be able to reduce them to the Obedience of the holy Roman Church, and purge out the Heresies and false Doctrines sown among them, and introduced by the Schismatical Prelates, and Nestorian Hereticks that had governed them under the Obedience of the Patriarch of Babylon; as also to call in and purge the Books containing those Heresies; and according to our Pastoral Duty, so far as God should enable us, to Preach to them in Person the Catholick Truth.

Accordingly going into the said Bishoprick, we set about visiting the Churches thereof; but at that time Satan, the great Enemy of the good of Souls, having stirred up great Commotions, and much opposition against this our just intent, great numbers departing from us, and forming a Schism against the Holy Roman Church, after having passed through many troubles and dangers, out of all which God of his great mercy, not remembring our sins and evil deeds, was pleased to deliver us, and to grant us an intire Peace for the Merits of the glorious Apostle St. Thomas the Patron of this Christianity, but chiefly of his own great Clemency and Mercy, which makes, that he doth not delight in the death of a sinner, but rather that he should return and live; and by coming all to the light of the Truth, may joyn with us in the Confession of the Catholick Faith, approving our Doctrine and Intention, and submitting themselves to the Obedience of the Holy Roman Church; which being by us observed, after having returned Thanks to God, we thought fit, in order to the compassing and securing of all those good Effects, to assemble a Diocesan Synod in some commodious place near the middle of the said Diocess, there to Treat of all such Matters as are convenient for the honour of God, the exaltation of the holy Catholick Faith and Divine Worship, the good of the Church, the extirpation of Vice, the Reformation of the Christians of the said Diocess, and the profit and peace of their Souls; to which end having pitched upon the Town and Church of Diamper,

We do hereby let all the Inhabitants and Christians of the said Bishoprick, as well Ecclesiasticks as Laicks, of what State or Condition soever, to understand, that we do call and assemble a Diocesan Synod in the said Town of Diamper, on the 20th. of June of this present Year 1599, being the Third Sunday after Whitsuntide; and do therefore, by Virtue of holy Obedience, and upon pain of Excommunication, latae Sententiae, Command the Reverend the Arch-Deacon of this Diocess, and all the other Priests of the same, that shall not be hindered by Age, or some other just Impediment, to be present in the said Town of Diamper, there with us to celebrate a Diocesan Synod conformable to the Holy Canons: And whereas by immemorial Custom, and a Right introduced into this Diocess from its Beginning, and consented to by all the Infidel Kings of Malabar, the whole Government as it were, and the Cognizance of all Matters wherein Christians are any ways concerned, has belonged to the Church, and the Prelate thereof; and it having likewise been an ancient Custom in the same, to give an Account to the People of whatsoever has been ordained in the Church, in order to its being the better observed by all: We do therefore under the same Precept and Censure, command all christians in all Towns and Villages of this Bishoprick; and where there are no Villages, all that use to assemble together at any Church as belonging to it, immediately upon this our Pleasure being intimated to them, to chuse Four of the most Honourable, Conscientious, and Experienced persons among them, to come in their Name at the said time, to the said Synod, with sufficient Powers to Approve, Sign, Confirm, and consult in their Name, so as to oblige themselves thereby to comply with whatsoever shall be determined in the Synod. And that these Commissioners may demand or propose whatsoever they shall judge to be of Importance to the Synod and for the Spiritual or Temporal Good of their People; We do grant free Liberty to all in this Diocess, as well Ecclesiasticks as Laicks, that have any complaints, Grievances, or Controversies about any such Matters as are decidable by the Prelate, or other Christians, to represent the same to the Synod; where they shall be heard with Patience, and have Justice done them according to the Sacred Canons, Customs, and lawful Usages of the Country.

And whereas we are informed that there are several things in this Bishoprick which are the causes of great Contentions, we do therefore not only give leave, but do also admonish and command all that are concerned in any such Matters, that forbearing all other ways that are prejudicial to Christianity, they do now make use of this just and holy way of putting an end to all their Debates: And since to bring all these things to a good issue the favour and assistance of God is necessary, from whom all good things do proceed, and without whom we can do nothing, wherefore to engage the Divine Clemency by Prayer to be favourable to us, following the laudable custom of the Holy Fathers, and Ancient Councils, we do Admonish, and in the Name of God earnestly request, all the faithful Christians of this Bishoprick, from this time forward until the end of the Synod, to exercise themselves with a pure and clean heart, in Fasting, Alms, Prayer, and other works of piety, instantly beseeching God to enlighten the Understandings of all that shall meet together, and so to enflame our Wills with Divine Love, that we may determine nothing but what is right, and may observe and comply with whatsoever shall be Decreed; taking for our Intercessor, out Lady the most Holy Virgin Mary, of whose Praise and Honour we are to Treat Particularly; as also the Glorious Apostle St. Thomas, the Master, Patron, and protector of this Church; and all the other Saints in Heaven, that so this Synod may begin, and Proceed in Peace and universal Concord, and may end to the Praise, honour, and Glory of God our Lord for ever. And that this our Publication of a Diocesan 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 Bishoprick to the people on the Sunday next after the intimation thereof to the Curates, and after that, to be fixed to the Gates of the Church.

Dated from Chanotta, the 14th. of May, under our seal, and the Great seal of our Chancery, and written by Andre Cerqueira, Secretary to the most illustrious Archbishop and Primate, in the Year 1599.

In the Name of the most Holy and undivided Trinity, the Father, son,and Holy Ghost, in the year of our Lord 1599, on the 20th of June, being the third Sunday after Whitsuntide, in the seventh Year of the Pontificate of our most holy Lord, Clement VIII. the Supreme Roman Bishop, and in the first year of the Reign of the Catholick King Philip, the second King of Portugal, and Algarves, and of Malucco; the illustrious Lord Dom Francisco da Gama Conde de Vidigeyra, Admiral of the Indies, being Vice-roy in the Town of Diamper, subject to the King of Cochim, an Infidel and Heathen, in the Church of All- Saints, in the Bishoprick of Angamale of the Christians of St. Thomas in the Serra of Malabar, the see being vacant by the death of the Arch-Bishop Mar-Abraham, there assembled in a Diocesan Synod according to the Holy Canons, the most illustrious and most Reverend Lord Dom Frey Aleixo de Menezes, Arch-Bishop Metropolitan of Goa, Primate of the Indies, and the Oriental parts, together with all the priests and Curates of the said Bishoprick; and the procurators of all the Towns and Corporations in the same, with great Numbers of other persons belonging to the said church, and called to the said synod by the most reverend Metropolitan: Where, after having given Thanks to God for his having extinguished and composed all the Alterations and Commotions by which Satan, the Enemy to all that is Good, had endeavoured to hinder the assembling of this Synod; and being all filled with Joy, to see themselves met together to Treat of things pertaining to the Service of God, the purity of the Faith, and the Good of Christianity and their own Souls; the most illustrious Metropolitan did celebrate the solemn Mass for the removing of schism, as it is in the Roman Missal; and having preached to the people to the same purpose, the mass being ended, he re-invested himself in his pontifical Robes, and read the Office for the beginning of a synod, as it is in the Roman Pontifical; which being over, and the Metropolitan seated in his Chair, with all the Ecclesiasticks 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 VIII. in which his holiness had recommended to him the Government of that Church, after the death of the Arch-Bishop Marabran, until such time as it should be provided of a Pastor and Prelate; besides, that the same belonged to him as the Metropolitan thereof, and primate of the Indies, and all the Oriental Parts, by the Canons, the See thereof being vacant, and it having no Chapter to take care of it during the vacancy; which Briefs being faithfully translated into the Malabar Tongue, were immediately read, and received with that Reverence and Obedience that was due to them: After which the Lord Metropolitan told them, That seeing he had but little knowledge of the Malabar Tongue, it was necessary for him to have some faithful Person, and that was well versed in Ecclesiastical Affairs, to relate truly in the Congregations what he should say, or what should be spoke to him: whereupon Jacob, a priest, and Curate of the Church of Pallurte in the said Bishoprick, a person well skilled both in the Portugueze and Malabar Languages, was presently pitched upon by common Consent; who being called by the Lord Metropolitan, was charged by him with the Office of Interpreter to himself and the Holy Synod, giving him an Oath at the same time upon the Holy Gospels, well and faithfully to discharge the said Office, and truly and exactly to relate all that should be said by his Lordship or any other person in the Synod, without any addition or diminution; as also to read in the Congregations all the Decrees and Determinations of the Synod, which were to be in the Malabar Tongue: And whereas Truth it self has testified, That in the mouth of two or three there is all Truth; therefore for the greater security, there were given to the said Interpreter, by the most Reverend Metropolitan, as Assistants, the Reverend Fathers, 1 Francisco Roz, and Antonio Toscano of the Society of Jesus in the College of Vaipicotta in this Diocess, who being well skilled in the Malabar Tongue, were to observe all that was related by the Interpreter, and in case he was at any time faulty, to correct him; there were besides several others present, Natives as well as Portuguezes, that were well vers’d in both Languages.

The Congregation being met, and all placed according to their order, the Metropolitan seated in his Chair, said, In the Name of the Father, son, and Holy Ghost, Three persons and one only True God. Amen.

My beloved Brethren, you the Venerable Priests, and my most dear Sons in Christ, you the Representatives and Procurators of the People, Does it please you, that for the praise and Glory of the Holy and undivided Trinity, the Father, son, and Holy Ghost, and for the Increase and Exaltation of the Catholick Faith, and the Christian Religion, of the Inhabitants of this Bishoprick, and for the destruction of the Heresies and Errors which have been sown therein by several Hereticks and Schismaticks, and for the purging of Books from the false Doctrines contained in them, and for the perfect Union of this Church with the whole Church Catholick and Universal, and for the yielding of Obedience to the supreme Bishop of Rome, the Universal Pastor of the Church, and successor in the Chair of St. Peter, and Vicar of Christ upon Earth, from whom you have for some time departed, and for the extirpation of Simony, which has been much practised in this Bishoprick, and for the regulating of the Administration of the Holy Sacraments of the Church, and the necessary use of them, and for the Reformation of the Affairs of the Church and the Clergy, and the Customs of all the Christian people of this Diocess; we should begin a Diocesan Synod of this Bishoprick of the Serra? They answered, It pleaseth us. Then the most Reverend Metropolitan asked them again; Venerable Brethren, and most beloved sons in Christ, since you are pleased to 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 Administration of the Holy sacraments, and the Customs of the whole people, be entertained by you with Benignity and Charity, and afterwards by God’s Assistance complied with, with much Reverence; and that every one of you should faithfully procure the Reformation of such things in this synod as you know to be amiss, and if any that are present shou’d happen to be dissatisfied with any thing that shall be said or done therein, let them without any scruple declare their Opinion publickly, that so by God’s Grace it may be examined, and all things may be truly stated as is desired; but let not Strife or Contention find any room among you to the perverting of Justice and Reason; neither be ye afraid of searching after and embracing the Truth.

The Synod by Virtue of Holy Obedience, and upon pain of Excommunication to be incurred ipso facto, does command all Persons whatsoever, Ecclesiastical and Secular, that have been called to, and are present at this Synod, not to depart the Town of Diamper, where the said Synod is celebrated, without express leave from the most Illustrious Metropolitan, before the Synod is ended, and they have signed the Decrees thereof with their own Hand, or till all the rest are dismiss’d: The Synod does likewise Request and Command 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 Christians of this Bishoprick, to acquaint the Metropolitan therewith, either by Word or Writing, or some Third Person, that so what is convenient may be determined therein.

Be it known and declared to all present and absent, That no prejudice shall 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 also that no Church, or Person shall suffer by reason of the Places they fit in, in this Synod, but shall have their Rights and Privileges, in the same state and vigour that they were in before; and if any Doubts should happen to arise about this or any such Matter, let them be brought before the Illustrious Metropolitan; where both Parties being heard, they shall have Justice done them.

This Synod knowing that all that is Good is from God, and that every perfect Gift cometh down from the Father of Light, who giveth perfect Wisdom to those that with an humble Heart pray for it; and being withal sensible that the beginning of true Wisdom is the fear of the Lord; we do admonish and command all Christians, as well Ecclesiasticks as Seculars gathered together in this Place, to confess their Sins with a true contrition for them, and all Priests to say Mass, and others to receive the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, beseeching our Lord with humble and devout Prayers for good Success to all that shall be Treated of in this Synod; to which intent, there shall be two solemn Masses said in the Church every day during the Session of the Synod, one of the Latins to the Holy Spirit, and the other of the Syrians to our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose Praise and Honour is to be particularly Treated of; which Masses shall be said at such hours as to be no hindrance to the Congregations, which henceforward shall meet every day in the Church at Seven in the Morning. They shall likewise, Latins as well as Syrians, every day after Sun-set Sing the solemn Litanies of the Church, with a Commemoration of our Lady for the good intention of the Synod.

The Synod, for the preventing of some Inconveniences that may otherwise happen, and to leave no room for unnecessary and hurtful Debates, does command by virtue of Obedience, and upon pain of Excommunication to be ipso facto incurred, That while the Congregations last, no Person whatsoever, Ecclesiastick or Secular, presume to meet together in any Junctoes with any Persons, Ecclesiasticks or Seculars, to Treat of any Matters appertaining to the Synod, or this Church, without express Licence from the most Illustrious Metropolitan; that so all that is desired, may be handled publickly, and in the Congregation, those Meetings only excepted which are kept by the People in order to their proposing of Matters to be consulted about, according to ancient Custom, and the Order of the said Metropolitan.

On the second Day after the singing of the Antiphony, Psalm, Prayers, and Hymn, as they are in the Roman Pontifical, the most Reverend Metropolitan being seated in his Chair, said, Venerable and Beloved Brethren, the Priests, and you my dearest Sons in Christ, the Procurators and Representatives of the People, We having done little more Yesterday than celebrate the Divine Offices, and Preach to the People, it is fit we should begin to Day to Treat of Matters appertaining to the Synod. In the first place, of those that belong to the Integrity and Truth of our Holy Catholick Faith, and the Profession of the same; which before we go about, I do again admonish you in our Lord Jesus Christ, that all such things as you shall judge to stand in need of Reformation in this Bishoprick, or any part thereof, may be signified to us, or to the Congregation, that so with the Divine favour and assistance, all things by your Diligence and Charity, may be brought into so good Estate as is desired, for the praise of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

That this Synod may in all things Govern itself according to the Directions of the Holy Canons, and tread in the Footsteps of the Holy General Councils, and particularly of the Holy Council of Trent, upon the knowledge it has of the Necessities of this Church, and of the diversity of Opinions that have been hitherto therein concerning Matters of our Holy Catholick Faith, and of the Errors contrary thereunto, which have been sowed in this Diocess by Hereticks and Schismaticks: it doth command all Persons Ecclesiasticks and Seculars, called hither, either in their own Name, or in the Name of others, Ecclesiasticks or Laicks, of this Bishoprick, to make Profession and Oath of the following Faith, in the hands of the most Illustrious Metropolitan, President of this Synod: And for the more effectual execution of this Decree, and to provoke others by his own Example, the most Illustrious Metropolitan having robed himself in his Pontificals, but without his Mitre, kneeling down before the Altar, and having laid his hands upon a Cross that was upon a book of the Gospels, did in his own Name, as the present Prelate and Metropolitan of the Diocess, and in the Name of all the Christians belonging to the same, and every Person thereof, Secular and Ecclesiastick, make Profession and Oath of the Faith following, which was immediately declared to all that were present.

In the Name of the most Holy and undivided Trinity, the Father, Son,and Holy Ghost, one only true God, in the Year of Our Lord, 1599, in the seventh Year of the Pontificate of our most Holy Lord Clement VIII. Bishop of Rome, in the Town of Diamper, in the kingdom of Malabar, in the East-Indies, in the Church of All Saints, on the 21st of June, in a Diocesan Synod of the Bishoprick of Serra, Assembled by the most illustrious and Reverend Lord Dom Frey Aleixo de Menezes, Arch-Bishop Metropolitan of Goa, and the Oriental Parts, and the See being vacant, of the said Bishoprick;

I N. do of my own free will, without any manner of force and constraint, for the Salvation of my Soul, believing it in my heart, protest, that with a firm Faith I do believe, and confess, all and every one of the Articles contained in the Symbol of Faith which is used in Holy Mother Roman Church.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all Worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made: who for us Men, and for our Salvation, came down from Heaven, and was Incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made Man, and was Crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father, and he shall come again with Glory to Judge both the quick and the Dead: whose Kingdom shall have no end.

I do firmly receive and embrace all Apostolical and Ecclesiastical Traditions, and all the Observances and Constitutions of the said Church; I admit the Holy scriptures in that sence wherein it has ever been, and is still held by Mother Church, to whom it belongeth to judge of the true Sence and Interpretation of the Holy Scriptures; neither will I either receive or interpret it but according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers.

I do confess likewise; that there are seven true and proper Sacraments of the New Testament, instituted by Christ our Lord, which are all necessary to the health of Mankind, tho’ not to every particular person; they are, Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Order, Penance, Matrimony, and Extream Unction, which do all conferr Grace on those that receive them worthily; and of these seven sacraments, that Baptism, confirmation, and Orders, are to be received but once, neither can they be repeated without great Sacrilege.

I admit and receive all the Customs, Rites, and Ceremonies, received and approved of in the Roman Church, in the solemn Administration of the said seven sacraments, and do also receive and embrace all in general, and every thing in particular, that has been defined and declared concerning Original sin, and Justification, in the Holy Council of Trent.

I do likewise confess, that in the Mass there is offer’d to God a true and proper Sacrifice of pardon both for the Quick and the Dead; and that in the most Holy sacrament of the Eucharist, there is the true, real, and substantial Body and Blood, together with the soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ; and that the whole substance of the Bread is by Consecration turned into the Body of Christ, and the whole substance of the Wine into his Blood; which Conversion the Catholick church calls Transubstantiation: Moreover, I do confess, that under each species Christ is entire, and the true sacrament is received.

I do constantly hold and confess, that there is a2 Purgatory, and that the Souls which are cleansing from their Sins, do receive benefit from the Prayers and Devotions of the Faithful.

I do likewise affirm, that 3 the Souls of the Just and Faithful, which at their departure out of this Life, have entirely satisfied for the Punishment due to the Sins that they have committed; as also those in purgatory which have made an end of satisfying for their sins according to the Divine pleasure and ordination; as also those who after baptism 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 Heresy of those, who think that the Souls of the Just are in a Terrestrial Paradise till the day of Judgment; and that the Damned are not Tormented any otherwise than by the certainty they have of the Torments they are to enter into after the day of Judgment.

And I do confess, and affirm, that the Saints now reigning with Christ in Heaven, are to be Reverenced, and Invoked, and that they offer Prayers to God for us, whose Relicks are likewise to be reverenced on Earth: And moreover, that the 4 Images of our Lord Christ, and of our Lady the Glorious Virgin Mary, and of all the other Saints, are to be kept, used, and reverenced, with due Honour and Veneration.

I do also believe, that our Lady the most Holy Virgin Mary is the proper and true Mother of God, and ought to be called so by the Faithful, for having brought forth according to the Flesh, without any pain or passion, the true Son of God, and that she always continued a Virgin, in, and after her Deliverance, having never been defiled by any actual Sin.

I do confess, that the power of granting Indulgences was left to the Church by our Lord Jesus Christ; the use whereof I do affirm to be healthful and profitable to all Christian People.

I do acknowledge the Holy, Catholick, and Apostolick Roman Church to be the Head, Mother and Mistress of all other Churches in the World; and do hold all that are not subject and obedient to her, to be Heretical, Schismatical, and disobedient to our Lord Jesus Christ, and his Commands, and to the Order that he left in the Church, and to be Aliens from Eternal Salvation.

I do promise and swear true Obedience to the Pope, the Roman Bishop, the Successor of the Blessed Prince of the Apostles St. Peter, and Vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ on earth, the Head of the whole Church on earth, and Doctor and Master of the same, and the Father, Prelate, and Pastor of all Christians; and do confess, that all who deny Obedience to the said Roman Bishop, the Vicar of Christ, are Transgressors of the Divine Commands, and cannot attain to Eternal Life.

I do without any scruple receive, approve, and confess all other Matters, defined and declared in the Sacred Canons, and General Councils, and chiefly in the Holy Council of Trent; and do in the same manner condemn, reject, and anathematize every thing that is contrary to the same; together with all Heresies condemned, rejected and anathematized by the said Church; Namely, the Diabolical and perverse Heresie of Nestorius, together with its perverse Author Nestorius, and its false Teachers 5Theodorus and 6Diodorus, and all that have and do follow it, who being perswaded and seduced by the Devil, do impiously maintain, That our Lord and Saviour Christ consists of Two Persons, affirming the Divine Word not to have taken the Flesh into a Unity of person with it self, but only to have dwelt therein as in a Temple, and so will not say, that God was Incarnate, or that our lady, the most Blessed Virgin Mary, was the Mother of God, but only the Mother of Christ; all which I reject, condemn and anathematize as Diabolical Heresies; and do believe, and embrace, and approve of all that was determined about this Matter, in the Council of Ephesus, consisting of two hundred Fathers, in which by order of Celestine Ist. Bishop of Rome, the Blessed St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, was President, whom I acknowledge to be a Saint now enjoying God, and that all that blaspheme him are in a state of Damnation.

Moreover, I do condemn all that say, that the passion of our saviour ought not to be mentioned, and that it is an Injury to him to do it; on the contrary, i do believe and confess, that the consideration and Discourses thereof are holy, and of benefit to souls.

I do likewise confess and believe, that in pure Christianity there is only one law of our Lord Jesus Christ, true God, and true man; in like manner as there is no more than one only true god, one only faith, and one only baptism; which one only law was preached by all the holy apostles, and their disciples and successors after the same manner. I do therefore condemn and reject all those who ignorantly teach, that there was one law of St. Thomas, and another law of St. Peter, and that they are so different as not to have any thing to do with one another; as also all other Heresies and Errors condemned by Holy Mother Church. This true and Catholick Faith, out of which there is no salvation, and which at present I do of my own free Will, profess and truly hold and believe, I shall with the help of God endeavour to keep entire, and undefiled to my last breath; and constantly to hold and profess, and to procure its being held, professed, preached, and taught by all that are subject to me, or that shall be any ways under my care. I N. do promise and vow to God, and Swear to this Holy Cross of our Lord Christ: So help me God, and the Contents of this Gospel7.

I do also promise, vow and swear to God, this cross, and these Holy Gospels, never to receive into this Church and Bishoprick of the Serra, any Bishop, Archbishop, Prelate, Pastor or Governour whatsoever, but what shall be immediately appointed by the Holy Apostolical See, and the Bishop of Rome, and that whomsoever he shall appoint, I will receive and obey as my true pastor, without expecting any Message, or having any further dependance upon the patriarch of Babylon, whom I condemn, reject and anathematize, as being a nestorian Heretick and schismatick, and out of the obedience of the Holy roman church, and for that reason out of a state of salvation: And I do swear and promise, never to obey him any more, nor to communicate with him in any matter: all this that I have professed and declared, i do promise, vow and swear to almighty god, and this holy cross of Christ: So help me god, and the contents of these gospels. Amen.

The most reverend Metropolitan, after having made this protestation and confession of faith, rose up, and seating himself in his chair, with his Mitre on his head, and the holy gospels, with a cross upon them in his hands; the Reverend George, archdeacon of the said bishoprick of the Serra, kneeling down before him, made the same profession of faith, with a loud and intelligible voice, in the Malabar tongue, taking an oath in the hands of the lord metropolitan, and after him all the priests, deacons, subdeacons, and other Ecclesiasticks that were present, being upon their Knees, Jacob, curate of pallarty, and interpreter to the synod, read the said profession in Malabar, all of them saying it along with him; which being ended, they all took the oath in the hands of the lord metropolitan, who asked them one by one in particular, Whether they did firmly believe all that was contained in the profession; as also whether they did believe and confess all that is believed and professed by the holy mother church of Rome, and did reject all that she rejects, and if they did anathematize the cursed heresie of the Nestorians, with all its falsities, and all the authors and Cherishers of the same; namely, the perverse Nestorius, Theodorus, and Diodorus, together with all their followers; and whether they did acknowledge the Holy Roman church to be the mother, and mistress8, and head of all the churches in the world, and confess that all that were not obedient to her, were out of a state of salvation; and if they did promise and swear true obedience and subjection to the most holy father the pope and bishop of Rome, as universal pastor of the church, and successor of St. Peter, the prince of the Apostles, and Vicar of Christ upon earth, without any manner of dependance upon the schismatical patriarch of Babylon, to whom tho’ contrary to justice, they had hitherto been subject; and if they did promise never to receive any other bishop into this diocess, but what shall be sent by the holy roman church, by the appointment of our lord the pope, and that whomsoever he shall ordain, they will acknowledge and obey for their prelate, as becomes true Catholicks, and sons of the church, anathematizing the patriarch of Babylon, as a Nestorian Heretick, out of the obedience of the holy Roman church, and promising and swearing never to obey him more in any matter, nor to have any further commerce or communion with him in things appertaining to the church.

To all which, and every particular, they did all, and every one of them for themselves with their hands upon the Cross and the Gospel, swear and protest to God by the Holy Gospel, and the Cross of Christ. After the Ecclesiasticks had made this profession and oath, the procurators and representatives of the people, by virtue of the powers they had, made the same in their own name, and in the name of the people of the Bishroprick, as did also all the other Christians that were present.

The synod doth command all priests, deacons, and sub-deacons, of this Bishoprick, that were not present at this solemnity, to make the foresaid oath and profession of faith in the hands of the most illustrious metropolitan, at the visitation of their churches, which he intends to make speedily, or in the hands of such as he shall depute for those that shall be absent at the time of the Visitation; that so there may be none in holy orders in this Bishoprick but what has made this profession in the manner aforesaid. The synod doth likewise declare, that hereafter none shall be capable of undertaking any Vicaridge, or cure of a church, until they have made the said profession, in the hands of their prelate, or of some commissionated by him for that purpose; as also, that all that take Holy orders, do first make the said profession in the same manner; and if any of the forementioned, which god forbid, shall refuse to do it, that they shall thereupon be declared excommunicate, until they comply, and withal be vehemently suspected of heresy, and be punished according to the sacred canons.

Because without faith it is impossible to please God; and the Holy Catholick faith, without which none can be saved, is the beginning of true life, and the foundation of all our Good; the Purity thereof being that, that distinguishes Christians and Catholicks from all other people; wherefore the Synod being sensible, that by means of some Heretical persons, and books scattered all over this bishoprick, many errors and falsities have been sown therein, with which many are poisoned, and more may be, doth judge it necessary, besides the profession of faith that has been made, further to declare to the people in some Chapters, the chief Articles of our Holy catholick faith, and to point at, and observe the errors contained in their Books, and to have them preached against in this Bishoprick, that so knowing the mischief and falsehood of them, they may avoid them.

Our, holy faith, that is believed with one unanimous consent by the Catholick church spread all over the world, is, That we believe in one only True, Almighty, immutable, incomprehensible, and ineffable God, the eternal father, son, and holy ghost, One in Essence, and Three in persons; the father not begotten, the Son begotten of the father, and of the same substance with him, and equal to him, and the holy ghost proceeding eternally from the father and the son; not as from two Principals, or two inspirations, but from both as from one only Principal, and one only inspiration; the father is not the son, nor the holy spirit; the holy spirit is not the father, nor the son; 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 superiour to another in majesty, nor inferiour to another in power, but were all without beginning or end; the father is he who begot, the Son is he who was born, and the Holy Ghost he who proceedeth, consubstantial, equal, alike almighty, and alike eternal. These three persons are one only God, and not three Gods, one only essence and substance, one nature, one immensity, one principal, one creator of all things visible and invisible, corporal and spiritual, who when he pleased, created

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