and, with that view, sent the Roman pontiff a confession of their faith, that gave a clear idea of their religious tenets and institutions. But these proposals were little attended to by the court of Rome, which was either owing to its dislike of the doctrine of these Nestorians," or to that contempt which their poverty and want of influence excited in the pontiffs, whose ambition and avidity aimed at acquisitions of more consequence; for it is well known, that, since the year 1617, the bishops of Ormus have been in a low and declining state, both in point of opulence and credit, and are no longer in a condition to excite the envy of their brethren at Mosul. The Romish missionaries gained over nevertheless to their communion, a handful of Nestorians, whom they formed into a congregation or church, about the middle of this century. The bishops or patriarchs of this little flock reside in the city of Amida, or Diarbeker, and all assume the denomination of Joseph.' The Nestorians, who inhabit the coasts of Malabar, and are called the Christians of St. Thomas, suffered innumerable vexations, and the most grievous persecution, from the Romish priests, and more especially the Jesuits, while these settlements were in the hands of the Portuguese; but neither artifice nor violence could engage them to embrace the communion of Rome. But when Cochin was taken by the Dutch, in the year 1663, and the Portuguese were driven out of these quarters, the persecuted Nestorians resumed their primitive liberty, and were reinstated in the privilege of serving God without molestation, according to their consciences." These blessings they still continue to enjoy; nor are such of them as entered into the communion of Rome disturbed by the Dutch, who are used to treat with toleration and indulgence all sects who live peaceably with those who differ from them in religious opinions and ceremonies. d Assemanni loc. cit. tom. i. p. 531, tom. ii. p. 457, tom. iii. p. i. p. 622. e Pet. Strozza, Præf. ad librum de Chaldæorum dogmatibus. f See Le Quien, Oriens. Christianus, tom. ii. p. 1078. g La Croze Histoire du Christianisme des Indes, livr. v. p. 344, Schouten Foyage aux Indes Orient. tom. i. p. 319, 446. END OF THE THIRD VOLUME. |