THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. jyy 



fie lived with the Jefuits on fuch an even footing, that they 

 confefs they did not know whether he was their friend or 

 enemy : he kept one of their number, called Father Ange- 

 lis, conftantly in his houfehold, where he was much fa- 

 voured, and conftantly in his prefence. He was thought 

 to be an enemy to Sela Chriftos, though he never had 

 fliewn if. 



Facilidas received a flattering meflage from Urban VIIL 

 but did not anfwer it ; nor does it appear his father ever 

 defired him ; for, tlirough the whole courfe of the life of So- 

 nios, as his enemies are forced to confefs, he paid to his 

 father's will, the moft paflive obedience in every thing. 

 The tyranny, however, of church-government began to ap- 

 pear unmalked ; and it is probable that the king, though 

 refolved to die a Roman Catholic from principles of con- 

 fcience, was indifferent about forging for his fon the chains 

 he had himfelf worn with pain. 



However this may be, the laft ftep of placing Facilidas 

 at the head of the army was conftrued as another ftroke of 

 humiliation to the Catholics, efjx:cially as it was followed 

 with the removal of Keba Chriftos (the fupport of that re- 

 ligion) from court, where he had been appointed Billetana 

 Gueta. It is true he was removed by what, in other times, 

 would have been called preferment ; but things had now 

 changed their qualities, and places were not eftimated, as 

 formerly, by the confequence they gave in the empire, but 

 by the opportunities they afforded of conftant accefs to the 

 king, and occafion of joining in councils with him, and de- 

 feating thofe of their enemies, 



Keba 



