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The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 16 by John Dryden
page 94 of 503 (18%)
The Brachman having disclosed these mysteries to Father Xavier, desired
him, in his turn, to reveal to him what was most mysterious in the
Christian law; and to engage him to deal the more freely with him, and
without the least disguise, swore, that he would inviolably, and for
ever, keep the secret. "I am so far," said the father, "from obliging
you to silence, that I will inform you of nothing you desire to know, but
on condition that you shall publish in all places what I tell you." The
Brachman having given him his word, he began to instruct him by these
words of Jesus Christ; "He who will believe, and be baptized, shall be
saved." This he expounded to him at large; at the same time, declaring to
him how baptism was necessary to salvation: and passing from one article
of faith to another, he placed the truth of the gospel in so advantageous
a light before him, that the Brachman declared upon the place he would
become a Christian, provided he might be so in secret; and that he might
have a dispensation from some certain duties of Christianity.

This so wicked a disposition made him unworthy of the grace of baptism;
he remained unconverted. Notwithstanding which, he desired to have in
writing the apostles' creed, together with our Saviour's words, which had
been expounded to him.

He saw Father Xavier a second time, and told him he had dreamed he was
baptized, and that afterwards he became his companion, and that they
travelled together preaching the gospel in far countries; but this dream
had no effect, and the Brachman would never promise to teach the people,
that there was one only God, creator of the world, "or fear," says he,
"that if he broke that oath which obliged him to secrecy, the devil
should punish him with death."

Thus the master, though convinced, yet not submitting, the scholars all
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