During these commotions, Paez continued to labour with unremitting assiduity for the conversion of the Abyssinians to the catholic faith. No man could have been better qualified for such an undertaking. With extensive learning, he possessed likewise eminent skill in the mechanical arts; and such an intimate acquain tance with human nature, as enabled him to convert these attainments to the best advantage. He instruct ed the Abyssinians in the art of building ; and, with incredible labour, erected churches and palaces, which could not fail to he viewed with delight and astonish ment by these rude barbarians. While his genius was thus revered, his amiable manners conciliated affection ; presenting a contrast, too striking to be overlooked, to the ignorance and brutality of his antagonists. His suc cess was such as he was intitled to expect. Sela Chris tos, the king's brother, became a zealous catholic ; the principal people in the kingdom followed his example ; and when Simon, tne Abyssinian patriarch, was admit ted, at his own request, to discuss with Paez the doc trines of their respective churches, in the presence of the king, the interiority of the Auuna was so apparent, that thought linnselt warranted to make a pub alrowal of his °cite! in the catholic doctrines, for which he had an eady shown a :Along predilection.
While the labours of Paez were thus successful, let ters arrived holt, the pope and king of Spain, exhorting Soeimos to contmue firm to the Roman church, and en couraging him w ith ti:e assurance, not of any temporal support, but of the fir superior aid of the Holy Spirit. A reinforcement or soldiers would have been as accepta ble ; yet the king, thinking perhaps he had advanced too far to recede, resolved to submit in form to his Holi ness, and immediately appointed ambassadors to convey this important intelligence to Europe. To this embassy Antonio Fernandez was chosen by lot ; and taking Fecur Egzie as his companion, he set out in the beginning of March I 6I . As the provinces in the neighbourhood of Masuah were then in a state of rebellion, the ambassa dors were obliged to pass through Narca and the southern provinces to Melinda, whence they might sail for Goa. Their route lay in the country of inhospitable savages, whose natural jealousy of the connexion be tween the Abyssinians and Europeans was increased by the insinuations of an Abyssinian schismatic, named Manquer, who had followed them for the purpose of re tarding and persecuting them on their journey. After surmounting various obstacles, which his malice threw in their way, they were imprisoned in the kingdom of Alaba, whose sovereign, being a Moor, was persuaded by Manquer, that they intended to overturn the Maho metan religion. The barbarian threatened them with death; but, after holding a council, in which Manquer gave his voice for their execution, he resolved to send them back to Abyssinia. Thus ended an embassy, which,
had it been allowed to proceed to Europe, would have conveyed to the pope the voluntary submission of an Abyssinian monarch, and contributed more than any other cause to the final establishment of popery in that kingdom.
His subjects did not view with indifference the apos tasy of Socinios from the established religion. A danger ous conspiracy was formed against his life by Emana Christos, his own brother ; Julius, his son-in-law; and Kefla Wahud, master of the household. They had agreed to assassinate him in the palace ; but the king, being informed of their design just before their arrival, had the address to prevent it. Sentence of excommuni cation was pronounced against him by the Abuna; but, on the menaces of Socinios, it was immediately recall ed. The vengeance of the conspirators was next direct ed against Sela Christos, who had been invested with the government of Gojam, of which his brother Emana Christos had been deprived, for his adherence to the Alexandrian church. Julius governor of Tigre, first ap peared in arms, and hastened into Gojam, in hopes to surprise Sela Christos. But the whole scheme was frustrated by the vigilance of the king, who advanced into that province before the rebels were informed of his intention, and proceeded without delay to meet the army of Julius. Here he posted himself so judiciously, that his enemy could not force him to an engagement without evident disadvantage. But the temerity of Ju lius brought the affair to a speedy termination ; for, rushing with a few attendants into the royal camp, he advanced directly to the king's tent, where, being re cognised by the guards, he and his followers in stantly despatched. After the death of their leader, the rebel army fled in all directions, and were pursued by the royalists with prodigious slaughter. Emana Christos had taken refuge on a high mountain in Gojam, where he was invested by Al Christos, an experienced general ; and, as the mountain was destitute cd water, his soldiers, to save themselves from perishing with thirst, betrayed him into the hands of his enemy, while he was preparing to make a vigorous defence. Ile was capi tally convicted in a full assembly of judges ; hut the king remitted the sentence, and confined him in Am hara.
After suppressing two other rebellions, Socinios, irritated by the opposition he had met with, determined to show, in the most public manner, his attachment to the church of Rome. He therefore issued a proclama tion, renouncing the Alexandrian creed, and inveighing against the profligacy of the Abyssinian clergy. This proclamation is said to have been suggested by Peter Paez, who died immediately after leaving the palace. The first effect it produced was another rebellion in Amhara, which was quickly suppressed by the activity of Scla Christos.