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PAULINUS. 15
following, and he promised that if he returned in
safety from an onslaught upon Cwichelm which he
meditated, in revenge for his treacherous and cowardly
act, he would himself embrace the Christian faith.
He made an attack accordingly upon the West-
Saxons, whom he utterly routed. Paulinus had previously
striven to excite his gratitude to the True
God for the safety of his queen and the birtli of his
fair daughter. He now reminded him of his promise
if his arms were crowned with success against
Cwichelm. But Edwin was still irresolute. At last
Paulinus laid his hand upon his head and asked him
if he recognised that sign. It reminded Edwin of
the dream or vision which he had had long before,
and of the words which an unearthly visitor, as he
believed, had addressed to him. He listened, awestruck
and trembling. The words of Paulinus made
a deep impression upon his mind, and he became
really desirous of adopting the Christian faith. But
before taking the final step he called together an
assemblage of the chief men of his kingdom, to lay
before them all that was occupying his thoughts
respecting the religion preached by this new teacher
so that if its doctrines approved themselves to their
minds, they, as well as himself, should be admitted
through the laver of baptism into the fellowship of
Christ's religion. Coifi, the chief priest of the idol
temples, was the first to speak. He acknowledged
that the heathen worship was unsatisfying, and that if
the new teaching proved, after careful examination,
to rest upon a surer basis and to offer a more certaip
hope, it should be at once embraced.