THE XXVJ.  CHAPTER.

Notwithstanding the former vision, king Edwin deferred time yer he would receiue the Christian faith, in somuch that Pauline vpon a daie came vnto him as he sat musing what he were best to doo, and laid his hand vpon his head, asking him if he knew that signe.  Whereat when the king would haue fallen downe at his feet, he lifted him vp, and as it were in familiar wise thus said vnto him:  “Behold, by the assistance of Gods fauour thou hast escaped the hands of thine enimies, whome thou stoodst in feare of:  behold through his bountious liberalitie, thou hast obteined the kingdome which thou diddest desire, remember then that thou delaie no time to performe the third thing that thou diddest promise, in receiuing his faith, and keeping his commandements, which deliuering thee from worldlie aduersities, hath thus aduanced thee to the honor of a king:  and if from henceforth thou wilt obey his will, which by my mouth hee setteth and preacheth to thee and others, he will deliuer thee from euerlasting torments, and make thee partaker with him in his celestiall kingdome.”  It is to be thought that the vision which the king had in times past receiued, was in spirit reuealed vnto Pauline, wherevpon without delaie of time, he put him in remembrance of it in maner as aboue is mentioned.

The king hauing heard his words, answered, that he would and ought to receiue the faith which he taught, but first he would conferre with his nobles, and if they would agree to doo the like, then would they be baptised altogither at one time.  Pauline satisfied herewith, [Sidenote:  Edwin consulteth with his nobles.] Edwin did as he had promised, calling togither the wisest men of his realme, and of them asked the question what they thought of this diuinitie, which was preached vnto them by Pauline, vnto whome [Sidenote:  The answere of an heathen bishop.] his chiefe bishop named Coifi, incontinentlie made this answer; that Suerlie the religion which they had hitherto followed was nothing worth.  “For saith he, there is none of thy people that hath more reuerentlie woorshipped our gods than I haue doone, and yet be there manie that haue receiued far greater benefits at thy hands than I haue doone:  and therefore if our gods were of anie power, then would they rather helpe me to high honor and dignitie than others.  Therefore if it maie be found that this new religion is better & more auailable than our old, let vs with speed imbrace the same.”

Finallie, when other of the kings councell & men of high authoritie gaue their consents, that this doctrine which Pauline taught ought to be receiued, if therein appeered more certeintie of saluation than could be found in the other:  at length the king gaue licence to [Sidenote:  Pauline licenced to preach the gospell.] Pauline openlie to preach the gospell, and renouncing his worshipping of false gods, professed the Christian faith.  And when he demanded of his bishop Coifi who should first deface the altars