THE HEPTARCHY. 45

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that salutary doctrine. cc " Your words and c“ promises,” replied Ethelbert, c ‘ are fair; but“ because they are new and uncertain, I cannot“ entirely yield to them, and relinquish the prin-“ ciples, which I and my ancestors have so longu maintained. You are welcome, however, to“ remain here in peace; and as you have under-taken so Jong-a journey, solely, as it appears, for<c what you believe to be for our advantage, I“ will supply you with all necessaries, and permita you to deliver your doctrine to my subjectsAugustine , encouraged by this favourablereception , and seeing now a prospect of success jproceeded with redoubled zeal to preach thegospel to the Kentish Saxons. He attracted theirattention by the austerity of his manners, by thesevere penances to which he subjected himself,by the abstinence and self-denial which he prac-tised: And having excited their wonder by acourse of life, which appeared so contrary tonature, he procured more easily their belief ofmiracles, which, it was pretended, he wroughtfor their conversion ei . Influenced by these motives,and by the declared favour of the court, numbersof the Kentish men were baptized; and the kinghimself was persuaded to submit to that rite ofChristianity. His example had great influence

** Bede, lib. 1. cap. 25. Chron, W. Thorn, p. 1759.

* Bede, lib. I. cap. 25. st. stunting, lib. 3. Brompton,

x- 729.

" Bede, lib, 1. cap. 26.

\ p.

1.