260

CHAP.

XX.

THE DECLINE AND FALL

allow an ample latitude for the invention of de«claimers, the credulity of party, and the tacitapprobation of the emperor himself, who mightlisten without indignation to a marvellous tale,which exalted his fame, and promoted his de-signs. In favour of Licinius , who still dissem-bled his animosity to the Christians , the sameauthor has provided a similar vision, of a formof prayer, which was communicated by an an-gel, and repeated by the whole army beforethey engaged the legions of the tyrant Maximin.The frequent repetition of miracles serves toprovoke, where it does not subdue, the reasonof mankind;' but if the dream of Constantine is separately considered, it may be naturallyexplained either by the policy or the enthu-siasm of the emperor. Whilst his anxiety forthe approaching day, which must decide thefate of the empire, was suspended by a shortand interrupted slumber, the venerable form ofChrist, and the well-known symbol of his reli-gion, might forcibly offer themselves to the ac-tive fancy of a prince who reverenced the name,and had perhaps secretly implored the power,of the God of the Christians . As readily mighta consummate statesman indulge himself in theuse of one of those military stratagems, one ofthose pious frauds, which Philip and Sertorius

r Caecilius , de m. p. c. 46 . There seems to be some reason in theobservation of M. de Voltaire ( (Euvres, torn, xiv, p. 307), who ascribesto the success of Constantine the superior fame of his labarum abovethe angel of Licinius . Yet even this angel is favourably entertainedby Pugi, Tillemont, Flenry, &e. who are fond of increasing their stockof miracles.