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| How Constantine, after praying in his Tabernacle, obtained the Victory.
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Chapter XII.—How Constantine,
after praying in his Tabernacle, obtained the Victory.
But while Licinius, giving himself up to these impieties, rushed
blindly towards the gulf of destruction, the emperor on the other hand,
when he saw that he must meet his enemies in a second battle, devoted
the intervening time to his Saviour. He pitched the tabernacle of the
cross3173
| 3173 [This tabernacle, which Constantine always carried with him in his
military expeditions, is described by Sozomen, Bk. 1, c. 8: see English
translation.—Bag.] | outside and at a distance from his
camp, and there passed his time in a pure and holy manner, offering up
prayers to God; following thus the example of his ancient prophet, of
whom the sacred oracles testify, that he pitched the tabernacle without
the camp.3174
He was attended only by a few,
whose faith and pious devotion he highly esteemed. And this custom he
continued to observe whenever he meditated an engagement with the
enemy. For he was deliberate in his measures, the better to insure
safety, and desired in everything to be directed by divine counsel. And
making earnest supplications to God, he was always honored after a
little with a manifestation of his presence. And then, as if moved by a
divine impulse, he would rush from the tabernacle, and suddenly give
orders to his army to move at once without delay, and on the instant to
draw their swords. On this they would immediately commence the attack,
fight vigorously, so as with incredible celerity to secure the victory,
and raise trophies of victory over their enemies.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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