Page:Christianity in China, Tartary, and Thibet Volume I.djvu/330

318 318 CHRISTIANITY IN CHINA, ETC. after having lived a long time amongst the Tartars, had been deputed to go into Europe, and carry this inter- esting news to the sovereign pontiff and the Christian princes. Mosheim also relates the same fact*, but does not appear to put any great faith in it. "Is it not possible " says, he " that a beautiful child may have been substituted for that monstrous being, and made to pass for the son of Gazan ? " Yes, assuredly the thing is very possible, but a miracle is still more so ; we have not, like Mosheim, an insuperable objection to miracles, and it is even difficult for us to comprehend the views of those who always prefer granting to the cunning of men what they refuse to the omnipotence of God. Gazan having become a Christian, resolutely adopted a policy more conformable to his new sentiments. He joined his father-in-law, the King of Armenia, in attack- ing the Sultan of Egypt, Malek-Naser; in which expe- dition, he realised, but a little too late, the projects concerning which his predecessors had so many times negotiated with the Christian kings, before the total destruction of the power of the Crusaders. He took Damascus, and his troops ravaged all Syria. Koutlouk, one of his generals, advanced from the direction of An- tioch, and in pursuance of the commands of his master, invoked the Christians of Cyprus to his aid. Sire Amauri, the brother of the King of Cyprus, was chosen to conduct this expedition, and came to Autarados, with the Grand Masters of the Templars and Hospitallers. But just as they were on the point of joining the Mongols, the latter, learning that Gazan was dangerously ill, retired in haste.' The King of Armenia returned to
 * Hist. Tart., &c, p. 86.