Page:History of the First Council of Nice.djvu/24

14, all of whom persecuted the Christians; but he was the friend of the Christians' God, and devoted to the love of Christ.

Constantine, soon after coming into power, resolved to destroy his colleague, Maxentius, who adhered to the old idolatry; but he felt the need of some more powerful aid than his army, especially on account of the wicked and magical enchantments which were so diligently practised by the tyrant. Therefore he began to seek for divine assistance.

What particularly confirmed him in this course was the recollection that his father, who had opposed the persecuting spirit of his colleagues, and honored the one Supreme God during his whole life, had found him to be the Saviour and Protector of his empire.

"Accordingly," says Eusebius, "he called on him, with earnest prayer and supplications, that he would reveal to him who he was, and stretch forth his right hand to help him in his present difficulties. And, while he was thus praying with fervent entreaty, a most marvellous sign appeared to him from heaven, the account of which it might have been difficult to receive with credit, had it been related by any other person.