CHAPTER XIV

A FURTHER MENTION OF HIS PRAYERS IN THE TABERNACLE

NOW these, and a thousand such acts as these, were familiarly and habitually practised by the emperor: but on the present occasion he retired (as his custom was before battle) to the privacy of his tabernacle, and there employed himself in earnest prayer to God. Meanwhile he strictly abstained from any thing like levity of spirit, or luxurious living, and disciplined himself by fasting and bodily mortification, imploring the favour of God by supplication and prayer, that he might obtain His concurrence and aid, and be ready to execute whatever He might be pleased to suggest to his thoughts. In short, he exercised an unceasing care and watchfulness over all alike, and interceded with God as much for the safety of his enemies as for that of his own subjects.