hould
have everlasting joy in the bliss of heaven, and should reign with
Almighty God in his kingdom. And then King Ethelbert hearing this,
commanded that they should abide and tarry in the same isle, and that
all things should be ministered to them that were necessary, unto the
time that he were otherwise advised. And soon after, the king came to
them in the same isle, and he being in the field, St. Austin with his
fellowship came and spake with him, having tofore them the sign of the
cross, singing by the way the litany, beseeching God devoutly to
strengthen them and help. And the king received him and his fellowship,
and in the same place St. Austin preached a glorious sermon, and
declared to the king the Christian faith openly and the great merit and
avail that should come thereof in time coming. And when he had ended his
sermon the king said to him: Your promises be full fair that ye bring,
but because they be new and have not been heard here before, we may not
yet give consent thereto; nevertheless, because ye be come as pilgrims
from far countries, we will not be grevious ne hard to you, but we will
receive you meekly and minister to you such things as be necessary,
neither we will forbid you, but as many as ye can convert to your faith
and religion by your preaching ye shall have license to baptize them,
and to accompany them to your law. And then the king gave to them a
mansion in the city of Dorobernence, which now is called Canterbury. And
when they drew nigh the city they came in with a cross of silver, and
with procession singing the litany, praying Almighty God of succor and
help that he would take away his wrath from the city and to inflame the
hearts of the people to receive his doctrine. And then St. Austin and
his fellowship began to preach there the word of God, and about there in
the province, and such people as were well disposed anon were converted,
and followed this holy man. And by the holy conversation and miracles
that they did much people were converted and great fame arose in the
country. And when it came to the king's ear, anon he came to the
presence of St. Austin and desired him to preach again, and then the
word of God so inflamed him, that incontinent, as soon as the sermon was
ended, the king fell down to the feet of St. Austin and said
sorrowfully: Alas! woe is me, that I have erred so long and know not of
him that thou speakest of, thy promises be so delectable that I think it
all too