were
removed by the devout or loyal acclamations of the Franks, who showed
themselves alike prepared to follow their heroic leader to the field of
battle, or to the baptismal font. The important ceremony was performed
in the cathedral of Rheims, with every circumstance of magnificence and
solemnity that could impress an awful sense of religion on the minds of
its rude proselytes. [29] The new Constantine was immediately baptized,
with three thousand of his warlike subjects; and their example was
imitated by the remainder of the gentle Barbarians, who, in obedience to
the victorious prelate, adored the cross which they had burnt, and burnt
the idols which they had formerly adored. [30] The mind of Clovis was
susceptible of transient fervor: he was exasperated by the pathetic
tale of the passion and death of Christ; and, instead of weighing the
salutary consequences of that mysterious sacrifice, he exclaimed, with
indiscreet fury, "Had I been present at the head of my valiant Franks, I
would have revenged his injuries." [31] But the savage conqueror of Gaul
was incapable of examining the proofs of a religion, which depends
on the laborious investigation of historic evidence and speculative
theology. He was still more incapable of feeling the mild influence of
the gospel, which persuades and purifies the heart of a genuine convert.
His ambitious reign was a perpetual violation of moral and Christian
duties: his hands were stained with blood in peace as well as in war;
and, as soon as Clovis had dismissed a synod of the Gallican church, he
calmly assassinated all the princes of the Merovingian race. [32] Yet
the king of the Franks might sincerely worship the Christian God, as
a Being more excellent and powerful than his national deities; and the
signal deliverance and victory of Tolbiac encouraged Clovis to confide
in the future protection of the Lord of Hosts. Martin, the most popular
of the saints, had filled the Western world with the fame of those
miracles which were incessantly performed at his holy sepulchre of
Tours. His visible or invisible aid promoted the cause of a liberal
and orthodox prince; and the profane remark of Clovis himself, that
St.Martin was an expensive friend, [33] need not be interpreted as the
symptom of any permanent or rational scepticism. But earth, as well as
heaven, rejoiced in the conversion of the Franks. On the memorable day
when Clovis ascended from the baptismal font, he alone, in the Chri