sulpicio the life of st. martin

8/13/2019 Sulpicio the Life of St. Martin

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SULPITIUS SEVERUS

THE LIFE OF ST. MARTIN

Preface to Desiderius

SEVERUS to his dearest brother Desiderius sendeth greeting. I had deterined!

" #i$e%inded brother! to $ee& &ri'ate! and (on)ine *ithin the *a##s o) " o*n

house! the #itt#e treatise *hi(h I had *ritten (on(erning the #i)e o) St. Martin. I

did so! as I a not gi)ted *ith u(h ta#ent! and shran$ )ro the (riti(iss o) the

*or#d! #est +as I thin$ *i## be the (ase, " soe*hat un&o#ished st"#e shou#d

disease " readers! and I shou#d be deeed high#" *orth" o) genera#re&rehension )or ha'ing too bo#d#" #aid ho#d o) a sub-e(t *hi(h ought to ha'e

been reser'ed )or tru#" e#ouent *riters. /ut I ha'e not been ab#e to re)use "our

reuest again and again &resented. For *hat (ou#d there be *hi(h I *ou#d not

grant in de)eren(e to "our #o'e! e'en at the e0&ense o) " o*n odest"1

Ho*e'er! I ha'e subitted the *or$ to "ou on the sure understanding that "ou

*i## re'ea# it to no other! ha'ing re(ei'ed "our &roise to that e))e(t.

Ne'erthe#ess! I ha'e " )ears that "ou *i## be(oe the eans o) its &ub#i(ationto the *or#d2 and I *e## $no* that! on(e issued! it (an ne'er3be re(a##ed. I) this

sha## ha&&en! and "ou (oe to $no* that it is read b" soe others! "ou *i##! I

trust! $ind#" as$ the readers to attend to the )a(ts re#ated! rather than the #anguagein *hi(h the" are set )orth. 4ou *i## beg the not to be o))ended i) the st"#e

(han(es uneasant#" to a))e(t their ears! be(ause the $ingdo o) 5od (onsists

not o) e#ouen(e! but )aith. Let the a#so bear in ind that sa#'ation *as

&rea(hed to the *or#d! not b" orators! but b" )isheren! a#though 5od (ou#d

(ertain#" ha'e ado&ted the other (ourse! had it been ad'antageous. For " &art!

indeed! *hen I )irst a&ied " ind to *riting *hat )o##o*s! be(ause I thought

it disgra(e)u# that the e0(e##en(es o) so great a an shou#d reain (on(ea#ed! I

reso#'ed *ith "se#) not to )ee# ashaed on a((ount o) so#e(iss o) #anguage.

This I did be(ause I had ne'er attained to an" great $no*#edge o) su(h things2 or!

i) I had )orer#" soe taste o) studies o) the $ind! I had #ost the *ho#e o) that!through ha'ing neg#e(ted these atters )or so #ong a (ourse o) tie. /ut! a)ter a##!

that I a" not ha'e in )uture to ado&t su(h an ir$soe ode o) se#)%de)ense! the

best *a" *i## be that the boo$ shou#d be &ub#ished! i) "ou thin$ right! *ith the

author6s nae su&&ressed. In order that this a" be done! $ind#" erase the tit#e

*hi(h the boo$ bears on its )ront! so that the &age a" be si#ent2 and +*hat is

uite enough, #et the boo$ &ro(#ai its sub-e(t%atter! *hi#e it te##s nothing o)

the author.

37De#ere #i(ebit 8 9uod non edideris: nes(it 'o0 issa re'erti;. < Hor.Art Poet. =>?%=?@.


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instan(es being set be)ore the shou#d a$e the *ear" o) the sub-e(t. /ut I

iore those *ho are to read *hat )o##o*s to gi'e )u## )aith to the things

narrated! and to be#ie'e that I ha'e *ritten nothing o) *hi(h I had not (ertain

$no*#edge and e'iden(e. I shou#d! in )a(t! ha'e &re)erred to be si#ent rather than

to narrate things *hi(h are )a#se.

HAPTER II

Military Service of St. Martin.

MARTIN! then! *as born at SabariaC in Pannonia! but *as brought u& at

Ti(inu!=

*hi(h is situated in Ita#". His &arents *ere! a((ording to the -udgento) the *or#d! o) no ean ran$! but *ere heathens. His )ather *as at )irst si" a

so#dier! but a)ter*ards a i#itar" tribune. He hise#) in his "outh )o##o*ing

i#itar" &ursuits *as enro##ed in the i&eria# guard! )irst under $ing onstantine!

and then under u#ian aesar. This! ho*e'er! *as not done o) his o*n )ree *i##!

)or! a#ost )ro his ear#iest "ears! the ho#" in)an(" o) the i##ustrious bo" as&ired

rather to the ser'i(e o) 5od. For! *hen he *as o) the age o) ten "ears! he betoo$

hise#)! against the *ish o) his &arents! to the hur(h! and begged that he ightbe(oe a (ate(huen. Soon a)ter*ards! be(oing in a *onder)u# anner

(oete#" de'oted to the ser'i(e o) 5od! *hen he *as t*e#'e "ears o#d! he

desired to enter on the #i)e o) a herit2 and he *ou#d ha'e )o##o*ed u& that desire*ith the ne(essar" 'o*s! had not his as "et too "outh)u# age &re'ented. His ind!

ho*e'er! being a#*a"s engaged on atters &ertaining to the onasteries or the

hur(h! a#read" editated in his bo"ish "ears *hat he a)ter*ards! as a &ro)essed

ser'ant o) hrist! )u#)i##ed. /ut *hen an edi(t *as issued b" the ru#ing &o*ers

in the state! that the sons o) 'eterans shou#d be enro##ed )or i#itar" ser'i(e! and

he! on the in)oration )urnished b" his )ather! +*ho #oo$ed *ith an e'i# e"e on

his b#essed a(tions, ha'ing been seiBed and &ut in (hains! *hen he *as )i)teen

"ears o#d! *as (o&e##ed to ta$e the i#itar" oath! then sho*ed hise#) (ontent

*ith on#" one ser'ant as his attendant. And e'en to hi! (hanging a(es as it

*ere! he o)ten a(ted as though! *hi#e rea##" aster! he had been in)erior2 to su(ha degree that! )or the ost &art! he dre* o)) his Gser'ant6s boots and (#eaned

the *ith his o*n hand2 *hi#e the" too$ their ea#s together! the rea# aster!

ho*e'er! genera##" a(ting the &art o) ser'ant. During near#" three "ears be)ore

his ba&tis! he *as engaged in the &ro)ession o) ars! but he $e&t (oete#"

)ree )ro those 'i(es in *hi(h that (#ass o) en be(oe too )reuent#" in'o#'ed.

CSar*ar.

=Pa'ia.

The te0t is here (orru&t and un(ertain! but the genera# eaning is ain to the abo'e e))e(t. Hahn has

ado&ted 7di'ina ser'itute!; instead o) the (oon 7di'ina ser'itute;.Su#&itius uses regesinstead o) the ore (oon e0&ression imperatores.


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He sho*ed e0(eeding $indness to*ards his )e##o*%so#diers! and he#d the in

*onder)u# a))e(tion2 *hi#e his &atien(e and hui#it" sur&assed *hat seeed

&ossib#e to huan nature. There is no need to &raise the se#)%denia# *hi(h he

disa"ed: it *as so great that! e'en at that date! he *as regarded not so u(h as

being a so#dier as a on$. /" a## these ua#ities he had so endeared hise#) to the*ho#e bod" o) his (orades! that the" esteeed hi *hi#e the" ar'e##ous#"

#o'ed hi. A#though not "et ade a ne* (reature in hrist! he! b" his good

*or$s! a(ted the &art o) a (andidate )or ba&tis. This he did! )or instan(e! b"

aiding those *ho *ere in troub#e! b" )urnishing assistan(e to the *ret(hed! b"

su&&orting the need"! b" (#othing the na$ed! *hi#e he reser'ed nothing )or

hise#) )ro his i#itar" &a" e0(e&t *hat *as ne(essar" )or his dai#" sustenan(e.

E'en then! )ar )ro being a sense#ess hearer o) the 5os&e#! he so )ar (oied

*ith its &re(e&ts as to ta$e no thought about the orro*.

HAPTER III

Christ appears to St. Martin.

AORDIN5L4! at a (ertain &eriod! *hen he had nothing e0(e&t his ars and

his sie i#itar" dress! in the idd#e o) *inter! a *inter *hi(h had sho*n itse#)

ore se'ere than ordinar"! so that the e0tree (o#d *as &ro'ing )ata# to an"! he

ha&&ened to eet at the gate o) the (it" o) AiensJ a &oor an destitute o)

(#othing. He *as entreating those that &assed b" to ha'e (o&assion u&on hi!but a## &assed the *ret(hed an *ithout noti(e! *hen Martin! that an )u## o)

5od! re(ogniBed that a being to *ho others sho*ed no &it"! *as! in that res&e(t!

#e)t to hi. 4et! *hat shou#d he do1 He had nothing e0(e&t the (#oa$ in *hi(h he

*as (#ad! )or he had a#read" &arted *ith the rest o) his garents )or sii#ar&ur&oses. Ta$ing! there)ore! his s*ord *ith *hi(h he *as girt! he di'ided his

(#oa$ into t*o eua# &arts! and ga'e one &art to the &oor an! *hi#e he again

(#othed hise#) *ith the reainder. U&on this! soe o) the b"%standers #aughed!

be(ause he *as no* an unsight#" ob-e(t! and stood out as but &art#" dressed.

Man"! ho*e'er! *ho *ere o) sounder understanding! groaned dee" be(ause

the" these#'es had done nothing sii#ar. The" es&e(ia##" )e#t this! be(ause!being &ossessed o) ore than Martin! the" (ou#d ha'e (#othed the &oor an

*ithout redu(ing these#'es to na$edness. In the )o##o*ing night! *hen Martin

had resigned hise#) to s#ee&! he had a 'ision o) hrist arra"ed in that &art o) his

(#oa$ *ith *hi(h he had (#othed the &oor an. He (onteated the Lord *ith

Su#&itius ani)est#" re)ers to ba&tis in these *ords. Ho*e'er ista$en#"! se'era# others o) the ear#"Fathers he#d that regeneration does not ta$e a(e be)ore ba&tis! and that ba&tis is! in )a(t! abso#ute#"ne(essar" to regeneration. St. Abrose has the )o##o*ing strong stateent on the sub-e(t: 7redit

(ate(huenus: sed nisi ba&tiBetur! reissione &e((atoru non &otest obtinere;. < Libri de his !uiinitiantur mysteriis! (ha&. .

JThe a(e here (a##ed b" Su#&itius 7Abianensiu (i'itas; *as a#so $no*n as 7Saarobri'a!; and issu&&osed to be the odern Aiens.


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the greatest attention! and *as to#d to o*n as his the robe *hi(h he had gi'en.

Ere #ong! he heard esus sa"ing *ith a (#ear 'oi(e to the u#titude o) ange#s

standing round < 7Martin! *ho is sti## but a (ate(huen! (#othed>e *ith this

robe;. The Lord! tru#" ind)u# o) his o*n *ords +*ho had said *hen on earth ! =.

CThe *ord trans#ated 7a'enger; in the Eng#ish A. V. is 7de)ensor; in the Vu#gate! and thus the anre)erred to *ou#d ha'e seeed to be e0&ress#" naed.


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a#i$e o) dignit" and (ourtes"! he $e&t u& the &osition o) a bisho& &ro&er#"! "et in

su(h a *a" as not to #a" aside the ob-e(ts and 'irtues o) a on$. A((ording#" he

ade use! )or soe tie! o) the (e## (onne(ted *ith the (hur(h but a)ter*ards!

*hen he )e#t it i&ossib#e to to#erate the disturban(e (aused b" the nubers o)

those 'isiting it! he estab#ished a onaster" )or hise#) about t*o i#es outsidethe (it". This s&ot *as so se(ret and retired that he en-o"ed in it the so#itude o) a

herit. For! on one side! it *as surrounded b" a &re(i&itous ro($ o) a #o)t"

ountain! *hi#e the ri'er Loire had shut in the rest o) the ain b" a ba"

e0tending ba($ )or a #itt#e distan(e2 and the a(e (ou#d be a&&roa(hed on#" b"

one! and that a 'er" narro* &assage. Here! then! he &ossessed a (e## (onstru(ted

o) *ood. Man" a#so o) the brethren had! in the sae anner! )ashioned retreats

)or these#'es! but ost o) the had )ored these out o) the ro($ o) the

o'erhanging ountain! ho##o*ed into (a'es. There *ere a#together eight"

dis(ies! *ho *ere being dis(iined a)ter the e0ae o) the saint#" aster. No

one there had an"thing *hi(h *as (a##ed his o*n2 a## things *ere &ossessed in

(oon. It *as not a##o*ed either to bu" or to se## an"thing! as is the (usto

aong ost on$s. No art *as &ra(ti(ed there! e0(e&t that o) trans(ribers! and

e'en this *as assigned to the brethren o) "ounger "ears! *hi#e the e#ders s&ent

their tie in &ra"er. Rare#" did an" one o) the go be"ond the (e##! un#ess *hen

the" asseb#ed at the a(e o) &ra"er. The" a## too$ their )ood together! a)ter the

hour o) )asting *as &ast. No one used *ine! e0(e&t *hen i##ness (o&e##ed the

to do so. Most o) the *ere (#othed in garents o) (ae#s6 hair. CAn" dress

a&&roa(hing to so)tnessC*as there deeed (riina#! and this ust be thought

the ore rear$ab#e! be(ause an" aong the *ere su(h as are deeed o)

nob#e ran$. These! though )ar di))erent#" brought u&! had )or(ed these#'es

do*n to this degree o) hui#it" and &atient enduran(e! and *e ha'e seen

nubers o) these a)ter*ards ade bisho&s. For *hat (it" or (hur(h *ou#d there

be that *ou#d not desire to ha'e its &riests )ro aong those in the onaster" o)

Martin1

HAPTER I

Martin demolishes an Altar consecrated to a Robber.

/UT #et e &ro(eed to a des(ri&tion o) other e0(e##en(es *hi(h Martin disa"ed

as a bisho&. There *as! not )ar )ro the to*n! a a(e 'er" (#ose to the

onaster"! *hi(h a )a#se huan o&inion had (onse(rated! on the su&&osition that

soe art"rs had been buried together there. For it *as a#so be#ie'ed that an

a#tar had been a(ed there b" )orer bisho&s. /ut Martin! not in(#ined to gi'e a

hast" be#ie) to things un(ertain! o)ten as$ed )ro those *ho *ere his e#ders!

*hether aong the &resb"ters or (#eri(s! that the nae o) the art"r! or the tie

C). Matt. =! .

CIn Matt. 33!>! there is a re)eren(e to those 7that *ear so)t (#othing!; < hoi ta mala*a phorountes.


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*hen he su))ered! shou#d be ade $no*n to hi. He did so! he said! be(ause he

had great s(rues on these &oints! inasu(h as no stead" tradition res&e(ting

the had (oe do*n )ro antiuit". Ha'ing! there)ore! )or a tie $e&t a*a"

)ro the a(e! b" no eans *ishing to #essen the re#igious 'eneration *ith

*hi(h it *as regarded! be(ause he *as as "et un(ertain! but! at the sae tie not#ending his authorit" to the o&inion o) the u#titude! #est a ere su&erstition

shou#d obtain a )irer )ooting! he one da" *ent out to the a(e! ta$ing a )e*

brethren *ith hi as (o&anions. There standing abo'e the 'er" se&u#(hre!

Martin &ra"ed to the Lord that he *ou#d re'ea#! *ho the an in uestion *as!

and *hat *as his (hara(ter or desert. Ne0t turning to the #e)t%hand side! he sees

standing 'er" near a shade o) a ean and (rue# a&&earan(e. Martin (oands

hi to te## his nae and (hara(ter. U&on this! he de(#ares his nae! and

(on)esses his gui#t. He sa"s that he had been a robber! and that he *as beheaded

on a((ount o) his (ries2 that he had been honoured si" b" an error o) the

u#titude2 that he had nothing in (oon *ith the art"rs! sin(e g#or" *as their

&ortion! *hi#e &unishent e0a(ted its &ena#ties )ro hi. Those *ho stood b"

heard! in a *onder)u# *a"! the 'oi(e o) the s&ea$er! but the" behe#d no &erson.

Then Martin ade $no*n *hat he had seen! and ordered the a#tar *hi(h had

been there to be reo'ed! and thus he de#i'ered the &eoe )ro the error o) that

su&erstition.

HAPTER II

Martin causes the "earers of a Dead "ody to stop.

NOK! it (ae to &ass soe tie a)ter the abo'e! that *hi#e Martin *as going a

-ourne"! he et the bod" o) a (ertain heathen! *hi(h *as being (arried to thetob *ith su&erstitious )unera# rites. Per(ei'ing )ro a distan(e the (ro*d that

*as a&&roa(hing! and being ignorant as to *hat *as going on! he stood sti## )or a

#itt#e *hi#e. For there *as a distan(e o) near#" ha#) a i#e bet*een hi and the

(ro*d! so that it *as di))i(u#t to dis(o'er *hat the s&e(ta(#e he behe#d rea##" *as.

Ne'erthe#ess! be(ause he sa* it *as a rusti( gathering! and *hen the #inen

(#othes s&read o'er the bod" *ere b#o*n about b" the a(tion o) the *ind! hebe#ie'ed that soe &ro)ane rites o) sa(ri)i(e *ere being &er)ored. This thought

o((urred to hi! be(ause it *as the (usto o) the 5a##i( rusti(s in their *ret(hed

)o##" to (arr" about through the )ie#ds the iages o) deons 'ei#ed *ith a *hite

(o'ering. Li)ting u&! there)ore! the sign o) the (ross o&&osite to the! he

(oanded the (ro*d not to o'e )ro the a(e in *hi(h the" *ere! and to set

do*n the burden. U&on this! the iserab#e (reatures ight ha'e been seen at )irst

to be(oe sti)) #i$e ro($s. Ne0t! as the" endea'oured! *ith e'er" &ossib#e e))ort!

to o'e )or*ard! but *ere not ab#e to ta$e a ste& )arther! the" began to *hir#

these#'es about in the ost ridi(u#ous )ashion! unti#! not ab#e an" #onger to

sustain the *eight! the" set do*n the dead bod". Thunderstru($! and gaBing in


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be*i#derent at ea(h other as not $no*ing *hat had ha&&ened to the! the"

reained sun$ in si#ent thought. /ut *hen the saint#" an dis(o'ered that the"

*ere si" a band o) &easants (e#ebrating )unera# rites! and not sa(ri)i(es to the

gods! again raising his hand! he ga'e the the &o*er o) going a*a"! and o)

#i)ting u& the bod". Thus he both (o&e##ed the to stand *hen he eased! and&eritted the to de&art *hen he thought good.

HAPTER III

Martin escapes from a #alling Pine+tree.

A5AIN! *hen in a (ertain 'i##age he had deo#ished a 'er" an(ient tee! and

had set about (utting do*n a &ine%tree! *hi(h stood (#ose to the tee! the (hie)&riest o) that a(e! and a (ro*d o) other heathens began to o&&ose hi. And

these &eoe! though! under the in)#uen(e o) the Lord! the" had been uiet *hi#e

the tee *as being o'erthro*n! (ou#d not &atient#" a##o* the tree to be (ut

do*n. Martin (are)u##" instru(ted the that there *as nothing sa(red in the trun$

o) a tree! and urged the rather to honour 5od *ho he hise#) ser'ed. He

added that there *as a ora# ne(essit" *h" that tree shou#d be (ut do*n! be(ause

it had been dedi(ated to a deon. Then one o) the *ho *as bo#der than the

others sa"s! 7I) "ou ha'e an" trust in th" 5od! *ho "ou sa" "ou *orshi&! *e

ourse#'es *i## (ut do*n this tree! and be it "our &art to re(ei'e it *hen )a##ing2

)or i)! as "ou de(#are! "our Lord is *ith "ou! "ou *i## es(a&e a## in-ur";. ThenMartin! (ourageous#" trusting in the Lord! &roises that he *ou#d do *hat had

been as$ed. U&on this! a## that (ro*d o) heathen agreed to the (ondition naed2

)or the" he#d the #oss o) their tree a sa## atter! i) on#" the" got the ene" o)

their re#igion buried beneath its )a##. A((ording#"! sin(e that &ine%tree *ashanging o'er in one dire(tion! so that there *as no doubt to *hat side it *ou#d

)a## on being (ut! Martin! ha'ing been bound! is! in a((ordan(e *ith the de(ision

o) these &agans! a(ed in that s&ot *here! as no one doubted! the tree *as about

to )a##. The" began! there)ore! to (ut do*n their o*n tree! *ith great g#ee and

-o")u#ness! *hi#e there *as at soe distan(e a great u#titude o) *ondering

s&e(tators. And no* the &ine%tree began to totter! and to threaten itsCJo*n ruin b")a##ing. The on$s at a distan(e gre* &a#e! and! terri)ied b" the danger e'er

(oing nearer! had #ost a## ho&e and (on)iden(e! e0&e(ting on#" the death o)

Martin. /ut he! trusting in the Lord! and *aiting (ourageous#"! *hen no* the

)a##ing &ine had uttered its e0&iring (rash! *hi#e it *as no* )a##ing! *hi#e it *as

-ust rushing u&on hi! si" ho#ding u& his hand against it! he &ut in its *a" the

sign o) sa#'ation. Then! indeed! a)ter the anner o) a s&inning%to& +one ight

ha'e thought it dri'enC>ba($,! it s*e&t round to the o&&osite side! to su(h a

degree that it a#ost (rushed the rusti(s! *ho had ta$en their a(es there in *hat

CJPerha&s 7sua; here stands )or 7e-us!; as in other &assages o) our author. The eaning *i## then be!7and to threaten his +Martin6s, destru(tion b" )a##ing;.


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*as deeed a sa)e s&ot. Then tru#"! a shout being raised to hea'en! the heathen

*ere aaBed b" the ira(#e! *hi#e the on$s *e&t )or -o"2 and the nae o)

hrist *as in (oon e0to##ed b" a##. The *e##%$no*n resu#t *as that on that

da" sa#'ation (ae to that region. For there *as hard#" one o) that iense

u#titude o) heathens *ho did not e0&ress a desire )or the i&osition o) hands!and abandoning his i&ious errors! ade a &ro)ession o) )aith in the Lord esus.

ertain#"! be)ore the ties o) Martin! 'er" )e*! na"! a#ost none! in those regions

had re(ei'ed the nae o) hrist2 but through his 'irtues and e0ae that nae

has &re'ai#ed to su(h an e0tent! that no* there is no a(e thereabouts *hi(h is

not )i##ed either *ith 'er" (ro*ded (hur(hes or onasteries. For *here'er he

destro"ed heathen tees! there he used iediate#" to bui#d either (hur(hes or

onasteries.

HAPTER IV

Martin destroys (eathen %emples and Altars.

NOR did he sho* #ess einen(e! u(h about the sae tie! in other transa(tions

o) a #i$e $ind. For! ha'ing in a (ertain 'i##age set )ire to a 'er" an(ient and

(e#ebrated tee! the (ir(#e o) )#aes *as (arried b" the a(tion o) the *ind u&on

a house *hi(h *as 'er" (#ose to! "ea! (onne(ted *ith! the tee. Khen Martin

&er(ei'ed this! he (#ibed b" ra&id as(ent to the roo) o) the house! &resenting

hise#) in )ront o) the ad'an(ing )#aes. Then indeed ight the )ire ha'e beenseen thrust ba($ in a *onder)u# anner against the )or(e o) the *ind! so that

there a&&eared a sort o) (on)#i(t o) the t*o e#eents )ighting together. Thus! b"

the in)#uen(e o) Martin! the )ire on#" a(ted in the a(e *here it *as ordered to

do so. /ut in a 'i##age *hi(h *as naed Le&rosu! *hen he too *ished too'erthro* a tee *hi(h had a(uired great *ea#th through the su&erstitious

ideas entertained o) its san(tit"! a u#titude o) the heathen resisted hi to su(h a

degree that he *as dri'en ba($ not *ithout bodi#" in-ur". He! there)ore! *ithdre*

to a a(e in the 'i(init"! and there )or three da"s! (#othed in sa($(#oth C?and ashes

)asting and &ra"ing the *ho#e tie! he besought the Lord! that! as he had not

been ab#e to o'erthro* that tee b" huan e))ort! Di'ine &o*er ight bee0erted to destro" it. Then t*o ange#s! *ith s&ears and shie#ds a)ter the anner o)

hea'en#" *arriors! sudden#" &resented these#'es to hi! sa"ing that the" *ere

sent b" the Lord to &ut to )#ight the rusti( u#titude! and to )urnish &rote(tion to

Martin! #est! *hi#e the tee *as being destro"ed! an" one shou#d o))er

resistan(e. The" to#d hi there)ore to return! and (oete the b#essed *or$

*hi(h he had begun. A((ording#" Martin returned to the 'i##age2 and *hi#e the

C> It sees better to &reser'e the &arenthesis than to trans#ate the *ords as the" stand in Ha#6s te0t!7tu 'ero < 'e#ut turbinis odo retro a(ta &utares < di'ersa in &arte ruit;.

C?Litera##" 7a (o'ering ade o) i#i(ian goats6 hair;. It *as (a##ed Cilicium! and *as *orn b" so#diersand others.


15/26

(ro*ds o) heathen #oo$ed on in &er)e(t uiet as he raBed the &agan tee e'en

to the )oundations! he a#so redu(ed a## the a#tars and iages to dust. At this sight

the rusti(s! *hen the" &er(ei'ed that the" had been so astounded and terri)ied b"

an inter'ention o) the Di'ine *i##! that the" ight not be )ound )ighting against

the bisho&! a#ost a## be#ie'ed in the Lord esus. The" then began to (r" outo&en#" and to (on)ess that the 5od o) Martin ought to be *orshi&ed! and that the

ido#s shou#d be des&ised! *hi(h *ere not ab#e to he#& the.

HAPTER V

Martin offers his ,ec* to an Assassin.

I SHALL a#so re#ate *hat too$ a(e in the 'i##age o) the Aedui. Khen Martin

*as there o'erthro*ing a tee! a u#titude o) rusti( heathen rushed u&on hi

in a )renB" o) rage. And *hen one o) the! bo#der than the rest! ade an atta($

u&on hi *ith a dra*n s*ord! Martin! thro*ing ba($ his (#oa$! o))ered his bare

ne($ to the assassin. Nor did the heathen de#a" to stri$e! but in the 'er" a(t o)#i)ting u& his right ar! he )e## to the ground on his ba($! and being o'er*he#ed

b" the )ear o) 5od! he entreated )or &ardon. Not un#i$e this *as that other e'ent

*hi(h ha&&ened to Martin! that *hen a (ertain an had reso#'ed to *ound hi

*ith a $ni)e as he *as destro"ing soe ido#s! at the 'er" oent o) )et(hing theb#o*! the *ea&on *as stru($ out o) his hands and disa&&eared. Ver" )reuent#"!

too! *hen the &agans *ere addressing hi to the e))e(t that he *ou#d not

o'erthro* their tees! he so soothed and (on(i#iated the inds o) the heathen

b" his ho#" dis(ourse that! the #ight o) truth ha'ing been re'ea#ed to the! the"

these#'es o'erthre* their o*n tees.

HAPTER VI

Cures effected by St. Martin.

MOREOVER! the gi)t=@ o) a((oishing (ures *as so #arge#" &ossessed b"

Martin! that s(ar(e#" an" si($ &erson (ae to hi )or assistan(e *ithout being at

on(e restored to hea#th. This *i## (#ear#" a&&ear )ro the )o##o*ing e0ae. A

(ertain gir# at Tre'es=3*as so (oete#" &rostrated b" a terrib#e &ara#"sis that

)or a #ong tie she had been uite unab#e to a$e use o) her bod" )or an"

=@The Latin *ord gratia here (orres&onds to the 5ree$ (harisa. St. Pau# sa"s u(h res&e(ting the'arious (harisata in 3or 3C! and s&ea$s! aong others! o) charismata iamaton+'. ?,.

=3The nae Tre'eri at )irst denoted the &eoe +as o)ten in aesar!"ell. $all. I! =J! and ((.,! and *asa)ter*ards a&ied to their (hie) (it"! the odern Tre'es.


16/26

&ur&ose! and being! as it *ere! a#read" dead! on#" the sa##est breath o) #i)e

seeed sti## to reain in her. Her a))#i(ted re#ati'es *ere standing b"! e0&e(ting

nothing but her death! *hen it *as sudden#" announ(ed that Martin had (oe to

that (it". Khen the )ather o) the gir# )ound that su(h *as the (ase! he ran to a$e

a reuest in beha#) o) his a## but #i)e#ess (hi#d. It ha&&ened that Martin hada#read" entered the (hur(h. There! *hi#e the &eoe *ere #oo$ing on! and in the

&resen(e o) an" other bisho&s! the o#d an! uttering a (r" o) grie)! ebra(ed

the saint6s $nees and said: 7M" daughter is d"ing o) a iserab#e $ind o)

in)irit"2 and! *hat is ore dread)u# than death itse#)! she is no* a#i'e on#" in

the s&irit! her )#esh being a#read" dead be)ore the tie. I besee(h thee to go to

her! and gi'e her th" b#essing2 )or I be#ie'e that through "ou she *i## be restored

to hea#th;. Martin! troub#ed b" su(h an address! *as be*i#dered! and shran$

ba($! sa"ing that this *as a atter not in his o*n hands2 that the o#d an *as

ista$en in the -udgent he had )ored2 and that he *as not *orth" to be the

instruent through *ho the Lord shou#d a$e a disa" o) his &o*er. The

)ather! in tears! &erse'ered in sti## ore earnest#" &ressing the (ase! and entreated

Martin to 'isit the d"ing gir#. At #ast! (onstrained b" the bisho&s standing b" to

go as reuested! he *ent do*n to the hoe o) the gir#. An iense (ro*d *as

*aiting at the doors! to see *hat the ser'ant o) the Lord *ou#d do. And )irst!

beta$ing hise#) to his )ai#iar ars in a))airs o) that $ind! he (ast hise#) do*n

on the ground and &ra"ed. Then gaBing earnest#" u&on the ai#ing gir#! he reuests

that oi# shou#d be gi'en hi. A)ter he had re(ei'ed and b#essed this! he &oured

the &o*er)u# sa(red #iuid into the outh o) the gir#! and iediate#" her 'oi(e

returned to her. Then gradua##"! through (onta(t *ith hi! her #ibs began! one

b" one! to re(o'er #i)e! ti##! at #ast! in the &resen(e o) the &eoe! she arose *ith

)ir ste&s.

HAPTER VII

Martin casts out Several Devils.

AT the sae tie the ser'ant o) one Tetradius! a an o) &ro(onsu#ar ran$! ha'ing

been #aid ho#d o) b" a deon! *as torented *ith the ost iserab#e resu#ts.Martin! there)ore! ha'ing been as$ed to #a" his hands on hi! ordered the ser'ant

to be brought to hi2 but the e'i# s&irit (ou#d! in no *a"! be brought )orth )ro

the (e## in *hi(h he *as: he sho*ed hise#) so )ear)u#! *ith )ero(ious teeth! to

those *ho atte&ted to dra* near. Then Tetradius thro*s hise#) at the )eet o)

the saint#" an! ioring that he hise#) *ou#d go do*n to the house in *hi(h

the &ossessed o) the de'i# *as $e&t. /ut Martin then de(#ared that he (ou#d not

'isit the house o) an un(on'erted heathen. For Tetradius! at that tie! *as sti##

in'o#'ed in the errors o) heathenis. He! there)ore! edges his *ord that i) the

deon *ere dri'en out o) the bo"! he *ou#d be(oe a hristian. Martin! then!

#a"ing his hand u&on the bo"! (ast the e'i# s&irit out o) hi. On seeing this!


17/26

Tetradius be#ie'ed in the Lord esus! and iediate#" be(ae a (ate(huen!

*hi#e! not #ong a)ter! he *as ba&tiBed2 and he a#*a"s regarded Martin *ith

e0traordinar" a))e(tion! as ha'ing been the author o) his sa#'ation.

About the sae tie! ha'ing entered the d*e##ing o) a (ertain househo#der in thesae to*n! he sto&&ed short at the 'er" thresho#d! and said! that he &er(ei'ed a

horrib#e deon in the (ourt"ard o) the house. Khen Martin ordered it to de&art! it

#aid ho#d o) a (ertain eber o) the )ai#"! *ho *as sta"ing in the inner &art o)

the house2 and the &oor *ret(h began at on(e to rage *ith his teeth! and to

#a(erate *hosoe'er he et. The house *as thro*n into disorder2 the )ai#" *as

in (on)usion2 and the &eoe &resent too$ to )#ight. Martin thre* hise#) in the

*a" o) the )renBied (reature! and )irst o) a## (oanded hi to stand sti##. /ut

*hen he (ontinued to gnash *ith his teeth! and! *ith ga&ing outh! *as

threatening to bite! Martin inserted his )ingers into his outh! and said! 7I) "ou

&ossess an" &o*er! de'our these;. /ut then! as i) red%hot iron had entered his-a*s! dra*ing his teeth )ar a*a" he too$ (are not to tou(h the )ingers o) the

saint#" an2 and *hen he *as (o&e##ed b" &unishents and tortures! to )#ee outo) the &ossessed bod"! *hi#e he had no &o*er o) es(a&ing b" the outh! he *as

(ast out b" eans o) a de)#u0ion o) the be##"! #ea'ing disgusting tra(es behind

hi.

HAPTER VIII

Martin performs -arious Miracles.

IN the ean*hi#e! as a sudden re&ort had troub#ed the (it" as to the o'eent

and inroad o) the barbarians! Martin orders a &ossessed &erson to be set be)ore

hi! and (oanded hi to de(#are *hether this essage *as true or not. Then

he (on)essed that there *ere si0teen deons *ho had s&read this re&ort aong

the &eoe! in order that b" the )ear thus e0(ited! Martin ight ha'e to )#ee )ro

the (it"! but that! in )a(t! nothing *as #ess in the inds o) the barbarians than to

a$e an" inroad. Khen the un(#ean s&irit thus a($no*#edged these things in the

idst o) the (hur(h! the (it" *as set )ree )ro the )ear and tuu#t *hi(h had atthe tie been )e#t.

At Paris! again! *hen Martin *as entering the gate o) the (it"! *ith #arge (ro*ds

attending hi! he ga'e a $iss to a #e&er! o) iserab#e a&&earan(e! *hi#e a##

shuddered at seeing hi do so2 and Martin b#essed hi! *ith the resu#t that he

*as instant#" (#eansed )ro a## his iser". On the )o##o*ing da"! the an

a&&earing in the (hur(h *ith a hea#th" s$in! ga'e than$s )or the soundness o)

bod" *hi(h he had re(o'ered. This )a(t! too! ought not to be &assed o'er insi#en(e! that threads )ro Martin6s garent! or su(h as had been u($ed )ro the

sa($(#oth *hi(h he *ore! *rought )reuent ira(#es u&on those *ho *ere si($.


18/26

For! b" either being tied round the )ingers or a(ed about the ne($! the" 'er"

o)ten dro'e a*a" diseases )ro the a))#i(ted.

HAPTER I

A Letter of Martin effects a Cure with ther Miracles.

FURTHER! Arborius! an e0%&re)e(t! and a an o) a 'er" ho#" and )aith)u#

(hara(ter! *hi#e his daughter *as in agon" )ro the burning )e'er o) a uartan

ague! inserted in the boso o) the gir#! at the 'er" &aro0"s o) the heat! a #etter

o) Martin *hi(h ha&&ened to ha'e been brought to hi! and iediate#" the

)e'er *as dis&e##ed. This e'ent had su(h an in)#uen(e u&on Arborius! that he at

on(e (onse(rated the gir# to 5od! and de'oted her to &er&etua# 'irginit". Then!&ro(eeding to Martin! he &resented the gir# to hi! as an ob'ious #i'ing e0ae

o) his &o*er o) *or$ing ira(#es! inasu(h as she had been (ured b" hi though

absent2 and he *ou#d not su))er her to be (onse(rated b" an" other than Martin!

through his a(ing u&on her the dress (hara(teristi( o) 'irginit".

Pau#inus! too! a an *ho *as a)ter*ards to )urnish a stri$ing e0ae o) the age!

ha'ing begun to su))er grie'ous#" in one o) his e"es! and *hen a &rett" thi($s$in=Cha'ing gro*n o'er it had a#read" (o'ered u& its &u&i#! Martin tou(hed his

e"e *ith a &ainter6s brush! and! a## &ain being reo'ed! thus restored it to its

)orer soundness. He hise#) a#so! *hen! b" a (ertain a((ident! he had )a##en outo) an u&&er roo! and tub#ing do*n a bro$en! une'en stair! had re(ei'ed an"

*ounds! as he #a" in his (e## at the &oint o) death! and *as tortured *ith grie'ous

su))erings! sa* in the night an ange# a&&ear to hi! *ho *ashed his *ounds! and

a&ied hea#ing ointent to the bruised ebers o) his bod". As the e))e(t o)

this! he )ound hise#) on the orro* restored to soundness o) hea#th! so that he

*as not thought to ha'e su))ered an" har. /ut be(ause it *ou#d be tedious to go

through e'er"thing o) this $ind! #et these e0aes su))i(e! as a )e* out o) a

u#titude2 and #et it be enough that *e do not in stri$ing (ases Go) ira(u#ous

inter&osition detra(t )ro the truth! *hi#e! ha'ing so an" to (hoose )ro! *e

a'oid e0(iting *eariness in the reader.

HAPTER

(ow Martin acted towards the )mperor Ma/imus.

AND here to insert soe sa##er atters aong things so great +a#though su(h is

the nature o) our ties in *hi(h a## things ha'e )a##en into de(a" and (orru&tion!

=C7Nubes!; #it. 7a (#oud;.


19/26

it is a#ost a &re%einent 'irtue )or &riest#" )irness not to ha'e "ie#ded to ro"a#

)#atter",! *hen a nuber o) bisho&s )ro 'arious &arts had asseb#ed to the

E&eror Ma0ius! a an o) )ier(e (hara(ter! and at that tie e#ated *ith the

'i(tor" he had *on in the (i'i# *ars! and *hen the disgra(e)u# )#atter" o) a##

around the e&eror *as genera##" rear$ed! *hi#e the &riest#" dignit" had! *ithdegenerate subissi'eness! ta$en a se(ond a(e to the ro"a# retinue! in Martin

a#one! a&osto#i( authorit" (ontinued to assert itse#). For e'en i) he had to a$e

suit to the so'ereign )or soe things! he (oanded rather than entreated hi2

and a#though o)ten in'ited! he $e&t a*a" )ro his entertainents! sa"ing that he

(ou#d not ta$e a a(e at the tab#e o) one *ho! out o) t*o e&erors! had de&ri'ed

one o) his $ingdo! and the other o) his #i)e. At #ast! *hen Ma0ius aintained

that he had not o) his o*n a((ord assued the so'ereignt"! but that he had si"

de)ended b" ars the ne(essar" reuireents==o) the e&ire! regard to *hi(h

had been i&osed u&on hi b" the so#diers! a((ording to the Di'ine

a&&ointent! and that the )a'our o) 5od did not see *anting to hi *ho! b" an

e'ent seeing#" so in(redib#e! had se(ured the 'i(tor"! adding to that the

stateent that none o) his ad'ersaries had been s#ain e0(e&t in the o&en )ie#d o)

batt#e! at #ength! Martin! o'er(oe either b" his reasoning or his entreaties! (ae

to the ro"a# banuet. The $ing *as *onder)u##" eased be(ause he had gained

this &oint. Moreo'er! there *ere guests &resent *ho had been in'ited as i) to a

)esti'a#2 en o) the highest and ost i##ustrious ran$! < the &re)e(t! *ho *as a#so

(onsu#! naed E'odius! one o) the ost righteous en that e'er #i'ed2 t*o

(ourtiers &ossessed o) the greatest &o*er! the brother and un(#e o) the $ing! *hi#e

bet*een these t*o! the &resb"ter o) Martin had ta$en his a(e2 but he hise#)

o((u&ied a seat *hi(h *as set uite (#ose to the $ing. About the idd#e o) the

banuet! a((ording to (usto! one o) the ser'ants &resented a gob#et to the $ing.

He orders it rather to be gi'en to the 'er" ho#" bisho&! e0&e(ting and ho&ing that

he shou#d then re(ei'e the (u& )ro his right hand. /ut Martin! *hen he had

drun$! handed the gob#et to his o*n &resb"ter! as thin$ing no one *orthier to

drin$ ne0t to hise#)! and ho#ding that it *ou#d! not be right )or hi to &re)er

either the $ing hise#)! or those *ho *ere ne0t the $ing! to the &resb"ter. And the

e&eror! as *e## as a## those *ho *ere then &resent! adired this (ondu(t so

u(h! that this 'er" thing! b" *hi(h the" had been under'a#ued! ga'e the

easure. The re&ort then ran through the *ho#e &a#a(e that Martin had done! at

the $ing6s dinner! *hat no bisho& had dared to do at the banuets o) the #o*est

-udges. And Martin &redi(ted to the sae Ma0ius #ong be)ore! that i) he *ent

into Ita#" to *hi(h he then desired to go! *aging *ar! against the E&eror

Va#entinianus! it *ou#d (oe to &ass that he shou#d $no* he *ou#d =indeed be

'i(torious in the )irst atta($! but *ou#d &erish a short tie a)ter*ards. And *e

ha'e seen that this did in )a(t ta$e a(e. For! on his )irst arri'a# Va#entinianus

had to beta$e hise#) to )#ight but re(o'ering his strength about a "ear

a)ter*ards! Ma0ius *as ta$en and s#ain b" hi *ithin the *a##s o) Aui#eia.

==7Regni ne(essitate; < an a*$*ard e0&ression.

=There is (onsiderab#e (on)usion in this senten(e.


20/26

HAPTER I

Martin has to do both with Angels and Devils.

IT is a#so *e## $no*n that ange#s *ere 'er" o)ten seen b" hi! so that the" s&o$e

in turns *ith hi in set s&ee(h. As to the de'i#! Martin he#d hi so 'isib#e and

e'er under the &o*er o) his e"es! that *hether he $e&t hise#) in his &ro&er )or!

or (hanged hise#) into di))erent sha&es o) s&iritua# *i($edness! he *as

&er(ei'ed b" Martin! under *hate'er guise he a&&eared. The de'i# $ne* *e## that

he (ou#d not es(a&e dis(o'er"! and there)ore )reuent#" hea&ed insu#ts u&on

Martin! being unab#e to begui#e hi b" tri($er". On one o((asion the de'i#!

ho#ding in his hand the b#ood" horn o) an o0! rushed into Martin6s (e## *ith greatnoise! and ho#ding out to hi his b#ood" right hand! *hi#e at the sae tie he

e0u#ted in the (rie he had (oitted! said: 7Khere! O Martin! is th" &o*er1 I

ha'e -ust s#ain one o) "our &eoe;. Then Martin asseb#ed the brethren! and

re#ated to the *hat the de'i# had dis(#osed! *hi#e he ordered the (are)u##" to

sear(h the se'era# (e##s in order to dis(o'er *ho had been 'isited *ith this

(a#ait". The" re&ort that no one o) the on$s *as issing! but that one &easant!

hired b" the! had gone to the )orest to bring hoe *ood in his *agon. U&on

hearing this! Martin instru(ts soe o) the to go and eet hi. On their doing

so! the an *as )ound a#ost dead at no great distan(e )ro the onaster".

Ne'erthe#ess! a#though -ust dra*ing his #ast breath! he ade $no*n to thebrethren the (ause o) his *ound and death. He said that! *hi#e he *as dra*ing

tighter the thongs *hi(h had got #oose on the o0en "o$ed together! one o) the

o0en! thro*ing his head )ree! had *ounded hi *ith his horn in the groin. And

not #ong a)ter the an e0&ired. 4ou=see *ith *hat -udgent o) the Lord this&o*er *as gi'en to the de'i#. This *as a ar'e#ous )eature in Martin that not

on#" on this o((asion to *hi(h I ha'e s&e(ia##" re)erred! but on an" o((asions

o) the sae $ind! in )a(t as o)ten as su(h things o((urred! he &er(ei'ed the #ong

be)orehand! and=dis(#osed the things *hi(h had been re'ea#ed to hi to the

brethren.

HAPTER II

Martin preaches Repentance even to the Devil.

NOK! the de'i#! *hi#e he tried to i&ose u&on the ho#" an b" a thousand

in-urious arts! o)ten thrust hise#) u&on hi in a 'isib#e )or! but in 'er" 'arious

=Ha# reads the i&erati'e 7'ideris!; 7(onsider;.

=Ha# reads 7aut sibi nuntiata )ratribus indi(abat;.


21/26

sha&es. For soeties he &resented hise#) to his 'ie* (hanged into the &erson

o) u&iter! o)ten into that o) Mer(ur" and Miner'a. O)ten! too! *ere heard *ords

o) re&roa(h! in *hi(h the (ro*d o) deons assai#ed Martin *ith s(urri#ous

e0&ressions. /ut $no*ing that a## *ere )a#se and ground#ess! he *as not a))e(ted

b" the (harges brought against hi. Moreo'er! soe o) the brethren bore *itnessthat the" had heard a deon re&roa(hing Martin in abusi'e ters! and as$ing

*h" he had ta$en ba($! on their subseuent re&entan(e! (ertain o) the brethren

*ho had! soe tie &re'ious#"! #ost their ba&tis b" )a##ing into 'arious errors.

The deon set )orth the (ries o) ea(h o) the2 but the" added that Martin!

resisting the de'i# )ir#"! ans*ered hi! that b"%&ast sins are (#eansed a*a" b"

the #eading o) a better #i)e! and that through the er(" o) 5od! those are to be

abso#'ed )ro their sins *ho ha'e gi'en u& their e'i# *a"s. The de'i# sa"ing in

o&&osition to this that su(h gui#t" en as those re)erred to did not (oe *ithin

the &a#e o) &ardon! and that no er(" *as e0tended b" the Lord to those *ho had

on(e )a##en a*a"! Martin is said to ha'e (ried out in *ords to the )o##o*ing

e))e(t: 7I) thou! th"se#)! *ret(hed being! *ou#dst but desist )ro atta($ing

an$ind! and e'en! at this &eriod! *hen the da" o) -udgent is at hand! *ou#dst

on#" re&ent o) "our deeds! I! *ith a true (on)iden(e in the Lord! *ou#d &roise

"ou the er(" o) hrist;.=JO *hat a ho#" bo#dness *ith res&e(t to the #o'ing%

$indness o) the Lord! in *hi(h! a#though he (ou#d not assert authorit"! he

ne'erthe#ess sho*ed the )ee#ings d*e##ing *ithin hi And sin(e our dis(ourse

has here s&rung u& (on(erning the de'i# and his de'i(es! it does not see a*a"

)ro the &oint! a#though the atter does not bear iediate#" u&on Martin! to

re#ate *hat too$ a(e2 both be(ause the 'irtues o) Martin do! to soe e0tent!

a&&ear in the transa(tion! and the in(ident! *hi(h *as *orth" o) a ira(#e! *i##

&ro&er#" be &ut on re(ord! *ith the 'ie* o) )urnishing a (aution! shou#d an"thing

o) a sii#ar (hara(ter subseuent#" o((ur.

HAPTER III

A Case of Diabolic Deception.

THERE *as a (ertain an! #arus b" nae! a ost nob#e "outh! *ho a)ter*ards

be(ae a &resb"ter! and *ho is no*! through his ha&&" de&arture )ro this

*or#d! nubered aong the saints. He! #ea'ing a## others! betoo$ hise#) to

Martin! and in a short tie be(ae distinguished )or the ost e0a#ted )aith! and

)or a## sorts o) e0(e##en(e. No*! it (ae to &ass that! *hen he had ere(ted an

=JThis is a tru#" note*orth" &assage. It anti(i&ates a *e##%$no*n sentient o) /urns! the nationa# bardo) S(ot#and. In his Address to the Dei#! /urns has said that i) the great ene" *ou#d on#" 7ta$ a tho(ht an6en6!; he ight sti## ha'e a (han(e o) sa)et"! and this idea sees 'er" u(h in a((ordan(e *ith the

o&inion o) St. Martin as e0&ressed abo'e. Hornius! ho*e'er! is 'er" indignant on a((ount o) it! and

e0(#ais: 7Into#erabi#is hi( Martini error. Ne( Su#&i(ius e0(usatione sue deit! sed auget. Origenes&rius e-us erroris author;.


22/26

abode )or hise#) not )ar )ro the onaster" o) the bisho&! and an" brethren

*ere sta"ing *ith hi! a (ertain "outh! Anato#ius b" nae! ha'ing! under the

&ro)ession o) a on$! )a#se#" assued e'er" a&&earan(e o) hui#it" and

inno(en(e! (ae to hi! and #i'ed )or soe tie on the (oon store a#ong *ith

the rest. Then! as tie *ent on! he began to a))ir that ange#s *ere in the habit o)ta#$ing *ith hi. As no one ga'e an" (redit to his *ords! he urged a nuber o)

the brethren to be#ie'e b" (ertain signs. At #ength he *ent to su(h a #ength as to

de(#are that ange#s &assed bet*een hi and 5od2 and no* he *ished that he

shou#d be regarded as one o) the &ro&hets. #arus! ho*e'er! (ou#d b" no eans

be indu(ed to be#ie'e. He then began to threaten #arus *ith the anger o) 5od

and &resent a))#i(tions! be(ause he did not be#ie'e one o) the saints. At the #ast! he

is re#ated to ha'e burst )orth *ith the )o##o*ing de(#aration: 7/eho#d! the Lord

*i## this night gi'e e a *hite robe out o) hea'en! (#othed in *hi(h! I *i## d*e##

in the idst o) "ou2 and that *i## be to "ou a sign that I a the Po*er o) 5od!

inasu(h as I ha'e been &resented *ith the garent o) 5od;. Then tru#" the

e0&e(tation o) a## *as high#" raised b" this &ro)ession. A((ording#"! about the

idd#e o) the night! it *as seen! b" the noise o) &eoe o'ing eager#" about!

that the *ho#e onaster" in the a(e *as e0(ited. It ight be seen! too! that the

(e## in *hi(h the "oung an re)erred to #i'ed *as g#ittering *ith nuerous

#ights2 and the *his&erings o) those o'ing about in it! as *e## as a $ind o)

urur o) an". 'oi(es! (ou#d be heard. Then! on si#en(e being se(ured! the

"outh (oing )orth (a##s one o) the brethren! Sabatius b" nae! to hise#)! and

sho*s hi the robe in *hi(h he had been (#othed. He again! )i##ed *ith

aaBeent! gathers the rest together! and #arus hise#) a#so runs u&2 and a #ight

being obtained! the" a## (are)u##" ins&e(t the garent. No*! it *as o) the utost

so)tness! o) ar'e#ous brightness! and o) g#ittering &ure! and "et no one (ou#d

dis(o'er *hat *as its nature! or o) *hat sort o) )#ee(e it had been )ored.

Ho*e'er! *hen it *as ore inute#" e0ained b" the e"es or )ingers! it seeed

nothing e#se than a garent. In the eantie! #arus urges u&on the brethren to

be earnest in &ra"er! that the Lord *ou#d sho* the ore (#ear#" *hat it rea##"

*as. A((ording#"! the rest o) the night *as s&ent in singing h"ns and &sa#s.

/ut *hen da" bro$e! #arus *ished to ta$e the "oung an b" the hand! and bring

hi to Martin! being *e## a*are that he (ou#d not be de(ei'ed b" an" arts o) the

de'i#. Then! indeed! the iserab#e an began to resist and re)use! and a))ired

that he had been )orbidden to sho* hise#) to Martin. And *hen the" (o&e##ed

hi to go against his *i##! the garent 'anished )ro aong the hands o) those

*ho *ere (ondu(ting hi. Khere)ore! *ho (an doubt that this! too! *as an

i##ustration o) the &o*er o) Martin! so that the de'i# (ou#d no #onger disseb#e or

(on(ea# his o*n de(e&tion! *hen it *as to be subitted to the e"es o) Martin1

HAPTER IV

Martin is tempted by the &iles of the Devil.


23/26

IT *as )ound! again! that about the sae tie there *as a "oung an in S&ain!

*ho! ha'ing b" an" signs obtained )or hise#) authorit" aong the &eoe! *as

&u))ed u& to su(h a &it(h that he ga'e hise#) out as being E#ias. And *hen

u#titudes had too readi#" be#ie'ed this! he *ent on to sa" that he *as a(tua##"hrist2 and he su((eeded so *e## e'en in this de#usion that a (ertain bisho&

naed Ru)us *orshi&ed hi as being the Lord. For so doing! *e ha'e seen this

bisho& at a #ater date de&ri'ed o) his o))i(e. Man" o) the brethren ha'e a#so

in)ored e that at the sae tie one arose in the East! *ho boasted that he *as

ohn. Ke a" in)er )ro this! sin(e )a#se &ro&hets o) su(h a $ind ha'e a&&eared!

that the (oing o) Anti(hrist is at hand2 )or he is a#read" &ra(ti(ing in these

&ersons the "ster" o) iniuit". And tru#" I thin$ this &oint shou#d not be &assed

o'er! *ith *hat arts the de'i# about this 'er" tie te&ted Martin. For! on a

(ertain da"! &ra"er=>ha'ing been &re'ious#" o))ered! and the )iend hise#) being

surrounded b" a &ure #ight! in order that he ight the ore easi#" de(ei'e&eoe b" the bri##ian(e o) the sendour assued! (#othed a#so in a ro"a# robe!

and *ith a (ro*n o) &re(ious stones and go#d en(ir(#ing his head! his shoes toobeing in#aid *ith go#d! *hi#e he &resented a tranui# (ountenan(e! and a genera##"

re-oi(ing as&e(t! so that no su(h thought as that he *as the de'i# ight be

entertained < he stood b" the side o) Martin as he *as &ra"ing in his (e##. The

saint being daBB#ed b" his )irst a&&earan(e! both &reser'ed a #ong and dee&

si#en(e. This *as )irst bro$en b" the de'i#! *ho said: 7A($no*#edge! Martin!

*ho it is that "ou beho#d. I a hrist2 and being -ust about to des(end to earth! I

*ished )irst to ani)est "se#) to thee;. Khen Martin $e&t si#en(e on hearing

these *ords! and ga'e no ans*er *hate'er! the de'i# dared to re&eat his

auda(ious de(#aration: 7Martin! *h" do "ou hesitate to be#ie'e! *hen "ou see1 I

a hrist;. Then Martin! the S&irit re'ea#ing the truth to hi! that he ight

understand it *as the de'i#! and not 5od! reied as )o##o*s: 7The Lord esus did

not &redi(t that he *ou#d (oe (#othed in &ure! and *ith a g#ittering (ro*n

u&on his head. I *i## not be#ie'e that hrist has (oe! un#ess he a&&ears *ith that

a&&earan(e and )or in *hi(h he su))ered! and o&en#" disa"ing the ar$s o)

his *ounds u&on the (ross;. On hearing these *ords! the de'i# 'anished #i$e

so$e! and )i##ed the (e## *ith su(h a disgusting se##! that he #e)t unista$ab#e

e'iden(es o) his rea# (hara(ter. This e'ent! as I ha'e -ust re#ated! too$ a(e in the

*a" *hi(h I ha'e stated! and " in)oration regarding it *as deri'ed )ro the

#i&s o) Martin hise#)2 there)ore #et no one regard it as )abu#ous. =?

HAPTER V

'ntercourse of Sulpitius with Martin.

=>7Pre(e; )or the usua# reading 7&rae se;.

=?In s&ite o) the (obined &iet" o) Martin and Su#&itius here re)erred to! )e* *i## ha'e an" doubt as tothe rea# (hara(ter o) this narrati'e.


24/26

FOR sin(e I! ha'ing #ong heard a((ounts o) his )aith! #i)e and 'irtues! burned *ith

a desire o) $no*ing hi! I undertoo$ *hat *as to e a easant -ourne" )or the

&ur&ose o) seeing hi. At the sae tie! be(ause a#read" " ind *as in)#aed

*ith the desire o) *riting his #i)e! I obtained " in)oration &art#" )ro hise#)!

in so )ar as I (ou#d 'enture to uestion hi! and &art#" )ro those *ho had #i'ed*ith hi! or *e## $ne* the )a(ts o) the (ase. And at this tie it is s(ar(e#"

(redib#e *ith *hat hui#it" and *ith *hat $indness he re(ei'ed e2 *hi#e he

(ordia##" *ished e -o"! and re-oi(ed in the Lord that he had been he#d in su(h

high estiation b" e that I had underta$en a -ourne" o*ing to " desire o)

seeing hi. Un*orth" e +in )a(t! I hard#" dare a($no*#edge it,! that he shou#d

ha'e deigned to adit e to )e##o*shi& *ith hi He *ent so )ar as in &erson to

&resent e *ith *ater to *ash " hands! and at e'entide he hise#) *ashed "

)eet2 nor had I su))i(ient (ourage to resist or o&&ose his doing so. In )a(t! I )e#t so

o'er(oe b" the authorit" he un(ons(ious#" e0erted! that I deeed it un#a*)u# to

do an"thing but a(uies(e in his arrangeents. His (on'ersation *ith e *as a##

dire(ted to su(h &oints as the )o##o*ing: that the a##ureents o) this *or#d and

se(u#ar burdens *ere to be abandoned in order that *e ight be )ree and

unen(ubered in )o##o*ing the Lord esus2 and he &ressed u&on e as an

adirab#e e0ae in &resent (ir(ustan(es the (ondu(t o) that distinguished

an Pau#inus! o) *ho I ha'e ade ention abo'e. Martin de(#ared o) hi that!

b" &arting *ith his great &ossessions and )o##o*ing hrist! as he did! he sho*ed

hise#) a#ost the on#" one *ho in these ties had )u##" obe"ed the &re(e&ts o)

the 5os&e#. He insisted strong#" that that *as the an *ho shou#d be ade the

ob-e(t o) our iitation! adding that the &resent age *as )ortunate in &ossessing

su(h a ode# o) )aith and 'irtue. For Pau#inus! being ri(h and ha'ing an"

&ossessions! b" se##ing the a## and gi'ing the to the &oor a((ording to the

e0&ressed *i## o) the Lord! had! he said! ade &ossib#e b" a(tua# &roo) *hat

a&&eared i&ossib#e o) a((oishent. Khat &o*er and dignit" there *ere in

Martin6s *ords and (on'ersation Ho* a(ti'e he *as! ho* &ra(ti(a#! and ho*

&ro&t and read" in so#'ing uestions (onne(ted *ith S(ri&ture And be(ause I

$no* that an" are in(redu#ous on this &oint! < )or indeed I ha'e et *ith

&ersons *ho did not be#ie'e e *hen I re#ated su(h things! < I (a## to *itness

esus! and our (oon ho&e as hristians! that I ne'er heard )ro an" other #i&s

than those o) Martin su(h e0hibitions o) $no*#edge and genius! or su(h

s&e(iens o) good and &ure s&ee(h. /ut "et! ho* insigni)i(ant is a## su(h &raise

*hen (o&ared *ith the 'irtues *hi(h he &ossessed Sti##! it is rear$ab#e that in

a an *ho had no (#ai to be (a##ed #earned! e'en this attribute Go) high

inte##igen(e *as not *anting.

HAPTER VI

&ords cannot describe the )/cellences of Martin.


25/26

/UT no* " boo$ ust be brought to an end! and " dis(ourse )inished. This is

not be(ause a## that *as *orth" o) being said (on(erning Martin is no*

e0hausted! but be(ause I! -ust as s#uggish &oets gro* #ess (are)u# to*ards the end

o) their *or$! gi'e o'er! being ba))#ed b" the iensit" o) the atter. For!

a#though his out*ard deeds (ou#d in soe sort o) *a" be set )orth in *ords! no#anguage! I tru#" o*n! (an e'er be (a&ab#e o) des(ribing his inner #i)e and dai#"

(ondu(t! and his ind a#*a"s bent u&on the things o) hea'en. No one (an

adeuate#" a$e $no*n his &erse'eran(e and se#)%aster" in abstinen(e and

)astings! or his &o*er in *at(hings and &ra"ers! a#ong *ith the nights! as *e## as

da"s! *hi(h *ere s&ent b" hi! *hi#e not a oent *as se&arated )ro the

ser'i(e o) 5od! either )or indu#ging in ease! or engaging in business. /ut! in )a(t!

he did not indu#ge either in )ood or s#ee&! e0(e&t in so )ar as the ne(essities o)

nature reuired. I )ree#" (on)ess that! i)! as the sa"ing is! Hoer hise#) *ere to

as(end )ro the shades be#o*! he (ou#d not do -usti(e to this sub-e(t in *ords2 to

su(h an e0tent did a## e0(e##en(es sur&ass in Martin the &ossibi#it" o) being

ebodied in #anguage. Ne'er did a sing#e hour or oent &ass in *hi(h he *as

not either a(tua##" engaged in &ra"er2 or! i) it ha&&ened that he *as o((u&ied *ith

soething e#se! sti## he ne'er #et his ind #oose )ro &ra"er. In truth! -ust as it is

the (usto o) b#a($siths! in the idst o) their *or$ to beat their o*n an'i# as a

sort o) re#ie) to the #aborer! so Martin e'en *hen he a&&eared to be doing

soething e#se! *as sti## engaged in &ra"er. O tru#" b#essed an in *ho there

*as no gui#e < -udging no an! (ondening no an! returning e'i# )or e'i# to no

an He disa"ed indeed su(h ar'e##ous &atien(e in the enduran(e o) in-uries!

that e'en *hen he *as (hie)@&riest! he a##o*ed hise#) to be *ronged b" the

#o*est (#eri(s *ith i&unit"2 nor did he either reo'e the )ro the o))i(e on

a((ount o) su(h (ondu(t! or! as )ar as in hi #a"! re&e# the )ro a a(e in his

a))e(tion.

HAPTER VII

&onderful Piety of Martin.

NO one e'er sa* hi enraged! or e0(ited! or #aenting! or #aughing2 he *asa#*a"s one and the sae: disa"ing a $ind o) hea'en#" ha&&iness in his

(ountenan(e! he seeed to ha'e &assed the ordinar" #iits o) huan nature.

Ne'er *as there an" *ord on his #i&s but hrist! and ne'er *as there a )ee#ing in

his heart e0(e&t &iet"! &ea(e! and tender er(". Freuent#"! too! he used to *ee&

)or the sins o) those *ho sho*ed these#'es his re'i#ers < those *ho! as he #ed

his retired and tranui# #i)e! s#andered hi *ith &oisoned tongue and a 'i&er6s

outh. And tru#" *e ha'e had e0&erien(e o) soe *ho *ere en'ious o) his

'irtues and his #i)e < *ho rea##" hated in hi *hat the" did not see in these#'es!

@7Suus sa(erdos;: 7that is!; rear$s Hornius! 7bisho&. The" *ere a#so in those ages st"#ed Po&es+Papae,. This is (#ear )ro "&rian! eroe! and others o) a u(h #ater age;.


26/26

and *hat the" had not &o*er to iitate. And < O *i($edness *orth" o) dee&est

grie) and groans < soe o) his (a#uniators! a#though 'er" )e*! soe o) his

a#igners! I sa"! *ere re&orted to be no others than bisho&s Here! ho*e'er! it is

not ne(essar" to nae an" one! a#though a good an" o) these &eoe are sti##

'enting3their seen against "se#). I sha## dee it su))i(ient that! i) an" one o)the reads this a((ount! and &er(ei'es that he is hise#) &ointed at! he a" ha'e

the gra(e to b#ush. /ut i)! on the other hand! he sho*s anger! he *i##! b" that 'er"

)a(t! o*n that he is aong those s&o$en o)! though a## the tie &erha&s I ha'e

been thin$ing o) soe other &erson. I sha##! ho*e'er! b" no eans )ee# ashaed

i) an" &eoe o) that sort in(#ude "se#) in their hatred a#ong *ith su(h a an as

Martin. I a uite &ersuaded o) this! that the &resent #itt#e *or$ *i## gi'e easure

to a## tru#" good en. And I sha## on#" sa" )urther that! i) an" one read this

narrati'e in an unbe#ie'ing s&irit! he hise#) *i## )a## into sin. I a (ons(ious to

"se#) that I ha'e been indu(ed b" be#ie) in the )a(ts! and b" the #o'e o) hrist!

to *rite these things2 and that! in doing so! I ha'e set )orth *hat is *e## $no*n!

and re(orded *hat is true2 and! as I trust! that an *i## ha'e a re*ard &re&ared b"

5od! not *ho sha## read these things but *ho sha## be#ie'e the.C

3Lit. 7are bar$ing round about;.

CIt sees e0tree#" di))i(u#t +to re(ur to the &oint on(e ore,! a)ter reading this a((ount o) St. Martinb" Su#&itius! to )or an" (ertain (on(#usion regarding it. The *riter so )reuent#" and so#en#" assures uso) his good )aith! and there is su(h a 'erisii#itude about the st"#e! that it a&&ears i&ossib#e to a((e&t the

theor" o) *i##)u# de(e&tion on the &art o) the *riter. And then! he *as so intiate#" a(uainted *ith thesub-e(t o) his narrati'e! that he (ou#d hard#" ha'e a((e&ted )i(tions )or )a(ts! or )ai#ed in his estiate o)

the )riend he so u(h adired and #o'ed. A#together! this Li)e o) St. Martin sees to bring be)ore us oneo) the &uBB#es o) histor". The saint hise#) ust e'ident#" ha'e been a 'er" e0traordinar" an! to i&ress

one o) the ta#ents and #earning o) Su#&itius so rear$ab#" as he did2 but it is e0tree#" hard to sa" ho* )arthe ira(u#ous narrati'es! *hi(h enter so #arge#" into the a((ount be)ore us! *ere due to &ure in'ention!

or un(ons(ious ha##u(ination. Mi#ner rear$s +Church (istory! II. 3?=,! 7I shou#d be ashaed! as *e## as

thin$ the #abor i## s&ent! to re(ite the stories at #ength *hi(h Su#&itius gi'es us;. See! on the other side!ardina# Ne*an6s)ssays on Miracles! &. 3CJ! C@?! (.

sulpicio the life of st. martin

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