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| Chapter IV. Martin retires from Military Service.
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Chapter IV.
Martin retires from Military Service.
In the meantime, as the
barbarians were rushing within the two divisions of Gaul, Julian
Cæsar,12
| 12 Commonly known as Julian
the Apostate. | bringing an army
together at the city13
| 13 This city was
called Borbetomagus, and is represented by the modern
Worms. | of the Vaugiones,
began to distribute a donative to the soldiers. As was the custom
in such a case, they were called forward, one by one, until it came to
the turn of Martin. Then, indeed, judging it a suitable opportunity for
seeking his discharge—for he did not think it would be proper for
him, if he were not to continue in the service, to receive a
donative—he said to Cæsar, “Hitherto I have served
you as a soldier: allow me now to become a soldier to God: let
the man who is to serve thee receive thy donative: I am the soldier of
Christ: it is not lawful for me to fight.” Then truly the tyrant
stormed on hearing such words, declaring that, from fear of the battle,
which was to take place on the morrow, and not from any religious
feeling, Martin withdrew from the service. But Martin, full of courage,
yea all the more resolute from the danger that had been set before him,
exclaims, “If this conduct of mine is ascribed to cowardice, and
not to faith, I will take my stand unarmed before the line of battle
tomorrow, and in the name of the Lord Jesus, protected by the sign of
the cross, and not by shield or helmet, I will safely penetrate the
ranks of the enemy.” He is ordered, therefore, to be thrust back
into prison, determined on proving his words true by exposing himself
unarmed to the barbarians. But, on the following day, the enemy sent
ambassadors to treat about peace and surrendered both themselves and
all their possessions. In these circumstances who can doubt that this
victory was due to the saintly man? It was granted him that he should
not be sent unarmed to the fight. And although the good Lord could have
preserved his own soldier, even amid the swords and darts of the enemy,
yet that his blessed eyes might not be pained by witnessing the death
of others, he removed all necessity for fighting. For Christ did not
require to secure any other victory in behalf of his own soldier, than
that, the enemy being subdued without bloodshed, no one should suffer
death.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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