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| Chapter V. Martin converts a Robber to the Faith.
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Chapter V.
Martin converts a Robber to the Faith.
From that time quitting
military service, Martin earnestly sought after the society of
Hilarius, bishop of the city Pictava,14
| 14 This city of the Pictones
(or Pictavi) who are mentioned by Cæsar, Bell Gall.
iii. 11. Their territory corresponded to the modern diocese of
Poitiers. | whose faith in
the things of God was then regarded as of high renown, and in universal
esteem. For some time Martin made his abode with him. Now, this same
Hilarius, having instituted him in the office of the diaconate,
endeavored still more closely to attach him to himself, and to bind him
by leading him to take part in Divine service. But when he constantly
refused, crying out that he was unworthy, Hilarius, as being a man of
deep penetration, perceived that he could only be constrained in this
way, if he should lay that sort of office upon him, in discharging
which there should seem to be a kind of injury done him. He therefore
appointed him to be an exorcist. Martin did not refuse this
appointment, from the fear that he might seem to have looked down upon
it as somewhat humble. Not long after this, he was warned in a dream
that he should visit his native land, and more particularly his
parents, who were still involved in heathenism, with a regard for their
religious interests. He set forth in accordance with the expressed wish
of the holy Hilarius, and, after being adjured by him with many prayers
and tears, that he would in due time return. According to report Martin
entered on that journey in a melancholy frame of mind, after calling
the brethren to witness that many sufferings lay before him. The result
fully justified this prediction. For, first of all, having followed
some devious paths among the Alps, he fell into the hands of robbers.
And when one of them lifted up his axe and poised it above
Martin’s head, another of them met with his right hand the blow
as it fell; nevertheless, having had his hands bound behind his back,
he was handed over to one of them to be guarded and stripped. The
robber, having led him to a private place apart from the rest, began to
enquire of him who he was. Upon this, Martin replied that he was a
Christian. The robber next asked him whether he was afraid. Then indeed
Martin most courageously replied that he never before had felt so safe,
because he knew that the mercy of the Lord would be especially present
with him in the midst of trials. He added that he grieved rather for
the man in whose hands he was, because, by living a life of robbery, he
was showing himself unworthy of the mercy of Christ. And then entering
on a discourse concerning Evangelical truth, he preached the word of
God to the robber. Why should I delay stating the result? The robber
believed; and, after expressing his respect for Martin, he restored him
to the way, entreating him to pray the Lord for him. That same robber
was afterwards
seen leading
a religious life; so that, in fact, the narrative I have given above is
based upon an account furnished by himself.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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