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| Chapter XXIV. Martin is tempted by the Wiles of the Devil.
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Chapter XXIV.
Martin is tempted by the Wiles of the Devil.
It was found, again, that
about the same time there was a young man in Spain, who, having by many
signs obtained for himself authority among the people, was puffed up to
such a pitch that he gave himself out as being Elias. And when
multitudes had too readily believed this, he went on to say that he was
actually Christ; and he succeeded so well even in this delusion that a
certain bishop named Rufus worshiped him as being the Lord. For so
doing, we have seen this bishop at a later date deprived of his office.
Many of the brethren have also informed me that at the same time one
arose in the East, who boasted that he was John. We may infer from
this, since false prophets of such a kind have appeared, that the
coming of Antichrist is at hand; for he is already practicing in these
persons the mystery of iniquity. And truly I think this point should
not be passed over, with what arts the devil about this very time
tempted Martin. For, on a certain day, prayer39
| 39 “Prece” for
the usual reading “prae se.” |
having been previously offered, and the fiend himself being surrounded
by a purple light, in order that he might the more easily deceive
people by the brilliance of the splendor assumed, clothed also
in a royal robe, and with a
crown of precious stones and gold encircling his head, his shoes too
being inlaid with gold, while he presented a tranquil countenance, and
a generally rejoicing aspect, so that no such thought as that he was
the devil might be entertained—he stood by the side of Martin as
he was praying in his cell. The saint being dazzled by his first
appearance, both preserved a long and deep silence. This was first
broken by the devil, who said: “Acknowledge, Martin, who it is
that you behold. I am Christ; and being just about to descend to earth,
I wished first to manifest myself to thee.” When Martin kept
silence on hearing these words, and gave no answer whatever, the devil
dared to repeat his audacious declaration: “Martin, why do you
hesitate to believe, when you see? I am Christ.” Then Martin, the
Spirit revealing the truth to him, that he might understand it was the
devil, and not God, replied as follows: “The Lord Jesus did not
predict that he would come clothed in purple, and with a glittering
crown upon his head. I will not believe that Christ has come, unless he
appears with that appearance and form in which he suffered, and openly
displaying the marks of his wounds upon the cross.” On hearing
these words, the devil vanished like smoke, and filled the cell with
such a disgusting smell, that he left unmistakable evidences of his
real character. This event, as I have just related, took place in the
way which I have stated, and my information regarding it was derived
from the lips of Martin himself; therefore let no one regard it as
fabulous.40
| 40 In spite of the combined
testimony of Martin and Sulpitius here referred to, few will have any
doubts as to the real character of the narrative. | E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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