Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/237

 and one  of  them  straightway  lifted  up  his  ax,

wishing to  slay  him;    but  another  forewarned  him

so that  he  caught  the  helve  and  restrained  the  blow.

He was,  nevertheless,  bound  with  his  hands  behind  his  back,

and committed  to  one  of  them  that  he  might  plunder  him.

Then this  man  began  to  question  him  whether  he  was  afraid,

or what  manner  of  man  he  was,  or  if  he  was  a  Christian.

Then Martin  answered  him  boldly,  and  said

that he  had  never  been  so  untroubled  in  all  his  life,

because he  knew  God's  mercy

was at  hand  most  especially  in  temptations;

and said  that  he  sorrowed  the  rather  for  the  other's  error,

because he  was  unworthy  of  God's  mercy.

Therewith he  began  to  preach  the  gospel  doctrine

so long  a  while  to  the  robber  till  he  believed  in  God,

and followed  Martin,  earnestly  entreating  him

that he  would  pray  for  him;  and  he  thenceforward  continued

in a  pious  life,  and  afterward  made  this  known  to  us.

As he  was  coming  to  Milan  he  met  a  devil

in a  human  form,  who  asked  Martin

whither he  was  journeying. Then the  Saint  said  to  him

that he  was  going  whither  the  Lord  had  called  him.

Then the  demon  said  to  him  straightway  in  answer;

'whithersoever thou  goest,  or  whatsoever  thou  beginnest,

the devil   shall    be   thine   adversary.'     And   the    holy   man    said to  him,

'the Lord  is  a  succour  to  me;  I  fear  not  what  man  may  do  to  me; '

and straightway  the  devil  vanished  from  his  sight.

Then Martin  journeyed  forward  as  he  had  intended,

and converted  his  mother  to  the  worship  of  God

and to  holy  baptism,  though  his  father  would  not

turn from  error;    and  yet,  by  God's  assistance,

Martin rightly  directed  many  of  the  people.

Then sprang  up  over  all  the  world  the  Arian  heresy,

and Martin  with  faith  strongly  contended  against  it

until he  was  tortured  with  cruel  torments,