Chapter VII.
Martin restores a Catechumen to Life.
Hilarius had already
gone away, so Martin followed in his footsteps; and having been most
joyously welcomed by him, he established for himself a monastery not
far from the town. At this time a certain catechumen joined him, being
desirous of becoming instructed in the doctrines
and habits of the most holy man. But, after the lapse only of a few
days, the catechumen, seized with a languor, began to suffer from a
violent fever. It so happened that Martin had then left home, and
having remained away three days, he found on his return that life had
departed from the catechumen; and so suddenly had death occurred, that
he had left this world without receiving baptism. The body being laid
out in public was being honored by the last sad offices on the part of
the mourning brethren, when Martin hurries up to them with tears and
lamentations. But then laying hold, as it were, of the Holy Spirit, with the whole powers of his mind, he orders the others to quit the cell in which the body was lying; and bolting the door, he stretches himself at full length on the dead limbs of the departed brother. Having given himself for some time to earnest prayer, and perceiving by means of the Spirit of God that power was present, he then rose up for a little, and gazing on the countenance of the deceased, he waited without misgiving for the result of his prayer and of the mercy of the Lord. And scarcely had the space of two hours elapsed, when he saw the dead man begin to move a little in all his members, and to tremble with his eyes opened for the practice of sight. Then indeed, turning to the Lord with a loud voice and giving thanks, he filled the cell with his ejaculations. Hearing the noise, those who had been standing at the door immediately rush inside. And truly a marvelous spectacle met them, for they beheld the man alive whom they had formerly left dead. Thus being restored to life, and having immediately obtained baptism, he lived for many years afterwards; and he was the first who offered himself to us both as a subject that had experienced the virtues of Martin, and as a witness to their existence. The same man was wont to relate that, when he left the body, he was brought before the tribunal of the Judge, and being assigned to gloomy regions and vulgar crowds, he
received a severe sentence. Then, however, he added, it was
suggested by two angels of the Judge that he was the man for whom
Martin was praying; and that, on this account, he was ordered to be led
back by the same angels, and given up to Martin, and restored to his
former life. From this time forward, the name of the sainted man became
illustrious, so that, as being reckoned holy by all, he was also deemed
powerful and truly apostolical.