Fuga sæculi. Or The holy hatred of the world Conteyning the liues of 17. holy confessours of Christ, selected out of sundry authors. Written in Italian by the R. Fa. Iohn-Peter Maffæus of the Society of Iesus. And translated into English by H.H.

The singular Charity of S. Martyn to a poore man. And how he leaues the warres, and betakes him to another Course. Chap. 2.

THe Roman Army, at this tyme, was lodged in France, in ex∣ceeding cold places, and in the hart of a winter much more cruell, then vsed to be in that place; in so much as many men, euen dyed frozen in the streetes. Now it happened, in the Gate of Amiens, that a poore man, quaking with his naked body exposed to the shar∣penes

of the ayre, very pittifully craued some succour of the soul∣diours, that passed then along, in the company of S. Martyn; and the wretch being not heeded by any of them, M. Martyn apprehended straight, how that merit by the diuine prouidence, was reserued for him. But what could he do, in such a case? He had not a penny of mony about him, hauing now already spent all, in other Almes: And in fyne, had nothing els but his armes, and a short cloake on his back. What resolution tooke then the Man of God? Taking out his sword, of a sudden, he diuided the same into halfes, and giues the one part therof, to the wretch, and the other keepes to himselfe to couer him the best he could. At the sight of such a strang habit, & remnant of cloath, as some of the more youthfull of them, could hardly conteyne themselues from laughing, so others more stayed then they, were worthily touched ther with, as knowing how wel they might haue cloathed him, without despoyling of themselues.

Now in truth, how much God was pleased with this charity of S. Martyn, he seemed to demonstrate the night following, appea∣ring before him, with that piece of garment, on his owne person, and bidding him to looke and marke well, whether it were not the Garment he had giuen to the poore man, the day before. Wherup•…•… with a sweet countenance turning himself to a multitude of Angels which attended him, he added with a lowd voyce: Martyn, b•…•…g but yet a Catechumen, hath clothed me with this mantle. Words surely well worthy of the bowels of Christ, and agreeable to those other, which he sayd, conuersing with men, and which he will repeate agayne, at the Iudgement day: Quamdiu vni de minimis meis fecistis, mihi 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cistis.

From this so noble a vision S. Martyn tooke not a whit of vayne glory, but acknowledging and magnifying in all, and through all the heauenly grace; he tooke rather a motiue thence of greater hu∣mility and diligence, in the diuine seruice. So as without more de∣lay, he hyed him to Baptisme, being then about eighteen yeares of age, and withall to giue himselfe more freely to a perfect life, he was euen ready to bid adieu to the military state, but being constreyned through the importunity of his Tribune (who hauing finished his office, promised to follow him,) he differed yet the execution of his holy purpose, for the space of two yeares: in all which 〈◊〉〈◊〉, remayning in person in the field, he had his thoughts in the Cell, and Quire, so as well he may be sayd a Souldiour, by name, rather

then exercise.

In the meane tyme, a huge Army of Almans, being entred into •…•…ance, which did nothing but wast the Roman Empire, Iulianus •…•…sar, being sent by Constantius, to that seruice, made the leuy of his •…•…en, in the territory of the Vangion, which at this day is called Spire, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as others would haue it, to be that of Wormes, where before his cō∣•…•…ing to encounter with the Enemy, he would needs haue giuen a •…•…rgesse to the Souldiours. They began then, according to custome 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be called one by one, before the Maister of the Campe. Where∣upon S. Martyn, esteming this, to be a good occasion for him to take •…•…is leaue, when it came to his turne, with Christian liberty, said to •…•…esar. Hitherto, haue I beene at your pay, now then do but graunt •…•…e leaue to become a souldiour of Christ: as for my part of the do∣•…•…ation, be it giuen to others, since it is not lawfull for me any more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 embrew my selfe in bloud.

At these words, the Fyrant being angry, lookt sowrely vpon •…•…im, and said, that Martin had craued licence, not so much for deuo∣•…•…on sake, as for feare of the battaile, which was to be on the day fol∣•…•…owing: Then the seruant of God, so much more bold and vndaun∣ed, as the feare was greater they obiected to him: Behold answered •…•…e, O Caesar, whether my refusing mony, do seeme rather to spring of feare, then piety. Tomorrow, am I ready, on the point of ioy∣•…•…ing battayle, to present my selfe, before the first ranckes, with∣out Target, or Helmet, or other armes, but only with the signe of the holy Crosse, and with this confidence alone, to thrust my selfe •…•…o the thickest squadrons of those barbarous people. With this so couragious an answere, Iulian being in censed much the more, cau∣•…•…d him suddenly to be put in prison, to come to the proofe, and •…•…o expose him vnarmed, to the face of the enemy.

This thing gaue much matter of talke to the whole Army, and with diuers affects of mynd, they were all expecting the yssue; when betymes in the morning, behold, beyond all ectpectation, •…•…e Embassadour of that fierce Nation, came in with Heralds, and •…•…nterpreters, not only to craue peace, but also to submit themsel∣•…•…es humbly to the obedience of Caesar. This matter was held of all, •…•…o proceed from Heauen, and such as were priuy to the sanctity of S. Martin, in particular, attributed without doubt, so suddayne a •…•…utation, and so greet as Victory so easily gotten to nothing els, •…•…en to his merits, because there wanted not meanes, to the diuine

power, to saue him amidst a thousand swords & launces, and to d•…•… comfite, and put to flight, as many as should attempt to offend him: notwithstanding it seemed to be more conformable to th•…•… sweet disposition of the eternall prouidence, and more agreable t•…•… the peacefull nature, and manners of S. Martin, to free him rather by the way of such an accord, then by the meanes of death, and slaughter.