E07809: Gregory of Tours, in the prologue to Book 4 of his Miracles of Martin, discusses the saints' power of intercession, in the life and in the next, for those who seek their patronage. He refers to his own patron, *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050), and describes his own experiences of healing by Martin. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 588/594.
Creators: name: Dlambert
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2019
Subjects: History

description: Gregory of Tours, Miracles of Martin (Libri de virtutibus sancti Martini episcopi) Book 4, prologue<br><br>Saluberrimo nos hortatu propheta admonet, dicens: Honorandi sunt amici tui, Deus. Nihilhominus et in alio psalmo: Qui timentes Dominum magnificat, beatitudine copulatur domus aeternae. Ergo perspicue patet intellectui humano, quod admoneantur quique non solum inmunes a crimine, verum etiam noxialis criminis malo dediti, cultum reverentes reddere amicis Dei. Quae res non solum in praesenti saeculo tribuit beneficium, verum etiam praestat et refrigerium in futuro. Nam cum saepe videamus vir tutum insignia prodere de tumulis beatorum, non inmerito commovemur debitam eis honoris reverentiam inpendere, a quibus non desistimus infirmitatum remedia flagitare. Quorum precibus et ipsam peccaminum remissionem non dubitamus adipisci et non modo hanc mereri, verum ab infernalibus suppliciis eorum interventu salvari. Confidimus enim, quod, sicut hic morborum genera resecant, illic saevas tormentorum poenas avertant, et, sicut hic mitigant febres corporeas, illinc restingant aeternas, et, quomodo hic luridae leprae ulcera sordentia mundant, illic delictorum maculas mederi suo interventu obteneant, ac, sicut hic mortuorum cadavera ad vitam resuscitant, illic peccato sepultos, ex Acharonticis stagnis manu iniecta erutos, vitae aeternae restituant. Quocirca, dum unusquisque laetificatur in gaudio proprio sub patrono, tunc inpensius honorem reddit debitum, cum se senserit ab infirmitate qua detenebatur eius virtute mundatum; sicut nunc de beato ac toto orbi peculiare patrono Martino antistite et nos et innumeri populi sunt experti; et utinam ignavia mentis nostrae permitteret eum sic venerari, ut decet amicum Dei, qui, tantis in nos morborum obpressis generibus, plerumque restituit sanitati!<br><br>'The prophet warns us with very sound advice when he says: “God, your friends must be honored.” Likewise in another Psalm: “He who praises those who fear the Lord is united to the blessing of an eternal home” [cf. Ps. 15:4-5]. It is therefore clearly apparent to the human mind that not only those who are immune from crime but also those who are bound by the evil of injurious crime are advised to show respectful veneration for the friends of God. Not only is this something that is beneficial in this present world, but it also offers consolation in the future. For often whenever we witness the evidence of the miracles that appear at the tombs of the blessed [saints], we are deservedly motivated to show the honorable respect that is owed to these [saints] from whom we do not cease to request remedies for our afflictions. We do not doubt not only that we are worthy to acquire this remission for our sins through their prayers, but also that we are saved from the infernal torments through their intervention. For we believe that just as they restrain [all] kinds of illnesses here, so they deflect the ruthless penalties of torments there; that just as they alleviate bodily fevers here, so they quench the eternal flames there; that just as they cleanse the horrible ulcers of ghastly leprosy here, so through their intervention they obtain relief for the blemishes of sins there; and that just as they restore to life the bodies of the dead here, so there they extend their hand, dig up from the waters of the Acheron those buried in sin, and restore them to eternal life. As a result, each person then cheerfully rejoices under the protection of his own patron [saint] and more eagerly repays the honor that is owed, when he realizes that he has been cleansed by his patron’s power from the illness that he suffered; likewise now both I myself and countless others have experienced [the power of] the blessed bishop Martin, who is a special patron for the entire world. If only the worthlessness of my mind will allow him to be honored as is proper for a friend of God! For whenever different kinds of serious illnesses afflicted me, he often restored me to health.'<br><br><br>Text: Krusch 1969, 199. Translation: Van Dam 1993, 284-285.