'A wonderful story is told about St. Martin of Tours, who was born in what is now Hungary about forty years before Augustine and whose early career was as a Roman soldier. Probably when still in his twenties, he had a dramatic conversion to Christianiaty, abandoned military life, and eventually founded one of the first Christian monastic communities. The story says that because Martin and his fellow monks acheived such deep piety and lived such pure and righteous lives, Satan was angered and began to appear to Martin and tempt him to sin. Failing at that, the Evil One turned, as he so often has throughout his career, to biblical exegesis. Does not the Lord himself counsel us to be perfect (Matt. 5:48)? Does not St. Paul the Apostle simply assume that he and his fellow Christians are perfect (Phil. 3:15)? Does not the beloved disciple John say that whoever abides in Christ does not sin (1 John 3:6)? Yet Martin and his monks still, sometimes, sin; they are therefore damned. The wages of sin is death. They belong to Satan, not to God: it is clearly demonstrated in Scripture itself!
To this Martin replied - so says the tale - O Prince of this world. not only can I and my monks be saved, thanks to the infinite mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, but you too, if you repent, can be saved! It is not too late! Turn from your dark ways, your rebellion, your pride! Turn to the God who loves you, beg his pardon, and He will forgive! And upon hearing these words Satan departed from Martin and troubled him no further.
This is, I think, my favourite story about any saint. Such zeal for the Gospel! And such hopefulness, to think even the Great Rebel himself is capable of ammendment of life! And why not?'
Alan Jacobs, Original Sin, p.88.
