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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/6515.txt b/6515.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c30a1ed --- /dev/null +++ b/6515.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8159 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook Forbidden Gospels and Epistles, by Wake, v9 +#9 in our series by Archbishop Wake + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**EBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These EBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers***** + + +Title: Forbidden Gospels and Epistles, Volume 9, Hermas + +Author: Archbishop Wake + +Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6515] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on December 25, 2002] +[This file was last updated on January 22, 2003 + +Edition: 11 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + + + + + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FORBIDDEN GOSPELS, BY WAKE, v9 *** + + + +This eBook was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net> +Additional proofing was done by Curtis A. Weyant + + + + + + THE + SUPPRESSED + GOSPELS AND EPISTLES + OF THE ORIGINAL + NEW TESTAMENT + OF + JESUS THE CHRIST + + AND OTHER PORTIONS OF THE ANCIENT HOLY SCRIPTURES. + NOW EXTANT, ATTRIBUTED TO + HIS APOSTLES, AND THEIR DISCIPLES, + AND VENERATED BY THE PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES DURING + THE FIRST FOUR CENTURIES, + BUT SINCE, AFTER VIOLENT DISPUTATIONS + FORBIDDEN BY THE + BISHOPS OF THE NICENE COUNCIL, + IN THE REIGN OF THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE + AND OMITTED FROM THE CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANT + EDITIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, BY ITS COMPILERS + + TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL TONGUES, WITH HISTORICAL + REFERENCES TO THEIR AUTHENTICITY, + + BY + ARCHBISHOP WAKE + AND OTHER + LEARNED DIVINES + + + + + + THE FIRST PART OF THE + BOOK OF HERMAS CALLED HIS VISION. + + +VISION I. + + 1 Against filthy and proud thoughts; + 20 also the neglect of Hermas in chastising his children. + +HE who had bred me up sold a +certain young maid at Rome; +whom when I saw many years +after, I remembered her, and +began to love her as a sister. +It happened some time afterwards, +that I saw her washing in the river. +Tyber; and I reached out my hand +unto her, and brought her out of +the river, + +2 And when I saw her I thought +with myself, saying, How happy +should I be if I had such a wife, +both for beauty and manners. +This I thought with myself; nor +did I think any thing more. But +not long after, as I was walking, +and musing on these thoughts, I +began to honour this creature of +God, thinking with myself; how +noble and beautiful she was. + +3 And when I had walked a little, +I fell asleep; and the spirit +caught me away, and carried me +through a certain place towards +the right hand, through which no +man could pass. It was a place +among rocks, very steep, and +unpassable for water. + +4 When I was past this place, +I came into a plain; and there +falling down upon my knees, I +began to pray unto the Lord, and +to confess my sins. + +5 And as I was praying, the +heaven was opened, and I saw the +woman which I had coveted, +saluting me from heaven, and +saying, Hermas, hail! and I looking +upon her, answered, Lady, what +dost thou do here? She answered +me, I am taken up hither to accuse +thee of sin before the Lord. + +6 Lady, said I, wilt thou +convince me? No, said she: but +hear the words which I am about +to speak unto thee. God who +dwelleth in heaven, and hath made +all things out of nothing, and +hath multiplied them for his holy +church's sake, is angry with thee +because thou hast sinned against +me. + +7 And I answering said unto +her, Lady, if I have sinned against +thee, tell me where, or in what +place, or when did I ever speak +an unseemly or dishonest word +unto thee? + +8 Have I not always esteemed +thee as a lady? Have I not always +reverenced thee as a sister? Why +then dost thou imagine these +wicked things against me? + +9 Then she, smiling upon me, +said: the desire of naughtiness +has risen up in thy heart. Does +it not seem to thee to be an ill +thing for a righteous man to have +an evil desire rise up in his heart. + +10 It is indeed a sin, and that a +very great sin, to such a one; for +a righteous man thinketh that +which is righteous. And whilst +he does so, and walketh uprightly, +he shall have the Lord in heaven +favourable unto him in all his +business. + +11 But as for those who think +wickedly in their hearts, they take +to themselves death and captivity; +and especially those who love this +present world, and glory in their +riches, and regard not the good +things that are to come; their +souls wander up and down and +know not where to fix. + +12 Now this is the case of such +as are double-minded, who trust +not in the Lord, and despise and +neglect their own life. + +13 But do thou pray unto the +Lord, and he will heal thy sins, +and the sins of thy whole house, +and of all his saints. + +14 As soon as she had spoken +these words the heaven were shut, +and I remained utterly swallowed +up with sadness and fear: and +said within myself, if this be laid +against me for sin, how can I be +saved. + +15 Or how should I ever be able +to entreat the Lord for my many +and great sins? With what words +shall I beseech him to be merciful +unto me? + +16 As I was thinking over these +things, and meditating in myself +upon them, behold a chair was +set over against me of the whitest +wool, as bright as snow. + +17 And there came an old woman +in a bright garment, having +a book in her hand, and sat alone, +and saluted me, saying, Hermas, +hail! and I being full of sorrow +and weeping, answered, Hail Lady! + +18 And she said unto me, Why +art thou sad, Hermas, who wert +wont to be patient, and modest, +and always cheerful? I answered, +and said to her, Lady, a reproach +has been laid to my charge by an +excellent woman, who tells me +that I have sinned against her. + +19 She replied, Far be any such +thing from the servant of God. +But it may be the desire of her +has risen up in thy heart? For +indeed such a thought maketh the +servants of God guilty of sin. + +20 Nor ought such a detestable +thought to be in the servant of +God: nor should he who is approved +by the Spirit desire that which +is evil; but especially Hermas, +who contains himself from all +wicked lusts, and is full of all +simplicity, and of great innocence. + +21 Nevertheless the Lord is +not so much angry with thee for +thine own sake, as upon the +account of thy house, which has +committed wickedness against the +Lord, and against their parents. + +22 And for that out of thy +fondness towards thy sons, thou +hast not admonished thy house, +but hast permitted them to live +wickedly; for this cause the Lord +is angry with thee: but he will heal +all the evils that are done in thy +house. For through their sins +and iniquities, thou art wholly +consumed in secular affairs. + +23 But now the mercy of God +hath taken compassion upon thee, +and upon thine house, and hath +greatly comforted thee. Only +as for thee, do not wander, but be +of an even mind, and comfort thy +house. + +24 As the workman bringing +forth his work, offers it to +whomsoever he pleaseth; so shalt +thou by teaching every day what +is just, cut off a great sin. +Wherefore cease not to admonish thy +sons, for the Lord knows that they +will repent with all their heart, +and they shall be written in the +book of life. + +25 And when she had said this, +she added unto me; Wilt thou +hear me read? I answered her, +Lady, I will. + +26 Hear then, said she; +and opening the book she read, +gloriously, greatly. and wonderfully, +such things as I could not keep in +my memory. For they were terrible +words, such as no man could bear. + +27 How it be I committed her +last words to my remembrance; +for they were but few, and of great +use to us:-- + +28 Behold the mighty Lord, who +by his invisible power, and with +his excellent wisdom made the +world, and by his glorious counsel +beautified his creature, and with +the word of his strength fixed the +heaven, and founded the earth +upon the waters; and by his +powerful virtue established the +Holy Church, which he hath +blessed. + +29 Behold he will remove the +heavens, and the mountains, the +hills, and the seas; and all things +shall be made plain for his elect; +that he may render unto them the +promise which he has promised, +with much honour and joy; if so +be that they shall keep the +commandments of God, which they +have received with great faith. + +30 And when she had made an end +of reading, she rose out of the +chair; and behold four young men +came, and carried the chair to +the east. + +31 And she called me unto her, +and touched my breast, and said +unto me, Did my reading please +thee? I answered, Lady, these +last things please me; but what +went before was severe and hard. + +32 She said unto me, these last +things are for the righteous, but +the foregoing for the revolters and +heathen. + +33 And as she was talking with +me, two men appeared, and took +her upon their shoulders, and +went to the east where the chair +was. + +34 And she went cheerfully +away; and as she was going, said +unto me, Hermas, be of good +cheer. + + + +VISION II. + + Again, of his neglect in correcting his talkative wife; + and of his lewd sons. + +AS I was on the way to Cuma, +about the same time that I +went the year before, I began to +call to mind the vision I formerly +had. And again the spirit carried +me away, and brought me into the +same place, in which I had been +the year before. + +2 And when I was come into the +place, I fell down upon my knees, +and began to pray unto the Lord, +and to glorify his name, that he +had esteemed me worthy, and had +manifested unto me my former +sins. + +3 And when I arose from prayer, +behold I saw over against me the +old woman whom I had seen the +last year, walking and reading +in a certain book. + +4 And she said unto me, Canst +thou tell these things to the +elect of God? I answered and said +unto her, Lady, I cannot retain +so many things in my memory, but +give me the book, and I will write +them down. + +5 Take it, says she, and see that +thou restore it again to me. + +6 As soon as I had received it, +I went aside into a certain place +of the field, and transcribe every +letter, for I found no syllables. + +7 And as soon as I had finished +what was written in the book, the +book was suddenly caught out of +my hand, but by whom I saw not. + +8 After fifteen days, when I +had fasted, and entreated the Lord +with all earnestness, the knowledge +of the writing was revealed unto me. +Now the writing was this:-- + +9 Thy seed, O Hermas! hath +sinned against the Lord, and have +betrayed their parents, through +their great wickedness. And they +have been called the betrayers of +their parents, and have gone on in +their treachery. + +10 And now have they added +lewdness to their other sins, and +the pollutions of their naughtiness: +thus have they filled up the measure +of their iniquities. But do thou +upbraid thy sons with all these +words; and thy wife, who shall be +as thy sister; and let her learn +to refrain her tongue, with which +she calumniates. + +11 And when she shall hear these +things, she will refrain herself, +and shall obtain mercy. + +12 And they also shall be +instructed, when thou shalt have +reproached them with these words, +which the Lord has commanded to +be revealed unto them. + +13 Then shall their sins be +forgiven, which they have heretofore +committed, and the sins of all the +saints who have sinned even unto +this day; if they shall repent with +all their hearts, and remove all +doubts out of their hearts. + +14 For the Lord hath sworn by +his glory concerning his elect, +having determined this very time, +that if any one shall even now +sin, he shall not be saved. + +15 For the repentance of the +righteous has its end; the days of +repentance are fulfilled to all the +saints; but to the heathen, there +is repentance even unto the last +day. + +16 Thou shalt therefore say to +those who are over the church, +that they order their ways in +righteousness; so that they may +fully receive the promise with +much glory. + +17 Stand fast therefore ye that +work righteousness and continue +to do it, that your departure may +be with the holy angels. + +18 Happy are ye, as many as +shall endure the great trial that is +at hand, and whosoever shall not +deny his life. + +19 For the Lord hath sworn by +his Son, that whoso, denieth his +Son and HIM, being afraid of his +life, he will also deny him in the +world that is to come. + +20 But those who shall never +deny him, he will of his exceeding +great mercy be favourable unto +them. + +21 But thou, O Hermas! remember +not the evils which thy sons have +done, neither neglect thy sister, +but take care that they amend of +their former sins. + +22 For they will be instructed +by this doctrine, if thou shalt not +be mindful of what they have done +wickedly. + +23 For the remembrance of evils +worketh death, but the forgetting +of them eternal life. + +24 But thou, O Hermas! hast +undergone a great many worldly +troubles for the offences of thy +house, because thou hast neglected +them, as things that did not belong +unto thee; and thou art wholly +taken up with thy great business. + +25 Nevertheless, for this cause +shalt thou be saved, that thou hast +not departed from the living God, +and thy simplicity and singular +continency shall preserve thee, if +thou shalt continue in them. + +26 Yes, they shall save all such +as do such things, and walk in +innocence and simplicity. + +27 They who are of this kind +shall prevail against all impiety, +and continue until life eternal. + +28 Happy are all they that do +righteousness, they shall not be +consumed for ever. + +29 But thou wilt say, Behold +there is a great trial coming. If +it seem good to thee, deny him +again. + +30 The Lord is nigh to them that +turn to him, as it is written in +the book of Heldam and Modal, +who prophesied to the people of +Israel in the wilderness. + +31 Moreover, brethren, it was +revealed to me, as I was sleeping, +by a very goodly young man, saying +unto me, What thinkest thou of that +old woman from whom thou receivedst +the book; who is she? I answered, +a Sybil. + +32 Thou art mistaken said he, +she is not. I replied, Who is she +then, sir? He answered me, It is +the church of God. + +33 And I said unto him, Why +then does she appear old? She is +therefore, said he, an old woman, +because she was the first of all +the creation, and the world was +made for her. + +34 After this I saw a vision at +home in my own house, and the +old woman, whom I had seen before, +came to me and asked me whether +I had yet delivered her book to +the elders of the church? And +I answered, that I had not yet. + +35 She replied, Thou hast well +done, for I have certain words +more to tell thee. But when I +shall have finished all the words, +they shall be clearly understood +by the elect. + +36 And thou shalt write two +books, and send one to Clement +and one to Grapte. For Clement +shall send it to the foreign cities, +because it is permitted to him so +to do: but Grapte shall admonish +the widows and orphans. + +37 But thou shalt read in this +city with the elders of the church. + + + +VISION III. + + Of the building of the church triumphant, + and of the several sorts of reprobates. + +THE vision which I saw, brethren, +was this. + +2 When I had often fasted and +prayed unto the Lord, that he +would manifest unto me the +revelation, which he had promised +by the old woman to show unto me; +the same night she appeared unto +me, and said unto me, + +3 Because thou dost thus afflict +thyself, and art so desirous to know +all things, come into the field, +where thou wilt, and about the +sixth hour, I will appear unto thee, +and show thee what thou must +see. + +4 I asked her, saying; Lady, +into what part of the field? She +answered, wherever thou wilt, only +choose a good and a private place. +And before I began to speak and +tell her the place, she said unto +me; I will come where thou wilt. + +5 I was therefore, brethren in +the field and I observed the hours, +and came into the place where I +had appointed her to come. + +6 And I beheld a bench placed; +it was a linen pillow, and over it +spread a covering of fine linen. + +7 When I saw these things ordered +in this manner, and that there was +nobody in the place, I began to be +astonished, and my hair stood on end, +and a, kind of horror seized me; +for I was alone. + +8 But being come to myself, +and calling to mind the glory of +God, and taking courage, I fell +down upon my knees and began +again to confess my sins as before. + +9 And whilst I was doing this, +the old woman came thither with +the six young men whom I had +seen before, and stood behind me +as I was praying, and heard me +praying and confessing my sins +unto the Lord. + +10 And touching me, she said; +Leave off praying now only for thy +sins; pray also for righteousness, +that thou mayest receive a part of +it in thy house. + +11 And she lifted me up from +the place, and took me by the +hand, and brought me to the seat; +and said to the young men, go, +and build. + +12 As soon as they were departed, +and we were alone, she said unto me; +sit here. I answered her; Lady, +let those who are elder sit first. +She replied, Sit down as I bid you. + +13 And when I would have sat +on the right side, she suffered me +not, but made a sign to me with +her hand, that I should sit on the +left. + +14 As I was therefore musing, +and full of sorrow, that she would +not suffer me to sit on the right +side, she said unto me, Hermas, +why art thou sad? + +15 The place which is on the +right hand is theirs who have +already attained unto God, and have +suffered for his name-sake. But +there is yet a great deal remaining +unto thee, before thou canst sit +with them. + +16 But continue as thou doest, +in thy sincerity, and thou shalt sit +with them; as all others shall, +who do their works, and shall bear +what they have borne. + +17 I said to her; Lady, I would +know what it is that they have +suffered? Hear then, said she: +wild beasts, scourgings, +imprisonments, and crosses +for his name-sake. + +18 For this cause the right hand +of holiness belongs to them, and +to all others as many as shall +suffer for the name of God; but +the left belongs to the rest. + +19 Howbeit the gifts and the +promises belong to both, to them +on the right, and to those on the +left hand; only that sitting on the +right hand they have some glory +above the others. + +20 But thou art desirous to sit +on the right hand with them, and +yet thy defects are many. But +thou shalt be purged from thy +defects, as also all who doubt not +shall be cleansed from all the sins +which they have committed unto +this day. + +21 And when she had said this +she would have departed. + +22 Wherefore, falling down before +her feet, I began to entreat her, +for the Lord's sake, that she +would show me the vision which +she had promised. + +23 Then she again took me by +the hand, and lifted me up, and +made me sit upon the seat at the +left side; and holding up a certain +bright wand, said unto me, Seest +thou that great thing? I replied, +Lady, I see nothing. + +24 She answered, Dost thou not +see over against thee a great tower, +which is built upon the water with +bright square stones? + +25 For the tower was built upon +a square by these six young men +that came with her. + +26 But many thousand of other +men brought stones; some drew +them out of the deep, others +carried them from the ground, +and gave them to the six young men; +and they took them and built. + +27 As for those stones which +were drawn out of the deep, they +put them all into the building; +for they were polished, and their +squares exactly answered one another, +and so one was joined in such wise +to the other, that there was no +space to be seen where they +joined, insomuch that the whole +tower appeared to be built as it +were of one stone. + +28 But as for the other stones +that were taken off from the +ground, some of them they rejected, +others they fitted into the building. + +29 As for those which were rejected, +some they cut out, and cast them +at a distance from the tower; +but many others of them lay round +about the tower, which they made +no use of in the building. + +30 For some of these were +rough, others had clefts in them, +others were white and round, not +proper for the building of the +tower. + +31 But I saw the other stones +cast afar off from the tower, and +falling into the high-way, and yet +not continuing in the way, but +were rolled from the way into a +desert place. + +32 Others I saw falling into the +fire and burning; others fell near +the water, yet could not roll +themselves into it, though very +desirous to fall into the water. + +33 And when she had showed +me these things she would have +departed; but I said to her, Lady, +what doth it profit me to see these +things, and not understand what +they mean? + +34 She answered and said unto +me; You are very cunning, in +that you are desirous to know +those things which relate to the +tower. Yea, said I, lady, that I +may declare them unto the brethren, +and they may rejoice, and hearing +these things may glorify God +with great glory. + +35 Then she said, Many indeed +shall hear them, and when they +shall have heard them, some shall +rejoice, and others weep. And +yet even these, if they shall +repent, shall rejoice too. + +36 Hear therefore what I shall +say concerning the parable of the +tower, and after this be no longer +importunate with me about the +revelation. + +37 For these revelations have +an end, seeing they are fulfilled. +But thou dost not leave off to +desire revelations, for thou art +very urgent. + +38 As for the tower which thou +seest built, it is myself, namely, +the church, which have appeared +to thee both now and heretofore. +Wherefore ask what thou wilt +concerning the tower, and I will +reveal it unto thee, that thou +mayest rejoice with the saints. + +39 I said unto her, Lady, +because thou hast thought me once +worthy to receive from thee the +revelation of all these things, +declare them unto me. + +40 She answered me, Whatsoever +is fit to be revealed unto thee +shall be revealed: only yet thy +heart be with the Lord, and doubt +not, whatsoever thou shalt see. + +41 I asked her, Lady, why is the +tower built upon the water? She +replied, I said before to thee that +thou wert very wise to inquire +diligently concerning the building, +therefore thou shalt find the truth. + +42 Hear therefore why the tower +is built upon the water: because +your life is and shall be saved by +water. For it is founded by the +word of the almighty and honourable +name, and is supported by the +invisible power and virtue of God. + +43 And I answering, said +unto her, These things are very +admirable; but, lady, who are +those six young men that build? + +44 They are, said she, the angels +of God, who were first appointed, +and to whom the Lord has delivered +all his creatures, to frame and +build them up, and to rule over +them. For by these the building +of the tower shall be finished. + +45 And who are the rest who +bring them stones? + +46 They also are the holy angels +of the Lord; but the others are +more excellent than these. Wherefore +when the whole building of the +tower shall be finished, they +shall all feast together beside +the tower, and shall glorify God, +because the structure of the +tower is finished. + +47 I asked her, saying, I would +know the condition of the stones, +and what the meaning of them +is? + +48 She answering, said unto +me, Art thou better than all others +that this should be revealed unto +thee? For others are both before +thee and better than thou art, +to whom these visions should be +made manifest. + +49 Nevertheless, that the name +of God may be glorified, it has been +shown and shall be revealed unto +thee, for the sake of those who are +doubtful, and think in their hearts +whether these things are so or not. + +50 Tell them that all these +things are true, and that there is +nothing in them that is not true +but all are firm and truly +established. + +51 Hear now then concerning +the stones that are in the building. + +52 The square and white stones +which agree exactly in their joints, +are the apostles, and bishops, and +doctors, and ministers, who +through the mercy of God have +come in, and governed, and taught +and ministered holily and modestly +to the elect of God, both they +that have fallen asleep, and which +yet remain; and have always +agreed with them, and have had +peace within themselves, and have +heard each other. + +53 For which cause their joints +exactly meet together in the building +of the tower. + +54 They which are drawn out +of the deep and put into the +building, and whose joints agree +with the other stones which are +already built, are those which are +already fallen asleep, and have +suffered for the sake of the Lord's +name. + +55 And what are the other +stones, lady, that are brought +from the earth? I would know +what are they. + +56 She answered, They which +lie upon the ground and are not +polished, are those which God has +approved, because they have +walked in I the law of the Lord, +and directed their ways in his +commandments. + +57 They which are brought and +put in the building of the tower, +are the young in faith and the +faithful. And these are admonished +by the angels to do well because +iniquity is not found in them. + +58 But who are those whom they +rejected, and laid beside the tower? + +59 They are such as have sinned +and are willing to repent; for +which cause they are not cast far +from the tower, because they will +be useful for the building, if they +shall repent. + +60 They therefore that are yet +to repent, if they repent they shall +become strong in the faith; that +is, if they repent now, whilst the +tower is building. For if the +building shall be finished there +will then be no place for them to +be put in, but they shall be rejected; +for he only has this privilege who +shall now be put into the tower. + +61 But would you know who +they are that were cut out, and +cast afar off from the tower? +Lady said I, I desire it. + +62 They are the children of iniquity, +who believed only in hypocrisy, +and departed not from their evil +ways; for this cause they shall not +be saved, because they are not of +any use in the building by reason +of their sins. + +63 Wherefore they are cut out, +and cast afar off, because of the +anger of the Lord, and because +they have provoked him to anger +against them. + +64 As for the great number of +other stones which thou hast seen +placed about the tower, but now +put into the building; those which +are rugged, are they who have +known the truth, but have not +continued in it, nor been joined +to the saints, and therefore are +unprofitable. + +65 Those that have clefts in +them, are they that keep up discord +in their hearts against each other, +and live not in peace; that are +friendly when present with their +brethren, but as soon as they are +departed from one another, their +wickedness still continues in +their hearts: these are the clefts +which are seen in those stones. + +66 Those that are maimed and +short, are they who have believed +indeed, but still are in great +measure full of wickedness; for +this cause they are maimed and +not whole. + +67 But what are the white and +round stones, lady, and which are +not proper for the building of the +tower? + +68 She answering said unto +me: How long wilt thou continue +foolish and without understanding, +asking everything and discerning +nothing? + +69 They are such as have faith +indeed, but have withal the riches +of this present world. When +therefore any troubles arise, for +the sake of their riches and traffic, +they deny the Lord. + +70 I answering, said unto her, +When therefore will they be +profitable to the Lord? When their +riches shall be cut away, says she, +in which they take delight, then +they will be profitable unto the +Lord for his building. + +71 For as a round stone, unless +it be cut away and is cast somewhat +of its bulk, cannot be made square, +so they who are rich in this world; +unless their riches be pared off; +cannot be made profitable unto the +Lord. + +72 Learn this from thy own +experience: when thou wert rich, +thou wast unprofitable; but now +thou art profitable, and fit for the +life which thou hast undertaken; +for thou also once was one of +those stones. + +73 As for the rest of the stones +which thou sawest cast afar +off from the tower, and running in +the way, and tumbled out of the +way into desert places; they are +such as have believed indeed, +but through their doubting have +forsaken the true way, thinking that +they could find a better. But they +wander and are miserable, going +into desolate ways. + +74 Then for those stones which +fell into the fire and were burnt, +they are those who have for ever +departed from the living God; +nor doth it ever come into their +hearts to repent, by reason of the +affection which they bear to their +lusts and wickedness which they +commit. + +75 And what are the rest which +fell by the water, and could not +roll into the water? + +76 They are such as have heard +the word, and were willing to be +baptised in the name of the Lord; +but considering the great holiness +which the truth requires, have +withdrawn themselves, an walked +again after wicked lusts. + +77 Thus she finished the +explanation of the tower. + +78 But I being still urgent, +asked her, Is there repentance +allowed to all those stones which +are thus cast away, and were not +suitable to the building of the +tower; and shall they find place +in this tower? + +79 They may repent, said she, +yet they cannot come into this +tower; but, they shall be placed +in a much lower rank, and then +only after they shall have been +afflicted and fulfilled the days of +their sins. + +80 And for this cause they shall +be removed, because they have +received the word of righteousness: +and then they shall be translated +from their afflictions, if they +shall have a true sense in their +hearts of what they have done amiss. + +81 But if they shall not have +this sense in their hearts, they +shall not be saved by reason of +the hardness of their hearts. + +82 When therefore I had done +asking her concerning all these +things, she said unto me, Wilt +thou see something else? And +being desirous of seeing it, +I became very cheerful of +countenances. + +83 She therefore looking back +upon me, and smiling a little, said +unto me, Seest thou seven women +about the tower? Lady, said I, +I see them. + +84 This tower, replied she, is +supported by them, according to +the command of the Lord: hear +therefore the effects of them. + +85 The first of them, which +holds fast with her hand, is called +Faith; The next, which is girt +up, and looks manly, is named +Abstinence: she is the daughter +of Faith. + +86 Whosoever therefore shall +follow her shall be happy in all +his life, because he shall abstain +from all evil works, believing that +if he shall contain himself from +all concupiscence, he shall be +the heir of eternal life. And +what, lady, said I, are the other +five? + +87 They are, replied she, the +daughters of one another. The +first of them is called Simplicity; +the next Innocence; the third +Modesty; then Discipline; and +the last of all is Charity. When +therefore thou shalt have fulfilled +the works of their mother, thou +shalt be able to do all things. + +88 Lady, said I, I would know +what particular virtue every one +of these has. + +89 Hear then, replied she; +they have equal virtues, and their +virtues are knit together, and +follow one another as they were +born. + +90 From Faith proceeds Abstinence; +from Abstinence, Simplicity; from +Simplicity, Innocence; from Innocence, +Modesty; from Modesty, Discipline +and Charity. Therefore the works +of these are holy, and chaste, and +right. + +91 Whoever therefore shall +serve these, and hold fast to their +works, he shall have his dwelling +in the tower with the saints of +God. + +92 Then I asked her concerning +the times, whether the end were +now at hand? + +93 But she cried out with a loud +voice, saying, O foolish man! +Dost thou not see the tower yet a +building? When therefore the +tower shall be finished, and built, +it shall have an end; and indeed +it shall soon be accomplished. + +94 But do not ask me any more +questions. What has been said +may suffice thee and all the saints +for the refreshment of your spirits. +For these things have not been +revealed to thee only, but that +thou mayest make them manifest +unto all. + +95 For therefore, O Hermas, +after three days thou must understand +these words which I begin +to speak unto thee, that thou +mayest speak them in the ears of +the saints; that when thou shall +have heard and done them, they +may be cleansed from their +iniquities, and thou together +with them. + +96 Hear me therefore, O my +sons! I have bred you up in much +simplicity, and innocency, and +modesty, for the love of God, +which has dropped down upon +you in righteousness, that you +should be sanctified and justified +from all sin and wickedness; but +ye will not cease from your evil +doings. + +97 Now therefore hearken unto +me, and have peace one with another, +and visit one another, and receive +one another, and do not enjoy +the creatures of God alone. + +98 Give freely to them that are +in need. For some by too free +feeding contract an infirmity in +their flesh, and do injury to their +bodies; whilst the flesh of others, +who have not food, withers away, +because they want sufficient +nourishment, and the bodies are +consumed. + +99 Wherefore this intemperance +is hurtful to you, who have, and +do not contribute to them that +want. Prepare for the judgment +that is about to come upon you. + +100 Ye that are the more eminent, +search out them that are hungry, +whilst the tower is yet unfinished. +For when the tower shall be finished, +ye shall be willing to do good, +and shall not find any place in it. + +101 Beware, therefore, ye that +glory in your riches, lest perhaps +they groan who are in want, and +their sighing come up unto God, +and ye be shut out with your goods +without the gate of the tower. + +102 Behold I now warn you who +are set over the church, and love +the highest seats, be not ye like +unto those that work mischief. + +103 And they indeed carry about +their poison in boxes, but ye +contain your poison and infection +in your hearts, and will not purge +them, and mix your sense with a +pure heart, that ye might find +mercy with the Great King. + +104 Take heed, my children, +that your dissensions deprive you +not of your lives. How will ye +instruct the elect of God, when +ye yourselves want correction? +Wherefore admonish one another, +and be at peace among yourselves, +that I, standing before your +Father, may give an account +of you unto the Lord. + +105 And when she had made +an end of talking with me, the six +young men that built, came and +carried her to the tower; and four +others took up the seat on which +she sat, and they also went away +again to the tower. I saw not the +faces of these, for their backs +were towards me. + +106 As she was going away, I +asked her, that she would reveal +to me what concerned the three +forms, in which she had appeared +unto me. + +107 But she answering said unto +me, concerning these things +thou must ask some other, that +they may be revealed unto thee. + +108 Now, brethren, in the first +vision the last year, she appeared +unto me exceedingly old, and +sitting in a chair. + +109 In another vision, she had +indeed a youthful face, but her +flesh and hair were old; but she +talked with me standing, and was +more cheerful than the first time. + +110 In the third vision, she was +in all respects much younger, and +comely to the eye; only she had +the hair of an aged person: yet +she looked cheerful, and sat upon +a seat. + +111 I was therefore very sad +concerning these things, until I +might understand the vision. + +112 Wherefore I saw the same +old woman in a vision of the night +saying unto me, All prayer needeth +humiliation. Fast, therefore, and +thou shalt learn from the Lord +that which thou dost ask. I fasted +therefore one day. + +113 The same night a young +man appeared to me and said, +Why dost thou thus often desire +Revelations in thy prayers? Take +heed that by asking many things, +thou hurt not the body. Let these +Revelations suffice thee. + +114 Canst thou see more notable +Revelations than those which +thou hast already received? + +115 I answered and said unto +him, Sir, I only ask this one +thing upon the account of the +three figures of the old woman +that appeared to me, that the +Revelation may be complete. + +116 He answered me, You are +not without understanding, but +your doubts make you so; for as +much as you have not your heart +with the Lord. + +117 I replied and said, But we +shall learn these things more +carefully from you. + +118 Hear then, says he, concerning +the figures about which you inquire. + +119 To begin; in the first vision +she appeared to thee in the shape +of an old woman sitting in, a chair, +because your old spirit was decayed, +and without strength, by reason +of your infirmities, and the +doubtfulness of your heart. + +120 For as they who are old +have no hope of renewing +themselves, nor expect any thing +but their departure; so you being +weakened through your worldly +affairs gave yourself up to sloth, +and cast not away your solicitude +from yourself upon the Lord: and +your sense was confused, and you +grew old in your sadness. + +121 But, sir, I would know why +she sat upon a chair? + +122 He answered, because every +one that is weak sitteth upon a +chair by reason of his infirmity, +that his weakness may be upheld. +Behold therefore the figure of the +first vision. + +123 In the second vision you +saw her standing, and having a +youthful face, and more cheerful +than her former; but her flesh +and her hair were ancient. Hear, +said he, this parable also. + +124 When any one grows old, +he despairs of himself by reason +of his infirmity and poverty, and +expects nothing but the last day of +his life. + +125 But on a sudden an inheritance +is left to him, and he hears of it, +and rises: and being become +cheerful, be puts on new strength. +And now he no longer sits down, +but stands, and is delivered from +his former sorrow; and sits not, +but acts manfully. + +126 So you, having heard the +Revelation which God revealed +unto you, because God had +compassion upon you, and renewed +your spirit, both laid aside your +infirmities, and strength came to +you, and you grew strong in the +faith; and God, seeing your +strength, rejoiced. + +127 For this cause he showed +you the building of the tower, +and will show other things unto you, +if you shall have peace with all +your heart among each other. + +128 But in the third vision you +saw her yet younger, fair and +cheerful, and of a serene +countenance. + +129 For, as if some good news +comes to him that is sad, he +straightway forgets his sadness, +and regards nothing else but the +good news which he has heard; +and for the rest he is comforted, +and his spirit is renewed through +the joy which he has received +even so you have been refreshed +in your spirit by seeing these good +things. + +130 And for that you saw her +sitting upon a bench, it denotes a +strong position; because a bench +has four feet, and stands strongly. +And even the world itself is upheld +by the four elements. + +131 They therefore that repent +perfectly, shall be young; and +they that turn from their sins +with their whole heart, shall +be established. + +132 And now you have the +Revelation fully, ask no more +to have any thing farther +revealed unto you. + +133 But if any thing is to be +revealed, it shall be made manifest +unto you. + + + +VISION IV. + + Of the trial, and tribulation that is about + to come upon men. + +I SAW a vision brethren, twenty +days after the former vision; +a representation of the tribulation +that is at hand. I was walking in +the field way. + +2 Now from the public way to +the place whither I went is about +ten furlongs; it is a way very +little frequented: + +3 And as I was walking alone, I +entreated the Lord that he would +confirm the Revelations which he +had shown unto me by his Holy +Church. + +4 And would grant repentance +to all his servants who had been +offended, that his great and +honourable name might be glorified, +and because he thought me worthy +to whom he might show his wonders, +and, that I might honour him, +and give thanks unto him. + +5 And behold somewhat like a +voice answered me; Doubt not, +Hermas. Wherefore I began to +think, and say within myself, why +should I doubt, seeing I am thus +settled by the Lord, and have seen +such glorious things? + +6 I had gone but a little farther, +brethren, when behold I saw a +dust rise up to heaven. I began +to say within myself, is there a +drove of cattle coming, that rises +such a dust? + +7 It was about a furlong off from +me. And behold I saw the dust +rise more and more, insomuch that +I began to suspect that there was +somewhat extraordinary in it. + +8 And the sun shone a little; +and behold I saw a great beast, as +it were a whale; and fiery locusts +came out of his mouth. The height +of the beast was about a hundred +feet, and he had a head like a +large earthen vessel. + +9 I began to weep, and to pray +unto the Lord that he would deliver +me from it. Then I called to mind +the word which I had heard; +Doubt not, Hermas. + +10 Wherefore, brethren, putting +on a divine faith, and remembering +who it was that had taught me great +things, I delivered myself bodily +unto the beast. + +11 Now the beast came on in +such a manner, as if it could at +once have devoured a city. + +12 I came near unto it, and the +beast extended its whole bulk upon +the ground, and put forth nothing +but its tongue, nor once moved itself +till I had quite passed by it. + +13 Now the beast had upon its +head four colours; first black, +then a red and bloody colour, then +a golden, and then a white. + +14 After that I had passed by +it, and was gone forward about +thirty feet, behold there met me a +certain virgin, well adorned as if +she had been just come out of her +bride-chamber; all in white, having +on white shoes, and a veil down her +face, and covered with shining hair. + +15 Now I knew by my former +visions that it was the church, +and thereupon grew the more cheerful. +She saluted me, saying, Hail, O Man! +I returned the salutation, saying, +Lady, Hail! + +16 She answering said unto me, +Did nothing meet you, O man! +I replied, Lady, there met me such +a beast, as seemed able to devour +a whole people; but by the power +of God, and through his singular +mercy, I escaped it. + +17 Thou didst escape it well, +said she, because thou didst cast +thy whole care upon God, and +opened thy heart unto him, +believing that thou couldst be safe +by no other than by his great and +honourable name. + +18 For this cause the Lord sent +his angel, who is over the beast, +whose name is Hegrin, and stopped +his mouth, that he should not +devour thee, Thou hast escaped +a great trial through thy faith, and +because thou didst not doubt for +such a terrible beast. + +19 Go, therefore, and relate to +the elect of God the great things +that he hath done for thee. And +thou shalt say unto them, that this +beast is the figure of the trial that +is about to come. + +20 If, therefore, ye shall have +prepared yourselves, ye may escape +it, if your hearts be pure and +without spot; and if ye shall serve +God all the rest of your days +without complaint. + +21 Cast all your care upon the +Lord, and he will direct them. +Believe in God, ye doubtful, +because he can do all things; +he can both turn away his wrath +from you, and send you help and +security. + +22 Woe to the doubtful, to those +who shall hear these words, and +shall despise them: it had been +better for them that they had not +been born. + +23 Then I asked her concerning +the four colours which the beast +had upon its head. But she +answered me saying; Again thou +art curious in that thou asketh +concerning these things. But I +said to her, Lady, chew me what +they are? + +24 Hear, said she; The black +which thou sawest denotes the +world in which you dwell. The +fiery and bloody colour signifies +that this age must be destroyed +by fire and blood. + +25 The golden part are ye, who +have escaped out of it; for as gold +is tried by the fire, and is made +profitable, so are ye also in like +manner tried who dwell among the +men of this world. + +26 They therefore, that shall +endure to the end, and be proved +by them, shall be purged. And as +gold, by this trial, is cleansed +and loses its dross, so shall ye +also cast away all sorrow and +trouble, and be made pure for +the building of the tower. + +27 But the white colour denotes +the time of the world which is to +come, in which the elect of God +shall dwell: because the elect of +God shall be pure and without +spot until life eternal. + +28 Wherefore do not thou cease +to speak these thing in the ears of +the saints. Here ye have the figure +of the great tribulation that is +about to come; which, if you +please, shall be nothing to you. + +29 When she had spoken thus +much, she departed; but I saw +not whither she went. But suddenly +I heard a noise, and I turned +back, being afraid, for I thought +that the beast was coming toward +me. + + + + + + + THE SECOND PART OF THE + BOOK OF HERMAS, CALLED HIS COMMANDS. + + +Introduction. + +WHEN I had prayed at home, +and was sat down upon the +bed, a certain man came in to me +with a reverend look, in the habit +of a Shepherd, clothed with a white +cloak, having his bag upon his +back, and his staff in his hand, and +saluted me. + +2 I returned his salutation, and +immediately he sat down by me, +and said unto me, I am sent by +that venerable messenger, that +I should dwell with thee all the +remaining days of thy life. + +3 But I thought that he was +come to try me, and said unto him, +Who are you? For I know to +whom I am committed. He said +unto me, Do you not know me? +I answered no. I am, said he, +that shepherd to whose care you +are delivered. + +4 Whilst he was yet speaking, +his shape was changed; and when +I knew that it was he to whom I +was committed, I was ashamed, +and a sudden fear came upon me, +and I was utterly overcome with +sadness, because I had spoken so +foolishly unto him. + +5 But he said unto me, Be not +ashamed, but receive strength in +thy mind, through the commands +which I am about to deliver unto +thee. For, said he, I am sent to +show unto thee all those things +again, which thou hast seen before, +but especially such of them as may +be of most use unto thee. + +6 And first of all write my +Commands and Similitudes, the rest +thou shall so write as I shall show +unto thee. But I therefore bid +thee first of all write my Commands +and Similitudes, that by often +reading of them thou mayest +the more easily keep them in +memory. + +7 Whereupon I wrote his Commands +and Similitudes, as he bade me. + +8 Which things if when you +have heard, ye shall observe to do +them, and shall walk according to +them, and exercise yourselves in +them with a pure mind, ye shall +receive from the Lord those things +which he has promised unto you. + +9 But if having heard them ye +shall not repent, but shall still go +on to add to your sins, ye shall +be punished by him. + +10 All these things that Shepherd, +the angel of repentance, commanded +me to write. + + + +COMMAND I. + + Of believing in one God. + +FIRST of all believe that +there is one God who created and +brought all things out of nothing +into existence. + +2 He comprehends all things, +and is only INFINITE, not to be +comprehended by any. + +3 Who can neither be defined +by any words, nor conceived by +the mind. + +4 Therefore believe in him, and +fear him; and fearing him abstain +from all evil. + +5 Keep these things, and cast +all lust and iniquity far from +thee, and put on righteousness, +and thou shalt live to God, if thou +shalt keep his commandment. + + + +COMMAND II. + + That we must avoid detraction, and do our + alms-deeds with simplicity. + +HE said unto me, Be innocent +and without disguise; so shalt +thou be like an infant who knows +no malice which destroys the +life of man. + +2 Especially see that thou speak +evil of none, nor willingly hear +any one speak evil of others. + +3 For if thou observest not this, +thou also who hearest shall be +partaker of the sin of him that +speaketh evil, by believing the +slander, and thou also shalt have +sin, because thou believedst him +that spoke evil of thy brother. + +4 Detraction is a pernicious +thing; an inconstant, evil spirit; +that never continues in peace, but +is always in discord. Wherefore +refrain thyself from it, and keep +peace ever more with thy brother. + +5 Put on an holy constancy, +in which there are no sins, but +all is full of joy; and do good +of thy labours. + +6 Give without distinction to +all that are in want, not doubting +to whom thou givest. + +7 But give to all, for God will +have us give to all, of all his own +gifts. They therefore that receive +shall give an account to God, both +wherefore they received and for +what end. + +8 And they that receive without +real need, shall give an account +for it; but he that gives shall be +innocent. + +9 For he has fulfilled his duty +as he received it from God; not +making any choice to whom he +should give, and to whom not. +And this service he did with +simplicity and to the glory +of God. + +10 Keep therefore this command +according as I have delivered it +into thee: that thy repentance +nay be found to be sincere, and +that good may come to thy house; +and have a pure heart. + + + +COMMAND III. + + Of avoiding lying, and the repentance of Hermas + for his dissimulation. + +MOREOVER he said unto me +love truth; and let all the +speech be true which proceeds out +of thy mouth. + +2 That the spirit which the Lord +hath given to dwell in thy flesh +may be found true towards all +men; and the Lord be glorified, +who hath given such a spirit unto +thee: because God is true in all +his words, and in him there is no +lie. + +3 They therefore that lie, deny +the Lord, and become robbers of +the Lord, not rendering to God +what they received from him. + +4 For they received the spirit +free from lying: If therefore they +make that a liar, they defile what +was committed to them by the +Lord, and become deceivers. + +5 When I heard this, I wept +bitterly; and when he saw me +weeping, he said unto me, Why +weepest thou? And I said, Because, +sir, I doubt whether I can be saved. + +6 He asked me, Wherefore? +I replied, Because, sir, I never +spake a true word in my life; but +always lived in dissimulation, and +affirmed a lie for truth to all men; +and no man contradicted me, but +all gave credit to my words. How +then can I live, seeing I have done +in this manner? + +7 And he said unto me, Thou +thinkest well and truly; for thou +oughtest, as the servant of God, +to have walked in the truth, and +not have joined an evil conscience +with the spirit of truth, nor have +grieved the holy and true Spirit +of God. + +8 And I replied unto him, +Sir, I never before hearkened +so diligently to these things. +He answered, Now thou hearest them +Take care from henceforth, that +even those things which thou hast +formerly spoken falsely for the +sake of thy business, may, by +thy present truth receive pardon. + +9 For even those things may +be forgiven, if for the time to come +thou shalt speak the truth; and +by so doing thou mayest attain +unto life. + +10 And whosoever shall hearken +unto this command, and do it, +and shall depart from all lying, +he shall live unto God. + + + +COMMAND IV. + + Of putting away one's wife for adultery. + +FURTHERMORE, said he, I +command thee, that thou keep +thyself chaste; and that thou +suffer not any thought of any +other marriage, or of fornication, +to enter into thy heart; for such +a thought produces great sin. + +2 But be thou at all times mindful +of the Lord, and thou shalt never +sin. For if such an evil thought +should arise in thy heart, then +thou shall be guilty of a great +sin; and they who do such things, +follow the way of death. + +3 Look therefore to thyself, and +keep thyself from such a thought; +for where chastity remains in the +heart of a righteous man, there an +evil thought ought never to arise. + +4 And I said unto him, Sir, +suffer me to speak a little to you. +He bade me say on. And I answered, +Sir, if a man that is faithful +in the Lord shall have a wife, +and shall catch her in adultery; +doth a man sin that continues to +live still with her? + +5 And he said unto me, As long +as he is ignorant of her sin, he +commits no fault in living with +her; but if a man shall know his +wife to, have offended, and she +shall not repent of her sin, but go +on still in her fornication, and a +man shall continue nevertheless +to live with her, he shall become +guilty of her sin, and partake with +her in her adultery. + +6 And I said unto him, What +therefore is to be done, if the +woman continues on in her sin? +He answered, Let her husband put +her away, and let him continue +by himself; but if he shall put +away his wife and marry another, +he also doth commit adultery. + +7 And I said, What, if the +woman that is so put away, should +repent, and be willing to return +to her husband, shall she not be +received by him? He said unto me, +Yes; and if her husband shall +not receive her, he will sin, and +commit a great offence against +himself; for he ought to receive +the offender, if she repents: only +not often. + +8 For, to the servants of God, +there is but one repentance; and +for this cause a man that putteth +away his wife ought not to take +another, because she may repent. + +9 This act is alike both in the +man and in the woman. Now they +commit adultery, not only who +pollute their flesh, but who +also make an image. If therefore +a woman perseveres in any thing +of this kind, and repents not, +depart from her; and live not with +her, otherwise thou also shalt be +partaker of her sin. + +10 But it is therefore commanded +that both the man and the woman +should remain unmarried, because +such persons may repent. + +11 Nor do I in this administer +any occasion for the doing of these +things; but rather that whoso has +offended, should not offend any +more. + +12 But for their former sins, +God who has the power of healing +will give a remedy; for he has +the power of all things. + +13 I asked him again, and +said, Seeing the Lord hath thought +me worthy that thou shouldest +dwell with me continually, speak +a few words unto me, because I +understand nothing, and my heart +is hardened through my former +conversation; and open my +understanding because I am very +dull, and apprehend nothing at all. + +14 And he answering said +unto me, I am the minister of +repentance, and give understanding +to all that repent. Does it not +seem to thee to be a very wise +thing to repent? Because he that +does so gets great understanding. + +15 For he is sensible that he +hath sinned and done wickedly in +the sight of the Lord, and he +remembers within himself that he +has offended, and repents and does +no more wickedly, but does that +which is good, and humbles his +soul and afflicts it, because he has +offended. You see therefore that +repentance is great wisdom. + +16 And I said unto him, For this +cause, sir, I inquire diligently +into all things, because I am a +sinner, that I may know what I +must do that I may live; because +my sins are many. + +17 And he said unto me, Thou +shalt live if thou shalt keep these +my commandments. And whosoever +shall hear and do these commands +shall live unto God. + +18 And I said unto him, I have +even now heard from certain +teachers, that there is no other +repentance beside that of baptism, +when we go down into the water, +and receive the forgiveness of our +sins; and that after that, we must +sin no more, but live in purity. + +19 And he said unto me, Thou +hast been rightly informed. Never- +the-less seeing now thou inquirest +diligently into all things, I will +manifest this also unto thee; yet +not so as to give any occasion of +sinning, either to those who shall +hereafter believe, or to those +who have already believed in the +Lord. + +20 For neither they who have +newly believed, or shall hereafter +believe, have any repentance of sins, +but forgiveness of them. + +21 But as to those who have +been called to the faith, and since +that are fallen into any gross sin, +the Lord hath appointed repentance, +because God knoweth the thoughts +of all men's hearts, and their +infirmities, and the manifold +wickedness of the devil, who is +always contriving something +against the servants of God, and +maliciously lays snares for them. + +22 Therefore our merciful Lord +had compassion towards his creature, +and appointed that repentance, and +gave unto me the power of it. And +therefore I say unto thee, if any +one after that great and holy +calling shall be tempted by the +devil and sin, he has one repentance. +But if he shall often sin and repent, +it shall not profit such a one; +for he shall hardly live unto God. + +23 And I said, Sir, I am restored +again to life since I have thus +diligently hearkened to these +commands. For I perceive that if I +shall not hereafter add any more +of my sins, I shall be saved. + +24 And he said, Thou shalt be +saved: and so shall all others, as +many as shall observe these +commandments. + +25 And again I said unto him, +Sir, seeing thou hearest me +patiently, show me yet one thing +more. Tell me, saith he, what it +is. + +26 And I said, If a husband or +a wife die, and the party which +survives marry again, does he sin +in so doing? He that marries +says he, sins not: howbeit, if +he shall remain single, he shall +thereby gain to himself great +honour before the Lord. + +27 Keep therefore thy chastity +and modesty, and thou shalt live +unto God. Observe from henceforth +those things which I speak +with thee, and command thee to +observe, from the time that I +have been delivered unto thee, and +dwell in thy house. + +28 So shall thy former sins be +forgiven, if thou shalt keep these +my commandments. And in like +manner shall all others be forgiven, +who shall observe these my commandments. + + + +COMMAND V. + + Of the sadness of the heart, and of patience. + +Be patient, says he, and long- +suffering; so shalt thou have +dominion over all wicked works, +and shall fulfil all righteousness. + +2 For if thou shalt be patient, +the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in +thee shall be pure, and not be +darkened by any evil spirit; but +being full of joy shall be enlarged, +and feast in the body in which it +dwells, and serve the Lord with +joy, and in great peace. + +3 But if any anger shall overtake +thee, presently the Holy Spirit +which is in thee will be straightened +and seek to depart from thee. + +4 For he is choked by the evil +spirit, and has not the liberty of +serving the Lord as he would; for +he is grieved by anger. When, +therefore, both these spirits dwell +together, it is destructive to a +man. + +5 As if one should take a little +wormwood, and put it into a vessel +of honey, the whole honey would +be spoiled; and a great quantity +of honey is corrupted by a very +little wormwood, and loses the +sweetness of honey, and is no +longer acceptable to its Lord +because the whole honey is made +bitter, and loses its use. + +6 But if no wormwood be put +into the honey, it is sweet and +profitable to its Lord. Thus is +forbearance sweeter than honey, +and profitable to the Lord who +dwelleth in it. + +7 But anger is unprofitable. +If therefore anger shall be mixed +with forbearance, the soul is +distressed, and its prayer is +not profitable with God. + +8 And I said unto him, Sir, +I would know the sinfulness of +anger, that I may keep myself from +it. And he said unto me, Thou +shall know it; and if thou shalt +not keep thyself from it, thou shalt +lose thy hope with all thy house. +Wherefore depart from it. + +9 For I the messenger of +righteousness am with thee, and +all that depart from it: as many +as shall repent with all their hearts, +shall live unto God; and I will be with +them, and will keep them all. + +10 For all such as have repented +have been justified by the most +holy messenger, who is a minister +of salvation. + +11 And now, says he, hear +the wickedness of anger; how +evil and hurtful is is, and how it +overthrows the servants of God; +for it cannot hurt those that are +full of faith because the power +of God is with them; but it +overthrows the doubtful, and those +that are destitute of faith. + +12 For as often as it sees such +men, it casts itself into their +hearts; and so a man or woman +is in bitterness for nothing: for +the things of life, or for sustenance, +or for a vain word, if any should +chance to fall in; or by reason +of any friend, or for a debt, +or for any other superfluous +things of the like nature. + +13 For these things are foolish, +and superfluous, and vain to the +servants of God. But equanimity +is strong, and forcible; and of +great power, and sitteth in great +enlargement; is cheerful, rejoicing +in peace; and glorifying God at +all times I with meekness. + +14 And this long-suffering +dwells with those that are full of +faith. But anger is foolish, and +light, and empty. Now bitterness +is bred through folly; by +bitterness, anger; by anger, fury; +and this fury arising from so +many evil principles, worketh a +great and incurable sin. + +15 For when all these things, +are in the same man in which the +Holy Spirit dwells, the vessel +cannot contain them, but runs +over: and because the Spirit being +tender cannot tarry with the evil +one; it departs and dwells with +him that is meek. + +16 When, therefore, it is +departed from the man in whom it +dwelt, that man becomes destitute +of the Holy Spirit, and is afterwards +filled with wicked spirits, and +is blinded with evil thoughts. +Thus doth it happen to all angry +men. + +17 Wherefore depart then from +anger, and put on equanimity, and +resist: wrath; so then shalt be +found with modesty and chastity +by God. Take good heed, therefore, +that thou neglect not this commandment. + +18. For if thou shalt obey this +command, then thou shalt also be +able to observe the other commandments +which I shall command thee. + +19 Wherefore strengthen thyself +now in these commands, that then +mayest live unto God. And whosoever +shall observe these commandments +shall live unto God. + + + +COMMAND VI. + + That every man has two angels and of the + suggestions of both. + +I COMMANDED thee, said he, +in my first commandments, +that thou shouldst keep faith and +fear, and repentance. Yes, sir, +said I. + +2 He continued. But now I +will shew thee the virtues of these +commands, that then mayest know +their effects; how they are +prescribed alike to the just +and unjust. + +3 Do thou therefore believe the +righteous, but give no credit to +the unrighteous. For righteousness +keepeth the right way, but +unrighteousness the wicked way. + +4 Do thou therefore keep the +right way, and leave that which is +evil. For the evil way has not a +good end, but hath many stumbling- +blocks; it is rugged and full +of thorns, and leads to destruction; +and it is hurtful to all such +as walk in it. + +5 But they who go in the right +way walk with evenness, and without +offence; because it is not rough +nor thorny. + +6 Thou seest therefore how it is +best to walk in this way. Thou +shalt therefore go, says he, and all +others, as many as believe in God +with all their heart, shall go +through it. + +7 And now, says he, I understand +first of all what belongs to faith. +There are two angels with man; +one of righteousness, the other +of iniquity. + +8 And I said unto him, Sir, +how shall I know that there are +two such angels with man? Hear, +says he, and understand. + +9 The angel of righteousness, +is mild and modest, and gentle, +and quiet. When, therefore, he +gets into thy heart, immediately +he talks with thee of righteousness, +of modesty, of chastity, of +bountifulness, of forgiveness, +of charity, and piety. + +10 When all these things come +into thy heart, know then that the +angel of righteousness is with thee. +Wherefore hearken to this angel +and to his works. + +11 Learn also the works of the +angel of iniquity. He is first of +all bitter, and angry, and foolish; +and his works are pernicious, and +overthrow the servants of God. +When therefore these things come +into thine heart; thou shalt know +by his works, that this is the angel +of iniquity. + +12 And I said unto him, Sir, +how shall I understand these +things? Hear, says he, and +understand; When anger overtakes +thee, or bitterness, know that he is +in thee: + +13 As also, when the desire of +many things, and of the best meats, +and of drunkenness; when the +love of what belongs to others, +pride, and much speaking, and +ambition; and the like things, +come upon thee. + +14 When therefore these things +arise in thine heart, know that the +angel of iniquity is with thee. +Seeing therefore thou knowest his +works, depart from them all, and +give no credit to him: because his +works are evil, and become not the +servants of God. + +15 Here therefore thou hast +the works of both these angels. +Understand now and believe the +angel of righteousness, because +his instruction is good. + +16 For let a man be never so +happy; yet if the thoughts of the +other angel arise in his heart, that +man or woman must needs sin. + +17 But let man or woman be +never so wicked, if the works of +the angel of righteousness come +into their hearts, that man or +woman must needs do some good. + +18 Thou seest therefore how +it is good to follow the angel of +righteousness. If therefore thou +shall follow him, and submit to +his works, thou shalt live unto God. +And as many as shall submit to +his work shall live also unto God. + + + +COMMAND VII. + + That we must fear God but not the Devil. + +FEAR God, says he, and keep +his commandments. For if +thou keepest his commandments +thou shalt be powerful in every +work, and all thy works shall be +excellent. For by fearing God, +thou shalt do everything well. + +2 This is that tear with which +thou must be affected that thou +mayest be saved. But fear not +the Devil: for if thou fearest the +Lord, thou shalt have dominion +over him; because there is no +power in him. + +3 Now if there be no power in +him, then neither is he to be +feared: for every one that has +power, is to be feared. But he +that has no power is despised by +every one. + +4 Fear the works of the Devil, +because they are evil. For by +fearing the Lord, thou wilt fear +and do not the works of the Devil, +but keep thyself from them. + +5 There is therefore a twofold +fear; if thou wilt not do evil, fear +the Lord and thou shalt not do it. +But if thou wilt do good, the fear +of the Lord is strong, and great +and glorious. + +6 Wherefore, fear God and thou +shalt live: and whosoever shall +fear him, and keep his commandments, +their life is with the Lord. +But they who keep them not, +neither is there life in them. + + + +COMMAND VIII. + + That we must flee from evil, and do good works. + +I HAVE told thee, said he, +that there are two kinds of +creatures of the Lord, and that +there is a two-fold abstinence. +From some things therefore thou +must abstain, and from others not. + +2 I answered, Declare to me, +sir, from what I must abstain, and +from what not. Hearken, said he, +Keep thyself from evil, and do it +not; yet abstain not from good, +but do it. For if thou shalt abstain +from what is good, and not do it, +thou shalt sin. Abstain therefore +from all evil, and thou shalt know +all righteousness. + +3 I said, What evil things are +they from which I must abstain? +Hearken, said he; from adultery, +from drunkenness, from riots, from +excess of eating, from daintiness +and dishonesty, from pride, from +fraud, from lying, from detraction, +from hypocrisy, from remembrance +of injuries, and from all evil +speaking. + +4 For these are the works of +iniquity, from which the servant +of God must abstain. For he that +cannot keep himself from these +things, cannot live unto God. + +5 But hear, said he, what +follows of these kind of things: +for indeed many more there are +from which the servant of God must +abstain. From theft, and cheating; +from false witness, from covetousness, +from boasting, and all other things +of the like nature. + +6 Do these things seem to thee +to be evil or not? Indeed they +are very evil to the servants of +God, Wherefore the servant of +God must abstain from all these +works. + +7 Keep thyself therefore from +them, that thou mayest live unto +God, and be written among those +that abstain from them. And thus +have I shown thee what things +thou must avoid: now learn from +what thou must not abstain. + +8 Abstain not from any good +works, but do them. Hear, said +he, what the virtue of those good +works is which thou must do, that +thou mayest be saved. The first +of all is faith; the fear of the +Lord; charity; concord; equity; +truth; patience; chastity. + +9 There is nothing better than +these things in the life of men; +who shall keep and do these +things in their life. Hear next +what follow these. + +10 To minister to the widows; +not to despise the fatherless and +poor; to redeem the servants of +God from necessity; to be hospitable +(for in hospitality there is +sometimes great fruit); not to be +contentious, but be quiet. + +11 To be humble above all men; +to reverence the aged; to labour +to be righteous; to respect the +brotherhood; to bear affronts; to +be long-suffering; not to cast +away those that have fallen from +the faith, but to convert them, and +make them be of good cheer: to +admonish sinners; not to oppress +those that are our debtors; and all +other things of a like kind. + +12 Do these things seem to thee +to be good or not? And I said, +What can be better than these +words? Live then, said he, in +these commandments, and do not +depart from them. For if thou +shalt keep all these commandments, +thou shalt live unto God. And all +they that shall keep these +commandments shall live unto God. + + + +COMMAND IX. + + That we must ask of God daily; + and without doubting. + +AGAIN he said unto me; remove from +thee all doubting; and question +nothing at all when thou askest +any thing of the Lord; saying +within thyself, how shall I +be able to ask any thing of the +Lord and receive it, seeing I have +so greatly sinned against him? + +2 Do not think thus, but turn +unto the Lord with all thy heart, +and ask of him without doubting, +and thou shalt know the mercy of +the Lord; bow that he will not +forsake thee, but will fulfil the +request of thy soul. + +3 For God is not as men, mindful +of the injuries he has received; +but he forgets injuries, and has +compassion upon his creature. + +4 Wherefore purify thy heart +from all the vices of this present +world; and observe the commands +I have before delivered unto thee +from God; and thon shall receive +whatsoever good things thou shalt +ask, and nothing shall be wanting +unto thee of all thy petitions; if +thou shalt ask of the Lord without +doubting. + +5 But they that are not such, +shall obtain none of those things +which they ask. For they that are +full of faith, ask all things with +confidence, and receive from the +Lord, because they ask without +doubting. But he that doubts, +shall hardly live unto God, except +he repent. + +6 Wherefore purify thy heart +from doubting, and put on faith, +and trust in God, and thou shall +receive all that thou shalt ask. +But if thou shouldest chance to +ask something, and not immediately +receive it, yet do not therefore +doubt, because thou hast not +presently received the petition +of thy soul. + +7 For it may be thou shalt not +presently receive it for thy trial, +or else for some sin which thou +knowest not. But do not thou +leave off to ask, and then thou +shalt receive. Else if thou shalt +cease to ask, thou must complain +of thyself, and not of God, that he +has not given unto thee what thou +didst desire. + +8 Consider therefore this doubting +how cruel and pernicious it is; +and how it utterly roots out many +from the faith, who were very +faithful and firm. For this doubting +is the daughter of the Devil, and +deals very wickedly with the +servants of God. + +9 Despise it therefore, and thou +shalt rule over it on every occasion. +Put on a firm and powerful faith: +for faith promises all things +and perfects all things. But +doubting will not believe that it +shall obtain any thing by all that +it can do. + +10. Thou seest therefore, says +he, how faith cometh from above +from God; and hath great power. +But doubting is an earthly spirit, +and proceedeth from the Devil, +and has no strength. + +11 Do thou therefore keep the +virtue of faith, and depart from +doubting, in which is no virtue, +and thou shalt live unto God. And +all shall live unto God, as many +as do these things. + + + +COMMAND X. + + Of the sadness of the heart; and that + we must take, heed not to grieve the + spirit of God that is in us. + +PUT all sadness far from thee; +for it is the sister of doubting +and of anger. How, sir, said I +is it the sister of these? For +sadness, and anger, and doubting, +seem to me to be very different +from one another. + +2 And he answered: Art thou +without sense that thou dost not +understand it? For sadness is the +most mischievous of all spirits, +and the worst to the servants of +God: It destroys the spirits of all +men, and torments the Holy Spirit, +and it saves again. + +3 Sir, said I, I am very foolish, +and understand not these things. +I cannot apprehend how it can +torment, and yet save. Hear, said +he, and understand. They who +never sought out the truth, nor +inquired concerning the majesty +of God, but only believed, are +involved in the affairs of the +heathen. + +4 And there is another lying +prophet that destroys the minds +of the servants of God; that is +of those that are doubtful, not of +those that fully trust in the Lord. +Now those doubtful persons come +to him, as to a divine spirit, and +inquire of him what shall befall +them. + +5 And this lying prophet, having +no power in him of the Divine +Spirit, answers them according to +their demands, and fills their souls +with promises according as they +desire. Howbeit that prophet is +vain, and answers vain things to +those who are themselves vain. + +6 And whatsoever is asked of +him by vain men, he answers them +vainly; nevertheless he speaketh +some things truly. For the Devil +fills him with his spirit, that he +may overthrow some of the +righteous. + +7 Whosoever therefore are +strong in the faith of the Lord, +and have put on the truth; they +are not joined to such spirits, but +depart from them. But they that +are doubtful, and often repenting, +like the heathens, consult them, +and heap up to themselves great +sin, serving idols. + +8 As many therefore as are +such, inquire of them upon every +occasion; worship idols, and are +foolish; and void of the truth. +For every spirit that is given +from God needs not to be asked: +but having the power of divinity +speaks all things of itself, +because he comes from above; +from the power of God. + +10 But he, that being asked +speaks according to men's desires +and concerning many other affairs +of this present world, understands +not the tidings which relate unto +God. For these spirits are darkened +through such affairs, and corrupted, +and broken. + +11 As good vines if they are +neglected, are oppressed with weeds +and thorns, and at last killed by +them; so are the men who believe +such spirits. + +12 They fall into many actions +and businesses, and are void of +sense, and when they think of +things pertaining unto God, they +understand nothing at all; but +at any time they chance to hear +any thing concerning the Lord, +their thoughts are upon their +business. + +13 But they that have the fear +of the Lord, and search out the +truth concerning God, having all +their thoughts towards the Lord; +apprehend whatsoever is said to +them, and forthwith understand +it, because they have the fear +of the Lord in them. + +14 For where the spirit of the +Lord dwells, there is also much +understanding added. Wherefore +join thyself to the Lord, and thou +shalt understand all things. + +15 Learn now, O unwise man! +how sadness troubleth the Holy +Spirit, and how it saves. When +a man that is doubtful is engaged +in any affair, and does not +accomplish it by reason of his +doubting; this sadness enters +into him, and grieves the Holy +Spirit, and makes him sad. + +16 Again anger, when it over. +takes any man for any business he +is greatly moved; and then again +sadness entereth into the heart of +him, who was moved with anger, +and he is troubled for what he hath +done, and repenteth, because he +hath done amiss. + +17 This sadness therefore seemeth +to bring salvation, because he +repenteth of his evil deed. But +both the other things, namely, +doubting and sadness, such as +before was mentioned, vex the +spirit: doubting, because his +work did not succeed; and sadness, +because he angered the Holy Spirit. + +18 Remove therefore sadness +from thyself, and afflict not the +Holy Spirit which dwelleth in +thee, lest he entreat God, and +depart from thee. For the spirit +of the Lord which is given to +dwell in the flesh, endureth no +such sadness. + +19 Wherefore clothe thyself +with cheerfulness, which has always +favour with the Lord, and thou shalt +rejoice in it. For every cheerful +man does well; and relishes those +things that are good, and despises +sadness. + +20 But the sad man does always +wickedly. First, he doth wickedly, +because he grieveth the Holy Spirit, +which is given to man being of a +cheerful nature. And again he does +ill, because be prays with sadness +unto the Lord, and maketh not first +a thankful acknowledgment unto him +of former mercies, and obtains not +of God what he asks. + +21 For the prayer of a sad man +has not always efficacy to come up +to the altar of God. And I said +unto him, Sir, why has not the +prayer of a sad man virtue to come +up to the altar of God? Because, +said he, that sadness remaineth in +his heart. + +22 When therefore a man's +prayer shall be accompanied with +sadness, it will not suffer his +requests to ascend pure to the altar +of God. For as wine when it is +mingled with vinegar, has not the +sweetness it had before; so sadness +being mixed with the Holy Spirit, +suffers not a man's prayer to be +the same as it would be otherwise. + +23 Wherefore cleanse thyself +from sadness, which is evil, and +thou shalt live unto God. And all +others shall live unto God, as many +as shall lay aside sadness, and put +on cheerfulness. + + + +COMMAND XI. + + That the spirits and prophets are to be + tried by their works; and of a twofold, spirit. + +HE showed me certain men +sitting upon benches, and +one sitting in a chair: and he said +unto me; Seest thou those who sit +upon the benches? Sir, said I, +I see them. He answered, They +are the faithful; and he who sits +in the chair is an earthly spirit. + +2 For he cometh not into the +assembly of the faitful, but avoids +it. But he joins himself to the +doubtful and empty; and prophesies +to them in corners and hidden places; +and pleases them by speaking according +to all the desires of their hearts. + +3 For he placing himself among +empty vessels, is not broken, but +the one fitteth the other. But +when he cometh into the company +of just men, who are full of the +spirit of God, and they pray unto +the Lord; that man is emptied, +because that earthly spirit flies +from him, and he is dumb, and +cannot speak anything. + +4 As if in a store-house you +shall stop up wine or oil, and +among those vessels place an +empty jar; and when afterwards +you come to open it, you shall +find it empty as you stopped it up; +so those empty prophets when +they come among the spirits of +the just, are found to be such as +they came. + +5 I said, How then shall a +man be able to discern them? +Consider what I am going to say +concerning both kinds of men; +and as I speak unto thee so shalt +thou prove the prophet of God, +and the false prophet. + +6 And first try the man who +hath the spirit of God, because +the spirit which is from above is +humble, and quiet, and departs +from all wickedness; and from the +vain desires of the present world; +and makes himself more humble +than all men; and answers to none +when he is asked; nor to every +one singly: for the Spirit of God +doth not speak to a man when he +will, but when God pleases. + +7 When therefore a man who hath +the Spirit of God hath come into +the church of the righteous, who +have the faith of God, and they +pray unto the Lord; then the holy +angel of God fills that man with +the blessed Spirit, and he speaks +in the congregation as he is moved +of God. + +8 Thus therefore is the spirit, +of God known, because whosoever +speaketh by the Spirit of God, +speaketh as the Lord will. + +9 Hear now concerning the +earthly spirit, which is empty and +foolish, and without virtue. And +first of all the man who is supposed +to have the Spirit, (whereas he hath +it not in reality), exalteth himself, +and desires to have the first seat, +and is wicked, and full of words. + +10 And spends his time in pleasure, +and in all manner of voluptuousness, +and receives the reward of his +divination; which if he receives +not, he does not divine. + +11 Should the Spirit of God +receive reward, and divine? It doth +not become a prophet of God so to +do. + +12 Thus you seethe life of each +of these kind of prophets. Wherefore +prove that man by his life and works, +who says that he hath the Holy Spirit. +And believe the Spirit which comes +from God, and has power as such. +But believe not the earthly and +empty spirit, which is from the +devil, in whom there is no faith +nor virtue. + +13 Hear now the similitude +which I am about to speak unto +thee. Take a stone, and throw it +up towards heaven; or take a +spout of water, and mount it up +thitherward; and see if thou +canst reach unto heaven. + +14 Sir; said I, how can this be +done? For neither of those things +which you have mentioned, are +possible to be done. And he +answered, Therefore as these things +cannot be done, so is the earthy +spirit without virtue, and without +effect. + +15 Understand yet farther the +power which cometh from above, +in this similitude. The grains of +hail that drop down are exceedingly +small; and yet when they fall upon +the head of a man, how do they +cause pain to it. + +16 And again, consider, the +droppings of a house; how the +little drops falling upon the earth, +work a hollow in the stones. + +17 So in like manner the least +things which come from above, +and fall upon the earth, have great +force. Wherefore join thyself +to this spirit, which has the +power; and depart from the other +which is empty. + + + +COMMAND XII. + + Of a two fold desire: that the commands of God, + are not impossible: and that the devil is not + to be feared by them that believe. + +AGAIN he said unto me; +remove from thee all evil +desires, and put on good and +holy desires. For having put on a +good desire, thou shalt hate that +which is evil, and bridle it as thou +wilt. But an evil desire is dreadful, +and hard to be tamed. + +2 It is very horrible and wild; +and by its wildness consumes men. +And especially if a servant of God +shall chance to fall into it, except +he be very wise, he is ruined by +it. For it destroys those who have +not the garment of a good desire +and are engaged in the affairs of +this present world; and delivers +them unto death. + +3 Sir, said I, what are the works +of an evil desire, which bring men +unto death? Shew them to me that +I may depart from them. Hear, said he, +by what works an evil desire bringeth +the servants of God unto death. + +4 First of all, it is an evil desire +to covet another man's wife, or +for a woman to covet another's +husband; as also to desire the +dainties of riches; and multitude +of superfluous meats; and drunkenness; +and many delights. + +5 For in much delicacy there is +folly; and many pleasures are +needless to the servants of God. +Such lusting therefore is evil and +pernicious, which brings to death +the servants of God. For all such +lusting is from the devil. + +6 Whosoever therefore shall +depart from all evil desires, +shall live unto God; but they +that are subject unto them shall +die forever. For this evil lusting +is deadly. Do thou therefore put +on the desire of righteousness, +and being armed with the fear of +the Lord resist all wicked lusting. + +7 For this fear dwelleth in good +desires; and, when evil coveting +shall see thee armed with the fear +of the Lord, and resisting it; it +will fly far from thee, and not +appear before thee, but be afraid +of thy armour. + +8 And thou shall have the victory, +and be crowned for it; and shall +attain to that desire which is +good; and shall give the victory +which thou hast obtained unto +God, and shall serve him in doing +what thou thyself wouldest do. + +9 For if thou shalt serve good +desires, and be subject to them; +then thou shalt be able to get the +dominion over thy wicked lustings; +and they will be subject to thee, +as thou wilt. + +10 And I said, Sir, I would +know how to serve that desire +which is good? Hearken, said he, +Fear God, and put thy trust in +him, and love truth, and +righteousness, and do that +which is good. + +10 If thou shalt do these things, +thou shall be an approved servant +of God, and serve him; and all +others who shall in like manner +serve a good desire, shall live unto +God. + +12 And when he had fulfilled +these twelve commands, he said +unto me, Thou hast now these +commands, walk in them; and exhort +those that hear them, to repent, +and that they keep their +repentance pure all the +remaining days of their life. + +13 And fulfil diligently this +ministry which I commit to thee, +and thou shalt receive great +advantage by it, and find favour +with all such as shall repent +and believe thy words. For I am +with thee, and will force them +to believe. + +14 And I said unto him, Sir, +these commands are great and +excellent, and able to cheer the +heart of that man that shall be +able to keep them. But, Sir, +I cannot tell, whether they can +be observed by any man? + +15 He answered, Thou shalt +easily keep these commands, and +they shall not be hard: howbeit, +if thou shalt suffer it once to +enter into thine heart that they +cannot be kept by any one, thou +shalt not fulfil them. + +16 But now I say unto thee, +if thou shalt not observe these +commands, and shall neglect them, +thou shalt not be saved, nor thy +children, nor thy house: because +thou hast judged that these +commands cannot be kept by man. + +17 These things he spake +very angrily unto me, insomuch +that he greatly affrighted me, +for he changed his countenance +so that a man could not bear his +anger. + +18 And when he saw me altogether +troubled and confounded, he began +to speak more moderately and +cheerfully, saying, O foolish, +and without understanding! + +19 Unconstant, not knowing +the majesty of God how great and +wonderful he is; who created the +world for man, and hath made +every creature subject unto him; +and given him all power, that he +should be able to fulfil all these +commands. + +20 He is able, said he, to fulfil +all these commands, who has the +Lord in his heart; but they who +have the Lord only in their mouths, +their hearts are hardened, and +they are far from the Lord: to +such persons these commands are +hard and difficult. + +21 Therefore, ye that are empty +and light in the faith, put the +Lord your God in your hearts; +and ye shall perceive how that +nothing is more easy than these +commands, nor more pleasant, nor +more gentle and holy. + +22 And turn yourselves to the +Lord your God, and forsake the +devil and his pleasures, because +they are evil, and bitter, and +impure. And fear not the devil, +because he has no power over you. + +23 For I am with you, the +messenger of repentance, who have +the dominion over him. The devil +doth indeed affright men but his +terror is vain. Wherefore fear +him not, and he will flee from you. + +24 And I said unto him; Sir, +hear me speak a few words unto +you. He answered, Say on: A +man indeed desires to keep the +commandments of God, and there +is no one but what prays unto God, +that he may be able to keep his +commandments; + +25 But the devil is hard, and +by his power rules over the servants +of God. And he said; He cannot +rule over the servants of God, +who trust in him with all their +hearts. + +26 The devil may strive, but he +cannot overcome them. + +27 For if ye resist him, he will +flee away with confusion from you. +But they that are not full in the +faith, fear the devil, as if he had +some great power. For the devil +tries the servants of God and if he +finds them empty, he destroys +them. + +28 For as man, when he fills up +vessels with good wine, and among +them puts a few vessels half full, +and comes to try and taste of the +vessels, doth not try those that are +full, because he knows that they +are good, but tastes those that are +half full, lest they should grow +sour; (for vessels half full soon +grow sour, and lose the taste of +wine:) so the devil comes to the +servants of God to try them. + +29 They that are full of faith +resist him stoutly, and he departs +from them, because he finds no +place where to enter into them +then he goes to those that are not +full of faith, and because he has a +place of entrance he goes into +them, and does what he will with +them, and they become his servants. + +30 But I, the messenger of +repentance, say unto you, fear not +the devil, for I am sent unto you, +that I may be with you, as many +as shall repent with your whole +heart, and that I may confirm you +in the faith. + +31 Believe therefore, ye who +by reason of your transgressions +have forgot God. and your own +salvation; and adding to your +sins have made your life very +heavy. + +32 That if ye shall turn to the +Lord with your whole hearts, and +shall serve him according to his +will; he will heal you of your +former sins, and ye shall have +dominion over all the works of the +devil. + +33 Be not then afraid in the +least of his threatenings, for they +are without force, as the nerves of +a dead man. But hearken unto +me, and fear the Lord Almighty, +who is able to save and to destroy +you; and keep his commands, that +ye may live unto God. + +34 And I said unto him; Sir, +I am now confirmed in all the +commands of the Lord whilst you +are with me, and I know that you +will break all the powers of the +devil. + +35 And we also shall overcome +him, if we shall be able, through +the help of the Lord, to keep these +commands which you have delivered. + +36 Thou shalt keep them, said +he, if thou shalt purify thy heart +towards the Lord. And all they +also shall keep them who shall +cleanse their hearts from the vain +desires of the present world, and +shall live unto God. + + + + + + + THE THIRD PART OF THE + BOOK OF HERMAS, CALLED HIS SIMILITUDES. + + +SIMILITUDE I. + + That seeing we have no abiding city in this world, + we ought to look after that which is to come. + +AND he said onto me; Ye know +that ye who are the servants +of the Lord, live here as in +a pilgrimage; for your city +is far off from this city. + +2 If, therefore, ye know your +city in which ye are to dwell, +why do ye here buy estates, and +provide yourselves with delicacies, +and stately buildings, and +supurfluous houses? For he that +provides himself these things +in this city, does not think +of returning into his own city. + +3 O foolish, and doubtful, and +wretched man; who understandest +not that all these things belong +to other men, and are under the +power of another. For the Lord +of this city saith unto thee; +Either obey my laws, or depart +out of my city. + +4 What therefore shalt thou do +who art subject to a law in thine +own city? Canst thou for thy +estate, or for any of those things +which thou hast provided, deny +thy law? But if thou shalt deny +it, and wilt afterwards return into +thy own city, thou shalt not be +received, but shall be excluded +thence. + +5 See therefore, that like a man +in another country, thou procure +no more to thyself than what is +necessary, and sufficient for thee; +and be ready, that when the God +or Lord of this city shall drive +thee out of it thou mayest oppose +his law, and go into thine own +city; where thou mayest with all +cheerfulness live according to +thine own law with no wrong. + +6 Take heed therefore ye that +serve God, and have him in your +hearts: work ye the works of +God, being mindful both of his +commands and of his promises, +which he has promised; and be +assured that he will make them +good unto you; if ye shall keep +his commandments. + +7 Instead therefore of the +possessions that ye would otherwise +purchase, redeem those that are +in want from their necessities, +as every one is able; justify the +widows; judge the cause of the +fatherless; and spend your riches +and your wealth in such works as +these. + +8 For this end has God enriched +you, that ye might fulfil these +kind of services. It is much +better to do this, than to buy lands +or houses; because all such things +shall perish with this present time. + +9 But what ye shall do for the +name of the Lord, ye shall find +in your city, and shall have joy +without sadness or fear. Wherefore +covet not the riches of the heathen; +for they are destructive to the +servants of God. + +10 But trade with your own riches +which you possess, by which ye may +attain unto everlasting joy. + +11 And do not commit adultery, +nor touch any other man's wife, +nor desire her; but covet that +which is thy own business, and +thou shalt be saved. + + + +SIMILITUDE II. + + As the vine is supported by the elm, + so is the rich man helped by the prayers of the poor. + +AS I was walking into the field, +and considered the elm and +the vine, and thought with myself +of their fruits, an angel appeared +unto me, and said unto me; What +is it that thou thinkest upon thus +long within thyself? + +2 And I said unto him, Sir, I +think of this vine and this elm +because their fruits are fair. +And he said unto me; These two +trees are set for a pattern to +the servants of God. + +3 And I said unto him, Sir, I +would know in what the pattern +of these trees which thou mentionest, +does consist. Hearken, saith he; +seest thou this vine and this +elm? Sir, said I, I see them. + +4 This vine, saith he, is fruitful, +but the elm is a tree without fruit. +Nevertheless this vine unless it +were set by this elm, and supported +by it, would not bear much +fruit; but lying along upon the +ground, would bear but ill fruit, +because it did not hang upon the +elm; whereas, being supported +upon the elm, it bears fruit both +for itself and for that. + +5 See, therefore, how the elm +gives no less, but rather more +fruit, than the vine. How, Sir, +said I, does it bear more fruit +than the vine? Because, said he, +the vine being supported upon +the elm gives both much and good +fruit; whereas, if it lay along +upon the ground, it would bear +but little, and that very ill too. + +6 This similitude, therefore, +is set forth to the servants of God; +and it represents the rich and poor +man. I answered, Sir, make this +manifest unto me. Hear, said he; +the rich man has wealth: howbeit +towards the Lord he is poor; for +he is taken up about his riches, +and prays but little to the Lord; +and the prayers which he makes +are lazy and without force. + +7 When therefore, the rich man +reaches out to the poor those +things which he wants, the poor +man prays unto the Lord for the +rich; and God grants unto the +rich man all good things, because +the poor man is rich in prayer; +and his requests have great power +with the Lord. + +8 Then the rich man ministers +all thing to the poor, because he +perceives that he is heard by the +Lord; and he the more willingly +and without doubting, affords him +what he wants, and takes care that +nothing be lacking to him. + +9 And the poor man gives +thanks unto the Lord for the rich; +because they both do their work +from the Lord. + +10 With men, therefore, the +elm is not thought to give any +fruit; and they know not, neither +understand that its company being +added to the vine, the vine bears a +double increase, both for itself and +for the elm. + +11 Even so the poor praying +unto the Lord for the rich, are +heard by him; and their riches +are increased, because they minister +to the poor of their wealth. +They are, therefore, both made +partakers of each other's good +works. + +12 Whosoever, therefore, shall +do these things, he shall not be +forsaken by the Lord, but shall be +written in the book of life. + +13 Happy are they who are rich, +and perceive themselves to be +increased: for he that is sensible +of this, will be able to minister +somewhat to others. + + + +SIMILITUDE III. + + As the greet trees in the winter cannot be + distinguished from the dry; so neither can the + righteous from the wicked in this present world. + +AGAIN he showed me many +trees whose leaves were shed, +and which seemed to me to be +withered, for they were all alike. +And he said unto me, Seest thou +these trees? I said, Sir, I see that +they look like dry trees. + +2 He answering, said unto me; +These trees are like unto the men +who live in the present world. I +replied: Sir, why are they like +unto dried trees? Because, said +he, neither the righteous, nor +unrighteous, are known from one +another; but all are alike in this +present world. + +3 For this world is as the winter +to the righteous men, because +they are not known, but dwell +among sinners. + +4 As in the winter all the trees +having lost their leaves, are like +dry trees; nor can it be discerned +which are dry and which are green: +so in this present world neither +the righteous, nor wicked are +discerned from each other; but they +are all alike. + + + +SIMILITUDE IV. + + As in the summer the living trees are distinguished + from the dry by their fruit and green leaves; + so in the world to come the righteous shall be + distinguished from the unrighteous by their happiness. + +AGAIN he showed me many +other trees, of which some +had leaves, and others appeared +dry and withered. And he said +unto me, Seest thou these trees +I answered, Sir, I see them; some +are dry, and others full of leaves. + +2 These trees, saith be, which +are green, are the righteous, who +shall possess the world to come. +For the world to come, is the summer +to the righteous; but to sinners +it is the winter. + +3 When, therefore, the mercy +of the Lord shall shine forth, then +they who serve God shall be made +manifest, and plain unto all. For +as in the summer the fruit of every +tree is shown and made manifest. +so also the works of the righteous +shall be declared and made manifest, +and they shall all be restored +in that world merry and joyful. + +4 For the other kind of men, +namely the wicked, like the trees +which thou rawest dry, shall, as +such, be found dry and without +fruit in that other world; and like +dry wood shall be burnt; and it +shall be made manifest that they +have done evil all the time of their +life; + +5 And they shall be burnt because +they have sinned and have not +repented of their sins. And +also all the other nations shall +be burnt, because they have not +acknowledged God their Creator. + +6 Do then, therefore, bring forth +good fruit, that in the summer thy +fruit may be known; and keep +thyself from much business, and +thou shalt not offend. For they +who are involved in much business, +sin much; because they are taken +up with their affairs, and +serve not God. + +7 And how can a man that does +not serve God, ask anything of +God, and receive it? But they +who serve him, ask and receive +what they desire. + +8 But if a man has only one +thing to follow, he may serve God, +because his mind is not taken off +from God, but he serves him with +a pure mind. + +9 If, therefore, thou shalt do +this, thou mayest have fruit in +the world to come; and as many as +shall do in like manner, shall +bring forth fruit. + + + +SIMILITUDE V. + Of a true fast, and the rewards of it: + also of the cleanliness of the body. + +AS I was fasting, and sitting +down in a certain mountain, +and giving thanks unto God for all +the things that he had done unto +me; behold, I saw the Shepherd, +who was wont to converse with +me, sitting by me, and saying +unto me: What has brought thee +hither thus early in the morning? +I answered, Sir, to-day I keep a +station. + +2 He answered, What is a station; +I replied, it is a fast. He said, +What is that fast? I answered, +I fast as I have been wont to +do. Ye know not, said he, what +it is to fast unto God; nor is this +a fast which ye keep, profiting +nothing with God. + +3 Sir, said I, what makes you +speak thus? He replied, I speak +it, because it is not the true fast +which you think that you keep; +but I will show you what that is +which is a complete fast, and +acceptable unto God. + +4 Hearken, said he, The Lord +does not desire such a needless +fast; for by fasting in this manner, +thou advancest nothing in +righteousness. + +5 But the true fast is this: Do +nothing wickedly in thy life, but +serve God with a pure mind; and +keep his commandments, and walk +according to his precepts, nor +suffer any wicked desire to enter +into the mind. + +6 But trust in the Lord, that if +thou dost these things, any fearest +him, and abstaineth from every +evil work, thou shall live unto +God. + +7 If thou shalt do this, thou +shall perfect a great fast, and an +acceptable one unto the Lord. + +8 Hearken unto the similitude +which I am about to propose +unto thee, as to this matter. + +9 A certain man having a farm, +and many servants, planted a vineyard +in a certain part of his estate for +his posterity: + +10 And taking a journey into +a far country, chose one of his +servants which he thought the most +faithful and approved, and delivered +the vineyard into his care; +commanding him that he should +stake up the vines. Which if he +did, and fulfilled his command, he +promised to give him his liberty. +Nor did he command him to do +any thing more; and so went into +a far country. + +11 And after that servant had +taken that charge upon him, he +did whatsoever his lord commanded +him. And when he had staked the +vineyard, and found it to be full +of weeds, he began to think within +himself, saying: + +12 I have done what my lord +commanded me, I will now dig +this vineyard, and when it is digged, +it will be more beautiful; and the +weeds being pulled up, it will +bring forth more fruit and not be +choked by the weeds. + +13 So setting about this work +he digged it, and plucked up all +the weeds that were in it; and so +the vineyard became very beautiful +and prosperous, not being choked +with weeds. + +14 After some time the lord of +the vineyard comes and goes into +the vineyard, and when he saw +that it was handsomely staked and +digged, and the weeds plucked up +that were in it, and the vines +flourishing, he rejoiced greatly at +the care of his servant. + +15 And calling his son whom +he loved, and who was to be his +heir, and his friends with whom +he was wont to consult; he tells +them what he had commanded his +servant to do, and what his +servant had done more; and they +immediately congratulated that +servant, that he had received so +full a testimony from his lord. + +16 Then he said to them, I +indeed promised this servant his +liberty, if he observed the command +which I gave him; and he observed it, +and besides has done a good work +to my vineyard, which has exceedingly +pleased me. + +17 Wherefore, for this work +which he hath done, I will make +him my heir together with my +son; because that when he saw +what was good, he neglected it +not, but did it. + +18 This design of the lord both +his son and his friends approved, +namely, that his servant should be +heir together with his son. + +19 Not long after this the master +of the family calling together, his +friends, sent from his supper several +kinds of food to that servant. + +20 Which when he had received, +he took so much of them as was +sufficient for himself, and divided +the rest among his fellow-servants. + +21 Which when they had received, +they rejoiced; and wished that +he might find yet greater favour +with his lord, for what he had +done to them. + +22 When his lord heard all these +things, he was again filled with +great joy: and calling again his +friends and his son together, he +related to them what his servant +had done with the meats which he +had sent unto him. + +23 They therefore so much the +more assented to the master of the +household; and he ought to make +that servant his heir together with +his son. + +24 I said unto him, sir, I know +not these smilitudes, neither can +I understand them, unless you +expound them unto me. I will, +says he, expound, all things unto +thee whatsoever I have talked with +thee, or shown unto thee. + +25 Keep the commandments of +the Lord and thou shalt be approved, +and shall be written in the number +of those that keep his commandments. +But if besides those things which +the Lord hath commanded, thou shalt +add some good thing; thou shall +purchase to thyself a greater dignity, +and be in more favour with the Lord +than thou shouldst otherwise have been. + +26 If therefore thou shalt keep +the commandments of the Lord, +and shalt add to them these stations, +thou shall rejoice; but especially +if thou shalt keep them according +to my commands. + +27 I said unto him, sir, whatsoever +thou shah command me, I will observe; +for I know that thou wilt be with me. +I will, said he, be with thee who hast +taken up such a resolution; and I will +be with all those who purpose in like +manner. + +28 This fast, saith he, whilst +thou dost also observe the +commandments of the Lord, is +exceeding good; therefore thus +shalt thou keep it. + +29 First of all, take heed to +thyself, and keep thyself from every +wicked act, and from every filthy +word, and from every hurtful desire; +and purify thy mind from all the +vanity of this present world. If +thou shalt observe these things, +this fast shall be right. + +30 Thus therefore do. Having +performed what is before written, +that day on which thou fastest +thou shalt taste nothing at all but +bread and water; and computing +the quantity of food which thou +art want to eat upon other days, +thou shalt lay aside the expense +which thou shouldest have made +that day, and give it unto the +widow, the fatherless, and the +poor. + +31 And thus thou shalt perfect +the humiliation of thy soul; that +he who receives of it may satisfy +his soul, and his prayer come up +to the Lord God for thee. + +32 If therefore thou shalt thus +accomplish thy fast, as I command +thee, thy sacrifice shall be +acceptable unto the Lord, and thy +fast shall be written in his book. + +33 This station, thus performed, +is good and pleasing and acceptable +unto the Lord. These things if thou +shalt observe with thy children and +with all thy house, thou shalt +be happy. + +34 And whosoever, when they +hear these things, shall do them, +they also shall be happy; and +whatsoever they shall ask of the +Lord they shall receive it. + +35 And I prayed him that he +would expound unto me the similitude +of the farm, and the Lord, and of +the vineyard, and of the servant +that had staked the vineyard; +and of the weeds that were +plucked out of the vineyard; and +of his son and his friends which +he took into counsel with him; +for I understand that that was +a similitude. + +36 He said unto me, Thou art +very bold in asking; for thou +oughtest not to ask any thing; +because if it be fitting to show it +unto thee, it shall be showed unto +thee. + +37 I answered him; Sir, whatsoever +thou shalt show me, without explaining +it unto me, I shall in vain see it, +if I do not understand what it is. +And if thou shalt propose any +similitudes, and not expound them, +I shall in vain hear them. + +38 He answered me again, saying: +Whosoever is the servant of God, +and has the Lord in his heart, +he desires understanding of him, +and receives it; and he explains +every similitude, and understands +the words of the Lord which need +an inquiry. + +39 But they that are lazy and +slow to pray, doubt to seek from +the Lord: although the Lord be of +such an extraordinary goodness, +that without ceasing he giveth all +things to them that ask of him. + +40 Thou therefore who art +strengthened by that venerable +messenger, and hast received such +a powerful gift of prayer; seeing +thou art not slothful, why dost +thou not now ask understanding of +the Lord, and receive it? + +41 I said unto him; seeing I +have thee present, it is necessary +that I should seek it of thee, and +ask thee; for thou shewest all +things unto me, and speakest to +me when thou art present. + +42 But if I should see or hear +these things when thou wert not +present, I would then ask the Lord +that he would chew them unto me. + +43 And he replied, I said a +little before that thou wert subtle +and bold, in that thou asketh the +meaning of these similitudes. + +44 But because thou still persistest, +I will unfold to thee this parable +which then desirest, that thou mayest +make it known unto all men. + +45 Hear, therefore, said he, +and understand. The farm before +mentioned denotes the whole earth. +The Lord of the farm is he, who +created and finished all things; +and gave virtue unto them. + +46 His son is the Holy Spirit; +the servant is the Son of God: the +vineyard is the people whom he +saves. The stakes are the messengers +which are set oven them by the Lord, +to support his people. The weeds +that are plucked up out of the +vineyard, are the sins which +the servants of God had +committed. + +47 The food which he sent him +from his supper, are the commands +which he gave to his people by his +Son. The friends whom he called +to counsel with him, are the holy +angels whom he first created. The +absence of the master of the household, +is the time that remains unto +his coming. + +48 I said unto him, Sir, all +these things are very excellent, +and wonderful, and good. But, +continued I, could I or any other +man besides, though never so wise, +have understood these things? + +49 Wherefore now, sir, tell me, +what I ask. He replied, ask me +what thou wilt. Why, said I, is +the Son of God in this parable, +put in the place of a servant. + +50 Hearken, he said: the Son +of God is not put in the condition +of a servant, but in great power +and authority. I said unto him, +how, sir? I understand it not. + +51 Because, said he, the Son set +his messengers over those whom +the Father delivered unto him, to +keep every one of them; but he +himself laboured very much, and +suffered much, that he might blot +out their offences. + +52 For no vineyard can be digged +without much labour and pains. +Wherefore having blotted out the +sins of his people, he showed to +them the paths of life, giving +them the law which he had +received of the Father. + +53 You see, said he, that he is +the Lord of his people, having +received all power from his Father. +But why the lord did take his +son into counsel, about dividing +the inheritance, and the good +angels, hear now. + +54 That Holy Spirit, which was +created first of all, he placed in the +body in which God should dwell; +namely, in a chosen body, as it +seemed good to him. This body +therefore into which the Holy +Spirit was brought, served that +Spirit, walking rightly and purely +in modesty; nor ever defiled that +Spirit. + +55 Seeing therefore the body at +all times obeyed the Holy Spirit, +and laboured rightly and chastely +with him, nor faltered at anytime; +that body being wearied conversed +indeed servilely, but being +mightily approved to God with +the Holy Spirit, was accepted by +him. + +56 For such a stout course +pleased God, because he was not +defiled in the earth, keeping the +Holy Spirit. He called therefore +to counsel his Son, and the good +angels, that there might be some +place of standing given to this +body which had served the Holy +Spirit without blame; lest it +should seem to have lost the +reward of its service. + +57 For every pure body shall +receive its reward; that is found +without spot, in which the Holy +Spirit has been appointed to dwell. +And thus you have now the exposition +of this parable also. + +58 Sir, said I, I now understand +your meaning, since I have heard +this exposition. Hearken farther, +said he: keep this thy body clean +and pure, that the Spirit which +shall dwell in it may bear witness +unto it, and be judged to have +been with thee. + +59 Also take heed that it be not +instilled into thy mind that this +body perishes, and thou abuse it +to any lust. For if thou shalt +defile thy body, thou shalt also at +the same time defile the Holy +Spirit; and if thou shalt defile +the Holy Spirit, thou shall not +live. + +60 And I said, What if through +ignorance this should have been +already committed, before a man +heard these words; How can he +attain into salvation, who has thus +defiled his body? + +61 He replied, As for men's former +actions which through ignorance +they have committed, God only can +afford a remedy unto them; for all +the power belongeth unto him. + +62 But now guard thyself; and +seeing God is almighty and merciful, +he will grant a remedy to what thou +hast formerly done amiss, if for the +time, to come thou shalt not defile +thy body and spirit: + +63 For they are companions together, +and the one cannot be defiled but the +other will be so too. Keep therefore +both of them pure, and thou shalt +live unto God. + + + +SIMILITUDE VI. + + Of two sorts of voluptuous men, and of + their death and defection; and of the + continuance of their pains. + +AS I was sitting at home, and +praising God for all the things +which I had seen; and was thinking +concerning the commands, that they +were exceedingly good, and great, +and honest, and pleasant, and +such as were able to bring a man +to salvation; I said thus within +myself, I shall be happy if I walk +according to these commands; and +whosoever shall walk in them shall +live unto God. + +2 Whilst I was speaking on this +wise within myself, I saw him +whom I had before been wont to +see, sitting by me; and he spake +thus unto me: + +3 What doubtest thou concerning +my commands which I have delivered +unto thee? They are good, doubt not, +but trust in the Lord, and thou shalt +walk in them; for I will give thee +strength to fulfil them. + +4 These commands are profitable +to those who shall repent of the +sins which they have formerly +committed; if for the time to come +they shall not continue in them. + +5 Whosoever therefore ye be +that repent, cast away from you +the naughtiness of the present +world; and put on all virtue, and +righteousness, and so shall ye be +able to keep these commands; +and not sin from henceforth any +more. + +6 For if ye shall keep yourselves +from sin for the time to come, +ye shall cut off a great deal +of your former sins. Walk in my +commands, and ye shall live unto +God: These things have I spoken +unto you. + +7 And when he, had said this, +he added; let us go into the field, +and I will show thee shepherds of +sheep. I replied, sir, let us go. + +8 And we came into a certain +field, and there he showed me a +young shepherd, finely arrayed, +with his garments of a purple +colour. And he fed large flocks; +and his sheep were full of pleasure, +and in much delight and cheerfulness; +and they skipping, ran here and there. + +9 And the shepherd took very +great satisfaction in his flock; and +the countenance of that shepherd +was cheerful, running up and down +among his flock. + +10 Then the angel said unto +me, Seest then this shepherd? +I answered, sir, I see him. +He said unto me, this is the +messenger of delight and pleasure. +He therefore corrupts the minds +of the servants of God, and turns +them from the truth, delighting them +with many pleasures, and they perish. + +11 For they forget the commands +of the living God, and live in +luxury and in vain pleasures, +and are corrupted by the evil +angel, some of them even unto +death; and others to a falling +away. + +12 I replied; I understand not +what you mean, by saying unto +death, and to a falling away. +Hear, says he; all those sheep +which thou sawest exceeding +joyful, are such as have for ever +departed from God, and given +selves up to the lusts of this +present time. + +13 To these therefore there is +no return, by repentance, unto +life; because, to their other sins +they have added this, that they +have blasphemed the name of the +lord: These kind of men are +ordained unto death. + +14 But those sheep which thou +sawest not leaping, but feeding in +one place; are such as have indeed +given themselves up to pleasure +and delights; but have not spoken +anything wickedly against the Lord. + +15 These therefore are only +fallen off from the truth, and so +have yet hope laid up for them in +repentance. For such a falling off +hath some hope still left of a +renewal; but they that are dead, +are utterly gone for ever. + +16 Again we went a little farther +forward, and he showed me a great +shepherd, who had as it were a rustic +figure; clad with a white goat's skin, +having his bag upon his shoulder, +and in his hand a stick full of knots, +and very hard, and a whip in his other +hand; and his countenance was stern and +sour, enough to affright a man; +such was his look. + +17 He took from that young +shepherd such sheep as lived in +pleasures, but did not skip up and +down; and drove them into a +certain steep craggy place fall of +thorns and briars, insomuch that +they could not get themselves free +from them: + +18 But being entangled in them, +fed upon thorns and briars, and +were grievously tormented with +his whipping. For he still drove +them on, and afforded them not +any place, or time, to stand still. + +19 When therefore I saw them so +cruelly whipped and afflicted, +I was grieved for them; because +they were greatly tormented, nor +had they any rest afforded them. + +20 And I said unto the shepherd +that was with me: Sir, who is this +cruel and implacable shepherd, who +is moved with no compassion towards +these sheep? He answered, This +shepherd is indeed one of the holy +angels, but is appointed for the +punishment of sinners. + +21 To him therefore are delivered +those who have erred from God, +and served the lusts and pleasures +of this world. For this cause he +punishes them every one according +to their deserts, with cruel and +various kinds of pains. + +22 Sir, said I, I would know +what kind of pains they are which +every one undergoes? Hearken, +said he; The several pains and +torments are those which men +every day undergo in their present +lives. For some suffer losses; +others poverty; others divers +sicknesses. Some are unsettled; others +suffer injuries from those that are +unworthy; others fall under many +other trials and inconveniences. + +23 For many with an unsettled +design at many things, and it +profiteth them not; and they say +that they have not success in their +undertakings. + +24 They do not call to their +mind what they have done amiss, +and they complain of the Lord. +When therefore they shall have +undergone all kind of vexation +and inconvenience; then they are +delivered over to me for good +instruction, and are confirmed +in the Faith of the Lord, and +serve the Lord all the rest of +their days with a pure mind. + +25 And when they begin to repent +of their sins, then they call to +mind their works which they have +done amiss, and give honour to +God, saying, that he is a just +Judge, and they have deservedly +suffered all things according to +their deeds. + +26 Then for what remains of +their lives, they serve God with a +pure mind; and have success in +all their undertakings, and receive +from the Lord whatever they desire. + +27 And then they give thanks +unto the Lord that they were +delivered unto me; nor do they +suffer any more cruelty. + +28 I said unto him; Sir, I entreat +you still to show me now one thing. +What, said he, dost thou ask? +I said unto him; Are they who +depart from the fear of God, +tormented for the same time that +they enjoyed their false delight +and pleasures? He answered me; +they are tormented for the same +time. + +29 And I said unto him; They +are then tormented but little; +whereas they who enjoy their +pleasures so as to forget God, +ought to endure seven times as +much punishment. + +30 He answered me; Thou art +foolish, neither understandest thou +the efficacy of this punishment. +I said unto him; Sir, if I understood +it, I would not desire you to tell me. + +31 Hearken, said he, and learn +what the force of both is, both of +the pleasure and of the punishment. +An hour of pleasure is terminated +within its own space: but one hour +of punishment has the efficacy of +thirty days. a Whosoever therefore +enjoys his false pleasure for one day, +and is one day, tormented; that one +day of punishment is equivalent to +a whole year's space. + +32 Thus look how many days +any one pursues his pleasures, so +many years is he punished for it. +You see therefore how that the +time of worldly enjoyments is but +short; but that of pain and torments, +a great deal more. + +33 I replied; Sir, forasmuch as +I do not understand at all these +times of pleasure and pain; I +entreat you that you would explain +yourself more clearly concerning +them. He answered me, saying; +Thy foolishness still sticks unto +thee. + +34. Shouldst thou not rather +purify thy mind, and serve God? +Take heed, lest when thy time is +fulfilled, thou be found still +unwise. Hear then, as thou desirest, +that thou mayest the more easily +understand. + +35 He that gives himself up one +day to his pleasures and delights, +and does whatsoever his soul desires, +is full of great folly, nor understands +what he does, but the day following +forgets what he did the day before. + +36 For delight and worldly +pleasure are not kept in memory, +by reason of the folly that is rooted +in them. But when pain and torment +befal a man a day, he is in effect +troubled the whole year after; +because his punishment continues +firm in his memory. + +37 Wherefore he remembers it +with sorrow the whole year; and +then calls to mind his vain pleasure +and delight, and perceives that for +the sake of that he was punished. + +38 Whosoever therefore have +delivered themselves over to such +pleasures, are thus punished; because +that when they had life, they rendered +themselves liable to death. + +39 I said unto him; Sir, what +pleasures are hurtful? He answered; +That is pleasure to every man +which he doth willingly. + +40 For the angry man, gratifying +his passion, perceives pleasure +in it; and so the adulterer, and +drunkard; the slanderer and liar; +the covetous man and the defrauder; +and whosoever commits anything like +unto these, he followeth his evil +disposition, because he receives +a satisfaction in the doing of it. + +41 All these pleasures and delights +are hurtful to the servants of God. +For these therefore they are tormented +and suffer punishment. + +42 There are also pleasures that +bring salvation unto men. For many, +when they do what is good, find +pleasure in it, and are attracted +by the delights of it. + +43 Now this pleasure is profitable +to the servants of God, and brings +life to such men; but those hurtful +pleasures, which were before mentioned, +bring torments and punishment. + +44 And whosoever shall continue +in them, and shall not repent of +what they have done, shall bring +death upon themselves. + + + +SIMILITUDE VII. + + That they who repent, must bring forth, + fruits worthy of repent once. + +AFTER a few days I saw the +same person that before talked +with me, in the same field, in +which I had seen those shepherds, +And he said unto me; What seekest +thou? Sir, said I, I came to entreat +you that You would command the +shepherd, who is the minister of +punishment, to depart out of my +house, because he greatly afflicts +me. + +3 And he answered, It is necessary +for thee to endure inconveniencies +and vexations; for so that good angel +hath commanded concerning thee, +because he would try thee. + +4 Sir, said I; What so great +offence have I committed, that I +should be delivered to this messenger? +Hearken, said he: Thou art indeed +guilty of many sins, yet not so +many that thou shouldest be +delivered to this messenger. + +5 But thy house hath committed +many sins and offences, and therefore +that good messenger being grieved +at their doings commanded that for +some time thou shouldst suffer +affliction; that they may both +repent of what they have done, and +may wash themselves from all the +lusts of this present world. + +6 When therefore they shall have +repented, and be purified, then that +messenger which is appointed over +thy punishment, shall depart from +thee. + +7 I said unto him; Sir, if they +have behaved themselves so as to +anger that good angel, yet what +have I done? He answered: They +cannot otherwise be afflicted, +unless thou, who art the head +of the family, suffer. + +8 For whatsoever thou shalt +suffer, they must needs feel it +but as long as thou shalt stand +well established, they cannot +experience any vexation. + +9 I replied; But, sir, behold +they also now repent with all their +hearts. I know, says he, that they +repent with all their hearts; but +dost thou therefore think that their +offences who repent, are immediately +blotted out. + +10 No, they are not presently; +but he that repents must afflict his +soul and show himself humble in +all his affairs, and undergo many +and divers vexations. + +11 And when he shall have suffered +all things that were appointed for him; +then perhaps HE that made him, and +formed all things besides, will be +moved with compassion towards him, +and afford him some remedy; and +especially if HE shall perceive +his heart who repents, to be free +from every evil work. + +12 But at present it is expedient +for thee, and for thy house, to be +grieved; and it is needful that +thou shoudest endure much vexation, +as the angel of the Lord who committed +thee unto me, has commanded. + +13 Rather give thanks unto the +Lord, that knowing what was to +come he thought thee worthy, to +whom he should foretel that trouble +was coming upon thee, who art able +to bear it. + +14 I said unto him; Sir, but be +thou also with me, and I shall +easily undergo any trouble. I will, +said he, be with thee; and I will +entreat the messenger who is set +over thy punishment, that he +would moderate his afflictions +towards thee. + +15 And moreover thou shalt +suffer adversity but for a little +time; and then thou shalt again +be restored to thy former state; +only continue on in the humility +of thy mind. + +16 Obey the Lord with a pure +heart; thou, and thy house, and +thy children; and. walk in the +commands which I have delivered +unto thee; and then thy repentance +may be firm and pure. + +17 And if thou shalt keep +these things with thy house, thy +inconveniencies shall depart from thee. + +18 And all vexation shall in like +manner depart from those, whosoever +shall walk according to these commands. + + + +SIMILITUDE VIII. + + That there are many kinds of elect, and of + repenting sinners: and how all of theca shall + receive a reward proportionable to the measure + of their repentance and good works. + +AGAIN he showed me a willow +which covered the fields and +the mountains, under whose shadow +came all such as were called by +the name of the Lord. + +2 And by that willow stood an. +angel of the Lord very excellent +and lofty, and did cut down bows +from the willow with a great +hook; and reached out to the people +that were under the shadow of the +willow, little rods, as it were +about a foot long. + +3 And when all of them had +taken them, he laid aside his hook, +and the tree continued entire, as I +had before seen it; at which I +wondered, and mused within myself. + +4 Then that shepherd said unto +me; Forbear to wonder that the +tree continues whole, +not-with-standing so many boughs have +been cut off from it: but stay a +little, for now it shall be shown +thee, what that angel means, who +gave those rods to the people. + +5 So he again demanded the +rods of them; and in the same +order that every one had received +them, was he called to him, and +restored his rod; which when he +had received, he examined them. + +6 From some he received them +dry and rotten, and as it were +touched with the moth; those he +commanded to be separated from +the rest, and placed by themselves. +Others gave in their rods dry +indeed, but not touched with the +moth: these also he ordered to be +set by themselves. + +7 Others gave in their rods half +dry; these also were set apart, +Others gave in their rods half dry +and cleft; these too were set by +themselves. Others brought in +their rods half dry and half green, +and these were in like manner +placed by themselves. + +8 Others delivered up their rods +two parts green, and the third +dry; and they too were set apart. +Others brought their rods two +parts dry, and the third green; +and were also placed by themselves. + +9 Others delivered up their rods +less dry (for there was but a very +little, to wit, their tops dry), but +they had clefts, and these were set +in like manner by themselves. In +the rods of others there was but a +little green, and the rest dry; and +these were set aside by themselves. + +10 Others came, and brought +their rods green as they had +received them, and the greatest +part of the people brought their +rods thus; and the messenger +greatly rejoiced at these, and they +also were put apart by themselves. + +11 Others brought in their rods +not only green, but full of branches; +and these were set aside, being +also received by the angel +with great joy. Others brought +their rods green with branches, +and those also some fruit upon +them. + +12 They who had such rods, +were very cheerful; and the angel +himself took great joy at them; +nor was the shepherd that stood +with me, less pleased with them. + +13 Then the angel of the Lord +commanded crowns to be brought, +and the crowns were brought made +of palms; and the angel crowned +those men in whose rods he found +the young branches with fruit, and +commanded them to go into the +tower. + +14 He also sent those into the +tower, in whose hands he found +branches without fruit, giving a +seal unto them. For they had the +same garment, that is, one white +as snow; with which he bade them +go into the tower And so he did +to those who returned their rods +green as they had received them; +giving them a white garment, and +so sent them away to go into the +tower. + +15 Having done this, he said to +the shepherd that was with me, +I go my way; but do thou send +these within the walls, every one +into the place in which he has +deserved to dwell; examining first +their rods, but examine them +diligently that no one deceive thee; +and if any one shall escape thee, +I will try them upon the altar. +Having said this to the shepherd, +he departed. + +16 After he was gone, the shepherd +said unto me; Let us take the rods +from them, and plant them; if +perchance they may grow green again. +I said unto him; Sir, how can those +dry rods ever grow green again? + +17 He answered me; That tree. +is a willow, and always loves to +live. If therefore these rods shall +be planted, and receive a little +moisture, many of them will +recover themselves. + +18 Wherefore I will try, and +will pour water upon them, and if +any of them can live, I will rejoice +with them; but if not, at least by +this means I shall be found not +to have neglected my part. + +19 Then he commanded me to +call them; and they all came +unto him, every one in the rank +in which he stood, and gave him +their rods; which having received +he planted every one of them in +their several orders. + +20 And after he had planted +them all, he poured much water +upon them, insomuch that they +were covered with water, and did +not appear above it. Then when +he had watered them, he said unto +me; Let us depart, and after a +little time we will return and visit +them. + +21 For he who created this tree, +would have all those live that +received rods from it. And I hope +now that these rods are thus +watered, many of them receiving +in the moisture, will recover: + +22 I said unto him, Sir, tell +me what this tree denotes? For I +am greatly astonished, that after +so many branches have been cut +off, it seems still to be whole: +nor does there any thing the less +of it appear to remain, which +greatly amazes me. + +23 He answered, Hearken. This +great tree which covers the plains +and the mountains, and all the +earth, is the law of God, published +throughout the whole world. + +24 Now this law is the Son of +God, who is preached to all the +ends of the earth. The people +that stand under its shadow, are +those which have heard his preaching, +and believed. + +25 The great and venerable +angel which you saw, was Michael +who had the power over his people, +and governs them. For he has +planted the law in the hearts +of those who have believed: and +therefore he visits them to whom +lie has given the law, to see if +they have kept it. + +26 And he examines every +one's rod; and of those, many that +are weakened: for those rods are +the law of the Lord. Then he discerns +all those who have not kept the law, +knowing the place of every one of them. + +27 I said unto him, Sir, why +did he send away some to the +tower, and left others here to you? +He replied, those who have +transgressed the law, which they +received from him, are left in my +power, that they may repent of +their sins: but they who fulfilled +this law and kept it, are under his +power. + +28 But who then, said I, are +those, who went into the tower +crowned? He replied, all such as +having striven with the devil, have +overcome him, are crowned: and +they are those, who have suffered +hard things, that they might keep +the law. + +29 But they who gave up their +rods green, and with young +branches, but without fruit, have +indeed endured trouble for the +same law, but have not suffered +death; neither have they denied +their holy law. + +30 They who delivered up their +rods green as they received them, +are those who were modest and +just, and have lived with a +very pure mind, and kept the +commandments of God. + +31 The rest thou shalt know, +when I shall have considered those +rods which I have planted and +watered. + +32 After a few days we returned, +and in the same place stood that +glorious angel, and I stood by him. +Then he said unto me; Gird thyself +with a towel, and serve me. + +33 And I girded myself with +a clean towel, which was made of +coarse cloth. And when he saw +me girded, and ready to minister +unto him, he said, Call those men +whose rods have been planted, +every one in his order as he +gave them. + +34 And he brought me into the +field, and I called them all, +and they all stood ready in their +several ranks. Then he said unto +them; let every one pluck up his +rod, and bring it unto me. And +first they delivered theirs, whose +rods had been dry and rotten. + +35 And those whose rods still +continued so, he commanded to +stand apart. Then they came +whose rods had been dry but not +rotten. Some of these delivered. +in their rods green; others dry +and rotten, as if they had been +touched by the moth. + +36 Those who gave them up +green, he commanded to stand +apart: but those whose rods were +dry and rotten, he caused to stand +with the first sort. Then came +they whose rods had been half +dry, and cleft: many of these +gave up their rods green, and +uncleft. + +37 Others delivered them up +green with branches, like unto +theirs who went crowned into the +tower. Others delivered them +up dry, but not rotten; and some +gave them up as they were before, +all dry, and cleft. + +38 Every one of these he ordered +to stand apart; some by themselves, +others in their respective ranks. + +32 Then came they whose rods +had been green, but cleft. These +delivered their rods altogether +green, and stood in their own +order. And the shepherd rejoiced +at these, because they were all +changed, and free from their +clefts. + +40 Then they gave in their rods, +who had them half green and +half dry. Of these some were +found wholly green, others half +dry: others green, with young +shoots. And all these were sent +away, every one to his proper +rank. + +41 Then they gave up their +rods, who had them before two +parts green, and the third dry. +Many of those gave in their rods +green; many half dry; the rest +dry but not rotten. So these were +sent away, each to his proper +place. + +42 Then came they who before +had their rods two parts dry and +the third green; many of these +delivered up their rods half dry, +others dry and rotten; others half +dry and cleft: but few green. And +all these were set every one in his +own rank. + +43 Then they reached in their +rods, in which there was before +but a little green, and the rest +dry. Their rods were for the +most part found green, having +little boughs, with fruit upon +them; and the rest altogether +green. + +44 And the shepherd upon sight +of these rejoiced exceedingly, +because he had found them thus; +and they also went to their +proper orders. + +45 Now after he had examined +all their rods, he said unto me, +I told thee that this tree loved +life thou seest how many have +repented, and attained unto +salvation. Sir, said I, I see it. + +46 That thou mightest know +saith he, that the goodness and +mercy of the Lord is great, and +to be had in honour; who gave +his spirit to them that were found +worthy of repentance. + +47 I answered, Sir, why then +did not all of them repent? He +replied, Those whose minds the +Lords foresaw would be pure, and +that they would serve him with +all their hearts, to them he gave +repentance. + +48 But for those whose deceit +and wickedness he beheld, and +perceived that they would not +truly return unto him; to them +he denied any return unto +repentance, lest they should again +blaspheme his law with wicked +words. + +49 I said unto him; Now, Sir, +make known unto me, what is the +place of every one of those, who +have given up their rods, and +what their portion; that when +they may have not kept their seal +entire, but have wasted the seal +which they received, shall hear +and believe these thins, and may +acknowledge their evil deeds and +repent; + +50 And receiving again their +seal from you, may give glory to +God, that he was moved with +compassion towards them, and sent +you to renew their spirits. + +51 Hearken, said he; they +whose rods have been found +and rotten, and as it were touch +with the moth; are the deserters +and the betrayers of the church; + +52 Who with the rest of their +crimes, have also blasphemed the +Lord, and denied his name when +he had called upon them. Therefore +all these are dead unto God +and thou seest that none of them +have repented, although they +have heard my commands which +thou bast delivered unto them. +From these men therefore life is +far distant. + +53 They also who have delivered +up their rods dry, but not rotten, +have not been far from them. For +they have been counterfeits, +and brought in evil doctrines, +and have perverted the servants +of God, especially those +who had sinned; not suffering +them to return unto repentance, +but keeping them back by their +false doctrines. + +54 These therefore have hope; +and thou seest that many of them +have repented, since the time +that thou hast laid my commands +before them; and many more +will yet repent. But they, that +shall not repent; shall lose both +repentance and life. + +55 But they that have repented, +their place is begun to be within +the first walls, and some of them +are even gone into the tower. +Thou seest therefore, said he, that +in the repentance of sinners there +is life; but for those who repent +not, death is prepared. + +56 Hear now concerning +those who gave in their rods half +dry and full of clefts. Those whose +rods were only half dry, are the +doubtful; for they are neither +living nor dead. + +57 But they who delivered in +their rods, not only half dry but +also full of clefts, are both doubtful +and evil speakers; who detract from +those that are absent, and have +never peace among themselves, +and who envy one another. + +58 Howbeit, to those also +repentance is offered; for thou +seest that some of these have +repented. + +59 Now all those of this kind +who have quickly repented, shall +have a place in the tower; and +they who have been more slow in +their repentance, shall dwell +within the walls: but they that shall +not repent, and shall continue on +in their wicked doings, shall die +the death. + +60 As for those who had their +rods green, but yet cleft; they +are such as were always faithful +and good, but they had some envy +and strife among themselves +concerning dignity and pre-eminence. + +61 Now all such as are vain, and +without understanding, contend +with one another about these +things. + +62 Nevertheless, seeing they +are otherwise good, if when they +shall hear these commands they +shall amend themselves, and shall +at my persuasion suddenly repent; +they shall at last dwell in the +tower, like those who have truly +and worthily repented. + +63 But if any one shall again +return to his dissension; he shall +be shut out from the tower, and +shall lose his life. For the life +of those who keep the commandments +of the Lord, consists in doing +what they are commanded; not in +principality, or in any other +dignity. + +64 For by forbearance and humility +of mind, men shall attain unto life; +but by seditions and contempt of the +law, they shall purchase death unto +themselves. + +65 They who in their rods +had half dry and half green, are +those who are engaged in many +affairs of the world, and are not +joined to the saints. For which +cause half of them liveth, and +half is dead. + +66 Wherefore many of these +since the time that they have +heard my commands, have repented, +and begun to dwell in the tower. +But some of them have +wholly fallen away; to these there +is no more place for repentance. + +67 For by reason of their present +interests, they have blasphemed +and denied God: and for this +wickedness they have lost life. +And of these many are still in +doubt, yet these may return; and +if they shall quickly repent, they +shall have a place in the tower; +but if they shall be more slow, +they shall dwell within the walls; +but if they shall not repent, they +shall die. + +68 As for those who had two +parts of their rods green, and the +third dry; they have by manifold +ways denied the Lord. Of these +many have repented, and found +a place in the tower: and many +have altogether departed from +God. These have utterly lost life. + +69 And some being in a doubtful +state, have raise up dissensions: +these may yet return, if they +shall suddenly repent and not +continue in their lusts; but if +they shall continue in their +evil-doing they shall die. + +70 They who gave in their +rods two parts dry, and the other +been, are those who have indeed +been faithful, but withal rich and +full of good things; and thereupon +have desired to be famous +among the heathen which are +without, and have thereby fallen +into great pride, and begun to +aim at high matters, and to +forsake the truth. + +71 Nor were they joined to the +saints, but lived with the heathen; +and this life seemed the more pleasant +to them. Howbeit they have not +departed from God, but continued +in the faith; only they have +not wrought the works of faith. + +72 Many therefore of these have +repented; and begun to dwell in +the tower. Yet others still living +among the heathen. people, and +being lifted up with their vanities, +have utterly fallen away from +God, and followed the works and +wickedness of the heathen. +These kind of men therefore are +reckoned among strangers to the +Gospel. + +73 Others of these began to be +doubtful in their minds; despairing +by reason of their wicked doings +ever to attain unto salvation +Others being thus made doubtful, +did moreover stir up dissensions. + +74 To these therefore, and to +those who by reason of their doings +are become doubtful, there is still +hope of return; but they must repent +quickly, that their place may be in +the tower. But they that repent not, +and continue still in their pleasures, +are nigh unto death. + +75 As for those who gave in +their rods green, excepting their +tops, which only were dry, and +had clefts; these were always +good, and faithful, and upright +before God: nevertheless they +sinned a little, by reason of their +empty pleasures and trifling +thoughts which they had within +themselves. + +76 Wherefore many of them +when they heard my words, +repented forthwith, and began to +dwell in the tower. Nevertheless +some grew doubtful, and others +to their doubtful minds added +dissensions. To these therefore +there is still hope of return, +because they were always good; +but they shall not hardly be moved. + +77 As for those, lastly, who +gave in their rods dry, their tops +only excepted, which alone were +green; they are such as have +believed indeed in God, but have +lived in wickedness; yet without +departing from God: having always +willingly borne the name of the +Lord, and readily received into +their houses the servants of God. + +78 Wherefore hearing these +things they returned, and without +delay repented, and lived in all +righteousness. And some of them +suffered death: others readily +underwent many trials, being +mindful of their evil doings. + +79 If And when he had ended +his explications of all the rods, +he said unto me, Go, and say unto +all men that they repent, and they +shall live unto God; because the +Lord being moved with great +clemency hath sent me to preach +repentance unto all: + +80 Even unto those who by +reason of their evil doings, deserve +not to attain unto salvation. But +the Lord will by patient, and keep +the invitation that was made by +his Son. + +81 I said unto him, sir, I hope +that all when they shall hear these +things, will repent. For I trust +that everyone acknowledging his +crimes, and taking up the fear +of the Lord, will return unto +repentance. + +82 He said unto me, Whosoever +shall repent with all their +hearts, and cleanse themselves +from all the evils that I have +before mentioned, and not add +anything more to their sins, +shall receive from the Lord cure +of their former iniquities, if they do +not make any doubt of these commands, +and shall live unto God. + +83 But they that shall continue +to add to their transgressions, and +still converse with the lusts of +the present world, shall condemn +themselves unto death. But do +thou walk in these commands, and +whosoever shall Walk in these, and +exercise them rightly, shall live +unto God. + +84 And having showed me all +these things, he said; I will show +thee the rest in a few days. + + + +SIMILITUDE IX. + + The greatest mysteries of the militant and + triumphant Church which is to be built. + +AFTER I had Written the Commands +and similitudes of the Shepherd, +the Angel of Repentance came unto +me, and said to me, I will show +thee all those things which the +Spirit spake with thee under +the figure of the church. For +that Spirit is the Son of God. + +2 And because thou wert weak +in body, it was not declared unto +thee by the angel, until thou wert +strengthened by the Spirit, and +increased in force, that thou +mightest also see the angel: + +3 For then indeed the building +of the tower was very well and +gloriously shown unto thee by the +church; nevertheless thou sawest +all things shown unto thee as it +were by a virgin. + +4 But now thou art enlightened +by the angel, and yet by the same +Spirit. But thou must consider +all things diligently; for therefore +am I sent into thy house by that +venerable messenger, that when +thou shalt have seen all things +powerfully, thou mayest not be +afraid as before. + +5 And he led me to the height +of a mountain in Arcadia, and we +sat upon its top. And he showed +me a great plain, and about it +twelve mountains in different +figures. + +6 The first was black as soot. +The second was smooth, without +herbs. The third was full of +thorns and thistles. The fourth +had herbs half dried; of which +the upper part was green, but that +next the root was dry; and some +of the herbs, when the sun grew +hot, were dry. + +7 The fifth mountain was very +rugged; but yet had green herbs. +The sixth mountain was full of +clefts, some lesser, and some +greater; and in these clefts grew +grass, not flourishing, but which +seemed to be withering. + +8 The seventh mountain had +delightful pasture, and was wholly +fruitful; and all kinds of cattle, +and of the birds of heaven; fed +upon it; and the more they fed +on it, the more and better did the +grass grow. + +9 The eighth mountain was full +of fountains, and from those +fountains were watered all kinds of +the creatures of Cod. The ninth +mountain had no water at all, but +was wholly destitute of it; and +nourished deadly serpents, very +destructive to men. + +10 The tenth mountain was full +of tall trees, and altogether shady; +and under the shade of them lay +cattle resting and chewing the cud. + +11 The eleventh mountain was +full of the thickest trees, and +those trees seemed to be loaded +with several sorts of fruits; that +whosoever saw them could not choose +but desire to eat of their fruit. + +12 The twelfth mountain was +altogether white, and of a most +pleasant aspect, and itself gave a +most excellent beauty to itself. + +13 In the middle of the plain +he showed me a huge white rock, +which rose out of the plain, and +the rock was higher than those +mountains, and was square; so +that it seemed capable of supporting +the whole world. + +14 It looked to me to be old, +yet it had in it a new gate, which +seemed to have been newly hewn +out of it. Now that gate was +bright beyond the sun itself; +insomuch, that I greatly wondered +at its light. + +15 About the gate stood twelve +virgins; of which four that stood +at the corners of the gate, seemed +to me to be the chiefest, although +the rest were also of worth: and +they stood in the four parts of the +gate. + +16 It added also to the grace of +those virgins, that they stood in +pairs, clothed with linen garments, +and decently girded, their right +arms being at liberty, as if they +were about to lift up some burthen; +for so they were adorned, and were +exceeding cheerful and ready. + +17 When I saw this, I wondered +with myself to see such great +and noble things. And again I +admired upon the account of those +virgins, that they were so handsome +and delicate; and stood with such +firmness and constancy, as if they +would carry the whole heaven. + +18 And as I was thinking thus +within myself, the shepherd said +unto me; What thickest thou within +thyself? Why art thou disquieted, +and fillest thyself with care? + +19 Do not seem to consider, as +if thou wert wise, what thou doest +not understand, but pray unto the +Lord, that thou mayest have ability +to understand it. What is to come +thou canst not understand, but +thou seest that which is before +thee. + +20 Be not therefore disquieted +at those things which thou canst +not see; but get the understanding +of those which thou seest. + +21 Forbear to be curious; and +I will show thee all things that I +ought to declare unto thee: but +first consider what yet remains. + +22 And when he had said this unto +me I looked up, and behold I saw +six tall and venerable men coming; +their countenances were all alike, +and they called a certain multitude +of men; and they who came at their +call were also tall and stout. + +23 And those six commanded +them to build a certain tower over +that gate. And immediately there +began to be a great noise of those +men running here and there about +the gate, who were come together +to build the tower. + +24 But those virgins which stood +about the gate perceived that the +building of the tower was to be +hastened by them. And they +stretched out their hands, as if +they were to receive somewhat +from them to do. + +25 Then those six men commanded, +that they should lift up stones +out of a certain deep place, +and prepare them for the building +of the tower. And there were +lifted up ten white stones, square, +and not cut round. + +26 Then those six men called +the ten virgins to them, and +commanded them to carry all the +stones that were to be put into +the building, and having carried +them through the gate to deliver +them to those that were about to +build the tower. + +27 Immediately the virgins began +all of them together to lift up +those stones, that were before +taken out of the deep. + +28 And they who also stood about +the gate did carry stones in such +a manner, that those stones which +seemed to be the strongest were +laid at the corners, and the rest +were put into the sides; + +29 And thus they carried all the +stones, and bringing them through +the gate delivered them to the +builders, as they had been +commanded: who receiving them +at their hands, built with them. + +30 But this building was made +upon that great rock, and over the +gate; and by these the whole tower +was supported. But the building +of the ten stones filled the whole +gate, which began to be made for +the foundation of that tower. + +31 After those ten stones did +five and twenty others rise up +out of the deep; and these were +placed in the building of the same +tower; being lifted up by those +virgins, as the others had been +before. + +32 After these did fire and thirty +others rise up; and these were also +in like manner fitted into the same +work. Then forty other stones were +brought up, and all these were added +unto the building of that tower. + +33 So there began to be four +ranks in the foundation of that +tower; and the stones ceased to +rise out of the deep; and they +also which built rested a little. + +34 Again, those six men commanded +the multitude, that they should +bring stones out of those twelve +mountains to the building of the +same tower. + +35 So they cut out of all the +mountains stones of divers colours, +and brought them and gave them to +the virgins; which when they had +received they carried them, and +delivered them into the building +of the tower. + +36 In which when they were built +they became white, and different +from what they were before; for +they were all alike, and did +change their former colours. +And some were reached up by the +men themselves, which when they +came into the building, continued +such is they were put in. + +37 These neither became white, +nor different from what they were +before; because they were not +carried by the virgins through +the gate. Wherefore these stones +were disagreeable in the building; +which, when these six men perceived +they commanded them to be removed, +and put again in the place from +which they were brought. + +38 And they said to those who +brought these stones; Do not ye +reach up to us any stones for this +building, but lay them down by +the tower, that these virgins may +carry them and reach them to us. + +39 For unless they shall be +carried by these virgins through +this gate, they cannot change their +colours: therefore do not labour +in vain. + +40 So the building that day +was done; howbeit the tower was +not finished, for it was afterwards +to be built; therefore now also +there was some delay made of it. + +41 And these six men commanded +those that built to depart, and +as it were to rest for some time; +but they ordered those virgins +that they should not depart from +the tower; so now they seemed +to me to be left for the guarding +of it. + +42 When all were departed, +I said unto the shepherd; Sir, +why is not the building of the +tower finished? Because it cannot, +said he, be finished until its Lord +comes, and approves of the building; +that if he shall find any stones +in it that are not good they may +be changed; for this tower is built +according to his will. + +43 Sir, said I, I would know +what the building of this tower +signifies; as also I would be +informed concerning this rock, +and this gate; + +44 And concerning the mountains, +and the virgins, and the stones +that did rise out of the deep, +and were not cut, but put into +the building just as they came +forth; and why the ten stones +were first laid in the foundation; +then the twenty-five, then thirty- +five; then forty? + +45 Also concerning those stones +that were put into the building, +and again taken out, and carried +back into their places? Fulfil, I +pray, the desire of my soul as to +all these things, and manifest all +unto me. + +46 And he said unto me; If thou +shalt not be dull, thou shall +know all, and shall see all the +other things that are about to +happen in this, tower: and shall +understand diligently all these +similitudes. + +47 And after a few days we +came into the same place where +we had sat before; and he said +unto me, Let us go unto the +tower; for the Lord of it will +come and examine it. + +48 So we came thither, and +found none but those virgins there. +And he asked them whether the +Lord of that tower was come +thither? And they replied, that +he would be there presently to +examine the building. + +49 After a very little while I +saw a great multitude of men +coming, and in the middle of them +a man so tall, that he surpassed +the tower in height. + +50 About him were those six, +who before commanded in the +building, and all the rest of +those who had built that tower, +and many others of great dignity: +and the virgins that kept the tower +ran to meet him, and kissed him, +and began to walk near unto him. + +51 But he examined the building +with so much care, that he handled +every stone; and struck every one +with a rod which he held in his hand: + +52 Of which some being so struck +turned black as soot; others were +rough; some looked as if they had +cracks in them; others seemed maimed; +some neither black nor white; some +looked sharp, and agreed not with the +other stones, and others were full +of spots. + +53 These were the several kinds +of those stones which were not +found proper in the building; all +which the Lord commanded to be +taken out of the tower, and laid +near it, and other stones to be +brought and put in their places. + +54 And they that built, asked +him from which of the mountains +he would have stones brought to +put in the place of those that were +laid aside. But he forbad them +to bring any from the mountains, +and commanded that they should +take them out of a certain field +that was near. + +55 So they digged in the field, +and found many bright square +stones, and some also that were +round. Howbeit, all that were +found in that field were taken +away, and carried through the +gate by those virgins; and those +of them that were square were +fitted and put into the places of +those that were pulled out. + +56 But the round ones were not +put into the building, because they +were hard, and it would have +required too much time to cut them +but they were placed about the +tower, as if they should hereafter +be cut square, and put into the +building; for they were very +white. + +57 When he who was chief in +dignity, and lord of the whole +tower saw this, he called to him +the shepherd that was with me, +and gave him the stones that were +rejected and laid about the tower, +and said unto him; cleanse these +stones with all care, and fit them +into the building of the tower, that +they may agree with the rest; but +those that will not suit with the +rest, cast away afar off from the +tower. + +58 When he had thus commanded him, +he departed, with all those that +came with him to the tower but +those virgins still stood about +the tower to keep it. + +59 And I said unto that shepherd; +How can these stones, seeing they +have been rejected, return into +the building of this tower? +He replied; I will cut off the +greatest part from these stones, +and will add them to the building, +and they will agree with the rest. + +60 And I said, Sir, how will +they be able to fill the same place, +when they shall be so much cut +away? He answered; They that +shall be found too little shall be +put into the middle of the building, +and the greater shall be placed +without, and keep them in. + +61 When he had said thus unto +me, he added; Let us go, and after +three days we will return, and +I will put these stones, being +cleansed, into the tower. + +62 For all these that are about +the tower must be cleansed, lest +the master of the house chance to +come upon the sudden, and find +those which are about the tower +unclean; and be so exasperated +that these stones should never be +put into the building of this tower, +and I shall be looked upon to have +been unmindful of my master's +commands. + +63 When therefore we came +after three days to the tower, +he said unto me; Let us examine +all these stones, and let us see +which of them may go into the +building. I answered, Sir, +let us see. + +64 And first of all we began +to consider those which had been +black; for they were found just +such as they were when they were +pulled out of the tower: wherefore +he commanded them to be removed +from the tower and put by themselves. + +65 Then he examined those +which had been rough; and commanded +many of those to be cut round, and +to be fitted by the virgins into +the building of the tower; so they +took them, and fitted them into +the middle of the building and +he commanded the rest to be laid +by with the black ones, for they +also were become black. + +66 Next he considered those +which were full of cracks, and +many of those also he ordered to +be pared away, and so to be added +to the rest of the building, by the +came virgins. + +67 These were placed without +because they were found entire; +but the residue through the +multitude of their cracks could +not be reformed, and therefore +were cast away from the building +of the tower. + +68 Then he considered those +that had been maimed; many of +these had cracks, and were become +black; others had large clefts; +these he commanded to be placed +with those that were reected; + +69 But the rest being cleansed +and reformed, he commanded to +be put into the building. These +therefore those virgins took up, +and fitted into the middle of the +building, because they were but +weak. + +70 After these he examined those +which were found half white and +half black, and many of those +which were now black; these also +he ordered to be laid among +those that were cast away. + + +71 The rest were found altogether +white; those were taken up by the +virgins, and fitted into the same +tower: and they were put in the +outside, because they were found +entire; that so they might keep +in those that were placed in the +middle, for nothing was cut off +from them. + +72 Next he looked upon those +which had been hard and sharp; +but few of these were made use of, +because they could not be cut, for +they were found very hard: but +the rest were formed, and fitted by +the virgins into the middle of the +building, because they were more +weak. + +73 Then he considered those +which had spots; of these a few +were found black, and they were +carried to their fellows. The rest +were white and entire; and they +were fitted by the virgins into the +building, and placed in the outside, +by reason of their strength. + +74 After this he came to +consider those stones which were +white and round: and he said unto +me, What shall we do with these +stones? I answered, Sir, I cannot +tell. + +75 He replied, Canst thou +think of nothing then for these? +I answered, Sir, I understand not +this art; neither am I a stone-cutter, +nor can I tell anything. + +76 And he said, seest thou not +that they are very round? Now +to make them square, I must cut +off a great deal from them; howbeit, +it is necessary that some of these +should go into the building of the +tower. + +77 I answered; If it be necessary, +why do you perplex yourself, and +not rather choose, if you have +any choice among them, and fit +them into the building. + +78 Upon this he chose out the +largest and brightest, and squared +them; which, when he had done +the virgins took them up, and +fitted them into the building. + +79 And the rest that remained +were carried back into the same +field from which they were taken; +howbeit, they were not cast away; +because, said he, there is yet a +little wanting to this tower, which +is to be built; and perhaps the +Lord will have these stones fitted +into this building, because they +are exceeding white. + +80 Then there were called twelve +very stately women, clothed with +a black garment, girded, and their +shoulders free, and their hair +loose. These seemed to me to be +country women. + +81 And the shepherd commanded +them to take up those stones +which were cast out of the building, +and carry them back to the mountains +out of which they were taken. + +82 And they took them all up +joyfully, and carried them back to +their places from whence they had +been taken. + +83 When not one stone remained +about the tower, he said unto +me, Let us go about this tower, +and see whether anything be +wanting to it. + +84 We began therefore to go +round about it; and when he saw +that it was handsomely built, he +began to be very glad; for it was +so beautifully framed, that any one +that had seen it must have been in +love with the building. + +85 For it seemed to be all but +one stone, nor did a joint any +where appear; but it looked as if +it had all been cut out of one rock. + +86 And when I diligently +considered what a tower it was, +I was extremely pleased: and he +said unto me, Bring hither some +lime and little shells, that I may +fill up the spaces of those stones +that were taken out of the building, +and put in again; for all things +about the tower must be made even. + +87 And I did as he commanded +me, and brought them unto him +and he said unto me, Be ready to +help me, and this work will quickly +be finished. + +88 He therefore filled up +the spaces of those stones, and +commanded the place about the tower +to be cleansed. + +89 Then those virgins took besoms, +and cleansed all the place around, +and took away all the rubbish, +and threw water on; which being +done, the palace became delightful, +and the tower beauteous. + +90 Then he said unto me, All +is now clean if the Lord should +come to finish the tower, he will +find nothing whereby to complain +of us. + +91 When he had said this he +would have departed. But I laid +hold on his bag, and began to +entreat him for the Lord's sake, that +he would explain to me all things +that he had shown me. + +92 He said unto me, I have at +present a little business; but I +will suddenly explain all things +unto thee. Tarry here for me till +I come. + +93 I said unto him, Sir, what +shall I do here alone? He answered, +Thou art not alone, seeing all +these virgins are with thee. + +94 I said, Sir, deliver me then +unto them. Then he called them +and said unto them, I commend +this man unto you until I shall +come; + +95 So I remained with those +virgins: now they were cheerful +and courteous unto me; especially +the four, which seemed to be +the chieftest among them. + +96 Then those virgins said +unto me, that shepherd will not +return hither to-day. I said unto +them, What then shall I do? They +answered, Tarry for him till the +evening, if perhaps he may come +and speak with thee; but if not, +yet thou shalt continue with us +till he does come. + +97 I said unto them, I will +tarry for him till evening; but if +he comes not by that time, I will +go home, and return hither again +the next morning. + +98 They answered me, As thou +art delivered unto us, thou mayest +not depart from us. I said, Where +shall I tarry? + +99 They replied, Thou shalt +sleep with us as a brother, not +as a husband; for thou art our +brother, and we are ready from +henceforth to dwell with thee; +for thou art very dear to as. + +100 Howbeit I was ashamed to +continue with them. But she that +seemed to be the chieftest amongst +them, embraced me, and began +to kiss me. And the rest when +they saw that I was kissed by her, +began also to kiss me as a brother; +and led me about the tower, and +played with me. + +101 Some of them also sung +psalms, others made up the chorus +with them. But I walked about +the tower with them, rejoicing +silently, and seeming to myself +to be grown young again. + +102 When the evening came on, +I would forthwith have gone +home, but they withheld me, +and suffered me not to depart. +Wherefore I continued with them +that night near the same tower. + +103 So they spread their linen +garments upon the ground; and +placed me in the middle, nor did +they anything else, only they +prayed. + +104 I also prayed with them +without ceasing, nor less than +they. Who, when they saw me pray +in that manner, rejoiced greatly: +and I continued there with their +till the next day. + +105 And when we had worshipped God, +then the shepherd came and said unto +them: You have done no injury to +this man? They answered, Ask him. +I said unto him, Sir, I have received +a great deal of satisfaction in that +I have remained with them. + +106 And he said unto me, How didst +thou sup? I answered, Sir, I feasted +the whole night upon the words of +the Lord. They received thee well +then, said he? I said, Sir, very well. + +107 He answered, Wilt thou +now learn what thou didst desire? +I replied, Sir, I will: and first I +pray thee that thou shouldest show +me all things in the order that I +asked them. + +108 He answered, I will do all +as thou wouldst have me, nor +will I hide any thing from thee. + +109 First of all, Sir, said I, +tell me, what this rock and this +gate denote? Hearken, said he; +this rock, and this gate, are the +Son of God. I replied, Sir, how +can that be; seeing the rock is +old, but the gate new? + +110 Hear, said he, O foolish +man! and understand. The Son +of God is indeed more ancient +than any creature; insomuch +that he was in council with his +Father at the creation oft all +things. + +111 But the gate is therefore +new, because he appeared in the +last days in the fullness of time; +that they who shall attain unto +salvation, may by it enter into the +kingdom of God. + +112 You have seen, said he, +those stones which were carried +through the gate, how they were +placed in the building of the +tower; but that those which were +not carried through the gate, +were sent away into their own +places? +113 I answered, sir, I saw it. +Thus, said he, no man shall enter +into the kingdom of God, but he +who shall take upon him the name +of the Son of God. + +114 For if you would enter +into any city, and that city should +he encompassed with a wall, and +had only one gate, could you +enter into that city except by that +gate? + +115 I answered, Sir, how could +I do otherwise? As therefore, said +he, there would be no other way +of entering into that city but by +its gate, so neither can any one +enter into the kingdom of God, +but only by the name of his Son, +who is most dear unto him. + +116 And he said unto me, +Didst thou see the multitude of +those that built that tower? Sir, +said I, I saw it. He answered, +All those are the angels, venerable +in their dignity, + +117 With those is the Lord +encompassed as with a wall: but +the gate is the Son of God, who is +the only way of coming unto God. +For no man shall go to God, but +by his Son. + +118 Thou sawest also, said he, +the six men, and in the middle of +them that venerable great man, +who walked about the tower, and +rejected the stones out of the tower? + +119 Sir, said I, I saw them. +He answered, that tall man was +the Son of God; and those six +were his angels of most eminent +dignity, which stand about him +on the right hand and on the left. + +120 Of these excellent angels +none comes in unto God without +him. He added, Whosoever there. +fore shall not take upon him his +name, he shall nor enter into the +kingdom of God. + +121 Then I said, What is this +tower? This, said he, is the church. +And what, Sir, are these virgins? +He said unto me, These are the +holy spirits, for no man can enter +into the kingdom of God, except +these clothe him with their garment, + +122 For it will avail thee nothing +to take up the name of the Son of +God, unless thou shalt also +receive their garment from them. +For these virgins are the powers +of the Son of God. So shall a +man in vain bear his name, unless +he shall be also endued with his +powers. + +123 And he said unto me, sawest +thou those stones that were cast +away? They bore indeed the name, +but put not on their garment. +I said, Sir, what is their +garment? Their very names, +said he, are their garment. + +124 Therefore whosoever beareth +the name of the Son of God, +ought to bear their names also; +for the Son of God also himself +beareth their names. + +125 As for those stones, +continued he, which being delivered +by their hands, thou sawest remain +in the building, they were clothed +with their power; for which cause +thou seest the whole tower of the +same colour with the rock, and made +as it were of one stone. + +126 So also those who have +believed in God by his Son, have +put on his spirit. Behold there +shall be one spirit, and one body, +and one colour of their garments; +and all they shall attain this, who +shall bear the names of these virgins. + +127 And I said, Sir, why then +were those stones cast away which +were rejected, seeing they also +were carried through the gate, +and delivered by the hands of +these virgins into the building +of this tower? + +128 Seeing, said he thou takest +care to inquire diligently into all +things, hear also concerning those +stones which were rejected. All +these received the name of the +Son of God, and with that the +power of these virgins. + +129 Having therefore received +these spirits, they were perfected, +and brought into the number of +the servants of God; and they +began to be one body, and to have +one garment, for they were endued +with the same righteousness, +which they alike exercised. + +130 But after that they beheld +those women which thou sawest +clothed with a black garment, +with their shoulders at liberty and +their hair loose; they fixed their +desires upon them, being tempted +with their beauty; and were +clothed with their power, +and cast off the clothing +of the virgins: + +131 Therefore were they cast +off from the house of God, and +delivered to those women. But +they that were not corrupted with +their beauty, remained in the +house of God. This, said he, is +the signification of those stones +which were rejected. + +132 And I said, sir, what if +any of these men shall repent, and +cast away their desire of those +women, and be converted, and +return to these virgins, and put +on again their virtue; shall they +not enter into the house of God? + +133 They shall enter, said he, +if they shall lay aside all the +works of those women, and shall +resume the power of these virgins, +and shall walk in their works. + +134 And for this cause there is +a stop in the building, that if they +shall repent, they may be added +to the building of this tower; but +if they shall not repent, that others +may be built in their places, and +so they may be utterly cast away. + +135 For all these things I gave +thanks unto the Lord, that being +moved with mercy towards all +those upon whom his name is +carried, he sent to us the angel of +repentance to preside over us who +have sinned against him; and that +he has refreshed our spirits which +were almost gone, and who had +no hope of salvation, but are now +refreshed to the renewal of life. + +136 Then I said, Show me now +sir, why this tower is not built +upon the ground, but upon a rock, +and upon the gate? He replied, +Thou art foolish, and without +understanding, therefore thou +asketh this. + +137 And I said, sir, I must +needs ask all things of you +because I understand nothing at all. +For all your answers are great and +excellent; and which a man can +hardly understand. + +138 Hear, said he: The name +of the Son of God is great and +without bounds, and the whole +world is supported by it. If +therefore, said I, every creature +of God be sustained by his Son, +why should he not support those +also who have been invited by him, +and who carry his name, and walk +in his commandments? + +139 Seest thou not, said he, that +he doth support them, who with +all their heart, bear his name? +He therefore is their foundation, +and gladly supports those who do +not deny his name, but willingly +bear it. + +140 And I said: Sir, tell me +the names of these virgins; and of +those women that were clothed +with the black garment. + +141 Hear, said he, the names of +those virgins which are the more +powerful, and stand at the corners +of the gate. These are their +names: + +142 The first is called Faith; +the second Continence; the third +Power; the fourth Patience; the +rest which stand beneath these +are, Simplicity, Innocence, +Chastity, Cheerfulness, Truth, +Understanding, Concord, Charity. + +143 Whosoever therefore bear +these names, and the name of the +Son of God, shall enter into the +kingdom of God. + +144 Hear now, said he, the +names of those women, which +were clothed with the black garment. +Of these, four are the principal: +the first is Perfidiousness; +the second, Incontinence; the +third, Infidelity; the fourth, +Pleasure. + +145 And the rest which follow +are called thus, Sadness, Malice, +Lust, Anger, Lying, Foolishness, +Pride, and Hatred. The servant +of God, which carries these spirits, +shall see indeed the kingdom of +God, but he shall not enter into it. + +146 But, sir, what are those +stones which were taken out of the +deep and fitted into the building? +The ten, said he, which were +placed at the foundation, are the +first age; the following five-and- +twenty, are the second, of righteous +men. + +147 The next thirty-five, are the +prophets and ministers of the Lord. +And the forty, are the Apostles and +doctors of the preaching of the +Son of God. + +148 And I said, sir, why did the +virgins put even those stones into +the building after they were carried +through the gate? And he said, +Because these first carried those +spirits, and they departed not one +from the other, neither the men +from the spirits, nor the spirits +from the men: + +149 But the spirits were joined +to those men even to the day of +their death; who if they had not +had these spirits with them, they +could not have been useful to the +building of this tower. + +150 And I said, sir, show me +this farther. He answered, What +dost then ask? Why did these +stones come out of the deep, and +were placed into the building of +this tower, seeing that they long +ago carried those holy spirits? + +151 It was necessary, said he, +for them to ascend by water, that +they might be at rest. For they +could not otherwise enter into the +kingdom of God, but by laying +aside the mortality of their former +life. + +152 They therefore being dead, +were nevertheless sealed with the +seal of the Son of God, and so +entered into the kingdom of God. + +153 For before a man receives +the name of the Son of God, he is +ordained unto death; but when he +receives that seal, he is freed from +death, and assigned unto life. + +154 Now that seal is the water +of baptism, into which men go +down under the obligation unto +death, but come up appointed unto +life. + +155 Wherefore to those also was +this seal preached, and they made +use of it, that they might enter +into the kingdom of God. + +156 And I said, Why then, sir, +did these forty stones also ascend +with them out of the deep, having +already received that seal? + +157 He answered, Because +these Apostles and teachers, who +preached the name of the Son of +God, dying after they had received +his faith and power, preached to +them who were dead before: and +they gave this seal to them. + +158 They went down therefore +into the water with them, and again +came up. But these went down +whilst they were alive, and came +up again alive: whereas those who +were before dead, went down dead, +but came up alive; + +159 Through these therefore +they received life, and knew the +Son of God: for which cause they +came up with them, and were fit +to come into the building of the +tower; and were not cut, but put +in entire; because they died in +righteousness, and in great purity; +only this seal was wanting to +them. + +160 Thus you have the explication +of these things. + +161 I answered: Sir, tell me +now what concerns those mountains; +why are they so different, some +of one form, and some of another? + +162 Hear, said he; These twelve +mountains which thou seest, are +twelve nations, which make up the +whole world. Wherefore the Son +of God is preached to them, by +those whom he sent unto them. + +163 But why, said I, are they +different, and every one of a figure? +He replied, Hearken. Those twelve +nations which possess the whole +world, are twelve people. + +164 And as thou hast beheld +these mountains different, so are +they. I will therefore open to +thee the meaning and actions of +every mountain. + +165 But first, sir, said I, show +me this; Seeing these mountains +are so different, how have they +agreed in the building of this +tower; and been brought to one +colour; and are no less bright +than those that came out of the +deep? + +166 Because, replied he, all the +nations which are under heaven, +have heard and believed in the +same one name of the Son of God +by whom they are called. + +167 Wherefore having received +his seal, they have all been made +partakers of the same understanding +and knowledge; and their faith +and charity have been the same; +and they have carried the spirits +of these virgins together with his +name. + +168 And therefore the building +of this tower appeared to be of the +same colour, and did shine like +the brightness of the sun. + +169 But after that they had thus +agreed in one mind, there began to +be one body of them all; howbeit +some of them polluted themselves, +and were cast off from those of the +righteous, and again returned to +their former state, and became +even worse than they were before. + +170 How, air, said I, were +they worse who knew the Lord? +He answered: If he who knows +not the Lord liveth wickedly, +the punishment of his wickedness +attends him; + +171 But he who has known the +Lord, ought to abstain altogether +from all wickedness, and more and +more to be the servant of +righteousness. + +172 And does not he then seem +to thee to sin more who ought to +follow goodness, if he shall prefer +the part of sin; than he who +offends without knowing the +power of God? + +173 Wherefore these are indeed +ordained unto death; but they who +have known the Lord, and have +seen his wonderful works, if they +shall live wickedly, they shall be +doubly punished, and shall die for +ever. + +174 As therefore thou hast seen +that after the stones were cast out +of the tower, which had been rejected, +they were delivered to wicked and +cruel spirits; and thou beheldest +the tower so cleansed, as if it had +all been made of one stone: + +175 So the church of God, when +it shall be purified: (the wicked +and counterfeits, the mischievous +and doubtful, and all that have +behaved themselves wickedly in it, +and committed divers kinds of sin, +being cast out) shall become one +body, and there shall be one +understanding, one opinion, +one faith, and the same charity. + +176 And then shall the Son of +God rejoice among them, and shall +receive his people with a pure will. + +177 And I said; Sir, all these +things are great and honourable; +but now show unto me the effect +and force of every mountain: that +every soul which trusteth in the +Lord, when it shall hear these +things may honour his great, and +wonderful, and holy name. + +178 Hear, said he, the variety +of these mountains, that is, of the +twelve nations. + +179 They who have believed +of the first mountain, which is +black, are those who have revolted +from the faith, and spoken wicked +things against the Lord; and +betrayed the servants of God. + +180 These are condemned to +death; there is no repentance for +them: and therefore they are +black, because their kind is +wicked. + +181 Of the second mountain +which was smooth, are the +hypocrites, who have believed, +and the teachers of naughtiness: +and these are next to the foregoing, +which have not in them the fruit of +righteousness. + +182 For as their mountain is +barren and without fruit so also +such kind of men have indeed the +name of Christians, but are empty +of faith; nor is there any fruit of +the truth in them. + +183 Nevertheless there is room +left to them of repentance, if they +shall speedily pursue it; but if +they shall delay, they also shall +be partakers of death with the +foregoing kind. + +184 I said, air, why is there +room left to those for repentance, +and not to the foregoing kind, +seeing their sins are well nigh the +same? + +185 There is therefore, said he, +to these a return unto life by +repentance, because they have not +blasphemed against their Lord, +nor betrayed the servants of God: +but by their desire of gain have +deceived men, leading them according +to the lusts of sinners; wherefore +they shall suffer for this thing. + +186 Howbeit there is still left +them room for repentance, because +they have not spoken any thing +wickedly against the Lord. + +187 They who are of the +third mountain which had thorns +and brambles, are those who +believed, but were some of them +rich; others taken up with many +affairs: the brambles are their +riches; the thorns, those affairs in +which they were engaged. + +188 Now they who are entangled +in much business, and in diversity +of affairs, join not themselves to +the servants of God, but wander, +being called away by those affairs +with which they are choked. + +189 And so they which are rich, +with difficulty yield themselves to +the conversation of the servants +of God; fearing lest any thing +should be asked of them. These +therefore shall hardly enter the +kingdom of God. + +190 For as men walk with difficulty +bare-foot over thorns, even so +these kind of men shall scarcely +enter into the kingdom of God. + +191 Nevertheless there is afforded +to all these a return unto repentance, +if they shall quickly return to it; +because in their for-mer days they +having neglected to work, in the time +that is to come they may do some good. + +192 If therefore having +repented they shall do the works +of righteousness, they shall live; +but if they shall continue in their +evil courses, they shall be delivered +to those women who will take away +their lives. + +193 As for the fourth mountain, +which had many herbs, the upper +part of which is green, but +the roots dry, and some of which +being touched with the heat of the +sun, are withered; + +194 It denotes the doubtful, who +have believed, and some others +who carry the Lord on their tongues, +but have him not in their hearts: +therefore their grass is dry, +and without root; because they +live only in words, but their +works are dead. + +195 These therefore are neither +dead nor living, and withal are +doubtful. For the doubtful are +neither green nor dry; that is +neither dead nor alive. + +196 For as the herbs dry away +at the sight of the sun, so the +doubtful, as soon as they hear of +persecution, and fear inconveniencies, +return to their idols, and again +serve them, and are ashamed +to bear the name of their Lord. + +197 This kind of men then is +neither dead nor alive; nevertheless +these also may live, if they shall +presently repent; but if not, +they shall be delivered to those +women, who shall take away their +lives. + +198 As concerning the fifth +mountain that is craggy, and yet +has green grass; they are of this +kind who have believed, and are +faithful indeed, but believe with +difficulty, and are bold and self- +conceited; and would be thought +to know all things, but really +know nothing. + +199 Wherefore, by reason of +this confidence, knowledge is +departed from them; and a rash +presumption is entered into them. + +200 But they carry themselves +high, and as prudent men; and +though they are fools, yet would +seem to be teachers. + +201 Now by reason of this folly +many of them whilst they magnify +themselves, are become vain and +empty. For boldness and vain +confidence is a very evil spirit. + +202 Wherefore many of these +are cast away; but others +acknowledging their error, have +repented, and submitted themselves +to those who are knowing. + +203 And to all the rest of this +kind, there is repentance allowed; +forasmuch as they were not so +much wicked as foolish, and void +of understanding. + +204 If these therefore shall +repent, they shall live unto God; +but if not, they shall dwell with +those women, who shall exercise +their wickedness upon them. + +205 For what concerns the +sixth mountain having greater and +lesser clefts, they are such as have +believed; but those in which were +lesser clefts are they who have had +controversies among themselves; +and by reason of their quarrels +languish in the faith: + +206 Nevertheless many of these +have repented, and so will the rest +when they shall hear my commands; +for their controversies are but +small, and they will easily +return unto repentance. + +207 But those who have the +greater clefts, will be as stiff +stones, mindful of grudges and +offences, and full of anger among +themselves. These therefore are +cast from the tower, and refused +to be put into its building; for +this kind of men shall hardly +live. + +208 Our God and Lord, who +ruleth over all things, and has +power over all his creatures, will +not remember our offences, but is +easily appeased by those who +confess their sins: but man being +languid, mortal, infirm, and full +of sins, perseveres in his anger +against man; as if it were in his +power to save or destroy him. + +209 But I, as the angel who am +set over your repentance, admonish +you, that whosoever among you has +any such purpose he should lay it +aside, and return unto repentance; +and the Lord will heal your former +sins, if you shall purge yourself +from this evil spirit; but if you +shall not do it, ye shall be +delivered to him unto death. + +210 As for the seventh mountain +in which the grass was green +and flourishing, and the whole +mountain faithful; and all kind of +cattle fed upon the grass of it, and +the more the grass was eaten, so +much the more it flourished; + +211 They are such as believed, +and were always good and upright; +and without any differences among +themselves, but still rejoiced +in the servants of God, having +put on the spirit of these virgins; +and been always forward to show +mercy to all men, readily giving +to all men of their labours +without upbraiding, and without +deliberation. + +212 Wherefore the Lord seeing +their simplicity and innocence, +has increased them in the works of +their hands, and given them grace +in all their works. + +213 But I, who am the angel +appointed over your repentance, +exhort you, that as many as are of +this kind would continue in the +same purpose, that your seed may +not be rooted out for ever. + +214 For the Lord hath tried +you, and written you into our +number; and all your seed shall +dwell with the Son of God; for ye +are all of his spirit. + +215 As concerning the eighth +mountain in which were a great +many springs, by which every +kind of all the creatures of God +was watered; they are such as +have believed the Apostles which +the Lord sent into all the world to +preach; + +216 And some of them being +teachers have preached and taught +purely and sincerely, and have +not in the least yielded to any evil, +desires, but have constantly walked +in righteousness and truth. + +217 These therefore have their +conversations among the angels. + +218 Again; as for what concerns +the ninth mountain which is +a desert, and full of serpents; they +are such as have believed, but had +many stains: + +219 These are such ministers as +discharge their ministry amiss; +ravishing away the goods of the +widows and fatherless; and serve +themselves, not others, out of +those things which they have +received. + +220 These, if they continue in +this covetousness, have delivered +themselves unto death, nor shall +there be any hope of life for them. +But if they shall be converted, +and shall discharge their ministry +sincerely, they may live. + +221 As for those which were +found rough, they are such as +have denied the name of the Lord, +and not returned again to the +Lord, but have become savage +and wild; not applying themelves +to the servants of God; but being +separated from them, have for a +little carelessness lost their lives. + +222 For as a vine that is forsaken +in a hedge, and never dressed, +perishes and is choked by the +weeds, and in time becomes wild, +and ceases to be useful to its lord; +so this kind of men despairing of +themselves, and being soured, +have begun to be unprofitable to +their Lord. + +223 Howbeit, to these there is, +after all, repentance allowed, if +they shall not be found from their +hearts to have denied Christ; but +if any of these shall be found to +have denied him from his heart, +I cannot tell whether such a one +can attain unto life. + +224 I say therefore that if any +one hath denied, he should in +these days return unto repentance; +for it cannot be that anyone +who now denies the Lord, can +afterwards attain unto salvation +nevertheless repentance is promised +unto them who have formerly denied. + +225 But he who will repent +must hasten on his repentance, +before the building of this tower +is finished; otherwise, he shall be +delivered by those women unto +death. + +226 But they that are maimed, +are the deceitful; and those who +mix with one another, are the +serpents that you saw mingled in +that mountain. + +227 For as the poison of serpents +is deadly unto men, so the words +of such persons infect and +destroy men. They are therefore +maimed in their faith, by reason +of that kind of life which they +lead. + +228 Howbeit some of them, +having repented, have been saved; +and so shall others of the same +kind be also saved, if they shall +repent; but if not, they shall die +by those women who power and +force posses, + +229 For what concerns the +tenth mountain, in which were the +trees covering the cattle, they are +such as have believed; and some +of them have been bishops, that is, +governors of the churches. + +230 Others, are such stones as +have not feignedly, but with a +cheerful mind entertained the +servants of God. + +231 Then, such as have been set +over inferior ministries, and have +protected the poor and the widows; +and have always kept a chaste +conversation: therefore they +also are protected by the Lord. + +232 Whosoever shall do on this +wise, are honoured with the Lord; +and their place is among the +angels, if they shall continue +to obey the Lord even unto the end. + +233 As to the eleventh mountain +in which were trees loaded +with several sorts of fruit; they +are such as have believed, and +suffered death, for the name of the +Lord; and have endured with a +heavy mind, and have given up +their lives with all their hearts. + +234 And I said, Why then, sir, +have all these fruit indeed, but yet +some fairer than others? + +235 Hearken, said he: Whosoever +have suffered for the name of +the Lord are esteemed honourable +by the Lord; and all their offences +are blotted out, because they have +suffered death for the name of the +Son of God. + +236 Hear now, why their fruits +are different, and some of them +excel others. They who were +brought before magistrates, and +being asked, denied not the Lord, +but suffered with a ready mind; +these are more honourable with +the Lord. The fruits therefore +that are the most fair are these. + +237 But they who were fearful +and doubtful, and have deliberated +with themselves whether they +should confess or deny Christ, and +yet have suffered; their fruits are +smaller, because that this thought +came into their hearts. + +238 For it is a wicked and evil +thought for a servant to deliberate +whether he should deny his master: +Take heed therefore ye who +have such thoughts, that this mind +Pontinrie not in you, and ye die +unto God. + +239 But ye who suffer death for +his name sake, ought to honour +the Lord, that he has esteemed +you worthy to bear his name; and +that you should be delivered from +all your sins. + +240 And why therefore do you +not rather esteem yourselves happy? +Ye think verily that if any +one among you suffer, he performs +a great work! Yet the Lord +giveth you life, and ye understand +it not. For your offences did +oppress you; and if you had not +suffered for his name sake, ye would +now be dead unto the Lord. + +241 Wherefore I speak this unto +you who deliberate whether ye +should confess or deny him. Confess +that ye have the Lord for your +God, lest at any time denying him, +ye be delivered up into bonds. + +242 For if all nations punish +their servants which deny their +masters; what think you that the +Lord will do unto you, who has +the power of all things? + +243 Remove therefore out of +your hearts these doubts, that ye +may live for ever unto God. + +244 As for the twelfth mountain, +which was white, they are +such as have believed like sincere +children, into whose thoughts +there never came any malice, nor +have they ever known what sin +was, but have always continued in +their integrity. + +245 Wherefore this kind of men +shall without all doubt inherit the +kingdom of God; because they +have never in any thing defiled +the commandments of God, but +have continued with sincerity in +the same condition all the days of +their lives. + +246 Whosoever therefore, said +he, shall continue as children +without malice; shall be more +honourable than all those of whom +I have yet spoken: for all such +children are honoured by the +Lord, and esteemed the first of +all. + +247 Happy therefore are ye +who shall remove all malice from +you, and put on innocence; be. +cause ye shall first see the Lord. +248 And after he had thus +ended his explication of all the +mountains, I said unto him, Sir, +show me now also what concerns +the stones that were brought out +of the plain, and put into the +tower in the room of those that +were rejected. + +249 As also concerning those +round stones which were added +into the building of the tower; +and also of those who still +continued round. + +250 Hear now, says he, +concerning those stones which were +brought out of the plain into the +building of the tower, and placed +in the room of those that were +rejected: they are the roots of +that white mountain. + +251 Wherefore because those +who have believed of that mountain, +were very innocent; the lord of +this tower commanded that they +which were of the roots of this +mountain should be placed into +the building. + +252 For he knew that if they +were put into, this building they +would continue bright; nor would +any of them any more be made +black. + +253 But if he had added after +this manner, from the rest of the +mountains, he would almost have +needed again to visit the tower, +and to cleanse it. + +254 Now all these white stones +are the young men who have believed, +or shall believe; for they are all +of the same kind. Happy is this +kind, because it is innocent. + +255 Hear now also concerning +those round and bright stones; all +these are of this white mountain. +But they are therefore found +round, because their riches have +a little darkened them from the +truth, and dazzled their eyes. + +256 Howbeit they have never +departed from the Lord, nor has +any wicked word proceeded out +of their mouths; but all +righteousness, and virtue, +and truth. + +257 When therefore the Lord +saw their minds, and that they +might adorn the truth; he +commanded that they should continue +good, and that their riches should +be pared away: + +258 For he would not have +them taken wholly away, to the +end they might do some good +with that which was left, and live +unto God; because they also are +of a good kind. + +259 Therefore was there little +cut off from them, and so they +were put into the building of this +tower. + +260 As for the rest which +continued still round, and were +not found fit for the building of +this tower, because they have not +yet received the seal; they were +carried back to their place, be. +cause they were found very +round. + +261 But this present world must +be cut away from them, and the +vanities of their riches; and then +they will be fit for the kingdom of +God. For they must enter into +the kingdom of God, because God +has blessed this innocent kind. + +262 Of this kind therefore none +shall fall away: for though any of +them being tempted by the devil +should offend, he shall soon return +to his Lord God. + +263 I the angel of repentance +esteem you happy, whosoever are +innocent as little children, because +your portion is good and honourable +with the Lord. + +264 And I say unto all you +who have received this seal; keep +simplicity, and remember not the +offences which are committed +against you, nor continue in +malice, or in bitterness, through +the memory of offences. + +265 But become one spirit, +and provide remedies for these +evil rents, and remove them from +you; that the lord of the sheep +may rejoice at it; for he will +rejoice, if he shall find all whole. + +266 But if any of these sheep +shall be found scattered away, Woe +shall be to the shepherds; and +if the shepherds themselves shall +be scattered; what will they answer +to the lord of the sheep-fold? +Will they say that they were +troubled by the sheep? But +they shall not be believed. + +267 For it is an incredible thing +that the shepherd should suffer by +his flock; and he shall be the more +punished for his life. + +268 Now I am the shepherd; +and especially must give an +account of you. + +269 Wherefore take care of +yourselves whilst the tower is, +yet building. The Lord dwells +in those that love peace, for peace +is beloved; but he is far off from +the contentious, and those who are +full of malice. + +270 Wherefore restore unto him +the Spirit entire, as ye received it. +For if thou shalt give unto a +fuller a garment new and whole, +thou wilt expect to receive it whole +again; if therefore the fuller shall +restore it unto thee torn, wouldst +thou receive it? + +271 Wouldst thou not presently +be angry, and reproach him, +saying: I gave my garment to thee +whole, why halt thou rent it, and +made it useless to me? Now it is +of no use to me, by reason of the +rent which thou hast made in it. +Wouldst thou not say all this to a +fuller, for the rent which he made +in thy garment? + +272 If therefore thou wouldst +be concerned for thy garment, +and complain that thou hadst not +received it whole; what thinkest +thou that the Lord will do, who +gave his Spirit to thee entire, and +thou hast rendered him altogether +unprofitable, so that he can be of +no use unto his Lord? For being +corrupted by thee, he is no longer +profitable to him. + +273 Will not therefore the Lord +do the same concerning his Spirit, +by reason of thy deed? Undoubtedly, +said I, he will do the same +to all those whom he shall find to +continue in the remembrance of +injuries. + +274 Tread not then under foot +he said, his mercy; but rather +honour him, because he is so +patient with respect to your offences, +and not like one of you; but repent, +for it will be profitable for you. + +275 All these things which +are above written, I the shepherd +and angel of repentance, have +shown and spoken to the servants +of God. + +276 If therefore ye shall believe +and hearken to these words, and +shall walk in them and correct +your ways, ye shall live. But if +ye shall, continue in malice, and +in the remembrance of injuries, +no such sinners shall live unto +God. + +277 All these things which were +to be spoken by me, I have thus +delivered unto you. Then the +shepherd said unto me, Hast thou +asked all things of me? +I answered, sir, I have. + +278 Why then, said he, hast +thou not asked concerning the +spaces of these stones that were +put in the building, that I may +explain that also unto thee? +I answered, sir, I forgot it. +Hear, then, said he, concerning +these also. + +279 They are those who have +now heard these commands, and +have repented with all their +hearts; + +280 And when the Lord saw +that their repentance was good +and pure, and that they could +continue in it, he commanded +their former sins to be blotted +out. For these spaces were their +sins, and they are therefore made +even that they might not appear. + + + +SIMILITUDE X. + +Of Repentance and alms-deeds. + +AFTER I had written this +book, the angel which had +delivered me to that shepherd, +came into the house where I was +and sat upon the bed, and that +shepherd stood at his right hand. + +2 Then he called me and said +unto me; I delivered thee and +thy house to this shepherd, that +thou mightest be protected by +him. I said, Yes, Lord. + +3 If therefore, said he, thou +wilt be protected from all +vexations and from all cruelty, and +have success in every good word +and work, and have all virtue and +righteousness; walk in those +commands which he has given thee, +and thou shalt have dominion +over all sin. + +4 For if thou keepest those +commands, all the lust and pleasure +of this present world shall be +subject to thee; and success shall +follow thee in every good undertaking. + +5 Take therefore his gravity +and modesty towards thee, and +say unto all, that he is in great +honour and renown with God, and +is a prince of great authority, and +powerful in his office. + +6 To him only is the power of +repentance committed throughout +the whole world. Does he not +seem to thee to be of great +authority? + +7 But ye despise his goodness, +and the modesty which he shows +towards you. + +8 I said unto him; Sir, ask +him since the time that he came +into my house whether I have +done any thing disorderly, or +have offended him in any thing? + +9 I know, said he, that thou +hast done nothing disorderly, +neither wilt thou hereafter do +any such thing, and therefore I +speak these things with thee that +then mayest persevere; for he +has given me a good account +concerning thee. + +10 But thou shalt speak these +things to others, that they who +either have repented, or shall +repent, may be like-minded with +thee, and he may give me as +good an account of them also; +and that I may do the same unto +the Lord. + +11 I answered; Sir, I declare +to all men the wonderful works of +God; and I hope that all who +love them, and have before sinned, +when they shall hear these things, +will repent, and recover life. + +12 Continue therefore, said he, +in this ministry, and fulfil it. +And whosoever shall do according +to the commands of this shepherd, +he shall live; and shall have great +honour both here and with the +Lord. + +13 But they that shall not keep +his commands, flee from their life, +and are adversaries to it. And +they that follow not his commands, +shall deliver themselves +unto death; and shall be every +one guilty of his own blood. + +14 But I say unto thee, keep +these commandments, and thou +shalt find a cure for all thy sins. + +15 Moreover, I have sent +these virgins to dwell with thee; +for I have seen that they are very +kind to thee. Thou shalt therefore +have them for thy helpers, +that thou mayest the better keep +the commands which he hath given +thee; for these commands cannot +be kept without these virgins. + +16 And as I see how they are +willing to be with thee, I will +also command them that they shall +not all depart from thy house. + +17 Only do thou purify thy +house; for they will readily dwell +in a clean house. For they are +clean and chaste, and industrious; +and all of them have grace with +the Lord. + +18 If therefore thou shalt have +thy house pure, they will abide +with thee. But, if it shall be +never so little polluted, they will +immediately depart from thy house; +for these virgins cannot endure any +manner of pollution. + +19 I said unto him; Sir, I hope +that I shall so please them, that +they shall always delight to dwell +in my house. And as be to whom +you have committed me, makes +no complaint of me; so neither +shall they complain. + +20 Then he said to that shepherd: +I see that the servant of God will +live and keep these commandments, +and place these virgins in a pure +habitation. + +21 When he had said this, +he delivered me again to that +shepherd, and called the virgins, +and said unto them; Forasmuch as I +see that ye will readily dwell in +this man's house, I commend him +and his family to you, that ye may +not at all depart from his house. +And they willingly heard these +words. + +22 Then he said unto me, +Go on manfully in thy ministry; +declare to all men the great things +of God, and thou shalt find grace +in this ministry. + +23 And whosover shall walk +in these commands, shall live, +and be happy in his life. But he +that shall neglect them, shall not +live, and shall be unhappy in his +life. + +24 Say unto all that whosoever +can do well, cease not to exercise +themselves in good works, for it +is profitable unto them. For I +would that all men should be +delivered from the inconveniences +they lie under. + +25 For he that wants, and +suffers inconveniences in his +daily life, is in great torment +and necessity. Whosoever therefore +delivers such a soul from necessity, +gets great joy unto himself. + +26 For he that is grieved with +such inconveniencies is equally +tormented, as if he were in chains. +And many upon the account of +such calamities, being not able to +bear them, have chosen even to +destroy themselves. + +27 He therefore that knows the +calamity of such a man, and does +not free him from it, commits a +great sin, and is guilty of his +blood. + +28 Wherefore exercise your. +selves in good works, as many as +have received ability from the +Lord; lest whilst ye delay to do +them, the building of the tower be +finished; because for your sakes +the building is stopped. + +29 Except therefore ye shall +make haste to do well, the tower +shall be finished, and ye shall be +shut out of it. + +30 And after he had thus spoken +with me, he rose up from the bed +and departed, taking the shepherd +and virgins with him. + +31 Howbeit he said unto me, +that he would send back the +shepherd and virgins unto +my house. Amen. + + + + + REFERENCES TO THE BOOK OF + HERMAS, THE SHEPHERD. + + [This book, divided into three parts, called his VISIONS, COMMANDS, + and SIMILITUDES, is thus entitled, because it was composed by + Hermas, brother to Pius, bishop of Rome; and because the Angel, who + bears the principal part in it, is represented in the form and habit + of a shepherd. Irenxus quotes it under the very name of Scripture. + Origen thought it a most useful writing, and that it was divinely + inspired; Eusebius says that, though it was not esteemed canonical, + it was read publicly in the churches, which is corroborated by + Jerome; and Athanasius cites it, calls it a most useful work, and + observes, that though it was not strictly canonical, the Fathers + appointed it to be read for direction and confirmation in faith and + piety. Jerome, notwithstanding this, and that he applauded it in his + catalogue of writers, in his comments upon it afterwards, terms it + apocryphal and foolish. Turtullian praised it when a Catholic, and + abused it when a Montanist. Although Gelasius ranks it among the + apocryphal books, it is found attached to some of the most ancient + MSS. of the New Testament; and Archbishop Wake, believing it the + genuine work of an apostolical Father, preserves it to the English + reader by the foregoing translation, in which he has rendered the + three parts of it not only more exact, but in greater purity than + they had before appeared. The archbishop procured Dr. Grabe to + entirely collate the old Latin version with an ancient MS. in the + Lambeth library; and the learned prelate himself still further + improved the whole from a multitude of fragments of the original + Greek never before used for that purpose.] + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FORBIDDEN GOSPELS, BY WAKE, V9 *** + +********* This file should be named 6515.txt or 6515.zip ********** + +This eBook was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net> + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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