The Pastor (of Hermas)
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Translated by the Rev. F. Crombie, M.A.
Text edited by Rev. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson and
first published by T&T Clark in Edinburgh in 1867. Additional
introductionary material and notes provided for the American
edition by A. Cleveland Coxe, 1886.
Book First.--Visions
.
Vision First
Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the Carelessness of Hermas in
Chastising His Sons.
Chap. I.
He who had brought me up, sold me to one Rhode in Rome. [21] Many
years after this I recognised her, and I began to love her as a
sister. Some time after, I saw her bathe in the river Tiber; and I
gave her my hand, and drew her out of the river. The sight of her
beauty made me think with myself, "I should be a happy man if I could
but get a wife as handsome and good as she is." This was the only
thought that passed through me: this and nothing more. A short time
after this, as I was walking on my road to the villages, [22] and
magnifying the creatures of God, and thinking how magnificent, and
beautiful, and powerful they are, [23] I fell asleep. And the Spirit
carried me away, and took me through a pathless place, [24] through
which a man could not travel, for it was situated in the midst of
rocks; it was rugged and impassible on account of water. Having passed
over this river, I came to a plain. I then bent down on my knees, and
began to pray to the Lord, [25] and to confess my sins. And as I
prayed, the heavens were opened, and I see the woman whom I had
desired saluting me from the sky, and saying, "Hail, Hermas!" And
looking up to her, I said, "Lady, what doest thou here?" And she
answered me, "I have been taken up here to accuse you of your sins
before the Lord." "Lady," said I, "are you to be the subject of my
accusation?" [26] "No," said she; "but hear the words which I am going
to speak to you. God, who dwells in the heavens, and made out of
nothing the things that exist, and multiplied and increased them on
account of His holy Church, [27] is angry with you for having sinned
against me." I answered her, "Lady, have I sinned against you? How?
[28] or when spoke I an unseemly word to you? Did I not always think
of you as a lady? Did I not always respect you as a sister? Why do you
falsely accuse me of this wickedness and impurity?" With a smile she
replied to me, "The desire of wickedness [29] arose within your heart.
Is it not your opinion that a righteous man commits sin when an evil
desire arises in his heart? There is sin in such a case, and the sin
is great," said she; "for the thoughts of a righteous man should be
righteous. For by thinking righteously his character is established in
the heavens, [30] and he has the Lord merciful to him in every
business. But such as entertain wicked thoughts in their minds are
bringing upon themselves death and captivity; and especially is this
the case with those who set their affections on this world, [31] and
glory in their riches, and look not forward to the blessings of the
life to come. For many will their regrets be; for they have no hope,
but have despaired of themselves and their life. [32] But do thou pray
to God, and He will heal thy sins, and the sins of thy whole house,
and of all the saints." [33]
Chap. II.
After she had spoken these words, the heavens were shut. I was
overwhelmed with sorrow and fear, and said to myself, "If this sin is
assigned to me, how can I be saved, or how shall I propitiate God in
regard to my sins, [34] which are of the grossest character? With what
words shall I ask the Lord to be merciful to me?" While I was thinking
over these things, and discussing them in my mind, I saw opposite to
me a chair, white, made of white wool, [35] of great size. And there
came up an old woman, arrayed in a splendid robe, and with a book in
her hand; and she sat down alone, and saluted me, "Hail, Hermas!" And
in sadness and tears [36] I said to her, "Lady, hail!" And she said to
me, "Why are you downcast, Hermas? for you were wont to be patient and
temperate, and always smiling. Why are you so gloomy, and not
cheerful?" I answered her and said, "O Lady, I have been reproached by
a very good woman, who says that I sinned against her." And she said,
"Far be such a deed from a servant of God. But perhaps a desire after
her has arisen within your heart. Such a wish, in the case of the
servants of God, produces sin. For it is a wicked and horrible wish in
an all-chaste and already well-tried spirit [37] to desire an evil
deed; and especially for Hermas so to do, who keeps himself from all
wicked desire, and is full of all simplicity, and of great
guilelessness."
Chap. III.
"But God is not angry with you on account of this, but that you may
convert your house, [38] which have committed iniquity against the
Lord, and against you, their parents. And although you love your sons,
yet did you not warn your house, but permitted them to be terribly
corrupted. [39] On this account is the Lord angry with you, but He
will heal all the evils which have been done in your house. For, on
account of their sins and iniquities, you have been destroyed by the
affairs of this world. But now the mercy of the Lord [40] has taken
pity on you and your house, and will strengthen you, and establish you
in his glory. [41] Only be not easy-minded, [42] but be of good
courage and comfort your house. For as a smith hammers out his work,
and accomplishes whatever he wishes [43] , so shall righteous daily
speech overcome all iniquity. [44] Cease not therefore to admonish
your sons; for I know that, if they will repent with all their heart,
they will be enrolled in the Books of Life with the saints." [45]
Having ended these words, she said to me, "Do you wish to hear me
read?" I say to her, "Lady, I do." "Listen then, and give ear to the
glories of God." [46] And then I heard from her, magnificently and
admirably, things which my memory could not retain. For all the words
were terrible, such as man could not endure. [47] The last words,
however, I did remember; for they were useful to us, and gentle. [48]
"Lo, the God of powers, who by His invisible strong power and great
wisdom has created the world, and by His glorious counsel has
surrounded His creation with beauty, and by His strong word has fixed
the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth upon the waters, and
by His own wisdom and providence [49] has created His holy [50]
Church, which He has blessed, lo! He removes [51] the heavens and the
mountains, [52] the hills and the seas, and all things become plain to
His elect, that He may bestow on them the blessing which He has
promised them, [53] with much glory and joy, if only they shall keep
the commandments of God which they have received in great faith."
Chap. IV.
When she had ended her reading, she rose from the chair, and four
young men came and carried off the chair and went away to the east.
And she called me to herself and touched my breast, and said to me,
"Have you been pleased with my reading?" And I say to her, "Lady, the
last words please me, but the first are cruel and harsh." Then she
said to me, "The last are for the righteous: the first are for
heathens and apostates." And while she spoke to me, two men appeared
and raised her on their shoulders, and they went to where the chair
was in the east. With joyful countenance did she depart; and as she
went, she said to me, "Behave like a man, [54] Hermas."
[21] The commencement varies. In the Vatican: "He who had brought me
up, sold a certain young woman at Rome. Many years after this I saw
her and recognized her." So Lips.; Pal. has the name of the woman,
Rada. The name Rhode occurs in Acts xii. 13.
[22] "On my road to the villages." This seems to mean: as I was taking
a walk into the country, or spending my time in travelling amid rural
scenes. So the Æthiopic version. "Proceeding with these thoughts in my
mind."--Vat. After I had come to the city of Ostia."--Pal. "Proceeding
to some village."--Lips. [The Christian religion begetting this
enthusiasm for nature, and love for nature's God, is to be noted.
Where in all heathendom do we find spirit or expression like this?]
Footnotes
[23] Creatures. Creature or creation.--Lips., Vat., Æth.
[24] Pathless place. Place on the right hand.--Vat. [Rev. xvii. 3,
xxi. 10. Dante, Inferno, i. 1-5.]
[25] Lord. God.--Sin. alone.
[26] Are you to be the subject of my accusation? Are you to accuse
me?--Vat., Lips., Æth.
[27] [Eph. iii. 9, 10.]
[28] How? In what place?--Vat., Sin.
[29] Wickedness. The desire of fornication.--Lips. [Prov. xxi. 10,
xxiv. 9; Matt. v. 28.]
[30] Literally, his glory is made straight in the heavens. As long as
his thoughts are righteous and his way of life correct, he will have
the Lord in heaven merciful to him.--Vat. When he thinks righteously,
he corrects himself, and his grace will be in heaven, and he will have
the Lord merciful in every business.--Pal. His dignity will be
straight in the skies.--Æth. [Prov. x. 24, xi. 23.]
[31] [Col. iii. 2; Ps. xlix. 6.]
[32] For many ... life. For the minds of such become empty. Now this
is what the doubters do who have no hope in the Lord, and despise and
neglect their life.--Vat. Their souls not having the hope of life, do
not resist these luxuries: for they despair of themselves and their
life.--Pal. [Eph. ii. 12.]
[33] [Job xlii. 8.]
[34] Literally, perfect. How ... sins. How shall I entreat the Lord in
regard to my very numerous sins?--Vat. How can I propitiate the Lord
God in these my sins?--Pal. How then shall I be saved, and beg pardon
of the Lord for these my many sins?--Æth. [Mic. vi. 6, 7, 8.]
[35] A chair made of white wool, like snow.--Vat. A chair for
reclining, and on it a covering of wool, white as hail.--Æth.
[36] And ... sorrow. I leaping in spirit with joy at her
salutation.--Lips. [The Monatanist austerity glanced at.]
[37] For ... spirit. For this hateful thought ought not to be in a
servant of God, nor ought a well-tried spirit to desire an evil
deed.--Vat. [The praise here bestowed on Hermas favours the idea that
a second Hermas was the author.]
[38] But that. But God is not angry with you on your own account, but
on account of your house, which has.--Vat.
[39] Corrupted. To live riotously.--Vat. [1 Sam. iii. 11, 14.
Traditions of the Pauline Hermas may be here preserved.]
[40] Lord. God.--Vat. [The Montanist dogma representing God as the
reverse of (Neh. ix. 17) "gentle and easy to be entreated" is
rebuked.]
[41] Will strengthen. Has preserved you in glory.--Vat. Strengthened
and established.--Lips. Has saved your house.--Pal.
[42] Easy-minded. Only wander not, but be calm.--Vat. Omitted in Pal.
[43] Accomplishes ... wishes. And exhibits it to any one to whom he
wishes.--Vat.
[44] So shall you also, teaching the truth daily, cut off great
sin.--Vat.
[45] I know ... saints. For the Lord knows that they will repent with
all their heart, and He will write you in the Book of Life.--Vat. See
Phil. iv. 3; Rev. xx. 15. [He contrasts the mild spirit of the Gospel
with the severity of the Law in the case of Eli.]
[46] And give ear to the glories of God, omitted in Vat.
[47] And then ... her. And unfolding a book, she read gloriously,
magnificently, and admirably.--Vat. [Dan. x. 9.]
[48] Gentle. For they were few and useful to us.--Vat.
[49] By His own wisdom and providence. By His mighty power.--Vat.,
Pal. [Scripture is here distilled like the dew. Prov. iii. 19. Ps.
xxiv. 2, and marginal references.]
[50] Holy omitted by Lips.
[51] Removes. He will remove.--Vat.
[52] See 2 Pet. iii. 5.
[53] [Isa. lxv. 22. See Faber's Historical Inquiry, as to the
primitive idea of the elect, book ii. 2. New York, 1840.]
[54] Be strong, or be made strong.--Vat. [1 Cor. xvi. 13.]
.
Vision Second
Again, of His Neglect in Chastising His Talkative Wife and His Lustful
Sons, and of His Character.
Chap. I.
As I was going to the country [55] about the same time as on the
previous year, in my walk I recalled to memory the vision of that
year. And again the Spirit carried me away, and took me to the same
place where I had been the year before. [56] On coming to that place,
I bowed my knees and began to pray to the Lord, and to glorify His
name, because He had deemed me worthy, and had made known to me my
former sins. On rising from prayer, I see opposite me that old woman,
whom I had seen the year before, walking and reading some book. And
she says to me, "Can you carry a report of these things to the elect
of God?" I say to her, "Lady, so much I cannot retain in my memory,
but give me the book and I shall transcribe it." "Take it," says she,
"and you will give it back to me." Thereupon I took it, and going away
into a certain part of the country, I transcribed the whole of it
letter by letter; [57] but the syllables of it I did not catch. No
sooner, however, had I finished the writing of the book, than all of a
sudden it was snatched from my hands; but who the person was that
snatched it, I saw not.
Chap. II.
Fifteen days after, when I had fasted and prayed much to the Lord, the
knowledge of the writing was revealed to me. Now the writing was to
this effect: "Your seed, O Hermas, has sinned against God, and they
have blasphemed against [58] the Lord, and in their great wickedness
they have betrayed their parents. And they passed as traitors of their
parents, and by their treachery did they not [59] reap profit. And
even now they have added to their sins lusts and iniquitous
pollutions, and thus their iniquities have been filled up. But make
known [60] these words to all your children, and to your wife, who is
to be your sister. For she does not [61] restrain her tongue, with
which she commits iniquity; but, on hearing these words, she will
control herself, and will obtain mercy. For after you have made known
to them these words which my Lord has commanded me to reveal to you,
[62] then shall they be forgiven all the sins which in former times
they committed, and forgiveness will be granted to all the saints who
have sinned even to the present day, if they repent with all their
heart, and drive all doubts from their minds. [63] For the Lord has
sworn by His glory, in regard to His elect, that if any one of them
sin after a certain day which has been fixed, he shall not be saved.
For the repentance of the righteous has limits. [64] Filled up are the
days of repentance to all the saints; but to the heathen, repentance
will be possible even to the last day. You will tell, therefore, those
who preside over the Church, to direct their ways in righteousness,
that they may receive in full the promises with great glory. Stand
stedfast, therefore, ye who work righteousness, and doubt not, [65]
that your passage [66] may be with the holy angels. Happy ye who
endure the great tribulation that is coming on, and happy they who
shall not deny their own life. [67] For the Lord hath sworn by His
Son, that those who denied their Lord have abandoned their life in
despair, for even now these are to deny Him in the days that are
coming. [68] To those who denied in earlier times, God became [69]
gracious, on account of His exceeding tender mercy."
Chap. III
"But as for you, Hermas, remember not the wrongs done to you by your
children, nor neglect your sister, that they may be cleansed from
their former sins. For they will be instructed with righteous
instruction, if you remember not the wrongs they have done you. For
the remembrance of wrongs worketh death. [70] And you, Hermas, have
endured great personal [71] tribulations on account of the
transgressions of your house, because you did not attend to them, but
were careless [72] and engaged in your wicked transactions. But [73]
you are saved, because you did not depart from the living God, and on
account of your simplicity and great self-control. These have saved
you, if you remain stedfast. And they will save all who act in the
same manner, and walk in guilelessness and simplicity. Those who
possess such virtues will wax strong against every form of wickedness,
and will abide unto eternal life. Blessed are all they who practice
righteousness, for they shall never be destroyed. Now you will tell
Maximus: Lo! [74] tribulation cometh on. If it seemeth good to thee,
deny again. The Lord is near to them who return unto Him, as it is
written in Eldad and Modat, [75] who prophesied to the people in the
wilderness."
Chap. IV
Now a revelation was given to me, my brethren, while I slept, by a
young man of comely appearance, who said to me, "Who do you think that
old woman is from whom you received the book?" And I said, "The
Sibyl." "You are in a mistake," says he; "it is not the Sibyl." "Who
is it then?" say I. And he said, "It is the Church." [76] And I said
to him, "Why then is she an old woman?" "Because," said he, "she was
created first of all. On this account is she old. And for her sake was
the world made." After that I saw a vision in my house, and that old
woman came and asked me, if I had yet given the book to the
presbyters. And I said that I had not. And then she said, "You have
done well, for I have some words to add. But when I finish all the
words, all the elect will then become acquainted with them through
you. You will write therefore two books, and you will send the one to
Clemens and the other to Grapte. [77] And Clemens will send his to
foreign countries, for permission has been granted to him to do so.
[78] And Grapte will admonish the widows and the orphans. But you will
read the words in this city, along with the presbyters who preside
over the Church."
Footnotes
[55] Country; lit. to the villages. From Cumæ--Vat. While I was
journeying in the district of the Cumans.--Pal.
[56] [Ezek. i. 1; iii. 23.]
[57] Going ... Letter. [Ezek. ii. 9; Rev. x. 4.] Now taking the book,
I sat down in one place and wrote the whole of it in order.--Pal. In
the ancient mss. there was nothing to mark out where one word ended
and another commenced.
[58] God ... against. Omitted in Vat.
[59] Not, omitted in Vat.
[60] Make known. Rebuke with these words.--Vat. [Your sister in
Christ, i.e., when converted.]
[61] Let her restrain her tongue.--Vat. [Jas. iii. 5-10.]
[62] For ... you. For she will be instructed, after you have rebuked
her with those words which the Lord has commanded to be revealed to
you.--Vat.
[63] [Against Montanism. Matt. xii. 31. xviii. 22.]
[64] [To show that the Catholic doctrine does not make Christ the
minister of sin. Gal. ii. 17.]
[65] Doubt not. [Jas. i. 5.] And so act.--Vat.
[66] Passage. [Luke xvi. 22.] Your journey.--Pal.
[67] And whosoever shall not deny his own life.--Vat. [Seeking one's
life was losing it: hating one's own life was finding it. (Matt. x.
39; Luke xiv. 26.) The great tribuation here referred to, is probably
that mystery of St. Paul (2 Thess. ii. 3), which they supposed nigh at
hand. Our author probably saw signs of it in Montanus and his
followers.]
[68] Those ... coming. The meaning of this sentence is obscure. The
Vat. is evidently corrupt, but seems to mean: "The Lord has sworn by
His Son, that whoever will deny Him and His Son, promising themselves
life thereby, they [God and His Son] will deny them in the days that
are to come." The days that are to come would mean the day of judgment
and the future state. See Matt. x. 33. [This they supposed would soon
follow the great apostasy and tribulation. The words "earlier times"
are against the Pauline date.]
[69] Became gracious. Will be gracious.--Pal.
[70] The Vat. adds: but forgetfulness of them, eternal life. [Lev.
xix. 18. See Jeremy Taylor, Of Forgiveness, Discourse xi. vol. i. p.
217. London, Bohn, 1844.]
[71] Personal. Worldly.--Vat.
[72] You ... careless. You neglected them as if they did not belong to
you.--Vat. [See cap. iii. supra, "easy-minded."]
[73] But you will be saved for not having departed from the living
God. And your simplicity and singular self-control will save you, if
you remain stedfast.--Vat.
[74] Now you will say: Lo! Great tribulation cometh on.--Vat. Lo!
Exceedingly great tribulation cometh on.--Lips. [Maximus seems to have
been a lapser, thus warned in a spirit of orthodoxy in contrast with
Montanism, but with irony.]
[75] [The sense is: This is the temptation of those who pervert the
promises made to the penitent. They may say, "we are threatened with
terrible persecution; let us save our lives by momentarily denying
Christ: we can turn again, and the Lord is nigh to all who thus turn,
as Eldad and Medad told the Israelites."] Eldad (or Eldat or Heldat or
Heldam) and Modat (Mudat or Modal) are mentioned in Num. xi. 26, 27.
The apocryphal book inscribed with their name is now lost. Cotelerius
compares, for the passage, Ps. xxxiv. 9.
[76] The Church. The Church of God.--Vat. [See Grabe's note, Bull's
Defens. Fid. Nicæn., 1. cap. 2. sec. 6; Works, vol. v. part. 1. p.
67.]
[77] Grapte is supposed to have been a deaconess.
[78] [Here, as in places that follow, is to be noted a development of
canon law, that could hardly have existed in the days of the Pauline
Hermas. He is supposed to be a lector, who might read for the
edification of the elect, if permitted by the presbyters. Grapte, the
deaconess, is supposed to have charge of widows and orphans; while
Clement, only, has canonical right to authenticate books to foreign
churches, as the Eastern bishops were accustomed to authenticate
canonical Scriptures to him and others. The second Hermas falls into
such anachronisms innocently, but they betray the fiction of his work.
Compare the Apost. Constitutions with (apocryphal) authentications by
Clement.]
.
Vision Third
Concerning the Building of the Triumphant Church, and the Various Classes
of Reprobate Men.
Chap. I.
The vision which I saw, my brethren, was of the following nature.
Having fasted frequently, and having prayed to the Lord that He would
show me the revelation which He promised to show me through that old
woman, the same night that old woman appeared to me, and said to me,
"Since you are so anxious and eager to know all things, go into the
part of the country where you tarry; and about the fifth [79] hour I
shall appear unto you, and show you all that you ought to see." I
asked her, saying "Lady, into what part of the country am I to go?"
And she said, "Into any part you wish." Then I chose a spot which was
suitable, and retired. Before, however, I began to speak and to
mention the place, she said to me, "I will come where you wish."
Accordingly, I went to the country, and counted the hours, and reached
the place where I had promised to meet her. And I see an ivory seat
ready placed, and on it a linen cushion, and above the linen cushion
was spread a covering of fine linen. [80] Seeing these laid out, and
yet no one in the place, I began to feel awe, and as it were a
trembling seized hold of me, and my hair stood on end, and as it were
a horror came upon me when I saw that I was all alone. But on coming
back to myself and calling to mind the glory of God, I took courage,
bent my knees, and again confessed my sins to God as I had done
before. [81] Whereupon the old woman approached, accompanied by six
young men whom I had also seen before; and she stood behind me, and
listened to me, as I prayed and confessed my sins to the Lord. And
touching me she said, "Hermas, cease praying continually for your
sins; pray for righteousness, [82] that you may have a portion of it
immediately in your house." On this, she took me up by the hand, and
brought me to the seat, and said to the young men, "Go and build."
When the young men had gone and we were alone, she said to me, "Sit
here." I say to her, "Lady, permit my elders [83] to be seated first."
"Do what I bid you," said she; "sit down." When I would have sat down
on her right, she did not permit me, but with her hand beckoned to me
to sit down on the left. While I was thinking about this, and feeling
vexed that she did not let me sit on the right, she said, "Are you
vexed, Hermas? The place to the right is for others who have already
pleased God, and have suffered for His name's sake; and you have yet
much to accomplish before you can sit with them. But abide as you now
do in your simplicity, and you will sit with them, and with all who do
their deeds and bear what they have borne."
Chap. II.
"What have they borne?" said I. "Listen," said she: "scourges,
prisons, great tribulations, crosses, wild beasts, [84] for God's
name's sake. On this account is assigned to them the division of
sanctification on the right hand, and to every one who shall suffer
for God's name: to the rest is assigned the division on the left. But
both for those who sit on the right, and those who sit on the left,
there are the same gifts and promises; only those sit on the right,
and have some glory. You then are eager to sit on the right with them,
but your shortcomings are many. But you will be cleansed from your
shortcomings; and all who are not given to doubts shall be cleansed
from all their iniquities up till this day." Saying this, she wished
to go away. But falling down at her feet, I begged her by the Lord
that she would show me the vision which she had promised to show me.
And then she again took hold of me by the hand, and raised me, and
made me sit on the seat to the left; and lifting up a splendid rod,
[85] she said to me, "Do you see something great?" And I say, "Lady, I
see nothing." She said to me, "Lo! do you not see opposite to you a
great tower, built upon the waters, of splendid square stones?" For
the tower was built square [86] by those six young men who had come
with her. But myriads of men were carrying stones to it, some dragging
them from the depths, others removing them from the land, and they
handed them to these six young men. They were taking them and
building; and those of the stones that were dragged out of the depths,
they placed in the building just as they were: for they were polished
and fitted exactly into the other stones, and became so united one
with another that the lines of juncture could not be perceived. [87]
And in this way the building of the tower looked as if it were made
out of one stone. Those stones, however, which were taken from the
earth suffered a different fate; for the young men rejected some of
them, some they fitted into the building, and some they cut down, and
cast far away from the tower. Many other stones, however, lay around
the tower, and the young men did not use them in building; for some of
them were rough, others had cracks in them, others had been made too
short, [88] and others were white and round, but did not fit into the
building of the tower. Moreover, I saw other stones thrown far away
from the tower, and falling into the public road; yet they did not
remain on the road, but were rolled into a pathless place. And I saw
others falling into the fire and burning, others falling close to the
water, and yet not capable of being rolled into the water, though they
wished to be rolled down, and to enter the water.
Chap. III
On showing me these visions, she wished to retire. I said to her,
"What is the use of my having seen all this, while I do not know what
it means?" She said to me, "You are a cunning fellow, wishing to know
everything that relates to the tower." "Even so, O Lady," said I,
"that I may tell it to my brethren, that, hearing this, they may know
the Lord in much glory." [89] And she said, "Many indeed shall hear,
and hearing, some shall be glad, and some shall weep. But even these,
if they hear and repent, shall also rejoice. Hear, then, the parables
of the tower; for I will reveal all to you, and give me no more
trouble in regard to revelation: for these revelations have an end,
for they have been completed. But you will not cease praying for
revelations, for you are shameless. [90] The tower which you see
building is myself, the Church, who have appeared to you now and on
the former occasion. Ask, then, whatever you like in regard to the
tower, and I will reveal it to you, that you may rejoice with the
saints." I said unto her, "Lady, since you have vouchsafed to reveal
all to me this once, reveal it." She said to me, "Whatsoever ought to
be revealed, will be revealed; only let your heart be with God, [91]
and doubt not whatsoever you shall see." I asked her, "Why was the
tower built upon the waters, O Lady?" She answered, "I told you
before, [92] and you still inquire carefully: therefore inquiring you
shall find the truth. Hear then why the tower is built upon the
waters. It is because your life has been, and will be, saved through
water. For the tower was founder on the word of the almighty and
glorious Name and it is kept together by the invisible power of the
Lord." [93]
Chap. IV
In reply I said to her, "This is magnificent and marvellous. But who
are the six young men who are engaged in building?" And she said,
"These are the holy angels of God, who were first created, and to whom
the Lord handed over His whole creation, that they might increase and
build up and rule over the whole creation. By these will the building
of the tower be finished." "But who are the other persons who are
engaged in carrying the stones?" "These also are holy angels of the
Lord, but the former six are more excellent than these. The building
of the tower will be finished, [94] and all will rejoice together
around the tower, and they will glorify God, because the tower is
finished." I asked her, saying, "Lady, I should like to know what
became of the stones, and what was meant by the various kinds of
stones?" In reply she said to me, "Not because you are [95] more
deserving than all others that this revelation should be made to
you--for there are others before you, and better than you, to whom
these visions should have been revealed--but that the name of God may
be glorified, has the revelation been made to you, and it will be made
on account of the doubtful who ponder in their hearts whether these
things will be or not. Tell them that all these things are true, and
that none of them is beyond the truth. All of them are firm and sure,
and established on a strong foundation."
Chap. V
"Hear now with regard to the stones which are in the building. Those
square white stones which fitted exactly into each other, are
apostles, bishops, teachers, and deacons, who have lived in godly
purity, and have acted as bishops and teachers and deacons chastely
and reverently to the elect of God. Some of them have fallen asleep,
and some still remain alive. [96] And they have always agreed with
each other, and been at peace among themselves, [97] and listened to
each other. On account of this, they join exactly into the building of
the tower." "But who are the stones that were dragged from the depths,
and which were laid into the building and fitted in with the rest of
the stones previously placed in the tower?" "They are those [98] who
suffered for the Lord's sake." "But I wish to know, O Lady, who are
the other stones which were carried from the land." "Those," she said,
"which go into the building without being polished, are those whom God
has approved of, for they walked in the straight ways of the Lord and
practiced His commandments." "But who are those who are in the act of
being brought and placed in the building?" "They are those who are
young in faith and are faithful. But they are admonished by the angels
to do good, for no iniquity has been found in them." "Who then are
those whom they rejected and cast away?" [99] "These are they who have
sinned, and wish to repent. On this account they have not been thrown
far from the tower, because they will yet be useful in the building,
if they repent. Those then who are to repent, if they do repent, will
be strong in faith, if they now repent while the tower is building.
For if the building be finished, there will not be more room for any
one, but he will be rejected. [100] This privilege, however, will
belong only to him who has now been placed near the tower."
Chap. VI
"As to those who were cut down and thrown far away from the tower, do
you wish to know who they are? They are the sons of iniquity, and they
believed in hypocrisy, and wickedness did not depart from them. For
this reason they are not saved, since they cannot be used in the
building on account of their iniquities. Wherefore they have been cut
off and cast far away on account of the anger of the Lord, for they
have roused Him to anger. But I shall explain to you the other stones
which you saw lying in great numbers, and not going into the building.
Those which are rough are those who have known the truth and not
remained in it, nor have they been joined to the saints. [101] On this
account are they unfit for use." "Who are those that have rents?"
"These are they who are at discord in their hearts one with another,
and are not at peace amongst themselves: they indeed keep peace before
each other, but when they separate one from the other, their wicked
thoughts remain in their hearts. These, then, are the rents which are
in the stones. But those which are shortened are those who have indeed
believed, and have the larger share of righteousness; yet they have
also a considerable share of iniquity, and therefore they are
shortened and not whole." "But who are these, Lady, that are white and
round, and yet do not fit into the building of the tower?" She
answered and said, "How long will you be foolish and stupid, and
continue to put every kind of question and understand nothing? These
are those who have faith indeed, but they have also the riches of this
world. When, therefore, tribulation comes, on account of their riches
and business they deny the Lord." [102] I answered and said to her,
"When, then, will they be useful for the building, Lady?" "When the
riches that now seduce them have been circumscribed, then will they be
of use to God. [103] For as a round stone cannot become square unless
portions be cut off and cast away, so also those who are rich in this
world cannot be useful to the Lord unless their riches be cut down.
Learn this first from your own case. When you were rich, you were
useless; but now you are useful and fit for life. Be ye useful to God;
for you also will be used as one of these stones." [104]
Chap. VII
"Now the other stones which you saw cast far away from the tower, and
falling upon the public road and rolling from it into pathless places,
are those who have indeed believed, but through doubt have abandoned
the true road. Thinking, then, that they could find a better, they
wander and become wretched, and enter upon pathless places. But those
which fell into the fire and were burned [105] are those who have
departed for ever from the living God; nor does the thought of
repentance ever come into their hearts, on account of their devotion
to their lusts and to the crimes which they committed. Do you wish to
know who are the others which fell near the waters, but could not be
rolled into them? These are they who have heard the word, and wish to
be baptized in the name of the Lord; but when the chastity demanded by
the truth comes into their recollection, they draw back, [106] and
again walk after their own wicked desires." She finished her
exposition of the tower. But I, shameless as I yet was, asked her, "Is
repentance possible for all those stones which have been cast away and
did not fit into the building of the tower, and will they yet have a
place in this tower?" "Repentance," said she, "is yet possible, but in
this tower they cannot find a suitable place. But in another [107] and
much inferior place they will be laid, and that, too, only when they
have been tortured and completed the days of their sins. And on this
account will they be transferred, because they have partaken of the
righteous Word. [108] And then only will they be removed from their
punishments when the thought of repenting of the evil deeds which they
have done has come into their hearts. But if it does not come into
their hearts, they will not be saved, on account of the hardness of
their heart."
Chap. VIII
When then I ceased asking in regard to all these matters, she said to
me, "Do you wish to see anything else?" And as I was extremely eager
to see something more, my countenance beamed with joy. She looked
towards me with a smile, and said, "Do you see seven women around the
tower?" "I do, Lady," said I. "This tower," said she, "is supported by
them according to the precept of the Lord. Listen now to their
functions. The first of them, who is clasping her hands, is called
Faith. Through her the elect of God are saved. [109] Another, who has
her garments tucked up [110] and acts with vigour, is called
Self-restraint. She is the daughter of Faith. Whoever then follows her
will become happy in his life, because he will restrain himself from
all evil works, believing that, if he restrain himself from all evil
desire, he will inherit eternal life." "But the others," said I, "O
Lady, who are they?" And she said to me, "They are daughters of each
other. One of them is called Simplicity, another Guilelessness,
another Chastity, another Intelligence, another Love. When then you do
all the works of their mother, [111] you will be able to live." "I
should like to know," said I, "O Lady, what power each one of them
possesses." "Hear," she said, "what power they have. Their powers are
regulated [112] by each other, and follow each other in the order of
their birth. For from Faith arises Self-restraint; from
Self-restraint, Simplicity; from Simplicity, Guilelessness; from
Guilelessness, Chastity; from Chastity, Intelligence; and from
Intelligence, Love. The deeds, then, of these are pure, and chaste,
and divine. Whoever devotes himself to these, and is able to hold fast
by their works, shall have his dwelling in the tower with the saints
of God." Then I asked her in regard to the ages, if now there is the
conclusion. She cried out with a loud voice, "Foolish man! do you not
see the tower yet building? When the tower is finished and built, then
comes the end; and I assure you it will be soon finished. Ask me no
more questions. Let you and all the saints be content with what I have
called to your remembrance, and with my renewal of your spirits. But
observe that it is not for your own sake only that these revelations
have been made to you, but they have been given you that you may show
them to all. For [113] after three days--this you will take care to
remember--I Command you to speak all the words which I am to say to
you into the ears of the saints, that hearing them and doing them,
they may be cleansed from their iniquities, and you along with them."
Chap. IX
Give ear unto me, O Sons: I have brought you up in much simplicity,
and guilelessness, and chastity, on account of the mercy of the Lord,
[114] who has dropped His righteousness down upon you, that ye may be
made righteous and holy [115] from all your iniquity and depravity;
but you do not wish to rest from your iniquity. Now, therefore, listen
to me, and be at peace one with another, and visit each other, and
bear each other's burdens, and do not partake of God's creatures
alone, [116] but give abundantly of them to the needy. For some
through the abundance of their food produce weakness in their flesh,
and thus corrupt their flesh; while the flesh of others who have no
food is corrupted, because they have not sufficient nourishment. And
on this account their bodies waste away. This intemperance in eating
is thus injurious to you who have abundance and do not distribute
among those who are needy. Give heed to the judgment that is to come.
Ye, therefore, who are high in position, seek out the hungry as long
as the tower is not yet finished; for after the tower is finished, you
will wish to do good, but will find no opportunity. Give heed,
therefore, ye who glory in your wealth, lest those who are needy
should groan, and their groans should ascend to the Lord, [117] and ye
be shut out with all your goods beyond the gate of the tower.
Wherefore I now say to you who preside over the Church and love the
first seats, [118] "Be not like to drug-mixers. For the drug-mixers
carry their drugs in boxes, but ye carry your drug and poison in your
heart. Ye are hardened, and do not wish to cleanse your hearts, and to
add unity of aim to purity of heart, that you may have mercy from the
great King. Take heed, therefore, children, that these dissensions of
yours do not deprive you of your life. How will you instruct the elect
of the Lord, if you yourselves have not instruction? Instruct each
other therefore, and be at peace among yourselves, that [119] I also,
standing joyful before your Father, may give an account of you all to
your Lord." [120]
Chap. X
On her ceasing to speak to me, those six young men who were engaged in
building came and conveyed her to the tower, and other four lifted up
the seat and carried it also to the tower. The faces of these last I
did not see, for they were turned away from me. And as she was going,
I asked her to reveal to me the meaning of the three forms in which
she appeared to me. In reply she said to me: "With regard to them, you
must ask another to reveal their meaning to you." For she had appeared
to me, brethren, in the first vision the previous year under the form
of an exceedingly old woman, sitting in a chair. In the second vision
her face was youthful, but her skin and hair betokened age, and she
stood while she spoke to me. She was also more joyful than on the
first occasion. But in the third vision she was entirely youthful and
exquisitely beautiful, except only that she had the hair of an old
woman; but her face beamed with joy, and she sat on a seat. Now I was
exceeding sad in regard to these appearances, for I longed much to
know what the visions meant. Then I see the old woman in a vision of
the night saying unto me: "Every prayer should be accompanied with
humility: fast, [121] therefore, and you will obtain from the Lord
what you beg." I fasted therefore for one day.
That very night there appeared to me a young man, who said, "Why do
you frequently ask revelations in prayer? Take heed lest by asking
many things you injure your flesh: be content with these revelations.
Will you be able to see greater [122] revelations than those which you
have seen?" I answered and said to him, "Sir, one thing only I ask,
that in regard to these three forms the revelation may be rendered
complete." He answered me, "How long are ye senseless? [123] But your
doubts make you senseless, because you have not your hearts turned
towards the Lord." But I answered and said to him, "From you, sir, we
shall learn these things more accurately."
Chap. XI
"Hear then," said he, "with regard to the three forms, concerning
which you are inquiring. Why in the first vision did she appear to you
as an old woman seated on a chair? Because your spirit is now old and
withered up, and has lost its power in consequence of your infirmities
and doubts. For, like elderly men who have no hope of renewing their
strength, and expect nothing but their last sleep, so you, weakened by
worldly occupations, have given yourselves up to sloth, and have not
cast your cares upon the Lord. [124] Your spirit therefore is broken,
and you have grown old in your sorrows." "I should like then to know,
sir, why she sat on a chair?" He answered, "Because every weak person
sits on a chair on account of his weakness, that his weakness may be
sustained. Lo! you have the form of the first vision."
Chap. XII
"Now in the second vision you saw her standing with a youthful
countenance, and more joyful than before; still she had the skin and
hair of an aged woman. Hear," said he, "this parable also. When one
becomes somewhat old, he despairs of himself on account of his
weakness and poverty, and looks forward to nothing but the last day of
his life. Then suddenly an inheritance is left him: and hearing of
this, he rises up, and becoming exceeding joyful, he puts on strength.
And now he no longer reclines, but stands up; and his spirit, already
destroyed by his previous actions, is renewed, [125] and he no longer
sits, but acts with vigour. So happened it with you on hearing the
revelation which God gave you. For the Lord had compassion on you, and
renewed your spirit, and ye laid aside your infirmities. Vigour arose
within you, and ye grew strong in faith; and the Lord, [126] seeing
your strength, rejoiced. On this account He showed you the building of
the tower; and He will show you other things, if you continue at peace
with each other with all your heart."
Chap. XIII
"Now, in the third vision, you saw her still younger, and she was
noble and joyful, and her shape was beautiful. [127] For, just as when
some good news comes suddenly to one who is sad, immediately he
forgets his former sorrows, and looks for nothing else than the good
news which he has heard, and for the future is made strong for good,
and his spirit is renewed on account of the joy which he has received;
so ye also have received the renewal of your spirits by seeing these
good things. As to your seeing her sitting on a seat, that means that
her position is one of strength, for a seat has four feet and stands
firmly. For the world also is kept together by means of four elements.
Those, therefore, who repent completely and with the whole heart, will
become young and firmly established. You now have the revelation
completely given you. [128] Make no further demands for revelations.
If anything ought to be revealed, it will be revealed to you."
Footnotes
[79] Fifth. Sixth.--Vat. [Here is a probable reference to canonical
hours, borrowed from apostolic usage (Acts iii. 1), but not reflected
in written constitutions in Clement's day.]
[80] [Compare Cyprian's Life and Martydom, by Pontius the deacon (sec.
16). This is doubtless a picture of the bishop's cathedra in the days
of Pius, but, for the times of the Pauline Hermas, a probable
anachronism.]
[81] [Ezek. i. 28.]
[82] [For justification and sanctification.]
[83] My elders. Perhaps the translation should be: the presbyters. [No
doubt; for here also is a reference to canon law. See Apost.
Constitutions (so called), book ii. sec. vii. 57.]
[84] [Heb. xi. 36, 37]
[85] [Rev. xi. 1.]
[86] [Rev. xxi. 16.]
[87] [1 Kings vi. 7; 1 Pet. ii. 4-8. The apostle interprets his own
name,--shows Christ to be the Rock, himself a stone laid upon the
foundation, by which also all believers are made lively stones, like
the original Cephas.]
[88] Others had been made too short, not in Vat.
[89] That ... glory. And that they may be made more joyful, and,
hearing this, may greatly glorify the Lord.--Vat.
[90] [2 Cor. xii. 1-11. The apostle is ashamed to glory in
revelations, and this seems to be the reference.]
[91] God. Lord.--Vat.
[92] I said to you before, that you were cunning, diligently inquiring
in regard to the Scriptures.--Vat. You are cunning in regard to the
Scriptures.--Lips. In some of the mss. of the common Latin version,
"structures" is read instead of "Scriptures."
[93] The Lord. God.--Vat. [1 Pet. iii. 20; Eph. v. 26. Both these
texts seem in the author's mind, but perhaps, also Num. xxiv. 6, 7.]
[94] The building. When therefore the building of the tower is
finished, all.--Vat.
[95] Not because you are better. Are you better?--Vat. [See note 90 on
2 Cor. xii. 1-11, preceding chapter.]
[96] [1 Cor. xv. 6, 18.]
[97] [Phil. ii. 2, iii. 16; 1 Thess v. 13.]
[98] Are those. They are those who have alreay fallen asleep, and who
suffered.--Vat.
[99] Cast away. Placed near the tower.--Vat.
[100] [Heb. vi. 6-8; xii. 17.]
[101] [Heb. x. 25. Barnabas (cap. iv.) reproves the same fault, almost
as if directing his words against anchorites, vol. i. p. 139, this
series.]
[102] [Matt. xiii. 21.]
[103] Use ... God. Then will they be of use for the building of the
Lord.--Vat. [1 Cor. iii. 9-15. But, instead of circumscribed, let us
read circumcised (with the Latin): with reference to the circumcision
of wealth (of trees under the law, Lev. xix. 23), Luke xi. 41. The
Greek of Hermas is hotan perikope auton ho ploutos.]
[104] For ... stones. For you yourself were also one of these
stones.--Vat.
[105] [Heb. iii. 12, vi. 8.]
[106] The words "draw back" are represented in Greek by the word
elsewhere translated "repent;" metanoein is thus used for a change of
mind, either from evil to good, or good to evil.
[107] [Perhaps the earliest reference to the penitential discipline
which was developed after the Nicene Council, and to the separation of
the Flentes and others from the faithful, in public worship. But
compare Irenæus (vol. i. p. 335, this series), who refers to this
discipline; also Apost. Constitutions, book ii. cap. 39. I prefer in
this chapter Wake's rendering; and see Bingham, book xviii. cap. 1.]
[108] [Greek, rhema not logos. To translate this as if it referred to
the Word (St. John i. i) is a great mistake. (Heb. xi. 3). Compare
Wake's rendering. It seems a reference to the audientes, seperated
from the faithful, but admitted to hear the Word. See Bingham, and
Apost. Constit., as above.]
[109] [Salvation is ascribed to faith; and works of faith follow
after, being faith in action.]
[110] [Girded rather, the loins compressed.]
[111] [Their mother is Faith (ut supra), and works of faith are here
represented as deriving their value from faith only.]
[112] Regulated. They have equal powers, but their powers are
connected with each other.--Vat.
[113] [Appearently for fasting, and to wait for the appearance of the
interpreter, in cap. x.]
[114] The Lord. God.--Vat. [See Hos. x. 12.]
[115] Or, that ye may be justified and sanctified.
[116] I have translated the Vat. Reading here. The Greek seems to
mean, "Do not partake of God's creatures alone by way of mere relish."
The Pal. Has, "Do not partake of God's creatures alone joylessly, in a
way calculated to defeat enjoyment of them."
[117] [Jas. v. 1-4.]
[118] Those that love the first seats, omitted in Æth. [Greek, tois
proegoumenois tes ekklesias kai tois protokathedritais. Hermas seems,
purposely, colourless as to technical distinctions in the clergy;
giving a more primitive cast to his fiction, by this feature. Matt.
xxiii. 6; Mark xii. 39; Luke xi. 43, xx. 46.]
[119] [Rom. ii. 21; 1 Thess. v. 13.]
[120] [Heb. xiii. 17.]
[121] Fast. Believe.--Pal.
[122] Literally, "stronger," and therefore more injurious to the body.
[123] How long. Ye are not senseless.--Vat. [Matt. xvii. 17; Luke
xxiv. 25.]
[124] [1 Pet. v. 7.]
[125] His spirit ... renewed. He is freed from his former
sorrows.--Vat.
[126] The Lord. God.--Vat.
[127] Shape ... beautiful. Her countenance was serene.--Vat.
[128] [As Dupin suggest of The Shepherd, generally, one may feel that
these "revelations" would be better without the symbolical part.]
.
Vision Fourth
Concerning the Trial and Tribulation that are to Come Upon Men.
Chap. I
Twenty days after the former vision I saw another vision, brethren
[129] --a representation of the tribulation [130] that is to come. I
was going to a country house along the Campanian road. Now the house
lay about ten furlongs from the public road. The district is one
rarely [131] traversed. And as I walked alone, I prayed the Lord to
complete the revelations which He had made to me through His holy
Church, that He might strengthen me, [132] and give repentance to all
His servants who were going astray, that His great and glorious name
might be glorified because He vouchsafed to show me His marvels. [133]
And while I was glorifying Him and giving Him thanks, a voice, as it
were, answered me, "Doubt not, Hermas;" and I began to think with
myself, and to say, "What reason have I to doubt--I who have been
established by the Lord, and who have seen such glorious sights?" I
advanced a little, brethren, and, lo! I see dust rising even to the
heavens. I began to say to myself, "Are cattle approaching and raising
the dust?" It was about a furlong's distance from me. And, lo! I see
the dust rising more and more, so that I imagined that it was
something sent from God. But the sun now shone out a little, and, lo!
I see a mighty beast like a whale, and out of its mouth fiery locusts
[134] proceeded. But the size of that beast was about a hundred feet,
and it had a head like an urn. [135] I began to weep, and to call on
the Lord to rescue me from it. Then I remembered the word which I had
heard, "Doubt not, O Hermas." Clothed, therefore, my brethren, with
faith in the Lord [136] and remembering the great things which He had
taught me, I boldly faced the beast. Now that beast came on with such
noise and force, that it could itself have destroyed a city. [137] I
came near it, and the monstrous beast stretched itself out on the
ground, and showed nothing but its tongue, and did not stir at all
until I had passed by it. Now the beast had four colours on its
head--black, then fiery and bloody, then golden, and lastly white.
Chap. II
Now after I had passed by the wild beast, and had moved forward about
thirty feet, lo! a virgin meets me, adorned as if she were proceeding
from the bridal chamber, clothed entirely in white, and with white
sandals, and veiled up to her forehead, and her head was covered by a
hood. [138] And she had white hair. I knew from my former visions that
this was the Church, and I became more joyful. She saluted me, and
said, "Hail, O man!" And I returned her salutation, and said, "Lady,
hail!" And she answered, and said to me, "Has nothing crossed your
path?" I say, "I was met by a beast of such a size that it could
destroy peoples, but through the power of the Lord [139] and His great
mercy I escaped from it." "Well did you escape from it," says she,
"because you cast your care [140] on God, [141] and opened your heart
to the Lord, believing that you can be saved by no other than by His
great and glorious name. [142] On this account the Lord has sent His
angel, who has rule over the beasts, and whose name is Thegri, [143]
and has shut up its mouth, so that it cannot tear you. You have
escaped from great tribulation on account of your faith, and because
you did not doubt in the presence of such a beast. Go, therefore, and
tell the elect of the Lord [144] His mighty deeds, and say to them
that this beast is a type of the great tribulation that is coming. If
then ye prepare yourselves, and repent with all your heart, and turn
to the Lord, it will be possible for you to escape it, if your heart
be pure and spotless, and ye spend the rest of the days of your life
in serving the Lord blamelessly. Cast your cares upon the Lord, and He
will direct them. Trust the Lord, ye who doubt, for He is
all-powerful, and can turn His anger away from you, and send scourges
[145] on the doubters. Woe to those who hear these words, and despise
them: [146] better were it for them not to have been born." [147]
Chap. III
I asked her about the four colours which the beast had on his head.
And she answered, and said to me, "Again you are inquisitive in regard
to such matters." "Yea, Lady," said I, "make known to me what they
are." "Listen," said she: "the black is the world in which we dwell:
but the fiery and bloody points out that the world must perish through
blood and fire: but the golden part are you who have escaped from this
world. For as gold is tested by fire, and thus becomes useful, so are
you tested who dwell in it. Those, therefore, who continue stedfast,
and are put through the fire, will be purified by means of it. For as
gold casts away its dross, so also will ye cast away all sadness and
straitness, and will be made pure so as to fit into the building of
the tower. But the white part is the age that is to come, in which the
elect of God will dwell, since those elected by God to eternal life
will be spotless and pure. Wherefore cease not speaking these things
into the ears of the saints. This then is the type of the great
tribulation that is to come. If ye wish it, it will be nothing.
Remember those things which were written down before." And saying
this, she departed. But I saw not into what place she retired. There
was a noise, however, and I turned round in alarm, thinking that that
beast was coming. [148]
Footnotes
[129] [This address to "brethren" sustains the form of the primitive
prophesyings, in the congregation.]
[130] [One of the tribulations spoken of in the Apocalypse is probably
intended. This Vision is full of the imagery of the Book of
Revelation.]
[131] Rarely. Easily.--Lips., Sin.
[132] He might strengthen me, omitted in Vat.
[133] For ... marvels. This clause is connected with the subsequent
sentence in Vat.
[134] [Rev. ix. 3.]
[135] Comp. Rev. xi. 7, xii. 3, 4, xiii. 1, xvii. 8, xxii. 2. [The
beast was "like a whale" in size and proportion. It was not a
sea-monster. This whole passage is Dantesque. See Inferno, canto
xxxi., and, for the colours, canto xvii. 15.]
[136] God.--Lips., Vat.
[137] The Vat. adds: with a stroke.
[138] [Those who remember the Vatican collection and other antiques,
will recall the exquisite figure and veiling of the Pudicitia.]
[139] The Lord. God.--Vat.
[140] Care. Loneliness and anxiety.--Vat.
[141] God. The Lord.--Vat.
[142] [Acts iv. 12.]
[143] [Perhaps compounded from ther and agreuo.] The name of this
angel is variously written, Hegrin [Query. Quasi egregorein, or
corrupted from (Sept.) eir kai hagios; Hir in Daniel's Chaldee],
Tegri. Some have supposed the word to be for agrion, the wild; some
have taken it to mean "the watchful," as in Dan. iv. 10, 23: and some
take it to be the name of a fabulous lion. [See, also, Dan. vi. 22.]
[144] The Lord. God.--Vat.
[145] Send scourges. Send you help. But woe to the doubters who.--Vat.
[146] [1 Thess. v. 20.]
[147] Matt. xxvi. 24.
[148] [Very much resembling Dante, again, in many passages. Inferno,
xxi. "Allor mi volsi," etc.]
.
Vision Fifth
Concerning the Commandments. [149]
After I had been praying at home, and had sat down on my couch, there
entered a man of glorious aspect, dressed like a shepherd, with a
white goat's skin, a wallet on his shoulders, and a rod in his hand,
and saluted me. I returned his salutation. And straightway he sat down
beside me, and said to me, "I have been sent by a most venerable angel
to dwell with you the remaining days of your life." And I thought that
he had come to tempt me, and I said to him, "Who are you? For I know
him to whom I have been entrusted." He said to me, "Do you not know
me?" "No," said I. "I," said he, "am that shepherd to whom you have
been entrusted." And while he yet spake, his figure was changed; and
then I knew that it was he to whom I had been entrusted. And
straightway I became confused, and fear took hold of me, and I was
overpowered with deep sorrow that I had answered him so wickedly and
foolishly. But he answered, and said to me, "Do not be confounded, but
receive strength from the commandments which I am going to give you.
For I have been sent," said he, "to show you again all the things
which you saw before, especially those of them which are useful to
you. First of all, then, write down my commandments and similitudes,
and you will write the other things as I shall show you. For this
purpose," said he, "I command you to write down the commandments and
similitudes first, that you may read them easily, and be able to keep
them." [150] Accordingly I wrote down the commandments and
similitudes, exactly as he had ordered me. If then, when you have
heard these, ye keep them and walk in them, and practice them with
pure minds, you will receive from the Lord all that He has promised to
you. But if, after you have heard them, ye do not repent, but continue
to add to your sins, then shall ye receive from the Lord the opposite
things. All these words did the shepherd, even the angel of
repentance, command me to write. [151]
Footnotes
[149] [This vision naturally belongs to book ii., to which it is a
preface.]
[150] Keep them. That you may be able to keep them more easily by
reading them from time to time.--Vat.
[151] ["The Shepherd," then, is the "angel of repentance," here
represented as a guardian angel. This gives the work its character, as
enforcing primarily the anti-Montanist principle of the value of true
repentance in the sight of God.]
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