THE THREE BOOKS OF Hermas the Disciple of PAVL the Apostle Viz. I. The Church II. The Sheepherd III. The Similitudes Englished by John Pringle LONDON Printed for John White in Thread-needle Street behinde the Old Exchange 1661. The first Book of Hermas the Disciple of Paul which is intituled the CHURCH VISION I. HE who had brought me up sold a certain Girle at Rome but after many years her being seen I again knew and I began to love her as my sister but some time being finished I saw her washed in the River Tyber And I stretched out my hand to her and led her out of the River and having seen her I thought in my heart saying Happy should I be if I could obtain such a Wife both in beauty and manners This only nor any thing else did I think 2 But after some time passing on with these cogitations I honoured the Creature of God thinking how excellent and beautiful it is And when I had walked I fell asleep And the Spirit caught me and carried me by a certain place at the right hand by which man could not travel But the place was among the Rocks and craggy and impassable by reason of waters And when I had past over that place I came into a plain and my knees being bowed I began to pray unto the Lord and to confesse my sins 3 And while I prayed the Heaven opened and I see the woman whom I had desired saluting me from Heaven and saying Hail Hermas And I looking upon her say unto her Lady what dost thou here But she answered unto me I am received hither that I may reprove thy sinnes before the Lord. Lady said I wilt thou reprove me No saith she but hear the words which I am about to say unto thee 4 God who dwelleth in the Heavens and made out of nothing the things that are and multiplied them for his holy Church is angry with thee because thou hast offended against me I answering say unto her Lady if against thee I have offended where or in what place or when did I speak to thee any unseemly word Have I not alwayes esteemed thee as my Mistresse Have I not alwayes respected thee as my Sister Why dost thou imagine those so hainous crimes against me 5 Then she smiling on me saith The concupiscence of wickedness hath arisen in thine heart seems it not to thee to be an unjust thing to a just man if evil concupiscence should arise in his heart It is a sin to him and indeed a great one for a just man thinks just things therefore he thinking the things that are just and he rightly proceeding in the Heavens he shall have the Lord favourable in every businesse of his but who so think wicked things in their hearts death and captivity do they chuse to themselves chiefly they who love this world and glory in their riches and who expect not the good things to come their souls are emptied But these things the doubtful ones do who have not hope in the Lord and despise and neglect their LIFE but pray thou to the Lord and he will heal the sins of thee and of thy whole house and of all the Saints 6 But after she had spoken these words the Heavens were shut and I was altogether in sorrow and fear and said within me If this be imputed sin unto me how shall I be able to be saved or how shall I entreat the Lord for my most abundant sins with what words shall I beseech the Lord that he may be merciful to me 7 These things I revolving and discerning in my heart I see against me a great chair made of wools white as the snow and an old Woman came in a shining Vesture having a book in her hand and she sat alone and saluted me Hail Hermas And I sad and weeping said Hail Lady And she said unto me Why art thou sad Hermas who wast patient and modest and alwayes cheerful I answering say unto her Lady a reproach is cast upon me by an excellent woman saying that I have offended against her But she saith unto me Far be that thing from a servant of God but perhaps the concupisence of her hath arisen in thine heart There is indeed in the Servants of God such a thought bringing in sin for this abominable thought ought not to be in the servant of God nor a proved spirit to covet an evil work and especially Hermas who containeth from all wicked concupisence and is full of all simplicity and great innocency However not because of thee is the Lord angry but for thine house which hath committed-a wickednesse against the Lord and against their Parents And thou seeing thou art a lover of thy sons hast not stir'd up thine house but hast let them passe to be conversant violently for because of this is the Lord angry with thee But he will heal all the evils which are acted against thee in thine house for because of their sins and iniquities thou art consumed through worldly employments for now the loving kindness of God hath pitied thee and thine house and hath preserved thee in GLORY Onely do not thou WANDER but be patient in mind and strengthen thine house Even as a worker in brass producing his work exposeth them to him to whom he will so also thou teaching the daily just word wilt cut off great sin Cease not therefore to admonish thy sons for the Lord knows that they will act repentance from their whole heart and he shall write thee in THE BOOK OF LIFE 9 And when she had finished these words she saith to me Wilt thou hear me reading I say unto her Lady I will Be thou then an hearer And turning over the book she read gloriously and excellently and wonderfully which I was not able to retain in memory for they were terrifying words which man was not able to sustain Yet the last words I commended to memory for they were few and profitable for us 10 Behold the God of powers who by his invisible power and great knowledge hath built the World and by his honourable Council compassed about his Creature with comliness and by his most strong WORD fixed the Heaven and founded the Earth upon the waters and by his powerfull vertue hath built his holy CHURCH which he hath blessed Behold he will remove the Heavens and Mountains Little hills and Seas and all shall be full with his chosen ones that he may render unto them the promise which he re-promised with much honour and joy if they shall keep the statutes of God which they received in great faith 11 And when she had finished in reading she arose from the chair and four young men came and took up likewise the chair to the EAST And she called me to her and touched my breast and saith unto me did my reading please thee I say unto her Lady these last pleased me but the former are cruel and hard but she saith unto me these
chastity remains in the heart of a just man there ought an evil cogitation never to arise 2 And I said to him Lord permit me to speak a few words with thee Speak saith he And I said to him Lord if any should have a Wife faithfull in the Lord and should find her in adultery doth the husband sin if he live together with her And he said to me 3 As long as he knoweth not her sin the Husband is without blame dwelling together with her But if the Husband shall know his Wife to have transgressed and the Wife shall not do Repentance and remains in her Fornication and the Husband live with her he shall be guilty of her sin partaker of her Adultery And I said to him What then if the Woman shall continue in her faults And he said Let the Husband send her away and let the Husband remain by himself but if he shall send away his Wife and shall marry another he also committeth Adultery 4 And I said to him What if the woman put away should do repentance and would be returned to her Husband shall she not be received by her Husband And he said to me Yea if her Husband shall not receive her he sinneth and admitteth a great sin to himself but he ought to receive her a sinner who hath done repenpentance But not often for to the servants of God the Repentance is one 5 Because of repentance therefore the Husband having put away his Wife ought not to marry another Here the act is alike both in the Husband and in the VVife not only is it adultery to them who pollute their own flesh but also she who maketh an Image commits Adultery But if in these deeds she persevere and do not repentance depart from her and do not live together with her otherwise also thou shalt be partaker of her sin 6 For this cause it is commanded you that ye remain single both the Husband and the VVife for there may be repentance in a deed of this sort but also I give not occasion that these be so done but that he who hath sinned sin no more but of his former sins God who hath the power of giving soundness shall give a remedy because it is he that hath power of all things 7 Again I asked and said because my Lord hath esteemed me to be worthy that thou shouldest dwell with me alwaies declare unto me a few words because I understand not any thing and my heart is stopped by my former conversation and open to me my sence because I am vehemently stupid and of the the whole I understand nothing 8 And answering he said unto me I am set over to repentance and to all that do repentance I give feeling Doth it not seem to thee to be great wisdome to do repentance because he that doth repentance obtaineth great feeling for he feels himself to have sinned and to have done wickedly in the sight of the Lord and he is remembred BY THE INTELLECT that he hath trespassed and he doth repentance and he worketh not wickedly any more but worketh well and humbleth his Soul and vexeth it because it hath sinned 9 Thou seest therefore that repentance is great SENSE And I said to him for this cause Lord I deligently inquire all things because I am a sinner that I may know what things I may work and may live because many are my sinns And he said unto me thou shalt live if thou thou shalt keep these my commandments and whosoever shall hear and do these commands shall LIVE TO GOD. 10 And I said to him even now Lord I have heard from certain DOCTORS that other repentance there is not except that when we descend into the water and receive the remission of our sinns after that not to sin but to remain in CHASTITY 11 And he saith to me Thou hast rightly heard but now because diligently thou askest all things also this I demonstrate to thee not giving occasion to them who are about to believe or who have believed the Lord. 12 For they who have already believed or who are about to believe the repentance of sins they have not but the remission For to those who were called before these dayes hath the Lord ordained repentantance because the cogitations of the heart God doth know and he knows the infirmity of men and the manifold wickednesse of the Devil with which he endevoureth some mischief to the servants of God and layes wait for them malitiously 13 Therefore the mercifull God hath had compassion of his handy-work And hath placed that repentance and the power of this repentance hath he given to ME And therefore I say to thee that after that calling great and holy if any one shall be tempted by the Devil and shall sin he hath one repentance But thenceforth if he sin and doth repentance it shall not be profitable to the man that doth such things for difficultly shall he LIVE TO GOD. 14. And I said Lord I have revived whenas so diligently I have heard these Commandments for I know that if after this I shall add nothing to my sins I shall be saved And he said safe I say and all whosoever shall do these commands shall be safe And again I said to him Lord because thou patiently hearest me demonstrate unto me this say it quoth he 15 If the Husband or Wife of any one shall depart and any of them shall marry what Doth he sin He that marrieth sinneth not quoth he but if he would remain by himself he acquireth great honour to himself with the Lord Keep therefore CHASTITY and modesty and thou shalt live to God These things that I speak with thee keep thou henceforth from the time wherein I was delivered to thee and dwell in thine house and there shall be remission to thy former sins if thou shalt keep my commandments But also to all there shall be remission who shall keep my commandments COMMAND V. 1 BE thou of a poysed mind quoth he and patient and thou shalt have dominion over all most wicked works and shalt work ALL righteousness Because if thou shalt be PATIENT THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT DWELLETH IN THEE shall be clean and shall not be obscured by any most wicked Spirit But rejoycing it shall be inlarged and shall feast in the VESSELL in which it inhabiteth and it shall obey the Lord chearful in great peace 2 But if any wrath should come over it immediately the holy Spirit which is IN THEE shall be straitened and shall seek to depart for it is suffocated by a most wicked fight and it hath not a place of obeying the Lord as it would for it is tribulated by ANGER Therefore both Spirits when they inhabit together it is pernitious to man 3 For if any one shall pluck up a little wormwood put it into a pot of honey shall not all the honey be destroyed And so much honey by a little wormwoode perisheh and looseth the
contemned by all fear thou plainly the fictions of the Devil because they are malignant for fearing thou shalt fear the Lord and the works of the Devil thou shalt not do but shalt abstain thee from them 3 For fear is twofold for if thou wouldst work evil fearing the Lord that indeed thou shalt not do but if thou wouldst work good verily the fear of the Lord is strong great and glorious Therefore FEAR God and thou shalt live whosoever shall fear him keeping his Commandements their LIFE is with the Lord but of those that keep them not neither is life in them COMMAND VIII 1 I Said to thee quoth he that the creatures of God are double and ABSTINENCE is double therefore from some things it behoves to abstain but from some things not Manifest quoth I to me Lord from what things I must abstain and from what not Hear saith he from evil abstain and do not do it but from good do thou not abstain but do it for if thou shalt abstain from good and shalt not do it thou shalt sin Abstain therefore from all evil and thou shalt know all Righteousnesse 2 What wicked things are these quoth I from which I must abstain Hear saith he from Adulteries Drunkennesses and evil Riotings from too much meat from gorgeousnesse and unhonesty from pride from abnegation from lying from defaming from feigned wickednesse from remembrance of injury and from most evil fame for these are the works of iniquity from which it is needful for the servant of God to abstain for he that cannot abstain in these cannot LIVE TO GOD. 3 Hear now quoth he also the consequences of them and indeed there are many things as yet from which the Servant of God ought to abstain from theft from denying from false testimony from covetousnesse from pride and whatever are like to them These therefore seem to be evil to thee do they not Truly they are very evil to the Servants of God from all these therefore ought the servant of God to abstain 4 Abstain thou therefore from all these that thou mayest live to God and mayest be wrote with the ABSTEINERS Therefore these are they from wch thou oughtest to abstein But from which thou oughtest not to abstein Hear thou from all good works abstein not but do them Hear quoth he the vertue of the good works which thou oughtest to work that thou mayest be safe 5 The first of all is Faith the fear of the Lord Charity Concord Equity Verity Patience Chastity then these there is nothing better in the life of men who shall keep these and do them in their life Next hear their consequences To administer to Widows not to despise Orphans and poor men and to redeem the Servants of God out of necessity to be apt to entertain for in Hospitality oftentimes is found good fruit not to contradict to be quiet to become most humble of all men to respect the Elders in birth to study unto Righteousnesse to preserve brother-hood to suffer reproaches to be of a contented mind 6 Not to reject those fallen from the Faith but to make them quiet in mind to admonish the sinners not to presse the debters and if there be any thing like these These seem to thee to be good do they not For what say I is better then these words Live thou therefore in these Commandments and do not depart from them for if thou shalt keep all these Commandements thou shalt live to God and all who shall keep these Commandements shall LIVE TO GOD. COMMAND IX 1 AGain he said to me remove from thee DOVBTING and nothing at all shalt thou doubt asking any thing from the Lord say not within thee But how can I seek any thing from the Lord and obtein Seeing I am a sinner of such great evils against the Lord Do not think this but from thy whole heart be converted to the Lord Ask without doubting and thou shalt know the tender mercy of the Lord that thee he will not forsake but shall fulfill the petition of thy Soul 2 For God is not like men mindful of injuries but he is unmindful of injuries and he hath compassion on his handy-work Purge therefore thine heart from all the vices of this world and observe the predicted words given to thee by God and thou shalt receive all the good things which thou askest and of all thy petitions nothing shall be wanting to thee if without doubting thou shalt ask of the Lord. 3 Who therefore are not such they obtein not at all any thing of these which they ask for whoso are full of Faith they ask all things believing and they receive of the Lord because without DOVBTING they ask for every doubting man if he shall not do repentance shall difficultly LIVE TO GOD. 4 Purifie therefore thine heart from doubting and put on faith and believe God and all things which thou askest shalt thou obtein but if sometimes thou askest a petition dost not get it do not doubt because thou gettest not quickly the petition of thy Soul for perhaps because of tentation or for thy sin which thou art ignorant of thou shalt more slowly get thy petition but do not thou desist in seeking the petition of thy Soul and thou shalt get it but if thou ceasest in asking complain of thy self and not of God that he hath not given it thee 5 See therefore this DOUBTING how pernicious it is and fierce and many by the roots it plucks up from the Faith even very faithful and firm ones for why this doubting is the Daughter of the Devil and very wickedly dealeth she with the Servants of God Contemn therefore doubting and thou shalt rule over her in every thing put on firm and potent faith for faith promiseth all things and accomplisheth all things but doubting doth not believe it self about to obtein any thing in all its works which it doth 6 Thou seest therefore quoth he That faith is from above from God and hath great power but dubitation is an earthly Spirit and from the Devil not having power Keep thou therefore the vertue of faith but from doubting depart thou which hath not vertue and thou shalt live to God and they shall all LIVE TO GOD whosoever shall do these things COMMAND X. 1 DRive far from thee all SADNESSE for she is the sister of doubting and wrath How quoth I Lord is she the Sister of these Sadnesse seems to me one thing another wrath another doubting And he saith without sense thou understandest not for sadnesse of all Spirits is the most wicked and worst to the Servants of God and it destroyeth all their Spirits and vexeth the holy Spirit and again makes it whole 2 I am foolish quoth I Lord and understand not these questions how it can vex and again make whole I understand not Hear quoth he and understand They who never sought out the Truth nor inquired of its Majesty but onely believed they are
latter to the Just but the former to the fugitives and Heathens And whilest she was speaking with me two certain men appeared and took her up upon their shoulders and went away whither also the chair was towards the EAST but she departed cheerfull and when she was to go away she saith to me Be comforted Hermas VISION II. 1 BUt whilest I went on with these thoughts about that time wherein also the year before walking I called to memory the former years Vision And again the Spirit took me away and led me into the same place wherein the first year I was and I honoured his Name because he should esteem me worthy and should manifest unto me my old sins and when I had arisen from prayer I see over against me that old woman whom also the former year I had seen walking and reading some certain Book And she saith to me canst thou rehearse these things to the chosen ones of God I say unto her Lady such great words I cannot retain in memory but give me the Book and I will write it down Take it saith she and restore it unto me 2 But as soon as I had gotten it going aside into a certain place of the field I wrote down all to a letter for I found not Syllabs And when I had finished the writing of the book suddenly from my hand the Book was snached but by whom I saw not But after fifteen dayes when I had fasted and had much entreated the Lord the knowledge of the writing was revealed to me But the Writing was this 3 Thy SEED Hermas hath trespast against the Lord and have betrayed their Parents in great wickedness And the betrayers of Parents have heard and the subtile have gone on But also now they have added to their sins lusts and the defilements of wickedness And so have they filled up their iniquities But hasten thou these words to all thy Sons and to thy Wife who is to be thy Sister And she therefore may bridle her tongue wherein she curseth And these words being heard she shall contain herself and shall obtain mercy for she shall be instructed after that thou shalt have imparted unto her these words which that RVLER Commanded that they should be revealed to thee 4 Then shall the sins be remitted to them which long ago they sinned and to all the Saints who have sinned untill this very day if from their whole heart they shall act repentance and take away doubtings from their hearts for that RULER hath sworn by his glory upon his chosen ones that day being finished also now if any one shall sin that he shall not have Salvation for the repentances of the just have ends The dayes of repentance are fulfilled to all the Saints but to the Gentiles repentance until in the last day 5 Thou shalt therefore speak unto them that are over the Church that they may direct their wayes in Righteousnesse that they may receive in full the REPROMISSION with much Glory Continue ye therefore who work righteousnesse and so do ye that your change may be with the holy Angels Happy ye whosoever sustain the great pressure coming upon you and whosoever shall not deny HIS OWNE LIFE For the Lord hath sworn by his Son he who shall deny his Son and himself promising themselves his LIFE they also are about to deny him in the dayes approaching but they who never denyed him through his exceeding great mercy is he become propitious to them 6 But thou Hermas do not thou remember the injuries of thy sons but neither mayst thou neglect thy Sister but take care that they be amended from their former sins for they shall be instructed by that Doctrine if now thou shalt not be mindful of their injury for the memory of injuries worketh death but the oblivion of them Life Eternal 7 But thou Hermas hast sustained great worldly Tribulations because of the overslippings of thy house because them thou hast neglected as pertaining nothing to thee and in thy malitious businesses hast been involved But that shall save thee that thou hast not departed from the living God and thy simplicity and singular continency they shall save thee if thou shalt continue and they shall save all whosoever work the like and enter in in innocency and simplicity 8 Those who are of this sort shall prevail against all wickedness and shall continue unto life eternal Happy are all they that work righteousnesse they shall not be taken away untill into life eternall But thou wilt say Behold great Tribulation cometh if it seem good to to thee again deny it NIGH IS THE LORD TO THOSE THAT TURN as it is written in HELDAM and MODAL who did Prophesie in the Wilderness to the people 9 But Brethren it was revealed to me sleeping by a comly youth and saying unto me that old Woman from whom thou hast got the Book whom thinkst thou to be And I said SYBILLA Thou errest quoth he she is not Who is she then Lord And he said to me She is the CHVRCH of GOD. And I said to him why therefore is she an old Woman Because quoth he of all she was first Created therefore an old Woman and for her was the World made 10 But after these I saw a Vision in mine house and that old Woman came and asked me if already I had given the Book to the Elders And I answered as yet not But she said Thou hast well done For I have certain words to command thee but when I shall finish all the words they shall be aptly known by the Elect Thou shalt therefore write two Books and thou shalt send one to CLEMENT and one to GRAPTE But Clement shall send it into forreign Citties for to him it is permitted but Grapte shall admonish the Widows and Orphanes But thou shalt read it in this City with the Elders that are over the Church VISION III. 1 THe Vision which I saw Brethren was such a Vision when I had frequently fasted and had prayed the Lord that to me he would show the Revelation which he promised to show by that old Woman That same night appeared that old Woman to me and said unto me 2 Because thou so languishest and art troubled to know all things come thou into the field where thou wilt and about the sixt hour I will manifest me to thee and I will show thee what things it behoveth thee to see I asked her saying Lady into what place of the field Where thou wilt quoth she choose out a good place secret But before I had begun to speak and to tell her the place she saith to me I will come where thou wilt 3 I was therefore Brethren in the field and I observed the hours and I came into the place where I had appointed to her to come and I see a seat set It was a linnen pillow and spread upon a linnen sheet seeing these set and none to be in the place I began to be
sweetnsse of honey And now it hath not acceptance with its Lord because all the honey is made bitter and hath lost its use but if wormwood be not put into honey it shall be sweet and in use to its Lord. 4 See therefore how much sweeter equall mindednesses is then honey and he shall be profitable to the Lord that stayeth in it for WRATH is unprofitable If therefore anger shall be mixt with AEQUANIMITY the mind is afflicted and its prayer is not profitable to God 5 And I said to him I would know Lord the wickednesse of anger that I may keep me from it And he said to me Thou shalt know it and if thou shalt not keep thy self from it thou shalt loose thy hope with thy whole house But depart from it for I am with thee the MESSENGER OF EQUITY And all that depart from it whosoever shall do repentance with all their hearts they shall LIVE TO GOD but also I will be with them and will preserve them all 6 For they are all justified who shall do repentance through the most holy ANGELL Hear now quoth he the noughtiness of anger how wicked and how noxious it is and by what manner it overthrows the servants of God for they who are full in the faith it cannot hurt them because the power of God is with them for it over-turns the DOUBTFULL and EMPTY ones 7 But as oft as it shall see such men it injecteth it self into their hearts and of NOTHING either a Husband or a Wife taketh bitternesse because of the things which are in use or for a check or for any superfluous word if any thing by chance should happen or for any friend or debt or for such like superfluous things for these are foolish and superfluous and vain to the servants of God 8 But AEQUANIMITY is valiant and strong and hath great power and fitteth in great Majesty chearful rejoycing in peace and honouring the Lord in every time meekly for this equanimity dwelleth with the firm believers 9 For ANGER is foolish and light and witlesse but of foolishnesse is born bitternesse and of bitternesse wrath but of wrath madnesse This madnesse created of so many evils worketh great sin and uncurable for when all these are in ONE VESSEL VVHERE also THE HOLY SPIRIT REMAINS The Vessel endures not this but floweth over because the tender Spirit cannot with the evil Spirit inhabit it departeth and dwelleth with the MEEK After that when it shall have departed from the man IN VVHOM IT DVVELT the man becomes empty from the holy Spirit and afterward is filled with malignant Spirits and is blinded by evil cogitation 10 Depart thou therefore from wrath and put on AEQUANIMITY and resist wrath and thou shalt be found with modesty and chastity with God See therefore least perhaps thou neglect this Command for if to this Commandment thou shalt perform obedience Also the rest of my commands which I am about to injoyn thee shalt thou be able to keep Therefore now confirm thy self in these commands that thou mayest live to God and whosoever shall keep these Commandments shall LIVE TO GOD. COMMAND VI. 1 I Had injoyned thee quoth he in the first command that thou shouldest keep FAITH and FEAR and PENITENCY Yea quoth I Lord But now I will shew unto thee the vertues of these commandments that thou mayst know their effects how they are placed to the just likewise and to the unjust Thou therefore believe the just but believe the unjust in nothing for righteousnesse hath the right way but unrighteousness the evil but keep thou the right way but the wicked way forsake thou But the evil way hath not a good end but hath many offences 2 It is rough and thorny and leads to destruction and it is noxious to the men that walk in it but whoso seek the right way they walk equally without offence because it is not rough neither thorny Thou seest therefore that better it is to go by this way for thou shalt go saith he whosoever from their whole heart have believed in the Lord they shall go through it 3 Hear now saith he first of FAITH there are two SPIRITS with man one of equity and one of iniquity And I said to him how Lord shall I know that there are two SPIRITS with a man Hear saith he and understand The spirit of righteousnesse is tender gentle and bashfull affable and quiet when therefore it shall ascend into thine heart immediately it speaketh with thee of righteousnesse of modesty of chastity of bountifulnesse of pardon of charity of piety All these when they shall ascend into thine heart know that the spirit of equity is with thee to this GENIUS therefore and to its works give thou credit 4 Take now also the works of the Spirit of iniquity first it is bitter wrathful and foolish and its works are pernitious and overthrow the servants of God when therefore these things shall ascend into thine heart thou shalt understand from its works this to be the spirit of INIQUITY 5 How Lord shall I understand Hear quoth he and understand when wrath shall happen to thee or bitternesse understand that to be IN THEE After that the desire of many works and of the daintiest meats and of drunkennesses and the desirings of many strange things and pride and much speaking and ambition and whatsoever things are like these Thou therefore when thou shalt know its works depart from them all believe it in nothing because its works are evil and do not agree to the servants of God 6 Thou hast therefore the works of both the Spirits understand now and believe the Genius of Righteousnesse because its TEACHING is good For though a man be most happy and the cogitation of the other GENIUS ascend into his heart that man or woman must needs sin But also if a man shall be most wicked or a woman and the works of the GENIUS of righteousnesse ascend up into his heart it must needs be that he or she do somthing of good Thou seest therefore that it is good to follow the Spirit of equity if therefore thou shalt follow it and shalt believe its works thou shalt LIVE TO GOD And they who shall believe its works shall live to God COMMAND VII 1 FEar the Lord quoth he and keep his Commandments for keeping the precepts of God thou shalt be potent in every act and every businesse of thine shall be incomparable for fearing the Lord thou shalt work all good things This is the FEAR wherewith thou must fear that thou mayest be able to be saved but the Devil fear thou not for fearing the Lord thou shalt have dominion over him Because there is no power in him 2 But he in whom power is not he is not so much as to be feared but in whom there is glorious power he also is to be feared for every one having power is also to be feared for he that hath not power is
there is none who doth not ask from the Lord that he may keep his Commandments but the Devil is hard and his power hath dominion over the servants of God 18 And he said he cannot quoth he have power over Gods sevants who from their whole hearts believe on the Lord But the Devil can strive but overcome he cannot for if ye resist him he shall fly from you confounded for whosoever are not full of faith they fear the Devil as if having power for the Devil tempteth the servants of God and if he shall find them empty he destroyes them 19 For even as a man when he hath filled vessells with good wine and among these vessels hath put a few half-full and cometh that he may try and taste the vessells he tryes not the full ones for he knows that they are good but the half-ful he tasteth least they have become sower for the half-full vessells grow soon sower and loose the savour of Wine 20 So also the Devil cometh to men the servants of God that he may tempt them but whosoever are full in the faith they resist him strongly and he departeth from them because he hath not a place of entering in Then goeth he to them who are not full in the faith and because he hath a place thereat he entereth into them whatsoever things he will he doth with them and they become his servants 21 But I THE MESSENGER OF REPENTANCE say unto you fear ye not the Devil for I am sent that with you I may be Whosoever from your whole hearts shall act repentance that I may confirm you in the faith Believe ye therefore who because of your sins have forgot God and who rejecting your safety with your sins DO BURTHEN YOUR LIFE That if ye shall be converted to the Lord from your whole Hearts and shall obey him according to his will he shall give remedy to your former sins and ye shall have power of ruling over ALL the works of the Devil 22 But his threats fear ye not at all for they are without power as the nerves of a dead man Therefore hear me and fear the Lord Omnipotent who can save you and destroy you and keep ye his commands that ye may live to God 23 And I said to him Lord even now I am confirmed in all the Commands of the Lord as long as thou art with me and I know that thou wilt break in pieces all the power of the devil But also we shall overcome him if we can the Lord confirming keep these Commands which thou hast injoyned Thou shalt keep them quoth he if thou shalt purifie thine heart to the Lord But also all these shall keep them who shall purifie their hearts from the vain desires of this World and shall LIVE TO GOD. The End of the second Book The Thirk Bood of Hermas the Disciple of Paul which is Intituled of SIMILITUDES SIMIL. I. 1 ANd he said to me know ye the Servants of the Lord to be detained in Pilgrimage For your City is far from this City If therefore ye know your City in which ye are about to dwell why do ye here buy fields and prepare sumptuous things and buildings and superfluous habitations For he who getteth these things in this City doth not bethink to return into his own CITY 2 O foolish O dubious and wretched man Who dost not understand all these to be strange and under the power of another for the Lord of this City sayeth unto thee either make use of my Laws or depart out of my City 3 Thou therefore what wilt thou do hast a Law in thine own City What willst thou be able for thy fields or for any of thy furnitures to deny thy LAW which if thou shalt deny and wouldest return into thy City thou shalt not be received but shalt be excluded thence 4 See Therefore that as one living a far off thou gettest nothing more for thy self then may be necessary and sufficient for thee And be thou prepared least when the Lord of this City would expell thee thou contradict his Law and thou mayst go into thine own City and mayst use thy Law without injury Chearfull 5 See ye therefore who serve God AND HAVE HIM IN YOUR HEARTS work ye the works of God mindfull of his Commands and Promises which he promised and believe him that he will perform them to you if ye shall keep his Commands 6 For the fields therefore which ye would buy redeem the souls out of necessities even as every one is able and absolve the Widows judge for the Orphanes and in works of this sort spend your riches and wealths For unto this hath the Lord inriched you that ye may fulfill such like Ministries Much better is it to do these things then to buy fields and houses because all these things shall perish in this world 7 But what things thou shalt do for the Name of God thou shalt find in thy City and shalt have joy without heavinesse and fear Therefore the Riches of the Nations do not ye desire for they are pernitious to the Servants of God but of your own which ye have do these things by which ye may attain unto joy And do not ye adulterate nor touch ye the Wife of another nor covet her Covet after thine own work and thou shalt be saved SIMIL. II. 1 WHen I walked into the field and considered the ELM and the VINE and thought within me of their fruits An Angell appeared to me and said to me What dost thou think within thee I said to him I reason Lord of this Vine and Elm because the fruits of them are comly 2 And he said to me These two Trees are placed for an example to the Servants of God And I said to him I would know Lord the exemple of them which thou speakest of Hear quoth he Seest thou this Vine and this Elm I see them quoth I Lord This Vine saith he is fruitfull But the Elm is a Tree without fruit but this Vine unlesse it should be wrapped about the ELM and should rest upon it it cannot make much fruit 3 For lying in the earth it yields bad fruits because it hangeth not upon the Elm but if the Vine should be hanged upon the Elm it giveth fruit both for it self and for the Elm See therefore that the Elm yields no less fruit then the Vine but rather more 4 How quoth I Lord more then the Vine Being hanged saith he on the Elm it yieldeth much and good fruit But lying on the earth it yieldeth little and bad fruit Therefore this Similitude is put to the servants of God To the poor and to the rich I answered saying Lord demonstrate it to me 5 Hear quoth he the RICH hath riches but from the Lord he is poor for he is distracted about his riches and hath verry little prayer to the Lord and what he hath he hath it sluggish and not having power when therefore the
rich affords the POOR what things are needfull for him The poor prayeth to the Lord for the Rich and God gives to the Rich all good things because the poor is rich in prayer and his prayer hath great power with the Lord. 6 Then therefore the rich affordeth all things to the poor because he perceiveth him to be heard by the Lord and more willingly without dubitation he gives him all things and takes care least any thing be wanting to him The poor giveth thanks to God for the rich because they do a work before the Lord. 7 With men therefore the Elm is not thought to yield fruit and they know not neither understand that if fellowship shall be adjoyned to the Vine also the Vine gives double fruit both for it self and for the Elm So also the poor praying for the rich to the Lord are heard and their riches are augmented because they afford to the poor of their riches 8 They are therefore both consorts of their good works Therefore whosoever shall do these things shall not be deserted by the Lord and he shall be written in THE BOOK OF LIFE Therefore happy they that possesse and perceive themselves to be inriched for they who shall perceive this shall be able to Minister something SIMIL. III. 1 HE shewed me many trees with leaves cast off which to me seemed as if withered for they were all alike And he said to me seest thou these trees I see them quoth I like to withered ones he answering said to me these trees are for a similitude of them who stay in this world 2 I answered saying why are they like unto withered ones Because quoth he neither the just nor the unjust are known but are alike in this world For this world is to the just the WINTER who are not known dwelling with sinners 3 Even as in Winter all trees having cast their leaves are like unto dry ones nor can it be known which are dry or which green So also in this World neither the just nor the unjust are known but they are alike all SIMIL. IV. 1 HE shewd me again many trees of which some sent forth leaves others were withered And he said to me seest thou not these trees I answered I see Lord some withered others bearing leaves These trees quoth he that are green are the just which are about to dwell in the WORLD TO COME for that world to come is the SUMMER to the just but to the sinners WINTER 2 Therefore when the tender mercy of the Lord shall shine forth then shall they be declared who serve God and they shall all be perspicuous For as in the Summer the fruit of the Tree of what sort soever is declared and is manifest So also the deed of the just shall be declared and shall be manifest And being also chearfull and rejoycing they shall be restored in that world 3 For the other Nations to wit the sinners even as the Trees which thou didest see withered such are found dry and without fruit in that world and as dry sticks shall be burned and shall become manifest because they have done wickedly in all the time of their life And therefore they shall be burnt up because they have sinned and of their sins have not done repentance But also the rest of the Nations shall be burnt because they have not acknowledged God their Creator 4 Do thou therefore good fruit that in the Summer thy fruit may be known And ABSTAIN THEE FROM MANY IMPLOYMENTS and thou shalt omit nothing for whosoever do many businesses omit many things because they are straitned about their imployments and serve not to God 5 For how can a man who serveth not to God ask any thing from God and obtain it For they that serve God do ask and obtain their desires And if any one meddle with one businesse he shall be able to serve to God because his mind is not alienated from the Lord but in a pure mind he serves to God Therefore if thou shalt do this thou canst have fruit in the World to come But also all who shall do these things shall bear fruit SIMIL. V. 1 WHilest I fasted and sat on a certain Mountain and gave thanks unto God for all that he had done with me I see that SHEEPHERD sitting next me and saying to me Why hast thou come hither so early in the morning I answered because Lord I have a STATION what is the Station quoth he And I said a FAST and he said what is that fast As I was wont quoth I so fast I. 2 Ye know not quoth he how to fast to God neither is this a fast which ye fast nothing profiting unto God Why say I dost thou so say Lord For I say this not to be a fast which ye think your selves to fast But I will teach thee what is a compleat fast and acceptable to God 3 Hear quoth he The Lord doth not desire such a superfluous fast for in so fasting thou performest nothing to righteousness For the true fast is such a fast 4 Thou must do nothing in thy life wickedly but with a pure mind serve to God keeping his Commands and going in his precepts nor shalt thou admit an hurtfull desire in thy mind but believe the Lord These if thou shalt do and shalt have his fear and shalt abstain from every evil business thou being about to live to God These if thou shalt do thou shalt accomplish a great fast and acceptable to the Lord. 5 Hear the similitude which I am about to tell thee pertaining to a fast A certain man having ground and many servants in a certain place of his ground he planted a Vineyard to his Successors After that going a far journey he chused out the most faithfull servant whom he had and aprove'd to him and to him he assigned the Vineyard Commanding that to the Vines he should joyn props which if he should do and should finish his Command he promised that he would give to the same man his Liberty 6 Neither commanded he any other thing besides to him which he should do in it and so he went a far journey but after that servant had taken care he did whatsoever his Lord in joyned and when he had propped that vineyard and had taken heed that it was filled with weeds he began so to think with himself 7 I have finished what my Lord had commanded me I will now dig this vineyard and it shall be more beautiful when it shall be digged and the weeds being extracted it shall yeild greater fruit and shall not be choakt by weeds 8 Having gone after that he digged it and all the weeds which were in it he drew out and so the vineyard became most beautiful and sprightly not choakt by weeds But after a certain time his Lord cometh and he went into his vineyard which when he had seen decently propped and digged about and the weeds extracted from it and the vines to
be joyous for this deed he took joy of his Servant 9 Having therefore adjoyned his Son whom he esteemed his heir and most dear and his friends whom he assembled in the Council he declares these things that he had charged his Servant with to be done what things he had done besides but they forthwith gratulated that Servant that he had acquired so full a testimony of his Lord. 10 After that he saith to them I indeed promised to this Servant his liberty if he should keep my command which I had given and he hath kept it and besides hath added a good work on the vineyard which hath exceedingly pleased me for this work therefore that he hath done I will make him co-heir with my Son because when he had perceived what was good he omitted not but did it 11 This counsel of the Lord both his Son and his Friends approved of to wit that this Servant should be made co-heir with the Son after that not many dayes the Master of the Family having called together his Friends sent of his supper to that Servant many viands 12 Which when he had got he took of them what was sufficient to him but the rest be distributed to his fellow-servants which being got they became joyful and began to wish to him that he should obtein greater favour with the Lord for these things which he had done to them 13 All these when his Lord had heard he took again exceeding great joy and having called again his friends and his Son he declares to them the deed of his Servant of his victuals which he had sent to him Therefore they so much the more assented to the Master of the Family that that servant ought to be made co-heir with his Son 14 I say to him Lord these similitudes I know not nor can understand unlesse thou expound them unto me I will expound all things to thee quoth he whatever I shall speak with thee or shall shew thee keep the commands of the Lord and thou shalt be approved and shalt be wrote in the number of them that keep his commands 15 But besides what the Lord hath commanded if thou shalt adde something of good thou shalt acquire greater dignity to thy self and shalt be more honourable with the Lord then thou wast about to be Therefore if thou shalt keep the commands of the Lord and shalt also adde unto them these STATIONS thou shalt rejoyce especially if according to my injunction thou shalt keep them 16 I say to him whatever thou shalt enjoyn me Lord I will keep for I know thee to be about to be with me I will quoth he be with thee who hast such a purpose But also I will be with all whosoever have the same purpose This FAST saith he the commands of the Lord being kept is exceeding good 17 So therefore thou shalt keep it first of all beware from every wicked and filthy word and from every noxious desire and purifie thy sense from all the vanity of this world if thou shalt keep these things this shall be a just fast 18 Therefore so thou shalt do the things above-written being finished in that day wherein thou shalt fast thou shalt taste nothing at all except bread and water and compute the quantity of food which the rest of the dayes thou wouldst eat the cost of that day which thou wouldst have made thou shalt lay up and shalt give it to the widow and pupil or to the needy and so shalt thou consummate the humility of thy soul that he who shall get of it shall fill his soul and for thee his prayer shall go to the Lord God 19 So therefore if thou shalt accomplish thy fast even as I enjoyn thee thy sacrifice shall be accepted by the Lord and this thy fast shall be written This station so acted is good chearful and accepted by the Lord. These things if thou shal keep with thy Children and thy whole house having kept them thou shalt be happy and whosoever shall keep these things heard they shall be happy and whatsoever they shall ask from the Lord they shall obtein it 20 And I prayed him that to me he would explain this similitude of the ground and the Lord and the vineyard and of the Servant who had propped the vineyard and the herbs which were extracted from the vineyard and of the Son and of the friends which he called into Council for I understood that to be a similitude 21 He saith to me thou art very bold to ask for thou oughtest to ask nothing for if it shall be fit to be demonstrated it shall be demonstrated to thee I say to him Lord what things soever thou shalt shew me and shalt not declare them in vain shall I see them if I shall not understand what they are and if thou shalt propose any similitudes and shalt not expound them in vain shall I hear them 22 He answered me again saying whosoever is a Servant of God and HATH THE LORD IN HIS INWARD PARTS he asketh from him an Intellect and obteineth it and every similitude he unfoldeth and understands the words of the Lord which need inquisition but whoso are sluggish and slow to pray they doubt to ask of the Lord seeing he is a Lord of such profound goodnesse that he affords all things without intermission to the askers from him 23 Thou therefore who art confirmed by his MESSENGER and hast received such a potent prayer seeing thou art not sluggish why now dost thou not ask an Intellect from the Lord and get it I say to him while I may have thee present it is necessary that from thee I ask and require for thou shewest me all things and speakest when thou art present 24 For if without thee I should see these things or hear them then I should ask the Lord that he would shew them to me And he answered I had said to thee a little before thee to be cunning and bold who askest the solutions of similitudes but because thou art so importunate I will resolve thee this similitude which thou desirest that thou mayest make it known to all 25 Hear now quoth he and perceive in thy mind that GROUND signifieth the world which is put for a similitude but the LORD of the ground is demonstrated to be he who created all things and finisht them and gave them power but the SON is the holy Spirit but that SERVANT is the Son of God but the VINEYARD is the people whom he keepeth but the PROPS are the Messengers who are set over by the Lord to gather in his people 26 But the WEEDS which were pluckt out from the Vineyard are the trespasses of the Servants of God but the VICTUALS which he sent of his Supper are the Commandments which by his Son he hath given to his people but these FRIENDS whom he called in Counsel are the holy Angels whom he at first created but the absence of that Master of the family
he Thou hast indeed very many sins but not so many that thou oughtest to be delivered to this Messenger but many iniquities and transgressions hath thy house committed and therefore that good Messenger stirred up with their deeds hath commanded them a certain space of time to experience vexation that also they of their trespasses may act Repentance and may wash themselves from all the lust of this world Therefore when they shall have done Repentance and shall be purified then that Messenger shall depart from thee who is set over to punishment 3 I say to him Lord if they have so carried themselves that they have exasperated the good Messenger what have I done He answering saith otherwise they cannot suffer torment unlesse thou who art the HEAD of the whole house dost labour for whatsoever thou shalt suffer it must needs be that they also feel it but as long as thou shalt be well established they can experience no vexation 4 And I said but also behold now Lord they do Repentance with their whole hearts And I know quoth he them to act Repentance with all their hearts dost thou therefore forth-with think saith he their transgressions to be abolished who do Repentance 5 Not forthwith immediately but it becomes him who doth Repentance to afflict his soul and make himself humble in mind in every businesse and to suffer many and various vexations and when he shall have suffered all things which shall be appointed him then perhaps he who created him and who formed all things shall be moved towards him with his clemency and shall give some remedy and that so if he shall see his heart who doth Repentance to be pure from every most wicked work 6 But for thee and for thine house it is expedient now to be vexed and it is needful to undergo much vexation even as the Messenger of the Lord enjoyned who delivered thee unto me but rather give thou thanks to the Lord that foreknowing the thing to come he hath esteemed thee worthy to whom he should foretell the tribulation to be at hand to those that can be able to sustein it 7 I say to him and be thou with me Lord and I shall easily sustein all vexation I quoth he will be with thee but also I will entreat that Messenger who is set over to punishment that he may more lightly afflict thee but also in a little time thou shalt undergo the adverse things and again in thy place shalt be restored onely in the humility of mind persevere thou 8 Obey the Lord in a pure mind and thy house and thy sons and in his commands walk thou which I enjoyned thee and thy repentance shall be able to be firm and pure and if these thou with thy house shalt keep the discommodities shall depart from thee but also from all whosoever in these Commandments shall walk every vexation shall depart SIMIL. VIII 1 HE shewed me a willow covering the fields and mountains under whose shadow all these came who were called in the NAME of the Lord and besides that willow stood the Messenger of the Lord exceeding illustrious and eminent and did cut with a great hook from that willow branches and held forth to that people who was under the shaddow of that willow small and as it were rods of a cubit long 2 But after that they had all gotten them he laid down the hook and that tree remained whole even as before I had seen it which thing I admired and disputed within me That Sheepherd saith to me cease to wonder that that whole tree the branches being cut off should remain whole but expect thou now it shall be demonstrated to thee what that Angell may signifie which stretched forth the rods to the people 3 And asked them from them again and in what order every one had taken them in the same also was he called to him and restored the rods which when he had got he considered for from some he received them withered and putrid as if touched by the moth and he commanded these who had delivered this sort of rods to be separate and set by themselves others offered them withered indeed but not touched by the Moth and these he commanded to be set aside 4 Others offered half-withered rods and these also were set by themselves But some gave their rods half withered and having rents and these were set aside others brought their rods of whom the half part was withered but the other half green and these were set aside others brought their rods of whom two parts were green but the third withered and these were set aside 5 Others brought their rods of whom two parts were withered but the third green and these were set aside Some offered their rods a little withered for a very little was withered in their rods that is the very top but they had rents and these were set aside but in the rods of others there was a little green but the rest withered and these were set aside 6 Others came bringing their rods as they had got them green and the greatest part of the people brought rods of this sort and of these this Messenger took great joy and these were set aside others brought their rods green and having blossoms and these were set aside and these also that Messenger received with great joy 7 Others brought their rods green out of which their blossoms budded forth wch blossoms bare certain fruits they that brought this sort of rods were exceeding chearful of countenance but also the Messenger himself indeed took great delight of them no lesse that Sheepherd for the same cause took pleasure 8 Then the Messenger of the Lord commanded Crowns to be brought but there were brought Crowns as if made of Palms and the Messenger crowned these men in whose rods he had found blossoms and fruit and commanded them to go into the TOWER 9 But also these men he sent into the Tower in whose rods without fruit he had found blossoms having given them his SEAL for they had the same vesture that is white as snow with which he commanded them to go into the Tower no less also these who had restored their rods even as they had got them green having given them a white vesture and so he sent them away to go into the Tower 10 These things being finished he saith to that Sheepherd I go but send thou these within the walls in that place wherein every one hath merited to dwell having first considered their rods diligently notwithstanding least any deceive thee consider thou but also if any one shall get by quoth he I will try them upon the ALTAR 11 These things being said to the Sheepherd he departed after he had departed the Sheepherd saith to me Let us take the rods from all and let us plant them if they can flourish again I say to him Lord these that are withered rods how can they re-flourish He saith to me that tree is a
is nor alive nor dead 96 For as their herbs having seen the Sun withered so also the doubtful as soon as they have heard of persecution fearing discommodities they have returned to images and again have served them and have been ashamed to bear the Name of the Lord Therefore this sort of men are nor alive nor dead but also they may live if suddenly they shall do Repentance but if not already are they delivered to these women who will take away their LIFE 97 But of the FIFTH rough Mountain and having green herbs are of this sort who have believed faithful indeed but difficultly believing and bold and pleasing themselves willing to be seen to know all things and knowing nothing at all Therefore because of this boldness sense hath departed from them and rash arrogance hath entred into them but they have carried themselves high and as if wise and whilst they are fools they covet to seem Teachers because of this folly while they magnifie themselves many of them are emptied 98 For a great Devil is audaciousnesse and vain confidence Therefore of these many are abjected but others having acknowledged their errour have done Repentance and have subjected themselves to those that have a perceiving But also to the rest the like of these is Repentance held forth for neither were they evil but rather unwise and fools Therefore these if they shall do Repentance shall LIVE TO GOD but if not they shall dwell with these women who shall exercise their wickednesses IN THEM 99 Of the SIXT Mountain having clefts more and lesse are of this sort who have believed and these in whom the clefts were lesse these are they who have strived among themselves and because of their complaints languish in the faith But many of them have done Repentance and the rest shall do the same having heard my Commandments for their contentions are small and easily do they return to Repentance 100 But these who have greater as stones will be stubborn they are mindful of grudges offences excercising wrath among themselves These therefore are thrown away from the Tower and reprobated from its Structure therefore these sort of men shall hardly LIVE 101 Our God and Lord who hath Dominion over all things and hath power of his universal Creature will not remember offences but by those that confesse their sins is he easily pleased But man seeing he is languishing Mortal Infirm and filled with sins is perseveringly angry with man as if he could preserve or destroy him 102 But I THE MESSENGER and SET OVER TO REPENTANCE do admonish you that whosoever of you have such a purpose lay it by and run again to Repentance and the Lord shall heal your former failings if from this Devil ye shall purifie your selves but if not ye shall be delivered to him unto Death 103 But of the SEVENTH Mountain in which the herbs were green and sprightly and the whole Mountain was fertile and all kind of cattel took pasture of the herbs of that Mountain and how much the more these herbs were pluckt by so much the more joyous did they reflourish These are of this sort who have believed simple and good alwayes 104 And having no dissentions among themselves but always being joyful of the Servants of God having indued the Spirit of these Virgins and alwayes prompt to do loving kindnesse on all men and of their labours affording easily to all men without upbraiding and deliberation the Lord therefore having seen their simplicity and all their child-likenesse hath increased them in the labours of their hands and hath given them in every work favour 105 But I exhort you the Messenger set over to Repentance to remain in the same purpose whosoever are of this sort LEAST YOUR SEED BE ROOTED OUT FOR EVER for the Lord hath tryed you and hath written you into our number and all your SEED with the Son of God he hath inriched for of his Spirit are ye all 106 But of the EIGHT Mountain in which were many Fountains in whom was watered every kind of the Creature of God are such who have believed the APOSTLES whom the Lord hath sent over the whole World to preach and some Teachers who have chastly and sincerely preached and tought nor have subscribed any thing at all evilly to lust but dayly in equity and truth have walked These therefore have their conversation among the ANGELS 107 But of the NINTH deserted Mountain and having serpents are of this sort who have believed but also had blots these are the MINISTERS doing their Ministry badly SNATCHING AWAY THE GOODS OF WIDDOWS AND PUPILS PROFFERING OTHERS IN THEIR STEAD WITH THESE GOODS WHICH THEY HAVE GOT These if they shall continue in the same coveteousnesse have delivered themselves to death nor was any hope of life in them but if they shall be converted and shall chastly finish their Ministry they may live 108 But these who were found rugged are they who have denied the Name of the Lord nor to the Lord again have returned but have become wild and deserted not applying themselves to Gods servants but separate from them for a little solicitude have let go THEIR LIFE for as a vine left in a hedge to whom there happeneth no dressing doth perish and is choaked by weeds and in time becomes wilde for it ceaseth to be profitable to its Lord. 109 So also this sort of men dispairing of themselves becoming imbittered have begun to be unprofitable to their Lord to these therefore is Repentance committed If from his heart he shall not be found to have denied it whither he can attain life I am ignorant 110 And therefore I say that in these dayes if any hath denied it he may return to Repentance for it cannot be that any one now denying his Lord can afterward attain unto salvation but to them is the proposed Repentance reputed who in times past have denied it for he that is about to act Repentance ought to hasten before the structure of this Tower is finished but if not by these WOMEN he shall be dragged unto Death 111 But they who being maimed are deceitful and threatning one against an other These are the serpents mixed in that Mountain for as the poyson of serpents is destructive to men so also the words of such infect men and destroy them therefore they are maimed from their faith because of this kind of their life in which they linger but some of them having received Repentance have attain'd salvation but also the rest of this sort of men shall equally attain it if they shall do Repentance but if not they shall die with these Women whose force and power they possesse 112 But of the TENTH Mountain in which there were trees covering the Cattel are such who have believed some overseers that is Presidents of Churches but others these stones who not with a feigned but with a cheerful mind alwayes into their houses have received the servants of God And after
that they who are overseers of Ministrings who have both protected the Poor and the Widdows and have perpetually had a chast conversation therefore these men are protected by the Lord these things whosoever shall do are honoured with the Lord and among the MESSENGERS is their place if they shall persevere even until the Consummation to obey the Lord. 113 Of the ELEVENTH Mountain in which were trees loaden with divers fruits are these who have believed and for the Name of the Lord have undergone Death and with a ready mind have suffered and with their whole heart have delivered up their souls 114 And I said why then Lord have all these trees certain fruits but of them some more fair Hear quoth he whosoever for the Name of the Lord have suffered are esteemed honoured with the Lord and the failings of them all are blotted our because for the Name of the Son of God they have undergone Death 115 But why the fruits of them are unlike and some among them excel Hear thou for whosoever being led to the POWERS being asked have not denied the Lord but with a ready mind have suffered are more honoured with God therefore the fruits that excel are theirs But they who have been timorous and doubtful and have deliberated in their heart whether they should confesse or deny and have suffered their fruits are smaller 116 Therefore beware ye who have such cogitations least this mind remain in you and YE DIE TO GOD ye therefore whosoever for this names sake do undergo death ought to honour the Lord that the Lord esteemes you worthy that ye may bear his Name and all your sins may be redeemed 117 Therefore do ye not rather esteem your selves happy Think ye rather if any of you suffereth him to accomplish a great work for to you the Lord giveth life nor do you understand for your failings did burthen you and unlesse ye should have suffered for the cause of this Name for your sins ye had surely been dead to God These things therefore I say to you whosoever do deliberate of confessing or of denying 118 Confesse ye therefore your selves TO HAVE THE LORD GOD least perhaps denying ye be delivered into bonds for if all the Nations punish their Servants whosoever have denied their Lord. What think ye the Lord about to do to you who hath power of all things Remove therefore from your hearts these disputations that for ever ye may LIVE TO GOD. 119 But of the TWELVTH white Mountain are such who have believed even as INFANTS sincere to whom no malice ascended over their sense nor have they known what is malice but alwayes have remain'd in sincerity Therefore this sort of men without any dubitation shall inhabit the Kingdom of God because in no businesse have they stained the commands of God but with sincerity have remained all the dayes of their life in the same tenour of sense 120 Whosoever therefore quoth he shall remain as Infants not having malice shall be more honourable then all those whom I have already spoken of FOR ALL INFANTS ARE HONOURED WITH THE LORD AND ARE ESTEEMED FIRST happy therefore ye whosoever shall remove from you malice and shall put on innocency because first ye shall see God 121 After he had finished the explanation of all the Mountains I say to him Lord now expound unto me concerning these stones who being brought out of the field into the place of the Reprobate ones were put unto the Structure of the Tower Likewise of these round stones which were added unto the Structure of the Tower and of these who as yet remained round 122 Hear quoth he of the stones these which being brought from off the field were placed into the Structure of the Tower in their place which had been reprobate are the ROOTS of that white Mountain when therefore they who of that Mountain have believed are become innocent the Lord of that Tower hath commanded these which were of the Roots of the Mountain to be put into the Structure 123 For he hath understood if they had gone to the building that they would remain shining nor would any whit of them grow black any more but if he had so added of the rest of the Mountains he had not needed again to visit that Tower and purge it But these are all white who have believed and who are about to believe for they are of the same kind happy this kind because it is innocent 124 Hear now also of these round and splendid stones all these are of this white Mountain but why they are found round the cause is because their riches have a little obscured them from the Truth and have darkned them But from God they have never departed nor hath any evil word proceeded out of their mouth but all Equity Vertue and Truth 125 The MINDE therefore of these when the Lord had seen and them to be able to favour the Truth he commanded them likewise to remain good and their riches to be circumcised for he would not have them to be for altogether taken away that they might do something of good of that which was left to them and LIVE TO GOD because also they are of the good kind Therefore for that cause are they hewn a little and put into the structure of this Tower 126 But the rest who have as yet continued round nor are found fit unto that structure because they have not yet got the SEAL are put again in their own place for they are found very round but this World must be hew'n from them and the vanities of their riches and then they shall be fit in the Kingdom of God 127 For it must needs be that they enter into the Kingdom of God for this harmlesse kind hath the Lord blessed Therefore out of this kind shall not any one perish yea even although any one of them tempted by the most wicked Devil should somewhat fail he will suddenly run back to the Lord his God 128 But happy do I the Messenger of Repentance judge you whosoever are innocent as Infants because your part is good and honoured with God but I say unto you all whosoever have got this SEAL have ye simplicity neither be ye mindful of offences nor remain ye in malice neither let bitternesses become in the Spirit of any one of you in the memory of offences but to these evil rents procure ye remedy and remove them from you that the Lord of the sheep may rejoyce concerning you 129 For he shall rejoyce if he shall find all things sound but if he shall find of such any sheep scattered wo shall be to the sheepherds but if the sheepherds themselves shall be scuttered what shall they answer to him for the sheep What will they say themselves to have been smitten by the sheep it will not be believed to them for IT IS AN INCREDIBLE THING THAT THE SHEEPHERD CAN SUFFER BY THE SHEEP and he is the rather punished for his lye
130 And I am a Sheepherd and I must strongly render an account of you therefore provide for your selves while as yet the Tower is building THE LORD DWELLET IN THE MEN THAT LOVE PEACE for true peace is dear but from the contentious and destroy'd with malice he is far away RENDER therefore to him YOUR SPIRIT INTIRE AS YE RECEIVED IT 131 For if thou should'st give to a FULLER a whole garment and would'st lastly receive it whole but the Fuller restores it to thee rent would'st thou receive it Wilt thou not immediately wax angry and pursue him with rebukes Saying I gave my Garment to thee intire why hast thou torn it and made it uselesse Now because of the rent which thou hast made in it it cannot be of use Wilt thou not therefore speak all these words to the Fuller and that of the rent which he makes in thy garment 132 If therefore thou grievest for thy garment and complainest that thou receivest it not intire what thinkest thou THE LORD about to do to thee who HATH GIVEN THEE AN INTIRE SPIRIT and thou hast renderd it all unprofitable so that it can be of no use to its Lord for its use hath begun to be useless when it is corrupted by thee will not therefore the Lord do the same concerning his spirit for this deed Plainly I say to all these whomsoever he shall find to remain in the memory of offences he will do the same 133 His clemency quoth he do not ye spurn but rather honour ye him that he is so patient at your trespasses and is not like you Do ye repentance for that is profitable to you All these things which are above written have I the Sheepherd the Messenger of Repentance shown and spoken to the servants of God 134 If therefore ye shall believe and shall hear my words and shall walk in them and shall correct your walkings ye shall be able to live But if ye shall remain in malice and in the memory of offences none of this sort of sinners shall LIVE TO GGD all these things to be spoken by me are spoken to you 135 That Sheepherd saith to me hast thou asked all things of me And I said yea Lord why therefore hast thou not asked me of the form of the stones placed in the structure that to thee I should explain their forms And I said I forgot Lord Hear now therefore quoth he also of these 136 These are they who have now heard these commands and from their whole hearts have done repentance and when the Lord had seen their repentance good and pure and them to be able to remain in it he commanded their former sins to be blotted out For these forms were their sins and they are made even least they should appear SIMIL. X. 1 AFter I had written out this book that Messenger who had delivered me to that Sheepherd came into the house in which I was and sat down upon the bed and that Sheepherd stood at his right hand After that he called me and said these things to me I have delivered thee quoth he and thy house to this Sheepherd that by him thou mayest be protected 2 Yea quoth I Lord if thou wilt therefore be protected quoth he from all vexation and from all cruelty or have successe in EVERY good work and word and all the vertue of Righteousness walk thou in these commandments which I have given to thee and thou shalt be able to rule over ALL wickedness For to thee keeping these Commands shall ALL the lust sweetness of this world be subjected also success shall follow thee in every good imployment 3 The maturity of him and the modesty receive thou in thee and say to all him to be in great honour and dignity with God and him to be the president of great power and potent in his office To him alone through the whole world the power of Repentance is given seemeth he not to thee to be potent But YE despise the perfection and modesty of him which he hath over YOU 4 I say to him ask him Lord from the time wherein he is in my house whether I have done any thing-out of order or in any thing have offended him And I quoth he know thee to have done nothing out of order neither to be about to do and therefore these speak I with thee that thou mayst persevere for he hath esteemed well of thee with me but thou shalt tell these words to the rest that also they who have done or are about to do Repentance may perceive the same things which thou feelest and he with me may interpret concerning them and I with the Lord. 5 And I quoth I Lord to every man do declare the great things of God but I hope those all who love them and before have sinned having heard these to be about to do Repentance recovering LIFE Remain therefore quoth he in this Ministry and consummate the same but whosoever obey this mans commands shall have life also here and with the Lord great honour 6 But whosoever keep not his commands fly from their own LIFE and oppose it and they who follow not his commandments deliver themselves to DEATH and every one of them shall be GUILTY OF HIS OWN BLOOD but to thee I say that thou keep these commands and thou shalt have remedy of all thy sins but I have sent thee these VIRGINS that they may dwell with thee for I have seen them to be very affable to thee Therefore thou shalt have them helpers that by so much the rather thou mayest keep his commands 7 For it cannot be done that these commands be kept without these Virgins but thou seest them to be willingly with thee but also I will injoyn them that at all from thy house they depart not only do thou make clean thy house for in a clean house they will willingly dwell for they are clean and chaste and industrious and all having favour with the Lord. 8 If therefore thou shalt have thine house pure they will remain with thee but if any little of pollution shall happen forthwith they will depart from thy HOUSE for these Virgins love no pollution at all I say to him I hope Lord me to be about to please them so that in my house they may willingly inhabit alwaies And as he to whom thou hast delivered me complains nothing of me so neither shall they complain 9 He saith to that Sheepherd I see the Servant of God would be willing to see and to keep these commands and to be about to place these Virgins in a clean habitation These when he had said again to that Sheepherd he delivered me and called the Virgins and said to them Because I perceive you to dwell willingly in this mans house I commend him to you and his house that from his house ye depart not at all and they willingly heard these words 10 After that he saith to me Converse thou manfully in this Ministry to every man declare thou the great things of God and thou shalt have acceptance in this Ministry therefore whosoever shall walk in these commands he shall live and shall be happy in his life but whosoever shall neglect them shall not live and shall be unhappy in his life Say to all that they cease not whosoever can do rightly to exercise good works it is profitable for them 11 But I say that every man must be delivered out of discommodities for he that needs and in his daily life suffers discommodities is in great torment and necessity who so therefore delivers such a soul out of necessity acquireth great joy to himself for he who is vexed with this discommodity is vexed with like torment and tortures himself as he who is in fetters 12 For many because of this sort of calamities when they cannot stustein them they bring death to themselves Therefore he who knoweth the calamity of such a man and plucks him not out he admits great sin and becomes GUILTY OF HIS BLOOD Therefore do ye good works whosoever have gotten from the Lord least while ye delay to do the structure of the TOWER be consummate 13 For because of you is the work of its building left off for a time unlesse therefore ye shall hasten to do rightly the Tower shall be finished and ye shall be excluded But after he had spoken with me he arose from the bed and having taken the SHEEPHERD and the VIRGINS he went away but he said to me that he would send back that Sheepherd and these Virgins into mine HOVSE THE END ERRATA PAge 10. l. 19 r. words p. 11. l. 8. r. 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