involved in the employments and riches of the Heathen men and another is a lying Prophet who destroys the senses of the Servants of God but not of these doubtful ones who trust in the Lord fully 3 Therefore these doubtful ones come as to a Divine and ask him what is about to befall them and that lying Prophet having none of the power of the divine Spirit in him speaketh to them according to their asking and fills their souls with promises even as they would but that PROPHET is empty and answereth empty things to the empty for whatsoever is asked him of vain men he will answer them vain things 4 But some words he speaketh true for the Devil filleth him with his Spirit that he may cast down some of the just whosoever therefore are strong in the faith of the Lord and are cloathed with the TRUTH to such Spirits they are not joyned but depart from them but as many as are doubtful and thenceforth act Repentance they consult even as the Heathens and heap up very great sin to themselves serving IDOLS 5 Whosoever therefore are such they ask for any businesse they worship images and are fools and empty from the TRUTH for EVERY SPIRIT GIVEN OF GOD IS NOT ASKED but having the vertue of the Divinity from it self speaketh all things because it is from above from the power of the divine Spirit but whoso being asked speaketh according to the desire and of many other things of this world they of this sort understand not the questions of the DIVINITY for they are darkned by these businesses and are corrupted and broken 6 As good vines that are neglected by weeds and thorns are pressed and killed so also the men who have credited such they have fallen into many businesses and actions and are made empty from their FEELING and understand nothing at all thinking about riches but if at any time they shall hear of the Lord their SENSE is in their businesses but they that have the fear of the Lord and search out from God the Truth they have every thought unto the Lord all things that are spoken to them they perceive because they have the fear of the Lord in them for WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IN HABITETH THERE also IS adjoyned MUCH FEELING adjoyn thy self therefore to the Lord and thou shalt understand and perceive all things 7 Hear now O unwise after what manner SADNESSE vexeth the holy Spirit and how it makes it whole when a DOUBTFUL one shall fall into any businesse and it doth not succeed to him because of dubitation this sorrow entreth into the man and MAKETH SAD THE HOLY SPIRIT and vexeth it after that again when WRATH shall happen to a man for any businesse he is vehemently enraged and this wrath entreth in into the inward parts of him that is angry and he is vexed in his businesse which he doth and after that repenteth him that he hath done evilly 8 Therefore both these things hurt the holy spirit DOUBTING and SADNESSE Doubting because his action succeeded not and Sadnesse because he caused wrath to his SPIRIT remove sorrow therefore from thee AND DO NOT THOU OFFEND THE HOLY SPIRIT WHICH DWELETH IN THEE LEAST IT intreat the Lord and DEPART from thee for the spirit of the Lord which is given into the FLESH indureth not sadnesse 9 Cloath thee therefore with chearfulnesse which alwaies hath favour with the Lord and thou shalt be joyful in it for every chearful man worketh well and savoureth good things and dispiseth unrighteousnesse But a sorrowful man doth evilly because he maketh sad the holy Spirit which is given to the chearful man and again he doth evil in that the sorrowful man intreats the Lord and doth not before make confession and he obtaineth not of God what he asketh for alwaies the prayer of the sorrowful man hath not the force that it may approach the ALTAR of God 10 And I said to him Lord why hath not the prayer of the sorrowful man the power to ascend to the Altar of the Lord Because heavinesse sitteth in his heart Therefore when the prayer of a man shall be mixed with sorrow it will not suffer the prayer to ascend pure to the ALTAR of God for as Wine mixed with Vinegar hath not the same sweetnesse so also heavinesse mixed with the holy Spirit hath not the same prayer clean Therefore cleanse thee from evil sadnesse and thou shalt live to God and they shall all LIVE TO GOD who shall cast away from themselves sadnesse and shall put on chearfulnesse COMMAND XI 1 HE shewed me men sitting on seats and one sitting in a Chaire and he said to me Seest thou those who sit on benches I see them Lord quoth I These are the Faithful and he that sitteth in the Chair is the TERRESTRIALL SPIRIT For into the Church of the men it approacheth not but flyeth away but it applieth it self to the DOUBTFUL ones and empty and in corners and hidden places it divineth to them and it delighteth them in speaking according to all the desires of their heart 2 For what is committed to empty vessels doth not run over but they agree one to another but when it shall come into the company of just men having the SPIRIT of the Divinity and their prayer is to the Lord that man is frustated because that Terestrial Spirit flyeth from him and he becometh dumb nor can speak any thing 3 As in a CELLAR if thou shalt cover Wine or Oyl and amongst these vessels shalt put an empty vessel and again wouldest take off the covering that vessel which thou didst put thou shalt find empty So also EMPTY PROPHETS when they shall come among the spirit of just men such as they come such are they found 4 Thou hast the life of both the Prophets try therefore by life and works the man that saith himself to have the holy Spirit but believe thou the Spirit coming from God having vertue but to the earthly empty spirit which is from the Devil in which there is not faith nor power do not give credit 5 Hear therefore a Similitude which I am about to tell thee Take a stone and cast it toward Heaven Or again take a squirt of water and squirt it out towards Heaven and see if thou canst smite the Heaven How quoth I Lord can these things be For both these which thou hast spoken cannot be done even as therefore these cannot be done So the Terrestrial spirit is without power and without effect 6 Take now the power coming down from above in this similitude The hail is the least grain and when it falls upon the head of a man how doth it bring griefs Or again look on the drop of rain which from the eaves falls on the earth and makes hollow the stone So therefore the least things which from above fall upon the earth have great power Adjoyn thee therefore to this man having the POWER and from that empty one
Life Eternal 14 Thou therefore cease not to speak these things in the ears of the Saints ye have also the figure of great tribulation about to come upon you for if ye would it shall be nothing In your mind retain these things that are prescribed These things when she had said she departed but I saw not to what place she went away But there was a noise made and I turned behind me being afraid and did think that beast was approaching The End of the first Book The second Book of Hermas the Disciple of Paul which is intituled the SHEEPHERD The Proaem 1. WHen I had prayed at home and had sat down upon the Bed there entered a certain man of a reverend face in a Pastoral habit cloathed with a white Cloak carrying a bag in his shoulders and a Rod in his hand and he saluted me and I resaluted him and forthwith he sitteth down next me 2 And saith to me I am sent from that venerable Messenger that I may dwell with thee the rest of the daies of thy life And I thought him to have come to tempt me And I say to him for who art thou for I know to whom I am delivered He saith to me knowest thou not me No quoth I I am that Sheepherd to whom thou art delivered 3 He as yet speaking his figure was changed and when I had known it to be him to whom I was delivered I was confounded and forthwith a fear came in upon me and I was wholly broken with sorrow because I had answered to him so unwisely He saith to me be not confounded but receive power in thy mind in my commandments which I am about to give thee 4 For I am sent quoth he that what things thou didst before see I may shew thee them all again chiefly of these which are useful for YOU First of all my Commandments and the figures of similitudes write thou but the rest as I shall shew them thee so shalt thou write them But therefore I injoyn thee first to write my Commandments and the Similitudes that after that by reading thou may'st more easily keep them 5 Therefore I wrote the commands and similitudes even as he had enjoyned me which being heard if YE shall keep them and in them shall walk and shall exercise them in a PURE MIND ye shall receive from the Lord what things he promised you but if these being heard ye shall not act Repentance but shall add unto your transgressions ye shall receive the adverse things from the Lord all these that Sheepherd the Messenger of Repentance commanded me to write COMMAND I. 1 FIrst of all believe thou that there is one God who created and finished all things and made all things of nothing He capable of all things is alone great who can neither with word be defined nor by the mind conceived 2 Believe therefore on him and fear him and fearing have ABSTINENCE These keep and cast away from thee all naughtinesse and put on the virtue of Righteousnesse and thou shalt LIVE TO GOD if thou shalt keep this Commandment COMMAND II. 1 HE said to me have thou simplicity and be thou innocent and thou shalt be as the infant who knows not malice who hath lost the life of men First of none speak evilly nor willingly hear one speaking evilly But if thou also shalt hear thou shalt be partaker of the sins of the evil speaker and believing thou likewise shalt have sin because thou hast believed him that speaketh evilly of thy brother 2 Detraction is pernitious it is an unconstant devil 〈…〉 it consisteth never in peace but remaineth alwaies in discord contain thee from it and have alwaies peace with thy brother Put on holy CONSTANCY in which are no sins but all are gladsome and do good out of thy labours to all needful ones give simply nothing doubting to whom thou mayst give give to all FOR TO ALL WOULD GOD GIVE OF HIS GOOD THINGS 3 Therefore they that get shall render account to God why they received it and to what But they who get having feigned necessity shall render a reason but he that giveth shall be innocent for as he receiveth from the Lord he accomplished his Ministry in doubting nothing to whom he should give and to whom he should not give and he did this Ministry simply gloriously to God Keep therefore this command as I have spoke to thee that thy repentance may be found simple and it may become well to thy house and have thou A CLEAN HEART COMMAND III. 1 A Gain he said to me love the truth and let all true speech proceed out of thy mouth that THE SPIRIT WHICH THE LORD HATH PLACED IN THY FLESH may be found TRUE with all men and the Lord may be magnified who HATH GIVEN A SPIRIT IN THEE because the Lord is true in every word and there is not a lie in him Therefore they that lie deny the Lord not restoring to God the PLEDGE which they received 2 FOR THEY RECEIVED A SPIRIT WITHOUT LYE This if they render subject to lying they do stain the command of the Lord and become deceivers I having heard these things wept vehemently who when he saw me weeping he said to me why weepest thou And I said because Lord I know not if I can be able to be saved Why saith he 3 And I said because never Lord have I spoken a true word in my life but have alwayes lived in simulation and a lye for the truth I have affirmed to all and there hath not any one contradicted me but trust hath been had to my word how then can I live seeing I have so done And he said to me thou indeed thinkest well and truly for it became thee as the servant of God to walk in the truth and not to conjoyn an evil conscience with the SPIRIT OF TRUTH nor to cause sadness to the holy and true Spirit of God 4 And I said to him Never Lord have I heard these words so diligently And he said to me Now thou hearest them take care after this that also these false things which before thou hast spoken for thy employments with these words that also they may receive faith for also they can receive faith if after this thou shalt speak true things and if thou shalt keep the truth thou shalt be able to attaine LIFE And whosoever shall hear this command and shall do it and shall depart from lying he shall LIVE TO GOD. COMMAND IIII. 1 I Command thee quoth he that thou keep CHASTITY let not the thought of thine heart arise to thee of a strange matrimony or of Fornication for this begetteth great sin but be thou alwaies mindfull of the Lord at all hours and thou shalt NEVER SIN For if this so evil cogitation ascend into thine heart thou commitest a great sin And they that do these things follow the way of death See thou therefore abstain thy self from this cogitation for where
is the time which remains until his coming 27 I say to him Lord magnificently and wonderfully and honestly do all these things carry themselves therefore can I be able to understand these Lord quoth I Indeed not any man besides although he be very prudent shall be able to understand these but even now Lord demonstrate to me what I ask ask what thou wilt quoth he 28 Why quoth I is the Son of God in this similitude put in a servile place Hear saith he in a servile condition the Son of God is not put but in great power and authority And I said how say I Lord I understand not because quoth he to those whom he hath delivered to his Son hath his Son set over MESSENGERS to preserve them all but he hath laboured very much and hath endured very much that he should abolish their trespasses 29 For no Vineyard can be digged without labour and grief therefore the sins of his people being blotted out he himself hath shewed unto them the JOURNEYS OF LIFE having given them the LAW which he had got from the Father thou seest therefore him to be the Lord of the people having got from his Father all power 30 But why the Lord should adde in his counsel the son of his inheritance and the good ANGELS Because the Messenger heareth THAT HOLY SPIRIT WHICH WAS INFUSED FIRST OF ALL things IN THE BODY IN WHICH GOD SHOULD DWELL for the INTELLECT hath placed it in the body as it seemed to him 31 Therefore this body into which the holy spirit is brought in hath obeyed that spirit rightly walking in modesty and chastly nor hath at all defiled that spirit Therefore when that body had obeyed at every time the holy spirit rightly and chastly and had laboured with it nor had fainted at any time that wearied body conversed servilely but strongly with the holy spirit approved to God it was received 32 Therefore it s potent course of this sort pleased God because it had not been Maculated in the earth POSSESSING IN IT SELF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN COUNSEL Therefore he called his Son and the good Messengers to wit that also to this body which hath served the holy Spirit without complaint some place of remaining should be given least it should seem to have lost the reward of its servitude 33 For every Body found pure and without spot shall receive a reward IN WHICH TO DWEL IN THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS CONSTITUTE Thou hast also the exposition of this similitude I have perceived quoth I thy will Lord having heard this exposition Hear further saith he 34 Keep this thy body pure and clean that THAT SPIRIT WHICH INHABITETH IN IT may bear testimony to it and may be judged to have been with thee And also see thou least at any time thou be perswaded to destroy this body do abuse it in any lust 35 For if thou shalt defile thy body thou shalt defile also at the same time the HOLY SPIRIT also and if thou shalt maculate thy body thou shalt not live And I said What if through any ignorance that hath been committed before that these words were heard by what means attaineth he unto safety who hath defiled his body 36 To the former things quoth he which they have committed througe ignorance only God can afford a remedy for his is all power But now keep thy self seeing the Lord is omnipotent and merciful he shall grant remedy to thy former trespasses if for the future thou defile not thy BODY and SPIRIT for they are both Comsorts and ANY OF THE TWO IS NOT TAINTED WITHOUT THE OTHER Therefore keep both of them clean and thou shalt LIVE TO GOD. SIMIL. VI. 1 WHile I sat at home and glorified the Lord for all that I had seen and thought of his Commands them to be exceeding good and great and honest and gladsom and which can bring the safety of men within my selfe these things I said Happy shall I be if I shall walk in these Commands and whosoever shall walk in these shall LIVE TO GOD. 2 These things whilest I was speaking with my self I see him whom also before sitting beside me and saying these things to me Why doubtest thou of my Commands which I have in joyned thee they are good thou shalt doubt nothing at all but put on the Faith of the Lord and thou shalt walk in them for I in them will give thee strength 3 These Commands are profitable to them who of their fore-done sins are about to do repentance if for the future they shall walk in them Therefore whosoever do repentance Cast off from you the naughtinesse of this World but put ye on all virtue and equity and ye shall be able to keep these Commands neither hereafter sin ye 4 For if after this ye SIN NOT very much of the former sins shall ye cut off in my Commandments walk ye and ye shall live to God These things by we are spoken to you 5 After he had spoke these things with me He saith to me let us go into the field and I will shew thee the SHEEPHERDS of the sheep Let us go quoth I Lord And we came into a certain field and there he shewed me a youthful sheepherd clothed in an upper scarlet coat of the colour of his cloaths 6 But he fed plentious sheep and these sheep were as it were in pleasures and many delights and they exulted with Joy and leaping did run hither and thither And the sheepherd himself exceedingly took delight of his flock and the countenance of that sheepherd was very chearful running among the sheep 7 The Angel saith to me But seest thou this sheepherd I see him quoth I Lord And he said to me He is the Messenger of inticements sweetnesse and pleasure he therefore corrupts the minds of the servants of God and turns them away from the TRUTH delighting them with lusts and they perish for they forget the Commands of the living God they converse in luxuries in vain delights and they are corrupted by this evil MESSENGER some even until death but others even until falling back 8 I say unto him Lord I understand not what is UNTO DEATH and what unto falling back Hear quoth he whatever sheep thou sawest very joyous and leaping are they who have for ever departed from God and have given up themselves to the desires of this world to them therefore there is not a returning by repentance to life because they have added certain things to their other transgressions and have reviled the NAME of the Lord with hainous words This sort of men are designed to death 9 But what sheep thou sawst not exulting but feeding in one place These are they who have indeed delivered themselves to delights and pleasures but have spoken nothing hainous against the Lord Therefore these have fallen away from the Truth and therefore they have as yet a hope reserved of life in Repentance for defection hath some hope of