T H E S H E P H E R D H E R M A S This book, divided into three parts, called his VISIONS, COMMANDS, and SIMILITUDES, is thus entitled, because it was composed by Hermas, brother to Pius, bish- op of Rome; and because the Angel, who bears the principal part in it, is represented in the form and habit of a shepherd. Irenxus quotes it under the very name of Scripture. Origen thought it a most useful writing, and that it was divinely inspired; Eusebius says that, though it was not esteemed canonical, it was read publicly in the churches, which is corroborated by Jerome; and Athanasius cites it, calls it a most useful work, and observes, that though it was not strictly canonical, the Fathers appointed it to be read for direction and confirmation in faith and piety. Jerome, notwithstanding this, and that he applauded it in his catalogue of writers, in his comments upon it afterwards, terms it apocryphal and foolish. Turtullian praised it when a Catholic, and abused it when a Montanist. Although Gelasius ranks it among the apocryphal books, it is found attached to some of the most ancient MSS. of the New Testament; and Archbishop Wake, believing it the genuine work of an apostolical Father, preserves it to the English reader by the foregoing translation, in which he has rendered the three parts of it not only more exact, but in greater purity than they had before appeared. The archbishop procured Dr. Grabe to entirely collate the old Latin version with an ancient MS. in the Lambeth library; and the learned prelate himself still further improved the whole from a multitude of fragments of the original Greek never before used for that purpose. THE FIRST PART OF THE BOOK OF this creature of God, thinking with HERMAS CALLED HIS VISION. myself; how noble and beautiful she was. VISION I. 3 And when I had walked a little, I 1 Against filthy and proud thoughts; 20 fell asleep; and the spirit caught me also the neglect of Hermas in chastising away, and carried me through a cer- his children. tain place towards the right hand, HE who had bred me up sold a cer- through which no man could pass. It tain young maid at Rome; whom was a place among rocks, very steep, when I saw many years after, I re- and unpassable for water. membered her, and began to love her 4 When I was past this place, I came as a sister. It happened some time into a plain; and there falling down afterwards, that I saw her washing in upon my knees, I began to pray unto the river. Tyber; and I reached out the Lord, and to confess my sins. my hand unto her, and brought her 5 And as I was praying, the heaven out of the river, was opened, and I saw the woman 2 And when I saw her I thought which I had coveted, saluting me with myself, saying, How happy from heaven, and saying, Hermas, should I be if I had such a wife, hail! and I looking upon her, both for beauty and manners. This I answered, Lady, what dost thou do thought with myself; nor did I think here? She answered me, I am taken any thing more. But not long after, up hither to accuse thee of sin be- as I was walking, and musing on fore the Lord. these thoughts, I began to honour 1 HERMAS 6 Lady, said I, wilt thou convince 14 As soon as she had spoken these me? No, said she: but hear the words words the heaven were shut, and I which I am about to speak unto thee. remained utterly swallowed up with God who dwelleth in heaven, and sadness and fear: and said within hath made all things out of nothing, myself, if this be laid against me for and hath multiplied them for his sin, how can I be saved. holy church's sake, is angry with thee 15 Or how should I ever be able to because thou hast sinned against me. entreat the Lord for my many and 7 And I answering said unto her, great sins? With what words shall I Lady, if I have sinned against thee, beseech him to be merciful unto me? tell me where, or in what place, or 16 As I was thinking over these when did I ever speak an unseemly things, and meditating in myself or dishonest word unto thee? upon them, behold a chair was set 8 Have I not always esteemed thee over against me of the whitest wool, as a lady? Have I not always rever- as bright as snow. enced thee as a sister? Why then dost 17 And there came an old woman in thou imagine these wicked things a bright garment, having a book in against me? her hand, and sat alone, and saluted 9 Then she, smiling upon me, said: me, saying, Hermas, hail! and I being the desire of naughtiness has risen full of sorrow and weeping, up in thy heart. Does it not seem to answered, Hail Lady! thee to be an ill thing for a righteous 18 And she said unto me, Why art man to have an evil desire rise up in thou sad, Hermas, who wert wont to his heart. be patient, and modest, and always 10 It is indeed a sin, and that a very cheerful? I answered, and said to great sin, to such a one; for a right- her, Lady, a reproach has been laid eous man thinketh that which is to my charge by an excellent woman, righteous. And whilst he does so, who tells me that I have sinned and walketh uprightly, he shall have against her. the Lord in heaven favourable unto 19 She replied, Far be any such him in all his business. thing from the servant of God. But 11 But as for those who think it may be the desire of her has risen wickedly in their hearts, they take to up in thy heart? For indeed such a themselves death and captivity; and thought maketh the servants of God especially those who love this guilty of sin. present world, and glory in their 20 Nor ought such a detestable riches, and regard not the good thought to be in the servant of God: things that are to come; their souls nor should he who is approved by wander up and down and know not the Spirit desire that which is evil; where to fix. but especially Hermas, who contains 12 Now this is the case of such as himself from all wicked lusts, and is are double-minded, who trust not in full of all simplicity, and of great in- the Lord, and despise and neglect nocence. their own life. 21 Nevertheless the Lord is not so 13 But do thou pray unto the Lord, much angry with thee for thine own and he will heal thy sins, and the sins sake, as upon the account of thy of thy whole house, and of all his house, which has committed wicked- saints. 2 HERMAS ness against the Lord, and against the Holy Church, which he hath their parents. blessed. 22 And for that out of thy fondness 29 Behold he will remove the heav- towards thy sons, thou hast not ad- ens, and the mountains, the hills, and monished thy house, but hast per- the seas; and all things shall be made mitted them to live wickedly; for this plain for his elect; that he may cause the Lord is angry with thee: render unto them the promise which but he will heal all the evils that are he has promised, with much honour done in thy house. For through their and joy; if so be that they shall keep sins and iniquities, thou art wholly the commandments of God, which consumed in secular affairs. they have received with great faith. 23 But now the mercy of God hath 30 And when she had made an end taken compassion upon thee, and of reading, she rose out of the chair; upon thine house, and hath greatly and behold four young men came, comforted thee. Only as for thee, do and carried the chair to the east. not wander, but be of an even mind, 31 And she called me unto her, and and comfort thy house. touched my breast, and said unto me, 24 As the workman bringing forth Did my reading please thee? I his work, offers it to whomsoever he answered, Lady, these last things pleaseth; so shalt thou by teaching please me; but what went before was every day what is just, cut off a severe and hard. great sin. Wherefore cease not to ad- 32 She said unto me, these last monish thy sons, for the Lord knows things are for the righteous, but the that they will repent with all their foregoing for the revolters and hea- heart, and they shall be written in then. the book of life. 33 And as she was talking with me, 25 And when she had said this, she two men appeared, and took her added unto me; Wilt thou hear me upon their shoulders, and went to read? I answered her, Lady, I will. the east where the chair was. 26 Hear then, said she; and opening 34 And she went cheerfully away; the book she read, gloriously, and as she was going, said unto me, greatly. and wonderfully, such things Hermas, be of good cheer. as I could not keep in my memory. For they were terrible words, such as VISION II. no man could bear. Again, of his neglect in correcting his 27 How it be I committed her last talkative wife; and of his lewd sons. words to my remembrance; for they AS I was on the way to Cuma, about were but few, and of great use to us: the same time that I went the year — before, I began to call to mind the 28 Behold the mighty Lord, who by vision I formerly had. And again the his invisible power, and with his ex- spirit carried me away, and brought cellent wisdom made the world, and me into the same place, in which I by his glorious counsel beautified his had been the year before. creature, and with the word of his 2 And when I was come into the strength fixed the heaven, and foun- place, I fell down upon my knees, ded the earth upon the waters; and and began to pray unto the Lord, by his powerful virtue established and to glorify his name, that he had 3 HERMAS esteemed me worthy, and had mani- them with these words, which the fested unto me my former sins. Lord has commanded to be revealed 3 And when I arose from prayer, be- unto them. hold I saw over against me the old 13 Then shall their sins be forgiven, woman whom I had seen the last which they have heretofore commit- year, walking and reading in a certain ted, and the sins of all the saints book. who have sinned even unto this day; 4 And she said unto me, Canst thou if they shall repent with all their tell these things to the elect of God? hearts, and remove all doubts out of I answered and said unto her, Lady, I their hearts. cannot retain so many things in my 14 For the Lord hath sworn by his memory, but give me the book, and I glory concerning his elect, having will write them down. determined this very time, that if 5 Take it, says she, and see that any one shall even now sin, he shall thou restore it again to me. not be saved. 6 As soon as I had received it, I 15 For the repentance of the right- went aside into a certain place of the eous has its end; the days of repent- field, and transcribe every letter, for ance are fulfilled to all the saints; I found no syllables. but to the heathen, there is repent- 7 And as soon as I had finished ance even unto the last day. what was written in the book, the 16 Thou shalt therefore say to those book was suddenly caught out of my who are over the church, that they hand, but by whom I saw not. order their ways in righteousness; so 8 After fifteen days, when I had fas- that they may fully receive the prom- ted, and entreated the Lord with all ise with much glory. earnestness, the knowledge of the 17 Stand fast therefore ye that work writing was revealed unto me. Now righteousness and continue to do it, the writing was this:— that your departure may be with the 9 Thy seed, O Hermas! hath sinned holy angels. against the Lord, and have betrayed 18 Happy are ye, as many as shall their parents, through their great endure the great trial that is at hand, wickedness. And they have been and whosoever shall not deny his called the betrayers of their parents, life. and have gone on in their treachery. 19 For the Lord hath sworn by his 10 And now have they added lewd- Son, that whoso, denieth his Son and ness to their other sins, and the pol- HIM, being afraid of his life, he will lutions of their naughtiness: thus also deny him in the world that is to have they filled up the measure of come. their iniquities. But do thou upbraid 20 But those who shall never deny thy sons with all these words; and him, he will of his exceeding great thy wife, who shall be as thy sister; mercy be favourable unto them. and let her learn to refrain her 21 But thou, O Hermas! remember tongue, with which she calumniates. not the evils which thy sons have 11 And when she shall hear these done, neither neglect thy sister, but things, she will refrain herself, and take care that they amend of their shall obtain mercy. former sins. 12 And they also shall be instructed, 22 For they will be instructed by when thou shalt have reproached this doctrine, if thou shalt not be 4 HERMAS mindful of what they have done fore, said he, an old woman, because wickedly. she was the first of all the creation, 23 For the remembrance of evils and the world was made for her. worketh death, but the forgetting of 34 After this I saw a vision at home them eternal life. in my own house, and the old wo- 24 But thou, O Hermas! hast under- man, whom I had seen before, came gone a great many worldly troubles to me and asked me whether I had for the offences of thy house, be- yet delivered her book to the elders cause thou hast neglected them, as of the church? And I answered, that things that did not belong unto thee; I had not yet. and thou art wholly taken up with 35 She replied, Thou hast well done, thy great business. for I have certain words more to tell 25 Nevertheless, for this cause shalt thee. But when I shall have finished thou be saved, that thou hast not de- all the words, they shall be clearly parted from the living God, and thy understood by the elect. simplicity and singular continency 36 And thou shalt write two books, shall preserve thee, if thou shalt and send one to Clement and one to continue in them. Grapte. For Clement shall send it to 26 Yes, they shall save all such as do the foreign cities, because it is per- such things, and walk in innocence mitted to him so to do: but Grapte and simplicity. shall admonish the widows and 27 They who are of this kind shall orphans. prevail against all impiety, and con- 37 But thou shalt read in this city tinue until life eternal. with the elders of the church. 28 Happy are all they that do right- eousness, they shall not be consumed VISION III. for ever. Of the building of the church tri- 29 But thou wilt say, Behold there is umphant, and of the several sorts of rep- a great trial coming. If it seem good robates. to thee, deny him again. THE vision which I saw, brethren, 30 The Lord is nigh to them that was this. turn to him, as it is written in the 2 When I had often fasted and book of Heldam and Modal, who prayed unto the Lord, that he would prophesied to the people of Israel in manifest unto me the revelation, the wilderness. which he had promised by the old 31 Moreover, brethren, it was re- woman to show unto me; the same vealed to me, as I was sleeping, by a night she appeared unto me, and said very goodly young man, saying unto unto me, me, What thinkest thou of that old 3 Because thou dost thus afflict thy- woman from whom thou receivedst self, and art so desirous to know all the book; who is she? I answered, a things, come into the field, where Sybil. thou wilt, and about the sixth hour, I 32 Thou art mistaken said he, she is will appear unto thee, and show thee not. I replied, Who is she then, sir? what thou must see. He answered me, It is the church of 4 I asked her, saying; Lady, into God. what part of the field? She 33 And I said unto him, Why then answered, wherever thou wilt, only does she appear old? She is there- choose a good and a private place. 5 HERMAS And before I began to speak and tell said unto me, Hermas, why art thou her the place, she said unto me; I sad? will come where thou wilt. 15 The place which is on the right 5 I was therefore, brethren in the hand is theirs who have already at- field and I observed the hours, and tained unto God, and have suffered came into the place where I had ap- for his name-sake. But there is yet a pointed her to come. great deal remaining unto thee, be- 6 And I beheld a bench placed; it fore thou canst sit with them. was a linen pillow, and over it spread 16 But continue as thou doest, in a covering of fine linen. thy sincerity, and thou shalt sit with 7 When I saw these things ordered them; as all others shall, who do in this manner, and that there was their works, and shall bear what they nobody in the place, I began to be have borne. astonished, and my hair stood on 17 I said to her; Lady, I would know end, and a, kind of horror seized what it is that they have suffered? me; for I was alone. Hear then, said she: wild beasts, 8 But being come to myself, and scourgings, imprisonments, and calling to mind the glory of God, crosses for his name-sake. and taking courage, I fell down upon 18 For this cause the right hand of my knees and began again to confess holiness belongs to them, and to all my sins as before. others as many as shall suffer for the 9 And whilst I was doing this, the name of God; but the left belongs to old woman came thither with the six the rest. young men whom I had seen before, 19 Howbeit the gifts and the prom- and stood behind me as I was pray- ises belong to both, to them on the ing, and heard me praying and con- right, and to those on the left hand; fessing my sins unto the Lord. only that sitting on the right hand 10 And touching me, she said; Leave they have some glory above the oth- off praying now only for thy sins; ers. pray also for righteousness, that 20 But thou art desirous to sit on thou mayest receive a part of it in the right hand with them, and yet thy thy house. defects are many. But thou shalt be 11 And she lifted me up from the purged from thy defects, as also all place, and took me by the hand, and who doubt not shall be cleansed brought me to the seat; and said to from all the sins which they have the young men, go, and build. committed unto this day. 12 As soon as they were departed, 21 And when she had said this she and we were alone, she said unto me; would have departed. sit here. I answered her; Lady, let 22 Wherefore, falling down before those who are elder sit first. She her feet, I began to entreat her, for replied, Sit down as I bid you. the Lord's sake, that she would show 13 And when I would have sat on me the vision which she had prom- the right side, she suffered me not, ised. but made a sign to me with her hand, 23 Then she again took me by the that I should sit on the left. hand, and lifted me up, and made me 14 As I was therefore musing, and sit upon the seat at the left side; and full of sorrow, that she would not holding up a certain bright wand, suffer me to sit on the right side, she 6 HERMAS said unto me, Seest thou that great into it, though very desirous to fall thing? I replied, Lady, I see nothing. into the water. 24 She answered, Dost thou not see 33 And when she had showed me over against thee a great tower, these things she would have depar- which is built upon the water with ted; but I said to her, Lady, what bright square stones? doth it profit me to see these things, 25 For the tower was built upon a and not understand what they mean? square by these six young men that 34 She answered and said unto me; came with her. You are very cunning, in that you are 26 But many thousand of other men desirous to know those things which brought stones; some drew them out relate to the tower. Yea, said I, lady, of the deep, others carried them that I may declare them unto the from the ground, and gave them to brethren, and they may rejoice, and the six young men; and they took hearing these things may glorify God them and built. with great glory. 27 As for those stones which were 35 Then she said, Many indeed shall drawn out of the deep, they put hear them, and when they shall have them all into the building; for they heard them, some shall rejoice, and were polished, and their squares ex- others weep. And yet even these, if actly answered one another, and so they shall repent, shall rejoice too. one was joined in such wise to the 36 Hear therefore what I shall say other, that there was no space to be concerning the parable of the tower, seen where they joined, insomuch and after this be no longer impor- that the whole tower appeared to be tunate with me about the revelation. built as it were of one stone. 37 For these revelations have an 28 But as for the other stones that end, seeing they are fulfilled. But were taken off from the ground, thou dost not leave off to desire rev- some of them they rejected, others elations, for thou art very urgent. they fitted into the building. 38 As for the tower which thou 29 As for those which were rejected, seest built, it is myself, namely, the some they cut out, and cast them at a church, which have appeared to thee distance from the tower; but many both now and heretofore. Wherefore others of them lay round about the ask what thou wilt concerning the tower, which they made no use of in tower, and I will reveal it unto thee, the building. that thou mayest rejoice with the 30 For some of these were rough, saints. others had clefts in them, others 39 I said unto her, Lady, because were white and round, not proper thou hast thought me once worthy to for the building of the tower. receive from thee the revelation of 31 But I saw the other stones cast all these things, declare them unto afar off from the tower, and falling me. into the high-way, and yet not con- 40 She answered me, Whatsoever is tinuing in the way, but were rolled fit to be revealed unto thee shall be from the way into a desert place. revealed: only yet thy heart be with 32 Others I saw falling into the fire the Lord, and doubt not, whatsoever and burning; others fell near the wa- thou shalt see. ter, yet could not roll themselves 41 I asked her, Lady, why is the tower built upon the water? She 7 HERMAS replied, I said before to thee that 50 Tell them that all these things thou wert very wise to inquire dili- are true, and that there is nothing in gently concerning the building, them that is not true but all are firm therefore thou shalt find the truth. and truly established. 42 Hear therefore why the tower is 51 Hear now then concerning the built upon the water: because your stones that are in the building. life is and shall be saved by water. 52 The square and white stones For it is founded by the word of the which agree exactly in their joints, almighty and honourable name, and are the apostles, and bishops, and is supported by the invisible power doctors, and ministers, who through and virtue of God. the mercy of God have come in, and 43 And I answering, said unto her, governed, and taught and ministered These things are very admirable; but, holily and modestly to the elect of lady, who are those six young men God, both they that have fallen that build? asleep, and which yet remain; and 44 They are, said she, the angels of have always agreed with them, and God, who were first appointed, and have had peace within themselves, to whom the Lord has delivered all and have heard each other. his creatures, to frame and build 53 For which cause their joints ex- them up, and to rule over them. For actly meet together in the building by these the building of the tower of the tower. shall be finished. 54 They which are drawn out of the 45 And who are the rest who bring deep and put into the building, and them stones? whose joints agree with the other 46 They also are the holy angels of stones which are already built, are the Lord; but the others are more ex- those which are already fallen asleep, cellent than these. Wherefore when and have suffered for the sake of the the whole building of the tower shall Lord's name. be finished, they shall all feast to- 55 And what are the other stones, gether beside the tower, and shall lady, that are brought from the glorify God, because the structure earth? I would know what are they. of the tower is finished. 56 She answered, They which lie 47 I asked her, saying, I would know upon the ground and are not pol- the condition of the stones, and ished, are those which God has ap- what the meaning of them is? proved, because they have walked in 48 She answering, said unto me, Art I the law of the Lord, and directed thou better than all others that this their ways in his commandments. should be revealed unto thee? For 57 They which are brought and put others are both before thee and bet- in the building of the tower, are the ter than thou art, to whom these vis- young in faith and the faithful. And ions should be made manifest. these are admonished by the angels 49 Nevertheless, that the name of to do well because iniquity is not God may be glorified, it has been found in them. shown and shall be revealed unto 58 But who are those whom they re- thee, for the sake of those who are jected, and laid beside the tower? doubtful, and think in their hearts 59 They are such as have sinned and whether these things are so or not. are willing to repent; for which cause they are not cast far from the tower, 8 HERMAS because they will be useful for the full of wickedness; for this cause building, if they shall repent. they are maimed and not whole. 60 They therefore that are yet to re- 67 But what are the white and round pent, if they repent they shall be- stones, lady, and which are not prop- come strong in the faith; that is, if er for the building of the tower? they repent now, whilst the tower is 68 She answering said unto me: building. For if the building shall be How long wilt thou continue foolish finished there will then be no place and without understanding, asking for them to be put in, but they shall everything and discerning nothing? be rejected; for he only has this priv- 69 They are such as have faith in- ilege who shall now be put into the deed, but have withal the riches of tower. this present world. When therefore 61 But would you know who they any troubles arise, for the sake of are that were cut out, and cast afar their riches and traffic, they deny the off from the tower? Lady said I, I Lord. desire it. 70 I answering, said unto her, When 62 They are the children of iniquity, therefore will they be profitable to who believed only in hypocrisy, and the Lord? When their riches shall be departed not from their evil ways; cut away, says she, in which they take for this cause they shall not be delight, then they will be profitable saved, because they are not of any unto the Lord for his building. use in the building by reason of 71 For as a round stone, unless it be their sins. cut away and is cast somewhat of its 63 Wherefore they are cut out, and bulk, cannot be made square, so they cast afar off, because of the anger who are rich in this world; unless of the Lord, and because they have their riches be pared off; cannot be provoked him to anger against them. made profitable unto the Lord. 64 As for the great number of other 72 Learn this from thy own experi- stones which thou hast seen placed ence: when thou wert rich, thou wast about the tower, but now put into unprofitable; but now thou art prof- the building; those which are rugged, itable, and fit for the life which thou are they who have known the truth, hast undertaken; for thou also once but have not continued in it, nor was one of those stones. been joined to the saints, and there- 73 As for the rest of the stones fore are unprofitable. which thou sawest cast afar off from 65 Those that have clefts in them, the tower, and running in the way, are they that keep up discord in their and tumbled out of the way into hearts against each other, and live desert places; they are such as have not in peace; that are friendly when believed indeed, but through their present with their brethren, but as doubting have forsaken the true way, soon as they are departed from one thinking that they could find a bet- another, their wickedness still con- ter. But they wander and are miser- tinues in their hearts: these are the able, going into desolate ways. clefts which are seen in those stones. 74 Then for those stones which fell 66 Those that are maimed and into the fire and were burnt, they are short, are they who have believed in- those who have for ever departed deed, but still are in great measure from the living God; nor doth it ever come into their hearts to repent, by 9 HERMAS reason of the affection which they 84 This tower, replied she, is sup- bear to their lusts and wickedness ported by them, according to the which they commit. command of the Lord: hear there- 75 And what are the rest which fell fore the effects of them. by the water, and could not roll into 85 The first of them, which holds the water? fast with her hand, is called Faith; 76 They are such as have heard the The next, which is girt up, and looks word, and were willing to be bap- manly, is named Abstinence: she is tised in the name of the Lord; but the daughter of Faith. considering the great holiness which 86 Whosoever therefore shall follow the truth requires, have withdrawn her shall be happy in all his life, be- themselves, an walked again after cause he shall abstain from all evil wicked lusts. works, believing that if he shall con- 77 Thus she finished the explana- tain himself from all concupiscence, tion of the tower. he shall be the heir of eternal life. 78 But I being still urgent, asked And what, lady, said I, are the other her, Is there repentance allowed to five? all those stones which are thus cast 87 They are, replied she, the daugh- away, and were not suitable to the ters of one another. The first of building of the tower; and shall they them is called Simplicity; the next find place in this tower? Innocence; the third Modesty; then 79 They may repent, said she, yet Discipline; and the last of all is they cannot come into this tower; Charity. When therefore thou shalt but, they shall be placed in a much have fulfilled the works of their lower rank, and then only after they mother, thou shalt be able to do all shall have been afflicted and fulfilled things. the days of their sins. 88 Lady, said I, I would know what 80 And for this cause they shall be particular virtue every one of these removed, because they have received has. the word of righteousness: and then 89 Hear then, replied she; they have they shall be translated from their equal virtues, and their virtues are afflictions, if they shall have a true knit together, and follow one anoth- sense in their hearts of what they er as they were born. have done amiss. 90 From Faith proceeds Abstinence; 81 But if they shall not have this from Abstinence, Simplicity; from sense in their hearts, they shall not Simplicity, Innocence; from Inno- be saved by reason of the hardness cence, Modesty; from Modesty, Dis- of their hearts. cipline and Charity. Therefore the 82 When therefore I had done ask- works of these are holy, and chaste, ing her concerning all these things, and right. she said unto me, Wilt thou see 91 Whoever therefore shall serve something else? And being desirous these, and hold fast to their works, of seeing it, I became very cheerful he shall have his dwelling in the of countenances. tower with the saints of God. 83 She therefore looking back upon 92 Then I asked her concerning the me, and smiling a little, said unto times, whether the end were now at me, Seest thou seven women about hand? the tower? Lady, said I, I see them. 10