of those women that were clothed with the black garment. 140 Hear, said he, the names of those virgins which are the more powerful, and stand at the corners of the gate. These are their names: 141 The first is called Faith; the second Continence; the third, Power; the fourth, Patience; the rest which stand beneath these are, Simplicity, Innocence, Chastity, Cheerfulness, Truth, Understanding, Concord, Charity. 142 Whosoever therefore bear these names, and the name of the Son of God, shall enter into the kingdom of God. 143 Hear now, said he, the names of those women, which were clothed with the black garment. Of these, four are the principal: the first is Perfidiousness; the second, Incontinence; the third, Infidelity; the fourth, Plea sure. 144 And the rest which follow are called thus, Sadness, Malice, | Lust, Anger, Lying, Foolishness, Pride, and Hatred. The servant of God, which carries these spirits, sh all see indeed the kingdom of God, but he shall not enter into it. 145 But, Sir, what are those stones which were taken out of the deep and fitted into the building? The ten, said he, which were placed at the foundation, are the first age; the following five-and twenty, the second, of righteous men. 146 The next thirty-five, are the prophets and ministers of the Lord. And the forty, are the Apostles and doctors of the preaching of the Son of God. 147 And I said, Sir, why did of the church. the virgins put even those stones into the building after they were carried through the gate? And he said, Because these first carried those spirits, and they departed not one from the one, neither the men from the spirits, nor the spirits from the men: 148 But the spirits were joined to those men even to the day of their death; who if they had not had these spirits with them, they could not have been useful to the building of this tower. 149 And I said, Sir, shew me this farther. He answered, What dost thou ask? Why did these stones come out of the deep, and were placed into the building of this tower, seeing that they long ago carried those 2 holy spirits? 150 It was necessary, said he, for them to ascend by water, that they might be at rest. For they could not otherwise enter into the kingdom of God, but by laying aside the mortality of their former life. 151 They therefore being dead, were nevertheless sealed with the seal of the Son of God, and so entered into the kingdom of God. 152 For before a man receives the name of the Son of God, he is ordained unto death; but when he receives that seal, he is freed from death, and 'assigned unto life. 153 Now that seal is the water of baptism, into which men go down under the obligation unto death, but come up appointed unto life. 154 Wherefore to those also was this seal preached, and they made use of it, that they might enter into the kingdom of God. 155 And I said, Why then, sir Justos, Righteous. 3 Vid. Edit. Oxon. militant SIMILITUDE IX. and triumphant. did these forty stones also ascend | thee the meaning and actions of with them out of the deep, having every mountain. already received that seal? 156 He answered, Because these Apostles and teachers, who preached the name of the son of God, dying after they had received his faith and power, preached to them who were dead before; and they gave this seal to them. 157 They went down therefore into the water with them, and again came up. But these went down whilst they were alive, and came up again alive: whereas those who were before dead, went down dead, but came up alive; 158 Through these therefore they received life, and knew the Son of God: for which cause they came up with them, and were fit to come into the building of the tower; and were not cut, but put in entire; because they died in righteousness, and in great purity; only this seal was wanting to them. 159 Thus you have the explication of these things. me 160 ¶ I answered: Sir, tell now what concerns those mountains, why are they so different; some of one form, and some of another. 161 Hear, said he; These twelve mountains which thou seest, are twelve nations, which make up the whole world. Wherefore the Son of God is preached to them, by those whom he sent unto them. 162 But why, said I, are they different, and every one of a figure? He replied, Hearken. Those twelve nations which possess the whole world, are twelve people. 163 And as thou hast beheld these mountains different, so are they. I will therefore open to 164 But first, sir, said I, shew me this; Seeing these mountains are so different, how have they agreed into the building of this tower; and been brought to one colour; and are no less bright than those that came out of the deep? 165 Because, replied he, all the nations which are under heaven, have heard and believed in the same one name of the Son of God by whom they are called. 3 2 166 Wherefore having received his seal, they have all been made partakers of the same understanding and knowledge; and their faith and charity have been the same; and they have carried the spirits of these virgins together with his name. 167 And therefore the building of this tower appeared to be of the same colour, and did shine like the brightness of the sun. 168 But after that they had thus agreed in one mind there began to be one body of them all; howbeit some of them polluted themselves, and were cast off from the kind of the righteous, and again returned to their former state, and became even worse than they were before. 169 How, said I, sir, were they worse who knew the Lord? He answered: If he who knows not the Lord liveth wickedly, the punishment of his wickedness attends him. 170 But he who has known the Lord, ought to abstain altogether from all wickedness, and more and more to be the servant of righteousness. 171 And does not he then seem to thee to sin more who ought to 1 Vid. Clem. Alex. Strom. ii. et vi. ? Prudence. 3 Sense. Of the mysteries III. HERMAS. of the church follow goodness, if he shall prefer | black, are those who have revolted from the faith ; and spoken wicked things against the Lord; and betrayed the servants of God. the part of sin; than he who offends without knowing the power of God? 172 Wherefore these are indeed ordained unto death; but they who have known the Lord, and have seen his wonderful works, if they shall live wickedly, they shall be doubly punished, and shall die for ever. 173 As therefore thou hast seen that after the stones were cast out of the tower, which had been rejected; they were delivered to wicked and cruel spirits ; and thou beheldest the tower so cleansed, as if it had all been made made of one stone: 174 So the church of God, when it shall be purified: (the wicked and counterfeits, the mischievous and doubtful, and all that have behaved themselves wickedly in it, and committed divers kinds of sin, being cast out) shall become one body, and there shall be one understanding, one opinion, one faith, and the same charity. 175 And then shall the Son of God rejoice among them, and shall receive his people with a pure will. 176 And I said; Sir, all these things are great and honourable; but now shew unto me the effect and force of every mountain : that every soul which trusteth in the Lord, when it shall hear these things may honour his great, and wonderful, and holy name. 177 Hear, said he, the variety of these mountains, that is, of the twelve nations. 178They who have believed of the first mountain, which is 179 These are condemned to death, there is no repentance for them and therefore they are black, because their kind is wicked. 5 180 Of the second mountain which was smooth, are the hypocrites, who have believed, and the teachers of naughtiness: and these are next to the foregoing, which have not in them the fruit of righteousness. 181 For as their mountain is barren and without fruit; so also such kind of men have indeed the name of Christians, but are empty of faith; nor is there any fruit of the truth in them. 182 Nevertheless there is room left to them of repentance, if they shall suddenly pursue it: but if they shall delay, they also shall be partakers of death with the foregoing kind. 183 I said, Sir, why is there room left to those for repentance, and not to the foregoing kind, seeing their sins are well nigh the same? 184 There is therefore, said he, to these a return unto life by repentance, because they have not blasphemed against their Lord, nor betrayed the servants of God: but by their desire of gain have deceived men, leading them according to the lusts of sinners; wherefore they shall suffer for this thing. 185 Howbeit there is still left them room for repentance, because they have not spoken any thing wickedly against the Lord. 186 Lat. Virtutem. Vid. Orig. Philocal. c. viii. They who are of the militant and SIMILITUDE IX. triumphant. third mountain which had thorns | others who carry the Lord in their and brambles, are those who believed, but were some of them rich, others taken up with many affairs the brambles are their riches the thorns, those affairs in which they were engaged. 187 Now they who are entangled in much business, and in diversity of affairs, join not themselves to the servants of God, but wander, being called away by those affairs with which they are choked. 1 188 And so they which are rich, with difficulty yield themselves to the conversation of the servants of God; fearing lest anything should be asked of them. These therefore shall hardly enter into the kingdom of God. 189 For as men walk with difficulty bare-foot over thorns, even 80 these kind of men shall scarcely enter into the kingdom of God. 190 Nevertheless there is afforded to all these a return unto repentance; if that they shall quickly return to it; that because in their former days they have neglected to work, in the time that is to come they may do some good. 191 If therefore having repented they shall do the works of righteousness, they shall live; but if they shall continue in their evil courses, they shall be delivered to those women that will take away their life. 192 As for the fourth mountain, which had many herbs, the upper part of which is but green, the roots dry, and some of which being touched with the heat of the sun are withered; 193 It denotes the doubtful, who have believed, and some tongues, but have him not in their heart: therefore their grass is dry, and without root; because they live only in words, but their works are dead. 194 These therefore are neither dead nor living, and withal are doubtful. For the doubtful are neither green nor dry; that is, neither dead nor alive. 195 For as the herbs dry away at the sight of the sun; so the doubtful as soon as they hear of persecution, and fear inconveniences, return to their idols, and | again serve them, and are ashamed to bear the name of their Lord. 196 This kind of men then is neither dead nor alive; nevertheless these also may live, if they shall presently repent; but if not, they shall be delivered to those women, who shall take away their life. 197 As concerning the fifth mountain that is craggy, and yet has green grass: they are of this kind who have believed, and are faithful indeed, but believe with difficulty; and are bold, and selfconceited; that would be thought to know all things, but really know nothing. 1 Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 178. Not. b. 198 Wherefore, by reason of this confidence, knowledge is departed from them; and a rash presumption is entered into them. 199 But they carry themselves high, and as prudent men; and though they are fools, yet would seem to be teachers. 200 Now by reason of this folly many of them, whilst they magnify themselves, are become vain and empty. For boldness and vain confidence is a very evil spirit. Magnum Dæmonium. are cast away; but others acknowledging their error, have repented, and submitted themselves to those who are knowing. of the churc 201 Wherefore many of these | monish you, that whosoever among you has any such purpose he should lay it aside, and return unto repentance; and the Lord will heal your former sins, if you shall purge yourselves from this evil spirit; but if you shall not do it, ye shall be delivered to him unto death. 202 And to all the rest of this kind there is repentance allowed; forasmuch as they were not so much wicked as foolish, as void of understanding. 203 If these therefore shall repent, they shall live unto God; but if not, they shall dwell with those women, who shall exercise their wickedness upon them. 204 For what concerns the sixth mountain having greater and lesser clefts, they are such as have believed; but those in which were lesser clefts are they who have had controversies among themselves; and by reason of their quarrels languish in the faith; 205 Nevertheless many of these have repented, and so will the rest when they shall hear my commands; for their controversies are but small, and they will easily return unto repentance. 206 But those who have the greater clefts, will be as stiff stones, mindful of grudges and offences, and full of anger among themselves. These therefore are cast from the tower, and refused to be put into its building; for this kind of men shall hardly live. 207 Our God and Lord, who ruleth over all things, and has power over all his creatures, will not remember our offences, but is easily appeased by those who confess their sins but man being languid, mortal, infirm, and full of sins, perseveres in his anger against man; as if it were in his power to save or destroy him. 208 But I, as the angel who am set over your repentance, ad 209 ¶ As for the seventh mountain in which the grass was green and flourishing, and the whole mountain faithful; and all kind of cattle fed upon the grass of it, and the more the grass was eaten so much the more it flourished: 210 They are such as believed, and were always good and upright; and without any differ ences among themselves, but still rejoiced in the servants of God, having put on the spirit of these virgins; and been always forward to shew mercy to all men, readily giving to all men of their labours without upraiding, and without deliberation. 211 Wherefore the Lord seeing their simplicity and innocence, has increased them in the works of their hands, and given them grace in all their works. 212 But I, who am the angel appointed over your repentance, exhort you, that as many as are of this kind would continue in the same purpose, that your seed may not be rooted out for ever. 213 For the Lord hath tried you, and written you into our number; and all your seed shall dwell with the Son of God; for ye are all of his spirit. 214 As concerning the eighth mountain in which were a great many springs, by which every kind of all the creatures of God was watered; they are such as have believed the Apostles which 1 Infancy |