Page images
PDF
EPUB

any repentance of sins, but forgiveness of them.But as to those who have been called to the faith, and since that are fallen into any gross sin, and the Lord hath appointed repentance; because God knoweth the thoughts of all men's hearts, and their infirmities, and the manifold wickedness of the devil, who is always contriving something against the servants of God, and maliciously lays snares for them: therefore our merciful Lord had compassion towards his creature, and appointed that repentance, and gave unto me the power of it. And therefore I say unto thee, if any one after that great and holy calling shall be tempted by the devil and sin, he has one repentance.(k) But if he shall often sin and repent, it shall not profit such a one; for he shall hardly live unto God. And I said, sir, I am restored again to life since I have thus diligently hearkened to these commands; for I perceive, that if I shall not hereafter add any more to my sins, I shall be saved. And he said, thou shalt be saved, and so shall all others, as many as shall observe these commandments.

4. And again I said unto him, sir, seeing thou hearest me patiently, shew me yet one thing more. Tell me, saith he, what it is. And I said, if a husband or wife die, and the party which survives marry again does he sin in so doing? He that marries,() says he, sins not; howbeit if he remain single, he shall thereby gain to himself great honour before the Lord; keep therefore thy chastity and modesty, and thou shalt live unto God: observe from henceforth those things which I speak with thee, and command thee to ob serve, from the time that I have been delivered unto thee,(m) and dwell in thy house; so shall thy former sins be forgiven, if thou shalt keep these my command

(k) Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. p. 60 61.

(1) Vid. Not. Coteler. in lcc. p. 64 B. C. Rom. vii. 3. comp. 1 Cor. vii.

(m) MS. Lamb. melius. Ex quo mihi traditus es: That thou has been delivered unto me, and I dwell, &c..

ments. And in like manner shall all others be for-. given, who shali observe these my commandments.

COMMAND V.

OF THE SADNESS OF THE HEART; AND OF PATIENCE.

1. BE patient, says he, and long-suffering; so shalt thou have dominion over all wicked works, and shalt fulfil all righteousness. For if thou shalt be patient, the holy spirit which dwelleth in thee shall be pure, and not be darkened by any evil spirit; but being full of joy shall be enlarged, and feast in the body in which it dwells,(p) and serve the Lord with joy, and in great peace. But if any anger shall overtake thee, presently the holy spirit which is in thee, will be straightened, and seek to depart from thee. For he is choaked by the evil spirit; and has not the liberty of serving the Lord as he would, for he is grieved by anger. When therefore both these spirits dwell together, it is destructive to a man. (t) As if one should take a little wormwood, and put it into a vessel of honey, the whole honey would be corrupted; and a great quantity of honey is spoiled by a very little wormwood, and loses the sweetness of honey, and is no longer acceptable to its Lord; because the whole honey is made bitter, and loses its use. But if no wormwood be put into the honey, it is sweet and profitable to its Lord. Thus is forbearance sweeter than honey, and profitable to the Lord who dwelleth in it. But anger is unprofitable. If therefore anger shall be

(p) MS. Lamb. melius, Cum. Vase: Et Gr. with the body, or vessel.

(t) Both Athanasius and Antiochus add here these words, omitted in our copies: " for in forbearance [or long-suffering] the Lord dwelleth, but in bitterness the devil."

mixed with forbearance, the soul is distressed, and its prayer is not profitable with God. And I said unto him, sir, I would know the sinfulness of anger, that I may keep myself from it. And he said unto me, thou shalt know it; and if thou shalt not keep thyself from it, thou shalt lose thy hope with all thy house. Wherefore depart from it. For I the messenger of righteousness am with thee; and all that depart from it, as many as shall repent with all their hearts, shall live unto God; and I will be with them, and will keep them all. For all such as have repented, have been justified by the most Holy Messenger, who is a minister of salvation.

2. And now, says he, hear the wickedness of anger; how evil and hurtful it is, and how it overthrows the servants of God: for it cannot hurt those that are full of faith,(x) because the power of God is with them; but it overthrows the doubtful, and those that are destitute of faith. For as often as it sees such men, it casts itself into their hearts; and so a man or woman is in bitterness for nothing for the things of life, or for sustenance, or for a vain word, if any should chance to fall in; or by reason of any friend, or for a debt; or for any other superfluous things of the like nature. For these things are foolish, and su perfluous, and vain to the servants of God. But equanimity is strong, and forcible; and of great power, and sitteth in great enlargement; is cheerful, rejoicing in peace, and glorifying God at all times with meekness. (a) And this long-suffering dwells with those that are full of faith. But anger is foolish, and light, and empty. Now bitterness is bred through folly; by bitterness, anger; by anger, fury. And this fury arising from so many evil principles, worketh a great and uncurable sin. For when all these things

(x) Gr. Work upon. Et MS. Lamb. facere.

(a) In the Greek of Athanasius and Antiochus, the sense is fuller, having nothing of bitterness in itself, and continuing always in meek. ness and quietness,

are in the same man, in which the holy spirit dwells, the vessel cannot contain them, but runs over; and because the spirit being tender cannot tarry with the evil one; it departs and dwells with him that is meek. When therefore it is departed from the man in whom it dwelt, that man becomes destitute of the holy spirit, and is afterwards filled with wicked spirits, (c) and is blinded with evil thoughts. Thus does it happen to all angry men. Wherefore depart thou from anger, and put on equanimity, and resist wrath; so shalt thou be found with modesty and chastity by God. (d) Take good heed therefore that thou neglect not this commandment. For if thou shalt obey this command, then shalt thou also be able to observe the other commandments which I shall command thee. Wherefore, strengthen thyself now in these commands, that thou mayest live unto God. And whosoever shall observe these commandments shall live unto God.

COMMAND VI.

THAT EVERY MAN HAS TWO ANGELS,(e) AND OF THE

SUGGESTIONS OF BOTH.

1. I COMMAND thee, said he, in my first com mandment, that thou shouldest keep faith, and fear, and repentance.(f) Yes, sir, said I. He continued;

(c) In the Gr. of Athanasius follow these words, omitted in the Latin verse of Hermas; "and is unstable in all his doings, being drawn hither and thither by wicked men."

(d) In the Gr. of Athanasius it runs better thus, "applauded with reverence, by those who are beloved of God."

(e) Vid. Coteler. Annot in loc. pag. 67, 68. Comp. Edit. Oxon. p. 61. Not. a.

(f) Lat. Pœnitentiam. It should rather be Abstinentiam; as in the Gr. of Athanasius; as appears by the first commandment which is here referred to.

but now I will shew thee the virtues of these commands, that thou mayest know their effects; how they are prescribed alike to the just and unjust. Do thou therefore believe the righteous, but give no credit to the unrighteous. For righteousness keepeth the right way, but unrighteousness the wicked way. Do thou therefore keep the right way, and leave that which is evil. For the evil way has not a good end, but hath many stumbling blocks; it is rugged and full of thorns, and leads to destruction; and is hurtful to all such as walk in it. But they who go in the right way, walk with evenness, and without offence; because it is not rough nor thorny. Thou seest therefore, how it is best to walk in this way. Thou shalt therefore go, says he, and all others, as many as believe in God with all their heart, shall go through it.

2. And now, says he, understand first of all what belongs to faith.(h) There are two angels with man; one of righteousness, the other of iniquity. And I said unto him, sir, how shall I know that there are two such angels with man? Hear, says he, and understand. The Angel of righteousness is mild, and modest, and gentle, and quiet. When therefore he gets into thy heart, immediately he talks with thee of righteousness, of modesty, of chastity, of bountyfulness, of forgiveness, of charity, and piety. When all these things come into thy heart, know then that the angel of righteousness is with thee. Wherefore hearken to this angel and to his works. Learn also the works of the angel of iniquity. He is first of all bitter, and angry, and foolish; and his works are pernicious, and overthrow the servants of God. When therefore these things come into thy. heart, thou shalt know by his works, that this is the angel of iniquity. And I said unto him, sir, how shall I understand these things? Hear, says he, and understand. When anger overtakes thee, or bitterness, know that he is in

(h) Vid. Antioch. Hom. Ixi, Comp. Orig. L. iii. De Princip. Et. in Luc. Hom. xxxv.

« PreviousContinue »