and for the time to come we intend to abide with you, for we love you exceedingly!” But I
was ashamed to remain with them. And she who seemed to be the first among them began
to kiss me. [And the others seeing her kissing me, began also to kiss me], and to lead me
round the tower, and to play with me.359 And I, too, became like a young man, and began
to play with them: for some of them formed a chorus, and others danced, and others sang;
and I, keeping silence, walked with them around the tower, and was merry with them. And
when it grew late I wished to go into the house; and they would not let me, but detained me.
So I remained with them during the night, and slept beside the tower. Now the virgins spread
their linen tunics on the ground, and made me lie down in the midst of them; and they did
nothing at all but pray; and I without ceasing prayed with them, and not less than they. And
the virgins rejoiced because I thus prayed. And I remained there with the virgins until the
next day at the second hour. Then the Shepherd returned, and said to the virgins, “Did you
offer him any insult?” “Ask him,” they said. I said to him, “Sir, I was delighted that I remained
with them.” “On what,” he asked, “did you sup?” “I supped, sir,” I replied, “on the words of
the Lord the whole night.” “Did they receive you well?” he inquired. “Yes, sir,” I answered.
“Now,” he said, “what do you wish to hear first?” “I wish to hear in the order,” I said, “in
which you showed me from the beginning. I beg of you, sir, that as I shall ask you, so also
you will give me the explanation.” “As you wish,” he replied, “so also will I explain to you,
and will conceal nothing at all from you.”
Chap. XII.
“First of all, sir,” I said, “explain this to me: What is the meaning of the rock and the
gate?” “This rock,” he answered, “and this gate are the Son of God.” “How, sir?” I said; “the
rock is old, and the gate is new.” “Listen,” he said, “and understand, O ignorant man. The
Son of God is older than all His creatures, so that He was a fellow-councillor with the
Father in His work of creation:360 for this reason is He old.” “And why is the gate new, sir?”
359 [This curious chapter, be it remembered, is but a dream and a similitude. In the pure homes of Christians,
it is almost unintelligible. Amid the abominations of heathenism, it taught a lesson which afterwards required
enforcement by the canons and stern discipline of the whole Chuirch. The lesson is, that what “begins in the
spirit” may “end in the flesh.” Those who shunning the horrible inpurities of the pagans abused spiritual rela-
tionships as “brothers and sisters,” were on the verge of a precipice. “To the pure, all things are pure;” but they
who presume on this great truth to indulge in kissings and like familiarities are tempting a dangerous downfall.
In this vision, Hermas resorted to “watching and praying;” and the virgins rejoiced because he thus saved himself.
The behaviour of the maidens was what heathen women constantly practiced, and what Christian women, bred
in such habits of life, did, perhaps, without evil thought, relying on their “sun-clad power of chastity.” Nothing
in this picture is the product of Christianity, except the self-masteryinculcated as the only safeguard even amongst
good women. But see “Elucidation,” at end of this book.]
360 [Hermas confirms the doctrine of St. John (i. 3); also Col. i. 15, 16. Of this Athanasius would approve.]
95
Similitude Ninth. The Great Mysteries in the Building of the Militant…