49 world.366 If, then, the whole creation is supported by the Son of God, what think ye of those who are called by Him, and bear the name of the Son of God, and walk in His command- ments? do you see what kind of persons He supports? Those who bear His name with their whole heart. He Himself, accordingly, became a foundation367 to them, and supports them with joy, because they are not ashamed to bear His name.” Chap. XV.368 “Explain to me, sir,” I said, “the names of these virgins, and of those women who were clothed in black raiment.” “Hear,” he said, “the names of the stronger virgins who stood at the corners. The first is Faith,369 the second Continence, the third Power, the fourth Patience. And the others standing in the midst of these have the following names: Simplicity, Inno- cence, Purity, Cheerfulness, Truth, Understanding, Harmony, Love. He who bears these names and that of the Son of God will be able to enter into the kingdom of God. Hear, also,” he continued, “the names of the women who had the black garments; and of these four are stronger than the rest. The first is Unbelief, the second: Incontinence, the third Disobedience, the fourth Deceit. And their followers are called Sorrow, Wickedness, Wantonness, Anger, Falsehood, Folly, Backbiting, Hatred. The servant of God who bears these names shall see, indeed, the kingdom of God, but shall not enter into it.” “And the stones, sir,” I said, “which were taken out of the pit and fitted into the building: what are they?” “The first,” he said, “the ten, viz., that were placed as a foundation, are the first generation, and the twenty-five the second generation, of righteous men; and the thirty-five are the prophets of God and His ministers; and the forty are the apostles and teachers of the preaching of the Son of God.”370 “Why, then, sir,” I asked, “did the virgins carry these stones also through the gate, and give them for the building of the tower?” “Because,” he answered, “these were the first who bore these spirits, and they never departed from each other, neither the spirits from the men nor the men from the spirits, but the spirits remained with them until their falling asleep. And unless they had had these spirits with them, they would not have been of use for the building of this tower.” Chap. XVI. “Explain to me a little further, sir,” I said. “What is it that you desire?” he asked. “Why, sir,” I said, “did these stones ascend out of the pit, and be applied to the building of the 366 [Heb. i. 3. Hermas drips with Scripture like a honeycomb.] 367 [Isa. xxviii. 16; 1 Cor. iii. 11.] 368 This portion of the Leipzig Codex is much eaten away, and therefore the text is derived to a considerable extent from the translations. 369 [The tenacity with which Hermas everywhere exalts the primary importance of Faith, makes it inexcusable that he should be charged with mere legalizing morality.] 370 [Eph. ii. 20; Rev xxi. 14.] 98 Similitude Ninth. The Great Mysteries in the Building of the Militant…