and not cheerful?” I answered her and said, “O Lady, I have been reproached by a very good
woman, who says that I sinned against her.” And she said, “Far be such a deed from a servant
of God. But perhaps a desire after her has arisen within your heart. Such a wish, in the case
of the servants of God, produces sin. For it is a wicked and horrible wish in an all-chaste
and already well-tried spirit37 to desire an evil deed; and especially for Hermas so to do,
who keeps himself from all wicked desire, and is full of all simplicity, and of great guileless-
ness.”
Chap. III.
“But God is not angry with you on account of this, but that you may convert your
house,38 which have committed iniquity against the Lord, and against you, their parents.
And although you love your sons, yet did you not warn your house, but permitted them to
be terribly corrupted.39 On this account is the Lord angry with you, but He will heal all the
evils which have been done in your house. For, on account of their sins and iniquities, you
have been destroyed by the affairs of this world. But now the mercy of the Lord40 has taken
pity on you and your house, and will strengthen you, and establish you in his glory.41 Only
be not easy-minded,42 but be of good courage and comfort your house. For as a smith
hammers out his work, and accomplishes whatever he wishes43, so shall righteous daily
speech overcome all iniquity.44 Cease not therefore to admonish your sons; for I know that,
if they will repent with all their heart, they will be enrolled in the Books of Life with the
saints.”45 Having ended these words, she said to me, “Do you wish to hear me read?” I say
37 For … spirit. For this hateful thought ought not to be in a servant of God, nor ought a well-tried spirit to
desire an evil deed.—Vat. [The praise here bestowed on Hermas favours the idea that a second Hermas was the
author.]
38 But that. But God is not angry with you on your own account, but on account of your house, which
has.—Vat.
39 Corrupted. To live riotously.—Vat. [1 Sam. iii. 11, 14. Traditions of the Pauline Hermas may be here pre-
served.]
40 Lord. God.—Vat. [The Montanist dogma representing God as the reverse of (Neh. ix. 17) “gentle and easy
to be entreated” is rebuked.]
41 Will strengthen. Has preserved you in glory.—Vat. Strengthened and established.—Lips. Has saved your
house.—Pal.
42 Easy-minded. Only wander not, but be calm.—Vat. Omitted in Pal.
43 Accomplishes … wishes. And exhibits it to any one to whom he wishes.—Vat.
44 So shall you also, teaching the truth daily, cut off great sin.—Vat.
45 I know … saints. For the Lord knows that they will repent with all their heart, and He will write you in the
Book of Life.—Vat. See Phil. iv. 3; Rev. xx. 15. [He contrasts the mild spirit of the Gospel with the severity of
the Law in the case of Eli.]
15
Vision First. Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the Carelessness of…