Of the building of the church triumphant,
and of the several sorts of reprobates.
THE vision which I saw, brethren,
was this.
2 When I had often fasted and
prayed unto the Lord, that he
would manifest unto me the
revelation, which he had promised
by the old woman to show unto me;
the same night she appeared unto
me, and said unto me,
3 Because thou dost thus afflict
thyself, and art so desirous to know
all things, come into the field,
where thou wilt, and about the
sixth hour, I will appear unto thee,
and show thee what thou must
see.
4 I asked her, saying; Lady,
into what part of the field? She
answered, wherever thou wilt, only
choose a good and a private place.
And before I began to speak and
tell her the place, she said unto
me; I will come where thou wilt.
5 I was therefore, brethren in
the field and I observed the hours,
and came into the place where I
had appointed her to come.
6 And I beheld a bench placed;
it was a linen pillow, and over it
spread a covering of fine linen.
7 When I saw these things ordered
in this manner, and that there was
nobody in the place, I began to be
astonished, and my hair stood on end,
and a, kind of horror seized me;
for I was alone.
8 But being come to myself,
and calling to mind the glory of
God, and taking courage, I fell
down upon my knees and began
again to confess my sins as before.
9 And whilst I was doing this,
the old woman came thither with
the six young men whom I had
seen before, and stood behind me
as I was praying, and heard me
praying and confessing my sins
unto the Lord.
10 And touching me, she said;
Leave off praying now only for thy
sins; pray also for righteousness,
that thou mayest receive a part of
it in thy house.
11 And she lifted me up from
the place, and took me by the
hand, and brought me to the seat;
and said to the young men, go,
and build.
12 As soon as they were departed,
and we were alone, she said unto me;
sit here. I answered her; Lady,
let those who are elder sit first.
She replied, Sit down as I bid you.
13 And when I would have sat
on the right side, she suffered me
not, but made a sign to me with
her hand, that I should sit on the
left.
14 As I was therefore musing,
and full of sorrow, that she would
not suffer me to sit on the right
side, she said unto me, Hermas,
why art thou sad?
15 The place which is on the
right hand is theirs who have
already attained unto God, and have
suffered for his name-sake. But
there is yet a great deal remaining
unto thee, before thou canst sit
with them.
16 But continue as thou doest,
in thy sincerity, and thou shalt sit
with them; as all others shall,
who do their works, and shall bear
what they have borne.
17 I said to her; Lady, I would
know what it is that they have
suffered? Hear then, said she:
wild beasts, scourgings,
imprisonments, and crosses
for his name-sake.
18 For this cause the right hand
of holiness belongs to them, and
to all others as many as shall
suffer for the name of God; but
the left belongs to the rest.
19 Howbeit the gifts and the
promises belong to both, to them
on the right, and to those on the
left hand; only that sitting on the
right hand they have some glory
above the others.
20 But thou art desirous to sit
on the right hand with them, and
yet thy defects are many. But
thou shalt be purged from thy
defects, as also all who doubt not
shall be cleansed from all the sins
which they have committed unto
this day.
21 And when she had said this
she would have departed.
22 Wherefore, falling down before
her feet, I began to entreat her,
for the Lord's sake, that she
would show me the vision which
she had promised.
23 Then she again took me by
the hand, and lifted me up, and
made me sit upon the seat at the
left side; and holding up a certain
bright wand, said unto me, Seest
thou that great thing? I replied,
Lady, I see nothing.
24 She answered, Dost thou not
see over against thee a great tower,
which is built upon the water with
bright square stones?
25 For the tower was built upon
a square by these six young men
that came with her.
26 But many thousand of other
men brought stones; some drew
them out of the deep, others
carried them from the ground,
and gave them to the six young men;
and they took them and built.
27 As for those stones which
were drawn out of the deep, they
put them all into the building;
for they were polished, and their
squares exactly answered one another,
and so one was joined in such wise
to the other, that there was no
space to be seen where they
joined, insomuch that the whole
tower appeared to be built as it
were of one stone.
28 But as for the other stones
that were taken off from the
ground, some of them they rejected,
others they fitted into the building.
29 As for those which were rejected,
some they cut out, and cast them
at a distance from the tower;
but many others of them lay round
about the tower, which they made
no use of in the building.
30 For some of these were
rough, others had clefts in them,
others were white and round, not
proper for the building of the
tower.
31 But I saw the other stones
cast afar off from the tower, and
falling into the high-way, and yet
not continuing in the way, but
were rolled from the way into a
desert place.
32 Others I saw falling into the
fire and burning; others fell near
the water, yet could not roll
themselves into it, though very
desirous to fall into the water.
33 And when she had showed
me these things she would have
departed; but I said to her, Lady,
what doth it profit me to see these
things, and not understand what
they mean?
34 She answered and said unto
me; You are very cunning, in
that you are desirous to know
those things which relate to the
tower. Yea, said I, lady, that I
may declare them unto the brethren,
and they may rejoice, and hearing
these things may glorify God
with great glory.
35 Then she said, Many indeed
shall hear them, and when they
shall have heard them, some shall
rejoice, and others weep. And
yet even these, if they shall
repent, shall rejoice too.
36 Hear therefore what I shall
say concerning the parable of the
tower, and after this be no longer
importunate with me about the
revelation.
37 For these revelations have
an end, seeing they are fulfilled.
But thou dost not leave off to
desire revelations, for thou art
very urgent.
38 As for the tower which thou
seest built, it is myself, namely,
the church, which have appeared
to thee both now and heretofore.
Wherefore ask what thou wilt
concerning the tower, and I will
reveal it unto thee, that thou
mayest rejoice with the saints.
39 I said unto her, Lady,
because thou hast thought me once
worthy to receive from thee the
revelation of all these things,
declare them unto me.
40 She answered me, Whatsoever
is fit to be revealed unto thee
shall be revealed: only yet thy
heart be with the Lord, and doubt
not, whatsoever thou shalt see.
41 I asked her, Lady, why is the
tower built upon the water? She
replied, I said before to thee that
thou wert very wise to inquire
diligently concerning the building,
therefore thou shalt find the truth.
42 Hear therefore why the tower
is built upon the water: because
your life is and shall be saved by
water. For it is founded by the
word of the almighty and honourable
name, and is supported by the
invisible power and virtue of God.
43 And I answering, said
unto her, These things are very
admirable; but, lady, who are
those six young men that build?
44 They are, said she, the angels
of God, who were first appointed,
and to whom the Lord has delivered
all his creatures, to frame and
build them up, and to rule over
them. For by these the building
of the tower shall be finished.
45 And who are the rest who
bring them stones?
46 They also are the holy angels
of the Lord; but the others are
more excellent than these. Wherefore
when the whole building of the
tower shall be finished, they
shall all feast together beside
the tower, and shall glorify God,
because the structure of the
tower is finished.
47 I asked her, saying, I would
know the condition of the stones,
and what the meaning of them
is?
48 She answering, said unto
me, Art thou better than all others
that this should be revealed unto
thee? For others are both before
thee and better than thou art,
to whom these visions should be
made manifest.
49 Nevertheless, that the name
of God may be glorified, it has been
shown and shall be revealed unto
thee, for the sake of those who are
doubtful, and think in their hearts
whether these things are so or not.
50 Tell them that all these
things are true, and that there is
nothing in them that is not true
but all are firm and truly
established.
51 Hear now then concerning
the stones that are in the building.
52 The square and white stones
which agree exactly in their joints,
are the apostles, and bishops, and
doctors, and ministers, who
through the mercy of God have
come in, and governed, and taught
and ministered holily and modestly
to the elect of God, both they
that have fallen asleep, and which
yet remain; and have always
agreed with them, and have had
peace within themselves, and have
heard each other.
53 For which cause their joints
exactly meet together in the building
of the tower.
54 They which are drawn out
of the deep and put into the
building, and whose joints agree
with the other stones which are
already built, are those which are
already fallen asleep, and have
suffered for the sake of the Lord's
name.
55 And what are the other
stones, lady, that are brought
from the earth? I would know
what are they.
56 She answered, They which
lie upon the ground and are not
polished, are those which God has
approved, because they have
walked in I the law of the Lord,
and directed their ways in his
commandments.
57 They which are brought and
put in the building of the tower,
are the young in faith and the
faithful. And these are admonished
by the angels to do well because
iniquity is not found in them.
58 But who are those whom they
rejected, and laid beside the tower?
59 They are such as have sinned
and are willing to repent; for
which cause they are not cast far
from the tower, because they will
be useful for the building, if they
shall repent.
60 They therefore that are yet
to repent, if they repent they shall
become strong in the faith; that
is, if they repent now, whilst the
tower is building. For if the
building shall be finished there
will then be no place for them to
be put in, but they shall be rejected;
for he only has this privilege who
shall now be put into the tower.
61 But would you know who
they are that were cut out, and
cast afar off from the tower?
Lady said I, I desire it.
62 They are the children of iniquity,
who believed only in hypocrisy,
and departed not from their evil
ways; for this cause they shall not
be saved, because they are not of
any use in the building by reason
of their sins.
63 Wherefore they are cut out,
and cast afar off, because of the
anger of the Lord, and because
they have provoked him to anger
against them.
64 As for the great number of
other stones which thou hast seen
placed about the tower, but now
put into the building; those which
are rugged, are they who have
known the truth, but have not
continued in it, nor been joined
to the saints, and therefore are
unprofitable.
65 Those that have clefts in
them, are they that keep up discord
in their hearts against each other,
and live not in peace; that are
friendly when present with their
brethren, but as soon as they are
departed from one another, their
wickedness still continues in
their hearts: these are the clefts
which are seen in those stones.
66 Those that are maimed and
short, are they who have believed
indeed, but still are in great
measure full of wickedness; for
this cause they are maimed and
not whole.
67 But what are the white and
round stones, lady, and which are
not proper for the building of the
tower?
68 She answering said unto
me: How long wilt thou continue
foolish and without understanding,
asking everything and discerning
nothing?
69 They are such as have faith
indeed, but have withal the riches
of this present world. When
therefore any troubles arise, for
the sake of their riches and traffic,
they deny the Lord.
70 I answering, said unto her,
When therefore will they be
profitable to the Lord? When their
riches shall be cut away, says she,
in which they take delight, then
they will be profitable unto the
Lord for his building.
71 For as a round stone, unless
it be cut away and is cast somewhat
of its bulk, cannot be made square,
so they who are rich in this world;
unless their riches be pared off;
cannot be made profitable unto the
Lord.
72 Learn this from thy own
experience: when thou wert rich,
thou wast unprofitable; but now
thou art profitable, and fit for the
life which thou hast undertaken;
for thou also once was one of
those stones.
73 As for the rest of the stones
which thou sawest cast afar
off from the tower, and running in
the way, and tumbled out of the
way into desert places; they are
such as have believed indeed,
but through their doubting have
forsaken the true way, thinking that
they could find a better. But they
wander and are miserable, going
into desolate ways.
74 Then for those stones which
fell into the fire and were burnt,
they are those who have for ever
departed from the living God;
nor doth it ever come into their
hearts to repent, by reason of the
affection which they bear to their
lusts and wickedness which they
commit.
75 And what are the rest which
fell by the water, and could not
roll into the water?
76 They are such as have heard
the word, and were willing to be
baptised in the name of the Lord;
but considering the great holiness
which the truth requires, have
withdrawn themselves, an walked
again after wicked lusts.
77 Thus she finished the
explanation of the tower.
78 But I being still urgent,
asked her, Is there repentance
allowed to all those stones which
are thus cast away, and were not
suitable to the building of the
tower; and shall they find place
in this tower?
79 They may repent, said she,
yet they cannot come into this
tower; but, they shall be placed
in a much lower rank, and then
only after they shall have been
afflicted and fulfilled the days of
their sins.
80 And for this cause they shall
be removed, because they have
received the word of righteousness:
and then they shall be translated
from their afflictions, if they
shall have a true sense in their
hearts of what they have done amiss.
81 But if they shall not have
this sense in their hearts, they
shall not be saved by reason of
the hardness of their hearts.
82 When therefore I had done
asking her concerning all these
things, she said unto me, Wilt
thou see something else? And
being desirous of seeing it,
I became very cheerful of
countenances.
83 She therefore looking back
upon me, and smiling a little, said
unto me, Seest thou seven women
about the tower? Lady, said I,
I see them.
84 This tower, replied she, is
supported by them, according to
the command of the Lord: hear
therefore the effects of them.
85 The first of them, which
holds fast with her hand, is called
Faith; The next, which is girt
up, and looks manly, is named
Abstinence: she is the daughter
of Faith.
86 Whosoever therefore shall
follow her shall be happy in all
his life, because he shall abstain
from all evil works, believing that
if he shall contain himself from
all concupiscence, he shall be
the heir of eternal life. And
what, lady, said I, are the other
five?
87 They are, replied she, the
daughters of one another. The
first of them is called Simplicity;
the next Innocence; the third
Modesty; then Discipline; and
the last of all is Charity. When
therefore thou shalt have fulfilled
the works of their mother, thou
shalt be able to do all things.
88 Lady, said I, I would know
what particular virtue every one
of these has.
89 Hear then, replied she;
they have equal virtues, and their
virtues are knit together, and
follow one another as they were
born.
90 From Faith proceeds Abstinence;
from Abstinence, Simplicity; from
Simplicity, Innocence; from Innocence,
Modesty; from Modesty, Discipline
and Charity. Therefore the works
of these are holy, and chaste, and
right.
91 Whoever therefore shall
serve these, and hold fast to their
works, he shall have his dwelling
in the tower with the saints of
God.
92 Then I asked her concerning
the times, whether the end were
now at hand?
93 But she cried out with a loud
voice, saying, O foolish man!
Dost thou not see the tower yet a
building? When therefore the
tower shall be finished, and built,
it shall have an end; and indeed
it shall soon be accomplished.
94 But do not ask me any more
questions. What has been said
may suffice thee and all the saints
for the refreshment of your spirits.
For these things have not been
revealed to thee only, but that
thou mayest make them manifest
unto all.
95 For therefore, O Hermas,
after three days thou must understand
these words which I begin
to speak unto thee, that thou
mayest speak them in the ears of
the saints; that when thou shall
have heard and done them, they
may be cleansed from their
iniquities, and thou together
with them.
96 Hear me therefore, O my
sons! I have bred you up in much
simplicity, and innocency, and
modesty, for the love of God,
which has dropped down upon
you in righteousness, that you
should be sanctified and justified
from all sin and wickedness; but
ye will not cease from your evil
doings.
97 Now therefore hearken unto
me, and have peace one with another,
and visit one another, and receive
one another, and do not enjoy
the creatures of God alone.
98 Give freely to them that are
in need. For some by too free
feeding contract an infirmity in
their flesh, and do injury to their
bodies; whilst the flesh of others,
who have not food, withers away,
because they want sufficient
nourishment, and the bodies are
consumed.
99 Wherefore this intemperance
is hurtful to you, who have, and
do not contribute to them that
want. Prepare for the judgment
that is about to come upon you.
100 Ye that are the more eminent,
search out them that are hungry,
whilst the tower is yet unfinished.
For when the tower shall be finished,
ye shall be willing to do good,
and shall not find any place in it.
101 Beware, therefore, ye that
glory in your riches, lest perhaps
they groan who are in want, and
their sighing come up unto God,
and ye be shut out with your goods
without the gate of the tower.
102 Behold I now warn you who
are set over the church, and love
the highest seats, be not ye like
unto those that work mischief.
103 And they indeed carry about
their poison in boxes, but ye
contain your poison and infection
in your hearts, and will not purge
them, and mix your sense with a
pure heart, that ye might find
mercy with the Great King.
104 Take heed, my children,
that your dissensions deprive you
not of your lives. How will ye
instruct the elect of God, when
ye yourselves want correction?
Wherefore admonish one another,
and be at peace among yourselves,
that I, standing before your
Father, may give an account
of you unto the Lord.
105 And when she had made
an end of talking with me, the six
young men that built, came and
carried her to the tower; and four
others took up the seat on which
she sat, and they also went away
again to the tower. I saw not the
faces of these, for their backs
were towards me.
106 As she was going away, I
asked her, that she would reveal
to me what concerned the three
forms, in which she had appeared
unto me.
107 But she answering said unto
me, concerning these things
thou must ask some other, that
they may be revealed unto thee.
108 Now, brethren, in the first
vision the last year, she appeared
unto me exceedingly old, and
sitting in a chair.
109 In another vision, she had
indeed a youthful face, but her
flesh and hair were old; but she
talked with me standing, and was
more cheerful than the first time.
110 In the third vision, she was
in all respects much younger, and
comely to the eye; only she had
the hair of an aged person: yet
she looked cheerful, and sat upon
a seat.
111 I was therefore very sad
concerning these things, until I
might understand the vision.
112 Wherefore I saw the same
old woman in a vision of the night
saying unto me, All prayer needeth
humiliation. Fast, therefore, and
thou shalt learn from the Lord
that which thou dost ask. I fasted
therefore one day.
113 The same night a young
man appeared to me and said,
Why dost thou thus often desire
Revelations in thy prayers? Take
heed that by asking many things,
thou hurt not the body. Let these
Revelations suffice thee.
114 Canst thou see more notable
Revelations than those which
thou hast already received?
115 I answered and said unto
him, Sir, I only ask this one
thing upon the account of the
three figures of the old woman
that appeared to me, that the
Revelation may be complete.
116 He answered me, You are
not without understanding, but
your doubts make you so; for as
much as you have not your heart
with the Lord.
117 I replied and said, But we
shall learn these things more
carefully from you.
118 Hear then, says he, concerning
the figures about which you inquire.
119 To begin; in the first vision
she appeared to thee in the shape
of an old woman sitting in, a chair,
because your old spirit was decayed,
and without strength, by reason
of your infirmities, and the
doubtfulness of your heart.
120 For as they who are old
have no hope of renewing
themselves, nor expect any thing
but their departure; so you being
weakened through your worldly
affairs gave yourself up to sloth,
and cast not away your solicitude
from yourself upon the Lord: and
your sense was confused, and you
grew old in your sadness.
121 But, sir, I would know why
she sat upon a chair?
122 He answered, because every
one that is weak sitteth upon a
chair by reason of his infirmity,
that his weakness may be upheld.
Behold therefore the figure of the
first vision.
123 In the second vision you
saw her standing, and having a
youthful face, and more cheerful
than her former; but her flesh
and her hair were ancient. Hear,
said he, this parable also.
124 When any one grows old,
he despairs of himself by reason
of his infirmity and poverty, and
expects nothing but the last day of
his life.
125 But on a sudden an inheritance
is left to him, and he hears of it,
and rises: and being become
cheerful, be puts on new strength.
And now he no longer sits down,
but stands, and is delivered from
his former sorrow; and sits not,
but acts manfully.
126 So you, having heard the
Revelation which God revealed
unto you, because God had
compassion upon you, and renewed
your spirit, both laid aside your
infirmities, and strength came to
you, and you grew strong in the
faith; and God, seeing your
strength, rejoiced.
127 For this cause he showed
you the building of the tower,
and will show other things unto you,
if you shall have peace with all
your heart among each other.
128 But in the third vision you
saw her yet younger, fair and
cheerful, and of a serene
countenance.
129 For, as if some good news
comes to him that is sad, he
straightway forgets his sadness,
and regards nothing else but the
good news which he has heard;
and for the rest he is comforted,
and his spirit is renewed through
the joy which he has received
even so you have been refreshed
in your spirit by seeing these good
things.
130 And for that you saw her
sitting upon a bench, it denotes a
strong position; because a bench
has four feet, and stands strongly.
And even the world itself is upheld
by the four elements.
131 They therefore that repent
perfectly, shall be young; and
they that turn from their sins
with their whole heart, shall
be established.
132 And now you have the
Revelation fully, ask no more
to have any thing farther
revealed unto you.
133 But if any thing is to be
revealed, it shall be made manifest
unto you.