younger and more graceful with each vision; the second is the Angel of
Penance to whose care Hermas has been entrusted.
The Shepherd is divided into three parts, namely, five Visions,
twelve
Commandments, and ten Parables. Together, they insist upon virtues and
good works, faith, fear of the Lord, chastity, simplicity, patience,
temperance, truthfulness, and the discernment of prophets. Hermas
possessed the qualities of a excellent moralist with a deep sense of divine
mercy. His work achieved a great deal of good in the early centuries.
Extracts
Vis 2, 2, 1
“After fifteen days during which I fasted and prayed much to the Lord, the
knowledge of the writing was revealed to me…”
Vis 2, 4, 3
“Therefore shall you write two little books and send one to Clement and one to
Grapte. Clement shall then send it to the cities abroad, because that is his duty;
and Grapte shall instruct the widows and the orphans. But you shall read it in this
city along with the presbyters who are in charge of the Church.”
Mand. 4, 1, 4
“What then, sir,”
said I, “shall the husband do, if the wife continue in this
disposition? (i.e., adultery).” “Let him divorce her,” he said, “and let the husband
remain single. But if he divorce his wife and marry another, he too commits
adultery.” “If, then, sir,” said I, “after the wife be divorced, she repent and wish to
return to her own husband, is she not to be received?” “Indeed,” he said, “if the
husband does not receive her, he sins and brings great sin upon himself. It is
necessary, in fact, to receive the sinner who repents…”
Par 5, 3, 2
“Thus, then, shall you observe the fasting which you intend to keep. First of all, be
on your guard against every evil word, and every evil desire, and purify your heart
from all the vanities of this world. If you guard against these things, your fasting
will be perfect. And you will do also as follows. Having fulfilled what is written, in
the day on which you fast you will taste nothing but bread and water; and having
reckoned up the price of the dishes of that day which you intended to have eaten,
you will give it to a widow, or an orphan, or to some person in want, and thus you
will exhibit humility of mind, so that he who has received benefit from your
humility may fill his own soul, and pray for you to the Lord. If you observe fasting,
as I have commanded you, your sacrifice will be acceptable to God, and this
 |
 |
 |