Page:Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 1.djvu/343

Chap. ii.

Fifteen days after, when I had fasted and prayed much to the Lord, the knowledge of the writing was revealed to me. Now the writing was to this effect: "Your seed, O Hermas, has sinned against God, and they have blasphemed against^[1] the Lord, and in their great wickedness they have betrayed their parents. And they passed as traitors of their parents, and by their treachery did they not^[2] reap profit. And even now they have added to their sins lusts and iniquitous pollutions, and thus their iniquities have been filled up. But make known^[3] these words to all your children, and to your wife, who is to be your sister. For she does not^[4] restrain her tongue, with which she commits iniquity; but, on hearing these words, she will control herself, and will obtain mercy. For after you have made known to them these words which my Lord has commanded me to reveal to you,^[5] then shall they be forgiven all the sins which in former times they committed, and forgiveness will be granted to all the saints who have sinned even to the present day, if they repent with all their heart, and drive all doubts from their minds. For the Lord has sworn by His glory, in regard to His elect, that if any one of them sin after a certain day which has been fixed, he shall not be saved. For the repentance of the righteous has limits. Filled up are the days of repentance to all the saints; but to the heathen, repentance will be possible even to the last day. You will tell, therefore, those who preside over the church, to direct their ways in righteousness, that they may receive in full the promises with great glory. Stand stedfast, therefore, ye who work righteousness, and doubt not,^[6] that your passage^[7] may be with the

1. God…against, omitted in Vat.
2. Not, omitted in Vat.
3. Make known. Rebuke with these words.—Vat.
4. Let her restrain her tongue.—Vat.
5. For…you. For she will be instructed, after you have rebuked her with those words which the Lord has commanded to be revealed to you.—Vat.
6. Doubt not. And so act.—Vat.
7. Passage. Your journey.—Pal.