Page:Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 1.djvu/358

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344
THE PASTOR OF HERMAS.

the building of the tower; and He will show you other things, if you continue at peace with each other with all your heart.


Chap. xiii.

"Now, in the third vision, you saw her still younger, and she was noble and joyful, and her shape was beautiful.[1] For, just as when some good news comes suddenly to one who is sad, immediately he forgets his former sorrows, and looks for nothing else than the good news which he has heard, and for the future is made strong for good, and his spirit is renewed on account of the joy which he has received; so ye also have received the renewal of your spirits by seeing these good things. As to your seeing her sitting on a seat, that means that her position is one of strength, for a seat has four feet and stands firmly. For the world also is kept together by means of four elements. Those, therefore, who repent completely and with the whole heart, will become young and firmly established. You now have the revelation completely given you. Make no further demands for revelations. If anything ought to be revealed, it will be revealed to you."




VISION FOURTH.


CONCERNING THE TRIAL AND TRIBULATION THAT ARE TO COME UPON MEN.


Chap. i.

Twenty days after the former vision I saw another vision, brethren—a representation of the tribulation that is to come. I was going to a country house along the Campanian road. Now the house lay about ten furlongs from the public road. The district is one rarely[2] traversed. And as I walked alone, I prayed the Lord to complete the revelations which He had made to me through His holy Church, that He might strengthen me,[3] and give repentance to all His servants who were going

  1. Shape … beautiful. Her countenance was serene.—Vat.
  2. Rarely. Easily.—Lips., Sin.
  3. He might strengthen me, omitted in Vat.