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The Pastor of Hermas
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Introductory Note to The Pastor of Hermas
[345] The Spirit.—Vat. [He is called “the Spirit of Christ” by St. Peter (i. 11); and perhaps this is a key to the non-dogmatic language of Hermas, if indeed he is here speaking of the Holy Spirit personally, and not of the Son exclusively. See Simil. v. 6, Isa. v. 1.]
[346] To a fruitful hill.—Pal. Omitted in Vat. [Hermas delights in the picturesque, and introduces Arcadia in harmony with his pastoral fiction.]
[347] Omitted in Lips.
[348] [As of Eden. Gen. iii. 24;Rev. xxi. 11. The Tsohar.]
[349] [Vision iii. 1, 2.]
[350] All carried the gate.—Pal.
[351] Omitted in Lips.
[352] Omitted in Lips.
[353] And they replied that he would forthwith come.—Vat.
[354] 2 Esdras ii. 43.
[355] Omitted in Lips. The text is from Vat.; slight variations in Pal. And Æth.
[356] Also omitted from Lips. The text is in all the translations.
[357] Omitted in Lips. The text is in all the translations.
[358] [Mark xiii. 36; Matt. xxiv. 46-51.]
[359] [This curious chapter, be it remembered, is but a dream and a similitude. In the pure homes of Christians, it is almost unintelligible. Amid the abominations of heathenism, it taught a lesson which afterwards required enforcement by the canons and stern discipline of the whole Chuirch. The lesson is, that what “begins in the spirit” may “end in the flesh.” Those who shunning the horrible inpurities of the pagans abused spiritual relationships as “brothers and sisters,” were on the verge of a precipice. “To the pure, all things are pure;” but they who presume on this great truth to indulge in kissings and like familiarities are tempting a dangerous downfall. In this vision, Hermas resorted to “watching and praying;” and the virgins rejoiced because he thus saved himself. The behaviour of the maidens was what heathen women constantly practiced, and what Christian women, bred in such habits of life, did, perhaps, without evil thought, relying on their “sun-clad power of chastity.” Nothing in this picture is the product of Christianity, except the self-mastery inculcated as the only safeguard even amongst good women. But see “Elucidation,” at end of this book.]
[360] [Hermas confirms the doctrine of St. John (i. 3); also Col. i. 15, 16. Of this Athanasius would approve.]
[362] His. God’s.—Lips.
[363] [Ex. xxviii. 12, 29.]
[364] Omitted in Lips. The text in Vat. and Pal. The Æth different in form, but in meaning the same.
[365] Lord. God.—Vat.
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