The Shepherd of Hermas

Consider this double-mindedness; for it is wicked and foolish, and uproots many from the faith, yes, even those who are very faithful and strong. For this double-mindedness

Despise therefore double-mindedness, and master it in every act, putting on the faith which is strong and powerful. For faith promises all things, perfects all things. But the double-mindedness which has no full faith in itself fails in all deeds which it undertakes.

You see, then, said he, that faith is from above, from the Lord, and has great power; but double-mindedness is an earthly spirit, from the devil, and has no power.

Do you, therefore, serve the faith which has power, and refrain from the double-mindedness which has no power, and you shall live to God, and all who have this mind shall live to God.

Put away, said he, grief from yourself, for[*](Grief) this also is a sister of double-mindedness and bitterness.

How, sir, I said, is she their sister, for it seems to me that bitterness is one thing and double-mindedness is another, and grief another? You are foolish, O man, he said, and do not understand that grief is more evil than all the spirits, and is most terrible to the servants of God, and corrupts man beyond all the spirits, and wears

Yes, sir, said I, I am a foolish man, and do not understand these parables, for how it can wear out and again save, I do not understand.

Listen, he said, those who have never inquired concerning the truth, nor made search concerning the Godhead, but only have faith, and are mixed up with business and riches, and heathen friendships, and many other occupations of this world,—such as are intent on these, do not understand the parables of the Godhead; for they are darkened by these deeds, and are corrupted and become sterile.

Just as good vineyards when they meet with neglect, are made barren by the thorns and various weeds, so men, who have believed, and fall into these many occupations, which have been mentioned above, are deceived in their understanding, and understand nothing completely about righteousness. But even when they listen concerning the Godhead and truth their mind is taken up with their business, and they understand nothing properly.

But they who have the fear of God, and inquire concerning the Godhead and truth, and have their heart towards the Lord, perceive quickly and understand all that is said to them, because they have the fear of the Lord in themselves; for where the Lord dwells, there also is great understanding. Cleave therefore to the Lord, and you shall understand and perceive all things.

Hear, now, said he, foolish man, how grief[*](Grief and the Holy Spirit) wears out the Holy Spirit, and again brings salvation.

When the double-minded undertakes any work, and fails in it because of his double-mindedness, this grief enters into the man, and grieves the Holy Spirit and wears it out.

Then again, when for any matter ill temper cleave to a man, and he become exceedingly bitter, again grief enters into the heart of the ill tempered man, and he is grieved at the act which he did, and repents because he did wickedly.

Therefore this grief seems to bring salvation, because he repented of having done wickedly. Therefore both deeds grieve the Spirit; double-mindedness, because he did not obtain his purpose, and ill temper grieves the Spirit, because he acted wickedly. Both, therefore, are grievous to the Holy Spirit, double-mindedness and ill temper.

Put therefore away from yourself grief, and do not oppress the Holy Spirit which dwells in you, lest it beseech God,[*](Apparently the meaning is beseech God to allow it to depart from the man in whom it is. This is brought out in the variants of A and Ath.) and it depart from you.

For the Spirit of God which is given to this flesh endures neither grief nor oppression.

Put on, therefore, joyfulness, which always[*](Joyfulness) has favour with God and is acceptable to him, and

But the mournful man always does wickedly. First of all he does wickedly because he grieves the Holy Spirit, which is given to man in joyfulness, and secondly he grieves the Holy Spirit by doing wickedly, not praying nor confessing to the Lord. For the intercession of the mournful man has nowhere power to ascend to the altar of God.

Why, said I, does not the intercession of the mournful man ascend to the altar? Because, said he, grief sits in his heart. Therefore, the grief which is mixed with his intercession does not permit the intercession to ascend in purity to the altar. For just as vinegar mixed with wine has not the same agreeableness, so also grief mixed with the Holy Spirit, has not the same power of intercession.

Therefore purify yourself from this wicked grief, and you shall live to God, and all shall live to God who cast away from themselves grief, and put on all joyfulness.