The Shepherd of Hermas

Hermas

Hermas. The Apostolic Fathers with an English translation by Kirsopp Lake. In Two Volumes. Vol. II. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd. 1913

After you have made known these words to them, which the

Master commanded me to reveal to you, all the sins which they have formerly committed shall be forgiven them, and they shall be forgiven to all the saints who have sinned up to this day,[*](This is the main point of the Shepherd. The primitive teaching was that for sin after baptism no repentance is possible (cf. Heb. vi.). Hermas now states that it has been revealed to him that up to this day, i.e. the time of his revelation, sin will be forgiven to the repentant. But this offer of forgiveness will not be made a second time.) if they repent with their whole heart, and put aside double-mindedness from their heart.

For the Master has sworn to his elect by his glory that if there be still sin after this day has been fixed, they shall find no salvation; for repentance for the just has an end; the days of repentance have been fulfilled for all the saints, but for the heathen repentance is open until the last day.

You shall say, then, to the leaders of the Church, that they reform their ways in righteousness, to receive in full the promises with great glory.

You, therefore, who work righteousness, must remain steadfast and be not double-minded, that your passing may be with the holy angels.[*](Cf. Herm. Sim. ix, 25 and Martyr. Polycarp, ii 3 with the note on the latter passage as to the doctrine of a transformation of the just into angels after their death.) Blessed are you, as many as endure the great persecution which is coming, and as many as shall not deny their life.

For the Lord has sworn by his Son that those who have denied their Christ have been rejected from their life, that is, those who shall now deny him in the days to come.

But those who denied him formerly have obtained forgiveness through his great mercy.

But, Hermas, no longer bear a grudge against your children, nor neglect your sister, that they may be cleansed from their former sins. For they will be corrected with righteous correction, if you bear no grudge against them. The bearing of grudges works death. But you, Hermas, had great troubles of your own because of the transgressions of your family, because you did not pay attention to them. But you neglected them and became entangled in their evil deeds.

But you are saved by not having broken away from the living God, and by your simplicity and great temperance. These things have saved you, if you remain in them, and they save all whose deeds are such, and who walk in innocence and simplicity. These shall overcome all wickedness and remain steadfast to eternal life.

Blessed, are all they who do righteousness ; they shall not perish for ever.

But you shall say to Maximus: Behold, persecution is coming, if it seems good to you deny the faith again, The Lord is near those that turn to him, as it is written in the Book of Eldad and Modat,[*](This book is mentioned among the Apocrypha of the N.T. in the Athanasian Synopsis and in the Stichometry of Nicephorus, but is not extant. It is thought to be quoted in II Clem. xi. 2. Eldad and Modat are mentioned in Numbers xi. 26.) who prophesied to the people in the wilderness.