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

Do you see, said he, the crowd which is building the tower? Yes, Sir, said I, I see it. They, said he, are all glorious angels; by these then the Lord[*](It is noteworthy that here the Lord is for the moment identified with the tower.) has been walled round. But the gate is the Son of God, this is the only entrance to the Lord. No man can enter in to him otherwise, than through his Son.

So[*](The six men) you see, said he, the six men, and the glorious and great man in their midst, who is walking round the tower and rejected the stones from the building? Yes, Sir, said I, I see him.

The glorious man, said he, is the Son of God, and[*](The glorious man)

those six are glorious angels supporting him on the right hand and on the left. None of these glorious angels, said he, can enter into God’s presence without him. Whoever receives not his name shall not enter into the kingdom of God.

But, said I, what is the tower? This[*](The Tower) tower, said he, is the Church.