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
Why did she appear to you in the first vision as old and seated on a chair? Because your[*](This your is plural, in contrast to the you in the preceding sentence, which is singular.) spirit is old and already fading away, and has no power through your weakness and double-mindedness.
For just as old people, who have no longer any hope of becoming young again,
look for nothing except their last sleep, so also you, who have been weakened by the occupations of this life, have given yourself up to worry, and have not cast your cares upon the Lord. But your mind was broken, and you grew old in your sorrows.Why, then, I should like to know, did she sit in a chair, sir?Because every sick person sits in a chair because of his sickness, that the weakness of the body may find support. Here you have the type of the first vision.
But in the second vision you saw her standing, and with a more youthful and more cheerful countenance than the former time, but with the body and hair of old age. Listen, he said, also to this parable.
When anyone is old, he already despairs of himself by reason of his weakness and poverty, and expects nothing except the last day of his life. Then an inheritance was suddenly left him, and he heard it, and rose up and was very glad and put on his strength; and he no longer lies down but stands up, and his spirit which was already destroyed by his former deeds is renewed, and he no longer sits still, but takes courage. So also did you, when you heard the revelation, which the Lord revealed to you,
that he had mercy upon you, and renewed your spirit; and you put aside your weakness, and strength came to you, and you were made
mighty in faith, and the Lord saw that you had been made strong and he rejoiced. And for this reason he showed you the building of the tower, and he will show you other things if you remain at peace among yourselves, with all your heart.But in the third vision you saw her young and beautiful and joyful and her appearance was beautiful.
For just as if some good news come to one who is in grief, he straightway forgets his former sorrow, and thinks of nothing but the news which he has heard, and for the future is strengthened to do good, and his spirit is renewed because of the joy which he has received; so you also have received the renewal of your spirits by seeing these good things.
And in that you saw her sitting on a couch, the position is secure, for a couch has four feet and stands securely, for even the world is controlled by four elements.
They, therefore, who have repented shall completely recover their youth and be well founded, because they have repented with all their heart. You have the revelation completed; no longer ask anything about the revelation, but if anything be needed it shall be revealed to you.