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WHEN I had pray'd at home, and was sate down upon the Bed; a certain Man came in to me with a Reverend Look, in the Habit of a SHEPHERD cloath'd with a white Cloak, having his Bag upon his Back, and his Staff in his Hand, and saluted me. I re∣turn'd his Salutation; and immedi∣ately he sate down by me, and said unto me; I am sent by that Venera∣ble
Messenger, that I should dwell with thee all the remaining Days of thy life. But I thought that he was come to try me, and said unto him, Who are you? For I know to whom I am delivered. He said unto me, Do you not know me? I answer'd, No. I am, said he, that SHEPHERD, to whose Care you are delivered. Whilst he was yet speak∣ing his Shape was changed; and when I knew that it was he to whom I was committed, I was asham'd, and a suddain Fear came upon me, and I was utterly overcome with Sadness, because I had spoken so foolishly un∣to him. But he said unto me, Be not asham'd, but stir up Vertue in thy Mind, through the Commands which I am about to deliver unto thee. For, said he, I am sent to shew unto thee all those things again, which thou hast seen before; and especially such of them as may be of most use unto you. And first of all write my COM∣MANDS and SIMILITUDES, that by often reading of them, you may the more easily ‖ keep them in Memory. Whereupon I wrote his Commands
and Similitudes, as he bad me. Which things if when you have heard, ye shall observe to do them; and shall exercise your selves in them, and walk according to them with a pure Mind; ye shall receive from the LORD those things which he has promised unto you. But if having heard them ye shall not repent, but shall still go on to add to your Sins; ye shall be pu∣nish'd by him. All these things that SHEPHERD, the Angel of Repen∣tance, commanded me to write.
FIRST of all believe that there is One God who created and fi∣nished All things; and made All things out of Nothing. He com∣prehends all things, and is only Im∣mense, not to be comprehended by Any. Who can neither be defined by any Words, nor conceived by the Mind. Therefore believe in him, and fear
him; and fearing him abstain from all Evil. Keep these things, and cast all Iniquity far from thee; and put on Righteousness; and thou shalt live to God, if thou shalt keep this Commandment.
I. HE said unto me; Be inno∣cent and ‖ without disguise; so shalt thou be like an Infant who knows no Malice, which destroys the Life of Man. And especially see that thou speak Evil of None; nor willingly hear any one speak Evil of Any. For if thou shalt hear them, thou shalt be partaker of the Sin of him that speaketh Evil; and by be∣lieving such a one thou also shalt have Sin; because thou believedst him that spake Evil of thy Brother.
Detraction is a pernicious thing; an inconstant † Evil Spirit; that ne∣ver continues in Peace, but is always in Discord. Wherefore refrain thy self from it; and keep Peace ever∣more with thy Brother. Put on a Holy Constancy, in which there are no Sins; but all is full of Joy: and do good of thy Labours. ‖ Give without distinction to all that are in Want; not doubting to whom thou givest. But give to All; for God will have us give to all of † the Goods which he dispenses to us. They therefore that receive shall give an Account to God, both where∣fore they received, and for what End. And they that receive with∣out a real need, shall give an account for it; but he that gives shall be In∣nocent: For he has fulfill'd his Duty as he received it from God; not making any Choice to whom he should give, and to whom not. And this Service he did with Simplicity, and ‖ to the Glory of God. Keep therefore this Command according as I have deliver'd it unto thee; that thy Repentance may be found
to be sincere; and that Good may come to thy House; and have a pure Heart.
‖ MOREOVER he said unto me; Love Truth; and let all the Speech be true which pro∣ceeds out of thy Mouth; that the Spirit which the LORD hath appoint∣ed in thy Flesh may be found true towards all Men; and the LORD be magnified, who hath given such a Spirit unto thee: Because God is true in all his Words, and there is no Lie found in him. But they that lie, deny the LORD; not rendring to God what they received from him. For they received the Spirit without a Lie: if therefore they make that a Lyar, they defile the Command∣ment of the LORD, and become De∣ceivers.
And when I heard this, I wept bitterly. And when he saw me weeping he said unto me; Why weepest thou? And I said; Because, Sir, I doubt whether I can be saved? He ask'd me, Wherefore? I reply'd; Because, Sir, I never spake a true Word in my Life; but always lived in Dissimulation; and affirm'd a Lie for Truth to all Men; and no Man contradicted me, but all gave Credit to my Words. How then can I live, seeing I have done in this manner? And he said unto me; Thou thinkest well, and truly. For thou oughtest, as the Servant of God, to have walked in the Truth, and not have joyn'd an Evil Con∣science with the Spirit of Truth; nor have grieved the Holy and true Spirit of God. And I reply'd unto him; Sir, I never before hearkned so diligently to these things. He answer'd; Now thou hearest them: Take care from henceforth, that even those things which thou hast formerly spoken falsly for the sake of thy Business, may by thy present Truth, receive Credit. For even
those things may be credited, if for the time to come thou shalt speak the Truth: and † by so doing thou mayst attain unto Life. And who∣soever shall hearken unto this Com∣mand, and do it; and shall depart from all Lying, he shall live unto God.
I. FURTHERMORE, said he, I command thee, that thou keep ‖ thy self Chast; and that thou suf∣fer not any thought † of any other Marriage, or of Fornification, to enter into thy Heart; For such a Thought produces a great Sin. But be thou at all times mindful of the LORD, and thou shalt never sin. For if such an Evil Thought should arise in thy Heart, thou wouldst be guil∣ty of a great Sin; and they who do such things, follow the way of Death.
Look therefore to thy self, and keep thy self from such a Thought: For where Chastity remains in the Heart of a Righteous Man, there an Evil Thought ought never to arise. And I said unto him, Sir, Suffer me to speak a little with you. He bad me, Say on. And I answer'd, Sir, If a Man shall have a Wife that is faith∣ful in the LORD, and shall catch her in Adultery; shall a Man sin that continues to live still with her? And he said unto me; As long as he is ignorant of her Sin, he commits no fault in living with her: But if a Man shall know his Wife to have offended; and she shall not repent of her Sin, but go on still in her Fornication, and a Man shall con∣tinue nevertheless to live with her, he shall become guilty of her Sin, and partake with her in her Adulte∣ry. And I said unto him; what therefore is to be done if the Woman continues on in her Sin? He an∣swered; Let her Husband put her away, and let him continue by him∣self. But if he shall put away his Wife, and marry another, he also
shall commit Adultery. And I said; What if the Woman that is so put a∣way shall repent, and be willing to return to her Husband, shall she not be received by him? He said unto me, Yes; and if her Husband shall not receive her, he will sin; and commit a great Offence against him∣self: But he ought to receive her though an Offender, if she repents; only not often. For to the Servants of God there is but one Repentance. And for this Cause a Man that put∣teth away his Wife ought not to take another, because she may re∣pent. This Act is alike both in the Man and in the Woman. Now they commit Adultery, not only who pollute their Flesh, but who also make an Image. ‖ If therefore a Woman perseveres in any thing of this kind, and repents not; depart from her, and live not with her: Otherwise thou also shalt be Par∣taker of her Sin. But it is therefore commanded that both the Man and Woman should remain unmarried, because such Persons may repent. Nor do I in this administer any Oc∣casion
for the doing of these things so; but rather that whoso has offend∣ed should not offend any more. But for their former Sins, God who has the Power of Healing will give a Remedy: For it is he who can do all things.
II. I ASKED him again, and said; Seeing my LORD has thought me worthy with whom to dwell continually; speak a few Words unto me, because I understand no∣thing and my Heart is hardned through my former Conversation; and open my † Understanding be∣cause I am very dull, and apprehend nothing at all. And he answering said unto me; I am the ‖ Minister of Repentance, and give † Under∣standing to all that repent. Do's it not seem to thee to be a very wise thing to repent? Because he that do's so gets a great † Feeling: For he † feels himself to have sinn'd and done wickedly in the sight of the LORD; and he remembers ‖ with∣in himself that he has offended, and repents and do's no more wickedly;
but do's that which is good, and humbles his Soul, and afflicts it, be∣cause he has offended. You see therefore that Repentance is a deep Sense. And I said unto him; For this cause, Sir, I enquire diligently into all things, because I am a Sin∣ner, that I may know what I must do that I may live; and because my Sins are many. And he said unto me; Thou shalt live if thou shalt keep these my Commandments. And whosoever shall hear and do these Commands, shall live unto God.
III. AND I said unto him; I have even now heard from certain Teachers that there is no other Re∣pentance besides that of Baptism; when we go down into the Water, and receive the Forgiveness of our Sins: and that after that, we must sin no more, but live in Purity. And he said unto me, thou hast † been rightly inform'd. Neverthe∣less seeing now thou enquirest dili∣gently into all things, I will mani∣fest this also unto thee; yet not so as to give any Occasion of sinning
either to those who shall hereafter believe, or who have already believ'd in the LORD. For neither they who have already believed, or who shall hereafter believe have any Repen∣tance of Sins, but Forgiveness of them. But as to those who are al∣ready called, the LORD before ‖ that time appointed Repentance: Be∣cause God knoweth the Thoughts of all Mens Hearts, and their Infirmi∣ties; and the manifold Wickedness of the Devil, who is always con∣triving something against the Ser∣vants of God; and maliciously lays Snares for them. Therefore our merciful LORD had Compassion to∣wards his Creature, and appointed that Repentance, and gave unto me the Power of it. And therefore I say unto thee, If any one after that Great and Holy Calling shall be tempted by the Devil and Sin, he has but one Repentance. But if he shall often sin and repent; it shall not profit such a one; for he shall hardly live unto God. And I said, Sir, I am restored again to Life since I have thus diligently hearken'd to
these Commands. For I perceive, that if I shall not hereafter add any more to my Sins, I shall be saved. And he said, Thou shalt be saved; and so shall all others, as many as shall observe these Command∣ments.
IV. AND again I said unto him; Sir, seeing thou hearest me patient∣ly, shew me yet one thing more. Tell me, saith he, what it is. And I said; If a Husband or Wife die, and the Party which survives marry again, do's he sin in so doing? ‖ He that marries (says he) sins not: Howbeit if he shall remain single, he shall thereby gain to himself great Honour with the LORD. Keep therefore thy Chastity, and Mode∣sty; and thou shalt live unto God. Observe from henceforth those things which I speak with thee, and com∣mand thee to observe; from the time that I have been deliver'd un∣to thee, and dwell in thy House. So shall thy former Sins be for∣given, if thou shalt keep these my Commandments. And in like man∣ner
shall all others be forgiven, who shall observe these my Command∣ments.
I. BE Patient, says he, and of an Even-Mind; so shalt thou have Dominion over all Wicked Works, and shalt fulfil all Righte∣ousness. For if thou shalt be Pa∣tient, the Holy Spirit which dwel∣leth in thee shall be pure; and not be darkned by any other Evil Spirit; But being full of Joy shall be en∣larged, and feast in the † Body in which it dwells, and shall appear before the LORD with Joy, and in great Peace. But if any †† Anger shall over-take thee, presently the Holy Spirit which is in thee will be straightned and seek to depart from thee. For he is choaked by the Evil
Spirit; and has not the ‖ Liberty of appearing before the LORD as he would. For he is grieved by †† An∣ger. When therefore both these Spirits dwell together, it is destru∣ctive to a Man. As if one should take a little Wormwood, and put it into a Vessel of Honey, the whole Honey would be spoiled; and a great Quantity of Honey is corrupt∣ed by a very little Wormwood, and loses the Sweetness of Honey, and has no longer any Favour with its Lord; because the whole Honey is made bitter, and loses its Use. But if no Wormwood be put into the Honey it is sweet and profitable to its Lord. Thus is an Equality of Mind sweeter than Honey, and pro∣fitable to the LORD, who dwel∣leth in it. But †† Anger is unpro∣fitable. If therefore †† Anger shall be mixed with Equanimity, the Soul is distress'd, and its Prayer is not profitable ‖ with God. And I said unto him; Sir, I would know the Sinfulness of †† Anger, that I may keep my self from it. And he said unto me, Thou shalt know it;
and if thou shalt not keep thy self from it, thou shalt lose thy Hope with all thy House. Wherefore de∣part from it. For I the Messenger of Righteousness am with thee; and all that depart from it, as many as shall repent with all their Hearts, shall live unto God; and I will be with them, and will keep them all. For all such as have repented, have been justified, by the Messenger which bringeth Salvation.
II. AND now, says he, hear the Wickedness of †† Anger; How E∣vil and Hurtful it is, and how it o∣verthrows the Servants of God. For nothing can hurt those that are full of Faith, Because the ‖ Power of God is with them. But he over∣throws the doubtful, and those that are destitute of Faith: But as often as he sees the other sort, he will cast himself into their Hearts. Let not therefore any Man or Woman be in Bitterness for any thing; whether for such things as they have occasion for here; or for Sustenance; or for any vain Word, if any should chance
to fall in; or by reason of any Friend; or for any Debt; or for any superfluous things of the like Nature. For these things are foolish, and superfluous, and vain to the Servants of God. But Equanimity is strong, and forcible; and of great Power, and sitteth in great Enlarge∣ment; is chearful, rejocing in Peace; and glorifying God at all times with Meekness. And this Equality of Mind dwells with those that are full of Faith. But †† Anger is foolish, and light, and empty. Now Bitter∣ness is bred through Folly; by Bit∣terness, †† Anger; by †† Anger, Fury. And this Fury arising from many evil Principles, worketh a great and uncurable Sin. For when all these things are in the same Man in which the Holy Spirit dwells; the Vessel cannot contain them, but runs over: And because the tender Spirit cannot tarry with the Evil-One; it departs and dwells with him that is mild. When therefore it is departed from the Man in whom it dwelt; that Man becomes desti∣tute of the Holy Spirit, and is af∣terwards
filled with Wicked Spi∣rits, and is blinded with Evil Thoughts. Thus do's it happen to all Angry Men. Wherefore de∣part thou from Anger, and put on Equanimity, and resist Wrath; and thou shalt be found with Modesty and Chastity by God. Take good heed therefore that thou neglect not this Commandment. For if thou shalt obey this Command, then shalt thou also be able to observe the o∣ther Commandments which I shall command thee. Wherefore strengthen thy self now in these Commands, that thou mayst live unto God. And whosoever shall observe these Com∣mandments shall live unto God.
and Repentance. Yes, Sir, said I. He continued; But now I will shew thee the Vertues of these Commands, that thou mayst know their Effects; how they are † prescribed alike to the Just and Unjust. Do thou there∣fore believe the Righteous, but give no Credit to the Unrighteous. For Righteousness keepeth the right Way, but Unrighteousness the wicked Way. Do thou therefore keep the right Way, and leave that which is Evil. For the Evil Way has not a Good End, but hath many Stumb∣ling-Blocks; it is rugged and full of Thorns, and leads to Destruction, and is hurtful to all such as walk in it. But they who go in the right Way, walk with Evenness, and without Offence; because it is not Rough, nor Thorny. Thou seest therefore, how it is best to walk in this Way. Thou shalt therefore go, says he, and all others as many as be∣lieve in God with all their Heart shall go through it. And now, says he; ‖ Understand first of all what belongs to Faith. There are two Angels with Man; One of Righte∣ousness,
the Other of Iniquity. And I said unto him; Sir, How shall I know that there are two such Angels with Man? Hear, says he, and un∣derstand. The Angel of Righteous∣ness, is Mild, and Modest, and Gen∣tle, and Quiet. When therefore he gets into thy Heart, immediately he talks with thee of Righteousness, of Modesty, of Chastity, of Bounti∣fulness, of Forgiveness, of Charity, and Piety. When all these things come into thy Heart, know then that the Angel of Righteousness is with thee. Wherefore hearken to this Angel and to his Works. Learn also the Works of the Angel of Ini∣quity. He is first of all Bitter, and Angry, and Foolish; and his Works are pernicious, and overthrow the Servants of God. When therefore these things come into thy Heart; thou shalt know him by his Works, that it is the Angel of Iniquity. And I said unto him; Sir, How shall I understand these things? Hear, says he, and understand. When Anger overtakes thee, or Bitterness, know that he is in thee: As also, when
the desire of many things, and of the best Meats, and of Drunkenness; when the Love of what belongs to others; of Pride, and of much Speech, of Ambition; and of the like things, come upon thee. When therefore these things arise in thy Heart, know that the Angel of Ini∣quity is with thee. Seeing there∣fore thou knowest his Works, depart from them all, and give no Credit to him: Because his Works are E∣vil, and agree not to the Servants of God. Here therefore thou hast the Works of both these Angels. Know now and believe the Angel of Righ∣teousness, because his Instruction is Good. For let a Man be never so happy; yet if the Thoughts of the other Angel arise in his Heart, that Man or Woman must needs sin. But let a Man or Woman be never so Wicked, and the Works of the Angel of Righteousness come into his Heart, that Man or Woman must needs do some Good. Thou seest therefore how it is good to follow the Angel of Righteousness. If there∣fore thou shalt follow him, and be∣lieve
in his Works, thou shalt live unto God. And as many as shall be∣lieve in his Works, shall live also unto God.
‖ FEAR God, says he, and keep his Commandments. For if thou keepest his Commandments thou shalt be powerful in every Work, and all thy Counsel shall be excellent. For by fearing God, thou shalt do every thing well. This is that Fear with which thou must be affected, that thou mayst be saved. But fear not the Devil: For if thou fearest the LORD thou shalt have Dominion over him; because there is no Power in him. Now if there be no Power in him, then neither is he to be feared. But he in whom Power is Excellent, he is also to be feared. For
every one that has Power is to be feared. But he that has no Power is despised by every one. Fear the Works of the Devil because they are Evil. For by fearing the LORD, thou wilt fear and not do the Works of the Devil, but keep thy self from them. For there is a twofold Fear; For if whilst thou fearest the LORD thou wilt do that which is Evil, thou shalt not do even that. But if thou wilt do good, the Fear of the LORD is Strong, and Great, and Glorious. Wherefore, Fear God and thou shalt live. And whosoever shall fear him, and keep his Commandments, their Life is with the LORD. But they who keep them not, neither is Life in them.
I HAVE told thee, said he, that there are two kinds of Crea∣tures of the LORD, and that there
is a two-fold Abstinence. From some therefore thou must abstain, and from others not. I answered, Tell me, Sir, from what I must abstain, and from what not. Hearken, said he. Keep thy self from Evil, and do it not. But abstain not from Good, but do it. For if thou shalt abstain from what is Good, and not do it; thou shalt sin. Abstain there∣fore from all Evil, and thou shalt know all Righteousness. I said; What Evil things are they from which I must abstain? Hearken, said he; from Adultery; from Drunkenness; from wicked Riots; from Excess of Eating; from Dain∣tiness and Dishonesty; from Pride; from Denials; from Lying; from Detraction; from feigned Wicked∣ness; from Remembrance of Inju∣ries; and from Evil Reports. For these are ‖ all the Works of Iniqui∣ty; from which the Servant of God must abstain. For he that cannot keep himself from these things, can∣not live unto God. But hear, said he, what follows of these kind of things. And indeed many more
there are from which the Servant of God must abstain. From Theft, and Cheating; from False-Witness; from Covetousness; from Boasting; and all other things of the like Nature. Do these things seem to thee to be E∣vil or not? Indeed they are very Evil to the Servants of God. Where∣fore every such Person must abstain from all these Works. Keep thy self therefore from them, that thou mayst live unto God, and be written among those that abstain from them. And thus have I shewn thee what things thou must avoid: Now learn from what thou must not abstain. Abstain not from any good Works, but do them. Hear, said he, what the Vertue of those good Works is which thou must do, that thou mayst be saved. The first of all is Faith; the Fear of the LORD; Charity; Concord; Pie∣ty; Equity; Truth; Patience; Cha∣stity. There is nothing better than these things in the Life of Man; who shall keep and do these things in their Life. Hear next what fol∣low these. To minister to the Wi∣dows;
not to despise the Father∣less and Poor; to redeem the Ser∣vants of God from Necessity; to be Hospitable; for in Hospitality there is sometimes great Fruit. Not to be contentious, but be quiet; to be humble above all Men; to reverence the Aged; to labour to be Righte∣ous; to keep up Brotherhood; to bear Affronts; to be equal minded; not to cast away those that have fallen from the Faith; but to make them gentle; to admonish Sinners; not to oppress those that are our Debtors; and all other things of alike kind. Do these things seem to thee to be good, or not? And I said, what can be better than these Words? Live, then said he, in these Commandments, and do not depart from them. For if thou shalt keep all these Command∣ments, thou shalt live unto God. And all they that shall keep these Com∣mandments shall live unto God.
AGAIN he said unto me; ‖ Re∣move from thee all Doubting; and Question nothing at all. When thou askest any thing of the LORD, say not within thy self; How shall I be able to ask any thing of the LORD and receive it, seeing I am so great a Sinner against him? Do not think thus, but turn unto the LORD with all thy Heart. Ask without Doubting, and thou shalt know the Mercy of the LORD; How that he will not forsake thee, but will fulfil the Request of thy Soul. For God is not as Men, mindful of the Inju∣ries he has received; but he forgets Injuries, and has Compassion upon his Creature. Wherefore purifie thy Heart from all the Vices of this pre∣sent World; and observe the Com∣mands I have before deliver'd unto thee from God; and thou shalt re∣ceive
whatsoever good things thou shalt ask, and nothing shall be want∣ing unto thee of all thy Petitions; if thou shalt ask of the LORD without doubting. But they that are not such, shall obtain none of those things which they ask. For they that are full of Faith, ask with Confidence, and receive from the LORD, be∣cause they ask without doubting. But he that doubts; shall hardly live unto God, except he repent. Wherefore purifie thy Heart from doubting, and put on Faith; and trust in God; and thou shalt receive all that thou shalt ask. But and if thou shouldst chance to ask somewhat and not receive it, yet do not therefore doubt, because thou hast not pre∣sently received the Petition of thy Soul. For it may be thou shalt not yet receive it for thy Tryal, or else for some Sin which thou knowest not. But do not thou leave off to ask, † and then thou shalt receive. Else if thou shalt cease to ask, thou must complain of thy self, and not of God, that he has not given unto thee what thou didst desire. Consider there∣fore
this Doubting how cruel and per∣nicious it is; and how it utterly roots out many from the Faith, who were very faithful and firm. For this Doubting is the Daughter of the De∣vil; and deals very wickedly with its Servants. Despise it therefore, and thou shalt rule over it ‖ on every Occasion. Put on a firm and power∣ful Faith. For Faith promises all things, and perfects all things. But doubting will not believe, that it shall obtain any thing, by all that it can do. Thou seest therefore, says he, how Faith cometh from above, from God; and has great Power. But Doubting is an Earthly Spirit, and proceedeth from the Devil, and has no Strēgth. Do thou therefore keep the Vertue of Faith, and depart from Doubting, in which is no Ver∣tue, and thou shalt live unto God. And all shall live unto God, as many as shall do these things.
I. PUT all Sadness far from thee; for it is the Sister of Doubt∣ing and of Anger. How, Sir, said I, Is it the Sister of these? For Sad∣ness, and Anger, and Doubting, seem to me to be very different from one another. And he answered; ‖ Art thou without Sense that thou dost not understand it? For Sadness is the most mischievous of all Spirits, and the worst to the Servants of God: It destroys the Spirits of all Men, and torments the Holy Spirit; and again it saves. Sir, said I, I am very foolish, and understand not these † things. I cannot apprehend how it can torment, and yet save? Hear, said he, and understand. They who never sought out the Truth, nor en∣quired concerning the Majesty of God; but only believed, are involved in the Affairs of the Heathen. And
there is another lying Prophet, that destroys the Senses of the Servants of God; that is, of those that are doubtful, not of those that fully trust in the LORD. Now those doubtful Persons come to him, as to a Divine Spirit, and enquire of him, what shall befal them. And this lying Pro∣phet, having no Power in him of the Divine Spirit, answers them ac∣cording to their Demands; and fills their Souls with Promises according as they desire. Howbeit that Pro∣phet is vain, and answers vain things to those who are themselves vain. And whatsoever is asked of him by vain Men, he answers them vainly. Nevertheless he speaketh some things truly. For the Devil fills him with his Spirit, that he may overthrow some of the Righteous.
II. WHOSOEVER therefore are strong in the Faith of the LORD, and have put on the Truth; they are not joyned to such Spirits, but depart from them. But those that are doubt∣ful, and often repenting; like the Hea∣thens, consult them, and heap up
to themselves great Sin, serving I∣dols. As many therefore as are such, enquire of them upon every Occa∣sion; worship Idols, and are foolish, and void of the Truth. For every Spirit that is given from God is not asked; but having the Power of the Divinity speaks all things of its self; because it comes from above from the Power of the Holy Spirit. But he that being ask'd speaks ac∣cording to Mens desires, and con∣cerning many other Affairs of this present World, understands not the things which relate unto God. For these Spirits are darkned through such Affairs, and corrupted, and broken. As good Vines if they are neglected, are oppress'd with Weeds and Thorns, and at last kill'd by them; So are the Men who believe such Spirits: They fall into many Actions and Businesses, and are void of Sense, and when they think of things per∣taining unto God, they understand nothing at all. But if at any time they chance to hear any thing con∣cerning the LORD, their † Thoughts are upon their Business: But they
that have the Fear of the LORD, and search out the Truth concerning God, have all their Thoughts with the LORD. They apprehend what∣soever is said to them, and forth∣with they understand it, because they have the Fear of the LORD in them. For where the Spirit of the LORD dwells, there is also a great Sense added. Wherefore joyn thy self to the LORD, and thou shalt understand and apprehend all things.
III. LEARN now, O Unwise Man! How Sadness grieves the Holy Spirit, and how it saves. When a Man that is doubtful is engaged in any Affair, and do's not accomplish it by reason of his Doubting; this Sadness enters into him, and grieves the Holy Spirit, and makes him sad. Again, Anger when it overtakes any Man for any Business, he is great∣ly moved; and Anger possesses his Heart; and he is disturb'd in his Work which he is about, and after∣wards repents, because he did amiss. Thus both Doubting and Sadness hurt the Holy Spirit. Doubting,
because his Work did not succeed; and Sadness, because he angr'd the Holy Spirit. ‖ Remove therefore Sad∣ness from thy self; and offend not the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in thee; least he ask the LORD, and depart from thee. For the Spirit of the LORD which is given to us in the Flesh, endures not Sadness. Where∣fore cloath thy self with Chearful∣ness, which has always Favour with the LORD, and thou shalt rejoyce in it. For every chearful Man do's well, and relishes those things that are good, and despises Unrighteous∣ness. But the sad Man do's wicked∣ly, because he grieves the Holy Spi∣rit, which is given to the chearful Man. And again he do's ill, because he prays with Sadness unto the LORD, except he first makes a thankful acknowledgment unto him of former Mercies; and obtains not of God what he asks. For the Prayer of a sad Man has not always Effi∣cacy to come up to the Altar of God. And I said unto him, Sir, Why has not the Prayer of a sad Man Vertue to come up to the Altar of God?
Because, said he, that Sadness re∣maineth in his Heart. When there∣fore a Man's Prayer shall be accom∣panied with Sadness, it will not suf∣fer his Requests to ascend pure to the Altar of God. For as Wine when it is mingled with Vinegar, has not the Sweetness it had before; so Sad∣ness being mix'd with the Holy Spi∣rit, suffers not a Man's Prayer to be Pure, as it would be otherwise. Where∣fore purifie thy self from Sadness, which is Evil, and thou shalt live unto God. And all others shall live unto God, as many as shall lay aside Sadness, and put on Chearfulness.
HE shew'd me certain Men sit∣ting upon Benches, and one sitting in a Chair: And he said un∣to me; Seest thou those who sit
upon the Benches? Sir, said I, I see them. He answer'd; They are the Faithful; and he who sits in the Chair, is an Earthly Spirit. For he cometh not into the Church ‖ with the Faithful, but avoids it. But he joyns himself to the Doubtful and Empty; and prophecies to them in hidden Places and Corners; and pleases them by speaking according to all the Desires of their Hearts. For that which is fitted to empty Vessels is not broken, but the one agrees to the other. But when such a one comes into the Company of Just Men, who have the Spirit of God, and they pray unto the LORD; that Man is emptied, because that Earthly Spirit flies from him, and he is dumb, and cannot speak any thing. As if in a Store-House you shall stop up Wine or Oyl; and a∣mong those Vessels shall place an empty Jar; and shall afterwards come to open it, you shall find it empty as you stopp'd it up: So those em∣pty Prophets, when they come a∣mong the Spirits of the Just, are found to be such as they came. Thus
you see the Life of each of these kind of Prophets. Wherefore prove that Man by his Life and Works, who says that he hath the Holy Spirit. And believe the Spirit which comes from God, and has Power as such. But believe not the Earthly Spirit, in whom there is no Trust nor Vertue, but he is empty; be∣cause he is from the Devil. Hear now the Similitude which I am a∣bout to speak unto thee. Take a Stone, and throw it up towards Heaven; or take a Spout of Water, and mount it up thither-ward; and see if thou canst reach unto Heaven. Sir, said I; How can this be done? For neither of those things, which you have mentioned, are possible to be done. And he answer'd; There∣fore as these things cannot be done, so is the Earthly Spirit without Ver∣tue, and without Effect. Under∣stand yet farther the Power of the other, in this Similitude. The Grains of Hail that drop down are exceeding small; and yet when they fall upon the Head of a Man, how do they cause Pain to it? And again; con∣sider
the Droppings of a House; how the little Drops falling upon the Earth, work a Hollow in the Stones. So in like manner the least things which come from above, and fall upon the Earth, have great force. Wherefore join thy self to this Spirit, which has Power; and depart from the other which is empty.
I. AGAIN he said unto me; Re∣move from thee all Evil De∣sires, and put on all Good and Holy Desires. For having put on a good Desire, thou shalt hate that which is Evil, and bridle it as thou wilt. But an Evil Desire is dreadful, and hard to be appeas'd. It is very horrible and wild; and by its Wildness con∣sumes Men. And especially if the
Servant of God shall chance to fall into it, except he be very Wise, he shall be ruined by it. For it de∣stroys those who have not the Garment of a good Desire; and engages them in the Affairs of this present World, and delivers them unto Death. Sir, said I, What are the Works of an evil Desire, which shall bring Men unto Death? Shew them to me, that I may depart from them. Hear, said he, in what Works an evil Desire shall bring the Ser∣vants of God unto Death. The Spirit of all Men is Earthly, and light, and has no Vertue, and speaks much. I said; How then shall a Man be able to discern them? Con∣sider what I am going to say con∣cerning both kinds of † Men; and as I speak unto thee so shalt thou prove the Prophet of God, and the False Prophet. And first, try the Man who hath the Spirit of God; because the Spirit, which is from above, is humble, and quiet, and departs from all Wickedness, and from the vain Desires of the present World; and makes himself more
humble than all Men; and answers to none when he is ask'd; nor to every one singly; neither do's the Spirit of God speak to a Man when he will; but speaks when God pleases. When therefore a Man who has the Spirit of God shall come into the Church of the Righteous, who have the Faith of God, and they pray unto the LORD; then the Holy Angel of God fills that Man with the Blessed Spirit, and he speaks in the Congregation as he is moved by God. Thus therefore is the Spirit of God known, because whosoever speaks by the Spirit of God, speaketh as the LORD will.
II. HEAR now concerning the Earthly Spirit which is empty and foolish, and without Vertue. And first of all the Man, who may be supposed to have this Spirit exalteth himself, and desires to have the first Seat, and is wicked and full of Words; and spends his time in Plea∣sure, and in all manner of Volup∣tuousness; and receives the Reward of his Divination. Which if he re∣ceives
not, he do's not divine. Al∣though the Spirit of God may re∣ceive Reward, and Divine: But it becomes not the Prophet of God so to do. But it is an evil Desire to covet another Mans Wife; or for a Woman to covet anothers Hus∣band; as also to desire the Dainties of Riches; and Multitude of super∣fluous Meats; and Drunkenness; and many Delights. For in much Delicacy there is Folly; and many Pleasures are needless to the Servants of God. Such Lusting therefore is evil and pernicious, which brings to Death the Servants of God. For all such Lusting is from the Devil. Whosoever therefore shall depart from all evil Desires, shall live unto God: But they that are subject un∣to them shall die for ever. For this evil Lusting is deadly. Do thou therefore put on the Desire of Righ∣teousness, and being armed with the Fear of the LORD resist all wicked Lusting. For Fear dwelleth in good Desires; and when evil Coveting shall see thee arm'd with the Fear of the LORD, and resisting
it; it will flie far from thee, and not appear before thee, but be afraid of thy Armour; and thou shalt have the Victory, and be crown'd for it; and shalt attain unto that Desire which is good; and shalt give the Victory which thou hast obtain'd unto God, and shalt serve him in doing what thou thy self wouldst do. For if thou shalt be subject to good Desires, and follow them; thou shalt be able to get the Dominion over thy wicked Lustings; and they shall be subject to thee as thou wilt.
III. AND I said; Sir, I would know how I ought to serve that Desire which is good? Hearken, said he, Fear God, and put thy Trust in him; and love Truth, and Righteousness; and do that which is good. If thou shalt do these things, thou shalt be an approved Servant of God; and shalt serve him. And when he had fulfilled these Twelve Commands, he said unto me; Thou hast now these Commands, walk in them; and exhort those that hear them that they repent; and that
they keep their Repentance pure all the remaining Days of their Life. And fulfil diligently this Service which I commit to thee, and thou shalt receive great Advantage by it, and shalt find Favour with all such as shall repent, and shall believe thy Words. For I am with thee, and will force them to believe. And I said unto him; Sir, These Commands are Great and Excellent, and able to chear the Heart of that Man that shall be able to keep them. But Sir, I cannot tell, whether they can be observed by any Man? He answer'd; Thou shalt easily keep these Com∣mands, and they shall not be hard: Howbeit if thou shalt suffer it once to enter into thy Heart that they cannot be kept by any one, thou shalt not fulfil them. But now I say unto thee; If thou shalt not observe these Commands, but shalt dissemble, thou shalt not be saved, nor thy Children, nor thy House: Because thou hast judged that these Commands cannot be kept by Man.
IV. THESE things he spake very angrily unto me, insomuch that he greatly affrighted me. For he changed his Countenance, so that a Man could not bear his Anger. And when he saw me altogether troubled and confounded, he began to speak more moderately and chearfully say∣ing; O foolish, and without Under∣standing! Unconstant, not know∣ing the Majesty of God, how great, but withal how merciful he is; who created the World for Man; and hath made every Creature subject unto him, and given him all Power, that he should be able to overcome all these Commands. He is able, said he, to overcome all these Commands, who has the LORD in his Heart: But they who have the LORD only in their Mouths, and their Heart is hardned, are far from the LORD. To such Persons these Commands are hard and difficult. Put there∣fore ye that are empty and light in the Faith, the LORD your God, and keep him in your Hearts; and ye shall understand how that nothing is
more easie then these Commands, nor more pleasant, nor more gentle and holy: And turn your selves to the LORD your God, and forsake the Devil and his Pleasures, because they are Evil, and Bitter, and Impure. And fear not the Devil, because he has no Power over you. For I am with you, the Messenger of Re∣pentance, who have the Dominion over him. The Devil do's indeed affright Men; but his Terror is vain. Wherefore fear him not, and he will flee from you.
V. AND I said unto him; Sir, Hear me speak a few Words unto you. He answer'd, Say on: A Man indeed desires to keep the Command∣ments of God; and there is no one but what prays unto God, that he may be able to keep his Command∣ments. But the Devil is hard, and by his Power rules over the Servants of God. And he said; He cannot rule over the Servants of God, who believe in him with all their Hearts. The Devil may strive, but he cannot overcome them. For if ye resist
him, he will flee away with shame from you. But they that are not full in the Faith, fear the Devil, as if he had some great Power. For the Devil tries the Servants of God, and if he finds them empty, he de∣stroys them. For as a Man, when he fills up Vessels with good Wine, † and among them puts a few Vessels half full, and comes to try and tast of the Vessels, do's not try those that are full, because he knows that they are good; but tasts those that are half full, least they should grow sowre; for Vessels half full soon grow sowre, and lose the Tast of Wine: So the Devil comes to the Servants of God to try them. They that are full of Faith resist him stoutly, and he de∣parts from them, because he finds no place where to enter into them; then he go's to those that are not full of Faith, and because he has place of entrance he goes into them and do's what he will with them, and they become his Servants.
VI. BUT I, the ‖ Messenger of Repentance, say unto you, Fear
not the Devil. For I am sent unto you, that I may be with you, as many as shall repent with your whole Heart, and that I may confirm you in the Faith. ‖ Believe therefore ye who by reason of your Transgres∣sions have forgot God, and who company your Salvation with your Sins, lead your Lives in Trouble; that if ye shall turn to the LORD with your whole Hearts, and shall serve him according to his Will; he will give a Remedy to your Souls, notwithstanding your former Sins, and ye shall have dominion over all the Works of the Devil. Be not then afraid in the least of his Threat∣nings; for they are without force; as the Sinews of a dead Man. But hearken unto me, and fear the LORD Almighty who is able to save and to destroy you; and keep his Com∣mands, that ye may live unto God. And I said unto him; Sir, I am now confirm'd in all the Commands of the LORD whilst that you are with me; and I know that you will break all the Power of the Devil. And we also shall overcome him, if we shall
be able, through the help of the LORD, to keep these Commands which you have delivered. Thou shalt keep them, said he, if thou shalt purifie thy Heart towards the LORD. And all they also shall keep them who shall cleanse their Hearts from the vain desires of the present World, and shall live unto God.
Observe them.
Irenaeus lib. 1. c. 3. Origen. de Princ. l. 1. c. 3. Euseb. Hist. Eccles. l. v. c. 8. Atha∣nas. de Incarn. Verb. &c.
Simple.
Vid. Antioch. Hom. xxix.
Daemon.
Vid. Antioch. Hom. xcviii.
Simply.
His own.
Gloriously to God.
Antioch. Hom. lxvi.
See below, Book lii. Si••. x Chap. 32.
If thou shalt keep the Truth
Chastity.
Another Mans.
See 1 Cor. vii.15▪
Sense.
Praepositus: See below, Chap. iii.
Sense.
Great Wis∣dom.
Sense.
Sense.
In his Vnder∣standing.
Chastity.
Rightly hear••
Those days.
Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. pag. 60, 61.
Vid. Not. Co∣teler. in loc. p. 64. B. C. Rom. vii.3. Comp. 1 Cor. vii.
The Vessel.
Disposition to Anger: And so in what follows.
Place.
Disposition to Anger: And so in what follows.
Vid. Antioch. Hom. ••x.
Disposition to Anger: And so in what follows.
Disposition to Anger: And so in what follows.
To.
Disposition to Anger: And so in what follows.
Angel.
Angel.
Angriness.
Vertue.
Angriness: Disposition to Anger. See a∣bove.
Angriness: Disposition to Anger. See a∣bove.
Angriness: Disposition to Anger. See a∣bove.
Vessel.
Vid Coteler. Annot. in loc. pag. 67.68. Comp. Edit. Oxon. p. 61. Not. a.
Placed.
Vid Antioch Hom. lxi. Comp Orig. L. lii. De Princip. Et in L••c. Hom xxxv.
Works.
Vid. Antioch. Hom. cxxvii.
Antioch. Hom. lxxix.
Of all Ini∣quities.
Vid. Coteler. in loc.
Vid. Antioch. Hom. lxxxiii.
Asking the Petition of thy Soul.
In every thing.
Without Sense thou dost not understand it.
Questions.
Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 70. b. Comp. 2 Cor. vii.10.
Senses.
Antioch. Hom. xxv.
Of Men.
Vid. Antioch. Hom. lxxiv.
Vessels.
Angel.
Origen. in Matth. xxiv.42.
Angel.
Vid. Antioch. Hom. lxxvii.