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I. AS I was fasting, and sitting down in a certain Mountain, and giving Thanks unto God for all the things that he had done ‖ 1.1 unto me; behold I saw the Shepherd, who was wont to converse with me, sitting by me, and saying unto me: What has brought thee hither thus early in the Morning? I answer'd, Sir, To Day I keep a * 1.2 Station. He answer'd, What is a Station? I reply'd; It is a
Fast. He said; What is that Fast? I answer'd, I fast, as I have been wont to do. Ye know not, said he, what it is to fast unto God; nor is this a Fast which ye fast, profiting nothing with God. Sir, said I, what makes you speak thus? He reply'd; I speak it, because this is not the true Fast which you think that you fast; but I will shew you what that is which is a † 1.3 compleat Fast, and ac∣ceptable unto God. Hearken, said he, The LORD do's not desire such a needless Fast: For by Fasting in this manner, thou advancest nothing in Righteousness. But the true Fast is this; Do nothing wickedly in thy Life; but serve God with a pure Mind; and keep his Command∣ments, and walk according to his Precepts, nor suffer any wicked De∣sire to dwell in thy Mind. And trust in the LORD; that if thou dost these things, and fearest him, and abstainest from every evil Work, thou shalt live unto God. If thou shalt do this, thou shalt perfect a great Fast, and an acceptable one unto the LORD.
II. HEARKEN unto the Simi∣litude which I am about to propose unto thee, as to this matter. A cer∣tain Man having a Farm, and many Servants, planted a Vineyard in a certain part of his Estate for his Posterity: And taking a Journey in∣to a far Country chose one of his Ser∣vants which he thought the most faithful and approved, and deliver'd the Vineyard into his care; com∣manding him that he should stake up his Vines. Which if he did, and fulfilled his Command, he promised to give him his Liberty. Nor did he command him to do any thing more; and so went into a far Coun∣try. After then that that Servant had taken that Charge upon him; he did whatsoever his LORD com∣manded him. And when he had staked the Vineyard, and found it to be full of Weeds, he began to think with himself, saying; I have done what my Lord commanded me; I will now dig this Vineyard, and when it is digg'd it will be more beautiful; and the Weeds being pull'd up it
will bring forth more Fruit, and not be choak'd by the Weeds. So setting about his Work he digg'd it, and pluck'd up all the Weeds that were in it: And by that means the Vine∣yard became very beautiful and pros∣perous, and not over-run and choak'd with Weeds. After some time the LORD of the Vineyard comes and goes into the Vineyard, and when he saw that it was handsomely stak'd, and digg'd, and the Weeds pluck'd up that were in it, and the Vines flourishing, he rejoyced great∣ly at the Care of his Servant. And calling his Son whom he loved, and who was to be his Heir; and his Friends with whom he was wont to consult, he tells them what he had commanded his Servant to do, and what his Servant had done more: And they immediately congratulated that Servant, that he had received so full a Testimony from his Lord. Then he said unto them; I indeed promised this Servant his Liberty, if he observed the Command which I gave him; and he observed it, and besides has done a good Work to my
Vineyard, which has exceedingly pleased me. Wherefore for this Work which he hath done, I will make him my Heir together with my Son; because that when he saw what was good, he dissembled it not, but did it. This Design of the LORD, both his Son and his Friends approved, namely, that this Servant should be Heir together with his Son. Not long after this, the Master of the Fa∣mily calling together his Friends, sent from his Supper several kinds of Food to that Servant. Which when he had received, he took so much of them as was sufficient for himself, and divided the rest among his Fel∣low Servants. Which when they had received, they rejoyced; and wish'd that he might find yet greater favour with his Lord, for what he had done to them. When his Lord heard all these things, he was again fill'd with great Joy; and calling again his Friends and his Son together, he related to them what his Servant had done with the Meats which he had sent unto him. They therefore so much the more assented to the Ma∣ster
of the Houshold; that he ought to make that Servant his Heir to∣gether with his Son.
III. I SAID unto him; Sir, I know not these Similitudes, neither can I understand them, unless you expound them unto me. I will, says he, expound all things unto thee whatsoever I have talk'd with thee, or shewn unto thee. Keep the Com∣mandments of the LORD and thou shalt be approved, and shalt be writ∣ten in the Number of those that keep his Commandments. But if besides those things which the LORD hath commanded, thou shalt add some good thing; thou shalt purchase to thy self a greater Dignity, and be in more favour with the LORD than thou shouldst otherwise have been. If therefore thou shalt keep the Com∣mandments of the LORD, and shalt add to them these Stations, thou shalt rejoyce; but especially if thou shalt keep them according to my Com∣mands. I said unto him; Sir, What∣soever thou shalt command me, I will observe; for I know that thou
wilt be with me. I will, said he, be with thee, who hast taken up such a Resolution; and I will be with all those who purpose in like manner. This Fast, saith he, whilst thou dost also observe the Commandments of the LORD, is exceeding good. Thus therefore shalt thou keep it. First of all, take heed to thy self, and keep thy self from every wicked Act, and from every filthy Word, and from every hurtful Desire; and purifie thy Sense from all the Vanity of this pre∣sent World. If thou shalt observe these things, this Fast shall be such as it ought to be. Thus therefore do. Having perform'd what is before written, that day on which thou fastest thou shalt taste nothing at all but * 1.4 Bread and Water † 1.5 and computing the Quantity of Food which thou art wont to eat upon other Days, thou shalt * 1.6 lay aside the Expence which thou shouldst have made that Day, and give it unto the Widow, the Fatherless and the Poor. * 1.7 And thus thou shalt perfect the Humility of thy Soul; that he who receives of it may satisfie his Soul, and his
Prayer come up to the LORD God for thee. If therefore thou shalt thus accomplish thy Fast, as I command thee; thy Sacrifice shall be accepta∣ble uto the LORD, and thy Fast shall be written in his Book. This Station thus perform'd is good, and pleasing, and acceptable unto the LORD. These things if thou shalt observe with thy Children, and with all thy House, thou shalt be happy. And whosoever, when they hear these things, shall do them; they also shall be happy, and whatsoever they shall ask of the LORD they shall receive it.
IV. AND I pray'd him that he would expound unto me the Simili∣tude of the Farm, and the Lord; and of the Vineyard and of the Ser∣vant that had staked the Vine-yard; and of the Weeds that were pluck'd out of the Vineyard; and of his Son and his Friends which he took into Counsel with him. For I understood that that was the Similitude. He said unto me; Thou art very ready in asking: Howbeit thou oughst not
to ask any thing, for if it be fitting to shew it unto thee, it shall be shewed. I answer'd him; Sir, What∣soever thou shalt shew, without ex∣plaining it unto me, I shall in vain see it: And what Similitudes thou shalt propose, and not expound them, I shall in vain hear them. He an∣swered me again, saying, Whosoever is the Servant of God, and has the LORD in his Heart, desires Under∣standing of him, and receives it; and he explains every Similitude, and understands the Words of the LORD which need an Enquiry. But they that are lazy, and slow to pray; doubt to seek from the LORD, al∣though the LORD be of such an ex∣traordinary Goodness, that without ceasing he giveth all things to them that ask of him. Thou therefore who art strengthened by that Vene∣rable Messenger, and hast received such a powerful Gift of Prayer; see∣ing thou art not sloathful, why dost thou not now ask Understanding of the LORD and receive it? I said un∣to him; seeing I have thee present, it is necessary that I should seek it of
thee, and ask thee; for thou shewest all things unto me, and speakest to me when thou art present. But if I should see or hear these things when thou wert not present, I would then ask the LORD that he would shew them unto me.
V. AND he reply'd; I said a little before that thou wert subtle and bold, and that thou askest the mean∣ing of these Similitudes. But because thou still persistest; I will unfold to thee the Parable which thou desirest, that thou mayst make it known un∣to all Men. Hear therefore, said he, and understand. The Farm before mention'd denotes the whole Earth: The Lord of the Farm is he, who created and finished all things; and gave Vertue unto them. His Son is the Holy ‖ 1.8 Spirit; The Servant is the Son of God. The Vineyard is the People whom he saves. The Stakes are the * 1.9 Messengers which are set over them by the LORD, to support his People. The Weeds that are pluckt up out of the Vineyard, are the Sins which the Servants of God
had committed. The Food which he sent him from his Supper, are the Commands which he gave to his People by his Son. The Friends whom he call'd to Counsel with him, are the Holy Angels whom he first crea∣ted. The Absence of the Master of the Houshold is the Time that re∣mains unto his Coming. I said un∣to him; Sir, All these things are very excellent, and wonderful, and good. But, continued I, could I or any other Man besides, though ne∣ver so wise, have understood these things? Wherefore now Sir, tell me what I ask. He replied, ask me what thou wilt. Why, said I, is the Son of God in this Parable, put in the place of a Servant?
VI. Hearken, said he; The Son of God is not put in the condition of a Servant, but in great Power and Authority. And I answer'd, How, Sir? I understood it not. Because said he, The Son set his * 1.10 Messengers over those whom the Father deliver'd unto him, to keep every one of them; but he himself labour'd very much,
and suffer'd much, that he might blot out their Offences. For no Vineyard can be digg'd without much Labour and Pains. Wherefore having blotted out the Sins of his People, he shew'd to them the Paths of Life, giving them the Law which he had received of the Father. You see, said he, that he is the LORD of his People, having re∣ceived all Power from his Father. But why did the LORD take into Counsel his Son, concerning dividing the In∣heritance, and the Good Angels? Hear: Because that Messenger heark∣ned to the Holy Ghost, which was first of all infused into the Body in which God should dwell. For his Understanding placed him in the Bo∣dy, as it seem'd Good to him. This Body therefore into which the Holy Spirit was brought, served that Spi∣rit, walking rightly and purely in Modesty; nor ever defiled that Spirit. Seeing therefore the Body at all times obeyed the Holy Spirit, and labour'd rightly and chastly with him; nor falter'd at any time; that Body be∣ing wearied conversed indeed Servily, but being stoutly approved with the
Holy Spirit, was accepted by God. For such a powerful Course pleased God, because he was not defiled in the Earth, keeping the Holy Spirit in Council with him. He called there∣fore his Son, and the Good Angels, that there might be some place of standing given to this Body which had served the Holy Spirit without Complaint; least it should seem to have lost the reward of its Service. For every pure Body, shall receive its reward; that is found without Spot, in which the Holy Spirit has been appointed to dwell. And thus you have now the Exposition of this Pa∣rable also.
VII. SIR, said I, I now understand your Meaning, since I have heard this Exposition. Hearken farther, said he: Keep this thy Body Clean and Pure; that the Spirit which shall dwell in it may bear Witness unto it, and be judged to have been with thee. Also take heed that it be not instill'd into thy Mind that this Body perishes, and thou abuse it to any Lust. For if thou shalt defile thy Body; thou shalt
also at the same time defile the Holy Spirit; and if thou shalt defile the Holy Spirit, thou shalt not live. And I said; What if through Ignorance this should have been already committed, before a Man heard these Words; How can he attain unto Salvation, who has thus defiled his Body? He reply'd; As for Mens former Actions, which through Ignorance they have committed, God only can afford a remedy unto them; For all power belongeth unto him. But now Guard thy self; and seeing God is Almighty and Merciful, he will grant a reme∣dy to what thou hast formerly done amiss, if for the time to come thou shalt not defile thy Body and Spirit: For they are Companions together, and the One cannot be defiled but the other will be so too. Keep therefore both of them Pure, and thou shalt live unto God.
With me.
Vid. Not. Coteler. in loc. pag. 72, 73.
Coteler. ibid.
Vid. Not. Cotelerli. pag. 74. A. B. C.
Vid. Antioch. Hom. vii.
Vid. Not. Cotelerli. pag. 74. A. B. C.
Vid. Not. Cotelerli. pag. 74. A. B. C.
Vid. Edit. Oxon. Annot. a. p. 105.
Angels.
Angels.