Page:Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 1.djvu/349

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THE PASTOR OF HERMAS.
335

shall weep. But even these, if they hear and repent, shall also rejoice. Hear, then, the parables of the tower; for I will reveal all to you, and give me no more trouble in regard to revelation: for these revelations have an end, for they have been completed. But you will not cease praying for revelations, for you are shameless. The tower which you see building is myself, the Church, who have appeared to you now and on the former occasion. Ask, then, whatever you like in regard to the tower, and I will reveal it to you, that you may rejoice with the saints." I said unto her, "Lady, since you have vouchsafed to reveal all to me this once, reveal it." She said to me, " Whatsoever ought to be revealed, will be revealed; only let your heart be with God,[1] and doubt not whatsoever you shall see." I asked her, "Why was the tower built upon the waters, O Lady?" She answered, "I told you before,[2] and you still inquire carefully: therefore inquiring you shall find the truth. Hear then why the tower is built upon the waters. It is because your life has been, and will be, saved through water. For the tower was founded on the word of the almighty and glorious Name, and it is kept together by the invisible power of the Lord."[3]


Chap. iv.

In reply I said to her, "This is magnificent and marvellous. But who are the six young men who are engaged in building?" And she said, "These are the holy angels of God, who were first created, and to whom the Lord handed over His whole creation, that they might increase and build up and rule over the whole creation. By these will the building of the tower be finished." "But who are the other persons who are engaged in carrying the stones?" "These also are holy

  1. God. Lord.—Vat.
  2. I said to you before, that you were cunning, diligently inquiring in regard to the Scriptures.—Vat. You are cunning in regard to the Scriptures.—Lips. In some of the mss. of the common Latin version "structures" is read instead of "Scriptures."
  3. The Lord. God.—Vat.