Genuine Epistles of the Apostolic Fathers (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1846. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE FIRST BOOK OF ST. HERMAS, WHICH IS CALLED HIS VISIONS. Vision I. Against filthy and proud thoughts: also the neglect of Hernias in chastising his children. I. He who had bred me up, sold a certain young maid at Rome; whom, when I saw many years after, I remembered her, and began to love her as a sister. It happened, some time afterwards, that I saw her washing in the river Tiber; and I reached out my hand unto her, and brought her out of the river. And when I saw her, I thought with myself, saying, how happy should I be if I had such a wife, both for beauty and manners. This I thought with myself; nor did I think any thing more. But not long after, as I was walking and musing on these thoughts, I began to honour this creature of God, thinking with myself how noble and beautiful she was. And when I had walked a * little, I fell asleep. And the Spirit caught me away, and carried me through a certain place towards the right hand, through which no man could pass. It was a place among rocks, very steep, and unpassable for water. When I was past this place, I came into a plain; and there falling down upon my knees, I began to pray unto the Lord, and to confess my sins. And as I was praying, the heaven was opened, and I saw the woman which I had coveted, saluting me from heaven, and saying, "Hennas, hail " And I, looking upon her, answered, "Lady, what dost thou do here ?" She answered me, " I am taken up hither to accuse thee of sin before the Lord."'1 " Lady," said I, " wilt thou convince me " No," said she; " but hear the words which I am about to speak unto thee. God, who dwelleth in heaven, and hath made all things out of nothing, and hath multiplied them for In MS. Lambeth: --Pracepta sum a Domino ut peccata tua arguam. I am com"manded of the Lord to...