The Pastor of Hermas

Contents (28 chapters)

Book First.—Visions

1. 1. Vision First. Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the Carelessness of Hermas in Chastising His Sons.
2. 2. Vision Second. Again, of His Neglect in Chastising His Talkative Wife and His Lustful Sons, and of His Character.
3. 3. Vision Third. Concerning the Building of the Triumphant Church, and the Various Classes of Reprobate Men.
4. 4. Vision Fourth. Concerning the Trial and Tribulation that are to Come Upon Men.
5. 5. Vision Fifth. Concerning the Commandments.

Book Second.—Commandments

1. 6. Commandment First. On Faith in God.
2. 7. Commandment Second. On Avoiding Evil-Speaking, and on Giving Alms in Simplicity.
3. 8. Commandment Third. On Avoiding Falsehood, and on the Repentance of Hermas for His Dissimulation.
4. 9. Commandment Fourth. On Putting One’s Wife Away for Adultery.
5. 10. Commandment Fifth. Of Sadness of Heart, and of Patience.
6. 11. Commandment Sixth. How to Recognise the Two Spirits Attendant on Each Man, and How to Distinguish the Suggestions of the One from Those of the Other.
7. 12. Commandment Seventh. On Fearing God, and Not Fearing the Devil.
8. 13. Commandment Eighth. We Ought to Shun that Which is Evil, and Do that Which is Good.
9. 14. Commandment Ninth. Prayer Must Be Made to God Without Ceasing, and with Unwavering Confidence.
10. 15. Commandment Tenth. Of Grief, and Not Grieving the Spirit of God Which is in Us.
11. 16. Commandment Eleventh. The Spirit and Prophets to Be Tried by Their Works; Also of the Two Kinds of Spirit.
12. 17. Commandment Twelfth. On the Twofold Desire. The Commandments of God Can Be Kept, and Believers Ought Not to Fear the Devil.

Book Third.—Similitudes

1. 18. Similitude First. As in This World We Have No Abiding City, We Ought to Seek One to Come.
2. 19. Similitude Second. As the Vine is Supported by the Elm, So is the Rich Man Helped by the Prayer of the Poor.
3. 20. Similitude Third. As in Winter Green Trees Cannot Be Distinguished from Withered, So in This World Neither Can the Just from the Unjust.
4. 21. Similitude Fourth. As in Summer Living Trees are Distinguished from Withered by Fruit and Living Leaves, So in the World to Come the Just Differ from the Unjust in Happiness.
5. 22. Similitude Fifth. Of True Fasting and Its Reward: Also of Purity of Body.
6. 23. Similitude Sixth. Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of Their Death, Falling Away, and the Duration of Their Punishment.
7. 24. Similitude Seventh. They Who Repent Must Bring Forth Fruits Worthy of Repentance.
8. 25. Similitude Eighth. The Sins of the Elect and of the Penitent are of Many Kinds, But All Will Be Rewarded According to the Measure of Their Repentance and Good Works.
9. 26. Similitude Ninth. The Great Mysteries in the Building of the Militant and Triumphant Church.
10. 27. Similitude Tenth. Concerning Repentance and Alms-Giving.

1. 28. Elucidations