ses its dross, so shall ye
also cast away all sorrow and
trouble, and be made pure for
the building of the tower.

27 But the white colour denotes
the time of the world which is to
come, in which the elect of God
shall dwell: because the elect of
God shall be pure and without
spot until life eternal.

28 Wherefore do not thou cease
to speak these thing in the ears of
the saints. Here ye have the figure
of the great tribulation that is
about to come; which, if you
please, shall be nothing to you.

29 When she had spoken thus
much, she departed; but I saw
not whither she went. But suddenly
I heard a noise, and I turned
back, being afraid, for I thought
that the beast was coming toward
me.

THE SECOND PART OF THE
BOOK OF HERMAS, CALLED HIS COMMANDS.

Introduction.

WHEN I had prayed at home,
and was sat down upon the
bed, a certain man came in to me
with a reverend look, in the habit
of a Shepherd, clothed with a white
cloak, having his bag upon his
back, and his staff in his hand, and
saluted me.

2 I returned his salutation, and
immediately he sat down by me,
and said unto me, I am sent by
that venerable messenger, that
I should dwell with thee all the
remaining days of thy life.

3 But I thought that he was
come to try me, and said unto him,
Who are you? For I know to
whom I am committed. He said
unto me, Do you not know me?
I answered no. I am, said he,
that shepherd to whose care you
are delivered.

4 Whilst he was yet speaking,
his shape was changed; and when
I knew that it was he to whom I
was committed, I was ashamed,
and a sudden fear came upon me,
and I was utterly overcome with
sadness, because I had spoken so
foolishly unto him.

5 But he said unto me, Be not
ashamed, but receive strength in
thy mind, through the commands
which I am about to deliver unto
thee. For, said he, I am sent to
show unto thee all those things
again, which thou hast seen before,
but especially such of them as may
be of most use unto thee.

6 And first of all write my
Commands and Similitudes, the rest
thou shall so write as I shall show
unto thee. But I therefore bid
thee first of all write my Commands
and Similitudes, that by often
reading of them thou mayest
the more easily keep them in
memory.

7 Whereupon I wrote his Commands
and Similitudes, as he bade me.

8 Which things if when you
have heard, ye shall observe to