om necessity,
gets great joy unto himself.

26 For he that is grieved with
such inconveniencies is equally
tormented, as if he were in chains.
And many upon the account of
such calamities, being not able to
bear them, have chosen even to
destroy themselves.

27 He therefore that knows the
calamity of such a man, and does
not free him from it, commits a
great sin, and is guilty of his
blood.

28 Wherefore exercise yourselves
in good works, as many as
have received ability from the
Lord; lest whilst ye delay to do
them, the building of the tower be
finished; because for your sakes
the building is stopped.

29 Except therefore ye shall
make haste to do well, the tower
shall be finished, and ye shall be
shut out of it.

30 And after he had thus spoken
with me, he rose up from the bed
and departed, taking the shepherd
and virgins with him.

31 Howbeit he said unto me,
that he would send back the
shepherd and virgins unto
my house. Amen.

REFERENCES TO THE BOOK OF
HERMAS, THE SHEPHERD.

[This book, divided into three parts, called his VISIONS, COMMANDS,
and SIMILITUDES, is thus entitled, because it was composed by
Hermas, brother to Pius, bishop of Rome; and because the Angel, who
bears the principal part in it, is represented in the form and habit
of a shepherd. Ireneus quotes it under the very name of Scripture.
Origen thought it a most useful writing, and that it was divinely
inspired; Eusebius says that, though it was not esteemed canonical,
it was read publicly in the churches, which is corroborated by
Jerome; and Athanasius cites it, calls it a most useful work, and
observes, that though it was not strictly canonical, the Fathers
appointed it to be read for direction and confirmation in faith and
piety. Jerome, notwithstanding this, and that he applauded it in his
catalogue of writers, in his comments upon it afterwards, terms it
apocryphal and foolish. Tertullian praised it when a Catholic, and
abused it when a Montanist. Although Gelasius ranks it among the
apocryphal books, it is found attached to some of the most ancient
MSS. of the New Testament; and Archbishop Wake, believing it the
genuine work of an apostolical Father, preserves it to the English
reader by the foregoing translation, in which he has rendered the
three parts of it