105 And when she had made an end of talking with me, the six young men that built, came and carried her to the tower; and four others took up the seat on which she sat, and they also went away again to the tower. I saw not the faces of these, for their backs were towards me.
106 As she was going away, I asked her, that she would reveal to me what concerned the three forms, in which she had appeared unto me.
107 But she answering said unto me, concerning these things thou must ask some other, that they may be revealed unto thee.
108 Now, brethren, in the first vision the last year, she appeared unto me exceedingly old, and sitting in a chair.
109 In another vision, she had indeed a youthful face, but her flesh and hair were old; but she talked with me standing, and was more cheerful than the first time.
110 In the third vision, she was in all respects much younger, and comely to the eye; only she had the hair of an aged person: yet she looked cheerful, and sat upon a seat.
111 I was therefore very sad concerning these things, until I might understand the vision.
112 Wherefore I saw the same old woman in a vision of the night saying unto me, All prayer needeth humiliation. Fast, therefore, and thou shalt learn from the Lord that which thou dost ask. I fasted therefore one day.
113 The same night a young man appeared to me and said, Why dost thou thus often desire Revelations in thy prayers? Take heed that by asking many things, thou hurt not the body. Let these Revelations suffice thee.
114 Canst thou see more notable Revelations than those which thou hast already received?
115 I answered and said unto him, Sir, I only ask this one thing upon the account of the three figures of the old woman that appeared to me, that the Revelation may be complete.
116 He answered me, You are not without understanding, but your doubts make you so; for as much as you have not your heart with the Lord.
117 I replied and said, But we shall learn these things more carefully from you.
118 Hear then, says he, concerning the figures about which you inquire.
119 To begin; in the first vision she appeared to thee in the shape of an old woman sitting in, a chair, because your old spirit was decayed, and without strength, by reason of your infirmities, and the doubtfulness of your heart.
120 For as they who are old have no hope of renewing themselves, nor expect any thing but their departure; so you being weakened through your worldly affairs gave yourself up to sloth, and cast not away your solicitude from yourself upon the Lord: and your sense was confused, and you grew old in your sadness.
121 But, sir, I would know why she sat upon a chair?
122 He answered, because every one that is weak sitteth upon a chair by reason of his infirmity, that his weakness may be upheld. Behold therefore the figure of the first vision.
123 In the second vision you saw her standing, and having a youthful face, and more cheerful than her former; but her flesh and her hair were ancient. Hear, said he, this parable also.
124 When any one grows old, he despairs of himself by reason of his infirmity and poverty, and expects nothing but the last day of his life.
125 But on a sudden an inheritance is left to him, and he hears of it, and rises: and being become cheerful, be puts on new strength. And now he no longer sits down, but stands, and is delivered from his former sorrow; and sits not, but acts manfully.
126 So you, having heard the Revelation which God revealed unto you, because God had compassion upon you, and renewed your spirit, both laid aside your infirmities, and strength came to you, and you grew strong in the faith; and God, seeing your strength, rejoiced.
127 For this cause he showed you the building of the tower, and will show other things unto you, if you shall have peace with all your heart among each other.
128 But in the third vision you saw her yet younger, fair and cheerful, and of a serene countenance.
129 For, as if some good news comes to him that is sad, he straightway forgets his sadness, and regards nothing else but the good news which he has heard; and for the rest he is comforted, and his spirit is renewed through the joy which he has received even so you have been refreshed in your spirit by seeing these good things.
130 And for that you saw her sitting upon a bench, it denotes a strong position; because a bench has four feet, and stands strongly. And even the world itself is upheld by the four elements.
131 They therefore that repent perfectly, shall be young; and they that turn from their sins with their whole heart, shall be established.
132 And now you have the Revelation fully, ask no more to have any thing farther revealed unto you.
133 But if any thing is to be revealed, it shall be made manifest unto you.
VISION IV
Of the trial, and tribulation that is about to come upon men.
I SAW a vision brethren, twenty days after the former vision; a representation of the tribulation that is at hand. I was walking in the field way.
2 Now from the public way to the place whither I went is about ten furlongs; it is a way very little frequented:
3 And as I was walking alone, I entreated the Lord that he would confirm the Revelations which he had shown unto me by his Holy Church.
4 And would grant repentance to all his servants who had been offended, that his great and honourable name might be glorified, and because he thought me worthy to whom he might show his wonders, and, that I might honour him, and give thanks unto him.
5 And behold somewhat like a voice answered me; Doubt not, Hermas. Wherefore I began to think, and say within myself, why should I doubt, seeing I am thus settled by the Lord, and have seen such glorious things?
6 I had gone but a little farther, brethren, when behold I saw a dust rise up to heaven. I began to say within myself, is there a drove of cattle coming, that rises such a dust?
7 It was about a furlong off from me. And behold I saw the dust rise more and more, insomuch that I began to suspect that there was somewhat extraordinary in it.
8 And the sun shone a little; and behold I saw a great beast, as it were a whale; and fiery locusts came out of his mouth. The height of the beast was about a hundred feet, and he had a head like a large earthen vessel.
9 I began to weep, and to pray unto the Lord that he would deliver me from it. Then I called to mind the word which I had heard; Doubt not, Hermas.
10 Wherefore, brethren, putting on a divine faith, and remembering who it was that had taught me great things, I delivered myself bodily unto the beast.
11 Now the beast came on in such a manner, as if it could at once have devoured a city.
12 I came near unto it, and the beast extended its whole bulk upon the ground, and put forth nothing but its tongue, nor once moved itself till I had quite passed by it.
13 Now the beast had upon its head four colours; first black, then a red and bloody colour, then a golden, and then a white.
14 After that I had passed by it, and was gone forward about thirty feet, behold there met me a certain virgin, well adorned as if she had been just come out of her bride-chamber; all in white, having on white shoes, and a veil down her face, and covered with shining hair.
15 Now I knew by my former visions that it was the church, and thereupon grew the more cheerful. She saluted me, saying, Hail, O Man! I returned the salutation, saying, Lady, Hail!
16 She answering said unto me, Did nothing meet you, O man! I replied, Lady, there met me such a beast, as seemed able to devour a whole people; but by the power of God, and through his singular mercy, I escaped it.
17 Thou didst escape it well, said she, because thou didst cast thy whole care upon God, and opened thy heart unto him, believing