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5.
51
Because, said he, the Son set his [*235:1] over those whom the Father delivered unto him, to keep every one of them; but he himself labored very much, and suffered much, that he might blot out their offences.
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5.
52
For no vineyard can be digged without much labour and pains. Wherefore having blotted out the sins of his people, he shewed to them the paths of life, giving them the law which he had received of the Father.
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5.
53
You see, said he, that he is the Lord of his people, having received all power from his Father. [*235:2] But why the Lord did take his Son into counsel, about dividing the inheritance, and the good angels, hear now.
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5.
54
That [*235:3] Holy Spirit, which was created first of all, he placed in the body in which God should dwell; namely, in a chosen body, as it seemed good to him. This body therefore into which the [*235:3] Holy Spirit was brought, served that Spirit, walked rightly and purely in modesty; nor ever defiled that Spirit.
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5.
55
Seeing therefore the body at all times obeyed the Holy Spirit, and laboured rightly and chastely with him, nor faltered at any time; that body being wearied conversed indeed servilely, but being mightily approved to God with the Holy Spirit, was accepted by him.
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5.
56
For such a stout course pleased God, because he was not defiled in the earth, keeping the Holy Spirit. He called therefore to counsel his Son, and the good angels, that there might be some place of standing given to this body which had served the Holy Spirit without blame; lest it should seem to have lost the reward of its service.
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5.
57
For every pure body shall receive its reward; that is found without spot, in which the Holy Spirit has been appointed to dwell. And thus you have now the exposition of this parable also.
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5.
58
Sir, said I, I now understand your meaning, since I have heard this exposition. Hearken further, said he: keep this thy body clean and pure, that the Spirit which shall dwell in it may bear witness unto it, and be judged to have been with thee.
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5.
59
Also take heed that it be not instilled into thy mind that this body perishes, and thou abuse it to any lust. For if thou shalt defile thy body, thou shalt also at the same time defile the Holy Spirit; and if thou shalt defile [*235:4] the Holy Spirit, thou shalt not live.
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5.
60
And I said, What if through ignorance this should have been already committed, before a man heard these words; How can he attain unto salvation, who has thus defiled his body?
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5.
61
He replied, As for men's former actions which through ignorance they have committed, God only can afford a remedy unto them; for all the power belongeth unto him.
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5.
62
But now guard thyself; and seeing God is almighty and merciful, he will grant a remedy to what thou hast formerly done amiss, if for the time to come thou shalt not defile thy body and spirit;
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5.
63
For they are companions together, and the one cannot be defiled but the other will be so too. Keep therefore both of them pure, and thou shalt live unto God.
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5.
Footnotes ^231:2 With me.
^231:3 Vid. not. Coteler. in loc. pp. 72, 73.
^231:4 Coteler.
^231:5 Jejuna certe verum jejunium tale. Lat.
^232:1 Just a commendation.
^233:1 Shameful; or, upbraiding.
^233:2 Vid. Not. Coteler. ii., p. 74. A. B. C.
^233:3 Vid. Antioch. Hom. vii.
^234:1 Angels.
^235:1 Angels.
^235:2 This place, which in all the editions of Hermas is wretchedly corrupted, by the collation of editions and MSS. is thus corrected by Dr. Grabe: "Quaere autem Dominus in concilio adhibuerit, filium de haereditate, honestosque nuncios, audi; Spiritum Sanctum, qui creatus est omnium primus, in corpore, in quo habitaret Deus, collocavit; in delecto scilicet corpore quod ei videbatur."
^235:3 Viz. the created Spirit of Christ, as man; not the Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Sacred Trinity.
^235:4 Thy body, according to some copies.
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