1WhenIhadprayedathome,andwassatdownuponthebed,a certainmancameintomewithareverendlook,inthehabitofa shepherd,clothedwithawhitecloak,havinghisbaguponhis back,andhisstaffinhishand,andsalutedme.
2Ireturnedhissalutation,andimmediatelyhesatdownbyme, andsaiduntome,Iamsentbythatvenerablemessenger,thatI shoulddwellwiththeealltheremainingdaysofthylife.
3ButIthoughtthathewascometotryme,andsaiduntohim, Whoareyou?ForIknowtowhomIamcommitted.Hesaidunto me,Doyounotknowme?Iansweredno.Iam,saidhe,that shepherdtowhosecareyouaredelivered
4Whilsthewasyetspeaking,hisshapewaschanged;andwhenI knewthatitwashetowhomIwascommitted,Iwasashamed, andasuddenfearcameuponme,andIwasutterlyovercome withsadness,becauseIhadspokensofoolishlyuntohim 5Buthesaiduntome,Benotashamed,butreceivestrengthin thymind,throughthecommandswhichIamabouttodeliver untotheeFor,saidhe,Iamsenttoshewuntotheeallthose thingsagain,whichthouhastseenbefore,butespeciallysuchof themasmaybeofmostuseuntothee
6AndfirstofallwritemyCommandsandSimilitudes,therest thoushaltsowriteasIshallshewuntotheeButIthereforebid theefirstofallwritemyCommandsandSimilitudes,thatby oftenreadingofthemthoumayestthemoreeasilykeepthemin memory
7WhereuponIwrotehisCommandsandSimilitudes,ashebade me
8Whichthingsifwhenyouhaveheard,yeshallobservetodo them,andshallwalkaccordingtothem,andexerciseyourselves inthemwithapuremind,yeshallreceivefromtheLordthose thingswhichbehaspromiseduntoyou
9Butifhavingheardthemyeshallnotrepent,butshallstillgo ontoaddtoyoursins,yeshallbepunishedbyhim
10AllthesethingsthatShepherd,theangelofrepentance, commandedmetowrite
COMMAND1
1FirstofallbelievethatthereisoneGodwhocreatedand framedallthingsofnothingintoabeing
2Hecomprehendsallthings,andisonlyimmense,nottobe comprehendedbyany.
3Whocanneitherbedefinedbyanywords,norconceivedbythe mind
4Thereforebelieveinhim;andfearhim;andfearinghimabstain fromallevil.
5Keepthesethings,andcastalllustandiniquityfarfromthee, andputonrighteousness,andthoushaltlivetoGod,ifthoushalt keepthiscommandment.
COMMAND2
1Hesaiduntome,Beinnocentandwithoutdisguise;soshalt thoubelikeaninfantwhoknowsnomalicewhichdestroysthe lifeofman
2Especiallyseethatthouspeakevilofnone,norwillinglyhear anyonespeakevilofany
3Forifthouobservestnotthis,thoualsowhohearestshaltbe partakerofthesinofhimthatspeakethevil,bybelievingthe slander,andthoualsoshalthavesin,becausethoubelieved-est himthatspokeevilofthybrother
4Detractionisaperniciousthing;aninconstant,evilspirit;that nevercontinuesinpeace,butisalwaysindiscordWherefore refrainthyselffromit,andkeeppeaceevermorewiththybrother 5Putonanholyconstancy,inwhichtherearenosins,butallis fullofjoy;anddogoodofthylabours
6Givewithoutdistinctiontoallthatareinwant,notdoubtingto whomthougivest
7Butgivetoall,forGodwillhaveusgivetoall,ofallhisown giftsTheythereforethatreceiveshallgiveanaccounttoGod, bothwhereforetheyreceivedandforwhatend 8Andtheythatreceivewithoutarealneed,shallgiveanaccount forit;buthethatgivesshallbeinnocent.
9ForhehasfulfilledhisdutyashereceiveditfromGod;not makinganychoicetowhomheshouldgive,andtowhomnot. AndthisservicehedidwithsimplicityandtothegloryofGod. 10KeepthereforethiscommandaccordingasIhavedeliveredit untothee;thatthyrepentancemaybefoundtobesincere,and thatgoodmaycometothyhouse;andhaveapureheart.
COMMAND3
1Moreoverhesaiduntome,lovetruth;andletallthespeechbe truewhichproceedsoutofthymouth.
2ThatthespiritwhichtheLordhathgiventodwellinthyflesh maybefoundtruetowardsallmen;andtheLordbeglorified, whohathgivensuchaspirituntothee:becauseGodistrueinall hiswords,andinhimthereisnolie
3Theythereforethatlie,denytheLord,andbecomerobbersof theLord,notrenderingtoGodwhattheyreceivedfromhim 4Fortheyreceivedthespiritfreefromlying:Ifthereforethey makethataliar,theydefilewhatwascommittedtothembythe Lord,andbecomedeceivers
5WhenIheardthis,Iweptbitterly;andwhenhesawme weeping,hesaiduntome,Whyweepestthou?AndIsaid, Because,sir,IdoubtwhetherIcanbesaved?
6Heaskedme,Wherefore?Ireplied,becausesir,Ineverspakea truewordinmylife;butalwayslivedindissimulation,and affirmedaliefortruthtoallmen;andnomancontradictedme, butallgavecredittomywordsHowthencanIlive,seeingI havedoneinthis,manner?
7Andhesaiduntome,ThouthinkestwellandtrulyForthou oughtest,astheservantofGod,tohavewalkedinthetruth,and nothavejoinedanevilconsciencewiththespiritoftruth,nor havegrievedtheholyandtrueSpiritofGod
8AndIreplieduntohim,sir,Ineverbeforehearkenedso diligentlytothesethingsHeanswered,Nowthouhearestthem: Takecarefromhenceforth,thateventhosethingswhichthouhast formerlyspokenfalselyforthesakeofthybusiness,may,bythy presenttruthreceivecredit
9Foreventhosethingsmaybecredited,ifforthetimetocome thoushaltspeakthetruth;andbysodoingthoumayestattain untolife
10Andwhosoevershallhearkenuntothiscommand,anddoit, andshalldepartfromalllying,heshallliveuntoGod
COMMAND4
1Furthermore,saidhe,Icommandthee,thatthoukeepthyself chaste;andthatthousuffernotanythoughtofanyothermarriage, oroffornication,toenterintothyheart:forsuchathought producesgreatsin.
2ButbethouatalltimesmindfuloftheLord,andthoushalt neversinForifsuchanevilthoughtshouldariseinthyheart, thoushouldestbeguiltyofagreatsin;andtheywhodosuch thingsfollowthewayofdeath
3Lookthereforetothyself,andkeepthyselffromsuchathought; forwherechastityremainsintheheartofarighteousman,there anevilthoughtoughtnevertoarise
4AndIsaiduntohim,Sir,suffermetospeakalittletoyouHe bademesayonAndIanswered,Sir,ifamanthatisfaithfulin theLordshallhaveawife,andshallcatchherinadultery;dotha mansinthatcontinuestolivestillwithher?
5Andhesaiduntome,Aslongasheisignorantofhersin,he commitsnofaultinlivingwithher;butifamanshallknowhis wifetohaveoffended,andsheshallnotrepentofhersin,butgo onstillinherfornication,andamanshallcontinuenevertheless
tolivewithher,heshallbecomeguiltyofhersin,andpartake withherinheradultery
6AndIsaiduntohim,Whatthereforeistobedone,ifthewoman continuesoninhersin?Heanswered,Letherhusbandputher away,andlethimcontinuebyhimself.Butifheshallputaway hiswife,andmarryanotherhealsodothcommitadultery.
7AndIsaid,Whatifthewomanthatissoputaway,shallrepent, andbewillingtoreturntoherhusband,shallshenotbereceived byhim?Hesaiduntome,Yes;andifherhusbandshallnot receiveher,hewillsin,andcommitagreatoffenceagainst himself;butheoughttoreceivetheoffender,ifsherepents;only notoften.
8FortotheservantsofGodthereisbutonerepentanceAndfor thiscauseamanthatputtethawayhiswifeoughtnottotake another,becauseshemayrepent
9Thisactisalikebothinthemanandinthewoman.Nowthey commitadultery,notonlywhopollutetheirflesh,butwhoalso makeanimageIfthereforeawomanperseveresinanythingof thiskind,andrepentsnot,departfromher,andlivenotwithher, otherwisethoualsoshaltbepartakerofhersin
10Butitisthereforecommandedthatboththemanandthe womanshouldremainunmarriedbecausesuchpersonsmay repent
11NordoIinthisadministeranyoccasionforthedoingofthese things;butratherthatwhosohasoffended,shouldnotoffendany more
12Butfortheirformersins,Godwhohasthepowerofhealing willgivearemedy;forhehasthepowerofallthings
13Iaskedhimagainandsaid,SeeingtheLordhaththoughtme worthythatthoushouldestdwellwithmecontinually,speaka fewwordsuntome,becauseIunderstandnothing,andmyheart ishardenedthroughmyformerconversation;andopenmy understandingbecauseIamverydull,andapprehendnothingat all
14Andheansweringsaiduntome,Iamtheministerof repentance,andgiveunderstandingtoallthatrepentDoesitnot seemtotheetobeaverywisethingtorepent?Becausehethat doessogetsgreatunderstanding
15Forheissensiblethathehathsinnedanddonewickedlyinthe sightoftheLord,andherememberswithinhimselfthathehas offended,andrepentsanddoesnomorewickedly,butdoesthat whichisgood,andhumbleshissoulandafflictsit,becausehe hasoffendedYouseethereforethatrepentanceisgreatwisdom
16AndIsaiduntohim,Forthiscause,sir,Iinquirediligently intoallthings,becauseIamasinner,thatImayknowwhatI mustdothatImaylive;becausemysinsaremany
17Andhesaiduntome,Thoushaltliveifthoushaltkeepthese mycommandments.Andwhosoevershallhearanddothese commandsshallliveuntoGod.
18¶AndIsaiduntohim,Ihaveevennowheardfromcertain teachers,thatthereisnootherrepentancebesidethatofbaptism; whenwegodownintothewater,andreceivetheforgivenessof oursins;andthatafterthat,wemustsinnomore,butlivein purity.
19Andhesaiduntome,Thouhasbeenrightlyinformed. Neverthelessseeingnowthouinquirestdiligentlyintoallthings,I willmanifestthisalsountothee:yetnotsoastogiveany occasionofsinningeithertothosewhoshallhereafterbelieve,or tothosewhohavealreadybelievedintheLord
20Forneithertheywhohavenewlybelieved,orwhoshall hereafterbelieve,haveanyrepentanceofsins,butforgivenessof them
21Butastothosewhohavebeencalledtothefaith,andsince thatarefallenintoanygrosssin,theLordhathappointed repentance,becauseGodknoweththethoughtsofallmen'shearts, andtheirinfirmities,andthemanifoldwickednessofthedevil, whoisalwayscontrivingsomethingagainsttheservantsofGod, andmaliciouslylayssnaresforthem
22ThereforeourmercifulLordhadcompassiontowardshis creature,andappointedthatrepentance,andgaveuntomethe
powerofitAndthereforeIsayuntothee,ifanyoneafterthat greatandholycallingshallbetemptedbythedevilandsin,he hasonerepentanceButifheshalloftensinandrepentitshallnot profitsuchaone;forheshallhardlyliveuntoGod.
23AndIsaid,Sir,IamrestoredagaintolifesinceIhavethus diligentlyhearkenedtothesecommands.ForIperceivethatifI shallnothereafteraddanymoretomysins,Ishallbesaved.
24Andhesaid,Thoushaltbesaved:andsoshallallothers,as manyasshallobservethesecommandments.
25AndagainIsaiduntohim,Sir,seeingthouhearestme patientlyshewmeyetonethingmore.Tellme,saithhe,whatitis.
26AndIsaid,Ifahusbandorawifedie,andthepartywhich survivesmarryagain,doeshesininsodoing?Hethatmarries sayshe,sinsnot:howbeit,ifheshallremainsingle,heshall therebygaintohimselfgreathonourbeforetheLord
27Keepthereforethychastityandmodesty,andthoushaltlive untoGodObservefromhenceforththosethingswhichIspeak withthee,andcommandtheetoobserve,fromthetimethatI havebeendelivereduntothee,anddwellinthyhouse
28Soshallthyformersinsbeforgiven,ifthoushaltkeepthese mycommandmentsAndinlikemannershallaltothersbe forgiven,whoshallobservethesemycommandments
COMMAND5
1Bepatient,sayshe,andlongsuffering;soshaltthouhave dominionoverallwickedworks,andshaltfulfilallrighteousness 2Forifthoushaltbepatient,theHolySpiritwhichdwellethin theeshallbepure,andnotbedarkenedbyanyevilspirit;but beingfullofjoyshallbeenlarged,andfeastinthebodyinwhich itdwells,andservetheLordwithjoy,andingreatpeace
3Butifanyangershallovertakethee,presentlytheHolySpirit whichisintheewillbestraightenedandseektodepartfromthee 4Forheischokedbytheevilspirit,andhasnotthelibertyof servingtheLordashewouldforheisgrievedbyangerWhen, therefore,boththesespiritsdwelltogether,itisdestructivetoa man
5Asifoneshouldtakealittlewormwood,andputitintoavessel ofhoney,thewholehoneywouldbespoiled;andagreatquantity ofhoneyiscorruptedbyaverylittlewormwood,andlosesthe sweetnessofhoney,andisnolongeracceptabletoitsLord becausethewholehoneyismadebitter,andlosesitsuse
6Butifnowormwoodbeputintothehoney,itissweetand profitabletoitsLord.Thusisforbearancesweeterthanhoney, andprofitabletotheLordwhodwellethinit
7ButangerisunprofitableIfthereforeangershallbemixedwith forbearance,thesoulisdistressed,anditsprayerisnotprofitable withGod.
8AndIsaiduntohim,Sir,Iwouldknowthesinfulnessofanger, thatImaykeepmyselffromit.Andhesaiduntome,Thoushalt knowit;andifthoushaltnotkeepthyselffromit,thoushaltlose thyhopewithallthyhouse.Whereforedepartfromit.
9ForIthemessengerofrighteousnessamwiththee;andallthat departfromit,asmanyasshallrepentwithalltheirhearts,shall liveuntoGod;andIwillbewiththem,andwillkeepthemall.
10Forallsuchashaverepentedhavebeenjustifiedbythemost holymessenger,whoisaministerofsalvation
11Andnow,sayshe,hearthewickednessofanger;howeviland hurtfulitis,andhowitoverthrowstheservantsofGod;forit cannothurtthosethatarefulloffaithbecausethepowerofGod iswiththem;butitoverthrowsthedoubtful,andthosethatare destituteoffaith
12Forasoftenasitseessuchmen,itcastsitselfintotheirhearts; andsoamanorwomanisinbitternessfornothing,forthethings oflife,orforsustenance,orforavainword,ifanyshouldchance tofallin;orbyreasonofanyfriend,orforadebt,orforany othersuperfluousthingsofthelikenature
13Forthesethingsarefoolish,andsuperfluous,andvaintothe servantsofGodButequanimityisstrong,andforcible;andof
greatpower,andsittethingreatenlargement;ischeerful, rejoicinginpeace;andglorifyingGodatalltimeswithmeekness
14Andthislong-sufferingdwellswiththosethatarefulloffaith Butangerisfoolish,andlight,andempty.Nowbitternessisbred throughfolly;bybitterness,anger;byanger,fury.Andthisfury arisingfromsomanyevilprinciples,workethagreatand incurablesin.
15Forwhenallthesethingsareinthesamemaninwhichthe HolySpiritdwells,thevesselcannotcontainthem,butrunsover: andbecausetheSpiritbeingtendercannottarrywiththeevilone; itdepartsanddwellswithhimthatismeek.
16When,therefore,itisdepartedfromthemaninwhomitdwelt; thatmanbecomesdestituteoftheHolySpirit,andisafterwards filledwithwickedspirits,andisblindedwithevilthoughts.Thus dothithappentoallangrymen
17Whereforedepartthoufromangerandputonequanimity,and resistwrath;sothoushaltbefoundwithmodestyandchastityby GodTakegoodheedthereforethatthouneglectnotthis commandment
18Forifthoushaltobeythiscommand,thenshaltthoualsobe abletoobservetheothercommandments,whichIshallcommand thee
19Whereforestrengthenthyselfnowinthesecommands,that thoumayestliveuntoGodAndwhosoevershallobservethese commandmentsshallliveuntoGod
COMMAND6
1Icommandedthee,saidhe,inmyfirstcommandments,that thoushouldstkeepfaithandfear,andrepentanceYes,Sir,saidI 2Hecontinued:ButnowIwillshewtheethevirtuesofthese commands,thatthoumayestknowtheireffects;howtheyare prescribedaliketothejustandunjust
3Dothouthereforebelievetherighteous,butgivenocreditto theunrighteousForrighteousnesskeepeththerightway,but unrighteousnessthewickedway
4Dothouthereforekeeptherightway,andleavethatwhichis evilFortheevilwayhasnotagoodend,buthathmany stumbling-blocks;itisruggedandfullofthorns,andleadsto destruction;anditishurtfultoallsuchaswalkinit
5Buttheywhogointherightway,walkwithevenness,and withoutoffence;becauseitisnotroughnorthorny
6ThouseestthereforehowitisbesttowalkinthiswayThou shaltthereforego,sayshe,andallothers,asmanyasbelievein Godwithalltheirheart,shallothroughit
7Andnow,sayshe;understandfirstofallwhatbelongstofaith Therearetwoangelswithman;oneofrighteousness,theotherof iniquity.
8AndIsaiduntohim:Sir,howshallIknowthattherearetwo suchangelswithman?Hearsayshe,andunderstand.
9Theangelofrighteousness,ismildandmodest,andgentle,and quiet.Whentherefore,hegetsintothyheart,immediatelyhe talkswiththeeofrighteousness,ofmodesty,ofchastity,of bountifulness,offorgiveness,ofcharity,andpiety.
10Whenallthesethingscomeintothyheart,knowthenthatthe angelofrighteousnessiswiththeeWhereforehearkentothis angelandtohisworks
11LearnalsotheworksoftheangelofiniquityHeisfirstofall bitter,andangry,andfoolish;andhisworksarepernicious,and overthrowtheservantsofGodWhenthereforethesethingscome intothyheart;thoushaltknowbyhisworks,thatthisistheangel ofiniquity
12AndIsaiduntohim,Sir,howshallIunderstandthesethings? Hearsayshe,andunderstandWhenangerovertakesthee,or bitterness,knowthatheisinthee:
13Asalso,whenthedesireofmanythings,andofthebestmeats andofdrunkenness;whentheloveofwhatbelongstoothers, pride,andmuchspeakingandambition,andthelikethings,come uponthee
14Whenthereforethesethingsariseinthyheart,knowthatthe angelofiniquityiswiththeeSeeingthereforethouknowesthis works,departfromthemall,andgivenocredittohim:because hisworksareevil,andbecomenottheservantsofGod.
15Herethereforethouhasttheworksofboththeseangels. Understandnowandbelievetheangelofrighteousness,because hisinstructionisgood.
16Forletamanbeneversohappy;yetifthethoughtsofthe otherangelariseinhisheart,thatmanorwomanmustneedssin.
17Butletmanorwomanbeneversowicked,iftheworksofthe angelofrighteousnesscomeintohisheart,thatmanorwoman mustneedsdosomegood.
18Thouseestthereforehowitisgoodtofollowtheangelof righteousness.Ifthereforethoushallfollowhim,and2submitto hisworks,thoushaltliveuntoGodAndasmanyasshallsubmit tohiswork,shalllivealsountoGod.
COMMAND7
1FearGod,sayshe,andkeephiscommandmentsForifthou keepesthiscommandmentsthoushaltbepowerfulineverywork, andallthyworksshallbeexcellentForbyfearingGod,thou shaltdoeverythingwell
2Thisisthatfearwithwhichthoumustbeaffectedthatthou mayestbesavedButfearnotthedevil:forifthoufearestthe Lord,thoushalthavedominionoverhim;becausethereisno powerinhim
3Nowiftherebenopowerinhim,thenneitherishetobefeared Butheinwhomthereisexcellentpower,heistobefeared:for everyonethathaspower,istobefearedButhethathasno powerisdespisedbyeveryone
4Feartheworksofthedevil,becausetheyareevilForby fearingtheLord,thouwiltfearandnotdotheworksofthedevil, butkeepthyselffromthem
5Thereisthereforeatwofoldfear;ifthouwiltnotdoevil,fear theLordandthoushaltnotdoitButifthouwiltdogood,the fearoftheLordisstrong,andgreatandglorious
6Wherefore,fearGodandthoushaltlive:andwhosoevershall fearhim,andkeephiscommandments,theirlifeiswiththeLord Buttheywhokeepthemnot,neitherislifeinthem
COMMAND8
1Ihavetoldthee,saidhe,thattherearetwokindsofcreaturesof theLord,andthatthereisatwo-foldabstinenceFromsome thingsthereforethoumustabstain,andfromothersnot 2Ianswered,Declaretome,sir,fromwhatImustabstain,and fromwhatnot.Hearken,saidhe.Keepthyselffromevil,anddoit not;butabstainnotfromgood,butdoit.Forifthoushaltabstain fromwhatisgood,andnotdoit,thoushaltsin.Abstaintherefore fromallevil,andthoushaltknowallrighteousness.
3Isaid,WhatevilthingsaretheyfromwhichImustabstain? Hearken,saidhe:fromadultery,fromdrunkenness,fromriots, fromexcessofeating,fromdaintinessanddishonesty,frompride, fromfraud,fromlying,fromdetraction,fromhypocrisy,from remembranceofinjuries,andfromallevilspeaking 4Forthesearetheworksofiniquity,fromwhichtheservantof GodmustabstainForhethatcannotkeephimselffromthese things,cannotliveuntoGod
5Buthear,saidhe,whatfollowsofthesekindofthings:for indeedmanymoretherearefromwhichtheservantofGodmust abstainFromtheft,andcheating;fromfalsewitness,from covetousness,fromboasting,andallotherthingsofthelike nature
6Dothesethingsseemtotheetobeevilornot?Indeedtheyare veryeviltotheservantsofGodWhereforetheservantofGod mustabstainfromalltheseworks
7Keepthyselfthereforefromthem,thatthoumayestliveunto God,andbewrittenamongthosethatabstainfromthemAnd
thushaveIshowntheewhatthingsthoumustavoid:nowlearn fromwhatthoumustnotabstain
8Abstainnotfromanygoodworks,butdothemHear,saidhe, whatthevirtueofthosegoodworksiswhichthoumustdo,that thoumayestbesaved.Thefirstofallisfaith;thefearoftheLord; charity;concord;equity;truth;patience;chastity.
9Thereisnothingbetterthanthesethingsinthelifeofman;who shallkeepanddothesethingsintheirlife.Hearnextwhatfollow these.
10Toministertothewidows;nottodespisethefatherlessand poor;toredeemtheservantsofGodfromnecessity;tobe hospitable;(forinhospitalitythereissometimesgreatfruit)not tobecontentious,butbequiet
11Tobehumbleaboveallmen;toreverencetheaged;tolabour toberighteous;torespectthebrotherhood;tobearaffronts;tobe long-suffering;nottocastawaythosethathavefallenfromthe faith,buttoconvertthem,andmakethembeofgoodcheer;to admonishsinners;nottooppressthosethatareourdebtors;and allotherthingsofalikekind
12Dothesethingsseemtotheetobegoodornot?AndIsaid, Whatcanbebetterthanthesewords?Livethen,saidhe,inthese commandments,anddonotdepartfromthemForifthoushalt keepallthesecommandments,thoushaltliveuntoGodAndall theythatshallkeepthesecommandmentsshallliveuntoGod
COMMAND9
1Againhesaiduntome;removefromtheealldoubting;and questionnothingatall,whenthouaskestanythingoftheLord; sayingwithinthyself:howshallIbeabletoaskanythingofthe Lordandreceiveit,seeingIhavesogreatlysinnedagainsthim?
2Donotthinkthus,butturnuntotheLordwithallthyheart,and askofhimwithoutdoubting,andthoushaltknowthemercyof theLord;howthathewillnotforsakethee,butwillfulfilthe requestofthysoul
3ForGodisnotasmen,mindfuloftheinjurieshehasreceived; butheforgetsinjuries,andhascompassionuponhiscreature
4Whereforepurifythyheartfromallthevicesofthispresent world;andobservethecommandsIhavebeforedeliveredunto theefromGod;andthoushaltreceivewhatsoevergoodthings thoushaltask,andnothingshallbewantinguntotheeofallthy petitions;ifthoushaltaskoftheLordwithoutdoubting
5Buttheythatarenotsuch,shallobtainnoneofthosethings whichtheyask.Fortheythatarefulloffaithaskallthingswith confidence,andreceivefromtheLord,becausetheyaskwithout doubtingButhethatdoubts,shallhardlyliveuntoGod,except herepent
6Whereforepurifythyheartfromdoubting,andputonfaith,and trustinGod,andthoushaltreceiveallthatthoushaltask.Butand ifthoushouldestchancetoasksomewhatandnot(immediately) receiveit,yetdonotthereforedoubt,becausethouhastnot presentlyreceivedthepetitionofthysoul.
7Foritmaybethoushaltnotpresentlyreceiveitforthytrial,or elseforsomesinwhichthouknowestnot.Butdonotthouleave offtoask,andthenthoushaltreceive.Elseifthoushaltceaseto ask,thoumustcomplainofthyself,andnotofGod,thathehas notgivenuntotheewhatthoudidstdesire
8Considerthereforethisdoubting,howcruelandperniciousitis; andhowitutterlyrootsoutmanyfromthefaith,whowerevery faithfulandfirmForthisdoubtingisthedaughterofthedevil, anddealsverywickedlywiththeservantsofGod
9Despiseittherefore,andthoushaltruleoveritonevery occasionPutonafirmandpowerfulfaith:forfaithpromisesall thingsandperfectsallthingsButdoubtingwillnotbelieve,that itshallobtainanything,byallthatitcando
10Thouseesttherefore,sayshe,howfaithcomethfromabove, fromGod;andhathgreatpowerButdoubtingisanearthlyspirit, andproceedethfromthedevil,andhasnostrength
11Dothouthereforekeepthevirtueoffaith,anddepartfrom doubting,inwhichisnovirtue,andthoushaltliveuntoGodAnd allshallliveuntoGod,asmanyasdothesethings
COMMAND10
1Putallsadnessfarfromthee;foritisthesisterofdoubtingand ofanger.How,sir,saidI,isitthesisterofthese?forsadness,and anger,anddoubting,seemtometobeverydifferentfromone another.
2Andheanswered:Artthouwithoutsensethatthoudostnot understandit?Forsadnessisthemostmischievousofallspirits, andtheworsttotheservantsofGod:Itdestroysthespiritsofall men,andtormentstheHolySpirit;andagain,itsaves.
3Sir,saidI,Iamveryfoolish,andunderstandnotthesethingsI cannotapprehendhowitcantorment,andyetsave.Hear,saidhe, andunderstandTheywhoneversoughtoutthetruth,nor inquiredconcerningthemajestyofGod,butonlybelieved,are involvedintheaffairsoftheheathen
4Andthereisanotherlyingprophetthatdestroysthemindsof theservantsofGod;thatisofthosethataredoubtful,notofthose thatfullytrustintheLordNowthosedoubtfulpersonscometo him,astoadivinespirit,andinquireofhimwhatshallbefall them
5Andthislyingprophethavingnopowerinhimofthedivine Spirit,answersthemaccordingtotheirdemands,andfillstheir soulswithpromisesaccordingastheydesireHowbeitthat prophetisvain,andanswersvainthingstothosewhoare themselvesvain
6Andwhatsoeverisaskedofhimbyvainmen,heanswersthem vainlyNeverthelesshespeakethsomethingstrulyForthedevil fillshimwithhisspirit,thathemayoverthrowsomeofthe righteous
7WhosoeverthereforearestronginthefaithoftheLord,and haveputonthetruth:theyarenotjoinedtosuchspirits,but departfromthemButtheythataredoubtful,andoftenrepenting liketheheathens,consultthem,andheapuptothemselvesgreat sin,servingidols
8Asmanythereforeasaresuch,inquireofthemuponevery occasion;worshipidols;andarefoolish,andvoidofthetruth 9ForeveryspiritthatisgivenfromGodneedsnottobeasked; buthavingthepowerofdivinityspeaksallthingsofitself; becausehecomesfromabove,fromthepowerofGod
10Buthethatbeingaskedspeaksaccordingtomen'sdesires,and concerningmanyotheraffairsofthepresentworld,understands notthethingswhichrelateuntoGodForthesespiritsare darkenedthroughsuchaffairs,andcorruptedandbroken 11Asgoodvinesiftheyareneglected,areoppressedwithweeds andthorns,andatlastkilledbythem;soarethemenwhobelieve suchspirits.
12Theyfallintomanyactionsandbusinesses,andarevoidof sense,andwhentheythinkofthingspertaininguntoGod,they understandnothingatall:butifatanytimetheychancetohear anythingconcerningtheLord,theirthoughtsareupontheir business.
13ButtheythathavethefearoftheLord,andsearchoutthe truthconcerningGod,havingalltheirthoughtstowardstheLord; apprehendwhatsoeverissaidtothem,andforthwithunderstandit, becausetheyhavethefearoftheLordinthem
14ForwherethespiritoftheLorddwells,thereisalsomuch understandingaddedWhereforejointhyselftotheLord,and thoushaltunderstandallthings
15Learnnow,Ounwiseman!howsadnesstroubleththeHoly Spirit,andhowitsavesWhenamanthatisdoubtfulisengaged inanyaffair,anddoesnotaccomplishitbyreasonofhis doubting,thissadnessentersintohim,andgrievestheHolySpirit, andmakeshimsad
16Again,angerwhenitovertakesanymanforanybusinessheis greatlymoved;andthenagainsadnessenterethintotheheartof
him,whowasmovedwithanger,andheistroubledforwhathe hathdone,andrepenteth,becausehehathdoneamiss
17Thissadnessthereforeseemethtobringsalvation,becausehe repentethofhisevildeed.Butboththeotherthings,namely, doubtingandsadness,suchasbeforewasmentioned,vexthe spirit:doubting,becausehisworkdidnotsucceed:andsadness, becauseheangeredtheHolySpirit.
18Removethereforesadnessfromthyself,andafflictnotthe HolySpiritwhichdwellethinthee,lestheentreatGod,and departfromthee.ForthespiritoftheLordwhichisgivento dwellintheflesh,endurethnosuchsadness.
19Whereforeclothethyselfwithcheerfulness,whichhasalways favourwiththeLord,andthoushaltrejoiceinitForevery cheerfulmandoeswell;andrelishesthosethingsthataregood, anddespisessadness
20Butthesadmandoesalwayswickedly.First,hedoth wickedly,becausehegrieveththeHolySpirit,whichisgivento man,beingofacheerfulnatureAndagainhedoesill,becausehe prayswithsadnessuntotheLord,andmakethnotafirstthankful acknowledgmentuntohimofformermercies,andobtainsnotof Godwhatheasks
21Fortheprayerofasadmanhasnotalwaysefficacytocome uptothealtarofGodAndIsaiduntohim,Sir,whyhasnotthe prayerofasadmanvirtuetocomeuptothealtarofGod? because,saidhe,thatsadnessremainethinhisheart
22Whenthereforeaman'sprayershallbeaccompaniedwith sadness,itwillnotsufferhisrequeststoascendpuretothealtar ofGodForaswinewhenitismingledwithvinegar,hasnotthe sweetnessithadbefore;sosadnessbeingmixedwiththeHoly Spirit,suffersnotaman'sprayertobethesameasitwouldbe otherwise
23Whereforecleansethyselffromsadness,whichisevil,and thoushaltliveuntoGodAndallothersshallliveuntoGod,as manyasshalllayasidesadnessandputoncheerfulness
COMMAND11
1Heshewedmecertainmensittinguponbenches,andone sittinginachair:andhesaiduntomeseestthouwhosituponthe benches?Sir,saidI,IseethemHeanswered,Theyarethe faithful;andhewhositsinthechairisanearthlyspirit
2Forhecomethnotintotheassemblyofthefaithful,butavoids itButhejoinshimselftothedoubtfulandempty;andprophesies tothemincornersandhiddenplaces;andpleasesthemby speakingaccordingtoallthedesiresoftheirhearts
3Forheplacinghimselfamongemptyvessels,isnotbroken,but theonefitteththeotherButwhenhecomethintothecompanyof justmen,whoarefullofthespiritofGod,andtheyprayuntothe Lord;thatmanisemptiedbecausethatearthlyspiritfliesfrom him,andheisdumb,andcannotspeakanything.
4Asifinastore-houseyoushallstopupwineoroil;andamong thosevesselsshallplaceanemptyjar;andshallafterwardscome toopenit,youshallfinditemptyasyoustoppeditup:sothose emptyprophetswhentheycomeamongthespiritsofthejust,are foundtobesuchastheycame.
5Isaid,Howthenshallamanbeabletodiscernthem?Consider whatIamgoingtosayconsideringbothkindsofmen;andasI speakuntotheesoshaltthouprovetheprophetofGod,andthe falseprophet
6AndfirsttrythemanwhohaththespiritofGod;becausethe spiritwhichisfromaboveishumble,andquiet;anddepartsfrom allwickedness;andfromthevaindesiresofthepresentworld; andmakeshimselfmorehumblethanallmen;andanswersto nonewhenheisasked;nortoeveryonesingly:fortheSpiritof Goddothnotspeaktoamanwhenhewill,butwhenGodpleases 7WhenthereforeamanwhohaththeSpiritofGodshallcome intothechurchoftherighteous,whohavethefaithofGod,and theyprayuntotheLord;thentheholyangelofGodfillsthatman withtheblessedSpirit,andhespeaksinthecongregationasheis movedofGod
8ThusthereforeisthespiritofGodknown,becausewhosoever speakethbytheSpiritofGod,speakethastheLordwill 9Hearnowconcerningtheearthlyspirit,whichisemptyand foolish,andwithoutvirtue.Andfirstofallthemanwhois supposedtohavetheSpirit,(whereashehathitnotinreality), exaltethhimself,anddesirestohavethefirstseat,andiswicked, andfullofwords.
10Andspendshistimeinpleasure,andinallmannerof voluptuousness;andreceivestherewardofhisdivination;which ifhereceivesnot,hedoesnotdivine.
11ShouldtheSpiritofGodreceiverewardanddivine?Itdoth notbecomeaprophetofGodsotodo.
12Thusyouseethelifeofeachofthesekindofprophets Whereforeprovethatmanbyhislifeandworks,whosaysthathe haththeHolySpiritAndbelievetheSpiritwhichcomesfrom God,andhaspowerassuch.Butbelievenottheearthlyand emptyspirit,whichisfromthedevil,inwhomthereisnofaith norvirtue
13HearnowthesimilitudewhichIamabouttospeakuntothee Takeastone,andthrowituptowardsheaven;ortakeaspoutof water,andmountitupthitherward;andseeifthoucanstreach untoheaven
14Sir,saidI,howcanthisbedone?Forneitherofthosethings whichyouhavementioned,arepossibletobedoneAndhe answered,Thereforeasthesethingscannotbedone,soisthe earthlyspiritwithoutvirtue,andwithouteffect
15Understandyetfartherthepowerwhichcomethfromabove, inthissimilitudeThegrainsofhailthatdropdownare exceedinglysmall;andyetwhentheyfallupontheheadofaman, howdotheycausepaintoit?
16Andagain;considerthedroppingsofahouse:howthelittle dropsfallingupontheearth,workahollowinthestones
17Soinlikemannertheleastthingswhichcomefromabove, andfallupontheearth,havegreatforceWhereforejointhyself tothisspirit,whichhasthepower;anddepartfromtheother whichisempty
COMMAND12
1Againhesaiduntome;removefromtheeallevildesires,and putongoodandholydesiresForhavingputonagooddesire, thoushalthatethatwhichisevil,andbridleitasthouwiltButan evildesireisdreadfulandhardtobetamed
2Itisveryhorribleandwild:andbyitswildnessconsumesmen. AndespeciallyifaservantofGodshallchancetofallintoit, excepthebeverywise,heisruinedbyitForitdestroysthose whohavenotthegarmentofagooddesire:andareengagedin theaffairsofthispresentworld;anddeliversthemuntodeath.
3Sir,saidI,whataretheworksofanevildesire,whichbring menuntodeath?Shewthemtome,thatImaydepartfromthem. Hearsaidhe,bywhatworksanevildesirebringeththeservants ofGoduntodeath.
4Firstofall,itisanevildesiretocovetanotherman'swife;or forawomantocovetanother'shusband;asalsotodesirethe daintiesofriches:andmultitudeofsuperfluousmeats;and drunkenness;andmanydelights
5Forinmuchdelicacythereisfolly;andmanypleasuresare needlesstotheservantsofGodSuchlustingthereforeiseviland pernicious,whichbringstodeaththeservantsofGodForall suchlustingisfromthedevil
6Whosoeverthereforeshalldepartfromallevildesires,shalllive untoGod;buttheythataresubjectuntothemshalldieforever ForthisevillustingisdeadlyDothouthereforeputonthedesire ofrighteousness,andbeingarmedwiththefearoftheLord,resist allwickedlusting
7Forthisfeardwellethingooddesires;andwhenevilcoveting shallseetheearmedwiththefearoftheLord,andresistingit,it willflyfarfromthee,andnotappearingbeforethee,butbeafraid ofthyarmour
8Andthoushalthavethevictory,andbecrownedforit;and shaltattaintothatdesirewhichisgood;andshaltgivethevictory whichthouhastobtaineduntoGod,andshaltservehimindoing whatthouthyselfwouldestdo.
9Forifthoushaltservegooddesires,andbesubjecttothem; thoushaltbeabletogetthedominionoverthywickedlustings; andtheyshallbesubjecttotheeasthouwilt.
10AndIsaid,Sir,Iwouldknowhowtoservethatdesirewhich isgood?Hearken,saithhe,FearGodandputthytrustinhim,and lovetruth,andrighteousness,anddothatwhichisgood.
11Ifthoushaltdothesethings,thoushaltbeanapprovedservant ofGod;andshaltservehim:andallotherswhoshallinlike mannerserveagooddesireshallliveuntoGod
12Andwhenhehadfulfilledthesetwelvecommands,hesaid untome,Thouhastnowthesecommands,walkinthem;and exhortthosethathearthemthatrepent,andthattheykeeptheir repentancepurealltheremainingdaysoftheirlife
13AndfulfildiligentlythisministrywhichIcommittothee,and thoushaltreceivegreatadvantagebyit;andshaltfindfavour withallsuchasshallrepent,andshallbelievethywordsForI amwiththee,andwillforcethemtobelieve
14AndIsaiduntohim,Sir,thosecommandsaregreatand excellent,andabletocheertheheartofthatmanthatshallbe abletokeepthemBut,Sir,Icannottell,whethertheycanbe observedbyanyman?
15Heanswered,Thoushalteasilykeepthesecommands,and theyshallnotbehard:howbeit,ifthoushaltsufferitonceto enterintothyheartthattheycannotbekeptbyanyone,thou shaltnotfulfilthem
16ButnowIsayuntotheeifthoushaltnotobservethese commands,butshallneglectthem,thoushaltnotbesaved,nor thychildren,northyhouse;becausethouhastjudgedthatthese cannotbekeptbyman
17Thesethingshespakeveryangrilyuntome,insomuchthathe greatlyaffrightedmeFurhechangedhiscountenance,sothata mattcouldnotbearhisanger
18Andwhenhesawmealtogethertroubledandconfounded,he begantospeakmoremoderatelyandcheerfully,saying,Ofoolish, andwithoutunderstanding!
19Unconstant,notknowingthemajestyofGodhowgreatand wonderfulheis;whocreatedtheworldforman,andhathmade everycreaturesubjectuntohim:andgivenhimallpower,thathe shouldbeabletofulfilallthesecommands
20Heisable,saidhe,tofulfilallthesecommands,whohathe Lordinhisheart:buttheywhohavetheLordonlyintheir mouths,andtheirheartishardened,andtheyarefarfromthe Lord;tosuchpersonsthesecommandsarehardanddifficult 21Puttherefore,yethatareemptyandlightinthefaith,theLord yourGodinyourheartsandyeshallperceivehowthatnothingis moreeasythanthesecommands,normorepleasant,normore gentleandholy.
22AndturnyourselvestotheLordyourGod,andforsakethe devilandhispleasures,becausetheyareevil,andbitter,and impure.Andfearnotthedevil,becausehehasnopoweroveryou.
23ForIamwithyou,themessengerofrepentance,whohavethe dominionoverhimThedevildothindeedaffrightmen;buthis terrorisvainWhereforefearhimnot,andhewillfleefromyou 24AndIsaiduntohim;Sir,hearmespeakafewwordsuntoyou Heanswered,Sayon:Amanindeeddesirestokeepthe commandmentsofGod:andthereisnoonebutwhatpraysunto God,thathemaybeabletokeephiscommandments
25Butthedevilishard,andbyhispowerrulesovertheservants ofGodAndhesaidHecannotruleovertheservantsofGod, whotrustinhimwithalltheirhearts
26Thedevilmaystrive,buthecannotovercomethem
27Forifyeresisthim,hewillfloeawaywithconfusionfrom youButtheythatarenotfullinthefaith,fearthedevil,asifhe hadsomegreatpowerForthedeviltriestheiservantsofGod andifhefindsthemempty,hedestroysthem
28Forasman,whenhefillsupvesselswithgoodwine,and amongthemputsafewvesselshalffull,andcomestotryand tasteofthevessels,dothnottrythosethatarefull,becauseho knowsthattheyaregood;buttastesthosethatarehalffull,lest theyshouldgrowsour;(forvesselshalffullsoongrowsour,and losethetasteofwine:)sothedevilcomestotheservantsofGod totrythem.
29Theythatarefulloffaithresisthimstoutly,andhedeparts fromthem,becausehefindsnoplacewheretoenterintothem: thenhegoestothosethatarenotfulloffaith,andbecausehehas placeofentrance,hegoesintothem,anddoeswhathewillwith them,andtheybecomehisservants.
30ButI,themessengerofrepentance,sayuntoyou,fearnotthe devil,forIamsentuntoyou,thatImayhewithyou,asmanyas shallrepentwithyourwholeheart,andthatImayconfirmyouin thefaith.
31Believetherefore,yewhobyreasonofyourtransgressions haveforgotGod,andyourownsalvation;andaddingtoyoursins havemadeyourlifeveryheavy
32ThatifyeshallturntotheLordwithyourwholehearts,and shallservehimaccordingtohiswill;hewillhealyouofyour formersins,andyeshallhavedominionoveralltheworksofthe devil
33Benotthenafraidintheleastofhisthreatenings,fortheyare withoutforce,asthenervesofadeadmanButhearkenuntome, andfeartheLordAlmighty,whoisabletosaveandtodestroy you;andkeephiscommands,thatyemayliveuntoGod
34AndIsaiduntohim;Sir,Iamnowconfirmedinallthe commandsoftheLordwhilstthatyouarewithme,andIknow thatyouwillbreakallthepowerofthedevil
35Andwealsoshallovercomehim,ifweshallbeable,through thehelpoftheLord,tokeepthesecommandswhichyouhave delivered
36Thoushaltkeepthem,saidhe,ifthoushaltpurifythyheart towardstheLordAndalltheyalsoshallkeepthemwhoshall cleansetheirheartsfromthevaindesiresofthepresentworld, andshallliveuntoGod