Lake Apostolic Fathers 2 - Bible Translation

THE SHEPHERD, mand. iv. ii. 2-iii. 3
who repent. Or do you not think," said he, " that
this very repentance is itself understanding ? To
repent," said he, "is great understanding. For the
sinner understands that he '^has done wickedly
before the Lord,' and the deed which he wrought
comes into his heart, and he repents and no longer
does wickedly, but does good abundantly, and
humbles his soul and punishes it because he sinned.
You see, therefore, that repentance is great understanding."
3. " For this reason then, sir," said I,
" I enquire accurately from you as to all things.
First, because I am a sinner, that I may know what
I must do to live, because my sins are many and
manifold." 4. " You shall live," he said, " if you
keep my commandments and walk in them, and
whosoever shall hear and keep these commandments
shall live to God."
HI
1. "I WILL yet, sir," said I, "continue to ask." Repentance
" Say on," said he. "rl have heard, sir," said I, " from bapSL^"""'
some teachers ^ that there is no second repentance
beyond the one given when we went down into
the water and received remission of our former sins."
2. He said to me, " You have heard correctly, for
that is so. For he who has received remission of
sin ought never to sin again, but to live in purity.
3. But since you ask accurately concerning all things,
I will explain this also to you without giving an
excuse to those who in the future shall believe or to
* Possibly a reference to Heb. 6, 4 fiF.
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