The suppressed Gospels and Epistles of the original New Testament of Jesus the Christ, Volume 9, Hermas

"The Suppressed Gospels and Epistles of the Original New Testament of Jesus the Christ" by William Wake is a compilation of ancient Christian texts from the late 19th century that presents writings attributed to Jesus's followers, writings notably absent from the canonical New Testament; it offers a window into the diverse faith practices and convictions of initial Christian societies, before their suppression by religious authorities. The collection starts with a translated portion of "The Book of Hermas," which speaks to the visions of Hermas, a person deeply concerned with spiritual matters. In his visions, Hermas sees figures representing virtues and sins, receiving messages about faith, repentance, and how Christians should act. The story looks at themes of sin, forgiveness, and the need to keep a pure heart, addressing challenges that believers face as they navigate their faith. This pulls readers into the relationship between personal morals and communal faith in early Christianity.