But the whole question of the speculative affinities of a writing like this requires subtle and delicate handling, and should be rather a subject for special treatment than an episode in an enquiry like the present.

The opinion of Dr.Keim must be of weight, but on the whole I think it will be safest and fairest to say that, while the round assertion that the author of the Epistle was ignorant of our Gospel is not justified, the positive evidence that he made use of it is not sufficiently clear to be pressed controversially.
* * * * * A similar condition of things may be predicated of the Shepherd of Hermas, though with a more decided leaning to the negative side.
Here again Dr.Keim [Endnote 273:1], as well as Canon Westcott [Endnote 273:2], thinks that we can trace an acquaintance with the Gospel, but the indications are too general and uncertain to be relied upon.

The imagery of the shepherd and the flock, as perhaps of the tower and the gate, may, be as well taken from the scenes of the Roman Campagna as from any previous writing.

The keeping of the commandments is a commonplace of Christianity, not to say of religion.

And the Divine immanence in the soul is conceived rather in the spirit of the elder Gospels than of the fourth.
There is a nearer approach perhaps in the identification of 'the gate' with the 'Son of God,' and in the explanation with which it is accompanied.