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The Lord is in his Holy Temple—let all the earth keep silence before him.
耶和华在他的圣殿中——全地都当在他面前肃静。
Hab. 2.20.
哈巴谷书 2:20
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The Mute Christian Under the Smarting Rod: With Sovereign Antidotes Against the Most Miserable Exigents
在鞭笞下沉默的基督徒：对抗最悲惨境遇的至高解药
A Christian with an Olive Leaf in his mouth, when he is under the greatest afflictions, the sharpest and sorest trials and troubles, the saddest and darkest Providences and changes.
一个基督徒口含橄榄叶，当他正经历最大的苦难，最尖锐和最痛苦的考验与磨难，最悲伤和最黑暗的天意与变故。
With answers to diverse questions and objections that are of greatest importance—all tending to win and work souls to be still, quiet, calm and silent under all changes that have, or may pass upon them in this world.
回答各种最重要的问题和异议——所有这些都旨在使灵魂在这世上已经或可能遭遇的一切变故中保持安静、平和、镇定和沉默。
The Epistle Dedicatory—To all afflicted and distressed, dissatisfied, disturbed, and agitated Christians throughout the world.
献词——致全世界所有受苦受难、不满、困扰和烦躁的基督徒。
Dear hearts—The choicest saints are ‘born to troubles as the sparks fly upwards’, Job 5:7. ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all.’ Psalm 34:19.
亲爱的心灵们——最蒙拣选的圣徒们”生来就要受苦，如同火星飞腾”，《约伯记》5:7。”义人多有苦难，但耶和华救他脱离这一切。”《诗篇》34:19。
If they were many, and not troubles, then, as it is in the proverb, the more the merrier; or if they were troubles and not many, then the fewer the better.
如果它们数量众多却不是苦难，那么正如谚语所说，人越多越热闹；如果它们是苦难却不是很多，那么越少越好。
But God, who is infinite in wisdom and matchless in goodness, has ordered troubles, yes, many troubles to come trooping in upon us on every side.
但是上帝，以其无限的智慧和无与伦比的良善，已经命定苦难，是的，众多的苦难从四面八方涌来。
As our mercies—so our crosses seldom come single; they usually come treading one upon the heels of another; they are like April showers, no sooner is one over but another comes.
就像我们的恩典一样——我们的十字架很少单独出现；它们通常一个接一个而来；它们就像四月的阵雨，一场刚过，另一场就来。
And yet, Christians, it is mercy, it is rich mercy, that every affliction is not an execution, that every correction is not a damnation.
然而，基督徒们啊，这是恩典，是丰富的恩典，因为不是每个苦难都是处决，不是每个管教都是诅咒。
The higher the waters rise, the nearer Noah’s ark was lifted up to heaven; the more your afflictions are increased, the more your heart shall be raised heavenward.
水位越高，诺亚方舟就越接近天堂；你的苦难越多，你的心就越向天堂升起。
Because I would not hold you too long in the porch, I shall only endeavor two things—first, to give you the reasons of my appearing once more in print; and secondly, a little counsel and direction that the following tract may turn to your soul’s advantage, which is the objective that I have in my eye.
因为我不想让你在门廊停留太久，我只努力做两件事——首先，告诉你我再次出版的原因；其次，给予一些忠告和指导，使接下来的论文可以对你的灵魂有益，这就是我所关注的目标。
The true REASONS of my sending this piece into the world, such as it is, are these—First, The afflicting hand of God has been hard upon myself, and upon my dearest relations in this world, and upon many of my precious Christian friends, whom I much love and honor in the Lord, which put me upon studying of the mind of God in that scripture that I have made the subject-matter of this following discourse.
我将这篇文章发表于世的真正原因是——首先，上帝的惩戒之手已经重重地落在我自己身上，落在我在世上最亲近的人身上，也落在我许多珍爱的基督徒朋友身上，我在主里非常爱戴他们，这促使我研究上帝在圣经中的心意，我已将其作为接下来讨论的主题。
Luther could not understand some Psalms until he was afflicted; the Christ-cross is no letter in the book, and yet, says he, it has taught one more than all the letters in the book.
路德在受苦之前无法理解某些诗篇；基督的十字架不是书中的文字，然而，他说，它教导人的比书中所有的文字都多。
Afflictions are a golden key by which the Lord opens the rich treasure of his word to his people’s souls; and this in some measure, through grace, my soul has experienced.
苦难是一把金钥匙，主用它为祂子民的灵魂打开祂话语的丰富宝藏；通过恩典，我的灵魂在某种程度上已经经历了这一点。
When Samson had found honey, he gave some to his father and mother to eat, Judges 14:9, 10; some honey I have found in my following text; and therefore I may not, I cannot be such a churl as not to give them some of my honey to taste, who have drunk deep of my gall and wormwood.
当参孙找到蜂蜜时，他给了他的父母一些吃，《士师记》14:9,10；我在接下来的经文中也找到了一些蜂蜜；因此，我不能，也不该像个吝啬鬼一样不给那些已经深尝我的苦胆和茵陈的人一些我的蜂蜜来品尝。
Augustine observes on that, Ps. 66:16, ‘Come and hear, all you that fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul.’
奥古斯丁对诗篇66:16的解释是：”凡敬畏神的人都来听，我要述说他为我灵魂所行的事。”
‘He does not call them’, says he, ‘to acquaint them with speculations, how wide the earth is, how far the heavens are stretched out, what the number of the stars is, or what is the course of the sun; but come and I will tell you the wonders of his grace, the faithfulness of his promises, the riches of his mercy to my soul’.
他说：”他召唤他们，不是要告诉他们关于地有多宽、天有多远、星星有多少，或太阳运行的轨道等推测；而是说’来吧，我要告诉你们他恩典的奇妙、应许的信实，以及他对我灵魂所施的丰盛怜悯’。”
Gracious experiences are to be communicated.
恩典的经历是要传递的。
‘We learn—that we may teach’—is a proverb among the Rabbis.
“我们学习是为了教导”是拉比们中的一句谚语。
And I do therefore ‘lay in and lay up,’ says the heathen, that I may draw forth again and lay out for the good of many.
异教徒说：”因此我积累储存，是为了能再次取出来造福众人。”
When God has dealt bountifully with us, others should reap some noble good by us.
当神厚待我们时，其他人也应当因我们而得到一些高尚的益处。
The family, the town, the city, the country, where a man lives, should fare the better for his faring well.
一个人生活的家庭、城镇、城市、国家，都应当因他的福祉而获益。
Our mercies and experiences should be as a running spring at our doors, which is not only for our own use—but also for our neighbors’, yes, and for strangers too.
我们所得的怜悯和经历应当如同门前的活泉，不仅供我们自己使用，也要供邻舍使用，是的，也要供陌生人使用。
Secondly, What is written is permanent and spreads itself further by far—for time, place, and people—than the voice can reach.
其次，书面的东西是永久的，在时间、地点和人群方面的传播范围都远超过声音所能达到的范围。
The pen is an artificial tongue; it speaks as well to absent as to present friends; it speaks to those who far off as well as those who are near; it speaks to many thousands at once; it speaks not only to the present age but also to succeeding ages.
笔是人造的舌头；它既对在场的朋友说话，也对不在场的朋友说话；它对远方的人说话，也对近处的人说话；它能同时对成千上万的人说话；它不仅对当代说话，也对后代说话。
The pen is a kind of image of eternity; it will make a man live when he is dead, Heb. 11:1.
笔是永恒的某种象征；它能使人死后仍然活着，希伯来书11:1。
Though ‘the prophets do not live for ever’, yet their labors may, Zech. 1:6.
虽然”先知不能永远活着”，但他们的劳作可以永存，撒迦利亚书1:6。
A man’s writings may preach when he can not, when he may not, and when by reason of bodily distempers, he dares not; yes, and that which is more, when he is not.
一个人的著作可以在他不能讲道时、不可讲道时、因身体不适而不敢讲道时传道；是的，更重要的是，在他不在世时仍可传道。
Thirdly, Few men, if any, have iron memories.
第三，几乎没有人有钢铁般的记忆力。
How soon is a sermon preached forgotten, when a sermon written remains!
口头讲道很快就被遗忘，而写下来的讲道却能保存！
Augustine writing to Volusian, says, ‘That which is written is always at hand to be read, when the reader is at leisure.’
奥古斯丁写给沃卢西安说：”写下来的东西总是随手可读，只要读者有闲暇时间。”
Men do not easily forget their own names, nor their father’s house, nor the wife of their bosom, nor the fruit of their loins, nor to eat their daily bread; and yet, ah! how easily do they forget that word of grace, that should be dearer to them than all!
人们不会轻易忘记自己的名字，不会忘记父亲的家，不会忘记怀中的妻子，不会忘记自己的子女，也不会忘记吃每日的饭；然而，啊！他们却多么容易忘记那应该比这一切都更珍贵的恩典之言！
Most men’s memories, especially in the great concernments of their souls, are like a sieve, where the good grain and fine flour goes through—but the light chaff and coarse bran remain behind; or like a strainer, where the sweet liquor is strained out—but the dregs left behind; or like a grate that lets the pure water run away—but if there be any straws, sticks, mud, or filth, that it holds, as it were, with iron hands.
大多数人的记忆，尤其是在关乎灵魂的重要事情上，就像筛子，好的谷物和细面粉都漏掉了，而轻糠和粗麸皮却留了下来；或像过滤器，甜美的液体被过滤掉了，而渣滓却留了下来；或像栅栏，让纯净的水流走，但如果有稻草、木棍、泥浆或污物，却像铁手一样牢牢抓住。
Most men’s memories are very treacherous, especially in good things; few men’s memories are a holy ark, a heavenly storehouse for their souls, and therefore they stand in the more need.
大多数人的记忆都很不可靠，尤其是在好的事情上；很少有人的记忆是圣洁的方舟，是灵魂的天国仓库，因此他们更需要这些。
But,
但是，
Fourthly, Its marvelous suitableness and usefulness under these great turns and changes that have passed upon us.
第四，在我们经历的这些重大转变和变化中，它显示出了奇妙的适切性和实用性。
As every wise husbandman observes the fittest seasons to sow his seed—some he sows in the autumn and some in the spring of the year, some in a dry season and some in a wet, some in a moist clay and some in a sandy dry ground, Isaiah 28:25;
正如每个明智的农夫都会观察最适合播种的季节——有些种子在秋天播种，有些在春天播种，有些在干旱季节播种，有些在潮湿时节播种，有些播在潮湿的粘土中，有些播在干燥的沙地里，以赛亚书28:25；
so every spiritual husbandman must observe the fittest times to sow his spiritual seed in.
因此，每个属灵的农夫都必须观察播撒属灵种子的最佳时机。
He has heavenly seed by him for all occasions and seasons, for spring and fall; for all grounds, heads, and hearts.
他手中有适合所有场合和季节的属天种子，无论是春天还是秋天；适合所有的土地、头脑和心灵。
Now whether the seed sown in the following treatise be not suitable to the times and seasons wherein we are cast, is left to the judgment of the prudent reader to determine; if the author had thought otherwise, this babe had been stifled in the womb.
至于本论文中播撒的种子是否适合我们所处的时代和季节，就留给明智的读者来判断；如果作者认为不适合，这个作品就会在孕育阶段就被扼杀。
Fifthly, The good acceptance that my other weak labors have found.
第五，我其他微薄的工作所获得的良好接纳。
God has blessed them—not only to the conviction, the edification, confirmation, and consolation of many—but also to the conversion of many, Rom. 15:21.
上帝祝福了这些作品——不仅使许多人产生确信、得到造就、坚固和安慰——而且还使许多人归信，罗马书15:21。
God is a free agent to work by what hand he pleases; and sometimes he takes pleasure to do great things by weak means, that ‘no flesh may glory in his presence.’
上帝是自由的施行者，可以借任何他喜悦的手来工作；有时他乐意用软弱的方式成就大事，使”凡有血气的，在他面前一个也不能自夸。”
God will not ‘despise the day of small things;’ and who or what are you, that dare despise that day?
上帝不会”藐视这日的事为小”；你是谁，你算什么，竟敢藐视那日？
The Spirit breathes upon whose preaching and writing he pleases, and all prospers according as that wind blows, John 3:8.
圣灵随己意吹在他所喜悦的人的讲道和著作上，一切都随着这风的吹动而兴旺，约翰福音3:8。
Sixthly, That all afflicted and distressed Christians may have a proper salve for every sore, a proper remedy against every disease, at hand.
第六，使所有受苦和困扰的基督徒都能随手得到每个伤痛的适当膏药，每种疾病的合适药方。
As every good man, so every good book is not fit to be the afflicted man’s companion; but this is.
正如不是每个好人都适合作受苦之人的伴侣，同样不是每本好书都适合作受苦之人的伴侣；但这本书却是。
Here he may see his face, his head, his hand, his heart, his ways, his works;
在这里，他可以看到自己的面容、头脑、手、心灵、道路和行为；
here he may see all his diseases discovered, and proper remedies proposed and applied.
在这里，他可以看到自己所有的疾病被揭示，并有适当的治疗方法被提出和应用。
Here he may find arguments to silence him, and means to quiet him, when it is at worst with him.
在这里，当他处于最糟糕的境地时，他可以找到使他平静的论据和使他安宁的方法。
In every storm here he may find a tree to shelter him; and in every danger, here he may find a city of refuge to secure him; and in every difficulty, here he may have a light to guide him; and in every peril, here he may find a shield to defend him; and in every distress, here he may find a cordial to strengthen him; and in every trouble, here he may find a staff to support him.
在每场风暴中，他在这里可以找到遮蔽的树木；在每个危险中，他在这里可以找到庇护的城邑；在每个困难中，他在这里可以得到指引的明灯；在每个危险中，他在这里可以找到防御的盾牌；在每个忧伤中，他在这里可以找到加力的良药；在每个困扰中，他在这里可以找到支撑的杖。
Seventhly, To satisfy some bosom friends, some faithful friends.
第七，为了满足一些知心朋友，一些忠实的朋友。
Man is made to be a friend, and apt for friendly offices.
人生来就是为了成为朋友，并适合履行友谊的职责。
He who is not friendly is not worthy to have a friend; and he who has a friend, and does not show himself friendly, is not worthy to be accounted a man.
不友善的人不配拥有朋友；有了朋友却不表现出友善的人，不配被称为人。
Friendship is a kind of life, without which there is no comfort of a man’s life.
友谊是一种生命，没有它，人生就没有慰藉。
Christian friendship ties such a knot that great Alexander cannot cut.
基督徒的友谊系着一个连大亚历山大也无法斩断的结。
Summer friends I value not—but winter friends are worth their weight in gold; and who can deny such anything, especially in these days, wherein real, faithful, constant friends are so rare to be found? 1 Sam. 22:1-3.
我不看重夏日的朋友——但冬日的朋友值千金；谁能拒绝这样的朋友呢，特别是在这些日子里，真诚、忠实、恒常的朋友如此罕见？撒母耳记上22:1-3。
The friendship of most men in these days is like Jonah’s gourd, now very promising and flourishing, and anon fading and withering;
如今大多数人的友谊就像约拿的葫芦，一会儿充满希望蓬勃生长，转眼就凋零枯萎；
it is like some plants in the water, which have broad leaves on the surface of the water—but scarce any root at all;
它就像水中的某些植物，水面上有宽大的叶子，但几乎没有任何根系；
their friendship is like melons, cold within, hot without; their expressions are high—but their affections are low; they speak much—but do little.
他们的友谊就像甜瓜，内里冰冷，外表炙热；他们言辞华丽，但情感浅薄；说得多，做得少。
As drums, and trumpets, and flags in a battle make a great noise and a fine show—but do nothing; so these friends will compliment highly and handsomely, speak plausibly, and promise lustily, and yet have neither a hand nor heart to do anything cordially or faithfully.
就像战场上的鼓声、号角和旗帜发出巨大声响，作出漂亮表演，但实则无用；这些朋友也是如此，他们恭维有加，说话动听，承诺满满，却既无行动也无真心去真诚忠实地做任何事。
From such friends it is a mercy to be delivered, and therefore king Antigonus was used to pray to God that he would protect him from his friends;
能摆脱这样的朋友是一种恩典，因此安提柯努斯(Antigonus)国王常常祈求上帝保护他远离他的朋友；
and when one of his council asked him why he prayed so, he returned this answer, Every man will shun and defend himself against his professed enemies—but from our professed or pretended friends, of whom few are faithful, none can safe-guard himself—but has need of protection from heaven.
当他的一位议员问他为何如此祈祷时，他这样回答：每个人都会躲避并防备公开的敌人，但对于那些公开的或虚伪的朋友，其中很少有忠诚的，没人能保护自己，只能寻求上天的庇护。
But for all this, there are some that are real friends, faithful friends, active friends, winter friends, bosom friends, fast friends; and for their sakes, especially those among them that have been long, very long, under the smarting rod, and in the fiery furnace, and that have been often poured from vessel to vessel—have I once more appeared in print to the world.
尽管如此，仍有一些真诚的朋友、忠实的朋友、积极的朋友、患难中的朋友、知心朋友、坚定的朋友；为了他们，特别是那些长期、很长时间在惩戒之杖下，在炽热的熔炉中，常常被从一个器皿倒入另一个器皿的人，我再次以文字形式出现在世人面前。
Eighthly and lastly, There are not any authors or author come to my hand, who have handled this subject as I have done;
第八点也是最后一点，我所接触到的作者中没有人像我这样处理这个主题；
and therefore I do not know but it may be the more grateful and acceptable to the world;
因此我不知道，但这或许会更受世人欢迎和接受；
and if by this essay others that are more able shall be provoked to do more worthily upon this subject, I shall therein rejoice, 1 Thess. 1:7, 8, 1 Cor. 9:1, 2.
如果通过这篇文章能激励其他更有能力的人在这个主题上做出更有价值的工作，我将为此欢欣，帖撒罗尼迦前书1:7,8，哥林多前书9:1,2。
I shall only add, that though much of the following matter was preached upon the Lord’s chastening visitations of my dear yoke-fellow, myself, and some other friends—yet there are many things of special concernment in the following tract, that yet I have not upon any accounts communicated to the world.
我只想补充说，虽然接下来的许多内容是关于主对我亲爱的伴侣、我自己和其他一些朋友的管教访问所传讲的，但在接下来的论文中还有许多特别重要的事情，我尚未以任何方式向世界传达。
And thus I have given you a true and faithful account of the reasons that have prevailed with me to publish this treatise to the work, and to dedicate it to yourselves.
这样，我已经向你们真实忠实地交代了促使我发表这篇论文并将其献给你们的原因。
II. Secondly, The second thing promised was, the giving of you a little GOOD COUNSEL, that you may so read the following discourse, as that it may turn much to your soul’s advantage;
其次，第二件承诺的事是给你们一些良好的建议，使你们在阅读接下来的论述时能使其对你们的灵魂大有益处；
for, as many fish and catch nothing, Luke 5:5, so many read good books and get nothing, because they read them over cursorily, slightly, superficially;
因为，正如许多人打鱼却一无所获（路加福音5:5），许多人读好书却一无所获，因为他们读得草率、肤浅、表面；
but he who would read to profit, must then,
但想要从阅读中获益的人，必须要，
First, Read and look up for a blessing—’Paul may plant, and Apollos may water,’ but all will be to no purpose, except ‘the Lord gives the increase,’ 1 Cor. 3:6, 7.
首先，阅读并仰望祝福——”保罗栽种，亚波罗浇灌”，但若不是”主使它生长”，这一切都将毫无意义。(哥林多前书3:6-7)
God must do the deed, when all is done, or else all that is done will do you no good.
一切完成之后，必须是上帝来成就这事，否则所做的一切对你都没有益处。
If you would have this work successful and effectual, you must look off from man—and look up to God, who alone can make it a blessing to you.
如果你想要这工作成功且有效，你必须把目光从人转向上帝，因为只有他才能使其成为你的祝福。
As without a blessing from heaven, your clothes cannot warm you, nor your food nourish you, nor medicine cure you, nor friends comfort you, Micah 6:14; so without a blessing from heaven, without the precious breathings and influences of the Spirit, what here is written will do you no good, it will not turn to your account in the day of Christ; therefore cast an eye heavenwards, Haggai 1:6.
正如没有天上的祝福，你的衣服不能使你暖和，食物不能滋养你，药物不能医治你，朋友不能安慰你（弥迦书6:14）；同样，没有天上的祝福，没有圣灵宝贵的气息和影响，这里所写的对你毫无益处，在基督的日子也不能为你带来益处；因此要仰望天上（哈该书1:6）。
It is Seneca’s observation, that the husbandmen in Egypt never look up to heaven for rain in the time of drought—but look after the overflowing of the banks of Nile, as the only cause of their plenty.
塞内加观察到，埃及的农夫在干旱时期从不仰望天空祈求雨水，而是只关注尼罗河的泛滥，认为这是他们丰收的唯一原因。
Ah, how many are there in these days, who, when they go to read a book, never look up, never look after the rain of God’s blessing—but only look to the river Nile; they only look to the wit, the learning, the arts, the parts, the eloquence, etc., of the author, they never look so high as heaven; and hence it comes to pass, that though these read much, yet they profit little.
啊，如今有多少人在读书时从不仰望上天，从不寻求上帝祝福的甘霖，只是看着尼罗河；他们只关注作者的智慧、学识、技巧、才能、口才等，从不仰望天堂；因此尽管他们读了很多，却得益甚少。
Secondly, He who would read to profit must read and meditate.
其次，想要从阅读中获益的人必须既要读又要默想。
Meditation is the food of your souls, it is the very stomach and natural heat whereby spiritual truths are digested.
默想是你灵魂的食粮，是消化属灵真理的胃口和自然热量。
A man shall as soon live without his heart, as he shall be able to get good by what he reads, without meditation.
人若不默想，就如同无心而活，无法从所读之物中获益。
Prayer, says Bernard, without meditation, is dry and formal; and reading without meditation is useless and unprofitable.
伯纳德说，祷告若无默想，就是干枯而形式化的；阅读若无默想，就是无用且无益的。
He who would be a wise, a prudent, and an able experienced statesman, must not hastily ramble and run over many cities, countries, customs, laws, and manners of people, without serious musing and pondering upon such things as may make him an expert statesman; so he who would get good by reading, that would complete his knowledge, and perfect his experience in spiritual things, must not slightly and hastily ramble and run over this book or that—but ponder upon what he reads, as Mary pondered the saying of the angel in her heart.
一个想要成为明智、谨慎且经验丰富的政治家的人，不能仅仅匆匆游历许多城市、国家、习俗、法律和民情，而不对那些能使他成为专业政治家的事物进行认真思考和琢磨；同样，一个想要从阅读中获益，完善知识，在属灵事物上完备经验的人，不能轻率匆忙地翻阅这本书或那本书，而要像马利亚在心里思想天使的话语一样，深思所读之物。
Lord! says Augustine, the more I meditate on you, the sweeter you are to me; so the more you shall meditate on the following matter, the sweeter it will be to you.
奥古斯丁说：主啊！我越思想你，你对我就越发甘甜；因此你越思想接下来的内容，它对你就会越发甘甜。
They usually thrive best who meditate most.
默想最多的人通常进步最大。
Meditation is a soul-fattening duty; it is a grace-strengthening duty, it is a duty-crowning duty.
默想是一项滋养灵魂的责任；是一项增强恩典的责任，是一项使责任得冠冕的责任。
Meditation is the nurse of prayer.
默想是祷告的养育者。
Jerome calls it his paradise; Basil calls it the treasury where all the graces are locked up; Theophylact calls it the very gate and portal by which we enter into glory; and Aristotle, though a heathen, places felicity in the contemplation of the mind.
杰罗姆称之为他的乐园；巴西尔称之为储存所有恩典的宝库；德奥菲拉克特称之为我们进入荣耀的门户；而亚里士多德，尽管是异教徒，也将幸福置于心灵的沉思之中。
You may read much and hear much—yet without meditation you will never be excellent, you still never be eminent Christians.
你可以读很多听很多，但若没有默想，你永远不会成为优秀的基督徒，永远不会成为杰出的基督徒。
Thirdly, Read, and test what you read; take nothing upon trust—but all upon trial, as those ‘noble Bereans’ did, Acts 17:to, 11.
第三，阅读时要检验你所读的内容；不要盲目相信——而要像那些”高贵的庇哩亚人”那样，凡事都要考验，正如《使徒行传》17:10-11所记载的。
You will try and count and weigh gold, though it be handed to you by your fathers; and so should you all those heavenly truths that are handed to you by your spiritual fathers.
即使是你父亲交给你的金子，你也会试验、计数并称重；同样，对于属灵父辈传授给你的属天真理，你也应当如此对待。
I hope upon trial you will find nothing—but what will hold weight in the balance of the sanctuary; and though all be not gold that glitters, yet I judge that you will find nothing here to blister, that will not be found upon trial to be true gold.
我希望经过考验，你只会发现在圣所的天平上称得起重量的事物；虽然闪光的未必都是金子，但我相信你在这里不会发现任何虚假之物，经过考验都将证明是真金。
Fourthly, Read and do, read and practice what you read, or else all your reading will do you no good.
第四，要读而行之，要实践你所读的，否则你的阅读将毫无益处。
He who has a good book in his hand—but not a lesson of it in his heart or life, is like that donkey that carries burdens, and feeds upon thistles.
手持好书却不将其教训存在心中或活出来的人，就像那驮着重担却只吃蒺藜的驴子一样。
In divine account, a man knows no more than be does.
在神的计算中，一个人知道的不会超过他所行的。
Profession without practice will but make a man twice told a child of darkness.
有言无行只会使人加倍成为黑暗之子。
To speak well is to sound like a cymbal—but to do well is to act like an angel [Isidore].
说得好只是像铙钹发声——但行得好才是像天使行事[伊西多尔]。
He who practices what he reads and understands, God will help him to understand what he understands not.
凡实践他所读明白的，神就必帮助他明白他尚未明白的。
There is no fear of knowing too much, though there is much fear in practicing too little; the most doing man, shall be the most knowing man; the mightiest man in practice, will in the end prove the mightiest man in Scripture, John 7:16, 17, Psalm 119:98-100.
知道得太多无需担心，实践太少才当畏惧；最多行的人，将成为最有知识的人；实践最有力的人，最终将证明是最通晓圣经的人，约翰福音7:16-17，诗篇119:98-100。
Theory is the guide of practice, and practice is the life of theory.
理论指导实践，实践赋予理论生命。
Salvian relates how the heathen did reproach some Christians, who by their lewd lives made the gospel of Christ to be a reproach.
萨尔维安讲述了异教徒是如何责备某些基督徒的，这些基督徒因放荡的生活使基督的福音受到羞辱。
‘Where,’ said they, ‘is that good law which they believe? Where are those rules of godliness which they learn? They read the holy gospel, and yet are unclean; they read the apostles’ writings, and yet live in drunkenness; they follow Christ, and yet disobey Christ; they profess a holy law, and yet lead impure lives.’
他们说：”他们所信的善法在哪里？他们所学的敬虔规则在哪里？他们读圣福音书，却不洁净；他们读使徒书信，却醉生梦死；他们跟随基督，却不顺从基督；他们宣称遵守圣洁的律法，却过着污秽的生活。”
Ah! how may many preachers take up sad complaints against many readers in these days!
啊！今天有多少传道人可以对许多读者提出这样悲哀的控诉！
They read our works, and yet in their lives they deny our works; they praise our works, and yet in their lives they reproach our works; they cry up our labors in their discourses, and yet they cry them down in their practices—yet I hope better things of you into whose hands this treatise shall fall.
他们读我们的作品，却在生活中否认我们的作品；他们称赞我们的作品，却在生活中羞辱我们的作品；他们在言论中高举我们的劳作，却在行为中贬低这些劳作——但我仍对那些将读到这篇论文的人们怀有更好的期望。
The Samaritan woman did not fill her pitcher with water, that she might talk of it—but that she might use it, John 4:7; and Rachel did not desire the mandrakes to hold in her hand—but that she might thereby be the more apt to bring forth, Gen. xxx. 15.
撒玛利亚妇人打水不是为了谈论水——而是为了使用它，约翰福音4:7；拉结渴望得到风茄不是为了拿在手中——而是为了因此更容易生育，创世记30:15。
The application is easy.
这个应用很容易明白。
But,
但是，
Fifthly, Read and apply.
第五，读书并实践。
Reading is but the drawing of the bow, application is the hitting of the bulls-eye.
读书如同拉弓，实践则是命中靶心。
The choicest truths will no further profit you than they are applied by you.
最精妙的真理若不付诸实践，对你毫无益处。
It would be as good not to read, as not to apply what you read.
不实践所读之物，与不读无异。
No man attains to health by reading books on health—but by the practical application of their remedies.
没有人仅靠阅读健康书籍就能获得健康——而是要实际运用其中的疗法。
All the reading in the world will never make for the health of your souls—except you apply what you read.
世间所有的阅读都无法使你的灵魂健康——除非你实践所读之物。
The true reason why many read so much and profit so little—is because they do not apply and bring home what they read to their own souls.
许多人读书甚多而收益甚少的真正原因——是因为他们没有将所读之物付诸实践并应用到自己的灵魂中。
But,
但是，
Sixthly, and lastly, Read and pray.
第六，也是最后一点，读书并祷告。
He who makes not conscience of praying over what he reads, will find little sweetness or profit in his reading.
不在阅读时谨慎祷告的人，将在阅读中找不到甜美或益处。
No man makes such earnings of his reading, as he who prays over what he reads.
没有人能从阅读中获得如此多的收获，如同那些在阅读时祷告的人。
Luther professes that he profited more in the knowledge of the Scriptures by prayer, in a short space, than by study in a longer.
Luther承认他通过祷告在短时间内从圣经中获得的知识，比长期学习获得的更多。
As John by weeping got the sealed book open, so certainly men would gain much more than they do by reading good men’s works, if they would but pray more over what they read!
正如John通过哭泣打开了封印的书卷，如果人们在阅读时多加祷告，他们必定能从阅读善人著作中获得更多收益！
Ah, Christians! pray before you read, and pray after you read, that all may be blessed and sanctified to you;
啊，基督徒们！读书之前要祷告，读书之后也要祷告，使一切都成为你的祝福和圣化；
when you have done reading, usually close up thus—So let me live, so let me die, that I may live eternally.
当你读完时，通常这样结束——愿我如此生活，如此离世，使我得永生。
And when you are in the mount for yourselves, bear him upon your hearts, who is willing to ‘spend and be spend’ for your sakes, for your souls, 2 Cor. 12:15.
当你们在山上时，要将那位愿意为你们的缘故，为你们的灵魂”费财费力”的人记在心上，哥林多后书12:15。
Oh! pray for me, that I may more and more be under the rich influences and glorious pourings out of the Spirit;
噢！请为我祷告，使我能越发受圣灵丰富的感动和荣耀的浇灌；
that I may ‘be an able minister of the New Testament—not of the letter—but of the Spirit,’ 2 Cor. 3:6;
使我能”作新约的执事，不是仅仅传达文字，而是传达圣灵，”哥林多后书3:6；
that I may always find an everlasting spring and an overflowing fountain within me, which may always make me faithful, constant, and abundant in the work of the Lord;
使我能在内心永远找到不竭的源泉和涌流的泉水，使我在主的工作中始终保持忠心、坚定和丰盛；
and that I may live daily under those inward teachings of the Spirit, which may enable me to speak from the heart to the heart, from the conscience to the conscience, and from experience to experience;
使我每天都能在圣灵内在的教导下生活，使我能以心对心，以良知对良知，以经历对经历地说话；
that I may be a ‘burning and a shining light,’ that everlasting arms may be still under me;
使我能成为”发光发热的明灯，”使永恒的膀臂永远托住我；
that while I live, I may be serviceable to his glory and his people’s good;
使我活着的时候，能为他的荣耀和他子民的益处服务；
that no discouragements may discourage one in my work;
使任何灰心丧气都不能使我在工作中气馁；
and that when my work is done, I may give up my account with joy and not with grief.
使我完成工作时，能欢喜地交账，而不是悲伤地交账。
I shall follow these poor labors with my weak prayers, that they may contribute much to your internal and eternal welfare.
我将用我微弱的祷告伴随这些卑微的劳作，愿它们能为你们内在和永恒的福祉作出贡献。
Your soul’s servant in our dearest Lord,
在我们至亲的主里，你们灵魂的仆人，
Thomas Brooks.
托马斯·布鲁克斯。
Table of Contents
目录
Epistle Dedicatory
献词
A Table showing the Principal Things in this Treatise:—
本论文主要内容一览表：—
For the opening of this point, first, there is a sevenfold silence,
关于这一论点的阐述，首先有七重缄默，
- What doth a prudent, a gracious, a holy silence include, shewed in eight things,
- 明智、优雅和神圣的缄默包含何种内容，以八个方面展示，
- What a prudent, a holy silence under affliction doth not exclude, shewed in eight things,
- 在苦难中明智和神圣的缄默不排除何种内容，以八个方面展示，
- Eight reasons why Christians must be mute and silent under their greatest afflictions, &c.,
- 基督徒在最大的苦难中必须保持沉默的八个理由等，
Use. This truth looks sourly upon five sorts of persons,
应用：这一真理严厉看待五类人，
Six considerations to prevent men from using sinful shifts and courses to deliver themselves out of their afflictions, &c.,
六点考虑，防止人们用罪恶的手段和方法使自己摆脱苦难等，
Twelve considerations to prevail with Christians to be mute and silent under the sharpest afflictions that they meet with in this world, &c.,
十二点考虑，说服基督徒在面对今世最严峻的苦难时保持缄默等，
The heinous and dangerous nature of murmuring, discovered in twelve particulars,
发牢骚的可憎与危险本质，以十二个具体方面揭示，
Obj. 1. Did I but know that my afflictions were in love, I would be quiet, I would hold my peace, &c., answered eight ways,
异议1. 若我能知道我的苦难是出于爱，我就会安静，我就会保持平静，等等，以八种方式回答，
Obj. 2. The Lord hath smitten me in my nearest and dearest comforts and contentments, and how then can I hold my peace? Answered twelve ways,
异议2. 主已击打我最亲近最珍爱的安慰与满足，我又怎能保持平静？以十二种方式回答，
Obj. 3. Oh! but my afflictions, my troubles, have been long upon me, and how can I hold my peace? Answered ten ways,
异议3. 啊！但我的苦难和困扰已持续很久，我怎能保持平静？以十种方式回答，
Obj. 4. I would be mute and silent under my afflictions, but they daily multiply and increase upon me, &c., how then can I be silent? Answered eight ways,
异议4. 我本想在苦难中保持缄默和沉静，但苦难却日日增多，等等，我又怎能保持沉默？以八种方式回答，
Obj. 5. My afflictions are very great, how then can I hold my peace? &c. Answered six ways,
异议5. 我的苦难极其巨大，我又怎能保持平静？等等，以六种方式回答，
Obj. 6. Oh! but my afflictions are greater than other men’s, &c., how then can I be silent? Answered six ways,
异议6. 啊！但我的苦难比他人的更重，等等，我又怎能保持沉默？以六种方式回答，
Obj. 7. I would hold my peace, but my outward afflictions are attended with sore temptations, &c., how then can I be silent? Answered five ways; wherein eight advantages are discovered that saints gain by their temptations,
异议7. 我本想保持平静，但我外在的苦难又伴随着严重的诱惑，等等，我又怎能保持沉默？以五种方式回答；其中揭示了圣徒从诱惑中获得的八种益处，
Obj. 8. Oh! but God hath deserted me, he hath forsaken me, and hid his face from me, &c., how can I then be silent? Answered six ways; also eight advantages the saints gain by their being clouded,
异议8. 啊！但上帝已离弃我，他已抛弃我，向我掩面，等等，我又怎能保持沉默？以六种方式回答；还有圣徒在被蒙蔽时获得的八种益处，
Obj. 9. Oh! but I am falsely accused and sadly charged, and reproached in my good name, &c., how then can I be silent? Answered ten ways,
异议9. 啊！但我被诬告、受指控，我的名誉受到诋毁，等等，我又怎能保持沉默？以十种方式回答，
Obj. 10. I have sought the Lord in this my affliction for this and that mercy, and still the Lord delays me, and puts me off, &c., how can I then hold my peace? How can I be silent? &c. Answered six ways,
异议10. 在这苦难中，我寻求主赐予这样那样的怜悯，但主仍在推迟，把我搁置一旁，等等，我又怎能保持平静？我怎能保持沉默？等等，以六种方式回答，
Quest. But what are the reasons that God doth so delay and put off his people? Answered seven ways,
问题：但上帝为何如此推迟和搁置他的子民？以七种方式回答，
Directions. What are the means that may help persons to be silent and quiet under their greatest afflictions, their sharpest trials? &c. Answered from
指引：在最大的苦难和最严峻的考验下，什么方法可以帮助人保持沉默和平静？等等，回答如下