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Choice excerpts from Thomas Sherman
托马斯·谢尔曼精选摘录
If this is happiness—then give me misery!
如果这就是幸福——那就给我痛苦吧！
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen, and lived in luxury every day.” Luke 16:19
“有一个财主穿着紫色袍和细麻布衣服，天天奢华宴乐。”路加福音16:19
How apt are many at the sight of a rich worldling—to envy him for what he has. But, for my part, I rather pity him for what he lacks!
许多人看到一个富有的世俗之人时，多么容易羡慕他所拥有的。但就我而言，我宁愿为他所缺少的而怜悯他！
He has a talent—but it lacks improvement;
他有才能——但缺乏提升；
he has a lamp—but it lacks oil;
他有灯——但缺少油；
he has a soul—but it lacks grace;
他有灵魂——但缺乏恩典；
he has the creature—but he lacks the Creator;
他有受造物——但缺少造物主；
he has a mansion—but he lacks heaven.
他有豪宅——但缺少天堂。
In his life, he floats upon a torrent of vanity—which rolls along into an ocean of vexation!
在他的生命中，他漂浮在虚荣的洪流之上——这洪流滚滚流入烦恼的海洋！
And after death, it will be said of him, “Take this unprofitable servant, bind him hand and foot, and cast him into outer darkness! Consign his soul to the eternal lake of fire and brimstone!”
死后，人们会这样说他：”把这个无用的仆人抓住，捆起手脚，扔在外面的黑暗里！把他的灵魂扔进永恒的火湖和硫磺中！”
Where now is the object of your envy?
现在你羡慕的对象在哪里？
It is not his gold that can then rescue him,
不是他的黄金能救他，
nor his mansion that can then satisfy him,
也不是他的豪宅能满足他，
nor his friends that can then comfort him.
更不是他的朋友能安慰他。
Therefore, if he is worth the envying—then who can be worth the pitying?
因此，如果他值得羡慕——那么谁又值得怜悯呢？
If this is happiness—then give me misery!
如果这就是幸福——那就给我痛苦吧！
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen, and lived in luxury every day.” Luke 16:19
“有一个财主穿着紫色袍和细麻布衣服，天天奢华宴乐。”路加福音16:19
How apt are many at the sight of a rich worldling—to envy him for what he has. But, for my part, I rather pity him for what he lacks!
许多人看到一个富有的世俗之人时，多么容易因他所拥有的而嫉妒他。但就我而言，我宁愿因他所缺乏的而怜悯他！
He has a talent—but it lacks improvement;
他有才能——但缺乏提升；
he has a lamp—but it lacks oil;
他有灯——但缺少油；
he has a soul—but it lacks grace;
他有灵魂——但缺乏恩典；
he has the creature—but he lacks the Creator;
他有被造物——但缺少造物主；
he has a mansion—but he lacks heaven.
他有豪宅——但缺少天堂。
In his life, he floats upon a torrent of vanity—which rolls along into an ocean of vexation!
在他的一生中，他漂浮在虚荣的洪流之上——这洪流滚滚流入烦恼的海洋！
And after death, it will be said of him, “Take this unprofitable servant, bind him hand and foot, and cast him into outer darkness! Consign his soul to the eternal lake of fire and brimstone!”
而在死后，将会有人这样说他，”把这无用的仆人，捆起手脚，丢在外面的黑暗里！将他的灵魂投入永恒的火湖和硫磺中！”
Where now is the object of your envy?
现在你嫉妒的对象在哪里？
It is not his gold that can then rescue him,
不是他的金子能够拯救他，
nor his mansion that can then satisfy him,
也不是他的豪宅能够满足他，
nor his friends that can then comfort him.
更不是他的朋友能够安慰他。
Therefore, if he is worth the envying—then who can be worth the pitying?
因此，如果他值得嫉妒——那么谁又值得怜悯呢？
If this is happiness—then give me misery!
如果这就是幸福——那就给我痛苦吧！
Lord, rather make me poor with a holy heart—than rich with an evil heart of unbelief!
主啊，宁可让我带着圣洁的心贫穷——也不要让我带着不信的邪恶之心富有！
“Have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue—because I am in agony in this fire!” Luke 16:24
“可怜我吧！打发拉撒路来，用指头尖蘸点水，凉凉我的舌头，因为我在这火焰里，极其痛苦。”路加福音16:24
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment—but the righteous to eternal life!” Matthew 25:46
“这些人要往永刑里去，那些义人要往永生里去。”马太福音25:46
Would Jesus do it?
耶稣会这样做吗？
“I have set you an example—that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:15
“我给你们作了榜样，叫你们照着我向你们所做的去做。”约翰福音13:15
When anything presents itself, think: if He were alive and in my place—would Jesus do it? Or if I were about to die—would I still do it?
当任何事情出现时，要思考：如果祂活着并处于我的位置——耶稣会这样做吗？或者如果我即将死去——我还会这样做吗？
I must walk—as He has walked; and I must live—as I intend to die. If the thing in question is not Christ’s will—it is my sin. And if I die in that sin—it will be my ruin.
我必须行走——如同祂所行走的；我必须生活——如同我打算死去的方式。如果所讨论的事不是基督的旨意——那就是我的罪。如果我死在那罪中——那将是我的毁灭。
I will therefore in every action so conduct myself—as if Christ were on the one hand—and death on the other!
因此，我在每一个行动中都要这样约束自己——仿佛基督在一边——死亡在另一边！
“Leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21
“给你们留下榜样，叫你们跟随他的脚踪行。”彼得前书2:21
The Christian’s choice
基督徒的选择
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” Ecclesiastes 1:2
“虚空的虚空，”传道者说，”虚空的虚空，凡事都是虚空。”传道书1:2
I am frail—and the world is fleeting; but
my soul is immortal—and God is eternal.
我是脆弱的——世界是短暂的；但
我的灵魂是不朽的——上帝是永恒的。
If I choose earthly pleasures—I shall reap nothing but vanity and dissatisfaction.
如果我选择世俗的快乐——我将只收获虚空和不满。
If I aim at mammon, the god of this world—then shall I resemble the rich fool, who, for earthly gain, sacrificed his immortal soul; and, in consequence, went to eternal perdition!
如果我追求玛门[待确认]，这个世界的神——那么我将像那个愚蠢的财主，为了世俗的利益，牺牲了他不朽的灵魂；结果，走向永恒的沉沦！
But if I choose God for my portion, then mercy and goodness shall follow me while I live—and glory and eternal pleasure shall crown me when I die!
但如果我选择上帝作为我的分，那么慈悲和良善将在我活着时伴随我——荣耀和永恒的喜乐将在我死时为我加冕！
I will therefore now forsake that which I shall soon lose,
so that I may embrace that which I shall always enjoy!
因此，我现在要舍弃那些我很快就会失去的，
以便我能拥抱那些我将永远享受的！
“You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are eternal pleasures!” Psalm 16:11
“你必将生命的道路指示我。在你面前有满足的喜乐；在你右手中有永远的福乐。”诗篇16:11
The one is drawn in pomp to hell—while the other swims in tears to heaven!
一个人在盛况中被拖入地狱——而另一个人在泪水中游向天堂！
The wicked have their heaven here—and their hell hereafter.
邪恶之人在此世有他们的天堂——来世则有他们的地狱。
But the righteous have their hell here—and their heaven hereafter.
但义人在此世有他们的地狱——来世则有他们的天堂。
Dives had his good things in this life—and Lazarus his evil things.
财主（Dives）在今生拥有美好的事物——而拉撒路则承受苦难。
Now Lazarus is comforted—and Dives is tormented!
如今拉撒路得到安慰——而财主（Dives）则受折磨！
I will not, therefore, envy the prosperity of the wicked,
nor be cast down at the afflictions of the righteous;
seeing the one is drawn in pomp to hell—
while the other swims in tears to heaven!
因此，我不会嫉妒恶人的繁荣，
也不会因义人的苦难而沮丧；
因为看到一个人在盛况中被拖入地狱——
而另一个人在泪水中游向天堂！
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“有一个财主，穿着紫色袍子和细麻布衣服，天天奢华宴乐。在他门口躺着一个讨饭的，名叫拉撒路，浑身长疮，巴不得吃财主桌子上掉下来的碎渣；甚至连狗也来舔他的疮。
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire!’
后来那讨饭的死了，天使把他带去放在亚伯拉罕的怀里。财主也死了，并且埋葬了。他在阴间受痛苦，举目远远地望见亚伯拉罕，又望见拉撒路在他怀里，就喊着说：’我祖亚伯拉罕哪，可怜我吧！打发拉撒路来，用指头尖蘸点水，凉凉我的舌头；因为我在这火焰里，极其痛苦。’
But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime—you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things; but now he is comforted here—and you are in agony!'” Luke 16:19-25
亚伯拉罕说：’儿啊，你该回想你生前享过福，拉撒路也受过苦；如今他在这里得安慰，你倒受痛苦。'”路加福音16:19-25
O stand amazed at His free grace!
啊，对祂白白的恩典感到惊奇！
O precious saint! Three questions call for your answer:
- What were you?
- What are you?
- What shall you be?
宝贵的圣徒啊！三个问题需要你回答：
- 你过去是什么？
- 你现在是什么？
- 你将来会是什么？
- What were you?
Dead in your transgressions and sins,
a rebel to your God,
a prodigal to your Father,
a slave to your lust,
the devil’s captive,
on the highway to hell. - 你过去是什么？
在过犯和罪恶中死了的人，
对上帝的叛逆者，
对天父的浪子，
欲望的奴隶，
魔鬼的俘虏，
在通往地狱的大路上。 - What are you?
Redeemed by Christ,
a royal child of God,
the spouse of Christ,
the temple of the Holy Spirit,
the heir of a priceless eternal inheritance! - 你现在是什么？
被基督救赎的人，
上帝的皇室子女，
基督的新妇，
圣灵的殿，
无价永恒产业的继承人！ - What shall you be?
A glorious saint,
a companion of angels,
a triumphant victor,
a crowned king,
an attendant on the Lamb,
a participant in those soul-ravishing and ineffable excellencies that are in God! - 你将来会是什么？
荣耀的圣徒，
天使的伙伴，
得胜的凯旋者，
戴冠的君王，
羔羊的侍从，
参与那些在上帝里面令人心醉神迷、难以言喻的卓越之处！
You shall behold the King of Glory face to face—and enjoy immediate communion with Jesus Christ!
你将面对面地看见荣耀的君王——并与耶稣基督直接相交！
Nay more, you are made one with Him:
clothed with His excellencies,
enthroned with His glories,
crowned with His eternity,
and filled with His felicity!
不仅如此，你将与祂合而为一：
披戴祂的卓越，
与祂同享荣耀的宝座，
戴上祂永恒的冠冕，
充满祂的喜乐！
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard, and
no mind has imagined . . .
what God has prepared for those who love Him!”
1 Corinthians 2:9
“眼睛未曾看见，
耳朵未曾听见，
人心也未曾想到……
上帝为爱他的人所预备的。”
哥林多前书2:9
O stand amazed at His free grace—and render all the glory to God!
啊，对祂白白的恩典感到惊叹——并将一切荣耀归于神！
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
O think upon your dignity!
啊，思考你的尊严！
Christian! You are a child of God’s love, an heir of His glory, and reckoned among His favorites!
基督徒啊！你是神爱的孩子，祂荣耀的继承人，被列在祂的宠儿之中！
O think upon your dignity, and consider:
啊，思考你的尊严，并考虑：
Will an Emperor live like a beggar?
一个皇帝会像乞丐一样生活吗？
Is it befitting for those who are clothed in scarlet—to wallow in the mire?
那些身穿朱红衣服的人——在泥潭中打滚合适吗？
Am I born of God—and shall I live like a beast?
我是从神而生的——我应该像野兽一样生活吗？
Has God raised my soul to the purest excellencies—and shall I stain my dignity with the world’s filth?
神已将我的灵魂提升到最纯洁的卓越境界——我应该用世俗的污秽玷污我的尊严吗？
May I feed upon Christ—and shall I feed upon empty vanities?
我可以以基督为食——我应该以空虚的虚荣为食吗？
Shall I who am to judge the world—be a drudge to the world?
我这将要审判世界的人——应该成为世界的奴隶吗？
Has Christ prepared for me a mansion in the heavens—and shall I be groveling in earthly mire?
基督已在天上为我预备了一座宅邸——我应该在尘世的泥潭中匍匐吗？
Am I child of light—and shall I commit the works of darkness?
我是光明之子——我应该行黑暗的事吗？
No! I am born to greater and higher things—than to be a slave to lust, and a drudge to the world!
不！我生来就是为了更伟大、更崇高的事物——而不是成为情欲的奴隶，世界的苦工！
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A whole Christ must be received—with the whole heart
整个基督必须用整颗心来接受
“Yet to all who received Him . . . He gave the right to become children of God” John 1:12
“凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就赐他们权柄，作神的儿女。” 约翰福音1:12
A whole Christ must be received—with the whole heart.
必须以全心接受完整的基督。
Some in their understanding, assent to the way of salvation–yet do not consent to it with their will. In judgment they are for Christ–but in affection they are for other things. There is only a part of their soul that is for Christ. Others would have the benefits that are from Christ–but have no love for the person of Christ.
有些人在理解上同意救恩之道，却不以意志认同。在判断上他们赞同基督，但在情感上却倾向其他事物。他们的灵魂只有一部分属于基督。还有一些人想要从基督那里得到好处，却对基督这个人没有爱。
Some would have Christ only as a Savior–but not as a Lord. They desire Him only as a Priest to offer a sacrifice for their sins–but not as a Prophet to instruct them, nor as a King to rule over them. So that it is but part of Christ, that they would receive.
有些人只想要基督作为救主，而不是主。他们只希望祂作为祭司为他们的罪献祭，而不希望祂作为先知指导他们，也不希望祂作为君王统治他们。因此，他们只接受部分的基督。
But both of these courses are equally dangerous; for, if we would be saved, we must cleave to Christ with all the faculties of the soul–with will, judgment, affection, etc. And so, again, we must cleave to the whole of Christ–Christ in His natures, person, offices, etc. If, therefore, you would rightly receive Christ, see that your whole soul receives a whole Christ!
但这两种做法都同样危险；因为如果我们要得救，就必须以灵魂的所有官能——意志、判断、情感等——紧紧依附基督。同样，我们必须依附完整的基督——基督的本性、位格、职分等。因此，如果你想正确地接受基督，要确保你的整个灵魂接受完整的基督！
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Affliction prepared for and improved
预备并改进苦难
“It was good for me to be afflicted—so that I might learn your decrees.” Psalm 119:71
“我受苦是与我有益，为要使我学习你的律例。”诗篇119:71
As it is the duty of God’s children to prepare for affliction before it comes; so it is also their duty to improve affliction when it does come.
正如上帝的儿女有责任在苦难来临前做好准备；当苦难来临时，他们也有责任改进苦难。
If we do not prepare for affliction—we shall be surprised by it;
and, if we do not improve it—we are likely to increase it.
如果我们不为苦难做准备——我们就会被它惊到；
如果我们不改进它——我们很可能会加重它。
He who would prepare for affliction, must beforehand:
(1.) resign all to God,
(2.) strengthen his graces,
(3.) store up divine promises,
(4.) and search out secret sins.
想要为苦难做准备的人，必须事先：
(1.) 将一切交托给上帝，
(2.) 增强他的恩典，
(3.) 积蓄神圣的应许，
(4.) 并查找隐秘的罪。
And he who would improve affliction when it does come, must labor to see:
sin more and more in its filthiness—so as to mortify it;
his heart in its deceitfulness—so as to watch over it;
the world in its emptiness—so as to be crucified to it;
grace in its amiableness—so as to prize it;
God in His holiness—so as to revere Him; and
heaven in its desirableness—so as to long after it.
而当苦难来临时，想要改进苦难的人，必须努力看到：
罪恶在其污秽中——以便治死它；
他的心在其诡诈中——以便警惕它；
世界在其空虚中——以便向它钉十字架；
恩典在其可爱中——以便珍惜它；
上帝在祂的圣洁中——以便敬畏祂；以及
天堂在其可羡慕中——以便渴慕它。
He who takes more care to avoid afflictions—than to be fitted for them; or is more solicitous to be delivered from them—than to be bettered by them; is likely to come soonest into them—and to live longest under them!
那些更加关心如何避免苦难，而不是如何适应苦难的人；或者那些更急切地想要从苦难中解脱，而不是被苦难改进的人；很可能最快遭遇苦难——并在苦难中生活最长时间！
“God disciplines us for our good—that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:10-11
“上帝管教我们是为我们的益处，使我们在他的圣洁上有分。凡管教的事，当时不觉得快乐，反觉得愁苦；后来却为那经练过的人结出平安的果子，就是义。”希伯来书12:10-11
Call Him ‘Father’ in the furnace
在熔炉中称祂为”父”
“Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good—that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:10-11
“我们地上的父都是暂时管教我们，随己意而行；惟有天父管教我们，是要我们得益处，使我们在他的圣洁上有分。凡管教的事，当时不觉得快乐，反觉得愁苦；后来却为那经练过的人结出平安的果子，就是义。” 希伯来书12:10-11
The afflictions of the wicked are punishments from God—as an angry Judge!
恶人的苦难是来自上帝的惩罚——如同愤怒的审判官！
But the afflictions of the godly are chastisements from God—as a gracious Father!
但敬虔之人的苦难是来自上帝的管教——如同慈爱的父亲！
The afflictions of the wicked, moreover, are preludes to their future misery!
此外，恶人的苦难是他们未来苦难的前奏！
But the corrections of the godly, are preparations for their future glory!
但敬虔之人的管教，是为他们未来的荣耀做准备！
“See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10 Under all afflictive dispensations, therefore, hold fast upon God; call Him ‘Father’ in the furnace!
“看哪，我熬炼你，却不像熬炼银子；你在苦难的炉中，我拣选你。” 以赛亚书48:10 因此，在所有苦难的安排中，要紧紧依靠上帝；在熔炉中称祂为”父”！
Keep up honorable thoughts of God as to His dealings;
对上帝的作为，要保持尊崇的想法；
and low thoughts of yourself as to your deservings.
对自己的功德，要保持谦卑的看法。
“All the paths of the Lord (in reference to His people) are mercy and truth,” Psalm 25:10. In our affliction, God in mercy is fulfilling some of His faithful promises for our good. He will not allow His children to go on in the way of sin, without seasonable rebukes to bring them again to Himself. If you would, therefore, discern the goodness of God in your affliction, consider wherein you stand in need of it.
“耶和华一切的道（指祂的子民而言）都是慈爱和诚实，” 诗篇25:10。在我们的苦难中，上帝出于怜悯正在实现祂为我们益处所立的一些信实应许。祂不会允许祂的儿女继续走在罪的道路上，而不给予适时的责备将他们带回到祂自己面前。因此，如果你想辨别上帝在你苦难中的良善，就要思考你在哪些方面需要这苦难。
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Come, then, empty of self—to a full Christ!
那么，来吧，倒空自己——来到丰盛的基督面前！
To be sensible of our unworthiness before God is good; but to look within ourselves for anything to render us worthy—is evil.
在上帝面前意识到我们的不配是好的；但在自己里面寻找任何使我们配得的东西——是邪恶的。
This is pride—when men would bring something to Christ, instead of being willing to receive all from Him!
这就是骄傲——当人想要带些什么给基督，而不是愿意从祂那里领受一切！
And this is true humility—for a soul to be nothing in itself, and to come to Christ, according to that gracious invitation: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!” (Isaiah 55:1.)
这才是真正的谦卑——一个灵魂在自己里面一无所有，来到基督面前，正如那恩慈的邀请所说：”你们一切干渴的都当就近水来；没有银钱的也可以来。你们都来，买了吃；不用银钱，不用价值，也来买酒和奶。”（以赛亚书55:1）
Come, then, empty of self—to a full Christ!
来吧，清空自我——归向充满的基督！
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10
“因为依着神的意思忧愁，就生出没有后悔的懊悔来，以致得救；但世俗的忧愁是叫人死。”哥林多后书7:10
As sin is the greatest evil—so sorrow for sin is the greatest sorrow.
正如罪是最大的恶——对罪的忧愁就是最大的忧愁。
Godly sorrow in a saint is the greatest sorrow, being that which flows from faith, whereby we see sin to be the greatest evil—as exemplified in the crucified Savior.
圣徒的敬虔忧愁是最大的忧愁，它源于信心，通过信心我们看到罪是最大的恶——正如被钉十字架的救主所示范的那样。
True repentance is a continual work. So long as we have sin to repent of—so long we must be repenting of sin.
真正的悔改是一项持续的工作。只要我们有罪需要悔改——我们就必须一直在悔改罪。
The believer’s sorrow for sin becomes more evangelical than formerly; for whereas, before there was much of self-love, and fear of wrath and hell in his mourning; now, having a clear view of the love of God in pardoning him, and of the distinguishing grace and favor of God extended to him—he comes to mourn, loathe, and abase himself more deeply than before, and to melt with filial sorrow before the Lord—that he should act so unworthily and unthankfully towards such a gracious, tender, and loving Father. “Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done—you will remember and be ashamed.” Ezekiel 16:63
信徒对罪的忧愁比以前更具福音性；因为以前他的哀悼中充满了自爱，以及对愤怒和地狱的恐惧；现在，清楚地看到了神赦免他的爱，以及神向他展现的特殊恩典和恩惠——他开始比以前更深地哀悼、厌恶并贬低自己，在主面前以子女般的忧愁融化——因为他对如此仁慈、温柔和慈爱的父亲表现得如此不配和忘恩负义。”我为你遮盖你一切所行的，使你回想起来自觉惭愧。”以西结书16:63
The believer’s hatred of sin becomes more refined.
信徒对罪的憎恨变得更加纯净。
He hates sin on account of its defiling nature—as well as its damning nature!
他憎恨罪是因为它的污秽本质——以及它的咒诅本质！
He hates sin for the evil that is IN it—as well as for the evil that comes BY it!
他憎恨罪是因为罪本身的邪恶——以及罪所带来的邪恶！
He hates sin not only because it is ruinous—but because it is wicked!
他憎恨罪不仅因为它具有毁灭性——还因为它是邪恶的！
The Christian’s Righteousness
基督徒的义
“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Romans 3:22
“就是神的义，因信耶稣基督加给一切相信的人。”罗马书3:22
As all believers are justified by one and the same righteousness—so all believers have an equal interest in that righteousness. The robe of Christ’s righteousness is like His garment, which was without seam. It is not divided, part to one saint and part to another—but the same to all the saints, and the whole to each saint! It is imputed to all alike.
正如所有信徒都因同一个义而称义——所有信徒在那义中都有平等的利益。基督的义袍就像他的衣服，是没有缝的。它不是分割的，一部分给这个圣徒，一部分给那个圣徒——而是对所有圣徒都一样，每个圣徒都得到全部！它平等地归算给所有人。
That hand of faith which receives Christ’s righteousness, though weak—does as really receive it—as that hand which is strong.
那接受基督之义的信心之手，虽然软弱——但确实如同强壮的手一样真实地接受了它。
How great a consolation is it to a poor soul, laboring after high degrees of grace—and yet failing to attain them—to know that though many other saints may excel him in practical holiness—yet no other saint can excel him in imputed righteousness!
对于一个贫乏的灵魂来说，这是何等大的安慰啊，他努力追求高度的恩典——却未能达到——知道虽然许多其他圣徒可能在实际圣洁上超过他——但在归算的义上没有其他圣徒能超过他！
“Whom do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You! My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever!” Psalm 73:25-26
“除你以外，在天上我有谁呢？除你以外，在地上我也没有所爱慕的！我的肉体和我的心肠衰残，但神是我心里的力量，又是我的福分，直到永远！” 诗篇73:25-26
“My meditation of Him shall be sweet!” Psalm 104:34
“愿我的默想祂为甘甜！” 诗篇104:34
I may compare meditation to those birds of which David speaks, which build their nests by the altar of God. Meditation is that celestial bird, that builds her nest around the throne of glory! Contemplation is that bee which flies into the sweetest gardens—and sucks honey from every flower of paradise!
我可以将默想比作大卫所说的那些鸟儿，它们在神的祭坛旁筑巢。默想是那只天国的鸟儿，在荣耀宝座周围筑巢！沉思是那只飞入最甜美花园的蜜蜂——从天堂的每朵花中吸取蜂蜜！
By meditation I can . . .
converse with God,
solace myself on the bosom of my Beloved,
bathe myself in rivers of pleasures,
with delight tread the paths leading to my rest,
and anticipate the eternal mansions of glory!
通过默想，我可以……
与神交谈，
在我所爱者的怀抱中慰藉自己，
在欢愉的河流中沐浴，
欣喜地踏上通往我安息之处的道路，
并期待永恒荣耀的居所！
Why do you loiter therefore, O my soul, in this valley of tears? Arise, ascend the mount—and view the land of promise! Why do you loiter in this wilderness of trouble? Arise, O my soul, be on the wing, and take your flight to heaven! Let your thoughts be where your happiness is—and your heart where your thoughts are!
因此，我的灵啊，你为何在这泪谷中徘徊？起来，登上山顶——观望应许之地！你为何在这困扰的旷野中逗留？起来，我的灵啊，展翅高飞，飞向天国！让你的思绪在你的幸福所在之处——让你的心在你的思绪所在之处！
What can satisfy you, O my immortal soul? Nothing but the immortal God, in whom all fullness dwells. He alone can fill the soul—who fills heaven and earth.
什么能满足你，我不朽的灵魂？只有不朽的上帝，一切丰盛都在祂里面。只有充满天地的祂，才能填满灵魂。
The insufficient creature—may fill the soul with vexation;
none but the all-sufficient God—can fill the soul with satisfaction.
不足的受造物——可能使灵魂烦恼；
唯有全然充足的上帝——才能使灵魂满足。
O Lord, no creature of Yours will satisfy me, without Yourself! Therefore, O Lord, take my heart—and give me Yourself!
主啊，若没有你自己，你的任何受造物都无法满足我！因此，主啊，拿走我的心——把你自己赐给我！
“Whom do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You! My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever!” Psalm 73:25-26
“除你以外，在天上我有谁呢？除你以外，在地上我也没有所爱慕的！我的肉体和我的心肠衰残，但神是我心里的力量，又是我的福分，直到永远！”诗篇73:25-26
What do you desire, O my soul? With what imaginable excellency would you clothe yourself! What desirable object would you pitch upon?
我的灵魂啊，你渴望什么？你会用什么可想象的美德来装饰自己！你会选择什么令人向往的目标？
Is it beauty? The righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. So shall they be forever with the Lord.
是美丽吗？义人在他们父的国里要发光如同太阳。他们将永远与主同在。
Is it riches? Wealth and riches are the portion of all God’s children; every one in His family shall have a rich, a glorious, an incorruptible, and eternal inheritance among the saints!
是财富吗？财富和丰盛是上帝所有儿女的产业；祂家中的每个人都将在圣徒中得到丰富、荣耀、不朽坏和永恒的产业！
Is it honor? What honor can compare to this—to be a friend and favorite of God, and a spouse of Christ—to have a crown of righteousness, of life, and of glory! Nay more, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory set upon your head!
是荣誉吗？什么荣誉能与此相比——成为上帝的朋友和宠爱，基督的新妇——戴上公义、生命和荣耀的冠冕！不，更有甚者，极重无比、永远的荣耀加在你头上！
Is it pleasure? The just shall enter into their Master’s joy, and there are rivers of pleasure at God’s right hand for evermore!
是快乐吗？义人将进入他们主人的喜乐，在上帝的右手中有永远的快乐之河！
In a word, what would you have, O my soul? A confluence of all the glorious things of eternity?
简而言之，我的灵魂啊，你想要什么？所有永恒荣耀事物的汇集吗？
If heaven, and the holiness thereof—are what you seek;
then heaven and the excellencies thereof—you shall find.
如果天堂及其圣洁——是你所寻求的；
那么天堂及其美好——你就必寻见。
Lord, make me holy—then I shall be happy!
主啊，使我圣洁——那么我就会幸福！
“Whom do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You! My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever!” Psalm 73:25-26
“除你以外，在天上我有谁呢？除你以外，在地上我也没有所爱慕的！我的肉体和我的心肠衰残，但神是我心里的力量，又是我的福分，直到永远！”诗篇73:25-26
Look at the voluptuous man!
看那纵欲的人！
As there is a sorrowful mirth—so there is a joyful mourning.
正如有悲伤的欢乐一样，也有喜乐的哀悼。
Look at the voluptuous man: however laughter may appear in his face—yet sadness always rests in his heart! His carnal delights are not only vain—but vexing!
看那纵欲的人：尽管笑容可能浮现在他的脸上，但悲伤却始终潜藏在他的心中！他肉体的欢愉不仅是虚空的，更是令人烦恼的！
While his banquet lasts—the sensualist sings; but when God’s reckoning comes—his heart sinks!
当他的盛宴持续时，感官享乐者高歌；但当上帝的清算来临时，他的心便沉沦！
But now look at the true penitent: as his tears are the joy of angels, so they are the joy of his soul.
但现在看那真正悔改的人：他的眼泪既是天使的喜悦，也是他灵魂的喜乐。
The more briny his tears—the sweeter his comforts!
他的眼泪越咸，他的安慰就越甜！
The deeper his sighs—the fuller his joy!
他的叹息越深，他的喜乐就越充满！
The beams of consolation—always shine into his house of mourning.
安慰的光芒总是照进他哀悼的房屋。
I may truly say, to mourn for sin—is to weep for joy! These pure and pleasant streams of consolation (which are the worldling’s wonder) that flow in those crystal rivers of eternal pleasure at God’s right hand—come from a weeping spring.
我可以真诚地说，为罪恶哀悼就是为喜乐而哭泣！这些纯净而愉悦的安慰之流（是世俗之人的惊奇），在上帝右手边那永恒欢愉的水晶河流中流淌，源自一个哭泣的泉源。
Why then is the mouth of wickedness opened against the way of holiness—as if grace were the Calvary to entomb joys; and impiety the very womb to bring forth happiness!
那么，为何邪恶之口要对抗圣洁之道呢？好像恩典是埋葬喜乐的加略山；而不敬虔才是孕育幸福的子宫！
But if experience may be heard, my soul has felt both—I find such dissatisfaction in worldly pleasures, and such unspeakable delight in the depth of godly sorrow—that I esteem one drop of such spiritual joy—better than an ocean of carnal mirth!
但如果经验可以被倾听，我的灵魂已经感受过两者—我在世俗的欢愉中发现如此的不满足，而在敬虔的悲伤深处发现如此难以言喻的喜悦—以至于我认为这种属灵喜乐的一滴，胜过肉体欢愉的汪洋大海！
Go, take your fill!
去吧，尽情享受吧！
“In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures!” Psalm 16:11
“在你面前有满足的喜乐；在你右手中有永远的福乐！”诗篇16:11
Christian, your happiness arises from that object on which your affections are placed. Where your treasure is—there will your heart be also. If your affections are placed upon a poor empty creature; or, if like Judas, your heart is so depraved, that you desire only the money-bag; or, like Reuben, you are content, for worldly convenience, to continue on this side of Jordan—then remember you are bartering eternal life for a mere fantasy, and deceiving yourself into irretrievable and endless ruin!
基督徒啊，你的幸福源于你所爱慕的对象。你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在那里。如果你的爱慕放在一个贫乏空虚的受造物上；或者，如果像犹大一样，你的心如此堕落，只渴望钱袋；或者，像流便一样，为了世俗的便利，满足于留在约旦河这边——那么请记住，你是在用永生换取一个幻想，将自己欺骗进不可挽回的无尽毁灭中！
If you will be content with . . .
a breath of honor,
a blaze of pleasure,
a snare of riches,
or a parcel of vanity,
then go, take your fill! But know assuredly—that the end of these things is death!
如果你满足于……
一缕荣誉之气，
一瞬欢愉之光，
一个财富之网，
或一份虚荣之物，
那么去吧，尽情享受！但要确切地知道——这些事物的结局就是死亡！
When you shall draw your last breath,
when honor will appear only as air,
when your deathless soul shall be forever ensnared
—then you will greatly lament your past conduct,
and wish you had never been born!
当你呼出最后一口气时，
当荣誉只如空气般显现时，
当你不死的灵魂永远被缠住时
——那时你将极度哀叹你过去的行为，
并希望自己从未出生！
But now, O true Christian, if you are risen with Christ from the dead, and are looking at unseen and eternal realities—then for you is prepared . . .
a golden crown,
a celestial harp,
a glorious mansion,
and eternal hallelujahs!
但现在，哦真正的基督徒，如果你已与基督一同从死里复活，并正在仰望那看不见的永恒实际——那么为你预备的是……
一顶金冠，
一把天国的竖琴，
一座荣耀的宅邸，
和永恒的哈利路亚！
You shall enjoy the presence of God and the Lamb forever and ever! You shall gaze on the incomparable brightness of God, and forever contemplate the wonders of redemption!
你将永永远远享受神和羔羊的同在！你将注视神无与伦比的光辉，永远思考救赎的奇妙！
Lord, if this is my happiness—then let others enjoy the things of this world! For my part, I am content to deny myself, and take up my cross and follow You!
主啊，如果这是我的幸福——那就让别人享受这世界的事物吧！至于我，我甘愿舍己，背起我的十字架跟随你！
Do not ‘pick the lock’ to which He has allowed no key!
不要去”撬开”祂没有给钥匙的锁！
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God; but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29
“隐秘的事是属耶和华我们神的；惟有明显的事是永远属我们和我们子孙的，好叫我们遵行这律法上的一切话。”申命记29:29
Do not be anxious to understand the secrets of God. Do not ‘pick the lock’ to which He has allowed no key! He who will be scanning every cloud—may be smitten with a thunderbolt; and he who will labor to pry into God’s secrets—may be overwhelmed with His judgments!
不要急于理解上帝的秘密。不要去”撬开”祂没有给钥匙的锁！那些总是scrutinizing（仔细观察）每一片云的人可能会被雷电击中；那些努力窥探上帝秘密的人可能会被祂的审判所淹没！
Adam would presumptuously increase his knowledge; therefore Adam dreadfully lost his goodness! The Bethshemites would pry into the ark of God; therefore the hand of God slew more than fifty thousand of them!
亚当傲慢地想要增加他的知识；因此亚当可怕地失去了他的善良！伯·示麦人想要窥探上帝的约柜；因此上帝的手杀死了他们中的五万多人！
For my part, I will carefully improve myself by things revealed, and not presumptuously inquire into, or after, what He has concealed.
就我而言，我会谨慎地通过已启示的事物来完善自己，而不会傲慢地inquire into（探究）或追寻祂所隐藏的事物。
A Christian’s Heaven and Hell
基督徒的天堂与地狱
It is heaven to be forever with the Lord—and hell to be eternally without Him.
永远与主同在就是天堂——永远失去祂就是地狱。
You who can see no beauty in Christ, nor any glory in heaven—do you likewise see no flames in hell, and no hell in the loss of God? You, therefore, who cannot relish His presence—O tremble at His absence! And you who are not anxious to be with Him—O fear to be without Him!
你们这些在基督身上看不到美，在天堂中看不到荣耀的人——你们同样看不到地狱的火焰，看不到失去上帝就是地狱吗？因此，你们这些无法享受祂同在的人——啊，要在祂缺席时战栗！你们这些不渴望与祂同在的人——啊，要害怕失去祂！
For this is hell on earth: “Yet they say to God: Depart from us! We have no desire to know Your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him?” Job 21:14-15
因为这就是地上的地狱：”他们却对神说：’离开我们吧！我们不愿晓得你的道。全能者是谁，我们何必事奉他呢？'”约伯记21:14-15
And this is hell when we leave the earth, “Then He will say to those on His left: Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!” Matthew 25:41
而这就是我们离开地球时的地狱，”王又要向那左边的说：’你们这被咒诅的人，离开我！进入那为魔鬼和他的使者所预备的永火里去！'”马太福音25:41
Lord, you are my heaven, and my happiness! “You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand!” Psalm 16:11
主啊，你是我的天堂，我的幸福！”你必将生命的道路指示我。在你面前有满足的喜乐；在你右手中有永远的福乐。”诗篇16:11
It is his god!
这就是他的神！
Who will part with his God? I will part with my life—rather than with my God!
谁会与他的神分离？我宁愿失去生命，也不愿与我的神分离！
No wonder, therefore, that the covetous man so idolizes his gold—it is his god! If you take that from him, he will cry with Micah, when he lost his idols, “You have taken away all my gods—and I have nothing left!” Judges 18:24. His heaven is gone, his happiness is gone, his all is gone—if his idols are gone!
因此，贪婪之人如此崇拜他的金钱也就不足为奇了——这就是他的神！如果你夺走他的金钱，他会像米迦失去偶像时那样哭喊：”你们将我的神像都带走了，我一无所有了！”（士师记18:24）。如果他的偶像没了，他的天堂没了，他的幸福没了，他的一切都没了！
I will not therefore wonder so much at the closeness of his hand—as at the vanity of his heart.
因此，我不会那么惊讶于他手中紧握的东西，而是惊讶于他内心的虚空。
We count it singular wisdom to keep that God we have chosen. But it is absolute folly, to choose that god which we cannot keep! “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle!” Proverbs 23:5
我们认为坚守我们所选择的神是独特的智慧。但选择那些我们无法保有的神则是绝对的愚蠢！”你岂要定睛在虚无的钱财上吗？因钱财必长翅膀，如鹰向天飞去。”（箴言23:5）
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Could the devil turn chemist
魔鬼若能成为炼金术士
O my soul, you are . . .
spiritual in your essence,
immense in your desires, and
immortal in your nature;
so that there must be proportion and perfection in that which you enjoy, with a perpetuity of both—or you will have no real satisfaction.
噢，我的灵魂啊，你是……
本质上是属灵的，
渴望是无限的，
本性是不朽的；
因此，你所享受的事物必须具有相应的比例和完美，并且两者都要永恒——否则你将得不到真正的满足。
Now, were the world turned into a pleasant Eden, and that Eden refreshed with the living springs of immortality, and you seated on a throne of its choicest excellencies, crowned with the diadem of its highest felicities, swaying the scepter of your glory over all sublunary creatures—nay, could you give guidance to the sun, did your territories border upon the highest heavens, and the revenues of your crown flow in from the farthest parts of the earth; yet what proportion does a material world bear to an immortal soul?
现在，即使世界变成了一个愉悦的伊甸园，那伊甸园被不朽的活泉滋润，你坐在其最精选的宝座上，戴着其最高福祉的冠冕，挥舞着你荣耀的权杖统治所有地上的生物——不，即使你能指引太阳，你的领土与至高的天堂接壤，你王冠的收入从地球最远处流入；然而，一个物质的世界与不朽的灵魂相比，又有什么比例呢？
Will a lion feed upon grass? Or can the soul be satisfied with dust? You may as soon feed your body with wood—as your soul with the world. If the world did bear proportion—yet it lacks perfection.
狮子会以草为食吗？或者灵魂能以尘土为满足吗？你可以用木头喂养你的身体，就像用世界喂养你的灵魂一样。即使世界具有相应的比例——它仍然缺乏完美。
Could the devil turn chemist, and extract the very vital essence and quintessence of the purest and most desirable excellencies under heaven—yet they would be of such an imperfect nature, that there would be . . .
即使魔鬼变成化学家，从天下最纯粹、最令人向往的美好事物中提炼出精华和精髓——它们仍然会如此不完美，以至于会有……
more lees than liquor,
沉淀物多于液体，
more thorns than flowers,
刺多于花，
more smoke than fire,
烟多于火，
more poison than honey;
毒多于蜜；
so that a man will be filled with a whirlwind of vexation, who wished to be satisfied with an object of imperfection! For it is impossible that such a scanty excellency, should in any way fill such an enlarged capacity.
因此，一个希望从不完美之物中获得满足的人，将被烦恼的旋风所充满！因为这样贫乏的美好，不可能以任何方式填满如此广阔的容量。
Yet again, were there perfection, there is not perpetuity in this poor world. It will fly away like a bird from the perch—or melt away like ice before the sun—and so leave the immortal soul to sink forever! So that the world will not only make you restless—but leave you miserable!
再者，即便有完美，在这贫乏的世界里也没有永恒。它会像鸟儿飞离栖木一样消失——或像冰在阳光下融化一样消逝——从而让不朽的灵魂永远沉沦！因此，这世界不仅会让你不安——还会让你痛苦！
I see then, that I shall never rest—until I rest in God! He who is the Almighty Father, the fountain of bliss, the ancient of days—is the only adequate object to suit my immortal soul. The rest of the creature is in its end; the end of the soul is its God. Therefore, Lord, seeing you have made me for Yourself—fill me fully with Yourself, or take me wholly to Yourself!
我明白了，除非我在上帝里得安息，否则我永远无法安息！祂是全能的父，幸福之源，亘古常在者——是唯一能适合我不朽灵魂的对象。受造物的安息在于其终点；灵魂的终点就是它的上帝。因此，主啊，既然你为自己创造了我——求你用你自己充满我，或将我完全带到你身边！
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The vanity of the world
世界的虚空
Does Satan tempt you—either by pleasures, power or profits? O my soul, stand upon your guard, gird on your strength with such thoughts as these:
撒但是否用快乐、权力或利益诱惑你？噢，我的灵魂啊，要警惕，用这样的思想武装自己：
What can the world profit me—if its cares choke me?
如果世界的忧虑令我窒息，它能给我什么好处？
How can pleasures comfort me—if their sting poisons me?
如果快乐的刺毒害了我，它又怎能安慰我？
What advancement is this—to be triumphing in honor before the face of men here, and to be trembling for shame before the throne of God hereafter?
在此世人前以荣誉为傲，来世却在上帝宝座前因羞耻而颤抖，这算什么进步？
What are the delights of the world—compared to my peace of conscience, or the joy that is in the Holy Spirit?
与我的良心平安或圣灵里的喜乐相比，世界的欢愉算什么？
What are the applauses of men—compared to the eternal crown of glory prepared by God?
与上帝预备的永恒荣耀冠冕相比，人的赞美算什么？
What is the gain of the world—compared to the loss of my soul?
与失去我的灵魂相比，世界的得着算什么？
The vanity of the world is far beneath the excellency of my soul. Therefore, Satan, I am determined to resist you, for you desire my eternal loss!
世界的虚荣远不及我灵魂的卓越。因此，撒但，我决心抵抗你，因为你渴望我永恒的失落！
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever!” 1 John 2:15-17
“不要爱世界和世界上的事。人若爱世界，爱父的心就不在他里面了。因为凡世界上的事，就像肉体的情欲、眼目的情欲，并今生的骄傲，都不是从父来的，乃是从世界来的。这世界和其上的情欲都要过去，惟独遵行神旨意的，是永远常存。” 约翰一书 2:15-17
Strangers and pilgrims
陌生人和朝圣者
“These all confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Hebrews 11:13
“这些人都是存着信心死的，并没有得着所应许的；却从远处望见，且欢喜迎接，又承认自己在世上是客旅，是寄居的。” 希伯来书 11:13
A black cloud causes the traveler to quicken his pace, and hasten towards his home; whereas a sunny day, tempts him to idle away his time; and a pleasant way tends to steal away his affections while he surveys the country.
乌云使旅人加快脚步，赶紧回家；而晴天则诱使他虚度时光；美好的道路在他观察这个国家时，往往会偷走他的感情。
However others may think of it—yet I consider it a mercy, that occasionally some clouds interpose my sun, and often my troubles eclipse my comforts. For I perceive that if I should find too much friendship in my inn, or in my pilgrimage—that I would soon forget my Father’s house and my glorious eternal inheritance.
然而，无论别人如何看待它—我却认为这是一种怜悯，偶尔有些云遮挡我的太阳，我的烦恼经常遮蔽我的安慰。因为我意识到，如果我在客栈或朝圣之旅中找到太多友谊—我很快就会忘记我父亲的家和我荣耀的永恒遗产。
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11
“亲爱的弟兄啊，你们是客旅，是寄居的。我劝你们要禁戒肉体的私欲；这私欲是与灵魂争战的。” 彼得前书 2:11
Why do you grovel in the dust of this earth?
你为什么在这尘世中匍匐？
O my soul—why do you grovel in the dust of this earth? Everything here is too base for your excellency; and too short for your eternity! You are capable of enjoying God—and must exist when these poor creatures are reduced to nothing. The world therefore is too base a metal—to make a crown of glory for you! It is too corrupt a vessel—to carry you through eternity! O fill yourself with God—and so you shall raise your dignity to glorious perpetuity!
哦，我的灵魂—你为什么在这尘世中匍匐？这里的一切对你的卓越来说都太低贱了；对你的永恒来说又太短暂了！你有能力享受上帝—当这些可怜的造物归于无有时，你必须存在。因此，这个世界是太低贱的金属—无法为你制作荣耀的冠冕！它是太腐败的容器—无法带你穿越永恒！哦，让自己充满上帝—这样你就能将你的尊严提升到荣耀的永恒！
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away—but the man who does the will of God lives forever!” 1 John 2:15-17
“不要爱世界和世界上的事。人若爱世界，爱父的心就不在他里面了。因为凡世界上的事，就像肉体的情欲、眼目的情欲，并今生的骄傲，都不是从父来的，乃是从世界来的。这世界和其上的情欲都要过去，惟独遵行神旨意的，是永远常存。” 约翰一书 2:15-17
We sow the seeds of eternity!
我们播下永恒的种子！
“What is your life? You are a vapor that appears for a little while—and then vanishes!” James 4:14
“你的生命是什么呢？你是一片云雾，出现少时就不见了。”雅各书4:14
Our life is only a moment of time; and yet in this moment of time—we sow the seeds of eternity! In this transitory hour, I am preparing myself either for eternal felicity—or eternal woe! These words that I now speak, these works that I now perform, though they here seem to be forgotten—yet they shall spring up to all eternity!
我们的生命只是时间的一瞬间；然而在这一瞬间，我们播下了永恒的种子！在这短暂的时刻，我正在为永恒的幸福或永恒的苦难做准备！我现在说的这些话，我现在做的这些事，虽然在此似乎被遗忘了，但它们将在永恒中萌芽！
As the poet answered one, upbraiding him for being three days in composing three verses; whereas the novice could compile a hundred verses in one day; “O!” said the poet, “Your verses are only for three days, as it were—but mine must continue forever; according to my composition now—my name must either rise or fall forever!”
正如那位诗人回答一个人的责备，他花了三天时间写三句诗；而新手一天就能写出一百句诗；”哦！”诗人说，”你的诗句只能存在三天，而我的诗句必须永远流传；根据我现在的创作，我的名字要么永远升起，要么永远沉落！”
Just so may we answer this foolish world—which upbraids us for too much preciseness. O! have not we cause to be exact, when the works we are performing are not to be written in sand—but in the records of eternity? The lines that we now draw—must run parallel with eternity; and according to our conduct in this fleeting moment of time—our souls must either be glorified—or damned forever!
我们也可以这样回答这个愚蠢的世界——它责备我们过于严谨。哦！当我们所做的工作不是写在沙上，而是写在永恒的记录中时，我们难道没有理由精确吗？我们现在画的线必须与永恒平行；根据我们在这转瞬即逝的时刻的行为，我们的灵魂要么被荣耀，要么被永远诅咒！
O Lord, help me so to improve the brevity of my life—by the integrity of my actions; that I may turn this moment of misery—into an eternity of unspeakable happiness!
主啊，帮助我通过行为的正直来改善我生命的短暂；使我能将这痛苦的时刻转化为无法言喻的永恒幸福！
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment—but the righteous to eternal life!” Matthew 25:46
“这些人要往永刑里去，那些义人要往永生里去。”马太福音25:46
Two inseparable companions
两个不可分离的伙伴
Sin and sorrow are two inseparable companions; you can not indulge the one—and be without the other. If your moments are spent in carnal mirth—your eternity will be spent in ceaseless mourning. If you will not weep for sin, while you may have mercy to pardon you—you will lament hereafter, and have no eye to pity you! A bottle of tears may now quench the fire of sin—but a cloud of tears will never quench the flames of hell!
罪恶和悲伤是两个不可分离的伙伴；你不能沉溺于其中一个而不受另一个的影响。如果你的时光花在肉欲的欢乐上，你的永恒将会在无休止的悲伤中度过。如果你现在不为罪恶哭泣，当你可能得到宽恕的怜悯时，你将来会哀叹，却没有人会同情你！现在一瓶眼泪可能会熄灭罪恶之火，但一片泪云永远无法熄灭地狱之火！
Therefore while the wicked continue laughing—I will continue to mourn. Through the Valley of Bochim (weeping)—I shall pass to the hill of Zion. But the paths of carnal mirth will bring me into a hell of weeping; for this is true, “He who swims in sin—shall sink in sorrow!” His laughter shall be turned into heaviness; but my tears shall be wiped away! I will therefore ever weep—that I may not weep forever!
因此，当恶人继续欢笑时，我将继续哀悼。通过波金谷（哭泣之谷），我将到达锡安山。但肉欲欢乐的道路将把我带入哭泣的地狱；因为这是真的，”在罪中畅游的人，必将沉沦于悲伤之中！”他的笑声将变成沉重；但我的眼泪将被擦去！所以我将永远哭泣，以免永远哭泣！
“Blessed are those who mourn—for they will be comforted!” Matthew 5:4
“哀恸的人有福了，因为他们必得安慰！”马太福音5:4
The worldling’s ease—but the godly man’s end
世俗之人的安逸——但敬虔之人的结局
All men desire happiness for their end—but few will have holiness for their way.
所有人都渴望以幸福为终点——但很少有人愿意以圣洁为道路。
All men desire the kingdom of heaven, and the glory thereof—but few seek the kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof.
所有人都渴望天国，及其荣耀——但很少有人寻求天国，及其公义。
A nobleman being asked whether he would rather be a godly Christian—or worldly pleasure seeker, answered, “I had rather live like the latter—and die like the former!” So most men had rather live like Balaam—but “die the death of the righteous!” They wish to have the worldling’s ease—but the godly man’s end.
一位贵族被问及是否宁愿成为敬虔的基督徒——还是世俗的享乐者，他回答说：”我宁愿活得像后者——但死得像前者！”因此，大多数人宁愿活得像巴兰——但”死得像义人！”他们希望拥有世俗之人的安逸——但要敬虔之人的结局。
But this is certain, no man shall go to God in death—unless he draws near to God in life. If the kingdom of God is not first in us—we shall never enter into the kingdom of God. None shall enter heaven hereafter—but those who walk in heaven here on earth.
但可以确定的是，没有人能在死亡时走向上帝——除非他在生前亲近上帝。如果上帝的国度不首先在我们里面——我们就永远无法进入上帝的国度。今后没有人能进入天堂——只有那些在地上如在天堂中行走的人。
None shall enter the gates of felicity—but those who tread the narrow paths of piety!
没有人能进入幸福之门——只有那些踏上虔诚狭窄道路的人！
Lord! make me holy—as well as happy, that I may desire to glorify you, as well as to be glorified by you.
主啊！使我圣洁——也使我快乐，使我渴望荣耀你，也被你荣耀。
Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!
一切虚空！万事皆虚空！
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” Ecclesiastes 1:2
“虚空的虚空！”传道者说。”虚空的虚空！凡事都是虚空。” 传道书1:2
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man!” Ecclesiastes 12:13
“这些事都已听见了，总意就是：敬畏神，谨守他的诫命，这是人所当尽的本分。” 传道书12:13
Solomon tried many experiments to find happiness—but adopted only the last: the Fear of God. O my soul! you may tire yourself with different objects—but none can satisfy you but God—He alone is the efficient and sufficient fullness! It was said of manna, that it was the delight of every palate—just so, Jesus Christ affords satisfaction to every soul. Taste therefore and see how sweet the Lord is!
所罗门尝试了许多方法来寻找幸福——但最终只采纳了最后一个：敬畏神。噢，我的灵魂！你可能会因各种事物而疲惫——但除了神，没有什么能满足你——唯有祂是有效和充足的丰盛！人们说吗哪能让每个人的味蕾都感到愉悦——同样，耶稣基督能满足每个灵魂。因此，你要尝尝主是何等甘甜！
Why do we wander after such a variety of objects? Because we cannot find sufficiency in one. Were one flower as pleasant as the collection, we would never trouble ourselves to gather many. Those golden rays of goodness which lie scattered imperfectly in the creature—are to be found combined in God alone. These poor earthly ingredients, cannot make up the highest excellency, the greatest goodness, and the fullest perfection—which are to be found collectively in God alone. Is there anything profitable, or desirable in the world? You may see it in your Savior, Christ!
为什么我们追逐如此多样的事物？因为我们无法在一件事物中找到满足。如果一朵花能像整个花束一样令人愉悦，我们就不会费心去采集许多。那些零散地、不完美地存在于受造物中的善良金光——只能在神那里找到完美的结合。这些可怜的世俗之物，无法构成最高的卓越、最大的善良和最完美的完全——这些只能在神那里集中找到。世界上有什么有益或可欲之物吗？你可以在你的救主基督那里看到它！
Are you a captive of the devil? Christ is your Redeemer.
你是魔鬼的俘虏吗？基督是你的救赎主。
Are you wounded? Christ is your good Samaritan.
你受伤了吗？基督是你的好撒马利亚人。
Are you broken-hearted? Go unto Christ, and He will bind it up.
你心碎了吗？到基督那里去，祂会医治你。
Are you sick? Christ is your physician.
你生病了吗？基督是你的医生。
Are you persecuted? Christ is your refuge.
你受迫害吗？基督是你的避难所。
Are you hungry or thirsty? Christ is the living bread and the flowing stream.
你饥渴吗？基督是生命的粮和活水的泉源。
Are you weary? Christ is your rest.
你疲惫吗？基督是你的安息。
Are you in poverty? Christ is an inexhaustible treasury.
你贫穷吗？基督是取之不尽的宝藏。
Are you in disgrace? Christ is your honor.
你蒙羞吗？基督是你的荣耀。
Are you dull and heavy? Christ is a quickening spirit.
你迟钝沉重吗？基督是使人活的灵。
Do you lack grace? Christ is the fountain.
你缺乏恩典吗？基督是恩典的泉源。
Do you desire heaven? Christ is the way—He shall guide you by his counsel, and afterwards receive you to glory.
你渴望天堂吗？基督是道路——祂要以他的训诲引导你，以后必接你到荣耀里。
Let that man’s name be written in the dust—who forsakes the flowing fountain, to quench his thirst at a broken cistern. Why should I tire myself to gather drops of honey from so many dying flowers—when I can satisfy myself with streams of sweetness in the living Christ!
让那抛弃活水泉源、在破裂水池解渴的人的名字被写在尘土中。当我可以在活着的基督那里得到甜美的溪流时，为什么还要疲于从众多将死的花朵中收集蜜滴呢！
“They were strangers and pilgrims on the earth!” Hebrews 11:13
“他们在地上是客旅，是寄居的！”希伯来书11:13
What heir, traveling to take possession of a rich inheritance, allows either a green meadow or pleasant garden to detain him; or a black cloud or a dirty road to dishearten him?
有哪个继承人在前往接管丰厚遗产的路上，会被绿色的草地或美丽的花园所羁绊；或被乌云密布或泥泞的道路所气馁？
O my soul, you are traveling to take possession of a glorious eternal inheritance!
噢，我的灵魂啊，你正在前往接管荣耀的永恒遗产！
Will you turn aside—to pluck every flower?
你会为了摘每一朵花而偏离道路吗？
Will you linger—to listen to every melodious sound?
你会为了聆听每一个悦耳的声音而逗留吗？
Will you leave your way—to drink of every gliding stream of carnal pleasure?
你会为了饮用每一条流动的肉欲之河而离开你的道路吗？
What is this, but . . .
to view a meadow—and to lose a mansion!
to sacrifice an eternal crown—for a dying flower!
to lose immortal felicity—for a flying vanity!
to forsake the way of Zion—to gather the grapes of Sodom!
这不就是…
观赏草地—却失去了大厦！
为了一朵将死的花—牺牲永恒的冠冕！
为了转瞬即逝的虚荣—失去不朽的幸福！
为了采摘所多玛的葡萄—而放弃锡安的道路！
Though, my soul, your way is in tears, and your days in sorrow, all clouded; yet here is enough to comfort you: that a loving Father, an unending portion, a sweet rest, and an everlasting refreshment—will make amends for all.
我的灵魂啊，尽管你的道路充满泪水，你的日子笼罩在悲伤之中；但这里有足够的安慰：一位慈爱的父亲，一份永不止息的产业，一个甜美的安息，和永恒的更新—将会弥补一切。
Therefore, this vain world does not allure me—for I will make no deviation, because my way lies to purer comforts, and surer glory! Vexing world, threaten not, I will not halt, because I am traveling to my heavenly Father’s house!
因此，这虚空的世界不能引诱我—我不会偏离，因为我的道路通向更纯净的慰藉和更确定的荣耀！烦扰的世界啊，不要威胁我，我不会停止，因为我正在前往我天父的家！
“They were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them!” Hebrews 11:16
“他们羡慕一个更美的家乡，就是在天上的。所以神被称为他们的神，并不以为耻，因为他已经给他们预备了一座城。”希伯来书11:16
A race to the sepulcher!
奔向坟墓的赛跑！
“What is your life? You are a vapor that appears for a little while—and then vanishes!” James 4:14
“你的生命是什么呢？你是一片云雾，出现片刻就消失了！”雅各书4:14
To speak the truth—our life is but a lingering death!
说实话，我们的生命不过是一场缓慢的死亡！
The poet being asked what he did; answered insightfully, “I am dying, little by little!”
当诗人被问及他在做什么时，他洞察地回答道：”我正在一点一点地死去！”
We do but begin to live indeed—when we begin to live to God; our life before, is but a race to the sepulcher! But when we live to God—then we are on our way to eternity!
我们只有在开始为上帝而活时，才真正开始活着；在此之前，我们的生命不过是奔向坟墓的赛跑！但当我们为上帝而活时，我们就踏上了通往永恒的道路！
Our life contains a thousand springs,
And dies if one goes wrong!
Strange! that a harp of a thousand strings,
Should keep in tune so long!
我们的生命包含千条弹簧，
一个出错就会死亡！
奇怪！一把千弦琴，
竟能保持如此长久的和谐！
“What is your life? You are a vapor that appears for a little while—and then vanishes!” James 4:14
“你的生命是什么呢？你是一片云雾，出现片刻就消失了！”雅各书4:14
Beautiful abominations!
美丽的可憎之物！
Godly people alone, shall enter heaven. They may be destitute of earthly honor and riches—but they are rich in faith, and heirs to the kingdom of heaven! They may be despised by people distinguished by worldly possessions—but in the eternal world, they will infinitely surpass them in celestial riches and honor. While Christians shall eternally sing the praises of God and the Lamb—the wicked will be forever weeping and gnashing their teeth! What a contrast is this!
只有虔诚的人才能进入天堂。他们可能缺乏世俗的荣誉和财富，但他们在信仰上富足，是天国的继承人！他们可能被那些以世俗财富著称的人鄙视，但在永恒的世界里，他们在天国的财富和荣誉上将无限超越他们。当基督徒永远歌颂上帝和羔羊的赞美时，邪恶之人将永远哭泣切齿！这是何等的对比！
The mighty, the noble, the rich, in general—are not qualified to enter the mansions of bliss; they are but beautiful abominations! Those covered with the most worldly grandeur—usually possess the most wicked hearts! The gates of heaven will be shut against them; for a special command has gone forth, that none but the holy shall reign with Jesus Christ!
通常来说，强大的、高贵的、富有的人不具备进入幸福天国的资格；他们不过是美丽的可憎之物！那些被世俗荣华所覆盖的人，通常拥有最邪恶的内心！天堂的大门将对他们关闭；因为有一个特别的命令已经发出，除了圣洁的人，没有人能与耶稣基督一同统治！
“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life!” Revelation 21:27
“凡不洁净的，并那行可憎与虚谎之事的，总不得进那城；只有名字写在羔羊生命册上的才得进去。”启示录21:27
A sure step to glory!
通往荣耀的确定一步！
The Israelites were necessitated first to pass over the Jordan River, before they could enter Canaan. But no sooner had the feet of the priests, who bore the ark of the covenant, rested in the water—but the proud waves saw it and fled, and the swelling streams were driven back, and congealed in heaps to enable them to pass over with safety.
以色列人必须先越过约旦河，才能进入迦南。但是，抬着约柜的祭司们的脚一踏入水中，骄傲的浪潮就看见了它并逃离，汹涌的河流被驱退，凝结成堆，使他们能够安全通过。
Every child of God resembles an Israelite in this respect; he is passing through the wilderness of this world, and traveling to the land of promise. DEATH is that Jordan which runs between this wilderness world—and our heavenly Canaan. Death is that swelling stream that overflows the banks of every mortal creature. It is that last river which we all must pass over.
上帝的每个孩子在这方面都像一个以色列人；他正穿越这个世界的荒野，前往应许之地。死亡就是那条流淌在这个荒野世界与我们天上的迦南之间的约旦河。死亡是那条泛滥的河流，淹没了每个凡人的生命岸边。它是我们所有人都必须渡过的最后一条河。
But this is the happiness which believers have—that Jesus Christ, our High Priest, who bears the everlasting covenant upon His shoulders, has already dipped His feet in the streams of this water, so that the streams of bitterness are diverted, the sting of death plucked out, the waters of the salt sea dried up; yes, the power of the curse cut off, so that death is but a sure step to glory!
但这就是信徒所拥有的幸福——我们的大祭司耶稣基督，祂肩负着永恒的约定，已经将祂的脚浸入这水流中，使得苦涩的溪流被转移，死亡的毒刺被拔除，咸海的水被干涸；是的，诅咒的力量被切断，因此死亡只不过是通往荣耀的确定一步！
Why then am I afraid to die? The channel is dry! I see the footsteps of my Savior at the bottom—and heaven and happiness on the other side! The waters cannot overwhelm my soul!
那么，我为何害怕死亡？河道已经干涸！我在河底看到我救主的脚印——在彼岸是天堂和幸福！水流无法淹没我的灵魂！
They may go over my sins,
they may go over my foes,
they may go over my miseries,
they may go over my troubles,
but my soul shall go over to its eternal rest!
它们可能会淹没我的罪恶，
它们可能会淹没我的敌人，
它们可能会淹没我的苦难，
它们可能会淹没我的烦恼，
但我的灵魂将越过这一切，到达永恒的安息！
Lord, therefore fit and sanctify me for death—and then take down my earthly tent. I cannot be with You too soon!
主啊，因此请为死亡预备我，使我成圣——然后拆除我尘世的帐篷。我与你同在的时刻永远不会太早！
“I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!” Philippians 1:23
“我情愿离世与基督同在，因为这是好得无比的！”腓立比书1:23
A letter from Christ
基督的书信
“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” 2 Corinthians 3:2-3
“你们就是我们的荐信，写在我们的心里，被众人所知道所念诵的。你们明显是基督的信，借着我们修成的。不是用墨写的，乃是用永生神的灵写的；不是写在石版上，乃是写在心版上。” 哥林多后书3:2-3
The commendation of a Christian is to have truth written in his heart—and read in his life!
基督徒的称赞是将真理写在他的心里——并在他的生活中被人读到！
As it should be our concern to get our judgments informed—so also our lives reformed; our heads filled with Gospel light—and our lives with Gospel holiness.
正如我们应当关心让我们的判断得到启发一样——我们的生活也应当得到改革；我们的头脑充满福音之光——我们的生活充满福音的圣洁。
Paul says of the Romans: “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed that form of doctrine which was delivered unto you.” (Romans 6:17.) To have doctrine not only delivered to us—but to be delivered into that doctrine, so as to be framed and molded into the fashion of it—is what we should labor after.
保罗论到罗马人说：”感谢神！因为你们从前虽然作罪的奴仆，现在却从心里顺服了所传给你们道理的模范。”（罗马书6:17）我们应当努力追求的，不仅是接受教义——而且要被交付给那教义，以至于被塑造成它的样式。
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Why should you sit down weeping with Hagar?
你为何要与夏甲一同坐下哭泣？
“Christ lives in me!” Galatians 2:20
“基督在我里面活着！”加拉太书2:20
What Paul said of himself—that may every believer, the weak as well as the strong, say of himself. The same Christ who lived in Paul—lives in me! A right improvement of this truth, by faith, would conduce greatly to the edification of a saint.
保罗对自己所说的话——每个信徒，无论软弱还是刚强，都可以对自己说。那位活在保罗里面的基督——也活在我里面！通过信心正确地改进这一真理，将大大有助于圣徒的造就。
You complain . . .
你抱怨……
that your corruptions are strong,
你的败坏很强烈，
that your temptations are many,
你的诱惑很多，
that your grace is weak, and
你的恩典很软弱，
that your spiritual comforts are low.
你的属灵安慰很低落。
Why should you sit down weeping with Hagar, because there is no water in your bottle; while there is enough in the fountain—and that fountain near you, yes, in you? For the Spirit of Christ in the soul is indeed “a well of water springing up into everlasting life!” (John 4:14)
为什么你要像夏甲一样坐下哭泣，因为你的水瓶里没有水；而在泉源中却有足够的水—那泉源就在你身边，是的，就在你里面？因为基督的灵在灵魂中确实是”一口活水的泉源，直涌到永生！”（约翰福音4:14）
The same Christ from whom . . .
the strongest saint has received all his strength,
the most fruitful saint all his fruitfulness,
the most active saint all his liveliness, and
the most successful saint all his victories—
that same Christ lives in you! Let your soul, then, live more on Christ—so that you may the more experience Christ’s living in your soul.
那同一位基督，从祂那里…
最刚强的圣徒获得了所有的力量，
最富有成果的圣徒获得了所有的丰盛，
最活跃的圣徒获得了所有的活力，
最成功的圣徒获得了所有的胜利—
那同一位基督活在你里面！让你的灵魂更多地活在基督里—这样你就能更多地经历基督活在你的灵魂中。
“Christ lives in me!” Galatians 2:20
“基督活在我里面！”加拉太书2:20
You complain . . .
that your corruptions are strong,
that your temptations are many,
that your grace is weak, and
that your spiritual comforts are low.
你抱怨…
你的罪性很强，
你的诱惑很多，
你的恩典很弱，
你的属灵安慰很少。
Duties which promote each other
The great duty of a saint is:
to trust in God’s Word,
to keep in His way, and
to submit to His will.
互相促进的责任
圣徒的重大责任是：
信靠上帝的话语，
遵循祂的道路，
顺服祂的旨意。
These are duties which promote each other;
for he who rightly believes what God says,
will carefully observe what He commands,
and quietly rest in what He does.
这些责任是互相促进的；
因为正确相信上帝所说的人，
会仔细遵守祂所命令的，
并在祂所做的事上安静地安息。
Though there may be darkness in God’s providences,
he will see light in God’s promises,
and feel comfort in his duty.
尽管上帝的眷顾中可能有黑暗，
他会在上帝的应许中看到光明，
并在履行职责中感到安慰。
On the contrary, he who lacks faith in the promises,
will soon fail in obedience to the precepts,
and be apt to quarrel with God’s providences.
相反，缺乏对应许信心的人，
很快就会在遵守戒律上失败，
并容易与上帝的眷顾争论。
“The foolishness of man perverts his way, and his heart frets against the Lord,” (Proverbs 19:3.) He who through weakness questions the promise, through foolishness will be prone to pervert his way; and, perverting his way, will be apt to murmur against God’s dispensations. Trust, therefore, in the Lord and do good, if you would find all His dealings to be for good.
“人的愚昧倾败他的道，他的心也抱怨耶和华。”（箴言19:3）因软弱而质疑应许的人，因愚昧而倾向于歪曲自己的道路；并且，歪曲了自己的道路，就容易抱怨上帝的安排。因此，要信靠耶和华并行善，如果你想发现祂所做的一切都是为了好处。
Insatiable desires after temporal things—make a man poor in spiritual things.
对世俗事物的贪得无厌的欲望——使人在属灵事物上变得贫乏。
A true Christian is only rich in temporal things—when he is content with that which he has. That man enjoys but little of pious pleasure—who does not hunger and thirst after righteousness.
一个真正的基督徒只有在满足于他所拥有的时候，才能在世俗事物上富足。那个不渴慕公义的人，只能享受到很少的虔诚之乐。
Worldly desires always leave us empty; either we do not obtain that which we covet—or we are dissatisfied with that which we obtain! But he who thirsts after heavenly things, is always filled—and the more he receives, the more he desires. The richest mercies that God can give—may be obtained by sincere and earnest desires, attended by fervent and importunate prayer. What unspeakable advantages might we obtain by our desires—if we did but direct them towards heaven! How many excellent mercies are stored up for us—and only require our desires to go forth as a ship, to bring them into the harbor of our souls! Why then do I allow my desires to flow in a wrong direction? I make myself poor—by thirsting after the world and the creature! Whereas I might be rich, if I counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord!
世俗的欲望总是让我们感到空虚；要么我们得不到我们渴望的东西，要么我们对所得到的不满意！但是渴慕天上事物的人总是得到满足——他得到的越多，就越渴望。上帝所能赐予的最丰富的恩典——可以通过真诚热切的渴望，伴随着热烈和迫切的祷告而获得。如果我们把欲望导向天堂，我们将会获得何等难以言喻的益处！有多少美好的恩典为我们储存着——只需我们的渴望如同一艘船，将它们带入我们灵魂的港湾！那么，为什么我还要让我的欲望流向错误的方向呢？我通过渴求世界和被造物而使自己变得贫穷！然而，如果我为了认识我主基督耶稣的至宝，将万事当作有损的，我就可能变得富足！
Alas! the pleasures of it are soon gone!
唉！它的快乐很快就消失了！
Lord, what a miserable creature is a wicked man! His very manna turns to worms; his very mercies make him miserable!
主啊，邪恶的人是多么可悲的生物！他的吗哪变成了虫子；他的恩典反而使他痛苦！
Look at him in his wealthy condition, and you will find that he has not the privilege of enjoying it, only the trouble of keeping it—which tends not to his comfort. Or, if he enjoys it—he does so miserably abuse it, that he makes that which is but temporal in its use, to be for his eternal punishment! Alas! the pleasures of it are soon gone—but the pain of it will continue with him forever!
看看他在富有的状态下，你会发现他并没有享受它的特权，只有保管它的麻烦——这并不能给他带来舒适。或者，如果他享受它——他如此悲惨地滥用它，以至于他将本应暂时使用的东西，变成了他永恒的惩罚！唉！它的快乐很快就消失了——但它的痛苦将永远伴随着他！
Lord, help me to improve your mercies—that your mercies may not aggravate my miseries.
主啊，帮助我善用你的恩典——使你的恩典不至于加重我的苦难。
Red lines of damnation!
红色的诅咒之线！
Would you know whether your name is written in the book of life? Then read what you have written in the book of conscience. You need not ask, “Who shall ascend up into heaven, to search the records of eternity?” Only descend into your own heart, and there read what you are—and what you shall be!
你想知道你的名字是否被写在生命册上吗？那就读读你在良心之书上写下的内容。你不需要问：”谁能上升到天堂去查阅永恒的记录？”只需下降到你自己的内心，在那里读出你是什么——以及你将成为什么！
Though God’s book of remembrance is closed and kept above with God—yet your book of conscience is open, and kept below in your bosom; and what you write there—you shall be sure to read hereafter!
虽然上帝的纪念册是封闭的，并保存在上帝那里——但你的良心之书是打开的，保存在你的胸怀中；你在那里写下的内容——你将来一定会读到！
If I write nothing in this book but the black lines of sin—I shall find nothing in God’s book but the red lines of damnation! But if I write God’s Word in my book of conscience—I may be sure God has written my name in His book of life.
如果我在这本书中只写下罪恶的黑线——我在上帝的书中将只能找到诅咒的红线！但如果我在我的良心之书中写下上帝的话语——我可以确信上帝已经在祂的生命册上写下了我的名字。
At the great day of judgment, when the books shall be opened, there I shall read the sweetest—or the sharpest lines. I will therefore so write here—that I may not be ashamed to read hereafter!
在审判的大日，当书卷被打开时，我将在那里读到最甜蜜的——或最锋利的句子。因此，我要在这里如此书写——以便将来读到时不会感到羞愧！
Take life easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!
轻松生活！吃喝玩乐！
“The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“有一个财主田产丰收。他自己心里说：’我该怎么办呢？因为我没有地方储存我的农产品。’
Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself: You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!’
然后他说：’我要这么办。我要拆掉我的仓房，建造更大的，在那里我要储存我所有的粮食和财物。我要对自己说：你已经积攒了许多财物，可以供多年享用。放松吧！吃喝玩乐吧！’
But God said to him: You fool! You will die this very night! Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” Luke 12:16-20
但上帝对他说：你这个愚蠢的人！今晚你就要死了！你为自己所预备的要归谁呢？”路加福音12:16-20
Nothing is so certain as my death!
没有什么比我的死亡更确定的了！
And nothing so uncertain as the time of my death!
也没有什么比我死亡的时间更不确定的了！
I may be too old to live—but I can never be too young to die! I will therefore live every hour—as if I were to die the next hour.
我可能太老而不能活——但我永远不会太年轻而不能死！因此，我将活好每一个小时——就像我将在下一个小时死去一样。
“Prepare to meet your God!” Amos 4:12
“预备迎见你的上帝！”阿摩司书4:12
As the tree falls—so it lies
树倒下的方向——就是它躺下的方向
“It is appointed unto men once to die—and after that to face judgment!” Hebrews 9:27
“按着定命，人人都有一死，死后且有审判！”希伯来书9:27
As the tree falls—so it lies.
树倒之处，即为树躺之地。
And where death strikes us down—there God awards either mercy—or misery.
死亡将我们击倒之处，上帝要么赐予怜悯，要么降下苦难。
I may compare the state of man at death to the Israelites and Egyptians at the Red Sea: if I go into the sea as an Israelite, my landing shall be in glory, and my rejoicing in triumph; for I shall see all my enemies dead upon the shore!
我可以将人死亡时的状态比作以色列人和埃及人在红海边的情形：如果我像以色列人一样进入海中，我将荣耀登岸，凯旋欢呼；因为我将看到所有敌人的尸体都倒在岸边！
But if I go in as an Egyptian—if I am on this side of the cloud, on this side of the covenant, and yet go in hardened among the troops of Pharaoh—then justice shall return in its full strength, and inundation of judgment shall overflow my soul forever!
但如果我像埃及人一样进入——如果我站在云柱这边，站在约定这边，却又顽固地跟随法老的军队——那么公义将全力回归，审判的洪流将永远淹没我的灵魂！
Or, I may compare it to the sleep of the ten bridesmaids, of whom it is said, “They slumbered and slept.” Now, if I lie down with the wise bridesmaids, I shall go in with the bridegroom to the marriage feast.
或者，我可以将其比作十个童女的沉睡，经上说：”她们都打盹睡着了。”现在，如果我与聪明的童女一同躺下，我就会与新郎一同进入婚宴。
But if I sleep with the foolish bridesmaids, without oil in my lamp, without grace in my soul—then I have closed the gates of mercy upon my soul forever!
但如果我与愚拙的童女一同睡去，灯里没有油，灵魂中没有恩典——那么我就永远关闭了通向我灵魂的怜悯之门！
Therefore I see that this life is the time in which I must do my work—and then I must be judged according to my works—on that solemn day. I am not certain how soon I shall fall into this sleep; therefore, Lord, grant that I may live every day in Your sight—as I desire to appear the last day in Your presence!
因此，我明白这一生就是我必须完成工作的时间——然后在那庄严的日子，我必须按我的行为受审判。我不确定何时会陷入这沉睡；所以，主啊，求你允许我每天都活在你的眼中——如同我渴望在最后的日子出现在你面前那样！
What we Christians are
我们基督徒是什么
“We are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ!” Romans 8:16-17
“我们是神的儿女。既是儿女，便是后嗣，就是神的后嗣，和基督同作后嗣。”罗马书8:16-17
The world scarcely knows what we Christians are—for did they realize that we are . . .
世人几乎不知道我们基督徒是什么——因为如果他们意识到我们是……
God’s jewels,
神的珍宝，
the favorites of heaven,
天国的宠儿，
the excellency of the creation,
创造的精华，
and the beloved bride of Christ
以及基督心爱的新娘
—they would not mock and persecute us as they do!
——他们就不会像现在这样嘲笑和迫害我们！
Or if we did only consider . . .
或者，如果我们只考虑……
that we shall be glorified together with Christ;
我们将与基督一同得荣耀；
that His happiness shall be our happiness;
他的幸福将成为我们的幸福；
that His joy shall be our joy,
他的喜乐将成为我们的喜乐，
and His glories shall be our glories—truly, we would not be so much dejected as we are!
他的荣耀将成为我们的荣耀——真的，我们就不会像现在这样沮丧了！
“Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears—we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is!” 1 John 3:2
“亲爱的弟兄啊，我们现在是神的儿女，将来如何，还未显明；但我们知道，主若显现，我们必要像他，因为必得见他的真体。”约翰一书3:2
Turn the flame of envy—into a tear of pity!
将嫉妒之火转化为怜悯之泪！
“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits!” Psalm 73:2-7
“至于我，我的脚几乎滑跌；我的脚步险些失闪。我见恶人享平安就心怀不平。他们没有痛苦，他们的身体健壮强健。他们不像别人受苦，也不像别人遭灾。所以，骄傲如链子戴在他们的项上；强暴像衣裳遮住他们的身体。他们的眼睛因体胖而凸出；他们所得的，过于心里所想的。” 诗篇73:2-7
Why should I murmur at the prosperity of the wicked? Indeed when I viewed their wealth, and forgot their curse—my feet had almost slipped. But by entering the sanctuary of God, I perceived that all the blossoms of their glory must wither under the blastings of God’s wrath! And all their external felicity only hastens the judgments of the Lord, and fills up the measure of their misery!
我为何要对恶人的繁荣发怨言呢？确实，当我看到他们的财富，忘记了他们的诅咒时——我的脚几乎滑跌。但通过进入神的圣所，我意识到他们所有的荣耀之花必将在神的愤怒之下凋零！他们所有的外在幸福只会加速主的审判，填满他们苦难的杯盏！
For what are their pleasures—but like the deceitful greeting of Joab to Amasa? (See 2 Samuel 20:9-10) What are their riches—but like Jael’s present in a majestic bowl? (See Judges 5:24-27) It only makes way for the fatal nail—for their dreadful account at the day of judgment. Their prosperity slays them!
他们的快乐算什么呢——不过如同约押对亚玛撒的虚伪问候？（参见撒母耳记下20:9-10）他们的财富又算什么呢——不过如同雅亿在华丽碗中的礼物？（参见士师记5:24-27）这只为致命的钉子铺平道路——为他们在审判日的可怕清算。他们的繁荣正在杀死他们！
Now, who reckons that ox happy, which has a goodly pasture to feed himself—but only for the slaughter? Who envies that malefactor who has a sunny day—to ride to execution on? And why is it that the workers of iniquity flourish? Is it not that they may be destroyed forever? And the larger their pasture—the sooner they are fitted for their destruction!
现在，谁会认为那头牛是幸福的呢，它有一片美好的牧场来饱腹——但只是为了被宰杀？谁会羡慕那个罪犯有一个阳光明媚的日子——去骑行赴刑场？为什么作恶的人会兴旺呢？难道不是为了他们可能永远被毁灭吗？他们的牧场越大——他们就越快为自己的毁灭做好准备！
Therefore, for my part, when I see a wicked man prosper in his wickedness, I will turn the flame of envy—into a tear of pity!
因此，就我而言，当我看到一个邪恶的人在他的邪恶中繁荣时，我会将嫉妒之火转化为怜悯之泪！
An error is damnation!
一个错误就是诅咒！
That way which the tree leans, while it grows—that way it falls, when it is cut down; and there it lies, whether it be toward the North or South.
树在生长时倾斜的方向——就是它被砍倒时倒下的方向；不管是朝北还是朝南，它就躺在那里。
Just so, our life is an indication of what our death will be. As men live, so, in general, do they die; whether they lived for heaven or hell. Being once dead, there is no second chance. For as in war—an error is death; so in death—an error is damnation! Therefore live as you intend to die—and you will die as you have lived. O Lord! let my soul be always fixed on you, that I may fall into your arms, and forever rest in your gracious bosom!
同样，我们的生命是我们死亡将如何的一个指示。人们如何生活，通常就如何死亡；无论他们是为天堂还是为地狱而活。一旦死亡，就没有第二次机会。因为就像在战争中——一个错误就是死亡；所以在死亡中——一个错误就是诅咒！因此，要像你想死去那样生活——你就会像你活着时那样死去。哦，主啊！让我的灵魂永远固定在你身上，使我可以落入你的怀抱，永远安息在你恩慈的怀中！
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction—and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life—and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
“你们要进窄门。因为引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多；引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少。” 马太福音7:13-14
Down into the Dead Sea of Hell
坠入地狱的死海
Jordan, that famous river, no doubt runs through many a pleasant meadow, by many a shady grove and flowery bank; and yet at last empties itself into the Dead Sea.
约旦河，那条著名的河流，无疑流经许多宜人的草地，经过许多阴凉的树林和繁花似锦的河岸；然而最终却注入了死海。
So it is with a wicked man! Here he walks through meadows of worldly pleasures, and rests under the shades of earthly comforts, and sports and wallows among the flowers of worldly delights—but at last runs himself down into the Dead Sea of Hell. And not only so—but . . .
邪恶之人也是如此！他在此行走于世俗快乐的草地，栖息在尘世安慰的阴凉下，在世俗欢愉的花丛中嬉戏和沉溺——但最终却将自己冲入地狱的死海。不仅如此——而且. . .
his earthly delights will fade,
他的尘世欢愉将消逝，
his beauty shall be turned into horror,
他的美貌将变为恐怖，
his honor shall be turned into shame,
他的荣誉将变为耻辱，
his lusts shall be turned into devils, and
他的欲望将变为魔鬼，而且
his pleasures shall be turned into bitterness!
他的快乐将变为苦涩！
Lord, let me be a pure stream, that may terminate in heaven! I care not what difficult channels I pass through here on earth—if in heaven I may exchange my weakness and corruption, for perfection and glory!
主啊，让我成为一条纯净的溪流，最终汇入天堂！我不在乎在尘世要经过怎样艰难的河道——只要在天堂我能用完美和荣耀交换我的软弱和腐败！
Let us labor for a glorious eternity!
让我们为荣耀的永恒而努力！
What is a day—compared to an age; and what is an age—compared to eternity? We know that the shortest day is part of the longest time—but the longest time is no part of eternity; for where time ends, there eternity begins!
与一个时代相比，一天算什么；与永恒相比，一个时代又算什么？我们知道最短的一天是最长时间的一部分——但最长的时间却不是永恒的一部分；因为时间结束之处，永恒就开始了！
Why then are we so foolish as to heap up baubles for mortality; to lay up riches, which, at longest, are but for many hours; and yet never provide anything for eternity? And why are we so careful to humor and pamper a moldering piece of clay—a frail and mortal body, which cannot continue beyond a certain age, perhaps not more than a day—and yet neglect our precious souls, which must endure forever? Do we all aim at a prosperous life? Why then—let us labor for a glorious eternity!
那么，为什么我们如此愚蠢，为必朽之身积累琐碎之物；积累财富，即使最长也不过是为了几个小时；却从不为永恒准备任何东西？为什么我们如此小心翼翼地取悦和娇惯一块正在腐朽的泥土——一个脆弱且终将死亡的身体，它无法超越特定年龄，也许不过一天——却忽视了我们必须永远持续的宝贵灵魂？我们都追求繁荣的生活吗？那么——让我们为荣耀的永恒而努力吧！
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also!” Matthew 6:20-21
“只要积攒财宝在天上，那里没有虫子咬，不会锈坏，也没有贼挖窟窿来偷。因为你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在那里！”马太福音6:20-21
What an idolatrous sin!
多么可憎的偶像崇拜之罪啊！
“What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.” 2 Corinthians 6:16
“神的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？因为我们是永生神的殿。” 哥林多后书6:16
Every real Christian is a spiritual temple of the living God. Worldly cares and desires, are the ‘buyers’ and ‘sellers’ that pollute this temple. Now, how inconsistent it is to make the house of God—into a den of thieves! What an idolatrous sin—to choose a lust instead of Christ!
每个真正的基督徒都是永生神的灵宫。世俗的忧虑和欲望，就是污染这圣殿的”买卖人”。现在，把神的殿变成贼窝是多么不相称啊！选择情欲而非基督，这是多么可憎的偶像崇拜之罪啊！
Again, every member is a vessel of that temple. O what a debasing thing, to take these golden vessels, like that drunken king, and devote them to a sordid use! To fill the heart with lust—which should be filled with God! Those ears, which should be always ready to hear what God shall speak—to open them to foolish jests! That tongue which should be proclaiming the praises of God, and which must sing triumphant hallelujahs forever—to defile it now with vain talk, or lying words!
再者，每个肢体都是这圣殿的器皿。啊，多么卑劣的事啊，像那醉酒的王一样，把这些金器皿用于肮脏的用途！用情欲填满本应充满神的心！那些本应随时准备聆听神言的耳朵——却用来听愚蠢的笑话！那本应宣扬神的赞美、永远唱凯歌和哈利路亚的舌头——现在却用虚空的言语和谎言玷污它！
What a sacrilegious thing is this, to drive out God—and to devote those sacred vessels to sin and lust! O Lord, what is Yours, rule and use as Your own!
这是多么亵渎神明的事啊，把神赶出去——并将那些圣洁的器皿奉献给罪恶和情欲！主啊，属于你的，请你掌管并使用，视为己有！