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I SHALL not trespass on your patience, CANDID READER, by a tedious preamble, but will show you, in a few words, the design and scope of the following work.
坦诚的读者，我将不以冗长的开场白来叨扰您的耐心，而是用寥寥数语向您阐明以下著作的意图与范围。
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It seems proper to apprize you, first of all, that it is not intended for the learned, or for such as have been long engaged in sacred studies, but only for learners, and my own Pupils, whom I wished to furnish with a light to direct them to the proper improvement of our holy Religion.
首先，似乎应当告知您，本书并非为饱学之士，或为那些长久从事圣学研究的人而作，而仅是为学习者，以及我自己的学生们预备的，我希望为他们提供一盏明灯，指引他们合宜地增进我们神圣的宗教信仰。
It appeared to me extremely undesirable, that those with whose education for the sacred office we are intrusted, should at length ascend the pulpit to entertain the Christian people with frigid, though perhaps sublime, discourses, or with unprofitable, though sufficiently warm, discussions; neglecting, in the mean time, to inspire their minds with any relish for heavenly objects, with any desire for divine consolations, with any love for genuine piety.
在我看来，那些受我们托付、为圣职接受教育的人，最终却登上讲坛，用那些冰冷—— وإن 或许崇高——的讲论，或者用那些无益—— وإن 足够热烈——的讨论来取悦基督徒会众，而同时却忽略了激发他们对天上事物的任何兴趣，对神圣安慰的任何渴望，对真正虔诚的任何爱慕，这是极其不可取的。
I daily urged them to consider that Religion is not seated in the tongue, but in the mind; that it consists not in words, but in deeds; not in the subtlety of speculations, but in purity of heart; not in the affectation of new discoveries, but in the prosecution of a new life.
我每日敦促他们思想，宗教信仰不在于口舌，而在于内心；它不在于言语，而在于行为；不在于思辨的精微，而在于心灵的纯洁；不在于矫饰新奇的发现，而在于追求新生。
They were frequently reminded, that he alone is a true Theologian, who adds the practical to the theoretical part of Religion—who combines exhortation to duty with the elucidation of doctrine.
他们常被提醒，唯有将宗教的实践部分加于理论部分之上——将责任的劝勉与教义的阐明相结合的人，才是真正的神学家。
They were told, also, that this is not to be done merely in a superficial, formal, and customary manner, at the conclusion of a sermon; but that the whole discourse should be so framed, that the soul, fixed in earnest and adoring contemplation of astonishing truths, may feel itself inflamed with a heavenly zeal to regulate the life in a manner becoming the knowledge and the faith of those glorious realities.
他们也被告知，这不应仅仅在讲道的结尾处以肤浅、形式化和惯常的方式进行；而是整个讲论都应当如此构建，以使灵魂在对惊人真理认真而崇敬的默想中得以专注，从而感受到自己被一种属天的热忱所点燃，以一种与那些荣耀实体的知识和信心相称的方式来规范生活。
I inculcated, further, that the minds of the hearers must be so instructed, that they may attempt a careful examination of themselves, and be able to ascertain by infallible marks, whether they have a personal interest in the promises of the Gospel:—and that this must be so strongly and pathetically urged, that the most secure may be roused from their fatal lethargy, and every hearer induced to inquire, with eager solicitude, into the state of his own soul.
我进一步教导说，听者的心智必须受到如此的教导，以使他们能够尝试仔细地省察自己，并能藉着无误的标记来确定，他们自己是否在福音的应许中有份：——并且，这一点必须如此强烈而恳切地强调，以使那些最为稳妥自恃的人也能从他们致命的昏睡中惊醒，并使每一位听者都被引导，以热切的关怀来探究自己灵魂的境况。
I added, that there is not a single article of our Religion which is not mightily adapted to accomplish this purpose, and proceeded to confirm the truth of this remark by several examples.
我补充说，我们宗教信仰中没有一条信条不被极大地调整以达成此目的，并进而用几个例子来证实这一评论的真实性。
Some of my Students then began moat earnestly to request me to favour them with my thoughts in writing; and such is the origin of these Dissertations.
于是，我的一些学生开始最为恳切地请求我，将我的思想写下来赐予他们；这些专题论文便是由此而来。
I intended, in the first instance, that what relates to the Theory should be supposed to be sufficiently known already, from Catechetical Institutes, Systems of Theology, and what are called Common-place books; and that my only business should be to point out the application of the doctrines of faith to Christian practice.
起初，我打算，那些与理论相关的内容，应当被认为已经从教理问答指南、神学体系以及所谓的普通论题集中充分知晓了；而我唯一的任务应该是指出信仰的教义在基督徒实践中的应用。
But at the very commencement of the undertaking, my Pupils expressed a strong desire to learn, also, what appeared to me to be the best method of illustrating, and the most eligible arguments for defending, the doctrines themselves; and this part of their request, too, I was unwilling to refuse.
但是，在这项工作刚开始时，我的学生们就表达了强烈的愿望，也想学习在我看来阐明教义本身的最佳方法，以及捍卫教义本身的最恰当论据；对于他们这部分的要求，我也不愿拒绝。
Hence I have sometimes stated those doctrines, from the Scriptures, at considerable length; and when the occasion required, have refuted the objections and cavils of adversaries.
因此，我有时会从圣经中详细阐述那些教义；并且在需要的时候，驳斥了反对者的异议和诡辩。
In the selection of the arguments, however, and in the manner of treating them, I have used my own liberty;—a liberty of which I think no one ought to be deprived, who is sincerely desirous that all those truths, by the profession of which the Church of Christ is distinguished from erroneous societies of every sort, may be preserved pure and entire; and to whom nothing in his whole life affords greater pleasure than exerting his utmost efforts to illustrate and confirm these doctrines, and to apply them to their legitimate use.
然而，在选择论据以及处理它们的方式上，我运用了我自己的自由；——我认为，凡是真诚渴望那些使基督教会区别于各类错谬社团的真理得以纯全保存的人，都不应被剥夺这种自由；并且，对他而言，其一生中没有什么比竭尽全力阐明和证实这些教义，并将它们应用于其正当用途更能带来更大的喜乐了。
We are Christians.
我们是基督徒。
We have one infallible Master and Teacher, Jesus Christ.
我们有一位无误的夫子和教师，耶稣基督。
When we recur to men, “to follow constantly the sentiments of one individual,” as Seneca somewhere elegantly says, “is to act not as a member of the commonwealth, but as an abettor of a party.”*
当我们求助于人时，正如塞内卡曾在某处优雅地说道：“持续追随一个人的观点，就不是作为共和国的一员行事，而是作为党派的拥护者行事。”*
Such conduct I utterly detest, and trust that I shall always avoid.
这种行为我深恶痛绝，并且相信我将永远避免。
“I am the servile follower of no man; I bear no man’s name; I show great respect for the judgment of eminent men; I claim permission, also, in some degree, to respect my own.”
“我不奴颜婢膝地追随任何人；我不冠任何人的名号；我尊重杰出人士的判断；我也要求在某种程度上尊重我自己的判断。”
As I grudge no one this innocent liberty, so I supposed that no one would have grudged it to me.
正如我不吝惜任何人这种无害的自由一样，我也以为没有人会吝惜我这种自由。
There were not wanting several persons, however, whom it displeased.
然而，不乏有一些人对此感到不悦。
Some apprehend that I have not every where expressed myself in a manner sufficiently conformable to old opinions; whilst others are still more highly offended, because I have not always acquiesced in new doctrines, and in periodical interpretations of the prophecies.
有些人担心我并非处处都以充分符合旧有观点的方式表达自己；而另一些人则更为恼怒，因为我并不总是默认新的教义，以及对预言的周期性解释。
To make no mention of others, with whom I shall never be disposed to have any altercation;—the celebrated JOHN VAN DER WAEYEN, once my Colleague, friend, and familiar acquaintance, after he began to differ from himself, also deserted and opposed his friends.
且不提那些我永远不愿与之争辩的其他人；——著名的约翰·范·德·瓦延，曾是我的同事、朋友和熟人，在他开始与自己产生分歧之后，也背弃并反对了他的朋友们。
Although, formerly, his opinion of me was not very unfavourable; yet, having altered his procedure, he has thought proper, in most of his writings, both in the Latin and in our vernacular tongue, not only to censure and expose my publications; but, likewise, to attack and traduce my character, with such violence, haughtiness, and arrogance, with such daring falsehood, such unbounded licentiousness of calumny, and such wanton scurrility; that he seems either not to have known, or, at least, to have, in this instance, forgotten alike all the rules of politeness, and all the laws of equity and probity.
尽管从前他对我的评价并非十分不利；然而，在他改变做法之后，他认为在其大部分拉丁文和我们本地语言的著作中，不仅要谴责和揭露我的出版物；而且还要以如此的暴力、傲慢和骄横，如此大胆的谎言，如此无节制的诽谤放纵，以及如此肆意的粗鄙言语，来攻击和中伤我的品格；以致于他似乎要么不知道，要么至少在这种情况下，全然忘记了所有礼貌的规则，以及所有公平和正直的法则。
What, after all, is the crime of which I have been guilty?
毕竟，我犯了什么罪呢？
None whatever, except that, in conformity to my duty as a Professor of Theology, neither attaching myself to parties nor indulging in invectives, I have calmly expressed my sentiments in relation to those topics, which, during these years, have been disputed among the learned; and that, being a person of a weak capacity and timid disposition, I entertained apprehensions in my own mind, and gave warning to several men of distinction, of those disorders by which the peace of the Churches of Friesland has now, for some time past, been disturbed.
没有任何罪过，除非是，我依照作为神学教授的职责，既不依附党派，也不沉溺于谩骂，只是平静地表达了我对那些这些年来在学者间存有争议的议题的看法；并且，由于我能力薄弱，性情胆怯，我在自己心中怀有忧惧，并向几位显要人士发出了警告，提醒他们注意那些一段时间以来扰乱弗里斯兰众教会安宁的混乱。
This obloquy would have given me more uneasiness, had I not seen others treated in the same manner, whose names are venerable in the Church; and, in particular, that eminent individual, who is so distinguished for his extensive and correct acquaintance with every department of sacred learning, that he has, perhaps, no superior in the Reformed Churches; and whose hearer, pupil, and admirer, not his colleague, VAN DER WAEYEN himself once was.
若非我曾目睹其他在教会中声名显赫的人士也遭受同样的待遇，这毁谤本会使我更加不安；尤其是那位杰出的人物，他对圣学的每一个领域都有着广泛而正确的认识，以致于在改革宗教会中，或许无人能出其右；而范·德·瓦延本人，曾是他的听者、学生和仰慕者，而非他的同事。
If the great man thinks proper to treat his Brethren in this manner, he shall gratify his inclination without any interruption from me, provided he can justify his conduct to God and to the Churches.
如果这位大人物认为以这种方式对待他的弟兄们是恰当的，只要他能向上帝和众教会证明其行为的正当性，他便可以随心所欲，我不会加以任何干涉。
Far be it from me, ever to follow his example.
我断不会效仿他的榜样。
I leave his expressions with himself, determined to answer his revilings with perpetual silence; and to endeavour, through the grace of God, to refute them, not by words, but by actions.
我将他的言辞留给他自己，决心以永远的沉默来回应他的辱骂；并努力藉着神的恩典，不是用言语，而是用行动来驳斥它们。
I do not think so highly of him, or so meanly of myself, or so unjustly of his readers, as to fear that prudent and impartial men will form their judgment respecting me, according to his reproaches.
我并不如此高看他，也不如此低看我自己，更不如此不公地看待他的读者，以至于担心审慎而公正的人们会根据他的指责来对我作出判断。
If, in the mean time, he shall throw out any suggestion which may prove conducive to a more clear and distinct knowledge of divine truth, whatever be the manner in which it is propounded, I will accept of it with gratitude.
如果在此期间，他提出任何可能有助于更清晰、更明确地认识神圣真理的建议，无论其提出的方式如何，我都将怀着感激之情接受。
I am one of those who are solicitous to make daily advances, and who refuse sound and salutary instruction from no man.
我属于那些渴望每日进步，并且不拒绝任何人提出的正确而有益教导的人。
It would have sincerely rejoiced me, to have been able to receive information from the SUMMARY OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY which he published lately: nor, although I found myself repeatedly censured in it at great length, should I have thought that any cause of displeasure was given me, if the censure had been accompanied with arguments sufficient to establish the charge of inaccurate conceptions or unfair reasoning.
如果我能从他最近出版的《基督教神学概要》中获得信息，我会由衷地感到高兴：而且，尽管我发现自己 उसमें屡次受到长篇的指责，但如果那些指责附有足以证实观念不准确或推理不公的论据，我也不会认为自己有任何不悦的理由。
I now clearly perceive, that, owing either to multiplicity of business, or to precipitation, he has not sufficiently understood me in some places, and has, consequently, imputed to me absurdities, which I am far from maintaining.
我现在清楚地认识到，由于事务繁多，或由于仓促行事，他在某些地方未能充分理解我，因此将一些我远未持有的荒谬观点归咎于我。
In other points, it is a great consolation to me, that if I do err, I hold errors in common with the most excellent, and even the greater part of the doctors of our Church; nor can I be accused of any fault, but that of defending sentiments which are generally received.
在其他方面，令我深感安慰的是，如果我确实有错，那么我所犯的错误是与我们教会中最卓越的、甚至是大部分的博士们所共有的；我也不会被指责犯有任何过错，除非是维护那些被普遍接受的观点。
Whether I act considerately or otherwise, this celebrated man must forgive me, if I prefer the sentiments of others, who apply to these sacred studies with a more calm and unbiassed mind, and give less indulgence to their passions.
无论我的行为是否经过深思熟虑，这位著名人士都必须原谅我，如果我更倾向于那些以更冷静、更公正的心态投入这些圣学研究，并且较少放纵自己激情的人的观点。
“A violent spirit conducts every thing improperly.”*
“暴烈之灵行事皆不当。”*
As, however, I do not consider myself faultless, so I would not have my mistakes to prove injurious to the truth.
然而，正如我不认为自己完美无缺一样，我也不希望我的错误对真理造成损害。
With respect to that want of candour with which he often upbraids me, I know not in what way it is possible for any man to vindicate himself from this aspersion, except by a confident protestation of sincerity, and by discovering it in his conduct when he is convinced of an error.
至于他常常指责我缺乏坦诚，我不知道除了通过自信地声明自己的真诚，并在自己确信错误时通过行为来显露之外，任何人还能以何种方式来为自己辩解这种诽谤。
To judge the inward disposition, is the prerogative of Him who alone searches the reins and the hearts.
判断内在的性情，是唯独那鉴察人肺腑心肠的祂的特权。
The God of heaven has reserved to himself, the secrets of all minds; and he only who formed the recesses of the breast, is able to unlock and disclose them.
天上的神已将万人心中的隐秘保留给祂自己；唯有那塑造人心深处的祂，才能解开并揭示它们。
Yet I aver that I have never attributed any sentiment to any person, but what I believed he had expressed by word or writing.
然而我断言，我从未将任何观点归于任何人，除非我相信他已通过言语或文字表达过。
If I have misrepresented any one’s opinion, I have not done this intentionally, but inadvertently; and when informed of my mistake, I will so correct it that no further cause of complaint shall remain.
如果我曲解了任何人的观点，这并非出于故意，而是无心之失；当我被告知我的错误时，我会如此纠正它，以致不再有任何抱怨的理由。
I cheerfully offer “the sponge, to rectify the slips of the pen.”*
我乐意献上“海绵，以纠正笔误。”*
I have only to request, that others would exercise the same candour, and that they would not conceal, by a studied obscurity of language, sentiments, which, when they have a convenient opportunity, they deliver more explicitly to their friends.
我只请求，其他人也能表现出同样的坦诚，并且不要用刻意晦涩的语言来掩盖那些当他们有方便机会时，会更明确地向朋友们表达的观点。
My manner of teaching was never of that kind; but, neither courting the favour, nor dreading the displeasure of any man, I have always expressed, as distinctly as I could, what appeared to me, to be true and just, and consonant to the word of God.
我的教导方式从来不是那样的；而是，既不讨好任何人，也不惧怕任何人的不悦，我总是尽可能清晰地表达在我看来是真实、公正且符合神圣言的内容。
I must beware, however, of exhausting the patience of the reader, by an odious dispute about what does not immediately belong to the present design.
然而，我必须小心，不要因一场与当前主旨并无直接关系的令人厌恶的争论而耗尽读者的耐心。
The topic to which I refer, will be discussed in its proper place in the third Edition of the books which I have written on the Economy of the Divine Covenants; where, having examined the whole subject with great care, and in the fear of God, I will show that I have received further instruction, and mention those to whom I am indebted, and at the same time discreetly defend what had been justly expressed.
我所指的这个议题，将在我所著关于神圣盟约的经纶之书的第三版中适当的位置加以讨论；在那里，在以极大的审慎并在敬畏神的心情下审视了整个主题之后，我将表明我已获得进一步的教导，并提及那些我所蒙恩惠之人，同时也会审慎地捍卫那些先前已公正表达的内容。
In compliance with the solicitations of my friends, I wrote thus in the year 1689, lest, as usually happens, a wrong interpretation should be put on my silence.
遵从朋友们的恳请，我在1689年写下这些，以免如常发生的那样，我的沉默被人错误解读。
Agreeably to my expectation, the third Edition of the Treatise on the Economy of the Covenants, was subsequently published: and in that Edition I have performed what I had intended, with all that reverence for holy writ, with all that candour, moderation, and gentleness, and with all that mildness towards persons of opposite sentiments, which it was possible for me to manifest
正如我所预期的，论《盟约的经纶》的第三版随后出版了：在那个版本中，我以对圣经的一切敬畏，以一切的坦诚、节制和温柔，以及以我对持相反观点之人的所有温和态度，完成了我所打算做的一切，这是我所能表现出来的。
Let the pious, judicious, and impartial reader judge; and let him unite with me in prayer to God, that his good Spirit may lead us in the paths of righteousness and truth.
愿虔诚、明智且公正的读者来判断；并愿他与我一同向神祷告，愿祂的美善之灵引导我们走在公义与真理的道路上。
Table of Contents
目录
Translator’s Preface
译者序
Recommendations
推荐辞
Memoir of Witsius
威修斯传略
The Author’s Dedication
作者献词
The Author’s Preface
作者序言
DISSERTATION I: On the Authors, and the Authority of the Apostles’ Creed
专题论文一：论使徒信经的作者及其权威性
DISSERTATION II: On Fundamental Articles
专题论文二：论基本信条
DISSERTATION III: On Saving Faith
专题论文三：论救赎的信心
DISSERTATION IV: On the Faith of the Existence of God
专题论文四：论神存在的信心
DISSERTATION V: On Faith IN GOD
专题论文五：论信靠神
DISSERTATION VI: On Faith in a THREE-ONE GOD
专题论文六：论信靠三一神
DISSERTATION VII: On Faith in GOD THE FATHER
专题论文七：论信靠父神
DISSERTATION VIII: On the Creation
专题论文八：论创造
DISSERTATION IX: On the Name JESUS
专题论文九：论耶稣之名
DISSERTATION X: On the Name CHRIST
专题论文十：论基督之名
DISSERTATION XI: On the name CHRISTIANS
专题论文十一：论基督徒之名
DISSERTATION XII: On Jesus Christ, the ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD
专题论文十二：论耶稣基督，神的独生子
DISSERTATION XIII: On Jesus Christ, OUR LORD
专题论文十三：论耶稣基督，我们的主
DISSERTATION XIV: On Jesus Christ, CONCEIVED OF THE HOLY GHOST, AND BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY
专题论文十四：论耶稣基督，由圣灵感孕，为童贞女马利亚所生
DISSERTATION XV: On Christ’s Suffering under Pontius Pilate
专题论文十五：论基督在本丢·彼拉多手下受难
DISSERTATION XVI: On the Crucifixion and Death of Christ
专题论文十六：论基督的钉十字架与死
DISSERTATION XVII: On the Burial of Christ
专题论文十七：论基督的埋葬
DISSERTATION XVIII: On Christ’s Descent into Hell
专题论文十八：论基督下到阴间
DISSERTATION XIX: On the Resurrection of Christ
专题论文十九：论基督的复活
DISSERTATION XX: On Christ’s Ascension into Heaven
专题论文二十：论基督升天
DISSERTATION XXI: On Christ’s Sitting at the Right Hand of God the Father
专题论文二十一：论基督坐在父神的右边
DISSERTATION XXII: On Christ’s coming again to Judgment
专题论文二十二：论基督再来施行审判
DISSERTATION XXIII: On the Holy Ghost
专题论文二十三：论圣灵
DISSERTATION XXIV: On the Church, and the Communion of Saints, and the Operation of our Faith with regard to both
专题论文二十四：论教会、圣徒相通以及我们信心在这两方面的运作
DISSERTATION XXV:On the Forgiveness of Sins
专题论文二十五：论罪得赦免
DISSERTATION XXVI: On the Resurrection of the Body, and the Life Everlasting
专题论文二十六：论身体复活与永生
NOTES: Critical and Explanatory
注释：考证与解释