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The Common Principles of the Christian Religion Clearly Proved and Singularly Improved or a Practical Catechism
基督教信仰的共同原则——清晰证明并特殊改进，或实用教理问答
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ORIGINAL PREFACE.
原序
TO THE READER.
致读者
CHRISTIAN READER,—The holy and learned author of this little book, having outrun his years, hastened to a maturity before the ordinary season, insomuch that ripe summer-fruit was found with him by the first of the spring: for before he had lived twenty-five years complete, he had got to be Philologus, Philosophus, Theologus eximius; whereof he gave suitable proofs, by his labours, having first professed in philosophy three years, with high approbation, in the university of Glasgow, and thence was translated to the ministry of the gospel in a congregation adjacent, where he laboured in the work of the gospel near four years, leaving an epistle of commendation upon the hearts of his hearers.
基督徒读者——这本小书圣洁而博学的作者，超越了他的年岁，在寻常时节之前就急速达到成熟，以至于在春初就在他身上发现了成熟的夏果：因为在他还未满二十五岁之前，他已经成为语言学家（Philologus）、哲学家（Philosophus）、卓越的神学家（Theologus eximius）；他通过自己的劳动给出了合适的证明，首先在格拉斯哥大学以极高的赞誉教授哲学三年，然后被调到附近一个会众中从事福音事工，在那里他在福音工作中劳苦了近四年，在听众心中留下了推荐书信。
But as few burning and shining lights have been of long continuance here, so he (‘after he had served his own generation by the will of God,’ and many had rejoiced in his light for a season) was quickly transported to the land of promise, in the 26th year of his age.
但正如很少有燃烧发光的明灯在这里长久持续，所以他（”在按神的旨意服事了他自己的世代”之后，许多人曾在他的光中暂时欢欣）很快就在他二十六岁时被接到应许之地。
He lived deservedly esteemed and beloved, and died much lamented by all discerning Christians who knew him.
他生前理当受人尊敬和爱戴，死时被所有认识他的有识之士基督徒深深哀悼。
And, indeed, the loss which the churches of Christ, in these parts, sustained in his death, was the greater upon a double account: first, that he was a person fitted with dexterity to vindicate school-divinity and practical theology from the superfluity of vain and fruitless perplexing questions wherewith latter times have corrupted both; and had it upon his spirit, in all his way, to reduce that native gospel simplicity, which, in most parts of the world where literature is in esteem, and where the gospel is preached, is almost exiled from the school and from the pulpit,—a specimen whereof the judicious reader may find in this little treatise.
的确，基督的众教会在这些地方因他的死所遭受的损失更加巨大，有双重原因：首先，他是一个具有灵巧能力的人，能够为学院神学和实用神学辩护，使其免受后世用来败坏二者的虚妄无果之困惑问题的累赘；他心中有负担，在他所行的一切道路上，要恢复那种本有的福音简朴，这种简朴在世界上大多数崇尚文学、传讲福音的地方，几乎已从学院和讲台上被驱逐——明智的读者可以在这本小册子中找到一个样本。
Besides, he was a person of eminent moderation and sobriety of spirit, (a rare grace in this generation,) whose heart was much drawn forth in the study of healing-ways and condescensions of love among brethren; one who longed for the recovering of the humanity of Christianity, which hath been well near lost in the bitter divisions of these times, and the animosities which have followed thereupon.
此外，他是一个具有卓越节制和清醒心灵的人（在这世代中是罕见的恩典），他的心极其被吸引去研究弟兄间医治的道路和爱的俯就；他渴望恢复基督教的人性，这人性在这些时代的苦毒分裂以及随之而来的敌意中几乎丧失殆尽。
That which gave the rise to the publishing of this part of his manuscripts, was partly the longing of many who knew him after some fruit of his labours for the use of the church; and partly the exceeding great usefulness of the treatise, wherein, I am bold to say, that some fundamentals of the Christian religion, and great mysteries of faith, are handled with the greatest gospel-simplicity and most dexterous plainness; and are brought down to the meanest capacity and vulgar understanding, with abundant evidence of a great height and reach of useful knowledge in the author; who, had he lived to have perfected the explication of the grounds of religion in this manner—as he intended, in his opening the catechism unto his particular congregation—he had been, upon this single account, famous in the churches of Christ.
促使出版他手稿这一部分的原因，部分是许多认识他的人渴望他劳动的某些果实能被教会使用；部分是这篇论述的极大有用性，我大胆地说，其中基督教信仰的一些基要真理和信心的大奥秘，都以最大的福音简朴和最灵巧的明了来处理；并且被降低到最卑微的理解力和通俗的理解，充分显明作者拥有有用知识的巨大高度和广度；如果他活着能够以这种方式完善对宗教根基的解释——正如他所打算的，向他特定的会众阐明教理问答——仅凭这一点，他就会在基督的众教会中闻名。
But now, by this imperfect opus posthumum, thou art left to judge ex ungue leonem.
但现在，通过这部不完美的遗作（opus posthumum），你只能凭爪识狮（ex ungue leonem，从局部推断整体）。
The author’s method was his peculiar gift, who, being no stranger to the rules of art, knew well how to make his method subserve the matter which he handled; for, though he tell not always that his discourse hath so many parts, thou mayest not think it wants method, it being maximam artis celare artem.
作者的方法是他特有的恩赐，他并不陌生于艺术法则，深知如何使他的方法服务于他所处理的内容；因为，虽然他并不总是说明他的论述有多少部分，你也不可认为它缺乏方法，因为最高的艺术是隐藏艺术（maximam artis celare artem）。
That the same Spirit which enabled him to conceive, and communicate to others, these sweet mysteries of salvation, may help thee with profit to read and peruse them, is the desire of him who is,
愿那同样使他能够构想并向他人传达这些甜美救恩奥秘的圣灵，也能帮助你有益地阅读和研读它们，这是以下署名者的愿望：
Thine in the service of the Gospel,
在福音服事中属你的，
Table of Contents
目录
LECTURE I. – GOD’S GLORY THE CHIEF END OF MAN’S BEING.
讲座一 – 神的荣耀是人存在的主要目的
LECTURE II. – UNION AND COMMUNION WITH GOD THE END AND DESIGN OF THE GOSPEL.
讲座二 – 与神的联合和交通是福音的目的和设计
LECTURE III. – THE AUTHORITY AND UTILITY OF THE SCRIPTURES.
讲座三 – 圣经的权威和效用
LECTURE IV. – THE SCRIPTURES REVEAL ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
讲座四 – 圣经通过耶稣基督启示永生
LECTURE V. – OF THE SCRIPTURES.
讲座五 – 论圣经
LECTURE VI. – WHAT THE SCRIPTURES PRINCIPALLY TEACH: THE RUIN AND RECOVERY OF MAN: FAITH AND LOVE TOWARDS CHRIST.
讲座六 – 圣经主要教导的内容：人的败坏与恢复：对基督的信心和爱
LECTURE VII. – OF THE NAME OF GOD.
讲座七 – 论神的名
LECTURE VIII. – THE ETERNITY AND UNCHANGEABLENESS OF GOD.
讲座八 – 神的永恒性和不变性
LECTURE IX. – WHAT GOD IS TO US.
讲座九 – 神对我们而言是什么
LECTURE X. – WHAT GOD IS.
讲座十 – 神是什么
LECTURE XI. – THE KNOWLEDGE THAT GOD IS, COMBINED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT HE IS TO BE WORSHIPPED.
讲座十一 – 神存在的知识与祂当受敬拜的知识的结合
LECTURE XII. – THE UNITY OF THE DIVINE ESSENCE, AND THE TRINITY OF PERSONS.
讲座十二 – 神性本质的合一与位格的三一
LECTURE XIII. – OF THE UNITY OF THE GODHEAD AND THE TRINITY OF PERSONS.
讲座十三 – 论神性的合一和位格的三一
LECTURE XIV. – OF THE DECREES OF GOD.
讲座十四 – 论神的预旨
LECTURE XV. – OF PREDESTINATION.
讲座十五 – 论预定论
LECTURE XVI. – OF PREDESTINATION.
讲座十六 – 论预定论
LECTURE XVII. – OF CREATION.
讲座十七 – 论创造
LECTURE XVIII. – OF CREATION.
讲座十八 – 论创造
LECTURE XIX. – OF THE CREATION OF MAN.
讲座十九 – 论人的创造
LECTURE XX. – GOD’S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE.
讲座二十 – 神护理的工作
LECTURE XXI. – OF THE FIRST COVENANT MADE WITH MAN.
讲座二十一 – 论与人所立的第一个圣约
LECTURE XXII. – OF THE FIRST COVENANT.
讲座二十二 – 论第一个圣约
LECTURE XXIII. – OF THE STATE WHEREIN MAN WAS CREATED, AND HOW THE IMAGE OF GOD IS DEFACED.
讲座二十三 – 论人被造时的状态，以及神的形象如何被毁坏
LECTURE XXIV. – OF SIN BY IMPUTATION AND PROPAGATION.
讲座二十四 – 论归算和传递的罪
LECTURE XXV. – OF THE WAY OF MAN’S DELIVERY.
讲座二十五 – 论人得拯救的道路