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There are several dispensations, or days of grace, which the church of God has been under from the beginning of time.
自从有史以来，神的教会一直处于几种不同的时代（dispensations）或恩典的日子之下。
There is that under the patriarchs; that under the law of Moses; and there is that of the gospel of Jesus Christ, under which we now are.
有在列祖（patriarchs）之下的时代；有在摩西律法之下的时代；以及有现今我们所处的耶稣基督福音时代。
This is the brightest day that ever shone, and exceeds the other, for peculiar advantages.
这是迄今为止最光明的日子，因其独特的优势而超越了其他时代。
To us who are so happy as to live under the evangelical dispensation, may those words of our Saviour be directed, which he spake to his disciples, when he was first setting up the Messiah’s kingdom in the world, and gospel-light and power began to spread abroad:
对于我们这些有幸生活在福音时代（evangelical dispensation）的人，愿救主对祂门徒所说的话，在祂首次在世上建立弥赛亚（Messiah）的国度、福音之光和能力开始传播开来时，也可以用来指引我们：
“Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see.
“看见你们所看见之事的眼睛是有福的。
For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” [Luke x. 23, 21.]
因为我告诉你们，曾有许多先知和君王想看你们所看的东西，却没有看到；想听你们所听的东西，却没有听到。”[路加福音十23, 21]
The Mosaic dispensation, though darkened with types and figures, yet far exceeded the former: but the gospel dispensation so much exceeds in glory, that it eclipses the glory of the legal, as the stars disappear when the sun ariseth, and goeth forth in his strength.
摩西时代（Mosaic dispensation）虽然被预表（types）和预像（figures）所遮蔽，但仍远超前者：然而福音时代在荣耀上是如此超越，以至于它使律法时代（legal）的荣耀黯然失色，如同太阳升起、以其能力照射时，星星便消失了一样。
—And the chief thing that renders the gospel so glorious is, that it is the ministration of the Spirit.
—而使福音如此荣耀的主要原因，是它是圣灵（Spirit）的职事（ministration）。
Under the preaching of it, the Holy Spirit was to be poured out in more plentiful measures; not only in miraculous gifts, as in the first times of the gospel, but in his internal saving operations, accompanying the outward ministry, to produce numerous conversions to Christ, and give spiritual life to souls that were before dead in trespasses and sins, and so prepare them for eternal life.
在它的传讲之下，圣灵将以更丰沛的量倾倒而出；不仅是在奇迹般的恩赐（miraculous gifts）上，如在福音的最初时期，更是在祂内在救赎的运行（saving operations）上，伴随着外在的职事（outward ministry），以产生无数归信基督的人，并赐予那些先前死在过犯和罪恶中的灵魂（souls）属灵的生命，从而预备他们进入永生。
Thus the apostle speaks, when he runs a comparison between the Old Testament and the New, the law of Moses and the gospel of Jesus Christ:
使徒在比较旧约和新约、摩西律法和耶稣基督福音时，如此说道：
“For the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.
“因为那字句（letter）是叫人死，但那灵（Spirit）是叫人活。
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which glory was to be done away; how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious?” [2 Cor. iii. 6, 7, 8]
但那用字刻在石头上、属于死的职事（ministration of death）尚且有荣耀，甚至以色列人因摩西脸上的荣光，就是那渐失的荣光，不能定睛看祂的脸；何况那属乎灵的职事（ministration of the Spirit）岂不更有荣耀吗？”[哥林多后书三6, 7, 8]
This blessed time of the gospel hath several other denominations, which may raise our esteem and value for it.
这蒙福的福音时代还有其他几个名称，可以提升我们对它的敬重和重视。
It is called by the福音派先知（evangelical prophet）, “The acceptable year of the Lord.” [Isa. lxi. 2.]
它被福音派先知（evangelical prophet）称为：“耶和华悦纳人的禧年。”[以赛亚书六十一2]
Or, as it may be read, the year of liking, or of benevolence, or of the good will of the Lord; because it would be the special period in which he would display his grace and favour, in an extraordinary manner, and deal out spiritual blessings with a full and liberal hand.
或者，正如它可以被解读的，悦纳之年，或仁慈之年，或耶和华善意之年；因为它将是祂以非同寻常的方式，彰显祂的恩典和眷顾（favour），并以丰盛和慷慨的双手分发属灵福气的特殊时期。
—It is also styled by our Saviour, the regeneration, [Matt. xix. 28.] which may refer not only to that glorious restitution of all things, which is looked for at the close of the christian dispensation, but to the renewing work of grace in particular souls, carried on from the beginning to the end of it.
—它也被我们的救主称为再生（regeneration），[马太福音十九28]这可能不仅指望在基督教时代（christian dispensation）结束时一切事物的荣耀复兴（glorious restitution），也指在特定的灵魂（souls）中从始至终所进行的恩典（grace）的更新工作。
But few were renewed and sanctified under the former dispensations, compared with the instances of the grace of God in gospel-times.
与福音时代的诸多神恩实例相比，在先前的时代中得以更新和成圣（sanctified）的人很少。
Such numbers were brought into the gospel-church when it was first set up, as to give occasion for that pleasing admiring question, which was indeed a prophecy of it, [Isa. lx. 8.] “Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?”
当福音教会初次建立时，被带入其中的人数如此之多，以至于引起了那个令人欣喜和惊叹的问题，这实际上是对它的一个预言，[以赛亚书六十8]：“那些如云彩飞来，又如鸽子飞回巢穴的是谁呢？”
Then the power of the神圣的灵（divine Spirit） so accompanied the ministry of the word, as that thousands were converted under one sermon.
那时，神圣的灵的能力如此伴随着圣言（word）的事奉，以至于数千人在一次讲道之下归信。
—But notwithstanding this large effusion of the Spirit, when gospel-light first dawned upon the world—that pleasant spring of religion which then appeared on the face of the earth—there was a gradual withdrawing of his saving light and influences; and so the gospel came to be less successful, and the state of Christianity withered in one place and another.
—但是，尽管圣灵（Spirit）在福音之光初次照亮世界时如此大量倾注——那时宗教在地上显出愉快的春天——祂救赎的光和影响（influences）却逐渐收回；因此福音的成功程度降低，基督教（Christianity）的景况在各地逐渐衰落。
Indeed at the time of the Reformation from popery, when gospel-light broke in upon the church, and dispelled the clouds of antichristian darkness that covered it, the power of divine grace so accompanied the preaching of the word, as that it had admirable success in the conversion and edification of souls; and the blessed fruits thereof appeared in the hearts and lives of its professors.
确实，在从天主教（popery）中改革（Reformation）出来的时候，当福音之光照进教会，驱散了覆盖其上的反基督（antichristian）黑暗的乌云时，神圣恩典（divine grace）的能力如此伴随着圣言（word）的传讲，以至于它在灵魂（souls）的归信和造就上获得了令人赞叹的成功；其蒙福的果子显现在宣信者（professors）的心灵和生命中。
That was one of “the days of the Son of man,” on which the exalted Redeemer rode forth, in his glory and majesty, on the white horse of the pure gospel, conquering and to conquer;” and the bow in his hand, like that of Jonathan, returned not empty.
那是“人子的日子”之一，在这日子里，那被高举的救赎主（exalted Redeemer）骑着纯净福音的白马，带着祂的荣耀和威严，出去“得胜，并且胜了又胜”；祂手中的弓，就像约拿单（Jonathan）的弓一样，没有空手而回。
But what a dead and barren time has it now been, for a great while, with all the churches of the Reformation?
但是，对于所有改教（Reformation）的教会来说，现在在很长一段时间里，是多么死寂和贫瘠的时期啊？
The golden showers have been restrained; the influences of the Spirit suspended; and the consequence has been, that the gospel has not had any eminent success.
黄金般的阵雨（golden showers）受到了抑制；圣灵（Spirit）的影响（influences）被暂停；结果是，福音没有取得任何杰出的成功。
Conversions have been rare and dubious; few sons and daughters have been born to God?
归信（Conversions）稀少而可疑；很少有儿女为神而生？
and the hearts of Christians not so quickened, warmed, and refreshed under the ordinances, as they have been.
并且基督徒的心在圣礼（ordinances）之下，也没有像过去那样被苏醒、温暖和振作。
That this has been the sad state of religion among us in this land, for many years (except one or two distinguished places, which have at times been visited with a shower of mercy, while other towns and churches have not been rained upon,) will be acknowledged by all who have spiritual senses exercised, as it has been lamented by faithful ministers and serious Christians.
在许多年里，我们这片土地上的宗教状况一直如此悲哀（除了一个或两个著名的地点，偶尔得到了一阵恩典的沐浴，而其他城镇和教会却没有得到雨水滋润），凡是属灵感官（spiritual senses）得到操练的人都会承认这一点，这也是忠心仆人（faithful ministers）和认真的基督徒所哀叹的。
Accordingly it has been a constant petition in our public prayers, from sabbath to sabbath, “That God would pour out his Spirit upon us, and revive his work in the midst of the years.”
因此，从安息日到安息日，在我们公共祷告中，一个不变的请求是：“愿神将祂的灵（Spirit）浇灌在我们身上，并在年岁之中复兴祂的工作。”
And besides our annual fast-days appointed by government, most of the churches have set apart days, wherein to seek the Lord by prayer and fasting, that he would “come and rain down righteousness upon us.”
除了政府规定的年度禁食日之外，大多数教会也分别定下日子，以祷告和禁食寻求主，求祂“来，将公义降在我们身上。”
And now,—”Behold! The Lord whom we have sought, has suddenly come to his temple.”
而现在——“看哪！我们所寻求的主，忽然进入祂的殿。”
The dispensation or grace we are now under, is certainly such as neither we nor our fathers have seen; and in some circumstances so wonderful, that I believe there has not been the like since the extraordinary pouring out of the Spirit immediately after our Lord’s ascension.
我们现今所处的恩典时代（dispensation or grace），无疑是我们和我们的父辈都没有见过的；在某些情况下如此奇妙，我相信自从我们主升天（ascension）后圣灵（Spirit）非凡的倾倒以来，就没有再发生过类似的事情。
The apostolical times seem to have returned upon us: such a display has there been of the power and grace of the divine Spirit in the assemblies of his people, and such testimonies has he given to the word of the gospel.
使徒时代（apostolical times）似乎又回到了我们身上：在祂子民的聚会中，神圣的灵（divine Spirit）的能力和恩典（grace）有了如此的展示，祂也为福音的圣言（word of the gospel）做了如此的见证。
I remember a remarkable passage of the late reverend and learned Mr. Howe, which I think it may be worth while to transcribe here.
我记得已故可敬而有学问的豪先生（Mr. Howe）的一段话，我认为值得在此抄录。
It is in his discourse concerning the “the Prosperous State of the Christian Church before the End of Time, by a plentiful Effusion of the Holy Spirit,” page 80.
这段话出自祂关于“在末世之前，通过圣灵（Holy Spirit）的丰沛浇灌，基督教会的昌盛景况”的论述，第80页。
“In such a time,” says he, “when the Spirit shall be poured forth plentifully, surely ministers shall have their proportionable share.
“在那样一个时代，”祂说，“当圣灵（Spirit）被丰沛浇灌时，传道人肯定会得到祂们相应的一份。
And when such a time as that shall come, I believe you will hear much other kind of sermons (or they will who shall live to such a time) than you are wont to do now-a-days: souls will surely be dealt with at another rate.
而当那样一个时代来临时，我相信你们（或那些能活到那时的人）会听到与现在通常所听到的截然不同的讲道：灵魂（souls）肯定会以另一种方式被对待。
It is plain, (says he,) too sadly plain, there is a great retraction of the Spirit of God even from us.
祂说，很明显，（令人非常悲伤地明显），神的灵（Spirit of God）甚至从我们身上大大地收回了。
We know not how to speak living sense into souls; how to get within you: our words die in our mouths, or drop and die between you and us.
我们不知道如何将活的意义讲入灵魂（souls）中；如何进入你们的内心：我们的话语死在我们的口中，或落在你们和我之间就消逝了。
We even faint when we speak; long experienced unsuccessfulness makes us despond: we speak not as persons that hope to prevail, that expect to make you serious, heavenly, mindful of God, and to walk more like Christians.
我们讲话时甚至感到无力；长期经历的失败使我们感到沮丧：我们说话不像那些希望成功、期望使你们变得认真、属天（heavenly）、记念神、并更有基督徒样式的言语。
The methods of alluring and convincing souls, even that some of us have known, are lost from amongst us in a great part.
吸引和使灵魂（souls）信服的方法，即使是我们中一些人曾知道的，也大部分从我们中间失传了。
There have been other ways taken, than we can tell now how to fall upon, for the mollifying of the obdurate, and the awakening of the secure, and the convincing and persuading of the obstinate, and the winning of the disaffected.
曾经有过一些方法，是我们现在不知道如何去做的，用以软化刚硬的人（obdurate）、唤醒安逸的人（secure）、使固执的人（obstinate）信服和被说服，并赢得心怀不满的人。
Surely there will be a large share, that will come even to the part of ministers, when such an effusion of the Spirit shall be, as it is expected: that they shall know how to speak to better purpose, with more compassion, with more seriousness, with more authority and allurement, than we now find we can.”
可以肯定的是，当人们所期望的那种圣灵（Spirit）倾注发生时，即使是传道人也会得到很大一份：他们将知道如何说出更有目的、更具同情心、更严肃、更有权柄和吸引力的话语，而不是我们现在所能做到的。”
Agreeable to the just expectation of this great and excellent man, we have found it in this remarkable day.
与这位伟大而优秀的人的合理期望相符，我们在如今这个非凡的日子里已经看到了。
A number of preachers have appeared among us, to whom God has given such a large measure of his Spirit, that we are ready sometimes to apply to them the character given of Barnabas, that “he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith.” [Acts xi. 24.]
在我们中间出现了一些传道人（preachers），神赐予他们如此大量的圣灵（Spirit），以至于我们有时乐于将巴拿巴（Barnabas）的特征应用在他们身上：“祂是一个好人，满有圣灵和信心。”[使徒行传十一24]
They preach the gospel of the grace of God from place to place, with uncommon zeal and assiduity.
他们带着非凡的热忱（zeal）和勤奋（assiduity），从一个地方到另一个地方传讲神恩典的福音。
The doctrine they insist on, are the doctrine of the reformation, under the influence whereof the power of godliness so flourished in the last century.
他们所坚持的教义（doctrine），是宗教改革（reformation）的教义，在其影响下，敬虔（godliness）的能力在上个世纪如此兴盛。
The points on which their preaching mainly turns, are those important ones of man’s guilt, corruption, and impotence; supernatural regeneration by the Spirit of God, and free justification by faith in the righteousness of Christ; and the marks of the new birth.
他们讲道主要围绕的重点是那些重要的方面：人的罪咎（guilt）、败坏（corruption）和无能（impotence）；借着神的灵（Spirit of God）超自然的重生（regeneration），以及借着对基督公义（righteousness of Christ）的信心（faith）而来的白白称义（free justification）；以及新生的标记（marks of the new birth）。
—The manner of their preaching is not with the enticing words of man’s wisdom; howbeit, they speak wisdom among them that are perfect.
—他们讲道的风格不是用动听的、人智慧的言语；然而，他们在完全人中也讲智慧。
An ardent love to Christ and souls, warms their breasts, and animates their labours.
对基督和灵魂（souls）的热切的爱，温暖着祂们的胸膛，激励着祂们的工作（labours）。
God has made those his ministers active spirits, a flame of fire in his service; and his word in their mouths has been “as a fire, and as a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces.”
神使这些祂的仆人（ministers）成为积极的灵（active spirits），在祂的事奉中成为火焰；祂的圣言在祂们口中“好像火，又像大锤，能打碎磐石。”
In most places where they have laboured, God has evidently wrought with them, and “confirmed the word by signs following.”
在他们事奉的大多数地方，神明显地与他们同工，并“用神迹奇事随着，证实所传的道”（confirmed the word by signs following）。
Such a power and presence of God in religious assemblies, has not been known since God set up his sanctuary amongst us.
自从神在我们中间建立祂的圣所（sanctuary）以来，在宗教聚会中，从未有过如此的神的能力和同在。
He has indeed “glorified the house of his glory.”
祂确实“荣耀了祂荣耀的居所”（glorified the house of his glory）。
This work is truly extraordinary, in respect of its extent.
这项工作在范围上确实非同寻常。
It is more or less in the several provinces that measure many hundred miles on this continent.
它或多或少地出现在这片大陆上绵延数百英里的几个省份中。
“He sendeth forth his commandment on earth!
“祂发命在地！
His word runneth very swiftly.”
祂的圣言快快地流行。”
It has entered and spread in some of the most populous towns, the chief places of concourse and business.
它已经进入并传播到一些人口最稠密的城镇、主要的集会和商业场所。
And—blessed be God!—it has visited the seats of learning, both here, and in a neighbouring colony.
而且——赞美归于神！——它已经造访了学术中心（seats of learning），无论是在这里，还是在一个邻近的殖民地（colony）。
O may the Holy Spirit constantly reside in them both, seize our devoted youth, and form them as polished shafts, successfully to fight the Lord’s battles against the powers of darkness, when they shall be called out to service!
哦，愿圣灵（Holy Spirit）永远常驻在这两个地方，抓住我们委身的年轻人（devoted youth），将他们塑造成磨亮的箭，当他们被呼召出来事奉时，能成功地与黑暗的权势争战！
—It is extraordinary also with respect to the numbers that have been the subjects of this operation.
—这项工作在作为其对象的（subjects of this operation）人数方面也是非同寻常的。
Stupid sinners have been awakened by hundreds; and the inquiry has been general in some places, “What must I do to be saved.”
愚顽的罪人成百地被唤醒；在某些地方，普遍的询问是：“我当做什么才能得救？”
I verily believe, that in this our metropolis, there were the last winter some thousands under such religious impressions as they never felt before.
我确信，去年冬天在我们这个大都市（metropolis）里，有数千人处于他们从未有过的宗教感动（religious impressions）之下。
The work has been remarkable also for the various sorts of persons that have been under its influence.
这项工作也因受其影响的各色人等而引人注目。
—These have been of all ages.
—这些人有各种年龄层的。
Some elderly persons have been snatched as brands out of the burning, made monuments of divine mercy, and born to God, though out of due time; as the apostle speaks in his own case. [I Cor. xv.]
一些年长的人被救出来，如同火中抽出来的柴，成为神圣怜悯（divine mercy）的见证，并为神而生，虽然不在合适的时机；正如使徒在祂自己的事例中所说的那样。[哥林多前书十五]
But here, with us it has lain mostly among the young.
但是在这里，在我们中间，它主要发生在年轻人身上。
Sprightly youth have been made to bow like willows to the Redeemer’s sceptre, and willingly to subscribe with their own hands to the Lord.
活泼的青年人被引导像柳树一样向救赎主（Redeemer）的权杖（sceptre）屈膝，并甘愿亲笔签名为属于主。
And out of the mouths of babes, some little children, has God ordained to himself praise, to still the enemy and the avenger.
而且，神从婴孩的口中，一些小孩子的口中，为自己定下了赞美，为要制止仇敌和报仇的。
—They have also been of all ranks and degrees.
—他们也来自所有的等级和阶层。
Some of the great and rich; but more of the low and poor.
一些是伟大和富有的；但更多的是卑微和贫穷的。
—Of other countries and nations.
—来自其他国家和民族。
Ethiopia has stretched out her hand: some poor negroes have, I trust, been brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
埃塞俄比亚（Ethiopia）已经伸出了她的手：我相信，一些贫穷的黑人（negroes）已经被带入神儿女荣耀的自由中。
—Of all qualities and conditions.
—各种品质和境况的人。
The most ignorant; the foolish thing of the world, babes in knowledge, have been made wise unto salvation, and taught those heavenly truths, which have been hid from the wise and prudent.
最无知的人；世上愚拙的事，在知识上像婴孩的人，已经被造就得有得救的智慧，并被教导了那些向聪明通达人隐藏的天上真理。
Some of the learned and knowing among men, have had those things revealed to them of the Father in heaven, which flesh and blood do not teach: and of these, some who had gone into the modern notions, and had no other than the polite religion of the present times, have had their prejudices conquered, their carnal reasonings overcome, and their understandings made to bow to gospel mysteries; they now receive the truth as it is in Jesus, and their faith no longer “stands in the wisdom of man but in the power of God.”
人中一些有学问和有知识的人，天上的父向他们启示了那些血肉之躯不能教导的事：其中，一些曾陷入现代观念（modern notions），并且只有现今时代的文雅宗教（polite religion）的人，他们的偏见被克服，属肉体的推理被胜过，他们的悟性被引导降服于福音的奥秘（gospel mysteries）；他们现在接受那在耶稣里的真理，他们的信心不再“在于人的智慧，而在于神的能力。”
Some of the most rude and disorderly are become regular in their behaviour, and sober in all things.
一些最粗鲁和不守规矩的人，现在行为变得有规律，并在凡事上都变得清醒。
The gay and airy are become grave and serious.
轻浮和放荡的人（gay and airy）变得庄重而认真。
Some of the greatest sinners have appeared to be turned into real saints: drunkards have become temperate; fornicators and adulterers of a chaste conversation; swearers and profane persons have learned to fear that glorious and fearful Name, the Lord their God; and carnal worldlings have been made to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
一些最大的罪人似乎变成了真正的圣徒：醉酒者变得节制；淫乱者和奸淫者有了贞洁的品行；起誓者和亵渎者学会了敬畏那荣耀而可畏的名，就是他们的主他们的神；属肉体的世俗之人被引导首先寻求神的国和祂的义。
Yea, deriders and scoffers at this work and its instruments, have come under its conquering power.
是的，嘲笑者（deriders）和讥诮者（scoffers）对于这项工作及其工具（instruments），也屈服于其征服的力量之下。
Some of this stamp, who have gone to hear the preacher, (as some did Paul—”What will this babbler say?”)—have not been able to resist the power and the Spirit with which he spake; have sat trembling under the word, and gone away from it weeping; and afterward did cleave unto the preacher, as Dionysius the Areopagite did unto Paul. [Acts xvii. 18, 24.]
一些这样的人，去听传道人讲道，（正如一些人对待保罗时所说：“这胡言乱语的说些什么？”）——却无法抗拒祂说话时的能力和圣灵（Spirit）；在圣言之下颤抖地坐着，流着泪离开；事后也紧随传道人，正如亚略巴古（Areopagite）的丢尼修（Dionysius）紧随保罗一样。[使徒行传十七18, 24]
Divers instances of this kind have fallen under my knowledge.
这种类型的各种事例我已经有所了解。
The virtuous and civil have been convinced that morality is not to be relied on for life; and so excited to seek after the new birth, and a vital union to Jesus Christ by faith.
有美德和有礼貌的人已被说服，道德（morality）并不能赖以获得生命；因此被激发去寻求重生（new birth），以及借着信心（faith）与耶稣基督活泼的联合（vital union）。
The formal professor likewise has been awakened out of his dead formalities, brought under the power of godliness; taken off from his false rests, and brought to build his hope only on the Mediator’s righteousness.
形式主义的宣信者（formal professor）同样被从他死的空壳（dead formalities）中唤醒，被带到敬虔（godliness）的能力之下；脱离了祂虚假的安歇，并被引导将祂的盼望单单建立在中保（Mediator）的公义（righteousness）上。
At the same time, many of the children of God have been greatly quickened and refreshed; have been awakened out of the sleeping frames they were fallen into, and excited to give diligence to make their calling and election sure; and have had precious, reviving, and sealing times.
与此同时，许多神的儿女被大大地苏醒和振作；从他们陷入的沉睡状态（sleeping frames）中被唤醒，并被激发去殷勤努力，使他们的蒙召和被选（calling and election）确定；并经历了宝贵、复苏和印证的时刻。
—Thus extensive and general the divine influence has been at his glorious season.
—在祂这荣耀的季节里，神圣的影响力（divine influence）就是如此广泛而普遍。
One thing more is worthy of remark; and this is the uniformity of the work.
还有一件事值得注意；那就是这项工作的一致性（uniformity）。
By the accounts I have received in letters, and conversation with ministers and others, who live in different parts of the land where this work is going on, it is the same work that is carried on in one place and another: the method of the Spirit’s operation on the minds of the people is the same; though with some variety of circumstances, as is usual at other times: and the particular appearances with which this work is attended, that have not been so common at other times, are also much the same.
根据我从生活在进行这项工作的不同地方的传道人和其他人那里收到的信件和谈话中得知，在一个地方和另一个地方进行的都是同样的工作：圣灵（Spirit）在人们心上运行的方式是相同的；尽管像在其他时候一样，存在一些环境上的变化：而且伴随着这项工作出现的那些在其他时候不那么普遍的特殊现象（particular appearances），也大体相同。
These are indeed objected by many against the work; but though conversion is the same work, in the main strokes of it, wherever it is wrought; yet it seems reasonable to suppose that at an extraordinary season wherein God is pleased to carry on a work of his grace in a more observable and glorious manner, in a way which he would have to be taken notice of by the world; at such a time, I say, it seems reasonable to suppose, that there may be some particular appearances in the work of conversion, which are not common at other times—when yet there are true conversions wrought—or some circumstances attending the work may be carried to an unusual degree and height.
这些现象确实被许多人用来反对这项工作；但虽然归信（conversion）无论在哪里发生，其主要方面都是相同的；然而，我们有理由假设，在一个非同寻常的季节，神喜悦以一种更引人注目和荣耀的方式，以一种祂希望世人注意的方式，来推进祂恩典的工作时；我说，在这样的时刻，似乎有理由假设，在归信的工作中可能会出现一些在其他时候不常见的特殊现象——尽管那时所成就的是真实的归信——或者伴随着这项工作的某些情况可能会被推到一个不寻常的程度和高度。
If it were not thus, the work of the Lord would not be so much regarded and spoken of; and so God would not have so much of the glory of it.
如果不是这样，主的工作就不会受到如此多的关注和谈论；因此神也不会得到如此多的荣耀。
Nor would the work itself be like to spread so fast; for God has evidently made use of example and discourse in the carrying of it on.
这项工作本身也不太可能传播得如此之快；因为神在推进这项工作时，显然利用了榜样（example）和交谈（discourse）。
And as to the fruits of this work, (which we have been bid so often to wait for,) blessed be God!
至于这项工作的果子（我们曾被要求如此频繁地等待它们），赞美归于神！
So far as there has been time for observation, they appear to be abiding.
就目前有时间观察而言，它们似乎是持久的（abiding）。
I do not mean that none have lost their impressions, or that there are no instances of hypocrisy and apostacy.
我不是说没有人失去了他们的感动（impressions），或者没有假冒为善（hypocrisy）和背道（apostacy）的例子。
Scripture and experience lead us to expect these, at such a season.
圣经和经验引导我们在这样的季节期待这些情况。
It is to me matter of surprise and thankfulness that as yet there have been no more.
对我来说，到目前为止没有更多这样的情况，是令人惊讶和感恩的。
But I mean, that a great number of those who have been awakened are still seeking and striving to enter in at the strait gate.
但我的意思是，许多被唤醒的人仍然在寻求和努力进入窄门（strait gate）。
The most of those who have been thought to be converted, continue to give evidence of their being new creatures, and seem to cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart.
大多数被认为是归信的人，继续提供证据表明他们是新造的人（new creatures），并似乎全心全意（full purpose of heart）地紧随主。
To be sure, a new face of things continues in this town: though many circumstances concur to render such a work not so observable here, [i.e., Boston, in New England.] as in smaller and distant places.
可以肯定的是，这个城镇的景况持续展现出新的面貌：尽管许多情况共同作用，使得这项工作在这里（即新英格兰的波士顿）不如在更小和更远的地方那样引人注目。
Many things not becoming the profession of the gospel are in a measure reformed.
许多不符合福音信仰（profession of the gospel）的事物在一定程度上得到了改革。
Taverns, dancing-schools, and such meetings as have been called assemblies, which have always proved unfriendly to serious godliness, are much less frequented.
酒馆（Taverns）、舞蹈学校（dancing-schools），以及被称为集会（assemblies）的此类聚会，这些向来被证明对认真的敬虔（serious godliness）不利的场所，现在去的人少了很多。
Many have reduced their dress and apparel, so as to make them look more like the followers of the humble Jesus.
许多人减少了他们的衣着和服饰，使他们看起来更像谦卑耶稣的跟随者。
And it has been both surprising and pleasant to see how some younger people, and of that sex too which is most fond of such vanities, have put off the “bravery of their ornaments,” as the effect and indication of their seeking the inward glories of “the King’s daughter.”
令人惊讶又高兴的是，看到一些年轻人，特别是最喜欢这类虚荣（vanities）的女性，已经脱下了“她们华丽的妆饰”，以此作为她们寻求“王女”（the King’s daughter）内在荣耀（inward glories）的效果和标志。
Religion is now much more the subject of conversation at friends’ houses, than ever I knew it.
宗教现在在朋友家中更多地成为交谈的主题，比我以往所知的任何时候都要多。
The doctrine of grace are espoused and relished.
恩典的教义（doctrine of grace）被拥护和喜爱。
Private religious meetings are greatly multiplied.
私人的宗教聚会大大增加了。
—The public assemblies (especially lectures) are much better attended; and our auditors were never so attentive and serious.
—公共聚会（特别是讲座）的出席情况好了很多；我们的听众从未如此专注和认真。
There is indeed an extraordinary appetite after “the sincere milk of the word.”
对“纯净的灵奶”（the sincere milk of the word）确实有一种非凡的胃口。
It is more than a twelvemonth since an evening lecture was set up in this town; there are now several: two constantly on Tuesday and Friday evenings; when some of our most capacious houses are well filled with hearers, who by their looks and deportment seem to come to hear that their souls might live.
自从在这个城镇设立晚间讲座以来，已经超过一年了；现在有好几个：每周二和周五晚上有两个固定的；那时我们一些最宽敞的房屋都坐满了听众，他们从他们的外表和举止看来，似乎是来听道以使他们的灵魂（souls）得以存活。
An evening in God’s courts is now esteemed better than many elsewhere.
在神的殿中度过的一个夜晚，现在被认为胜过在其他地方的许多个夜晚。
There is also great resort to ministers in private.
私下里向传道人求教的人也很多。
Our hands continue full of work: and many times we have more than we can discourse with distinctly and separately.
我们的工作仍然忙碌：很多时候我们接待的人数超过了我们能清晰和分别地与他们交谈的能力。
—I have been thus large and particular, that persons at a distance, who are desirous to know the present state of religion here, into whose hands these papers will come, may receive some satisfaction.
—我之所以如此详尽和具体，是为了让那些身在远方、渴望了解这里宗教现状、并将收到这些文件的人，能得到一些满足。
And now, can any be at a loss to what spirit to ascribe this work?
那么，现在，是否有人会困惑该将这项工作归因于哪种灵（spirit）呢？
To attribute it, as some do, to the devil, is to make the old serpent like the foolish woman, “who plucked down her house with her hands.” [Prov. xiv. 1.]
若像有些人那样，将其归因于魔鬼，就是让那古蛇（old serpent）像那愚昧的妇人一样，“亲手拆毁自己的房屋。”[箴言十四1]
Our Saviour has taught us to argue otherwise in such a case as this.
我们的救主在这种情况下教导我们要进行不同的论证。
“Every kingdom divided against itself shall not stand.
“凡一国自相纷争，就站立不住。
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how then shall his kingdom stand?” [Matt. xii. 25, 26.]
若撒但赶出撒但，祂就是自相纷争，祂的国怎能站得住呢？”[马太福音十二25, 26]
That some entertain prejudices against this work, and others revile and reproach it, does not make it look less like a work of God: it would else want one mark of its being so; for the spirit of this world, and the spirit which is of God, are contrary the one to the other.
有些人对这项工作心存偏见，而另一些人则诽谤和指责它，但这并没有使它看起来不像神的工作：否则它就缺少了一个是神工作的标志；因为这世界的灵（spirit of this world），与那出于神的灵（spirit which is of God），是彼此相悖的。
I do not wonder that Satan rages, and shows his rage in some that are under his influence, when his kingdom is so shaken, and his subjects desert him by hundreds, I hope by thousands.
我并不惊讶撒但会发怒，并在一些受祂影响的人身上展现祂的怒气，因为祂的国度受到了如此大的震动，祂的臣民成百上千地（我希望是数千地）离弃祂。
—The prejudices of some, I make no doubt, are owing to the want of opportunity to be rightly informed, and their having received misrepresentations from abroad.
—我毫不怀疑，有些人的偏见是由于没有机会得到正确的信息，以及他们从外面接收了错误的描述。
Others may be offended, because they have not experienced any thing like such a work in themselves; and if these things be so, they must begin again, and get another foundation laid than that on which they have built; and this is what men are hardly brought to.
另一些人可能感到不快，因为他们自己没有经历过类似这样的工作；如果情况如此，他们就必须重新开始，建立一个与他们先前所建立的不同的根基；而这是人很难做到的。
And others, perhaps, may dislike the present work, because it supports and confirms some principles which they have not yet embraced, and against which such prejudices hang about their minds, as they cannot easily shake off.
或许还有一些人不喜欢目前这项工作，因为它支持和确认了一些他们尚未接受的原则，而且他们的思想中存在着难以轻易摆脱的偏见来反对这些原则。
For it is certain, these fruits do not grow on Arminian ground.
因为可以确定的是，这些果子不会在亚米念主义（Arminian）的土壤上生长。
I hope none dislike the work, because they have not been used as instruments in it.
我希望没有人不喜欢这项工作，仅仅因为他们没有被用作其中的工具。
For if we love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, we shall rejoice to see him increase, though we should decrease.
因为如果我们真诚地爱我们的主耶稣基督，即使我们减少，我们也会乐见祂增长。
If any are resolutely set to disbelieve this work, to reproach and oppose it, they must be left to the free sovereign power and mercy of God to enlighten and rescue them.
如果有人执意不信、诋毁和反对这项工作，他们就必须被交给神自由的主权能力和怜悯，去光照和拯救他们。
These, if they have had opportunity to be rightly informed, I am ready to think,如果他们有机会得到正确的信息， would have been disbelievers, and opposers of the miracles and mission of our Saviour, had they lived in his days.
这些人，如果他们有机会得到正确的信息，我倾向于认为，如果他们生活在我们的救主（Saviour）的时代，他们也会是不信者，并反对祂的奇迹和使命。
The malignity which some of them have discovered, to me approaches near to the unpardonable sin; and they had need beware, lest they indeed sin the sin which is unto death: for as I believe it can be committed in these days, as well as in the days of the apostles, so I think persons are now in more danger of committing it than at other times.
他们中一些人所流露出的恶意（malignity），在我看来接近于不可赦免的罪（unpardonable sin）；他们需要警惕，免得他们确实犯了至于死的罪：因为我相信这罪在现今的日子里，以及在使徒时代，都可以犯，所以我认为现在的人比在其他时候更有可能犯这罪。
At least, let them come under the awe of that word, Psal. xxviii. 5. “Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.”
至少，让他们对那句话心存敬畏，诗篇第二十八篇5节。“他们不理会耶和华的作为，也不留心祂手所作的，祂要拆毁他们，永不建立。”
But if any are disposed to receive conviction, have a mind open to light, and are really willing to know of the present work whether it be of God, it is with great satisfaction and pleasure I can recommend to them the following sheets; in which they will find the “distinguishing marks” of such a work, as they are to be found in the Holy Scriptures, applied to the uncommon operation that has been on the minds of many in this land.
但是，如果有人愿意接受确信，心向光明，并真心愿意知道目前这项工作是否出于神，我非常满意和高兴地向他们推荐以下几页：在其中，他们将发现圣经中所载的此类工作的“显著标记”（distinguishing marks），并被应用于在这片土地上许多人心中发生的非同寻常的运行。
Here the matter is tried by the infallible touchstone of the Holy Scriptures, and is weighed in the balance of the sanctuary, with great judgment and impartiality.
在这里，这件事情是借着圣经（Holy Scriptures）这无误的试金石（infallible touchstone）来检验的，并在圣所（sanctuary）的天平中，以极大的判断力（judgment）和公正（impartiality）来衡量。
A performance of this kind is seasonable and necessary; and I desire heartily to bless God, who inclined this his servant to undertake it, and has graciously assisted him in it.
这种著作是合时宜和必要的；我衷心愿意赞美神，是祂感动祂这位仆人来承担这项任务，并以恩慈（graciously）协助祂完成。
The Reverend Author is known to be “a scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven;” the place where he has been called to exercise his ministry has been famous for experimental religion; and he has had opportunities to observe this work in many places where it has powerfully appeared, and to converse with numbers that have been the subjects of it.
这位可敬的作者被称为“一个受教以至于天国（kingdom of heaven）的文士”；祂被呼召去服事的地方因经历性的宗教（experimental religion）而闻名；祂也有机会在许多有力地出现这项工作的地方观察它，并与许多作为其对象的人交谈。
These things qualify him for this undertaking above most.
这些事使祂比大多数人更有资格承担这项任务。
His arguments in favour of the work, are strongly drawn from Scripture, reason, and experience: and I shall believe every candid, judicious reader will say, he writes very free from an enthusiastic or a party spirit.
祂支持这项工作的论点，有力地取材于圣经、理性和经验：我相信每一位坦诚、明智的读者都会说，祂的写作非常没有狂热（enthusiastic）或宗派（party）的精神。
The use of human learning is asserted; a methodical way of preaching, the fruit of study as well as prayer, is recommended; and the exercise of charity in judging others pressed and urged: and those things which are esteemed the blemishes, and are like to be the hinderances of the work, are with great faithfulness cautioned and warned against.
人类学问（human learning）的使用被肯定；一种有条理的讲道方式，作为学习和祷告的成果，被推荐；并且在判断他人时运用仁爱（charity）被敦促和强调：而那些被视为这项工作的瑕疵（blemishes）和可能阻碍的事情，都以极大的忠诚被告诫和警告。
—Many, I believe, will be thankful for this publication.
—我相信，许多人会感谢这次出版。
Those who have already entertained favourable thoughts of this work, will be confirmed by it; and the doubting may be convinced and satisfied.
那些已经对这项工作抱有好感的人，会因此得到确认；而那些疑虑的人可能会被说服和满意。
But if there are any who cannot after all see the signatures of a divine hand on the work, it is to be hoped they will be prevailed on to spare their censures, and stop their oppositions, lest “haply they should be found even to fight against God.”
但是，如果有人无论如何都不能在这项工作上看到神圣之手（divine hand）的印记（signatures），希望他们能被说服，停止他们的批评和反对，免得“恐怕他们是与神交战了。”
I had yet several things to say, which I see I must suppress, or I shall go much beyond the limits of a preface: and I fear I need to ask pardon both of the reader and the publishers for the length I have run already.
我还有几件事要说，但我发现我必须压制它们，否则我会远远超出序言的限制：而且我担心我已经说了太多，需要向读者和出版商请求原谅。
Only I cannot help expressing my wish, that those who have been conversant in this work, in one place and another, would transmit accounts of it to such a hand as the Reverend Author of this discourse, to be compiled into a narrative, like that of the conversions at Northampton, which was published a few years ago; that so the world may know this surprising dispensation, in the beginning, progress, and various circumstances of it.
我只是忍不住表达我的愿望，希望那些曾在各地参与这项工作的人，能将有关它的记述发送给像这篇论述的可敬作者这样的人，以便编纂成一篇叙事，就像几年前出版的关于北安普敦归信的记述一样；这样世界就可以知道这个令人惊讶的时代（surprising dispensation）的开始、进展和各种情况。
This, I apprehend, would be for the honour of the Holy Spirit, whose work and office has been treated so reproachfully in the christian world.
我认为，这将是为了圣灵（Holy Spirit）的荣耀，祂的工作和职分在基督教世界中受到了如此多的诟病。
It would be an open attestation to the divinity of a despised gospel: and it might have a happy effect on the other places, where the sound of this marvelous work would by this means be heard.
这将是对一个受人鄙视的福音（gospel）之神性（divinity）的公开见证：并且它可能对其他地方产生良好的影响，在那里，借着这种方式，人们将听到这项奇妙工作（marvelous work）的声音。
I cannot but think it would be one of the most useful pieces of church history the people of God are blessed with.
我不得不认为，这将是神子民所蒙福拥有的最有用的教会历史著作之一。
Perhaps it would come the nearest to the Acts of the Apostles of any thing extant; and all the histories in the world do not come up to that: there we have something as surprising as in the book of Genesis; and a new creation, of another kind, seems to open to our view.
也许它会是现存著作中最接近《使徒行传》的；而世界上所有的历史都无法与之相比：在那里我们看到了一些像《创世记》一样令人惊讶的事情；一种新的、不同类型的创造似乎向我们展开。
But I must forbear.
但我必须克制自己。
I will only add my prayer, That the worthy Author of this discourse may long be continued a burning and shining light in the golden candlestick where Christ has placed him, and from thence diffuse his light through these provinces!
我只想加上我的祷告，愿这篇论述的可敬作者能长期在基督所安置祂的金色灯台（golden candlestick）中，继续成为燃烧和发光的灯，并从那里将祂的光散播到这些省份！
That the divine Spirit, whose cause is here espoused, would accompany this and the other valuable publications of his servant, with his powerful influences; that they may promote the Redeemer’s interest, serve the ends of vital religion, and so add to the Author’s present joy, and future crown!
愿神圣的灵（divine Spirit），祂的事业（cause）在此被拥护，以祂有力的影响（powerful influences）伴随祂这位仆人的这项和其它有价值的出版物；愿它们能促进救赎主（Redeemer）的益处，服务于活泼宗教（vital religion）的目的，从而增加作者现今的喜乐和未来的冠冕！
Boston, Nov. 20, 1741.
波士顿，1741年11月20日。
W. COOPER.
W.库珀（W. COOPER）。
Table of Contents
目录
Preface
序言
THE MARKS OF A WORK OF THE TRUE SPIRIT
真灵（TRUE SPIRIT）工作的标记
SECT. I. NEGATIVE SIGNS
第一节：负面迹象（NEGATIVE SIGNS）
SECT. II. WHAT ARE THE DISTINGUISHING SCRIPTURE EVIDENCES OF A WORK OF THE SPIRIT
第二节：何谓圣灵（SPIRIT）工作的显著圣经证据
SECT. III. PRACTICAL INFERENCES
第三节：实际推论（PRACTICAL INFERENCES）