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In presenting the English Reader with a translation of the Theological Lectures of Dr. Ursinus, upon the Heidelberg Catechism, it is presumed no apology is necessary, at least as far as the German Reformed Church is concerned.
在向英语读者呈现乌尔西努博士关于海德堡要理问答的神学讲座译本时，我们认为无需道歉，至少就德国改革宗教会而言是如此。
Considering the character of Ursinus, his acknowledged ability, and relations to the whole Reformed interest it is a matter of great surprise, that some one has not long since been found to undertake the arduous and difficult task which we have very imperfectly accomplished.
考虑到乌尔西努的品格、他公认的能力以及他与整个改革宗事业的关系，令人非常惊讶的是，长久以来竟没有人承担我们很不完美地完成的这项艰巨而困难的任务。
Many other works greatly inferior to this, have been favored with translations, whilst no pains have been spared to give them an extensive circulation, and yet no attempt has been made of late years to place these lectures in the hands of the English reader.
许多远不及本书的其他作品都得到了翻译的恩惠，并且不遗余力地使它们广泛流传，然而近年来却没有尝试将这些讲座交到英语读者手中。
And what is stranger still, is the fact that the name of Ursinus himself, than whom no one is more worthy of grateful and honorable recollection, is in a great measure unknown.
更奇怪的是，乌尔西努本人的名字，这位最值得感恩和尊敬地纪念的人，在很大程度上却不为人知。
We have, therefore, been led to undertake the difficult task of translating these lectures, being fully convinced that we shall in so doing contribute no little to the dissemination of sound theological views, and at the same time bring to favorable notice one whose memory deserves to be held in grateful recollection.
因此，我们被引导去承担翻译这些讲座的艰巨任务，完全确信我们这样做将对传播纯正神学观点贡献不小，同时使一位其记忆值得以感恩之心纪念的人得到有利的关注。
The writings of Ursinus are well deserving of a place in every minister s library, by the side of the works of Luther, Melancthon, Zuingle, Calvin, and others of blessed memory, and will not suffer in the least by a comparison with them.
乌尔西努的著作完全配得在每位牧师的书房中占有一席之地，与路德、墨兰顿、慈运理、加尔文和其他有福记念之人的作品并列，与它们相比也丝毫不会逊色。
The old English translation by Parry, made over two hundred years ago, is not only antiquated and unsuited to the taste of the modern English reader, but is also out of print, and not to be had except by the rarest chance.
帕里所作的古老英译本，完成于两百多年前，不仅陈旧而不适合现代英语读者的口味，而且已经绝版，除非极其罕见的机会否则无法获得。
Few copies are to be found at the present day.
如今很少能找到副本。
The copy now in our possession, which we constantly consulted in making the present translation, was printed in the year 1645, and seems to have been gotten up with much care and expense.
我们现在拥有的副本，我们在进行本次翻译时不断参考，印刷于1645年，似乎是以极大的关注和费用制作的。
We had seen notices of the work, and had for several years made constant efforts to secure it, but without success, until about two years ago an esteemed friend placed in our hands a number of foreign catalogues in which we saw three copies of the works of Ursinus, one Latin and two English, advertised.
我们曾看到这部作品的通告，并且多年来不断努力要获得它，但没有成功，直到大约两年前，一位尊敬的朋友将一些外国目录交到我们手中，其中我们看到三套乌尔西努作品的广告，一套拉丁文和两套英文。
We immediately gave orders to have them imported, and in this way came into possession of the copies we now have.
我们立即下令进口它们，就这样拥有了我们现在所有的副本。
The Latin copy from which we have made the present translation, was published in Geneva in the year 1616, and is without doubt a copy of the best and most complete edition made by Dr. David Pareus, the intimate friend and disciple of Ursinus.
我们用来进行本次翻译的拉丁文副本，于1616年在日内瓦出版，毫无疑问是乌尔西努的亲密朋友和门徒大卫·帕雷乌斯博士所编最佳和最完整版本的副本。
It is in every respect greatly superior to another Latin copy, the use of which we secured from the Rev. Dr. Hendron of the Presbyterian church, after having made very consider able progress in the work of translation.
它在各方面都大大优于另一拉丁文副本，在翻译工作取得相当大的进展之后，我们从长老会的亨德伦牧师博士那里获得了该副本的使用权。
This last copy was published in the year 1585, and is probably a copy of one of the earliest editions of the works of Ursinus, of which notice is taken in the excellent “Introduction” from the pen of Dr. Nevin, which will be read with much interest, and throw much light upon the life and character of the author of these Lectures.
这最后一个副本出版于1585年，很可能是乌尔西努作品最早版本之一的副本，内文博士所写的优秀”引言”中提到了这一点，该引言将被饶有兴趣地阅读，并对这些讲座作者的生平和品格有很大的启发。
Great pains have been taken with the translation so as to render it as complete as possible.
翻译工作已经付出了极大的努力，以使其尽可能完整。
In every instance we have been careful to give the exact sense of the author, so that the translation is as literal as it could well be, without being slavishly bound to the text, the style of which we found in a number of instances to be of such a peculiar character as to require some liberty on the part of the Translator.
在每一个实例中，我们都谨慎地给出作者的确切意思，使翻译尽可能直译，而不奴隶般地束缚于原文，我们发现原文的风格在许多情况下具有如此特殊的性质，以至于需要译者有一些自由度。
Yet with all the care that has been taken, a number of errors will no doubt make their appearance, in reference to which we ask the indulgence of the reader.
然而，尽管已经付出了所有的关注，无疑仍会出现一些错误，对此我们请求读者的宽容。
The work has been gotten out under many disadvantages, the translation having been made, whilst attending to our regular pastoral duties in the congregation which we have been called to serve in this city.
这项工作是在许多不利条件下完成的，翻译是在我们在本城被呼召服侍的会众中履行日常牧养职责的同时进行的。
The old English translation contains considerable matter which is not to be found in either of the Latin copies now in our possession.
旧英译本包含相当多的内容，这些内容在我们现在拥有的两个拉丁文副本中都找不到。
We have in several instances taken the liberty of inserting short extracts, changing the style, and construction of many of the sentences as to adapt it to the taste of the modern reader.
在几种情况下，我们冒昧地插入了简短的摘录，改变了许多句子的风格和结构，以适应现代读者的口味。
Whenever this is done it is marked by the word “addenda.”
每当这样做时，都用”附录”一词标记。
It is not deemed necessary to say any thing in reference to the merits of these lectures.
认为没有必要就这些讲座的优点说任何话。
All who have any acquaintance with the character of Ursinus, and of the important position which he occupied in the church in the sixteenth century the time of the glorious Reformation can have but one opinion respecting their merits.
所有对乌尔西努的品格以及他在十六世纪教会中所占据的重要地位——光荣的宗教改革时期——有所了解的人，对于它们的优点只能有一个看法。
We may add, however, that a number of important testimonies might readily be furnished ; but we prefer rather to let the Book speak for itself, having the assurance that none can peruse its pages with proper care, without being instructed and profited.
然而，我们可以补充说，可以很容易地提供许多重要的见证；但我们宁愿让这本书为自己说话，确信任何人只要以适当的关注细读其书页，都会受到教导和益处。
These lectures present a complete exposition of all the leading doctrines of the Christian religion in a most concise and simple form, adapted not only to those who are accustomed to read and think, but also to a very great extent to the common reader.
这些讲座以最简洁和简单的形式完整阐述了基督教的所有主要教义，不仅适合那些习惯于阅读和思考的人，而且在很大程度上也适合普通读者。
Nor is this done in an outward, mechanical manner, but it introduces us at once into the inmost sanctuary of religion, which all are made to feel is not mere form or notion, or doctrine, but life and power, springing from Christ, “the Way, the Truth and the Life.”
这也不是以外在的、机械的方式完成的，而是立即将我们引入宗教的最内在圣所，使所有人都感到这不仅仅是形式或观念或教义，而是生命和能力，从基督——”道路、真理和生命”——涌流出来。
To the German Reformed Church these lectures should possess much interest.
对德国改革宗教会来说，这些讲座应该具有很大的兴趣。
No work could well be published at this time, which should be in greater demand.
此时没有什么作品能比这更应该出版，更应该有更大的需求。
It may indeed, be said to meet a want which has been extensively felt in our church, not only by the ministry, but also by the laity.
确实可以说，它满足了我们教会广泛感受到的需要，不仅是牧职人员，也包括平信徒。
Many persons have often asked for some work which would give a complete and faithful exposition of the doctrines contained in our excellent summary of faith the Heidelberg Catechism.
许多人经常要求某些著作能够对我们优秀的信仰摘要——海德堡要理问答——所包含的教义给予完整而忠实的阐述。
Such a work has been greatly needed for years past, and cannot fail to accomplish a number of important and desirable ends.
这样的作品多年来一直非常需要，并且必定能实现许多重要和理想的目标。
And as Ursinus was the chief compiler of this symbol, he must always be regarded as the most authoritative expounder of the doctrines which it contains.
由于乌尔西努是这一信条的主要编撰者，他必须始终被视为其所包含教义的最权威阐释者。
Great exertions should, therefore, be made to have his Commentary placed in every family belonging to our Reformed Zion.
因此，应该作出巨大努力，使他的注释进入属于我们改革宗锡安的每个家庭。
But whilst these Lectures possess a peculiar interest to the German Reformed Church, it should not for a moment be supposed that they have merely a denominational interest, which may be said to be true of many works.
但是，虽然这些讲座对德国改革宗教会具有特殊的兴趣，却不应该片刻认为它们仅仅具有宗派兴趣，许多作品可能确实如此。
They are like the excellent symbol of which they pro fess to give a complete and faithful exposition, truly catholic and general.
它们就像它们宣称要给予完整而忠实阐述的那个优秀信条一样，真正是大公的和普遍的。
Nor could the book well be otherwise if true to itself.
如果这本书忠于自己，它也不能不是如此。
A faithful exposition of the Apostles creed, the Decalogue and Lord s Prayer, which enter so largely into the Heidelberg Catechism, cannot fail to be of general interest to all those who love and pray for the prosperity and coming of Christ s kingdom.
对使徒信经、十诫和主祷文的忠实阐述，这些在海德堡要理问答中占据如此大的比重，必定对所有热爱并为基督国度的兴盛和来临祷告的人具有普遍的兴趣。
May we know therefore, fondly anticipate a rapid and extensive circulation of the book in the different branches of the Christian Church.
因此，我们可以满怀期待地预期这本书在基督教会的不同分支中迅速而广泛地流传。
We do not of course intend to be understood as giving an unqualified approval of every view and sentiment contained in these lectures.
当然，我们并不打算被理解为对这些讲座中包含的每一观点和情感给予毫无保留的赞同。
It is sufficient to say that they are, as a whole, truly orthodox, and well adapted to promote the cause of truth and godliness.
只需说它们作为一个整体，确实是正统的，并且很好地适应于促进真理和敬虔的事业。
They are characterized throughout by earnestness and independence of thought.
它们始终以认真和思想的独立性为特征。
The writer every where speaks as one who feels the force and importance of the views which he presents.
作者在每一处都像一个感受到他所呈现观点的力量和重要性的人那样说话。
It should also be borne in mind that the value of a book does not consist in its agreement and harmony with the views and opinions generally received and entertained, which may be said to be true of many works which after all do not possess any great value, containing nothing more than a repetition of what has been often said in a more impressive manner.
还应该记住，一本书的价值不在于它与普遍接受和持有的观点和意见的一致和和谐，这可以说对许多作品都是真实的，这些作品毕竟并不具有任何巨大价值，只不过是以更令人印象深刻的方式重复已经常说的话。
Such, however, is not the chief recommendation of the book which we here present to the Christian public : for whilst it may be said to be in harmony with the doctrines which have been held by the church from the very beginning, it is at the same time earnest, deep, and independent, and well calculated at every point to awaken thought and enquiry.
然而，这并不是我们在此向基督教公众呈现的这本书的主要推荐理由：因为虽然可以说它与教会从一开始就持有的教义和谐一致，但它同时是认真的、深刻的和独立的，并且在每一点上都很好地能够唤醒思考和探究。
Conscious of having labored hard and diligently to give a good and faithful translation of these lectures, we now commit them to the public, not without much diffidence, with all the imperfections attending the present translation, with the hope and prayer that they may accomplish the objects we have had in view, and that the reputation of the lectures themselves may be made to suffer no injury from the form in which they now appear.
意识到已经辛勤而勤奋地工作以提供这些讲座的良好而忠实的翻译，我们现在将它们交给公众，不无许多疑虑，带着本译本所有的不完美，带着希望和祷告，愿它们能实现我们所预想的目标，并且愿讲座本身的声誉不会因它们现在呈现的形式而遭受任何损害。
GEO. W. WILLIARD.
乔治·威·威拉德