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“Grace is favor shown to the undeserving; and the more we grow in grace the more we perceive our undeservingness, the more we feel our need of grace, the more sensible we are of our indebtedness to the God of all grace.” – A. W. Pink
“恩典是向不配之人显明的恩惠；我们越在恩典中成长，就越认识到我们的不配，越感觉到我们对恩典的需要，越意识到我们对赐诸般恩典之神的亏欠。”——阿瑟·平克

The name which is usually given to our subject by Christian writers is that of ‘Growth in Grace’ which is a scriptural expression, being found 2 Peter 3:18.
基督教作家通常给予我们主题的名称是“在恩典中成长”，这是一个合乎圣经的表达，见于彼得后书3章18节。
But it appears to us that, strictly speaking, growing in grace has reference to but a single aspect or branch of our theme: ‘that your love may abound yet more and more’ (Phil. 1:9) treats of another aspect, and ‘your faith groweth exceedingly’ (2 Thess. 1:3), with yet another.
但在我们看来，严格地说，在恩典中成长仅涉及我们主题的单一一个方面或分支：“并求你们的爱心……多而又多”（腓1:9）论述的是另一个方面，而“你们的信心格外增长”（帖后1:3），又是另一个方面。
It seems then that ‘spiritual growth’ is a more comprehensive and inclusive term and more accurately covers that most important and desirable attainment: ‘may grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ’ (Eph. 4:15).
因此，“属灵成长”似乎是一个更全面、更具包容性的术语，更准确地涵盖了那个最重要和最值得渴慕的成就：“凡事长进，连于元首基督”（弗4:15）。
Let it not be thought from this that we have selected our title in a captious spirit or because we are striving after originality.
请不要因此认为我们是怀着吹毛求疵的精神，或因为我们追求新颖而选择了这个标题。
Not so: we have no criticism to make against those who may prefer some other appellation.
并非如此：我们对那些可能偏爱其他名称的人没有任何批评。
We have chosen this simply because it seems more fitly and fully to describe the ground which we hope to cover.
我们之所以选择它，纯粹是因为它似乎更恰当、更全面地描述了我们希望涵盖的领域。
Our readers understand clearly what is connoted by ‘physical growth’ or ‘mental growth,’ nor should ‘spiritual growth’ be any the less intelligible.
我们的读者清楚地理解“身体成长”或“心智成长”的含义，同样地，“属灵成长”也应该不难理解。

This Subject Is a Deeply Important One
这个主题至关重要

First, that we should seek to understand aright the Spirit’s teaching on this subject.
首先，我们应当寻求正确理解圣灵关于此主题的教导。
There seems to be comparatively few who do so, and the consequence is that the Lord is robbed of much of the praise which is His due, while many of His people suffer much needless distress.
似乎很少有人这样做，其后果是主被夺去了许多祂应得的赞美，而祂的许多子民也遭受了许多不必要的痛苦。
Because so many Christians walk more by sense than by faith, measuring themselves by their feelings and moods rather than by the Word, their peace of mind is greatly destroyed and their joy of heart much decreased.
因为许多基督徒更多地凭感觉而非凭信心行事，用他们的感觉和情绪而不是用圣言来衡量自己，他们内心的平安被大大破坏，心中的喜乐也大为减少。
Not a few saints are seriously the losers through misapprehensions upon this subject.
不少圣徒因对这个主题的误解而遭受严重损失。
Scriptural knowledge is essential if we are better to understand ourselves and diagnose more accurately our spiritual case.
若要更好地了解我们自己，并更准确地诊断我们的属灵状况，合乎圣经的知识是必不可少的。
Many exercised souls form an erroneous opinion of themselves because of failure at this very point.
许多被操练的灵魂正是在这一点上失败，从而对自己形成了错误的看法。
Surely it is a matter of great practical moment that we should be able to judge aright of our spiritual progress or retrogression that we may not flatter ourselves on the one hand or unduly depreciate ourselves on the other.
能够正确判断我们的属灵进步或退步，以免我们一方面自高自大，另一方面又过分贬低自己，这无疑是一个具有重大实践意义的问题。

Some are tempted in one direction, some in the other—depending partly on their personal temperament and partly on the kind of teaching they have received.
有些人受到一个方向的试探，有些人则受到另一个方向的试探——这部分取决于他们的个人气质，部分取决于他们所受的教导类型。
Many are inclined to think more highly of themselves than they ought, and because they have obtained considerably increased intellectual knowledge of the truth imagine they have made a proportionate spiritual growth.
许多人倾向于把自己看得过高，因为他们在真理的知识上有了显著增长，就以为自己也取得了相应的属灵成长。
But others with weaker memories and who acquire a mental grasp of things more slowly, suppose this to signify a lack of spirituality.
但另一些记忆力较弱、对事物心智领悟较慢的人，则认为这表示他们缺乏属灵生命。
Unless our thoughts about spiritual growth be formed by the Word of God we are certain to err and jump to a wrong conclusion.
除非我们关于属灵成长的思想是由神的话语所塑造，否则我们必然会犯错并得出错误的结论。
As it is with our bodies, so it is with our souls.
我们的身体如何，我们的灵魂也如何。
Some suppose they are healthy while they are suffering from an insidious disease; whereas others imagine themselves to be ill when in fact they are hale and sound.
有些人自以为健康，实则患有潜伏的疾病；而另一些人则自以为有病，实际上却身强体壮。
Divine revelation and not human imagination ought to be our guide in determining whether or not we be ‘babes, young men, or fathers’—and our natural age has nothing to do with it.
在判断我们是“婴孩、青年还是父老”时，应当以神的启示而非人的想象为指南——这与我们的自然年龄毫无关系。

It is deeply important that our views should be rightly formed, not only that we may be able to ascertain our own spiritual stature, but also that of our fellow Christians.
我们的观点被正确地塑造是至关重要的，这不仅是为了我们能确定自己的属灵身量，也是为了能确定我们基督徒同伴的身量。
If I long to be made a help and blessing to them, then obviously I must be capable of deciding whether they are in a healthy or unhealthy condition.
如果我渴望成为他们的帮助和祝福，那么显然我必须能够判断他们是处于健康还是不健康的状态。
Or, if I desire spiritual counsel and assistance, then I will meet with disappointment unless I know to whom to go.
或者，如果我渴望属灵的忠告和帮助，那么除非我知道该向谁求助，否则我将遇到失望。
How can I regulate my course and suit my converse with the saints I contact if I am at a loss to gauge their religious caliber?
如果我无法衡量我所接触的圣徒们的宗教素质，我如何能调整我的行径并使我的交谈与他们相称呢？
God has not left us to our own erring judgment in this matter, but has supplied rules to guide us.
在这件事上，神没有把我们留给我们自己错误的判断，而是供给了我们引导的准则。
To mention but one other reason which indicates the importance of our subject: unless I can ascertain wherein I have been enabled to make spiritual progress and wherein I have failed, how can I know what to pray for; and unless I can perceive the same about my brethren how can I intelligently ask for the supply of what they most need?
再提一个表明我们主题重要性的理由：除非我能确定我在哪些方面得以取得属灵进步，在哪些方面失败了，我怎么知道该为什么祷告呢？除非我能对我弟兄们有同样的认知，我怎么能明智地为他们最需要的供应而祈求呢？

Our Subject Is a Very Mysterious One
我们的主题非常奥秘

Physical growth is beyond human comprehension.
身体的成长超乎人的理解。
We know something of what is essential to it, and the thing itself may be discovered, but the operation and process is hidden from us: ‘As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child, even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all’ (Eccl. 11:5).
我们知道一些对其至关重要的东西，成长本身也可以被发现，但其运作和过程却向我们隐藏：“风的路向你不知如何，骨头在怀胎妇人的胎中如何长成，你尚且不得知道，这样，行万事之神的作为，你更不得知道”（传11:5）。
How much more so must spiritual growth be incomprehensible.
属灵的成长更是何等地不可思议。
The beginning of our spiritual life is shrouded in mystery (John 3:8), and to a considerable extent this is true also of its development.
我们属灵生命的开端被奥秘所笼罩（约3:8），在很大程度上，其发展也是如此。
God’s workings in the soul are secret, indiscernible to the eye of carnal reason and imperceptible to our senses.
神在灵魂中的工作是隐秘的，属肉体理性的眼睛无法辨识，我们的感官也无法察觉。
‘The things of God knoweth no man’ save to whom the Spirit is pleased to reveal them (1 Cor. 2:11, 12).
“神的事情，没有人知道”，除非圣灵乐意向他启示（林前2:11, 12）。
If we know so little about ourselves and the operation of our faculties in connection with natural things, how much less competent are we to comprehend ourselves and our graces in connection with that which is supernatural.
如果我们对自己以及我们官能在自然事物上的运作知之甚少，那么我们在理解自己和我们与超自然事物相关的恩典方面，又该是何等地力不从心。

The ‘new creature’ is from above, whereof our natural reason has no acquaintance: it is a supernatural product and can only be known by supernatural revelation.
“新造的人”来自天上，我们的自然理性对此一无所知：它是一个超自然的产物，只能通过超自然的启示才能被认识。
In like manner, the spiritual life received at the new birth thrives as to its degrees, unperceived by our senses.
同样，在新生时所领受的属灵生命，其程度上的茁壮成长，是我们的感官所无法察觉的。
A child, by weighing and measuring himself, may discover that he has grown, yet he was not conscious of the process while growing.
一个孩子，通过称重和测量，可能会发现自己长高了，但他在成长的过程中并未意识到这个过程。
So it is with the new man: it is ‘renewed day by day’ (2 Cor. 4:16) yet in such a hidden way that the renewing itself is not felt, though its effects become apparent.
新造的人也是如此：他是“一天新似一天”（林后4:16），但却是以一种如此隐藏的方式，以至于更新本身是感觉不到的，尽管其果效变得明显。
Thus there is no good reason to be disheartened because we do not feel that any progress is being made or to conclude there is no advance because such feeling is absent.
因此，没有充分的理由因为我们感觉不到任何进步而灰心，或者因为缺乏这种感觉就断定没有进步。
‘There are some of the Lord’s people in whom the essence and reality of holiness dwell who do not perceive in themselves any spiritual growth.
“有些主的子民，圣洁的本质和实在住在他们里面，但他们自己却察觉不到任何属灵的成长。
It should therefore be remembered that there is a real growth in grace where it is not perceived.
因此，应当记住，即使没有被察觉，在恩典中也存在着真实的成长。
We should judge of it not by what we experience of it in ourselves, but by the Word.
我们不应凭着我们自身的经历来判断它，而应凭着圣言。
It is a subject for faith to be exercised on’ (S. F. Pierce).
这是一个需要运用信心来操练的主题”（S. F. Pierce）。
If we desire the pure ‘milk of the Word’ and feed thereon, then we must not doubt that we duly ‘grow thereby’ (1 Peter 2:3).
如果我们渴慕纯净的“道奶”并靠它得喂养，那么我们就不能怀疑我们正适时地“因此渐长”（彼前2:3）。

To quote again from Pierce: ‘Spiritual growth is a mystery and is more evident in some than in others.
再次引用皮尔斯（Pierce）的话：“属灵成长是一个奥秘，在一些人身上比在另一些人身上更明显。
The more the Holy Spirit shines upon the mind and puts forth His lifegiving influences in the heart, so much the more sin is seen, felt and loathed as the greatest of all evils.
圣灵越是光照人的心思，越是在人心中发挥祂赐生命的影响，人就越能看见、感觉到并厌恶罪，视之为万恶之首。
And this is an evidence of spiritual growth, namely, to hate sin as sin and to abhor it on account of its contrariety to the nature of God.
而这就是属灵成长的证据，即，恨恶罪之为罪，并因其与神的本性相悖而憎恶它。
The quick perception and insight which we have of inherent sin, and our feeling of it, so as to look on ourselves as most vile, to renounce ourselves and all that we can do for ourselves, and to look wholly and immediately to Christ for relief and strength are growth in grace, and a most certain evidence of it.’
我们对内在罪性的敏锐感知和洞察，以及我们对它的感受，以至于看自己为最卑劣的，弃绝我们自己和我们能为自己所做的一切，并完全、立即地仰望基督以寻求安慰和力量，这就是在恩典中成长，而且是其最确凿的证据。”
How little is the natural man capable of understanding that!
属血气的人对此是何等地不能理解啊！
Having no experience of the same it sounds to him like a doleful delusion.
由于没有同样的经历，这在他听来就像一个悲哀的错觉。
And how the believer needs to beg God to teach him the truth about this!
而信徒是何等需要祈求神教导他关于此事的真理！
As we know nothing whatever about the new birth save what God has revealed in His Word, so we can form no correct comprehension about spiritual growth except from the same source.
正如我们对新生一无所知，除非神在祂的话语中启示了，同样地，除了从同一源头，我们无法对属灵成长形成任何正确的理解。

Our Subject Is Also a Difficult One
我们的主题也很困难

This is due in part to Satan’s having confused the issue by inventing such plausible imitations that multitudes are deceived thereby, and knowing this the conscientious soul is troubled.
这部分是由于撒旦通过发明如此貌似真实的模仿品来混淆问题，以致许多人因此受骗，而知道这一点的认真灵魂则感到困扰。
Under certain influences and from various motives people are induced suddenly and radically to reform their lives; and their absence from the grosser forms of sin accompanied by a zealous performance of the common duties of religion is often mistaken for genuine conversion and progress in the Christian life.
在某些影响和各种动机下，人们被引诱突然而彻底地改变他们的生活；他们远离了更粗鄙的罪恶形式，并热心地履行宗教的普通责任，这常常被误认为是真正的归信和在基督徒生命中的进步。
These are the ‘tares’ which so closely resemble the ‘wheat’ that they are often indistinguishable until the harvest.
这些就是“稗子”，它们与“麦子”如此相似，以至于在收割之前常常难以区分。
Moreover, there is a work of the law, quite distinct from the saving effects wrought by the gospel, which in its fruits both external and internal cannot be distinguished from a work of grace except by the light of Scripture and the teaching of the Spirit.
此外，还有一种律法的工作，与福音所产生的拯救果效截然不同，它在外在和内在的果实上，除非借着圣经的光和圣灵的教导，否则无法与恩典的工作区分开来。
The terrors of the law have come in power to the conscience of many a one, producing poignant convictions of sin and horrors of the wrath to come, issuing in much activity in the works of righteousness, but resulting in no faith in Christ, and no love for Him.
律法的恐惧曾大有能力地临到许多人的良心，产生了对罪的深刻定罪和对将来忿怒的恐惧，从而引发了许多义行的活动，但却没有产生对基督的信心和对祂的爱。

Again: spiritual progress is difficult to discern because growth in grace is often not nearly so apparent as first conversion.
再者：属灵的进步之所以难以辨别，是因为在恩典中的成长往往远不如初次归信时那么明显。
In many cases conversion is a radical experience of which we are personally conscious at the time and of which a vivid memory remains with us.
在许多情况下，归信是一种根本性的经历，我们在当时亲身意识到，并对此留有鲜明的记忆。
It is marked by revolutionary change in our life.
它的标志是我们生命中的革命性变化。
It was when we were relieved of the intolerable burden of guilt and the peace of God which passeth all understanding possessed our souls.
那时我们卸下了无法忍受的罪疚重担，神那出人意外的平安占据了我们的灵魂。
It was being brought out of the awful and total spiritual darkness of nature into God’s marvellous light, whereas spiritual growth is but the enjoying further degrees of that light.
它是从本性那可怕而完全的属灵黑暗中被带入神奇妙的光明里，而属灵成长不过是享受那光明的更深层次。
It was that tremendous change from having no grace at all to the beginnings of grace within us, whereas that which follows is the receiving of additions of grace.
那是一次巨大的改变，从完全没有恩典到我们里面有了恩典的开端，而随之而来的是领受恩典的加增。
It was a spiritual resurrection, a being brought from death unto life, but the subsequent experience is only renewings of the life then received.
那是一次属灵的复活，是从死入生，但其后的经历只是那时所领受生命的更新。
For Joseph suddenly to be translated out of prison to sit upon the throne of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, would affect him far more powerfully than to have any new kingdoms added to him later, such as Alexander had.
对约瑟来说，突然从监狱被提升到埃及的宝座上，仅次于法老，这对他的影响远比后来像亚历山大那样有任何新的王国加给他要大得多。
At first everything in the spiritual life is new to the Christian; later he learns more perfectly what was then discovered to him, yet the effect made is not so perceptible and entrancing.
起初，属灵生命中的一切对基督徒来说都是新的；后来，他更完美地学习那时向他显明的东西，然而所产生的影响却不那么明显和迷人。

Further: the spiritual life or nature communicated at regeneration is not the only thing in the Christian: the principle of sin still remains in the soul after the principle of grace as been imparted.
此外：在重生时所传递的属灵生命或本性并非基督徒里面唯一的东西：在恩典的原则被赋予之后，罪的原则仍然存留在灵魂中。
Those two principles are at direct variance with each other, engaged in a ceaseless warfare as long as the saint is left in this world.
这两个原则彼此直接对立，只要圣徒还留在这个世界上，它们就进行着一场无休止的争战。
‘For the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would’ (Gal. 5:17).
“因为情欲和圣灵相争，圣灵和情欲相争，这两个是彼此相敌，使你们不能作所愿意作的”（加5:17）。
That fearful conflict is apt to confuse the issue in the mind of its subject; yea, it is certain to lead the believer to draw a false inference from it unless he clearly apprehends the teaching of Scripture thereon.
那可怕的冲突很容易在其主体的心中混淆问题；是的，除非信徒清楚地领会圣经对此的教导，否则这必然会引导他从中得出错误的推论。
The discovery of so much opposition within, the thwarting of his aspirations and endeavors, his felt inability to wage the warfare successfully, makes him seriously to doubt whether holiness has been imparted to his heart.
内在如此多对立的发现，他抱负和努力的受挫，他感觉无法成功地进行争战，使他严重怀疑圣洁是否已赋予他的心。
The ragings of indwelling sin, the discovery of unsuspected corruptions, the consciousness of unbelief, the defeats experienced, all appear to give the lie direct to any spiritual progress.
内住罪的肆虐，未曾料想的败坏的发现，不信的意识，所经历的失败，这一切似乎都直接否定了任何属灵的进步。
That presents an acute problem to a conscientious soul.
这对一个认真的灵魂来说，是一个尖锐的问题。

Our Subject Is Both a Complex and Comprehensive One
我们的主题既复杂又全面

By this we mean that this is a tree with many branches, which bears a different manner of fruits according to the season.
我们的意思是，这是一棵有许多枝条的树，根据季节结出不同种类的果实。
It is a subject into which various elements enter, one that needs to be viewed from many angles.
这是一个有多种元素进入的主题，需要从多个角度来审视。
Spiritual growth is both upward and downward, and it is both inward and outward.
属灵成长既是向上的，也是向下的；既是内在的，也是外在的。
An increased knowledge of God leads to an increased knowledge of self, and as one results in higher adoration of its Object, the other brings deeper humiliation in its subject.
对神知识的增长导致对自我认识的增长，前者导致对其对象更高的崇拜，后者则在其主体中带来更深的降卑。
These issue in more and more inward denials of self and abounding more and more outwardly in good works.
这些导致了越来越多内在的自我否定和越来越多外在的好行为。
Yet this spiritual growth needs to be most carefully stated lest we repudiate the completeness of regeneration.
然而，这种属灵成长需要非常谨慎地陈述，以免我们否定了重生的完全性。
In the strictest sense, spiritual growth consists of the Spirit’s drawing out what He wrought in the soul when He quickened it.
从最严格的意义上说，属灵成长在于圣灵引出祂使灵魂苏醒时在其内所作的工。
When a babe is born into this world it is complete in parts though not in development: no new members can be added to its body nor any additional faculties to its mind.
当一个婴孩降生到这个世界上时，他在各部分上是完整的，虽然在发育上不是：他的身体不能增加新的肢体，他的心智也不能增加额外的官能。

There is a growth of the natural child, a development of its members an expansion of its faculties with a fuller expression and clearer manifestation of the latter, but nothing more.
自然的孩子有成长，其肢体的发育，其官能的扩展，后者有更充分的表达和更清晰的彰显，但仅此而已。
The analogy holds good with a babe in Christ.
这个类比对基督里的婴孩同样适用。
‘Though there are innumerable circumstantial differences in the cases and experience of the called people of God, and though there is a growth suited to them, considered as ‘babes, young men and fathers,’ yet there is but one common life in the various stages and degrees of the same life carried on to its perfection by the Holy Spirit until it issues in glory eternal.
“尽管在神所呼召的子民的案例和经历中有无数环境上的差异，尽管有一种适合他们的成长，被看作是‘婴孩、青年和父老’，但在同一生命的不同阶段和程度上只有一个共同的生命，由圣灵引导至其完美，直到它最终进入永恒的荣耀。
The work of God the Spirit in regeneration is eternally complete.
圣灵神在重生中的工作是永恒完整的。
It admits of no increase nor decrease.
它不容增减。
It is one and the same in all believers.
它在所有信徒中都是同一的。
There will not be the least addition to it in Heaven: not one grace, holy affection, desire or disposition then, which is not in it now.
在天堂里，它不会有丝毫的增加：那时不会有任何一种恩典、圣洁的情感、愿望或性情，是现在所没有的。
The whole of the Spirit’s work therefore from the moment of regeneration to our glorification is to draw out those graces into act and exercise which He hath wrought within us.
因此，圣灵从重生到我们得荣耀的全部工作，就是将祂在我们里面作成的那些恩典引出来，成为行动和操练。
And though one believer may abound in the fruits of righteousness more than another, yet there is not one of them more regenerated than another.’
而且，尽管一个信徒在义的果子上可能比另一个更丰盛，但他们中没有一个比另一个更重生。”
(S. E. Pierce)
（S. E. Pierce）

The complexity of our subject is due in part to both the Divine and the human elements entering into it, and who is competent to explain or set forth their meeting-point!
我们主题的复杂性部分是由于神性和人性的因素都进入其中，而谁又能有能力解释或阐明它们的交汇点呢！
Yet the analogy supplied from the physical realm again affords us some help.
然而，从物质领域提供的类比再次给了我们一些帮助。
Absolutely considered, all growth is due to the Divine operations, yet relatively there are certain conditions which we must meet or there will be no growth—to name no other, the partaking of suitable food is an essential prerequisite; nevertheless that will not nourish unless God be pleased to bless the same.
绝对地看，所有的成长都归因于神的作为，但相对地，我们必须满足某些条件，否则就不会有成长——仅举一例，摄取合适的食物是一个必不可少的前提；然而，除非神乐意祝福它，否则它也不会滋养。
To insist that there are certain conditions which we must meet, certain means which we must use in our spiritual progress is not to divide the honors with God, but is simply pointing out the order He has established and the connection He has appointed between one thing and another.
坚持我们必须满足某些条件，必须在我们的属灵进步中使用某些方法，并不是要与神分享荣耀，而只是指出祂所建立的秩序和祂在事物之间所设定的联系。
In like manner there are certain hindrances which we must avoid or growth will inevitably be arrested and spiritual progress retarded.
同样，我们必须避免某些障碍，否则成长将不可避免地被阻止，属灵的进步将被延缓。
Nor does that imply that we are thwarting God, but only disregarding His warnings and paying the penalty of breaking those laws which He has instituted.
这并不意味着我们在阻挠神，而只是无视祂的警告，并为违反祂所制定的法则而付出代价。

The Difficulty of Expounding Our Subject
阐述我们主题的困难

The very complexity of our subject increases the difficulty before the one attempting to expound it, for as is the case with so many other problems presented to our limited intelligence, it involves the matter of seeking to preserve a due balance between the Divine and the human elements.
我们主题的复杂性本身就增加了试图阐述它的人所面临的困难，因为就像许多其他呈现给我们有限智力的问题一样，它涉及到寻求在神性与人性因素之间保持适当平衡的问题。
The operations of Divine grace and the discharge of our responsibility must each be insisted upon, and the concurring of the latter with the former, as well as the superabounding of the former over the latter must be proportionately set forth.
神圣恩典的运作和我们责任的履行都必须被强调，后者的与前者的协同，以及前者超越后者的丰盛，都必须按比例地阐明。
In like manner our contemplation of spiritual growth upward must not be allowed to crowd out that of our growth downward, nor must our deeper loathing of self be suffered to hinder an increasing living upon Christ.
同样，我们对向上属灵成长的默想，不应挤占我们对向下成长的默想，我们对自我更深的厌恶，也不应妨碍我们日益倚靠基督而活。
The more sensible we are of our emptiness the more we must draw upon His fulness.
我们越是意识到自己的空虚，就越必须支取祂的丰盛。
Nor is our task rendered easier when we remember what we write will fall into the hands of very different types of readers who sit under varied kinds of ministry—the one needing emphasis upon a different note from another.
当我们想到我们所写的东西将会落入不同类型的读者手中，他们坐在各种不同的事工之下——其中一个需要强调的音符与另一个不同时，我们的任务也不会变得更容易。

That there is such a thing as spiritual growth is abundantly clear from the Scriptures.
圣经中非常清楚地表明，属灵成长是真实存在的。
In addition to the passages alluded to in the opening paragraph we may quote the following.
除了开篇段落中提到的经文外，我们还可以引用以下经文。
‘They go from strength to strength’ (Ps. 84:7).
“他们力上加力”（诗84:7）。
‘The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day’ (Prov. 4:18).
“但义人的路，好像黎明的光，越照越明，直到日午”（箴4:18）。
‘Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord’ (Hos. 6:3).
“我们务要认识耶和华，竭力追求认识祂”（何6:3）。
‘But unto you that fear the Lord shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings, and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall’ (Mal. 4:2).
“但向你们敬畏我名的人，必有公义的日头出现，其光线有医治之能。你们必出来跳跃如圈里的肥犊”（玛4:2）。
‘And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace’ (John 1:16).
“从祂丰满的恩典里我们都领受了，而且恩上加恩”（约1:16）。
‘Every branch in me that beareth fruit he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit’ (John 15:2).
“凡在我里面结果子的，祂就修理干净，使枝子结果子更多”（约15:2）。
‘But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord’ (2 Cor. 3:18).
“我们众人既然敞着脸，得以看见主的荣光，好像从镜子里返照，就变成主的形状，荣上加荣，如同从主的灵变成的”（林后3:18）。
‘Increasing in the knowledge of God’ (Col. 1:10).
“渐渐的多知道神”（西1:10）。
‘As ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye abound more and more’ (1 Thess. 4:1).
“你们既然受了我们的教训，知道该怎样行，可以讨神的喜悦，就要照你们现在所行的，更加勉励”（帖前4:1）。
‘He giveth more grace (James 4:6).
“祂赐更多的恩典”（雅4:6）。

The above list might be extended considerably but sufficient references have been given to show that not only is such a thing as spiritual growth clearly revealed in the Scriptures, but that it is given a prominent place therein.
上面的列表可以大大扩展，但已给出足够的参考经文，表明属灵成长不仅在圣经中被清楚地启示，而且在其中占有突出的地位。
Let the reader duly observe the variety of expressions which are employed by the Spirit to set forth this progress or development—thereby preserving us from too circumscribed a conception by showing us the many-sidedness of the same.
愿读者适当地注意到圣灵用以阐述这种进步或发展的各种表达方式——从而通过向我们展示其多面性，使我们免于过于局限的观念。
Some of them relate to what is internal, others to what is external.
其中一些涉及内在，另一些涉及外在。
Some of them describe the Divine operations, others the necessary acts and exercises of the Christian.
其中一些描述神的作为，另一些描述基督徒必要的行动和操练。
Some of them make mention of increased light and knowledge, others of increased grace and strength, and yet others of increased conformity to Christ and fruitfulness.
其中一些提到光和知识的增加，另一些提到恩典和力量的增加，还有一些提到与基督更相称和更多结果子。
It is thus that the Holy Spirit has preserved the balance and it is by our carefully noting the same that we shall be kept from a narrow and one-sided idea of what spiritual growth consists.
圣灵就是这样保持了平衡，通过我们仔细注意这些，我们将得以避免对属灵成长的组成有一个狭隘和片面的看法。
If due attention be paid to this varied description we shall be kept from painful mistakes, and the better enabled to test or measure ourselves and discover what spiritual stature we have attained unto.
如果对这种多样的描述给予应有的注意，我们将能避免痛苦的错误，并能更好地试验或衡量我们自己，发现我们达到了何种属灵身量。

This Is an Intensely Practical Subject
这是一个非常实践性的主题

From what has been pointed out in the last few paragraphs it will be seen that this is an intensely practical subject.
从前面几段所指出的内容可以看出，这是一个非常实践性的主题。
It is no small matter that we should be able to arrive at the clear apprehension of what spiritual growth actually consists of, and thereby be delivered from mistaking it for mere fantasy.
我们能够清楚地理解属灵成长究竟包含什么，从而不至于将其误认为纯粹的幻想，这绝非小事。
If there be conditions which we have to comply with in order to the making of progress, it is most desirable that we should acquaint ourselves with the same and then translate such knowledge into prayer.
如果为了取得进步我们必须遵守某些条件，那么我们最应当做的就是熟悉这些条件，然后将这些知识转化为祷告。
If God has appointed certain means and aids, the sooner we learn what they are and make diligent use of them the better for us.
如果神已经指定了某些途径和帮助，我们越早知道它们是什么，并勤奋地使用它们，对我们就越好。
And if there be other things which act as deterrents and are inimical to our welfare, the more we are placed upon our guard the less likely we are to be hindered by them.
如果有其他事物作为威慑，并对我们的福祉有害，我们越是警惕，就越不容易被它们阻碍。
And if Christian growth has many sides to it this should govern our thinking and acting thereon, that we may strive after a fitly-proportioned and well-rounded Christian character, and grow up into Christ not merely in one or two respects but ‘in all things’ that our development may be uniform and symmetrical.
如果基督徒的成长是多方面的，这应当支配我们对此的思考和行动，使我们努力追求一个匀称、全面的基督徒品格，不仅在一两个方面，而是在“凡事上”长进到基督里，使我们的发展是均衡和对称的。

TABLE OF CONTENTS
目录

Introduction

引言

Its Root

其根基

Its Necessity

其必要性

Its Nature

其本质

Its Analogy

其类比

Its Seasonableness

其合时性

Its Stages

其阶段

Its Promotion

其促进

Its Means

其途径

Its Decline

其衰落

Its Recovery

其恢复

Its Evidences

其证据