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Lightly modernized and reformatted
轻度现代化并重新排版

“The Golden Scepter Held Forth to the Humble” by John Preston is a spiritually enriching treatise that explores the relationship between God and His people, emphasizing the significance of humility, repentance, and obedience in the life of a believer.
约翰·普雷斯顿（John Preston）所著的《向谦卑人所伸出的金杖》（The Golden Scepter Held Forth to the Humble）是一部极具属灵滋养的论著，探讨了上帝与祂子民之间的关系，强调谦卑、悔改与顺服在信徒生命中的重要性。

Through twelve comprehensive doctrines and their associated reasoning and applications, Preston explores the divine purpose behind God’s afflictions, the necessity of humility, and the vital role of turning away from sin.
借着十二条全面的教义及其相应的论证与应用，普雷斯顿探讨了上帝所施加苦难背后的神圣护理目的、谦卑的必要性，以及离弃罪恶所具有的关键作用。

The text begins by explaining the notion that God’s afflictions upon His people stem from His love, serving not only as a means of correction but also as a demonstration of His sanctity.
本文起首阐明这样一个观念：上帝加在祂子民身上的苦难源于祂的爱，这些苦难不仅是管教的方式，也是祂圣洁的彰显。

It underscores the importance of fearing the Lord, refraining from provoking Him through a lack of reverence, and recognising the severity of God’s dealings with the unrighteous.
文中强调敬畏主的重要性，告诫人不可因缺乏敬虔而惹动祂，并指出上帝对不义之人的对付是何等严厉。

Furthermore, “The Golden Scepter” highlights God’s compassion for His people amidst their afflictions, showcasing His reluctance to cause suffering and His commitment to sustaining and ultimately delivering them.
此外，《向谦卑人所伸出的金杖》强调上帝在祂子民受苦之中所显明的怜悯，表明祂并非乐意使人受苦，并且祂坚定地扶持他们，最终拯救他们。

The treatise stresses the power of afflictions in leading individuals towards repentance and encouraging them to choose the Lord as their God.
该论著强调苦难在引导人走向悔改、并激励他们拣选主作为自己上帝方面所具有的能力。

Central to the text is the concept that those who are humble before the Lord receive His mercy and experience His guidance in life.
本文的核心思想是：凡在主面前谦卑的人，必领受祂的怜悯，并在生命中经历祂的引导。

Humility, the text argues, ensures obedience, usefulness to others, and a steadfast commitment to God’s path.
文本论证说，谦卑能保证顺服，使人对他人有益，并使人坚定不移地委身于上帝的道路。

It urges readers to take solace in the Lord’s compassion and to strengthen their faith through humility, particularly during times of affliction.
它劝勉读者在主的怜悯中得安慰，并借着谦卑来坚固信心，尤其是在遭遇苦难的时候。

Preston also highlights the significance of seeking God’s face in all aspects of life and not merely relying on religious performances.
普雷斯顿也强调在生命的各个层面寻求上帝的面是何等重要，而不是仅仅倚靠宗教性的行为表现。

The treatise warns against complacency and encourages believers to maintain their devotion even amidst prosperity, reinforcing the idea that genuine turning away from sinful ways is a prerequisite for accessing God’s promises and mercy.
该论著警告人不可自满，并劝勉信徒即使在亨通之中也要持守敬虔，进一步强调真正离弃罪恶之路是进入上帝应许与怜悯的先决条件。

A central theme throughout the treatise is the correlation between sin and calamity.
贯穿整部论著的一个中心主题，是罪与灾祸之间的关联。

It asserts that calamities often arise from sin and that the removal of sin is essential for the cessation of such afflictions.
它断言灾祸常常源于罪，而要止息这些苦难，除去罪是不可或缺的。

Furthermore, it contends that if sin remains unaddressed alongside the removal of a particular cross, it is not removed in mercy, as sin is considered graver than any cross.
此外，它主张，若某一十字架（cross，指苦难）被挪去，而罪却仍未被对付，这样的挪去并非出于怜悯，因为罪被视为比任何十字架都更为严重。

The text emphasises the importance of using the outcome of afflictions as a gauge for assessing one’s relationship with God and His love.
本文强调，应当以苦难的结果作为衡量自己与上帝关系以及祂之爱的尺度。

“The Golden Scepter Held Forth to the Humble” provides a journey through a series of doctrines, reasoning, and applications that consider the role of humility, repentance, and obedience in the life of a believer.
《向谦卑人所伸出的金杖》带领读者经历一系列教义、论证与应用，思考谦卑、悔改与顺服在信徒生命中的角色。

It offers insight into the divine purpose behind afflictions, the necessity of turning from sinful ways, and the correlation between sin and calamity, ultimately highlighting the boundless mercy and love of God for the humble.
它揭示了苦难背后的神圣护理目的、离弃罪恶道路的必要性，以及罪与灾祸之间的关联，最终彰显出上帝向谦卑人所显的无限怜悯与慈爱。

Table of Contents
目录

TO THE TRULY VIRTUOUS AND RELIGIOUS Gentleman, RICHARD KNIGHTLEY
致真正有德行且敬虔的绅士——理查德·奈特利（RICHARD KNIGHTLEY）

The Golden Scepter
金杖

Doct. 2. God pities his people in affliction.
教义二：上帝在苦难中怜悯祂的子民。

Doct. 3. The Lord’s name is called upon his people.
教义三：主的名被称在祂的子民身上。

Doct. 4. Without humiliation no mercy.
教义四：没有自卑，就没有怜悯。

Doct. 5. The Lord is merciful to the humble.
教义五：主向谦卑的人施怜悯。

Doct. 6. All performances nothing without seeking God’s face.
教义六：若不寻求上帝的面，一切行为都算不得什么。

Doct. 7. No interest in promises without turning from evil ways.
教义七：若不离弃邪恶的道路，就与应许无分。

Doct. 8. Turning from our evil ways is difficult.
教义八：离弃我们邪恶的道路是困难的。

Doct. 9. All sins forgiven to the humble that forsake sin.
教义九：凡谦卑并离弃罪恶的人，一切罪都得赦免。

Doct. 10. All calamities from sin.
教义十：一切灾祸都源于罪。

Doct. 11. If sin be not removed as well as the cross, it is never removed in mercy.
教义十一：若罪未与十字架一同被除去，这十字架就从未在怜悯中被挪去。

Doct. 12. Take away sin, and the cross will depart.
教义十二：除去罪，十字架就必离去。