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A PRACTICAL VIEW OF THE PREVAILING RELIGIOUS SYSTEM OF Professed Christians, IN THE HIGHER AND MIDDLE CLASSES IN THIS COUNTRY, CONTRASTED WITH REAL CHRISTIANITY.
关于本国中上阶层自称基督徒者普遍宗教体系的实际观点，及其与真正基督教的对比。
Modernized and annotated, by William H. Gross
威廉·H·格罗斯（William H. Gross）将其现代化并作注
It has been, for several years, the earnest wish of the writer of the following pages to address his countrymen on the important subject of Religion; but the various duties of his public station, and a constitution incapable of much labour, have obstructed the execution of his purpose.
多年来，以下篇章的作者一直热切希望就宗教这一重要主题向他的同胞们讲话；但他公职的各种职责，以及不胜繁重劳动的体质，阻碍了他目标的实现。
Long has he been looking forward to some vacant season, in which he might devote his whole time and attention to this interesting service, free from the interruption of all other concerns; and he has rather wished for this opportunity of undistracted and mature reflection, from a desire that what he might send into the world might thus be rendered less undeserving of the public eye.
长久以来，他一直盼望着有一段空闲的时间，使他能够将全部的时间和注意力投入到这项引人入胜的事奉中，免受所有其他事务的干扰；他更希望有这样一个专心致志、深思熟虑的机会，是出于一种愿望，希望他所公之于世的内容因此不至于那么不值得公众一读。
Meanwhile life is wearing away, and he daily becomes more and more convinced, that he might wait in vain for this season of complete vacancy.
与此同时，生命正在消逝，他日益确信，他可能徒然等待这样一段完全空闲的时间。
He must, therefore, improve such occasional intervals of leisure as may occur to him in the course of a busy life, and throw himself on the Reader’s indulgence for the pardon of such imperfections, as the opportunity of undiverted and more mature attention might have enabled him to discover and correct.
因此，他必须利用在他忙碌的生活中可能出现的偶尔闲暇，并恳请读者的宽容，原谅那些若有专心和更成熟的注意力本可发现并修正的瑕疵。
But the plea here suggested is by no means intended as an excuse for the opinions which he shall express, if they are found mistaken.
但此处提出的请求绝非意在为他将要表达的观点（若被发现有误）寻找借口。
Here, if he is in an error, it is however a deliberate error.
在此，如果他错了，那也是一个深思熟虑后的错误。
He would indeed account himself unpardonable, if he were to intrude his first thoughts upon the Public on a question of such importance; and he can truly declare, that what he shall offer will be the result of much reading, observation, and inquiry, and of long, serious, and repeated consideration.
如果他在如此重要的问题上将初次的想法强加给公众，他确实认为自己是不可原谅的；他可以真实地声明，他将提供的内容是大量阅读、观察和探究的结果，也是经过长期、严肃和反复思考的结晶。
It is not improbable that he may be accused of deviating from his proper line, and of impertinently interfering in the concerns of a Profession to which he does not belong.
他不无可能被指责偏离了自己的本行，并不恰当地干涉了他不属于的那个职业（指神职人员）的事务。
If it were necessary, however, to defend himself against this charge, he might shelter himself under the authority of many most respectable examples.
然而，如果有必要针对这一指控为自己辩护，他可以寻求许多最受尊敬的榜样作为权威庇护。
But surely to such an accusation it may be sufficient to reply, that it is the duty of every man to promote the happiness of his fellow-creatures to the utmost of his power; and that he who thinks he sees many around him, whom he esteems and loves, labouring under a fatal error, must have a cold heart, or a most confined notion of benevolence, if he could refrain from endeavouring to set them right, lest in so doing he should be accused of stepping out of his proper walk, and expose himself on that ground to the imputation of officiousness.
但对于这样的指控，或许这就足以回答：竭尽全力促进同胞的幸福是每个人的责任；而那些认为看到周围许多自己所敬重和爱戴的人深受致命错误之苦的人，如果仅仅因为担心被指责越俎代庖、多管闲事而忍住不努力去纠正他们，那么他必定有一颗冷酷的心，或者对仁爱的理解最为狭隘。
But he might also allege as a full justification, not only that Religion is the business of every one, but that its advancement or decline in any country is so intimately connected with the temporal interests of society, as to render it the peculiar concern of a political man; and that what he may presume to offer on the subject of Religion may perhaps be perused with less jealousy and more candour, from the very circumstance of its having been written by a Layman, which must at least exclude the idea (an idea sometimes illiberally suggested to take off the effect of the works of Ecclesiastics) that it is prompted by motives of self-interest, or of professional prejudice.
但他也可以提出一个充分的理由作为辩护，不仅是因为宗教是每个人的事务，而且它在任何国家的兴衰都与社会的世俗利益紧密相连，以至于使它成为政治人物特别关心的事；并且他在宗教主题上可能冒昧提出的见解，或许正因为是由一位平信徒所写，而被较少猜忌和更多坦诚地阅读，这至少必须排除一种想法（一种有时被偏狭地提出以削弱神职人员著作影响的想法），即它是出于私利动机或职业偏见。
But if the writer’s apology is not found in the work itself, and in his avowed motive for undertaking it, he would in vain endeavour to satisfy his readers by any excuses he might assign; therefore, without further preamble, he will proceed to the statement and execution of his purpose.
但是，如果作者的辩解不能在作品本身以及他所宣称的写作动机中找到，那么他试图通过任何借口来满足读者都是徒劳的；因此，不再多做开场白，他将着手陈述并执行他的目的。
The main object which he has in view is, not to convince the Sceptic, or to answer the arguments of persons who avowedly oppose the fundamental doctrines of our Religion; but to point out the scanty and erroneous system of the bulk of those who belong to the class of orthodox Christians, and to contrast their defective scheme with a representation of what the author apprehends to be real Christianity.
他心中的主要目标，不是要说服怀疑论者，或回答那些公然反对我们宗教基本教义之人的论点；而是要指出属于正统基督徒阶层的大多数人那种贫乏和错误的体系，并将他们有缺陷的方案与作者所理解的真正基督教的呈现进行对比。
Often has it filled him with deep concern, to observe in this description of persons, scarcely any distinct knowledge of the real nature and principles of the religion which they profess.
经常让他深感忧虑的是，在这类人中，几乎观察不到对他们所信奉宗教的真实本质和原则有任何清晰的认识。
The subject is of infinite importance; let it not be driven out of our minds by the bustle or dissipations of life.
这个主题极其重要；切勿让它被生活的忙碌或放荡驱逐出我们的脑海。
This present scene, and all its cares and all its gaieties, will soon be rolled away, and “we must stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
这眼前的场景，及其所有的忧虑和欢乐，很快就会卷去，而“我们必须站在基督的审判台前。”
This awful consideration will prompt the writer to express himself with greater freedom than he should otherwise be disposed to use.
这个令人敬畏的思考将促使作者以比他通常倾向于使用的更大的自由来表达自己。
This consideration he trusts, also, will justify his frankness, and will secure him a serious and patient perusal.
他也相信，这个思考将证明他的坦率是正当的，并将为他赢得严肃和耐心的阅读。
But it would be trespassing on the indulgence of the reader to detain him with introductory remarks.
但如果要用导言来拖延读者，那就是滥用了读者的宽容。
Let it only be further premised, that if what shall be stated should appear needlessly austere and rigid to any, the writer must lay in his claim not to be condemned without a fair inquiry whether or not his statements accord with the language of the sacred writings.
只需进一步预先说明，如果在任何人看来将要陈述的内容显得不必要地严厉和僵化，作者必须声明，在他没有经过公正的探究——即他的陈述是否符合神圣著作（圣经）的语言——之前，他不应被定罪。
To that test he refers with confidence; and it must be conceded by those who admit the authority of Scripture (such only he is addressing) that from the decision of the word of God there can be no appeal.
对于那个检验，他满怀信心地提及；并且那些承认圣经权威的人（他正是向这类人讲话）必须承认，对于神话语的裁决，是无可上诉的。
Table of Contents
目录
INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.
导论文章。
INTRODUCTION.
引言。
CHAPTER I.: INADEQUATE CONCEPTIONS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIANITY.
第一章：对基督教重要性的认识不足。
CHAPTER II.: CORRUPTION OF HUMAN NATURE.
第二章：人性的败坏。
Sect. I.
第一节。
Inadequate Concepons of the Corrupon of Human Nature.
对人性败坏的认识不足。
Secon II.
第二节。
Evil Spirit. — Natural State of Man.
邪灵。——人的自然状态。
Secon III.
第三节。
Corrupon of Human Nature. — Objecon.
人性的败坏。——反对意见。
CHAPTER III.: CHIEF DEFECTS OF THE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM
第三章：宗教体系的主要缺陷
Sect. I
第一节
Inadequate concepons concerning our Saviour and the Holy Spirit.
关于我们的救主和圣灵的认识不足。
Sect. II.
第二节。
On the Admission of the Passions into Religion.
论将激情引入宗教。
Secon III.
第三节。
Consideraon of the Reasonableness of Affecons towards an invisible Being.
关于对不可见之存在的情感之合理性的思考。
Sect. IV.
第四节。
Inadequate concepons entertained by nominal Chrisans of the terms of acceptance with God.
名义上的基督徒对被神接纳之条件的认识不足。
CHAPTER IV.: ON THE PREVAILING INADEQUATE CONCEPTIONS CONCERNING THE NATURE AND THE STRICTNESS OF PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY.
第四章：论关于实践性基督教的本质和严格性的普遍认识不足。
Sect. I.
第一节。
Sect. II.
第二节。
Sect. III.
第三节。
On the Desire of human Esmaon and Applause — the generally prevailing Opinions contrasted with those of the true Chrisan.
论对人的评价和掌声的渴望——普遍流行的观点与真正基督徒的观点之对比。
Secon IV.
第四节。
The generally prevailing Error, of substung amiable Tempers and useful Lives in the place of Religion, stated and confuted; with Hints to real Chrisans.
陈述并驳斥普遍流行的错误，即以可爱的性情和有益的生活来代替宗教；附给真正基督徒的提示。
Secon V.
第五节。
Some other grand defects in the praccal system of the Bulk of nominal Chrisans.
大多数名义上的基督徒在实践体系中的其他一些重大缺陷。
Sect. VI.
第六节。
Grand defect. — Neglect of the peculiar Doctrines of Chrisanity.
重大缺陷。——忽视基督教特有的教义。
CHAPTER V.: ON THE EXCELLENCE OF CHRISTIANITY IN CERTAIN IMPORTANT PARTICULARS. ARGUMENT WHICH RESULTS THENCE IN PROOF OF ITS DIVINE ORIGIN.
第五章：论基督教在某些重要细节上的卓越性。由此得出的证明其神圣起源的论据。
CHAPTER VI.: BRIEF INQUIRY INTO THE PRESENT STATE OF CHRISTIANITY IN THIS COUNTRY, WITH SOME OF THE CAUSES WHICH HAVE LED TO ITS CRITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES. ITS IMPORTANCE TO US AS A POLITICAL COMMUNITY, AND PRACTICAL HINTS FOR WHICH THE FOREGOING CONSIDERATIONS GIVE OCCASION.
第六章：简要探究本国基督教的现状，以及导致其危急处境的一些原因。它对作为政治共同体的我们的重要性，以及前述考量所引出的实践性提示。
CHAPTER VII.: PRACTICAL HINTS TO VARIOUS DESCRIPTIONS OF PERSONS.
第七章：给各类人士的实践性提示。
Secon I.
第一节。
Secon II.
第二节。
Advice to some who profess their full Assent to the fundamental Doctrines of the Gospel.
给那些声称完全赞同福音基本教义之人的建议。
Sect. III.
第三节。
Brief Observaons addressed to Scepcs and Unitarians.
致怀疑论者和一位论派者的简短观察。
Secon IV.
第四节。
Advice suggested by the state of the mes to true Chrisans.
鉴于时代状况给真正基督徒的建议。
INDEX.
索引。