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No man justly can be offended at this: that I begin to treat of the doctrine of faith without a text, though some be of mind that in catechising the minister is to proceed as in the ordinary course of preaching, only by handling a set portion of Scripture; and therefore that the handling of the Creed being no scripture, is not convenient. 没有人能公正地对此感到被冒犯：我开始论述信仰的教义而没有一段经文，尽管有些人认为在教理问答中牧师应当像在普通讲道过程中那样进行，只藉着处理一段固定的圣经；因此处理信经既然不是圣经，就是不适宜的。
Indeed I grant that other course to be commendable; yet I doubt not but in catechising the minister hath his liberty to follow, or not to follow a certain text of Scripture, as we do in the usual course of preaching. 确实我承认那另一种做法是值得称赞的；然而我毫不怀疑在教理问答中牧师有他的自由去遵循或不遵循某一段圣经经文，正如我们在通常的讲道过程中所做的。
My reason is taken from the practice of the primitive church; whose catechism (as the author of the epistle to the Hebrews sheweth) was contained in six principles or grounds of religion, which were not taken out of any set text in the Old Testament; but rather was a form of teaching gathered out of the most clear places thereof. 我的理由取自初代教会的实践；其教理问答（正如希伯来书的作者所显明的）包含在六个宗教原则或根基中，这些不是从旧约的任何固定经文中取出的；而是从其中最清楚的地方收集而成的教导形式。
Hence I reason thus: that which in this point was the use and manner of the primitive church, is lawful to be used of us now. 因此我这样推论：在这一点上初代教会的使用和方式，现在对我们来说是合法可用的。
But in the primitive church it was the manner to catechise without handling any set text of Scripture; and therefore the ministers of the gospel at this time may with like liberty do the same; so be it they confirm the doctrine which they teach with places of Scripture afterwards. 但在初代教会，教理问答的方式是不处理任何固定的圣经经文；因此福音的牧师在此时可以以同样的自由做同样的事；只要他们随后以圣经的地方确认他们所教导的教义。
Now to come to the Creed, let us begin with the name or title thereof. 现在来到信经，让我们从其名称或标题开始。
That which in English we call the Apostles’ Creed, in other tongues is called Symbolum, that is, a shot or a badge. 我们在英语中称为使徒信经的，在其他语言中被称为信条（Symbolum），就是，一份分摊或一个徽章。
It is called a shot because as in a feast or banquet every man payeth his part; which being all gathered, the whole (which is called the shot) amounteth. 它被称为分摊因为正如在宴席或筵席中每个人支付他的部分；当全部被收集起来时，整体（被称为分摊）就形成了。
And so out of the several writings of the apostles, ariseth this Creed, or brief confession of faith. 这样从使徒们各自的著作中，产生了这信经，或信仰的简要告白。
It is a badge, because as a soldier in the field by his badge and finery is known of what band he is, and to what captain he doth belong; even so by this belief a Christian man may be distinguished and known from all Jews, Turks, atheists, and all false professors; and for this cause it is called a badge. 它是一个徽章，因为正如在战场上的士兵藉着他的徽章和装饰被认出他属于什么队伍，属于哪位队长；照样藉着这信仰，一个基督徒可以从所有犹太人、土耳其人、无神论者和所有虚假宣称者中被区分和认出；为此缘故它被称为徽章。
Again, it is called the Creed of the Apostles, not because they were the penners of it, conferring to it besides the matter, the very style and frame of words, as we have them now set down. 再者，它被称为使徒信经，不是因为他们是它的撰写者，除了内容之外还赋予它话语的风格和框架，正如我们现在所记载的。
Reasons: 理由：
- There are in this Creed certain words and phrases which are not to be found in the writings of the apostles; and namely these: he descended into hell; the catholic church.
- 在这信经中有某些词语和短语在使徒的著作中找不到；特别是这些：祂降在阴间；大公教会。
The latter whereof, no doubt, first began to be in use when after the apostles’ days the church was dispersed into all quarters of the earth. 其中后者，毫无疑问，首先在使徒时代之后当教会分散到地球的各个角落时开始使用。
- If both matter and words had been from the apostles, why is not the Creed canonical Scripture, as well as any other writings?
- 如果内容和话语都来自使徒，为什么信经不是正典圣经，就像任何其他著作一样？
- The apostles had a summary collection of the points of Christian religion which they taught, and also delivered to others to teach by; consisting of two heads, faith and love; as may appear by Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, wishing him to keep the pattern of wholesome words; which he had heard of him, in faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:15).
- 使徒们有一个他们所教导的基督教要点的摘要集合，也传递给其他人去教导；由两个主题组成，信心和爱；正如保罗对提摩太的劝勉所显示的，希望他持守纯正话语的规模；这是他从他那里所听见的，在基督耶稣里的信心和爱心（提后3:15）。
Now the Creed consists not of two heads but of one, namely of faith only, and not of love also. 现在信经不是由两个主题组成而是一个，即唯独信心，而不也包括爱。
Wherefore I rather think that it is called the Apostles’ Creed because it doth summarily contain the chief and principal points of religion, handled and propounded in the doctrine of the apostles. 因此我宁可认为它被称为使徒信经是因为它确实概括地包含了在使徒教义中处理和提出的宗教的主要和首要要点。
And because the points of the Creed are conformable and agreeable to their doctrine and writings. 并且因为信经的要点与他们的教义和著作相符合和一致。
And thus much of the title. 关于标题就到此为止。
Now let us hear what the Creed is. 现在让我们听听信经是什么。
It is a sum of things to be believed concerning God and concerning the church, gathered forth of the Scriptures. 它是关于神和关于教会当被相信之事的总和，从圣经中收集而来。
Table of Contents 目录
Introduction 引言
I Believe in God 我信神
God, the Father, Almighty 神，全能的父
Creator of Heaven and Earth 天地的创造者
Of the Fall of Man, and the Covenant of Grace 论人的堕落和恩典之约
And Jesus Christ His Only Son, Our Lord 并耶稣基督祂的独生子，我们的主
Conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary 从圣灵感孕，由童贞女马利亚所生
Suffered under Pontius Pilate 在本丢彼拉多手下受难
Was crucified, dead and buried 被钉十字架，死了，埋葬了
He Descended into Hell 祂降在阴间
The Third Day He Rose Again from the Dead 第三天祂从死里复活
He Ascended into Heaven 祂升天
And Sitteth at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty 坐在全能父神的右边
From Thence He Shall Come to Judge the Quick and the Dead 将来必从那里降临，审判活人死人
I Believe in the Holy Ghost 我信圣灵
I Believe in an Holy Catholic Church 我信圣而公之教会
The Communion of Saints 圣徒相通
The Forgiveness of Sins 罪得赦免
The Resurrection of the Body 身体复活
And the Life Everlasting 并永生
AMEN 阿们