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《基督不可测度的丰富》托马斯·布鲁克斯TheUnsearchableRichesofChristThomasBrooks –

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given,
我这一个在所有圣徒中最小的,得到了这样的恩典,

that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ!
使我可以在外邦人中传讲基督那不可测度的丰富!

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“It pleased the father, that in him should all fullness dwell.” Col. 1:19.
“父喜欢叫一切的丰盛在他里面居住。”哥林多前书 1:19。

“In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2:3.
“所有智慧和知识的宝藏都藏在他里面。”哥林多前书 2:3。

To all true Israelites, in whom there is no guile—Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, be multiplied.
致所有真正的以色列人,在他们里面没有诡诈——愿从神我们的父,藉着我们主耶稣基督而来的恩典、怜悯和平安加倍临到你们。

Dear hearts,
亲爱的心灵们,

My design in appearing once more in print is not to please the captious critic, or the sullen cynic—but to heighten your “fellowship with the Father and the Son,” 1 John 1:3-4,
我再次以文字出现在这里的目的,不是为了取悦挑剔的批评者或阴郁的愤世嫉俗者——而是为了提升你们与“父和子”的团契,约翰一书 1:3-4,

and to further you in a closer walking with God, and to ripen you more and more for reigning with God when you shall be here no more.
并使你们更加亲近地与神同行,使你们日益成熟,当你们不再与世同在时,与神一同掌权。

“Beloved in our Lord,” there are two sad and great evils—oh that there were no more!—among the saints this day.
“在我们主里面所爱的,”今天圣徒中有两个悲哀且巨大的恶事——哦,愿没有更多!

The strong are very apt, yes, they make little of offending the weak;
强者非常容易,是的,他们对冒犯弱者毫不在意;

and the weak are as apt, and make as little of judging and condemning the strong, Romans 14:1-10.
而弱者同样容易,对审判和定罪强者也毫不在意,罗马书 14:1-10。

The serious and conscientious perusal of this treatise may, by the blessing of the Lord, contribute much to the preventing of those sad evils.
认真而谨慎地阅读这篇论文,可能在主的祝福下,对防止这些悲哀的恶事有很大帮助。

You who are weak may, in this treatise, as in a mirror, see your weakness, your mercies, your graces, your duties, your privileges, and your comforts.
你们这些软弱的人可以在这篇论文中,像在镜子里一样,看到自己的软弱,怜悯,恩典,责任,特权和安慰。

You who are weak in grace, may here find many questions answered and doubts resolved,
你们这些在恩典中软弱的人,可以在这里找到许多问题的解答和疑虑的解决,

that tend to the satisfying, quieting, settling, and establishing of your precious souls in peace, joy, and assurance.
这有助于满足、安慰、安定和建立你们宝贵的灵魂,使其在平安、喜乐和确定中扎根。

You who are weak in grace, may here find a staff to support you, a light to direct you, a sword to defend you, and a cordial to strengthen you, etc.
你们这些在恩典中软弱的人,可以在这里找到支持你们的杖,指引你们的光,保护你们的剑,以及加强你们的食物,等等。

And you who are strong in grace, may here see what is your way, what is your work, and what at last shall be your reward.
而你们这些在恩典中强大的人,可以在这里看到你们的道路是什么,你们的工作是什么,最后你们的奖赏又是什么。

Here you will find that which tends to the discovery of spirits, the sweetening of spirits, the uniting of spirits, the healing of spirits, and the making up of breaches, etc.
在这里你们将发现有助于灵魂的辨识、灵魂的甜美、灵魂的团结、灵魂的医治和弥补裂痕,等等。

Here you will find “meat for strong men,” and “milk for babes.”
在这里你会找到“强者的食物”和“幼儿的奶”。

Here you will find who is more motion than notion; more heart than head; more spirit than flesh; more inside than outside, etc.
在这里你会发现,谁是比观念更有行动的;比头脑更有心灵的;比肉体更有灵魂的;比外在更有内在的,等等。

Here you will find “the unsearchable riches of Christ”—which of all boxes of precious ointment is the most precious—opened;
在这里你会发现“基督那不可测度的丰富”——在所有珍贵香膏的盒子中,哪一个是最珍贵的——被打开;

and oh how sweet must he be, who is the sweetest of sweets!
哦,他是何等甜美,那个甜中之甜的人!

In Christ are riches of justification; in Christ are riches of sanctification, riches of consolation, and riches of glorification.
在基督里有称义的丰富;在基督里有成圣的丰富,安慰的丰富,以及荣耀的丰富。

And this following treatise may serve as a golden key, to open the door, that you may come where these treasures lie.
而这篇随后的论文可以作为一把金钥匙,打开这扇门,使你可以来到这些宝藏所在的地方。

Christ’s riches are like the eternal springs of the earth, which cannot dry up—but are and shall be diffused by his Spirit and gospel, until his whole house be filled with them.
基督的丰富就像地球上永恒的泉水,永远不会干涸——而且将通过他的灵和福音不断传播,直到他的整个家都被这些丰富充满。

The excellency and usefulness of the riches of Christ,
基督丰富的卓越性和有用性,

and answers to many weighty queries about his unsearchable riches, is more than hinted at in this tract.
以及对关于他不可测度的丰富的许多重要问题的回答,在这篇小册子中不仅仅是暗示。

In this tract much is spoken concerning the nature, properties, and excellencies of humility,
在这篇小册子中,很多内容都是关于谦卑的性质、特征和卓越性的,

which is both the beautifier and preserver of all other graces.
谦卑既是所有其他恩典的美化者,也是保护者。

Here you may see that those who are lowest in their own esteem, are highest in God’s esteem.
在这里你会看到,在自己眼中最低的人,在神眼中是最高的。

Here you may see that humble souls are not so low and contemptible in the eyes of the world,
在这里你会看到,谦卑的灵魂在世人眼中并不是如此低贱和可鄙,

as they are honorable in the eyes of God.
正如他们在神眼中是如此尊贵。

[Humility is that which keeps all graces together. Bernard.]
[谦卑是将所有恩典结合在一起的因素。伯纳德。]

And if ever there were an age since Christ was on earth, wherein it was needful to preach, press, and print this great doctrine of humility, of self-abasement, of soul-abasement,
如果在基督降世以来有哪个时代需要传讲、强调和印刷这个伟大的谦卑、自我贬低和灵魂贬低的教义,

this is the age wherein we live.
那么这就是我们现在所处的时代。

Oh the pride, the loftiness of the professors of this age!
哦,这个时代的信徒的骄傲和傲慢!

But because this point is largely spoken to in this tract, I shall satisfy myself with this touch.
但是因为在这篇小册子中对此点有详细的讨论,我将只简单提及这一点。

There are many other weighty things treated on,
还有许多其他重要的事情被讨论,

which for brevity’s sake I shall omit,
为了简洁起见,我将省略这些,

only give me permission to acquaint you with a few things about this ensuing tract,
只请允许我向你们介绍一些关于这篇后续小册子的事情,

and then I shall draw to a close.
然后我将结束我的讲话。

First, That it is the substance of twenty-two sermons, preached by me about three years ago,
第一,这些是我大约三年前在此地讲的二十二篇讲道的实质,

on the lecture nights at this place where now I preach.
在我现在传讲的这个地方的讲座夜晚。

Secondly, That there are in it several other things of no small concernment to your souls,
第二,其中还有几件与你们灵魂息息相关的重要事情,

that I did not then deliver—but have been given in since,
这些我当时没有传达的——但后来已经附加进来了,

from that fountain that fills all in all.
来自那源泉,填满万有的源泉。

Thirdly, That though I have been much pressed to print these sermons—
第三,虽然我受到很大的压力来印刷这些讲道——

yet I would never have yielded,
但我绝不会屈服,

had I not been thoroughly convinced and persuaded in my judgment and conscience,
如果我没有在判断和良心上得到了彻底的确信和说服,

that they may, by the blessing of the Lord upon them prove many ways useful and serviceable to all those honest Nathanaels
我相信这些讲道在主的祝福下,能够以多种方式对所有这些诚实的拿但业有益和有帮助,

into whose hands they may fall, else they had been buried in the dark, and never come to public light.
否则他们将被埋在黑暗中,永远不会公之于众。

[A sermon preached serves but one audience; a sermon printed may serve many audiences.]
[一篇讲道仅服务于一个听众;而一篇印刷的讲道可以服务于多个听众。]

I have only a few requests to make to you,
我只想对你们提出几点请求,

and then I shall take my leave of you.
然后我将告别你们。

And my first request is this, that you would meditate and dwell upon what you read;
我第一项请求是,请你们沉思和琢磨你们所读的内容;

otherwise your pains and mine will be lost.
否则你们的辛劳和我的辛劳都将白费。

It is a law among the Parsees in India, to use premeditation in what they are to do,
在印度的波斯人在他们要做的事情上有一个法则,

that if it be bad, to reject it; if good, to act upon it.
如果是坏的,就拒绝它;如果是好的,就付诸实践。

The application is easy.
这个道理很简单。

The more any man is in the contemplation of truth,
越是沉思真理的人,

the more deep and firm impression is made upon his heart by truth.
真理对他心灵的印象就越深刻、越稳固。

Christians must be like the clean beasts,
基督徒必须像那些洁净的动物,

which parted the hoof and chewed the cud;
它们不仅有分蹄,还反刍;

they must by heavenly meditation chew truths,
他们必须通过属天的沉思来咀嚼真理,

or else they will never taste the sweetness that is in divine truths.
否则,他们将永远无法品尝到属天真理中的甘甜。

Mary “pondered the sayings of the shepherds in her heart,” Luke 2:19.
玛利亚在心中“默想牧羊所说的话,”路加福音 2:19。

Not those who eat most—but those who digest most, are the most healthful.
不是那些吃得最多的人,而是那些消化得最好的人,才是最健康的。

Not those who get most—but those who keep most, are richest.
不是那些获得最多的人,而是那些保留最多的人,才是最富有的。

So not those who hear most, or read most—but those who meditate most,
因此,不是那些听得最多的人,或读得最多的人,而是那些沉思最多的人,

are most edified and enriched.
才能得到更多的造就和丰富。

My second request to you is this,
我对你们的第二个请求是,

that you will make conscience of living out those truths you read.
请你们要对活出你们所读的真理心存良知。

[Your actions, in passing, pass not away;
[你们的行为,既然发生,就不会消逝;

for every good work is a grain of seed for eternal life.]
因为每一个善行都是通向永生的一粒种子。]

To read much and practice nothing,
阅读很多而不付诸实践,

is to hunt much and catch nothing.
就像捕猎很多却什么也没捕到一样。

Suetonius reports of Julius Caesar,
苏埃托尼乌斯报道说尤利乌斯·凯撒,

“That seeing Alexander’s statue, he fetched a deep sigh,
“看到亚历山大的雕像后,他深深叹息,

because he at that age had done so little.”
因为他在那个年纪做得如此之少。”

Ah! what cause have most to sigh,
啊!大多数人为何应叹息,

that they have heard so much, and read so much,
因为他们听了太多,读了太多,

and yet done so little!
而却做得如此之少!

Surely it is more honorable to do great things,
诚然,做伟大的事情更令人尊敬,

than to speak or read great things!
而不是仅仅说或读伟大的事情!

It is the doer that will be most happy at last,
最终,真正的行动者才会最幸福,

John 13:17.
约翰福音 13:17。

“They are written in the book of life—
“他们在生命册上被记住——

who do what good they can,
那些竭尽所能行善的人,

though they cannot do as they would.” (Bernard.)
尽管他们不能如愿所愿。”(伯纳德。)

I have read of a good man coming from a public lecture,
我读到一个好人从一个公开讲座回来,

and being asked by one whether the sermon was finished,
被问到一篇讲道是否结束,

answered, with a sad sigh,
他叹息着回答,

“Ah! it is preached—but not finished.”
“啊!讲道是讲过了,但还没有完成。”

My third request is this,
我对你们的第三个请求是,

that you will pray over what you read.
请你们在阅读的同时祈祷。

Many read much, and pray little,
很多人读得很多,但祈祷得很少,

and therefore get little by all they read.
因此,他们从所读中获得的也很少。

Galen writes of a fish called Uranoscopos,
伽伦提到一种叫做“仰望天”的鱼,

that has but one eye, which looks continually up to heaven.
这种鱼只有一只眼睛,且始终仰望天空。

When a Christian has one eye upon his book,
当一个基督徒一只眼睛盯着书本,

the other should be looking up to heaven for a blessing upon what he reads.
另一只眼睛应仰望天,祈求对他所读内容的祝福。

When one heard what admirable victories Scanderbeg’s sword had wrought,
当一个人听说斯甘德贝格的剑取得了令人赞叹的胜利,

he would needs see it;
他一定要去看它;

and when he saw it, says he,
当他看到时,他说,

This is but an ordinary sword; alas! what can this do?
这不过是一把普通的剑;可惜!这能做什么?

Scanderbeg sent him word,
斯甘德贝格给他发了信息,

I have sent you my sword—but I have the arm that did all by it.
我把我的剑给你——但我有那能使用它的手臂。

Alas! what can Christ’s sword, Christ’s word, do without his arm?
可惜!基督的剑、基督的话,没有他的手臂能做什么?

Therefore look up to Christ’s arm in prayer,
因此仰望基督的手臂,以祈祷来求助,

that so his sword, his word, may do great things in your souls.
以便他的剑、他的道能在你们的灵魂中做成大事。

Luther professes “that he profited more by prayer in a short space than by study in a longer;”
路德宣称“在短时间的祈祷中,他比读书更得益于祈祷。”

as John, by weeping, got the sealed book open.
正如约翰因哭泣而打开了那封印的书。

My fourth request to you is this,
我对你们的第四个请求是,

That if, by the blessing of the Lord upon my weak endeavors,
如果借着主对我微弱努力的祝福,

any leaf or line should drop myrrh or mercy,
任何一页或一行若能给你们的心灵带来没药或怜悯,

marrow or fatness, upon your spirits,
旨在给你们的灵魂带来甘甜与饱满,

that you will give all the glory to the God of heaven,
请你们把所有的荣耀归给天上的神,

for to him alone it does belong.
因为这荣耀只属于他。

Through grace I know I am a poor worm;
通过恩典,我知道自己是一个可怜的虫子;

I am nothing, I have nothing but what I have received.
我一无是处,除了我所接受的,我没有任何东西。

The crown befits no head but Christ’s.
这顶冠冕只适合基督的头。

Let him who is our all in all have the honor and the glory of all,
愿那位我们的全部的赐予者拥有所有的荣耀和尊荣,

and I have my end.
而我也达到了我的目的。

[Ingratitude, say some, is a monster in nature,
[一些人说,不知感恩是自然界中的一个怪物,

a blunder in manners,
是举止上的失误,

and a paradox in grace—
也是恩典中的一个悖论——

damming up the course of donations, divine and human.]
阻碍神圣与人类的恩赐之流。]

Pliny tells of some in the remote parts of India,
普林尼讲述了在印度偏远地区的一些人,

who have no mouths, and yet live on the smell of herbs and sweet flowers;
他们没有嘴,却靠香草和甜花的气味生活;

but I hope better things of you,
但我对你们抱有更美好的期望,

even such as accompany salvation.
希望你们真正领受了救恩。

My fifth request to you is this,
我对你们的第五个请求是,

That you would let me lie near your hearts,
请你们让我在你们心中占有一席之地,

when you are in the mount especially.
尤其是在你们与神亲近的时候。

Oh pray, pray hard for me,
哦,请为我祈祷,竭尽全力地祈祷,

that the Spirit of the Lord may be redoubled upon me;
求主的灵加倍地临到我;

that his word may prosper in my mouth;
愿他的道在我口中兴旺;

that it may “run, and be glorified;”
愿它“奔跑,以致荣耀;”

and that I may be high in my communion with God,
愿我在与神的交往中得以提升,

and holy and unblamably in my walkings with God;
在与神的同行中保持圣洁和无可指摘;

and that it may be still day with my soul;
愿我灵魂中的光明仍然闪耀;

that I may live and die in the joys and comforts of the Holy Spirit;
愿我在圣灵的喜乐与安慰中活着与死去;

and that when my sun is set,
当我的太阳落下,

my hour-glass runs out,
我的沙漏流尽,

my work done,
我的工作完成,

my race run—
我的赛程结束——

I may rest in the everlasting arms of divine love, etc.
我愿在永恒的神爱怀中安息,等等。

My last and least request to you is this,
我对你们最后也是最不重要的请求是,

that you will please cast a mantle of love
请你们为那些印刷上的错误披上一层爱的外衣,

over the mistakes of the press,
包容这些印刷错误,

and do me that right,
并对我给予这份宽容,

and yourselves the courtesy,
也对你们自己表现出这份礼貌,

as, before you read, to correct any material faults
在阅读之前,纠正任何你们发现的主要错误

that you shall find pointed at in the errata.
在更正名单中指出的错误。

[In every pomegranate there is at least one rotten kernel to be found,
[在每一个石榴中至少可以找到一颗烂籽,

said Crates the philosopher.]
哲学家克拉特斯如此说道。]

God’s easy passing over the many and daily erratas of your lives,
神对你们生活中许多日常错误的宽容,

cannot but make you so ingenuous
必然使你们在面对这本书中的错误时心存善意,

as readily to pass over the erratas in this book.
乐于接受这本书中的错误。

You are choice jewels in my eye;
在我眼中,你们是精心挑选的珍珠;

you lie near unto my heart;
你们靠近我的心;

I am willing to spend and be spent for your sakes.
我愿意为你们的缘故奉献与付出。

My earnest and humble desire is,
我热切而谦卑的愿望是,

that my service and labor of love may be accepted by you,
我的服侍和爱的劳作能得到你们的接受,

Romans 15:31,
罗马书 15:31,

and that it may work much for your internal and eternal welfare;
并为你们的内心和永恒的福祉产生重大影响;

and that “an abundant entrance may be administered to you
并且“愿为你们开辟丰盛的道路

into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,”
进入我们主和救主耶稣基督的永恒国度,”

2 Pet. 1:11, and 1:8;
彼得后书 1:11, 和 1:8;

and that you may be filled “with joy unspeakable and full of glory,”
愿你们“充满不可言喻、满有荣耀的喜乐,”

and with that “peace which passes understanding.”
以及那“超越理解的平安。”

This is, and by grace shall be,
这就是,并且通过恩典将会是,

the prayer of him who desires to approve himself faithful to Christ,
那渴望向基督证明自己忠诚之人的祷告,

his truths, his interests, and his people,
他的真理、他的事务和他的子民,

and who is your souls’ servant in all gospel engagements.
他是你们在所有福音任务中的灵魂仆人。

Thomas Brooks.
托马斯·布鲁克斯。

TABLE OF CONTENTS
目录

Epistle Dedicatory
献词

The verse opened and explained
经文的解读与解释

THE FIRST DOCTRINE
第一条教义

Those who are lowest in their own esteem, are highest in God’s esteem.
在自己眼中最低的人,在神眼中却是最高的。

Eighteen properties of a humble soul
谦卑灵魂的十八个特性

Five reasons of the point
这一点的五个理由

Uses of it.
这一点的用途。

Eight motives to provoke believers to be humble.
八个激励信徒谦卑的动机。

Nine directions and helps to keep us humble and low in our own eyes.
九个方向和帮助,帮助我们在自己眼中保持谦卑。

The dangerous nature of pride held forth in nine propositions.
骄傲的危险性质以九个命题阐明。

Six ways wherein pride shows itself.
骄傲表现的六种方式。

THE SECOND DOCTRINE
第二条教义

All saints are not of an equal size and growth in grace and holiness.
所有圣徒在恩典和圣洁上并不等同。

Twelve things by which souls weak in grace are discovered and deciphered.
识别和解读软弱灵魂的十二个特征。

Twelve supports and comforts to uphold weak Christians.
支持和安慰软弱基督徒的十二个支柱。

Six duties which lie upon weak saints.
软弱圣徒应当承担的六项职责。

The duties of strong saints to the weak shown in eleven particulars.
强大圣徒对软弱者的责任以十一项具体内容表示。

THE THIRD DOCTRINE
第三条教义

That the Lord gives the best gifts to his best beloved ones.
主将最好的恩赐赐给他所爱的最好的人。

What those best gifts are, which Christ bestows upon his dearest ones, shown in ten particulars.
基督赐予他最亲爱的人的最佳恩赐是什么,以十项具体内容阐明。

The difference between Christ’s giving and the world’s giving, shown in six things.
基督的给予与世俗给予的区别,以六个方面阐明。

The excellency of those gifts which Christ gives, above all other gifts that the world gives, shown in five things.
基督所赐的恩赐在优越性上超过世上所有其他恩赐,以五个方面阐明。

Six reasons why God gives the best gifts to his dearest ones.
六个原因说明神为何将最好的恩赐赐给他最亲爱的人。

Eight sweet inferences or uses made of this point.
对此点所作的八个甜美推论或用途。

A word to unsaved sinners.
献给未得救罪人的一句话。

THE FOURTH DOCTRINE
第四条教义

That the gifts and graces which God bestows upon his people should be improved, employed, and exercised by his people.
神赐予其子民的恩赐与恩典应被他的子民改进、使用和施展。

This point proved and opened.
这一点被证明并阐明。

Twelve reasons why gracious souls should exercise and improve their gifts and graces.
十二个理由,说明蒙恩的灵魂为何应当施展和提升他们的恩赐与恩典。

Three special ends that the gifts and graces which God has bestowed upon believers should be exercised and improved to.
神赐予信徒的恩赐与恩典应当施展与提升的三个特殊目的。

Seven considerations or motives to stir saints up to improve their gifts and graces.
七个动机或理由,激励圣徒提升他们的恩赐和恩典。

Question: When may a soul be said to be excellent in grace, or to have highly improved grace?
问题:何时可说一个灵魂在恩典上有卓越表现,或高度提升了恩典?

This question receives ten answers.
对此问题给出十个答案。

THE FIFTH DOCTRINE
第五条教义

That the Lord Jesus Christ is very rich.
主耶稣基督是非常富有的。

This point is opened and proved by eight arguments.
这一点通过八个论据进行了阐述与证明。

Four grounds and reasons why the Lord Jesus Christ is held forth in the word to be so very rich.
四个理由说明为何在神的话中主耶稣基督被称为如此富有。

The excellency of the riches of Christ above all other riches in the world, held forth in seven particulars.
基督的丰富在世上一切丰富之上具有卓越性,以七个方面阐明。

1st Use. To exhort Christians to labor to be spiritually rich.
第一点用途:劝勉基督徒努力追求属灵的富足。

Seven considerations or motives to work Christians to this;
七个动机或理由激励基督徒为此而努力;

in the handling of which, several weighty questions are answered.
在处理这方面时,对几个重要问题进行了回答。

Question: What means must Christians use that they may grow rich in grace?
问题:基督徒应采取什么方式,才能在恩典上变得富足?

Answered in eight things.
用八个方面进行回答。

Seven propositions concerning spiritual riches.
关于属灵财富的七个命题。

The serious minding of them may give to many much satisfaction,
认真关注这些命题可能会带给许多人满足,

and prevent many objections.
并防止许多反对意见。

Five marks of a person who is spiritually rich.
属灵富有之人的五个特征。

Nine Uses
九个用途

A word to sinners.
献给罪人的一句话。

Nine directions to poor souls who would gladly get a interest in Christ.
给那些渴望与基督建立关系的贫穷灵魂的九个指导。

THE SIXTH DOCTRINE
第六条教义

That it is the great duty of preachers or ministers to preach Jesus Christ to the people.
传道人或牧师向人们传讲耶稣基督是他们的重要职责。

Five reasons why ministers must preach Christ to the people.
牧师为何必须向人们传讲基督的五个理由。

How Christ is to be preached, shown in eleven things.
如何传讲基督,以十一项内容阐明。

Three rules or directions,
三条规则或指导,

that such are to observe, as would preach Christ aright to the people.
传讲基督给人们的过程中应遵循。

THE LAST DOCTRINE
最后一条教义

That the office of a faithful minister is an honorable office.
忠诚牧师的职分是一个崇高的职分。

I. Seven things speak them out to be honorable.
一、七个方面表明他们是崇高的。

Question: How must Christians honor their faithful ministers?
问题:基督徒应如何尊重他们忠诚的牧师?

Shown in five things.
以五个方面加以说明。