“I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” Philippians 1:23
“我正在两难之间。我情愿离世与基督同在，因为这是好得无比的。”腓立比书1:23
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“I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” Philippians 1:23
“我正在两难之间。我情愿离世与基督同在，因为这是好得无比的。”腓立比书1:23
I WRITE for myself, and therefore, supposing the sense of the text, shall only observe what is useful to my heart and practice.
我为自己而写，因此，假定经文的意思，只观察对我的心和实践有用的东西。
It was a happy state into which grace had brought this apostle, who saw so much, not only tolerable, but greatly desirable, both in living and dying.
这是恩典带给这位使徒的一个幸福状态，他在活着和死去中都看到如此多的，不仅是可以忍受的，而且是极其可取的。
To live, to him, was Christ, that is, Christ’s interest, or work.
对他来说，活着就是基督，即基督的利益或工作。
To die would be gain, that is, his own interest and reward.
死就是益处，即他自己的利益和赏赐。
His strait was not whether it would be good to live or good to depart, both were good, but which was more desirable was the doubt.
他的困难不在于活着是否好或离世是否好，两者都好，而是哪个更可取才是疑问。
I. Quest. But was there any doubt to be made between Christ’s interest and his own?
一. 问题。但在基督的利益和他自己的利益之间有什么疑问吗？
Answ. No, if it had been a full and fixed competition; but by Christ, or Christ’s interest, he meaneth his work for his church’s interest in this world; but he knew that Christ also had an interest in his saints above, and that he could raise up more to serve him here; yet, because he was to judge by what appeared, and he saw a defect of such on earth, this did turn the scales in his choice; and for the work of Christ and his church’s good, he more inclined to the delay of his reward, by self-denial; yet knowing that the delay would tend to its increase.
答案。不，如果这是一个完全和固定的竞争；但通过基督，或基督的利益，他的意思是他在这世界上为祂教会利益所做的工作；但他知道基督在上面的圣徒中也有利益，祂能兴起更多人在这里服事祂；然而，因为他要根据所显现的来判断，他看到地上缺乏这样的人，这确实在他的选择中起了决定作用；为了基督的工作和祂教会的好处，他更倾向于通过舍己来延迟他的赏赐；然而知道延迟会倾向于增加它。
It is useful to me here to note,
在这里注意对我是有用的，
That, even in this world, short of death, there is some good so much to be regarded, as may justly prevail with believers to prefer it before the present hastening of their reward.
即使在这个世界上，未到死亡，有一些好处如此值得考虑，可以正当地说服信徒在现在催促他们的赏赐之前更喜欢它。
I the rather note this, that no temptation carry me into that extreme, of taking nothing but heaven to be worthy of our minding or regard, and so to cast off the world in a sinful sort, on pretence of mortification, and a heavenly mind, and life.
我更愿意注意这一点，免得任何试探把我带入那种极端，即认为除了天堂没有什么值得我们关心或考虑，因此以治死罪、属天心思和生活为借口，以有罪的方式丢弃世界。
I. As to the sense, the meaning is not that any thing on earth is better than heaven, or simply, and in itself, to be preferred before it.
一. 至于意思，这意思不是地上任何东西比天堂更好，或简单地，本身就应该在它之前被偏爱。
The end is better than the means as such, and perfection better than imperfection.
目的本身比手段好，完全比不完全好。
But the present use of the means may be preferred sometimes before the present possession of the end, and the use of means for a higher end may be preferred before the present possession of a lower end, and every thing hath its season.
但手段的现在使用有时可能比目的的现在拥有更受偏爱，为更高目的使用手段可能比现在拥有较低目的更受偏爱，凡事都有其时节。
Planting, and sowing, and building, are not so good as reaping, and fruit-gathering, and dwelling, but in their season, they must be first done.
栽种、撒种和建造不如收割、采果和居住那么好，但在它们的时节，它们必须首先完成。
II. Quest. But what is there so desirable in this life?
二. 问题。但在这生命中有什么如此可取的呢？
Answ. 1. While it continueth, it is the fulfilling of the will of God, who will have us here; and that is best which God willeth.
答案。1. 当它持续时，它是成全神的旨意，祂要我们在这里；神所愿的是最好的。
II. The life to come dependeth upon this, as the life of man in the world upon his generation in the womb; or as the reward upon the work; or the runner’s or soldier’s prize upon his race or fighting; or as the merchant’s gain upon his voyage.
二. 来生依赖于此生，如同人在世界上的生命依赖于他在子宫中的生成；或如同赏赐依赖于工作；或跑步者或士兵的奖赏依赖于他的赛跑或战斗；或如同商人的收益依赖于他的航行。
Heaven is won or lost on earth.
天堂在地上得到或失去。
The possession is there, but the preparation is here.
拥有在那里，但预备在这里。
Christ will judge all men according to their works on earth.
基督将根据人们在地上的行为审判所有人。
“Well done, good and faithful servant,” must go before “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人”，必须在”你可以进来享受你主人的快乐”之前。
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,” goeth before “the crown of righteousness which God, the righteous Judge, will give.”
“那美好的仗我已经打过了，当跑的路我已经跑尽了”，在”有公义的冠冕为我存留，就是按着公义审判的主要赐给我的”之前。
All that ever must be done for salvation by us, must here be done.
所有我们必须为救恩所做的，都必须在这里完成。
It was on earth that Christ himself wrought the work of our redemption, fulfilled all righteousness, became our ransom, and paid the price of our salvation, and it is here that our part is to be done.
正是在地上基督自己完成了我们救赎的工作，成全了诸般的义，成为我们的赎价，并付了我们救恩的代价，我们的部分也要在这里完成。
And the bestowing of the reward is God’s work, who, we are sure, will never fail.
而赏赐的给予是神的工作，我们确信祂永不失败。
There is no place for the least suspicion or fear of his misdoing, or failing, in any of his undertaken work.
对祂的错行或在祂承担的任何工作中失败，没有丝毫怀疑或恐惧的余地。
But the danger and fear is of our own miscarrying, lest we be not found capable of receiving what God will certainly give to all that are disposed receivers.
但危险和恐惧在于我们自己的失败，免得我们被发现不能接受神必定给予所有愿意接受者的。
To distrust God is heinous sin and folly, but to distrust ourselves we have great cause.
不信任神是极恶的罪和愚蠢，但不信任我们自己我们有很大的原因。
So that if we will make sure of heaven, it must be by giving all diligence to make firm our title, our calling, and our election, here on earth.
因此，如果我们要确保天堂，必须通过在地上尽一切勤勉来坚固我们的头衔、我们的呼召和我们的拣选。
If we fear hell, we must fear being prepared for it.
如果我们害怕地狱，我们必须害怕为它做准备。
And it is great and difficult work that must be here done.
这是必须在这里完成的伟大而困难的工作。
It is here that we must be cured of all damning sin; that we must be regenerate and new born; that we must be pardoned and justified by faith.
正是在这里我们必须被治愈一切定罪的罪；我们必须重生和新生；我们必须被赦免和因信称义。
It is here that we must be united to Christ, made wise to salvation, renewed by his Spirit, and conformed to his likeness.
正是在这里我们必须与基督联合，得着救恩的智慧，被祂的灵更新，并效法祂的样式。
It is here that we must overcome all the temptations of the devil, the world, and the flesh, and perform all the duties towards God and man, that must be rewarded.
正是在这里我们必须胜过魔鬼、世界和肉体的一切试探，并履行对神和人的一切必须得赏赐的职责。
It is here that Christ must be believed in with the heart to righteousness, and with the mouth confessed to salvation.
正是在这里基督必须用心相信以至于义，用口承认以至于救恩。
It is here that we must suffer with him, that we may reign with him, and be faithful to the death, that we may receive the crown of life.
正是在这里我们必须与祂一同受苦，好叫我们与祂一同作王，并至死忠心，好叫我们得生命的冠冕。
Here we must so run that we may obtain.
在这里我们必须如此奔跑，好叫我们得着。
III. Yea, we have greater work here to do than mere securing our own salvation.
三. 是的，我们在这里有比仅仅确保我们自己救恩更大的工作要做。
We are members of the world and church, and we must labour to do good to many.
我们是世界和教会的成员，我们必须劳力向许多人行善。
We are trusted with our Master’s talents for his service, in our places to do our best to propagate his truth, and grace, and church; and to bring home souls, and honour his cause, and edify his flock, and further the salvation of as many as we can.
我们被托付主人的恩赐为祂服务，在我们的位置上尽我们最大努力传播祂的真理、恩典和教会；带回灵魂，尊荣祂的事业，造就祂的羊群，并促进我们所能的尽可能多人的救恩。
All this is to be done on earth, if we will secure the end of all in heaven.
所有这些都要在地上完成，如果我们要在天堂确保这一切的结局。
Use 1. It is, then, an error (though it is but few, I think, that are guilty of it,) to think that all religion lieth in minding only the life to come, and disregarding all things in this present life, all true Christians must seriously mind both the end and the means, or way.
应用1. 那么，认为所有宗教都在于只关心来生，而忽视今生的一切事物，这是一个错误（虽然我认为犯这错误的人很少），所有真基督徒必须认真关心目的和手段，或道路。
If they mind not, believingly, the end, they will never be faithful in the use of means.
如果他们不相信地关心目的，他们永远不会在使用手段上忠心。
If they mind not, and use not diligently, the means, they will never obtain the end.
如果他们不关心，不勤勉使用手段，他们永远不会获得目的。
None can use earth well that prefer not heaven, and none come to heaven, at age, that are not prepared by well using earth.
不偏爱天堂的人不能很好地使用地球，没有通过很好地使用地球而预备的人不能到达天堂。
Heaven must have the deepest esteem, and habituated love, and desire, and joy; but earth must have more of our daily thoughts for present practice.
天堂必须有最深的尊重，和习惯的爱、渴望和喜乐；但地球必须有我们更多的日常思想用于现在的实践。
A man that travelleth to the most desirable home, hath a habit of desire to it all the way, but his present business is his travel; and horse, and company, and inns, and ways, and weariness, &c., may take up more of his sensible thoughts, and of his talk, and action, than his home.
一个旅行到最令人向往家园的人，一路上都有对它的习惯性渴望，但他现在的事务是他的旅行；马、同伴、客栈、道路、疲劳等等，可能比他的家园占用他更多的感觉思想、谈话和行动。
Use 2. I have oft marvelled to find David, in the Psalms, and other saints, before Christ’s coming, to have expressed so great a sense of the things of this present life, and to have said so little of another.
应用2. 我经常惊奇地发现大卫在诗篇中，以及基督降临前的其他圣徒，对今生事物表达了如此大的感受，而对另一个世界说得如此少。
To have made so great a matter of prosperity, dominions, and victories, on one hand, and of enemies, success, and persecution, on the other.
一方面把兴旺、统治和胜利看作如此重大的事，另一方面把敌人、成功和逼迫看作如此重大的事。
But I consider that it was not for mere personal, carnal interest, but for the church of God, and for his honour, word, and worship.
但我考虑这不是为了单纯个人、肉体的利益，而是为了神的教会，为了祂的荣耀、话语和敬拜。
And they knew that if things go well with us on earth, they will be sure to go well in heaven.
他们知道如果事情在地上对我们顺利，它们在天堂必定顺利。
If the militant church prosper in holiness, there is no doubt but it will triumph in glory.
如果争战的教会在圣洁中兴旺，毫无疑问它将在荣耀中得胜。
God will be sure to do his part in receiving souls, if they be here prepared for his receipt.
如果灵魂在这里为祂的接收做好准备，神必定做好祂接收灵魂的部分。
And Satan doth much of his damning work by men; if we escape their temptations, we escape much of our danger.
撒但通过人做他许多定罪的工作；如果我们逃脱他们的试探，我们就逃脱了许多危险。
If idolaters prospered, Israel was tempted to idolatry.
如果拜偶像者兴旺，以色列就被试探去拜偶像。
The Greek church is almost swallowed up by Turkish prosperity and dominion.
希腊教会几乎被土耳其的兴旺和统治吞没。
Most follow the powerful and prosperous side.
大多数人跟随强大和兴旺的一方。
And, therefore, for God’s cause, and for heavenly, everlasting interest, our own state, but much more the church’s, must be greatly regarded here on earth.
因此，为了神的事业，为了属天、永恒的利益，我们自己的状态，但更多的是教会的状态，必须在地上被大大关注。
Indeed, if earth be desired only for earth, and prosperity loved but for the present welfare of the flesh, it is the certain mark of damning carnality, and an earthly mind.
确实，如果地球只是为了地球而被渴望，兴旺只是为了肉体现在的福利而被爱，这是定罪的属肉体和属地心思的确定标记。
But to desire peace, and prosperity, and power, to be in the hands of wise and faithful men, for the sake of souls, and the increase of the church, and the honour of God, that his name may be hallowed, his kingdom come, and his will done on earth, as it is in heaven.
但渴望和平、兴旺和权力在智慧和忠心的人手中，为了灵魂的缘故，为了教会的增长，为了神的荣耀，使祂的名被尊为圣，祂的国降临，祂的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。
This is to be the chief of our prayers to God.
这是我们向神祷告的首要内容。
Use 3. Be not unthankful, then, O my soul, for the mercies of this present life, for those to thy body, to thy friends, to the land of thy nativity, and especially to the church of God.
应用3. 那么，我的灵魂啊，不要对今生的怜悯不感恩，对你身体的、对你朋友的、对你出生之地的，特别是对神教会的怜悯不感恩。
I. This body is so nearly united to thee, that it must needs be a great help, or hinderance.
一. 这身体与你如此紧密地联合，以至于它必须是一个很大的帮助或阻碍。
Had it been more afflicted, it might have been a discouraging clog; like a tired horse in a journey, or an ill tool to a workman, or an untuned instrument in music.
如果它更受苦难，它可能是一个令人沮丧的累赘；就像旅途中疲惫的马，或工人的坏工具，或音乐中失调的乐器。
A sick or bad servant in an house is a great trouble, and a bad wife much more, but thy body is nearer thee than either, and will be more of thy concern.
房子里一个生病或坏的仆人是大麻烦，坏妻子更是如此，但你的身体比任何一个都更接近你，将更是你的关切。
And yet if it had been more strong and healthful, sense and appetite would have been strong, and lust would have been strong, and therefore danger would have been greater, and victory and salvation much more difficult.
然而如果它更强壮和健康，感官和食欲就会强烈，情欲就会强烈，因此危险就会更大，胜利和救恩就会更困难得多。
Even weak senses and temptations have too oft prevailed.
即使软弱的感官和试探也经常得胜。
How knowest thou, then, what stronger might have done?
那么，你怎么知道更强的可能会做什么？
When I see a thirsty man in a fever or dropsy, and especially when I see strong and healthful youths, bred up in fulness, and among temptations, how mad they are in sin, and how violently they are carried to it, bearing down God’s rebukes, and conscience, and parents, and friends, and all regard to their salvation, it tells me how great a mercy I had, even in a body not liable to their case.
当我看到发烧或水肿中的渴望之人，特别是当我看到强壮健康的青年，在丰富中长大，在试探中，他们在罪中多么疯狂，多么猛烈地被带向它，压倒神的责备、良心、父母、朋友，以及对他们救恩的一切考虑，这告诉我即使在一个不容易陷入他们情况的身体中，我有多么大的怜悯。
And many a bodily deliverance hath been of great use to my soul, renewing my time, and opportunity, and strength, for service, and bringing frequent and fresh reports of the love of God.
许多身体的拯救对我的灵魂大有用处，更新我的时间、机会和力量来服事，并带来神之爱频繁而新鲜的报告。
If bodily mercies were not of great use to the soul, Christ would not so much have showed his saving love, by healing all manner of diseases, as he did.
如果身体的怜悯对灵魂没有大用处，基督就不会如祂所做的那样，通过医治各样疾病如此多地显示祂救恩的爱。
Nor would God promise us a resurrection of the body, if a congruous body did not further the welfare of the soul.
如果相配的身体不促进灵魂的福祉，神也不会应许我们身体的复活。
- And I am obliged to great thankfulness to God for the mercies of this life which he hath showed to my friends; that which furthers their joy should increase mine.
- 我有义务对神为祂向我朋友们显示的今生怜悯深深感恩；促进他们喜乐的应该增加我的喜乐。
I ought to rejoice with them that rejoice.
我应该与喜乐的人同乐。
Nature and grace teach us to be glad when our friends are well, and prosper, though all in order to better things than bodily welfare.
本性和恩典教导我们当我们的朋友安好和兴旺时要高兴，尽管这一切都是为了比身体福祉更好的事情。
- And such mercies of this life to the land of our habitation must not be undervalued.
- 对我们居住之地的今生这样的怜悯不可低估。
The want of them are parts of God’s threatened curse; and godliness hath the promise of this life, and of that which is to come, and so is profitable to all things.
缺乏它们是神威胁咒诅的部分；敬虔有今生和来生的应许，因此对万事都有益处。
And when God sends on a land the plagues of famine, pestilence, war, persecution, especially a famine of the word of God, it is a great sin to be insensible of it.
当神向一地降下饥荒、瘟疫、战争、逼迫的灾祸，特别是神话语的饥荒时，对此无感是大罪。
If any shall say, ‘while heaven is sure, we have no cause to accuse God, or to cast away comfort, hope, or duty,’ they say well; but if they say, ‘because heaven is all, we must make light of all that befalleth us on earth,’ they say amiss.
如果有人说，’当天堂确定时，我们没有理由控告神，或丢弃安慰、盼望或职责’，他们说得好；但如果他们说，’因为天堂是一切，我们必须轻看降临在我们地上的一切’，他们说错了。
Good princes, magistrates, and public-spirited men that promote the safety, peace, and true prosperity of the commonwealth, do hereby very much befriend religion, and men’s salvation; and are greatly to be loved and honoured by all.
促进联邦安全、和平和真正兴旺的好君主、官长和有公心的人，因此极大地帮助宗教和人的救恩；应该被所有人大大爱戴和尊荣。
If the civil state, called the commonwealth, do miscarry, or fall into ruin and calamity, the church will fare the worse for it, as the soul doth by the ruins of the body.
如果被称为联邦的民政失败，或陷入毁灭和灾难，教会将因此更糟，如同灵魂因身体的毁灭一样。
The Turkish, Muscovite, and such other empires, tell us, how the church consumeth, and dwindles away into contempt, or withered ceremony and formality, where tyranny brings slavery, beggary, or long persecution on the subjects.
土耳其、莫斯科和其他这样的帝国告诉我们，当暴政给臣民带来奴役、贫困或长期逼迫时，教会如何消耗，萎缩为轻蔑，或枯萎的仪式和形式主义。
Doubtless, divers passages in the Revelations contain the church’s glorifying of God, for their power and prosperity on earth, when emperors became Christians: what else can be meant well by Rev. 9:10, “Hath made us kings and priests to God, and we shall reign on the earth”.
毫无疑问，启示录中不同段落包含教会因他们在地上的权力和兴旺而荣耀神，当皇帝们成为基督徒时：启示录9:10″叫我们成为国民，作祭司归于神，在地上执掌王权”还能有什么别的好意思。
But that Christians shall be brought from under heathen persecution, and have rule and sacred honour in the world, some of them being princes; some honoured church guides; and all a peculiar, honoured people.
而是基督徒将从异教徒逼迫下被带出来，在世界上有统治和神圣荣誉，他们中一些是君主；一些是受尊荣的教会引导者；所有人都是特殊的、受尊荣的民族。
And had not Satan found out that cursed way of getting wicked men, that hate true godliness and peace, into the sacred places of princes and pastors, to do his work against Christ, as in Christ’s name; surely no good Christians would have grudged at the power of rulers of state, or church.
如果撒但没有找出那被咒诅的方法，让憎恨真敬虔和和平的恶人进入君主和牧师的神圣位置，以基督的名义做他反对基督的工作；肯定没有好基督徒会怨恨国家或教会统治者的权力。
Sure I am, that many, called fifth-monarchy-men, seem to make this their great hope, that rule shall be in the hands of righteous men; and I think, most religious parties would rejoice if those had very great power, whom they take to be the best and trustiest men; which shows that it is not the greatness of power in most princes, or sound bishops, that they dislike, but the badness, real or supposed, of those whose power they mislike: who will blame power to do good?
我确信，许多被称为第五王朝派的人，似乎把统治将在义人手中作为他们的大盼望；我认为，如果他们认为最好最可信的人有很大权力，大多数宗教党派会高兴；这表明他们不喜欢的不是大多数君主或纯正主教权力的伟大，而是那些他们不喜欢其权力的人的恶劣，真实的或假设的：谁会责备行善的权力？
Sure the three first and great petitions of the Lord’s prayer include some temporal welfare of the world and church, without which the spiritual rarely prospereth extensively, (though intensively in a few it may,) since miracles ceased.
肯定主祷文的前三个伟大祈求包括世界和教会的一些今世福祉，没有这些，属灵的很少广泛兴旺，（尽管在少数人中可能强烈兴旺，）自从神迹停止以来。
- Be thankful, therefore, for all the church’s mercies here on earth; for all the protection of magistracy; the plenty of preachers; the preservation from enemies; the restraint of persecution; the concord of Christians; and increase of godliness; which in this land it hath had in our ages; notwithstanding all Satan’s malignant rage, and all the bloody wars that have interrupted our tranquillity.
- 因此，要为教会在地上的一切怜悯感恩；为官府的一切保护；传道者的丰富；从敌人中的保守；逼迫的约束；基督徒的和睦；敬虔的增长；这些在我们的时代这地已经拥有的；尽管撒但所有恶意的愤怒，和所有打断我们宁静的血腥战争。
How many psalms of joyful thanksgiving be there for Israel’s deliverances, and the preservation of Zion, and God’s worship in his sanctuary: pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love it; especially, that the gospel is continued, while so many rage against it, is a mercy not to be made light of.
有多少诗篇为以色列的拯救，锡安的保守，和神在祂圣所中的敬拜而喜乐感恩：要为耶路撒冷求平安：爱慕她的人必然兴旺；特别是，当如此多人狂怒反对福音时它仍继续，这是不可轻看的怜悯。
Use 4. Be specially thankful, O my soul, that God hath made any use of thee, for the service of his church on earth.
应用4. 我的灵魂啊，要特别感恩，神为祂在地上教会的服事使用了你。
My God, my soul for this doth magnify thee, and my spirit rejoiceth in the review of thy great undeserved mercy!
我的神，我的灵魂为此尊祢为大，我的心灵在回顾祢极大不配得的怜悯中欢欣！
Oh! what am I, whom thou tookest up from the dunghill or low obscurity, that I should live, myself, in the constant relish of thy sweet and sacred truth, and with such encouraging success communicate it to others?
哦！我是什么，祢从粪堆或低微的默默无闻中提拔我，使我自己活在对祢甜美神圣真理的持续享受中，并以如此鼓舞的成功将它传达给别人？
That I must say now my public work seems ended, that these forty-three or forty-four years, I have no reason to think that ever I laboured in vain!
以至于我现在必须说我的公共工作似乎结束了，这四十三或四十四年，我没有理由认为我曾经徒然劳力！
O with what gratitude must I look upon all places where I lived and laboured; but, above all, that place that had my strength.
哦，我必须以何等感恩看待我生活和劳动的所有地方；但首先，那得着我力量的地方。
I bless thee for the great numbers gone to heaven, and for the continuance of piety, humility, concord, and peace among them.
我为去天堂的大量人数祝福祢，为他们中间虔诚、谦卑、和睦和平安的持续祝福祢。
And for all that by my writings have received any saving light and grace.
为所有通过我的著作接受了任何救恩光照和恩典的人祝福祢。
O my God! let not my own heart be barren while I labour in thy husbandry, to bring others unto holy fruit.
哦我的神！当我在祢的田地里劳动，带领别人结出圣洁果子时，不要让我自己的心贫瘠。
Let me not be a stranger to the life and power of that saving truth which I have done so much to communicate to others.
不要让我对我如此努力向别人传达的那救恩真理的生命和能力陌生。
O let not my own words and writings condemn me as void of that divine and heavenly nature and life, which I have said so much for to the world.
哦，不要让我自己的话语和著作谴责我缺乏那神圣和属天的本性和生命，我已经为世界如此多地说到它们。
Use 5. Stir up, then, O my soul, thy sincere desires, and all thy faculties, to do the remnant of the work of Christ appointed thee on earth, and then joyfully wait for the heavenly perfection in God’s own time.
应用5. 那么，我的灵魂啊，激起你真诚的渴望和你所有的能力，去做基督在地上指派给你的剩余工作，然后在神自己的时间里喜乐地等候属天的完全。
Thou canst truly say, “To live, to me, is Christ.”
你能真实地说，”我活着就是基督。”
It is his work for which thou livest: thou has no other business in the world; but thou dost his work with the mixture of many oversights and imperfections, and too much troublest thy thoughts distrustfully about God’s part, who never faileth; if thy work be done, be thankful for what is past, and that thou art come so near the port of rest: if God will add any more to thy days, serve him with double alacrity, now thou art so near the end: the prize is almost within sight: time is swift, and short.
这是祂的工作，你为此而活：你在世界上没有其他事务；但你带着许多疏忽和不完全的混合做祂的工作，过多地为从不失败的神那部分不信任地烦扰你的思想；如果你的工作完成了，为过去的感恩，为你如此接近安息的港口感恩：如果神要在你的日子上再加些什么，现在你如此接近终点，要以双倍的欢欣服事祂：奖赏几乎在望：时间迅速而短暂。
Thou hast told others that there is no working in the grave, and that it must be now or never.
你已经告诉别人在坟墓里没有工作，必须现在或永不。
Though the conceit of meriting of commutative justice be no better than madness, dream not that God will save the wicked, no, nor equally reward the slothful and the diligent, because Christ’s righteousness was perfect.
尽管以交换正义配得的想法不过是疯狂，不要梦想神会拯救恶人，不，也不会因为基督的义是完全的就平等地赏赐懒惰的和勤勉的。
Paternal justice maketh difference according to that worthiness which is so denominated by the law of grace; and as sin is its own punishment, holiness and obedience is much of its own reward: whatever God appointeth thee to do, see that thou do it sincerely, and with all thy might: if sin dispose men to be angry because it is detected, disgraced, and resisted, if God be pleased, their wrath should be patiently borne, who will shortly be far more angry with themselves.
父亲般的正义根据那被恩典律法如此命名的价值作区别；正如罪是它自己的惩罚，圣洁和顺服大部分是它自己的赏赐：无论神指派你做什么，要看你真诚地并尽你所能地做它：如果罪使人因它被察觉、羞辱和抵抗而愤怒，如果神喜悦，他们的愤怒应该耐心承受，他们很快会对自己更加愤怒。
If slander and obloquy survive, so will the better effects on those that are converted; and there is no comparison between these.
如果诽谤和责骂存续，在那些归正的人身上更好的效果也会存续；这些之间没有比较。
I shall not be hurt, when I am with Christ, by the calumnies of men on earth; but the saving benefit will, by converted sinners, be enjoyed everlastingly: words and actions are transient things, and, being once past, are nothing; but the effect of them, on an immortal soul, may be endless.
当我与基督同在时，我不会被地上人的毁谤伤害；但救恩的益处将被归正的罪人永远享受：言语和行动是短暂的事，一旦过去就什么都不是；但它们在不朽灵魂上的效果可能是无穷的。
All the sermons that I have preached are nothing now; but the grace of God, on sanctified souls, is the beginning of eternal life.
我所讲的所有讲道现在都不算什么；但神在成圣灵魂上的恩典是永生的开始。
It is unspeakable mercy to be sincerely thus employed with success; therefore, I had reason, all this while, to be in Paul’s strait, and make no haste in my desires to depart.
真诚地如此成功地被使用是无法言喻的怜悯；因此，我有理由一直处在保罗的困难中，不匆忙渴望离开。
The crown will come in its due time; and eternity is long enough to enjoy it, how long soever it be delayed: but if I will do that which must obtain it for myself and others, it must be quickly done before, my declining sun be set.
冠冕将在其适当时间来到；永恒足够长来享受它，无论它被延迟多久：但如果我要做那必须为我自己和别人获得它的事，必须在我衰落的太阳落下之前快快完成。
O that I had no worse causes of my unwillingness yet to die, than my desire to do the work of life for my own and other men’s salvation; and to finish my course with joy, and the ministry committed to me by the Lord.
哦，但愿我不愿死的原因没有比为我自己和别人的救恩做生命工作的渴望更坏的；要欢欢喜喜地跑完我的路程，完成主托付给我的职事。
Use 6. And as it is on earth that I must do good to others, so it must be in a manner suited to their state on earth.
应用6. 正如我必须在地上向别人行善，所以必须以适合他们在地上状态的方式。
Souls are here closely united to bodies, by which they must receive much good or hurt: do good to men’s bodies, if thou wouldest do good to their souls; say not, things corporeal are worthless trifles, for which the receivers will be never the better; they are things that nature is easily sensible of; and sense is the passage to the mind and will.
灵魂在这里与身体紧密联合，通过身体他们必须接受许多好处或伤害：如果你要向他们的灵魂行善，就要向人的身体行善；不要说，肉体的事物是无价值的琐事，接受者永远不会因此变好；它们是本性容易感知的事物；感觉是通向心思和意志的通道。
Dost not thou find what a help it is to thyself to have, at any time, any ease and alacrity of body?
你不是发现在任何时候拥有身体的任何安逸和活跃对你自己是多么大的帮助吗？
And what a burden and hinderance pains and cares are?
痛苦和忧虑是多么大的负担和阻碍？
Labour, then, to free others from such burdens and temptations, and be not regardless of them.
那么，要劳力使别人从这样的负担和试探中得自由，不要忽视他们。
If thou must rejoice with them that rejoice, and mourn with them that mourn, further thy own joy in furthering theirs; and avoid thy own sorrows, in avoiding or curing theirs.
如果你必须与喜乐的人同乐，与哀哭的人同哭，在促进他们的喜乐中促进你自己的喜乐；在避免或治愈他们的忧伤中避免你自己的忧伤。
But, alas! what power hath selfishness in most.
但是，唉！自私在大多数人中有多大的力量。
How easily do we bear our brethren’s pains, reproaches, wants, and afflictions, in comparison of our own: how few thoughts, and how little cost or labour, do we use for their supply, in comparison of what we do for ourselves.
与我们自己的相比，我们多么容易承受我们弟兄的痛苦、责备、缺乏和苦难：与我们为自己所做的相比，我们为他们的供应用多么少的思想，多么少的费用或劳力。
Nature, indeed, teacheth us to be most sensible of our own case; but grace tells us, that we should not make so great a difference as we do, but should love our neighbours as ourselves.
本性确实教导我们对自己的情况最敏感；但恩典告诉我们，我们不应该像我们所做的那样造成如此大的差别，而应该爱邻舍如同自己。
Use 7. And now, O my soul, consider how mercifully God hath dealt with thee, that thy strait should be, between two conditions, so desirable.
应用7. 现在，我的灵魂啊，要思想神多么怜悯地待你，使你的困难是在两个如此可取的条件之间。
I shall either die speedily, or stay yet longer upon earth; whichever it be, it will be a merciful and comfortable state; that it is desirable to depart and be with Christ, I must not doubt, and shall anon more copiously consider.
我要么很快死去，要么在地上停留更久；无论是哪种，都将是一个怜悯和安慰的状态；离世与基督同在是可取的，我不可怀疑，并将很快更充分地考虑。
And if my abode on earth yet longer be so great a mercy as to be put in the balance against my present possession of heaven, surely it must be a state which obligeth me to great thankfulness to God, and comfortable acknowledgment; and surely it is not my pain, or sickness, my sufferings from malicious men, that should make this life on earth unacceptable, while God will continue it.
如果我在地上更久的居住是如此大的怜悯，以至于被放在天平上与我现在拥有天堂相衡量，肯定这必须是一个使我对神深深感恩和安慰承认的状态；肯定不是我的痛苦、疾病、从恶意之人来的苦难应该使我在地上的生命不可接受，当神要继续它的时候。
Paul had his prick or thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet him, and suffered more from men (though less in his health) than I have done; and yet he gloried in such infirmities, and rejoiced in his tribulations, and was in a strait between living and dying, yea, rather chose to live yet longer.
保罗有他肉体上的刺，就是撒但的差役要攻击他，从人那里受的苦比我所受的更多（尽管在健康上受的更少）；然而他以这样的软弱夸口，在患难中欢欣，在生死之间为难，是的，宁可选择活得更久。
Alas! it is another kind of strait that most of the world are in: the strait of most is between the desire of life for fleshly interest, and the fear of death, as ending their felicity: the strait of many is, between a tiring world and body, which maketh them weary of living, and the dreadful prospect of future danger, which makes them afraid of dying; if they live, it is in misery; if they must die, they are afraid of greater misery.
唉！世界上大多数人所处的是另一种困难：大多数人的困难是在为肉体利益渴望生命，和害怕死亡作为结束他们幸福之间：许多人的困难是在令人疲倦的世界和身体，使他们厌倦活着，和可怕的未来危险前景，使他们害怕死去之间；如果他们活着，是在痛苦中；如果他们必须死去，他们害怕更大的痛苦。
Which way ever they look, behind or before them, to this world or the next, fear and trouble is their lot; yea, many an upright Christian, through the weakness of their trust in God, doth live in this perplexed strait; weary of living, and afraid of dying; between grief and fear, they are pressed continually; but Paul’s strait was between two joys; which of them he should desire most: and if that be my case, what should much interrupt my peace or pleasure?
无论他们往哪里看，向后或向前，向这世界或下一个，恐惧和麻烦是他们的份；是的，许多正直的基督徒，由于他们对神信靠的软弱，确实活在这困惑的困难中；厌倦活着，害怕死去；在忧伤和恐惧之间，他们持续被压迫；但保罗的困难是在两个喜乐之间；他应该最渴望哪一个：如果那是我的情况，什么应该大大打断我的平安或喜悦？
If I live, it is for Christ; for his work, and for his church; for preparation; for my own and others’ everlasting felicity: and should any suffering, which maketh me not unserviceable, make me impatient with such a work, and such a life?
如果我活着，是为基督；为祂的工作，为祂的教会；为预备；为我自己和别人的永恒幸福：任何不使我无法服事的苦难，应该使我对这样的工作和这样的生命不耐烦吗？
If I die presently, it is my gain; God who appointeth me my work, doth limit my time, and sure his glorious reward can never be unseasonable, or come too soon, if it be the time that he appointeth.
如果我现在死去，这是我的益处；指派我工作的神，确实限定我的时间，肯定祂荣耀的赏赐永不会不合时宜，或来得太早，如果这是祂指定的时间。
When I first engaged myself to preach the gospel, I reckoned (as probable) but upon one or two years; and God hath continued me yet above forty-four: (with such interruptions as others in these times have had;) and what reason have I now to be unwilling, either to live or die?
当我最初投身传福音时，我估计（作为可能）只有一两年；神却继续使用我四十四年以上：（有这些时代中别人也有的中断；）我现在有什么理由不愿活着或死去？
God’s service hath been so sweet to me, that it hath overcome the trouble of constant pains, or weakness, of the flesh, and all that men have said or done against me.
神的服事对我如此甜美，以至于它克服了肉体持续痛苦或软弱的麻烦，以及人们对我所说或所做的一切反对。
But the following crown exceeds this pleasure, more than I am here capable to conceive.
但随后的冠冕超过这种喜悦，超过我在这里能够理解的。
There is some trouble in all this pleasant work, from which the soul and flesh would rest; and blessed are the dead, that die in the Lord; even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours, and their works follow them.
在所有这令人愉快的工作中有一些麻烦，灵魂和肉体愿意从中安息；在主里面而死的人有福了；圣灵也是这样说；因为他们息了自己的劳苦，作工的果效也随着他们。
But, O my soul, what needest thou be troubled in this kind of strait?
但是，我的灵魂啊，你何必在这种困难中烦恼？
It is not left to thee to choose whether or when thou wilt live or die.
选择是否或何时你将活着或死去不是留给你的。
It is God that will determine it, who is infinitely fitter to choose than thou.
是神将决定它，祂比你无限更适合选择。
Leave, therefore, his own work to himself, and mind that which is thine; whilst thou livest, live to Christ; and when thou diest, thou shalt die to Christ; even into his blessed hands: so live that thou mayest say, “It is Christ liveth in me, and the life that I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me;” and then, as thou hast lived in the comfort of hope, thou shalt die unto the comfort of vision and fruition.
因此，把祂自己的工作留给祂自己，关心那属于你的；当你活着时，为基督而活；当你死时，你将向基督而死；甚至进入祂蒙福的手中：如此活着，使你可以说，”现在活着的不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活着；并且我如今在肉身活着，是因信神的儿子而活，祂是爱我，为我舍己；”然后，正如你在盼望的安慰中活着，你将在异象和享受的安慰中死去。
And when thou canst say, “He is the God whose I am, and whom I serve,” thou mayest boldly add, ‘and whom I trust, and to whom I commend my departing soul; and I know whom I have trusted.’
当你能说，”祂是我所属所事奉的神”，你可以大胆地加上，’也是我所信靠的，我将我离世的灵魂交托给祂；我知道我所信的是谁。’
Table of Contents
目录
THE PREFACE TO THE READER
致读者序言
INTRODUCTION
引言
WHAT THERE IS DESIRABLE IN THE PRESENT LIFE
今生中有什么可取的
DEPARTING TO BE WITH CHRIST
离世与基督同在
WHY IT IS FAR BETTER TO BE WITH CHRIST
为什么与基督同在是好得无比的
GOD MAKES US WILLING TO DEPART
神使我们愿意离世
APPENDIX
附录