Seeing it becomes us to endeavour by all means that unity of faith, which is so highly commended by Paul, shine forth among as, to this end chiefly ought the formal profession of faith which accompanies our common baptism to have reference.
既然我们理当竭尽全力，使那被保罗如此高度称赞的信仰合一，在我们中间彰显出来，为此，我们共同洗礼所伴随的正式信仰宣告，主要就当以此为目标。
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Hence it were to be wished, not only that a perpetual consent in the doctrine of piety should appear among all, but also that one Catechism were common to all the Churches.
因此，人们所期望的是，不仅是在敬虔的教义上，众人之间应显出永久的一致，而且也应有一部统一的《教理问答》为所有教会所共用。
But as, from many causes, it will scarcely ever obtain otherwise than that each Church shall have its own Catechism, we should not strive too keenly to prevent this; provided, however, that the variety in the mode of teaching is such, that we are all directed to one Christ, in whose truth being united together, we may grow up into one body and one spirit, and with the same mouth also proclaim whatever belongs to the sum of faith.
但由于诸多原因，各教会拥有自己的《教理问答》几乎是不可避免的，我们不应过分竭力阻止此事；然而，条件是教导方式的多样性必须如此，即我们都被引向同一位基督，在祂的真理中联合起来，我们得以成长为一个身体，一个圣灵，并且也用同一张口宣讲一切关乎信仰总纲之事。
Catechists not intent on this end, besides fatally injuring the Church, by sowing the materials of dissension in religion, also introduce an impious profanation of baptism.
那些不以此为目标的教理问答教师，除了因播撒宗教纷争的材料而致命地损害教会之外，也引入了对洗礼不虔敬的亵渎。
For where can any longer be the utility of baptism unless this remain as its foundation — that we all agree in one faith?
因为洗礼的功用何在呢，除非我们都在同一信仰上认同——这仍然是其基础？
Wherefore, those who publish Catechisms ought to be the more carefully on their guard, by producing anything rashly, they may not for the present only, but in regard to posterity also, do grievous harm to piety, and inflict a deadly wound on the Church.
因此，那些出版《教理问答》的人应当更加谨慎警惕，切勿草率地推出任何东西，以免不仅对现今，而且对后代，都对敬虔造成严重损害，并给教会带来致命的创伤。
This much I wished to premise, as a declaration to my readers, that I myself too, as became me, have made it my anxious care not to deliver anything in this Catechism of mine that is not agreeable to the doctrine received among all the pious.
我希望先说明这一点，作为对我读者的声明：我自己也已尽我所能，焦心致力于确保我这本《教理问答》中所传讲的一切，都与所有敬虔之人所领受的教义相符。
This declaration will not be found vain by those who will read with candour and sound judgment.
凡以坦诚和健全判断力阅读的人，必会发现此声明并非虚言。
I trust I have succeeded at least so far that my labour, though it should not satisfy, will be acceptable to all good men, as being in their opinion useful.
我深信，我的劳作至少已达到如此地步：纵然它不能令人完全满意，也必为所有良善之人所接纳，因为在他们看来是有益的。
In writing it in Latin, though some perhaps will not approve of the design, have been influenced by many reasons, all of which it is of no use to detail at present.
我用拉丁文撰写此书，虽然有些人或许不会赞同此举，但我是受了许多原因的影响，目前无需赘述所有这些原因。
I shall only select such as seem. to me sufficient to obviate censure.
我仅选择那些在我看来足以消除指责的理由。
First, In this confused and divided state of Christendom, I judge it useful that there should be public testimonies, whereby churches which, though widely separated by space, agree in the doctrine of Christ, may mutually recognize each other.
首先，在基督教世界这混乱分裂的状态下，我认为应当有一些公开的见证，借此，那些虽然在地理上相隔遥远，但在基督的教义上却是一致的众教会，可以互相承认。
For besides that this. tends not a little to mutual confirmation, what is more to be desired than that mutual congratulations should pass between them, and that they should devoutly commend each other to the Lord?
因为除了这在相当程度上促进了相互坚固之外，还有什么比它们之间传递相互的祝贺，并虔诚地将彼此交托给主更值得期望的呢？
With this view, bishops were wont in old time, when as yet consent in faith existed and flourished among all, to send Synodal Epistles beyond sea, by which, as a kind of badges, they might maintain sacred communion among the churches.
为此，古时的监督们，当信仰上的一致仍然存在并盛行于众人之间时，常会向海外发送主教会议书信，借此，如同一种标记，他们得以维持众教会间的神圣交通。
How much more necessary is it now, in this fearful devastation of the Christian world, that the few churches which duly worship God, and they too scattered and hedged round on all sides by the profane synagogues of Antichrist, should mutually give and receive this token of holy union, that they may thereby be incited to that fraternal embrace of which I have spoken?
在当今基督教世界这可怕的荒凉中，那些少数正当敬拜神的教会，它们分散各处，四面被敌基督不洁的会堂所包围，它们之间相互给予并接受这神圣联合的标记，从而被激励去实践我所说的那种弟兄般的拥抱，这岂不更加必要吗？
But if this is so necessary in the present day, what shall our feelings be concerning posterity, about which I am so anxious, that I scarcely dare to think?
但如果这在当今是如此必要，那么对于后代，我们该作何感想呢？我为此忧心忡忡，几乎不敢去想。
Unless God miraculously send help from heaven, I cannot avoid seeing that the world is threatened with the extremity of barbarism.
除非神从天上施行奇迹般的帮助，否则我无法避免地看到世界正受到极端野蛮状态的威胁。
I wish our children may not shortly feel, that this has been rather a true prophecy than a conjecture.
我但愿我们的子孙不久后不会感觉到，这与其说是一个推测，不如说是一个真实的预言。
The more, therefore, must we labour to gather together, by our writings, whatever remains of the Church shall continue, or even emerge, after our death.
因此，我们更必须努力通过我们的著述，将我们死后教会所存留的，或甚至重新出现的任何部分聚集起来。
Writings of a different class will show what our views were on all subjects in religion, but the agreement which our churches had in doctrine cannot be seen with clearer evidence than from catechisms.
其他类型的著述会显示我们在所有宗教议题上的观点，但我们众教会在教义上的一致性，没有比从《教理问答》中看得更清楚的证据了。
For therein will appear, not only what one man or other once taught, but with what rudiments learned and unlearned alike amongst us, were constantly imbued from childhood, all the faithful holding them as their formal symbol of Christian communion.
因为其中不仅会显明某某人曾经教导过什么，而且会显明我们中间有学识和没有学识的人，自孩提时代起就不断被灌输了哪些基本原理，所有信徒都将其视为他们基督徒交通的正式象征。
This was indeed my principal reason for publishing this Catechism.
这确实是我出版这本《教理问答》的主要原因。
A second reason, which had no little weight with me, was, because I heard that it was desired by very many who hoped it would not be unworthy of perusal.
第二个对我而言分量不轻的原因是，我听说有许多人期望得到它，他们希望这本书不会不值得一读。
Whether they are right or wrong in so judging is not mine to decide, but it became me to yield to their wish.
他们如此判断是对是错，并非由我来决定，但我理应顺从他们的愿望。
Nay, necessity was almost laid upon me, and I could not with impunity decline it.
不，这几乎是强加于我的必要之事，我无法安然推辞。
For having seven years before published a brief summary of religion, under the name of a Catechism, I feared that if I did not bring forward this one, I should cause (a thing ! wished not) that the former should on the other hand be excluded.
因为七年前我曾以《教理问答》为名出版了一部简明的宗教概要，我担心如果我不推出这一本，我将会导致（一件我所不愿的事）前者反而被排斥。
Therefore if I wished to consult the public good, it behooved me to take care that this one which I preferred should occupy the ground.
因此，如果我希望顾及公众的益处，我就理当确保我所偏好的这一本能够占据其位。
Besides, I deem it of good example to testify to the world, that we who aim at the restitution of the Church, are everywhere faithfully exerting ourselves, in order that, at least, the use of the Catechism which was abolished some centuries ago under the Papacy, may now resume its lost rights.
此外，我认为向世界见证，我们这些致力于教会复兴的人，正在各地忠实地努力，以便至少使几个世纪前在教皇制下被废除的《教理问答》的使用，现在能够恢复其失去的权利，这是一个好榜样。
For neither can this holy custom be sufficiently commended for its utility, nor can the :Papists be sufficiently condemned for the flagrant corruption, by which they not only set it aside, by converting it into puerile trifles, but also basely abuse it to purposes of impure and impious superstition.
因为这种神圣的习俗，其功用无论怎样称赞也不为过；而教皇派信徒们因其昭彰的败坏，无论怎样谴责也不为过，他们不仅将其废弃，把它变成幼稚的琐事，而且还卑鄙地将其滥用于不洁和不虔的迷信目的。
That spurious Confirmation, which they have substituted in its stead, they deck out like a harlot, with great splendour of ceremonies, and gorgeous shows without number; nay, in their wish to adorn it, they speak of it in terms of execrable blasphemy, when they give out that it is a sacrament of greater dignity than baptism, and call those only half Christians who have not been besmeared with their oil.
他们用以取代它的那个虚假的坚振礼，他们像打扮妓女一样，用极尽奢华的仪式和无数华丽的表演来装饰它；不仅如此，在他们想要美化它的时候，他们用可憎的亵渎言辞来谈论它，声称它是一个比洗礼更尊贵的圣礼，并称那些没有被他们的油膏涂抹过的人只是半个基督徒。
Meanwhile, the whole proceeding consists of nothing but theatrical gesticulations, or rather the wanton sporting of apes, without any skill in imitation.
与此同时，整个过程除了戏剧般的姿态，或者更确切地说，是猿猴放肆的嬉戏，毫无模仿的技巧之外，别无他物。
To you, my very dear brethren in the Lord, I have chosen to inscribe this work, because some of your body, besides informing me that you love me, and that the most of you take delight in my writings, also expressly requested me by letter to undertake this labour for their sake.
我亲爱的主内弟兄们，我选择将此著作题献给你们，因为你们中间有些人，除了告知我你们爱我，以及你们大多数人喜爱我的著述之外，还特地写信请求我为他们的缘故承担这项工作。
Independently of this, it would have been reason sufficient, that what I learned of you long ago, from the statement of grave and pious men, had bound me to you with my whole soul.
除此之外，我很久以前从稳重且敬虔之人的陈述中了解到你们的情况，这已足以使我全心全意地与你们联系在一起了。
I now ask what I am confident you will of your own accord do — have the goodness to consult for the utility of this token of my goodwill towards you!
我现在请求你们——我相信你们会自愿去做——请费心考虑我这份善意表示的益处！
Farewell May the Lord increase you more and more in the spirit of wisdom, prudence, zeal, and fortitude, to the edification of his Church.
再会，愿主在智慧、审慎、热忱和刚毅的灵里多多加增你们，以建立祂的教会。
GENEVA, 20 DECEMBER, 1545.
日内瓦，1545年12月20日。
TABLE OF CONTENTS
目录
Introduction
引言
Part I – Faith
第一部分 – 信仰
Part II – The Law
第二部分 – 律法
Part III – Prayer
第三部分 – 祷告
Part IV – The Word and Sacraments
第四部分 – 圣言与圣礼