The Bible is a book of such transcendent worth, and so happily suited to all the parts and purposes of the Christian life, that it can never be too much recommended to the world; every thing that allures the world to peruse it, is a blessing to mankind.
圣经是一本具有如此超越价值的书，如此恰当地适合基督徒生活的各个部分和目的，以至于向世界推荐它永远不会过分；一切引导世界研读它的事物，都是对人类的祝福。
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And though it is hard for our narrow capacities to grasp and take in its several distinguishing excellences at one view, yet, if we take a separate survey of the doctrines and duties, the promises and threatenings, the prophecies and histories, which are contained therein, each of them will afford us an awful or a delightful prospect, with lessons for special improvement.
虽然我们狭窄的能力很难在一瞥中掌握和领受它几种独特的卓越之处，然而，如果我们分别考察其中所包含的教义和本分、应许和警告、预言和历史，它们每一个都会为我们提供令人敬畏或令人愉悦的前景，带来特别改进的教训。
The worthy author of this collection, which I have long known with esteem and honor, has chosen to reduce all the most useful and important promises of the Word of God into order, and here set them before us.
这个选集的值得尊敬的作者，我长久以来以尊重和敬意认识他，已经选择将神之道中所有最有用和最重要的应许归纳成有序的形式，并在此将它们摆在我们面前。
These are the most powerful motives of duty; these are the constant food of a living Christian, as well as his highest cordials in a fainting hour.
这些是本分最有力的动机；这些是活着的基督徒的恒常食粮，也是他在困乏时刻的最高兴奋剂。
And in such a world as this, where duties perpetually demand our practice, and difficulties and trials are ever surrounding us, what can we do better than to treasure up the promises in our hearts, which are the most effectual persuasives to fulfil the one and sustain the other?
在这样一个世界里，本分永远要求我们实践，困难和试炼总是围绕着我们，我们还能做什么比将应许珍藏在心中更好的事呢？这些应许是履行前者和承受后者最有效的劝导。
Here are laid up the true riches of a Christian, and his highest hopes on this side of heaven.
这里储存着基督徒真正的财富，以及他在天堂这一边的最高盼望。
The materials which are collected here are all divine, and the disposition of them is elegant and regular; so that it is an easy matter to find something suited to the frame of our souls, or our present wants on every occasion; and that soul who knows what a suitable promise is worth in an hour of darkness or temptation, will never think such a work as this, and such a various treasure, can have sufficient value set upon it.
这里收集的材料都是神圣的，它们的安排是优雅而有规律的；因此在每个场合找到适合我们心灵状态或我们当前需要的内容是容易的；那个知道在黑暗或试探时刻一个合适的应许价值几何的灵魂，永远不会认为这样的作品和这样的各样财宝能被给予充分的价值。
Those who have little leisure for reading, may find their account in keeping this book always near them; and with the glance of an eye they may take in the riches of grace and glory, and derive many a sweet refreshment from hence, amidst their labors and travels through this wilderness.
那些几乎没有闲暇阅读的人，可以发现将这本书总是放在身边的好处；通过一瞥他们就可以获得恩典和荣耀的财富，在他们穿越这旷野的劳作和旅行中从这里得到许多甜美的更新。
It is of excellent use to lie on the table in a chamber of sickness, and now and then to take a sip of the river of life, which runs through it in a thousand little rills of peace and joy.
将它放在病房的桌子上是极好的用途，时不时地啜饮生命河的一口，这河以千条平安和喜乐的小溪流贯穿其中。
May the Holy Spirit of God, who indited all these promises, and our blessed Mediator, who, by his ministry and by his blood, has sealed and confirmed them all, render them every day more and more powerful and prevalent to draw the hearts of men towards God, and to fit them for the enjoyment of these words of grace in their complete accomplishment in glory.
愿神的圣灵，祂启示了所有这些应许，以及我们蒙福的中保，祂借着祂的职事和祂的宝血，印证并坚立了这一切，使它们每天越来越有力量和影响力，吸引人心归向神，并使他们适于在荣耀中完全成就时享受这些恩典之言。
Amen.
阿们。
I. Watts
I. 华兹
Newington, Jan. 19, 1750
纽因顿，1750年1月19日