愛，永不失敗
愛，永不失敗
正文
An earnest invitation to sinners to turn to God
一個請罪人歸向神的迫切邀請
Dearly Beloved,
I gladly acknowledge myself a debtor to you, and am concerned, as I would be found a good steward of the household of God, to give to everyone his portion. But the physician is most concerned for those patients whose case is most doubtful and hazardous; and the father\'s pity is especially turned towards his dying child. So unconverted souls call for earnest compassion and prompt diligence to pluck them as brands from the burning (Jude 23). Therefore it is to them I shall first apply myself in these pages.
親愛的朋友，我樂意承認我欠你的債，並且，既然我是上帝的仆人，我極欲盡本份竭力讓神所有的家人得到他們在基督裏的福份。醫生特別會關心那些罹患重病的人，父親也會特別憐憫他正奄奄一息的孩子，因此未曾歸正的人迫切需要我們的同情，也需要我們極努力的將他們 “從火中搶出來”（猶23）。所以，我要在這書上首先對他們說話。
But from where shall I fetch my argument? With what shall I win them? O that I could tell! I would write to them in tears, I would weep out every argument, I would empty my veins for ink, I would petition them on my knees. O how thankful should I be if they would be prevailed with to repent and turn.
但我該從何說起呢？要如何才能贏回他們呢？哦！我迫切地想知道！我冀望能以淚為墨寫 給他們，也希望用哭泣來強化我的說服力！我甚而想流幹我的血成為墨水，想跪下來求他們。 哦！若我能說服他們悔改，我會何等地感謝神啊！
How long have I labored for you! How often would I have gathered you! This is what I have prayed for and studied for these many years, that I might bring you to God. O that I might now do it! Will you yet be entreated?
我為你們的靈魂費了多少苦心！我多次願意聚集你們！這麽多年來，我向神所求的是：“ 把你們帶到上帝的麵前。”但願我現在就能成功！你們願意聽我的勸告嗎？
But, O Lord, how insufficient I am for this work. Alas, with what shall I pierce the scales of Leviathan, or make the heart feel that is hard as the nether millstone? Shall I go and speak to the grave, and expect the dead will obey me and come forth? Shall I make an oration to the rocks, or declaim to the mountains, and think to move them with arguments? Shall I make the blind to see?
“但，神啊！我在這事工上無能為力。哎呀，我該用什麽刀劍刺透鱷魚的鱗甲，或使那如下 磨石般結實的心有感覺呢？難道我要向墳墓說話，並期望死人聽從我的話而從墳墓出來嗎？難 道我要向石頭演講，向山宣讀，並且期待他們因我的論證而移動嗎？難道我要叫瞎眼的看見？
From the beginning of the world was it not heard that a man opened the eyes of the blind (John 9:32). But, O Lord, You can pierce the heart of the sinner. I can only draw the bow at a venture—but may You direct the arrow between the joints of the harness. Slay the sin, and save the soul of the sinner who casts his eyes on these pages.
‘從創世以來，未曾聽見有人把生來是瞎子的眼睛開了’（約九32）。但，主啊！你能刺透罪 人的心。我隻能隨便開弓，但懇求你引導箭射入甲縫。那位閱讀本書的罪人，求主治死他的 罪，並且拯救他的靈魂。”
There is no entering into heaven but by the strait passage of the second birth; without holiness you shall never see God (Heb 12:14). Therefore give yourselves unto the Lord now. Set yourselves to seek Him now. Set up the Lord Jesus in your hearts, and set Him up in your houses. Kiss the Son (Psalm 2:12) and embrace the offers of mercy; touch His scepter and live; for why will you die? I do not beg for myself—but would have you happy: this is the prize I run for. My soul\'s desire and prayer for you is, that you may be saved (Rom 10:1).
除非人進入重生的窄門，否則便無法上天堂；非聖潔，你不能見主（來十二14）。因此，你們現在要將自己獻給神；你們現在要預備你們的心尋找惦。你們要在心裏高舉主耶穌，在你們的家裏高舉惦。當以嘴親子（詩二12），擁抱惦的慈悲；觸摸惦的杖，好得生命；你何必死亡呢？我不是為了自己懇求你，而是為了你的快樂。我跑，是為了得這個獎杯。我心裏所願，向神所求的，是要你得救（羅十1）。
I beseech you to permit a friendly plainness and freedom with you in your deepest concern. I am not playing the orator to make a learned speech to you, nor dressing the dish with eloquence in order to please you. These lines are upon a weighty errand indeed—to convince, and convert, and save you. I am not baiting my hook with rhetoric, nor fishing for your applause—but for your souls. My work is not to please you—but to save you; nor is my business with your fancies—but with your hearts. If I have not your hearts, I have nothing. If I were to please your ears, I would sing another song. I could then tell you a smoother tale; I would make pillows for you and speak peace, for how can Ahab love this Micaiah, who always prophesies evil concerning him? (1 Kings 22:8). But how much better are the wounds of a friend, than the fair speeches of the harlot, who flatters with her lips, until the darts strike through the liver? (Prov 7:21-23 and Prov 6:26). If I were to quiet a crying infant, I might sing him into a happier mood, or rock him asleep; but when the child is fallen into the fire, the parent takes another course; he will not try to still him with a song or trifle. I know, if we succeed not with you, you are lost; if we cannot get your consent to arise and come away, you will perish forever. No conversion—no salvation! I must get your goodwill, or leave you miserable.
當我與你談及你最切身的事時，請容我些微地用一種朋友的直率和坦誠的方式。我不想扮演雄辯家的角色，對你發表一篇滿腹經綸的演講，我也不想憑能言善道的口才來討好你；我寫這些因為我有重要的任務，要叫你知罪；使你歸正，拯救你的靈魂。我不是運用修辭學，放餌在鉤上，也不是想贏得你的掌聲，而是要吸引你的靈魂。我的任務不是要討好你，而是要拯救你；我的目的不是要激發你的綺想，而是要影響你的心。我若沒有你的心，我就沒有你。我若要取悅你的雙耳，我會選擇另一首曲子。若我要傳揚自己，就不會用這個方法，我會說一個更好聽的故事；我會為你安枕，說：平安。因為亞哈怎可能愛那單說凶言的米該亞呢（王上廿二 8）？但朋友加的傷痕遠比妓女的巧言來得好，因為她用諂媚的嘴，直等劍穿他的肝（箴七21- 23；六26）。如果我要叫一個正在哭泣的嬰孩安靜，我可能會唱歌為了使他的心情更好，或搖搖籃使他睡著；但，若嬰孩是掉在火裏，那麽父母就會用別的方法；他們不可能唱歌，或是扮鬼臉使他安靜。我確定，如果我們沒有贏回你，你就沒有救了。假如我們不能說服你起來離開你的道路，你將永遠滅亡。沒有歸正就沒有得救！我必須得著你離棄自己道路的承諾；不然， 在我離去後，你就要落入悲慘的光景中。
But here the difficulty of my work again occurs to me. \'O Lord, choose my stones out of the brook (1 Sam 17:40,45). I come in the name of the Lord Almighty. I come forth, like the stripling David against Goliath, to wrestle, not with flesh and blood—but with principalities and powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph 6:12). This day let the Lord smite the Philistines, spoil the strong man of his armor, and give me the captives out of his hand. Lord, choose my words, choose my weapons for me; and when I put my hand into the bag, and take out a stone and sling it, may You carry it to the mark, and make it sink, not into the forehead—but into the heart of the unconverted sinner, and smite him to the ground like Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:4).\'
但提到這兒，我就又想起我的難題。“主啊！幫助我在溪中挑選石頭。我來是靠著萬軍之耶和華的名，就是以色列軍隊的神（撒上十七40、45）。我來，像幼年的大衛攻擊歌利亞一樣，要與‘那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的爭戰’（弗六12）。但願主今日攻打非利士人，搶奪壯士的軍裝，並且把落入他們手中的俘虜給我。主啊！挑選我的言語，挑選我的工具。當我從囊中掏出一塊石子，用機弦甩去時，但願神使這石子擊中目標，使它不是進入額內，而是進入仍未歸正之人的心內；擊打他，使他像大數的掃羅一樣，不支倒地（徒九4）。”
Some of you do not know what I mean by conversion, and in vain shall I attempt to persuade you to that which you do not understand. Therefore for your sakes I will show what conversion is.
你們當中有一些人不知道我所說的歸正是什麽意思；若是這樣，我勸你們歸正也是枉然 的。因此，為了你們的緣故，我要解釋歸正的意義。
Others cherish secret hopes of mercy, though they continue as they are. For them I must show the necessity of conversion.
也有人抱著蒙憐憫的僥幸心態，雖然他們仍然生活在尚未歸正的光景中；我必須說服他們 歸正的必要性。
Others are likely to harden themselves with a vain conceit that they are converted already. To them I must show the marks of the unconverted.
也有人以徒具虛名的妄想剛硬自己，認為自己已經歸正了，對於這些人我要讓他們知道， 未曾歸正之人的特征是什麽。
Others, because they feel no harm, fear none, and so sleep as upon the top of a mast. To them I shall show the misery of the unconverted.
也有人因為沒有感覺到有什麽危險的事就不怕，這些人就像睡在桅杆上；對於這些人我要 讓他們曉得，未曾歸正之人的悲慘。
Others sit still, because they do not see the way of escape. To them I shall show the means of conversion.
也有人因為看不到可以逃走的路而彷徨失措；對於這些人我要指示他們，歸正的途徑。
And finally, for the quickening of all, I shall close with the motives to conversion.
最後，因為我希望所有的人重生，所以我要闡明歸正的動機。
一個請罪人歸向神的迫切邀請
Dearly Beloved,
I gladly acknowledge myself a debtor to you, and am concerned, as I would be found a good steward of the household of God, to give to everyone his portion. But the physician is most concerned for those patients whose case is most doubtful and hazardous; and the father\'s pity is especially turned towards his dying child. So unconverted souls call for earnest compassion and prompt diligence to pluck them as brands from the burning (Jude 23). Therefore it is to them I shall first apply myself in these pages.
親愛的朋友，我樂意承認我欠你的債，並且，既然我是上帝的仆人，我極欲盡本份竭力讓神所有的家人得到他們在基督裏的福份。醫生特別會關心那些罹患重病的人，父親也會特別憐憫他正奄奄一息的孩子，因此未曾歸正的人迫切需要我們的同情，也需要我們極努力的將他們 “從火中搶出來”（猶23）。所以，我要在這書上首先對他們說話。
But from where shall I fetch my argument? With what shall I win them? O that I could tell! I would write to them in tears, I would weep out every argument, I would empty my veins for ink, I would petition them on my knees. O how thankful should I be if they would be prevailed with to repent and turn.
但我該從何說起呢？要如何才能贏回他們呢？哦！我迫切地想知道！我冀望能以淚為墨寫 給他們，也希望用哭泣來強化我的說服力！我甚而想流幹我的血成為墨水，想跪下來求他們。 哦！若我能說服他們悔改，我會何等地感謝神啊！
How long have I labored for you! How often would I have gathered you! This is what I have prayed for and studied for these many years, that I might bring you to God. O that I might now do it! Will you yet be entreated?
我為你們的靈魂費了多少苦心！我多次願意聚集你們！這麽多年來，我向神所求的是：“ 把你們帶到上帝的麵前。”但願我現在就能成功！你們願意聽我的勸告嗎？
But, O Lord, how insufficient I am for this work. Alas, with what shall I pierce the scales of Leviathan, or make the heart feel that is hard as the nether millstone? Shall I go and speak to the grave, and expect the dead will obey me and come forth? Shall I make an oration to the rocks, or declaim to the mountains, and think to move them with arguments? Shall I make the blind to see?
“但，神啊！我在這事工上無能為力。哎呀，我該用什麽刀劍刺透鱷魚的鱗甲，或使那如下 磨石般結實的心有感覺呢？難道我要向墳墓說話，並期望死人聽從我的話而從墳墓出來嗎？難 道我要向石頭演講，向山宣讀，並且期待他們因我的論證而移動嗎？難道我要叫瞎眼的看見？
From the beginning of the world was it not heard that a man opened the eyes of the blind (John 9:32). But, O Lord, You can pierce the heart of the sinner. I can only draw the bow at a venture—but may You direct the arrow between the joints of the harness. Slay the sin, and save the soul of the sinner who casts his eyes on these pages.
‘從創世以來，未曾聽見有人把生來是瞎子的眼睛開了’（約九32）。但，主啊！你能刺透罪 人的心。我隻能隨便開弓，但懇求你引導箭射入甲縫。那位閱讀本書的罪人，求主治死他的 罪，並且拯救他的靈魂。”
There is no entering into heaven but by the strait passage of the second birth; without holiness you shall never see God (Heb 12:14). Therefore give yourselves unto the Lord now. Set yourselves to seek Him now. Set up the Lord Jesus in your hearts, and set Him up in your houses. Kiss the Son (Psalm 2:12) and embrace the offers of mercy; touch His scepter and live; for why will you die? I do not beg for myself—but would have you happy: this is the prize I run for. My soul\'s desire and prayer for you is, that you may be saved (Rom 10:1).
除非人進入重生的窄門，否則便無法上天堂；非聖潔，你不能見主（來十二14）。因此，你們現在要將自己獻給神；你們現在要預備你們的心尋找惦。你們要在心裏高舉主耶穌，在你們的家裏高舉惦。當以嘴親子（詩二12），擁抱惦的慈悲；觸摸惦的杖，好得生命；你何必死亡呢？我不是為了自己懇求你，而是為了你的快樂。我跑，是為了得這個獎杯。我心裏所願，向神所求的，是要你得救（羅十1）。
I beseech you to permit a friendly plainness and freedom with you in your deepest concern. I am not playing the orator to make a learned speech to you, nor dressing the dish with eloquence in order to please you. These lines are upon a weighty errand indeed—to convince, and convert, and save you. I am not baiting my hook with rhetoric, nor fishing for your applause—but for your souls. My work is not to please you—but to save you; nor is my business with your fancies—but with your hearts. If I have not your hearts, I have nothing. If I were to please your ears, I would sing another song. I could then tell you a smoother tale; I would make pillows for you and speak peace, for how can Ahab love this Micaiah, who always prophesies evil concerning him? (1 Kings 22:8). But how much better are the wounds of a friend, than the fair speeches of the harlot, who flatters with her lips, until the darts strike through the liver? (Prov 7:21-23 and Prov 6:26). If I were to quiet a crying infant, I might sing him into a happier mood, or rock him asleep; but when the child is fallen into the fire, the parent takes another course; he will not try to still him with a song or trifle. I know, if we succeed not with you, you are lost; if we cannot get your consent to arise and come away, you will perish forever. No conversion—no salvation! I must get your goodwill, or leave you miserable.
當我與你談及你最切身的事時，請容我些微地用一種朋友的直率和坦誠的方式。我不想扮演雄辯家的角色，對你發表一篇滿腹經綸的演講，我也不想憑能言善道的口才來討好你；我寫這些因為我有重要的任務，要叫你知罪；使你歸正，拯救你的靈魂。我不是運用修辭學，放餌在鉤上，也不是想贏得你的掌聲，而是要吸引你的靈魂。我的任務不是要討好你，而是要拯救你；我的目的不是要激發你的綺想，而是要影響你的心。我若沒有你的心，我就沒有你。我若要取悅你的雙耳，我會選擇另一首曲子。若我要傳揚自己，就不會用這個方法，我會說一個更好聽的故事；我會為你安枕，說：平安。因為亞哈怎可能愛那單說凶言的米該亞呢（王上廿二 8）？但朋友加的傷痕遠比妓女的巧言來得好，因為她用諂媚的嘴，直等劍穿他的肝（箴七21- 23；六26）。如果我要叫一個正在哭泣的嬰孩安靜，我可能會唱歌為了使他的心情更好，或搖搖籃使他睡著；但，若嬰孩是掉在火裏，那麽父母就會用別的方法；他們不可能唱歌，或是扮鬼臉使他安靜。我確定，如果我們沒有贏回你，你就沒有救了。假如我們不能說服你起來離開你的道路，你將永遠滅亡。沒有歸正就沒有得救！我必須得著你離棄自己道路的承諾；不然， 在我離去後，你就要落入悲慘的光景中。
But here the difficulty of my work again occurs to me. \'O Lord, choose my stones out of the brook (1 Sam 17:40,45). I come in the name of the Lord Almighty. I come forth, like the stripling David against Goliath, to wrestle, not with flesh and blood—but with principalities and powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph 6:12). This day let the Lord smite the Philistines, spoil the strong man of his armor, and give me the captives out of his hand. Lord, choose my words, choose my weapons for me; and when I put my hand into the bag, and take out a stone and sling it, may You carry it to the mark, and make it sink, not into the forehead—but into the heart of the unconverted sinner, and smite him to the ground like Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:4).\'
但提到這兒，我就又想起我的難題。“主啊！幫助我在溪中挑選石頭。我來是靠著萬軍之耶和華的名，就是以色列軍隊的神（撒上十七40、45）。我來，像幼年的大衛攻擊歌利亞一樣，要與‘那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的爭戰’（弗六12）。但願主今日攻打非利士人，搶奪壯士的軍裝，並且把落入他們手中的俘虜給我。主啊！挑選我的言語，挑選我的工具。當我從囊中掏出一塊石子，用機弦甩去時，但願神使這石子擊中目標，使它不是進入額內，而是進入仍未歸正之人的心內；擊打他，使他像大數的掃羅一樣，不支倒地（徒九4）。”
Some of you do not know what I mean by conversion, and in vain shall I attempt to persuade you to that which you do not understand. Therefore for your sakes I will show what conversion is.
你們當中有一些人不知道我所說的歸正是什麽意思；若是這樣，我勸你們歸正也是枉然 的。因此，為了你們的緣故，我要解釋歸正的意義。
Others cherish secret hopes of mercy, though they continue as they are. For them I must show the necessity of conversion.
也有人抱著蒙憐憫的僥幸心態，雖然他們仍然生活在尚未歸正的光景中；我必須說服他們 歸正的必要性。
Others are likely to harden themselves with a vain conceit that they are converted already. To them I must show the marks of the unconverted.
也有人以徒具虛名的妄想剛硬自己，認為自己已經歸正了，對於這些人我要讓他們知道， 未曾歸正之人的特征是什麽。
Others, because they feel no harm, fear none, and so sleep as upon the top of a mast. To them I shall show the misery of the unconverted.
也有人因為沒有感覺到有什麽危險的事就不怕，這些人就像睡在桅杆上；對於這些人我要 讓他們曉得，未曾歸正之人的悲慘。
Others sit still, because they do not see the way of escape. To them I shall show the means of conversion.
也有人因為看不到可以逃走的路而彷徨失措；對於這些人我要指示他們，歸正的途徑。
And finally, for the quickening of all, I shall close with the motives to conversion.
最後，因為我希望所有的人重生，所以我要闡明歸正的動機。
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