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《正信的基督教》 第106节

(周玉阳译,2026年8月)

106# 此两种状态,可借宇宙万物予以象征呈现。盖万物皆依神性秩序而造,神性秩序充盈宇宙全体与每一个体,直至至细微之处。

第一种状态,对应人自婴孩、孩童,直至少年、青年的成长阶段;这是人在父母面前谦卑顺服,领受师长、教士教导的降卑之境。第二种状态,则对应人长成、拥有自主决断之权,也就是拥有独立意志与理智之时;身处此境,他在自身居所中执掌权柄。

是以第一种状态,可借诸多人事象征:君王之子登基掌权之前的光景、普通百姓出任官吏之前的光景、臣民受任职分之前的光景、有志圣道之人先后成为祭司、牧师、主教之前的光景;亦可借女子出嫁之前、婢女成为家主之前的光景象征。推而广之,学徒自立经商之前、士兵升任将官之前、仆役成为家主之前,皆是第一种状态。前者乃是服役顺服之态,后者则是依从自身意志、再由意志带动理智行事之态。

这两种状态,亦可见于动物界:第一种状态,是鸟兽尚且依傍父母,追随左右、由父母抚育引领之时;第二种状态,则是它们离开亲长、独自谋生自立之时。昆虫同理,幼虫匍匐、采食叶片为第一种状态;蜕去外壳、化蝶飞舞,便是第二种状态。

二者亦能由植物界之物表征:第一种状态,是种子萌发,抽生枝干嫩叶之时;第二种状态,是植株结实、孕育新种之时。此理可类比真理与良善的相合:树木枝干花叶对应真理,所结果实则对应良善。

人若停滞于第一种状态,无法迈入第二种状态,便如只生枝叶、不结果实的树木。圣言论及此等树木,记载必将被连根拔起,投入火中(太 7:19,21:19;路 3:9,13:6—9;约 15:5,6)。

这般人又如同不愿得享自由的仆役,律法对此定有规条:将他带到门旁门框,以锥刺穿他的耳朵(出 21:6)。凡未曾与主相合之人,始终为仆;唯有与主合一之人,方能得自由。主亲口言道:“所以天父的儿子若叫你们自由,你们就真自由了。”(约 8:36)

《真实的基督教》 第106节

(一滴水译,2026年修订)

106# 这两种状态由宇宙中的各种事物来代表,因为它们符合神序,神序充满宇宙中的一切事物,无论大小,甚至直到最小细节。在每个人的生命中,第一种状态由他的婴儿和童年时期,直到少年、青年和成年初期的状态来代表;这是在父母面前的谦卑状态,顺服的状态,以及被老师和牧师或导师教导的状态;而第二种状态由这个人成为自己的主人和自主选择者或拥有独立的判断力,或自由行使自己的意愿和理解力,在自己家里拥有控制权,或成为自己家里主人时的状态来代表。因此,下列状态同样代表第一种状态:一个君主或国王的儿子,或公爵的儿子在成为一个国王或公爵之前的状态;市民在成为地方官员之前的状态;国民在担任职务之前的状态;预备成为牧师的学生在成为牧师之前的状态,牧师在成为主教之前的状态;以及少女在成为妻子之前的状态,或女仆在成为女主人之前的状态;一般来说,职员在成为店主之前的状态,士兵在成为军官之前的状态,仆人在成为主人之前的状态。第一种状态是一种受人支配或仆人的状态,第二种状态是一种行使自己的意愿,并出于这意愿行使自己理解力的状态。

这两种状态也由动物王国的各种事物或各个阶段来代表:第一种状态由走兽和飞鸟继续与父母在一起,不断跟随它们,由它们喂养和引导时的状态来代表;而第二种状态由它们离开父母、自己照顾自己时的状态来代表。就毛虫而言,第一种状态由它们爬行并以树叶为食时的状态来代表,第二种状态由它们蜕变成蝴蝶时的状态来代表。这两种状态又由植物王国的臣民来代表:第一种状态由植物从种子发芽,长出枝条、嫩芽和叶子时的状态来代表,第二种状态由它结果并产出新种子时的状态来代表。这个过程也可以比作真理和良善的结合,因为属于树木的一切或各个部分都对应于真理,而果实对应于各种良善。停留在第一种状态,不进入第二种状态的人就像一棵只长叶、不结果的树,在圣言中,论到这树,经上说:

它必被连根拔起,丢在火里。(马太福音7:19; 21:19; 路加福音3:9; 13:6-9; 约翰福音15:5,6)

他就像一个不想要自由的仆人,论到他,经上吩咐:

他要被带到门或门框那里,被锥子穿耳。(出埃及记21:6)

仆人是指那些不与主结合的人,而自由人是指那些与主结合的人;因为主说:

儿子若叫你们自由,你们就真自由了。(约翰福音8:36)

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True Christianity #106 (Rose, 2010)

106. Because these two states follow the divine design, and the divine design fills everything large and small down to the least detail in the universe, therefore there are a number of different things in the universe that represent these two states.

The first state is represented by the stages we all go through from infancy to childhood and into our teenage years, our twenties, and our thirties. These stages entail our being deferential and obedient to our parents, and learning from teachers and ministers.

The second state, however, is represented by our stages later on when we are responsible for ourselves and our own choices, when we have our own will and our own understanding, and have authority in our own home.

The first state, then, is represented by the situation of a prince, the son of a king, or else a son of a duke, before he becomes the king or the duke himself; or by the situation of any citizens before they become civic leaders; or of any royal subjects before they take government positions; or of any students studying for the ministry before they become priests. The same applies to the situation of those priests before they become rectors, and of those rectors before they become deans. The same also applies to the situation of any young women before they marry; or to the situation of any female servants before they become heads of households. This is generally the situation of apprentices before they go into business for themselves, of soldiers before they become ranking officers, and of male servants before they become heads of households. The first state in every case is a kind of slavery while the second state belongs to our own will and intellect.

These two states are also represented by various things in the animal kingdom. The first state is represented by animals and birds as long as they are still with their mothers and fathers, when they follow them around constantly and are fed and raised by them. The second state is represented when they leave their parents and take care of themselves.

Caterpillars are another example. They represent the first state when they inch along and eat leaves; the second, when they shed their old form and become butterflies.

These two states are also represented by members of the plant kingdom. The first state is represented when a plant grows from a seed and is decked out with branches, boughs, and leaves; the second is represented when the plant produces fruit and generates new seeds. This sequence is equivalent to the way truth and goodness join together, in that all parts of a tree correspond to kinds of truth, and pieces of fruit correspond to good things [that result].

If we stay in the first state and do not go on to the second we are like a tree that produces only leaves but no fruit. It says in the Word that this type of tree has to be uprooted and thrown into the fire (Matthew 7:19; Luke 3:9; ; John 15:5-6). This is also like a slave who does not want to be free. There used to be a law that slaves like this had to be taken to a door or a post and have their ears pierced with an awl (Exodus 21:6). "Slaves" are people who have no partnership with the Lord. "The free" are people who have such a partnership; for the Lord says, If the Son makes you free, you are truly free (John 8:36).

True Christian Religion #106 (Chadwick, 1988)

106. These two states are represented by various things in the natural universe. The reason is that they are in accordance with Divine order, and this pervades every single thing in the universe, down to the smallest detail. The first state is represented in the life of every person by his infancy and childhood, until he becomes a youth, adolescent and young man. This state is marked by humility before his parents, obedience, and being instructed by masters and underlings. The second state is represented by the same person's state when he becomes his own master, can make his own decisions, or follow his own will and his own understanding; at this stage he has control in his own house.

The first state then is represented by the state of a prince, a king's or duke's son, before he becomes king or duke. Likewise by the state of any citizen, before he becomes a magistrate; or of any subject before he becomes an official; or of any student who is being trained for the ministry before he becomes a priest, and then his state before he becomes a pastor, and then before he becomes a bishop; or of any young woman before she becomes a wife, or of any serving girl before she becomes mistress of a household. Generally speaking, it is the state of any apprentice before he becomes a merchant, any soldier before he becomes an officer, any servant before he becomes head of a household. The first state of these people is that of being a servant, the second that of following one's own will, and so one's own understanding.

[2] There are also various representations of these two states in the animal kingdom. The first is represented by animals and birds so long as they are tended by their parents, follow them constantly, and are fed and guided by them; the second when they leave their parents and look after themselves. Likewise with caterpillars, the first state is when they crawl and feed on leaves, the second when they slough their cases and become butterflies. There are also representations of these two states in things of the vegetable kingdom: the first when a plant springs up from seed, and decks itself out with branches, boughs and leaves; the second when it bears fruit, and produces a fresh crop of seed. This can be compared to the link between truth and good, because everything about a tree corresponds to truths, its fruits to kinds of good. A person who stops at the first state without entering upon the second is like a tree which produces only leaves and no fruit; of such a tree it is said in the Word that it is to be rooted out and cast into the fire ([Matthew 17:19], Matthew 21:19; Luke 3:9; 13:6-9; John 15:5-6). Or he is like the slave who does not wish to be free, of whom it was commanded that he should be brought to the door or door-post, and have his ear pierced with an awl (Exodus 21:6). Those who have no link with the Lord are slaves, but those who have are free; for the Lord says:

If the Son makes you free, you are truly free, John 8:36.

True Christian Religion #106 (Ager, 1970)

106. These two states are represented by various things in the universe, and for the reason that they are in accordance with Divine order, and the Divine order fills all things and each thing in the universe, even to the utmost particular. In every man the first state is represented by his state of infancy and childhood until the time of puberty, youth, and early manhood, and this is a state of humiliation before his parents, of obedience, and also of instruction by masters and tutors; while the second state is represented in the state of the same person when he becomes his own master and chooser, or freely exercises his own will and understanding, and has control in his own home. So the first state is represented by that of a prince or king's son or duke's son, before he has become a king or a duke; likewise by the state of any citizen before he has assumed the office of magistrate; of any subject before he enters upon the functions of any office; of any student who is being prepared for the ministry, before he becomes a priest; and of the priest before he becomes a pastor; and of the pastor before he becomes a primate; also of any virgin before she becomes a wife, and of any maidservant before she becomes a mistress; and in general, of any clerk before he becomes a merchant, of any soldier before he becomes an officer, and of any servant before he becomes a master. The first is a state of servitude, the second is the exercise of one's own will and from this of one's own understanding. Again, these two states are represented by various things in the animal kingdom-the first by beasts and birds while they continue with their parents, following them constantly, and being nourished and guided by them; and the second when they leave the old ones and take care of themselves; likewise by worms-the first state while they crawl and feed upon leaves, and the second when they cast off their coverings and become butterflies. Still again, these two states are represented by the subjects of the vegetable kingdom-the first while the plant is springing up from the seed and is adorned with boughs, twigs, and leaves, the second when it bears fruit and produces new seed. This, too, may be likened to the conjunction of truth and good, since all things belonging to a tree correspond to truths, while the fruits correspond to the various kinds of good. But the man who remains in the first state and does not enter the second, is like a tree that produces leaves only and not fruit, of which it is said in the Word:

That it must be rooted up and cast into the fire (Matthew 7:19; 21:19; Luke 3:9; 13:6-9; John 15:5, 6);

and he is like a servant that did not wish to be free, concerning whom it was commanded:

That he should be brought to the door or to the doorpost, and his ear be pierced with an awl (Exodus 21:6).

Servants are those who are not conjoined to the Lord; while the free are those who are conjoined to Him; for the Lord says:

If the Son maketh you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36).

True Christian Religion #106 (Dick, 1950)

106. These two states are represented by various phases of life in the universe because they are according to Divine order, and the Divine order pervades all things, even to the most minute, in the universe. The first state is represented in the life of every man from his infancy and childhood to the time of his youth and early manhood. This is a state of humiliation before his parents, of obedience, and also of instruction under masters and ministers. The second state, however, is represented by that of the same person when he becomes master of himself and his own freedom of judgment, or master of his own will and understanding, in which state he is master in his own house. The first state is likewise represented by that of a prince or son of a king, or son of a duke, before he becomes king or duke; also by the state of every citizen before he becomes a magistrate; of every subject before he discharges the function of any office; also of every student who is preparing for the ministry before he becomes a priest, and afterwards before he becomes a pastor, and then before he becomes a Primate; of every virgin before she becomes a wife; and of every maidservant before she becomes a mistress; in general of every clerk before he becomes a merchant, of every soldier before he becomes an officer, and of every servant before he becomes a master. Their first state is one of servitude and the second one in which they exercise their own will and their own understanding.

These two states are also represented by various stages in the animal kingdom: the first by beasts and birds so long as they remain with their parents, whom they follow continually and by whom they are nourished and guided; and the second when they leave their parents and provide for themselves. In the case of caterpillars, the first state is when they creep and feed on leaves, and the second when they cast their skins and become butterflies. These two states are also represented in the subjects of the vegetable kingdom: the first when the plant springs from the seed, and puts forth branches, shoots and leaves; and the second when it bears fruit and produces new seeds. This process may be compared to the union of good and truth, since the several parts of a tree correspond to truths, and the fruit to good. The man who continues in the first state, and does not enter upon the second, is like a tree that bears leaves only, and not fruit, concerning which it is said in the Word:

"that it must be rooted up and cast into the fire," Matthew 21:19; Luke 3:9; 13:6-9; John 15:5, 8.

He is also like a servant who does not wish to be free, concerning whom it was decreed:

that he should be brought to the door, or to the door-post, and his ear bored through with an awl. Exodus 21:6.

Servants are those who are not united to the Lord, but the free are those who are united to Him, for the Lord says:

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" John 8:36.

Vera Christiana Religio #106 (original Latin,1770)

106. Bini illi Status repraesentantur per varia in Universo, causa est, quia sunt secundum Divinum ordinem, et Divinus Ordo omnia et singula usque ad singularissima in Universo implet: Primus status repraesentatur apud omnem hominem per statum infantiae et pueritiae ejus usque ad ephebatum, adolescentiam et juventutem ejus, qui status est humiliationis ejus coram parentibus, et tunc obedientiae, et quoque informationis a magistris et ministris; alter autem status repraesentatur per statum ejusdem dum fit sui juris et arbitrii, sive suae voluntatis et sui intellectus, in quo illi est potestas in sua domo. Primus Status sic repraesentatur per statum Principis seu filii Regis, aut Ducis, antequam fit Rex aut Dux; similiter per statum cujusvis civis, antequam fit persona magistratus; cujusvis subditi antequam aliquo officio fungitur; tum cujusvis gymnasistae qui initiatur in ministerium antequam fit sacerdos, et postea hujus antequam fit pastor, et deinde hujus antequam fit Primas; tum cujusvis virginis antequam fit uxor, et cujusvis ancillae antequam fit hera; in genere cujusvis tironis antequam fit mercator, cujusvis militis antequam fit praefectus, et cujusvis famuli antequam fit herus; primus horum status est servitutis, et alter est propriae voluntatis et inde intellectus. Bini illi status repraesentantur etiam per varia in Regno Animali, primus per bestias et aves quamdiu sunt apud matres et patres, quos tunc jugiter sequuntur, ac ab illis aluntur et ducuntur; et alter status dum relinquunt 1 illos, et sibi ipsis prospiciunt; similiter per vermes, primus dum repunt et ex foliis nutriuntur, secundus dum exuvias deponunt, et fiunt papiliones.

[2] Bini illi status repraesentantur etiam in subjectis Regni vegetabilis, primus dum vegetabile ex semine exsurgit, ac ramis, frondibus et foliis 2 insignitur, et alter dum fructus fert, et nova semina producit; hoc aequiparari 3 potest conjunctioni veri et boni, quoniam omnia quae arboris sunt correspondent veris, et fructus bonis. At homo, qui subsistit in Primo statu, et non intrat alterum, similis est arbori, quae solum folia fert, et non fructus, de qua dicitur in Verbo, quod exstirpanda et conjicienda in ignem, Matthaeus 21:19, 4 Luca 3:9, 5 13:6-9, 6 Johannes 15:5-6, estque sicut servus, qui non vult liber esse, de quo statutum erat, quod adduceretur ad januam vel ad postem, et perforaretur auris ejus subula, Exodus 21:6, servi sunt qui non conjunguntur Domino, at liberi qui Ipsi conjunguntur, nam dicit Dominus, Si Filius 7 vos liberos facit, vere liberi estis. Johannes 8:36. 8

Footnotes:

1. Prima editio: relnquunt.
2. Prima editio: folsis.
3. Prima editio: aequaparari.
4. Cf. Matthaeus 7:19.
5. Prima editio: Luca 1:9.
6. Prima editio: 10.
7. Sic Errores Typographici.
8. Prima editio: Johannes 8:8.


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