勇敢地背起你的十字架——加尔文论受苦与逼迫On Suffering Persecution
The World’s Famous Orations. Continental Europe (380–1906). 1906.
作者: John
Calvin 译者/校对者: 恩静/郑丽
确实，有些人因着坚持自己头脑中的一些荒诞想法，愚蠢地将自己暴露于死亡之下。但这样的冲动更应被视为疯狂之举，而并非基督徒的热心。实际上，这些人既非意志坚定，也非理智完善，不过就是随意地结束了自己的生命。无论如何，只有上帝才能承认我们为他的殉道者。每个人都会死，上帝的孩子像罪犯一样被定罪、被羞辱和虐待，但是，上帝能区分罪犯和殉道者，正如他不可能否认他的真理一样。
IT 1 is true that persons may be
found who will foolishly expose themselves to death in maintaining some absurd
opinions and reveries conceived by their own brain, but such impetuosity is
more to be regarded as frenzy than as Christian zeal; and, in fact, there is
neither firmness nor sound sense in those who thus, at a kind of haphazard,
cast themselves away. But, however this may be, it is in a good cause only that
God can acknowledge us as His martyrs. Death is common to all, and the children
of God are condemned to ignominy and tortures just as criminals are; but God
makes the distinction between them, inasmuch as He can not deny His truth.
至于我们，必要的是，我们对自己所持守之教义有确定无误的证据，如果没有确切的信心，任何为着福音的缘故遭受逼迫的教导，我们在理性上都无法受到触动。因为为着未知冒性命之危并非人之常情，这样做的话也只能是草率行事，而非出于基督徒的勇气。简而言之，若非完全相信我们遭受逼迫，是为了上帝和他的目标，是因为世界是我们的仇敌，那么我们所做的一切都不会得到上帝的认可。
On our part, then, it is requisite
that we have sure and infallible evidence of the doctrine which we maintain;
and hence, as I have said, we can not be rationally impressed by any
exhortations which we receive to suffer persecution for the Gospel, if no true
certainty of faith has been imprinted in our hearts. For to hazard our life
upon a peradventure is not natural, and tho we were to do it, it would only be
rashness, not Christian courage. In a word, nothing that we do will be approved
of God if we are not thoroughly persuaded that it is for Him and His cause we
suffer persecution and the world is our enemy.
当我谈到这样的劝勉，我所指的不仅是我们必须知道如何区分真正的敬虔和人的滥用或愚蠢，也是指，我们必须彻底深信当我们结束这地上的争战，会拥有在天堂的生活和应许给我们的冠冕。这两点都必不可少，而且不可分割。因此，我们必须从下面几点着手，即我们必须清楚地知道我们的基督教信仰是什么，我们必须持守和跟从的信仰是什么，以及上帝已经赐给我们的教训是什么；并且我们必须以这样的教导装备好自己，才能大胆地谴责一切谎言、错谬和迷信，这些都是从撒但而来，为要败坏上帝教义的纯正和简明。因此，我们不应该惊讶，在当今时代我们很少看到人愿意为福音的缘故受苦，并且大部分自称为基督徒的人并不知道什么是为福音受苦。因为，他们所有人都不冷不热，并不认为他们对所听到或读到的与自己有什么关系，只是满足于曾经浅尝辄止的基督信仰。这就是鲜有人下定决心，以及人一遇到攻击就马上失落的原因。这个事实应该激励我们更加勤勉地寻求上帝的真理，为了能对此有十分的确信。
Now, when I speak of such persuasion,
I mean not merely that we must know how to distinguish between true religion
and the abuses or follies of men, but also that we must be thoroughly persuaded
of the heavenly life, and the crown which is promised us above, after we shall
have fought here below. Let us understand, then, that both of these requisites
are necessary, and can not be separated from each other. The points,
accordingly, with which we must commence, are these: We must know well what our
Christianity is, what the faith which we have to hold and follow—what the rule
which God has given us; and we must be so well furnished with such instructions
as to be able boldly to condemn all the falsehoods, errors, and superstitions
which Satan has introduced to corrupt the pure simplicity of the doctrine of
God. Hence we ought not to be surprised that, in the present day, we see so few
persons disposed to suffer for the Gospel, and that the greater part of those
who call themselves Christians know not what it is. For all are, as it were,
lukewarm, and, instead of making it their business to hear or read, count it
enough to have had some slight taste of Christian faith. This is the reason why
there is so little decision, and why those who are assailed immediately fall
away. This fact should stimulate us to inquire more diligently into divine
truth, in order to be well assured with regard to it.
但是，清楚地知道和深深地扎根还不是所必须的全部。因为我们看到一些人，尽管他们似乎根植于全备的教义，却不再有更多的热心和热忱，仿佛他们对上帝只有稍纵即逝的好感。为什么会这样？正因为他们从没有理解圣经的权威。实际上，我们是否认真思考过，圣经是上帝在对我们说话？若认识到这一点，我们当然会更加留心地听，并抱有更大的敬畏。如果把读经看作是和天使一道学习，我们会远比现在认真，并渴慕从供我们思考的教义中受益。
Still, however, to be well informed
and grounded is not the whole that is necessary. For we see some who seem to be
thoroughly imbued with sound doctrine, and who, notwithstanding, have no more
zeal or affection than if they had never known any more of God than some
fleeting fancy. Why is this? Just because they have never comprehended the
majesty of the holy Scriptures. And, in fact, did we, such as we are, consider
well that it is God who speaks to us, it is certain that we would listen more
attentively and with greater reverence. If we would think that in reading
Scripture we are in the school of angels, we would be far more careful and
desirous to profit by the doctrine which is propounded to us.
现在，我们来看看预备为福音受苦的真正的方法。第一，我们必须多多地在上帝的学校里受教，以至我们愿意决定持守真正的敬虔和教义；并且，我们必须摒弃撒但一切的诡计和假冒，以及人类发明的宗教，视之为轻浮的、更是属肉体的，因为它们败坏基督教的纯正。其中的区别，正如基督的真正的殉道者有别于那些纯粹为荒谬之事受苦的荒唐之人。第二，我们既对那充分的理由感到确信，就被激发热心要跟从上帝，无论他呼召我们往何处去——他的话语必须对我们有这样的权威，这是理所应当的，并且，我们已经从这个世界退出，而一定要仿佛着迷般地寻求属天的生活。
We now see the true method of preparing
to suffer for the Gospel. First, we must have profited so far in the school of
God as to be decided in regard to true religion and the doctrine which we are
to hold; and we must despise all the wiles and impostures of Satan, and all
human inventions, as things not only frivolous but also carnal, inasmuch as
they corrupt Christian purity; therein differing, like true martyrs of Christ,
from the fantastic persons who suffer for mere absurdities. Secondly, feeling
assured of the good cause, we must be inflamed, accordingly, to follow God
whithersoever He may call us: His word must have such authority with us as it
deserves, and, having withdrawn from this world, we must feel, as it were,
enraptured in seeking the heavenly life.
但更奇怪的是，尽管上帝的光照耀得比以往任何时候都要明亮，我们对热心的向往却少得可怜！如果这没有令我们感到满心惭愧，情况就更糟了。因为我们很快就要面临最后的审判，我们竭力隐藏的恶行将要浮出水面，我们会被责备，我们最终被证明是大错特错。因为，如果我们有责任为上帝作见证，按照他所赐给我们的知识的规模，按照我们所当做的，我要问，看到上帝现今如此充分地显明他自己，甚至可以说他已经向我们敞开他自己，在我们面前展示他的奥秘的大宝藏，我们是否对进入战场太过冷漠和胆怯？是否可以说，我们并不认为我们要与神同工？因为只要对他的威严稍有留意，我们就不敢将从他口中得来的教义变为某种哲学思辨。简而言之，我们如此清楚上帝的真理，却鲜有勇气去持守，这是我们何等的羞愧！更不要说是令人战兢的定罪！
But it is more than strange that, tho
the light of God is shining more brightly than it ever did before, there is a
lamentable want of zeal! If the thought does not fill us with shame, so much
the worse. For we must shortly come before the great Judge, where the iniquity
which we endeavor to hide will be brought forward with such upbraidings that we
shall be utterly confounded. For, if we are obliged to bear testimony to God
according to the measure of the knowledge which He has given us, to what is it
owing, I would ask, that we are so cold and timorous in entering into battle,
seeing that God has so fully manifested Himself at this time that He may be
said to have opened to us and displayed before us the great treasures of His
secrets? May it not be said that we do not think we have to do with God? For
had we any regard to His majesty we would not dare to turn the doctrine which
proceeds from His mouth into some kind of philosophic speculation. In short, it
is impossible to deny that it is to our great shame, not to say fearful
condemnation, that we have so well known the truth of God and have so little
courage to maintain it!
最重要的是，当我们看过去时代的那些殉道者，我们就会憎恶我们自己的胆怯！他们中的大部分人并非精通圣经到能够在所有的话题上辩论的地步。他们知道，只有一位神，即那位他们理应敬拜和事奉的神；他们被耶稣基督的宝血救赎，这样他们可以把得救的信心放在他和他的恩典里；并且，人类的一切发明都是全然的糟粕和垃圾，他们应该谴责一切的偶像崇拜和迷信。简而言之，他们的神学本质上是：只有一位神，他创造诸世界，藉着摩西和众先知，最后藉着耶稣和他的使徒向我们宣告他的旨意，我们只有一位独一的救赎主，他用他的宝血将我们买赎，我们盼望因着他的恩典而得救，世上一切的偶像都被咒诅并当被憎恶。
Above all, when we look to the
martyrs of past times, well may we detest our own cowardice! The greater part
of those were not persons much versed in holy Scripture, so as to be able to
dispute on all subjects. They knew that there was one God, whom they behooved
to worship and serve; that they had been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ,
in order that they might place their confidence of salvation in Him and in His
grace; and that, all the inventions of men being mere dross and rubbish, they
ought to condemn all idolatries and superstitions. In one word, their theology
was in substance this: There is one God, who created all the world, and declared
His will to us by Moses and the Prophets, and finally by Jesus Christ and His
apostles; and we have one sole Redeemer, who purchased us by His blood, and by
whose grace we hope to be saved; all the idols of the world are cursed, and
deserve execration.
在这样一个不包含除此以外的其他观点的体系里，他们勇敢地走向烈火，或者其他形式的死亡。他们并没有三三两两地去，而是成群结队，那些落在暴君手中的基督徒数不胜数。而我们，像是博学的文士，没有谁比我们更博学了（至少我们这样认为），并且实际上，关于经文的知识，如今上帝已经向我们展开，从前的世代从未得到如此偏爱。尽管如此，我们仍然没有一丝的热心。人们表现得如此的漠不关心，就好像他们一心想要激起上帝烈怒的报复一样。
With a system embracing no other
points than these, they went boldly to the flames or to any other kind of
death. They did not go in twos or threes, but in such bands that the number of
those who fell by the hands of tyrants is almost infinite. We, on our part, are
such learned clerks, that none can be more so (so at least we think), and, in
fact, so far as regards the knowledge of Scripture, God has so spread it out
before us that no former age was ever so highly favored. Still, after all,
there is scarcely a particle of zeal. When men manifest such indifference it
looks as if they were bent on provoking the vengeance of God.
那么，应该怎样做才能在我们的内心激起真正的勇气？首先，我们要想想我们的信仰告白在上帝的眼中有多么的珍贵。如果说我们更看重我们那本为虚空的生命，我们就根本不知道上帝是何等珍视我们的信仰告白。在此，我们表现出极度的愚蠢。若不承认信仰告白在我们的心目中有着比上帝的荣耀和灵魂得救更高的地位，我们就不能因这告白得救。[2]
What, then, should be done in order
to inspire our breasts with true courage? We have, in the first place, to
consider how precious the Confession of our Faith is in the sight of God. We
little know how much God prizes it, if our life, which is nothing, is valued by
us more highly. When it is so, we manifest a marvelous degree of stupidity. We
can not save our life at the expense of our confession without acknowledging
that we hold it in higher estimation than the honor of God and the salvation of
our souls.
如果我们去问世界上最无知甚至最粗野的人他们为什么活着，他们不会冒险回答说就是为了简单的吃喝睡。因为所有人都知道他们被造是为了一个更高、更圣洁的目的。我们还能找到什么目的? 我们被造就是为了荣耀上帝，并且进入他的治理，就像孩子在好父母的治理之下；当我们结束这败坏的一生，我们还能被上帝接纳，进入他永恒的基业。这才是最重要的，实在也是唯一的目的。当我们不考虑这点而想要过一个粗鄙的人生，这比死一千次还要糟糕，我们可以拿什么当做借口呢？活着而不知道为何活着是不正常的。拒绝我们为之而活的理由，并被这种愚蠢的渴望所影响——就想过几天与上帝隔绝、以俗世为乐的日子——我不知该怎样言说这种痴迷和疯狂。
Were we to ask the most ignorant, not
to say the most brutish persons in the world, why they live, they would not
venture to answer simply that it is to eat and drink and sleep; for all know
that they have been created for a higher and holier end. And what end can we
find if it be not to honor God, and allow ourselves to be governed by Him, like
children by a good parent; so that after we have finished the journey of this
corruptible life we may be received into His eternal inheritance? Such is the
principal, indeed the sole end. When we do not take it into account, and are
intent on a brutish life, which in worse than a thousand deaths, what can we
allege for our excuse? To live and not know why is unnatural. To reject the
causes for which we live, under the influence of a foolish longing for a
respite of some few days, during which we are to live in the world while
separated from God—I know not how to name such infatuation and madness.
但逼迫总是严酷而艰难的，那么让我们想想基督徒如何以及通过什么方法能够在忍耐中坚固自己，从而不妥协地为着上帝真理的缘故将他们的生命摆上。我们已经读出来的这段文字，若能得到正确的理解，就足以说服我们这样做。使徒说：“这样，我们也当出到营外，就了他（主耶稣）去，忍受他所受的凌辱。”（希伯来书13:13）首先他提醒我们，我们不可能在真正与上帝的儿子联合的同时又扎根于这个世界，尽管刀剑不应该害我们，火也不应该点起来烧我们。因此，一名基督徒，即使已经得了安稳，也必须时刻迈开脚步向着战场进发。不仅如此，他必须让他的情感和这个世界脱离，尽管他的身体还居住其中。我承认这乍看上去对我们来说很难，但我们还是必须对使徒保罗的话感到满足：“我们是被呼召和奉派受苦的。”他仿佛是说，这就是我们作为基督徒的境况，就是我们若跟随基督就必走的道路。
But as persecution is always harsh
and bitter, let us consider how and by what means Christians may be able to
fortify themselves with patience, so as unflinchingly to expose their life for
the truth of God. The text which we have read out, when it is properly
understood, is sufficient to induce us to do so. The apostle says, “Let us go
forth from the city after the Lord Jesus, bearing His reproach.” In the first
place he reminds us, altho the swords should not be drawn over us nor the fires
kindled to burn us, that we can not be truly united to the Son of God while we
are rooted in this world. Wherefore, a Christian, even in repose, must always
have one foot lifted to march to battle. and not only so, but he must have his
affections withdrawn from the world altho his body is dwelling in it. Grant
that this at first sight seems to us hard, still we must be satisfied with the
words of St. Paul, “We are called and appointed to suffer.” As if he had said,
Such is our condition as Christians; this is the road by which we must go if we
would follow Christ.
同时，为了安慰我们的软弱，缓和逼迫可能带给我们的烦恼和痛苦，经上反复提及一个美好的奖赏：在为上帝的缘故受苦的时候，我们是正紧随上帝儿子的脚步，并且有他作我们的引导。简单地说，成为基督徒就是我们必须勇敢地经过世界一切的羞辱，时刻面对死亡，并且去到任何上帝派我们去的地方。显然，我们可能会有托词。这是一条少见的路，在未知中前行。但当我们受命跟随主耶稣的时候，他的带领好得无比，荣耀无比，我们无法拒绝。
Meanwhile, to solace our infirmity
and mitigate the vexation and sorrow which persecution might cause us, a good
reward is held forth: In suffering for the cause of God we are walking step by
step after the Son of God and have Him for our guide. Were it simply said that
to be Christians we must pass through all the insults of the world boldly, to
meet death at all times and in whatever way God may be pleased to appoint, we
might apparently have some pretext for replying, It is a strange road to go at
a peradventure. But when we are commanded to follow the Lord Jesus, His
guidance is too good and honorable to be refused.
我们是否太过脆弱，以至不愿忍耐任何事？那样的话我们就必须放弃上帝的恩典，藉着这恩典，他呼召我们进入救赎的盼望。因为有两件事不能分割开来——成为基督的门徒，以及被诸多痛苦试炼。我们当然应当比现在更加倍看重对上帝儿子的效法。确实，在世界的价值中，为福音受苦是一种羞耻。但既然我们知道不信的人是瞎眼的，我们难道不该比他们看得更清楚？从那些拥有司法职位的人手中受苦确是耻辱，但使徒保罗以自己为例告诉我们，我们理应把因着耶稣基督而受鞭打看为荣耀，因为这正是上帝认识我们、承认我们是他子民的印记。我们也知道路加这样描述彼得和约翰，说他们为“被算是配为这名受辱”而“心里欢喜”。
Are we so delicate as to be unwilling
to endure anything? Then we must renounce the grace of God by which He has
called us to the hope of salvation. For there are two things which can not be
separated—to be members of Christ, and to be tried by many afflictions. We
certainly ought to prize such a conformity to the Son of God much more than we
do. It is true that in the world’s judgment there is disgrace in suffering for
the Gospel. But since we know that unbelievers are blind, ought we not to have
better eyes than they? It is ignominy to suffer from those who occupy the seat
of justice, but St. Paul shows us by his example that we have to glory in
scourgings for Jesus Christ, as marks by which God recognizes us and avows us
for His own. And we know what St. Luke narrates of Peter and John; namely, that
they rejoiced to have been “counted worthy to suffer infamy and reproach for
the name of the Lord Jesus.”
“羞辱”和“尊贵”是两个反义词。这个世界昏昏沉沉、毫无理智地将上帝的荣耀变为羞辱。但是对我们而言，为了在上帝和他的众天使面前得荣耀，让我们不要拒绝被这个世界诋毁。我们看到，那些领受君王命令的有志之士所承受的是怎样的痛苦，他们对此又是何等地引以为荣。上帝的儿子向我们发出命令，每个人却都退到了后面！请祷告然后告诉我，在这样做的时候，我们是否配得与他有任何共同之处？监禁、流放、恶名，一切在人的想象中意味着被羞辱的事，这里的一切都不能吸引我们肉体的天性，然而这正是真正天堂里的尊贵徽章。是什么拦阻我们按照上帝的审判和宣告来看待事情，以挽回我们的不信？愿上帝儿子的名在我们心里占据他配得的全部分量，这样我们才能够学会将他在我们身上做印记的时候看作荣耀。否则，我们的忘恩负义是不可容忍的。
Ignominy and dignity are two
opposites: so says the world which, being infatuated, judges against all
reason, and in this way converts the glory of God into dishonor. But, on our
part, let us not refuse to be vilified as concerns the world, in order to be
honored before God and His angels. We see what pains the ambitious take to
receive the commands of a king, and what a boast they make of it. The Son of
God presents His commands to us, and every one stands back! Tell me, pray,
whether in so doing are we worthy of having anything in common with Him? There
is nothing here to attract our sensual nature, but such, notwithstanding, are
the true escutcheons of nobility in the heavens. Imprisonment, exile, evil
report, imply in men’s imagination whatever is to be vituperated; but what
hinders us from viewing things as God judges and declares them, save our
unbelief? Wherefore let the name of the Son of God have all the weight with us
which it deserves, that we may learn to count it honor when He stamps His marks
upon us. If we act otherwise our ingratitude is insupportable.
如果上帝按照我们当得的惩罚来对待我们，他难道没有正当理由每天用一千种方法来责备我们吗？不仅如此，一万次的死亡都不足以惩罚我们全部恶行的一小部分！现在，如果在他无限的美善中，他将我们所有的错误都放在他的脚下并将它们废除，不但不是按照我们的过失惩罚我们，而是设计了一个令人敬仰的方法将我们的痛苦变为荣耀和一项特权，因为通过这一切我们被带入与他儿子同工的关系中，难道不应该说，当我们不看重这样的美好时，我们实在是在基督教的教义上裹足不前吗？
Were God to deal with us according to
our deserts, would He not have just cause to chastise us daily in a thousand
ways? Nay, more, a hundred thousand deaths would not suffice for a small
portion of our misdeeds! Now, if in His infinite goodness He puts all our
faults under His foot and abolishes them, and, instead of punishing us
according to our demerit, devises an admirable means to convert our afflictions
into honor and a special privilege, inasmuch as through them we are taken into
partnership with His Son, must it not be said, when we disdain such a happy
state, that we have indeed made little progress in Christian doctrine?
对上帝来说，马上给我们冠冕而不要求我们在争战中坚持，实在是容易的。但是正如他喜悦待到世界的末了基督才在他的仇敌当中作王，上帝也喜悦把我们放在仇敌们当中，遭受他们的压迫和暴力，直到他救拔我们。我实在知道，肉体被带到这个地步时会反抗，但上帝的意志仍旧必须作主掌权。如果我们对自己感到厌恶，无需感到惊讶，因为对我们来说逃避十字架是再自然不过的了。但我们仍然需要胜过它，我们知道，只要将我们心思意念全都夺回，使之顺服上帝，上帝便会接纳我们的顺服。
It were easy indeed for God to crown
us at once without requiring us to sustain any combats; but as it is His
pleasure that until the end of the world Christ shall reign in the midst of His
enemies, so it is also His pleasure that we, being placed in the midst of them,
shall suffer their oppression and violence till He deliver us. I know, indeed,
that the flesh kicks when it is to be brought to this point, but still the will
of God must have the mastery. If we feel some repugnance in ourselves it need
not surprise us; for it is only too natural for us to shun the cross. Still let
us not fail to surmount it, knowing that God accepts our obedience, provided we
bring all our feelings and wishes into captivity and make them subject to Him.
在古代，很多人为了得到一个简单的树叶头冠，拒绝没有辛劳、没有痛苦、没有烦恼的生活，甚至连死亡也在所不辞，然而他们每个人都并不知道自己最终会得到还是失去奖赏，只是为着一个可能性而奋战。而上帝反复向我们提到永不能坏的冠冕，藉此我们可以在他的荣耀上有份。他并不是让我们在前途未卜的情形下争战，而是将一个为之奋战就必得着的奖赏应许给了我们每个人。我们还有何理由拒绝争战？我们是否认为“我们若与基督同死，也必与他同活”（提后2:11b）这句话是徒然的？胜利已经为我们预备好了，我们却还在竭尽全力逃避争战。
In ancient times vast numbers of people, to obtain a simple crown of
leaves, refused no toil, no pain, no trouble; nay, it even cost them nothing to
die, and yet every one of them fought for a peradventure, not knowing whether
he was to gain or lose the prize. God holds forth to us the immortal crown by
which we may become partakers of His glory. He does not mean us to fight at
haphazard, but all of us have a promise of the prize for which we strive. Have
we any cause, then, to decline the struggle? Do we think it has been said in
vain, “If we die with Jesus Christ we shall also live with Him?” Our triumph is
prepared, and yet we do all we can to shun the combat.
[2] 英文译文为：“We can not
save our life at the expense of our confession without acknowledging that we
hold it in higher estimation than the honor of God and the salvation of our
souls.”
——编者注
