第05章 早期的改革家
§1
第五章 早期的改革家
§2
Chapter 5—Early Reformers
§3
圣经所受到的摧残十分猛烈，故此有些时期圣经的册数极少；然而上帝并没有让人将祂的话完全毁灭。其中的真理也不能永远埋没。上帝从前怎样打开监狱的铁门，解救祂的仆人，祂也能很容易地将那束缚生命之道的锁链解开。在欧洲各国，都有人受上帝圣灵的感动去寻求真理，如同寻找埋藏的财宝。上帝先引导他们注意圣经，于是他们便以热烈的心情研究其中的圣言。他们愿意付出任何代价来接受真光。他们虽然未能洞悉其中一切的教训，但有许多埋没了多年的真理却被他们发现了。于是他们以天国使者的身份出去挣断谬论和迷信的锁链，并号召那些久受奴役的人起来争取自由。{4SP 85.1}
§4
So bitter had been the war waged upon the Bible, that at times there were very few copies in existence; but God had not suffered his word to be wholly destroyed. Its truths were not to be forever hidden. He could as easily unchain the words of life as he could open prison doors and unbolt iron gates to set his servants free. In the different countries of Europe, men were moved by the Spirit of God to search for the truth as for hidden treasure. Providentially guided to the Holy Scriptures, they studied the sacred pages with intense interest. They were willing to accept the light, at any cost to themselves. Though they did not see all things clearly, they were enabled to perceive many long-buried truths. As Heaven-sent messengers they went forth, rending asunder the chains of error and superstition, and calling upon those who had been so long enslaved to arise and assert their liberty. {4SP 85.1}
§5
除了瓦典西人之外，上帝的话多世纪以来仍被埋没在古文之中，只有受过高深教育的人才能明白。可是时候已到，必须把圣经翻译出来，使各地人民都能看自己方言的圣经。世界的午夜已过；黑暗的时辰渐渐消逝。各地已有清晨的曙光出现了。{4SP 85.2}
§6
Except among the Waldenses, the word of God had for ages been locked up in languages known only to the learned; but the time had come for the Scriptures to be translated, and given to the people of different lands in their native tongue. The world had passed its midnight. The hours of darkness were wearing away, and in many lands appeared tokens of the coming dawn. {4SP 85.2}
§7
在第十四世纪有“宗教改革的晨星”在英国出现。约翰.威克里夫乃是宗教改革运动的先锋，不单是为英国，而也是为整个基督教世界。他是清教徒的先驱。他的纪元乃是荒漠中的绿洲。{4SP 86.1}
§8
In the fourteenth century arose in England the “morning star of the Reformation.” John Wycliffe was the herald of reform, not for England alone, but for all Christendom. He was the progenitor of the Puritans; his era was an oasis in the desert. {4SP 86.1}
§9
威克里夫曾受过高深的教育。但在他看来，敬畏耶和华乃是智慧的开端。他在大学里度着极虔诚的生活，并以才高识广闻名。他精通教会的规条和国家的律法，努力攻修各科的学术。这早年的教育对他日后的工作显然有很大的贡献。他一方面能运用圣灵的宝剑，同时也熟悉一般学者所用的策略。他渊博的学问使各方面人士都尊敬他。他的门人见他站在当时代学者的最前列，也引以为慰。主依其美意曾将改革的工作委托给一个才学卓越的人，以便增进他工作的威信。这会使藐视的声音止息，并防止真理的敌人讥讽真理事业的倡导者是无知的，藉此使人不相信这项工作。{4SP 86.2}
§10
Wycliffe received a liberal education, and with him the fear of the Lord was the beginning of wisdom. He was noted at college for his fervent piety as well as for his remarkable talents and sound scholarship. He was educated in the civil and the canon law, and sought to become acquainted with every branch of knowledge. In his after-labors the value of this early discipline was apparent. While he could wield the sword of the Spirit, he was acquainted also with the practice of the schools. This combination of accomplishments won for him the respect of all parties. His followers saw with satisfaction that their teacher was foremost among the sages and doctors of his time. The Lord saw fit to intrust the work of reform to one whose intellectual ability would give character and dignity to his labors. This silenced the voice of contempt, and prevented the adversaries of truth from attempting to put discredit upon his cause by ridiculing the ignorance of the advocate. {4SP 86.2}
§11
威克里夫学业完成之后，便下手研究圣经。他过去怎样透彻地钻研其他的学科，现在他照样去研究圣经。以前他曾感觉到自己有一种大需要，是他的学问和教会的教义所不能满足的。如今在圣经里他找到了过去所无法找到的真理。在圣经中他看明上帝所启示的救恩计划，并看明基督为人类惟一的中保。于是他献身为基督服务，决心要宣传他所发现的真理。{4SP 86.3}
§12
When Wycliffe had mastered the learning of the schools, he entered upon the study of the Scriptures. Every subject to which he turned his attention he was accustomed to investigate thoroughly, and he pursued the same course with the Bible. Heretofore he had felt a great want, which neither his scholastic studies nor the teachings of the church could satisfy. In the Scriptures he found that which he had before sought in vain. Here he saw the plan of salvation revealed, and Christ set forth as the only advocate for man. He saw that Rome had forsaken the Biblical paths for human traditions. He gave himself to the service of Christ, and determined to proclaim the truths which he had discovered. {4SP 86.3}
§13
他开始时非常谨慎，但当他更清楚地看出罗马教的错谬，就更热切地传讲圣经的教训。他的神学知识，敏锐的洞察力，和生活的纯正，以及他那不屈不挠的勇敢和正气，博得一般人的尊敬和信任。是一个精明强干的教师，也是一个富有口才的传道人。他在日常生活上实践他所传讲的真理。他控告神父们已将圣经置之度外，非要在教会中恢复圣经的权威不可。许多民众既看到罗马教中所普遍存在着的罪恶，就感觉不满，并公然欢迎威克里夫所阐明的真理。可是罗马教的领袖们看到这一个改革家发挥比他们更大的影响力，就大为恼恨。{4SP 87.1}
§14
He commenced with great prudence, but as he discerned more clearly the errors of the papacy, he taught more earnestly the doctrine of faith. His knowledge of theology, his penetrating mind, the purity of his life, and his unbending courage and integrity, won for him general confidence and esteem. He was an able and earnest teacher, and an eloquent preacher, and his daily life was a demonstration of the truths he preached. He accused the clergy of having banished the Holy Scriptures, and demanded that the authority of the Bible should be reestablished in the church. Many of the people had become dissatisfied with their former faith as they saw the iniquity that prevailed in the Roman Church, and they hailed with unconcealed joy the truths brought to view in these discussions; but the papist leaders trembled with rage when they perceived that this reformer was gaining an influence greater than their own. {4SP 87.1}
§15
威克里夫是一个敏锐的思想家，善于辨别错谬的道理，并大胆抨击罗马教廷所赞许的许多恶习。所以引起了教皇及其支持者的敌意。他们一再试图定他以异端的罪名，并处死他。但上帝使他得到王侯的好感。他们起来保护他。他曾被聘为英国国王的牧师，他就勇敢地反对教皇命令英国国王纳贡的事，并说教皇如此作威作福，干涉国家的君王，根本不合情理，更不符合圣经的教训。几年以后，威克里夫有机会捍卫英国王室的权利，去抗拒罗马教廷的侵略政策。英国的平民和贵族都支持他，他的敌人拿他无可奈何。有一次，当他被带到主教会议之前受审时，民众竟包围了开会的处所，并且冲了进去，站在他和一切要伤害他的人之间。{4SP 87.2}
§16
Wycliffe was a clear thinker and a keen detector of error, and he struck boldly against many of the abuses sanctioned by the authority of Rome. Thus he brought upon himself the enmity of the pope and his supporters. Repeated attempts were made to condemn and execute him for heresy; but God had given him favor with princes, who stood in his defense. While acting as chaplain for the king, he had taken a bold stand against the payment of the tribute claimed by the pope from the English monarch, and had declared the papal assumption of authority over secular rulers to be contrary to both reason and revelation. A few years later, he ably defended the rights of the English crown against the encroachments of the Romish power. The people and the nobility of England sided with him, and his enemies could accomplish nothing against him. Upon one occasion, when he was brought to trial before a synod of bishops, the people surrounded the building where the synod met, and, rushing in, stood between him and all harm. {4SP 87.2}
§17
约在这时，有两个对立的教皇出来争夺教权。各说自己是绝无错误的，各说自己是众人所必须跟从的。他们各自号召忠实的信徒来帮助他攻击对方，并用最可怕的咒诅互相威胁，用天国的赏赐奖励自己的仆从。这一件事大大地减弱了罗马教的声势，使威克里夫免遭进一步的迫害。{4SP 88.1}
§18
About this time, strife was caused in the church by the conflicting claims of two rival popes. Each professed infallibility, and demanded obedience. Each called upon the faithful to assist him to make war upon the other, enforcing his demand by terrible anathemas against his adversaries, and promises of rewards in Heaven to his supporters. This occurrence greatly weakened the power of the papacy, and saved Wycliffe from further persecution. {4SP 88.1}
§19
上帝为更重要的工作保守了祂的仆人。威克里夫效法他的主，将福音传给贫穷的人。作为神学教授，他将真理传讲给他门下的学生，以致他们称他为“福音博士。在他的教区里，他对信徒说话就象是一位朋友和牧人。I{4SP 88.2}
§20
God had preserved his servant for more important labors. Wycliffe, like his Master, preached the gospel to the poor. As a professor of theology, he presented the truth to the students under his instruction, and received the title of “The Gospel Doctor.” In his parish he addressed the people as a friend and pastor. {4SP 88.2}
§21
然而他一生最大的工作，乃是将圣经译成英文。这是有史以来第一部完整英译本的圣经。那时印刷术尚未发明，所以要发行圣经，必须用手抄的方法慢慢誊写。虽然如此，这项工作仍然完成，英国人民得到了用他们自己的语言译出来的圣经。如此上帝圣言的光芒开始射在黑暗之中。上帝的手正在为伟大的宗教改革运动预备道路。{4SP 88.3}
§22
But the greatest work of his life was the translation of the Scriptures into the English language. This was the first complete English translation ever made. The art of printing being still unknown, it was only by slow and wearisome labor that copies of the work could be multiplied; yet this was done, and the people of England received the Bible in their own tongue. Thus the light of God’s word began to shed its bright beams athwart the darkness. A divine hand was preparing the way for the Great Reformation. {4SP 88.3}
§23
威克里夫既凭公理讲话，众人就觉悟自己服从教皇的教条是错的了。一般上层阶级的人对圣经都表示欢迎，那时只有这一等人是受过教育的。他这时宣讲了改正教教义的特点，就是因信基督而得救，和惟有圣经是永无错谬的。许多神父也参加了他发行圣经和宣传福音的工作；这些人的工作和威克里夫之著作的影响非常大，以至几乎英国人民的半数接受了这新的信仰。黑暗之国发抖了。当时泛滥英国的托钵僧听了他大胆的雄辩，就又惊又恼。罗马教的恨意更强烈了，她便再次图谋止息这位改革家的声音。但主却用祂的盾牌保护了真理的使者。威克里夫的敌人企图阻止他的工作并杀害他性命的努力都没有成功。他在六十一岁的时候在主领圣餐时平安去世。{4SP 89.1}
§24
The appeal to men’s reason aroused them from their passive submission to papal dogmas. The Scriptures were received with favor by the higher classes, who alone in that age possessed a knowledge of letters. Wycliffe now taught the distinctive doctrines of Protestantism,—salvation through faith in Christ, and the sole infallibility of the Scriptures. Many priests joined him in circulating the Bible and in preaching the gospel; and so great was the effect of these labors and of Wycliffe’s writings, that the new faith was accepted by nearly one-half of the people of England. The kingdom of darkness trembled. Mendicant friars, who swarmed in England, listened in anger and amazement to his bold, eloquent utterances. The hatred of Rome was kindled to greater intensity, and again she plotted to silence the Reformer’s voice. But the Lord covered with his shield the messenger of truth. The efforts of his enemies to stop his work and to destroy his life were alike unsuccessful, and in his sixty-first year he died in peace in the very service of the altar. {4SP 89.1}
§25
威克里夫的教义继续传了相当的一段时期。可是过了不久，逼迫宗教的暴风，就向一切胆敢以圣经为向导和准则的人发作了。殉道的事件相继发生了。真理的辩护人既不能受法律的保护，又为敌人所苦害，只得向万军之主上诉呼求了。遭到追逐的改革家们却继续在隐秘处传道，尽可能在穷苦人家借宿，甚至往往藏在山洞和石穴里。许多人在地窟里，和所谓的“罗拉德塔”中勇敢地为真理作见证。{4SP 89.2}
§26
The doctrines which had been taught by Wycliffe continued for a time to spread; but soon the pitiless storm of persecution burst upon those who had dared to accept the Bible as their guide and standard. Martyrdom succeeded martyrdom. The advocates of truth, proscribed and tortured, could only pour their suffering cries into the ear of the Lord of Sabaoth. The hunted reformers found shelter as best they could among the lower classes, preaching in secret places, and hiding away even in dens and caves. Many bore fearless witness to the truth in massive dungeons and Lollard towers. {4SP 89.2}
§27
罗马教的首领们未能当威克里夫在世的时候称心如愿，及至他死了之后，他们还不以为满意。在他去世后四十多年，他的遗骸掘出来，当众焚烧，然后将骨灰抛在附近的河浜里。一位古代的作家写道，“这个河浜将他的骨灰送入埃文河，埃文河流入塞文河，塞文河注入沧海，于是就进入大洋了。如此，威克里夫的骨灰象征他的教义，现在已经散布到全世界”。他的敌人这样向他泄愤，可没有想到他们这种恶毒的行为有了多么深远的意义。{4SP 90.1}
§28
The papists had failed to work their will with Wycliffe during his life, and their hatred could not be satisfied while his body rested quietly in the grave. More than forty years after his death, his bones were disinterred and publicly burned, and the ashes were thrown into a neighboring brook. “The brook,” says an old writer, “did convey his ashes into Avon, Avon into Severn, Severn into the narrow seas, and they into the main ocean, and thus the ashes of Wycliffe are the emblem of his doctrine, which now is dispersed all the world over.” Little did his enemies realize the significance of their malicious act. {4SP 90.1}
§29
后来波希米亚的约翰.胡斯放弃了罗马教的许多谬道，着手改革的工作，也是因为看了威克里夫的作品。胡斯象威克里夫一样，是个高贵的基督徒，又是才学渊博坚定效忠真理的人。他所引证的经文和他对于僧侣们荒唐腐败生活的大胆谴责，引起了广泛的注意，结果成千上万的人接受了那更纯净的信仰。这事激怒了教皇、主教、神父和僧侣们，所以胡斯终于奉命出席康士坦茨的宗教会议去为倡导异端的罪名受审。{4SP 90.2}
§30
It was through the writings of Wycliffe that John Huss of Bohemia was led to renounce many of the errors of Romanism, and to enter upon the work of reform. Like Wycliffe, Huss was a noble Christian, a man of learning and of unswerving devotion to the truth. His appeals to the Scriptures and his bold denunciations of the scandalous and immoral lives of the clergy, awakened wide-spread interest, and thousands gladly accepted a purer faith. This excited the ire of pope and prelates, priests and friars, and Huss was summoned to appear before the Council of Constance to answer to the charge of heresy. {4SP 90.2}
§31
德国的皇帝发给他通行护照，而且他到达康士坦茨之后，教皇还亲自向他保证不会有人伤害他。但过不久，教皇和红衣主教团竟下令逮捕了他，把他囚禁在可怕的地窖里。波希米亚的一些贵族和平民为此暴行向会议提出严正的抗议。当时皇帝也不认可人违犯他所发的护照，所以也反对会议对于这位改革家所采取的手段。可是胡斯的敌人心地狠毒，意志坚决。他们用种种方法引起皇帝的偏见、恐惧和对教会的热心。他们强词夺理地证明他有权对异端分子不守信用；宗教会议的级别既比皇帝高，就能解除他遵守诺言的责任。这样，他们终于胜利了。{4SP 90.3}
§32
A safe-conduct was granted him by the German emperor, and upon his arrival at Constance he was personally assured by the pope that no injustice should be done him. In a short time, however, he was placed under arrest, by order of the pope and cardinals, and thrust into a loathsome dungeon. Some of the nobles and people of Bohemia addressed to the council earnest protests against this outrage. The emperor, who was loth to permit the violation of a safe-conduct, opposed the proceedings against him. But the enemies of the Reformer were malignant and determined. They appealed to the emperor’s prejudices, to his fears, to his zeal for the church. They brought forward arguments of great length to prove that he was perfectly at liberty not to keep faith with a heretic; and that the council, being above the emperor, could free him from his word. Thus they prevailed. {4SP 90.3}
§33
在长期审讯的过程中，胡斯一直坚持真理，最后他必须选择或是收回自己的教训，或是遭受死刑。他拣选了殉道者的终局，便在亲眼看见他所写的书籍被焚烧成灰烬之后，他本人也被捆在柱上被焚。上帝的这个忠仆在会场中，在教会和国家的许多显贵人物面前对罗马教会的腐败罪行，曾提出严肃而忠诚的抗议。他之被处死刑，无耻地违犯了最严肃而公开的保护的诺言，向全世界说明罗马教廷的卑鄙和残酷，所以事实上真理的敌人却在无意之中推进了他们所想要毁灭的运动。{4SP 91.1}
§34
After a long trial, in which he firmly maintained the truth, Huss was required to choose whether he would recant his doctrines or suffer death. He chose the martyr’s fate, and after seeing his books given to the flames, he was himself burned at the stake. In the presence of the assembled dignitaries of Church and State, the servant of God had uttered a solemn and faithful protest against the corruptions of the papal hierarchy. His execution, in shameless violation of the most solemn and public promise of protection, exhibited to the whole world the perfidious cruelty of Rome. The enemies of truth, though they knew it not, were furthering the cause which they sought vainly to destroy. {4SP 91.1}
§35
约翰.胡斯在地窖的黑暗环境中展望到真理信仰的最后胜利。他在梦中回到他从前传讲福音的堂区，看见教皇和他的主教们在那里涂抹他在会堂墙上所画基督的像。这一个异梦令他非常地不安；可是翌日他又满心喜乐了，因为看见有许多艺术家将基督的像重新画到墙上去，而且画得更多，色彩更为美丽。有很多的观众围绕着这些艺术家，及至他们画完了，便说道：‘现在让教皇和主教们来吧！他们再不能涂掉这些画像了！’胡斯讲述了这梦以后说：‘我认为这是确定的，基督的像是永远不能涂抹的。他们要想毁灭它，但将来必有比我更能干的传道人把这像描绘在众人的心里”。 {4SP 91.2}
§36
In the gloom of his dungeon, John Huss had foreseen the triumph of the true faith. Returning, in his dreams, to the humble parish where he had preached the gospel, he saw the pope and his bishops effacing the pictures of Christ which he had painted on the walls of his chapel. The sight caused him great distress; but the next day he was filled with joy as he beheld many artists busily engaged in replacing the figures in greater numbers and brighter colors. When their work was completed, the painters exclaimed to the immense crowd surrounding them, “Now let the popes and bishops come! They shall never efface them more!” Said the Reformer, as he related his dream, “I am certain that the image of Christ will never be effaced. They have wished to destroy it, but it shall be painted in all hearts by much better preachers than myself.” {4SP 91.2}
§37
胡斯死后不久，他忠心的朋友耶罗米，一个同样虔诚且更有学问的人也被定了罪，遭遇同样的命运。上帝的两位忠心的擎光者就是这样牺牲了。可是他们所宣讲真理的光辉是永不熄灭的。他们的英雄榜样必永垂不朽。人想阻止那正在破晓的新纪元，还莫如设法叫太阳倒退呢！ {4SP 92.1}
§38
Soon after the death of Huss, his faithful friend Jerome, a man of the same fervent piety and of greater learning, was also condemned, and he met his fate in the same manner. So perished God’s faithful light-bearers. But the light of the truths which they proclaimed,—the light of their heroic example,—could not be extinguished. As well might men attempt to turn back the sun in its course, as to prevent the dawning of that day which was even then breaking upon the world. {4SP 92.1}
§39
逼迫的势力虽然强烈，但在威克里夫去世之后，对流行的腐败的宗教信仰，继续有人提出沉着、虔诚、恳切、而恒忍的抗议。许多人象使徒时代的信徒一样，为基督的事业慷慨地牺牲了他们属世的财物。凡能继续住在自己家中的人，快乐地收容了被驱逐离开家人和亲族的弟兄；及至他们自己也被驱逐时，便快乐地忍受流浪者的命分，并因蒙允许为真理的缘故受苦而欢喜快乐。{4SP 92.2}
§40
Notwithstanding the rage of persecution, a calm, devout, earnest, patient protest against the prevailing corruption of religious faith continued to be uttered after the death of Wycliffe. Like the believers in apostolic days, many freely sacrificed their worldly possessions for the cause of Christ. Those who were permitted to dwell in their homes, gladly received their brethren who had been banished from home and kindred. When they too were driven forth, they accepted the lot of the outcast, and rejoiced that they were permitted to suffer for the truths sake. {4SP 92.2}
§41
罗马教作了拼命的努力，要巩固并推展他们的势力。但当教皇们依然以基督的代表自居时，他们的生活却极度腐化，令人民憎厌。借着印刷术发明之助，圣经的流传更为广泛，许多人因而看出罗马教的教义并没有圣经的根据。{4SP 93.1}
§42
Strenuous efforts were made to strengthen and extend the power of the papacy; but while the popes still claimed to be Christ’s representatives, their lives were so corrupt as to disgust the people. By the aid of the invention of printing, the Scriptures were more widely circulated, and many were led to see that the papal doctrines were not sustained by the word of God. {4SP 93.1}
§43
每当一个见证人被迫放下真理的火炬时，另一个人就把它接过来并以无畏的勇气高举起来。争战已经开始，其结果不但要恢复个人和教会的自由，也要恢复许多国家的自由。一百年之后，有人伸手和威克里夫时代的罗拉德派的人握手。在马丁路德的领导之下，改革运动在德国开始了，在法国有加尔文传扬福音，在瑞士有萨文黎。当“宗教自由”的口号从一国响到另一国时，全世界就从长期的昏睡中觉醒起来了。{4SP 93.2}
§44
When one witness was forced to let fall the torch of truth, another seized it from his hand, and with undaunted courage held it aloft. The struggle had opened that was to result in the emancipation, not only of individuals and churches, but of nations. Across the gulf of a hundred years, men stretched their hands to grasp the hands of the Lollards of the time of Wycliffe. Under Luther began the Reformation in Germany; Calvin preached the gospel in France, Zwingle in Switzerland. The world was awakened from the slumber of ages, as from land to land were sounded the magic words, “Religious Liberty.” {4SP 93.2}