Prudence In Action

nancy9hoo

DO NOT yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and patiently in the light of God's will. For very often, sad to say, we are so weak that we believe and speak evil of others rather than good. Perfect men, however, do not readily believe every talebearer, because they know that human frailty is prone to evil and is likely to appear in speech.

Not to act rashly or to cling obstinately to one's opinion, not to believe everything people say or to spread abroad the gossip one has heard, is great wisdom.

Take counsel with a wise and conscientious man. Seek the advice of your betters in preference to following your own inclinations.

A good life makes a man wise according to God and gives him experience in many things, for the more humble he is and the more subject to God, the wiser and the more at peace he will be in all things.

nancy9hoo

一时的冲动和偶发之想不可冒然随从，但该在上帝旨意的光照下，仔细耐心的思量。可叹！我们如此软弱，因为我们容易相信并讲述他人之短而非他人之善。完善的人不轻信说三道四的人，因为他们知道人性软弱，容易偏向恶，并轻易地在表现在言语中。

 

行事不冒失或不固执己见，不轻信人言或不传讲听到的流言，才真是大智慧。

 

应就教于智者和诚恳的人。寻求益友的忠告应胜于随从自己的偏好。

 

善度生活使人成为合乎上帝的智者，并且在许多事上练达，因为人愈谦卑，愈顺服上帝，在所有事上，就愈有智慧，内心也愈平安。

[此贴子已经被作者于2010-5-18 8:57:12编辑过]

nancy9hoo

READING THE HOLY SCRIPTURE___The Fifth Chapter

TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought in reading the Holy Scriptures; and every part must be read in the spirit in which it was written. For in the Scriptures we ought to seek profit rather than polished diction.

 

Likewise we ought to read simple and devout books as willingly as learned and profound ones. We ought not to be swayed by the authority of the writer, whether he be a great literary light or an insignificant person, but by the love of simple truth. We ought not to ask who is speaking, but mark what is said. Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord remains forever. God speaks to us in many ways without regard for persons.

 

Our curiosity often impedes our reading of the Scriptures, when we wish to understand and mull over what we ought simply to read and pass by.

 

If you would profit from it, therefore, read with humility, simplicity, and faith, and never seek a reputation for being learned. Seek willingly and listen attentively to the words of the saints; do not be displeased with the sayings of the ancients, for they were not made without purpose.

[此贴子已经被作者于2010-5-19 11:00:13编辑过]

nancy9hoo

在圣经中所应当求的是真理，不是词藻。上帝默示的圣经作者所具有的精神，就是圣经读者应当要怀抱的精神。所以我们读圣经，应当要求益处，不是文词的典雅。

 

无论是话浅情深的书卷，或辞高意奥的书卷，我们当一样地去读。读圣经，只为寻求真理；至于作者是谁，他的文学修养或深或浅，你不应该介意。总而言之。话是谁说的，不必追究；话的意思，你却当留神。人类要消逝，主的真理是却永远长存(参诗117：2；参路21：33)。上帝用种种不同的方法对我们说话，决不偏待人(参罗2：11，10：12；

参西3：11)。

 

我们的好奇心经常阻碍我们好好读圣经，因为本来只需稍稍过目的，我们却反而要去深思明辨。
 
假如你愿意得着益处，就应以谦卑、纯洁和信服的心去读，且不可为了追求博学之名而读。圣人的话，要乐于追寻、专心倾听。不要厌恶先贤所讲的比喻，因为他们的话自有深意。(参箴1：6；参传12：9)。