348# 由上文可知，信仰在人里面的形成，凭藉三事：第一，是趋近主；第二，是从圣言学习真理；第三，是照这些真理生活。如今，既然有此三事，而一事并非另一事，随之可知，它们可以彼此分离；因为人可以趋近主，却不知道关于上帝和主的真理，只知道一些历史性的事；人也可以从圣言知道大量真理，却仍不照之生活。然而，在这三事彼此分离，即一事离开另一事的人里面，并无得救的信仰；得救的信仰惟有在这三事结合时才生起，并且此信仰如何，取决于这种结合如何。
【2】这三事若彼此分离，信仰便如不育的种子，投入土中即化为尘埃；这三事若彼此结合，信仰便如土中的种子，长成树木，其果实亦照着结合的状态而定。这三事若彼此分离，信仰便如其中毫无繁殖力的卵；这三事若彼此结合，信仰便如美丽飞鸟的有生之卵。那些人里面若此三事彼此分离，其信仰可比作煮熟之鱼或蟹的眼睛；那些人里面若此三事彼此结合，其信仰可比作透明的眼睛，从晶状液直达并透过瞳孔的葡萄膜。分离的信仰，好似在黑石上以近乎黑色的颜料所绘之画；结合的信仰，则好似在透明水晶上以美丽色彩所绘之画。分离信仰的光，可比作夜间旅人手中燃木的光；结合信仰的光，则可比作火炬的光，挥动之时，脚前每一步皆显明可见。没有真理的信仰，犹如只结野葡萄的葡萄树；由真理而成的信仰，则如结出高贵酒葡萄之串的葡萄树。缺乏真理而归向主的信仰，可比作天空广袤中出现的新星，久而渐暗；带着真理而在主里面的信仰，则可比作恒星，永远长存。真理是信仰的本质；因此，真理如何，信仰便如何。没有真理的信仰是游移不定的；有真理的信仰则是坚定不移的。并且，由真理构成的信仰，在天上发光如星。
348# 从刚才所说的清楚看出，有三件事形成人里面的信仰，即：首先靠近主；其次从圣言学习真理；再次照这些真理生活。由于它们是彼此不同的三件事，所以可推知，它们是可以分离的。因为一个人可以靠近主，却只知道关于神和主的历史真理；一个人也可以从圣言中知道大量真理，却不照之生活。但在这三件事分离，也就是说，有这件事而没有那件事的人里面，没有得救的信仰。当这三件事结合在一起时，得救的信仰才会产生，其品质取决于这种结合的性质。这三件事在哪里分离，哪里的信仰就像不育的种子，当种在地里时，这种子就会化为尘土。但这三件事在哪里结合在一起，哪里的信仰就像在地里长成一棵树的种子，并且这树照着种子和土地的结合而结出果实。这三件事在哪里分离，哪里的信仰就像不生育的蛋；但它们在哪里结合在一起，哪里的信仰就像能孵出美丽鸟儿的受精蛋。对那些将这三件事分离的人来说，其信仰好比煮熟的鱼或螃蟹的眼睛；但对那些将它们结合在一起的人来说，其信仰好比从晶状体直到瞳孔的葡萄膜，甚至通过它透明的眼睛。处于这种分离状态的信仰就像画在黑石上的一幅深色的图画；但当三者结合在一起时，信仰就像画在透明水晶上的一幅色彩艳丽的图画。当这三者分离时，信仰之光可以比作夜里旅行者手中的火把之光；而当它们结合在一起时，信仰之光可以比作明亮火把的光，当这火把移动时，它照亮每一步道路。没有真理的信仰就像结出野葡萄的葡萄树；而源于真理的信仰就像结出充满珍贵葡萄酒的串串葡萄的葡萄树。没有真理的对主的信仰可以比作出现在穹苍中的一颗新星，随着时间推移，它会逐渐变得黯淡并消失；而伴随真理的对主的信仰可以比作一颗固定的恒星，永远长存。真理是信仰的本质；因此，真理怎样，信仰就怎样，或说真理的品质决定了信仰的品质；没有真理的信仰是不稳定的，或说是游荡的信仰；而拥有真理的信仰是固定的。此外，由真理形成的信仰在天堂像星星一样闪闪发光。
IV. 连贯成一个整体，或仿佛捆成捆的大量真理提升并完善信仰
348. From what I have said just above it is clear that there are three things that form faith in us: first, turning to the Lord; second, learning truths from the Word; and third, living by those truths. Now, because there are three parts to the formation of faith and each one is not the same as the others, it follows that they are separable. People could turn to the Lord and not know any truths about God and the Lord except things they had been told in the past. People could also know a great many truths from the Word and still not live by them. People for whom these three things are separated, meaning that they have one but not another, do not have a faith that will save them. A faith begins to have saving power when these elements are connected. The quality of the faith depends on what kind of connection the three have.
Where these three elements are kept separate, the faith there is like a sterile seed planted in the ground that breaks down into dust. Where these three elements are interconnected, the faith there is like a seed in the ground that grows into a tree whose fruit reflects the nature of their connection. Where these three elements are kept separate, the faith is like an unfertilized egg. Where they are interconnected, the faith is like a fertilized egg from a beautiful bird.
The faith of people who keep these three elements separate is like the eye of a fish or a crab that has been cooked. The faith of people who interconnect these three elements is like an eye that is clear right through from the vitreous fluid to the pupils uvea. Faith in which these elements are kept separate is like a painting done with dark colors on a black stone. Faith in which these elements are connected is like a painting done with beautiful colors on a clear crystal.
The light from a faith in which these elements are kept separate is like the light of a glowing coal in the hand of a traveler at night, while the light from a faith in which these elements are connected is like the light of a blazing torch that makes each step clear as it is moved back and forth.
Faith without truths is like a vine that bears a few wild grapes. Faith made of truths is like a vine that bears bunches of high-quality grapes that yield excellent wine.
A faith in the Lord that lacks truths is like a new star that appears in the sky but then dims after a while. A faith in the Lord that has truths is like a fixed star that endures forever.
Truth is the essence of faith. Therefore the quality of the truth determines the quality of the faith. Without truths, faith wanders around; with them, it stays in one place. In fact, a faith made of truths shines in heaven like a star.
348. It is plain from what has been said above that there are three things which form faith in the case of a person: the first is to approach the Lord, the second is to learn truths from the Word, the third is to live by them. Since these three stages are distinct one from the other, it follows that they can be separated. One can approach the Lord without knowing any but historical truths about God and the Lord. One can also know large numbers of truths from the Word without living by them. But the person who has these three stages separated, that is to say, one without the other, has no saving faith. This sort of faith comes about when the three are linked together, and indeed the nature of the faith depends upon the degree to which they are linked.
Where the three are separated, there faith is like infertile seed, which when put in the ground dissolves into dust; but where the three are linked, there faith is like seed in the ground which grows up into a tree, and the fruit of that faith is dependent upon their being linked. Where the three are separated, faith is like an egg lacking any fertility; but where they are linked, faith is like the fertile egg of a beautiful bird.
[2] In the case of those with whom the three are separated, faith can be likened to the eye of a cooked fish or crab; but faith with those who have them linked together can be likened to an eye which is rendered pellucid by the crystalline humour right up to and through the uvea of the pupil. Faith separated is like a painting made with colours of dark tones on a black stone, but faith linked is like a painting done with beautiful colours on a pellucid crystal. The light of separated faith can be compared with that of a fire-brand in the hand of a traveller at night, but the light of linked faith can be compared with the light of a torch, which when shaken lights up the details of the path. Faith without truths is like a vine which bears wild grapes; but faith derived from truths is like a vine which bears clusters of grapes yielding a fine wine. Faith in the Lord devoid of, truths can be compared with a new star appearing in the sky, which grows dim in time, but faith in the Lord accompanied by truths can be compared with a fixed star, which lasts permanently. Truth is the essence of faith, and therefore the nature of truth determines the nature of faith; without truths it is errant, with them it is stable. Faith based on truths also shines in heaven like a star.
348. From the foregoing it is clear that there are three things by which faith is formed in man; first by going to the Lord; secondly, by learning truths from the Word; and thirdly, by living according to them. Now as these are three things, and one not the same as another, it follows that they can be separated; for a man may go to the Lord, and not know any but historical truths respecting God and the Lord; also a man may know truths from the Word in abundance, and yet not live according to them. But in the man in whom these three things are separated, that is, in whom one is apart from the other, there is no saving faith. Saving faith arises when the three are conjoined, and becomes such as the conjunction is. Where these three things are separated, faith is like a sterile seed, which when dropped in the earth moulders into dust. But where the three are conjoined, faith is like a seed in the ground which grows up to a tree, and the fruit of it is according to their conjunction. Where these three things are separated, faith is like an egg which contains no prolific principle; but where they are conjoined, faith is like an egg that can produce a beautiful bird. The faith of those in whom these three things are separated, may be likened to the eye of a fish or of a crab when cooked; but the faith of those in whom the three are conjoined, may be likened to an eye translucent from the crystalline humor even to and through the uvea of the iris. Separated faith is like a picture drawn in dark colors on a black stone; but conjoined faith is like a picture drawn in beautiful colors on a transparent crystal. The light of a separated faith may be compared to that of a firebrand in the hand of a traveller at night; while the light of a conjoined faith may be compared to that of a blazing torch which when waved about shows plainly each step of the way. Faith without truths is like a vine bearing wild grapes; but faith from truths is like a vine bearing clusters full of noble wine. Faith in the Lord destitute of truths may be compared to a new star appearing in the expanse of heaven, which in time grows dim; but faith in the Lord together with truths may be compared to a fixed star, which remains constant. Truth is the essence of faith; therefore, as the truth is, such is the faith; without truths it is a wandering faith, but with them it is fixed. Moreover, faith from truths shines in heaven like a star.
348. From what has just been said, it is now evident that there are three means by which faith is formed in man, namely, firstly, by approaching the Lord, secondly, by learning truths from the Word, and thirdly, by living according to them. Now, since there are three means, distinct from one another, it follows that these may be separated. For a man may approach the Lord, and yet not know any but historical truths concerning God and the Lord; and another may know truths from the Word in abundance, and yet not live in accordance with them. With the man, however, in whom these three things have been separated, that is, in whom there is one without the others, there is no saving faith; but this faith arises when the three are united, and its quality depends upon the nature of the union. Where these three things have been separated, faith is like barren seed which, when sown in the earth, molders into dust; but where they are united, faith is like a seed in the earth which grows up into a tree, yielding fruit in accordance with their union. Again, where these three things have been separated, faith is like an infertile egg; but where they are united faith is like a fertile egg, that produces a beautiful bird. Faith, with those in whom these three things have been separated, may be likened to the eye of a boiled fish or crab; but in those who have united them, to the eye transparent from the crystalline humor even to the uvea of the pupil and through it. Faith, in such a state of separation, is like a picture in dark colors, painted upon a black stone; but faith, when the three are in conjunction, is like a picture in beautiful colors upon clear crystal. Where these three are separated, the light of faith may be likened to the glare of a fire-brand in the hand of a traveler by night; but where they are united, to the light of a torch, which when moved about, shows up every step of the way. Faith without truths is like a vine bearing wild grapes; but faith arising from truths is like a vine bearing grapes that produce excellent wine. Faith in the Lord without truths may be likened to a new star appearing in the expanse of heaven, which in time fades away; but faith in the Lord, accompanied by truths, may be compared to a fixed star, which endures for ever. Truth is the essence of faith; therefore such as is the truth, such is the faith. Faith without truths is unstable, but with them it is fixed; and in heaven faith that is formed of truths shines like a star.
348. Ex supra dictis patet, quod tria sint per quae formatur Fides apud hominem, nempe quod Primum sit adire Dominum, Secundum 1 veritates ex Verbo discere, et Tertium vivere secundum illas; nunc quia tria sunt, ac unum non est alterum, sequitur quod possint separari, potest enim quis adire Dominum, et non scire veritates de Deo et de Domino, nisi quam historicas; et quoque potest quis scire veritates ex Verbo in copia, et tamen non vivere secundum illas; sed apud hominem, apud quem tria illa separata sunt, hoc est, unum absque altero, non est Fides salutis; sed haec fides oritur, quando tria illa conjunguntur, et fides illa fit talis, qualis est conjunctio. Ubi tria illa separata sunt, ibi est Fides sicut semen sterile, quod missum in terram fathiscit in pulverem; at ubi tria illa conjuncta sunt, ibi est Fides sicut semen in terra, quod excrescit in arborem, cujus fructus est secundum conjunctionem. Ubi tria illa separata sunt est Fides sicut ovum, in quo non aliquod prolificum est, at ubi tria illa conjuncta sunt, est Fides illa sicut ovum prolificum avis pulchrae.
[2] Fides apud illos, apud quos tria illa separata sunt, assimilari potest oculo piscis aut cancri cocti, at Fides apud quos tria illa conjuncta sunt, assimilari potest oculo pellucido a chrystallino humore usque in et trans uveam 2 pupillae. Fides separata est similis picturae ex coloribus trahentibus ex nigro super lapide nigro, at fides conjuncta est similis picturae ex coloribus pulchris super Chrystallo pellucido. Lux fidei separatae comparari potest cum luce torris in manu viatoris tempore noctis, at lux fidei conjunctae comparari potest cum luce facis, ex qua vibrata patent singula gressus. Fides absque veritatibus est instar vitis ferentis labruscas, at fides a veritatibus est instar vitis ferentis botros vini nobilis. Fides in Dominum expers veritatum comparari potest cum stella nova apparente in Expanso Coeli, quae tempore opacatur, at fides in Domino cum veritatibus comparari potest cum stella fixa, quae perstat in perpetuum. Veritas est essentia fidei, quapropter qualis est veritas, talis est fides, quae absque veritatibus est vaga, at cum illis est fixa; etiam fides veritatum lucet in coelo sicut stella.
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