APPROBATIONS
许可
THE first Pope officially to take notice of “Ciudad de Dios” was Pope Innocent XI, who, on July 3, 1686, in response to a series of virulent attacksand machinations of some members of the Sorbonne, known to be Jansenists, issued a breve permitting the publication and reading of the “Ciudad de Dios.”
第一个正式注意到《天主奥秘之城》的教宗是依诺森十一世，他在1686年7月3日，为了应对索邦大学的一些成员(众所周知是詹森主义者)的一系列恶意攻击和阴谋，发布了一份简短的出版和阅读《天主奥秘之城》的许可。
Similar decrees were afterward issued by Popes Alexander VIII, Clement IX and Benedict XIII.
随后，教宗亚历山大八世、克雷孟九世和本笃十三世也颁布了类似的法令。
These decrees were followed by two decrees of the Congregation of Rites, approved by Benedict XIV and Clement XIV, in which the authenticity of “Ciudad de Dios” as extant and written by the Venerable Servant of God, Mary of Jesus, is officially established.
这些法令之后是经本笃十四世和克雷孟十四世批准的圣礼部的两项法令，其中正式确立了天主的可敬仆人‘耶稣的玛利亚’所写的现存的《天主奥秘之城》的真实性。
The great pope Benedict XIII, when he was archbishop of Benevent, used these revelations as material for a series of sermons on the Blessed Virgin.
伟大的教宗本笃十三世，当他担任本杰夫特总主教时，曾把这些启示作为他对圣母一系列讲道的材料。
On Sept. 26, 1713, the bishop of Ceneda, Italy, objecting to the publication of the “City of God,” was peremptorily ordered by the Holy Office to withdraw his objections as interfering with the decree of pope Innocent XI for the universal Church.
1713年9月26日，意大利塞内达主教因反对出版《天主奥秘之城》而被圣部以干涉教宗依诺森十一世关于普世教会的法令为由，强制撤回他的反对意见。
The process of canonization of Mary of Agreda was promoted by the Spanish bishops and other eminent men of the Church soon after her death in 1666.
1666年‘艾吉达的玛利亚’去世后不久，西班牙主教和其他教会知名人士推动了为她封圣的进程。
It has resulted so far in securing her the title of Venerabilis, thus clearing the way to her beatification, for which, let us hope, God will soon raise a promoter among the many pious and eminent men who hold in esteem her writings and have learned of her holy life and of the miracles wrought at her tomb.
到目前为止，封圣进展已经确保了她的“可敬”名号，从而为她的列入真福扫清了道路，为此，让我们希望，天主将很快在许多虔诚和杰出的人中兴起一个推动者，他们尊重她的著作，了解她的神圣生活和在她墓前所造成的奇迹。
The Redemptorist Fathers published a new German translation in 1885, which was approved and highly recommended by the Bishop of Ratisbon in the following terms:
赎世主会神父们在1885年出版了一个新的德语译本，该译本得到了雷根斯堡主教座堂主教的批准和高度推荐，内容如下:
“We take pleasure in giving our episcopal approbation to the annotated translation of the Spanish original “Ciudad de Dios” of Mary of Jesus and recommend this book, which will surely edify all readers and be the occasion, of great spiritual blessings.”
「我们很高兴以主教的身份认可‘耶稣玛利亚’的西班牙原文《天主奥秘之城》的注释性翻译，并推荐这本书，它肯定会启迪所有读者，并成为伟大的属灵祝福的原由。」
Ratisbon, September 29, 1885.
拉蒂斯本，1885年9月29日
Ignatius, Bishop of Ratisbon.
拉蒂斯本主教依纳爵。
Notable is the high recommendation of the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Apost. Legate, Primate of Germany, etc.
值得注意的是萨尔茨堡枢机总主教，德国教廷大使，首席主教等的高度推荐。
“According to the decrees of Pope Innocent XI and Clement XI the book known as ‘Ciudad de Dios’ written by the Venerable Servant of God, Maria de Jesus, may be read by all the faithful.”
「根据教宗依诺森十一世和克雷孟十一世的法令，天主“可敬”的仆人‘耶稣的玛丽亚’所写的被称为《天主奥秘之城》的书，可以被所有的信徒阅读。」
“A number of episcopal approbations, the recommendations of four renowned universities, namely, of Toulouse, Salamanca, Alcala and Louvain, and of prominent members of different orders, coincide in extolling the above-named work.
「一些主教的批准，四所著名大学，即图卢兹大学、萨拉曼卡大学、阿尔卡拉大学和鲁汶大学，以及不同教派的杰出成员的推荐，都一致赞扬了上述作品。
The learned and pious Cardinal D’Aguirre says that he considers all the studies of fifty years of his previous life as of small consequence in comparison with the doctrines he found in this book, which in all things are in harmony with the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Fathers and Councils of the Church. The Venerable Superior-General of St. Sulpice, Abbe Emery, adds: “Only since I read the revelations of Mary of Agreda do I properly know Jesus and his Holy Mother.”
博学而虔诚的枢机主教德阿吉雷说，与他在这本书里找到的教导相比，他认为他前五十年的所有研究都是微不足道的，这本书在所有事情上都与圣经、圣父和教会大公会议保持一致。可敬的圣叙尔皮斯修会总会长阿贝·埃默里补充道：「只有当我读了‘艾吉达的玛利亚’的启示后，我才真正了解了耶稣和祂的圣母。」
“We therefore do not hesitate—in granting our episcopal approbation to—“Ciudad de Dios”—and wish to recommend it to the faithful and especially to our clergy.”
「因此，我们毫不犹豫地授予《天主奥秘之城》我们的主教认可，并希望推荐给信徒，特别是我们的神职人员。」
Franz Albert, Archbishop.
弗朗兹 阿尔伯特总主教
Archiepiscopal Chancery, Salzburg.
萨尔茨堡总主教文书院。
September 12, 1885.
1885年9月12日
A more recent official approbation of “Ciudad de Dios” is from the Bishop of Tarazona, prefacing the new edition of 1911-1912.
最近官方对《天主奥秘之城》的批准来自于塔拉索纳的主教，为1911-1912年的新版作的序言。
“We, Dr. James Ozoidi y Udave, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See, Bishop of Tarazona, Administrator Apostolic of the Diocese of Tudela, etc., etc.
「我们，雅格·奥佐伊迪·乌戴夫博士，塔拉佐纳主教，图德拉教区宗座署理等等，承蒙天主和宗座的恩宠。
Having charged the priest Don Eduardo Royo, chaplain and confessor at the convent of the Immaculate Conception of Agreda, carefully and exactly to compare the manuscript which is to serve as copy for the printing of the new edition of the “City of God” now about to be published by the religious of the above-named convent, with the authenticated autograph manuscript of that work there preserved,—and having ascertained by a personal revision of a great part of the manuscript that the said priest has diligently and faithfully fulfilled this charge imposed upon him by us:
已责成艾吉达圣母无玷始胎修会的司祭、特派司铎和听告解神父唐·爱德华多·罗约仔细、准确地比较手稿，该手稿将作为即将由上述修会的修士出版的新版《天主奥秘之城》的印刷稿，保存了经认证的该作品亲笔签名手稿，并通过亲自修改手稿的大部分，确定上述司铎已尽职尽责地履行了我们对他的责成：
We now therefore certify that this present edition of ‘Ciudad de Dios'with the exception of a few mere orthographic modifications, is entirely conformable to the autograph of that work as composed and written by the Venerable Mother Mary of Jesus of Agreda.
因此，我们现在证实除了少数几个正字法修改外，这一版本完全符合可敬的‘艾吉达的耶稣玛利亚’所创作和书写的作品的手稿。
Tarazona, April 7, 1911.
塔拉佐纳，1911年4月7日
James, Bishop of Tarazona.
塔拉佐纳主教雅格
Finally follows the official approbation of the Right Reverend Bishop of the Fort Wayne Diocese, where this English translation is published.
最后，在韦恩堡教区的可敬的总主教的官方批准之后，这个英译本在那里出版。
Rome City, Ind., Aug. 24, 1912.
印第安纳州罗马市。1912年8月24日。
The Rev. George J. Blatter,
乔治·J·布拉特神父，
Dear Rev. Father:—
亲爱的可敬的神父
My Imprimatur is herewith granted to your English translation of the work entitled ‘Ciudad de Dios? Wishing you every blessing, I remain,
兹批准你对题为《天主奥秘之城》的英文版翻译，愿你拥有我所有的祝福，
Devotedly in Domino,
全心赞美上主
H. J. ALERDINH, Bishop of Fort Wayne.
H.J.阿勒丁,韦恩堡主教
The author has made use of capital letters in the text slightly at variance with common usage, in order to avoid complication and secure greater clearness.
作者在文本中使用了与常用用法略有不同的大写字母，以避免复杂化和确保更清楚。
The paragraph numbers are those of the newest Spanish edition of “Ciudad de Dios” in 1912. In the abridgment they vary slightly.
段落编号是1912年最新西班牙版《天主奥秘之城》。在删节部分中，它们略有不同。
译注：很遗憾，《天主奥秘之城》中文译本到现在才着手翻译，这对几百年来的中国基督徒来说是多么大的损失啊！作为有新教背景的牧师翻译这本书，也是很不可思议。对我们中文译者团队来说当然万分荣幸，只是确实感到太晚了。
INTRODUCTION
引言
1. When I was ready to present before the throne of God the insignificant results of my labors in writing the first part of the most holy life of Mary, the Mother of God, I wished to subject it to the scrutiny and correction of the divine light, by which I had been guided in my shortcomings.
1. 当我准备在天主的宝座前展示圣母玛利亚最神圣生命的第一部分，那是我微不足道的劳动成果，我希望让它接受神圣之光的审查和纠正，这是引导我改正缺点的光。
I was very anxious to be consoled by the renewed assurance, and benign approval of the Most High, and to know, whether He wished me to continue or to abandon this work, which is so far above my lowliness.
我急切地想从至高的天主那里得到再次保证和温和赞许的安慰，想知道祂是希望我继续做这项工作，还是希望我放弃这项远远超出卑微的我的工作。
The Lord responded saying: “Thou hast written well, and according to our pleasure; but We desire thee to understand, that in order to manifest the mysteries and most high sacraments of the rest of the life of our only and chosen Spouse, Mother of our Onlybegotten, thou hast need of a new and more exalted preparation.
上主回答说：「你写得很好，合我们的心意；但是我们希望你明白，为了显示我们唯一的和拣选的净配，我们独生子的母亲的余生的奥秘和最崇高的圣事，你需要一个新的和更崇高的预备。
It is our wish that thou die to all that is imperfect and visible, and that thou live according to the spirit; that thou renounce all the occupations and habits of an earthly creature and assume instead those of an angel, striving to attain in them a still greater purity and an entire conformity with what thou art to understand and write.”
我们的愿望是，你要向所有不完美的和可见的事物死去，你要顺着圣神而活；你要弃绝所有尘世受造物的消遣和习性，取而代之的是天使的，努力在其中获得更大的纯洁和与你所理解和书写的完全一致。」
2.In this answer of the Most High I understood, that such a high perfection of life and habits and such an unwonted exercise of virtues was proposed and required of me, that, full of diffidence, I became disturbed and fearful of undertaking a work so arduous and difficult for an earthly creature.
2. 在至高天主的回答中，我明白了，如此成全的生活和习性，如此不寻常的美德操练，是向我提出和要求的，因此，我充满了羞怯，忐忑不安，害怕承担对一个世俗的人来说如此艰巨和困难的工作。
I felt within myself great repugnance rising up in the flesh against the spirit.
我觉得自己内心深处有一种强烈的厌恶感，那就是从肉体上起来反抗圣神。
The spirit called me with interior force, urging me to strive after the disposition, which was required of me, and advancing as argument the pleasure of the Lord and the benefits accruing to myself.
圣神以内在的力量召叫我，督促我努力追求我所需要的性情，并以天主的喜悦和自己的益处为凭据。
On the other hand the law of sin (Rom. 7, 23), which I felt in my members, opposed the divine promptings and discouraged me by the fear of my own inconstancy.
另一方面，我在我的肢体中感受到的罪律（罗马书7章23节）反对上主的指示，并因害怕自己的反复无常而使我气馁。
［经文〈罗马书7:23〉：可是，我发觉在我的肢体内，另有一条法律，与我理智所赞同的法律交战，并把我掳去，叫我隶属于那在我肢体内的罪恶的法律。]
I felt a great distaste, which deterred me and a great pusillanimity which filled me with fear. In this excitement I began to believe, that I was not capable of treating about such high things, especially as they were so foreign to the condition and estate of a woman.
我感到一种极大的厌恶，这使我望而却步，一种极大的怯懦，这使我充满了恐惧。在这种激动中，我开始相信，我没有能力处理如此崇高的事情，尤其是当它们与一个女人的状况和地位如此格格不入的时候。
3. Overcome by fears and difficulties, I resolved not to continue this work, and to use all possible means to adhere to this determination.
3. 我克服了恐惧和困难，决心不再继续这项工作，并用一切可能的手段坚持这一决心。
The common enemy knew my fear and cowardice, and, as his utmost cruelty is more aroused against the weak and disheartened, he made use of this very disposition to attack me with incredible fury.
普通的仇敌知道我的恐惧和怯懦，由于牠对软弱和灰心的人更加残忍，牠就利用这种性情以难以置信的愤怒攻击我。
It seemed to him, that I was left without help in his hands. In order to conceal his malice, he sought to transform himself into an angel of light, pretending to be very solicitous for my soul and for my welfare.
在仇敌看来，我在牠的手上孤身无援。为了掩饰牠的恶意，牠试图把自己变成一个光明的天使，假装非常关心我的灵魂和我的福祉。
Under this false pretext he perfidiously deluged me with his suggestions and doubts; he represented to me the danger of damnation and frightened me with punishments similar to those of the chief of the angels (Is. 14, 12), since I had sought in my pride to comprehend, what was above my powers and in opposition to God himself.
在这个虚伪的借口下，牠背信弃义地向我灌输牠的建议和怀疑；牠向我指出了被定罪的危险，并以天使之首被咒诅的刑罚来恐吓我(依撒意亚14：12)，因为我曾在骄傲中寻求理解超越我能力的事物，并反对天主自己。
［经文〈依撒意亚 14:12〉：朝霞的儿子──晨星！你怎会从天坠下？倾覆万邦者！你怎么也被砍倒在地？]
4. He pointed out to me many souls, who, professing virtue, were deceived by some secret presumption and by yielding to the insinuations of the devil; and he made me believe, that in so far as I sought to scrutinize the secrets of the divine Majesty (Prov. 25, 27), I could not but be guilty of pride and presumption, thus being already judged.
4. 牠向我指出，许多人自称有美德，却被某种隐秘的傲慢所欺骗，并屈从于魔鬼的暗示。牠使我相信，当我试图窥探荣耀尊威的天主的秘密时(箴言25：27)，我不能不为自己的傲慢和狂妄而感到内疚，因为我已经受到了审判。
［经文〈箴言25：27〉：吃蜂蜜过多，有损无益；过于求光荣，反而受累。]
He urged very strongly, that the present times were ill suited for such matters and sought to confirm his assertion by what happened to some well known persons, who were found to labor under deceit and error.
仇敌极力主张，现在的时代不适合这样的事情，并试图通过一些知名人士的遭遇来证实牠的断言，这些人被发现在欺骗和错误中工作。
He reminded me of the dread of the spiritual life in others; how great would be the discredit, which would arise by any mistake of mine and what evil effect it would have on those of little piety; all this I would know by experience and to my regret, if I persisted in writing about this matter.
牠让我想起了对别人精神生活的畏惧；如果我犯了任何错误，那将是多么大的耻辱啊，对那些不大虔诚的人会产生多么邪恶的影响啊，如果我坚持要把这一切写下来，我将凭经验和遗憾了解这一切。
And as it is true evidently, that all the opposition to the spiritual life and the small esteem in which the mystic virtues are held, is caused by that mortal enemy, so, for the purpose of doing away with Christian devotion and piety in many souls, he succeeds in deceiving some and in sowing the cockle among the good seed of the Lord (Matth. 13, 25).
显然，所有对灵性生活的反对和对奥秘美德的轻视，都是由那个死敌引起的，因此，为了在许多灵魂中消除基督徒的虔诚和孝爱，牠成功地欺骗了一些人，并在主的好种子中播下了莠子(玛窦福音 13:25)。
［经文〈玛窦福音 13:25〉：但在人睡觉的时候，他的仇人来，在麦子中间撒上莠子，就走了。 (玛窦福音 13:25)
Thus he causes confusion and obscures the true sentiment concerning it, making it more difficult to distinguish the darkness from the light.
因此，牠造成了混乱，模糊了与之相关的真实情感，使得区分黑暗和光明变得更加困难。
I am not surprised to see him succeed therein, as the true discernment is the special work of God and of those, who participate in his true wisdom, and do not govern themselves only by earthly insight.
看到仇敌在其中取得成功，我并不感到惊讶，因为真正的洞察力是天主和那些参与天主的真正智慧者的特殊作为，而不是仅仅通过世俗的领悟来管理自己。
5. It is not easy during this mortal life to discern true prudence from the false; for often also the good intention and zeal warp the human judgment, when counsel and light from on high are wanting.
5. 在这凡人的一生中，辨别真实的明智和虚假的明智是不容易的；因为当缺少来自上天的劝谕和光照时，善意和热情也常常扭曲人类的判断。
I had occasion to learn this in the execution of that which I am about to undertake: for some persons, well known as devout, not only those who loved me on account of their piety and desired my welfare, but also those who were less loving and considerate: all alike at one time wished to deter me from this undertaking, and also from the path, which I was going, as if I was proceeding upon it by my own choice.
在执行我即将承担的任务时，我有机会了解到这一点：对于一些众所周知的虔诚的人来说，不仅是那些因为虔诚而爱我并渴望我幸福的人，而且还有那些不那么爱我和体贴我的人：所有人都曾一度希望阻止我从事这项工作，也阻止我走这条道路，就好像这是我自己选择的。
Their fear of drawing discredit or confusion upon those who were striving after piety with me, or upon religion or my neighbors, and especially upon the convent in which I lived, caused them anxiety and to me, affliction.
他们害怕给那些和我一起努力追求虔诚的人，或给修会或我的近人，尤其是给我居住的女修道院带来羞辱或困惑，这使他们焦虑，对我来说也是痛苦。
I was much enamoured by the security, which the ordinary paths of the other nuns seemed to offer; I acknowledge, that this suited more my own insight and my inclination and desires, and was urged upon me still more by my timidity and my great fears.
其他修女走普通的路，似乎有一种安全感，这使我十分着迷。我承认，这更适合我自己的洞察力和我的倾向和愿望，而我的胆怯和巨大的恐惧更促使我这样做。
6. Cast about upon these impetuous waves, my heart sought to reach the port of obedience in order to reassure me in the bitter sea of my confusion.
6. 在汹涌的波浪中，我的心试图到达顺从的港口，以便在痛苦的混乱的海洋中让我安心。
To add to my tribulation, it began to be rumored about in our order, that my spiritual father and superior, who had for many years directed my soul and who well understood my interior trials, who moreover had commanded me to write the preceding part of this history, who would most likely encourage, quiet, and console me, was suggested for removal to a higher office.
让我更加痛苦的是，在我们的修会中，开始有传言说，我的属灵父亲和长上，多年来一直指导着我的灵魂，他非常了解我内心的磨练，而且他还命令我写下这段历史的前半部分，这个最有可能鼓励我、让我安静下来并安慰我的人，被建议调到更高的职位。
The suggestion was not acted upon, but it occasioned his absence for many days, and the dragon took advantage of all this in order to pour out against me the furious river of his wrath (Apoc. 12, 15).
这个建议没有被付诸行动，但却导致长上离开了多日，而巨龙利用这一切，向我倾泻了牠愤怒的河水。(默示录 12:15)
［经文〈默示录 12:15〉：那蛇遂在女人后面，从自己的口中吐出一道像河的水，为使那女人被河水冲去； ]
Thus, though in vain, he exerted all his malice, on this occasion and others, to entice me from obedience and deprive me of the guidance of my superior and master.
因此，牠虽然徒劳，但是牠见缝插针，施加了一切恶意，引诱我不服从，剥夺我的长上和神师的指导。
7. In addition to all the contradictions and temptations already mentioned, and many others not possible to describe, the demon sought to deprive me of my health, causing many aches, indispositions and disorders of the whole body.
7. 除了前面提到的以及许多无法描述的所有矛盾和诱惑，恶魔试图剥夺我的健康，造成整个身体的许多疼痛、不适和紊乱。
He harassed me with insurmountable sadness and conflicting thoughts; he seemed to confuse my understanding, hinder correct thinking, weaken my will power, and sift me in body and soul.
牠用难以克服的悲伤和矛盾的思想侵扰我；牠似乎混淆了我的理解力，阻碍了我正确的思考，削弱了我意志的力量，使我的身体和灵魂都受到了考验。
And it happened that in the midst of this confusion I committed some faults, which were serious enough in me, although they were committed not so much in malice as from human fraility.
碰巧，在这种混乱之中，我犯了一些错误，这些错误对我来说是足够严重的，尽管它们与其说是出于恶意，不如说是出于人性的脆弱。
Nevertheless the serpent sought to use them for my destruction more than any other means; for thus having interrupted the flow of good works, his fury was let loose to cause still greater faults in this embarrassment by inveigling me to exaggerate my guilt.
然而，那条古蛇想要用这些东西毁灭我，胜过用别的东西。因为牠这样打断了我的善行，牠的愤怒被释放出来，诱使我夸大我的罪过，从而在这难堪中造成更大的错误。
To this he drove me by impious and most insidious suggestions, seeking to persuade me, that all that I had experienced in the path which I had trodden, was false and erroneous.
对此，牠用不敬和最阴险的建议驱使我，试图说服我，我在我所走过的道路上所经历的一切，都是虚假的和错误的。
8. As these insinuations, on account of the faults committed and on account of my continual consternation and fears, began to appear plausible, I resisted them less than others; and it was only through the special mercies of the Lord, that I did not fall entirely from all belief and hope in a remedy.
8. 由于这些含沙射影的暗示，由于所犯的错误和我不断的惊恐和畏惧，这些暗示开始显得貌似有理，我比其他人更少抵制它们；只有通过主的特别的怜悯，我才没有完全放弃信仰和盼望。
But I found myself so entangled in difficulties and surrounded by darkness, that I may say, the groanings of death encompassed me and the sorrows of hell engulfed me (Ps. 17, 5) inspiring me with dread of extreme peril.
但我发现自己被困难围困，被黑暗包围，可以说，死亡的呻吟包围我，地狱的痛苦包围我(圣咏17：5)，使我胆战心惊。
［经文〈圣咏17：5〉：死亡的狂涛环围着我，凶恶的险波惊吓着我，]
I resolved to burn the manuscripts of the first part of this divine history and to desist from writing the second. The angel of satan, who inspired me with this resolution, induced me also to withdraw myself from the whole undertaking: to put an end to the pursuit of the spiritual life, to neglect my interior life, and not to communicate about it with any one.
我决定烧毁这段神圣历史的第一部分手稿，不再写第二部分。鼓动我做出这个决定的撒殚的使者，也诱导我退出整个任务：结束对灵性生活的追求，忽视我的内在生活，不与任何人交流。
Thus would I be able to do penance for my sins, appease the Lord, propitiate Him, and retain his friendship.
这样，我就可以补赎我的罪，安抚上主，抚慰祂，保持祂的友谊。
In order to make sure of the effects of his concealed malice he proposed, that I make a vow not to write any more on account of the danger of being deceived and of deceiving; but that instead, I amend my life, retrench my imperfections and embrace penance.
为了确定仇敌隐藏的恶意的影响，牠建议我发誓不要再写作，因为我有被欺骗和欺骗人的危险；但相反，我改变了我的生活，缩小了我的缺点，欣然补赎。
9. With this masque of seeming virtue the dragon pretended to establish his damnable counsels and cover himself with the skin of a sheep, while in reality he acted as a bloodthirsty and devouring wolf.
9. 龙装出一副美德的样子，假装制定牠那可恶的计划，用羊皮把自己盖住，而实际上牠是一只嗜血的狼。
He persevered for some time in this attack and all alone I remained for fifteen days in a night of darkness, without relief or consolation either human or divine: without the former, because I was without the help and the counsel of obedience, and without the latter, because the Lord had interrupted the flow of his favors, his enlightenments and continual inspiration.
牠在这次攻击中坚持了一段时间，我独自一人在暗夜呆了十五天，即没有人的安慰，也没有天主的安慰：没有人的安慰，因为我內没有顺服的帮助和忠告，没有天主的安慰，因为上主中断了祂的恩惠、祂的启迪和不断涌流的灵感。
Above all was I distressed by despair of salvation and in it, the persuasion, that death and the danger of my eternal damnation was approaching; all this was instigated and fostered in me by the enemy.
最令我痛苦的是，我觉得我的灵魂得不到救赎，在绝望中，我深信死亡和我被永远诅咒的危险正在逼近；这一切都是仇敌在我心中煽动和助长的。
,10. But as the aftertastes of his temptations are so bitter and end but in despair, the very disturbance, by which he upset the whole republic of my powers and acquired habits, made me more wary of fulfilling anything which he urged on me and proposed to me.
10. 但是，由于仇敌诱惑的余味是如此苦涩，并在绝望中结束，这正是牠扰乱我整个的力量和养成的习惯，使我更加警惕，不愿完成牠催促我和向我提议的一切。
He availed himself of the continual fear, which tormented me with the dread of offending God and of losing his friendship and when, in my doubts, I applied myself to works of piety, he sought to draw me away.
牠利用了这种持续不断的恐惧，这种恐惧折磨着我，我害怕冒犯天主，害怕失去天主的友谊。当我心存疑虑，一心从事虔诚的工作时，牠却想把我引开。
This very fear however made me hesitate at what the astute dragon had tried to convince me of and in this uncertainty I deferred giving assent to it.
然而，正是这种恐惧使我对狡猾的龙试图说服我的东西犹豫不决，在这种犹豫不定的情况下，我迟迟不同意。
My high regard for obedience also, by which I had been ordered to write, and the contrariness of that which I felt in my interior, helped me to resist and to recoil at his suggestions.
我对服从的高度尊重，这也是我被命令去写的，以及我内心感受到的矛盾，帮助我抵制和厌弃牠的建议。
Above all the assistance of the Most High defended me and permitted not the beasts to snatch my soul, which amid sighs and groans confessed Him.
最重要的是，至高天主帮助保护了我，不允许野兽抢夺我的灵魂，我的灵魂在叹息和呻吟中称颂了至高的天主。
I cannot describe in words the temptations, combats, troubles, dismays and afflictions, which I suffered in this battle: for I saw myself placed in such a state, that in my judgment there was really no greater difference between my condition and that of the damned, except that in hell there is no redemption, while in mine it was still possible.
我无法用语言描述我在这场战斗中所遭受的诱惑、斗争、烦恼、沮丧和痛苦：因为我看到自己处于这样一种状态，根据我的判断，我的状况与被定罪受罚者的状况没有更大的区别，只是在地狱里是没有救赎的，而在我的地狱里，救赎仍然是可能的。
11. One day, in order to get some respite, I cried out from the bottom of my heart saying: “O woe is me, that I have come to such a state! and woe to my soul, which finds itself therein! Whither shall I turn, since all the portals of my salvation are closed?”
11. 有一天，我为了得到一点喘息的机会，从心底里喊了一声：「啊，我有祸了，竟落得这样的下场！我的灵魂在其中，有祸了！既然所有拯救我的大门都关闭了，我该往哪里去呢？」
Immediately a strong and sweet voice gave answer within myself: “Whither dost thou wish to go outside of God himself?”
我心中立刻有一个强烈而甜美的声音回答：「你想离开天主去哪里？」
（翻到这里，鼻子一酸，眼睛湿润了。）
By this answer I perceived that my cure was at hand in the Lord, and at the breaking of this dawn I began to raise myself from the depth of the confusion, into which I was cast, and I felt, a powerful increase in the fervor of my desires and in the acts of faith, hope and charity.
通过这个回答，我意识到我的医治就在上主的手中。在黎明时分，我开始从我陷入的混乱深渊中振作起来，我感到我渴望的热情和信德、望德和爱德的行动有了强烈的增长。
I debased myself in the presence of the Most High and, in firm confidence in his goodness, I wept over my faults with bitter sorrow. I confessed them many times and sighing from the depth of heart, I began to seek again the former light and truth.
我在至高天主面前自卑自贱，我坚信祂的美善，我带着痛苦的悲伤为我的错误哭泣。我称颂了很多次，从内心深处叹息，我开始重新寻找以前的光照和真理。
And as the divine Wisdom comes forth to meet those by whom it is invoked (Wis. 6, 17), it advanced toward me in delight and cleared away the night of my confusion and tormenting afflictions.
当神圣的智慧出来迎接那些被祂唤醒的人时(智慧篇6：17)，欢欢喜喜地向我走来，清除了我整夜的困惑和痛苦。
［经文〈智慧篇 6:17〉：因为，智慧到处寻找配得上自己的人，她在路上亲切地把自己显示出来，很关心地迎接他们。 ］
12. Presently that bright day broke, which I had desired so much; the quiet possession of peace returned; I enjoyed the sweet love and vision of my Lord and Master, and with it I again perceived, why I should believe, accept and esteem the benefits and favors, which his mighty arm wrought in me.
12. 不久，我渴望已久的那个明媚的日子来到了；我的心灵又恢复了和平和宁静；我享受着我的上主和师傅的甜蜜的爱和神视，我再次意识到为什么我应该相信、接受和尊重祂强大的臂膀在我身上给我带来的益处和恩惠。
I gave Him thanks as far as was in my power; and I saw, who I was and who God is; that a creature by itself can do nothing, that it is nothing, because sin is nothing.
我尽我所能向祂表示感谢；我看见了，我是谁，天主是谁；一个人本身什么也做不了，他什么都不是，除了罪之外，所有的恩宠都不是出自于我们，而是完全来自天主。
I saw also what man can do when raised up and assisted up by the divine right hand, being much more than can be imagined by our earthly faculites.
我也看到了人在上主圣手的帮助下所能做的事情，这比我们尘世的能力所能想象的要多得多。
Humbled in the perception of these truths and in the presence of the inaccessible light, (which is vast and strong, without deceit or falsehood), my heart flowed over in sweet affections of love, praise and thanksgiving.
在对这些真理的感知中，在无法到达的光面前，我感到谦卑，（这光明是广大而强烈的，没有欺骗或虚假），我的心在爱、赞美和感恩的甜蜜情感中流淌。
For now I understood, that He had guarded and defended me, so that in the confused night of temptations my lamp might not be extinguished (Prov. 31, 18); and in the depth of my gratitude I annihilated myself to the dust and humiliated myself as a worm of the earth.
因为我现在明白了，祂曾看顾我，保护我，使我的灯在迷惑的夜里不致熄灭(箴言31：18)；在深深的感激中，我把自己湮没在尘土中，羞辱自己像一条地上的虫子。
［经文〈箴言 31:18〉：她发觉自己经营生利，她的灯盏夜间仍不熄灭。 ］
13. To make this benefit more certain, I immediately heard an interior exhortation, without knowing clearly from whence it proceeded; while it severely reprehended me for my disloyalty and my wrongful ways, it at the same time admonished and enlightened, instructed and corrected me.
13. 为了使这一恩惠更加确定，我立刻听到了内心的一声劝诫，虽然不知道是从哪里来的。它严厉地谴责我的不忠和错误的做法，同时也告诫我，开导我，教导我，纠正我。
It furnished me with a deep understanding of good and evil, of virtue and vice, of what was secure, useful and beneficial, as well as their contraries; it laid open to me the way of eternity, gave me a knowledge of the means and of the end, of the value of life everlasting, and of the miserable unhappiness and the so little considered ruin of endless perdition.
这劝诫使我对善与恶、美德与恶行、什么是安全的、有用的和有益的，以及它们的对立面有了深刻的理解；这劝诫为我打开了永恒之路，让我知道了方法和目的，知道了永生的价值，知道了悲惨的不幸和无穷无尽的毁灭。
14. In the profound knowledge of these two extremes, I confess that I was dumbfounded and cast about between the fear of my dreadful infirmity and the desire of reaching the happiness, of which I was unworthy on account of my demerits.
14. 在对这两个极端的深刻认识中，我承认我目瞪口呆，不知所措，一方面害怕自己可怕的软弱，另一方面又渴望获得幸福，但因为我的罪债，我不配获得幸福。
I was full of the thought of the kindness and mercy of the Most High; and the fear of losing Him: I beheld the two different ends awaiting the creatures: eternal glory and eternal misery; and it seemed a small matter to me to suffer all the pains and the torments of the world, of purgatory and hell itself, in order to attain to the one and to avoid the other.
我满脑子都是至高者的良善和慈悲；以及对失去祂的恐惧：我看到了等待着受造物的两种不同的结局：永恒的光荣和永恒的痛苦；对我来说，为了达到其中之一，避免另一个，忍受这个世界、炼狱和地狱本身的所有痛苦和折磨似乎是一件小事。
And although I perceived, that the divine help is assured to those who seek to make use of it, yet as I also saw by this light, that life and death are in our hands (Eccli. 15, 18), and that our weakness or malice may prevent the proper use of grace, and that the tree will lie for all eternity as it once has fallen (Eccles. 11, 3), on this account I was overcome by the deepest sorrow, which penetrated my heart.
虽然我察觉到，上主的帮助对那些寻求利用它的人来说是有保证的，但正如我也通过这种光看到的那样，生与死掌握在我们手中(德训篇15：18)，我们的软弱或恶意可能会阻止正确使用恩宠，树将永远躺在那里，因为一旦它已倒下（树一倒在哪里，就躺在哪里）(训道篇11：3)，因此我被最深的悲伤，穿透了我的心。
［经文〈德训篇15：18〉：生死善恶，都在人面前；人愿意那样，就赐给他那样。 经文〈训道篇11：3〉：云一满了，雨即倾注于地。树倒向南或倒向北，一倒在哪里，就躺在哪里。 ］
15. This sorrow was increased by a most severe answer or inquiry, which came from the Lord.
15. 从上主而来的最严厉的回答或询问增加了这种悲伤。
For while I found myself thus annihilated in the consciousness of my weakness and danger and by the thought of having offended his justice, so that I dared not raise my eyes toward Him, He met my speechless sorrow by the advances of his mercy, saying to me in answer to them: “Which dost thou wish, my soul? Which dost thou seek ? Which of these ways wilt thou choose ? What is thy resolve ?”
因为当我意识到自己的软弱和危险，想到冒犯了祂的公义，以致我不敢抬起眼睛看祂时，祂以祂的仁慈满足了我无言的悲伤，对我说：「我的灵魂，你希望什么？你在找什么？你会选择哪一种方式？你的决定是什么？」
This question was an arrow to my heart: for although I knew for certain, that the Lord knew my desires better than I myself, the delay between the question and the answer was incredibly painful to me; I wished, if possible, that the Lord should anticipate my answer and should not show Himself ignorant of the response, which I would give.
这个问题就像一支箭射中了我的心，因为尽管我确信，上主比我自己更了解我的愿望，问题和答案之间的延迟让我感到难以置信的痛苦；我希望，如果可能的话，主能预料到我的回答，而不是显示祂对我的回答一无所知。
But, impelled by great emotion, I made response in words coming from the innermost of soul, and said; “Lord and omnipotent God!
但是，在巨大的情感的驱使下，我用来自灵魂深处的话语作了回答：「上主，全能的天主！
The path of virtue, the way of eternal life do I chose, this do I desire, and in this do Thou place me; and as I do not merit it in thy justice, I appeal to they mercy, and I offer for myself the infinite merits of thy most holy Son and my Redeemer, Jesus Christ.”
我选择了美德之路，永生之路，这是我所渴望的，你将我置于其中；因为我不配得你的公义，我恳求你的公义的慈悲和怜悯，我为自己向你奉献你的至圣之子和我的救赎主耶稣基督的无限功德。」
16. I was made aware, that this highest Judge remembered the promise, which is given to the Church, that He would grant all that is asked in the name of his Onlybegotten (John 16, 23), that in Him and on his account my petition was granted and its fulfillment hastened according to my poor wishes.
祂使我知道，这位至高的审判者记住了祂赐给教会的应许，即祂会因祂独生子的名答应所有的请求(若望福音16：23)，在祂里面，为了祂的缘故，我的请求被批准了，并按照我可怜的愿望，迅速实现了。
［经文〈若望福音16:23〉：到那一天，你们什么也不必问我了。我实实在在告诉你们：你们因我的名无论向父求什么，他必赐给你们。 ］
Certain conditions were made and proposed to me by an intellectual voice, saying to me interiorly: “Soul, created by the hand of the Almighty, if thou wishest, as one of the elect, to follow in the path of the true light and attain the position of a most chaste spouse of the Lord, who calls thee, it is befitting, that thou observe the laws and precepts of love.
一个理智的声音向我提出了某些条件，在内心对我说：「由全能的天主之手创造的灵魂啊，如果你希望，作为一个选民，跟随真光的道路，并获得主的最纯洁的净配的地位，主召叫你遵守爱的法律和诫命是合适的。
The first thing required of thee is, that thou reject entirely all earthly inclinations, renouncing all and every affection toward the transient things, so that thou have no love or affection toward any created being, no matter how useful, beautiful or agreeable it may appear to thee.
你需要做的第一件事是，你要完全拒绝一切世俗的爱好，放弃对短暂的事物的一切喜爱，使你对任何被创造的存在都没有爱或感情，无论它在你看来是多么有用、多么美好或多么令人愉悦。
Cherish no created image, harbor no earthly affection; let thy will rest in no created object, except in so far as thy Lord and Spouse shall command thee for the wellordering of thy love, or in so far as thou canst be aided thereby to love Him alone.”
不要珍惜受造物的外象，不要怀有尘世的感情；不要让你的意志停留在任何在受造物上，除非你的上主和净配吩咐你好好地爱它，或者你能因此得到帮助，你才单单去爱祂。」
17. “And when, after thus reaching this perfect abnegation and renunciation of thyself, thou shalt have freed and disentangled thyself from all earthly things, seek the Lord, raising thyself with the swift wings of the dove toward the high habitation, in which He, in his condescension, wishes to place thy spirit; so that there thou mayest live in his presence and have a secure dwelling-place.
17. 当你达到这种完全的克己和弃绝之后，你将从所有尘世的事物中解脱出来，寻求上主，用鸽子迅捷的翅膀飞向高处的居所，在上主的屈尊之下，祂愿意把你的灵魂安置在那里；使你可以住在祂面前，有安稳的居所。
This great Lord is a most jealous Spouse and his love and emulation are strong as death (Cant. 8, 7). He wishes to adorn thee and set thee in a secure place, in order that thou mayest not issue from it, or leave his presence for another, where thou findst Him not or enjoyest not his caresses.
这位伟大的上主是一个非常忌邪的净配，祂的爱和嫉恨像死亡一样强烈。（雅歌8：7）祂希望装饰你，并把你放在一个安全的地方，这样你就不会离开它，或离开祂的面去别的地方，但在那里你找不到祂或享受不到祂的爱抚。
［经文〈雅歌 8:7〉：请将我有如印玺，放在你的心上，有如印玺，放在你肩上，因为爱情猛如死亡，妒爱顽如阴府：它的焰是火焰，是上主的火焰。］
He, with whom thou art to converse without mistrust, wishes to sign thee with his own hand, and this is a most equitable law, which the spouses of the great King must observe; for even those in the world observe it, in order to show their faithfulness.
祂希望与你进行没有猜忌的交谈，并亲手签署一项最公平的法律，伟大君王的净配必须遵守；因为世上的人也要遵守，以显出他们的信实。
It is due to the nobility of thy Spouse, that thou observe a behavior corresponding to the dignity and position conferred by Him, without descending to anything not befitting this estate or making thee unworthy of the adornment lavished upon thee for entrance into his bridal chamber.”
这是由于你净配的高贵，你的行为要相称祂赋予你的尊严和地位，不要堕落到不适合这个身份的地位，也不要使你不配进入你的净配为你精心布置的新房。
18. “Next I require of thee, that thou despoil thyself with diligence of the vestments torn by thy faults and imperfections, soiled by the effects of sin, and made odious by the inclinations of nature.
18. 「其次，我要求你，用勤奋的努力夺回你领洗时穿的白衣，把被你的错误和不成全，被罪恶的影响所玷污，因本性的倾向而令人憎恶的撕裂的白衣夺回。
His Majesty wishes to wash off the stains, to purify and renew thee with his beauty, but under condition, that thou never lose sight of the poor and despicable vestments of which thou hast been divested, so that in the memory and knowledge of this benefit, thou mayest spread the odor of sweetness for this great King by the nard of thy humility (Cant. 1, 11), and so that thou mayest never forget the return, which thou owest to the Author of thy salvation.
荣耀尊威的天主希望洗掉污秽，用祂的美善来净化和更新你，但有一个条件，那就是你永远不要忽视你被剥夺的可怜和沾污的白衣，这样在对这一恩惠的记念和了解中，你可以通过你的谦逊的香膏为这位伟大的君王传播甜美的馨香（雅歌1：11）。这样你就永远不会忘记你对你的拯救者的回报。
［经文〈雅歌1：12〉：君王正在坐席的時候，我的香膏已放出清香。]
Thus will He, by the precious balsam of his blood, purify thee, heal thy wounds and enlighten thee copiously.”
这样，祂将用祂宝血香膏，洁净你，治愈你的创伤，并丰富地启迪你。」
19. “In addition to all this” (this voice continued to say) “in order that thus forgetting all earthly things thou mayest be coveted by the highest King, seek to adorn thyself with the jewels, which He in his pleasure has prepared for thee.
19. 「除此之外，」(这个声音继续说) 「为了忘掉尘世的一切，让至高的君王渴望，你应该用他乐意为你准备的珠宝来装饰自己。
The vestments, which shall cover thee, are to be whiter than the snow, more brilliant than the diamond, more resplendent than the sun and yet they will be at the same time so delicate, that they will easily be spoiled by any negligence, making thee abominable in the sight of thy Spouse.
覆盖在你身上的白衣将比雪更白，比钻石更亮，比太阳更灿烂，但同时它们又是如此的精致，以至于它们很容易被任何疏忽所损坏，使你在你的净配面前变得可憎。
But if thou preserve them inthe purity which He desires, thy steps will be beautiful as the Prince’s daughter (Cant. 7, 1), and his Majesty will be pleased with thy sentiments and thy words. As a cincture of thy vestment He will give thee the knowledge of his divine power and his holy fear, in order that, having bound thy inclinations, thou mayest direct thyself by his pleasure.
但如果你按祂所希望的那样保持纯洁，你的步伐就会像公主一样美丽(雅歌7：1-2)，荣耀尊威的天主也会对你的情操和言语感到喜悦。祂必使你知道祂的大能和神圣的敬畏，如同你衣服上的腰带，这样，在约束了你的意愿之后，你就可以通过祂所悦纳的来引导你自己。
［经文〈雅歌 7:1-2〉：归来，归来！叔拉米特！归来，归来！让我们看看你！你们要看叔拉米特什么？看她在两队中舞蹈。公主！你的脚穿上凉鞋，是多么美丽！］
The jewels of thy necklace, which adorn thy neck, signifying thy humble submission, shall be the costly stones of faith, hope and charity.
你颈上佩戴的珠宝，象征着你谦卑的顺服，将成为信仰、希望和慈善的珍贵宝石。
As a clasp for thy hair (which are the high and exalted thoughts and thy heavenly intelligences), thou wilt have from Him the infused science and wisdom, and the embroideries of thy vestments shall be all the beauty and richness of the virtues.
作为你头上的装饰（那是崇高的思想和你的属天聪明），你将从祂那里得到灌注的知识和智慧，你白衣上的绣饰将是美德的全部美丽和丰富。
Thy diligence in performing what is most perfect shall serve thee as sandals, and they laces shall be the avoidance and restraints, that thou wilt use in order to keep from evil.
你在做最完美的事情时的勤奋会像你脚上穿的鞋一样为你服务，而鞋带将是你用以节制、你将使用它来避免邪恶的东西。
The rings, which will beautify thy fingers, shall be the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost; and the beauty of thy face shall be the participation of the Divinity, which on account of his holy love, shall shine therefrom.
这订婚的戒指是圣神的七恩，可以使你的手所做的工更加美丽。 你脸的美好将是天主性的参与，因为祂神圣的爱，将从你脸上闪耀。
Thereto thou shalt add the coloring of confusion for having offended Him, in order that it may make thee ashamed of offending Him in the future, comparing at the same time the coarse and sordid habits of the past with those that now adorn thee.”
你应该为冒犯了祂而加上困惑的色彩，以便将来你会因为冒犯祂而感到羞愧，同时将过去的粗俗和肮脏的长袍（习性）与现在装饰你的长袍（习性）相比较。”
20. “And because thy own merits would make but a poor and miserable return for such a high espousal, the Most High wishes to ratify this contract by singling out, as if for thee alone, the infinite merits of thy Spouse Jesus Christ, and He makes thee a partaker of all his possessions and treasures in the heavens and upon earth. For all belongs to this supreme Lord, and of all this thou shalt be mistress as his spouse for thy own use and for the greater love of Him.
20. 因为你自己的功德对于这样一个崇高的婚礼来说只能得到一个可怜而糟糕的回报，至高者的愿望是通过挑选出你的净配耶稣基督的无限功德来认可这份契约，就好像是单独为你而存在一样，祂使你成为祂在天上和地上的所有的财产和财宝的分享者。因为一切都属于至高无上的上主，而你将成为这一切的女主人，作为祂的净配，为你自己所用，也为了对祂更大的爱。
But remember, soul, that in order to obtain such a gift, thou must hide all this within thyself, without ever losing thy secret; for I warn thee of the danger of soiling thy beauty with the least imperfection; but if at any time thou committest such an imperfection out of weakness, rise from it at once, like a strong one, and acknowledging it, weep over the small fault as if it had been the most grievous.”
但请记住，灵魂，为了获得这样的恩赐，你必须将这一切隐藏在你自己的内心，永远不要失去你的秘密；因为我警告你，你的美貌有被最小的缺点玷污的危险；但是，如果你在任何时候出于软弱而犯下这样的错误，就要像一个坚强的人一样，立即站起来承认它，为这一小错误而哭泣，就好像它是最严重的一样。」
21. “And in order that thou mayest have a dwelling-place and habitation befitting such a great estate, thy Spouse does not wish to set thee any limit, but it is his pleasure, that thou dwell in the infinite regions of his Divinity and that thou roam about and disport thyself through the illimitable fields of his attributes and perfections, where the view of the intellect is without restraint, where the will is delighted without shadow of misgiving, and where the inclinations are satiated without bitterness.
21. 「为了让你有一个适合这样一个伟大产业的栖身之所，你的净配不希望给你设定任何限制，但他乐意让你住在他神性的无限领域里，你在祂的属性和成全的无限领域中漫步和无拘无束的玩耍，在那里智力的观点是不受限制，在那里意志是愉快的，没有阴影；在那里，意愿得到满足，没有痛苦。
This is the paradise always delightful, where the most beloved brides of Christ find their recreation, where they gather the fragrant flowers and myrrh, and where the infinite is found for those that have renounced the imperfect nothing.
这是永远令人愉快的天堂，基督最心爱的新娘在这里找到了他们真正的快乐，他们在这里收集芳香的花朵和没药，那些弃舍了不完美而一无所有的人，在这里找到了无限的美好。
There will thy habitation be secure; and in order that thy intercourse and companionship may be in correspondence with it, I desire that thou converse with the angels, holding them as friends and companions, and copying from them, during their frequent conversations and intercourse with thee, their virtues by faithful imitation.”
你要在那里安然居住；为了使你的交往和友谊可以与它相对应，我希望你与天使交谈，把他们当作朋友和伙伴，并在他们频繁与你交谈和交往时，通过忠实地效法他们的美德来模仿他们。」
22. “Take notice” (continued the voice) “O soul, of the greatness of this benefit; for the Mother of thy Spouse and the Queen of heaven adopts thee anew for her daughter, receives thee as her disciple, and assumes the place of a Mother and of a Teacher toward thee.
22. 「请注意」（那声音继续说）「啊，灵魂，请注意这恩惠的伟大；因为你净配的母亲和天堂的元后重新接纳你为她的女儿，接受你为她的门徒，并委予你嬷嬷和教师的位置。
Through her intercession dost thou receive those special favors and they are all granted to thee that thou mayest write her most holy life. On this account thou hast been pardoned without thy merit, and that, which otherwise thou wouldst not have reached, has been conceded to thee.
通过天堂元后的转祷，你得到了那些特殊的恩惠，它们都赐给了你，你可以写下她至圣的生活。由于这个原因，你在没有功德的情况下得到了赦免，而那些你不可能得到的东西，也已经给了你。
What would become of thee, O soul, if it were not for the Mother of mercy?
灵魂啊，如果没有仁慈的圣母，你会变成什么样呢？
Thou wouldst already have perished, if her intercession had failed thee; poor and useless would have been thy works, if, by divine condescension, thou hadst not been selected to write this history, but the eternal Father chose thee for his daughter, in view of this work, and for a spouse of his Onlybe-gotten Son; and the Son received thee to his close embraces, and the Holy Spirit selected thee for his enlightenments.
如果她的转求落空，你早就灭亡了；如果你不是因为天主的屈尊而被选中来写这段历史，你的工作就会是贫乏和无用的，而永恒的天父正是因为这一工作而选择你作为祂的女儿，作为祂独生子的净配；圣子接纳你，紧紧拥抱你，圣神拣选你作祂的启示。
The document of this contract and espousal is written and imprinted on the white parchment of the purity of most holy Mary: there the finger and the power of the Most High have written it; the ink is the blood of the Lamb; the executor is the eternal Father; the tie which binds thee to Christ is the Holy Spirit; the bondsmen are the merits of the same Jesus Christ and of his Mother; for thou art but a vile worm, having nothing to offer and being expected to give merely thy free consent.”
这份契约和婚约的文件是由至圣玛利亚的纯洁书写并印在白色的羊皮纸上的：在那里，至高者的手指和能力写下了它；墨是羔羊的血；执行者是永生的父；将你与基督联系在一起的纽带是圣神；担保乃是同一耶稣基督和祂母亲的功德。因为你不过是一条微不足道的虫子，没有什么可以奉献，唯独指望你自由地同意。」
23. So far the admonishing voice, which I heard. Although I judged it to be that of an angel, yet whether such it was, I could not ascertain clearly, for I did not perceive it in the same way as at other times. Such manifestations and disclosures accommodate themselves to the dispositions of the soul at the time of their reception, as for instance it happened to the disciples at Emmaus (Luke 24, 16).
23. 到目前为止，我听到训诫的声音。虽然我判断这是一个天使，但是否如此，我不能确定清楚，因为所察觉到和前几次不一样。但这样的显示和揭露适合人灵在接受时的安排，例如在厄玛乌的门徒们就遇到了这种情况（路加福音24：16） 。
［经文〈路加福音24：16〉：他们的眼睛却被阻止住了，以致认不出他来。］
Many other experiences I had in order to overcome the opposition of the serpent against the writing of this history, but it would draw out this introduction too much to mention them now.
为了克服蛇对这段历史写作的反对，我有过许多其他的经历，但是现在提及它们会把这篇介绍拖得太长。
I continued my prayers for some days, asking the Lord to govern and direct me in order not to make a mistake, and representing to Him my incapacity and timidity.
我连续祈祷了几天，请求天主管理和指引我不要犯错，并向祂表明我的无能和胆怯。
His Majesty persisted in exhorting me to ordain my life toward all purity and the greatest perfection, and in urging me to continue in it after having begun.
陛下坚持告诫我，要使我的生活走向完全的纯洁和最大的成全，并敦促我在开始后继续这样做。
And especially the Queen of the angels intimated to me her will many times, and with great sweetness and tenderness commanded me to obey Her as her daughter and write her most holy life, which I had commenced.
尤其是众天使的元后多次向我示意她的意愿，并以极大的甜蜜和温柔命令我像女儿一样服从她，并写下她至圣的生活，那是我已经开始写的。
24. To all this I wished to add the security of obedience. Without saying anything of that, which I had heard from the Lord and from his most holy Mother, I asked my confessor and superior what he would direct me to do in this matter. He answered by commanding me under obedience to continue and to write the second part of this history. Finding myself thus compelled both by the Lord and by obedience, I returned again to the presence of the Most High, where I found myself one day in prayer, and, renouncing my whole self and recognizing my insignificance and liability to err, I prostrated myself before his Majesty and said: “My Lord, my Lord, what wishest Thou to do with me?” Whereupon I received the following intelligence.
24. 除此之外，我还加上我服从的保证。我从上主和祂至圣的母亲那里听到了这些话，但我没有加添自已的话。我问我的告解神父和长上，他会在这件事上指导我做些什么。他的回答是命令我顺从地继续写这段历史的第二部分。我发现自己被上主和服从所驱使，我再次回到至高天主的面前，一天我发现自己在祈祷中，我舍弃了我的整个自我，我认识到我的渺小和易于跌倒，我拜倒在荣耀尊威的天主面前，说：「我的上主，我的上主，你希望我做什么？」于是我收到了以下信息。
25. It seemed to me, that the divine light of the blessed Trinity showed me my own self full of poverty and defects, and severely reprehending me for them, furnished me at the same time with the highest doctrine and salutary directions for a perfect life, and for this purpose God purified and enlightened me anew.
25. 在我看来，天主圣三的神圣之光让我看到了我自已的贫乏和缺陷，并严厉地责备我，同时为我提供了通往成全生活的最高教导和有益的方向，为此，天主洁净了我，重新启迪了我。
I became aware that the Mother of grace, most holy Mary, standing before the throne of the Divinity, was interceding and pleading for me. With such assistance my confidence took new life and profiting by the clemency of such a Mother, I addressed myself to Her and spoke to Her only these words: “My Lady and my Refuge, consider, as a true Mother, the poverty of thy slave.”
我觉察到恩宠之母，至圣玛利亚，站在天主的宝座前，为我代祷和恳求。在这样的帮助下，我的信心获得了新生，并受益于这样一位母亲的仁慈，我对她说了这些话：「我的圣母和我的避难所，作为一位真正的母亲，请体谅你的奴仆的穷困贫乏。」
It seemed to me as if She heard my prayer and speaking with the Most High, She said: “My Lord, I wish to receive this useless and poor creature anew as a daughter and adopt her as my own.” (Truly this was the act of a most liberal and mighty Queen!) But the Most High answered: “My Spouse, for such a great favor as this, what does this soul bring in return ? She does not deserve it, being a useless and destitute worm, and thankless for our gifts.”
在我看来，她似乎听到了我的祈祷，并与至高的天主交谈，她说：「我的上主啊，我希望重新接受这个无用而可怜的人，作为我的女儿，收养她。」（这确实是一个最慷慨、最强大的元后的行为！）但至高天主回答说：「我的净配，这么大的恩惠，这个灵魂能带来什么回报呢？她不配得到恩惠，因为她是一个无用、穷困的虫子，对我们的恩赐不感恩。」
26. O wonderful power of the divine word! How shall I describe the effects produced in me by this answer of the Allpowerful? I humbled myself to the depth of my nothingness and I was filled with the knowledge of the misery of creatures and of my own ingratitude toward God.
26. 哦，上主话语的奇妙力量！我该如何描述全能者的回答对我产生的影响？我把自己谦卑到虚无的深处，我对众生的苦难和我对天主的忘恩充满了了解。
My heart sank within me in sorrow for my sins and in the desire of obtaining the unmerited happiness of being the child of that Sovereign. I raised my eyes full of dread to the throne of the Most High and my visage was transported in fear and hope; I turned toward my Advocate, and desiring to be admitted as her slave, since I did not merit the title of daughter, I spoke from the bottom of my heart without forming any words; and I heard the great Lady say to the Lord:
我的心在我的内心沉沦，为我的罪恶而悲伤，我渴望获得身为那至尊君王的孩子却不配得的幸福。我满心恐惧，举目仰望至高者的宝座。我的面容满披敬畏和希望之情；我转向我的护慰者，希望被认可成为她的奴仆，因为我不配得女儿的名号，我从心底说了无声的话；于是我听到这位伟大的圣母对天主说：
27. “Divine Lord and my God, it is true, this poor creature has nothing to offer to thy justice, but I offer for her the merits and the blood, which my most holy Son poured out for her and with it I present also the dignity of Mother of thy onlybegotten Son, which I received from thy ineffable kindness, all the works, which I performed in thy service in having borne Him in my womb, and nourished Him with the milk of my breast, and above all I offer Thee thy own bounty and Divinity; I earnestly entreat Thee to consider this creature as my adopted daughter and disciple for whom I will stand security. Under my guidance She will amend her faults and perform her works according to thy pleasure.”
27. 「神圣的上主，我的天主，这是真的，这可怜的人没有什么可以奉献给祢的正义，但我为她献上我最神圣的儿子和宝血，这是我的圣子为她倾注的，与此同时，我也奉上你独生子之母的尊严，这是我从祢那不可言喻的良善中得到的，是我在腹中孕育他时，为服务你而完成的工作，并以我的乳汁喂养祂，而最重要的是，我把你自己的慷慨和天主性献给祢；我诚挚地请求祢将这个人视为我的养女和弟子，我将为她担保。在我的指导下，她会改正她的错误，并按照你的喜悦完成她的工作。」
28. The Most High, (may He be eternally praised for hearing the petition of the great Queen interceding for the least of his creatures), yielded to these prayers, and immediately in the joy of my soul I felt immense effects, such as are impossible to describe; with my whole heart I turned toward all the creatures of heaven and earth, and, not being able to contain my exultation, I invited them to exalt for me and with me the Author of grace.
28. 至高天主（愿祂永受赞颂，因为祂听了伟大的元后为祂最渺小的受造物转祷）接受了这些祈祷，我顿时感到内心的喜悦，难以形容。我全心转向天地间一切的受造物，还不能止住我的喜乐，就邀请它们为我并与我一同颂扬“恩宠之主”。
It seemed to me that I addressed them in the following words: “O ye inhabitants and courtiers of heaven and all ye living creatures, formed by the hand of the Most High, behold this marvel of his liberality and mercy and bless and exalt Him for all eternity, since He has raised from the dust the most vile of the universe and has enriched the most destitute; He has honored the most unworthy, though He is the highest God and the powerful King.
在我看来，我是用以下的话对它们说的：「天上的居民和朝臣，以及所有由至高天主之手所造的生物啊，请看祂慷慨慈悲的奇迹，永远赞颂祂、高举祂，因为祂从尘土中兴起了宇宙中最卑微的人，使最贫穷的人富足起来；祂尊荣了最不配的人，虽然祂是至高的天主和大能的君王。
And since you, sons of Adam, here see the poorest orphan succored, the greatest sinner pardoned; issue forth from your ignorance, raise yourself from your listlessness and renew your hope; for if his powerful arm has assisted me, if He has called and forgiven me, all of you can hope for your salvation; and if you wish to assure yourselves of it, seek, seek the protection of the most holy Mary, ask Her for her intercession, and you will find Her to be the Mother of ineffable mercy and clemency.”
亚当的子孙们，既然你们看到最可怜的孤儿得到了救助，最大的罪人得到了宽恕；从无知中走出来，从消沉中振作起来，重新燃起希望；因为若祂用大能的膀臂帮助了我，若祂召叫和赦免了我，你们都可以盼望得救。如果你们愿意确信这一点，就去寻求，寻求至圣玛利亚的保护，请求她的转祷，你们就会发现她就是那不可言喻的怜悯和仁慈之母。」
29. I turned also to this most exalted Queen and said to Her: “Aye, O my Lady, now I do not call myself an orphan, since I have a Mother, and a Mother, who is the Queen of all creation; I shall not any more be ignorant, since I have as Teacher the Mistress of divine wisdom,not poor, since I have as Lord Him, who is Master of all the treasures of heaven and earth; I have a Mother, who protects me; an Instructress, who teaches and corrects me; a Mistress, who commands and governs me.
我也转向这位最崇高的元后，对她说：「是的，我的圣母，现在我不称自己为孤儿，因为我有一位母亲，她是所有造物的元后；我将不再无知，因为我有一位神圣智慧的老师，我不再贫穷，因为我有一位主宰天地万物的上主；我有一位保护我的母亲；一位教导我，纠正我的女教师；一位吩咐我，治理我的主母。
Blessed art Thou amongst all women, wonderful among all creatures, admirable in heaven and on earth, and let all confess thy greatness with eternal praises.
在所有的女人中，你是蒙祝福的，在所有的受造物中你是奇妙的，在天上和地上都是可钦崇的，让所有的人都用永远的颂赞来承认你的伟大。
Since it is not easy or possible for the least among creatures, the lowest worm of the earth to give Thee any return: receive it then from the divine right hand and in the divine vision, where Thou standest in the presence of God enjoying Thyself through all eternity: I shall remain thy acknowledged and bounden slave, praising the Almighty as long as my life shall last, since his liberal mercy has so favored me, as to give me my Queen as my Mother and Teacher.
既然受造之物中最渺小的，地球上最卑微的虫子要给你任何回报都不容易或不可能，那么就从上主的圣手和上主的神视中接受它吧，在那里，你站在天主面前，享受永恒：我将永远是你承认的和义无反顾的奴仆，只要我活着，就颂赞全能的天主，因为祂慷慨的慈悲如此眷顾我，以至于把我的元后赐给我作为我的母亲和教师。
Let my loving muteness praise Thee, since my tongue has not words or terms adequate for doing it; for all of them are strained and limited.”
让我用无言的爱来颂赞你吧，因为我的舌头没有足够的言语和措辞来颂赞你；因为所有这些都是做作和有限的。」
30. It is not possible to describe what the soul feels during such mysterious favors. They were the source of great good to my soul, for immediately I was made aware of a perfection of life, and of works for which I fail to find terms.
30. 在这种奥秘的恩惠中，灵魂的感受是无法描述的。它们是我灵魂的伟大善源，因为我立刻意识到生命的完美，这种完美是我无法用自已的善工来表达的。
But all this, the Most High told me, was given to me on account of the most holy Mary and in order to write her life.
但至高天主告诉我，这一切都是因为至圣的玛利亚而赐给我的，也是为了书写她的一生。
It was intimated to me, that by ratifying this blessing, the eternal Father chose me to manifest the sacraments of his Daughter; that the Holy Spirit poured out his light and inspirations that I might declare the hidden gifts of his Spouse; and that the most holy Son appointed me to manifest the mysteries of his most pure Mother Mary.
这告诉我，通过批准这一祝福，永恒之父选择了我来彰显祂女儿的圣事；圣神将祂的光和启示倾泻出来，我好将祂净配隐藏的恩赐述说出来；至圣的圣子指定我来揭示祂至纯的母亲玛利亚的奥秘。
And in order that I might become capable of this work, the Holy Trinity enlightened and bathed my soul in a special light of the Divinity and the divine power touched up my faculties as with a pencil, furnishing them with new habits for the perfect execution of this work.
为了使我能够胜任这项工作，天主圣三用一种神圣的特殊之光来启迪和沐浴我的灵魂，神圣的力量就像用铅笔润饰了我的官能，为完美地完成这项工作提供了新的习性。
31. The Most High also commanded me to strive to imitate with all my heart, according to my weak powers, all that I should understand and write about the heroic virtues and the most holy operations of the heavenly Queen, guiding my life according to her example.
31. 至高者还吩咐我尽力按照自已微弱的力量，全心全意地去效法我能够理解的一切，并写下天堂元后的英勇美德和最神圣的行动，按照她的榜样来指导我的生活。
Knowing how unfit I am for the fulfillment of this obligation, the same most kind Queen offered to me anew her favor, help and instruction for all that the Lord commanded and pointed out to me.
最良善的元后知道我是多么不适合履行这一义务，于是，再次向我提供了新的恩惠、帮助和指导，来履行天主所吩咐和指示给我的一切。
Then I asked for the blessing of the most holy Trinity in order to begin the second part of this heavenly history.
然后我请求至圣天主圣三的祝福，以便开始这段神圣历史的第二部分。
I felt that all three persons of the Godhead conferred their blessing upon me. Issuing from the trance, I sought to wash my soul in the Sacraments and, full of contrition for my sins, in the name of the Lord and of obedience, I set myself about this work for the glory of the Most High and for his most holy Mother, the ever immaculate Virgin Mary.
我感到天主的所有位格都祝福了我，我从恍惚状态中醒来，我对过往的罪充满了痛悔之情，我试图在告解圣事中洗涤我的灵魂，我奉主的名，以服从的名义，为至高天主的光荣和祂最神圣的母亲---永远纯洁无玷的童贞玛利亚----立下这份工作。
32. This second part comprises the life of the Queen of the angels from the mystery of the Incarnation to the Ascension of Christ our Lord into heaven, which is the principal and the most important part of this history, for it includes the whole life and mysteries of the Lord himself with his Passion and most holy Death.
这第二部分包括从道成肉身的奥秘到我们的主基督升天的天使女王的生活，这是这段历史的主要和最重要的部分，因为它包括主自己的一生和奥秘，以及祂的受难和至圣之死。
31. 这第二部分包括众天使元后的一生，从道成肉身的奥秘到我们的主基督升天，这是这段历史的主要和最重要的部分，因为这部分包括主自己的一生和奥秘，以及祂的受难和至圣之死。
I wish only to remark here, that the graces and blessings conceded to most holy Mary in preparation for the Incarnation, began to flow from the moment of her Immaculate Conception; already at that time, in the intention and the decree of God, She was the Mother of the Word.
在此，我只想说，在为“道成肉身”做准备时，赐给至圣玛利亚的恩宠和祝福，从她“无玷受始胎”的那一刻起就开始了；在那个时候，在天主的旨意下，她已经是圣言之母了。
But in the measure as the realization of the Incarnation drew nigh, the favors and gifts of grace continued to increase.
但在某种程度上，随着道成肉身的实现越来越近，天主加给童贞圣母玛丽亚的圣宠和恩惠也越来越多。
Although they seemed to be all of the same kind and nature from the beginning, yet they continued to augment and increase; and there are not terms new and varied enough to equal in their significance these increases and advances in the blessings conferred.
虽然这些圣宠和恩惠从一开始似乎都是相同的种类和性质，但它们继续扩大和增加；也没有任何新颖的和各样的措辞，足以在这些圣宠和恩惠的意义上与这些被给予的祝福的增加和进步相媲美。
Thus it becomes necessary in this narrative to measure all by the infinite power of the Lord, who, giving much, retains enough to give infinitely more, while the capacity of each soul, and especially the soul of the Queen of heaven, is in its way infinite, being able to receive ever more and more.
因此，在这种叙事中，有必要通过主的无限力量来衡量一切，主给予的很多，却保有无限的力量去给予更多，而每个灵魂的能力，尤其是天堂元的灵魂，都是无限的，能够接受越来越多的圣宠和恩惠。
And this happened with the soul of holy Mary, until She arrived at a summit of holiness and participation of the Divinity, to which no other creature has attained nor will ever attain in all eternity.
这种情况发生在圣母玛利亚的灵魂上，直到她达到了神圣和天主性的顶峰，这是其他任何受造物永远都没有达到也永远不会达到的。
May the Lord himself enlighten me, that I may follow up this work according to his divine pleasure. Amen.
愿上主亲自启示我，使我能按照祂神圣的旨意来继续这项工作。阿们。
TESTIMONIES
见证
What the Universities of Europe, the Religious Orders and
Learned Men Say of the “Ciudad de Dios.”
欧洲各大学、修会和学者对《天主奥秘之城》的看法。
FORTY years after the first appearance of the “Ciudad de Dios” the great universities of Europe were called upon to give their opinion about this great work.
《天主奥秘之城》问世四十年后，欧洲各大学应邀对这部伟大的作品发表意见。
All the faculties, except the Jansenistic members of the Sorbonne at Paris, published highest recommendations.
除了巴黎索邦大学的詹森派成员之外，所有的学院都发表了最高的推荐。
At the same time the learned men and teachers of each religious order that maintained institutions of learning in Europe, were asked to contribute their opinions.
与此同时，在欧洲公立学术机构的各个修会团体的学者和教师也被询问发表他们的意见。
The following religious orders complied: The Augustinians, Benedictines, Carmelites, Dominicans, Jesuits, Cistercians, Basilians, Trinitarians, Mercedarians, Minims, Hieronymites, Premonstratensians, Reformed Augustinians, Theatines, Minors of the Regular Clergy, all unanimously endorsing the favorable decision previously published by the University of Salamanca.
下列修会遵照执行：奥斯定修会、本笃会、加尔默罗修会（圣衣会）、道明会、耶稣会、熙笃会（苦修会）、巴西勒会、圣三修会、圣母赎虏会、最小兄弟会、哲罗姆修会、普雷蒙特雷修会、革新奥斯定修会、德亚底安会、次等修会圣职人员，所有人都一致支持萨拉曼卡大学先前公布的赞许决定。
To the approbation of nearly all the Universities and Religious Orders, were then added the high eulogiums of other learned men, great divines, bishops and princes of the Church and of the Popes and the Roman Congregations.
随后，几乎所有大学和修会都表示赞同，其他学者、伟大的神父，主教和枢机主教和教宗与罗马教廷各部会也都对之盛赞。
As a sample of what these witnesses said concerning the wonderful “Ciudad de Dios,” we here select the official approbation of the University of Louvain, one of the great Universities of Europe.
关于美妙的《天主奥秘之城》的见证所描述的例子，我们在这里选择了欧洲最伟大的大学之一——鲁汶大学的官方认可。
After pointing out that God’s power of giving private revelations to whom He chooses, must not be circumscribed, and after referring to some general rules in regard to private revelations, the document proceeds to say:
在指出天主向祂拣选的人提供私人启示的大能必不会受到限制之后，并且在提到了一些关于私人启示的一般规则之后，文件接着说：
“Now, while abiding the decision of the Church concerning the revelations, which are given us under the title of The City of God, we, having read the whole work, say and are of the opinion, that the faithful can read it without danger to their faith and without damage to the purity of morals; for there is not found anything within it, which could lead to relaxation or to indiscreet rigor; but on the contrary, we have come to the conclusion that it will be most useful for enlivening and augmenting the piety of the faithful, the veneration of the most holy Virgin, and the respect for the sacred mysteries.”
「现在，我们既遵守教会所作的决断，就是那在“天主奥秘之城”名下赐给我们的启示，我们在阅读了整部作品之后，表述并认为，信徒可以阅读它，而不会危及他们的信仰，也不会损害道德的纯洁性；因为在这书里面找不到任何可能导致松懈或轻率的东西；但恰恰相反，我们得出的结论是，这对活跃和增强忠实信徒的虔诚、对至圣圣母的敬奉和对神圣奥秘的尊重是非常有用的。」
“The strong and the weak, the wise and the ignorant, and in fine, all the world will gather richest fruit from the reading of these books: for they contain what is most sublime in theology and in a style so simple, easy and perspicuous that, in order to enter deeply into an understanding of the holy mysteries, no more is necessary than to read them with sound judgment.”
「强者与弱者、智者与无知者，总之，全世界都将从这书的阅读中收获最丰硕的果实：因为这些书包含了神学上最崇高的东西，其风格是如此朴素、简单和清晰，为了深入理解神圣的奥秘，只需以正确的判断力阅读。」
“Combined with this simplicity are found many doctrines and valid proofs, free from contradictions and not easily found in other writings.
「与这种单纯相结合的是许多教义和有效的证明，既没有矛盾且在其它著作中不容易找到。
This History explains more than a thousand difficulties in holy Scripture, in a manner equally natural and wonderful.
这段历史以同样自然和奇妙的方式解释了圣经中一千多个难题。
At every step are encountered exquisite interpretations, until now unknown, and which had been hidden beneath the mere letter, but are laid open in these writings and brought to the light.
每一步都有精妙的解释，这些解释以前是不为人知的，原本隐藏在这圣经文本下面，现在却在这些著作中被揭示出来，并公之于众。
In short, the whole work is a beautiful web of scripture passages which, though spun from its different books, are directly and specially woven into a whole for the purpose intended by the Venerable Mother.”
简而言之，整部作品是一张美丽的经文段落网，尽管这些段落来自不同的书卷，但为了可敬的圣母的意图，这些段落被直接和特别地编织成一个整体。」
“In addition thereto the instructions given by the most holy Virgin at the end of each chapter contain the purest morality, instruct, entertain, and at the same time sweetly inculcate the love of virtue and abhorrence of vice, painting them in the most vivid and natural colours.
「此外，至圣圣母在每一章的末尾所作的指示，都包含了最纯洁的道德、教导、心怀、同时又甜蜜地谆谆教诲对美德的热爱和对罪恶的憎恶，并以最生动、最自然的色彩描绘这些指示。
They do not only convince the intellect, but they contain such a special unction, that they enkindle a sacred ardor in the soul.
它们不仅使智者信服，而且还包含着一种特殊的作用，它们点燃了灵魂中的一种神圣的热情。
In meditating upon them one certainly will experience a delight not met with in ordinary writings; and the more they are read the greater is the delight experienced. Finally, the whole work contains something so unwonted and attractive that, once begun, the reading of it can scarcely be relinquished.”
在默想它们时，一个人肯定会体验到一种在普通著作中无法体会到的快乐；书读得越多，感受到的快乐就越多。最后，整部作品包含了一些不同寻常和吸引人的东西，一旦开始阅读，就很难放弃。」
“The novelty and variety found in these writings delight and recreate the reader beyond all that is pleasant in the world, at the same time instructing him and inspiring him with new fervor.
「这些作品中发现的新颖性和多样性给读者带来了愉悦，并重塑了超越世界上所有令人愉快的事物，同时以新的热情指导读者和激励读者。
All can easily persuade themselves that, if the interior life of Christ our Lord and of the most holy Virgin was not just as described in these books, it could certainly have been like it; and that it would have been well worthy of Them, if it was as it is there depicted.
所有阅读此书的人都可以很容易地使自己信服，是否我们的主基督和至圣贞女的内在生活不像这些书中描述的那样，它肯定会像这样；实际上它真如书中所描绘的那样，他们是当之无愧了。
All that is there said is befitting the majesty and humility of Christ, and in correspondence with the holiness of the Virgin and the dignity of the Mother; since there is found nothing in the whole work which was not worthy of both one and the other.
这里所说的一切，都与基督的尊威和谦卑相称，与贞女的圣洁和圣母的尊严相称；因为在整个作品中，没有一件事是既配得上这一位，又配不上那一位的。
“Notwithstanding all this, we should not at all wonder if the book met with men who are disposed to be critical; for what book is there which can hope to escape the opposition of the people of our times?
「尽管如此，我们根本不应该怀疑这本书是否遇到了爱批评的人；因为哪一本书能希望逃脱我们这个时代人们的反对呢?
God has not even provided that the sacred Scriptures should be free from such attack among the greater part of the learned of this world.
天主甚至没有规定，神圣的《圣经》应该免受这世界上大部分有学问的人的攻击。
The whole philosophy of the pagans causes them to join the number of those who are opposed to the cross of Christ crucified; and among that number are also the libertines of our day.”
异教徒的整个哲学导致他们加入那些反对基督被钉的十字架的人者的行列；其中也有我们这个时代的浪子。」
“Of course there are certain points in this work which might give rise to apparent difficulties, and some of them occurred, and do occur, to us.
「当然，在这个作品中，有一些问题可能会引起明显的困难，其中一些问题对我们来说已经发生了，而且确实发生了。
But, in accordance with what we have said of the excellence and usefulness of this work, we have come to the conclusion that these few passages must not hinder us from giving it the commendation already given; besides, we must confess that we might possibly be ourselves mistaken in making these objections.”
但是，根据我们对这作品的卓越和有益的话，我们得出的结论是，这几段话决不能妨碍我们对它曾经给予的赞扬；此外，我们必须承认，在提出这些异议时，我们自己也很可能是错的。」
“This seemed to us the most reasonable course, since in this book there is something more than human. Anything so excellent and sublime cannot be ascribed to an over-excited imagination, since the whole work is consistent throughout.
「对我们来说，这似乎是最合理的做法，因为在这本书里，有超过人类的东西。任何如此超绝和崇高的东西都不能归因于过度兴奋的想象力，因为整个作品始终是一致的。
Nor can it be believed to be the work of a perverted mind, for, with a constant equanimity, it treats of the most deeply hidden and abstruse matters without involving itself in any contradictions; though often also it descends to innumerable minute and particular circumstances.”
它也不能被认为是一个变态头脑的作品，因为这本书以一种恒常不变的平静，处理最深藏和深奥的事物，而不涉及任何矛盾；虽然它也常常归结到无数细微而特殊的情况。」
“There are contained in this work such noble, such devout circumstantial and pertinent discourses, as cannot be the result of mere discursive thought.
「在这部作品中包含了如此崇高，如此虔诚，如此详尽，如此中肯的论述，而这些论述并非仅仅是不着边际思考的结果。
Nor can it be attributed to the demon; for, from beginning to end, it suggests and breathes nothing but humility, patience and endurance of hardships.”
也不能说是魔鬼干的；因为，从始至终，这书中都在揭示着谦卑、耐心和对苦难的忍耐。」
“Therefore, just as 'Ciudad’ must without a doubt be attributed to the venerable Mother of Agreda, who is claimed as its author, so she cannot have composed it without particular help from on high.
「因此，就像《天主奥秘之城》必须毫无疑问地归功于可敬的嬷嬷艾吉达，她被认为是这书的作者一样，如果没有来自上天的特别帮助，她也不可能创作它。
Our conclusive opinion is, that the City of God, for the good of the public, and for the advantages to be derived therefrom, should be brought forth to the light.
我们的结论性意见是，为了公众的利益，以及由此产生的益处，《天主奥秘之城》应该被公之于众。
This is our judgment, which we submit entirely to the supreme decision of the Holy See, to whom alone belongs the right of finally judging such writings.”
这是我们的判断，我们完全服从于罗马教廷的最高决定，只有罗马教廷才有最终判断这类著作的权利。」
Louvain, 20th of July 1715.
鲁汶，1715年7月20日。
(Signed)
（署名）
Hermann Damen,
赫尔曼·达曼
Doctor, Professor Ordinary and Regent of the Theolqgical Faculty, Don of Saint Peter. President of the College of Arras, Censor of Books, etc.
博士，圣彼得堂神学系正教授兼董事。阿拉斯学院院长、图书审查员等。
Anton Parmentier,
安东·帕门蒂尔
Doctor, Professor Ordinary, Regent of the Theological Faculty, President of the Great College of Theologians, etc.
博士、正教授、神学系董事、神学家学院院长等。
