Faith (fāth), n. [OE.
feith, fayth, fay, OF. feid, feit,
fei, F. foi, fr. L. fides; akin to fidere
to trust, Gr. pei`qein to persuade. The ending th
is perhaps due to the influence of such words as truth,
health, wealth. See Bid, Bide, and cf.
Confide, Defy, Fealty.] 1.
Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared
by another, resting solely and implicitly on his authority and
veracity; reliance on testimony.
2. The assent of the mind to the statement or
proposition of another, on the ground of the manifest truth of what
he utters; firm and earnest belief, on probable evidence of any kind,
especially in regard to important moral truth.
Faith, that is, fidelity, -- the fealty of the
finite will and understanding to the reason.
Coleridge.
3. (Theol.) (a) The
belief in the historic truthfulness of the Scripture narrative, and
the supernatural origin of its teachings, sometimes called
historical and speculative faith.
(b) The belief in the facts and truth of the
Scriptures, with a practical love of them; especially, that confiding
and affectionate belief in the person and work of Christ, which
affects the character and life, and makes a man a true Christian, --
called a practical, evangelical, or saving
faith.
Without faith it is impossible to please him
[God].
Heb. xi. 6.
The faith of the gospel is that emotion of the
mind which is called "trust" or "confidence" exercised toward the
moral character of God, and particularly of the Savior.
Dr. T. Dwight.
Faith is an affectionate, practical confidence
in the testimony of God.
J. Hawes.
4. That which is believed on any subject,
whether in science, politics, or religion; especially
(Theol.), a system of religious belief of any kind; as, the
Jewish or Mohammedan faith; and especially, the system of
truth taught by Christ; as, the Christian faith; also, the
creed or belief of a Christian society or church.
Which to believe of her,
Must be a faith that reason without miracle
Could never plant in me.
Shak.
Now preacheth the faith which once he
destroyed.
Gal. i. 23.
5. Fidelity to one's promises, or allegiance
to duty, or to a person honored and beloved; loyalty.
Children in whom is no faith.
Deut. xxvii. 20.
Whose failing, while her faith to me
remains,
I should conceal.
Milton.
6. Word or honor pledged; promise given;
fidelity; as, he violated his faith.
For you alone
I broke me faith with injured Palamon.
Dryden.
7. Credibility or truth. [R.]
The faith of the foregoing
narrative.
Mitford.
Act of faith. See Auto-da-
fé. -- Breach of faith,
Confession of faith, etc. See under
Breach, Confession, etc. -- Faith
cure, a method or practice of treating diseases by
prayer and the exercise of faith in God. -- In good
faith, with perfect sincerity.