Faith \Faith\ (f[=a]th), 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.
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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.
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Faith, that is, fidelity, -- the fealty of the
finite will and understanding to the reason.
--Coleridge.
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3. (Judeo-Christian 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) (Christian Theol.) 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.
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Without faith it is impossible to please him
[God]. --Heb. xi. 6.
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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.
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Faith is an affectionate, practical confidence
in the testimony of God. --J. Hawes.
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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; the Christian faith; also, the creed or belief of a
Christian society or church.
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Which to believe of her,
Must be a faith that reason without miracle
Could never plant in me. --Shak.
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Now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
--Gal. i. 23.
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5. Fidelity to one's promises, or allegiance to duty, or to a
person honored and beloved; loyalty.
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Children in whom is no faith. --Deut. xxvii.
20.
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Whose failing, while her faith to me remains,
I should conceal. --Milton.
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6. Word or honor pledged; promise given; fidelity; as, he
violated his faith.
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For you alone
I broke me faith with injured Palamon. --Dryden.
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7. Credibility or truth. [R.]
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The faith of the foregoing narrative. --Mitford.
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Act of faith. See Auto-da-f['e].
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.
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