in Philosophy and Theology, that assent which we give to a proposition advanced by another, the truth of which we do not immediately perceive from our own reason or experience; or it is a judgment or assent of the mind, the motive whereof is not any intrinsic evidence, but the authority or testimony of some other who reveals or relates it. Hence, as there are two kinds of authorities and testimonies, the one of God, and the other of man, faith becomes distinguished into divine and human.

Divine Faith, is that founded on the authority of God; or it is that assent we give to what is revealed by God.

The objects of this faith, therefore, are matters of revelation. See Revelation and Religion.

Human Faith, is that whereby we believe what is told us by men. The object hereof is matter of human testimony and evidence. See Metaphysics.

practical theology, makes the first of the theological virtues or graces.

Faith in God, in this sense, denotes such a conviction of his being, perfections, character, and government, as produces love, trust, worship, obedience, and resignation.

Faith in Christ, as it has been defined by some, is a mere assent to the gospel as true; according to others, it signifies such a persuasion that he is the Messiah, and such a desire and expectation of the blessings which he has promised in his gospel to his sincere disciples, as engage the mind to fix its dependence upon him, and subject itself to him in all the ways of holy obedience. See Theology.

Faith, likewise, in respect to futurity, is a moral principle, implying faith a conviction of the reality and importance of a future state, as is sufficient to regulate the temper and conduct.

Fides, or Fidelity (Fides), was deified by the ancient Romans, and had a temple in the Capitol consecrated to her by Attilius Catalinus. Her priests wore white veils: unbloody sacrifices were offered to her, and the greatest oaths were taken in her name. Horace clothes her in white, places her in the retinue of Fortune, and makes her the filter of Justice, Od. 24, 35. l. i. Public Faith is represented in a great number of medals; sometimes with a basket of fruit in one hand, and some ears of corn in the other; and sometimes holding a turtle-dove. But the most usual symbol is two hands joined together. The inscriptions are generally, Fides Augufis, Fides Exercitus, or Fides Militum, &c.