FAITH, in divinity and philosophy, the firm belief of certain truths upon the testimony of the person who reveals them. The grounds of a rational faith are, that the things revealed be not con trary to, though they may be above natu ral reason ; that the revealer be well acquainted with the things be reveals ; that he be above all suspicion of deceiving us. Where these criterions are found, no reasonable person will deny his assent. Whatever propositions, therefore. are be yond reason, but not contrary to it, are, when revealed, the proper matter of faith.—Just,ifying, or caring faith, sig nifies perfect confidence in the truth of the Gospel, which influences the will, and leads to an entire reliance on Christ for salvation.—Public faith, is represented on 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 with her two hands joined together.— Faith, (Fides) in ancient Art, is represent ed as a matron wearing a wreath of olive or laurel leaves, and carrying in her hand ears of corn, or a basket of fruit. In
Christian Art, by a female carrying a cup surmounted by a cross, emblentatieal of the Eucharist, "the Mystery of Faith." FA'KLlt, or a devotee, or Indian monk. The fakirs are a kind of fanaties in the East Indies, who retire from the world, and give themselves up to contemplation. Their grout situ is to gain the veneration of the world by their absurd and cruel penances, outdoing oven the mortitieations and severities of the ancient Christian anehorets. Some of them mangle their bodies with scourges and knives ; others never lie down ; and others remain all their lives in one pos ture. There is also another kind of fa kirs, who do not prdetise such severities, but make a vow of poverty, and go from village to village, prophesying and telling fortunes.