far as it is based on human experience and observation. It is Divine in
so far as it rests upon the direct revelation of God. Faith in man is
continually exercised in business and in all the departments of life. It
is necessary to the very existence of society. Faith in God moves in
another sphere. Its objects are not seen or temporal, and they do not
rest for proof upon the testimony of man. It receives and assents to
statements which are made on the authority of God, who knows all things,
who therefore cannot be deceived, and who is truth and therefore cannot
deceive us. On this Divine rock of faith, and not upon her own
knowledge, the Christian Church rests. "If we receive the witness of
men, the witness of God is greater."[013] Among Christian virtues faith
stands first. It must precede everything else. It is the foundation on
which all Christian character and life are built. "He that cometh unto
God must believe that he is."[014] "Without faith it is impossible to
please God."[015]

That which Christian faith realises and grasps is expressed in doctrine.
Faith is not a separate and self-dependent grace. Its existence and
growth arise from those things which are believed, and therefore it is
necessary to study and understand, as far as we can, the doctrines of
the Christian faith before we can possess or manifest belief. It is
important that we should have a definite knowledge of these doctrines;
that we should study them in relation to the Scriptures upon which they
profess to be founded, and that we should be in a position to defend
them against assailants. Thus faith will gather strength, and believers
will be "ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh them a
reason of the hope that is in them with meekness and fear."[016]


SECTION 2.--GOD--[017]