THE POWER OF FAITH. 41 that which is least, is faithful also in that which is greatest. The gunner who held his finger on the touch-hole till it burnt to the joint, that he might save the life of the rammer, from a premature discharge, possessed that cool courage which in a statesman or a general can save a nation from ruin or disaster. iii. Since virtue rests upon faith, you can strengthen and develop it by increasing faith as a living power in the soul. Much as we may discipline ourselves to virtue, our strength must lie not in ourselves and our purposes, but in God our Saviour. "He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." "My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness." And Paul proved this when he stood before Nero. "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me." In Christ we In Christ we can stand alone; for, like Christ, we are "not alone, because the Father is with us." A living faith secures a manly piety. A faith that rises above a mere conventional and professional belief and becomes a vital presence of Christ in the soul, will lift the man in life and thought and action above the dictation and opposition of the world. go o'er my head, "Though waves and storms Though strength, and health, and friends be gone, Though joys be wither'd all and dead, Though every comfort be withdrawn ; "Fix'd on this ground will I remain, Though my heart fail, and flesh decay; When earth's foundations melt away; "May the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." KNOWLEDGE. KNOWLEDGE DEFINED -- ANALYSIS OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE - HOW KNOWLEDGE IS ATTAINED-THE RESULTS OF THIS KNOWLEDGE. CRITICAL ANALYSIS. Classical usage helps us little as to the meaning of yvâois in the New Testament. Plato uses it commonly of "understanding," though sometimes of a deeper philosophical insight. But with the Neo-Platonists, gnosis came to be almost a technical term for higher insight, deeper wisdom, a certain mysterious knowledge reserved to the initiated. In this sense of deep spiritual insight, but without the associations of mysticism or mystery, the word gnosis is often used in the New Testament. It is a term peculiarly liable to abuse by enthusiastic minds, and before the close of the apostolic age there began to appear a sect of Gnostics, who claimed to have "an extraordinary insight into divine things beyond the system of faith, which the people commonly received on authority.” This insight they professed to have gained through certain secret traditions handed down from Christ, the higher light. Their gnosis corresponded to the esoteric doctrines of the old Greek philosophers, mysteries to be communicated only to the initiated. The Epistles of John seem to have been aimed in part at this Gnostic tendency. The true Christian knowledge is as far as possible both from the obscureness of mysticism and from the pretensions of clairvoyance. The gnosis of the New Testament is the privilege of all Christians alike. KNOWLEDGE. Add to virtue KNOWLEDGE.-2 PETER i. 5. VIRTUE We have defined to be Christian valour or manliness; that tone or quality of mind which gives it firmness for duty, courage in danger. Not rashness, nor wilfulness, but an intelligent conviction of truth and duty, an uncompromising principle of obedience to God, a frank and hearty commitment of oneself to the right-these combining to produce in the mind a tone of decision, of quiet but unflinching resolve, in whatever God in his providence may require us to do for his glory and for the cause of Christ. This Christian valour is finely personated by Mr. Greatheart, in the Pilgrim's Progress. Mr. Greatheart, a strong man, who was not afraid of a lion, gave his services as guide to Christiana and her children, defending |