THE
LIFE OF FAITH
IN THREE PARTS;
EMBRACING SOME OF THE SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES OR DOCTRINES
OF FAITH, THE POWER OR EFFECTS OF FAITH IN THE REGULATION
OF MAN'S INWARD NATURE, AND THE RELATION
OF FAITH TO THE DIVINE GUIDANCE.
BY
THOMAS C. UPHAM, D. D.
NEW YORK:
HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,
329 & 331 PEARL STREET
FRANKLIN SQUARE.
1852.
CHRISTIANITY harmonizes with itself, and involves in its progress the same great principles, which characterize its incipient state. The Christian, therefore, lives as he began to live. He began in faith. He lives, day by day, in the exercise of faith. And, by the grace of God, he is ultimately made victorious, and is brought into the possession of the divine image, through the same faith.
I have endeavored, in the following pages, to illustrate this great truth. The present Work, therefore, is, to some extent, kindred in its nature with the Interior Life. And it is proper to say here, that it has been found necessary, in order to its completeness, to transfer to it, in a few instances, the statements and principles, which are there given. I have particular reference in this remark to portions of the third and twelfth chapters in Part I, and of the ninth chapter in Part II. The leading object of both Works is the promotion of practical holiness. I have no doubt, that the object will meet with favor; but have less confidence, that the manner of executing it will be approved. But, however this may be, it is a satisfaction to know, that books, as well as other things, have their overruling Providence. And he, who writes, as well as he who acts in other ways, can exercise a cheerful confidence in leaving what he has done with God, who can distinguish between the result and the intention, and can make even the weak and imperfect things of his people to praise him.
— Thomas C. Upham
EDITOR'S NOTE: I am thankful to Google Books and archve.org for making scanned copies of all of Thomas Cogswell Upham's books available. Upham (1799–1872) is an interesting character, and his holiness books are some of the most significant ones that were written in the 19th Century. Upham was a Congregationalist minister and academic who discovered the message of christian perfection through the ministry of Phoebe Palmer. Upham served as Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy at the Bowdoin College from 1825-1868. At the urgings of his wife, Upham attended some of the meetings led by Phoebe Palmer for the promotion of Christian holiness. Here he encountered the message and experience of entire sanctification. After this, he wrote several books explaining, defending and recommending this experience.
This book is, in many ways, a follow-up to his earlier book The Interior or Hidden Life. It focuses its attention, however, on the concept of faith.
(I have corrected some, but not all, of the spelling in the original to conform to contemporary spelling.)
— Craig L. Adams
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS.
PART I.
SOME OF THE PHILOSOPHICAL AND SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES AND DOCTRINES OF FAITH.
- The doctrine of natural faith
- On natural faith as a source or principle of natural action
- On religious faith as compared with natural faith
- Of the foundations or sources of faith
- Faith the foundation of the religious life
- On the connection of faith with feeling
- Faith the true bond of union between God and man
- Of faith in connection with justification
- Of faith in connection with sanctification
- Of appropriating faith
- The life of faith as distinguished from a life of inward signs and manifestations
- On the law of habit in connection with faith
- Relation of faith to the promises
- Of faith considered in some of its relations to reasoning
- On the necessity of consecration in connection with faith
- Assurance of faith
- On the doctrine of receiving by faith
PART II.
THE POWER OR EFFECTS OF FAITH IN THE REGULATION OF MAN’S INWARD NATURE.
- On the relation of faith to the manifestation of God
- Relation of faith in God to faith in the creature
- Relation of faith to the extinction of selfishness
- Selfishness inconsistent with the state of pure love
- Relation of faith to the regulation of the propensive principles
- Power of faith in enabling us to bear patiently the defects of others
- Relation of faith to the regulation of the affections
- Of faith in its connection with the malevolent affections
- Relation of faith to the subjection of the will
- On the relation of faith to the exercise of the judgment
- Relation of faith in God to the knowledge of the will of God
- On the relation of faith to inward crucifixion
- Relation of faith to meekness or quietness of spirit
- Relation of faith to the grace of silence
- Relation of faith to energy of action
- On the relation between quietness of spirit and energy of action
- On the relation of faith to the discharge of civil and political duties
- On the relation of faith to religious controversy
- On the relation of faith to the propriety and perfection of outward manner
- On the relation of faith in the Lord to rejoicing in the Lord
- On the relation of faith to the freedom and enlargement of the soul
PART III.
ON THE RELATION OF FAITH TO THE DIVINE GUIDANCE, OR THE OPERATION OF THE HOLY GHOST IN THE SOUL.
- “The kingdom of God is within you.”
- On the nature of the operation of the Holy Ghost
- Of the mental state most suitable to the constant in-dwelling of the Holy Ghost
- Relation of faith to preparations for prayer
- On special spiritual burdens
- On the relation of faith to the state of continual prayer
- The relation of the present moment to the revelation of God’s will
- On the relation of faith to prayer for the progress of the Gospel
- On the relation of faith to the prayer of recollection
- Relation of faith to wandering thoughts in prayer
- Relation of faith to a correct view of the Providences of God
- Relation of faith to the prayer of adoration
- Of the life of faith as compared with the life of nature
- On the relation of faith to the state of divine union
RELIGIOUS MAXIMS, HAVING A CONNECTION WITH THE DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE OF HOLINESS