And when we have this truth laid before us, we should not hinder its effects by blending any other matter with it that does not belong to it. And as we are weak creatures, we should pray to God to help us to this faith; for it is he which enables us to believe.

We read of a man that prayed to Christ to help his unbelief. And the Apostle Paul prayed to God for the Ephesians, that they might be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man, that Christ might dwell in their hearts by faith. So also we have a fragment of one of the holy Fathers, wherein he desires the prayers of other Christians that he might be justified by this faith. All which may be an inducement to us also to pray for this gift where we have it not, and for an increase and continuance of it when we have it. Yet we should also read the Scriptures as the way wherein it comes, or else by hearing them read and expounded. I have not entered into a definition of a saving faith; for if I should fail in that, I might do harm. The only express definition of it in Scripture, we have in Hebrews.

There it is called – the substance of things hoped for; or as some expound it – the substantial expectation of things not seen: and this I think cannot amount to less than a firm persuasion of being saved, and partaking of the heavenly inheritance. And the account there given of several that had died in the faith shows, that they having seen the promises afar off, were persuaded of them and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. And as they desired a better country, God was not ashamed to be called their God; and had prepared for them a city.

May we be enabled to imitate their faith, and enjoy all those good things which God hath laid up for them that love him.

Now to God, the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, be ascribed all the glory, power, might, majesty, and dominion, both now and for evermore. Amen.

                          THE END.

¹

APPENDIX EIGHT

The Wisdom of George Washington

The following quotations from Washington are arranged in outline form. They represent the many facets of his life, and illustrate the principles by which he lived his life, and the wisdom by which he reached his unwavering decisions. Also, note that an important quotation is found at the head of each chapter throughout this book.

I. Character and Education

II. Virtue and Vice, Personality and Emotions

III. Family

IV. Government and Leadership

V. Military and Patriotism

VI. Business and Finances

VII. Politics and Media

VIII. Slavery

Unless otherwise noted all the quotations are from the Writings of George Washington edited by John C. Fitzpatrick and found online at http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/washington/fitzpatrick/

I. CHARACTER AND EDUCATION

A.   Character

1.   Character

a) To THE SECRETARY OF STATE, Philadelphia, March 3, 1797.

“I have thought it expedient to notice the publication of certain forged letters which first appeared in the year 1777,…Another crisis in the affairs of America having occurred, the same weapon has been resorted to, to wound my character and deceive the people.”

b) To REVEREND ISRAEL EVANS, Head Qrs. Valley-forge, March 13, 1778.

“It is more especially incumbent upon me to thank you for the honorable, but partial mention you have made of my character; and to assure you, that it will ever be the first wish of my heart to aid your pious endeavours to inculcate a due sense of the dependance we ought to place in that all wise and powerful Being on whom alone our success depends.”

c) To GOVERNOR JONATHAN TRUMBULL, September 21, 1775.

“It gives me real concern to observe yours of the 15th Inst. that you should think it Necessary to distinguish between my Personal and Public Character and confine your Esteem to the former.”

d) To BROWN & FRANCIS, Philadelphia, January 7, 1792.

“In my public capacity you will readily see that such a thing could not be done; and abroad, it would be almost impossible to separate my private from my official character, in a case of this kind.”

2.   Deeds

a) To MAJOR GENERAL JOHN SULLIVAN, December 15, 1779.

“A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man, that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of his friends, and that the most liberal professions of good will are very far from being the surest marks of it.”

b) To PATRICK HENRY, January 15, 1799.

“The views of men can only be known, or guessed at, by their words or actions.”

B.   Education

1.   Education

a) To GOVERNOR ROBERT BROOKE, Philadelphia, March 16, 1795.

“It is with indescribable regret, that I have seen the youth of the United States migrating to foreign countries, in order to acquire the higher branches of erudition, and to obtain a knowledge of the Sciences. Altho’ it would be injustice to many to pronounce the certainty of their imbibing maxims, not congenial with republicanism; it must nevertheless be admitted, that a serious danger is encountered, by sending abroad among other political systems those, who have not well learned the value of their own. The time is therefore come, when a plan of Universal education ought to be adopted in the United States.”

b) To DAVID HUMPHREYS, July 25, 1785.

“If I had the talents for it, I have not leisure to turn my thoughts to Commentaries [on the Revolutionary War]. A consciousness of a defective education, and a certainty of the want of time, unfit me for such an undertaking.”

c) To NICHOLAS PIKE, June 20, 1786.

“In my opinion, every effort of genius, and all attempts towards improving useful knowledge ought to meet with encouragement in this country.”

d) To ALEXANDER HAMILTON, September 1, 1796

“Education generally [is] one of the surest means of enlightening and giving just ways of thinking to our citizens.”

2.   Ignorance

a) To JOHN JAY, May 18, 1786. “Ignorance and design are difficult to combat. Out of these proceed illiberal sentiments, improper jealousies, and a train of evils which oftentimes in republican governments must be sorely felt before they can be renewed.”

3.   Knowledge

a) CIRCULAR TO THE STATES Head Quarters, Newburgh, June 8, 1783.

“The foundation of our Empire was not laid in the gloomy age of Ignorance and Superstition, but at an Epocha when the rights of mankind were better understood and more clearly defined, than at any former period, the researches of the human mind, after social happiness, have been carried to a great extent, the Treasures of knowledge, acquired by the labours of Philosophers, Sages and Legislatures, through a long succession of years, are laid open for our use, and their collected wisdom may be happily applied in the Establishment of our forms of Government; the free cultivation of Letters, the unbounded extension of Commerce, the progressive refinement of Manners, the growing liberality of sentiment, and above all, the pure and benign light of Revelation, have had ameliorating influence on mankind and increased the blessings of Society. At this auspicious period, the United States came into existence as a Nation, and if their Citizens should not be completely free and happy, the fault will be entirely their own.”