Law, William (1686-1761)

Dialogs from the Past

Law, William (1686-1761) -- from Wikipedia Article

William Law -- from The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge

AN APPEAL To all that Doubt (Author)

Description: William Law saw many changes during his lifetime: the laws and authorities of his British homeland underwent a major shift, he switched from one career to another, and his personal spiritual philosophies evolved dramatically over time. Among his many writings, Law wrote polemical tracts, practical devotional books, and, later in his life, mystical reflections. His work influenced some of the greatest minds of the 18th century, including Samuel Johnson, George Whitefield, and John and Charles Wesley. An Appeal to all that Doubt the Truths of the Gospel was the last piece he published before his shift toward mysticism nine years later. As well as a devotional book, it serves as a work of apologetics to the lay reader. Law defends the central doctrines of the Christian faith. His defense culminates in declaring the necessity of salvation for all people, calling them to repent and accept Christ’s love.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

COLLECTION OF LETTERS (Author)

Description: William Law saw many changes during his lifetime: the laws and authorities of his British homeland underwent a major shift, he switched from one career to another, and his personal spiritual philosophies evolved dramatically over time. Among his many writings, Law wrote polemical tracts, practical devotional books, and, later in his life, mystical reflections. His work influenced some of the greatest minds of the 18th century, including Samuel Johnson, George Whitefield, and John and Charles Wesley. William Law’s personal letters to friends, clergymen, and family give readers a unique insight into his fascinating and complex mind. One can trace the development of Law’s relationships and ideas as his life unfolds. Just as he emphasizes holy living and obedience to Christ in his published works, so also does Law emphasize it in his everyday affairs.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

DEMONSTRATION of the Gross and Fundamental Errors (Author)

Description: William Law saw many changes during his lifetime: the laws and authorities of his British homeland underwent a major shift, he switched from one career to another, and his personal spiritual philosophies evolved dramatically over time. Among his many writings, Law wrote polemical tracts, practical devotional books, and, later in his life, mystical reflections. His work influenced some of the greatest minds of the 18th century, including Samuel Johnson, George Whitefield, and John and Charles Wesley. This particular essay responds to a book promoting deist and rationalist perspectives on Christianity and Christian teaching. Law argues that one cannot reduce Christian faith to mere facts and propositions. “Religion is the most plain, simple thing in the world,” he wrote, “It is only, ‘We love him, because he first loved us.’”

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

Grounds and Reasons of Christian Regeneration. (Author)

Description: William Law saw many changes during his lifetime: the laws and authorities of his British homeland underwent a major shift, he switched from one career to another, and his personal spiritual philosophies evolved dramatically over time. Among his many writings, Law wrote polemical tracts, practical devotional books, and, later in his life, mystical reflections. His work influenced some of the greatest minds of the 18th century, including Samuel Johnson, George Whitefield, and John and Charles Wesley. This short essay, addressed to deists, argues that God does not merely exist, but that human beings need a relationship with him. According to the deist philosophy popular among Law’s contemporaries, God created the world, then left creation to itself—there was no need for repentance and the forgiveness of sins. However, Law reminds his readers of sin’s reality and the fallen nature of all people. Only being born again into a new life in Christ can vindicate people of their sin. One cannot reduce Christian faith to mere facts and propositions. “Religion is the most plain, simple thing in the world,” he wrote, “It is only, ‘We love him, because he first loved us.’”

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

Humble, Affectionate, and Earnest Address to the Clergy (Author)

Description: William Law saw many changes during his lifetime: the laws and authorities of his British homeland underwent a major shift, he switched from one career to another, and his personal spiritual philosophies evolved dramatically over time. Among his many writings, Law wrote polemical tracts, practical devotional books, and, later in his life, mystical reflections. His work influenced some of the greatest minds of the 18th century, including Samuel Johnson, George Whitefield, and John and Charles Wesley. Law sent his last work, his Address to the Clergy, to the press just a few days before his death in 1761. With the mystical passion of his later years, he entreats Christian leaders to focus on the fundamentals of the faith: repentance of sin, dependence upon Christ, and leading renewed, holy lives in obedience to the Holy Spirit. As Christ’s primary teachers and representatives, clergy members have a unique responsibility for the salvation of their congregations. Law’s final words reaffirm the Christian message, and call all Christians to share that message with others.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

Of Justification by Faith and Works

Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life

Description: "...Devotion signifies a life given, or devoted, to God." So begins William Law's Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life. Originally published in 1729, Law's book stands as a powerful challenge to Christians. Law teaches that if God is "our greatest good," then the wisest way to live is to please God through a life of worship, adoration, and devotion. Since many fail to live this way, Law diagnoses why and suggests certain concrete practices as a remedy. Thus, no one interested in becoming more devout can ignore this dynamic book. Law's call has encouraged several generations, and does not fail to encourage believers even today with a serious call to a devout and holy life.

Tim Perrine
CCEL Staff Writer

Spirit of Love

Description: "...Devotion signifies a life given, or devoted, to God." So begins William Law's Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life. Originally published in 1729, Law's book stands as a powerful challenge to Christians. Law teaches that if God is "our greatest good," then the wisest way to live is to please God through a life of worship, adoration, and devotion. Since many fail to live this way, Law diagnoses why and suggests certain concrete practices as a remedy. Thus, no one interested in becoming more devout can ignore this dynamic book. Law's call has encouraged several generations, and does not fail to encourage believers even today with a serious call to a devout and holy life.

Tim Perrine
CCEL Staff Writer

Spirit of Prayer

Description: Influenced by the writings of German mystic, Jacob Boehme, William Law wrote two related works of mysticism: The Spirit of Love and The Spirit of Prayer.  Written by Law in the 1750’s, these books emphasize Law’s own creative interpretation of mysticism, which relies heavily on the indwelling of Christ in the believer’s soul. The Spirit of Prayer contains a series of prayers and dialogues which focus on the profound love of God. Law intended his writings to help readers renew their understanding of the holy life. He encourages his readers to follow God’s calling in this poetic passage:  “When therefore the first spark of a desire after God arises in thy soul, cherish it with all thy care, give all thy Heart into it, it is nothing less than a touch of the Divine. Get up therefore and follow it as gladly, as the Wise Men of the East followed the Star from Heaven that appeared to them. It will do for thee, as the Star did for them, it will lead thee to the birth of Jesus, not in a stable at Bethlehem in Judea, but to the Birth of Jesus in the dark centre of thy own fallen Soul.”  Law is sensitive and wise in his words.  Readers find themselves at first convicted and then comforted by Law’s The Spirit of Prayer. 
Emmalon Davis
CCEL Staff Writer

Way to Divine Knowledge (Author)

Description: William Law's career was one of many changes. He wore many hats: teacher, religious guide, dissenter, and mystic writer. This last shift from traditional, evangelical treatise and doctrine writer to student and scholar of mysticism is perhaps the most curious. After almost a decade of silence from his pen, Law published several volumes of Christian mystical study, one of which was Way to Divine Knowledge. The piece is a dialogue among speakers Academicus, Rusticus, Humanus, and Theophilus. They discuss the spiritual yearning that humans have deep within, and the importance of divine union. "Your business is now to give Way to this heavenly Working of the Spirit of God in your Soul, and turn from every things either within you, or without you, that may hinder the farther Awakening," says Theophilus in the first dialogue. This literature from Law's later work is a creative and readable discussion of Christian mystic union, and will be instructive for readers interested in the more intangible side of union with God.

Abby Zwart
CCEL Staff Writer