There is never the slightest doubt about william law s meaning. More than simply articulating a set of rules to live by, law s book examines. Complete summary of william law s a serious call to a devout and holy life. A serious call to a devout and holy life, the grounds and reasons of christian regeneration, the way to divine knowledge and more 7 books with active table of contents by.
Added to these nine volumes is the first serious critical biography of law, overtons william law, nonjuror and mystic. So begins william law s serious call to a devout and holy life. New a serious call to a devout and holy life by william law. 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. The change in william law from when he wrote, serious call to.
After losing his position at cambridge for refusing to take the oath of allegiance to george i, he became the center of a small spiritual community. Devotion signifies a life given, or devoted, to god. With the shift from does to do, law means to indicate a change from a hypothetical statement to a conditional one, from the indicative to the subjunctive mood. This acclaimed book by william law is available at in several formats for your ereader. William law a serious call to a devout and holy life. Before brother boehme a serious call to a devout and holy. A serious call to a devout and holy life now, who that lacks this general sincere intention, can be reckoned a christian. Stanwood, introduction by austin warren and paul g. And yet if it was among christians, it would change the whole face of the world. Concerning the nature and extent of christian devotion.
William laws most widely known book, a serious call to a devout and holy life, pulls together many of his thoughts in a lucid work addressed to the average. These definitions begin william law s documentation of his rules of spiritual discipline called, a serious call to a devout and holy life. William law s most widely known book, a serious call to a devout and holy life, pulls together many of his thoughts in a lucid work addressed to the average christian. This devotional classic, written by william law, an eloquent religious teacher of the eighteenth century, was designed to prod indifferent christians into making. A serious call to a devout and holy life by william law proclaims that god does not merely forgive our disobedience, he calls us to obedience and to a life completely centered in him. Ticknor, 1835, also by howard malcolm page images at hathitrust.
Law and was influenced by this very book to some of his great work in england, and america too. This book was influential in the lives of many christians, including john and charles wesley, george. William law 16861761 was an english writer and mystic who challenged christians to return to a holy life and a fervent faith. A serious call to a devout and holy life by william law chapter i. More than simply articulating a set of rules to live by, law s book. A serious call to a devout and holy life law, william on. Buy the a serious call to a devout and holy life ebook. William law a serious call to a devout and holy life excerpt an inquiry into the reason, why the generality of christians fall so far short of the holiness and devotion of christianity.
We will compare two of his writings, one of his early writings. Law s book a serious call to a devout and holy life is considered a classic that all christians should read. The style of the serious call is admirably adapted to its subject. Law, william a serious call to a devout and holy life. The prose in law s work is fresh and vivid, as he illustrates the holy christian life as one lived wholly for god. Originally published at the beginning of the eighteenthcentury enlightenment, a time when rationalist criticism of religious belief was perhas at its peak, william law s a serious call to a devout and holy life succeeded in inspiring the most cynical men of the age with its arguments in favor of a spiritual life. In a serious call to a devout and holy life, william law attacks pious hypocrisy and the corruption of the church. Law s thoughts on prayer, personal holiness and service to the poor will resonate with many contemporary readers. Prayers, whether public or private, are particular parts or instances of devotion. Still relevant today, this classic explores what it really means to be a christian and live a life wholly devoted to god our father. A serious call to a devout and holy life adapted to the state and condition of. In this eighteenthcentury abridgment by john wesley, youll find a treatise on a christians call to living a devout and holy life before god. In fact, its hard to conceive of something that could be more convicting than this death bed exhortation.
Some brief biographical information about the 18th century life of the blessed instrument of god, william law, along with many quotes about the impact of his written works as noted by various voices from the past. But he probably has done more than any other to promote boehme in the englishspeaking world, and was himself a penetrating mystic and masterful stylist. William law 1686 1761 this is one of the greatest devotional books of the christian faith, inspiring thousands to a closer walk with their lord. This special edition begins with a short introduction to law s life and includes the full text of all 17 of his known works. He was a religious guide to the gibbon family and included among his. Books by william law author of a serious call to a devout. William law was a sincere and godly man who read the scriptures and lived them as he understood them. Originally published at the beginning of the eighteenthcentury enlightenment, a time when rationalist criticism of religious belief was perhas at its peak, william. An inquiry into the reason, why the generality of christians fall so far short of the holiness and devotion of christianity. A serious call to a devout and holy life adapted to the state and condition of all orders of christians by william law the seventh edition. Often called the greatest of the postreformation english mystics, william law s 16861761 writings, included in this volume, reflect his genius of literary style and religious devotion. Law exposes pious hypocrisy and the corruption of the church.
William law, a serious call to a devout and holy life. Law s writing from mans effort to gods operation through the spirit. A serious call to a devout and holy life william law. And behold, i come quickly, and my reward is with me. Riggs professor in philosophy of religion, yale university william law. His writing is fresh and sharp, as he vividly illustrates the holy christian life as one lived totally for god. The use of mans reason another portion from a serious call indicates law s view concerning the use of mans reason, living by law and conducting oneself by rules and principles that others admire. Ticknor, 1835, also by howard malcolm page images at. A serious call to a devout and holy life by william law. From the introduction to the methuen edition, by c. William law, the 18thcentury anglican priest who heavily influenced the theology of john and charles wesley, lambastes pious hypocrisy and the corruption of the church in a serious call to a devout and holy life, the latest reissue in vintages spiritual classics series.
William law 16861761 devotion is neither public nor private prayer. Previously william law had given his allegiance to the house of stuart and is sometimes considered a secondgeneration nonjuror. Adapted to the state and condition of all orders of christians. This incredible excerpt from william law s serious call to a devout and holy life is as powerful an exhortation as there is on being serious about following god. William law 1686 9 april 1761 was a church of england priest who lost his position at emmanuel college, cambridge when his conscience would not allow him to take the required oath of allegiance to the first hanoverian monarch, king george i. His writings have impacted countless others, including john wesley and, more recently, andrew murray.
Often called the greatest of the postreformation mystics, william law was a fellow at emmanuel college, cambridge and was ordained a priest in the anglican church. William law quotes author of a serious call to a devout. William law 16861761 was not the first englishman to discover jacob boehme. William law was a priest at the church of england in the 18th century. William law books, a serious call, spirit of prayer, and more. Stanwood, preface by john booty in eternal nature, or the kingdom of heaven, materiality stands in life and light. It is serious, clear, and strong, but not graceful. Originally published in 1729, law s book stands as a powerful challenge to christians. A serious call to a devout and holy life adapted to the state and condition of all orders of christians by william law the seventh edition william law author of a serious call, etc. Robinson, 1772 page images at hathitrust law, william, 16861761. His most famous book, a serious call to a devout and holy life, was published in 1729. This edition of law s works, first published in 18923, features all his writings plus a memoir by g. Like the spirit of love, wherever it is, is its own blessing and happiness, because it is the truth and reality of god in the soul.
A serious call to a devout and holy life adapted to the state and condition of all orders of christians by william law, a. In the book law suggests practices which will lead to. The german theosopher was already known to dissenters like the quakers and various behmenist societies such as the philadelphians. William law law, william, 16861761 the online books page. William law, born in 1686, became a fellow of emmanuel college, cambridge in 1711, but in 1714, at the death of queen anne, he became a nonjuror. Originally published in 1729, laws book stands as a powerful challenge to christians. His writings have long been studied and have influenced countless worshippers. William law 1686 9 april 1761 was born at kings cliffe, northamptonshire.
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