"The Rule of Law" by Matthew

Those familiar with William Law will not be surprised by the profundity of what follows. His most popular book, "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life", is considered by many a devotional masterpiece. Law studied for the ministry at Cambridge, achieving both a bachelor's and master's degrees. However, while still in training at Cambridge, so as not to contradict his good conscience, he elected not to pledge his allegiance to King George I. The consequences of this decision were his immediate expulsion from Cambridge and a permanent revocation of any future ministry in the Church of England. Law, however, found the path of love despite his cival punishment.

Alduous Huxley, in a letter to Alan Watts once commented:

"I have been reading William Law--with great pleasure and profit. What a wonderful writer, when he is at his best. It is sadly typical of our education that we are all made to read the second-rate amiabilities...--but that one of the greatest masters of devotion and of philosophical theology is passed over almost in silence."

Today, I learned of the "Rules of William Law", penned while a student at Cambridge. I list them below for your reflection and edification. Perhaps they will have a similar impact on you as they did me.


Rules for Achieving Christian Perfection

I. To fix deep in my mind that I have one business upon my hands--to seek for eternal happiness by doing the will of God.

II. To examine everything that relates to me in this view, as it serves or obstructs this only end of life.

III. To think nothing great or desirable because the world thinks it so; but to form all my judgments of things from the infallible Word of God, and direct my life according to it.

IV. To avoid all concerns with the world, or the ways of it, but where religion and charity oblige me to act.

V. To remember frequently, and impress it upon my mind deeply, that no condition of this life is for enjoyment, but for trial; and that every power, ability, or advantage we have are all so many talents to be accounted for to the Judge of all the world.

VI. That the greatness of human nature consists in doing nothing else but in imitating the Divine nature. That, therefore, all the greatness of this world, which is not in good actions, is perfectly beside the point.

VII. To remember often and seriously how much time is thrown away, from which I can expect nothing but the charge of guilt; and how little there may be to come on which an eternity depends.

VIII. To avoid all excess in eating and drinking.

IX. To spend as little time as I possibly among such persons as can receive no benefit from me, nor I from them.

X. To be always fearful of letting my time slip away without some fruit.

XI. To avoid all idleness.

XII. To call to mind the presence of God whenever I find myself under temptation to sin and to have immediate recourse to prayer.

XIII. To think humbly of myself; and with great charity to others.

XIV. To forbear from all evil speaking.

XV. To think often of the life of Christ, and to propose it as a pattern for myself.

XVI. To pray, privately, thrice a day, besides my morning and evening prayer.

XVII. To keep from _____________ as much as I can without offence. *(Note: scholars note that Law's personal writings reveal this blank to be "public houses", or, as we know them, "coffee houses". No kidding.)

XVIII. To spend some time in giving an account of the day previous to evening prayer: How have I spent this day? What sin have I committed? What temptation have I withstood? Have I performed all my duty?