An Humble Affectionate and Earnest Address to the Clergy edition by William Law Religion Spirituality eBooks
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As this ADDRESS makes its appearance after the decease of the author, it cannot be thought improper to inform the reader, that the whole was sent to the press by himself, except a few pages, the last of which was wrote by him not many days before his death.
An Humble Affectionate and Earnest Address to the Clergy edition by William Law Religion Spirituality eBooks
It is unfortunate that the boring title will turn readers away from this amazing book. Andrew Murray managed to bring the book to a wider readership simply by changing the title. (The Power of the Spirit) But Murray edited and revised the original text. The result is not an improvement. No one should tamper with William Law's prose!The book could more accurately be titled, "An Indictment of the Clergy." In fact, what Law really does is extol the "priesthood of the believer" and elevate the laity at the *expense* of the clergy. The author sounds downright Blakean at times as he shows that the professional clergy are really just functionaries of the state, and even reach such depths of hypocrisy as to consecrate the state's unholy wars with their prayers.
Beginning at verse 178, Law exposes the madness of war and the hypocrisy of any warmonger who calls himself a Christian. The question, "Should a Christian fight for his country?" is answered in no uncertain terms.
"Imagine the Duelist fasting and confessing his Sins to God to Day, because he is engaged to fight his Brother Tomorrow; fancy again the Conqueror got into his Closet, on his bended Knees, lifting up Hands and Heart to God for blessing his Weapons with the Death of his Brother; and then you have a Picture of the great Piety, that begins and ends the Wars all over heavenly Christendom."
"Now fancy to yourself Christ, the Lamb of God, after his Divine Sermon on the Mount, putting himself at the Head of a blood- thirsty Army...But if this be too blasphemous an Absurdity to be supposed, what follows, but that the Christian who acts in the destroying Fury of War, acts in full Contrariety to the whole Nature and Spirit of Christ, and can no more be said to be led by his Spirit, or be one with Him, than those his Enemies who 'came forth with Swords and Staves to take him.'"
The theme of the book is not war, but the folly of human religion, and our complete dependence on the grace of God.
"A religious Faith that is uninspired, a Hope, or Love that proceeds not from the immediate Working of the Divine Nature within us, can no more do any Divine Good to our Souls, or unite them with the Goodness of God, than an Hunger after earthly Food can feed us with the immortal Bread of Heaven. All that the natural or uninspired Man does, or can do in the Church, has no more of the Truth or Power of Divine Worship in it, than that which he does in the Field, or Shop, through a Desire of Riches. And the Reason is, because all the Acts of the Natural Man, whether relating to Matters of Religion or the World, must be equally Selfish, and there is no Possibility of their being otherwise. For Self-love, Self-esteem, Self-seeking, and Living wholly to Self, are as strictly the Whole of all that is or possibly can be in the Natural Man, as in the Natural beast; the one can no more be better, or act above this Nature, than the other. Neither can any Creature be in a better, or higher State than this, till something Supernatural is found in it; and this Supernatural something, called in scripture the WORD, or SPIRIT, or INSPIRATION of God, is that alone from which man can have the first Good Thought about God, or the least Power of having more heavenly Desires in his Spirit, than he has in his Flesh.
"A Religion that is not wholly built upon this Supernatural Ground, but solely stands upon the Powers, Reasonings, and Conclusions of the Natural uninspired Man, has not so much as the Shadow of true Religion in it, but is a mere Nothing, in the same Sense, as an Idol is said to be Nothing, because the Idol has nothing of That in it which is pretended by it. For the Work of Religion has no Divine Good in it, but as it brings forth, and keeps up essential Union of the Spirit of Man with the Spirit of God; which essential Union cannot be made, but through Love on both sides, nor by Love, but where the Love that works on both sides is of the same Nature."
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An Humble Affectionate and Earnest Address to the Clergy edition by William Law Religion Spirituality eBooks Reviews
With so many and for the number of years that the Puritans lived and published their works that matched their lives..... you would have to ask, what are we missing in todays religious world that compares so little theirs?
If this was easier to read it would cause an uproar in today's works-based, self-esteeming, shallow, and pompous religiosity of the average church and just as then it is an indictment against the institutions calling themselves the churches of Jesus Christ. Well worth the effort to extract the meaning from the elaborate prose. I had downloaded a free copy from Olive Tree on my phone but I needed this hard copy and it is a great book. I plan to extract the jewels and write it in my own words.
Nothing but the " TRUTH " !!!!
God needs NO Religious systems to work in mankind -- It has always been a work of his spirit and not of men ! Read this book and then ask the SPIRIT to show you if these words are not true !! --- I did. Sure wish all the so called "SPIRITUAL LEADERS " of out day would allow Gods spirit to work in men and most of all let it work in themselves. They all believe without them mankind will never come to know God. It is NOT mans work but Gods SPIRIT !! Read / ask God / and then believe.
There is a depth to Law's teaching that requires much more than a superficial reading to adequately uncover. His style of writing can be a bit difficult at first, but give it time and you will uncover insights that are critical to growth in each Christian's walk with God.
As I read this book I was reminded that the Holy Spirit is given to us to bring about the life of Christ within regardless of our circumstances. We are to seek His presence each day and count on His life to bring about the change that all creation is awaiting. And if we ask God to reveal Christ within, He will do so.
This book is not just for those who are called to "officially" minister the word but to all who are called to unity in Christ.
It is unfortunate that the boring title will turn readers away from this amazing book. Andrew Murray managed to bring the book to a wider readership simply by changing the title. (The Power of the Spirit) But Murray edited and revised the original text. The result is not an improvement. No one should tamper with William Law's prose!
The book could more accurately be titled, "An Indictment of the Clergy." In fact, what Law really does is extol the "priesthood of the believer" and elevate the laity at the *expense* of the clergy. The author sounds downright Blakean at times as he shows that the professional clergy are really just functionaries of the state, and even reach such depths of hypocrisy as to consecrate the state's unholy wars with their prayers.
Beginning at verse 178, Law exposes the madness of war and the hypocrisy of any warmonger who calls himself a Christian. The question, "Should a Christian fight for his country?" is answered in no uncertain terms.
"Imagine the Duelist fasting and confessing his Sins to God to Day, because he is engaged to fight his Brother Tomorrow; fancy again the Conqueror got into his Closet, on his bended Knees, lifting up Hands and Heart to God for blessing his Weapons with the Death of his Brother; and then you have a Picture of the great Piety, that begins and ends the Wars all over heavenly Christendom."
"Now fancy to yourself Christ, the Lamb of God, after his Divine Sermon on the Mount, putting himself at the Head of a blood- thirsty Army...But if this be too blasphemous an Absurdity to be supposed, what follows, but that the Christian who acts in the destroying Fury of War, acts in full Contrariety to the whole Nature and Spirit of Christ, and can no more be said to be led by his Spirit, or be one with Him, than those his Enemies who 'came forth with Swords and Staves to take him.'"
The theme of the book is not war, but the folly of human religion, and our complete dependence on the grace of God.
"A religious Faith that is uninspired, a Hope, or Love that proceeds not from the immediate Working of the Divine Nature within us, can no more do any Divine Good to our Souls, or unite them with the Goodness of God, than an Hunger after earthly Food can feed us with the immortal Bread of Heaven. All that the natural or uninspired Man does, or can do in the Church, has no more of the Truth or Power of Divine Worship in it, than that which he does in the Field, or Shop, through a Desire of Riches. And the Reason is, because all the Acts of the Natural Man, whether relating to Matters of Religion or the World, must be equally Selfish, and there is no Possibility of their being otherwise. For Self-love, Self-esteem, Self-seeking, and Living wholly to Self, are as strictly the Whole of all that is or possibly can be in the Natural Man, as in the Natural beast; the one can no more be better, or act above this Nature, than the other. Neither can any Creature be in a better, or higher State than this, till something Supernatural is found in it; and this Supernatural something, called in scripture the WORD, or SPIRIT, or INSPIRATION of God, is that alone from which man can have the first Good Thought about God, or the least Power of having more heavenly Desires in his Spirit, than he has in his Flesh.
"A Religion that is not wholly built upon this Supernatural Ground, but solely stands upon the Powers, Reasonings, and Conclusions of the Natural uninspired Man, has not so much as the Shadow of true Religion in it, but is a mere Nothing, in the same Sense, as an Idol is said to be Nothing, because the Idol has nothing of That in it which is pretended by it. For the Work of Religion has no Divine Good in it, but as it brings forth, and keeps up essential Union of the Spirit of Man with the Spirit of God; which essential Union cannot be made, but through Love on both sides, nor by Love, but where the Love that works on both sides is of the same Nature."
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