WILLIAM LAW: A SERIOUS CALL TO A DEVOUT AND HOLY LIFE (Dent's Everyman's Library. 6.4.1.
LIVING in retirement. his studies based on the Catholic mystics. William Law was one of the most positive exponents of Christianity that the 18th century, or indeed any century, produced. He practised what he preached.
In his home, as in a religious house, definite hours throughout the day were given to prayer (and this he advises in his " Serious Call "), and most of his money was used in helping the poor. For bim there were no half-measures.
He teaches us that to be a Christian a man must devote the whole of his time and energy to the service of God: his occupation or professing is to he subordinated to this one iurposc. A tradesman or farmer is called to live as high a spiritual life as any clergyman.
If we fail in our calling it is due to our lack of intention. " Let a tradesman but have this intention and it will make him a saint in his shop ... Again, let the gentleman of birth and fortune but have this intention and you will see how it will carry him from every appearance of evil to every instance of piety and goodness."
This doctrine is reiterated throughout the hook. illustrated by mans charming parables, vignettes of different types of people.
" If we are to he in Christ new creatures. we must show that we are so, by having new ways of living in the world. If we are to follow Christ, it must he in our common way of spending every day' " Teresa Fuller