William Law emphasizes “the truth of our dependence upon the continual leading of the Spirit, and the assurance that that leading can be enjoyed without interruption.” Although a generally modernized version of Andrew Murray’s 1896 edition, Dave Hunt weaves together appropriate thoughts from Law’s major works, enriching the book for today’s reader.

2012 Reprint of Original 1894 Edition. Exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Many have come to discover the writings of William Law through the publication of selections of his work edited by Andrew Murray. "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life" (1728) deeply influenced the chief actors in the great Evangelical revival. John and Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, Henry Venn, Thomas Scott, and Thomas Adam all express their deep obligation to the author. "The Serious Call" also affected others deeply. Samuel Johnson, ] Gibbon, Lord Lyttelton and Bishop Home all spoke enthusiastically of its merits; and it is still the only work by which its author is popularly known. It has high merits of style, being lucid and pointed to a degree. Though not the most popular, perhaps the most interesting, original and suggestive of all Law's works are those he wrote in his later years, after he had become an enthusiastic admirer of Jacob Boehme, the Teutonic theosopher. From his earliest years, he had been deeply impressed with the piety, beauty and thoughtfulness of the writings of the Christian mystics. However, it was not till after his accidental meeting with the works of Boehme, about 1734, that pronounced mysticism appeared in his works.

William Law is best remembered today for his Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life. To those interested in his spirituality, however, other works have greater impact, in particular The Spirit of Prayer and The Spirit of Love, which are considered the finest and most appealing. In the years in which they were written, his vision had reached its fullest and most characteristic development, and his literary power was at its height. It is in these books that the profound influence of Jacob Boehme can be most clearly seen. His great synthesis of the mystical outpourings and orthodox Christian theology, provide an English spiritual classic. Law's understanding and interpretation of mysticism was more original than traditional, being dynamic and creative. He believed in the life of God working from within, and the flame of divine love being a link with and an understanding of God. He conceived that mysticism was a matter of life, that relied on willing rather than knowing, and that ultimately rested on trust in God. Despite holding no official position he was widely regarded in his own time and later as a spiritual guide, and his trilogy The Spirit of Prayer, The Spirit of Love and The Way to Divine Knowledge was the mature expression of his theology and religion.

With: Historical commentary Biographical info Appendix with further readings For nearly 2,000 years, Christian mystics, martyrs, and sages have documented their search for the divine. Their writings have bestowed boundless wisdom upon subsequent generations. But they have also burdened many spiritual seekers. The sheer volume of available material creates a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Enter the Upper Room Spiritual Classics series, a collection of authoritative texts on Christian spirituality curated for the everyday reader. Designed to introduce 15 spiritual giants and the range of their works, these volumes are a first-rate resource for beginner and expert alike. William Law's classic book, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, excerpted in this volume, shows the joy and worth of a disciplined life. Law offers extensive advice for those who are dedicated to holy living and shows how daily prayer can shape the rest of our lives into praise to God and love for neighbor.