The Power of the Spirit

This was my first real experience in reading a book by William Law. I found it very moving, very insightful, and along the same lines as the great writers of the past- Andrew Murray, A.W. Tozer, etc. Since purchasing this book I have bought several more by William Law. This book is all about how important the Holy Spirit is in the believer's life and the life of the Church. I believe it is the #1 thing that is missing from the Church today. It is why we do not see much happening in the Church today. The Holy Spirit will exalt Christ in our lives, and the Holy Spirit will guide us into all things that our Heavenly Father desires for our lives. Without the Holy Spirit, we are powerless to do all that God wants and desires in our lives and in our Church.

This book is a modernized, edited version of Law's work entitled "An Humble, Earnest, and Affectionate Address to the Clergy," published in 1761. In the introduction, Dave Hunt notes that Dr. Andrew Murray brought it back into print in 1896 under the present title (The Power of the Spirit) because he didn't "know where to find anywhere else the same clear and powerful statement of the truth which the Church needs at the present day." Murray also said: "I have tried to read or consult every book I knew of that treats of the work of the Holy Spirit, and nowhere have I met with anything that brings the truth of our dependence upon the continual leading of the Spirit, and the assurance that that leading can be enjoyed without interruption, so home to the heart as the teaching of the present volume." This is quite a statement! Nonetheless, Hunt does note that, like Murray, he doesn't agree with all of Law's teachings (considering his entire writings) although he and Murray do believe that the message of this book on the Holy Spirit is soundly based upon Scripture. William Law was a Protestant mystic who delved into many of the classics of Christian mysticism and eventually developed a particular interest in the Protestant mystic Jacob Boehme and later became known as one of his most prominent disciples. Law is best known for his classic "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life" which was treasured by such notables as John Wesley, George Whitefield, Samuel Johnson, and later, C. S. Lewis. An unedited version of this classic, along with his work "The Spirit of Love", is available in the Paulist Press series entitled "The Classics of Western Spirituality." Dave Hunt notes that although his edited version of Law's "Address to the Clergy" was taken primarily from Murray's edition, he has drawn upon several of Law's other books, including the afore mentioned classic. Since I own the complete works of William Law, I had the privilege of comparing Hunt's version to the original. There are definitely some notable changes and editing although I think it is safe to say that the heart of Law's book is certainly present in this edited, modern version which certainly is easier to read. Law's emphasis is on the dynamic power of the Spirit in contrast to the stagnant, intellectualism that he found prevalent in his day (and which is, in certain circles, prominent today). It is not enough to be doctrinally correct, to have skill in Greek and Hebrew, to belong to this or that denomination. One must have a living relationship with God through His Spirit which defines what it means to have everlasting life. This life is not defined by a past experience, but a present and ongoing personal walk with God which produces fruits of righteousness. There is no place for Self in this spiritual walk, this divine-human relationship, which is defined as a submissive obedience to the Spirit's guidance. The contrast between Self and the Spirit, the natural and the supe

This is one of those rarest of books. For those with understanding the words leap from the page into your mind and become fire.

Without a doubt one of the best written works on the Holy Spirit. William Law was a man who had a profound influence in the Lives of the men of the 1700 Revival (John Westley, Charles Westley and George Whitfield.) If you want to know why, read this book, "touch and see" for yourself what it means to be led by the Spirit of God and find out what it realy means to be Born from above and experience what William and others called the "new birth."

Brothers and Sisters, William Law showed that the Spirit of God dwelled in him by writing this book. It is the most challenging and convincing (and extremely simple) book on the Holy Spirit I have read...ever. I have read hundreds and hundreds of books in my lifetime...none has impacted me to this point as much as this one. Are you tired of struggling with sin? Do you long for the life Jesus wants you to live...that you KNOW is out there somewhere...but that you have been unable to attain? Are you tired of the superficial explanations of the Holy Spirit...that see the Spirit only as an emotional spark or the source of tongues and charisma? Do you want to see the Bible for what it really is....the map pointing us to Jesus and guidance by the Spirit? READ THIS BOOK. PLEASE. I beg you as a fellow believer...this book NEEDS to be read. It will blast a hole in your preconceptions of the Holy Spirit and your apathy of spirit. IT DID MINE. I cannot stress enough...I have no ulterior motive...please read this book. I believe it to be from God through a humble instrument of his during the 18th century, a believer who really walked in the Spirit, William Law. it's a shame I could only give it 5 stars!