LAW, WILLIAM, the author of various works of practical and mystical divinity, was born in 1630 at King's Cliff in Northampton shire. We should have known little of Law, probably, had it not happened that he was for some time living lta the family of Mr. Gibbon, father of the historian Gibbon, which leads to the introduction of some valuable notices of his life, habits, awl opinions, in the beautiful frag ment of Autobiography' which the historian prepared. William Law went to Cambridge with a view of entering the Church, took the degrees of RA. and M.A., was of Emanuel College, and in 1711 was elected a Fellow. On the accession of King George I, he refused to take the oaths prescribed by not of parliament, and in consequence vacated his fellowship. It was soon after this that he entered the family of Mr. Gibbon, who resided at Putney. llere he continued several years, and hie connection with the family became perpetuated to his death in consequence of a design which Miss Hester Gibbon, the sister of the historian, formed and executed, of retiring from the world in company with her friend Mrs. Elizabeth IIuteheson, and living a life of charity and piety, with Mr. Law for their chaplain. They fixed upon King's Cliff, the place of Mr. Law's birth, as the spot to which they retired ; and there Mr. Law lived the last twenty years of his life, dying April 9, 1761.
Mr. Law was the author of various works, in which he recommends the exercise of a piety which approaches to the character of ascetic, and which it is almost impossible for any one to practise who is net in a great degree relieved from the necessity of attention to the ordinary business of life. The most popular of them is eutitled ' A.
Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life,' a work contaiuing many passages of great beauty, and many spirited sketches of various cha racters to be found in the world, which has hal great influence on many minds, and might awaken a proper spirit of seriousness in all.
Dr. Johnson said of this work, that it first led to his thinking iti earnest of religion. Law was a disciple and ardent admirer of Jacob &Arno [Borate, Jams], and his writings are strongly imbued with the sentiments of that remarkable man. Law contemplated editing an English version of the works of Bi.ihme, and tho edition of ' The Works of Jacob Behmen,' 4 vols. Ito, 1764, bears the name of Law on the title-page, but it is certain that he had nothing to do with its preparation, though some of his marginal notes appear to have been used : the first volume did not appear till three years after Law's death. Law did however incorporate and elucidate the philosophy of Bohm° in his ' Way to Knowledge,' the next in importance of his works to his 'Serious Call,' as well as in his Way to Divine Know ledge," Spirit of Love,' and in his ' Letters.'