Kings Cliffe, which is supposed to have been an application of this gift. It is difficult to see how he could have obtained the money otherwise.
The only notice of Law during these years is a statement that his reply to Hoadly was published by a subscription promoted by orthodox divines (Account of Pamphlets in the Bangorian Controversy, by Philanagnostes Criticus, 1719). By 1727 he entered the family of Edward Gibbon (1666–1736) as tutor to the son Edward, afterwards father of the historian [see under Gibbon, Edward]. As his pupil, Edward, was born in 1707, it is tolerably certain that the connection had begun earlier. The elder Gibbon was a strong tory, and for that reason likely to be favourable to Law. He lived in a comfortable house at Putney, with pleasant grounds. The son went to Cambridge, accompanied by his tutor, at whose college (Emmanuel) he was entered 10 July 1727. After leaving college, Gibbon travelled abroad, while Law remained at Putney, and became 'the much honoured friend and spiritual director of the whole family' (Gibbon, Autobiography). This included two daughters—Catharine, said by Gibbon to be the 'Flavia,' and Hester, said to be the 'Miranda' of the 'Serious Call;' while Law's pupil has been identified with the 'Flatus.' These identifications, however, seem to be merely guesses not confirmed by dates. The 'Serious Call' was published at the end of 1728, when Law would hardly have made an intentional portrait of his young pupils. The publication of the 'Serious Call' brought him a visit (4 March 1729) from John Byrom [q. v.], who has preserved many accounts of this and later conversations. Law spoke to him about the mystical writers, praising Tauler, Rusbroek, and à Kempis, but apparently held Mme. Bourignon and Mme. Guion to be dangerous guides. John and Charles Wesley also became disciples. John first visited him at Putney in 1732, was led to some study of the mystics, and was influenced by Law's advice in going to Georgia in 1735. When, after his return in 1738, he had come under the influence of the Moravian, Boenler, Wesley reproached Law in a curious letter for not having taught the true doctrine of faith in Christ, which he had now learnt from Boehler. Law replied to this and a subsequent letter, pointing out that he had commended Thomas à Kempis, the most forcible teacher of the doctrine, to Wesley (who published a translation of the 'De Imitatione' about 1736), and had constantly insisted upon the same truth. Wesley's eminently practical mind was already out of harmony with Law's mystical tendencies; but he frequently speaks of Law with high admiration in his sermons (see Overton, p. 87). John and Charles, who took the same view as his brother, ceased from this time to be disciples. Dr. George Cheyne [q. v.] also corresponded with Law, and recommended to him some mystical writings, which incidentally led to Law's acquaintance with Behmen.
After the death of the elder Gibbon in 1737, Law remained for a time at Putney, till the household was broken up. He was afterwards at Somerset Gardens, at the back of the Strand, where Byrom frequently called upon him, and found him occasionally in a rather irritable frame of mind.
It was apparently towards the end of his stay at Putney (Overton, p. 179) that Law first began to study the works of Jacob Behmen. He became an ardent disciple, learnt 'high Dutch' to study the original words of the 'blessed Jacob,' proposed a new edition and translation, and studied all the literature of the subject which he could procure. The first of his books to reveal Behmen's influence is his answer (1737) to Hoadly's 'Plain Account' of the Lord's Supper. The later writings are expositions or applications of the mysticism thus imbibed. Towards the end of 1740 Law retired to Kings Cliffe, where his eldest brother, George, bailiff to the Earl of Westmorland, still lived, and where he owned a house. During the next years he paid occasional visits to London. Archibald Hutcheson, M.P. for Hastings, had known Law at Putney. He died in 1740, leaving a widow, and on his deathbed expressed a wish that she should lead a retired and religious life under Law's guidance. Miss Hester Gibbon proposed to join her. Law took a house for them at Thrapston, ten miles from Kings Cliffe, where they settled in 1743. Mrs. Hutcheson had an income of 2,000l., and Miss Gibbon some 500l. or 600l. a year. They proposed to carry out literally the precepts of the 'Serious Call,' and to spend in charity all that was not strictly necessary. Thrapston being at an awkward distance, they removed in 1744, and settled in Law's house at Kings Cliffe. This house, which still remains, was anciently a royal manor-house in the forest of Rockingham, and was called 'King John's Palace.' The plan of life was strictly carried out. To the girls' school already founded by Law, Mrs. Hutcheson in 1745 added a school for eighteen boys (increased in 1746 to twenty), besides almshouses. Law added other almshouses and a school building. The rector of Kings Cliffe was always to be one trustee, and the others were to be chosen from the gentry and clergy
