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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 20, 1867

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 10

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“HIGHER LAW.”

By R. F. COTTERELL

Some years ago, when Mr. Seward in Congress intimated that there was a higher law than the constitution of the United States, his language was considered as blasphemy against that constitution he was sworn to support; and it certainly did elevate the law he alluded to above that of the country. The sentiment is true however; there is a higher than human law.
But when I hear it asserted by professed ministers of the gospel, and even such as profess the advent faith, that there is a higher law than that which was proclaimed in person by the great Jehovah and written by his own finger in tables of stone, I cannot believe the assertion true; and can only look upon it as speaking great words, even words of blasphemy, against the Most High. A higher law than the moral code uttered by the lips of the Most High and given in his own hand writing to men—the only moral code revealed in the word of God! And where is this higher law written? asked I of a young minister recently. Said he, “In men’s hearts.”
He certainly did not realize what he was doing. Had he viewed it in its true light, he would have shuddered with horror at words so bold and blasphemous. The Man of Sin himself could blaspheme God’s law no more than to say there was a higher law, and that in the minds of men. Spiritualism utters no greater blasphemy when it sets aside the word of God, on the claim of its new revelations, asserting that man is his own saviour and redeemer, his own judge—in his own scales weighed. If it is Adventism to claim that there is a higher law than the only moral code God ever gave to man—that law which he declared by the mouth of David was perfect—then I do not blame people for classing Adventism and Spiritualism together. Such a doctrine does not belong to Adventism, but to Spiritualism. There is nothing more subtle and Satanic than to pretend that the Holy Spirit writes a higher law in men’s hearts than the highest law which God ever did utter, or was capable of uttering. He spoke his royal law, and declared it perfect. No better edition can ever be given. He has not attempted to improve it; but by it the apostles teach us that he will judge the world. Rom. ii, 12–16, Jas. ii, 8–13.
R. F. COTTERELL.