There has been great misapprehension on the part of mortals as to what actually constitutes law, but Christian Science makes it clear that law is not variable but fixed, underlying every effect. Not understanding this, mankind has held itself subject in belief to two kinds of law, which may be briefly summed up as civil or moral law and natural law. The former, even when inspired, as in the case of the ceremonial and moral code delivered to Moses, may be called man-made; while the latter, including as it does every mathematical and scientific fact, is recognized as under the sole control of Deity.
As understood in Christian Science, true law embraces both these forms, but is distinguishable from the human concept in that it cannot be broken, while it differs from the so-called natural law. (which assumes the reality of earthquake, pestilence, and death) in that it is always good, always destined to bless man. This all-inclusive law is spiritual, and Mrs. Eddy shows precisely how it may be recognized and applied. On page 118 of Science and Health we read of "spiritual laws emanating from the invisible and infinite power and grace." On the same page we are told that "the definitions of material law, as given by natural science, represent a kingdom necessarily divided against itself, because these definitions portray law as physical, not spiritual."
We are seldom conscious of the extent to which civilization has fenced us round with regulations, varying in different countries, different states, even in different homes; but everywhere these rules are found, and they are designed to protect the law-abiding, and to warn, or if need be punish, the rebellious. The most obvious point concerning such laws, whether national, municipal, or social, is that they are no whit more unbreakable than the laws of the Medes and Persians (one of which was rightly set aside by Daniel); but they can be ignored by whosoever is prepared to run the risk of punishment, misfortune, or ostracism, or they may be disobeyed through sheer inadvertence, through ignorance that such and such a law exists.
