When contemplating the principles of liberty, the first thing that comes to my mind is self-government. (
Also see Libation # 197). Webster's comment about assiduously cultivating the heart demonstrates his view that spiritual knowledge is a higher priority than natural learning. The weight of his statement is realized when we remember that Webster was certainly a man of great natural learning. He was a master of at least 28 languages, wrote the first Dictionary of the English Language, and is known as the Father of American education!
In biblical language, self-government is simply self-control, one of the virtues referred to in Galatians Chapter 5, as fruits of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB-emphasis added)
Notice there is no law against these things. In other words, when one exercises self-government through the internal law of the Spirit written on the heart, there is no need for external law.
...I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts...
Hebrews 8:10 (NKJV)
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Galatians 5:18 (NASB)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NASB)
So we see that freedom is not the absence of law. Freedom is the law of God written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This is uniquely Christian; this is the Christian definition of freedom.
Therefore let us cultivate our hearts as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
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