PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Christian in Complete Armour
William Gurnall, 1617–1679 · 726,331 words · 834 reading sections
56 THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND
and will make the soul as black as hell that practiseth it. It is not hard for any, though a fool, to learn. Bo but wicked, and the devil will help thee to be witty : come but a while to his sciiool, and thou mayest soon be a cunning man. No sins speak a higher attainment in wickedness, than those which are the result …
918 wordsSECTION 62AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL. 57
Use 3. — Study his wiles, and acquaint thyself with Satan's policy. Paul takes it for gi-anted, that every saint doth in some measure understand them : ' We are not ignorant of his devices,' 2 Cor. ii. 11. He is but an ill fencer that knows and observes nothing of his enemy's play; many particular stratagems I have lai…
755 wordsSECTION 6358 THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND
Spirit's work is not only to be a sanctifier, but also a comforter, whose fruits are righteousness and peace ; so the evil spirit Satan is both a seducer unto sin, and an accuser for sin, a tempter and a troubler, and indeed in the same order. As the Holy Ghost is first a sanctifier, and then a comforter ; so Satan fir…
877 wordsSECTION 64AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL. 59
carriages, and not knowing the plot, takes on heavily, and can neither eat nor sleep for grief; here is a real trouble begot from a false and imaginary ground. Thus Satan observes how the squares go between God and his children ; such a saint he sees tardy in his duty, faulty in that service, and he knows the Chris- ti…
883 wordsSECTION 65AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL. 59
all the while studying how he may commence a suit against thee for thy duty ; like those that come to sermons to cai-p and catch at what the preacher saith, that they may make him an offender for some word or other misplaced ; or like a cunning oppanent in the schools, while his adversary is busy in reading his positio…
843 wordsSECTION 66AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL. Q\
broken groats at tliy hand ? Is he not a holy God ? Now liere, Christian, learn to distinguish and answer Satan. There is a double acceptance. There is an acceptance of a thing by way of payment of debt, and thei-e is an acceptance of a thing offered as a token of love and a testimony of gratitude. He that will not acc…
864 wordsSECTION 67Q2 THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND
go not Oil, tlicreforo, as thou lovest thyself, hut tiu-n aside to this gospel-path, and thou escapest the danger. O you tempted soids, when Satan saith you are not hunihled enough, see where you may he relieved: ' I am a Roman,' saith Paul, ' I appeal to Ctesar.' I am a Christian, say, I appeal to Christ's law. And wh…
852 wordsSECTION 68CHAPTER VI.
terrors are, the less the sorrow is for sin while they remain : these are indeed preparatory sometimes to sorrow ; they go before this grace, as austere John before meek Jesus. But as John went down, Christ went up, when his increase was John's decrease ; so as truly godly sorrow goes up, these terrors go down. As the …
887 wordsSECTION 69CHAPTER VII.
Use 2. Secondly, This may afford matter of admiration and thankfulness to any of you, O ye saints, who are not at this day under Satan's hatches. Is he so subtile to disquiet; and hast thou any peace in thy conscience? To whom art thou beholden for that serenity that is in thy spirit? To none but thy God, under whose w…
705 wordsSECTION 70AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIT. ^5
paitli God, ' deliver such a one unto Satan;' and if a saint be the prisoner, and the devil the keeper, you may guess how he shall be used. O how he will tear and rend tliy conscience ! though that dreadful ordinance is not used, as it should be, in the church, yet God's covu-t sits, and if he excom- municates a soul f…
857 wordsSECTION 71(55 THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND
Election indeed is first in order of divine acting, — God chooseth before we believe ; yet faith is first in our acting, — we must believe before we can know we be elected ; j^ea, by believing we know it. The husbandman knows it is spring by the sprouting of the grass, though he hath no astrology to know the position o…
849 wordsSECTION 72(55 THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND
0 they liave siimed against knowledge of the truth, and therefore no mercy- remains for them ! who, if they woukl have refreshed their understandings by looking off these places, whose engraving is too curious to be long pored on by a weak eye, they might have found that in other scriptures plainly expressed, which wou…
851 wordsSECTION 73F 2
draws, and this cheer is taken off, Satan's work is, how lie may deface and wear off the remembrance of this testimony, wliich the soul so trimnphs in for its spiritual standing, that he may not ha\T it as an evidence when he shall bring about the suit again, and put the soul to produce his writings for his spiritual s…
864 wordsSECTION 74CHAPTER VIII.
fco there can be nothing in the creature to hinder the Ahnighty his performance of them, where and wlien he pleaseth. This act of faith, accompanied with a longing desire after that grace tliou canst not yet find, and an attendance on the means, though it will not fully satisfy all thy doubts, may be, yet will keep thy…
786 wordsSECTION 75CHAPTER VIII.
hast- done this, thou art cursed,' &c., which place, though partly meant of the literal serpent, yet chiefly of the devil and the wicked, (his spiritual serpentine brood,) as appears by the enmity pronounced against the serpent's seed and the woman's, which clearly holds forth the feud between Christ with his seed, aga…
875 wordsSECTION 76CHAPTER IX.
boar, &c.,) so doth God Satan and his instruments, to manifest his wisdoBi in the taking of them. It is observed, that the very hunting of some beasts affords not only pleasure to the hunter, but also more sweetness to the eater. Indeed God, by displaying of his wisdom in the pursuit of his saints' enemies, doth supera…
840 wordsSECTION 77CHAPTER IX.
Thirdly, God useth these temptations for the advancing of the whole work of grace in the heart. One spot occasions the whole garment to be washed. David, overcome with one sin, renews his repentance for all, Psa. li. A good husband, when lie secth it rain in at one place, sends for the workmen to look over all the hous…
777 wordsSECTION 78CHAPTER IX.
the smart of their own heart-sorrows : none so skilful in applying the comforts of the word to wounded consciences, as those who have lain bleeding themselves ; such know the symptoms of soul-trouble, and feel others' pains in their own bosoms, which some that know the Scriptures (for lack of experience) do not, and th…
855 wordsSECTION 79CHAPTER IX.
Secondly, Consider but the way how God communicates his love after the saints' fall ; not in sinning, or for sinning, but in mourning and humbling their souls for their sins. Indeed did God smile on them while acting sinfully, this might strengthen their sin, as wine in a fever would the disease ; but when the fit is o…
867 wordsSECTION 80A BRIEF APPLICATION OF THE POINT IN TWO BRANCHES.
his clothes; or in comparing two pieces of gold, weigh one with the dross and dirt it contracts in the purse, with the other purged from these in the fire : faith before temptation hath much heterogeneal stuff in it, that cleaves to it, and goes for faith ; but when temptation comes, these are discovered. Now the Chris…
871 wordsSECTION 817(1 FOR WE WRKSTLE.
Use 1. This affords a reason why God suffers his dear children to fall into temptation, because he is able to outshoot Satan in his own bow, and, in the thing wherein he thinks to outwit the Christian, to be above him. God will not only be admired by his saints in glory for his love in their salvation, but for his wisd…
821 wordsSECTION 827(1 FOR WE WRKSTLE.
pitch of rage and fiiry against Christ's little remnant than ever : so that if ever God should suffer the sword to fall into their hand, they are disciplined and fitted to play the bloody butchers on Christ's sheep above their forefathers ; neither are they so crest-fallen, but that they can hope for such a day, yea, t…
808 wordsSECTION 83Section I. — For the first, the wrestling or conflicting state of a Christian in this life, is rendered observable here by a threefold circumstance.
eleventh; orelse to the last words of the eleventh verse, where the apostle, having descried the saints' grand enemy to he Satan, anddescrihedhini in one of his attri- butes, his wily suhtilty, he in this further displays him in his proper colours, not to weaken the saints' hands, but waken their care, that seeing thei…
839 wordsSECTION 84FOR \VK WRESTLE. 79
Secondly, The universality of the combat. We wrestle, which comprehends all, on purpose you may perceive the apostle changeth the pronoun ye in the former verse, into we in this, that he may include himself as well as them ; as if he had said, the quarrel is with every saint. Satan neither fears to assault the minister…
923 wordsSECTION 85FOR \VK WRESTLE. 79
Section III. — Use 1. First, This may reprove such as wrestle ; but against whom ? — against God, not against sin and Satan. These are bold men, indeed, who dare try a fall with the Almighty ; yet such they are, and a woe pro- nounced against them, Isa. xlv. 9 : ' Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker.' It is easy …
728 wordsSECTION 86FOR \VK WRESTLE. 79
Ezek. ii. 5. Now men soon forget whom and what they hear; ask them what was pressed upon their conscience in such a sermon, they have forgot ; what were the precious truths laid out in another, and ;hey are lost ; and well were it for them, if their memoi'ies were no better in another world ; it would ease their tormen…
895 wordsSECTION 87FOR \VK WRESTLE. 79
have clone, wlien he liears what a sense CJod puts upon those unwary vvord^', which dropped from him in the anguish of liis spirit, and pai-oxysm of liis suffei'- ings. Contend with the Ahnighty ! Reprove God ! Good man, liow Wank he is, and cries out, ' I am vile : what shall I answer thee ? I will lay my hand upon my…
867 wordsSECTION 88FOR \VK WRESTLE. 79
and it is no wonder to see thieves fall out when they come to divide the spoil : lusts are divei-s, Tit. iv. 3, and it is hard to please many masters, especially when their commands are so contrary ; when pride bids lay on in bravery, lavish out in entertainment, covetousness bids lay up ; when malice bids revenge, car…
863 wordsSECTION 89G 2
to fasten upon some pai-t or other which gives them advantage moi'e easily to throw their adversary ; to prevent which they used, first, to lay aside their garments ; secondly, to anoint their bodies. For the first, Cliristian, labour to put off the old man, which is most personal ; that corruption which David calls hi…
843 wordsSECTION 90Section I. — Now follows the description of the saint's enemies, with whom he is to wrestle.
with tliese thing;?. There is a jjlace of rest remains for the peoplu of God. You do not beat tlie air, hut wrestle for a heaven tliat is yonder above these clouds; you have your worst first ; the best will follow. You wrestle but to win a crown, and win to wear it, yea, wear, never to lose it; which, once on, none sha…
877 wordsSECTION 91Section I. — Now follows the description of the saint's enemies, with whom he is to wrestle.
Secondl;, It is called flesh from the operations of this corrupt nature, which are fleshly and carnal. The reasonings of the corruj)t mind, fleshl>-, therefore called the carnal mind, incapable indeed of the things of God, which it neither doth nor can perceive ; as the sim doth obsijinare sKperiorn dui/i revelet ivfe-…
873 wordsSECTION 92Section I. — Now follows the description of the saint's enemies, with whom he is to wrestle.
First, For the first, How meanly doth the Spirit of God speak of man, calling him flesh and blood I Man hath a heaven-born soul, which makes him akin to angels, yea, to the God of them, who is the Father of spirits ; but this is passed by in silence, as if God would not own that which is tainted with sin, and not the c…
810 wordsSECTION 93Section I. — Now follows the description of the saint's enemies, with whom he is to wrestle.
shoulders, and lookest thou for that which they cannot give themselves? Not in wise men, whose designs recoil oft upon themselves, that they cannot perform their enterprise. Amplioracapii institui currentc rota cur urceus exit. Man's carnal wisdom intends one thing, but God turns the wheel, and brings forth another. Tr…
841 wordsSECTION 94Section I. — Now follows the description of the saint's enemies, with whom he is to wrestle.
First, In point of affliction. Psa. ciii. 14, "He knoweth onr frame, lie renieniberetli that we are but dust.' Not like some unskilled enipyric, who hath but one receipt for all, strong or weak, young or old ; but as a wise physician considers his patient, and then wi'ites his bill : men and devils are but God's apothe…
820 wordsSECTION 952Q AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES.
tlie Egyptian : hence come wars ; the fire of persecution never goes out in the hearts of the wicked, who suy in their hearts as they once witli their lips, Christiani ad leoms. Now in all the saints' wars with the wicked, Satan is connnander in chief; it is their father's works they do, his lusts they fulfil. The Sabe…
760 wordsSECTION 962Q AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES.
the head or monarch, and these, ver. 12, so many inferior orders, as among men there are princes, dukes, earls, &c., under an emperor. That there is an order among the devils, cannot be denied. The Scripture speaks of a 'prince of devils,' Matt, ix., and of the ' devil and his angels,' who with him fell from their firs…
778 wordsSECTION 97Section II. — Quest. Bvit how comes Satan to his principality?
and depths of Satan we read of, which all his subjects know not of, Rev. ii. 24. These are imparted to a few favourites, such as Elynias, whom Paul calls ' full of all subtilty, and child of the devil ; ' such, whose consciences are so debauched, that they scruple not the most horrid sins ; these are his white boys. I …
870 wordsSECTION 98Section II. — Quest. Bvit how comes Satan to his principality?
cre;'iture. The workmanship of heaven and earth give h.ini the nnnie of a Creator, providence of Preserver; but this of Saviour, wherein lie doth both the former, preserve the creature, which else had been lost, and create a new creature, I mean the babe of Grace, which, through God, shall be able to beat the devil out…
881 wordsSECTION 99Section II. — Quest. Bvit how comes Satan to his principality?
thou art yet in thy eld 2)vIson . can thei'c bo a change of government in a nation by a conqueror that invades it, and liis subjects not hear of this ? one king enthroned, and anotlier crowned in thy soul, and tliou hear no sculile all this while ? 'I'lie regenerating Spirit is compared to the wind, John iii. 8 ; his f…
892 wordsSECTION 100Section II. — Quest. Bvit how comes Satan to his principality?
refuge ; like ' Israel, he trusts in perverseness.' When God tells him, ' In re- turning and rest he shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be his strength;" he hath not faith to take God's word for his security in ways of obedience. And when God comes to afflict him for any disloyal carriage, instead of acc…
853 wordsSECTION 1019(5 AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES.
believing soul in the day they shall come to Christ, and receive him for their Prince and Saviour; so that from the hour thou didst come under Christ's shadow, all the sweet fruit that grows on this tree of life is thine ; with Christ, all that both worlds have falls to thee ; all is yours, because you are Christ's. O …
898 wordsSECTION 102MEN.
tlie field, rand thank their prince too for the honour of their employment. Paul, upon these terms, was willing to have his day of coronation in glory prorogued, and he to stay as companion with his brethren in tribula- tion here, for the furtherance of the gospel. This indeed makes it operce prefium vivere, worth the …
908 wordsSECTION 10398 AGAINST POWERS.
Section I. — This is the second branch of the description, wherein Satan is set forth by his might and power. This gives weight to the former ; were he a prince, and not able to raise a force that might appal the saints, tlie swelling name of a prince were contemptible ; but he hath power answerable to his dignity, whi…
849 wordsSECTION 104AGAINST POWERS. 99
Thirdly, The number of devils adds to their power. What lighter than the sand ? yet number makes it weighty. What creatures less than lice ? yet what plague greater to the Egyptians ? How foi-midable then must devils be, who are both for nature so mighty, and for number such a multitude ! There are devils enough to bes…
744 wordsSECTION 105IPQ AGAINST POWERS.
much more able is he to draw forth its power. Again, over the sensitive world liis power is great; not only the beasts, as in the herd of swine hurried by him into the deep, but over the bodies of men also, as in Job, whose sore boils were not the breakings out of a distempered nature, but the print of Satan's fangs on…
907 wordsSECTION 106AGAUNST POWERS. . ]01
continued volleys of such motions, to listen to a parley with them, if not a yield- ing to them. Thus many times he even wearies out the soul with importunity. Section II. — Use 1. First, let this, O man, make the plumes of thy pride fall, whoever thou art that gloriest in thy power ; hadst thou more than thou or any o…
896 wordsSECTION 1071 02 AGAINST POWERS.
if thou seest not more devils encompassing thee than he saw men about Samaria. Thy worldly trade they will not hinder, nay, may be, help thee to sinful tricks in that, to hinder thee in this : but if once thou resolvest to seek out for Christ and his grace, they will oppose thee to thy face ; they are under an oath, as…
858 wordsSECTION 108AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS, ETC. \()S
thei-efore when he takes upon him to foretell events, if God teach him not his lesson, nor second causes help him, he is beside his book ; so, to save his credit, delivers them dubiously, that his text may bear a gloss suitable to the effect, whatever it is. And when he is bold to tell the state of a person, there is n…
897 wordsSECTION 109104 AGAJNST THE KULEES OF THE
scouring. We do too little not to fear Satan ; we should comfort ourselves with the usefulness and suhserviency of his temptations to our good. ' All things are yours,' who are Christ's. He that hath given life to be yours, hath given death also. He that hath given heaven" for your inheritance, Paul and Cephas, his min…
787 wordsSECTION 110104 AGAJNST THE KULEES OF THE
even what they gaped for here. Thus ' God kept Balaam,' as Balak told him, ' from honour,' Numb. xxiv. 11. But, however they speed here, they are sure to lose themselves everlastingly, without repentance. They that are resolved they will have these things, are the men that fall into the devil's snare, and are led into …
844 wordsSECTION 111106 AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE
Beloved. Thy friends and kindred in Christ are there, ot expected, with whom thou shalt have a happy meeting in thy Father's house, notwithstanding the snare on Tabor, the plots of Satan which lie in the way. O friends, get a title to that kingdom, and you are above the flight of this kite. This made Job a iiappy man i…
857 wordsSECTION 112DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD. JQY
First, Naturally. There is a noxious quality in sin offensive to the under- standing, which is to the soul what the eye and palate are to the body ; it discerns things, and distinguishes true from false, as the eye white from black ; it trieth words as the mouth tasteth meats. Now as there are some things bad for the s…
908 wordsSECTION 113DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD. JQY
Fifthly, Sin leads to utter darkness ; utter darkness is darkness to the ut- most ; sin in its fidl height, and wrath in its full heat, together ; both univer- sal, both eternal. Here is some mixture, peace and trouble, j^ain and ease, sin and thoughts of repenting, sin and hopes of pardon; there the fire of wrath shal…
822 wordsSECTION 114PARKNESS OF THIS WORLD. |QQ
foretold, Matt, xxiv., when the abomination of desolation should be seen, stand- ing in the holy place : ' Then,' saith Christ, ' let him that is in Judea flee into the mountains.' But what was that to this? They are but men, though abomi- nable ; these devils. They did but stand in the material temple, and defile and …
909 wordsSECTION 115UQ AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE
anything he commands, that they count God rewards them for one piece of service, if he enables them for another. ' This I had,' saith David, ' because I kept thy precepts,' Psa. cxix. 56. What Avas the great reward he got? see ver. 55 : ' I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and kept thy law ;' then follow…
883 wordsSECTION 116DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD. J J J
they will repent and refoi-m, and what not ! but in few days they have repented of their repentance, and deformed their reformings, which shews they were drunk with some passion, when they thought or spake this ; and no wonder they reverse all when they come to their true temper. Now because Satan has many policies, by…
879 wordsSECTION 117112 AGAINST THK RULERS OF THE
to jeer him out of his new way ; or if that take not, by turning their old love into bitter wrath against him for ])hiying tiie apostate, and heaving him so. Or if yet he will not be stopped in his way, then he hatli his daubing preachers, still like Job's messengers, the last the worst, who with their sold flattering …
861 wordsSECTION 118DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD. 1],}
profession, so he dotli not go very far, but that he may have him again at night. If God hath the matins, he looks for the vigils, and thus he is content the day should be divided. Doth conscience press a reformation and change of the sinner's course, rather than fail, he will grant that also : yet as Pharaoh when he y…
937 wordsSECTION 1191 [4 AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE
Section IV. — Dnct. The second point fisllows. Ifjnorance above other sins enslaves a soul to Satan ; a knowing man may be his slave, but an ignorant one can be no other. Knowledge doth not make the hcai't good, but it is impos- sible that without knowledge it should be good. There are some sins which an ignorant perso…
815 wordsSECTION 120UARKXESS OF THIS WORLD. 1]5
all this come to, if tlie creature be not acquainted with Christ the true way to God, faith and repentance the only way to Christ? Such a one, after all this bustle, instead of making an escape from Satan, will run full into his mouth another way. There are some ways which at first seem right to the traveller ; yet win…
863 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical work by William Gurnall, 1617–1679. OCR from an original historical scan hosted by Internet Archive; OCR may contain recognition errors.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.