William Gurnall - Daily Readings from The Christian in Complete Armour: Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare

First published in three volumes in 1655, 1658, and 1662.

Revised and reprinted in 1864 by Blackie & Son, Glasgow, Scotland.

The 1864 edition (unabridged) republished by the Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1964, 1974, and 1979.

Material in the 1994 edition from the 1864 edition (Volume 1) revised and abridged, published by World Challenge, Inc., David Wilkerson Crusades, Lindale, Texas, U.S.A., in association with the Banner of Truth Trust, 1986.

WORLD CHALLENGE, INC., 1986
VOLUME 2 WORLD CHALLENGE, INC., 1988
VOLUME 3 WORLD CHALLENGE, INC., 1989

MOODY PUBLISHERS EDITION
1994 by
JAMES S. BELL JR.

Cover design: Erik M. Peterson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless indicated, are taken from the King James Verson.

ISBN: 978-0-8024-1336-9

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To my sister Cathy
Put on this solid armor for the battles you fight and look to the Lord of Hosts who causes you to triumph in all things

William Gurnall (16161679) was a graduate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England, a university under strong Puritan influence. His lifes work was as pastor of the Church of Christ, in Suffolk.

James Stuart Bell Jr., is the owner of Whitestone Communications, a literary development agency. He was formerly the executive editor at Moody Publishers. He has cover or inside credit as author, compiler, or editor on over 100 titles. A graduate of College of the Holy Cross, he continued his education at University College, Dublin, where he received his M.A.

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C . S. Lewis stated that Satans strategy is best served by either personal disbelief in his existence or an exaggerated reverence for his power. Either extreme serves his purpose of deceiving and dominating the human race. And both extremes are quite prevalent in contemporary culture. Secular humanism has postulated a material universe, devoid of spirit. On the other hand multiple branches of the New Age movement serve Satan in his various manifestations. Even the church today is guilty of this polarity. Many rational Christians downplay demonic activity in their spiritual walk while others find a demon behind every bush.

One thing is certaintoday Christians find spiritual growth an uphill battle. We know its not just our own weaknesses or the cultures anti-Christian bias, but also a powerful personal Enemy who seeks to defeat us every step of the way. Thus, there is an upsurge of interest in spiritual warfare material. Most of us havent experienced demonic deliverances, but we know what it is like to be buffeted by Satan when our armor is not securely fastened and in use. True, Ephesians 6 explains the spiritual armor and its purposes. Yet we still desire to better understand the wiles and tactics of Satan and the practical implications of each piece of armor to resist him. In other words we dont wish to be guilty of the extremes mentioned above but to knowledgeably deal with our Adversary who is under the power of God.

Some books have touched on various aspects of the subject, but only one down through the ages is all encompassing. The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall is a masterpiece, providing you with the tools for spiritual victory over an Enemy we finally comprehend. Gurnall provides practical insight into the sword, shield, helmet, breastplate, belt, and shoes.

William Gurnall (161679) was a graduate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England, a university under strong Puritan influence. His lifes work was as pastor of the Church of Christ, Lavenham, in Suffolk. Lavenham today is a tourist center, and I have personally enjoyed its fine medieval and Tudor buildings, some of which date before Gurnall himself. As a shepherd of souls, Gurnalls knowledge is extraordinary, yet his style is practical and to the point. He combines the sweet encouragement of the love and mercy of Christ with the vicious opposition of Satan and the impending judgment of God. One is always removed from mundane temporal distractions to the ultimate concerns of eternityfought out in the here and now. Gurnall has a unique way of motivating us into Gods service, daily redeeming the time because of the presence of evil, and the need to press in with violence to apprehend the Kingdom of God. The author does not mince words. He states near the beginning:

Cowards never won heaven. Do not claim that you are begotten of God and have His royal blood running in your veins unless you can prove your lineage by this heroic spirit; to dare to be holy in spite of men and devils.

J. C. Ryle, a great nineteenth-century saint wondered how Gurnall could put some great truth, so concisely and fully, into so few words. In this devotional volume, I have attempted this in a similar veinto take many great truths, concisely stated, and reduce them to 365 daily readings. It is my sincere hope that if read each morning, the reader will venture forth in the complete armor of God, victorious over the principalities in heavenly places which war against our souls.

The reader who finds this volume useful may also wish to consult Memos to God, a prayer journal based on selected readings from the works of E. M. Bounds and the prayers of Henry Thornton (Chicago: Moody, 1994).