‎GURNALL, WILLIAM.‎
‎The Christian in Compleat Armour. Or, a treatise of the Saints War against the Devil: wherein a discovery is made of that grand enemy of God and his people. 2 parts. ‎

‎London, Ralph Smith, 1679. Folio (320 x 205 mm). In contemporary full calf with six raised bands. Wear to extremities. Front board detached. With marginal miscolouring throughout. (14), 150, (2), 520, (22) pp.‎

Reference : 62238

‎Uncommon sixth edition of Gurnall’s seminal commentary on Ephesians (6:10- 20) considered a classic on spiritual warfare. All editions are rare. It is the most well-known of the Puritan manuals on spiritual warfare, and has provided much spiritual comfort for beleaguered saints over the centuries. Gurnall said of this treatise, “The subject is solemn: A war between the saint and Satan, and that so bloody a one, that the cruellest which was ever fought by men will be found but sport and child’s play [compared] to this. It is a spiritual war that you shall read of, that concerns thee and every one that reads it. The stage whereon this war is fought is every man’s own soul. There is no neuter in this war. The whole world is engaged in the quarrel, either for God against Satan, or for Satan against God.” The work has two parts: “A Short but Powerful Encouragement to the War,” and “Directions for Managing the War Successfully.” After describing the believer’s spiritual enemies, Gurnall details the work of Satan in temptation, depression, and discouragement. The last half of the work tells how to use all of the Christian armor listed in Ephesians 6:10-20. ”It was first published in three parts in 1655, 1658, and 1662, and was reprinted many times throughout the centuries. It was translated into several languages the translation into Welsh alone underwent four reprintings in a thirty-five year period around the turn of the nineteenth century. An edition with a biographical introduction by J. C. Ryle first appeared in 1844, and was reissued in 1865, which BTT reprinted. Gurnall’s magnum opus is doctrinally balanced and packed with practical guidelines for Christian living. It is remarkably free of repetition. J.C. Ryle wrote of it, “You will often find in a line and a half some great truth, put so concisely, and yet so fully, that you really marvel how so much thought could be got into so few words.” Spurgeon said Gurnall’s work “is peerless and priceless every line is full of wisdom every sentence is suggestive. The whole book has been preached over scores of times, and is, in our judgment, the best thought-breeder in our library.” John Newton added, “If I might read only one book beside the Bible, I would choose The Christian in Complete Armour.””(Beeke, Meet the Puritans).‎