These are some quotes from an awesome book – “The Christian in Complete Armour” by William Gurnall:
“The Christian must not be of such a complying nature as to cut the coat of his profession according to the fashion of the times…”
from section 1, page 21…”God brings his grace into the heart by conquest. Now, as in a conquered city, though some yield and become true subjects to the conqueror, yet others plot how they may shake off this yoke; and therefore it requires the same power to keep, as was to win it at first.”
From page 48-49 of section 1…”…the saints have ever had their armour, and the preaching of the gospel unlocks it. As gospel-light ascends, so Satan’s shady kingdom of darkness vanisheth…he labours either by persecution to drive the gospel away, or by policy to persuade a people to send it away from their coasts.”
From page 105, section 2…”Faith gives the soul a view of the great God. It teacheth the soul to set his almightiness against sins magnitude, and his infinitude against sins multitude; and so quencheth the temptation. The reason why the presumptuous sinner fears so little, and the despairing soul so much, is for want of knowing God as great. Therefore, to cure them both, the serious consideration of God under this notion is propounded.”
From page 338, section 2……what is it to pray in faith? It is not to believe that the very thing…that we pray for, shall be always given…the right method of acting thy faith in prayer, which must be taken from the nature of the promise thou puttest in suit…our faith is to be shaped by the promise. If that be absolute…then thy faith may expect the very thing promised; if otherwise, then thou art not to limit thy faith to the thing itself, but expect money for money-worth; health, or as good as health…An absolute faith on a conditional promise…is fancy, not faith. To pray in faith is to ask of God, in the name of Christ, what he hath promised, relying on his power and truth for performance, without binding him up to time, manner, or means.
