The Christian in Complete Armour

by William Gurnall

"If I might read only one book beside the Bible, I would choose The Christian in Complete Armour ."
--John Newton "Peerless and priceless; every line is full of wisdom; every sentence is suggestive . . . . The best thought-breeder in all our library."
--C.H. Spurgeon "I believe The Christian in Complete Armour . . . should be in the library of everyman and woman of God. No Christian leader, teacher, pastor, evangelist, or Christian worker should be without it."
--David Wilkerson At a time in England when loyalty to Scripture placed Christians in the center of the nation's wars, Gurnall was more concerned with the souls of his people than the issues of conflicting political parties. Compiled from his many sermons on "the saints' war against the devil," his exhaustive exposition of Ephesians 6:10-20 treats the spiritual battles of believers and their God-given protection. Originally written in three volumes (1655-1662), the book first covers the Christian's call to arms and describes the nature of the battle and the character of our enemy. The various pieces of godly armor and weapons, and their use on offense and defense, are then described at length, item by item and verse by verse. More pastoral and practical than theological, Gurnall's work is filled with spiritual insight, encouraging exhortation, and inspiring word pictures concerning the importance of doctrinal truth as "a girdle for the mind," the power of holiness, the "pre-eminence of faith against other graces," and much more. Profoundly biblical and as relevant today as it was almost 350 years ago, Gurnall's work is a resource that will add grace to the library of Calvinist and Arminian alike. This edition includes an introduction and biography of Gurnall by J.C. Ryle.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Nonfiction, Self Help

656 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1662

Reviews

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should come with a notice on the flyleaf--WARNING: Reading this book may cause crises of repentance.

I had the privilege of working on the Spanish translation of Gurnall's masterpiece. I remember reading it and thinking, "My pastor has to read this!" but unfortunately at that time it was only available in the original Elisabethan English and in the modernised version, so I spent several months creating a draft translation into Spanish which later formed the base-text for the version that was finally printed many years later. Working on the text at that level required me to study it in-depth, and I have to say I sometimes felt like putting a rug next to my computer so I'd have somewhere to kneel.

This book will drive you to prayer if you read it at all mindfully. The author holds a mirror up to our Christian lives: the mirror of the Word, its message, and its purpose. The text has not "dated" because it deals with issues that are timeless in our human lives, with eternal importance. It can have a salutory effect and deepen your walk with Christ, if you let it.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading this book as a Sunday Read, and thus it took me almost 2 years to finish it. I looked forward to every moment I spent with this book. Gurnall's words are profound, convicting, encouraging, and comforting.

Charles Spurgeon said, "I have often resorted to it when my own fire has been burning low, and I have seldom failed to find a glowing coal upon Gurnall's hearth." John Newton said if he might only read one other book besides the Bible, this would be it.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 years and a faithful group of men—we did it. We read all of this magisterial work.

Let us take up and put on the full armor of God, while being strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

It is long. It is thorough. Yet it is worth it—even if your pace be that of the snail reaching the ark. One page at a time, prayerfully read and prayerfully applied.

[Tori Samar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"O, this persevering is a hard word! this taking up the cross daily, this praying always, this watching night and day, and never laying aside our clothes and armour, I mean indulging ourselves, to remit and unbend in our holy waiting on God, and walking with God. This sends many sorrowful away from Christ, yet this is a saint's duty, to make religion his every-day work, without any vacation from one end of the year to the other."

Persevering is a hard word, indeed. I required perseverance in abundance to be sure I would finish this book, not just in 2019, but at all. But as with other Puritan works, this book yields up its treasures for those willing to search for them. In the midst of long passages and thorough explications of Ephesians 6:10-20, there is a wealth of exhortations and encouragements for our daily spiritual battles. If we take spiritual warfare as seriously as William Gurnall did, the results will be truly transforming.

My Kindle edition purports to be 1700 pages long. 1700 pages to cover eleven verses of Scripture. I believe Gurnall could have written just as well with fewer words. In fact, my opinion is that the ideal way to experience this book is to read an abridged version in the original English (I read the unabridged original English). Nevertheless, I admire the fact that Gurnall obviously loved God's word enough to squeeze out every drop that he could. Considering the benefits of this book to my soul as a reader, I can only imagine the benefits Gurnall reaped as the writer.

As an aside⁠—this book will hold a special place in my heart for where it fits into my life as a reader. I had some big reading struggles in 2018, made some changes in 2019, and knew this book would be a litmus test. To reach the finish line of a weighty tome such as this one is a personal victory I really needed this year. Soli deo gloria.

[Michael Locklear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any more, I try to never give 5 stars to a book. In fact, the last time I did was for the first of 3 volumes of William Gurnall's book, "The Christian In Complete Armour"in the fall of 2014. Shortly after finishing that first volume, I was informed by the leader of our local "book club" that we would be reading Gurnall's unabridged edition (which totals around 1,200 pages) in 2015. "Wow, what a challenge!"
Yesterday, Thursday, December the 17th of 2015 we had our last meeting of the year regarding Gurnall's book. I must admit that there is no way that I could have read through such a challenging book - in size, content and writing style (Gurnall lived in the 1600's), but I am so thankful I did for it is filled with a wealth of spiritual guidance, encouragement and admonition, as the author plods through the apostle Paul's glorious passage in Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 10 through 20. So it is with great pleasure and no doubts that I give this book 5 stars.
In closing, I must give special "thanks" to my dear friend, Dr. Paul Harrison in Nashville, Tennessee for introducing me and to other pastors to William Gurnall. He was so right in saying that, though his unabridged book is challenging to read, it is rich in spiritual truths. And, also, "thanks" to Rev. Terry Johnson, pastor of Independent Presbyterian Church of Savannah for leading our "book club" (which he has named the "Dead Theological Society").

[Josh Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read volumes 1 & 2 of "The Christian in Complete Armor" some years ago, I knew I was in for a treat this year having picked this daily devotional book from Gurnall's writings on the subject. It did not disappoint!

John Newton said, "If I might read only one book besides the Bible, I would choose 'The Christian in Complete Armor."

Spurgeon said of Gurnall, "Gurnall's work Is peerless and priceless; every line is full of wisdom; every sentence is suggestive...the best thought breeder in all our library."

I heartily recommend this book as a daily devotional alongside the word of God!

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a fast read by any means, but a meaty solid read. Every Christian should read this. So many pages dog eared and so much underlined. A treasure for sure!

[Dane Jöhannsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this volume through daily since 2011. It is without peer or equal on this earth. Outside the Bible, it is the best book. Read and live. This is the one non-inspired volume which will perpetually remain on my "currently reading" self until the day I go to be with Gurnall's God.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good, but really long. I dipped in and out of this book for over three years (but didn't feel like I lost anything for my meandering).

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway over at deeperchristian.com!

I read it for the year of 2018, and I was challenged, convicted, and pressed into Jesus through it! Having read these samples of The Christian in Complete Armor, I am now determined to read the entire set.

One thing that annoyed me a bit was the occasional reading that said, "There are three ways to do this. Number one..." Then the next two paragraphs would be about point number one, and the reading would end, and I would never know what the next two points were. This was a bit disappointing, but it made me want to read the entirety of Mr. Gurnall's series now! Haha. And it never distracted from the insight to be gained in the points that actually were given. ;)

[Grant Fawcett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some amazing profoundly written thoughts; as is so often the case with puritain writing — but it is a serious fishing expedition to find the gems. The extreme verbosity of the writing leaves you a dozen pages before you come to a substantial thought. That said, I deeply valued the time I spent with this volume.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I deep and lengthy exposition of the Christian's armor. Solid and useful.

[Solomon Weisgerber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished an absolute Spiritual EPIC that was a heck of a journey. I thought I knew a thing or two about spiritual warfare, mental health, sin, temptations, suffering, prayer, God’s promises and how they are all intertwined but man, I didn’t know the half of it. This book takes the cake and takes another cake when it comes to all those things.

Reading isn’t something I’ve always enjoyed but God can change a man!! Haha. I currently do and will always attribute much of my inspiration and revelation from men and women who walked with God, took the Kingdom by force, prayed down firestorms of revival and sent ripples into the waves of time that splash on the shores of generations such as mine... even hundreds of years later!! I look forward to reading this again.

Quote from Page 284-285, “Tenth Consideration”, Volume 3

“The Romans fought some nations for honor and Glory; but they struggled with Carthage for their very life. In our combat against sin and satan, both honor and existence are at stake- and this makes it the most noble war of all. Spiritual warfare is noble because it is just.”

“The Christian in Complete Armour” by William Gurnall.

Amen. I urge all christians to get a copy of this book! Nuff said. What a Read!

[Christian Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This three volume set is a fantastic exposition of the armor of God that believers are called to wear daily. The beauty of this Puritan work is that Gurnal provides practical life application for each piece of the armor. In do so he provides encouragement to believers in all stages of their walk that ultimately leads to deeper intimacy with Christ. It is no wonder that this book is often considered a classic on the topic of spiritual warfare. This book does not ignore the realities of every day life, and remains applicable to the 21st century. One down side of the book is that the chapters are easily over a hundred pages apiece. This can make it difficult to work through at times, but shows the depth of meat in this work.

[Drew Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great treatise for the church militant. Gurnall uses his vast reading and his deep understanding of the Bible to impress upon the reader the duty and privilege of arming for spiritual battle. Not only does Gurnall have full command of a wide array of Biblical references--whether they be minute details from the Old Testament which he turns to profit or well-known passages--but he also uses illustrations drawn from his classical reading. All of his learning is turned Godward, to the great benefit of the reader.

The main downside of the book is it's length. A large portion of the book could have been cut without much loss. This may be one of those rare books that actually benefits from abridgment.

A few gems, among many:
On Christian courage: “[A]ll have a desire to be happy, but few have courage and resolution to grapple with the difficulties that meet them in the way to their happiness. . . The fearful are in the forlorn of those that march for hell (Rev. 21); the violent and valiant are they which take heaven by force: cowards never won heaven."

On spiritual-mindedness: "A gracious heart pursues earthly things with a holy indifference, saving the violence and zeal of his spirit for the things of heaven.He sets the former as if he used them not--with a kind of non-attendency; his head and heart is taken up with higher matters, how he may please God, thrive in his grace, enjoy more intimate communion with Christ in his ordinances; in these he spreads all his sails, plies all his oars, strains every part and power."

On the spiritual girdle: "It is not the many notions we have, but the establishment we have in the truth, that makes us strong Christians. . . A truth under dispute in the understanding is, as I may so say, stopped in the head; it cannot commence in the heart, or become practicable in the life. But when it passeth clearly there, and upon its commendation is embraced in the will and affections, then it is held fast, and hath powerful effects in the conversation."

On the sacraments: “The church is the garden, Christ the fountain, [and] every ordinance, as a pipe from him, to water the beds in his garden. And why? But to make them more abundant in the fruits of righteousness. . . Ordinances are as it were the exchange, where holy souls trade with God by his Spirit for heavenly treasures, from which they come filled and enriched with grace and comfort.”

On faith as the chief grace: "The whole army fight, yet the general or captain hath the honor of the victory ascribed to him. Alexander and Caesar's names are transmitted to posterity as the great conquerors that overcame so many battles, not the private soldiers that fought under hem. Faith is the captain grace."

[Tyler Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a year (and change) to read through this in the mornings. For a few years I have followed the advice of J.I. Packer and used the Puritans as a 'spiritual choke' to warm up before moving to my own Bible reading. Gurnall is a master, but I have to say that his book was not the best for this specific purpose. Appropriate to the subject matter there is a lot of direction but this means not as much of the soul stirring gaze upon God that other Puritan works offer.

This book is massive. Banner of Truth does a great job at putting out well published editions so this is still both durable and readable, but the size is an issue for the subject. The truth is, if you want to get an idea of what Paul is on about with the "armour of God" this is not the book I would recommend. The tendency to use anything as an opportunity to say everything is not necessarily commendable. Gurnall offers a sweeping view of the Puritan understanding of the equipping and carrying out of the Christian life but I think the drive of what Paul was saying ends up submerged in these 1,200 pages of relatively small font!

That said, The Christian in Complete Armour is still worth the time to read. You should surely have a few other Puritan works under your belt before diving in (Thomas Brooks is maybe the best place to start) but there is a lot of really helpful material here. I can see myself picking this up again in a decade or so.

[Leslie Keyes Row McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am nearly finished with this 600 page book, and I will start reading it again upon completion.
This book covers vital Christian doctrines and offers practical application of the same.
Gurnall had a very great gift for putting difficult truths into simple words.
John Newton, author of the hymn "Amazing Grace," said, "If I might read only one book beside the Bible, I would choose The Christian in Complete Armour."
Charles Spurgeon wrote, "Gurnall's work is peerless and priceless; every line is full of wisdom; every sentence is suggestive." .... Keep in mind that Spurgeon's library contained over 5000 books and the great majority of them he had heavily annotated.

[M.J. Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well recognized as the most profound and thorough work on Spiritual Warfare (from Ephesians 6:10-20) every produced. Throughout generations, many spiritual leaders (e.g. John Newton, C.H. Spurgeon, J.C. Ryle) have regarded it as one of the most helpful on the Christian life. Gurnall's section on prayer toward the end of his work (section 11) includes some of the most insightful teaching and stimulating exhortations among all the puritan writings. Unfortunately, many are intimidated both by the size of this work and the archaic language of 1600's. But those who give it a try will likely be delighted to discover the riches here.

[Corrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It is not the goal of Christian thinkers to merely know theology. It is our goal to know Christ. And as we live this life, waiting to see Him face to face, one of our goals is to take what we know and help others make the journey to also know Him.”

This book presented an excellent exposition of theology and how it is played out practically in our lives and in helping others to live for Christ. It was excellent!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have purchased many copies of this book as well as cases of the 3 volume books of Christian in Complete Armour to give away first to each of my children and it grew from there. I have sent them to prisons and given them to sisters in Christ or anyone who was interested in reading them. After the Bible this is the 2nd most read book in my home, it’s been a blessing to have it as a reference and a reminder. I recommend it to be in every Christians library.

[Gabriel Magill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to this book through Charles Spurgeon’s recommendation of it, and it is every bit the goldmine he claims. Such a rich blend of deep theological truths with a practical application that cuts to the heart. Gurnall’s insight into the human heart is remarkable, and he is overflowing with wisdom. I wish every passage of Scripture had a volume equal to this for our instruction.

[Jesse Thomas Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing spiritual guidance. Simple, practical, and faithful to the truth of the gospel. I would recommend this to any believer, but especially those interested in faithful lifestyle in the face of the attacks of sin and evil.

[Joshua Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grand old exposition of Ephesians 6:10-18.

“Gurnall’s work is peerless and priceless; every line is full of wisdom; every sentence suggestive. The whole book has been preached over scores of times, and is, in our judgment, the best thought-breeder in all our library.” —Charles Spurgeon

[Jeff Schrage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazingly insightful collection that I read at bedtime over a number of years. It was in a rotation an was absolutely a must read. Great content and obvious application.

[Jeff Danhauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used this as a devotional read following my daily Bible reading. Used as such it is an excellent supplement.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing quite like this deep devotional work.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this some years ago and need to read it again, profoundly powerful!

[John Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is a humongous book, I have found it to be a most excellent bathroom reader. It's the type of text that contains countless gems. I consider this book to be a must for your library.

[Bill Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of the most useful books I have read. If you are a soldier of Christ this is exponentially worth the effort.

[Christopher Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhaustive work on spiritual warfare