The Christian in Complete Armour - Gurnall - XII - Direction Second continued

Required reading
The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Branch Second of Division Second of Second General Part of Direction Second.

My summary

Gurnall continues to the positive descriptors of our enemies.  This week's descriptor is 'powers'.  

Satan's power is shown in five particular - in his:

(i) names;

(ii) nature;

(iii) number;

(iv) order and unity;

(v) mighty works.

Gurnall exhorts us:

(i) make the plumes of thy pride fall, whoever thou art that gloriest in thy power;

(ii) to see the folly of those that think it is such an easy matter to get heaven;

(iii) to not be dismayed at this report of Satan's power.

What grabbed me

I liked Gurnall's point that the power of Satan is limited: 

'Consider 2. [It is a limited power.] Satan's power is limited, and that two ways—he cannot do what he will, and he shall not do what he can. 

(1.) He cannot do what he will. His desires are boundless, they walk not only to and fro here below, but in heaven itself, where he is pulling down his once fellow-angels, knocking down the carved work of that glorious temple, as with axes and hammers, yea, unthroning God and setting himself in his place.

(a) This fool saith in his heart, 'There is no God;' but he cannot do this, nor many other things, which his cankered malice stirs him up to wish; he is but a creature, and so hath the length of his tedder, to which he is staked, and cannot exceed. And if God be safe, then thou also, for thy life 'is hid with Christ in God.' 'If I live,' saith Christ, 'ye shall live also.' You are engraven on the table of his heart; if he plucks one away, he must the other also.'

Satan is powerful, but our God reigns supreme.

Next week's reading
Read Branch Third of Division Second of Second General Part of Direction Second.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.