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

Required reading
The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Branch Third 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 'rulers of the darkness of this world'.  

Gurnall notes that the rule of darkness is:

(i) bound by time;

(ii) confined to this world;

(iii) over stinted subjects.

This last point about the subjects of Satan receives the most attention in today's reading.  Thus, Gurnall teaches us that the souls under Satan's ruler are in a state of:

(i) sin;

(ii) ignorance.

What grabbed me

A lengthy reading today, but jam-packed with goodness!

I particularly enjoyed the encouragements to parents: 'Our children are not born with Bibles in their heads or hearts. And who ought to be the instructor, if not the parent, yea, who will do it with such natural affection? As I have heard sometimes a mother say in other respects, Who can take such pains with my child, and be so careful as myself, that am its mother? Bloody parents then they are who acquaint not their children with God or his Word. What do they but put them under a necessity of perishing, if God stir not up some to show more mercy than themselves to them? Is it any wonder to hear that ship to be sunk or dashed upon the rock, which was put to sea without card or compass? No more is it, they should engulf themselves in sin and perdition, that are thrust forth into the world—which is a sea of temptation—without the knowledge of God or their duty to him. In the fear of God think of it, parents. your children have souls, and these God sets you to watch over. It will be a poor account at the last day, if you can only say, Lord, here are my children, left them rich and wealthy. The rust of that silver you left them will witness your folly and sin, that you would do so much for that which rusts, and nothing for the enriching their minds with the knowledge of God, which would have endured for ever. Happy if you had left them less money and more knowledge.'

Amen!

Next week's readingRead up to 'Second Sort of Spiritual Sins' of Branch Fourth 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.