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

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

My summary

Now that we have been shown what our enemies are not, Gurnall moves to examining the positive description of them in Ephesians 6:12.  

He starts by discussing the 'principalities'.

Gurnall's doctrine is that Satan is a great prince and explains:

(i) how Satan came to be such a prince;

(ii) how we may know whether we be under Satan as our prince, or not.

What grabbed me

I appreciated the counsel to ministers: 'Art thou a minister of the gospel? Thy employment is high, an ambassador, and that not from some petty prince, but from the great God to his rebellious subjects; a calling so honourable, that the Son of God disdained not to come in extraordinary from heaven to perform it, called therefore the 'messenger of the covenant,' Mal. 3:1; yea, he had to this day stayed on earth in person about it, had he not been called to reside as our ambassador and advocate in heaven with the Father; and therefore in his bodily absence he hath intrusted thee, and a few more, to carry on the treaty with sinners, which, when on earth, himself began. And what can you do more acceptable to him, than to be faithful in it, as a business on which he hath set his heart so much? As ever you would see his sweet face with joy—you that are his ambassadors —attend to your work, and labour to bring this treaty of peace to a blessed issue between and those you are sent to. And then if sinners will not come off, and seal the articles of the gospel, you shall, as Abraham said to his servant, be clear of your oath. Though Israel be not gathered, yet you shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord.'

It is a privilege to be a minister of God!

Next week's reading
Read Branch Second 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.