The Christian in Complete Armour - Gurnall - XXVII - Direction Sixth commenced

Required reading
The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Direction Sixth by reading up to, but not including, the Second Branch.

My summary

Now we begin Direction Sixth which concerns the breastplate of righteousness: 'and having on the breastplate of righteousness'.

Initially Gurnall explains the words in the text and we hear that:

(i) righteousness means the righteousness of our sanctification;

(ii) breastplate infers the protection of the vitals and an emboldened soldier.

Then Gurnall connects the the breastplate and girdle by noting that truth and holiness must go together.

Next Gurnall states his doctrine that he who means to be a Christian indeed, must endeavour to maintain the power of holiness and righteousness in his life and conversation.  There are three branches to this doctrine and we consider the first one today.

Thus, the first branch gives three reasons why the Christian should have especial care to keep on the breastplate of righteousness:

(i) God's great design is to have his people a holy people;

(ii) Satan's design is as much against the saint's holiness as God is for it;

(iii) holiness itself is incomparably excellent.

What grabbed me

I'm not sure that the breastplate does not include the righteousness of definitive sanctification as well as progressive.

But I did like this comment about our need for holy living: 'In vain do men think to shroud themselves under Christ's wing from the hue and cry of their accusing conscience, while wickedness finds a sanctuary in them. Christ never was intended by God to secure men in their unrighteousness, but to save them from it.'

A saint that is not interested in sanctification is not a saint.

Next week's reading
Read Branch Second of Direction Sixth.

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