William Gurnall Quotes

Powerful William Gurnall for Daily Growth

About William Gurnall

William Gurnall (1617-1679), an influential Puritan preacher and writer, was born on February 28, 1617, in Suffolk, England. Gurnall's early life was marked by adversity as he lost his father at the age of three and spent much of his youth living with relatives. Despite these hardships, Gurnall excelled academically and eventually matriculated to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1637 and a Master of Arts in 1640. Gurnall's theological views were heavily shaped by the teachings of John Calvin and Richard Sibbes, two key figures within Puritanism. He became deeply involved in the Puritan movement during the English Civil War and served as a chaplain to the Parliamentary army. In 1650, Gurnall was appointed as the pastor of the large congregation at Lavenham, Suffolk. During his tenure there, he wrote one of his most famous works, "The Christian in Complete Armour" (1648-1662), a comprehensive guide to practical Christianity based on the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:13-17. The book was highly influential and remains a classic work within Puritan literature. Gurnall's later life was marked by personal tragedy, as his wife died in childbirth in 1660, leaving him with five children to raise alone. In spite of this, Gurnall continued to serve his congregation diligently and produce numerous sermons and religious tracts. William Gurnall passed away on December 29, 1679. His work continues to be celebrated for its depth, wisdom, and practical application of biblical principles to everyday life. Today, he is remembered as a significant figure in the development of Puritan theology and as an enduring source of spiritual guidance.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Christ is the key that unlocks Scripture."

The quote by William Gurnall suggests that understanding the Bible fully requires a deep comprehension of Jesus Christ, as He serves as the ultimate interpreter or "key" to its teachings. By studying the life and message of Jesus, we can unlock the deeper spiritual truths found within Scripture and gain a more profound understanding of God's will for our lives. In essence, Gurnall emphasizes that the person of Christ is essential in deciphering the meaning behind the words of the Bible.


"A little faith will do much, but a little seeking makes nothing."

This quote by William Gurnall emphasizes that small amounts of faith can produce significant results, while minimal efforts in seeking or searching for something yield little to no outcome. It suggests that having firm trust in something (faith) is more powerful than mere curiosity or half-hearted attempts (seeking).


"God's call to us may be in a storm, as well as on sunny days."

This quote by William Gurnall emphasizes that God's guidance can come at any time, even during difficult or challenging periods (storms) as well as during peaceful or positive moments (sunny days). It reminds us to remain open and receptive to divine messages, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. In other words, it's a reminder that God speaks to us through various experiences and that we should trust His guidance even when we face obstacles or hardships.


"The Lord never sends his people a cross they cannot bear; yet he always sends them one they can."

This quote by William Gurnall suggests that God's challenges or difficulties placed upon His followers, often referred to as "crosses," are manageable within their strength and capacity, but they may be more than they would choose for themselves. It implies that God equips each person with the resilience necessary to endure their personal trials, and these hardships serve a purpose in their spiritual growth or development.


"Faith is not feeling confident about our own strength and abilities but resting in the promises of God and trusting him to help us when we are weak."

This quote emphasizes that faith is not rooted in one's personal confidence or abilities, but rather in the reliance on God's promises during times of weakness. It signifies that faith involves trusting God for aid even when one feels incapable, underscoring the importance of relying on divine strength over our own.


God's wounds cure, sin's kisses kill.

- William Gurnall

Sin, Wounds, Cure, Kisses

The grace thou hast will soon be less, if thou addest not more to it.

- William Gurnall

Grace, Will, More, Thou

Never was a faithful prayer lost. Some prayers have a longer voyage than others, but then they return with their richer lading at last, so that the praying soul is a gainer by waiting for an answer.

- William Gurnall

Waiting, Some, Last, Richer

The Christian must trust in a withdrawing God.

- William Gurnall

Trust, Christian, Must, Withdrawing

Mercy should make us ashamed, wrath afraid to sin.

- William Gurnall

Afraid, Ashamed, Should, Wrath

All the plots of hell and commotions on earth have not so much as shaken God's hand to spoil one letter or line he has been drawing.

- William Gurnall

Line, Been, Shaken, Plots

Compare Scripture with Scripture. False doctrines, like false witnesses, agree not among themselves.

- William Gurnall

Like, Compare, Among, Doctrines

God hath made it a debt which one saint owes to another to carry their names to a throne of grace.

- William Gurnall

Saint, Which, Owes, God Hath

And while God had work for Paul, he found him friends both in court and prison. Let persecutors send saints to prison, God can provide a keeper for their turn.

- William Gurnall

Work, Keeper, Had, Send

It is not only our duty to pray for others, but also to desire the prayers of others for ourselves.

- William Gurnall

Desire, Only, Pray For, Prayers

Godliness, as well as the doctrine of our faith, is a mystery.

- William Gurnall

Mystery, Well, Godliness, Doctrine

Humility is a necessary veil to all other graces.

- William Gurnall

Other, Veil, Necessary, Graces

Great comforts do, indeed, bear witness to the truth of thy grace, but not to the degree of it; the weak child is oftener in the lap than the strong one.

- William Gurnall

Strong, Degree, Thy, Lap

We have peace with God as soon as we believe, but not always with ourselves. The pardon may be past the prince's hand and seal, and yet not put into the prisoner's hand.

- William Gurnall

Past, Always, May, Pardon

The devil had as good have let Paul alone, for he no sooner comes into prison but he falls a preaching, at which the gates of Satan's prison fly open, and poor sinners come forth.

- William Gurnall

Devil, Sooner, Which, Paul

Compare not thyself with those that have less than thyself, but look on those that have far exceeded thee.

- William Gurnall

Compare, Thee, Exceeded, Thyself

In heaven we shall appear, not in armour, but in robes of glory. But here these are to be worn night and day; we must walk, work, and sleep in them, or else we are not true soldiers of Christ.

- William Gurnall

Here, Christ, Worn, Armour

Christ bears with the saints' imperfections; well may the saints one with another.

- William Gurnall

Christ, May, Saints, Bears

Humble souls are fearful of their own strength.

- William Gurnall

Strength, Fear, Humble, Fearful

Justifying faith is not a naked assent to the truths of the gospel.

- William Gurnall

Faith, Truths, Assent, Gospel

Let your hope of heaven master your fear of death.

- William Gurnall

Hope, Death, Your, Heaven

The sins of teachers are the teachers of sin.

- William Gurnall

Sin, Teachers, Sins

Of all creatures in this visible world, light is the most glorious; of all light, the light of the sun without compare excels the rest.

- William Gurnall

Rest, Visible, Compare, Glorious

The soldier is summoned to a life of active duty and so is the Christian.

- William Gurnall

Christian, Soldier, Summoned, Duty

Men are what they see and judge; though some do not fill up their light, yet none go beyond it.

- William Gurnall

Go, Some, Though, Judge

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