Gurnall, William

Gurnall, William an English divine, and a "man of great excellence of character," was born in 1617, was educated at Emanuel College, Cambridge, and was minister at Lavenham for 35 years. He became a rector in 1644, but did not receive episcopal ordination until the Restoration. He published a volume of Sermons (1660, 4to); but is best known as the author of The Christian in complete Armor (1st ed. 1656-1662, 3 vols. 4to; new ed. 1844, 1 vol. 8vo), of which an edition, with a biographical introduction by the Rev. J. C. Ryle, was published in 1865 (Loud. 2 vols. imp. 8vo). This work is described by Dr. E. Williams (Christian Preacher) as "full of allusions to scriptural facts and figures of speech, generally well supported; sanctified wit, holy fire, deep experience, and most animated practical applications.'' Gurnall died in 1679. See Biographical Introduction by Ryle in the edition last named above, and Allibone, Dict. of Authors, i, 749. (J. W. M.)