Gurnall, William (1616-01-01 - 1679-10-12)

Likely William Gurnall, since he is the only entry with that name in both ODNB and CCEd that corresponds to the date of the sermon in MS. Sancroft 83. Gurnall was baptized at St Margaret's Church, King's Lynn, Norfolk on 17 November 1616. Second son of Catherine Dressyt and Gregory Gurnall (c.1582-1631), linen draper and mayor of Lynn in 1624. Studied at Lynn grammar school and entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge in March 1632. BA 1635, MA 1639. Possibly began his minister at Sudburdy, but certainly rector of Lavenham, Suffolk 1644-1679. Married Sarah Mott, daughter of Thomas Mott, vicar of Stoke-by-Nayland. They had eight sons and six daughters, six of whom survived their parents. Died 12 October 1679. Gurnall's The Christian in Complete Armour has been extremely successful, being repeatedly reprinted into the 21st century.