The Holy War, Made by King Shaddai Upon Diabolus, for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World; Or, The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of MansoulBunyan, John
ReligionChristian
The Holy War, Made by King Shaddai Upon Diabolus, for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World; Or, The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of Mansoul
Bunyan, John
Christian fiction; Soul; Spiritual warfare -- Fiction
When the Prince had thus completed the modelling of the town, to show
that he had great delight in the work of his hands and took pleasure in
the good that he had wrought for the famous and flourishing Mansoul, he
commanded, and they set his standard upon the battlements of the castle.
And then,
First. He gave them frequent visits; not a day now but the elders of
Mansoul must come to him, or he to them, into his palace. Now they must
walk and talk together of all the great things that he had done, and yet
further promised to do, for the town of Mansoul. Thus would he often do
with the Lord Mayor, my Lord Willbewill, and the honest subordinate
preacher Mr. Conscience, and Mr. Recorder. But oh, how graciously, how
lovingly, how courteously, and tenderly did this blessed Prince now carry
it towards the town of Mansoul! In all the streets, gardens, orchards,
and other places where he came, to be sure the poor should have his
blessing and benediction; yea, he would kiss them, and if they were ill
he would lay hands on them, and make them well. The captains, also, he
would daily, yea, sometimes hourly, encourage with his presence and
goodly words. For you must know that a smile from him upon them would
put more vigour, more life, and stoutness into them, than would anything
else under heaven.
The Prince would now also feast them, and be with them continually:
hardly a week would pass but a banquet must be had betwixt him and them.
You may remember that, some pages before, we make mention of one feast
that they had together; but now to feast them was a thing more common:
every day with Mansoul was a feast-day now. Nor did he, when they
returned to their places, send them empty away, either they must have a
ring, a gold chain, a bracelet, a white stone, or something; so dear was
Mansoul to him now; so lovely was Mansoul in his eyes.
Second. When the elders and townsmen did not come to him, he would send
in much plenty of provision unto them; meat that came from court, wine
and bread that were prepared for his Father’s table; yea, such delicates
would he send unto them, and therewith would so cover their table, that
whoever saw it confessed that the like could not be seen in any kingdom.
Third. If Mansoul did not frequently visit him as he desired they
should, he would walk out to them, knock at their doors, and desire
entrance, that amity might be maintained betwixt them and him; if they
did hear and open to him, as commonly they would, if they were at home,
then would he renew his former love, and confirm it too with some new
tokens, and signs of continued favour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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