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
This letter, as was said, was sent to Mansoul, to the Diabolonians that
yet remained there, and that yet inhabited the wall, from the dark
dungeon of Diabolus, by the hand of Mr. Profane, by whom they also in
Mansoul sent theirs to the pit. Now, when this Mr. Profane had made his
return, and was come to Mansoul again, he went and came as he was wont to
the house of Mr. Mischief, for there was the conclave, and the place
where the contrivers were met. Now, when they saw that their messenger
was returned safe and sound, they were greatly gladded thereat. Then he
presented them with his letter which he had brought from Diabolus for
them; the which, when they had read and considered, did much augment
their gladness. They asked him after the welfare of their friends, as
how their Lord Diabolus, Lucifer, and Beelzebub did, with the rest of
those of the den. To which this Profane made answer, ‘Well, well, my
lords; they are well, even as well as can be in their place. They also,’
said he, ‘did ring for joy at the reading of your letter, as you well
perceived by this when you read it.’
Now, as was said, when they had read their letter, and perceived that it
encouraged them in their work, they fell to their way of contriving
again, namely, how they might complete their Diabolonian design upon
Mansoul. And the first thing that they agreed upon was to keep all
things from Mansoul as close as they could. ‘Let it not be known, let
not Mansoul be acquainted with what we design against it.’ The next
thing was, how, or by what means, they should try to bring to pass the
ruin and overthrow of Mansoul; and one said after this manner, and
another said after that. Then stood up Mr. Deceit, and said, ‘My right
Diabolonian friends, our lords, and the high ones of the deep dungeon, do
propound unto us these three ways.
‘1. Whether we had best to seek its ruin by making Mansoul loose and
vain.
‘2. Or whether by driving them to doubt and despair.
‘3. Or whether by endeavouring to blow them up by the gunpowder of pride
and self-conceit.
‘Now, I think, if we shall tempt them to pride, that may do something;
and if we tempt them to wantonness, that may help. But, in my mind, if
we could drive them into desperation, that would knock the nail on the
head; for then we should have them, in the first place, question the
truth of the love of the heart of their Prince towards them, and that
will disgust him much. This, if it works well, will make them leave off
quickly their way of sending petitions to him; then farewell earnest
solicitations for help and supply; for then this conclusion lies
naturally before them, “As good do nothing, as do to no purpose.”’ So to
Mr. Deceit they unanimously did consent.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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