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
Then was it concluded that some should go and carry tidings to the camp,
that Emmanuel was to come to recover Mansoul, and that he would bring
along with him so mighty, so impregnable a force, that he could not be
resisted. But, oh! how ready were the high ones at court to run like
lackeys to carry these tidings to the camp that was at Mansoul. Now,
when the captains perceived that the King would send Emmanuel his Son,
and that it also delighted the Son to be sent on this errand by the great
Shaddai his Father, they also, to show how they were pleased at the
thoughts of his coming gave a shout that made the earth rend at the sound
thereof. Yea, the mountains did answer again by echo, and Diabolus
himself did totter and shake.
For you must know, that though the town of Mansoul itself was not much,
if at all concerned with the project, (for, alas for them! they were
wofully besotted, for they chiefly regarded their pleasure and their
lusts,) yet Diabolus their governor was; for he had his spies continually
abroad, who brought him intelligence of all things, and they told him
what was doing at court against him, and that Emmanuel would shortly
certainly come with a power to invade him. Nor was there any man at
court, nor peer of the kingdom, that Diabolus so feared as he feared this
Prince; for, if you remember, I showed you before that Diabolus had felt
the weight of his hand already; so that, since it was he that was to
come, this made him the more afraid.
Well, you see how I have told you that the King’s Son was engaged to come
from the court to save Mansoul, and that his Father had made him the
Captain of the forces. The time, therefore, of his setting forth being
now expired, he addressed himself for his march, and taketh with him, for
his power, five noble captains and their forces.
1. The first was that famous captain, the noble Captain Credence. His
were the red colours, and Mr. Promise bare them; and for a scutcheon he
had the holy lamb and golden shield; and he had ten thousand men at his
feet.
2. The second was that famous captain, the Captain Good-Hope. His were
the blue colours; his standard-bearer was Mr. Expectation, and for his
scutcheon he had the three golden anchors; and he had ten thousand men at
his feet.
3. The third was that valiant captain, the Captain Charity. His
standard-bearer was Mr. Pitiful: his were the green colours, and for his
scutcheon he had three naked orphans embraced in the bosom; and he had
ten thousand men at his feet.
4. The fourth was that gallant commander, the Captain Innocent. His
standard-bearer was Mr. Harmless: his were the white colours, and for his
scutcheon he had the three golden doves.
5. The fifth was the truly loyal and well-beloved captain, the Captain
Patience. His standard-bearer was Mr. Suffer-Long: his were the black
colours, and for a scutcheon he had three arrows through the golden
heart.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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