Bunyan's Holy War (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the letter 'To the Reader' and Chapter 1.
Today we begin another one of Bunyan's famous works, the Holy War.
After hearing a little of Bunyan's own holy war in the letter to the reader, we are introduced to the city of Mansoul. It was built by Shaddai and is beautiful and strong.
Next we hear of the origin of Diabolus and the plan of revenge that he concocts against Shaddai - he will take over Mansoul. Then a council of war is held to determine the best way of seducing the town of Mansoul.
Diabolus marches to the town and sits down before the Eyegate and gives a speech while Captain Resistance and Lord Innocence are killed. Then the people 'opened the Eargate and Eyegate and let in Diabolus with all his bands, quite forgetting their good Shaddai, his law, and the judgement that he had annexed with solemn threatening to the breach thereof.'
I really do love Bunyan. I hope many of you join in on reading this one. From today's reading you can already tell it's going to be a ripper!
The trickery of Satan is revealed in all its evil: 'Then said that mighty giant Beelzebub, 'The advice that already is given is safe; for though the men of Mansoul have seen such things as we once were, yet hitherto they did never behold such things as we now are; and it is best, in mine opinion, to come upon them in such a guise as is common to, and most familiar among them.' To this, when they had consented, the next thing to be considered was, in what shape, hue, or guise Diabolus had best to show himself when he went about to make Mansoul his own. Then one said one thing, and another the contrary. At last Lucifer answered, that, in his opinion, it was best that his lordship should assume the body of some of those creatures that they of the town had dominion over; 'for,' quoth he, 'these are not only familiar to them, but, being under them, they will never imagine that an attempt should by them be made upon the town; and, to blind all, let him assume the body of one of those beasts that Mansoul deems to be wiser than any of the rest.' This advice was applauded of all: so it was determined that the giant Diabolus should assume the dragon, for that he was in those days as familiar with the town of Mansoul as now is the bird with the boy; for nothing that was in its primitive state was at all amazing to them.'
Downright shameful. Deliberately choosing to appear as animal because both Adam and Eve had dominion over it and so would be easily deceived.
Read Chapters 2 and 3.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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