Bunyan's Holy War (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 7.
Today Emmanuel hears Mr Loth-to-Stoop's offers to give Man-soul partially over to Shaddai. But Emmanuel will not hear of it: 'The whole is mine really, not in name and word only; wherefore I will be the sole lord and possessor of all, or of none at all, of Mansoul.'
Then Diabolus deceitfully proposes to Emmanuel that he will make reformation against vice in the town for Emmanuel. But this too is rejected: 'Many there be that do soon discern thee when thou showest them thy cloven foot; but in thy white, thy light, and in thy transformation, thou art seen but of a few. But thou shalt not do thus with my Mansoul, O Diabolus; for I do still love my Mansoul.'
And so the eargate is violently broken through, Emmanuel's force enters the town and sets up base at the Recorder's house which is close to the heart of the city where Diabolus has enclosed himself.
As defeat becomes immanent, Diabolus shows his true desire for the future of Mansoul: 'Diabolus, as filled with despair of retaining in his hands the famous town of Mansoul, resolved to do what mischief he could (if, indeed, he could do any) to the army of the Prince and to the famous town of Mansoul; for, alas! it was not the happiness of the silly town of Mansoul that was designed by Diabolus, but the utter ruin and overthrow thereof, as now is enough in view. Wherefore, he commands his officers that they should then, when they see that they could hold the town no longer, do it what harm and mischief they could, rendering and tearing men, women, and children. 'For,' said he, 'we had better quite demolish the place, and leave it like a ruinous heap, than so leave it that it may be an habitation for Emmanuel.'
We should never believe Satan that he is out for our good. He is always out to destroy us with sin.
Read Chapter 8.
Now it's your turn
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