The Holy War

by John Bunyan

So at Diabolus’s command, Incredulity spoke to the townsfolk of Mansoul and said, “Gentlemen, you can see what we have here are interlopers trying to take from our prince the lawful and peaceable enjoyment of his right as our prince.” Then he turned his attention to the captains and armies and said, “You are disturbing the town of Mansoul. You have camped against it, but we don’t know where you’ve come from, and we will never know where you come from or what you are. We will not believe! You come here delivering terrible threats in your speeches and claim you have authority from Shaddai to do so.

Old Incredulity, the Lord Mayor, grew red in the face and cried out to Mansoul, “And who, being free of their enemies, as we are now, would be so foolish as to relinquish the staff of authority out of their own hands into the hands of they know not whom? I, for my part, will never surrender to such unlimited terms. After all, we don’t know how their King executes law or justice, nor do we know the nature of His mind, particularly with regard to cravings and affections. “It is said by some that He will be angry with His subjects if, by chance, they step away from His ways or plan for how to live regarding one’s behavior in even the smallest way. Others say He requires much more from them than they can do. Therefore, it seems, Mansoul, it is wise for you to regard with care what you do in this matter, because once you surrender, you give up yourselves to another, and you are no longer your own. And to give yourselves up to an unlimited power goes against all reason. Think about it. You may indeed repent now, but once you do, you can never utter expressions of criticism or resentment. There can be no complaining or finding fault. Do you know that once you are His, which of you He will kill or which He will let live? You don’t even know whether He might strike every one of us dead and send for new people to come and repopulate in order to establish His own country and have them come live in this town.” This speech of the Lord Mayor brought the people low and dashed their hopes...

The multitude listened to the evidence presented by Understanding and Conscience and were convinced that what old Incredulity had done was evil. They began to meet in groups on every street corner and throughout Mansoul. First, they talked quietly among themselves, but then started to talk openly. Finally, they went back and forth throughout the town crying out, “Oh, the brave captains of Shaddai! We wish we were under the authority of the captains and of Shaddai their King!”

“Mr. Incredulity,” the clerk began. “You are here indicted by the name of Incredulity as an intruder in the town of Mansoul. You acted with deliberate and wicked intentions when you were an officer in the town of Mansoul and resisted the captains of the great King Shaddai, when they came and demanded possession of Mansoul. In fact, you attempted defiance to the name, forces, and cause of the King because you followed Diabolus as your captain and stirred up and encouraged the town of Mansoul to resist the King’s forces. What do you say regarding this indictment? Are you guilty or not?” Incredulity’s lip curled in distain. “I don’t know Shaddai, and I love my old prince Diabolus. I thought it my duty to be true to the one in which I placed my confidence and to do what I could to possess the minds of the men of Mansoul to do all they could to resist strangers and foreigners and to fight against them with all their might. I have not and do not plan to change my opinion about this for fear of trouble, even though you hold the power now.” (And chiefly those that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise dominion; presumptuous, arrogant, they are not afraid to speak evil of the higher powers. – 2 Peter 2:10) The court had heard enough and the clerk said, “It is clear this man is too depraved to be corrected. He upholds and defends his wickedness by bold, obstinate words and his rebellion with shameless confidence.

He knew the power and strength of the town of Mansoul was great, and he knew it would please the people if he talked up their might and glory. Therefore, he began his tale by talking about the power and strength of Mansoul. He declared it to be impregnable and talked about the greatness of their captains, their slings, and their rams, and boasted about their fortifications and strongholds. Lastly, he mentioned the assurances they had from their Prince that Mansoul would be happy forever. (Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will rest in the house of the LORD for ever. – Psalm 23:6) When he saw that some of the men of the town were entertained and interested in his discourse, he made it his business to walk from street to street, house to house, and man to man to talk. Finally, he led Mansoul while playing the flute as they danced. It felt good and right, and as they danced, they grew almost as carnally secure as he was. And this was only the beginning, for they moved on from talking to feasting and from feasting to amusing themselves and making merry; so they followed their appetites in these and other matters.

Though He continued to hold love feasts between their Prince and them as was the custom, they neglected to come to them or be delighted with them. They no longer waited for His guidance but became headstrong. They considered themselves strong and invincible and thought Mansoul secure. They thought Mansoul was beyond all reach of the enemy and her state would be unalterable forever.

He sent the Lord High Secretary to forbid them to follow such ways, but twice when the Secretary came to them, He found them at dinner in Carnal-Security’s parlor satiating their appetites with his delights.

Thus, Mansoul walked contrary to His ways and He, by way of reprisal, walked in an opposite direction from them. (Can two walk together except they be agreed? – Amos 3:3) But unfortunately, by this time they were hardened, obstinate, and set in their ways, because they had swallowed so much of Carnal-Security’s doctrine. So when their Prince departed, it didn’t bother them in the least. They didn’t even think of Him once He was gone, so His absence didn’t grieve them in even a little.

If possible, his idea was to mislead this man and deceive him as he had all the rest, so he invited Godly-Fear to the feast with his neighbors. When all the preparations had been made, Godly-Fear arrived with the rest of the guests. All were seated at the table and served food and drink. They feasted and made merry, all except for this one man. Godly-Fear sat like a stranger among the crowd. He didn’t eat or make merry. When Carnal-Security saw this, he went over to talk with the man.

Godly-Fear discreetly replied, “Sir, I thank you for all things courteous and civil, but for your cordial I have no desire to imbibe. However, I do have a word for the natives of Mansoul: you, the elders and important citizens of Mansoul, it is strange to see you so lively and merry, when the town of Mansoul is in such a miserable situation.”

“You have stripped Mansoul and driven her glory from her. You’ve pulled down her towers, broken down her gates, and rendered the security of her locks and bars useless.

If anyone wants to question the truth of my words, I ask this: Where is the Prince Emmanuel? When’s the last time a man or woman in Mansoul saw Him? When did you last hear from Him or taste any of His dainty bits? You now feast with this Diabolian monster, but he is not your Prince.

“Bah! Godly-Fear, will you never shake off your fearfulness and lack of courage? Are you afraid of being dumfounded? Who has hurt you?” He tipped his head to the side, feigning sincerity. “Look, I’m on your side, but you doubt, while I am confident.” He shrugged with his palms toward the ceiling. “Besides, is this a time to be sad? A feast is made for laughter. So why, to your shame and our trouble, do you break into such depressing language, when you should be eating, drinking, and being merry?”

“I am sad because Emmanuel has gone from Mansoul. Do you hear me? I said He is gone, and you, sir, are the man who drove Him away. He is gone without so much as giving notice to the nobles of Mansoul that He was leaving. If that’s not a sign of His anger, then I’m not familiar with godly nature. “And now, my lords and gentlemen, for I’m still speaking to you, your gradual dropping away from fellowship with Him provoked Him to slowly depart from you. He’s been doing so for some time. Perhaps if you had noticed, had come to your senses, and had renewed your standing with Him by humbling yourselves ....” Sadness glistened in Godly-Fear’s eyes. “When He saw no one noticed these dreadful early stages of His anger and judgment, nor took them to heart, He went away from this place. I saw this with my own eyes. “Therefore, now, while you boast, your Strength is gone. You’re like the man who lost his shoulder-length locks while he slept, and with them his strength.

You may, with this lord of your feast, shake yourselves awake and think you can do everything as you did before. However, He has departed from you, and without Him you can do nothing, so turn your feast into moaning and your laughter into weeping.”

Gloomy clouds hung like a thick blanket of darkness upon Mansoul, and they saw they had been foolish. For the first time, they perceived the wretched damage Carnal-Security’s companionship, swaggering words, and continual idle chatter had brought upon poor Mansoul. They thought about what further cost they would have to pay. With these thoughts milling about in their minds, the men of the town once again looked at Godly-Fear as one of good reputation; they were ready to consider him a prophet.

His text was found in the book of the prophet Jonah: Those that observe lying vanities forsake his mercy (Jonah 2:8).

“It is my opinion that this town of Mansoul should, in this day of her distress, draw up and send a humble petition to their offended Prince Emmanuel, so that He, in His favor and grace, will turn again to you and not stay angry forever.”

“They have turned their back to Me and not their face, and now in the time of their trouble, they say to Me, ‘Arise and save us.’ Why don’t they go to Mr. Carnal-Security, as they did when they turned from Me, and make him their leader, their lord, and their protection now in their trouble? In their prosperity, they went astray. Why is it that in their trouble they visit Me?”

With this answer the Lord Mayor’s face turned a dark purple, for it not only troubled and perplexed him but also caused him to grieve. He saw again the consequences of being familiar with Diabolians, such as Mr. Carnal-Security.

They asked advice, as they did before, from the reverend Godly-Fear, who told them, “There is no way better than to do as you did before.” He went on to tell them they should not be discouraged at all by the treatment they met with at court previously, even if several of their petitions should be answered with nothing but silence or a reprimand. “For it is the way of the wise Shaddai to make men wait and exercise patience. And it should be the way of those who fall short to be willing to wait for His timing.” (Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those that fear him, upon those that wait for his mercy. – Psalm 33:18)

Some of the names of these Diabolians are Lord Fornication, Lord Adultery, Lord Murder, Lord Anger, Lord Lasciviousness, Lord Deceit, Lord Evil-Eye, Lord Blasphemy, and that horrible villain, the old and dangerous Lord Covetousness. (Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; which I denounce, as I have also told you in time past that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21)

“Recently, a great sickness and fainting has spread among them and continues even now. This sickness isn’t limited to the poor of the town but has even befallen the lords, captains, and important nobility. We who are Diabolians by nature remain well, lively, and strong, so we are writing to let you know Mansoul lies vulnerable to your power as a result of their transgression against Shaddai’s Law.

Then send us word about what you find and how you think we have the best chance to recover the town – whether by persuasion to live a vain and loose life, by tempting them to doubt and despair, or by blowing up the town with the gunpowder of pride and self-conceit.

“And if we tempt them to excessive indulgence because of their freedom and instill contempt against the restraints of the Law regarding morality and good behavior, that may help. (But each one is tempted, when they are drawn away of their own lust and enticed. – James 1:14)

“If we could drive them into desperation, that would hit the nail on the head. For that would cause them to question the truth of the love of the heart of their Prince towards them.” His thin lips stretched into a toothy smile. “And that will disgust Him. If it works as well as I think it will, it shall put a stop to those petitions they are sending to Him. Say good-bye to their earnest requests for help and supplies.” Deceit straightened and hooked his thumbs about the straps again. “The natural conclusion will be to do nothing, for in their eyes it shall serve no purpose.” All the Diabolians nodded and gave their unanimous consent to Deceit’s plan.

Lord Covetousness, Lord Lasciviousness, and Lord Anger. Lord Covetousness called himself by the name of Prudent-Thrifty. Lord Lasciviousness called himself Harmless-Mirth, and Lord Anger called himself Good-Zeal.

Mr. Mind hired Prudent-Thrifty (Covetousness), and Mr. Godly-Fear hired Good-Zeal (Anger), while Harmless-Mirth (Lasciviousness) had a little more trouble being hired, because the town of Mansoul was observing Lent. However, when Lent was almost over, the Lord Willbewill hired Harmless-Mirth to wait on him as his personal servant and lackey.

when people are most busy in the world, they least fear the unexpected.

Lasciviousness has changed his name to Harmless-Mirth, and he now serves as Lord Willbewill’s lackey. He has made his master very self-indulgent.

“When you make your furious assault outside the gates, we, your trusted and beloved ones, shall be ready to help from within. So in all likelihood, we will be able to put Mansoul into total confusion and swallow them up before they realize what’s going on. (For where there is envy and contention, there is confusion and every perverse work. – James 3:16)

The many unanswered petitions sent to Prince Emmanuel and His Father Shaddai asking for their pardon and favor added to their despondency. Through the craft and slyness of the domestic Diabolians, the cloud hanging over Mansoul grew blacker and blacker, and their Emmanuel seemed to stand even farther away.

“The initial project of the Diabolians in Mansoul is likely to meet with good success, as they can make Mansoul even more vile and filthy. There is no better way to destroy a soul than this. Our old friend Balaam did this and prospered many years ago. (Who forsaking the right way have erred, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. – 2 Peter 2:15)

They haven’t made much of an attempt to correct or amend their lives, and Emmanuel, their Prince, has turned His back on them. They send petitions asking Him to come to them again and again, but He has not responded to their requests in a timely manner.”

“I am glad to hear they have backslidden in this way, but I’m still troubled by their petitioning of Emmanuel. However, their loose living is a sign that there isn’t much heart in these efforts, and if the heart isn’t involved, such things are of little value.

their prayers and even their power will do them little good.” (But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. – Isaiah 59:2)

two or three Diabolians working from the inside, if retained and supported by the town of Mansoul, will do more toward keeping Emmanuel from them and toward making the town of Mansoul your own than a legion sent out from us to oppose Him could accomplish.

When He sees how they have slipped into sin again, why wouldn’t their actions drive Him from them forever, for the same reason which He was driven from them in the first place? And if this happens, He’ll go away with His battering rams, slings, and His captains and soldiers. This would leave Mansoul naked and bare. When the town sees she’s utterly forsaken by her Prince, don’t you think she’ll open her gates to you again of her own accord? (For my enemies speak against me, and those that lay in wait for my soul take counsel together, saying, God has forsaken him; persecute and take him for there is no one to deliver him. – Psalm 71:10-11)

As soon as Apollyon finished speaking, Diabolus spewed his own malice and pleaded his cause. He said, “My lords and powers of the cave, my true and trusted friends, I have listened to your long and tedious orations with much impatience. Now I ask that you listen to me. My hunger and thirst are unquenchable, and I lust after a repossession of my famous town of Mansoul. Whatever the outcome, I can’t wait any longer to see how things turn out as we drag out our plans. Without further delay, I must seek by all the means at my disposal to fill my insatiable chasm with the soul and body of the town of Mansoul. Therefore, I ask that you lend me your heads, hearts, and your help. For I am going to recover my town of Mansoul – now!” He pounded his clenched claw to emphasize his point.

“Those of us here desire every one of you who are in Mansoul to use all your power, cunning, and skill with deceptive persuasion to draw the town of Mansoul into more sin and wickedness with the goal of drawing them into that sin that brings forth death. (But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. – Hebrews 3:13)

This was the state of the miserable town of Mansoul: she had offended her Prince; He was gone; and she had encouraged the powers of hell to come against her to seek her complete destruction. True, the town of Mansoul could still perceive moral good from evil and was aware of her sin, but the Diabolians had affected her at the core, at the seat of her pity and kindness and, therefore, affected her tenderness, compassion, and scriptural sense.

She cried, but Emmanuel was gone, and her cries didn’t bring Him back.

They sent petition after petition to the Prince, but He answered all of them with silence. They still neglected to correct or amend their lives from transgressing the moral law. They continued in corrupt conduct, which is exactly how Diabolus wanted it. He knew if they regarded iniquity in their heart, their King would not hear their prayer. (If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. – Psalm 66:18)

Mansoul’s weakness had become her enemies’ strength, and the sins of Mansoul were to the Diabolians’ advantage.

“It won’t be long before Diabolus possesses Mansoul again.” This person also said that when this happened, the Diabolians intended to put all Mansoulians to the sword!

He offered them short but encouraging advice, telling them to be watchful. (Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Matthew 26:41)

Now the captains loved the town of Mansoul, and when they heard this, they gathered like many Samsons and shook themselves awake. They put their heads together and plotted how to defeat the bold and hellish plans put in place by Diabolus and his friends against the now sick, weak, and impoverished town of Mansoul. They agreed upon these steps: First, the gates of Mansoul were to be kept shut and made secure with bars and locks. Security measures were to be put in place that required everyone who went out or came in to be inspected by the captains of the guards, who said, “In order that those who live deceptively among us and are leaders in this plot for our ruin may be taken into custody.” Second, a strict search was to be made for every Diabolian throughout the whole town of Mansoul. Every house was to be searched from top to bottom for these Diabolian leaders and others who might have a hand in these plans. Third, Mansoul decided that even those of the town of Mansoul, who had provided a house and lodging to the Diabolians, should repent in a public place as a warning to others.

Fourth, the town of Mansoul determined that the entire town should hold a public fast – a day to show they accepted their Prince as just and to humble themselves before Him for their violations against Him and against Shaddai, His Father. (But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer rose up in my bosom. – Psalm 35:13) It was decided that anyone in Mansoul who didn’t keep the fast or humble themselves for their faults, but who continued to devote their minds to worldly works or wandering about doing as they pleased, should suffer as Diabolians for their wicked actions.

In the house of Mr. Mind and in the house of the great Lord Willbewill, two Diabolians were found. In Mr. Mind’s house, they discovered Lord Covetousness, even though he had changed his name to Prudent-Thrifty. In Lord Willbewill’s house, Lasciviousness was found, but he’d changed his name to Harmless-Mirth. The captains and elders of the town of Mansoul took these two Diabolians and committed them to the custody of Mr. True-Man, the jailer.

But even though they plainly followed the Diabolians’ scents and tracked them to the mouths of their caves and dens, they were unable to take them into custody to bring them to justice, because their ways were so crooked and their holds so strong that they quickly took sanctuary there.