The Holy War

by John Bunyan

“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.