More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“Therefore, when Mansoul sinned by listening to your lie, I became a surety to My Father on their behalf and put in body for body and soul for soul. (By so much better testament is Jesus made surety – Hebrews 7:22). In this way, I made amends for Mansoul’s transgressions, and My Father accepted My sacrifice. When the appointed time came, I gave body for body, soul for soul, life for life, blood for blood, and so redeemed My beloved Mansoul. (For the Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in
...more
This speech was intended chiefly for Mansoul, but they wouldn’t listen to a word of it. They shut Ear-gate tight and barricaded it. (But they refused to hearken and pulled away the shoulder and stopped their ears that they should not hear. – Zechariah 7:11) They kept it locked and bolted, set up a guard, and commanded that no Mansoulian should go out to Him.
All those under His authority did everything they were commanded. Then He ordered that the Word should go before them, and the Word at that time was Emmanuel. (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with the God, and the Word was God. – John 1:1) An alarm sounded and the battering rams were put into motion along with the slings, which whirled huge stones into the main part of town. And so this is how the battle began.
Now, when the battle was over, the Prince commanded the white flag be set upon Mount Gracious once more in sight of the town of Mansoul. He did this to show the wretched town of Mansoul that Emmanuel still offered the gift of grace. (For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, Not of works, lest any man should boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9)
But when the Prince’s forces broke the gate open, He made His way to the castle and set His throne up in it. Then He set His standard on a nearby mountain where His men had set up the mighty slings. The mountain was close to Ear-gate and was called Mount Hear-Well. The Prince stayed there because it was close to the gate.
Other feats of war were performed by Captain Good-Hope and Captain Charity, as they executed the charge at the Eye-gate. With his own hands, Captain Good-Hope slew Captain Blindfold, the keeper of that gate. This Blindfold was captain of a thousand who fought with claws.
But poor Mansoul interpreted the way Emmanuel carried Himself much the same way Joseph’s brothers had interpreted his behavior toward them – in quite a contrary way (which is apt to happen in such cases). (And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. – Genesis 50:15) For they thought, If Emmanuel loved us, He would show it by what He says and how He behaves toward us, but He does none of these. As a result, they determined Emmanuel hated them. With this mistaken notion,
...more
The old gentleman paused to let his words sink in. “If the Prince receives the petition and asks him, ‘What is your name?’ and he answers, ‘Old Good-Deed,’ what do you think Emmanuel would say but, ‘Truly is old Good-Deed still alive in Mansoul? Then let old Good-Deed save you from your distresses.’ And if that is what He says, I am sure we are lost, for not a thousand old Good-Deeds can save Mansoul.” (Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. – Titus 3:5)
The Prince called for the prisoners to come into His presence once more. Again, they stood before Him trembling, and He said, “The sins, trespasses, and iniquities that you and the whole town of Mansoul have committed against my Father and Me over time, I have power and authority from my Father to forgive. And I do forgive you accordingly.”
Furthermore, the Prince stripped the prisoners of their mourning garments and dressed them in beauty instead of ashes; the oil of joy replaced mourning, and the garment of praise displaced the spirit of heaviness. (Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; to the end that I may sing glory unto thee and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. – Psalm 30:11-12)
They had worn ropes and came back wearing gold chains. When they left for the camp, their feet were shackled, but now they came back with their feet released and their steps unrestricted. They had gone to the camp, expecting death, but came back with the assurance of life. (Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts purified from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. – Hebrews 10:22) And they had gone to the camp with heavy hearts, but came back with the flute and drum playing before them.
The Recorder stood up and motioned with his hand for silence. After the townsfolk quieted, Mr. Conscience read the pardon with a loud voice for all to hear. “The Lord, the Lord God – Who is merciful and gracious, pardoning iniquity, transgressions, and sins – declares all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven.” (Thou has forgiven the iniquity of thy people; thou hast covered all their sin. – Psalm 85:2) The people couldn’t hold back their gladness and jumped for joy. For you must know, every man’s name in Mansoul was associated with the seals of the pardon, and it created a magnificent
...more
Every man in Mansoul now held Emmanuel and His men in high esteem, and nothing grieved them more than the fact they weren’t numerous enough to receive the whole army of the Prince. (Serve the LORD with gladness; come before his presence with joy. Know ye that the LORD he is God; it is he that has made us and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. – Psalm 100:2-3) They counted it an honor to wait upon them and in those days ran to do their bidding like servants.
This was done with the prisoners shackled and chained together, which was the custom of the town of Mansoul. When they were presented before the Lord Mayor, the Recorder, and the rest of the honorable judges seated on the bench, the names of the jurors were written down and the witnesses sworn in. The names of those on the jury included: Mr. Belief, Mr. True-Heart, Mr. Upright, Mr. Hate-Bad, Mr. Love-God, Mr. See-Truth, Mr. Heavenly-Mind, Mr. Moderate, Mr. Thankful, Mr. Good-Work, Mr. Zeal-for-God, and Mr. Humble.
Too bad the US Senate in 2020 is not this jury
At this time, Emmanuel appointed a day on which He would renew their charter. He planned to renew it but also enlarge it to fix several defects in it, so Mansoul’s yoke might be made easier. (Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30)
The essence of this new charter is as follows: “I am Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, and a great lover of the town of Mansoul. In the name of My Father and in My own merciful disposition, I do treat My beloved town of Mansoul with tenderness and mercy; I forgive, spare, grant, and bestow the following: “First: free, full, and everlasting forgiveness of all wrongs, injuries, and offenses done by them against My Father, Me, their neighbor, or themselves.
When the elders of Mansoul brought this news to the people, the whole town came running, united in purpose, for whatever the Prince did pleased the people very much. With one accord, they implored His Majesty to establish such a ministry among them that might teach them both Law and judgment, statute and commandment, so they might be familiar in all things good and wholesome. (Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that has nothing to be ashamed of, rightly dividing the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15) So He said, “I will grant your requests and will establish two among you – one
...more
“But, as I said, if you listen to Him and love Him; if you devote yourselves to His teaching and seek to be turned from your way and go His way to seek communion with Him, you shall find Him ten times better than anything in the whole world. For He will shed the love of My Father in your hearts and beyond the walls of Mansoul. And native Mansoulians will be the wisest, most blessed of all people.”
“And,” the Prince said, “you must limit yourself to teaching moral virtues and how they apply to civil duties in the natural course of things. However, you must not attempt to presume to be a revealer of those high and supernatural mysteries kept close in the bosom of Shaddai, My Father. For those things no man knows, and they can only be revealed by My Father’s Secretary. (Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth, for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will cause you to know the things which are to
...more
Not long before the appointed day arrived, the Prince and His people met in the King’s palace where Emmanuel first made a short speech to them. Here He did for them as He had promised. “My Mansoul,” He said, “I am about to let the world know you are Mine and grant you the ability to distinguish those who are Mine from all false traitors who may creep in among you.” He then commanded those who waited upon Him to go and bring white, glistening robes from out of His treasury. “Bring the white garments I have provided and laid up in store for My Mansoul.”
As a result, He withdrew, first from His palace, then He moved to the gate of the town, and finally He moved away from Mansoul, waiting for them to acknowledge their offense and earnestly seek His face. Mr. God’s-Peace also laid down his commission and for the time being no longer exerted His influence in the town of Mansoul. 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
...more
Godly-Fear looked directly at Carnal-Security and said, “Sir, if you had an honest heart, you couldn’t do what you have done and continue to do.” “Why not?” Carnal-Security shrugged. “Don’t interrupt me,” Godly-Fear scolded. “It’s true the town of Mansoul was strong, and with a conditional stipulation that affects the agreement with Shaddai, it was impregnable. But you townsmen have weakened our famous town. Mansoul now lies accountable to its enemies. It’s not the time to either flatter or be silent.” Godly-Fear gestured toward Carnal-Security. “You have stripped Mansoul and driven her glory
...more
As they said this, they recalled what their Prince had told them to do when such false prophets arose among them to delude the town of Mansoul. Under the conviction of those words burning within them, they concluded Carnal-Security was a false prophet and thus burned his house down upon him with fire, for he was a Diabolian by nature. (But the prophet which shall presume to speak a word in my name which I have not commanded him to speak or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. – Deuteronomy 18:20)
However, the Prince would not come to the gate or agree that the gate should be opened to him. Instead, He sent this answer: “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 the battle over, everything within the camp fell into order. The captains and elders of Mansoul gathered outside the community to greet Emmanuel. They hailed and welcomed Him with a thousand welcomes, because He had returned to the borders of Mansoul. He said, “Peace be to you.”
One-half of the elders and the people sang out, “Lift up your heads, O you gates, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in!” (Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and lift yourselves up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. – Psalm 24:7-8) The other half of the people answered, “Who is the King of glory?” The first side responded, “The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; even lift them up, you everlasting doors.”
...more
“Remember, therefore, My Mansoul, that you are beloved by Me. Since I have taught you to watch, to fight, to pray, and to make war against My enemies, I now command you to believe that My love for you is constant. My Mansoul, I have set My heart and My love on you! Watch! Behold, I lay no other burden upon you than what you have already received. Hold fast, till I come.” (Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown. – Revelation 3:11)
