Jon J. Cardwell's Daily Devotionals & Commentaries: The Holy War

Diabolus Takes and Remodels Mansoul

Jon J. Cardwell — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 21:00:53 GMT

Now this I should have told you before, that even then, when this Ill-pause was making his speech to the townsmen, my Lord Innocency fell right where he stood, and he could not be revived. (I don’t know why he fell; perhaps by a shot from the camp of the giant, or from some sinking sickness that suddenly took him, or whether by the stinking breath of that treacherous villain, old Ill-pause, for so I am most apt to think). Thus, these two brave men died, Captain Resistance and Lord Innocency— brave men, I call them; for they were the beauty and glory of Mansoul, as long as they lived there. Absent now was a noble spirit in Mansoul; they all fell down and yielded obedience to Diabolus; they became his slaves and subjects, as you shall hear.

Now these two great nobles being dead, the rest of the townsfolk were like men who found a fool’s paradise. As was hinted before, they shortly fell to prove the truth of the giant’s words. First, they did as Ill-pause had taught them; they looked— that is, they were captivated with the forbidden fruit; they took thereof, and ate the fruit; and having eaten, they shook, because the fruit made them immediately drunk. So, they opened both the Ear-gate and Eye-gate and let Diabolus enter with all his troops; and the townsfolk had quite forgotten their good Shaddai, His law, and the judgment with solemn threatening He had attached to the tree if its command was broken.

Diabolus' Deceptive Speech

Jon J. Cardwell — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 21:01:00 GMT

So, they approached in battle formation and sat down before Ear-gate, for that was the place of hearing for all throughout the town, as Eye-gate was the place of perspective. So, as I said, Tisiphone came up with his strategy to the gate, and laid in wait at a concealed position for Captain Resistance within bowshot of the town. This done, the giant, Diabolus, ascended close to the gate, and called to the town of Mansoul for audience. He went alone, except for one, Ill-pause, who was his orator in all difficult matters. Now, as I said, having approached the gate (as the manner of those times was), he sounded his trumpet for audience.

At the trumpet sound, the chiefs of the town of Mansoul came down to the wall to see who was there, and what was the matter. These chief townfolk were Lord Innocent, Lord Willbewill, Lord Mayor, Mr. Recorder, and Captain Resistance. Lord Willbewill, seeing who stood at the gate, demanded to know what he was, the reason he had come, and why he roused the town of Mansoul with so unusual a sound.

John Bunyan’s The Holy War in Modern English - Episode #3

A Council of War

Jon J. Cardwell — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 22:44:14 GMT

So, when they had found the place, they shouted horribly for joy, and roared against it like a lion upon its prey, saying, “Now we have found the prize! Now we will take revenge on King Shaddai for what He’s done to us!” So, they sat down and called a council of war. They considered amongst themselves what ways and methods they could best engage this war to win for themselves this famous town of Mansoul— and these four things were proposed for their consideration:

First. Was it the best strategy for all of them to appear before the town of Mansoul?
Secondly. Was it best for them to go and sit down against Mansoul in their now ragged and beggarly appearance?
Thirdly. Was it best to show Mansoul their intentions and purpose, or was it best to assault it with words and ways of deceit?
Fourthly. Was it advantageous in their plan of war to give private orders to some of their companions in order to target one or more of the principal townsfolk; to shoot them in order to more easily make their assault?

Traveling through that Famous Continent of Universe

Jon J. Cardwell — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 23:00:33 GMT

In my travels, as I walked through many regions and countries, I came to that famous continent of Universe. It was a very large and roomy country: lying between the two poles, and just among the four points of heaven. It is a place well-watered, and richly adorned with hills and valleys, bravely situated, and for the most part, at least where I was, very fruitful. It was also well populated and possessed a very sweet atmosphere.

The people have different ethnic backgrounds. They speak different languages and practice different religions. They differ as much, it is said, as the planets do themselves. Some are right and some are wrong, even as it is in lesser regions.

It was my opportunity, as I said, to travel in this country; and my journey was so long there, I even learned much of their mother tongue, that is, their main language, as well as their customs and manners. And, to tell the truth, I was very delighted to see and hear many things which I saw and heard among them. Yes, I surely even lived and died as a native among them (since I was so captured by their behavior). If my Master had not called me to come home to His house, to serve Him, I would have stayed longer.

Now there is in this gallant country of Universe a beautiful, yet fragile town, a community called Mansoul; a town built quite curiously— situated as vast as eternity itself and privileged with blessings because of its origin— and like the continent which I mentioned before, there is not its equal under all of heaven.

This town is situated just between the two worlds; and the first Founder and Builder of it, as far as I understand, has been written in the best and most authentic records, was one Shaddai; and He built it for His own delight. He made it the reflection and glory of all He made. It was the crowning achievement beyond anything else He did in that country. Yes, so excellent a town was Mansoul when first built, it is said by some, the angels came down to see it after it had been set up and they sang for joy. And as He made it so good to behold, Shaddai gave the town dominion over all the country round about. Ineed, all were commanded to acknowledge Mansoul for their metropolitan and all were instructed to honor it. Truly, the town itself had positive commission and power from her King to demand service of all, and also to subdue any who neglected that responsibility.

A famous and majestic palace was raised in the middle of this town; for strength, it might be called a castle; for joy, a paradise; for space and location, a place so abundant as to contain all the world. King Shaddai intended this place for Himself alone and no one else; partly because of His own delights, and partly because He didn’t want the terror of strangers to come upon the town. Shaddai also made this place a fortress, but only commanded the men of the town to protect it.

The walls of the town were well built so firm and steadfast, and were knit so close together, had it not been for the townsmen themselves, the walls could not have been shaken or broken at all. For here is the excellent wisdom of Him who built Mansoul— that the walls could never be broken down nor hurt by the strongest wicked king unless the townsmen consented to it.