United States or Brunei ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He had observed with distress that they were living in a state of slavery, and he wished to help them to be free. Shaddai was no doubt a great prince, but he was an arbitrary despot. There was no liberty where the laws were unreasonable, and Shaddai's laws were the reverse of reasonable. They had a fruit growing among them, in Mansoul, which they had but to eat to become wise.
'He smiled and did not seem to take one side more than another. The rising, however, is put down Understanding and Conscience are imprisoned, and Mansoul hardens its heart, chiefly 'being in dread of slavery, and thinking liberty too fine a thing to be surrendered. Shaddai's four captains find that they can do no more. The covenant of works will not answer.
Now there was a certain giant named Diabolus king of the blacks or negroes, as Bunyan noticeably calls them the negroes standing for sinners or fallen angels. Diabolus had once been a servant of Shaddai, one of the chief in his territories. Pride and ambition had led him to aspire to the crown which was settled on Shaddai's Son. He had formed a conspiracy and planned a revolution.
Two ministers were appointed to carry on the government one from Shaddai's court; the other a native of Mansoul. The first was Shaddai's chief secretary, the Holy Spirit.
Captain Credence flew up to Shaddai's court with the simple words that Mansoul renounced all trust in its own strength and relied upon its Saviour. This time its prayer would be heard. The devils meanwhile, triumphant though they were, discovered that they could have no permanent victory unless they could reduce the castle.
Search was made for him, but he was not to be found in Mansoul. He had fled beyond the walls, and had joined Diabolus near Hell Gate. The rest, we are told, were crucified crucified by the hands of the men of Mansoul themselves. They fought and struggled at the place of execution so violently that Shaddai's secretary was obliged to send assistance.
No, no, you must be bound by laws that will pinch you, and be made to do that which at present is hateful to you; I am for you, if you are for me, and it is better to die valiantly, than to live like pitiful slaves. But I say, the life of a slave will be counted a life too good for Mansoul now; blood, blood, nothing but blood is in every blast of Shaddai's trumpet against poor Mansoul now.
Shaddai's captains, when advancing on Mansoul, had fallen in with 'three young fellows of promising appearance' who volunteered to go with them Mr. Tradition, Mr. Human Wisdom, and Mr. Man's Invention. They were allowed to join, and were placed in positions of trust, the captains of the covenant being apparently wanting in discernment.
They 'swallowed the engagement as if it had been a sprat in the mouth of a whale. Being now Diabolus's trusty children, he gave them leave 'to do whatever their appetites prompted to do. They would thus involve themselves in all kinds of wickedness, and Shaddai's son 'being Holy' would be less likely to interest himself for them.
The Lord Chief Secretary was ordered to put in writing Shaddai's intentions, and cause them to be published. Mansoul, it was announced, was to be put into a better condition than it was in before Diabolus took it.
Word Of The Day