The Subordinate Preacher
I do not find in “The Holy War” any reference to a church building or chapel. This is because the City of Mansoul is the church. Mansoul is the bride of Christ or the invisible church. There is however reference made to a church preacher. He is referred to as “The Subordinate Preacher”. The Superior Preacher is God Himself. Isaiah 54 v 13 says “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord”. In New Testament Times the Holy spirit is the teacher of God’s people. We read in John 16 v 13 “Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth”.
We first hear of The subordinate Preacher when Mansoul has strayed away from Christ and followed after “Carnal Security”. When we are so tied up with earning a living, and developing our business that we have no time to worship God. This grieves the Holy Spirit and He departs from our lives. Eph 5 v 30 urges us “And grieve not the holy Spirit of god, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption”. The subordinate preacher, in the absence of the Superior preacher therefore becomes the chief preacher. Mr Prywell in love for Mansoul calls upon the ministry of the Subordinate Preacher.
On p 223 of “The Holy War” we read “When Mr. Prywell had heard this story, he did quickly believe it was true; wherefore he went forthwith to my Lord Mayor’s house, and acquainted him therewith, who, sending for the subordinate preacher, brake the business to him; and he as soon gave the alarm to the town, for he was now the chief preacher in Mansoul, because as yet my Lord Secretary was ill at ease”.
The nest part is the nearest thing we find to a church service mentioned in “Holy War”.
The Sub-ordinate Preacher responds by explaining the gospel to the people, and raising the alarm. No comforting soft words of flattery here! Warnings and exhortations abound.
“And this was the way that the subordinate preacher did take to alarm the town therewith. The same hour he caused the lecture-bell to be rung, so the people came together; he gave them a short exhortation to watchfulness, and made Mr. Prywell’s news the argument thereof. “For” said he, “a horrible plot is contrived against Mansoul, even to massacre us all in a day; nor is this story to be slighted, for Mr. Prywell is the author thereof”.
After Mr Prywell has described the plot for Diabolus to re-take Mansoul the subordinate preacher says the following.
“Sirs, it is not irrational for us to believe it, for we have provoked Shaddai to anger, and have sinned Emmanuel out of town; we have forsaken our former mercies ; no marvel then if the enemy both within and without should design and plot our ruin; and what time like this to do it? The sickness is now in the town, and we have been made weak thereby. Many a good meaning man is dead, and the Diabolonians of late grow stronger and stronger”.
If we find that we have sinned away the Holy Spirit from our lives, and we do not feel the love of Christ as we used to, we should return to the Lord and repent of our sin. We need to go t a place where we will hear the true Gospel of redemption through Christ. We need to seek out a true Chief Preacher who will point us once again to the cross of Christ as the source of all truth and holiness. If we have stopped attending a true place of Worship, we need to return to it, and listen to faithful preaching once again.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Battle of the Plains 2
Battle of the plains 2
The Battle of the Plains represents the battle against worldly temptations.
In Genesis 13 and 14 we read how Lot chose the plains of Jordan over the land of Canaan for his flocks and herds. This indicates the lure of the world to a Christian. Will we chose to live a godly life or a worldly life? All went well for fourteen years, then Kedorlaomar and many other kings rose up against the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot was caught up in the fighting and captured by the worldly kings. It is almost possible for a Christian to be swallowed up by troubles of the world and lost. However help is at hand. As Abraham rescued Lot from the world, so Christ rescues the erring Christian who has become overwhelmed by the world.
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
In Genesis 19 we read of the pouring out of God’s wrath upon the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. In verses 24 to 25 we read “Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground”. However our backsliding believer Lot and his family were warned in advance and managed to escape to a city of mercy nearby called Zoar. In verse 12 we read “And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? Son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it”.
In 2 Peter 2 v 6 to 9 we read the interpretation from the New Testament.
“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds). The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished”.
Bunyan writes about the “City of Destruction” in his other allegory “The Pilgrims’ Progress”. He says about the city of Destruction that “dying there, sooner or later, you will sink lower that the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone”. This sounds remarkably like the description of Sodom and Gomorrah at destruction. The hero Pilgrim fled from the City of destruction just as Lot fled from Sodom. Pilgrim escaped from the City of Destruction by following the instructions of Evangelist and entering the Wicket Gate. This wicket Gate represents Christ who explained that “I am the door: by ne if any man enter in, he shall be saved”. (John 10 v 9). We too can escape the city of Destruction by entering the door or gate of Christ. We can enter the door by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died to save the lost.
“He died that we might be forgiven
He died to make us good
That we might go at last to heaven
Saved by His precious blood”.
I would urge you to be like that Pilgrim and Lot and flee from the City of Destruction! Run towards the door or gate of the Lord Jesus Christ trusting in His righteousness.
The Battle of the Plains represents the battle against worldly temptations.
In Genesis 13 and 14 we read how Lot chose the plains of Jordan over the land of Canaan for his flocks and herds. This indicates the lure of the world to a Christian. Will we chose to live a godly life or a worldly life? All went well for fourteen years, then Kedorlaomar and many other kings rose up against the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot was caught up in the fighting and captured by the worldly kings. It is almost possible for a Christian to be swallowed up by troubles of the world and lost. However help is at hand. As Abraham rescued Lot from the world, so Christ rescues the erring Christian who has become overwhelmed by the world.
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
In Genesis 19 we read of the pouring out of God’s wrath upon the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. In verses 24 to 25 we read “Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground”. However our backsliding believer Lot and his family were warned in advance and managed to escape to a city of mercy nearby called Zoar. In verse 12 we read “And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? Son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it”.
In 2 Peter 2 v 6 to 9 we read the interpretation from the New Testament.
“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds). The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished”.
Bunyan writes about the “City of Destruction” in his other allegory “The Pilgrims’ Progress”. He says about the city of Destruction that “dying there, sooner or later, you will sink lower that the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone”. This sounds remarkably like the description of Sodom and Gomorrah at destruction. The hero Pilgrim fled from the City of destruction just as Lot fled from Sodom. Pilgrim escaped from the City of Destruction by following the instructions of Evangelist and entering the Wicket Gate. This wicket Gate represents Christ who explained that “I am the door: by ne if any man enter in, he shall be saved”. (John 10 v 9). We too can escape the city of Destruction by entering the door or gate of Christ. We can enter the door by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died to save the lost.
“He died that we might be forgiven
He died to make us good
That we might go at last to heaven
Saved by His precious blood”.
I would urge you to be like that Pilgrim and Lot and flee from the City of Destruction! Run towards the door or gate of the Lord Jesus Christ trusting in His righteousness.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Free Will?
Does the human race have free will?
Adam and Eve were created with free- will; the ability to chose between right and wrong. This is illustrated in the narrative by the character of the gates guarding the city of Mansoul. On page 3 we read
“The wall of the town was well built, yea, so fast and firm was it knit and compact together, that had it not been for the townsmen themselves, it could not have been shaken or broken for ever.
For here lay the excellent wisdom of him that builded Mansoul, that the walls could never be broken down, nor hurt, by the most mighty adverse potentate, unless the townsmen gave consent thereto.
This famous town of Mansoul had five gates, in at which to come, out at which to go, and these were made likewise answerable to the walls; to wit impregnable, and such as could never be opened nor forced, but by the will and leave of those within”.
Sadly the townsmen of Mansoul exercised their free-will and allowed Diabolus to enter the eargate. On page 14 we read
“Now these being dead (Captain resistance and Lord Innocence) what do the rest of the townsfolk but as men that had found a fool’s paradise, they presently, as afore was hinted, fall to prove the truth of the giant’s words; and first they did as Ill-pause had taught them; they looked, they considered, they were taken with the forbidden fruit; they took thereof, and did eat; and having eaten, they became immediately drunken therewith. So they opened the gates, both Ear-gate and eye-gate, and let in Diabolus.”.
At the fall mankind became enslaved to Satan and lost its free-will. Now when Emmanuel comes to redeem the city of Mansoul human kind is unable to exercise free will to allow Emmanuel to enter the Eyegate, Eargate, or any other gate. Emmanuel can only enter the city by force. He has to smash the gates to smithereens in order to gain entry. He uses siege engines and sling shots to break the wood in the gates in order to enter. Bunyan writes in the margin notes (p 31) “The will engaged against the Gospel, Good thoughts must be kept out of the town of Mansoul”. And on P 32 “All good thoughts and words in the town are to be suppressed”. When we first hear the gospel, we cannot believe it. We cannot believe that God created the world or that Christ is the son of God. We refuse to believe that we are sinners. We think that our “good deeds” will get us to heaven. These thoughts will prevent Christ entering our souls and saving us.
The forced entry into Mansoul is on page 103. “But after three or four notable charges by the Prince and his noble captains, Ear-gate was broken open, and the bars and bolts wherewith it was used to be fast shut up against the prince were broken into a thousand pieces”. Emmanuel has by-passed the human will and entered the city by his own strength. We are reminded of Romans 5 v 6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly”. It is significant that Emmanuel first enters by the Ear-gate. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? …So they faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God?”. (Romans 10 v 13 to 18). If you have not yet received salvation, continue hearing the word of God from The Bible, and from preaching and ask Emmanuel himself to beak down the walls of prejudice and antipathy to enter your soul.
Once Emmanuel has entered the city of Mansoul, does mankind’s free-will return? No! A Christian is now not a slave to Satan but a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ. On page 103 we read “ Well, when the prince’s forces had broken open the gate, himself came up and did set his throne in it”. We become like the apostle Paul who describes himself in Romas 1 v1 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ…”. If we have become Christians we are Christ’s servant. We wish to obey Him and live lives of sacrifice to him, as described in Matthew 10. Especially think of Matt 10 v 38 “And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me”. If we are not yet willing to make Christ the Lord of our lives, we have yet to receive the gift of salvation. Continue to ask Christ for this gift. It is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Luke 12 v 32).
812
Adam and Eve were created with free- will; the ability to chose between right and wrong. This is illustrated in the narrative by the character of the gates guarding the city of Mansoul. On page 3 we read
“The wall of the town was well built, yea, so fast and firm was it knit and compact together, that had it not been for the townsmen themselves, it could not have been shaken or broken for ever.
For here lay the excellent wisdom of him that builded Mansoul, that the walls could never be broken down, nor hurt, by the most mighty adverse potentate, unless the townsmen gave consent thereto.
This famous town of Mansoul had five gates, in at which to come, out at which to go, and these were made likewise answerable to the walls; to wit impregnable, and such as could never be opened nor forced, but by the will and leave of those within”.
Sadly the townsmen of Mansoul exercised their free-will and allowed Diabolus to enter the eargate. On page 14 we read
“Now these being dead (Captain resistance and Lord Innocence) what do the rest of the townsfolk but as men that had found a fool’s paradise, they presently, as afore was hinted, fall to prove the truth of the giant’s words; and first they did as Ill-pause had taught them; they looked, they considered, they were taken with the forbidden fruit; they took thereof, and did eat; and having eaten, they became immediately drunken therewith. So they opened the gates, both Ear-gate and eye-gate, and let in Diabolus.”.
At the fall mankind became enslaved to Satan and lost its free-will. Now when Emmanuel comes to redeem the city of Mansoul human kind is unable to exercise free will to allow Emmanuel to enter the Eyegate, Eargate, or any other gate. Emmanuel can only enter the city by force. He has to smash the gates to smithereens in order to gain entry. He uses siege engines and sling shots to break the wood in the gates in order to enter. Bunyan writes in the margin notes (p 31) “The will engaged against the Gospel, Good thoughts must be kept out of the town of Mansoul”. And on P 32 “All good thoughts and words in the town are to be suppressed”. When we first hear the gospel, we cannot believe it. We cannot believe that God created the world or that Christ is the son of God. We refuse to believe that we are sinners. We think that our “good deeds” will get us to heaven. These thoughts will prevent Christ entering our souls and saving us.
The forced entry into Mansoul is on page 103. “But after three or four notable charges by the Prince and his noble captains, Ear-gate was broken open, and the bars and bolts wherewith it was used to be fast shut up against the prince were broken into a thousand pieces”. Emmanuel has by-passed the human will and entered the city by his own strength. We are reminded of Romans 5 v 6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly”. It is significant that Emmanuel first enters by the Ear-gate. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? …So they faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God?”. (Romans 10 v 13 to 18). If you have not yet received salvation, continue hearing the word of God from The Bible, and from preaching and ask Emmanuel himself to beak down the walls of prejudice and antipathy to enter your soul.
Once Emmanuel has entered the city of Mansoul, does mankind’s free-will return? No! A Christian is now not a slave to Satan but a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ. On page 103 we read “ Well, when the prince’s forces had broken open the gate, himself came up and did set his throne in it”. We become like the apostle Paul who describes himself in Romas 1 v1 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ…”. If we have become Christians we are Christ’s servant. We wish to obey Him and live lives of sacrifice to him, as described in Matthew 10. Especially think of Matt 10 v 38 “And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me”. If we are not yet willing to make Christ the Lord of our lives, we have yet to receive the gift of salvation. Continue to ask Christ for this gift. It is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Luke 12 v 32).
812
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The senses
The senses
On page 3 we read:
“This famous town of Mansoul had five gates, in at which to come, out at which to go, and these were made likewise answerable to the walls; to wit impregnable, and such as could never be opened nor forced, but by the will and leave of those within. The names of the gates were these, Ear-gate, Eye-gate, Mouth-gate, Nose-gate and Feel-gate”.
Bunyan is not referring to physical senses of hearing, seeing, touch, taste, and smell, but to spiritual senses. In Psalm 115 v 4 to 8 we hear the heathen idols, and their creators described:
“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: They have hands , but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them”.
Without faith in Christ we are deaf, blind, senseless, tasteless, and unable to smell the truth as revealed in the Bible. The human mind refuses to open the gates of the spiritual senses and allow Christ the redeemer to enter. Christ has to forcible break down these gates in order to save a human soul. We are reminded of 2 Cor 4 v 3-4
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them”.
If you find yourself unable to understand or believe the gospel of saving grace through faith in the crucified Christ it is because the god of this world has blinded you. You cannot see beyond the tangible to the spiritual. You cannot think of anything except making money, friends, and having fun. Still there is hope. Christ is the light that will help you to see spiritual things. Ask Him in prayer to awaken all of your senses to the spiritual things in life.
On page 3 we read:
“This famous town of Mansoul had five gates, in at which to come, out at which to go, and these were made likewise answerable to the walls; to wit impregnable, and such as could never be opened nor forced, but by the will and leave of those within. The names of the gates were these, Ear-gate, Eye-gate, Mouth-gate, Nose-gate and Feel-gate”.
Bunyan is not referring to physical senses of hearing, seeing, touch, taste, and smell, but to spiritual senses. In Psalm 115 v 4 to 8 we hear the heathen idols, and their creators described:
“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: They have hands , but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them”.
Without faith in Christ we are deaf, blind, senseless, tasteless, and unable to smell the truth as revealed in the Bible. The human mind refuses to open the gates of the spiritual senses and allow Christ the redeemer to enter. Christ has to forcible break down these gates in order to save a human soul. We are reminded of 2 Cor 4 v 3-4
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them”.
If you find yourself unable to understand or believe the gospel of saving grace through faith in the crucified Christ it is because the god of this world has blinded you. You cannot see beyond the tangible to the spiritual. You cannot think of anything except making money, friends, and having fun. Still there is hope. Christ is the light that will help you to see spiritual things. Ask Him in prayer to awaken all of your senses to the spiritual things in life.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Diabolus
Diabolus.
Diabolus is the Devil as defined in Bunyan’s marginal note. Diabolus is first introduced as “king of the Blacks or Negros”. I wish to pre-emp any questions which readers might pose about these words. Bunyan is not making racist remarks.George Offor who edited the Banner of Truth three volume version of Bunyan’s works explains that this is a reference to the slave trade. He refers to tribal kings who capture their tribal enemies and send them into slavery for money. This is what Satan does. He captures souls, and sells them into slavery to sin. (John 8 v 34 “Whoever committeth sin is the servant of sin”). Compare it with Joseph who was sold by his brothers to some Arab traders for money, and became a slave in Egypt. Even today we read about children being captured and sold into slavery. Josephine Kamm in her book “Men who served Africa” writes on p 14 “The supply of slaves seemed endless, for chiefs in the interior of Africa engaged in tribal warfare solely for the purpose of capturing prisoners, driving them to the coast, and selling them to the Europeans. Large tracts of the country were being laid waste, and thousands of innocent, peace-loving Africans were being sold into slavery by their own rulers”.
Diabolus commits an act of treason by planning to murder the King’s Son so that he can inherit the town of Mansoul (See Rev 12 v 1 -6). “The first founder and Builder of this town was Shaddai (God, see Genesis 17 v 1-2 where El Shaddai is translated as Almighty God). He built it for his own pleasure, and it was beautiful. It was so beautiful that some said the gods came down to look at it and rejoiced”. In Genesis we read “God saw that it was good”. (Genesis 1 v 4, 10,12). The allegory continues with the spiritual rebellion in High Places.. Ephesians 6 v 12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. The sequence of events starts with “Well, upon a time there was one Diabolus, a mighty giant”. He had started well, and had been given much glory in heaven. But he showed himself in his true colours by wanting more. He started as an angel. And fell becoming a fallen angel. Isaiah 14 v 12 says “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which ididst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the starts of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north;: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit”.
The act of treason was spotted by The King (Shaddai) and Prince (Emmanuel) who can see everything and Diabolus (and his devilish companions) are banished from the royal court. “this done, he banishes them from the court, turns them down into the horrible pits, as fast bound in chains, never more to expect the least favour from his hands, but to abide the judegement that he had appointed, and that forever”. How is this arrest to be effected? By Christ’s death on the cross. Satan’s power is curbed because Christ is stronger. Compare it with Rev 20 v 1. “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil,. And Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled”. After the redemptive death of Christ on the cross, the Gospel or church age commenced. Satan’s power was much reduced and this enables the gospel to be preached to the whole world. The key to the rest of the narrative is that Diabolus is so angry and jealous after this banishment that he takes out his anger on the city of Mansoul. Diabolus has been foiled in his attempt to kill the Son of God so he decides to steal the city of Mansoul.
Diabolus is a flatterer and a deceiver as shown by these words from his persuasion of Mansoul (compare with the conversation with Eve in the Garden of Eden).
“Gentlemen of the famous town of Mansoul, ..I will assure you it is not myself, but you- not mine, but your advantage that I seek by what I now do, as will full well be made manifest by that I have opened my mind unto you”. LIES.
“For, gentlemen, I am (to tell you the truth) come to show you how you may obtain great and ample deliverance from a bondage that, unawares to yourselves, you are captivated and enslaved under”. LIES
“Tis not true, for that wherewith he hath hitherto awed you shall not come to pass, nor be fulfilled, though you do the thing that he hath forbidden” Lies. See Genesis 3 v 4 “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die”. LIES.
“Touching his laws, this I say further, they are both unreasonable, intricate, and intolerable. …there is great difference and disproportion betwixt the life and an apple”. LIES
“that fruit you are forbidden to eat of ( if you are forbidden any) is that, and that alone, which is able , by your eating to minister to you a good as yet unknown by you. This is manifest by the very name of the tree; it is called the tree of knowledge of good and evil;”. LIES and Flattery.
The inhabitants of Mansoul believe the lies of Diabolus, and let him onto the city. Disaster! Sin has now entered the world.
Diabolus is the Devil as defined in Bunyan’s marginal note. Diabolus is first introduced as “king of the Blacks or Negros”. I wish to pre-emp any questions which readers might pose about these words. Bunyan is not making racist remarks.George Offor who edited the Banner of Truth three volume version of Bunyan’s works explains that this is a reference to the slave trade. He refers to tribal kings who capture their tribal enemies and send them into slavery for money. This is what Satan does. He captures souls, and sells them into slavery to sin. (John 8 v 34 “Whoever committeth sin is the servant of sin”). Compare it with Joseph who was sold by his brothers to some Arab traders for money, and became a slave in Egypt. Even today we read about children being captured and sold into slavery. Josephine Kamm in her book “Men who served Africa” writes on p 14 “The supply of slaves seemed endless, for chiefs in the interior of Africa engaged in tribal warfare solely for the purpose of capturing prisoners, driving them to the coast, and selling them to the Europeans. Large tracts of the country were being laid waste, and thousands of innocent, peace-loving Africans were being sold into slavery by their own rulers”.
Diabolus commits an act of treason by planning to murder the King’s Son so that he can inherit the town of Mansoul (See Rev 12 v 1 -6). “The first founder and Builder of this town was Shaddai (God, see Genesis 17 v 1-2 where El Shaddai is translated as Almighty God). He built it for his own pleasure, and it was beautiful. It was so beautiful that some said the gods came down to look at it and rejoiced”. In Genesis we read “God saw that it was good”. (Genesis 1 v 4, 10,12). The allegory continues with the spiritual rebellion in High Places.. Ephesians 6 v 12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. The sequence of events starts with “Well, upon a time there was one Diabolus, a mighty giant”. He had started well, and had been given much glory in heaven. But he showed himself in his true colours by wanting more. He started as an angel. And fell becoming a fallen angel. Isaiah 14 v 12 says “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which ididst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the starts of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north;: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit”.
The act of treason was spotted by The King (Shaddai) and Prince (Emmanuel) who can see everything and Diabolus (and his devilish companions) are banished from the royal court. “this done, he banishes them from the court, turns them down into the horrible pits, as fast bound in chains, never more to expect the least favour from his hands, but to abide the judegement that he had appointed, and that forever”. How is this arrest to be effected? By Christ’s death on the cross. Satan’s power is curbed because Christ is stronger. Compare it with Rev 20 v 1. “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil,. And Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled”. After the redemptive death of Christ on the cross, the Gospel or church age commenced. Satan’s power was much reduced and this enables the gospel to be preached to the whole world. The key to the rest of the narrative is that Diabolus is so angry and jealous after this banishment that he takes out his anger on the city of Mansoul. Diabolus has been foiled in his attempt to kill the Son of God so he decides to steal the city of Mansoul.
Diabolus is a flatterer and a deceiver as shown by these words from his persuasion of Mansoul (compare with the conversation with Eve in the Garden of Eden).
“Gentlemen of the famous town of Mansoul, ..I will assure you it is not myself, but you- not mine, but your advantage that I seek by what I now do, as will full well be made manifest by that I have opened my mind unto you”. LIES.
“For, gentlemen, I am (to tell you the truth) come to show you how you may obtain great and ample deliverance from a bondage that, unawares to yourselves, you are captivated and enslaved under”. LIES
“Tis not true, for that wherewith he hath hitherto awed you shall not come to pass, nor be fulfilled, though you do the thing that he hath forbidden” Lies. See Genesis 3 v 4 “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die”. LIES.
“Touching his laws, this I say further, they are both unreasonable, intricate, and intolerable. …there is great difference and disproportion betwixt the life and an apple”. LIES
“that fruit you are forbidden to eat of ( if you are forbidden any) is that, and that alone, which is able , by your eating to minister to you a good as yet unknown by you. This is manifest by the very name of the tree; it is called the tree of knowledge of good and evil;”. LIES and Flattery.
The inhabitants of Mansoul believe the lies of Diabolus, and let him onto the city. Disaster! Sin has now entered the world.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Mansoulians
Who are the Mansoulians?
Mansoulians are the people who live in Mansoul, not the bricks and mortar. We have seen that the bricks and mortar of Mansoul are the bride of Christ, or individual Christians. The inhabitants of Mansoul are the thoughts and desires of the Bride of Christ collectively and individually, both bad (Diabolonians) and good (Mansoulians). Bunyan’s margin notes state that Mansoulian men are good thoughts and women are good conceptions, intentions, and children are good desires. Indeed Bunyan states that Mansoulians were the original inhabitants of Mansoul (characters from before the fall).
On p9 the Mansoulians before the fall are described as “simple and innocent, all honest and true; nor do they yet know what it is to be assaulted with fraud, guile, and hypocrisy. They are strangers to lying and dissembling lips”.
The two most important Mansoulians are Captain Resistance and Lord Innocence. They are known to be brave men, who protected Mansoul from the onslaught of the enemy Diabolus. The first Mansoulian to be named is Captain Resistance (p 9). He is greatly feared by Diabolus and his evil spirits. We are reminded of the verse “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” in James 4 v 7. Resistance is shot dead by Tisiphone (p 12) and Mansoul is left devoid of any courage and resistance to Diabolus. Next to be named are the Mansoulians Lord Innocent, Lord Willbewill and Mr Recorder. Lord Innocent is killed in the attack of Diabolus on Mansoul. He appears to be suffocated by the stinking breath of Ill-pause. The poisonous words of Ill-pause cause Mansoul to sin. Thus mankind looses its innocence and becomes guilty of original sin. With Resistance and Innocence dead, Mansoul eats the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3 v 6).
Lord Willbewill and Mr Recorder (Mr Conscience) and the Lord Mayor, who is called Lord Understanding survive the attack, but are deposed from their offices as the decision makers in the human soul . Each will be looked at in more detail later.
Other Mansoulians are Mr Mind, Mr Affection, the clerks or “yes men” of Mr conscience and Lord Willbewill respectively. Mr Mind had a daughter called Carnal Lust. The name tells us that she was a Diabolonian. It is therefore possible for a Mansoulian to be the parent of a Diabolonian. Remembering Bunyan’s definition that Diabolonian children are evil desires, we see that Mansoulians in their unconverted states have evil desires. Carnal lust marries Mr Affection. Since he also is unconverted, he is called Vile Affection and we must conclude that he marries Carnal Lust from motives of sexual gratification only. This marriage results on the bearing of more children, Impudent, Black-mouth, and Hate-reproof (boys) and Scorn-truth, Slight-God and Revenge. Evil desires give birth to more evil desires. The unconverted soul enters a spiral of sin, leading to worse and worse sins (See the prophet Ballam). This reminds us of Luke 7 v 35 “Wisdom is justified of all her children”. Humanly speaking there is no hope for Mansoul now since the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6 v 23)
Mansoulians who appear later in the narrative are Mr Desires Awake, Mr Wet eyes, Mr Experience, and Godly fear. These represent the soul’s desire to meet with God and be forgiven by Him.
Mansoulians are the people who live in Mansoul, not the bricks and mortar. We have seen that the bricks and mortar of Mansoul are the bride of Christ, or individual Christians. The inhabitants of Mansoul are the thoughts and desires of the Bride of Christ collectively and individually, both bad (Diabolonians) and good (Mansoulians). Bunyan’s margin notes state that Mansoulian men are good thoughts and women are good conceptions, intentions, and children are good desires. Indeed Bunyan states that Mansoulians were the original inhabitants of Mansoul (characters from before the fall).
On p9 the Mansoulians before the fall are described as “simple and innocent, all honest and true; nor do they yet know what it is to be assaulted with fraud, guile, and hypocrisy. They are strangers to lying and dissembling lips”.
The two most important Mansoulians are Captain Resistance and Lord Innocence. They are known to be brave men, who protected Mansoul from the onslaught of the enemy Diabolus. The first Mansoulian to be named is Captain Resistance (p 9). He is greatly feared by Diabolus and his evil spirits. We are reminded of the verse “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” in James 4 v 7. Resistance is shot dead by Tisiphone (p 12) and Mansoul is left devoid of any courage and resistance to Diabolus. Next to be named are the Mansoulians Lord Innocent, Lord Willbewill and Mr Recorder. Lord Innocent is killed in the attack of Diabolus on Mansoul. He appears to be suffocated by the stinking breath of Ill-pause. The poisonous words of Ill-pause cause Mansoul to sin. Thus mankind looses its innocence and becomes guilty of original sin. With Resistance and Innocence dead, Mansoul eats the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3 v 6).
Lord Willbewill and Mr Recorder (Mr Conscience) and the Lord Mayor, who is called Lord Understanding survive the attack, but are deposed from their offices as the decision makers in the human soul . Each will be looked at in more detail later.
Other Mansoulians are Mr Mind, Mr Affection, the clerks or “yes men” of Mr conscience and Lord Willbewill respectively. Mr Mind had a daughter called Carnal Lust. The name tells us that she was a Diabolonian. It is therefore possible for a Mansoulian to be the parent of a Diabolonian. Remembering Bunyan’s definition that Diabolonian children are evil desires, we see that Mansoulians in their unconverted states have evil desires. Carnal lust marries Mr Affection. Since he also is unconverted, he is called Vile Affection and we must conclude that he marries Carnal Lust from motives of sexual gratification only. This marriage results on the bearing of more children, Impudent, Black-mouth, and Hate-reproof (boys) and Scorn-truth, Slight-God and Revenge. Evil desires give birth to more evil desires. The unconverted soul enters a spiral of sin, leading to worse and worse sins (See the prophet Ballam). This reminds us of Luke 7 v 35 “Wisdom is justified of all her children”. Humanly speaking there is no hope for Mansoul now since the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6 v 23)
Mansoulians who appear later in the narrative are Mr Desires Awake, Mr Wet eyes, Mr Experience, and Godly fear. These represent the soul’s desire to meet with God and be forgiven by Him.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Diabolonians
What are Diabolonians?
On p 1 Bunyan describes the people in the country of Universe. “Some are right and some are wrong”. There are “goodies” and “baddies”. The Diabolonians are definitely “baddies”. The Diabolonians are our sins and sinful thoughts. Bunyan makes a distinction between the original inhabitants of Mansoul (Mansoulians) , and the newcomers. It is the newcomers or strangers that are the Diabolonians. The Diabolonians are driven by fallen angels. Hebrews 1 v 14 defines angels as “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation”. Therefore fallen angels are hindering spirits sent forth to hinder them who shall be heirs of salvation. Bunyan comments in “A Jerusalem Sinner Saved”. “Now, sin swarms and lieth by legions. And whole armies, in the souls of the biggest sinners, as in garrisons”. (see vol 1 p 78 of the Banner of Truth three-volume set of bunyan’s complete works). Further proof is provided by Bunyan’s use of the word “sins” in the margin text next to the words of Diabolus “Nor shall any of those dear friends of mine, that now, for the fear of you, lie lurking in dens and holes and caves in Mansoul, be hurtful to you any more”.
When Mansoul does confess her sin and repent, Emmanuel asks whether all the inhabitants of Mansoul are repenting. The inhabitants answer “All the natives, Lord, but for the Diabolonians that came into our town when the tyrant got possession of us, we can say nothing for them”. Thus the Diabolonians are the sinful thoughts and actions. Some are put to death (repented of) at conversion and others remain in our hearts after conversion. Some of these residual sins are mortified (put to death) after conversion.
Isobel Kuhn talks about the Diabolitians (read as Diabolonians) in her autobiography entitled “By Searching” on p 100. She speaks as a converted person who is training for missionary service and confesses her sins of pride, disobedience and rebellion as her personal Diabolonians.
The Diabolonians are not meant to be seen as unconverted people as Christ would not have us commit murder! Killing Diabolonians is meant to be understood as mortifying the deeds of the flesh. See Romans 8 v 13 “for if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live”.
The sins which are put to death at conversion include Mr Atheism, Mr Lusting, Mr Incredulity, Mr forget Good, Mr Hard Heart, Mr False Peace, Mr No Truth, Mr Pitiless, and Mr Haughty ( see p 145). Notice that they are all commoners – just plain Mr and not Lord. In mediaeval times Lords could escape judgement by bringing their wealth and influence to bear. Commoners had nothing to place between them and justice, and were executed for their crimes.
After the conversion experience, there remains un-repented of sin. These are Lord fornication, Lord Adultery, Lord Murder, Lord Anger, Lord Lasciviousness, Lord Deceit, Lord Evil Eye, Mr Drunkenness, Mr Revelling, Mr Idolatry, Mr Witchcraft, Mr Varience, Mr Emulation, Mr Wrath, Mr Strife, Mr Sedition, and Mr Heresy (see p 176). Notice that there are several “gentry” or Lords who would be able to escape justice in a Mediaeval setting. These are particularly entrenched sins which Christians need to try very hard over a prolonged period of time to achieve mortification.
On p 1 Bunyan describes the people in the country of Universe. “Some are right and some are wrong”. There are “goodies” and “baddies”. The Diabolonians are definitely “baddies”. The Diabolonians are our sins and sinful thoughts. Bunyan makes a distinction between the original inhabitants of Mansoul (Mansoulians) , and the newcomers. It is the newcomers or strangers that are the Diabolonians. The Diabolonians are driven by fallen angels. Hebrews 1 v 14 defines angels as “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation”. Therefore fallen angels are hindering spirits sent forth to hinder them who shall be heirs of salvation. Bunyan comments in “A Jerusalem Sinner Saved”. “Now, sin swarms and lieth by legions. And whole armies, in the souls of the biggest sinners, as in garrisons”. (see vol 1 p 78 of the Banner of Truth three-volume set of bunyan’s complete works). Further proof is provided by Bunyan’s use of the word “sins” in the margin text next to the words of Diabolus “Nor shall any of those dear friends of mine, that now, for the fear of you, lie lurking in dens and holes and caves in Mansoul, be hurtful to you any more”.
When Mansoul does confess her sin and repent, Emmanuel asks whether all the inhabitants of Mansoul are repenting. The inhabitants answer “All the natives, Lord, but for the Diabolonians that came into our town when the tyrant got possession of us, we can say nothing for them”. Thus the Diabolonians are the sinful thoughts and actions. Some are put to death (repented of) at conversion and others remain in our hearts after conversion. Some of these residual sins are mortified (put to death) after conversion.
Isobel Kuhn talks about the Diabolitians (read as Diabolonians) in her autobiography entitled “By Searching” on p 100. She speaks as a converted person who is training for missionary service and confesses her sins of pride, disobedience and rebellion as her personal Diabolonians.
The Diabolonians are not meant to be seen as unconverted people as Christ would not have us commit murder! Killing Diabolonians is meant to be understood as mortifying the deeds of the flesh. See Romans 8 v 13 “for if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live”.
The sins which are put to death at conversion include Mr Atheism, Mr Lusting, Mr Incredulity, Mr forget Good, Mr Hard Heart, Mr False Peace, Mr No Truth, Mr Pitiless, and Mr Haughty ( see p 145). Notice that they are all commoners – just plain Mr and not Lord. In mediaeval times Lords could escape judgement by bringing their wealth and influence to bear. Commoners had nothing to place between them and justice, and were executed for their crimes.
After the conversion experience, there remains un-repented of sin. These are Lord fornication, Lord Adultery, Lord Murder, Lord Anger, Lord Lasciviousness, Lord Deceit, Lord Evil Eye, Mr Drunkenness, Mr Revelling, Mr Idolatry, Mr Witchcraft, Mr Varience, Mr Emulation, Mr Wrath, Mr Strife, Mr Sedition, and Mr Heresy (see p 176). Notice that there are several “gentry” or Lords who would be able to escape justice in a Mediaeval setting. These are particularly entrenched sins which Christians need to try very hard over a prolonged period of time to achieve mortification.
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