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.