The Holy War – John Bunyan

Christian till Christ is formed in him the hope of glory. We must be in
Christ, complete in his righteousness, then will love constrain him to
good works. In Christ he becomes the glory of the universe.--Ed.
15. When Satan can no longer keep his dominion over the soul, he will
endeavour to ruin it by temptations to despair, or to some abominable
vices; as the poor trembling creature in the gospel, desirous of
approaching Christ, 'as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down
and tare him' (Luke 9:42).-- Burder.
16. Thus was the promise fulfilled, 'In that day shall the deaf hear the words
of the book' (Isa 29:18); and, 'The ears of the deaf shall be unstopped'
(35:5). What a blessing to be able to say, 'Speak, Lord, for thy servant
heareth.' The way is strait from Eargate to Conscience, the house of the
Recorder, and to the Heart, the castle. 'He that hath ears to hear, let him
hear.' May God bestow 'the hearing ear' upon every reader.--Burder.
17. When the soul listens to the threatenings of the holy law, conscience
fears and quakes; and till enlightened with the knowledge of the gospel,
and the gracious designs of God, it can think and talk of nothing but
'death and destruction.'--Burder. See this part of the Holy War, in
Bunyan's experience, recorded in Grace Abounding, Nos. 84-88.--Ed.
18. Bunyan's relief from a state of intense misery was by an assault on
Eargate. It was under a sermon upon Christ's love.--'Thou art fair, my
love'; then was old Prejudice slain, and his officers; although other fears
afterwards terrified him, yet Prejudice was slain. Read the narrative in
Grace Abounding, Nos. 89-92.-- Ed.
19. No faculty or power of the soul can be injured by a death unto sin and a
life unto holiness. Peace and happiness increase as we live near to God.
My young friends, if Satan tells you that religion is a dull or melancholy
thing, call to mind the happiness, nay, ecstasies of Paul and David when
living under its holy influences.--Ed.
20. See Grace Abounding, No. 113.--Ed.
21. Conversion proceeds. The carnal will has no rest; Prejudice is slain;
Aversion-to-good, Treachery, Blindness, and that most dangerous foe to
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