The Holy War – John Bunyan

marched up the town with his standard borne before him; but he kept his
countenance much reserved all the way as he went, so that the people could
not tell how to gather to themselves love or hatred by his looks. Now as he
marched up the street, the townsfolk came out at every door to see, and could
not but be taken with his person, and the glory thereof, but wondered at the
reservedness of his countenance; for as yet he spake more to them by his
actions and works, than he did by words or smiles. But also poor Mansoul, as
in such cases all are apt to do, they interpreted the carriages of Emmanuel to
them, as did Joseph's brethren his to them, even all the quite contrary way.
For, thought they, if Emmanuel loved us, he would show it to us by word or
carriage; but none of these he doth, therefore Emmanuel hates us. Now if
Emmanuel hates us, then Mansoul shall be slain, then Mansoul shall become
a dunghill. They knew that they had transgressed his Father's law, and that
against him they had been in with Diabolus his enemy. They also knew that
the Prince Emmanuel knew all this; for they were convinced that he was as
an Angel of God, to know all things that are done in the earth. And this made
them think that their condition was miserable, and that the good Prince
would make them desolate.
And, thought they, what time so fit to do this in as now, when he has the
bridle of Mansoul in his hand. And this I took special notice of, that the
inhabitants, notwithstanding all this, could not; no, they could not, when they
see him march through the town, but cringe, bow, bend, and were ready to
lick the dust of his feet. They also wished a thousand times over, that he
would become their Prince and Captain, and would become their protection.
They would also one to another talk of the comeliness of his person, and how
much for glory and valour he outstripped the great ones of the world. But,
poor hearts, as to themselves their thoughts would chance, and go upon all
manner of extremes; yea, through the working of them backward and
forward, Mansoul became as a ball tossed, and as a rolling thing before the
whirlwind[4] (Isa 18:13, 23:18).
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