The Holy War – John Bunyan

And now was the town of Mansoul also delivered from the terror of the
first four captains and their men.[32]
Notes:
1. 'Behold he prayeth.' Prayer is the first sign of spiritual life; Emmanuel
was in Mansoul; the answer may be deferred, but praying breath was
never spent in vain.--Ed.
2. When the conscience is alarmed, and sends its battering-rams against the
heart or affections, the castle, and so the whole soul, will be quickly
reduced, and fall into the arms of Divine mercy.--Ed.
3. There is joy in heaven over the repenting sinner. The heart, which was
deemed impregnable, is taken by invincible grace.--Burder.
4. Bunyan was for seven or eight weeks in this painful state. Peace in and
out twenty times a day; comfort now, and trouble presently; peace now,
and before I could go a furlong as full of fear and guilt as ever heart
could hold.--Grace Abounding, No. 205.
5. At our Lord's ascension, when he triumphed over all the force of death
and hell, obtained eternal redemption for us, and received all power in
heaven and earth for his elect, till their number is accomplished. Then
will be the everlasting triumph.--Mason.
6. By the Reformades we are to understand the angel volunteers, who
desire to look into the wonders of salvation, and who rejoice over every
sinner who finds salvation in Christ. It is here very strikingly and
beautifully expressed.--Ed.
7. Compare this, and the two following paragraphs, with the Grace
Abounding, Nos. 189- 192.--Ed.
8. Sin-sick soul, Christ is an all-sufficient physician; only follow his
advice, and the efficacious prescriptions of his Word (Hosea 6:3).--
Mason.
9. It is common with convinced sinners, before they obtain clear views of
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