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The Holy War – John Bunyan

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4. To besiege or environ with troops.--Ed.<br />

5. Reader, how wise are these regulations! seek earnestly to follow them.<br />

Examine all things watchfully; search out evil diligently. If evil thoughts<br />

have been harboured, let sincere penitence drive them out. Be humble,<br />

prayerful, thankful; and you will be safe and happy.--Ed.<br />

6. Incredulity is general-in-chief of all the Doubters, to show that<br />

incredulity, or unbelief, is the source of all the doubts and fears that<br />

distress the Christian.--Ed.<br />

7. Volunteers.--Ed.<br />

8. If evil thoughts are subdued and kept in irons, i.e., checked instantly<br />

when they appear, they will die in such a prison. <strong>The</strong> idea was naturally<br />

suggested to the author by the number of pious persons who perished in<br />

prison, in <strong>Bunyan</strong>'s time, for conscience sake. <strong>The</strong> Quakers alone have a<br />

list of about four hundred of their Society who thus perished.--Ed.<br />

9. This must not be mistaken for Popish or Protestant confessions,<br />

penances, or absolutions. <strong>The</strong> narrative is entirely spiritual and internal.<br />

Conscience, not man, accuses; the open confession is unreservedly to<br />

God, accompanied by godly sorrow, watchfulness, and prayer, with<br />

fruits meet for repentance.--Ed.<br />

10. How subtle and insidious is sin! in what holes and corners it conceals<br />

itself! breaking out occasionally when we thought ourselves near to<br />

perfection, and making us cry out, 'O wretched man that I am! who shall<br />

deliver me?'--Ed.<br />

11. We are here presented with a very curious, but accurate, division into<br />

classes of all our doubts and fears, each under the most appropriate<br />

captain, ancient-bearer, or ensign, and standard. As all Christians are<br />

more or less subject to their painful visits, it will be useful to scrutinize<br />

our doubts; and, having ascertained their nature or class, then prayerfully<br />

to compare them with the sacred Oracles, and find that key which opens<br />

all the gates in Doubting Castle.--Ed.<br />

12. '<strong>The</strong> roaring of the drum,' alluding to that roaring lion seeking whom he<br />

may devour. <strong>The</strong> roaring of a lion is a terrific noise in the night; but<br />

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