The Holy War – John Bunyan

Satan has no more power to hurt the saints of God than has the noise of a
drum. It may annoy, terrify, and drive us to the bosom of Christ, but it
cannot destroy.--Ed. 'It is for want of hope [a sound scriptural hope,
arising from faith, and its purifying effects upon the soul], that so many
brisk professors, that have so boasted and made brags of their faith, have
not been able to endure the drum in the day of alarm and affliction.'--
Bunyan's Israel's Hope Encouraged.
13. 'Those tumultuous thoughts, that, like masterless hell-hounds, roar and
bellow, and make a hideous noise within me.'--Grace Abounding, No.
174.--Ed.
14. Bunyan's general knowledge is truly astonishing. Where could he have
scraped acquaintance with the names of the furies? These names are,
however, most appropriately applied to such objects of terror.--Ed.
15. 'Often, after I had spent this and the other day in sin, I have in my bed
been greatly afflicted, when asleep, with the apprehensions of devils,
and wicked spirits, who laboured to draw me away with them; of which
I could never be rid.'--Grace Abounding, No. 5. Here we see the drum of
Diabolus.--Ed.
16. The Christian's motto should be--'No parley with the tempter; not for a
moment.' Never forget the fatal parley he had with Eve.--Ed.
17. A season of doubt and fear encourages the assaults of death and hell.
How often has Captain Sepulchre put Mansoul to its dumps! It is a
blessing when it excites to prayer and examination.--Ed.
18. Rely not upon frames, feelings, or experience, but go prayerfully to the
law and to the testimony; that alone should be 'a lamp to our feet, and a
light to our path.'--Ed.
19. 'When I cried to God for mercy, this would come in--It is too late, I am
lost; God hath let me fall, not to my correction, but my condemnation.'--
Grace Abounding, No. 163.--Ed.
20. A personal prying into the Scriptures is a most important duty. As the
reader will presently see, these golden slings beat down and frightened
the high lords and soldiers, the renowned Doubters under Diabolus.--Ed.
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