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The Holy War – John Bunyan

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the King's most noble captains. So the trumpeter went and did as he was<br />

commanded. He went up to Ear-gate and sounded his trumpet, and gave a<br />

third summons to Mansoul; he said, moreover, that if this they should still<br />

refuse to do, the captains of his Prince would with might come down upon<br />

them, and endeavour to reduce them to their obedience by force (Isa 58:1).<br />

<strong>The</strong>n stood up my Lord Will-be-will, who was the governor of the town;<br />

this Will-be-will was that apostate of whom mention was made before, and<br />

the keeper of the gates of Mansoul. He, therefore, with big and ruffling<br />

words, demanded of the trumpeter who he was, whence he came, and what<br />

was the cause of his making so hideous a noise at the gate, and speaking such<br />

insufferable words against the town of Mansoul?<br />

<strong>The</strong> trumpeter answered, 'I am servant to the most noble captain,<br />

Captain Boanerges, general of the forces of the great King Shaddai, against<br />

whom both thyself, with the whole town of Mansoul, have rebelled, and lift<br />

up the heel; and my master, the captain, hath a special message to this town,<br />

and to thee as a member thereof; the which, if you of Mansoul shall<br />

peaceably hear, so;[13] and if not, you must take what follows.'<br />

<strong>The</strong>n said the Lord Will-be-will, 'I will carry thy words to my Lord, and<br />

will know what he will say.'[14] But the trumpeter soon replied, saying. 'Our<br />

message is not to the giant Diabolus, but to the miserable town of Mansoul.<br />

Nor shall we at all regard what answer by him is made, nor yet by any for<br />

him. We are sent to this town to recover it from under his cruel tyranny, and<br />

to persuade it to submit, as in former times it did, to the most excellent King<br />

Shaddai.'<br />

<strong>The</strong>n said the Lord Will-be-will, 'I will do your errand to the town.' <strong>The</strong><br />

trumpeter then replied, 'Sir, do not deceive us, lest in so doing, you deceive<br />

yourselves much more.' He added, moreover, 'For we are resolved, if in<br />

peaceable manner you do not submit yourselves, then to make a war upon<br />

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