The Holy War
Overview
In this work, “. . .Man’s soul is figured under the simile of a town, which having surrendered to an insidious and mortal enemy, is besieged by its lawful Sovereign with all the ‘pomp and circumstances’ of war; the arch-enemy is driven out, the town retaken, new-modelled, and garrisoned by Emmanuel.” The editor, George Offor, calls it an “extraordinary book, manifesting a degree of genius, research, and spiritual knowledge, exceeding even that displayed in the Pilgrim’s Progress.”
Top Highlights
“We must fight the good fight of faith, or we can never lay hold on eternal life. We must be engaged in this holy war, and FIGHT or PERISH. There is no neutrality, no excuse that can be awaiting at the day of judgment. The servant of Christ is therefore found trusting in the Captain of salvation, furnished with the whole armour of God, with which his soul is clothed by the Holy Spirit—having the shield of faith, the helmet, the breastplate, the two-edged sword.” (Volume 3, Page 246)
“‘My, shield is unbelief, or calling into question the truth of the Word, or all the sayings that speak of the judgment that Shaddai has appointed for wicked men.” (Volume 3, Page 269)
“for that none can enter into it without its own consent.24” (Volume 3, Page 257)
“Therefore let us assault them in all pretended fairness, covering of our intentions with all manner of lies, flatteries, delusive words; feigning of things that never will be, and promising of that to them that they shall never find. This is the way to win Mansoul, and to make them, of themselves, to open their gates to us; yea, and to desire us too, to come in to them.” (Volume 3, Page 258)
“ALL our hope is in God alone; every effort for deliverance must be by fervent prayer and supplication, from the heart and conscience, directly to God.” (Volume 3, Page 251)
- Title: The Holy War
- Author: John Bunyan
- Series: Works of John Bunyan
- Publisher: Faithlife
- Print Publication Date: 2006
- Logos Release Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Puritanism
- Resource ID: LLS:WJB_HLYWR
- Resource Type: text.monograph.collected-work
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T07:36:07Z
John Bunyan (1628–1688) is one of the most prominent Puritans of all time. Bunyan was well known as a respected preacher during his lifetime and remembered through his writing to this day—namely The Pilgrim's Progress.
After joining the Bedford Baptist Church of Bedford, England, in 1654, Bunyan began preaching in nearby villages. He was prosecuted under an Elizabethan act against nonconformity and imprisoned for three months which was extended to twelve years. Bunyan became the pastor of St. John's Church the same month as his release from prison.
The author of more than 60 books, Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, Holy War, and his autobiographical book Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, gained a prominent and unique place in history. The Works of John Bunyan (3 vols.) includes 61 Bunyan-penned classics.