The Holy War, episode 14. Now, when the king had mustered his forces, for it is he who musters the host to the battle, he gave unto the captains their many and various commissions, with charge and commandment in the audience of all the soldiers, that they should take heed faithfully and courageously to do and execute their orders. Their commissions were basically the same in substance and form, although there were some slight variations as far as name, title, place, and degree of the captains. And here, allow me to give you an account of the matter and summary contained in their commission. You, Boanerges, said the king, one of my stout and thundering captains over 10,000 of my valiant and faithful servants, go in my name with this force under your command to the miserable town of Mansoul. And when you get there, first offer them conditions of peace, and command them that, casting off the yoke and tyranny of the wicked Diabolus, they return to me, their rightful prince and lord. Command them also to cleanse themselves from all that is his in the town of Mansoul, and look for yourself, that you are satisfied they have truly obeyed the command. Thus, when you have commanded them, if they have truly submitted thereto, use all within your power to set up a garrison for me in the famous town of Mansoul. If they submit themselves to me, Don't hurt the least native who moves or breathes therein, but treat such as if they were your friend or brother. For all such I love, and they shall be dear unto me. And tell them I will appoint a time to come unto them, and to let them know I am merciful. But if they shall resist, stand out against you, and rebel, even after you summon them to obey and show them your authority, then I command you to make use of all your skill, power, might, and force to bring them under submission by strength of hand. Farewell." Thus you see the summary of their commissions, for as I said before, the essence of them was similar for every captain. each commander now having his authority from the hand of their king. The day was appointed, the place of their rendezvous set, and each commander appeared in such gallantry as appropriate to his cause and calling. So, after a new ceremony from Shaddai, they set forward to march towards the famous town of Mansoul with flying colors. Captain Boanerges led the front of the procession. Captain Conviction and Captain Judgment made up the main body, and Captain Execution brought up the rear. Having a long way to go, for the town of Mansoul was far off from the court of Shaddai, they marched through the region and countries of many people, not hurting or abusing any, but blessing wherever they came. They also lived upon the king's cost and provision for their entire journey. Having traveled in this way for many days, they came within sight of Mansoul at last. When they saw the town, the captains could not help but to weep for a while and bewail the town's condition, for they quickly saw how it fell prostrate to the will of Diabolus, and to his ways and designs. In short, the captain came up before the town, marched up to Ear Gate, and sat down there, for that was the place of hearing. When they had pitched their tents and entrenched themselves, they prepared themselves to make their assault. The townsfolk at first, beholding so gallant a company, so bravely dressed, and so excellently disciplined, wearing such glittering armor and displaying of their flying colors, could only come out of their houses and gaze upon the spectacle. But the cunning fox, Diabolus, fearing that the people might open the gates to the captains after such a sight and hearing a sudden summons, he made them retire into the body of the town. Once he had them there, he made this lying and deceivable speech unto them. "'Gentlemen,' he said, although you are my trusty and well-beloved friends, I must scold you at least a little for your latest unwise action. in going out to gaze on that great and mighty force that sat down before you only yesterday, and have now entrenched themselves in order to lay siege against the famous town of Mansoul. Do you know who they are, from where they came, and for what purpose they sit down before the town of Mansoul? I told you about them long ago, that they would come to destroy this town. It is against these for which I have spent my time to arm you from head to foot, besides great fortifications for your mind. Why, then, did you not rather, even at the first appearance of them, cry out, Fire the beacons? and give the whole town an alarm concerning them, so we might all have been in a posture of defense, and made ourselves ready to receive them with the highest acts of defiance. Had you then shown yourselves to be men to my liking, whereas by what you have done, you have made me half afraid. I say half afraid, that when push comes to shove between them and us, I shall find you lack courage to stand against it any longer. Why do you think I have commanded a watch, and that you should double your guards at the gates? Why do you think I have endeavored to make you as hard as iron, and your hearts as a piece of the lowest part of a millstone? Do you think it was because you might show yourselves like idle women and that you might go out like a company of innocent children to gaze on your mortal foes? No, I say, no, defend yourselves, bang the drum, gather together in warlike manner so our foes may know that before they think they can conquer their corporation, they must face the valiant men in the town of Mansoul. to be continued. For today's episode, the questions are, first, by the names of the latest three captains or commanders, conviction, judgment, and execution, that these four captains are spiritual works of God in salvation. Boanerges is the Aramaic name the Lord Jesus gave to James and John, calling them the sons of thunder, according to Mark 3 and verse 17. Why do you suppose Captain Boanerges must lead the way in capturing Mansoul for God's glory? Second, why do you suppose the town folk were dazzled at first by the bravely dressed and so excellently disciplined armies of Shaddai under his captains in the second to the last paragraph? Read Matthew 5 verses 14 through 16 to further explain your answer.