They come riding with Promises on their Lips....but not in their hearts!
So what has happened up to this point. We can really feel the unseen wisdom that is behind this plan because we are more like this king then our King. He has a plan....it is all about deceit, riches and submission. He has received the council of Blancandrin his wise council which included giving up their own children if they themselves could be saved. The Saracens from Saragossa are now fearful of this Great King's power so they begin to worry...about their own city. Now these liars are going to start telling the truth, we will build it all on a "promise"....a promise to give the King something and in return they don't really have to surrender...they give up only a little of their wealth but keep their autonomy. What a great plan!
Knowing that so many men are under the influence of riches, power and authority ...MEN do you see any parallels here....with the Internet and porn....does not the king of darkness lie to us...does not he deceive us.....men beware..the enemy is in our camp, cyperspace is in your house! You are only only a "mouse click" away from inviting the king and his Blancandrin in your mind and heart....OH! I know all to well ... He will promise you so much if you just pretend to worship our King....don't really serve Him, Don't really obey Him...just listen to all the promises....you will have girls, wealth, power....you will be just like him... the father of lies. You... a deceitful man who just bent your knee to our King....you were baptised into the faith...but who are you following men? Who is your real allegiance to? No man can serve Marsil and Charlemangne.....you will love one and despise the other. That is the question that you should be asking yourself...others may not know....they may think ....wow!...what a great Christian Man.....all the while in the dark, cold, moldy rooms of your own castle you know the difference....you know.....that you are only a "mouse" not a "Lion." Your mouse controls you with your little "pointer" finger " as you are pulled around in Cyberspace ....Are you under the control of the mouse....or do you serve the King with a Lions heart? Let's see how this first meeting goes between the great liar Marsil and the great emperor ...Charlemangne.
THE EMPEROR CHARLEMAGNE'S COUNCIL
[6] The Emperor Charlemagne was well pleased, for at last, after much fighting, he had taken the city of Cordres. The walls lay in ruins, and with his great war engines he had shattered the towers and turrets. Within the town his knights had found rich plunder of gold and silver and precious stones, of wrought armour and princely weapons. So they were well rewarded for days of fighting and of toil.
But most of all Charlemagne was glad that not a heathen man remained within the walls. For those who would not be baptized, and become good Christian men, had been slain. Such was the great Emperor's way. To every prisoner was given the choice to live as Christian or to die as heathen.
[7] And now, resting after his labours and his battles, great Karl sat in a sunny orchard. Around him were gathered his mighty men. Wise and old, bearded and grave, they sat upon gay carpets spread upon the ground, talking together or playing chess. Of the younger knights, some wrestled or ran or tried their strength in friendly wise in the cool shadow of the trees. Among them was the Emperor's nephew Roland, the bravest knight of France, and his fast friend Oliver.
And into the cool shade of the orchard, where these knights rested and played, rode Blancandrin and his train, on their white mules. Bending low before Charlemagne,
[6] The Emperor Charlemagne was well pleased, for at last, after much fighting, he had taken the city of Cordres. The walls lay in ruins, and with his great war engines he had shattered the towers and turrets. Within the town his knights had found rich plunder of gold and silver and precious stones, of wrought armour and princely weapons. So they were well rewarded for days of fighting and of toil.
But most of all Charlemagne was glad that not a heathen man remained within the walls. For those who would not be baptized, and become good Christian men, had been slain. Such was the great Emperor's way. To every prisoner was given the choice to live as Christian or to die as heathen.
[7] And now, resting after his labours and his battles, great Karl sat in a sunny orchard. Around him were gathered his mighty men. Wise and old, bearded and grave, they sat upon gay carpets spread upon the ground, talking together or playing chess. Of the younger knights, some wrestled or ran or tried their strength in friendly wise in the cool shadow of the trees. Among them was the Emperor's nephew Roland, the bravest knight of France, and his fast friend Oliver.
And into the cool shade of the orchard, where these knights rested and played, rode Blancandrin and his train, on their white mules. Bending low before Charlemagne,
"In the name of God we greet thee," said the messengers.
Then kneeling humbly, Blancandrin spoke. "The valiant King Marsil sends me to thee," he said, "with presents rich and rare. He promises to become thy vassal; he will place his hands within thy hands, and swear to serve thee. But already thou hast been too long time distant from thy fair realm of [8] France. Go back, and there will King Marsil come to do thee homage."
When Blancandrin had finished speaking, the Emperor bowed his head in thought. He was never quick to speak, and now he pondered long before he answered the kneeling stranger. In silence around him, his own knights and the messengers of Spain awaited his reply.
At last Charlemagne raised his head. "Thou hast spoken well," he said to Blancandrin, "but King Marsil is my great enemy. Thy words are fair, but how may I know if there be any truth in them?"
This was even as Blancandrin had foreseen. "We will give thee hostages," he said,
"ten—twenty—whatever number thou wilt ask. I will send mine own son to thee. And if we keep not faith with thee, if King Marsil come not, as he swears he will, to bow the knee to thee and receive the baptism of Holy Christ, then mayest thou slay them all."
"So be it"; said Charlemagne, "it seemeth me King Marsil may yet find grace."
"So be it"; said Charlemagne, "it seemeth me King Marsil may yet find grace."
[9] Then as the day was far gone, and the evening sun sent long shadows through the trees, the Emperor gave orders that the Saracens should be lodged with honour, that every respect should be paid to them and that they should be waited upon as noble guests.
So the night passed and very early in the morning, Charlemagne rose. And after hearing morning prayer, he called his wise men round him that they might give him counsel.
"My lords and barons," he said, "King Marsil hath sent messengers to me with fair words and rich presents. He promises to be my vassal and to be baptized in the name of Holy Christ. And to this end he will follow me to France, if I now return thither. But how may I know whether he lie to me, or whether he speak truth?"
"Beware of him, beware!" cried the Franks.
John Owen:
However strong a castle may be, if a treacherous party resides inside (ready to betray at the first opportunity possible), the castle cannot be kept safe from the enemy. Traitors occupy our own hearts, ready to side with every temptation and to surrender to them all. "Sin and Temptation"
Psalm 12
was our morning devotion after we put this post on the net.....what an incredible truth to convey the message of this particular page!
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