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thing, and some another: but at length, because the business required haste, they left
the whole business to the prince Diabolus, judging him the most proper lord of the
place. So he drew up a letter as he thought fit, in answer to what Mr. Profane had
brought, and sent it to the Diabolonians that did dwell in Mansoul, by the same hand
that had brought theirs to him; and these were the contents thereof:—
‘To our offspring, the high and mighty Diabolonians that yet dwell in the town of
Mansoul, Diabolus, the great prince of Mansoul, wisheth a prosperous issue and
conclusion of those many brave enterprises, conspiracies, and designs, that you, of
your love and respect to our honour, have in your hearts to attempt to do against
Mansoul. Beloved children and disciples, my Lord Fornication, Adultery, and the
rest, we have here, in our desolate den, received, to our highest joy and content, your
welcome letter, by the hand of our trusty Mr. Profane; and to show how acceptable
your tidings were, we rang out our bell for gladness; for we rejoiced as much as we
could, when we perceived that yet we had friends in Mansoul, and such as sought our
honour and revenge in the ruin of the town of Mansoul. We also rejoiced to hear that
they are in a degenerated condition, and that they have offended their Prince, and
that he is gone. Their sickness also pleaseth us, as does also your health, might, and
strength. Glad also would we be, right horribly beloved, could we get this town into
our clutches again. Nor will we be sparing of spending our wit, our cunning, our
craft, and hellish inventions to bring to a wished conclusion this your brave
beginning in order thereto.
‘And take this for your comfort, (our birth, and our offspring,) that shall we again
surprise it and take it, we will attempt to put all your foes to the sword, and will make
you the great lords and captains of the place. Nor need you fear, if ever we get it
again, that we after that shall be cast out any more; for we will come with more
strength, and so lay far more fast hold than at the first we did. Besides, it is the law
of that Prince that now they own, that if we get them a second time, they shall be ours
forever.
‘Do you, therefore, our trusty Diabolonians, yet more pry into, and endeavour to spy
out the weakness of the town of Mansoul. We also would that you yourselves do
attempt to weaken them more and more. Send us word also by what means you
think we had best to attempt the regaining thereof: namely, whether by persuasion to
a vain and loose life; or, whether by tempting them to doubt and despair; or, whether
by blowing up of the town by the gunpowder of pride, and self-conceit. Do you also,
O ye brave Diabolonians, and true sons of the pit, be always in a readiness to make a
most hideous assault within, when we shall be ready to storm it without. Now speed
you in your project, and we in our desires, to the utmost power of our gates, which is
the wish of your great Diabolus, Mansoul’s enemy, and him that trembles when he
thinks of judgment to come. All the blessings of the pit be upon you, and so we close
up our letter.
‘Given at the pit’s mouth, by the joint consent of all the princes of darkness, to be
sent, to the force and power that we have yet remaining in Mansoul, by the hand of
Mr. Profane, by me, Diabolus.’
This letter, as was said, was sent to Mansoul, to the Diabolonians that yet remained
there, and that yet inhabited the wall, from the dark dungeon of Diabolus, by the
hand of Mr. Profane, by whom they also in Mansoul sent theirs to the pit. Now,
when this Mr. Profane had made his return, and was come to Mansoul again, he went
and came as he was wont to the house of Mr. Mischief, for there was the conclave,---
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and the place where the contrivers were met. Now, when they saw that their
messenger was returned safe and sound, they were greatly gladded thereat. Then he
presented them with his letter which he had brought from Diabolus for them; the
which, when they had read and considered, did much augment their gladness. They
asked him after the welfare of their friends, as how their Lord Diabolus, Lucifer, and
Beelzebub did, with the rest of those of the den. To which this Profane made answer,
‘Well, well, my lords; they are well, even as well as can be in their place. They also,’
said he, ‘did ring for joy at the reading of your letter, as you well perceived by this
when you read it.’
Now, as was said, when they had read their letter, and perceived that it encouraged
them in their work, they fell to their way of contriving again, namely, how they might
complete their Diabolonian design upon Mansoul. And the first thing that they
agreed upon was to keep all things from Mansoul as close as they could. ‘Let it not be
known, let not Mansoul be acquainted with what we design against it.’ The next
thing was, how, or by what means, they should try to bring to pass the ruin and
overthrow of Mansoul; and one said after this manner, and another said after
that. Then stood up Mr. Deceit, and said, ‘My right Diabolonian friends, our lords,
and the high ones of the deep dungeon, do propound unto us these three ways.
‘1. Whether we had best to seek its ruin by making Mansoul loose and vain.
‘2. Or whether by driving them to doubt and despair.
‘3. Or whether by endeavouring to blow them up by the gunpowder of pride and self-
conceit.
‘Now, I think, if we shall tempt them to pride, that may do something; and if we
tempt them to wantonness, that may help. But, in my mind, if we could drive them
into desperation, that would knock the nail on the head; for then we should have
them, in the first place, question the truth of the love of the heart of their Prince
towards them, and that will disgust him much. This, if it works well, will make them
leave off quickly their way of sending petitions to him; then farewell earnest
solicitations for help and supply; for then this conclusion lies naturally before them,
“As good do nothing, as do to no purpose.”’ So to Mr. Deceit they unanimously did
consent.
Then the next question was, But how shall we do to bring this our project to pass?
and it was answered by the same gentleman—that this might be the best way to do it:
‘Even let,’ quoth he, ‘so many of our friends as are willing to venture themselves for
the promoting of their prince’s cause, disguise themselves with apparel, change their
names, and go into the market like far country-men, and proffer to let themselves for
servants to the famous town of Mansoul, and let them pretend to do for their masters
as beneficially as may be; for by so doing they may, if Mansoul shall hire them, in
little time so corrupt and defile the corporation, that her now Prince shall be not only
further offended with them, but in conclusion shall spue them out of his mouth. And
when this is done, our prince Diabolus shall prey upon them with ease: yea, of
themselves they shall fall into the mouth of the eater.’
This project was no sooner propounded, but was as highly accepted, and forward
were all Diabolonians now to engage in so delicate an enterprise: but it was not
thought fit that all should do thus; wherefore they pitched upon two or three, namely,
the Lord Covetousness, the Lord Lasciviousness, and the Lord Anger. The Lord
Covetousness called himself by the name of Prudent-Thrifty; the Lord Lasciviousness---
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called himself by the name of Harmless-Mirth; and the Lord Anger called himself by
the name of Good-Zeal.
So upon a market-day they came into the market-place, three lusty fellows they were
to look on, and they were clothed in sheep’s russet, which was also now in a manner
as white as were the white robes of the men of Mansoul. Now the men could speak
the language of Mansoul well. So when they were come into the market-place, and
had offered to let themselves to the townsmen, they were presently taken up; for they
asked but little wages, and promised to do their masters great service.
Mr. Mind hired Prudent-Thrifty, and Mr. Godly-Fear hired Good-Zeal. True, this
fellow Harmless-Mirth did hang a little in hand, and could not so soon get him a
master as the others did, because the town of Mansoul was now in Lent, but after a
while, because Lent was almost out, the Lord Willbewill hired Harmless-Mirth to be
both his waiting man and his lackey: and thus they got them masters.
These villains now being got thus far into the houses of the men of Mansoul, quickly
began to do great mischief therein; for, being filthy, arch, and sly, they quickly
corrupted the families where they were; yea, they tainted their masters much,
especially this Prudent-Thrifty, and him they call Harmless-Mirth. True, he that
went under the visor of Good-Zeal, was not so well liked of his master; for he quickly
found that he was but a counterfeit rascal; the which when the fellow perceived, with
speed he made his escape from the house, or I doubt not but his master had hanged
him.
Well, when these vagabonds had thus far carried on their design, and had corrupted
the town as much as they could, in the next place they considered with themselves at
what time their prince Diabolus without, and themselves within the town, should
make an attempt to seize upon Mansoul; and they all agreed upon this, that a
market-day would be best for that work; for why? Then will the townsfolk be busy in
their ways: and always take this for a rule, when people are most busy in the world,
they least fear a surprise. ‘We also then,’ said they, ‘shall be able with less suspicion
to gather ourselves together for the work of our friends and lords; yea, and in such a
day, if we shall attempt our work, and miss it, we may, when they shall give us the
rout, the better hide ourselves in the crowd, and escape.’
These things being thus far agreed upon by them, they wrote another letter to
Diabolus, and sent it by the hand to Mr. Profane, the contents of which were these:—
‘The lords of Looseness send to the great and high Diabolus from our dens, caves,
holes, and strongholds, in and about the wall of the town of Mansoul, greeting:
‘Our great lord, and the nourisher of our lives, Diabolus—how glad we were when we
heard of your fatherhood’s readiness to comply with us, and help forward our design
in our attempts to ruin Mansoul, none can tell but those who, as we do, set
themselves against all appearance of good, when and wheresoever we find it.
‘Touching the encouragement that your greatness is pleased to give us to continue to
devise, contrive, and study the utter desolation of Mansoul, that we are not solicitous
about: for we know right well that it cannot but be pleasing and profitable to us to see
our enemies, and them that seek our lives, die at our feet, or fly before us. We
therefore are still contriving, and that to the best of our cunning, to make this work
most facile and easy to your lordships, and to us.
‘First, we considered of that most hellishly cunning, compacted, threefold project,
that by you was propounded to us in your last; and have concluded, that though to---
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blow them up with the gunpowder of pride would do well, and to do it by tempting
them to be loose and vain will help on, yet to contrive to bring them into the gulf of
desperation, we think will do best of all. Now we, who are at your beck, have thought
or two ways to do this: first we, for our parts, will make them as vile as we can, and
then you with us, at a time appointed, shall be ready to fall upon them with the
utmost force. And of all the nations that are at your whistle, we think that an army of
doubters may be the most likely to attack and overcome the town of Mansoul. Thus
shall we overcome these enemies, else the pit shall open her mouth upon them, and
desperation shall thrust them down into it. We have also, to effect this so much by us
desired design, sent already three of our trusty Diabolonians among them; they are
disguised in garb, they have changed their names, and are now accepted of them;
namely, Covetousness, Lasciviousness, and Anger. The name of Covetousness is
changed to Prudent-Thrifty, and him Mr. Mind has hired, and is almost become as
bad as our friend. Lasciviousness has changed his name to Harmless-Mirth, and he
is got to be the Lord Willbewill’s lackey; but he has made his master very
wanton. Anger changed his name into Good-Zeal, and was entertained by Mr. Godly-
Fear; but the peevish old gentleman took pepper in the nose, and turned our
companion out of his house. Nay, he has informed us since that he ran away from
him, or else his old master had hanged him up for his labour.
‘Now these have much helped forward our work and design upon Mansoul; for
notwithstanding the spite and quarrelsome temper of the old gentleman last
mentioned, the other two ply their business well, and are likely to ripen the work
apace.
‘Our next project is, that it be concluded that you come upon the town upon a
market-day, and that when they are upon the heat of their business; for then, to be
sure, they will be most secure, and least think that an assault will be made upon
them. They will also at such a time be less able to defend themselves, and to offend
you in the prosecution of our design. And we your trusty (and we are sure your
beloved) ones shall, when you shall make your furious assault without, be ready to
second the business within. So shall we, in all likelihood, be able to put Mansoul to
utter confusion, and to swallow them up before they can come to themselves. If your
serpentine heads, most subtile dragons, and our highly esteemed lords can find out a
better way than this, let us quickly know your minds.
‘To the monsters of the infernal cave, from the house of Mr. Mischief in Mansoul, by
the hand of Mr. Profane.’
Now all the while that the raging runagates and hellish Diabolonians were thus
contriving the ruin of the town of Mansoul, they (namely, the poor town itself) was in
a sad and woeful case; partly because they had so grievously offended Shaddai and
his Son, and partly because that the enemies thereby got strength within them
afresh; and also because, though they had by many petitions made suit to the Prince
Emmanuel, and to his Father Shaddai by him, for their pardon and favour, yet
hitherto obtained they not one smile; but contrariwise, through the craft and subtilty
of the domestic Diabolonians, their cloud was made to grow blacker and blacker, and
their Emmanuel to stand at further distance.
The sickness also did still greatly rage in Mansoul, both among the captains and the
inhabitants of the town; and their enemies only were now lively and strong, and
likely to become the head, whilst Mansoul was made the tail.
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By this time the letter last mentioned, that was written by the Diabolonians that yet
lurked in the town of Mansoul, was conveyed to Diabolus in the black den, by the
hand of Mr. Profane. He carried the letter by Hell-Gate Hill as afore, and conveyed it
by Cerberus to his lord.
But when Cerberus and Mr. Profane did meet, they were presently as great as
beggars, and thus they fell into discourse about Mansoul, and about the project
against her.
‘Ah! old friend,’ quoth Cerberus, ‘art thou come to Hell-Gate Hill again? By St. Mary,
I am glad to see thee!’
Prof. Yes, my lord, I am come again about the concerns of the town of Mansoul.
Cerb. Prithee, tell me what condition is that town of Mansoul in at present?
Prof. In a brave condition, my lord, for us, and for my lords, the lords of this place, I
trow for they are greatly decayed as to godliness, and that is as well as our heart can
wish; their Lord is greatly out with them, and that doth also please us well. We have
already also a foot in their dish, for our Diabolonian friends are laid in their bosoms,
and what do we lack but to be masters of the place! Besides, our trusty friends in
Mansoul are daily plotting to betray it to the lords of this town; also the sickness
rages bitterly among them; and that which makes up all, we hope at last to prevail.’
Then said the dog of Hell-Gate, ‘No time like this to assault them. I wish that the
enterprise be followed close, and that the success desired may be soon effected: yea, I
wish it for the poor Diabolonians’ sakes, that live in the continual fear of their lives in
that traitorous town of Mansoul.’
Prof. The contrivance is almost finished, the lords in Mansoul that are Diabolonians
are at it day and night, and the other are like silly doves; they want heart to be
concerned with their state and to consider that ruin is at hand. Besides you may, yea,
must think, when you put all things together, that there are many reasons that
prevail with Diabolus to make what haste he can.
Cerb. Thou hast said as it is; I am glad things are at this pass. Go in, my brave
Profane, to my lords, they will give thee for thy welcome as good a coranto as the
whole of this kingdom will afford. I have sent thy letter in already.
Then Mr. Profane went into the den, and his lord Diabolus met him, and saluted him
with, ‘Welcome, my trusty servant: I have been made glad with thy letter.’ The rest of
the lords of the pit gave him also their salutations. Then Profane, after obeisance
made to them all, said, ‘Let Mansoul be given to my lord Diabolus, and let him be her
king for ever.’ And with that, the hollow belly and yawning gorge of hell gave so loud
and hideous a groan, (for that is the music of that place,) that it made the mountains
about it totter, as if they would fall in pieces.
Now, after they had read and considered the letter, they consulted what answer to
return; and the first that did speak to it was Lucifer.
Then said he, ‘The first project of the Diabolonians in Mansoul is likely to be lucky,
and to take; namely, that they will, by all the ways and means they can, make
Mansoul yet more vile and filthy: no way to destroy a soul like this. Our old friend
Balaam went this way and prospered many years ago; let this therefore stand with us
for a maxim, and be to Diabolonians for a general rule in all ages; for nothing can
make this to fail but grace, in which I would hope that this town has no share. But
whether to fall upon them on a market-day, because of their cumber in business, that---
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I would should be under debate. And there is more reason why this head should be
debated, than why some other should; because upon this will turn the whole of what
we shall attempt. If we time not our business well, our whole project may fail. Our
friends, the Diabolonians, say that a market-day is best; for then will Mansoul be
most busy, and have fewest thoughts of a surprise. But what if also they should
double their guards on those days? (and methinks nature and reason should teach
them to do it;) and what if they should keep such a watch on those days as the
necessity of their present case doth require? yea, what if their men should be always
in arms on those days? then you may, my lords, be disappointed in your attempts,
and may bring our friends in the town to utter danger of unavoidable ruin.’
Then said the great Beelzebub, ‘There is something in what my lord hath said; but his
conjecture may, or may not fall out. Nor hath my lord laid it down as that which
must not be receded from; for I know that he said it only to provoke to a warm
debate thereabout. Therefore we must understand, if we can, whether the town of
Mansoul has such sense and knowledge of her decayed state, and of the design that
we have on foot against her, as doth provoke her to set watch and ward at her gates,
and to double them on market-days. But if, after inquiry made, it shall be found that
they are asleep, then any day will do, but a market-day is best; and this is my
judgment in this case.’
Then quoth Diabolus, ‘How should we know this?’ and it was answered, ‘Inquire
about it at the mouth of Mr. Profane.’ So Profane was called in, and asked the
question, and he made his answer as follows:—
Prof. My lords, so far as I can gather, this is at present the condition of the town of
Mansoul: they are decayed in their faith and love; Emmanuel, their Prince, has given
them the back; they send often by petition to fetch him again, but he maketh not
haste to answer their request, nor is there much reformation among them.
Diab. I am glad that they are backward in a reformation, but yet I am afraid of their
petitioning. However, their looseness of life is a sign that there is not much heart in
what they do, and without the heart things are little worth. But go on, my masters; I
will divert you, my lords, no longer.
Beel. If the case be so with Mansoul, as Mr. Profane has described it to be, it will be
no great matter what day we assault it; not their prayers, nor their power will do
them much service.
When Beelzebub had ended his oration, then Apollyon did begin. ‘My opinion,’ said
he, ‘concerning this matter, is, that we go on fair and softly, not doing things in a
hurry. Let our friends in Mansoul go on still to pollute and defile it, by seeking to
draw it yet more into sin (for there is nothing like sin to devour Mansoul). If this be
done, and it takes effect, Mansoul, of itself, will leave off to watch, to petition, or
anything else that should tend to her security and safety; for she will forget her
Emmanuel, she will not desire his company, and can she be gotten thus to live, her
Prince will not come to her in haste. Our trusty friend, Mr. Carnal-Security, with one
of his tricks did drive him out of the town; and why may not my Lord Covetousness,
and my Lord Lasciviousness, by what they may do, keep him out of the town? And
this I will tell you, (not because you know it not,) that two or three Diabolonians, if
entertained and countenanced by the town of Mansoul, will do more to the keeping
of Emmanuel from them, and towards making the town of Mansoul your own, than
can an army of a legion that should be sent out from us to withstand him. Let,
therefore, this first project that our friends in Mansoul have set on foot, be strongly---
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and diligently carried on, with all cunning and craft imaginable; and let them send
continually, under one guise or another, more and other of their men to play with the
people of Mansoul; and then, perhaps, we shall not need to be at the charge of
making a war upon them; or if that must of necessity be done, yet the more sinful
they are, the more unable, to be sure, they will be to resist us, and then the more
easily we shall overcome them. And besides, suppose (and that is the worst that can
be supposed) that Emmanuel should come to them again, why may not the same
means, or the like, drive him from them once more? Yea, why may he not, by their
lapse into that sin again, be driven from them for ever, for the sake of which he was
at the first driven from them for a season? And if this should happen, then away go
with him his rams, his slings, his captains, his soldiers, and he leaveth Mansoul
naked and bare. Yea, will not this town, when she sees herself utterly forsaken of her
Prince, of her own accord open her gates again unto you, and make of you as in the
days of old? But this must be done by time, a few days will not effect so great a work
as this.’
So soon as Apollyon had made an end of speaking, Diabolus began to blow out his
own malice, and to plead his own cause; and he said, ‘My lords, and powers of the
cave, my true and trusty friends, I have with much impatience, as becomes me, given
ear to your long and tedious orations. But my furious gorge, and empty paunch, so
lusteth after a repossession of my famous town of Mansoul, that whatever comes out,
I can wait no longer to see the events of lingering projects. I must, and that without
further delay, seek, by all means I can, to fill my insatiable gulf with the soul and
body of the town of Mansoul. Therefore lend me your heads, your hearts, and your
help, now I am going to recover my town of Mansoul.’
When the lords and princes of the pit saw the flaming desire that was in Diabolus to
devour the miserable town of Mansoul, they left off to raise any more objections, but
consented to lend him what strength they could, though had Apollyon’s advice been
taken, they had far more fearfully distressed the town of Mansoul. But, I say, they
were willing to lend him what strength they could, not knowing what need they
might have of him, when they should engage for themselves, as he. Wherefore they
fell to advising about the next thing propounded, namely, what soldiers they were,
and also how many, with whom Diabolus should go against the town of Mansoul to
take it; and after some debate, it was concluded, according as in the letter the
Diabolonians had suggested, that none were more fit for that expedition than an
army of terrible doubters. They therefore concluded to send against Mansoul an
army of sturdy doubters. The number thought fit to be employed in that service was
between twenty and thirty thousand. So then the result of that great council of those
high and mighty lords was—That Diabolus should even now, out of hand, beat up his
drum for men in the land of Doubting, which land lieth upon the confines of the
place called Hell-Gate Hill, for men that might be employed by him against the
miserable town of Mansoul. It was also concluded, that these lords themselves
should help him in the war, and that they would to that end head and manage his
men. So they drew up a letter, and sent back to the Diabolonians that lurked in
Mansoul, and that waited for the back-coming of Mr. Profane, to signify to them into
what method and forwardness they at present had put their design. The contents
whereof now follow:—
‘From the dark and horrible dungeon of hell, Diabolus with all the society of the
princes of darkness, sends to our trusty ones, in and about the walls of the town of---
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Mansoul, now impatiently waiting for our most devilish answer to their venomous
and most poisonous design against the town of Mansoul.
‘Our native ones, in whom from day to day we boast, and in whose actions all the
year long we do greatly delight ourselves, we received your welcome, because highly
esteemed letter, at the hand of our trusty and greatly beloved, the old gentleman, Mr.
Profane. And do give you to understand, that when we had broken it up, and had
read the contents thereof, to your amazing memory be it spoken, our yawning
hollow-bellied place, where we are, made so hideous and yelling a noise for joy, that
the mountains that stand round about Hell-Gate Hill, had like to have been shaken to
pieces at the sound thereof.
‘We could also do no less than admire your faithfulness to us, with the greatness of
that subtilty that now hath showed itself to be in your heads to serve us against the
town of Mansoul. For you have invented for us so excellent a method for our
proceeding against that rebellious people, a more effectual cannot be thought of by
all the wits of hell. The proposals, therefore, which now, at last, you have sent us,
since we saw them, we have done little else but highly approved and admired them.
‘Nay, we shall, to encourage you in the profundity of your craft, let you know, that, at
a full assembly and conclave of our princes and principalities of this place, your
project was discoursed and tossed from one side of our cave to the other by their
mightinesses; but a better, and as was by themselves judged, a more fit and proper
way by all their wits, could not be invented, to surprise, take, and make our own, the
rebellious town of Mansoul.
‘Wherefore, in fine, all that was said that varied from what you had in your letter
propounded, fell of itself to the ground, and yours only was stuck to by Diabolus, the
prince; yea, his gaping gorge and yawning paunch was on fire to put your invention
into execution.
‘We therefore give you to understand that our stout, furious, and unmerciful
Diabolus is raising, for your relief, and the ruin of the rebellious town of Mansoul,
more than twenty thousand doubters to come against that people. They are all stout
and sturdy men, and men that of old have been accustomed to war, and that can
therefore well endure the drum. I say, he is doing this work of his with all the
possible speed he can; for his heart and spirit is engaged in it. We desire, therefore,
that, as you have hitherto stuck to us, and given us both advice and encouragement
thus far, you still will prosecute our design; nor shall you lose, but be gainers thereby;
yea, we intend to make you the lords of Mansoul.
‘One thing may not by any means be omitted, that is, those with us do desire that
every one of you that are in Mansoul would still use all your power, cunning, and
skill, with delusive persuasions, yet to draw the town of Mansoul into more sin and
wickedness, even that sin may be finished and bring forth death.
‘For thus it is concluded with us, that the more vile, sinful, and debauched the town
of Mansoul is, more backward will be their Emmanuel to come to their help, either
by presence or other relief; yea, the more sinful, the more weak, and so the more
unable will they be to make resistance when we shall make our assault upon them to
swallow them up. Yea, that may cause that their mighty Shaddai himself may cast
them out of his protection; yea, and send for his captains and soldiers home, with his
slings and rams, and leave them naked and bare; and then the town of Mansoul will
of itself open to us, and fall as the fig into the mouth of the eater. Yea, to be sure that
we then with a great deal of ease shall come upon her and overcome her.
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‘As to the time of our coming upon Mansoul, we, as yet, have not fully resolved upon
that, though at present some of us think as you, that a market-day, or a market-day
at night, will certainly be the best. However, do you be ready, and when you shall
hear our roaring drum without, do you be as busy to make the most horrible
confusion within. So shall Mansoul certainly be distressed before and behind, and
shall not know which way to betake herself for help. My Lord Lucifer, my Lord
Beelzebub, my Lord Apollyon, my Lord Legion, with the rest, salute you, as does also
my Lord Diabolus; and we wish both you, with all that you do, or shall possess, the
very self-same fruit and success for their doing as we ourselves at present enjoy for
ours.
‘From our dreadful confines in the most fearful pit, we salute you, and so do those
many legions here with us, wishing you may be as hellishly prosperous as we desire
to be ourselves. By the letter-carrier, Mr. Profane.’
Then Mr. Profane addressed himself for his return to Mansoul, with his errand from
the horrible pit to the Diabolonians that dwelt in that town. So he came up the stairs
from the deep to the mouth of the cave where Cerberus was. Now when Cerberus
saw him, he asked how did matters go below, about and against the town of Mansoul.
Prof. Things go as well as we can expect. The letter that I carried thither was highly
approved, and well liked by all my lords, and I am returning to tell our Diabolonians
so. I have an answer to it here in my bosom, that I am sure will make our masters
that sent me glad; for the contents thereof are to encourage them to pursue their
design to the utmost, and to be ready also to fall on within, when they shall see my
Lord Diabolus beleaguering the town of Mansoul.
Cerb. But does he intend to go against them himself?
Prof. Does he! Ay! and he will take along with him more than twenty thousand, all
sturdy Doubters, and men of war, picked men from the land of Doubting, to serve
him in the expedition.
Then was Cerberus glad, and said, ‘And is there such brave preparations a-making to
go against the miserable town of Mansoul? And would I might be put at the head of a
thousand of them, that I might also show my valour against the famous town of
Mansoul.’
Prof. Your wish may come to pass; you look like one that has mettle enough, and my
lord will have with him those that are valiant and stout. But my business requires
haste.
Cerb. Ay, so it does. Speed thee to the town of Mansoul, with all the deepest
mischiefs that this place can afford thee. And when thou shalt come to the house of
Mr. Mischief, the place where the Diabolonians meet to plot, tell them that Cerberus
doth wish them his service, and that if he may, he will with the army come up against
the famous town of Mansoul.
Prof. That I will. And I know that my lords that are there will be glad to hear it, and
to see you also.
So after a few more such kind of compliments, Mr. Profane took his leave of his
friend Cerberus; and Cerberus again, with a thousand of their pit-wishes, bid him
haste, with all speed, to his masters. The which when he had heard, he made
obeisance, and began to gather up his heels to run.
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Thus, therefore, he returned, and went and came to Mansoul; and going, as afore, to
the house of Mr. Mischief, there he found the Diabolonians assembled, and waiting
for his return. Now when he was come, and had presented himself, he also delivered
to them his letter, and adjoined this compliment to them therewith: ‘My lords, from
the confines of the pit, the high and mighty principalities and powers of the den
salute you here, the true Diabolonians of the town of Mansoul. Wishing you always
the most proper of their benedictions, for the great service, high attempts, and brave
achievements that you have put yourselves upon, for the restoring to our prince
Diabolus the famous town of Mansoul.’
This was therefore the present state of the miserable town of Mansoul: she had
offended her Prince, and he was gone; she had encouraged the powers of hell, by her
foolishness, to come against her to seek her utter destruction.
True, the town of Mansoul was somewhat made sensible of her sin, but the
Diabolonians were gotten into her bowels; she cried, but Emmanuel was gone, and
her cries did not fetch him as yet again. Besides, she knew not now whether, ever or
never, he would return and come to his Mansoul again; nor did they know the power
and industry of the enemy, nor how forward they were to put in execution that plot of
hell that they had devised against her.
They did, indeed, still send petition after petition to the Prince, but he answered all
with silence. They did neglect reformation, and that was as Diabolus would have it;
for he knew, if they regarded iniquity in their heart, their King would not hear their
prayer; they therefore did still grow weaker and weaker, and were as a rolling thing
before the whirlwind. They cried to their King for help, and laid Diabolonians in
their bosoms: what therefore should a King do to them? Yea, there seemed now to be
a mixture in Mansoul; the Diabolonians and the Mansoulians would walk the streets
together. Yea, they began to seek their peace; for they thought that, since the
sickness had been so mortal in Mansoul, it was in vain to go to handygripes with
them. Besides, the weakness of Mansoul was the strength of their enemies; and the
sins of Mansoul, the advantage of the Diabolonians. The foes of Mansoul did also
now begin to promise themselves the town for a possession: there was no great
difference now betwixt Mansoulians and Diabolonians: both seemed to be masters of
Mansoul. Yea, the Diabolonians increased and grew, but the town of Mansoul
diminished greatly. There were more than eleven thousand men, women, and
children that died by the sickness in Mansoul.
But now, as Shaddai would have it, there was one whose name was Mr. Prywell, a
great lover of the people of Mansoul. And he, as his manner was, did go listening up
and down in Mansoul to see, and to hear, if at any time he might, whether there was
any design against it or no. For he was always a jealous man, and feared some
mischief sometime would befal it, either from the Diabolonians within, or from some
power without. Now upon a time it so happened, as Mr. Prywell went listening here
and there, that he lighted upon a place called Vilehill, in Mansoul, where
Diabolonians used to meet; so hearing a muttering, (you must know that it was in the
night,) he softly drew near to hear; nor had he stood long under the house-end, (for
there stood a house there,) but he heard one confidently affirm, that it was not, or
would not be long before Diabolus should possess himself again of Mansoul; and that
then the Diabolonians did intend to put all Mansoulians to the sword, and would kill
and destroy the King’s captains, and drive all his soldiers out of the town. He said,
moreover, that he knew there were above twenty thousand fighting men prepared by---
109.
110.
Diabolus for the accomplishing of this design, and that it would not be months before
they all should see it.
When Mr. Prywell had heard this story, he did quickly believe it was true: wherefore
he went forthwith to my Lord Mayor’s house, and acquainted him therewith; who,
sending for the subordinate preacher, brake the business to him; and he as soon gave
the alarm to the town; for he was now the chief preacher in Mansoul, because, as yet,
my Lord Secretary was ill at ease. And this was the way that the subordinate
preacher did take to alarm the town therewith. The same hour he caused the lecture
bell to be rung; so the people came together: he gave them then a short exhortation
to watchfulness, and made Mr. Prywell’s news the argument thereof. ‘For,’ said he,
‘an horrible plot is contrived against Mansoul, even to massacre us all in a day, nor is
this story to be slighted; for Mr. Prywell is the author thereof. Mr. Prywell was
always a lover of Mansoul, a sober and judicious man, a man that is no tattler, nor
raiser of false reports, but one that loves to look into the very bottom of matters, and
talks nothing of news, but by very solid arguments.
‘I will call him, and you shall hear him your own selves;’ so he called him, and he
came and told his tale so punctually, and affirmed its truth with such ample grounds,
that Mansoul fell presently under a conviction of the truth of what he said. The
preacher did also back him, saying, ‘Sirs, it is not irrational for us to believe it, for we
have provoked Shaddai to anger, and have sinned Emmanuel out of the town; we
have had too much correspondence with Diabolonians, and have forsaken our former
mercies: no marvel then, if the enemy both within and without should design and
plot our ruin; and what time like this to do it? The sickness is now in the town, and
we have been made weak thereby. Many a good meaning man is dead, and the
Diabolonians of late grow stronger and stronger.
‘Besides,’ quoth the subordinate preacher, ‘I have received from this good truth-teller
this one inkling further, that he understood by those that he overheard, that several
letters have lately passed between the furies and the Diabolonians in order to our
destruction.’ When Mansoul heard all this, and not being able to gainsay it, they lift
up their voice and wept. Mr. Prywell did also, in the presence of the townsmen,
confirm all that their subordinate preacher had said. Wherefore they now set afresh
to bewail their folly, and to a doubling of petitions to Shaddai and his Son. They also
brake the business to the captains, high commanders, and men of war in the town of
Mansoul, entreating them to use the means to be strong, and to take good courage;
and that they would look after their harness, and make themselves ready to give
Diabolus battle by night and by day, shall he come, as they are informed he will, to
beleaguer the town of Mansoul.
When the captains heard this, they being always true lovers of the town of Mansoul,
what do they but like so many Samsons they shake themselves, and come together to
consult and contrive how to defeat those bold and hellish contrivances that were
upon the wheel by the means of Diabolus and his friends against the now sickly,
weakly, and much impoverished town of Mansoul; and they agreed upon these
following particulars:—
1. That the gates of Mansoul should be kept shut, and made fast with bars and locks,
and that all persons that went out, or came in, should be very strictly examined by
the captains of the guards, ‘to the end,’ said they, ‘that those that are managers of the
plot amongst us, may, either coming or going, be taken; and that we may also find
out who are the great contrivers, amongst us, of our ruin.’
110.
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2. The next thing was, that a strict search should be made for all kind of Diabolonians
throughout the whole town of Mansoul; and that every man’s house from top to
bottom should be looked into, and that, too, house by house, that if possible a further
discovery might be made of all such among them as had a hand in these designs.
3. It was further concluded upon, that wheresoever or with whomsoever any of the
Diabolonians were found, that even those of the town of Mansoul that had given
them house and harbour, should to their shame, and the warning of others, take
penance in the open place.
4. It was, moreover, resolved by the famous town of Mansoul, that a public fast, and a
day of humiliation, should be kept throughout the whole corporation, to the
justifying of their Prince, the abasing of themselves before him for their
transgressions against him, and against Shaddai, his Father. It was further resolved,
that all such in Mansoul as did not on that day endeavour to keep that fast, and to
humble themselves for their faults, but that should mind their worldly employs, or be
found wandering up and down the streets, should be taken for Diabolonians, and
should suffer as Diabolonians for such their wicked doings.
5. It was further concluded then, that with what speed, and with what warmth of
mind they could, they would renew their humiliation for sin, and their petitions to
Shaddai for help; they also resolved, to send tidings to the court of all that Mr.
Prywell had told them.
6. It was also determined, that thanks should be given by the town of Mansoul to Mr.
Prywell, for his diligent seeking of the welfare of their town: and further, that
forasmuch as he was so naturally inclined to seek their good, and also to undermine
their foes, they gave him a commission of scout-master-general, for the good of the
town of Mansoul.
When the corporation, with their captains, had thus concluded, they did as they had
said; they shut up their gates, they made for Diabolonians strict search, they made
those with whom any were found to take penance in the open place: they kept their
fast, and renewed their petitions to their Prince, and Mr. Prywell managed his charge
and the trust that Mansoul had put in his hands, with great conscience and good
fidelity; for he gave himself wholly up to his employ, and that not only within the
town, but he went out to pry, to see, and to hear.
And not many days after he provided for his journey, and went towards Hell-Gate
Hill, into the country where the Doubters were, where he heard of all that had been
talked of in Mansoul, and he perceived also that Diabolus was almost ready for his
march, etc. So he came back with speed, and, calling the captains and elders of
Mansoul together, he told them where he had been, what he had heard, and what he
had seen. Particularly, he told them that Diabolus was almost ready for his march,
and that he had made old Mr. Incredulity, that once brake prison in Mansoul, the
general of his army; that his army consisted all of Doubters, and that their number
was above twenty thousand. He told, moreover, that Diabolus did intend to bring
with him the chief princes of the infernal pit, and that he would make them chief
captains over his Doubters. He told them, moreover, that it was certainly true that
several of the black den would, with Diabolus, ride reformades to reduce the town of
Mansoul to the obedience of Diabolus, their prince.
He said, moreover, that he understood by the Doubters, among whom he had been,
that the reason why old Incredulity was made general of the whole army, was
because none truer than he to the tyrant; and because he had an implacable spite---
111.
112.
against the welfare of the town of Mansoul. Besides, said he, he remembers the
affronts that Mansoul has given him, and he is resolved to be revenged of them.
But the black princes shall be made high commanders, only Incredulity shall be over
them all; because, which I had almost forgot, he can more easily, and more
dexterously, beleaguer the town of Mansoul, than can any of the princes besides.
Now, when the captains of Mansoul, with the elders of the town, had heard the
tidings that Mr. Prywell did bring, they thought it expedient, without further delay, to
put into execution the laws that against the Diabolonians their Prince had made for
them, and given them in commandment to manage against them. Wherefore,
forthwith a diligent and impartial search was made in all houses in Mansoul, for all
and all manner of Diabolonians. Now, in the house of Mr. Mind, and in the house of
the great Lord Willbewill, were two Diabolonians found. In Mr. Mind’s house was
one Lord Covetousness found; but he had changed his name to Prudent-Thrifty. In
my Lord Willbewill’s house, one Lasciviousness was found; but he had changed his
name to Harmless-Mirth. These two the captains and elders of the town of Mansoul
took, and committed them to custody under the hand of Mr. Trueman, the gaoler;
and this man handled them so severely, and loaded them so well with irons, that in
time they both fell into a very deep consumption, and died in the prison-house; their
masters also, according to the agreement of the captains and elders, were brought to
take penance in the open place to their shame, and for a warning to the rest of the
town of Mansoul.
Now, this was the manner of penance in those days: the persons offending being
made sensible of the evil of their doings, were enjoined open confession of their
faults, and a strict amendment of their lives.
After this, the captains and elders of Mansoul sought yet to find out more
Diabolonians, wherever they lurked, whether in dens, caves, holes, vaults, or where
else they could, in or about the wall or town of Mansoul. But though they could
plainly see their footing, and so follow them by their track and smell to their holds,
even to the mouths of their caves and dens, yet take them, hold them, and do justice
upon them, they could not; their ways were so crooked, their holds so strong, and
they so quick to take sanctuary there.
But Mansoul did now with so stiff an hand rule over the Diabolonians that were left,
that they were glad to shrink into corners: time was when they durst walk openly,
and in the day; but now they were forced to embrace privacy and the night: time was
when a Mansoulian was their companion; but now they counted them deadly
enemies. This good change did Mr. Prywell’s intelligence make in the famous town
of Mansoul.
By this time, Diabolus had finished his army which he intended to bring with him for
the ruin of Mansoul; and had set over them captains, and other field officers, such as
liked his furious stomach best: himself was lord paramount, Incredulity was general
of his army, their highest captains shall be named afterwards; but now for their
officers, colours, and scutcheons.
1. Their first captain was Captain Rage: he was captain over the election doubters, his
were the red colours; his standard-bearer was Mr. Destructive, and the great red
dragon he had for his scutcheon.
112.
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2. The second captain was Captain Fury: he was captain over the vocation doubters;
his standard-bearer was Mr. Darkness, his colours were those that were pale, and he
had for his scutcheon the fiery flying serpent.
3. The third captain was Captain Damnation: he was captain over the grace doubters;
his were the red colours, Mr. No-Life bare them, and he had for his scutcheon the
black den.
4. The fourth captain was Captain Insatiable; he was captain over the faith doubters:
his were the red colours, Mr. Devourer bare them, and he had for a scutcheon the
yawning jaws.
5. The fifth captain was Captain Brimstone: he was captain over the perseverance
doubters; his also were the red colours, Mr. Burning bare them, and his scutcheon
was the blue and stinking flame.
6. The sixth captain was Captain Torment: he was captain over the resurrection
doubters; his colours were those that were pale; Mr. Gnaw was his standard-bearer,
and he had the black worm for his scutcheon.
7. The seventh captain was Captain No-Ease; he was captain over the salvation
doubters; his were the red colours, Mr. Restless bare them, and his scutcheon was
the ghastly picture of death.
8. The eighth captain was the Captain Sepulchre: he was captain over the glory
doubters; his also were the pale colours, Mr. Corruption was his standard-bearer,
and he had for his scutcheon a skull, and dead men’s bones.
9. The ninth captain was Captain Past-Hope; he was captain of those that are called
the felicity doubters; his standard-bearer was Mr. Despair; his also were the red
colours, and his scutcheon was a hot iron and the hard heart.
These were his captains, and these were their forces, these were their standards,
these were their colours, and these were their scutcheons. Now, over these did the
great Diabolus make superior captains, and they were in number seven: as, namely,
the Lord Beelzebub, the Lord Lucifer, the Lord Legion, the Lord Apollyon, the Lord
Python, the Lord Cerberus, and the Lord Belial; these seven he set over the captains,
and Incredulity was lord-general, and, Diabolus was king. The reformades also, such
as were like themselves, were made some of them captains of hundreds, and some of
them captains of more. And thus was the army of Incredulity completed.
So they set out at Hell-Gate Hill, for there they had their rendezvous, from whence
they came with a straight course upon their march toward the town of
Mansoul. Now, as was hinted before, the town had, as Shaddai would have it,
received from the mouth of Mr. Prywell the alarm of their coming before. Wherefore
they set a strong watch at the gates, and had also doubled their guards: they also
mounted their slings in good places, where they might conveniently cast out their
great stones to the annoyance of their furious enemy.
Nor could those Diabolonians that were in the town do that hurt as was designed
they should; for Mansoul was now awake. But alas! poor people, they were sorely
affrighted at the first appearance of their foes, and at their sitting down before the
town, especially when they heard the roaring of their drum. This, to speak truth, was
amazingly hideous to hear; it frighted all men seven miles round, if they were but
awake and heard it. The streaming of their colours was also terrible and dejecting to
behold.
113.
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When Diabolus was come up against the town, first he made his approach to Ear-
gate, and gave it a furious assault, supposing, as it seems, that his friends in Mansoul
had been ready to do the work within; but care was taken of that before, by the
vigilance of the captains. Wherefore, missing of the help that he expected from them,
and finding his army warmly attended with the stones that the slingers did sling, (for
that I will say for the captains, that considering the weakness that yet was upon them
by reason of the long sickness that had annoyed the town of Mansoul, they did
gallantly behave themselves,) he was forced to make some retreat from Mansoul, and
to entrench himself and his men in the field without the reach of the slings of the
town.
Now having entrenched himself, he did cast up four mounts against the town: the
first he called Mount Diabolus, putting his own name thereon, the more to affright
the town of Mansoul; the other three he called thus—Mount Alecto, Mount Megara,
and Mount Tisiphone; for these are the names of the dreadful furies of hell. Thus he
began to play his game with Mansoul, and to serve it as doth the lion his prey, even to
make it fall before his terror. But, as I said, the captains and soldiers resisted so
stoutly, and did do such execution with their stones, that they made him, though
against stomach, to retreat, wherefore Mansoul began to take courage.
Now upon Mount Diabolus, which was raised on the north side of the town, there did
the tyrant set up his standard, and a fearful thing it was to behold; for he had
wrought in it by devilish art, after the manner of a scutcheon, a flaming flame fearful
to behold, and the picture of Mansoul burning in it.
When Diabolus had thus done, he commanded that his drummer should every night
approach the walls of the town of Mansoul, and so to beat a parley; the command
was to do it at nights, for in the daytime they annoyed him with their slings; for the
tyrant said, that he had a mind to parley with the now trembling town of Mansoul,
and he commanded that the drums should beat every night, that through weariness
they might at last, if possible, (at the first they were unwilling yet,) be forced to do it.
So this drummer did as commanded: he arose, and did beat his drum. But when his
drum did go, if one looked toward the town of Mansoul, ‘Behold darkness and
sorrow, and the light was darkened in the heaven thereof.’ No noise was ever heard
upon earth more terrible, except the voice of Shaddai when he speaketh. But how did
Mansoul tremble! it now looked for nothing but forthwith to be swallowed up.
When this drummer had beaten for a parley, he made this speech to Mansoul: ‘My
master has bid me tell you, that if you will willingly submit, you shall have the good
of the earth; but if you shall be stubborn, he is resolved to take you by force.’ But by
that the fugitive had done beating his drum, the people of Mansoul had betaken
themselves to the captains that were in the castle, so that there was none to regard,
nor to give this drummer an answer; so he proceeded no further that night, but
returned again to his master to the camp.
When Diabolus saw that by drumming he could not work out Mansoul to his will, the
next night he sendeth his drummer without his drum, still to let the townsmen know
that he had a mind to parley with them. But when all came to all, his parley was
turned into a summons to the town to deliver up themselves: but they gave him
neither heed nor hearing: for they remembered what at first it cost them to hear him
a few words.
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The next night he sends again, and then who should be his messenger to Mansoul but
the terrible Captain Sepulchre; so Captain Sepulchre came up to the walls of
Mansoul, and made this oration to the town:—
‘O ye inhabitants of the rebellious town of Mansoul! I summon you in the name of
the Prince Diabolus, that, without any more ado, you set open the gates of your town,
and admit the great lord to come in. But if you shall still rebel, when we have taken
to us the town by force, we will swallow you up as the grave; wherefore if you will
hearken to my summons, say so, and if not then let me know.
‘The reason of this my summons,’ quoth he, ‘is, for that my lord is your undoubted
prince and lord, as you yourselves have formerly owned. Nor shall that assault that
was given to my lord, when Emmanuel dealt so dishonourably by him, prevail with
him to lose his right, and to forbear to attempt to recover his own. Consider, then, O
Mansoul, with thyself, wilt thou show thyself peaceable, or no? If thou shalt quietly
yield up thyself, then our old friendship shall be renewed; but if thou shalt yet refuse
and rebel, then expect nothing but fire and sword.’
When the languishing town of Mansoul had heard this summoner and his summons,
they were yet more put to their dumps, but made to the captain no answer at all; so
away he went as he came.
But, after some consultation among themselves, as also with some of their captains,
they applied themselves afresh to the Lord Secretary for counsel and advice from
him; for this Lord Secretary was their chief preacher, (as also is mentioned some
pages before,) only now he was ill at ease; and of him they begged favour in these two
or three things—
1. That he would look comfortably upon them, and not keep himself so much retired
from them as formerly. Also, that he would be prevailed with to give them a hearing,
while they should make known their miserable condition to him. But to this he told
them as before, that ‘as yet he was but ill at ease, and therefore could not do as he
had formerly done.’
2. The second thing that they desired was, that he would be pleased to give them his
advice about their now so important affairs, for that Diabolus was come and set down
before the town with no less than twenty thousand doubters. They said, moreover,
that both he and his captains were cruel men, and that they were afraid of them. But
to this he said, ‘You must look to the law of the Prince, and there see what is laid
upon you to do.’
3. Then they desired that his highness would help them to frame a petition to
Shaddai, and unto Emmanuel his Son, and that he would set his own hand thereto as
a token that he was one with them in it: ‘For,’ said they, ‘my Lord, many a one have
we sent, but can get no answer of peace; but now, surely, one with thy hand unto it
may obtain good for Mansoul.’
But all the answer that he gave to this was, ‘that they had offended their Emmanuel,
and had also grieved himself, and that therefore they must as yet partake of their own
devices.’
This answer of the Lord Secretary fell like a millstone upon them; yea, it crushed
them so that they could not tell what to do; yet they durst not comply with the
demands of Diabolus, nor with the demands of his captain. So then here were the
straits that the town of Mansoul was betwixt, when the enemy came upon her: her
foes were ready to swallow her up, and her friends did forbear to help her.
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Then stood up my Lord Mayor, whose name was my Lord Understanding, and he
began to pick and pick, until he had picked comfort out of that seemingly bitter
saying of the Lord Secretary; for thus he descanted upon it: ‘First,’ said he, ‘this
unavoidably follows upon the saying of my Lord, “that we must yet suffer for our
sins.” Secondly, But,’ quoth he, ‘the words yet sound as if at last we should be saved
from our enemies, and that after a few more sorrows, Emmanuel will come and be
our help.’ Now the Lord Mayor was the more critical in his dealing with the
Secretary’s words, because my lord was more than a prophet, and because none of
his words were such, but that at all times they were most exactly significant; and the
townsmen were allowed to pry into them, and to expound them to their best
advantage.
So they took their leaves of my lord, and returned, and went, and came to the
captains, to whom they did tell what my Lord High Secretary had said; who, when
they had heard it, were all of the same opinion as was my Lord Mayor himself. The
captains, therefore, began to take some courage unto them, and to prepare to make
some brave attempt upon the camp of the enemy, and to destroy all that were
Diabolonians, with the roving doubters that the tyrant had brought with him to
destroy the poor town of Mansoul.
So all betook themselves forthwith to their places—the Captains to theirs, the Lord
Mayor to his, the subordinate preacher to his, and my Lord Willbewill to his. The
captains longed to be at some work for their prince; for they delighted in warlike
achievements. The next day, therefore, they came together and consulted; and after
consultation had, they resolved to give an answer to the captain of Diabolus with
slings; and so they did at the rising of the sun on the morrow; for Diabolus had
adventured to come nearer again, but the sling-stones were to him and his like
hornets. For as there is nothing to the town of Mansoul so terrible as the roaring of
Diabolus’s drum, so there is nothing to Diabolus so terrible as the well playing of
Emmanuel’s slings. Wherefore Diabolus was forced to make another retreat, yet
further off from the famous town of Mansoul. Then did the Lord Mayor of Mansoul
cause the bells to be rung, ‘and that thanks should be sent to the Lord High Secretary
by the mouth of the subordinate preacher; for that by his words the captains and
elders of Mansoul had been strengthened against Diabolus.’
When Diabolus saw that his captains and soldiers, high lords and renowned, were
frightened, and beaten down by the stones that came from the golden slings of the
Prince of the town of Mansoul, he bethought himself, and said, ‘I will try to catch
them by fawning, I will try to flatter them into my net.’
Wherefore, after a while, he came down again to the wall, not now with his drum, nor
with Captain Sepulchre; but having all besugared his lips, he seemed to be a very
sweet-mouthed, peaceable prince, designing nothing for humour’s sake, nor to be
revenged on Mansoul for injuries by them done to him; but the welfare, and good,
and advantage of the town and people therein was now, as he said, his only
design. Wherefore, after he had called for audience, and desired that the townsfolk
would give it to him, he proceeded in his oration, and said:—
‘Oh, the desire of my heart, the famous town of Mansoul! how many nights have I
watched, and how many weary steps have I taken, if perhaps I might do thee
good! Far be it, far be it from me to desire to make a war upon you; if ye will but
willingly and quietly deliver up yourselves unto me. You know that you were mine of
old. Remember also, that so long as you enjoyed me for your lord, and that I enjoyed---
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you for my subjects, you wanted for nothing of all the delights of the earth, that I,
your lord and prince, could get for you, or that I could invent to make you bonny and
blithe withal. Consider, you never had so many hard, dark, troublesome, and heart-
afflicting hours, while you were mine, as you have had since you revolted from me;
nor shall you ever have peace again, until you and I become one as before. But, be
but prevailed with to embrace me again, and I will grant, yea, enlarge your old
charter with abundance of privileges; so that your license and liberty shall be to take,
hold, enjoy, and make your own all that is pleasant from the east to the west. Nor
shall any of those incivilities, wherewith you have offended me, be ever charged upon
you by me, so long as the sun and moon endure. Nor shall any of those dear friends
of mine that now, for the fear of you, lie lurking in dens, and holes, and caves in
Mansoul, be hurtful to you any more; yea, they shall be your servants, and shall
minister unto you of their substance, and of whatever shall come to hand. I need
speak no more; you know them, and have sometime since been much delighted in
their company. Why, then, should we abide at such odds? Let us renew our old
acquaintance and friendship again.
‘Bear with your friend; I take the liberty at this time to speak thus freely unto
you. The love that I have to you presses me to do it, as also does the zeal of my heart
for my friends with you: put me not therefore to further trouble, nor yourselves to
further fears and frights. Have you I will, in a way of peace or war; nor do you flatter
yourselves with the power and force of your captains, or that your Emmanuel will
shortly come in to your help; for such strength will do you no pleasure.
‘I am come against you with a stout and valiant army, and all the chief princes of the
den are even at the head of it. Besides, my captains are swifter than eagles, stronger
than lions, and more greedy of prey than are the evening wolves. What is Og of
Bashan! what is Goliath of Gath! and what are an hundred more of them, to one of
the least of my captains! How, then, shall Mansoul think to escape my hand and
force?’
Diabolus having thus handed his flattering, fawning, deceitful, and lying speech to
the famous town of Mansoul, the Lord Mayor replied to him as follows: ‘O Diabolus,
prince of darkness, and master of all deceit; thy lying flatteries we have had and
made sufficient probation of, and have tasted too deeply of that destructive cup
already. Should we therefore again hearken unto thee, and so break the
commandments of our great Shaddai, to join in affinity with thee, would not our
Prince reject us, and cast us off for ever? And, being cast off by him, can the place
that he has prepared for thee be a place of rest for us? Besides, O thou that art empty
and void of all truth, we are rather ready to die by thy hand, than to fall in with thy
flattering and lying deceits.’
When the tyrant saw that there was little to be got by parleying with my Lord Mayor,
he fell into an hellish rage, and resolved that again, with his army of doubters, he
would another time assault the town of Mansoul.
So he called for his drummer, who beat up for his men (and while he did beat,
Mansoul did shake) to be in a readiness to give battle to the corporation: then
Diabolus drew near with his army, and thus disposed of his men. Captain Cruel and
Captain Torment, these he drew up and placed against Feel-gate, and commanded
them to sit down there for the war. And he also appointed that, if need were, Captain
No-Ease should come in to their relief. At Nose-gate he placed the Captain
Brimstone and Captain Sepulchre, and bid them look well to their ward, on that side
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of the town of Mansoul. But at Eye-gate he placed that grim-faced one, the Captain
Past-Hope, and there also now he did set up his terrible standard.
Now Captain Insatiable, he was to look to the carriages of Diabolus, and was also
appointed to take into custody that, or those persons and things, that should at any
time as prey be taken from the enemy.
Now Mouth-gate the inhabitants of Mansoul kept for a sally-port; wherefore that
they kept strong; for that it was it by and out at which the townsfolk did send their
petitions to Emmanuel their Prince. That also was the gate from the top of which the
captains did play their slings at the enemies; for that gate stood somewhat ascending,
so that the placing of them there, and the letting of them fly from that place, did
much execution against the tyrant’s army. Wherefore, for these causes, with others,
Diabolus sought, if possible, to land up Mouth-gate with dirt.
Now, as Diabolus was busy and industrious in preparing to make his assault upon
the town of Mansoul, without, so the captains and soldiers in the corporation were as
busy in preparing within; they mounted their slings, they set up their banners, they
sounded their trumpets, and put themselves in such order as was judged most for the
annoyance of the enemy, and for the advantage of Mansoul, and gave to their soldiers
orders to be ready at the sound of the trumpet for war. The Lord Willbewill also, he
took the charge of watching against the rebels within, and to do what he could to take
them while without, or to stifle them within their caves, dens, and holes in the town-
wall of Mansoul. And, to speak the truth of him, ever since he took penance for his
fault, he has showed as much honesty and bravery of spirit as any he in Mansoul; for
he took one Jolly, and his brother Griggish, the two sons of his servant Harmless-
Mirth, (for to that day, though the father was committed to ward, the sons had a
dwelling in the house of my lord,)—I say, he took them, and with his own hands put
them to the cross. And this was the reason why he hanged them up: after their father
was put into the hands of Mr. True-Man the gaoler, they, his sons, began to play his
pranks, and to be ticking and toying with the daughters of their lord; nay, it was
jealoused that they were too familiar with them, the which was brought to his
lordship’s ear. Now his lordship being unwilling unadvisedly to put any man to
death, did not suddenly fall upon them, but set watch and spies to see if the thing was
true; of the which he was soon informed, for his two servants, whose names were
Find-Out and Tell-All, catched them together in uncivil manner more than once or
twice, and went and told their lord. So when my Lord Willbewill had sufficient
ground to believe the thing was true, he takes the two young Diabolonians, (for such
they were, for their father was a Diabolonian born,) and has them to Eye-gate, where
he raised a very high cross, just in the face of Diabolus, and of his army, and there he
hanged the young villains, in defiance to Captain Past-Hope, and of the horrible
standard of the tyrant.
Now this Christian act of the brave Lord Willbewill did greatly abash Captain Past-
Hope, discouraged the army of Diabolus, put fear into the Diabolonian runagates in
Mansoul, and put strength and courage into the captains that belonged to
Emmanuel, the Prince; for they without did gather, and that by this very act of my
Lord, that Mansoul was resolved to fight, and that the Diabolonians within the town
could not do such things as Diabolus had hopes they would. Nor was this the only
proof of the brave Lord Willbewill’s honesty to the town, nor of his loyalty to his
Prince, as will afterwards appear.
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Now, when the children of Prudent-Thrifty, who dwelt with Mr. Mind, (for Thrift left
children with Mr. Mind, when he was also committed to prison, and their names
were Gripe and Rake-All; these he begat of Mr. Mind’s bastard daughter, whose
name was Mrs. Hold-fast-Bad;)—I say, when his children perceived how the Lord
Willbewill had served them that dwelt with him, what do they but, lest they should
drink of the same cup, endeavour to make their escape. But Mr. Mind, being wary of
it, took them and put them in hold in his house till morning; (for this was done over
night;) and remembering that by the law of Mansoul all Diabolonians were to die,
(and to be sure they were at least by father’s side such, and some say by mother’s side
too,) what does he but takes them and puts them in chains, and carries them to the
selfsame place where my lord hanged his two before, and there he hanged them.
The townsmen also took great encouragement at this act of Mr. Mind, and did what
they could to have taken some more of these Diabolonian troublers of Mansoul; but
at that time the rest lay so squat and close, that they could not be apprehended; so
they set against them a diligent watch, and went every man to his place.
I told you a little before, that Diabolus and his army were somewhat abashed and
discouraged at the sight of what my Lord Willbewill did, when he hanged up those
two young Diabolonians; but his discouragement quickly turned itself into furious
madness and rage against the town of Mansoul, and fight it he would. Also the
townsmen and captains within, they had their hopes and their expectations
heightened, believing at last the day would be theirs; so they feared them the
less. Their subordinate preacher, too, made a sermon about it; and he took that
theme for his text, ‘Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the
last.’ Whence he showed, that though Mansoul should be sorely put to it at the first,
yet the victory should most certainly be Mansoul’s at the last.
So Diabolus commanded that his drummer should beat a charge against the town;
and the captains also that were in the town sounded a charge against them, but they
had no drum: they were trumpets of silver with which they sounded against
them. Then they which were of the camp of Diabolus came down to the town to take
it, and the captains in the castle, with the slingers at Mouth-gate, played upon them
amain. And now there was nothing heard in the camp of Diabolus but horrible rage
and blasphemy; but in the town good words, prayer, and singing of psalms. The
enemy replied with horrible objections, and the terribleness of their drum; but the
town made answer with the slapping of their slings, and the melodious noise of their
trumpets. And thus the fight lasted for several days together, only now and then they
had some small intermission, in the which the townsmen refreshed themselves, and
the captains made ready for another assault.
The captains of Emmanuel were clad in silver armour, and the soldiers in that which
was of proof; the soldiers of Diabolus were clad in iron which was made to give place
to Emmanuel’s engine-shot. In the town, some were hurt, and some were greatly
wounded. Now, the worst of it was, a chirurgeon was scarce in Mansoul, for that
Emmanuel at present was absent. Howbeit, with the leaves of a tree the wounded
were kept from dying; yet their wounds did greatly putrefy, and some did grievously
stink. Of the townsmen, these were wounded, namely, my Lord Reason; he was
wounded in the head. Another that was wounded was the brave Lord Mayor; he was
wounded in the eye. Another that was wounded was Mr. Mind; he received his
wound about the stomach. The honest subordinate preacher also, he received a shot
not far off the heart but none of these were mortal.
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Many also of the inferior sort were not only wounded but slain outright.
Now, in the camp of Diabolus were wounded and slain a considerable number; for
instance, Captain Rage, he was wounded, and so was Captain Cruel. Captain
Damnation was made to retreat, and to intrench himself further off of Mansoul. The
standard also of Diabolus was beaten down, and his standard-bearer, Captain Much-
Hurt, had his brains beat out with a sling-stone, to the no little grief and shame of his
prince Diabolus.
Many also of the doubters were slain outright, though enough of them were left alive
to make Mansoul shake and totter. Now the victory that day being turned to
Mansoul, did put great valour into the townsmen and captains, and did cover
Diabolus’s camp with a cloud, but withal it made them far more furious. So the next
day Mansoul rested, and commanded that the bells should be rung; the trumpets also
joyfully sounded, and the captains shouted round the town.
My Lord Willbewill also was not idle, but did notable service within against the
domestics, or the Diabolonians that were in the town, not only by keeping them in
awe, for he lighted on one at last whose name was Mr. Anything, a fellow of whom
mention was made before; for it was he, if you remember, that brought the three
fellows to Diabolus, whom the Diabolonians took out of Captain Boanerges’s
companies, and that persuaded them to list themselves under the tyrant, to fight
against the army of Shaddai. My Lord Willbewill did also take a notable
Diabolonian, whose name was Loose-Foot: this Loose-Foot was a scout to the
vagabonds in Mansoul, and that did use to carry tidings out of Mansoul to the camp,
and out of the camp to those of the enemies in Mansoul. Both these my lord sent
away safe to Mr. True-Man, the gaoler, with a commandment to keep them in irons;
for he intended then to have them out to be crucified, when it would be for the best to
the corporation, and most for the discouragement of the camp of the enemies.
My Lord Mayor also, though he could not stir about so much as formerly, because of
the wound that he lately received, yet gave he out orders to all that were the natives
of Mansoul, to look to their watch, and stand upon their guard, and, as occasion
should offer, to prove themselves men.
Mr. Conscience, the preacher, he also did his utmost to keep all his good documents
alive upon the hearts of the people of Mansoul.
Well, awhile after, the captains and stout ones of the town of Mansoul agreed and
resolved upon a time to make a sally out upon the camp of Diabolus, and this must be
done in the night; and there was the folly of Mansoul, (for the night is always the best
for the enemy, but the worst for Mansoul to fight in,) but yet they would do it, their
courage was so high; their last victory also still stuck in their memories.
So the night appointed being come, the Prince’s brave captains cast lots who should
lead the van in this new and desperate expedition against Diabolus, and against his
Diabolonian army; and the lot fell to Captain Credence, to Captain Experience, and
to Captain Good-Hope, to lead the forlorn hope. (This Captain Experience the Prince
created such when himself did reside in the town of Mansoul.) So, as I said, they
made their sally out upon the army that lay in the siege against them; and their hap
was to fall in with the main body of their enemies. Now Diabolus and his men being
expertly accustomed to night-work, took the alarm presently, and were as ready to
give them battle, as if they had sent them word of their coming. Wherefore to it they
went amain, and blows were hard on every side; the hell drum also was beat most
furiously, while the trumpets of the Prince most sweetly sounded. And thus the
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battle was joined; and Captain Insatiable looked to the enemy’s carriages, and waited
when he should receive some prey.
The Prince’s captains fought it stoutly, beyond what indeed could be expected they
should; they wounded many; they made the whole army of Diabolus to make a
retreat. But I cannot tell how, but the brave Captain Credence, Captain Good-Hope,
and Captain Experience, as they were upon the pursuit, cutting down, and following
hard after the enemy in the rear, Captain Credence stumbled and fell, by which fall
he caught so great a hurt, that he could not rise till Captain Experience did help him
up, at which their men were put in disorder. The captain also was so full of pain, that
he could not forbear but aloud to cry out: at this, the other two captains fainted,
supposing that Captain Credence had received his mortal wound; their men also
were more disordered, and had no list to fight. Now Diabolus being very observing,
though at this time as yet he was put to the worst, perceiving that a halt was made
among the men that were the pursuers, what does he but, taking it for granted that
the captains were either wounded or dead, he therefore makes at first a stand, then
faces about, and so comes up upon the Prince’s army with as much of his fury as hell
could help him to; and his hap was to fall in just among the three captains, Captain
Credence, Captain Good-Hope, and Captain Experience, and did cut, wound, and
pierce them so dreadfully, that what through discouragement, what through
disorder, and what through the wounds that they had received, and also the loss of
much blood, they scarce were able, though they had for their power the three best
hands in Mansoul, to get safe into the hold again.
Now, when the body of the Prince’s army saw how these three captains were put to
the worst, they thought it their wisdom to make as safe and good a retreat as they
could, and so returned by the sally-port again; and so there was an end of this
present action. But Diabolus was so flushed with this night’s work, that he promised
himself, in few days, an easy and complete conquest over the town of Mansoul;
wherefore, on the day following, he comes up to the sides thereof with great
boldness, and demands entrance, and that forthwith they deliver themselves up to
his government. The Diabolonians, too, that were within, they began to be somewhat
brisk, as we shall show afterward.
But the valiant Lord Mayor replied, that what he got he must get by force; for as long
as Emmanuel, their Prince, was alive, (though he at present was not so with them as
they wished,) they should never consent to yield Mansoul up to another.
And with that the Lord Willbewill stood up, and said, ‘Diabolus, thou master of the
den, and enemy to all that is good, we poor inhabitants of the town of Mansoul are
too well acquainted with thy rule and government, and with the end of those things
that for certain will follow submitting to thee, to do it. Wherefore though while we
were without knowledge we suffered thee to take us, (as the bird that saw not the
snare fell into the hands of the fowler,) yet since we have been turned from darkness
to light, we have also been turned from the power of Satan to God. And though
through thy subtlety, and also the subtlety of the Diabolonians within, we have
sustained much loss, and also plunged ourselves into much perplexity, yet give up
ourselves, lay down our arms, and yield to so horrid a tyrant as thou, we shall not; die
upon the place we choose rather to do. Besides, we have hopes that in time
deliverance will come from court unto us, and therefore we yet will maintain a war
against thee.’
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This brave speech of the Lord Willbewill, with that also of the Lord Mayor, did
somewhat abate the boldness of Diabolus, though it kindled the fury of his rage. It
also succoured the townsmen and captains; yea, it was as a plaster to the brave
Captain Credence’s wound; for you must know that a brave speech now (when the
captains of the town with their men of war came home routed, and when the enemy
took courage and boldness at the success that he had obtained to draw up to the
walls, and demand entrance, as he did) was in season, and also advantageous.
The Lord Willbewill also did play the man within; for while the captains and soldiers
were in the field, he was in arms in the town, and wherever by him there was a
Diabolonian found, they were forced to feel the weight of his heavy hand, and also
the edge of his penetrating sword: many therefore of the Diabolonians he wounded,
as the Lord Cavil, the Lord Brisk, the Lord Pragmatic, and the Lord Murmur; several
also of the meaner sort he did sorely maim; though there cannot at this time an
account be given you of any that he slew outright. The cause, or rather the advantage
that my Lord Willbewill had at this time to do thus, was for that the captains were
gone out to fight the enemy in the field. ‘For now,’ thought the Diabolonians within,
‘is our time to stir and make an uproar in the town.’ What do they therefore but
quickly get themselves into a body, and fall forthwith to hurricaning in Mansoul, as if
now nothing but whirlwind and tempest should be there. Wherefore, as I said, he
takes this opportunity to fall in among them with his men, cutting and slashing with
courage that was undaunted; at which the Diabolonians with all haste dispersed
themselves to their holds, and my lord to his place as before.
This brave act of my lord did somewhat revenge the wrong done by Diabolus to the
captains, and also did let them know that Mansoul was not to be parted with for the
loss of a victory or two; wherefore the wing of the tyrant was clipped again, as to
boasting,—I mean in comparison of what he would have done, if the Diabolonians
had put the town to the same plight to which he had put the captains.
Well, Diabolus yet resolves to have the other bout with Mansoul. ‘For,’ thought he,
‘since I beat them once, I may beat them twice.’ Wherefore he commanded his men
to be ready at such an hour of the night, to make a fresh assault upon the town; and
he gave it out in special that they should bend all their force against Feel-gate, and
attempt to break into the town through that. The word that then he did give to his
officers and soldiers was Hell-fire. ‘And,’ said he, ‘if we break in upon them, as I wish
we do, either with some, or with all our force, let them that break in look to it, that
they forget not the word. And let nothing be heard in the town of Mansoul but,
“Hell-fire! Hell-fire! Hell-fire!”’ The drummer was also to beat without ceasing, and
the standard-bearers were to display their colours; the soldiers, too, were to put on
what courage they could, and to see that they played manfully their parts against the
town.
So when night was come, and all things by the tyrant made ready for the work, he
suddenly makes his assault upon Feel-gate, and after he had awhile struggled there,
he throws the gate wide open: for the truth is, those gates were but weak, and so most
easily made to yield. When Diabolus had thus far made his attempt, he placed his
captains (namely, Torment and No-Ease) there; so he attempted to press forward,
but the Prince’s captains came down upon him, and made his entrance more difficult
than he desired. And, to speak truth, they made what resistance they could; but the
three of their best and most valiant captains being wounded, and by their wounds
made much incapable of doing the town that service they would, (and all the rest
having more than their hands full of the doubters, and their captains that did follow---
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Diabolus,) they were overpowered with force, nor could they keep them out of the
town. Wherefore the Prince’s men and their captains betook themselves to the
castle, as to the stronghold of the town: and this they did partly for their own
security, partly for the security of the town, and partly, or rather chiefly, to preserve
to Emmanuel the prerogative-royal of Mansoul; for so was the castle of Mansoul.
The captains therefore being fled into the castle, the enemy, without much
resistance, possess themselves of the rest of the town, and spreading themselves as
they went into every corner, they cried out as they marched, according to the
command of the tyrant, ‘Hell-fire! Hell-fire! Hell-fire!’ so that nothing for a while
throughout the town of Mansoul could be heard but the direful noise of ‘Hell-fire!’
together with the roaring of Diabolus’s drum. And now did the clouds hang black
over Mansoul, nor to reason did anything but ruin seem to attend it. Diabolus also
quartered his soldiers in the houses of the inhabitants of the town of Mansoul. Yea,
the subordinate preacher’s house was as full of these outlandish doubters as ever it
could hold, and so was my Lord Mayor’s, and my Lord Willbewill’s also. Yea, where
was there a corner, a cottage, a barn, or a hogstye, that now was not full of these
vermin? Yea, they turned the men of the town out of their houses, and would lie in
their beds, and sit at their tables themselves. Ah, poor Mansoul! now thou feelest the
fruits of sin, yea, what venom was in the flattering words of Mr. Carnal-
Security! They made great havoc of whatever they laid their hands on; yea, they fired
the town in several places; many young children also were by them dashed in pieces;
and those that were yet unborn they destroyed in their mothers’ wombs: for you
must needs think that it could not now be otherwise; for what conscience, what pity,
what bowels of compassion can any expect at the hands of outlandish
doubters? Many in Mansoul that were women, both young and old, they forced,
ravished, and beastlike abused, so that they swooned, miscarried, and many of them
died, and so lay at the top of every street, and in all by-places of the town.
And now did Mansoul seem to be nothing but a den of dragons, an emblem of hell,
and a place of total darkness. Now did Mansoul lie almost like the barren wilderness;
nothing but nettles, briars, thorns, weeds, and stinking things seemed now to cover
the face of Mansoul. I told you before, how that these Diabolonian doubters turned
the men of Mansoul out of their beds, and now I will add, they wounded them, they
mauled them, yea, and almost brained many of them. Many did I say, yea most, if
not all of them. Mr. Conscience they so wounded, yea, and his wounds so festered,
that he could have no ease day nor night, but lay as if continually upon a rack; but
that Shaddai rules all, certainly they had slain him outright. Mr. Lord Mayor they so
abused that they almost put out his eyes; and had not my Lord Willbewill got into the
castle, they intended to have chopped him all to pieces; for they did look upon him,
as his heart now stood, to be one of the very worst that was in Mansoul against
Diabolus and his crew. And indeed he hath shown himself a man, and more of his
exploits you will hear of afterwards.
Now, a man might have walked for days together in Mansoul, and scarcely have seen
one in the town that looked like a religious man. Oh, the fearful state of Mansoul
now! now every corner swarmed with outlandish doubters; red-coats and black-coats
walked the town by clusters, and filled up all the houses with hideous noises, vain
songs, lying stories, and blasphemous language against Shaddai and his Son. Now
also those Diabolonians that lurked in the walls and dens and holes that were in the
town of Mansoul, came forth and showed themselves; yea, walked with open face in
company with the doubters that were in Mansoul. Yea, they had more boldness now
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to walk the streets, to haunt the houses, and to show themselves abroad, than had
any of the honest inhabitants of the now woful town of Mansoul.
But Diabolus and his outlandish men were not at peace in Mansoul; for they were not there entertained as were the captains and forces of Emmanuel: the townsmen did
browbeat them what they could; nor did they partake or make stroy of any of the
necessaries of Mansoul, but that which they seized on against the townsmen’s will:
what they could, they hid from them, and what they could not, they had with an ill-
will. They, poor hearts! had rather have had their room than their company; but they
were at present their captives, and their captives for the present they were forced to
be. But, I say, they discountenanced them as much as they were able, and showed
them all the dislike that they could.
The captains also from the castle did hold them in continual play with their slings, to
the chafing and fretting of the minds of the enemies. True, Diabolus made a great
many attempts to have broken open the gates of the castle, but Mr. Godly-Fear was
made the keeper of that; and he was a man of that courage, conduct, and valour, that
it was in vain, as long as life lasted within him, to think to do that work, though
mostly desired; wherefore all the attempts that Diabolus made against him were
fruitless. I have wished sometimes that that man had had the whole rule of the town
of Mansoul.
Well, this was the condition of the town of Mansoul for about two years and a half:
the body of the town was the seat of war, the people of the town were driven into
holes, and the glory of Mansoul was laid in the dust. What rest, then, could be to the
inhabitants, what peace could Mansoul have, and what sun could shine upon it? Had
the enemy lain so long without in the plain against the town, it had been enough to
have famished them: but now, when they shall be within, when the town shall be
their tent, their trench and fort against the castle that was in the town; when the
town shall be against the town, and shall serve to be a defence to the enemies of her
strength and life: I say, when they shall make use of the forts and town-holds to
secure themselves in, even till they shall take, spoil, and demolish the castle,—this
was terrible! and yet this was now the state of the town of Mansoul.
After the town of Mansoul had been in this sad and lamentable condition, for so long
a time as I have told you, and no petitions that they presented their Prince with, all
this while, could prevail, the inhabitants of the town, namely, the elders and chief of
Mansoul, gathered together, and, after some time spent in condoling their miserable
state and this miserable judgment coming upon them, they agreed together to draw
up yet another petition, and to send it away to Emmanuel for relief. But Mr. Godly-
Fear stood up and answered, that he knew that his Lord the Prince never did nor ever
would receive a petition for these matters, from the hand of any whoever, unless the
Lord Secretary’s hand was to it; ‘and this,’ quoth he, ‘is the reason that you prevailed
not all this while.’ Then they said they would draw up one, and get the Lord
Secretary’s hand unto it. But Mr. Godly-Fear answered again, that he knew also that
the Lord Secretary would not set his hand to any petition that himself had not an
hand in composing and drawing up. ‘And besides,’ said he, ‘the Prince doth know my
Lord Secretary’s hand from all the hands in the world; wherefore he cannot be
deceived by any pretence whatever. Wherefore my advice is that you go to my Lord,
and implore him to lend you his aid.’ (Now he did yet abide in the castle, where all
the captains and men-at-arms were.)
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So they heartily thanked Mr. Godly-Fear, took his counsel, and did as he had bidden
them. So they went and came to my Lord, and made known the cause of their
coming to him; namely, that since Mansoul was in so deplorable a condition, his
Highness would be pleased to undertake to draw up a petition for them to
Emmanuel, the Son of the mighty Shaddai, and to their King and his Father by him.
Then said the Secretary to them, ‘What petition is it that you would have me draw up
for you?’ But they said, ‘Our Lord knows best the state and condition of the town of
Mansoul; and how we are backslidden and degenerated from the Prince: thou also
knowest who is come up to war against us, and how Mansoul is now the seat of
war. My Lord knows, moreover, what barbarous usages our men, women, and
children have suffered at their hands; and how our homebred Diabolonians do walk
now with more boldness than dare the townsmen in the streets of Mansoul. Let our
Lord therefore, according to the wisdom of God that is in him, draw up a petition for
his poor servants to our Prince Emmanuel.’ ‘Well,’ said the Lord Secretary, ‘I will
draw up a petition for you, and will also set my hand thereto.’ Then said they, ‘But
when shall we call for it at the hands of our Lord?’ But he answered, ‘Yourselves
must be present at the doing of it; yea, you must put your desires to it. True, the
hand and pen shall be mine, but the ink and paper must be yours; else how can you
say it is your petition? Nor have I need to petition for myself, because I have not
offended.’ He also added as followeth: ‘No petition goes from me in my name to the
Prince, and so to his Father by him, but when the people that are chiefly concerned
therein do join in heart and soul in the matter, for that must be inserted therein.’
So they did heartily agree with the sentence of the Lord, and a petition was forthwith
drawn up for them. But now, who should carry it? that was next. But the Secretary
advised that Captain Credence should carry it; for he was a well-spoken man. They
therefore called for him, and propounded to him the business. ‘Well,’ said the
captain, ‘I gladly accept of the motion; and though I am lame, I will do this business
for you with as much speed, and as well as I can.’
The contents of the petition were to this purpose
‘O our Lord, and Sovereign Prince Emmanuel, the potent, the long-suffering Prince!
grace is poured into thy lips, and to thee belong mercy and forgiveness, though we
have rebelled against thee. We, who are no more worthy to be called thy Mansoul,
nor yet fit to partake of common benefits, do beseech thee, and thy Father by thee, to
do away our transgressions. We confess that thou mightest cast us away for them;
but do it not for thy name’s sake: let the Lord rather take an opportunity, at our
miserable condition, to let out his bowels and compassions to us. We are compassed
on every side, Lord; our own backslidings reprove us; our Diabolonians within our
town fright us; and the army of the angel of the bottomless pit distresses us. Thy
grace can be our salvation, and whither to go but to thee we know not.
‘Furthermore, O gracious Prince, we have weakened our captains, and they are
discouraged, sick, and, of late, some of them grievously worsted and beaten out of the
field by the power and force of the tyrant. Yea, even those of our captains, in whose
valour we did formerly use to put most of our confidence, they are as wounded
men. Besides, Lord, our enemies are lively, and they are strong; they vaunt and boast
themselves, and do threaten to part us among themselves for a booty. They are fallen
also upon us, Lord, with many thousand doubters, such as with whom we cannot tell
what to do; they are all grim-looked and unmerciful ones, and they bid defiance to us
and thee.
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‘Our wisdom is gone, our power is gone, because thou art departed from us; nor have we what we may call ours but sin, shame, and confusion of face for sin. Take pity
upon us, O Lord, take pity upon us, thy miserable town of Mansoul, and save us out
of the hands of our enemies. Amen.’
This petition, as was touched afore, was handed by the Lord Secretary, and carried to
the court by the brave and most stout Captain Credence. Now he carried it out at
Mouth-gate, (for that, as I said, was the sally-port of the town,) and he went and
came to Emmanuel with it. Now how it came out, I do not know; but for certain it
did, and that so far as to reach the ears of Diabolus. Thus I conclude, because that
the tyrant had it presently by the end, and charged the town of Mansoul with it,
saying, ‘Thou rebellious and stubborn-hearted Mansoul, I will make thee to leave off
petitioning. Art thou yet for petitioning? I will make thee to leave.’ Yea, he also
knew who the messenger was that carried the petition to the Prince, and it made him
both to fear and rage.
Wherefore he commanded that his drum should be beat again, a thing that Mansoul
could not abide to hear: but when Diabolus will have his drum beat, Mansoul must
abide the noise. Well, the drum was beat, and the Diabolonians were gathered
together.
Then said Diabolus, ‘O ye stout Diabolonians, be it known unto you, that there is
treachery hatched against us in the rebellious town of Mansoul; for albeit the town is
in our possession, as you see, yet these miserable Mansoulians have attempted to
dare, and have been so hardy as yet to send to the court to Emmanuel for help. This I
give you to understand, that ye may yet know how to carry it to the wretched town of
Mansoul. Wherefore, O my trusty Diabolonians, I command that yet more and more
ye distress this town of Mansoul, and vex it with your wiles, ravish their women,
deflower their virgins, slay their children, brain their ancients, fire their town, and
what other mischief you can; and let this be the reward of the Mansoulians from me,
for their desperate rebellions against me.’
This, you see, was the charge; but something stepped in betwixt that and execution,
for as yet there was but little more done than to rage.
Moreover, when Diabolus had done thus, he went the next way up to the castle gates,
and demanded that, upon pain of death, the gates should be opened to him, and that
entrance should be given him and his men that followed after. To whom Mr. Godly-
Fear replied, (for he it was that had the charge of that gate,) that the gate should not
be opened unto him, nor to the men that followed after him. He said, moreover, that
Mansoul, when she had suffered awhile, should be made perfect, strengthened,
settled.
Then said Diabolus, ‘Deliver me, then, the men that have petitioned against me,
especially Captain Credence, that carried it to your Prince; deliver that varlet into my
hands, and I will depart from the town.’
Then up starts a Diabolonian, whose name was Mr. Fooling, and said, ‘My lord
offereth you fair: it is better for you that one man perish, than that your whole
Mansoul should be undone.’
But Mr. Godly-Fear made him this replication, ‘How long will Mansoul be kept out of
the dungeon, when she hath given up her faith to Diabolus! As good lose the town, as
lose Captain Credence; for if one be gone the other must follow.’ But to that Mr.
Fooling said nothing.
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Then did my Lord Mayor reply, and said, ‘O thou devouring tyrant, be it known unto
thee, we shall hearken to none of thy words; we are resolved to resist thee as long as a
captain, a man, a sling, and a stone to throw at thee shall be found in the town of
Mansoul.’ But Diabolus answered, ‘Do you hope, do you wait, do you look for help
and deliverance? You have sent to Emmanuel, but your wickedness sticks too close
in your skirts, to let innocent prayers come out of your lips. Think you that you shall
be prevailers and prosper in this design? You will fail in your wish, you will fail in
your attempts; for it is not only I, but your Emmanuel is against you: yea, it is he that
hath sent me against you to subdue you. For what, then, do you hope? or by what
means will you escape?’
Then said the Lord Mayor, ‘We have sinned indeed; but that shall be no help to thee,
for our Emmanuel hath said it, and that in great faithfulness, “and him that cometh
to me I will in no wise cast out.” He hath also told us, O our enemy, that “all manner
of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven” to the sons of men. Therefore we dare not
despair, but will look for, wait for, and hope for deliverance still.’
Now, by this time, Captain Credence was returned and come from the court from
Emmanuel to the castle of Mansoul, and he returned to them with a packet. So my
Lord Mayor, hearing that Captain Credence was come, withdrew himself from the
noise of the roaring of the tyrant, and left him to yell at the wall of the town, or
against the gates of the castle. So he came up to the captain’s lodgings, and saluting
him, he asked him of his welfare, and what was the best news at court. But when he
asked Captain Credence that, the water stood in his eyes. Then said the captain,
‘Cheer up, my lord, for all will be well in time.’ And with that he first produced his
packet, and laid it by; but that the Lord Mayor, and the rest of the captains, took for
sign of good tidings. Now a season of grace being come, he sent for all the captains
and elders of the town, that were here and there in their lodgings in the castle and
upon their guard, to let them know that Captain Credence was returned from the
court, and that he had something in general, and something in special, to
communicate to them. So they all came up to him, and saluted him, and asked him
concerning his journey, and what was the best news at the court. And he answered
them as he had done the Lord Mayor before, that all would be well at last. Now,
when the captain had thus saluted them, he opened his packet, and thence did draw
out his several notes for those that he had sent for.
And the first note was for my Lord Mayor, wherein was signified:—That the Prince
Emmanuel had taken it well that my Lord Mayor had been so true and trusty in his
office, and the great concerns that lay upon him for the town and people of
Mansoul. Also, he bid him to know, that he took it well that he had been so bold for
his Prince Emmanuel, and had engaged so faithfully in his cause against
Diabolus. He also signified, at the close of his letter, that he should shortly receive
his reward.
The second note that came out, was for the noble Lord Willbewill, wherein there was
signified:—That his Prince Emmanuel did well understand how valiant and
courageous he had been for the honour of his Lord, now in his absence, and when his
name was under contempt by Diabolus. There was signified also, that his Prince had
taken it well that he had been so faithful to the town of Mansoul, in his keeping of so
strict a hand and eye over and so strict a rein upon the neck of the Diabolonians, that
did still lie lurking in their several holes in the famous town of Mansoul. He
signified, moreover, how that he understood that my Lord had, with his own hand,
done great execution upon some of the chief of the rebels there, to the great---
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discouragement of the adverse party and to the good example of the whole town of
Mansoul; and that shortly his lordship should have his reward.
The third note came out for the subordinate preacher, wherein was signified:—That
his Prince took it well from him, that he had so honestly and so faithfully performed
his office, and executed the trust committed to him by his Lord, while he exhorted,
rebuked, and forewarned Mansoul according to the laws of the town. He signified,
moreover, that he took it well at his hand that he called to fasting, to sackcloth, and
ashes, when Mansoul was under her revolt. Also, that he called for the aid of the
Captain Boanerges to help in so weighty a work; and that shortly he also should
receive his reward.
The fourth note came out for Mr. Godly-Fear, wherein his Lord thus signified:—That
his Lordship observed, that he was the first of all the men in Mansoul that detected
Mr. Carnal-Security as the only one that, through his subtlety and cunning, had
obtained for Diabolus a defection and decay of goodness in the blessed town of
Mansoul. Moreover, his Lord gave him to understand, that he still remembered his
tears and mourning for the state of Mansoul. It was also observed, by the same note,
that his Lord took notice of his detecting of this Mr. Carnal-Security, at his own table
among his guests, in his own house, and that in the midst of his jolliness, even while
he was seeking to perfect his villanies against the town of Mansoul. Emmanuel also
took notice that this reverend person, Mr. Godly-Fear, stood stoutly to it, at the gates
of the castle, against all the threats and attempts of the tyrant; and that he had put
the townsmen in a way to make their petition to their Prince, so as that he might
accept thereof, and as they might obtain an answer of peace; and that therefore
shortly he should receive his reward.
After all this, there was yet produced a note which was written to the whole town of
Mansoul, whereby they perceived—That their Lord took notice of their so often
repeating of petitions to him; and that they should see more of the fruits of such their
doings in time to come. Their Prince did also therein tell them, that he took it well,
that their heart and mind, now at last, abode fixed upon him and his ways, though
Diabolus had made such inroads upon them; and that neither flatteries on the one
hand, nor hardships on the other, could make them yield to serve his cruel
designs. There was also inserted at the bottom of this note—That his Lordship had
left the town of Mansoul in the hands of the Lord Secretary, and under the conduct of
Captain Credence, saying, ‘Beware that you yet yield yourselves unto their
governance; and in due time you shall receive your reward.’
So, after the brave Captain Credence had delivered his notes to those to whom they
belonged, he retired himself to my Lord Secretary’s lodgings, and there spends time
in conversing with him; for they too were very great one with another, and did indeed
know more how things would go with Mansoul than did all the townsmen
besides. The Lord Secretary also loved the Captain Credence dearly; yea, many a
good bit was sent him from my Lord’s table; also, he might have a show of
countenance, when the rest of Mansoul lay under the clouds: so, after some time for
converse was spent, the captain betook himself to his chambers to rest. But it was
not long after when my Lord did send for the captain again; so the captain came to
him, and they greeted one another with usual salutations. Then said the captain to
the Lord Secretary, ‘What hath my Lord to say to his servant?’ So the Lord Secretary
took him and had him aside, and after a sign or two of more favour, he said, ‘I have
made thee the Lord’s lieutenant over all the forces in Mansoul; so that, from this day
forward, all men in Mansoul shall be at thy word; and thou shalt be he that shall lead---
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in, and that shall lead out Mansoul. Thou shalt therefore manage, according to thy
place, the war for thy Prince, and for the town of Mansoul, against the force and
power of Diabolus; and at thy command shall the rest of the captains be.’
Now the townsmen began to perceive what interest the captain had, both with the
court, and also with the Lord Secretary in Mansoul; for no man before could speed
when sent, nor bring such good news from Emmanuel as he. Wherefore what do
they, after some lamentation that they made no more use of him in their distresses,
but send by their subordinate preacher to the Lord Secretary, to desire him that all
that ever they were and had might be put under the government, care, custody, and
conduct of Captain Credence.
So their preacher went and did his errand, and received this answer from the mouth
of his Lord: that Captain Credence should be the great doer in all the King’s army,
against the King’s enemies, and also for the welfare of Mansoul. So he bowed to the
ground, and thanked his Lordship, and returned and told his news to the
townsfolk. But all this was done with all imaginable secrecy, because the foes had yet
great strength in the town. But to return to our story again.
When Diabolus saw himself thus boldly confronted by the Lord Mayor, and perceived
the stoutness of Mr. Godly-Fear, he fell into a rage, and forthwith called a council of
war, that he might be revenged on Mansoul. So all the princes of the pit came
together, and old Incredulity at the head of them, with all the captains of his
army. So they consult what to do. Now the effect and conclusion of the council that
day was how they might take the castle, because they could not conclude themselves
masters of the town so long as that was in the possession of their enemies.
So one advised this way, and another advised that; but when they could not agree in
their verdict, Apollyon, that president of the council, stood up, and thus he began:
‘My brotherhood,’ quoth he, ‘I have two things to propound unto you; and my first is
this. Let us withdraw ourselves from the town into the plain again, for our presence
here will do us no good, because the castle is yet in our enemies’ hands; nor is it
possible that we should take that, so long as so many brave captains are in it, and
that this bold fellow, Godly-Fear, is made the keeper of the gates of it. Now, when we
have withdrawn ourselves into the plain, they, of their own accord, will be glad of
some little ease; and it may be, of their own accord, they again may begin to be
remiss, and even their so being will give them a bigger blow than we can possibly give
them ourselves. But if that should fail, our going forth of the town may draw the
captains out after us; and you know what it cost them when we fought them in the
field before. Besides, can we but draw them out into the field, we may lay an ambush
behind the town, which shall, when they are come forth abroad, rush in and take
possession of the castle.’
But Beelzebub stood up, and replied, saying: ‘It is impossible to draw them all off
from the castle; some, you may be sure, will lie there to keep that; wherefore it will be
but in vain thus to attempt, unless we were sure that they will all come out.’ He
therefore concluded that what was done must be done by some other means. And
the most likely means that the greatest of their heads could invent, was that which
Apollyon had advised to before, namely, to get the townsmen again to sin. ‘For,’ said
he, ‘it is not our being in the town, nor in the field, nor our fighting, nor our killing of
their men, that can make us the masters of Mansoul; for so long as one in the town is
able to lift up his finger against us, Emmanuel will take their parts; and if he shall
take their parts, we know what time of day it will be with us. Wherefore, for my part,’---
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quoth he, ‘there is, in my judgment, no way to bring them into bondage to us, like
inventing a way to make them sin. Had we,’ said he, ‘left all our doubters at home,
we had done as well as we have done now, unless we could have made them the
masters and governors of the castle; for doubters at a distance are but like objections
refelled with arguments. Indeed, can we but get them into the hold, and make them
possessors of that, the day will be our own. Let us, therefore, withdraw ourselves
into the plain, (not expecting that the captains in Mansoul should follow us,) but yet,
I say, let us do this, and before we so do, let us advise again with our trusty
Diabolonians that are yet in their holds of Mansoul, and set them to work to betray
the town to us; for they indeed must do it, or it will be left undone for ever.’ By these
sayings of Beelzebub, (for I think it was he that gave this counsel,) the whole conclave
was forced to be of his opinion, namely, that the way to get the castle was to get the
town to sin. Then they fell to inventing by what means they might do this thing.
Then Lucifer stood up, and said: ‘The counsel of Beelzebub is pertinent. Now, the
way to bring this to pass, in mine opinion, is this: let us withdraw our force from the
town of Mansoul; let us do this, and let us terrify them no more, either with
summons, or threats, or with the noise of our drum, or any other awakening
means. Only let us lie in the field at a distance, and be as if we regarded them not;
for frights, I see, do but awaken them, and make them more stand to their arms. I
have also another stratagem in my head: you know Mansoul is a market-town, and a
town that delights in commerce; what, therefore, if some of our Diabolonians shall
feign themselves far-country men, and shall go out and bring to the market of
Mansoul some of our wares to sell; and what matter at what rates they sell their
wares, though it be but for half the worth? Now, let those that thus shall trade in
their market be those that are witty and true to us, and I will lay my crown to pawn it
will do. There are two that are come to my thoughts already, that I think will be arch
at this work, and they are Mr. Penny-wise-pound-foolish, and Mr. Get-i’the-hundred-
and-lose-i’the-shire; nor is this man with the long name at all inferior to the
other. What, also, if you join with them Mr. Sweet-world and Mr. Present-good; they
are men that are civil and cunning, but our true friends and helpers. Let these, with
as many more, engage in this business for us, and let Mansoul be taken up in much
business, and let them grow full and rich, and this is the way to get ground of
them. Remember ye not that thus we prevailed upon Laodicea, and how many at
present do we hold in this snare? Now, when they begin to grow full, they will forget
their misery; and if we shall not affright them, they may happen to fall asleep, and so
be got to neglect their town watch, their castle watch, as well as their watch at the
gates.
‘Yea, may we not, by this means, so cumber Mansoul with abundance, that they shall
be forced to make of their castle a warehouse, instead of a garrison fortified against
us, and a receptacle for men of war. Thus, if we get our goods and commodities
thither, I reckon that the castle is more than half ours. Besides, could we so order it
that it shall be filled with such kind of wares, then if we made a sudden assault upon
them, it would be hard for the captains to take shelter there. Do you not know that of
the parable, “The deceitfulness of riches choke the word”? and again, “When the
heart is over-charged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life,” all
mischief comes upon them at unawares?
‘Furthermore, my lords,’ quoth he, ‘you very well know that it is not easy for a people
to be filled with our things, and not to have some of our Diabolonians as retainers to
their houses and services. Where is a Mansoulian that is full of this world, that has---
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not for his servants and waiting-men, Mr. Profuse, or Mr. Prodigality, or some other
of our Diabolonian gang, as Mr. Voluptuous, Mr. Pragmatical, Mr. Ostentation, or
the like? Now these can take the castle of Mansoul, or blow it up, or make it unfit for
a garrison for Emmanuel, and any of these will do. Yea, these, for aught I know, may
do it for us sooner than an army of twenty thousand men. Wherefore, to end as I
began, my advice is, that we quietly withdraw ourselves, not offering any further
force, or forcible attempts, upon the castle, at least at this time; and let us set on foot
our new project, and let us see if that will not make them destroy themselves.’
This advice was highly applauded by them all, and was accounted the very
masterpiece of hell, namely, to choke Mansoul with a fulness of this world, and to
surfeit her heart with the good things thereof. But see how things meet
together! Just as this Diabolonian council was broken up, Captain Credence received
a letter from Emmanuel, the contents of which were these: That upon the third day
he would meet him in the field in the plains about Mansoul. ‘Meet me in the field!’
quoth the Captain; ‘what meaneth my lord by this? I know not what he meaneth by
meeting me in the field.’ So he took the note in his hand, and did carry it to my Lord
Secretary, to ask his thoughts thereupon; for my Lord was a seer in all matters
concerning the King, and also for the good and comfort of the town of Mansoul. So
he showed my Lord the note, and desired his opinion thereof. ‘For my part,’ quoth
Captain Credence, ‘I know not the meaning thereof.’ So my lord did take and read it
and, after a little pause, he said, ‘The Diabolonians have had against Mansoul a great
consultation to-day; they have, I say, this day been contriving the utter ruin of the
town; and the result of their council is, to set Mansoul into such a way which, if
taken, will surely make her destroy herself. And, to this end, they are making ready
for their own departure out of the town, intending to betake themselves to the field
again,’ and there to lie till they shall see whether this their project will take or
no. But be thou ready with the men of thy Lord, (for on the third day they will be in
the plain,) there to fall upon the Diabolonians; for the Prince will by that time be in
the field; yea, by that it is break of day, sun-rising, or before, and that with a mighty
force against them. So he shall be before them, and thou shalt be behind them, and
betwixt you both their army shall be destroyed.’
When Captain Credence heard this, away goes he to the rest of the captains, and tells
them what a note he had a while since received from the hand of Emmanuel. ‘And,’
said he, ‘that which was dark therein hath my lord the Lord Secretary expounded
unto me.’ He told them, moreover, what by himself and by them must be done to
answer the mind of their Lord. Then were the captains glad; and Captain Credence
commanded that all the King’s trumpeters should ascend to the battlements of the
castle, and there, in the audience of Diabolus and of the whole town of Mansoul,
make the best music that heart could invent. The trumpeters then did as they were
commanded. They got themselves up to the top of the castle, and thus they began to
sound. Then did Diabolus start, and said, ‘What can be the meaning of this? they
neither sound Boot-and-saddle, nor Horse-and-away, nor a charge. What do these
madmen mean that yet they should be so merry and glad?’ Then answered one of
themselves and said, ‘This is for joy that their Prince Emmanuel is coming to relieve
the town of Mansoul; and to this end he is at the head of an army, and that this relief
is near.’
The men of Mansoul also were greatly concerned at this melodious charm of the
trumpets; they said, yea, they answered one another, saying, ‘This can be no harm to
us; surely this can be no harm to us.’ Then said the Diabolonians, ‘What had we best---
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to do?’ and it was answered, ‘It was best to quit the town;’ and ‘that,’ said one, ‘ye
may do in pursuance of your last counsel, and by so doing also be better able to give
the enemy battle, should an army from without come upon us. So, on the second
day, they withdrew themselves from Mansoul, and abode in the plains without; but
they encamped themselves before Eye-gate, in what terrene and terrible manner they
could. The reason why they would not abide in the town (besides the reasons that
were debated in their late conclave) was, for that they were not possessed of the
stronghold, and ‘because,’ said they, ‘we shall have more convenience to fight, and
also to fly, if need be, when we are encamped in the open plains.’ Besides, the town
would have been a pit for them rather than a place of defence, had the Prince come
up and inclosed them fast therein. Therefore they betook themselves to the field,
that they might also be out of the reach of the slings, by which they were much
annoyed all the while that they were in the town.
Well, the time that the captains were to fall upon the Diabolonians being come, they
eagerly prepared themselves for action; for Captain Credence had told the captains
over night, that they should meet their Prince in the field to-morrow. This, therefore,
made them yet far more desirous to be engaging the enemy; for ‘You shall see the
Prince in the field to-morrow’ was like oil to a flaming fire, for of a long time they had
been at a distance: they therefore were for this the more earnest and desirous of the
work. So, as I said, the hour being come, Captain Credence, with the rest of the men
of war, drew out their forces before it was day by the sally-port of the town. And,
being all ready, Captain Credence went up to the head of the army, and gave to the
rest of the captains the word, and so they to their under-officers and soldiers: the
word was ‘The sword of the Prince Emmanuel, and the shield of Captain Credence;’
which is, in the Mansoulian tongue, ‘The word of God and faith.’ Then the captains
fell on, and began roundly to front, and flank, and rear Diabolus’s camp.
Now, they left Captain Experience in the town, because he was yet ill of his wounds,
which the Diabolonians had given him in the last fight. But when he perceived that
the captains were at it, what does he but, calling for his crutches with haste, gets up,
and away he goes to the battle, saying, ‘Shall I lie here, when my brethren are in the
fight, and when Emmanuel, the Prince, will show himself in the field to his
servants?’ But when the enemy saw the man come with his crutches, they were
daunted yet the more; ‘for,’ thought they, ‘what spirit has possessed these
Mansoulians, that they fight us upon their crutches?’ Well, the captains, as I said, fell
on, and did bravely handle their weapons, still crying out and shouting, as they laid
on blows, ‘The sword of the Prince Emmanuel, and the shield of Captain Credence!’
Now, when Diabolus saw that the captains were come out, and that so valiantly they
surrounded his men, he concluded that, for the present, nothing from them was to be
looked for but blows, and the dints of their ‘two-edged sword.’
Wherefore he also falls on upon the Prince’s army with all his deadly force: so the
battle was joined. Now who was it that at first Diabolus met with in the fight, but
Captain Credence on the one hand, and the Lord Willbewill on the other: now
Willbewill’s blows were like the blows of a giant, for that man had a strong arm, and
he fell in upon the election doubters, for they were the life-guard of Diabolus, and he
kept them in play a good while, cutting and battering shrewdly. Now when Captain
Credence saw my lord engaged, he did stoutly fall on, on the other hand, upon the
same company also; so they put them to great disorder. Now Captain Good-Hope
had engaged the vocation doubters, and they were sturdy men; but the captain was a
valiant man: Captain Experience did also send him some aid; so he made the---
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vocation doubters to retreat. The rest of the armies were hotly engaged, and that on
every side, and the Diabolonians did fight stoutly. Then did my Lord Secretary
command that the slings from the castle should be played; and his men could throw
stones at an hair’s breadth. But, after a while, those that were made to fly before the
captains of the Prince, did begin to rally again, and they came up stoutly upon the
rear of the Prince’s army: wherefore the Prince’s army began to faint; but,
remembering that they should see the face of their Prince by-and-by, they took
courage, and a very fierce battle was fought. Then shouted the captains, saying, ‘The
sword of the Prince Emmanuel, and the shield of Captain Credence!’ and with that
Diabolus gave back, thinking that more aid had been come. But no Emmanuel as yet
appeared. Moreover, the battle did hang in doubt; and they made a little retreat on
both sides. Now, in the time of respite, Captain Credence bravely encouraged his
men to stand to it; and Diabolus did the like, as well as he could. But Captain
Credence made a brave speech to his soldiers, the contents whereof here follow:—
‘Gentlemen soldiers, and my brethren in this design, it rejoiceth me much to see in
the field for our Prince, this day, so stout and so valiant an army, and such faithful
lovers of Mansoul. You have hitherto, as hath become you, shown yourselves men of
truth and courage against the Diabolonian forces; so that, for all their boast, they
have not yet much cause to boast of their gettings. Now take to yourselves your
wonted courage, and show yourselves men even this once only; for in a few minutes
after the next engagement, this time, you shall see your Prince show himself in the
field; for we must make this second assault upon this tyrant Diabolus, and then
Emmanuel comes.’
No sooner had the captain made this speech to his soldiers, but one Mr. Speedy came post to the captain from the Prince, to tell him that Emmanuel was at hand. This
news when the captain had received, he communicated to the other field-officers,
and they again to their soldiers and men of war. Wherefore, like men raised from the
dead, so the captains and their men arose, made up to the enemy, and cried as
before, ‘The sword of the Prince Emmanuel, and the shield of Captain Credence!’
The Diabolonians also bestirred themselves, and made resistance as well as they
could; but in this last engagement the Diabolonians lost their courage, and many of
the doubters fell down dead to the ground. Now, when they had been in heat of
battle about an hour or more, Captain Credence lift up his eyes and saw, and, behold,
Emmanuel came; and he came with colours flying, trumpets sounding, and the feet
of his men scarce touched the ground, they hasted with that celerity towards the
captains that were engaged. Then did Credence wind with his men to the townward,
and gave to Diabolus the field: so Emmanuel came upon him on the one side, and the
enemies’ place was betwixt them both. Then again they fell to it afresh; and now it
was but a little while more but Emmanuel and Captain Credence met, still trampling
down the slain as they came.
But when the captains saw that the Prince was come, and that he fell upon the
Diabolonians on the other side, and that Captain Credence and his Highness had got
them up betwixt them, they shouted, (they so shouted that the ground rent again,)
saying, ‘The sword of Emmanuel, and the shield of Captain Credence!’ Now, when
Diabolus saw that he and his forces were so hard beset by the Prince and his princely
army, what does he, and the lords of the pit that were with him, but make their
escape, and forsake their army, and leave them to fall by the hand of Emmanuel, and
of his noble Captain Credence: so they fell all down slain before them, before the---
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Prince, and before his royal army; there was not left so much as one doubter alive;
they lay spread upon the ground dead men, as one would spread dung upon the land.
When the battle was over, all things came into order in the camp. Then the captains
and elders of Mansoul came together to salute Emmanuel, while without the
corporation: so they saluted him, and welcomed him, and that with a thousand
welcomes, for that he was come to the borders of Mansoul again. So he smiled upon
them, and said, ‘Peace be to you.’ Then they addressed themselves to go to the town;
they went then to go up to Mansoul, they, the Prince, with all the new forces that now
he had brought with him to the war. Also all the gates of the town were set open for
his reception, so glad were they of his blessed return. And this was the manner and
order of this going of his into Mansoul:
First. As I said, all the gates of the town were set open, yea, the gates of the castle
also; the elders, too, of the town of Mansoul placed themselves at the gates of the
town, to salute him at his entrance thither: and so they did; for, as he drew near, and
approached towards the gates, they said, ‘Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift
up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.’ And they answered
again, ‘Who is the King of glory?’ and they made return to themselves, ‘The Lord,
strong and mighty; the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift
them up, ye everlasting doors,’ etc.
Secondly. It was ordered also, by those of Mansoul, that all the way from the town
gates to those of the castle, his blessed Majesty should be entertained with the song,
by them that had the best skill in music in all the town of Mansoul: then did the
elders, and the rest of the men of Mansoul, answer one another as Emmanuel
entered the town, till he came at the castle gates, with songs and sound of trumpets,
saying, ‘They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in
the sanctuary. So the singers went before, the players on instruments followed after,
and among them were the damsels playing on timbrels.’
Thirdly. Then the captains, (for I would speak a word of them,) they in their order
waited on the Prince, as he entered into the gates of Mansoul. Captain Credence
went before, and Captain Good-Hope with him; Captain Charity came behind with
other of his companions, and Captain Patience followed after all; and the rest of the
captains, some on the right hand, and some on the left, accompanied Emmanuel into
Mansoul. And all the while the colours were displayed, the trumpets sounded, and
continual shoutings were among the soldiers. The Prince himself rode into the town
in his armour, which was all of beaten gold, and in his chariot—the pillars of it were
of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it was of purple, the midst
thereof being paved with love for the daughters of the town of Mansoul.
Fourthly. When the Prince was come to the entrance of Mansoul, he found all the
streets strewed with lilies and flowers, curiously decked with boughs and branches
from the green trees that stood round about the town. Every door also was filled with
persons, who had adorned every one their fore-part against their house with
something of variety and singular excellency, to entertain him withal as he passed in
the streets: they also themselves, as Emmanuel passed by, did welcome him with
shouts and acclamations of joy, saying, ‘Blessed be the Prince that cometh in the
name of his Father Shaddai.’
Fifthly. At the castle gates the elders of Mansoul, namely, the Lord Mayor, the Lord
Willbewill, the subordinate preacher, Mr. Knowledge, and Mr. Mind, with other of
the gentry of the place, saluted Emmanuel again. They bowed before him, they---
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kissed the dust of his feet, they thanked, they blessed, and praised his Highness for
not taking advantage against them for their sins, but rather had pity upon them in
their misery, and returned to them with mercies, and to build up their Mansoul for
ever. Thus was he had up straightway to the castle; for that was the royal palace, and
the place where his honour was to dwell; the which was ready prepared for his
Highness by the presence of the Lord Secretary, and the work of Captain
Credence. So he entered in.
Sixthly. Then the people and commonalty of the town of Mansoul came to him into
the castle to mourn, and to weep, and to lament for their wickedness, by which they
had forced him out of the town. So when they were come, bowed themselves to the
ground seven times; they also wept, they wept aloud, and asked forgiveness of the
Prince, and prayed that he would again, as of old, confirm his love to Mansoul.
To the which the great Prince replied, ‘Weep not, but go your way, eat the fat, and
drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nought is prepared; for the joy
of your Lord is your strength. I am returned to Mansoul with mercies, and my name
shall be set up, exalted, and magnified by it.’ He also took these inhabitants, and
kissed them, and laid them in his bosom.
Moreover, he gave to the elders of Mansoul, and to each town officer, a chain of gold
and a signet. He also sent to their wives earrings and jewels, and bracelets, and other
things. He also bestowed upon the true-born children of Mansoul many precious
things.
When Emmanuel, the Prince, had done all these things for the famous town of
Mansoul, then he said unto them, first, ‘Wash your garments, then put on your
ornaments, and then come to me into the castle of Mansoul.’ So they went to the
fountain that was set open for Judah and Jerusalem to wash in; and there they
washed, and there they made their ‘garments white,’ and came again to the Prince
into the castle, and thus they stood before him.
And now there was music and dancing throughout the whole town of Mansoul, and
that because their Prince had again granted to them his presence and the light of his
countenance; the bells also did ring, and the sun shone comfortably upon them for a
great while together.
The town of Mansoul did also now more thoroughly seek the destruction and ruin of
all remaining Diabolonians that abode in the walls, and the dens that they had in the
town of Mansoul; for there was of them that had, to this day, escaped with life and
limb from the hand of their suppressors in the famous town of Mansoul.
But my Lord Willbewill was a greater terror to them now than ever he had been
before; forasmuch as his heart was yet more fully bent to seek, contrive, and pursue
them to the death; he pursued them night and day, and did put them now to sore
distress, as will afterwards appear.
After things were thus far put into order in the famous town of Mansoul, care was
taken, and order given by the blessed Prince Emmanuel, that the townsmen should,
without further delay, appoint some to go forth into the plain to bury the dead that
were there,—the dead that fell by the sword of Emmanuel, and by the shield of the
Captain Credence,—lest the fumes and ill savours that would arise from them might
infect the air, and so annoy the famous town of Mansoul. This also was a reason of
this order, namely, that, as much as in Mansoul lay, they might cut off the name, and---
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being, and remembrance of those enemies from the thought of the famous town of
Mansoul and its inhabitants.
So order was given out by the Lord Mayor, that wise and trusty friend of the town of
Mansoul, that persons should be employed about this necessary business; and Mr.
Godly-Fear, and one Mr. Upright, were to be overseers about this matter: so persons
were put under them to work in the fields, and to bury the slain that lay dead in the
plains. And these were their places of employment: some were to make the graves,
some to bury the dead, and some were to go to and fro in the plains, and also round
about the borders of Mansoul, to see if a skull, or a bone, or a piece of a bone of a
doubter, was yet to be found above ground anywhere near the corporation; and if any
were found, it was ordered, that the searchers that searched should set up a mark
thereby, and a sign, that those that were appointed to bury them might find it, and
bury it out of sight, that the name and remembrance of a Diabolonian doubter might
be blotted out from under heaven; and that the children, and they that were to be
born in Mansoul, might not know, if possible, what a skull, what a bone, or a piece of
a bone of a doubter was. So the buriers, and those that were appointed for that
purpose, did as they were commanded: they buried the doubters, and all the skulls
and bones, and pieces of bones of doubters, wherever they found them; and so they
cleansed the plains. Now also Mr. God’s-Peace took up his commission, and acted
again as in former days.
Thus they buried in the plains about Mansoul the election doubters, the vocation
doubters, the grace doubters, the perseverance doubters, the resurrection doubters,
the salvation doubters, and the glory doubters; whose captains were Captain Rage,
Captain Cruel, Captain Damnation, Captain Insatiable, Captain Brimstone, Captain
Torment, Captain No-Ease, Captain Sepulchre, and Captain Past-Hope; and old
Incredulity was, under Diabolus, their general. There were also the seven heads of
their army; and they were the Lord Beelzebub, the Lord Lucifer, the Lord Legion, the
Lord Apollyon, the Lord Python, the Lord Cerberus, and the Lord Belial. But the
princes and the captains, with old Incredulity, their general, did all of them make
their escape: so their men fell down slain by the power of the Prince’s forces, and by
the hands of the men of the town of Mansoul. They also were buried as is afore
related, to the exceeding great joy of the now famous town of Mansoul. They that
buried them buried also with them their arms, which were cruel instruments of
death: (their weapons were arrows, darts, mauls, firebrands, and the like). They
buried also their armour, their colours, banners, with the standard of Diabolus, and
what else soever they could find that did but smell of a Diabolonian doubter.
Now when the tyrant had arrived at Hell-Gate Hill, with his old friend Incredulity,
they immediately descended the den, and having there with their fellows for a while
condoled their misfortune and great loss that they sustained against the town of
Mansoul, they fell at length into a passion, and revenged they would be for the loss
that they sustained before the town of Mansoul. Wherefore they presently call a
council to contrive yet further what was to be done against the famous town of
Mansoul; for their yawning paunches could not wait to see the result of their Lord
Lucifer’s and their Lord Apollyon’s counsel that they had given before; for their
raging gorge thought every day, even as long as a short for ever, until they were filled
with the body and soul, with the flesh and bones, and with all the delicates of
Mansoul. They therefore resolve to make another attempt upon the town of
Mansoul, and that by an army mixed and made up partly of doubters, and partly of
blood-men. A more particular account now take of both.
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The doubters are such as have their name from their nature, as well as from the land
and kingdom where they are born: their nature is to put a question upon every one of
the truths of Emmanuel; and their country is called the land of Doubting, and that
land lieth off, and farthest remote to the north, between the land of Darkness and
that called the ‘valley of the shadow of death.’ For though the land of Darkness, and
that called ‘the valley of the shadow of death,’ be sometimes called as if they were one
and the self-same place, yet indeed they are two, lying but a little way asunder, and
the land of Doubting points in, and lieth between them. This is the land of Doubting;
and these that came with Diabolus to ruin the town of Mansoul are the natives of that
country.
The blood-men are a people that have their name derived from the malignity of their
nature, and from the fury that is in them to execute it upon the town of Mansoul:
their land lieth under the dog-star, and by that they are governed as to their
intellectuals. The name of their country is the province of Loath-good: the remote
parts of it are far distant from the land of Doubting, yet they do both butt and bound
upon the hill called Hell-Gate Hill. These people are always in league with the
doubters, for they jointly do make question of the faith and fidelity of the men of the
town of Mansoul, and so are both alike qualified for the service of their prince.
Now of these two countries did Diabolus, by the beating of his drum, raise another
army against the town of Mansoul, of five-and-twenty thousand strong. There were
ten thousand doubters, and fifteen thousand blood-men, and they were put under
several captains for the war; and old Incredulity was again made general of the army.
As for the doubters, their captains were five of the seven that were heads of the last
Diabolonian army, and these are their names: Captain Beelzebub, Captain Lucifer,
Captain Apollyon, Captain Legion, and Captain Cerberus; and the captains that they
had before were some of them made lieutenants, and some ensigns of the army.
But Diabolus did not count that, in this expedition of his, these doubters would prove
his principal men, for their manhood had been tried before; also the Mansoulians
had put them to the worst: only he did bring them to multiply a number, and to help,
if need was, at a pinch. But his trust he put in his blood-men, for that they were all
rugged villains, and he knew that they had done feats heretofore.
As for the blood-men, they also were under command and the names of their
captains were, Captain Cain, Captain Nimrod, Captain Ishmael, Captain Esau,
Captain Saul, Captain Absalom, Captain Judas, and Captain Pope.
1. Captain Cain was over two bands, namely, the zealous and the angry blood-men:
his standard-bearer bare the red colours, and his scutcheon was the murdering club.
2. Captain Nimrod was captain over two bands, namely, the tyrannical and
encroaching blood-men: his standard-bearer bare the red colours, and his scutcheon
was the great bloodhound.
3. Captain Ishmael was captain over two bands, namely, the mocking and scorning
blood-men: his standard-bearer bare the red colours, and his scutcheon was one
mocking at Abraham’s Isaac.
4. Captain Esau was captain over two bands, namely, the blood-men that grudged
that another should have the blessing; also over the blood-men that are for executing
their private revenge upon others: his standard-bearer bare the red colours, and his
scutcheon was one privately lurking to murder Jacob.
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5. Captain Saul was captain over two bands, namely, the groundlessly jealous and the
devilishly furious blood-men: his standard-bearer bare the red colours, and his
scutcheon was three bloody darts cast at harmless David.
6. Captain Absalom was captain over two bands, namely, over the blood-men that
will kill a father or a friend for the glory of this world; also over those blood-men that
will hold one fair in hand with words, till they shall have pierced him with their
swords: his standard-bearer did bear the red colours, and his scutcheon was the son
pursuing the father’s blood.
7. Captain Judas was over two bands, namely, the blood-men that will sell a man’s
life for money, and those also that will betray their friend with a kiss: his standard-
bearer bare the red colours, and his scutcheon was thirty pieces of silver and the
halter.
8. Captain Pope was captain over one band, for all these spirits are joined in one
under him: his standard-bearer bare the red colours, and his scutcheon was the
stake, the flame, and the good man in it.
Now, the reason why Diabolus did so soon rally another force, after he had been
beaten out of the field, was, for that he put mighty confidence in this army of blood-
men; for he put a great deal of more trust in them than he did before in his army of
doubters; though they had also often done great service for him in the strengthening
of him in his kingdom. But these blood-men, he had proved them often, and their
sword did seldom return empty. Besides, he knew that these, like mastiffs, would
fasten upon any; upon father, mother, brother, sister, prince, or governor, yea upon
the Prince of princes. And that which encouraged him the more was, for that they
once did force Emmanuel out of the kingdom of Universe; ‘And why,’ thought he,
‘may they not also drive him from the town of Mansoul?’
So this army of five-and-twenty thousand strong was, by their general, the great Lord
Incredulity, led up against the town of Mansoul. Now Mr. Prywell, the scoutmaster-
general, did himself go out to spy, and he did bring Mansoul tidings of their
coming. Wherefore they shut up their gates, and put themselves in a posture of
defence against these new Diabolonians that came up against the town.
So Diabolus brought up his army, and beleaguered the town of Mansoul; the
doubters were placed about Feel-gate, and the blood-men set down before Eye-gate
and Ear-gate.
Now when this army had thus encamped themselves, Incredulity did, in the name of
Diabolus, his own name, and in the name of the blood-men and the rest that were
with him, send a summons as hot as a red-hot iron to Mansoul, to yield to their
demands; threatening, that if they still stood it out against them, they would
presently burn down Mansoul with fire. For you must know that, as for the blood-
men, they were not so much that Mansoul should be surrendered, as that Mansoul
should be destroyed, and cut off out of the land of the living. True, they send to them
to surrender; but should they so do, that would not stench or quench the thirsts of
these men. They must have blood, the blood of Mansoul, else they die; and it is from
hence that they have their name. Wherefore these blood-men he reserved while now
that they might, when all his engines proved ineffectual, as his last and sure card be
played against the town of Mansoul.
Now, when the townsmen had received this red-hot summons, it begat in them at
present some changing and interchanging thoughts; but they jointly agreed, in less---
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than half an hour, to carry the summons to the Prince, the which they did when they
had writ at the bottom of it, ‘Lord, save Mansoul from bloody men!’
So he took it, and looked upon it, and considered it, and took notice also of that short petition that the men of Mansoul had written at the bottom of it, and called to him
the noble Captain Credence, and bid him go and take Captain Patience with him, and
go and take care of that side of Mansoul that was beleaguered by the blood-men. So
they went and did as they were commanded: the Captain Credence went and took
Captain Patience, and they both secured that side of Mansoul that was besieged by
the blood-men.
Then he commanded that Captain Good-hope and Captain Charity, and my Lord
Willbewill, should take charge of the other side of the town. ‘And I,’ said the Prince,
‘will set my standard upon the battlements of your castle, and do you three watch
against the doubters.’ This done, he again commanded that the brave captain, the
Captain Experience, should draw up his men in the market-place, and that there he
should exercise them day by day before the people of the town of Mansoul. Now this
siege was long, and many a fierce attempt did the enemy, especially those called the
blood-men, make upon the town of Mansoul; and many a shrewd brush did some of
the townsmen meet with from them, especially Captain Self-Denial, who, I should
have told you before, was commanded to take the care of Ear-gate and Eye-gate now
against the blood-men. This Captain Self-Denial was a young man, but stout, and a
townsman in Mansoul, as Captain Experience also was. And Emmanuel, at his
second return to Mansoul, made him a captain over a thousand of the Mansoulians,
for the good of the corporation. This captain, therefore, being an hardy man, and a
man of great courage, and willing to venture himself for the good of the town of
Mansoul, would now and then sally out upon the blood-men, and give them many
notable alarms, and entered several brisk skirmishes with them, and also did some
execution upon them; but you must think that this could not easily be done, but he
must meet with brushes himself, for he carried several of their marks in his face; yea,
and some in some other parts of his body.
So, after some time spent for the trial of the faith, and hope, and love of the town of
Mansoul, the Prince Emmanuel upon a day calls his captains and men of war
together, and divides them into two companies; this done, he commands them at a
time appointed, and that in the morning very early, to sally out upon the enemy,
saying: ‘Let half of you fall upon the doubters, and half of you fall upon the blood-
men. Those of you that go out against the doubters, kill and slay, and cause to perish
so many of them as by any means you can lay hands on; but for you that go out
against the blood-men, slay them not, but take them alive.’
So, at the time appointed, betimes in the morning, the captains went out as they were
commanded, against the enemies. Captain Good-Hope, Captain Charity, and those
that were joined with them, as Captain Innocent and Captain Experience, went out
against the doubters; and Captain Credence, and Captain Patience, with Captain Self-
Denial, and the rest that were to join with them, went out against the blood-men.
Now, those that went out against the doubters drew up into a body before the plain,
and marched on to bid them battle. But the doubters, remembering their last
success, made a retreat, not daring to stand the shock, but fled from the Prince’s
men; wherefore they pursued them, and in their pursuit slew many, but they could
not catch them all. Now those that escaped went some of them home; and the rest by
fives, nines, and seventeens, like wanderers, went straggling up and down the---
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country, where they upon the barbarous people showed and exercised many of their
Diabolonian actions: nor did these people rise up in arms against them, but suffered
themselves to be enslaved by them. They would also after this show themselves in
companies before the town of Mansoul, but never to abide in it; for if Captain
Credence, Captain Good-Hope, or Captain Experience did but show themselves, they
fled.
Those that went out against the blood-men did as they were commanded: they
forbore to slay any, but sought to compass them about. But the blood-men, when
they saw that no Emmanuel was in the field, concluded also that no Emmanuel was
in Mansoul; wherefore they, looking upon what the captains did to be, as they called
it, a fruit of the extravagancy of their wild and foolish fancies, rather despised them
than feared them. But the captains, minding their business, at last did compass them
round; they also that had routed the doubters came in amain to their aid: so, in fine,
after some little struggling, (for the blood-men also would have run for it, only now it
was too late; for though they are mischievous and cruel, where they can overcome,
yet all blood-men are chicken-hearted men, when they once come to see themselves
matched and equalled,)—so the captains took them, and brought them to the Prince.
Now when they were taken, had before the Prince, and examined, he found them to
be of three several counties, though they all came out of one land.
1. One sort of them came out of Blind-man-shire, and they were such as did
ignorantly what they did.
2. Another sort of them came out of Blind-zeal-shire, and they did superstitiously
what they did.
3. The third sort of them came out of the town of Malice, in the county of Envy, and
they did what they did out of spite and implacableness.
For the first of these, namely, they that came out of Blind-man-shire, when they saw
where they were, and against whom they had fought, they trembled and cried, as they
stood before him; and as many of these as asked him mercy, he touched their lips
with his golden sceptre.
They that came out of Blind-zeal-shire, they did not as their fellows did; for they
pleaded that they had a right to do what they did, because Mansoul was a town
whose laws and customs were diverse from all that dwelt thereabouts. Very few of
these could be brought to see their evil; but those that did, and asked mercy, they
also obtained favour.
Now, they that came out of the town of Malice, that is in the county of Envy, they
neither wept, nor disputed, nor repented, but stood gnawing their tongues before
him for anguish and madness, because they could not have their will upon
Mansoul. Now these last, with all those of the other two sorts that did not
unfeignedly ask pardon for their faults,—those he made to enter into sufficient bond
to answer for what they had done against Mansoul, and against her King, at the great
and general assizes to be holden for our Lord the King, where he himself should
appoint for the country and kingdom of Universe. So they became bound each man
for himself, to come in, when called upon, to answer before our Lord the King for
what they had done as before.
And thus much concerning this second army that was sent by Diabolus to overthrow
Mansoul.
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But there were three of those that came from the land of Doubting, who, after they
had wandered and ranged the country a while, and perceived that they had escaped,
were so hardy as to thrust themselves, knowing that yet there were in the town
Diabolonians,—I say, they were so hardy as to thrust themselves into Mansoul among
them. (Three, did I say? I think there were four.) Now, to whose house should these
Diabolonian doubters go, but to the house of an old Diabolonian in Mansoul, whose
name was Evil-Questioning, a very great enemy he was to Mansoul, and a great doer
among the Diabolonians there. Well, to this Evil-Questioning’s house, as was said,
did these Diabolonians come (you may be sure that they had directions how to find
the way thither), so he made them welcome, pitied their misfortune, and succoured
them with the best that he had in his house. Now, after a little acquaintance (and it
was not long before they had that), this old Evil-Questioning asked the doubters if
they were all of a town (he knew that they were all of one kingdom), and they
answered: ‘No, nor not of one shire neither; for I,’ said one, ‘am an election
doubter:’ ‘I,’ said another, ‘am a vocation doubter:’ then said the third, ‘I am a
salvation doubter:’ and the fourth said he was a grace doubter. ‘Well,’ quoth the old
gentleman, ‘be of what shire you will, I am persuaded that you are down, boys: you
have the very length of my foot, are one with my heart, and shall be welcome to
me.’ So they thanked him, and were glad that they had found themselves an harbour
in Mansoul.
Then said Evil-Questioning to them: ‘How many of your company might there be
that came with you to the siege of Mansoul?’ and they answered: ‘There were but ten
thousand doubters in all, for the rest of the army consisted of fifteen thousand blood-
men. These blood-men,’ quoth they, ‘border upon our country; but, poor men! as we
hear, they were every one taken by Emmanuel’s forces.’ ‘Ten thousand!’ quoth the
old gentleman; ‘I will promise you, that is a round company. But how came it to
pass, since you were so mighty a number, that you fainted, and durst not fight your
foes?’ ‘Our general,’ said they, ‘was the first man that did run for it.’ ‘Pray,’ quoth
their landlord, ‘who was that, your cowardly general?’ ‘He was once the Lord Mayor
of Mansoul,’ said they: ‘but pray call him not a cowardly general; for whether any
from the east to the west has done more service for our prince Diabolus, than has my
Lord Incredulity, will be a hard question for you to answer. But had they catched
him, they would for certain have hanged him; and we promise you, hanging is but a
bad business.’ Then said the old gentleman, ‘I would that all the ten thousand
doubters were now well armed in Mansoul, and myself at the head of them; I would
see what I could do.’ ‘Ay,’ said they, ‘that would be well if we could see that; but
wishes, alas! what are they?’ and these words were spoken aloud. ‘Well,’ said old
Evil-Questioning, ‘take heed that you talk not too loud; you must be quat and close,
and must take care of yourselves while you are here, or, I will assure you, you will be
snapped.’ ‘Why?’ quoth the doubters. ‘Why!’ quoth the old gentleman; ‘why!
because both the Prince and Lord Secretary, and their captains and soldiers, are all at
present in town; yea, the town is as full of them as ever it can hold. And besides,
there is one whose name is Willbewill, a most cruel enemy of ours, and him the
Prince has made keeper of the gates, and has commanded him that, with all the
diligence he can, he should look for, search out, and destroy all, and all manner of
Diabolonians. And if he lighteth upon you, down you go, though your heads were
made of gold.’
And now, to see how it happened, one of the Lord Willbewill’s faithful soldiers,
whose name was Mr. Diligence, stood all this while listening under old Evil---
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Questioning’s eaves, and heard all the talk that had been betwixt him and the
doubters that he entertained under his roof.
The soldier was a man that my lord had much confidence in, and that he loved
dearly; and that both because he was a man of courage, and also a man that was
unwearied in seeking after Diabolonians to apprehend them.
Now this man, as I told you, heard all the talk that was between old Evil-Questioning
and these Diabolonians; wherefore what does he but goes to his lord, and tells him
what he had heard. ‘And sayest thou so, my trusty?’ quoth my lord. ‘Ay,’ quoth
Diligence, ‘that I do; and if your lordship will be pleased to go with me, you shall find
it as I have said.’ ‘And are they there?’ quoth my lord. ‘I know Evil-Questioning well,
for he and I were great in the time of our apostasy: but I know not now where he
dwells.’ ‘But I do,’ said his man, ‘and if your lordship will go, I will lead you the way
to his den.’ ‘Go!’ quoth my lord, ‘that I will. Come, my Diligence, let us go find them
out.’
So my lord and his man went together the direct way to his house. Now his man
went before to show him his way, and they went till they came even under old Mr.
Evil-Questioning’s wall. Then said Diligence, ‘Hark! my lord, do you know the old
gentleman’s tongue when you hear it?’ ‘Yes,’ said my lord, ‘I know it well, but I have
not seen him many a day. This I know, he is cunning; I wish he doth not give us the
slip.’ ‘Let me alone for that,’ said his servant Diligence. ‘But how shall we find the
door?’ quoth my lord. ‘Let me alone for that, too,’ said his man. So he had my Lord
Willbewill about, and showed him the way to the door. Then my lord, without more
ado, broke open the door, rushed into the house, and caught them all five together,
even as Diligence his man had told him. So my lord apprehended them, and led
them away, and committed them to the hand of Mr. Trueman, the gaoler, and
commanded, and he did put them in ward. This done, my Lord Mayor was
acquainted in the morning with what my Lord Willbewill had done over night, and
his lordship rejoiced much at the news, not only because there were doubters
apprehended, but because that old Evil-Questioning was taken; for he had been a
very great trouble to Mansoul, and much affliction to my Lord Mayor himself. He
had also been sought for often, but no hand could ever be laid upon him till now.
Well, the next thing was to make preparation to try these five that by my lord had
been apprehended, and that were in the hands of Mr. Trueman, the gaoler. So the
day was set, and the court called and come together, and the prisoners brought to the
bar. My Lord Willbewill had power to have slain them when at first he took them,
and that without any more ado; but he thought it at this time more for the honour of
the Prince, the comfort of Mansoul, and the discouragement of the enemy, to bring
them forth to public judgment.
But, I say, Mr. Trueman brought them in chains to the bar; to the town-hall, for that
was the place of judgment. So, to be short, the jury was panelled, the witnesses
sworn, and the prisoners tried for their lives: the jury was the same that tried Mr. No-
Truth, Pitiless, Haughty, and the rest of their companions.
And, first, old Questioning himself was set to the bar for he was the receiver, the
entertainer, and comforter of these doubters, that by nation were outlandish men:
then he was bid to hearken to his charge, and was told that he had liberty to object, if
he had ought to say for himself. So his indictment was read: the manner and form
here follows.
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‘Mr. Questioning, Thou art here indicted by the name of Evil-Questioning, an
intruder upon the town of Mansoul, for that thou art a Diabolonian by nature, and
also a hater of the Prince Emmanuel, and one that hast studied the ruin of the town
of Mansoul. Thou art also here indicted for countenancing the King’s enemies, after
wholesome laws made to the contrary: for, 1. Thou hast questioned the truth of her
doctrine and state: 2. In wishing that ten thousand doubters were in her: 3. In
receiving, in entertaining, and encouraging of her enemies, that came from their
army unto thee. What sayest thou to this indictment? art thou guilty or not guilty?’
‘My lord,’ quoth he, ‘I know not the meaning of this indictment, forasmuch as I am
not the man concerned in it; the man that standeth by this charge accused before this
bench is called by the name of Evil-Questioning, which name I deny to be mine, mine
being Honest-Inquiry. The one indeed sounds like the other; but, I trow, your
lordships know that between these two there is a wide difference; for I hope that a
man, even in the worst of times, and that, too, amongst the worst of men, may make
an honest inquiry after things, without running the danger of death.’
Then spake my Lord Willbewill, for he was one of the witnesses: ‘My lord, and you
the honourable bench and magistrates of the town of Mansoul, you all have heard
with your ears that the prisoner at the bar has denied his name, and so thinks to shift
from the charge of the indictment. But I know him to be the man concerned, and
that his proper name is Evil-Questioning. I have known him, my lord, above these
thirty years, for he and I (a shame it is for me to speak it) were great acquaintance,
when Diabolus, that tyrant, had the government of Mansoul; and I testify that he is a
Diabolonian by nature, an enemy to our Prince, and a hater of the blessed town of
Mansoul. He has, in times of rebellion, been at and lain in my house, my lord, not so
little as twenty nights together, and we did use to talk then, for the substance of talk,
as he and his doubters have talked of late: true, I have not seen him many a day. I
suppose that the coming of Emmanuel to Mansoul has made him change his
lodgings, as this indictment has driven him to change his name; but this is the man,
my lord.’
Then said the court unto him, ‘Hast thou any more to say?’
‘Yes,’ quoth the old gentleman, ‘that I have; for all that as yet has been said against
me, is but by the mouth of one witness; and it is not lawful for the famous town of
Mansoul, at the mouth of one witness, to put any man to death.’
Then stood forth Mr. Diligence, and said, ‘My lord, as I was upon my watch such a
night at the head of Bad Street, in this town, I chanced to hear a muttering within
this gentleman’s house. Then, thought I, what is to do here? So I went up close, but
very softly, to the side of the house to listen, thinking, as indeed it fell out, that there
I might light upon some Diabolonian conventicle. So, as I said, I drew nearer and
nearer; and when I was got up close to the wall, it was but a while before I perceived
that there were outlandish men in the house; but I did well understand their speech,
for I have been a traveller myself. Now, hearing such language in such a tottering
cottage as this old gentleman dwelt in, I clapped mine ear to a hole in the window,
and there heard them talk as followeth. This old Mr. Questioning asked these
doubters what they were, whence they came, and what was their business in these
parts; and they told him to all these questions, yet he did entertain them. He also
asked what numbers there were of them; and they told him ten thousand men. He
then asked them, why they made no more manly assault upon Mansoul; and they
told him: so he called their general coward, for marching off when he should have---
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fought for his prince. Further, this old Evil-Questioning wished, and I heard him
wish, would all the ten thousand doubters were now in Mansoul, and himself at the
head of them. He bid them also to take heed and lie quat; for if they were taken they
must die, although they had heads of gold.’ Then said the court: ‘Mr. Evil-
Questioning, here is now another witness against you, and his testimony is full: 1. He
swears that you did receive these men into your house, and that you did nourish
them there, though you knew that they were Diabolonians, and the King’s
enemies. 2. He swears that you did wish ten thousand of them in Mansoul. 3. He
swears that you did give them advice to be quat and close, lest they were taken by the
King’s servants. All which manifesteth that thou art a Diabolonian; but hadst thou
been a friend to the King, thou wouldst have apprehended them.’
Then said Evil-Questioning: ‘To the first of these I answer, The men that came into
mine house were strangers, and I took them in; and is it now become a crime in
Mansoul for a man to entertain strangers? That I did also nourish them is true; and
why should my charity be blamed? As for the reason why I wished ten thousand of
them in Mansoul, I never told it to the witnesses, nor to themselves. I might wish
them to be taken, and so my wish might mean well to Mansoul, for aught that any yet
knows. I did also bid them take heed that they fell not into the captains’ hands; but
that might be because I am unwilling that any man should be slain, and not because I
would have the King’s enemies as such escape.’
My Lord Mayor then replied: ‘That though it was a virtue to entertain strangers, yet it
was treason to entertain the King’s enemies. And for what else thou hast said, thou
dost by words but labour to evade and defer the execution of judgment. But could
there be no more proved against thee but that thou art a Diabolonian, thou must for
that die the death by the law; but to be a receiver, a nourisher, a countenancer, and a
harbourer of others of them, yea, of outlandish Diabolonians, yea, of them that came
from far on purpose to cut off and destroy our Mansoul—this must not be borne.’
Then said Evil-Questioning: ‘I see how the game will go: I must die for my name, and
for my charity.’ And so he held his peace.
Then they called the outlandish doubters to the bar, and the first of them that was
arraigned was the election doubter. So his indictment was read; and because he was
an outlandish man, the substance of it was told him by an interpreter; namely, ‘That
he was there charged with being an enemy of Emmanuel the Prince, a hater of the
town of Mansoul, and an opposer of her most wholesome doctrine.’
Then the judge asked him if he would plead? but he said only this—That he confessed
that he was an election doubter, and that that was the religion that he had ever been
brought up in. And said, moreover, ‘If I must die for my religion, I trow, I shall die a
martyr, and so I care the less.’
Judge. Then it was replied: ‘To question election, is to overthrow a great doctrine of
the gospel, namely, the omnisciency, and power, and will of God; to take away the
liberty of God with his creature, to stumble the faith of the town of Mansoul, and to
make salvation to depend upon works, and not upon grace. It also belied the word,
and disquieted the minds of the men of Mansoul; therefore by the best of laws he
must die.’
Then was the vocation doubter called, and set to the bar; and his indictment for
substance was the same with the other, only he was particularly charged with
denying the calling of Mansoul.
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The judge asked him also what he had to say for himself?
So he replied: ‘That he never believed that there was any such thing as a distinct and
powerful call of God to Mansoul; otherwise than by the general voice of the word, nor
by that neither, otherwise than as it exhorted them to forbear evil, and to do that
which is good, and in so doing a promise of happiness is annexed.’
Then said the judge: ‘Thou art a Diabolonian, and hast denied a great part of one of
the most experimental truths of the Prince of the town of Mansoul; for he has called,
and she has heard a most distinct and powerful call of her Emmanuel, by which she
has been quickened, awakened, and possessed with heavenly grace to desire to have
communion with her Prince, to serve him, and to do his will, and to look for her
happiness merely of his good pleasure. And for thine abhorrence of this good
doctrine, thou must die the death.’
Then the grace doubter was called, and his indictment was read and he replied
thereto: ‘That though he was of the land of doubting, his father was the offspring of a
Pharisee, and lived in good fashion among his neighbours, and that he taught him to
believe, and believe it I do, and will, that Mansoul shall never be saved freely by
grace.’
Then said the judge: ‘Why, the law of the Prince is plain: 1. Negatively, “not of
works:” 2. Positively, “by grace you are saved.” And thy religion settleth in and upon
the works of the flesh; for the works of the law are the works of the flesh. Besides, in
saying as thou hast done, thou hast robbed God of His glory, and given it to a sinful
man; thou hast robbed Christ of the necessity of His undertaking, and the sufficiency
thereof, and hast given both these to the works of the flesh. Thou hast despised the
work of the Holy Ghost, and hast magnified the will of the flesh, and of the legal
mind. Thou art a Diabolonian, the son of a Diabolonian; and for thy Diabolonian
principles thou must die.’
The court then, having proceeded thus far with them, sent out the jury, who
forthwith brought them in guilty of death. Then stood up the Recorder, and
addressed himself to the prisoners: ‘You, the prisoners at the bar, you have been here
indicted, and proved guilty of high crimes against Emmanuel our Prince, and against
the welfare of the famous town of Mansoul, crimes for which you must be put to
death, and die ye accordingly.’ So they were sentenced to the death of the cross. The
place assigned them for execution, was that where Diabolus drew up his last army
against Mansoul; save only that old Evil-Questioning was hanged at the top of Bad
Street, just over against his own door.
When the town of Mansoul had thus far rid themselves of their enemies, and of the
troublers of their peace, in the next place a strict commandment was given out, that
yet my Lord Willbewill should, with Diligence his man, search for, and do his best to
apprehend what town Diabolonians were yet left alive in Mansoul. The names of
several of them were, Mr. Fooling, Mr. Let-Good-Slip, Mr. Slavish-Fear, Mr. No-
Love, Mr. Mistrust, Mr. Flesh, and Mr. Sloth. It was also commanded, that he should
apprehend Mr. Evil-Questioning’s children, that he left behind him, and that they
should demolish his house. The children that he left behind him were these: Mr.
Doubt, and he was his eldest son; the next to him was Legal-Life, Unbelief, Wrong-
Thoughts-of-Christ, Clip-Promise, Carnal-Sense, Live-by-Feeling, Self-Love. All
these he had by one wife, and her name was No-Hope; she was the kinswoman of old
Incredulity, for he was her uncle; and when her father, old Dark, was dead, he took--
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her and brought her up, and when she was marriageable, he gave her to this old Evil-
Questioning to wife.
Now the Lord Willbewill did put into execution his commission, with great Diligence,
his man. He took Fooling in the streets, and hanged him up in Want-wit-Alley, over
against his own house. This Fooling was he that would have had the town of
Mansoul deliver up Captain Credence into the hands of Diabolus, provided that then
he would have withdrawn his force out of the town. He also took Mr. Let-Good-Slip
one day as he was busy in the market, and executed him according to law. Now there
was an honest poor man in Mansoul, and his name was Mr. Meditation, one of no
great account in the days of apostasy, but now of repute with the best of the
town. This man, therefore, they were willing to prefer. Now Mr. Let-Good-Slip had a
great deal of wealth heretofore in Mansoul, and, at Emmanuel’s coming, it was
sequestered to the use of the Prince: this, therefore, was now given to Mr.
Meditation, to improve for the common good, and after him to his son, Mr. Think-
Well; this Think-Well he had by Mrs. Piety his wife, and she was the daughter of Mr.
Recorder.
After this, my lord apprehended Clip-Promise: now because he was a notorious
villain, for by his doings much of the King’s coin was abused, therefore he was made
a public example. He was arraigned and judged to be first set in the pillory, then to
be whipped by all the children and servants in Mansoul, and then to be hanged till he
was dead. Some may wonder at the severity of this man’s punishment; but those that
are honest traders in Mansoul, are sensible of the great abuse that one clipper of
promises in little time may do to the town of Mansoul. And truly my judgment is,
that all those of his name and life should be served even as he.
He also apprehended Carnal-Sense, and put him in hold; but how it came about, I
cannot tell, but he brake prison, and made his escape: yea, and the bold villain will
not yet quit the town, but lurks in the Diabolonian dens a days, and haunts like a
ghost honest men’s houses a nights. Wherefore, there was a proclamation set up in
the market-place in Mansoul, signifying that whosoever could discover Carnal-Sense,
and apprehend him and slay him, should be admitted daily to the Prince’s table, and
should be made keeper of the treasure of Mansoul. Many, therefore, did bend
themselves to do this thing, but take him and slay him they could not, though often
he was discovered.
But my lord took Mr. Wrong-Thoughts-of-Christ, and put him in prison, and he died
there; though it was long first, for he died of a lingering consumption.
Self-Love was also taken and committed to custody; but there were many that were
allied to him in Mansoul, so his judgment was deferred. But at last Mr. Self-Denial
stood up, and said: ‘If such villains as these may be winked at in Mansoul, I will lay
down my commission.’ He also took him from the crowd, and had him among his
soldiers, and there he was brained. But some in Mansoul muttered at it, though none
durst speak plainly, because Emmanuel was in town. But this brave act of Captain
Self-Denial came to the Prince’s ears; so he sent for him, and made him a lord in
Mansoul. My Lord Willbewill also obtained great commendations of Emmanuel, for
what he had done for the town of Mansoul.
Then my Lord Self-Denial took courage, and set to the pursuing of the Diabolonians,
with my Lord Willbewill; and they took Live-by-Feeling, and they took Legal-Life,
and put them in hold till they died. But Mr. Unbelief was a nimble Jack: him they
could never lay hold of, though they attempted to do it often. He therefore, and some---
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few more of the subtlest of the Diabolonian tribe, did yet remain in Mansoul, to the
time that Mansoul left off to dwell any longer in the kingdom of Universe. But they
kept them to their dens and holes: if one of them did appear, or happen to be seen in
any of the streets of the town of Mansoul, the whole town would be up in arms after
them; yea, the very children in Mansoul would cry out after them as after a thief, and
would wish that they might stone them to death with stones. And now did Mansoul
arrive to some good degree of peace and quiet; her Prince also did abide within her
borders; her captains, also, and her soldiers did their duties; and Mansoul minded
her trade that she had with the country that was afar off; also she was busy in her
manufacture.
When the town of Mansoul had thus far rid themselves of so many of their enemies,
and the troublers of their peace, the Prince sent to them, and appointed a day
wherein he would, at the market-place, meet the whole people, and there give them
in charge concerning some further matters, that, if observed, would tend to their
further safety and comfort, and to the condemnation and destruction of their home-
bred Diabolonians. So the day appointed was come, and the townsmen met together;
Emmanuel also came down in his chariot, and all his captains in their state attending
him, on the right hand and on the left. Then was an oyes made for silence, and, after
some mutual carriages of love, the Prince began, and thus proceeded:—
‘You, my Mansoul, and the beloved of mine heart, many and great are the privileges
that I have bestowed upon you; I have singled you out from others, and have chosen
you to myself, not for your worthiness, but for mine own sake. I have also redeemed
you, not only from the dread of my Father’s law, but from the hand of Diabolus. This
I have done because I loved you, and because I have set my heart upon you to do you
good. I have also, that all things, that might hinder thy way to the pleasures of
paradise might be taken out of the way, laid down for thee for thy soul a plenary
satisfaction, and have bought thee to myself; a price not of corruptible things, as of
silver and gold, but a price of blood, mine own blood, which I have freely spilled upon
the ground to make thee mine. So I have reconciled thee, O my Mansoul, to my
Father, and entrusted thee in the mansion houses that are with my Father in the
royal city, where things are, O my Mansoul, that eye hath not seen, nor hath entered
into the heart of man to conceive.
‘Besides, O my Mansoul, thou seest what I have done, and how I have taken thee out
of the hands of thine enemies: unto whom thou hadst deeply revolted from my
Father, and by whom thou wast content to be possessed, and also to be destroyed. I
came to thee first by my law, then by my gospel, to awaken thee, and show thee my
glory. And thou knowest what thou wast, what thou saidst, what thou didst, and how
many times thou rebelledst against my Father and me; yet I left thee not as thou
seest this day, but came to thee, have borne thy manners, have waited upon thee,
and, after all, accepted of thee, even of my mere grace and favour; and would not
suffer thee to be lost, as thou most willingly wouldst have been. I also compassed
thee about, and afflicted thee on every side, that I might make thee weary of thy
ways, and bring down thy heart with molestation to a willingness to close with thy
good and happiness. And when I had gotten a complete conquest over thee, I turned
it to thy advantage.
‘Thou seest, also, what a company of my Father’s host I have lodged within thy
borders: captains and rulers, soldiers and men of war, engines and excellent devices
to subdue and bring down thy foes; thou knowest my meaning, O Mansoul. And they
are my servants, and thine, too, Mansoul. Yea, my design of possessing of thee with---
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them, and the natural tendency of each of them is to defend, purge, strengthen, and
sweeten thee for myself, O Mansoul, and to make thee meet for my Father’s presence,
blessing, and glory; for thou, my Mansoul, art created to be prepared unto these.
‘Thou seest, moreover, my Mansoul, how I have passed by thy backslidings, and have
healed thee. Indeed I was angry with thee, but I have turned mine anger away from
thee, because I loved thee still, and mine anger and mine indignation is ceased in the
destruction of thine enemies, O Mansoul. Nor did thy goodness fetch me again unto
thee, after that I for thy transgressions have hid my face, and withdrawn my presence
from thee. The way of backsliding was thine, but the way and means of thy recovery
was mine. I invented the means of thy return; it was I that made an hedge and a
wall, when thou wast beginning to turn to things in which I delighted not. It was I
that made thy sweet bitter, thy day night, thy smooth way thorny, and that also
confounded all that sought thy destruction. It was I that set Mr. Godly-Fear to work
in Mansoul. It was I that stirred up thy conscience and understanding, thy will and
thy affections, after thy great and woful decay. It was I that put life into thee, O
Mansoul, to seek me, that thou mightest find me, and in thy finding find thine own
health, happiness, and salvation. It was I that fetched the second time the
Diabolonians out of Mansoul; and it was I that overcame them, and that destroyed
them before thy face.
And now, my Mansoul, I am returned to thee in peace, and thy transgressions
against me are as if they had not been. Nor shall it be with thee as in former days,
but I will do better for thee than at thy beginning.
For yet a little while, O my Mansoul, even after a few more times are gone over thy
head, I will (but be not thou troubled at what I say) take down this famous town of
Mansoul, stick and stone, to the ground. And I will carry the stones thereof, and the
timber thereof, and the walls thereof, and the dust thereof, and the inhabitants
thereof, into mine own country, even into a kingdom of my Father; and will there set
it up in such strength and glory, as it never did see in the kingdom where now it is
placed. I will even there set it up for my Father’s habitation; for for that purpose it
was at first erected in the kingdom of Universe; and there will I make it a spectacle of
wonder, a monument of mercy, and the admirer of its own mercy. There shall the
natives of Mansoul see all that, of which they have seen nothing here: there shall they
be equal to those unto whom they have been inferior here. And there shalt thou, O
my Mansoul, have such communion with me, with my Father, and with your Lord
Secretary, as it is not possible here to be enjoyed, nor ever could be, shouldest thou
live in Universe the space of a thousand years.
‘And there, O my Mansoul, thou shalt be afraid of murderers no more; of
Diabolonians, and their threats, no more. There, there shall be no more plots, nor
contrivances, nor designs against thee, O my Mansoul. There thou shalt no more
hear the evil-tidings, or the noise of the Diabolonian drum. There thou shalt not see
the Diabolonian standard-bearers, nor yet behold Diabolus’s standard. No
Diabolonian mount shall be cast up against thee there; nor shall there the
Diabolonian standard be set up to make thee afraid. There thou shalt not need
captains, engines, soldiers, and men of war. There thou shalt meet with no sorrow,
nor grief, nor shall it be possible that any Diabolonian should again, for ever, be able
to creep into thy skirts, burrow in thy walls, or be seen again within thy borders all
the days of eternity. Life shall there last longer than here you are able to desire it
should; and yet it shall always be sweet and new, nor shall any impediment attend it
for ever.
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149.
‘There, O Mansoul, thou shalt meet with many of those that have been like thee, and
that have been partakers of thy sorrows; even such as I have chosen, and redeemed,
and set apart, as thou, for my Father’s court and city-royal. All they will be glad in
thee, and thou, when thou seest them, shalt be glad in thine heart.
‘There are things, O Mansoul, even things of my Father’s providing, and mine, that
never were seen since the beginning of the world; and they are laid up with my
Father, and sealed up among his treasures for thee, till thou shalt come thither to
enjoy them. I told you before, that I would remove my Mansoul, and set it up
elsewhere; and where I will set it, there are those that love thee, and those that
rejoice in thee now; but how much more, when they shall see thee exalted to
honour! My Father will then send them for you to fetch you; and their bosoms are
chariots to put you in. And you, O my Mansoul, shall ride upon the wings of the
wind. They will come to convey, conduct, and bring you to that, when your eyes see
more, that will be your desired haven.
‘And thus, O my Mansoul, I have showed unto thee what shall be done to thee
hereafter, if thou canst hear, if thou canst understand; and now I will tell thee what at
present must be thy duty and practice, until I come and fetch thee to myself,
according as is related in the Scriptures of truth.
‘First, I charge thee that thou dost hereafter keep more white and clean the liveries
which I gave thee before my last withdrawing from thee. Do it, I say, for this will be
thy wisdom. They are in themselves fine linen, but thou must keep them white and
clean. This will be your wisdom, your honour, and will be greatly for my
glory. When your garments are white, the world will count you mine. Also, when
your garments are white, then I am delighted in your ways; for then your goings to
and fro will be like a flash of lightning, that those that are present must take notice
of; also their eyes will be made to dazzle thereat. Deck thyself, therefore, according
to my bidding, and make thyself by my law straight steps for thy feet; so shall thy
King greatly desire thy beauty, for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him.
‘Now, that thou mayest keep them as I bid thee, I have, as I before did tell thee,
provided for thee an open fountain to wash thy garments in. Look, therefore, that
thou wash often in my fountain, and go not in defiled garments; for as it is to my
dishonour and my disgrace, so it will be to thy discomfort, when you shall walk in
filthy garments. Let not, therefore, my garments, your garments, the garments that I
gave thee, be defiled or spotted by the flesh. Keep thy garments always white, and let
thy head lack no ointment.
‘My Mansoul, I have ofttimes delivered thee from the designs, plots, attempts, and
conspiracies of Diabolus; and for all this I ask thee nothing, but that thou render not
to me evil for my good; but that thou bear in mind my love, and the continuation of
my kindness to my beloved Mansoul, so as to provoke thee to walk in thy measure
according to the benefit bestowed on thee. Of old, the sacrifices were bound with
cords to the horns of the altar. Consider what is said to thee, O my blessed Mansoul.
‘O my Mansoul, I have lived, I have died, I live, and will die no more for thee. I live,
that thou mayest not die. Because I live, thou shalt live also. I reconciled thee to my
Father by the blood of my cross; and being reconciled, thou shalt live through me. I
will pray for thee; I will fight for thee; I will yet do thee good.
‘Nothing can hurt thee but sin; nothing can grieve me but sin; nothing can make thee
base before thy foes but sin: take heed of sin, my Mansoul.
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150.
‘And dost thou know why I at first, and do still, suffer Diabolonians to dwell in thy
walls, O Mansoul? It is to keep thee wakening, to try thy love, to make thee watchful,
and to cause thee yet to prize my noble captains, their soldiers, and my mercy.
‘It is also, that yet thou mayest be made to remember what a deplorable condition
thou once wast in. I mean when, not some, but all did dwell, not in thy walls, but in
thy castle, and in thy stronghold, O Mansoul.
‘O my Mansoul, should I slay all them within, many there be without, that would
bring thee into bondage; for were all these within cut off, those without would find
thee sleeping; and then, as in a moment, they would swallow up my Mansoul. I
therefore left them in thee, not to do thee hurt (the which they yet will, if thou
hearken to them, and serve them,) but to do thee good, the which they must, if thou
watch and fight against them. Know, therefore, that whatever they shall tempt thee
to, my design is, that they should drive thee, not further off, but nearer to my father,
to learn thee war, to make petitioning desirable to thee, and to make thee little in
thine own eyes. Hearken diligently to this, my Mansoul.
‘Show me, then, thy love, my Mansoul, and let not those that are within thy walls,
take thy affections off from him that hath redeemed thy soul. Yea, let the sight of a
Diabolonian heighten thy love to me. I came once, and twice, and thrice, to save thee
from the poison of those arrows that would have wrought thy death: stand for me,
thy Friend, my Mansoul, against the Diabolonians, and I will stand for thee before
my Father, and all his court. Love me against temptation, and I will love thee
notwithstanding thine infirmities.
‘O my Mansoul, remember what my captains, my soldiers, and mine engines have
done for thee. They have fought for thee, they have suffered by thee, they have borne
much at thy hands to do thee good, O Mansoul. Hadst thou not had them to help
thee, Diabolus had certainly made a hand of thee. Nourish them, therefore, my
Mansoul. When thou dost well, they will be well; when thou dost ill, they will be ill,
and sick, and weak. Make not my captains sick, O Mansoul; for if they be sick, thou
canst not be well; if they be weak, thou canst not be strong; if they be faint, thou
canst not be stout and valiant for thy King, O Mansoul. Nor must thou think always
to live by sense: thou must live upon my word. Thou must believe, O my Mansoul,
when I am from thee, that yet I love thee, and bear thee upon mine heart for ever.
‘Remember, therefore, O my Mansoul, that thou art beloved of me: as I have,
therefore, taught thee to watch, to fight, to pray, and to make war against my foes; so
now I command thee to believe that my love is constant to thee. O my Mansoul, how
have I set my heart, my love upon thee! Watch. Behold, I lay none other burden
upon thee, than what thou hast already. Hold fast, till I come.’
THE END or should we say the Beginning.
THE HOLY WAR Chapter 3.