25. [CHAPTER IV.]

[CONTENTS.—Shaddai sends an army of forty thousand to reduce Mansoul, under the direction of four captains, Boanerges, Conviction, Judgment, and Execution, who address the inhabitants with great energy, but to little purpose—Diabolos, Incredulity, Illpause, and others, interfere to prevent submission—Prejudice defends Eargate with a guard of sixty deaf men.]

Now all this time, the good King, the King Shaddai was preparing to send an army to recover the town of Mansoul again, from under the tyranny of their pretended king Diabolos. But he thought good, at the first, not to send them by the hand and conduct of brave Emmanuel his Son, but under the hand of some of his servants, to see first, by them, the temper of Mansoul; and whether by them they would be won to the obedience of their King. The army consisted of above forty thousand, all true men; for they came from the King's own court, and were those of his own choosing.

They came up to Mansoul under the conduct of four stout generals, each man being a captain of ten thousand men, and these are their names, and their signs. The name of the first was Boanerges; the name of the second was Captain Conviction; the name of the third was Captain Judgment; and the name of the fourth was Captain Execution. These were the captains that Shaddai sent to regain Mansoul.¹

These four captains, as was said, the King thought fit, in the first place, to send to Mansoul, to make an attempt upon it; for indeed, generally in all his wars he did use to send these four captains in the van, for they were very stout and rough-hewn men, men that were fit to break the ice, and to make their way by dint of sword, and their men were like themselves.²

To each of these captains the King gave a banner that it might be displayed, because of the goodness of his cause, and because of the right that he had to Mansoul. First to Captain Boanerges, for he was the chief; to him, I say, was given ten thousand men. His ensign was Mr. Thunder; he bare the black colours, and his escutcheon was three burning thunderbolts. Mar. 10. 17. The second

¹ The army of forty thousand terrors of the law was not so fearful as one threatening of the new covenant. Read carefully Grace Abowadry, No. 246.—(ED.)

² Mansoul's spirit is first to be broken by the terrors of the law; there is no difficulty in understanding the very appropriate names of the captains. But why forty thousand convictions and terrors, unless from that number of valiant men 'prepared for war,' that went up with Joshua, who was feared 'as they feared Moses?' Jos. iv. 13. The margin says, 'The words of God.' There are in the Bible 810,697 words, so that the 40,000 and above may refer to the number of those passages intended to convince of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment to come.—(ED.)

captain was Captain Conviction; to him was also given ten thousand men. His ensign's name was Mr. Sorrow; he did bear the pale colours, and his escutcheon was the book of the law wide open, from whence issued a flame of fire. De xxxii. 2. The third captain was Captain Judgment; to him was given ten thousand men. His ensign's name was Mr. Terror; he bare the red colours, and his escutcheon was a burning fiery furnace. Mar. 4th 40. 41. The fourth captain was Captain Execution; to him was given ten thousand men. His ensign was one Mr. Justice; he also bare the red colours, and his escutcheon was a fruitless tree, with an axe lying at the root thereof. Mar. 4th 10.

These four captains, as I said, had every one of them under his command ten thousand men; all of good fidelity to the King, and stout at their military actions.³

Well, the captains, and their forces, their men and under-officers, being had upon a day by Shaddai into the field, and there called all over by their names, were then and there put into such harness⁴ as became their degree, and that service that now they were going about for their King.⁵

Now, when the King had mustered his forces—for it is he that mustereth the host to the battle—he gave unto the captains their several commissions, with charge and commandment, in the audience of all the soldiers, that they should take heed faithfully and courageously to do and execute the same. Their commissions were, for the substance of them, the same in form; though as to name, title, place, and degree of the captains, there might be some, but very small variation. And here let me give you an account of the matter and sum contained in their commission.

A commission from the great Shaddai, King of Mansoul, to his trusty and noble captain, the Captain Boanerges,⁶ for his making war upon the town of Mansoul.

'O thou Boanerges, one of my stout and thundering captains, over one ten thousand of my valiant and faithful

³ 'Boanerges,' a powerful awakening ministry, 'Conviction,' an awful display of the requirements of the law; 'Judgment,' the dreadful expectation of the great day; 'Execution,' the destruction of impenetent sinners. These are means of conviction, although in many cases, as that of Lydia, the heart is gently opened to admit Emmanuel.—(ED.)

⁴ 'Harness,' dress or equipments for fighting men, or for horses.—(ED.)

⁵ These are the usual means of conviction and conversion, but not the only means. Some are gently led to the Saviour, to others 'in a dream, in a vision of the night, he opneeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction.' Job xxxiii. 15, 16. The great question is, Do I love the Lord? Does that love lead to obedience?—(ED.)

⁶ A son of thunder, meaning a powerful proclamation of the gospel, which, when made effectual in the heart by the Holy Ghost, becomes the power of God to salvation.—(Mason.)

servants; go thon in my name, with this thy force, to the miserable town of Mansoul; and when thou comest thither, offer them first conditions of peace, that is the time and command them, that casting off the yoke and tyranny of the wicked Diabolus, they return to me, their rightful Prince and Lord; command them, also, that they cleanse themselves from all that sins in the town of Mansoul, and look to thyself that thou hast good satisfaction touching the truth of their obedience. Thus when thou hast commanded them, if they in truth submit thereto, then do thou, to the uttermost of thy power, what in thee lies, to set up for me a garrison in the famous town of Mansoul; nor do thou hurt the least native that moveth or breatheth therein, if they will submit themselves to me, but treat thou such as if they were thy friend or brother—for all such I love, and they shall be dear unto me—and tell them that I will take a time to come unto them, and to let them know that I am incredul. 1 Th. 1:—11

'But if they shall—notwithstanding thy summons, and the production of thy authority—resist, stand out against thee, and rebel, then do I command thee to make use of all thy cunning, power, might, and force, to bring them under by strength of hand. Farewell.'

Thus you see the sum of their commissions, for, as I said before, for the substance of them they were the same that the rest of the noble captains had.

Wherefore they having received each commander his authority, at the hand of their King, the day being appointed, and the place of their rendezvous prefixed, each commander appeared in such gallantry as became his cause and calling. So, after a new entertainment from Shaddai, with flying colours, they set forward to march towards the famous town of Mansoul. Captain Boanerges led the van; Captain Conviction and Captain Judgment made up the main body, and Captain Execution brought up the rear. 1st. 11. 12. They then having a long way to go, for the town of Mansoul was far off from the court of Shaddai, they marched through the regions and countries of many people, not hurting or abusing any, but blessing wherever they came. They also lived upon the King's cost in all the way they went.

Having travelled thus for many days, at last they came within sight of Mansoul; the which, when they saw, the captains could for their hearts do no less than for a while bewed the condition of the town, for they quickly saw how that it was prostrate to the will of Diabolus, and to his ways and designs. Will, to be short, the captains came up before the town, march up to Eargate, sit down there, for that was the place of hearing. So, when they had pitched their tents and intrenched themselves, they addressed themselves to make their assault.

Now the townsfolk at first, beholding so gallant a company, so bravely accoutered, and so excellently disciplined, having on their glittering armour, and displaying of their flying colours, could not but come out of their houses and gaze. But the cunning fox, Diabolus, fearing that the people, after this sight, should of a sudden summons, open the gates to the captains, came down with all haste from the castle, and made them retire into the body of the town, who, when he had them there, made this lying and deceivable speech unto them:—

'Gentlemen,' quoth he, 'although you are my trusty and well-behaved friends, yet I cannot but a little chide you for your late uncircumspect action, in going out to gaze on that great and mighty force that but yesterday sat down before, and have now intrenched themselves, in order to the maintaining of a siege against, the famous town of Mansoul. Do you know who they are, whence they come, and what is their purpose in setting down before the town of Mansoul? They are they of whom I have told you long ago, that they would come to destroy this town, and against whom I have been at the cost to arm you with cap-a-pie for your body, besides great fortifications for your mind. Wherefore, then, did you not rather, even at the first appearance of them, cry out, fire the beacons, and give the whole town an alarm concerning them, that we might all have been in a posture of defence, and been ready to have received them with the highest acts of defiance, then had you showed yourselves men to my liking; whereas, by what you have done, you have made me half-afraid; I say half-afraid, that when they and we shall come to push a pike, I shall find you want courage to stand it

1 Although Benson was not a hard, no other, but for a great portion of his life, he had been a good family by the labour of his hands, yet he plainly met, and was a strong and unimpressive. He was in the food's way, and he was a good at the King's cost with away from home—1st

2 The dot is to which man has a f(x) from God, is well set forth in the Greek II note on the Nativity: Before he was beloved, now he is chibed, he has been a great deal and recum, now he is the and we had. But was of the image of God, is in a tree, see of the dead, and he has the crown of heaven, he is the hands are of his. He is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he is a man, and he

3. C. 1974, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2037, 2038, 2039, 2040, 2041, 2042, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2046, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2051, 2052, 2053, 2054, 2055, 2056, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2060, 2061, 2062, 2063, 2064, 2065, 2066, 2067, 2068, 2069, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2075, 2076, 2077, 2078, 2079, 2080, 2081, 2082, 2083, 2084, 2085, 2086, 2087, 2088, 2089, 2090, 2091, 2092, 2093, 2094, 2095, 2096, 2097, 2098, 2099, 2100 out any longer. Wherefore have I commanded a watch, and that you should double your guards at the gates? Wherefore have I endeavoured to make you as hard as iron, and your hearts as a piece of the nether millstone? Was it, think you, that you might show yourselves women, and that you might go out like a company of innocents to gaze on your mortal foes? Fy, fy, but yourselves into a posture of defence, beat up the drum, gather together in warlike manner, that our foes may know that, before they shall conquer this corporation there are valiant men in Mansoul.

'I will leave off now to chase,' and will not further rebuke you; but I charge you that henceforwards you let me see no more such actions. Let not henceforward a man of you, without order first obtained from me, so much as show his head over the wall of the town of Mansoul. You have now heard me, do as I have commanded, and you shall cause me that I dwell securely with you, and that I take care as for myself, so for your safety and honour also. Farewell.¹

Now were the townsmen strangely altered; they were as men stricken with a panic fear; they ran to and fro through the streets of the town of Mansoul, crying out, 'Help, help! the men that turn the world upside down are come hither also;' nor could any of them be quiet after, but still, as men bereft of wit, they cried out, 'The destroyers of our peace and people are come.' This went down with Diabolus. 'Aye!' quoth he to himself, 'this I like well, now it is as I would have it; now you show your obedience to your prince, hold you but here, and then let them take the town if they can.'

Well, before the King's forces had sat before Mansoul three days, Captain Boanerges commanded his trumpeter to go down to Eargate, and there, in the name of the great Shaddai, to summons Mansoul to give audience to the message that he, in his Master's name, was to them commanded to deliver. So the trumpeter, whose name was Take-heed-what-you-hear, went up, as he was commanded, to Eargate, and there sounded his trumpet for a hearing; but there was not there was none that appeared that gave answer or regard; for so had Diabolus commanded. So the trumpeter returned to his captain, and told him what he had done, and also how he had sped. Whereat the captain was grieved, but bid the trumpeter go to his tent.

Again Captain Boanerges sendeth his trumpeter to Eargate, to sound, as before, for a hearing. But they again kept close, came not out, nor would they give him an answer, so observant were they of the command of Diabolus their king.²

Then the captains, and other field-officers, called a council of war,³ to consider what further was to be done for the gaining of the town of Mansoul, and, after some close and thorough debate upon the contents of their commissions, they concluded yet to give to the town, by the hand of the fore-named trumpeter, another summons to hear; but if that shall be refused, said they, and that the town shall stand it out still, then they determined, and bid the trumpeter tell them so, that they would endeavour, by what means they could, to compel them by force to the obedience of their King. La 20.12

So Captain Boanerges commanded his trumpeter to go up to Eargate again, and, in the name of the great King Shaddai, to give it a very loud summons, to come down without delay to Eargate, there to give audience to the King's most noble captains. So the trumpeter went and did as he was commanded. He went up to Eargate and sounded his trumpet, and gave a third summons to Mansoul; he said, moreover, that if this they should still refuse to do, the captains of his Prince would with might come down upon them, and endeavour to reduce them to their obedience by force. La 10.3.1.

Then stood up my Lord Will-be-will, who was the governor of the town; this Will-be-will was that apostate of whom mention was made before, and the keeper of the gates of Mansoul. He, therefore, with big and ruffling words, demanded of the trumpeter who he was, whence he came, and what was the cause of his making so hideous a noise at the gate, and speaking such insufferable words against the town of Mansoul?

The trumpeter answered, 'I am servant to the most noble captain, Captain Boanerges, general of the forces of the great King Shaddai, against whom both thyself, with the whole town of Mansoul, have rebelled, and lift up the heel; and my master, the captain, hath a special mes-

¹ To alarm and to persuade are the two principal men, by which the dean, to-ness men, and it is not uncommon among Christians to feel the influence of both on one occasion. Now, as two things so dissimilar are not likely to arise out of the self-savvy mind, is not this an evidence of the power of some foreign and internal influence over the human heart? Let us, then, be always awake to a sense of our danger, and get on the whole armour of God.—(Mason.)

² 'Faith cometh by hearing,' but, alas! how often, at the institution of Satan, is the ear shut against the messages of grace. The Christian inquirer's duty is to hear and search all things, and hold fast that which is good.—(En.)

³ The knowledge which Bunyah displays upon all subjects is very surprising. He had an opportunity, when in the army, of hearing about councils of war, at which, in that day, captains may have assisted; but now a captain is not called 'a field-officer.'—(En.)

sage to this town, and to thee as a member thereof; the which, if you of Mansoul shall peaceably hear, so; and if not, you must take what follows.

Then said the Lord Will-be-will, 'I will carry the trumpeters soon replied, saying, 'Our message is not to the giant Diabolus, but to the miserable town of Mansoul. Nor shall we at all regard what answer by him is made, nor yet by any for him. We are sent to this town to recover it from under his cruel tyranny, and to persuade it to submit, as in former times it did, to the most excellent King Shaddai.'

Then said the Lord Will-be-will, 'I will do your errand to the town.' The trumpeter then replied, 'Sir, do not deceive us, lest in so doing, you deceive yourselves much more.' He added, moreover, 'For we are resolved, if in peaceable manner you do not submit yourselves, then to make a war upon you, and to bring you under by force. And of the truth of what I now say, this shall be a sign unto you: you shall see the black flag, with its hot-burning thunder-bolts, set upon the mount to-morrow, as a token of defiance against your prince, and of our resolutions to reduce you to your Lord and rightful King.'

So the said Lord Will-be-will returned from off the wali, and the trumpeter came into the camp. When the trumpeter was come into the camp, the captains and officers of the mighty King Shaddai came together to know if he had obtained a hearing, and what was the effect of his errand. So the trumpeter told, saying, 'When I had sounded my trumpet, and had called aloud to the town for a hearing, my Lord Will-be-will, the governor of the town, and he that hath charge of the gates, came up, when he heard me sound, and looking over the wall, he asked me what I was, whence I came, and what was the cause of my making this noise? So I told him my errand, and by whose authority I brought it. Then, said he, I will tell it to the governor and to Mansoul; and then I returned to my Lords.'

Then said the brave Boanerges, 'Let us yet for a while he still in our trenches, and see what these rebels will do.' Now when the time drew nigh that audience by Mansoui must be given to the brave Boanerges and his companions, it was commanded that all the men of war, throughout the whole camp of Shaddai, should as one man stand to their arms, and make themselves ready, if the town of Mansoul shall hear, to receive it forthwith to mercy, but if not, to force a subjection. So the day being come, the trumpeters sounded, and that throughout the whole camp, that the men of war might be in a readiness for that which then should be the work of the day. But when they that were in the town of Mansoul heard the sound of the trumpets throughout the camp of Shaddai, and thinking no other but that it must be in order to storming the corporates, they at first were put to great consternation of spirit; but after they were a little settled again, they also made what preparation they could for a war, if they did storm, else to secure themselves.

Well, when the utmost time was come, Boanerges was resolved to hear their answer; wherefore he sent out his trumpeter again, to summons Mansoul to a hearing of the message that they had brought from Shaddai. So he went and sounded, and the townsmen came up, but made Eargate as sure as they could, see in it. Now when they were come up to the top of the wall,

Captain Boanerges desired to see the Lord Mayor, but my Lord Incredulity was then Lord Mayor, for he came in the room of my Lord Lustings. So Incredulity he came up and showed himself over the wall; but when the

Boanerges returned to the room of the camp, and he said he was not to the town of Mansoul.

Captain Boanerges had set his eyes upon him, he cried out aloud, 'This is not he, where is my Lord Understanding, the ancient Lord Mayor of the town of Mansoul, for to him I would deliver my message?'

Then said the giant—for Diabolus was also come down—to the captain, 'Mr. Captain, you have by your boldness given to Mansoul, at least, four summons to subject herself to your King, by whose authority I know not, nor will I dispute that now; I ask, therefore, what is the reason of all this ado, or what would you be at, if you knew yourselves?'

Then Captain Boanerges, whose was the black colours, and whose escutcheon was the three burning thunder-bolts, taking no notice of the giant or of his speech, thus addressed himself to the town of Mansoul: 'Be it known unto you, O unhappy and rebellious Mansoul, that the most gracious King, the great King Shaddai, my master, hath sent me unto you with commission,' and so he showed to the town his bread seal, 'to reduce you to his

1 'So,' let it be so, let it be in that manner. 'There is Percy; if your father will do me any honour, so; if not, let him kill the next Percy himself.'—Shak; Imp. Dic.—(E.D.)

2 How wretchedly are poor sinners enslaved to the devil, VOL. III.

'led captive by him at his will,' and not daring to listen to God without his [the devil's] leave. — (P. 1)

3 The trumpeters are the no-letters of the everlasting gospel of peace; they proclaim the old trumpeters of salvation through the blood-shedding and finished work of the Son of God—(Mason.)

obedience. And he hath commanded me, in case you yield upon my summons, to carry it to you as if you were my friends, or brother; but he also hath bid, that if after summons to submit, you still stand out and rebel, we should endeavour to take you by force.'

Then stood forth Captain Conviction, and said

The speech of

Captain Convection —his was the pale colours, and for an excutcheon, he had the book of the law wide open [from whence issued a flame of fire]—'Hear, O Mansoul! Thou, O

Mansoul, wast once famous for innocency, but now thou art degenerated into lies and deceit. Re. 11. 3,

12-23; xv. 17, 18. Thou hast heard what my brother the Captain Boanerges hath said; and it is your wisdom, and will be your happiness, to stoop to, and accept of, conditions of peace and mercy when offered; especially when offered by one against whom thou hast rebelled, and one who is of power to tear thee in pieces, for so is Shaddai our King;

nor, when he is angry, can anything stand before him. Pa. 1. 21, 22. If you say you have not sinned, nor acted rebellion against our King, the whole of your doings, since the day that you cast off his service—and there was the beginning of your sin— will sufficiently testify against you. What else means your hearkening to the tyrant, and your receiving him for your king? What means else your rejecting of the laws of Shaddai, and your obeying of Diabolus? Yes, what means this your taking up of arms against, and the shutting of your gates upon us, the faithful servants of your

King? Be ruled then, and accept of my brother's invitation, and overstand not the time of mercy, but agree with thine adversary quickly. La. 1. 26, 28.

Ah, Mansoul, suffer not thyself to be kept from mercy, and to be run into a thousand miseries, by the flattering wiles of Diabolus. Perhaps that piece of deceit may attempt to make you believe this' we seek our own profit in this our service;¹ but know, it is obedience to our King, and love to your happiness, that is the cause of this undertaking of ours.

'Again, I say to thee, O Mansoul, consider if it be not amazing grace that Shaddai should so humble himself as he doth. Now, he by us reasons with you, in a way of entreaty and sweet persuasions, that you would subject yourselves to him.

Has he that need of you, that we are sure you have of him? No, no; but he is merciful, and will not that Mansoul should die, but turn to him and live.' 2 Co. v. 16-21.

Then stood forth Captain Judgment, whose was

¹ Godly ministers cannot be too careful in their conduct to guard against the appearance of preferring the fierce to the flock. The wrothing has, alas, continual proofs that many are influenced by their own profit instead of love to immortal souls.—(E.D.)

the red colours, and for an escutcheon he had the burning fiery furnace, and he said, 'O Captain Judgment, his speech to Mansoul.

ye, the inhabitants of the town of Mansoul, that have lived so long in rebellion and acts of treason against the King Shaddai;

know that we come not to-day to this place, in this manner, with our message of our own minds, or to revenge our own quarrel; it is the King, my master, that hath sent us to reduce you to your obedience to him, the which if you refuse in a peaceable way to yield, we have commission to compel you thereto. And never think of yourselves, nor yet suffer the tyrant Diabolus to persuade you to think, that our King, by his power, is not able to bring you down, and to lay you under his feet; for he is the former of all things, and if he touches the mountains, they smoke.

Nor will the gate of the King's clemency stand always open; for the day that shall burn like an oven is before him, yea, it hasteth greatly, it slumbereth not. Mal. iv. 1. 2 Pa. 1. 2.

'O Mansoul! Is it little in thine eyes that our King doth offer thee mercy, and that, after so many provocations? Yea, he still holdeth out his golden sceptre to thee, and will not yet suffer his gate to be shut against thee. Wilt thou provoke him to do it? If so, consider of what I say:—

To thee it is opened no more for ever. Job 1. 14.

If thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him. Yea,

"because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke; then a great ransom cannot deliver thee." xv. 18. Will he esteem thy riches?

No; not gold, nor all the forces of strength. "He hath prepared his throne for judgment." Pa. 1. 2.

For "he will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire." Is 1. 14.

Therefore, O Mansoul, take heed, lest after thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked, justice and judgment should take hold of thee.'

Now, while the Captain Judgment was making of this oration to the town of Mansoul, it was observed by some that Diabolus trembled.² But he proceeded in his parable, and said, 'O thou woful town of Mansoul! wilt thou not yet set open thy gate to receive us, the deputies of thy King, and those that would rejoice to see thee live? "Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that he shall deal" in judgment "with thee?" Ex. 1. 14. I say, canst thou endure to be forced to drink, as one would drink sweet wine, the sea of wrath that our King has prepared for

Diabolus and his angels? Consider betimes, consider.'

² 'The devils believe and tremble,' so when Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled. And I many tremble who never turn.—(B. order.)

Then stood forth the fourth captain, the noble Captain Execution, and said: 'O town of Mansoul! once famous, but now like the fruitless hough; once the delight of the high ones, but now a den for Diabolus; hearken also to me, and to the words that I shall speak to thee in the name of the great Shaddai. Behold "the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

'Thou, O town of Mansoul! hath hitherto been this fruitless tree; thou bearest nought but thorns and briars. Thy evil fruit fore-bespeaks thee not to be a good tree. Thy "grapes are grapes of gall, thy clusters are bitter." De. xiii. 22. Thou hast rebelled against thy King, and lo! we, the power and force of Shaddai, are the axe that is laid to thy roots. What sayest thou, wilt thou turn? I say again, tell me before the first blow is given, wilt thou turn? Our axe must first be laid to thy root, before it be laid at thy root; it must first be laid to thy root in a way of threatening, before it is laid at thy root by way of execution; and between these two is required thy repentance, and this is all the time that thou hast. What wilt thou do? wilt thou turn, or shall I smite? If I fetch my blow, Mansoul, down you go; for I have commission to lay my axe at, as well as to thy roots, nor will anything but yielding to our King prevent doing of execution. What art thou fit for, O Mansoul, if mercy preventeth not, but to be hewn down, and cast into the fire and burned?

'O Mansoul! patience and forbearance do not act for ever; a year or two, or three, they may; but if thou provoke by a three years' rebellion-- and thou hast already done more than this--then what follows but cut it down? Nay, "after that thou shalt cut it down." Le. xii. 9. And dost thou think that these are but threatenings, or that our King has not power to execute his words? O Mansoul! thou wilt find that in the words of our King, when they are by sinners made little or light of, there is not only threatening, but burning coals of fire. Thou hast been a cumber-ground¹ long already, and wilt thou continue so still? Thy sin has brought this army to thy walls, and shall it bring it in judgment to do execution into thy town? Thou hast heard what the captains have said, but as yet thou shuttest thy gates; speak out, Mansoul, wilt thou do so still, or wilt thou accept of conditions of peace?²

These brave speeches of these four noble captains the town of Mansoul refused to hear, yet a sound thereof did bent against Eargate, though the force thereof could not break it open. In fine, the town desired a time to prepare their answer to these demands. The captains then told them, 'That if they would throw out to them one Hlpause, that was in the town, that they may it reward him according to his works, then they would give them time to consider; but if they would not cast him to them over the wall of Mansoul, then they would give them none; for,' said they, 'we know that so long as Hlpause draws breath in Mansoul, all good consideration will be confounded, and nothing but mischief will come thereon.'

Then Diabolus, who was there present, being lath to lose his Hlpause, because he was his orator, (and yet be sure he had, could the captains have laid their fingers on him,) was resolved at this instant to give them answer by himself; but then, changing his mind, he commanded the then Lord Mayor, the Lord Incredulity, to do it, saying, 'My Lord, do you give these runagates an answer; and speak out, that Mansoul may hear, and understand you.'

So Incredulity, at Diabolus's command, began and said: 'Gentlemen, you have here, as we do behold, to the disturbance of our prince, and the molestation of the town of Mansoul, camped against it: but from whence you come we will not know, and what you are we will not believe. Indeed, you tell us in your terrible speech that you have this authority from Shaddai; but by what right he commands you to do it, of that we shall yet be ignorant. You have also, by the authority aforesaid, summoned this town to desert her lord; and for protection, to yield up herself to the great Shaddai, your King; flatteringly telling her, that if she will do it, he will pass by, and not charge her with her past offences. Further, you have also, to the terror of the town of Mansoul, threatened, with great and sore destructions, to punish this corporation, if she consents not to do as your wills would have her.

'Now, captains, from whenceever you come, and though your designs be never so right, yet know ye, that neither my lord Diabolus, nor I his servant Incredulity, nor yet our brave Mansoul, doth regard either your persons, message, or the King that you say hath sent you: his power, his greatness, his vengeance, we fear not; nor will we yield at all to your summons.

¹ 'Cut it down; why cambereth it the ground?' Le. xiii. 7. 'A cumber-ground processor is not only a provocation to God, a stumbling-block to the world, and a blemish to religion, but a more to his own soul also.'—Bouyan's Barron by Tree, De. face.—(L.D.)

² There is much energy in this speech, present a moment to the conscience are often barred on God in the environment of souls. O'Connor consults the first time of the old Hlpause, nor he has been a man of a more than one's cause, destroy thy soul.—(L.D.)

'As for the war that you threaten to make upon us, we must therein defend ourselves as well as we can; and know ye, that we are not without wherewithal to bid defiance to you. And, in short, for I will not be tedious, I tell you that we take you to be some vagabond runagate crew, that, having shaken off all obedience to your King, have gotten together in tumultuous manner, and are ranging from place to place to see if, through the flatteries you are skilled to make on the one side, and threats wherewith you think to fright on the other, to make some silly town, city, or country, to desert their place and leave it to you; but Mansoul is none of them. To conclude, we dread you not, we fear you not, nor will we obey your summons: our gates we keep shut upon you, our place we will keep you out of; nor will we long thus suffer you to sit down before us. Our people must live in quiet; your appearance doth disturb them (ta. a. n.); wherefore arise with bag and baggage, and begone, or we will let fly from the walls against you.'¹

This oration, made by old Incredulity, was seconded by desperate Will-be-will, in words to this effect: 'Gentlemen, we have heard your demands, and the noise of your threats, and have heard the sound of your summons, but we fear not your force; we regard not your threats, but will still abide as you found us. And we command you, that in three days' time you cease to appear in these parts, or you shall know what it is once to dare offer to rouse the lion Diabolus, when asleep in his town of Mansoul.'

The Recorder, whose name was Forget-good, he also added as followeth: 'Gentlemen, my Lords, as you see, have, with mild and gentle words, answered your rough and angry speeches; they have, moreover, in my hearing, given you leave quietly to depart as you came. Wherefore, take their kindness, and begone. We might have come out with force upon you, and have caused you to feel the dint of our swords; but as we love ease and quiet ourselves, so we love not to hurt or molest others.'²

Then did the town of Mansoul shout for joy; as if, by Diabolus and his crew, some great advantage had been gotten of the captains. They also rang the

¹ Thus reasons the flesh—We will not know, we will not believe; we will not submit; we must not be disturbed; therefore begone ye faithful teachers, or we will prescribe you.—(Burdle.)

² It the Holy Spirit would let sinners sleep on, all mankind would lie in carnal security until plunged into destruction and perdition. 'Go into the highways and compel them to come in, is the command of Divine mercy and irresistible grace.—(E.)

³ How admirably is that great enemy 'Prejudice' pictured, old, amery, ill-conditioned, with Deafness under an command.—(E.)

bells, and made merry, and danced upon the walls. Diabolus also returned to the castle, and the Lord Mayor and Recorder to their place; but the Lord Will-be-will took special care that the gates should be secured with double guards, double bolts, and double locks and bars. And that Eargate especially might the better be looked to—for that was the gate in at which the King's forces sought most to enter—the Lord Will-be-will made one old Mr. Prejudice, an angry and ill-conditioned fellow, captain of the ward at that gate, and put under his power sixty men, called Deafmen;³ men advantageous for that service, forasmuch as they mattered no words of the captains, nor of their soldiers.⁴

[CHAPTER V.]

[CONTENTS:—The captains resolve to give them battle—The town resolutely resists, and the captains retire to winter quarters—Tradition, Human-wisdom, and Man's-invention enlist under Bonnerges, but are taken prisoners, and carried to Diabolus; they are admitted soldiers for him, under Captain Anything—Hostilities are renewed, and the town much molested—A famine and mutiny in Mansoul—The town sounds a parley—Propositions made and rejected—Understanding and Conscience quarrel with Incredulity—A skirmish ensues, and mischief is done on both sides.]

Now, when the captains saw the answer of the great ones, and that they could not get a hearing from the old natives of the town, and that Mansoul was resolved to give the King's army battle, they prepared themselves to receive them, and to try it out by the power of the arm. And first, they made their force more formidable against Eargate; for they knew that unless they could penetrate that, no good could be done upon the town. This done, they put the rest of their men in their places; after which they gave out the word, which was, 'YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.'⁵ Then they sounded the trumpet; then they in the town made them answer, with shout against shout, charge against charge, and so the battle began. Now they in the town had planted upon the tower over Eargate, two great guns, the one called Highmind, and the other Heady. Unto these two guns they trusted

⁴ How often do poor mistaken sinners rejoice in their sins and misery—glorying in their shame. Small cause for joy have they who reject the counsel of God against themselves. Miserable is the state of that man whose ears are shut against the gospel of salvation, who is deaf to all the calls of God.—(Burdle.)

⁵ As our Lord began with Nicodemus, so it behoves his followers to commence with sinners. How startling the cry, 'To must be born again, or person everlastingly.' 'If thou hast anything less than regeneration, believe me, thou canst never see heaven. There is no hope of heaven till then, till thou art born again.'—(Archbishop Usher's Sermons)—(E.)

much; they were cast in the castle by Diabolus's founder, whose name was Mr. Puffup; and mischievous pieces they were. But so vigilant and watchful, when the captains saw them, were they, that though sometimes their shot would go by their ears with a whiz, yet they did them no harm. By these two guns the towns-folk made no question but greatly to annoy the camp of Shaddai, and well enough to secure the gate, but they had not much cause to boast of what execution they did, as by what follows will be gathered.

The famous Mansoul had also some other small pieces in it, of the which they made use against the camp of Shaddai.

They from the camp also did as stoutly, and with as much of that as may in truth be called the sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World. The sentence and power of the World.

The camp and the town had several skirmishes, and brisk encounters, while the captains, with their engines, made many brave attempts to break open, or beat down, the tower that was over Eargate, and at the said gate to make their entrance. But Mansoul stood it out so lustily, through the rage of Diabolus, the valour of the Lord will-be-will, and the conduct of old the captains to the turn to their incredulity, the Mayor, and Mr. Forger-good, the Recorder, that the charge and expense of that summer's wars, on the King's side, seemed to be almost quite lost, and the advantage to return to Mansoul. But when the captains saw how it was, they made a fair retreat, and intrenched themselves in their winter quarters. Now in this war, you must needs think there was much loss on both sides, of which be pleased to accept of this brief account following:—

The King's captains, when they marched from the court to come up against Mansoul to war, as they came crossing over the country, they happened to light upon three young fellows that had a mind to go for soldiers; proper men they were, and men of courage and skill, to appearance. Their names were Mr. Tradition, Mr. Human-wisdom, and Mr. Man's invention. So they came up to the captains, and proffered their services to Shaddai. The captains then told them of their design, and hid them not to be rash in their offers; but the young men told them they had considered the thing before, and that hearing they were upon their march for such a design, came hither on purpose to meet them, that they might be listed under their excellencies. Then Captain Boanerges, for that they were men of courage, listed them into his company, and so away they went to the war.

Now when the war was begun, in one of the briskest skirmishes, so it was, that a company of the Lord Will-be-will's men sallied out at the sally-port, or postern of the town, and fell in upon the rear of Captain Boanerges's men, where these three fellows happened to be, so they took them prisoners, and away they carried them into the town; where they had not lain long in durance, but it began to be noised about the streets of the town what three notable prisoners the Lord Will-be-will's men had taken, and brought in prisoners out of the camp of Shaddai. At length tidings thereof were carried to Diabolus to the castle, to wit, what my Lord Will-be-will's men had done, and whom they had taken prisoners.

Then Diabolus called for Will-be-will, to know the certainty of this matter. So he asked him, and he told him; then did the giant send for the prisoners, who, when they were come, demanded of them who they were, whence they came, and what they did in the camp of Shaddai; and they told him. Then he sent them to ward again. Not many days after, he sent for them to him again, and then asked them if they would be willing to serve him against their former captains. They then told him that they did not so much live by religion, as by the fates of fortune; and that since his lordship was willing to entertain them, they should be willing to serve him. Now while things were thus in hand, there was one Captain Anything, a great doer in the town of Mansoul, and to this Captain Anything did Diabolus send these men, with a note under his hand to receive them into his company; the contents of which letter were thus:—

Anything, my darling, the three men that are the bearers of this letter have a desire to serve me in the war, nor know I better to whose conduct to commit them than to thine; receive them, therefore, in my name, and, as need shall require, make

¹ Pride and vain conceit puff up multitudes in every class of society. My soul, art thou thus pulled up, or hast thou I, but into the arms of Divine mercy? Almighty grace can bring the mountain low, and exalt the valley. A learned persecuting Saul may become a choir's vessel.—(Ed.)

² The opposition of a mighty devil and tabbed Jesus would lead the coast able to make a despot of sinners, but for the promise, I am with you always, and All that we cannot give us the small town to us.—(A. 1000.)

use of them against Shaddai and his men. Fare-well. So they came, and he received them; and he made of two of them serjeants, but he made Mr. Man's-invention his armour-bearer. But thus much for this, and now to return to the camp.

They of the camp did also some execution upon the town, for they did beat down the roof of the old Lord Mayor's house, and so laid him more open than he was before. They had almost, with a sling, slain my Lord Will-be-will outright; but he made a shift to recover again. But they made a notable slaughter among the aldermen, for with one only shot they cut off six of them; to wit, Mr. Swearing, Mr. Whoring, Mr. Fury, Mr. Stand-to-lies, Mr. Drunkenness, and Mr. Cheating.

They also dismounted the two guns that stood upon the tower over Eargate, and laid them flat in the dirt. I told you before, that the King's noble captains had drawn off to their winter quarters, and had there intrenched themselves and their carriages, so as with the best advantage to their King, and the greatest annoyance to the enemy, they might give seasonable and warm alarms to the town of Mansoul. And this design of them did so bit, that, I may say, they did almost what they would to the molestation of the corporation.

For now could not Mansoul sleep securely as before, nor could they now go to their debaucheries with that quietness as in times past. For they had from the camp of Shaddai such frequent, warm, and terrific, flying alarms; yea, alarms upon alarms, first at one gate, and then at another, and again at all the gates at once, that they were broken as to former peace. Yea, they had their alarms so frequently, and that when the nights were at longest, the weather coldest, and so consequently the season most unseasonable; that that winter was to the town of Mansoul a winter by itself. Sometimes the trumpets would sound, and sometimes the slings would whirl the stones into the town. Sometimes ten thousand of the King's soldiers would

Tradition, Human Wisdom, and Man's Invention have too often been enlisted into the service of religion, but they are in their element when engaged on the contrary side. Let Diabolus and his Captain Anything have them, and welcome, the gospel of Jesus needs no such services.—(B. order.)

It is curious to note the order in which open profanity hides its ugly heads under the powerful alarms of conscience. Outward reformation gives up very gross sins, but change of heart abhors them all.—(E.1.)

Called 'Highmud and Heady,' founded by Mr. Puffup.—(E.1.)

Under awful convictions of sin, Bonyan suffered alarms in the night.—See Grace Abounding, No. 139.—(E.1.)

be running round the walls of Mansoul at midnight, shouting, and lifting up the voice for the battle. Sometimes, again, some of them in the town would be wounded, and their cry and lamentable voice would be heard, to the great molestation of the now languishing town of Mansoul. Yea, so distressed with those that laid siege against them were they, that, I dare say, Diabolus their king had, in these days, his rest much broken.

In these days, as I was informed, new thoughts, and thoughts that began to run counter one to another, began to possess the minds of the men of the town of Mansoul. Some would say, 'There is no living thus;' others would then reply, 'This will be over shortly.' Then would a third stand up and answer, 'Let us turn to the King Shaddai, and so put an end to these troubles.' And a fourth would come in with a fear, saying, 'I doubt he will not receive us.' The old gentleman too, the Recorder, that was so before Diabolus took Mansoul, he also began to talk aloud; and his words were now to the town of Mansoul as if they were great claps of thunder. No noise now so terrible to Mansoul as was his, with the noise of the soldiers, and shouting of the captains.

Also, things began to grow scarce in Mansoul; now the things that her soul lusted after were departing from her. Upon all her pleasant things there was a blast, and burning instead of beauty. Wrinkles now, and some shows of the shadow of death, were upon the inhabitants of Mansoul. And now, O how glad would Mansoul have been to have enjoyed quietness and satisfaction of mind, though joined with the meanest condition in the world!

The captains also, in the deep of this winter, did send, by the mouth of Boanerges's trumpeter, a summons to Mansoul to yield up herself to the King, the great King Shaddai. They said it once, and twice, and thrice; not knowing but that at sometimes there might be in Mansoul some willingness to surrender up themselves unto them, might they but have

Six aldermen, or great vices, slain; Heady and Highmud dismounted, or pride laid in the dirt; conscience within and a faithful ministry without, shaking Mansoul with terror upon terror. How plainly is all this estimated in Bonyan's startling experience, published in Grace Abounding. Poor soul, mercy will prevail over all thy stubbornness.—(E.1.)

A fortune in Mansoul; the pleasures of sin fail; the prodigal would be glad of the meanest service in his father's house; the dreary winter of affliction succeeds the summer of gaiety; the messages of mercy are renewed, but unbelief yet prevails.—(E.1.)

'Now was I both a burden and a terror to myself, weary of life, afraid to die; gladly would I have been anything but a man.' 'I counted the state of a dog and toad far better than mine.'—Grace Abounding, No. 104 and 149. Painful and most distressing were the feelings of Bonyan, but it was 'the bitter before the sweet, to make the sweet the sweeter.'—(E.1.)

the colour of an invitation to do it under. Yes, so far as I could gather, the town had been surrendered up to them before now, had it not been for the opposition of old Incredulity, and the helikeness of the thoughts of my Lord Will-be-will. Diabolus also began to rave, wherefore Mansoul, as to yielding, was not yet all of one mind, there. Mansoul, a du-fore, they still lay distressed under these perplexing fears.¹

I told you but now that they of the King's army had this winter sent three times to Mansoul, to submit herself.

First. The first time the trumpeter went, he went with words of peace, telling of them, 'That the captains, the noble captains of Shaddai, did pity and bewail the misery of the now perishing town of Mansoul; and was troubled to see them so much to stand in the way of their own deliverance.' He said, moreover, 'That the captains bid him tell them, that if now poor Mansoul would humble herself, and turn, her former rebellions and most notorious treasons should, by their merciful King, be forgiven them, yea, and forgotten too.' And having bid them 'beware that they stood not in their own way, that they opposed not themselves, nor made themselves their own losers,' he returned again into the camp.

Second. The second time the trumpeter went, he did treat them a little more roughly. For after sound of trumpet, he told them, 'That their continuing in their rebellion did but chafc and hoat the spirit of the captains, and that they were resolved to make a conquest of Mansoul, or to lay their bones before the town walls.'

Third. He went again the third time, and dealt with them yet more roughly; telling of them, 'That now, since they had been so horribly profane, he did not know—not certainly know—whether the captains were inclined to mercy or judgment; only,' said he, 'they commanded me to give you a summons to open the gates unto them.' So he returned, and went into the camp.

These three summons, and especially the two last, did so distress the town, that they presently called a consultation; the result of which was this, that my Lord Will-be-will should go up to Eargate, and there, with sound of trumpet, call to the captains of the camp for a parley. Well, the Lord Will-be-will sounded upon the wall, so the captains came up in their harness,² with their ten thousands at their feet. The townsmen then told the captains that they had heard and considered their summons, and would come to an agreement with them, and with their King Shaddai, upon such certain terms, articles, and propositions as, with and by the order of their Prince, they to them were appointed to propound—to wit, they would agree upon these grounds to be one people with them.

1. If that those of their own company, as the now Lord Mayor, and their Mr. Forget-good, with their brave Lord Will-be-will, might, under Shaddai, be still the governors of the town, castle, and gates of Mansoul. 2. Provided that no man that now serveth under their great giant Diabolus, be by Shaddai cast out of house, harbour, or the freedom that he hath hitherto enjoyed in the famous town of Mansoul. 3. That it shall be granted them, that they of the town of Mansoul shall enjoy certain of their rights and privileges—to wit, such as have formerly been granted them; and that they have long lived in the enjoyment of, under the reign of their king Diabolus, that now is, and long has been, their only lord, and great defender. 4. That no new law, officer, or executioner of law or office, shall have any power over them, without their own choice and consent.

'These be our propositions or conditions of peace; and upon these terms,' said they, 'we will submit to your King.'³

But when the captains had heard this weak and feeble offer of the town of Mansoul, and their high and bold demands, they made to them again, by their noble captain, the Captain Boanerges, this speech following: —

'O ye inhabitants of the town of Mansoul, when I heard your trumpet sound for a parley with us, I can truly say I was glad; but when you said you were willing to submit yourselves to our King and Lord, then I was yet more glad. But when by your silly provisoes, and foolish cavils, you lay the stumbling-block of your iniquity before your own faces, then was my gladness turned into sorrows, and my hopeful beginnings of your return into languishing, fainting fears.

'I count that old Illpause, the ancient enemy of Mansoul, did draw up those proposals that now you present us with as terms of an agreement, but they deserve not to be admitted to sound in the ear of any man that pretends to have service for Shaddai. We do, therefore, jointly, and that

¹ 'O the until on, of the arguments, frights, fears, and terrors, that are effected by a thorough application of guilt, yielding to expectation.' (Lore, Manning, No. 186—(1 D.))

² Harness, warlike equipments, and accoutrements.—(Ed.)

³ Sinners, when alarmed by the fears of hell, are willing to become religious extremely, provides they may retain their body lusts. They are ready to assume the form of godliness, but dislike its power.—(Burd.)

with the highest disdain, refuse and reject such things as the greatest of iniquities.¹

'But, O Mansoul! If you will give yourselves into our hands, or rather into the hands of our King; and will trust him to make such terms with, and for you, as shall seem good in his eyes—and I dare say they shall be such as you shall find to be most profitable to you—then we will receive you, and be at peace with you. But if you like not to trust yourselves in the arms of Shaddai our King, then things are but where they were before, and we know also what we have to do.'

Then cried out old Incredulity, the Lord Mayor, one. Incredulity, and said, 'And who, being out of the high's reply, hands of their enemies, as you see we are now, will be so foolish as to put the staff out of their own hands, into the hand of they know not who? I, for my part, will never yield to so unlimited a proposition. Do we know the manner and temper of their King? It is said by some, that he will be angry with his subjects if but the breadth of a hair they chance to step out of the way; and of others, that he re-eighth of them much more than they can perform. Wherefore it seems, O Mansoul, to be thy wisdom, to take good heed what thou dost in this matter; for if you once yield, you give up yourselves to another, and so you are no more your own! Wherefore to give up yourselves to an unlimited power, is the greatest folly in the world. For now you indeed may repent; but can never justly complain. But do you indeed know, when you are his, which of you he will kill, and which of you he will save alive; or whether he will not cut off every one of us, and send out of his own country, another new people, and cause them to inhabit this town?'²

This speech of the Lord Mayor undid all, and threw flat to the ground their hopes of an accord. Wherefore the captains returned to their trenches, to their tents, and to their men, as they were; and the Mayor to the castle, and to his king.

Now Diabolus had waited for his return, for he had heard that they had been at their points. So when he was come into the chamber of state, Diabolus saluted him with 'Welcome, my lord, how went matters betwixt you to day?' So the Lord Incredulity, with a low coné, told him the whole of the matter, saying, 'Thus and thus said the

Captains of Shaddai, and thus and thus said I, The which when it was told to Diabolus, he was very glad to hear it, and said, 'My Lord Mayor, my faithful Incredulity, I have proved thy fidelity above ten times already, but never yet found thee false. I do promise thee, if we rub over this brunt, to prefer thee to a place of honour, a place far better than to be Lord Mayor of Mansoul. I will make thee my Universal Deputy, and thou shalt, next to me, have all nations under thy hand; yea, and thou shalt lay bands upon them that they may not resist thee, nor shall any of our vassals walk more at liberty, but those that shall be content to walk in thy fetters.'

Now came the Lord Mayor out from Diabolus, as if he had obtained a favour indeed; wherefore to his habitation he goes in great state, and thinks to feed himself well enough with hopes, until the time came that his greatness should be enlarged.

But now, though the Lord Mayor and Diabolus did thus well agree, yet this repulse to the brave captains put Mansoul into a mutiny. For while old Incredulity went into the castle to congratulate his lord with what had passed, the old Lord Mayor that was so before Diabolus came to the town, to wit, my Lord Understanding, and the old Recorder Mr. Conscience, getting intelligence of what had passed at Eargate, for you must know that they might not be suffered to be at that debate, lest they should then have mutinied for the captains. But, I say, they got intelligence what had passed there, and were much concerned therewith, wherefore, they, getting some of the town together, began to possess them with the reasonableness of the noble captains' demands, and with the bad consequences that would follow upon the speech of old Incredulity, the Lord Mayor—to wit, how little reverence he showed therein, either to the captains, or to their King; also, how he implicitly charged them with unfaithfulness, and treachery; for what less, quoth he, could be made of his words, when he said he would not yield to their proposition, and added, moreover, a supposition that he would destroy us when before he had sent us word that he would show us mercy.⁴ The multitude being now possessed with the conviction of the evil that old Incredulity had done, began to run together by companies in all places, and in every corner of the

¹ In the uproar which soon after followed, upon Lord Understanding's speech, we find a place, because of the word of these terms of peace; it was, that Mansoul should still live in all heathness and vanity. This occasioned Boone was, with the highest disdain, to give his occasion, referring to 2 Th. n. 19.—(P.6)

² Unbelief ever suggests hard thoughts of God, and represents his service as an intolerable burden. This is hateful to God, but pleased the devil.—(Burd.)

³ 'A low coné,' a low flattering servile salutation or bow; thus, in the Pilgrim's Progress, when Byzends meets Holdsworth and Moncylove, he made them a very low coné, and they also give him a compliment.'—(P.6)

⁴ Unbelief shudder the gospel, as though it proclaimed nothing but wrath, whereas, while it denounces destruction to the obstinately rebellious, it proclaims free, sovereign, boundless mercy and everlasting love, through Jesus Christ, to sensible returning sinners.—(Jason.)

streets of Mansoul; and first they began to mutter, then to talk openly, and after that they run to and fro, and cried as they run, 'O the brave captains of Shaddai! Would we were under the government of the captains, and of Shaddai their King.' When the Lord Mayor had intelligence that Mansoul was in an uproar, down he comes to appease the people, and thought to have quashed their heat with the bigness and the show of his countenance. But when they saw him, they came running upon him, and had doubtless done him a mischief, had he not betaken himself to house. However, they strongly assaulted the house where he was, to have pulled it down about his ears; but the place was too strong, so they failed of that. So he taking some courage addressed himself, out at a window, to the people in this manner:—

'Gentlemen, what is the reason that there is here such an uproar to day?'

UND. Then answered my Lord Understanding: 'It is even because that thou and thy master have carried it not rightly, and as you should, to the captains of Shaddai; for in three things you are faulty:—First, In that you would not let Mr. Conscience and myself be at the hearing of your discourse. Secondly, In that you propounded such terms of peace, to the captains, that by no means could be granted, unless they had intended that their Shaddai should have been only a titular prince, and that Mansoul should still have had power by law, to have lived in all lewdness and vanity before him, and so by consequence Diabolus should still here be king in power, and the other only King in name. Thirdly, For that thou didst thyself, after the captains had showed us upon what conditions they would have received us to mercy, even undo all again with thy unsavoury, and unseasonable, and ungodly speech.'

INCRED. When old Incredulity had heard this speech, he cried out, 'Treason, treason; To your arms, to your arms, O ye, the trusty friends of Diabolus in Mansoul.'

UND. 'Sir, you may put upon my words what meaning you please, but I am sure that the captains of such a high Lord as theirs is, deserves a better treatment at your hands.'

INCRED. Then said old Incredulity, 'This is but little better. But Sir,' quoth he, 'what I speak, I spake for my prince, for his government, and the quieting of the people, whom by your unlawful actions you have this day set to mutiny against us.'

CONS. Then replied the old Recorder, whose name was Mr. Conscience, and said, 'Sir, you ought not thus to retort upon what my Lord Understanding hath said. It is evident enough that he hath spoken the truth, and that you are an enemy to Mansoul; be convinced, then, of the evil of your saucy and malapert language, and of the grief that you have put the captains to; yea, and of the damages that you have done to Mansoul thereby. Had you accepted of the conditions, the sound of the trumpet and the alarm of war had now ceased about the town of Mansoul; but that dreadful sound abides, and your want of wisdom in your speech has been the cause of it.'

INCRED. Then said old Incredulity: 'Sir, If I live I will do your errand to Diabolus, and there you shall have an answer to your words. Meanwhile we will seek the good of the town, and not ask council of you.'

UND. 'Sir, your prince and you are both foreigners to Mansoul, and not the natives thereof. And who can tell but that when you have brought us into greater straits, when you also shall see that yourselves can be safe by no other means than by flight, you may leave us and shift for yourselves, or set us on fire, and go away in the smoke, or by the light of our burning, and so leave us in our ruins.'

INCRED. 'Sir, you forget that you are under a governor, and that you ought to demean yourself like a subject,' and know ye, when my Lord the King shall hear of this day's work, he will give you but little thanks for your labour.'

Now while these gentlemen were thus in their chiding words, down come, from the walls and gates of the town, the Lord Will-be-will, Mr. Prejudice, Old Illpause, and several of the new-made aldermen and burgesses, and they asked the reason of the hubbub and tumult. And with that every man began to tell his own tale, so that nothing could be heard distinctly. Then was a silence commanded, and the old fox Incredulity began to speak. 'My Lord,' quoth he, 'here are a couple of peevish gentlemen, that have, as a fruit of their bad dispositions, and, as I fear, through the advice of one Mr. Discontent, tumultuously gathered this company against me this day; and also attempted to run the town into acts of rebellion against our prince.'

¹ See Grace Abounding, No. 46. 'I was never out of the Bible, either by reading or meditation, still crying out to God, that I might know the truth, and way to heaven and glory.'—(ED.)

² This is a blessed mutiny; which if it is crossed and the hope of pardoning mercy cherished, turn to the many ways, 'Sir and the soul are at odds.'—(Burd.)

³ This is the true language of antichrist to this day; when governors or laws infringe upon the rights of resistance to matters of the soul's health, and salvation, it is the Christian's duty to resist which works at times. The answer is 'It is the law, and whether right or wrong if it even had your soul to perdition, you must obey; "because you will like a subject."'—(ED.)

Then stood up all the Diabolonians that were present, and affirmed these things to be true.

Now when they that took part with my Lord Understanding, and with Mr. Conscience, perceived that they were like to come to the worst, for that force and power was on the other side, they came in for their help and relief. So a great company was on both sides.¹ Then they on Incredulity's side would have had the two old gentlemen presently away to prison; but they on the other side said they should not. Then they began to cry up parties again; the Diabolonians cried up old Incredulity, Forget-good, the new aldermen, and their great one Diabolus; and the other party, they as fast cried up Shaddai, the captains, his laws, their mercifulness, and applauded their conditions and ways. Thus the bickerment went a while, at last they passed from words to blows, and now there were knocks on both sides. The good old gentleman, Mr. Conscience, was knocked down twice by one of the Diabolonians, whose name was Mr. Benumming. And my Lord Understanding had like to have been slain with a harqueous, but that he that shot wanted to take his aim aright. Nor did the other side wholly escape, for there was one Mr. Rashhead, a Diabolonian, that had his brains beaten out by Mr. Mind, the Lord Will-be-will's servant; and it made me laugh to see how old Mr. Prejudice was kicked and tumbled about in the dirt. For though a while since he was made captain of a company of the Diabolonians, to the hurt and damage of the town; yet now they had got him under their feet; and I will assure you he had by some of the Lord Understanding's party his crown soundly cracked to boot. Mr. Anything also, he became a brisk man in the broil, but both sides were against him, because he was true to none. Yet he had for his malapertness one of his legs broken, and he that did it wished it had been his neck. Much harm more was done on both sides, but this must not be forgotten, it was now a wonder to see my Lord Will-be-will so indifferent as he was; he did not seem to take one side more than another, only it was perceived that he smiled to see how old Prejudice was tumbled up and down in the dirt. Also when Captain Anything came halting up before him, he seemed to take but little notice of him.²

¹ See this solemn inward struggle faithfully narrated in Grace Abounding, No 86.

² No small advantage is gained when sinful rashness is destroyed, prejudice thrown down into the dirt, and indifference about religion is discarded, while the will, that before was wholly on the part of Satan, begins rather to take the other side.—(Hurder.)

³ The efforts of an enlightened understanding and a renewed

[CHAPTER VI.]

[CONTENTS:—Lord Understanding and Mr. Conscience imprisoned as authors of the disturbance—A conference of the besieging officers, who agree to petition Shaddai for further assistance—The petition approved at court—Emmanuel, the King's son, is appointed to conquer the town—Marches with a great army and surrounds Mansoul, which is strongly fortified against him.]

Now when the uproar was over, Diabolus sends for my Lord Understanding, and Mr. Conscience, and claps them both up in prison, as the ring-leaders and managers of this most heavy riotous rout in Mansoul. So now the town began to be quiet again, and the prisoners were used hardly; yes, he thought to have made them away, but that the present juncture did not serve for that purpose, for that war was in all their gates.⁴ But let us return again to our story. The captains, when they were gone back from the gate, and were come into the camp again, called a council of war, to consult what was further for them to do. Now some said, Let us go up presently and fall upon the town, but the greatest part thought rather better it would be to give them another summons to yield; and the reason why they thought this to be best was, because, that so far as could be perceived, the town of Mansoul now was more inclinable than heretofore. And if, said they, while some of them are in a way of inclination, we should by ruggedness give them distaste, we may set them further from closing with our summons, than we would be willing they should.⁴

Wherefore to this advice they agreed, and called a trumpeter, put words into his mouth, set him his time, and bid him God speed. Well, many hours were not expired before the trumpeter addressed himself to his journey. Wherefore, coming up to the wall of the town, he steereth his course to Eargate, and there sounded, as he was commanded. They, then, that were within came out to see what was the matter, and the trumpeter made them this speech following:—

'O hard-hearted, and deplorable town of Mansoul, how long wilt thou love thy sinful, sinful simplicity, and ye fools delight in your scorning? As yet despise you the offers of peace, and deliverance? As yet will ye conscience are offensive to Satan, as threatening to subvert his authority in the soul, and he would kill them if he could, but where the good work of grace is begun, they cannot be destroyed.—(Hurder.)

⁴ Ministers should deal gently with awakened sinners. Their great Master 'will not break the bruised reed,' nor should they. Roughness discourages gentlemen attracts.—(Hurder.)

refuse the golden offers of Shaddai, and trust to the lies and falsehoods of Diabolus? Think you when Shaddai should have conquered you, that the remembrance of these your carriages towards him, will yield you peace and comfort; or that, by ruffling language, you can make him afraid as a grasshopper? Doth he entreat you, for fear of you? Do you think that you are stronger than he? Look to the heavens, and behold, and consider the stars, how high are they? Can you stop the sun from running his course, and hinder the moon from giving her light? Can you count the number of the stars, or stay the bottles of heaven? Can you call for the waters of the sea, and cause them to cover the face of the ground? Can you behold every one that is proud, and abase him, and bind their faces in secret? Yet these are some of the works of our King, in whose name, this day, we come up unto you, that you may be brought under his authority. In his name, therefore, I summon you again, to yield up yourselves to his captains.

At this summons the Mansoulians seemed to be at a stand, and knew not what answer to make; wherefore Diabolus forthwith appeared, and took upon him to do it himself, and thus he begins, but turns his speech to them of Mansoul:—

'Gentlemen,' quoth he, 'and my faithful subjects, if it is true that this summoner hath said concerning the greatness of their King, by his terror you will always be kept in bondage, and so be made to sneak. Yes, how can you now, though he is at a distance, endure to think of such a mighty one? And if not to think of him, while at a distance, how can you endure to be in his presence? I, your prince, am familiar with you, and you may play with me as you would with a grasshopper. Consider, therefore, what is for your profit, and remember the immunities that I have granted you. Farther, if all be true that this man hath said, how comes it to pass that the subjects of Shaddai are so enslaved in all places where they come? None in the universe so unhappy as they, none so trampled upon as they. Consider, my Mansoul. Would thou wert as loth to leave me, as I am loth to leave thee! But consider, I say, the ball is yet at thy foot; liberty you have, if you know how to use it; yea, a king you have too, if you can tell how to love and obey him.'

Upon this speech, the town of Mansoul did again harden their hearts yet more against the captains of Shaddai. The thoughts of his greatness did quite quash them, and the thoughts of his holiness sunk them in despair. Wherefore, after a short consultation, they, of the Diabolonian party they were, sent back this word by the trumpeter, 'That, for their parts, they were resolved to stick to their king; but never to yield to Shaddai.' So it was but in vain to give them any further summons, for they had rather die upon the place than yield. And now things seemed to be gone quite back, and Mansoul to be out of reach or call; yet the captains, who knew what their Lord could do, would not yet be beat out of heart. They therefore send them another summons, more sharp and severe than the last; but the oftener they were sent to, to be reconciled to Shaddai, the further off they were. 'As they called them, so they went from them;' yea, 'though they called them to the most High.' He. xi. 2. 1.

So they ceased that way to deal with them any more, and inclined to think of another way. The captains, therefore, did gather themselves together, to have free conference among themselves, to know what was yet to be done to gain the town, and to deliver it from the tyranny of Diabolus. And one said after this manner, and another after that. Then stood up the right noble, the Captain Conviction, and said, 'My brethren, mine opinion is this:—

'First. That we continually play our slings into the town, and keep it in a continual alarm, molesting of them day and night; by thus doing we shall stop the growth of their rampant spirit. For a lion may be tamed by continual molestations.'

'Second. This done, I advise that, in the next place, we, with one consent, draw up a petition to our Lord Shaddai; by which, after we have showed our King the condition of Mansoul, and of affairs here, and have begged his pardon for our no better success, we will earnestly implore his Majesty's help, and that he will please to send us more force and power; and some gallant and well-spoken commander to head them; that so his Majesty may not lose the benefit of these his good beginnings, but may complete his conquest upon the town of Mansoul.'

1 Most of this language is from the work of Job—(Eto)

2 This old slender of the father of his was well answered by the poor boy, while sweeping a chivalry, who sung—

The words of the mind,

He is a bit of the place,

He is a bit of the place,

To know our pleasure and

3 This is exemplified in Banyan's experience. 'By the strong and unusual assaults of the tempter was my soul like a broken vessel, driven as with the wind, and tossed sometimes headlong into despair.'—Grace Abounding, No. 185—(Eto)

4 This is exemplified in Grace Abounding, No. 139 and 140.—(Eto)

5 Paul may plant and Apollos water, but God alone can give the increase. To him, therefore, may win a spicy for further assistance.—(Burd.)

To this speech of the noble Captain Conviction, they, as one man, consented; and agreed that a petition should forthwith be drawn up, and sent by a fit man, away to Shadda with speed. The contents of the petition were thus:—

'Most gracious and glorious King, the Lord of the best world, and the builder of the town of Mansoul: We have, dread Sovereign, at thy commandment, put our lives in jeopardy, and at thy bidding made a war upon the famous town of Mansoul. When we went up against it, we did, according to our commission, first offer conditions of peace unto it. But they, great King, set light by our counsel, and would none of our reproof. But you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do, if you do

The petition thus drawn up was sent away with haste to the King, by the hand of that good man, Mr. Love-to-mansoul.

When this petition was come to the palace of the King, who should it be delivered to but to the King's Son. So he took it and read it, and because the contents of it pleased him well, he mended, and also in some things, added to the petition himself. So after he had made such amendments and additions as he thought convenient, with his own hand, he carried it in to the King; to whom when he had with obeisance delivered it, he put on authority, and spake to it himself. The King received it with

Now the King, at the sight of the petition, was glad; but how much more think you, when it was seconded by his Son? It pleased him also to hear that his servants that camped against Mansoul were so hearty in the work, and so steadfast in their resolves, and that they had already got some ground upon the famous town of Mansoul.

Wherefore the King called to him Emmanuel his Son, who said, Here am I, my Father. Then said the King, Thou knowest, as I do myself, the condition of the town of Mansoul, and what we have purposed, and what thou hast done to redeem it. Come now, therefore, my Son, and prepare thyself for the war, for thou shalt go to my camp at Mansoul. Thou shalt also there prosper, and prevail, and conquer the town of Mansoul.

Then said the King's Son, Thy law is within my heart. I delight to do thy will. He is. This is the day that I have longed for, and the work that I have waited for all this while. Grant me, therefore, what force thou shalt in thy wisdom think meet, and I will go, and will deliver from Diabolus, and from his power, thy perishing town of Mansoul. My heart has been often pained within me for the miserable town of Mansoul; but now it is rejoiced, but now it is glad. And with that he leaped over the mountains for joy; saying, I have not, in my heart, thought anything too dear for Mansoul; the day of vengeance is in mine heart for thee, my Mansoul; and glad am I that thou, my Father, hast made me the Captain of their salvation. He is. And I will now begin to plague all those that have been a plague to my town of Mansoul, and will deliver it from their hand.

When the King's Son had said thus to his Father, it presently flow like lightning round about at court; yes, it there became the only talk what Emmanuel was to go to do for the famous town of Mansoul. But you cannot think how the courtiers too were taken with this design of the Prince. Yes, so affected

¹ Bishop Wilkins, in his Gift of Prayer, gives an awful picture of man's total capacity and departure from God by the Fall. 'What a word of himself, says he,' is there in our several parts: our wife, our affection, our tongues, and eyes! And yet all these are but so little models; the fountain, or rather the sea, that feeds them, is our corrupted nature.'—(Mason.)

² Jesus Christ is our great advocate above. He receives, amends, and presents our prayers; and those petitions which have the glory of God for their object, cannot but be acceptable to him.—(Burdcr.)

were they with this wack, and with the justness of the war, that the highest lord and greatest peer of the kingdom did covet to have commissions under Emmanuel, to go to help to recover again to Shaddai the miserable town of Mansoul.¹

Then was it concluded that some should go and carry tidings to the camp that Emmanuel was to come to recover Mansoul, and that he would bring along with him so mighty, so impregnable a force, that he could not be resisted. But O, how ready were the high ones at court to run like lackeys to carry these tidings to the camp that was at Mansoul? Now when the captains perceived that the King would send Emmanuel his Son, and that it also delighted the Son to be sent on this errand by the great Shaddai, his Father, they also, to the camp at show how they were pleased at the thoughts of his coming, gave a shout that made the earth read at the sound thereof. Yes, the mountains did answer again by echo, and Diabolus himself did totter and shake.

For you must know, that though the town of Mansoul itself was not much, if at all, concerned with the project—for, alas for them, they were wofully besotted, for they chiefly regarded their pleasure and their lusts—yet Diabolus their governor was; for he had his spies continually abroad, who brought him intelligence of all things, and they told him what was doing at court against him, and that Emmanuel would shortly certainly come with a power to invade him. Nor was there any man at court, nor peer of the kingdom, that Diabolus so feared as he feared this Prince. For if you remember, I showed you before that Diabolus had felt the weight of his hand already. So that, since it was he that was to come, this made him the more afraid. Well, you see how I have told you that the King's Son was engaged to come from the court to save Mansoul, and that his Father had made him the Captain of the forces. The time, therefore, of his setting forth being now expired, he addressed himself for his march, and taketh with him, for his power, five noble captains and their forces.²

The first was that famous captain, the noble Captain Credence. His were the red colours, and Mr. Pramese bore them, and for a s-cutcheon he had the holy lamb and golden shield. And he had ten thousand men at his feet, 10, 11, 12, 13.

The second was that famous captain, the Captain Goodhope. His were the blue colours, his standard-bearer was Mr. Expectation, and for a scutcheon he had the three golden anchors.⁴ And he had ten thousand men at his feet, 10, 11, 12.

The third captain was that vacant captain, the Captain Charity. His standard-bearer was Mr. Pitiful, his were the green colours, and for his scutcheon he had three naked orphans embraced in the bosom. And he had ten thousand men at his feet, 10, 11, 12.

The fourth was that gallant commander, the Captain Innocent. His standard-bearer was Mr. Harmless, his were the white colours, and for his scutcheon he had the three golden doors, 10, 11, 12.

The fifth was the truly loyal and well-bevered captain, the Captain Patience. His standard-bearer was Mr. Suffer-long, his were the black colours, and for a scutcheon he had three arrows through the golden heart. 10, 11, 12.

These were Emmanuel's captains, these their standard-bearers, their colours, and their scutcheons,⁴ and these the men under their command. So, as was said, the brave Prince took his march to go to the town of Mansoul. Captain Credence led the van, and Captain Patience brought up the rear. So the other three, with their men, made up the main body; the Prince himself riding in his chariot at the head of them.⁵

But when they set out for their march, O saw the trumpets sounded, their armour glittered, and how the colours waved in the wind! The Prince's armour was all of gold, and it shone like the sun in the firmament. The Captains' armour was of proof, and was in appearance like the glittering stars. There were also

¹ How honorable a wack is it to make known the people? Every one is to be honoured, if by his wack and converse he was able to Christ, all one place to be under the new covenant; they are more "Kings of priests unto God." The way is desire to look into these things. "The richest peer in heaven covets to go on, this design." How does God honour his saints? The pious mother, nurse, or servant, the god's satan or mechanic, the humble Christian merchant or a woman that turn many to each country, and state as the stars for ever and ever. Can we wonder that some proud men, who I can by heart themselves as possessing a monopoly of this glory?—(En.)

² The powerful induscen, gifts and graces, of the Holy Spirit, Faith, Hope, Charity, Lame, and Patience, under the immediate command of Christ, lead on the new covenant, forces to escape. M. and I, after it had been convinced and alarmed by the terrors of the lone.—(L.)

³ "The three golden anchors." When Christman was at the house of the L. terrier, she had a great one for a other, for, and they, you shall have it with you, for it is a good, but it is not just you may lay back of the world, the world stand steadfast in turbulent weather. Joel in, 16. He was very. Here we had two golden anchors, but when it was the hand? (En.) "These standings are all scripture. Each is the holy lamb that was alone. Here, the anchor of the wind, the wind. Charity and the orphan Lame, with the above Patience and his arrows, the heart. P. (L.) I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I,

When Jesus came to elect the command of the Lame, he is gloriously attended with the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the Lame, and the some from the court that rode reformades,¹ for the love that they had to the King Shaddai, and for the happy deliverance of the town of Mansoul.²

Emmanuel also, when he had thus set forward to go to recover the town of Mansoul, took with him, at the commandment of his Father, forty-four battering rams, and twelve slings, to whirl stones withal. Every one of these was made of pure gold; and these they carried with them in the heart and body of their army, all along as they went to Mansoul.

So they marched till they came within less than a league of the town. And there they lay till the first four captains came thither, to acquaint him with matters. Then they took their journey to go to the town of Mansoul, and unto Mansoul they came. But when the old soldiers that were in the

The forces joined with the young camp saw that they had new forces to join with, they again gave such a shout before the walls of the town of Mansoul, that it put Diabolus into another fright. So they sat down before the town, not now as the other four captains did, to wit, against the gates of Mansoul, and only; but they environed it round on every side, and beset it behind and before; so that now, let Mansoul look which way it will, it saw force and power lie in siege against it. Besides, there were mounts cast up against it.

The Mount Gracious was on the one side, and Mount Justice was on the other; further, there were several small banks and advance-ground—as Plaintruth Hill, and No-sin Banks—where many of the slings were placed against the town. Upon Mount Gracious were planted four, and upon Mount Justice were planted as many; and the rest were conveniently placed in several parts round about the town. Five of the best battering rams—that is, of the biggest of them—were placed upon Mount Hearken; a mount cast up hard by Eargate, with intent to break that open.⁴

Now, when the men of the town saw the multitude of the soldiers that were come up against the place, and the rams and slings, and the mounts on which they were planted, together with the glittering of the armour and the waving of them

¹ 'Reformades' angel volunteer officers, not attached to any troop or company. (En.)

² No sign, no marmur, his elect shall bear.

From every tree hech, wipe off every tear.

In adamantine rams shall death be heard.

And heal's grim tyrant for, the eternal wo

³ The text states forty-four battering rams and twelve slings, which the margin interprets to mean the 100-year books of the Holy Bible. It would be a task for Ag: must to discover which are rams and which the slings. The whole of this paragraph is omitted in the second column, 1054, but is re-asserted in colours, they were forced to shift and shift, and again to shift their thoughts, but they hardly changed for thoughts more stout, but rather for thoughts more faint. For though before they thought themselves sufficiently guarded, yet now they began to think that no man knew what would be their hap or lot.

When the good Prince Emmanuel had thus beleaguered Mansoul; in the first place he hangs out the white flag, which he caused to be set up among the golden slings that were planted upon Mount Gracious. And this he did for two reasons: 1. To give notice to Mansoul that he could and would yet be gracious if they turned to him. 2. And that he might leave them the more without excuse, should he destroy them, they continuing in their rebellion.

So the white flag, with the three golden doves on it, was hanged out for two days together, to give them time and space to consider. But they, as was hinted before, as if they were unconcerned, made no reply to the favourable signal of the Prince. Then he commanded, and they set the red flag upon that mount called Mount Justice. It was the red flag of Captain Judgment, whose scutcheon was the burning fiery furnace, and this also stood waving before them in the wind for several days together. But look how they carried it under the white flag when that was hanged out, so did they also when the red one was, and yet he took no advantage of them.

Then he commanded again that his servants would hang out the black flag of defiance against them, whose scutcheon was the three burning thunder-bolts. But as unconcerned was Mansoul at this as at those that went before. But when the Prince saw that neither mercy, nor judgment, nor execution of judgment, would or could come near the heart of Mansoul, he was touched with much compunction, and said, 'Surely this strange carriage of the town of Mansoul doth rather arise from ignorance of the manner and feats of war, than from a secret defiance of us, and abhurrence of their own lives; or, if they know the manner of the war of their own, yet not the rites and ceremonies of the wars in which we are concerned, when I make wars upon mine enemy Diabolus.' later capes. In one printed at Edinburgh, 1742, the text is altered to 'Cly-four battering-rams,' and this recondition is contained in all the modern cations. Perhaps the error was in the printer mustache Mr. Bunyan's figures, 22 for 12. This would make the 39 books of the Old Testament, with the Gospels and Acts, the 44 battering-rams, and the 22 Epistles and Revelations the slings. Mighty weapons for pulling down the strong acids of the devil.—Ed.)

⁴ The Lord, the eternal Spirit, must first give the bearing ear, and the understanding heart, ere any saving work can be begun.—(Mason.)

Therefore, he sent to the town of Mansoul, to let them know what he meant by those signs and the words to ceremonies of the flag, and also to know of them which of the things they would choose, whether grace and mercy, or judgment and the execution of judgment. All this while they kept their gates shut with locks, bolts, and bars, as fast as they could; their guards, also, were doubled, and their watch made as strong as they could. Diabolus also did pluck up what heart he could to encourage the town to make resistance.

The townsmen also made answer to the Prince's messenger, in substance, according to that which follows:—

'Great Sir, as to what by your messenger you have signified to us, whether we will accept of your mercy or fall by your justice, we are bound by the law and custom of this place, and can give you no positive answer. For it is against the law, government, and the prerogative royal of our king, to make either peace or war without him. But this we will do, we will petition that our prince will come down to the wall, and there give you such treatment as he shall think fit, and profitable for us.'

When the good Prince Emmanuel heard this answer, and saw the slavery and bondage of the people, and how much content they were to abide in the chains of the tyrant Diabolus, it grieved him at the heart. And, indeed, when at any time he perceived that any were contented under the slavery of the giant, he would be affected with it.

But to return again to our purpose. After the town had carried this news to Diabolus, and had told him, moreover, that the Prince that lay in the leaguer¹ without the wall, waited upon them for an answer, he refused, and huffed as well as he could, but in heart he was afraid. Then, said he, I will go down to the gates myself, and give him such an answer as I think fit. So he went down to Mouthgate, and there addressed himself to speak to Emmanuel, but in such language as the town understood not, the contents whereof were as follows:—

'O thou great Emmanuel, Lord of all the world, I know thee that thou art the Son of the Prince, the great Shaddah! Wherefore art thou come to torment me, and to cast me out of my possession? This town of Mansoul, as thou very well knowest, is mine, and that by twofold right. 1. It is mine by right of conquest, I won it in the open field. And shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive be delivered? 2.

This town of Mansoul is mine also by their subjection. They have opened the gates of their town unto me, they have sworn fidelity to me, and have openly chosen me to be their king. They have also given their castle into my hands; yea, they have put the whole strength of Mansoul under me. Moreover, this town of Mansoul hath disavowed thee; yea, they have cast thy law, thy name, thy image, and all that is thine, behind their back, and have accepted, and set up in their room, my law, my name, mine image, and all that ever is mine. Ask else thy captains, and they will tell thee that Mansoul hath, in answer to all their summons, shewn lore and loyalty to me; but always disdain, despite, contempt, and scorn to thee and thine. Now thou art the Just One, and the Holy, and shouldest do no iniquity; depart thee, I pray thee, therefore, from me, and leave me to my just inheritance, peaceably.'

This oration was made in the language of Diabolus himself. For although he can, to every man, speak in their own language—else he could not tempt them all as he does—yet he has a language proper to himself, and it is the language of the infernal cave, or black pit.

Wherefore the town of Mansoul, poor hearts, understood him not, nor did they see how he crouched and cringed, while he stood before Emmanuel their prince. Yea, they all this while took him to be one of that power and force that by no means could be resisted. Wherefore, while he was thus intreating that he might yet have his residence there, and that Emmanuel would not take it from him by force, the inhabitants boasted even of his valour, saying, 'Who is able to make war with him?'

Well, when this pretended king had made an end of what he would say, Emmanuel, the golden Prince, stood up and spake, the contents of whose words follow:—

'Thou deceiving one,' said he, 'I have in my Father's name, in mine own name, and on the behalf and for the good of this wretched town of Mansoul, somewhat to say unto thee. Thou pretendest a right, a lawful right, to the deplorable town of Mansoul, when it is most apparent to all my Father's court, that the entrance which thou hast obtained in at the gates of Mansoul was through thy lies and falsehood. Thou behedst my Father, thou behedst his law, and so deceivedst the people of Mansoul. Thou pretendest that the people have accepted thee for their king, their captain, and right heged, but that also was by the exercise of deceit and guilt. Now, if lying wiliness, sinful craft, and all manner of horrible hypocrisy, will go in my Father's court for equity and right, in which court thou must be tried, then will I confess unto thee that thou hast made a lawful conquest. But alas, what thief,

¹ 'Leaguer,' the camp and trenches in which a belonging army are sheltered.—(L.D.)

'Thou deceiving one,' said he, 'I have in my Father's name, in mine own name, and on the behalf and for the good of this wretched town of Mansoul, somewhat to say unto thee. Thou pretendest a right, a lawful right, to the deplorable town of Mansoul, when it is most apparent to all my Father's court, that the entrance which thou hast obtained in at the gates of Mansoul was through thy lies and falsehood. Thou behedst my Father, thou behedst his law, and so deceivedst the people of Mansoul. Thou pretendest that the people have accepted thee for their king, their captain, and right heged, but that also was by the exercise of deceit and guilt. Now, if lying wiliness, sinful craft, and all manner of horrible hypocrisy, will go in my Father's court for equity and right, in which court thou must be tried, then will I confess unto thee that thou hast made a lawful conquest. But alas, what thief, what tyrant, what devil is there that may not conquer after this sort? But I can make it appear, O. Diabolus, that thou, in all thy pretences to a conquest of Mansoul, hast nothing of truth to say. Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou didst put the lie upon my Father, and madest him, to Mansoul, the greatest deluder in the world. And what sayest thou to thy perverting, knowingly, the right purport and intent of the law? Was it good also that thou madest a prey of the innocency and simplicity of the now miserable town of Mansoul? Yea, thou didst overcome Mansoul by promising to them happiness in their transgressions against my Father's law, when thou knewest, and couldest not but know, hadst thou consulted nothing but thine own experience, that that was the way to undo them. Thou hast also thyself—O thou master of enmity, of despite—defaced my Father's image in Mansoul, and set up thy own in its place, to the great contempt of my Father, the heightening of thy sin, and to the intolerable damage of the perishing town of Mansoul. Thou hast, moreover—as if all these were but little things with thee—not only deluded and undone this place, but, by thy lies and fraudulent carriage hast set them against their own deliverance. How hast thou stirred them up against my Father's captains, and made them to fight against those that were sent of him to deliver them from their bondage! All these things and very many more thou hast done against thy light, and in contempt of my Father and of his law; yea, and with design to bring under his displeasure for ever the miserable town of Mansoul. I am therefore come to avenge the wrong that thou hast done to my Father, and to deal with thee for the blasphemies wherewith thou hast made poor Mansoul blaspheme his name. Yea, upon thy head, thou prince of the infernal cave, will I require it.

'As for myself, O Diabolus, I am come against thee by lawful power, and to take, by strength of hand, this town of Mansoul out of thy burning fingers. For this town of Mansoul is mine, O Diabolus, and that by undoubted right, as all shall see that will diligently search the most ancient and most authentic records, and I will plead my title to it, to the confusion of thy face.

'First. For the town of Mansoul, my Father built and did fashion it with his hand. The palace also that is in the midst of that town, he built it for his own right. This town of Mansoul therefore is my Father's, and that by the best of titles; and he that gainsays the truth of this must lie against his soul.

'Second. O thou master of the lie, this town of Mansoul is mine.

'1. For that I am my Father's heir, his first-born, and the only delight of his heart. I am therefore come up against thee in mine own right, oven to recover mine own inheritance out of thine hand. He. 1. 2; Ja. xrt. 13.

'2. But further, as I have a right and title to Mansoul, by being my Father's heir, so I have also by my Father's donation. His it was, and he gave it me (Ja. xrt.); nor have I at any time offended my Father, that he should take it from me and give it to thee. Nor have I been forced by playing the bankrupt to sell, or set to sale to thee, my beloved town of Mansoul. Is 1. 1. Mansoul is my desire, my delight, and the joy of my heart. But,

'3. Mansoul is mine by right of purchase. I have bought it, O Diabolus, I have bought it to myself. Now, since it was my Father's and mine, as I was his heir; and since also I have made it mine by virtue of a great purchase, it followeth, that by all lawful right the town of Mansoul is mine, and that thou art an usurper, a tyrant, and traitor, in thy holding possession thereof. Now, the cause of my purchasing of it was this: Mansoul had trespassed against my Father; now my Father had said, that in the day that they broke his law they should die. Now it is more possible for heaven and earth to pass away, than for my Father to break his word. Var. v. 18. Wherefore, when Mansoul had sinned indeed by hearkening to thy lie, I put in and became a surety to my Father, body for body, and soul for soul, that I would make amends for Mansoul's transgressions; and my Father did accept thereof. So when O. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v.

'4. Nor did I do this to the halves; my Father's law and justice that were both concerned in the threatening upon transgression, are both now satisfied, and very well content that Mansoul should be delivered.

'5. Nor am I come out this day against thee but by commandment of my Father; it was he that said unto me, Go down and deliver Mansoul.

'Wherefore, be it known unto thee, O thou fountain of deceit, and be it also known to the foolish town of Mansoul, that I am not come against thee this day without my Father.

'And now,' said the golden-headed Prince, 'I have a word to the town of Mansoul; but as soon as mention was made that he had a word to speak to the besotted town of Mansoul, the gates were double guarded, and all men commanded not to give him audience, so he proceeded, and said, 'O unhappy town of Mansoul, I cannot but be touched with pity and compassion for thee. Thou hast accepted of Diabolus for thy king, and art become a nurse and minister of Diabolonians against thy Sovereign Lord. Thy gates thou hast opened to him, but hast shut them fast against me; thou hast given him a hearing, but hast stopped thine ears at my cry; he brought to thee thy destruction, and thou didst receive both him and it: I am come to thee bringing salvation, but thou regardest me not. Besides, thou hast, as with sacrilegious hands, taken thyself with all that was mine in thee, and hast given all to my foe, and to the greatest enemy my Father has. You have bowed and subjected yourselves to him; you have vowed and sworn yourselves to be his. Poor Mansoul! what shall I do unto thee? Shall I save thee? shall I destroy thee? What shall I do unto thee? shall I fall upon thee and grind thee to powder, or make thee a monument of the richest grace? What shall I do unto thee? Hearken, therefore, thou town of Mansoul, hearken to my word, and thou shalt live. I am merciful, Mansoul, and thou shalt find me so; shut me not out of thy gates.

'O Mansoul, neither is my commission, nor inclination, at all to do thee any hurt; why điest thou so fast from thy friend, and stickest so close to thine enemy? Indeed, I would have thee, because it becomes thee, to be sorry for thy sin; but do not despair of life, this great force is not to hurt thee, but to deliver thee from thy bondage, and to reduce thee to thy obedience. La. 15. 26. 20. 17.

'My commission, indeed, is to make a war upon Diabolus thy king, and upon all Diabolomans with him; for he is the strong man armed that keeps the house, and I will have him out; his spoils I must divide,¹ his armour I must take from him, his hold I must cast him out of, and must make it an habitation for myself. And this, O Mansoul, shall Diabolus know, when he shall be made to follow me in chains, and when Mansoul shall rejoice to see it so.

'I could, would I now put forth my might, cause that forthwith he should leave you and depart; but I have it in my heart so to deal with him, as that the justice of the war that I shall make upon him may be seen and acknowledged by all. He hath taken Mansoul by fraud, and keeps it by violence and deceit; and I will make him bare and naked in the eyes of all observers. All my words are true, I am mighty to save, and will deliver my Mansoul out of his hand.²

This speech was intended chiefly for Mansoul, but Mansoul would not have the hearing of it.

¹ This reference to Is. 10. 12 must not be misunderstood by our youthful readers. It does not mean that Emmanuel would divide the spoil with Diabolus, but that he would take it all from him, and divide it at his command by pleasure. (L. 1.)

² Here Emmanuel discovers the true character of Satan—a liar, a deceiver, a blasphemer, an usurper, the malicious enemy of God and man. Emmanuel claims the human will as his own, his workmanship, his delight, his inheritance, his purchase. How well does the gracious address deserve the most cordial acceptance? — Burd.

They shut up Eargate, they barricaded it up, they kept it locked and bolted; they set a guard thereat, and commanded that no Manosolman should go out to him, nor that any from the camp should be admitted into the town; all this they did, so horribly had Diabolus enchanted them to do, and seek to do for him, against their rightful Lord and Prince; who before no man, nor voice, nor sound of man that belonged to the glorious Lost, was to come into the town.⁴

[CHAPTER VII.]

[CONCEPTS.—Emmanuel proposes to make war upon Mansoul.—Diabolus sends Mr. Lothrop to stop with proposals for peace.—These proposals being duly made to Emmanuel, are all rejected.—Again Diabolus proposes to patch up a peace by referendum, offering to become Emmanuel a deputy in that business.—This proposal also rejected.—New preparations made for battle.—Diabolus, expecting to be obliged to abandon the town, does not have to be a force, violently assaulted by the battering camp at length, gives way, and is broken to peace.—Emmanuel forces enter the town, and take possession of the Rampier's house.—Several mischievous Diabolomans are killed.]

So when Emmanuel saw that Mansoul was thus involved in sin, he calls his army together, since now also his words were despised, and gave out a commandment throughout all his host to be ready against the time appointed. Now, forasmuch as there was no way lawfully to take the town of Mansoul, but to get in by the gates, and at Eargate as the chief, therefore he commanded his captains and commanders to bring their rains, their slings, and their men, and place them at Eyegate and Eargate, in order to his taking the town.

When Emmanuel had put all things in readiness to give Diabolus battle, he sent again to know of the town of Mansoul if in peaceable manner they would yield themselves, or whether they were yet resolved to put him to try the utmost extremity.

Then they together, with Diabolus their king, called a council of war, and resolved upon certain propositions that should be offered to Emmanuel, if he will accept thereof, so they agreed; and then the next was who should be sent on this errand. Now there was in the town of Mansoul an old man, a Diabolom, and his name was Mr. Lothrop—toup, a staff man in his way, and a great deer for Diabolus; him there—

³ Defended sources reporting the council of God against themselves. He said, is that they can? I have and understand. Remember "took, took, by hearing." I am, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now

⁴ These terms may be found in Cross, December, No. 10. 'Desire to return my name, if it is to do it when a day, and we will say it, the moment, if I remember the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, the time, fore they sent, and put into his mouth what he should say. So he went, and came to the camp to Emmanuel; and when he was come, a time was appointed to give him audience. So at the time he came, and after a Diabolonian ceremony or two, he thus began, and said, 'Great Sir, that it may be known unto all men how good-natured a prince my master is, he hath sent me to tell your Lordship that he is very willing, rather than to go to

Mark this. I am therefore to know if your Mightiness will accept of this proposition.'

Then said Emmanuel, 'The whole is mine by gift and purchase, wherefore I will never lose one-half.'

Then said Mr. Loth-to-stoop, 'Sir, my master hath said, that he will be content that you shall be the nominal and titular Lord of all, if he may possess but a part.' 2d. 2d. 23

Then Emmanuel answered, 'The whole is mine really; not in name and word only: wherefore I will be the sole Lord and possessor of all, or of none at all of Mansoul.'

Then Mr. Loth-to-stoop said again, 'Sir, behold the condescension of my master! He says that he will be content, if he may but have assigned to him some place in Mansoul as a place to live privately in, and you shall be Lord of all the rest.' 2d. v. 1-5.

Then said the golden Prince, 'All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me; and of all that he hath given me I will lose nothing, no, not a hoof, nor a hair. I will not therefore grant him, no, not the least corner in Mansoul to dwell in, I will have all to myself.'

Then Loth-to-stoop said again, 'But, Sir, suppose that my lord should resign the whole town to you, only with this proviso, that he sometimes, when he comes into this country, may, for old acquaintance sake, be entertained as a way-faring man for two days, or ten days, or a month, or so; may not this small matter be granted.'

Then said Emmanuel, 'No; he came as a way-faring man to David, nor did he stay long with him, and yet it had like to have cost David his soul. 2d. 2d. 1-5 I will not consent that he ever should have any harbour more there.'

Then said Mr. Loth-to-stoop, 'Sir, you seem to be very hard. Suppose my master should yield to all that your Lordship hath said, provided that his friends and kindred in Mansoul may have liberty to trade in the town, and

Mark this. A cold, obnoxious, without possession, Christ, the hope of glory, is not Christianity, in almost Christian is a very model. We cannot serve two masters, God and Maimonides. Jesus is worthy of all our love and service. We are treasured up every secluded blessing for him and eternity—(Mason).

to enjoy their present dwellings; may not that be granted, Sir?'

Then said Emmanuel, 'No; that is contrary to my Father's will; for all, and all manner of Diabolonians that now are, or that at any time shall be found in Mansoul, shall not only lose their lands and liberties, but also their lives.' 2d. v. 24. Col. 10. 3.

Then said Mr. Loth-to-stoop again, 'But, Sir, may not my master, and great lord, by letters, by passengers, by accidental opportunities, and the like, maintain, if he shall deliver up all unto thee, some kind of old friendship with Mansoul.' 2d. v. 3.

Emmanuel answered, 'No, by no means; forasmuch as any such fellowship, friendship, intimacy, or acquaintance in what way, sort or mode soever maintained, will tend to the corrupting of Mansoul, the alienating of their affections from me, and the endangering of their peace with my Father.'

Mr. Loth-to-stoop yet added further; saying, 'But, great Sir, since my master hath many friends, and those that are dear to him in Mansoul, may he not, if he shall depart from them, even of his bounty and good nature, bestow upon them, as he sees fit, some tokens of his love and kindness, that he had for them, to the end that Mansoul, when he is gone, may look upon such tokens of kindness once received from their old friend, and remember him who was once their King, and the merry times that they sometimes enjoyed one with another, while he and they lived in peace together.'

Then said Emmanuel, 'No; for if Mansoul come to be mine, I shall not admit of, nor consent that there should be the least scrap, shred, or dust of Diabolus left behind, as tokens or gifts bestowed upon any in Mansoul, thereby to call to remembrance the horrible communion that was betwixt them and him.' 2d. v. 12. 12.

'Well Sir,' said Mr. Loth-to-stoop, 'I have one thing more to propound, and then I am got to the end of my commission. Suppose that when my master is gone from Mansoul, any that yet shall live in the town should have such business of high concerns to do, that if they be neglected the party shall be undone; and suppose, Sir, that nobody can help in that case so well as my master and lord; may not now my master be sent for upon so urgent an occasion as this? Or if he may not be admitted into the town, may not he and the person concerned meet in some of the villages near Mansoul, and there lay their heads together, and there consult of matters?' 2d. v. 3. 6. 7.

The grand heart of man is loth to stoop to that absolute submission and entire obedience to Christ which he justly re-spects. They will allow him to be a lord in name, but not in

The grand heart of man is loth to stoop to that absolute submission and entire obedience to Christ which he justly re-spects. They will allow him to be a lord in name, but not in

This was the last of those ensnaring propositions that Mr. Loth-to-stoop had to propound to Emmanuel on behalf of his master Diabolus; but Emmanuel would not grant it, for he said, 'There can be no case, or thing, or matter, fall out in Mansoul, when thy master shall be gone, that may not be salved' by my Father; besides, it will be a great disparagement to my Father's wisdom and skill to admit any from Mansoul to go out to Diabolus for advice, when they are bid before, in everything, by prayer and supplication, to let their request be made known to my Father.' (See note 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Further, this, should it be granted, would be to grant that a door should be set open for Diabolus and the Diabolomans in Mansoul, to hatch, and plot, and bring to pass treasonable designs, to the grief of my Father and me, and to the utter destruction of Mansoul.

When Mr. Loth-to-stoop had heard this answer, he took his leave of Emmanuel and departed, saying, that he would do word to his master concerning this whole affair. So he departed and came to Diabolus to Mansoul, and told him the whole of the matter, and how Emmanuel would not admit, no, not by any means, that he, when he was once gone out, should for ever have anything more to do, either in, or with any that are of, the town of Mansoul. When Mansoul and Diabolus had heard this relation of things, they with one consent concluded to use their best endeavour to keep Emmanuel out of Mansoul, and sent old Illpause, of whom you have heard before, to tell the Prince and his captains so. So the old gentleman came up to the top of Eargate, and called to the camp for a hearing; who, when they gave audience, he said, 'I have in commandment from my high Lord to bid you to tell it to your Prince Emmanuel, that Mansoul and their King are resolved to stand and fail together, and that it is in vain for your Prince to think of ever having of Mansoul in his hand, unless he can take it by force.' So some went and told to Emmanuel what old Illpause, a Diabolonian in Mansoul, had said. Then said the Prince, 'I must try the power of my sword, for I will not, for all the rebellions and repulses that Mansoul has made against me, raise my siege and depart, but will assuredly take my Mansoul, and deliver it from the hand of her enemy.' E. R. 17. And with that he gave out a commandment that Captain Boanerges, Captain Conviction, authority. They would serve Jesus in general, if permitted to indulge in such occasionally. All such partial submission is rejected. To be only 'cannot a Christian' is to be my Christian at all. To show the importance of this, the author repeatedly gives a marginal note. 'Work this.'—(Bender)

'The word 'salved,' as used in Banyan's time, means helped, remedied, saved, healed, rescued. Thus, in his Come and Welcome, he says, 'Such questions would have been, but first'

Captain Judgment, and Captain Execution, should forthwith march up to Eargate with trumpets sounding, colours flying, and with shouting for the battle. Also he would that Captain Credence should join himself with them. Emmanuel, moreover, gave order that Captain Goodhope and Captain Charity should draw themselves up before Eygate. He bid also that the rest of his Captains, and their men, should place themselves for the best of their advantage against the enemy, round about the town, and all was done as he had commanded. Then he bid that the word should be given forth, and the word was at that time 'Emmanuel'. Then was an alarm sounded, and the battering-rams were played, and the slings did whirl stones into the town anam, and thus the battle began. Now Diabolus himself did manage the townsmen in the war, and that at every gate, wherefore their resistance was the more forcible, hellish, and offensive to Emmanuel. Thus was the good Prince engaged and entertained by Diabolus and Mansoul for several days together. And a sight worth seeing it was, to behold how the captains of Shabbat behaved themselves in this war.

And first for Captain Boanerges, not to undervalue the rest, he made three most fierce assaults, one after another, upon Eargate, to the shaking of the ports thereof. Captain Conviction, he also made up as fast with Boanerges as possibly he could, and both discerning that the gate began to yield, they commanded that the rams should still be played against it. Now Captain Conviction going up very near to the gate, was with great force driven back, and received three wounds in the mouth. And those that rode Reformades, they went about to encourage the captains.

For the value of the two captains made mention of before, the Prince sent for them to his pavilion, and commanded that a while they should rest themselves, and that with somewhat they should be refreshed. Care also was taken for Captain Conviction, that he should be healed of his wounds. The Prince also gave to each of them a chain of gold, and bid them yet be of good courage. Nor did Captain Goodhope nor Captain Charity come behind in this most desperate fight, for they so well did behave themselves at Eygate, that they had

Aubrey about, instead of a sufficient order, to supply a question. Now, the word 'salved' would be used.—(P. 1)

'Beach,' mark 'the proposal of Loth-to-stoop. All are unconverted chores the very spirit, and I am not, with them the time when you feel it is not to be a man of your mind. If I Christ, nor would you ever have a man of your people and your love of sin, but that the Holy War is concerned you by his love and mercy.' (P. 1)

almost broken it quite open.¹ These also had a reward from their Prince, as also had the rest of the captains, because they did valiantly round about the town.²

In this engagement several of the officers of Diabolus were slain, and some of the townsmen wounded. For the officers, there was one Captain Boasting slain. This Boasting thought that nobody could have shaken the posts of Eargate, nor have shaken the heart of Diabolus. Next to him there was one Captain Secure slain; this Secure used to say that the blind and lame in Mansoul were able to keep the gates of the town against Emmanuel's army. 2 No. 4. This Captain Secure did Captain Conviction cleave down the head with a two-handed sword, when he received himself three wounds in his mouth. Besides these, there was one Captain Bragman, a very desperate fellow, and he was captain over a band of those that threw fire-brands, arrows, and death; he also received, by the hand of Captain Goodhope at Eyegate, a mortal wound in the breast.

There was, moreover, one Mr. Feeling, but he was no captain, but a great stickler to encourage Mr. Feeling. Mansoul to rebellion, he received a wound in the eye by the hand of one of Boanerges' soldiers, and had by the captain himself been slain, but that he made a sudden retreat.

But I never saw Will-be-will so daunted in all my life: he was not able to do as he was wont; and some say that he also received a wound in the leg, and that some of the men in the Prince's army have certainly seen him limp, as he afterwards walked on the wall.³

I shall not give you a particular account of the names of the soldiers that were slain in the town, for many were maimed and wounded, and slain; for when they saw that the posts of Eargate did shake, and Eyegate was well nigh broken quite open; and also that their captains were slain, this took away the hearts of many of the Diabolonians; they fell also by the force of the shot that were sent by

¹ The sermons that let the people of old were types of guilt and sin. Now these were very sermons, and such as, I think, could fly. In, see 29. Wherefore, in my judgment, they stung the people about their faces, and so swell a up to my eyes, which made it the more difficult for them to look up to the brazen serpent, which was the type of Christ. Jn. in 14.—(Bouyan on Justification, vol. i. p. 320.) How fifty are Goodhope and Charity qualified to gain such a post.—(E.D.)

² It is worthy of notice, that while warnings and convictions attack the ear, hope and love are exhibited to the eye. This was Bouyan's mode of proclaiming the gospel, and it is well worthy of universal imitation by preachers of all denominations.—(E.D.)

³ The will may be called the feet of the soul; because by the golden slings into the midst of the town of Mansoul.⁴

Of the townsmen there was one Love-no-good, he was a townsman, but a Diabolonian. Love-no-good he also received his mortal wound in Mansoul, but he died not very soon. Mr. Illpause also, who was the man that came along with Diabolus when at first he attempted the taking of Mansoul, he also received a grievous wound in the head, some say that his brain-pan was cracked; this I have taken notice of, that he was never after this able to do that mischief to Mansoul as he had done in times past. Also old Prejudice and Mr. Anything fled.⁵

Now when the battle was over, the Prince commanded that yet once more the white flag should be set upon Mount Gracious, in sight of the town of Mansoul; to show that yet Emmanuel had grace for the wretched town of Mansoul.

When Diabolus saw the white flag hanging out again, and knowing that it was not for him, but Mansoul, he cast in his mind to play another prank, to wit, to see if Emmanuel would raise his siege and be gone, upon promise of a reformation.⁶ So he comes down to the gate one evening, a good while after the sun was gone down, and calls to speak with Emmanuel, who presently came down to the gate, and Diabolus saith unto him:

'Forasmuch as thou makest it appear by thy white flag, that thou art wholly given to peace and quiet: I thought meet to acquaint thee that we are ready to accept thereof upon terms which thou mayest admit.

'I know that thou art given to devotion, and that holiness pleases thee; yea, that thy great end in making a war upon Mansoul is that it may be an holy habitation. Well, draw off thy forces from the town, and I will bend Mansoul to thy bow.

'[Thus] I will lay down all acts of hostility against thee, and will be willing to become thy deputy, and will, as I have formerly been against thee, now serve thee in the town of Mansoul. And more particularly—1. I will persuade Mansoul to that the soul, yea, the whole man, is carried hither and thither, or else held back, and kept from moving. While my Lord Will-be-will was so active in the service of Diabolus, he is, very properly, 'wounded in the leg.'—(E.D.)

⁴ Portions of the Word, probably from the sacred epistles of the New Testament.—(E.D.)

⁵ Prejudice and Anything have fled; Illpause has his brain-pan cracked—there can be no more procrastination; Love-no-good is slain—the will is wounded, the feeling is painfully wounded; Bragman and actual security are slain; Mansoul trembles, and in great mercy the white flag is hung out in token of grace, but the heart does not yet surrender.—(E.D.)

⁶ This is exemplified by Bouyan's experience, in Grace Abounding, Nos. 30-36.

receive thee for their Lord, and I know that they will do it the sooner when they shall understand that I am thy deputy. 2. I will show them wherein they have erred, and that transgression stands in the way to life. 3. I will show them the holy law unto which they must conform, even that which they have broken. 4. I will press upon them the necessity of a reformation according to thy law. 5. And, moreover, that none of these things may fail, I myself, at my own proper cost and charge, will set up and maintain a sufficient ministry, besides lecturers, in Mansoul. 6. Thou shalt receive, as a token of our subjection to thee continually, year by year, what thou shalt think fit to lay and levy upon us, in token of our subjection to thee.

Then said Emmanuel to him, 'O full of deceit, how movable are thy ways! How often hast thou changed and re-changed, if so be thou mightest still keep possession of my Mansoul, though, as has been plainly declared before, I am the right heir thereof? Often hast thou made thy proposals already, nor is this last a whit better than they. And failing to deceive when thou showedst thyself in thy black, thou hast now transformed thyself into an angel of light, and wouldest, to deceive, be now as a minister of righteousness, 2 Co. 11

'But know thou, O Diabolus, that nothing must be regarded that thou caust propound, for nothing is done by thee but to deceive; thou neither hast conscience to God, nor love to the town of Mansoul; whence thou should these thy sayings arise, but from sinful craft and deceit? He that can of list and will propound what he pleases, and that wherewith he may destroy them that believe him, is to be abandoned with all that he shall say. But if righteousness be such a beauty-spot in thine eyes now, how is it that wickedness was so closely stuck to by thee before. But this is by the by. Thou talkest now of a reformation in Mansoul, and that thou thyself, if I will please, will be at the head of that reformation, all the while knowing that the greatest proficiency that man can make in the law, and the righteousness thereof, will amount to no more for the taking away of the curse from Mansoul than just nothing at all; for a law being broken by Mansoul, that had before, upon a supposition of the breach thereof, a curse pronounced against him for it of God, can never, by his obeying of the law, deliver himself therefrom. To say nothing of what a reformation is like to be set up in Mansoul, when the devil is become the surrender of vice. Thou knowest that all that thou hast now said in this matter is nothing but gicle and deceit; and is, as it was the first, so is it the last card that thou hast to play. Many there be that do soon discern thee when thou showest them thy chosen foot; but in thy white, thy light, and in thy transformation thou art seen but of a few. But thou shalt not do thus with my Mansoul, O Diabolus, for I do still love my Mansoul.

'Besides, I am not come to put Mansoul upon works to live thereby—should I do so, I should be like unto thee—but I am come that by me, and by what I have and shall do for Mansoul, they may to my Father be reconciled, though by their sin they have provoked him to anger, and though by the law they cannot obtain mercy.

'Thou talkest of subjecting of this town to good, when none desirch it at thy hands. I am sent by my Father to possess it myself, and to guide it by the skilfulness of my hands into such a conformity to him as shall be pleasing in his sight. I will therefore possess it myself, I will dispossess and cast them out: I will set up mine own standard in the midst of them: I will also govern them by new laws, new officers, new motives, and new ways. Yes, I will pull down this town, and build it again, and it shall be as though it had not been, and it shall then be the glory of the whole universe.'

When Diabolus heard this, and perceived that he was discovered in all his deceits, he was confounded and utterly put to a non-plus; but having in himself the fountain of iniquity, rage and malice against both Shaddai and his Son, and the beloved town of Mansoul, what doth he but strengthen himself what he could, to give fresh battle to the noble Prince Emmanuel? So then, now we must have another fight before the town of Mansoul is taken. Come up then to the mountains you that love to see military actions, and behold by both sides how the fatal blow is given: while one seeks to hold, and the other seeks to make himself master of the famous town of Mansoul.

Diabolus, therefore, having withdrawn himself from the wall to his force that was in the heart of the town of Mansoul, Emmanuel also returned to the camp; and both of them, after their divers ways, put themselves into a posture fit to bid battle one to another.

1 Reader, the devil offers to set up ministers and lecturers! Take heed what ye hear—(1)

2 How common is it with sincere, under conviction and the fear of hell, to be content with mending their lives, they are willing to be reformed, but not to be justified and saved by grace.—(Butler.)

3 What a choice of evangelical trust, a conquest in mankind? Old things must be a new, all new, and new, we must be limited with Christ, a nation, and our power to measure of life. No man is a God, but the Christ is bound in him the hope of every. We must be in Christ, every man in his righteousness, there will be a good man, but he is good to be. In Christ he becomes the glory of the universe. — (1)

Diabolus, as filled with despair of retaining in his hands the famous town of Mansoul, resolved to do what mischief he could, if indeed he could do any, to the army of the Prince, and to the famous town of Mansoul; for, alas! it was not the happiness of the silly town of Mansoul that was designed by Diabolus, but the utter ruin and overthrow thereof; as now is enough in view. Wherefore he commands his officers that they should then, when they see that they could hold the town no longer, do it what harm and mischief they could; rending and tearing of men, women, and children. But in 28.25. For, said he, we had better quite demolish the place, and leave it like a ruinous heap, than so leave it that it may be an habitation for Emmanuel.¹

Emmanuel again, knowing that the next battle would issue in his being made master of the place, gave out a royal commandment to all his officers, high captains, and men of war, to be sure to show themselves men of war against Diabolus, and all

Diabolonians; but favourable, merciful, and meek to all the old inhabitants of Mansoul. Bend, therefore, said the noble Prince, the hottest front of the battle against Diabolus and his men.

So the day being come, the command was given, and the Prince's men did bravely stand to their arms; and did, as before, bend their main force against Eargate, and Eyegate. The word was then, 'Mansoul is won,' so they made them assault upon the town. Diabolus also, as fast as he could with the main of his power, made resistance from within, and his high birds and chief captains for a time fought very cruelly against the Prince's army.

But after three or four notable charges by the Prince, and his noble captains, Eargate was broken open, and the bars and bolts wherewith it was used to be fast shut up against the Prince, were broken into a thousand pieces. Then did the Prince's trumpets sound, the captains shout, the town shake, and Diabolus retreat to his hold. Well, when the Prince's forces had broken open the gate, himself came up and did set his throne in it; also he set his standand thereby, upon a mount, that before by his men was cast up to place the mighty slings thereon. The mount was called Mount Hearwell; there, therefore, the Prince abode, to wit, hard by the going in at the gate. He commanded also

¹ When Satan can no longer keep his dominion over the soul, he will endeavour to ruin it by temptations to despair, or to some abominable vices, as the poor trembling creature in the gospel, desirous of approaching Christ, 'as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down and tare him.' Lx. 11. 42.—(Reader.)

that the golden slings should yet be played upon the town, especially against the castle, because for shelter thither was Diabolus retreated. Now from Eargate the street was strait, even to the house of Mr. Recorder that so was before Diabolus took the town, and hard by his house stood the castle, which Diabolus for a long time had made his irksome den. The captains, therefore, did quickly clear that street by the use of their slings, so that way was made up to the heart of the town. Then did the Prince command that Captain Boanerges, Captain Conviction, and Captain Judgment should forthwith march up the town to the old gentleman's gate. Then did the captains in most warlike manner enter into the town of Mansoul, and marching in with flying colours, they came up to the Recorder's house, and that was almost as strong as was the castle. Battering rains they took also with them, to plant against the castle-gates. When they were come to the house of Mr. Conscience, they knocked and demanded entrance. Now the old gentleman, not knowing as yet fully their design, kept his gates shut all the time of this fight. Wherefore Boanerges demanded entrance at his gates, and no man making answer, he gave it one stroke with the head of a ram, and this made the old gentleman shake, and his house to tremble and totter. Then came Mr. Recorder down to the gate, and, as he could, with quivering lips, he asked who was there. Boanerges answered, We are the captains and commanders of the great Shaddai, and of the blessed Emmanuel his Son, and we demand possession of your house for the use of our noble Prince. And with that the battering-ram gave the gate another shake; this made the old gentleman tremble the more yet durst he not but open the gate. Then the King's forces marched in, namely, the three brave captains mentioned before. Now the Recorder's house was a place of much convenience for Emmanuel, not only because it was near to the castle, and strong, but also because it was large, and fronted the castle, the den where now Diabolus was: for he was now afraid to come out of his hold. As for Mr. Recorder, the captains carried it very reservedly to him; as yet he knew nothing of the great designs of Emmanuel; so that he did not know what judgment to make, nor what would be the end of such thundering beginnings. It was

² Thus was the promise fulfilled, 'In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book,' Is xii. 18; and, 'The ears of the deaf shall be unstopped,' xxiv. 5. What is blessing to be able to say, 'Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.' The way is strait from Eargate to Conscience, the house of the Recorder, and to the Heart, the castle. 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.' May God bestow the hearing ear upon every reader.—(Reader.)

also presently noised in the town, how the Recorder's house was possessed, his rooms taken up, and the same. His palace made the seat of the war; and no sooner was it noised abroad, but they took the alarm as warmly, and gave it out to others of his friends, and you know as a snow-ball loses nothing by rolling, so in little time the whole town was possessed that they must expect nothing from the Prince but destruction; and the ground of the business was this. The Recorder was afraid, the Recorder trembled, and the captains carried it strangely to the Recorder, so many came to see; but when they with their own eyes did behold the captains in the palace, and their battering rains ever playing at the castle, gates to beat them down, they were riveted in their fears, and it made them as in the house would increase all this, for whoever came to him, or discoursed with him, nothing would be talk of, tell them, or hear, but that death and destruction now attended Mansoul.¹

For, 'quoth the old gentleman,' you are all of you sensible that we all have been traitors to that once despised, but now famously victorious and glorious Prince Emmanuel. For he now, as you see, doth not only he in close siege about us, but hath forced his entrance in at our gates; moreover, Diabolus flees before him, and he hath, as you behold, made of my house a garrison against the castle, where he is. I, for my part, have transgressed greatly, and he that is clean it is well for him. But, I say, I have transgressed greatly in keeping of silence when I should have spoken, and in perverting of justice when I should have executed the same. True, I have suffered something at the hand of Diabolus, for taking part with the laws of King Shaddai; but that, alas! what will that do? Will that make compensation for the rebellions and treasons that I have done, and have suffered without gainsaying, to be committed in the town of Mansoul? O, I tremble to think what will be the end of this so dreadful and so awful a beginning.²

Now, while these brave captains were thus busy in the house of the old Recorder, Captain Execution was as busy in other parts of the town, in securing the back streets, and the walls. He also hunted the Lord Will-be-will sorely; he suffered him not to

¹ When the soul listens to the threatenings of the holy law, conscience fears and quakes; and till enlightened with the knowledge of the gospel, and the eracents des jons of God, it can think and talk of nothing but 'death and destruction,'—Murder. See this part of the Holy War, in Buryan's ex-prieten, recorded in Grace, Bloomberg, Nov. 24-25—(in)

² Bunyan's relief from a state of intense misery was by an assault on Eargate. It was under a serious open Christ's law—'Thou art not my law,' then was old Prejudice slain, rest in any corner. He pursued him so hard, that he drove his men from him, and made him glad to thrust his head into a hole. Also, this mighty warrior did cut three of the Lord Will-be-will's officers down to the ground; one was O.H. Prejudice old Mr. Prejudice, he that had his crown cracked in the mutiny; this man was made by Lord Will-be-will keeper of Eargate, and fell by the hand of Captain Execution. There was also one Mr. Backward—call-butnaught, and he also was one of Lord Will-be-will's officers, and was the captain of the two guns that once were mounted on the top of Eargate, he also was cut down to the ground by the hands of Captain Execution. Besides these two there was another, a third, and his name was Captain Treacherons, a vile man this was, but one that Will-be-will did put a great deal of confidence in; but him also did this Captain Execution cut down to the ground with the rest.²

He also made a very great slaughter among my Lord Will-be-will's soldiers, killing many that were stout and sturdy, and wounding of many that for Diabolus were unable and active. But all these were Diabolomans, there was not a man, a native of Mansoul, hurt.³

Other feats of war were also likewise performed by other of the captains, as at Eyegate,⁴ where Captain Goodhope and Captain Charity had a charge, was great execution done; for the Captain Goodhope, with his own hands, slew one Captain Blindfold, the keeper of that gate; this Blindfold was captain of a thousand men, and they were they that fought with masts; he also pursued his men, slew many, and wounded more, and made the rest hide their heads in corners.

There was also at that gate Mr. Ilipaine, of whom you have heard before; he was an old man, and had a beard that reached down to his girdle; the same was he that was orator to Diabolus; he did much mischief in the town of Mansoul, and fell by the hand of Captain Goodhope.

What shall I say, the Diabolomans in these days lay dead in every corner, though too many yet were alive in Mansoul.⁵ and his officers, although other feats afterwards terrified him, yet Prejudice was slain. Read the narrative in Grace, Bloomberg, Nov. 22-23—(in)

⁶ No family or power of the war ever to be imposed by a death, until sin and a life until sinness. Peace and happiness are known as we live near to God. My young friends, if not, tell you that religion is a skill or a family thing, call to mind the happiness, say, restores of Paul and David when live a under its holy influence. (in)

⁷ See Grace, Bloomberg, No. 114—(in)

⁸ Conversion proceeds. The crown will be a crown. Prejudice is slain; Aversion, 1. I. I. (1) (2), I. (3), and