IN my travels, as I walked through many regions and countries, it was my
chance to happen into that famous continent of Universe. A very large
and spacious country it is: it lieth between the two poles, and just
amidst the four points of the heavens. It is a place well watered, and
richly adorned with hills and valleys, bravely situate, and for the most
part, at least where I was, very fruitful, also well peopled, and a very
sweet air.
The people are not all of one complexion, nor yet of one language, mode,
or way of religion, but differ as much as, it is said, do the planets
themselves. Some are right, and some are wrong, even as it happeneth to
be in lesser regions.
In this country, as I said, it was my lot to travel; and there travel I
did, and that so long, even till I learned much of their mother tongue,
together with the customs and manners of them among whom I was. And, to
speak truth, I was much delighted to see and hear many things which I saw
and heard among them; yea, I had, to be sure, even lived and died a
native among them, (so was I taken with them and their doings,) had not
my master sent for me home to his house, there to do business for him,
and to oversee business done.
Now there is in this gallant country of Universe a fair and delicate
town, a corporation called Mansoul; a town for its building so curious,
for its situation so commodious, for its privileges so advantageous, (I
mean with reference to its origin,) that I may say of it, as was said
before of the continent in which it is placed, There is not its equal
under the whole heaven.
As to the situation of this town, it lieth just between the two worlds;
and the first founder and builder of it, so far as by the best and most
authentic records I can gather, was one Shaddai; and he built it for his
own delight. He made it the mirror and glory of all that he made, even
the top-piece, beyond anything else that he did in that country. Yea, so
goodly a town was Mansoul when first built, that it is said by some, the
gods, at the setting up thereof, came down to see it, and sang for joy.
And as he made it goodly to behold, so also mighty to have dominion over
all the country round about. Yea, all were commanded to acknowledge
Mansoul for their metropolitan, all were enjoined to do homage to it.
Aye, the town itself had positive commission and power from her King to
demand service of all, and also to subdue any that anyways denied to do
it.
There was reared up in the midst of this town a most famous and stately
palace; for strength, it might be called a castle; for pleasantness, a
paradise; for largeness, a place so copious as to contain all the world.
This place the King Shaddai intended but for himself alone, and not
another with him; partly because of his own delights, and partly because
he would not that the terror of strangers should be upon the town. This
place Shaddai made also a garrison of, but committed the keeping of it
only to the men of the town.
The walls of the town were well built, yea, so fast and firm were they
knit and compact together, that, had it not been for the townsmen
themselves, they could not have been shaken or broken for ever. For here
lay the excellent wisdom of him that builded Mansoul, that the walls
could never be broken down nor hurt by the most mighty adverse potentate,
unless the townsmen gave consent thereto.
This famous town of Mansoul had five gates, in at which to come, out at
which to go; and these were made likewise answerable to the walls, to
wit, impregnable, and such as could never be opened nor forced but by the
will and leave of those within. The names of the gates were these:
Ear-gate, Eye-gate, Mouth-gate, Nose-gate, and Feel-gate.
Other things there were that belonged to the town of Mansoul, which if
you adjoin to these, will yet give farther demonstration to all, of the
glory and strength of the place. It had always a sufficiency of
provision within its walls; it had the best, most wholesome, and
excellent law that then was extant in the world. There was not a rascal,
rogue, or traitorous person then within its walls; they were all true
men, and fast joined together; and this, you know, is a great matter.
And to all these, it had always (so long as it had the goodness to keep
true to Shaddai the King) his countenance, his protection, and it was his
delight, etc.
Well, upon a time, there was one Diabolus, a mighty giant, made an
assault upon this famous town of Mansoul, to take it, and make it his own
habitation. This giant was king of the blacks, and a most raving prince
he was. We will, if you please, first discourse of the origin of this
Diabolus, and then of his taking of this famous town of Mansoul.
This Diabolus is indeed a great and mighty prince, and yet both poor and
beggarly. As to his origin, he was at first one of the servants of King
Shaddai, made, and taken, and put by him into most high and mighty place;
yea, was put into such principalities as belonged to the best of his
territories and dominions. This Diabolus was made ‘son of the morning,’
and a brave place he had of it: it brought him much glory, and gave him
much brightness, an income that might have contented his Luciferian
heart, had it not been insatiable, and enlarged as hell itself.
Well, he seeing himself thus exalted to greatness and honour, and raging
in his mind for higher state and degree, what doth he but begins to think
with himself how he might be set up as lord over all, and have the sole
power under Shaddai. (Now that did the King reserve for his Son, yea,
and had already bestowed it upon him.) Wherefore he first consults with
himself what had best to be done; and then breaks his mind to some other
of his companions, to the which they also agreed. So, in fine, they came
to this issue that they should make an attempt upon the King’s Son to
destroy him, that the inheritance might be theirs. Well, to be short,
the treason, as I said, was concluded, the time appointed, the word
given, the rebels rendezvoused, and the assault attempted. Now the King
and his Son being all and always eye, could not but discern all passages
in his dominions; and he, having always love for his Son as for himself,
could not at what he saw but be greatly provoked and offended: wherefore
what does he, but takes them in the very nick and first trip that they
made towards their design, convicts them of the treason, horrid
rebellion, and conspiracy that they had devised, and now attempted to put
into practice, and casts them altogether out of all place of trust,
benefit, honour, and preferment. This done, he banishes them the court,
turns them down into the horrible pits, as fast bound in chains, never
more to expect the least favour from his hands, but to abide the judgment
that he had appointed, and that for ever.
Now they being thus cast out of all place of trust, profit, and honour,
and also knowing that they had lost their prince’s favour for ever,
(being banished his court, and cast down to the horrible pits,) you may
he sure they would now add to their former pride what malice and rage
against Shaddai, and against his Son, they could. Wherefore, roving and
ranging in much fury from place to place, if, perhaps, they might find
something that was the King’s, by spoiling of that, to revenge themselves
on him; at last they happened into this spacious country of Universe, and
steer their course towards the town of Mansoul; and considering that that
town was one of the chief works and delights of King Shaddai, what do
they but, after counsel taken, make an assault upon that. I say, they
knew that Mansoul belonged unto Shaddai; for they were there when he
built it and beautified it for himself. So when they had found the
place, they shouted horribly for joy, and roared on it as a lion upon the
prey, saying, ‘Now we have found the prize, and how to be revenged on
King Shaddai for what he hath done to us.’ So they sat down and called a
council of war, and considered with themselves what ways and methods they
had best to engage in for the winning to themselves this famous town of
Mansoul, and these four things were then propounded to be considered of.
First. Whether they had best all of them to show themselves in this
design to the town of Mansoul.
Secondly. Whether they had best to go and sit down against Mansoul in
their now ragged and beggarly guise.
Thirdly. Whether they had best show to Mansoul their intentions, and
what design they came about, or whether to assault it with words and ways
of deceit.
Fourthly. Whether they had not best to some of their companions to give
out private orders to take the advantage, if they see one or more of the
principal townsmen, to shoot them, if thereby they shall judge their
cause and design will the better be promoted.
1. It was answered to the first of these proposals in the negative, to
wit, that it would not be best that all should show themselves before the
town, because the appearance of many of them might alarm and frighten the
town; whereas a few or but one of them was not so likely to do it. And
to enforce this advice to take place it was added further, that if
Mansoul was frighted, or did take the alarm, ‘It is impossible,’ said
Diabolus (for he spake now), ‘that we should take the town: for that none
can enter into it without its own consent. Let, therefore, but few, or
but one, assault Mansoul; and in mine opinion,’ said Diabolus, ‘let me be
he.’ Wherefore to this they all agreed.
2. And then to the second proposal they came, namely, Whether they had
best go and sit down before Mansoul in their now ragged and beggarly
guise. To which it was answered also in the negative, By no means; and
that because, though the town of Mansoul had been made to know, and to
have to do, before now, with things that are invisible, they did never as
yet see any of their fellow-creatures in so sad and rascally condition as
they; and this was the advice of that fierce Alecto. Then said Apollyon,
‘The advice is pertinent; for even one of us appearing to them as we are
now, must needs both beget and multiply such thoughts in them as will
both put them into a consternation of spirit, and necessitate them to put
themselves upon their guard. And if so,’ said he, ‘then, as my Lord
Diabolus said but now, it is in vain for us to think of taking the town.’
Then said that mighty giant Beelzebub, ‘The advice that already is given
is safe; for though the men of Mansoul have seen such things as we once
were, yet hitherto they did never behold such things as we now are; and
it is best, in mine opinion, to come upon them in such a guise as is
common to, and most familiar among them.’ To this, when they had
consented, the next thing to be considered was, in what shape, hue, or
guise Diabolus had best to show himself when he went about to make
Mansoul his own. Then one said one thing, and another the contrary. At
last Lucifer answered, that, in his opinion, it was best that his
lordship should assume the body of some of those creatures that they of
the town had dominion over; ‘for,’ quoth he, ‘these are not only familiar
to them, but, being under them, they will never imagine that an attempt
should by them be made upon the town; and, to blind all, let him assume
the body of one of those beasts that Mansoul deems to be wiser than any
of the rest.’ This advice was applauded of all: so it was determined
that the giant Diabolus should assume the dragon, for that he was in
those days as familiar with the town of Mansoul as now is the bird with
the boy; for nothing that was in its primitive state was at all amazing
to them. Then they proceeded to the third thing, which was:
3. Whether they had best to show their intentions, or the design of his
coming, to Mansoul, or no. This also was answered in the negative,
because of the weight that was in the former reasons, to wit, for that
Mansoul were a strong people, a strong people in a strong town, whose
wall and gates were impregnable, (to say nothing of their castle,) nor
can they by any means be won but by their own consent. ‘Besides,’ said
Legion, (for he gave answer to this,) ‘a discovery of our intentions may
make them send to their king for aid; and if that be done, I know quickly
what time of day it will be with us. Therefore let us assault them in
all pretended fairness, covering our intentions with all manner of lies,
flatteries, delusive words; feigning things that never will be, and
promising that to them that they shall never find. This is the way to
win Mansoul, and to make them of themselves open their gates to us; yea,
and to desire us too to come in to them. And the reason why I think that
this project will do is, because the people of Mansoul now are, every
one, simple and innocent, all honest and true; nor do they as yet know
what it is to be assaulted with fraud, guile, and hypocrisy. They are
strangers to lying and dissembling lips; wherefore we cannot, if thus we
be disguised, by them at all be discerned; our lies shall go for true
sayings, and our dissimulations for upright dealings. What we promise
them they will in that believe us, especially if, in all our lies and
feigned words, we pretend great love to them, and that our design is only
their advantage and honour.’ Now there was not one bit of a reply
against this; this went as current down as doth the water down a steep
descent. Wherefore they go to consider of the last proposal, which was:
4. Whether they had not best to give out orders to some of their company
to shoot some one or more of the principal of the townsmen, if they judge
that their cause may be promoted thereby. This was carried in the
affirmative, and the man that was designed by this stratagem to be
destroyed was one Mr. Resistance, otherwise called Captain Resistance.
And a great man in Mansoul this Captain Resistance was, and a man that
the giant Diabolus and his band more feared than they feared the whole
town of Mansoul besides. Now who should be the actor to do the murder?
That was the next, and they appointed one Tisiphone, a fury of the lake,
to do it.
They thus having ended their council of war, rose up, and essayed to do
as they had determined; they marched towards Mansoul, but all in a manner
invisible, save one, only one; nor did he approach the town in his own
likeness, but under the shade and in the body of the dragon.
So they drew up and sat down before Ear-gate, for that was the place of
hearing for all without the town, as Eye-gate was the place of
perspection. So, as I said, he came up with his train to the gate, and
laid his ambuscado for Captain Resistance within bow-shot of the town.
This done, the giant ascended up close to the gate, and called to the
town of Mansoul for audience. Nor took he any with him but one
Ill-pause, who was his orator in all difficult matters. Now, as I said,
he being come up to the gate, (as the manner of those times was,) sounded
his trumpet for audience; at which the chief of the town of Mansoul, such
as my Lord Innocent, my Lord Willbewill, my Lord Mayor, Mr. Recorder, and
Captain Resistance, came down to the wall to see who was there, and what
was the matter. And my Lord Willbewill, when he had looked over and saw
who stood at the gate, demanded what he was, wherefore he was come, and
why he roused the town of Mansoul with so unusual a sound.
Diabolus, then, as if he had been a lamb, began his oration, and said:
‘Gentlemen of the famous town of Mansoul, I am, as you may perceive, no
far dweller from you, but near, and one that is bound by the king to do
you my homage and what service I can; wherefore, that I may be faithful
to myself and to you, I have somewhat of concern to impart unto you.
Wherefore, grant me your audience, and hear me patiently. And first, I
will assure you, it is not myself, but you—not mine, but your advantage
that I seek by what I now do, as will full well be made manifest, by that
I have opened my mind unto you. For, gentlemen, I am (to tell you the
truth) come to show you how you may obtain great and ample deliverance
from a bondage that, unawares to yourselves, you are captivated and
enslaved under.’ At this the town of Mansoul began to prick up its ears.
And ‘What is it? Pray what is it?’ thought they. And he said, ‘I have
somewhat to say to you concerning your King, concerning his law, and also
touching yourselves. Touching your King, I know he is great and potent;
but yet all that he hath said to you is neither true nor yet for your
advantage. 1. It is not true, for that wherewith he hath hitherto awed
you, shall not come to pass, nor be fulfilled, though you do the thing
that he hath forbidden. But if there was danger, what a slavery is it to
live always in fear of the greatest of punishments, for doing so small
and trivial a thing as eating of a little fruit is. 2. Touching his
laws, this I say further, they are both unreasonable, intricate, and
intolerable. Unreasonable, as was hinted before; for that the punishment
is not proportioned to the offence: there is great difference and
disproportion between the life and an apple; yet the one must go for the
other by the law of your Shaddai. But it is also intricate, in that he
saith, first, you may eat of all; and yet after forbids the eating of
one. And then, in the last place, it must needs be intolerable,
forasmuch as that fruit which you are forbidden to eat of (if you are
forbidden any) is that, and that alone, which is able, by your eating, to
minister to you a good as yet unknown by you. This is manifest by the
very name of the tree; it is called the “tree of knowledge of good and
evil;” and have you that knowledge as yet? No, no; nor can you conceive
how good, how pleasant, and how much to be desired to make one wise it
is, so long as you stand by your King’s commandment. Why should you be
holden in ignorance and blindness? Why should you not be enlarged in
knowledge and understanding? And now, O ye inhabitants of the famous
town of Mansoul, to speak more particularly to yourselves you are not a
free people! You are kept both in bondage and slavery, and that by a
grievous threat; no reason being annexed but, “So I will have it; so it
shall be.” And is it not grievous to think on, that that very thing
which you are forbidden to do might you but do it, would yield you both
wisdom and honour? for then your eyes will be opened, and you shall be as
gods. Now, since this is thus,’ quoth he, ‘can you be kept by any prince
in more slavery and in greater bondage than you are under this day? You
are made underlings, and are wrapped up in inconveniences, as I have well
made appear. For what bondage greater than to be kept in blindness?
Will not reason tell you that it is better to have eyes than to be
without them? and so to be at liberty to be better than to be shut up in
a dark and stinking cave?’
And just now, while Diabolus was speaking these words to Mansoul,
Tisiphone shot at Captain Resistance, where he stood on the gate, and
mortally wounded him in the head; so that he, to the amazement of the
townsmen, and the encouragement of Diabolus, fell down dead quite over
the wall. Now, when Captain Resistance was dead, (and he was the only
man of war in the town,) poor Mansoul was wholly left naked of courage,
nor had she now any heart to resist. But this was as the devil would
have it. Then stood forth he, Mr. Ill-pause, that Diabolus brought with
him, who was his orator; and he addressed himself to speak to the town of
Mansoul; the tenour of whose speech here follows:—
‘Gentlemen,’ quoth he, ‘it is my master’s happiness that he has this day
a quiet and teachable auditory; and it is hoped by us that we shall
prevail with you not to cast off good advice. My master has a very great
love for you; and although, as he very well knows, that he runs the
hazard of the anger of King Shaddai, yet love to you will make him do
more than that. Nor doth there need that a word more should be spoken to
confirm for truth what he hath said; there is not a word but carries with
it self-evidence in its bowels; the very name of the tree may put an end
to all controversy in this matter. I therefore, at this time, shall only
add this advice to you, under and by the leave of my lord;’ (and with
that he made Diabolus a very low congee;) ‘consider his words, look on
the tree and the promising fruit thereof; remember also that yet you know
but little, and that this is the way to know more: and if your reasons be
not conquered to accept of such good counsel, you are not the men that I
took you to be.’
But when the townsfolk saw that the tree was good for food, and that it
was pleasant to the eye, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, they
did as old Ill-pause advised; they took and did eat thereof. Now this I
should have told you before, that even then, when this Ill-pause was
making his speech to the townsmen, my Lord Innocency (whether by a shot
from the camp of the giant, or from some sinking qualm that suddenly took
him, or whether by the stinking breath of that treacherous villain old
Ill-pause, for so I am most apt to think) sunk down in the place where he
stood, nor could be brought to life again. Thus these two brave men
died—brave men, I call them; for they were the beauty and glory of
Mansoul, so long as they lived therein; nor did there now remain any more
a noble spirit in Mansoul; they all fell down and yielded obedience to
Diabolus; and became his slaves and vassals, as you shall hear.
Now these being dead, what do the rest of the townsfolk, but, as men that
had found a fool’s paradise, they presently, as afore was hinted, fall to
prove the truth of the giant’s words. And, first, they did as Ill-pause
had taught them; they looked, they considered they were taken with the
forbidden fruit; they took thereof, and did eat; and having eaten, they
became immediately drunken therewith. So they open the gate, both
Ear-gate and Eye-gate, and let in Diabolus with all his bands, quite
forgetting their good Shaddai, his law, and the judgment that he had
annexed, with solemn threatening, to the breach thereof.
Diabolus, having now obtained entrance in at the gates of the town,
marches up to the middle thereof, to make his conquest as sure as he
could; and finding, by this time, the affections of the people warmly
inclining to him, he, as thinking it was best striking while the iron is
hot, made this further deceivable speech unto them, saying, ‘Alas, my
poor Mansoul! I have done thee indeed this service, as to promote thee
to honour, and to greaten thy liberty; but, alas! alas! poor Mansoul,
thou wantest now one to defend thee; for assure thyself that when Shaddai
shall hear what is done, he will come; for sorry will he be that thou
hast broken his bonds, and cast his cords away from thee. What wilt thou
do? Wilt thou, after enlargement, suffer thy privileges to be invaded
and taken away, or what wilt resolve with thyself?’
Then they all with one consent said to this bramble, ‘Do thou reign over
us.’ So he accepted the motion, and became the king of the town of
Mansoul. This being done, the next thing was to give him possession of
the castle, and so of the whole strength of the town. Wherefore, into
the castle he goes; it was that which Shaddai built in Mansoul for his
own delight and pleasure; this now was become a den and hold for the
giant Diabolus.
Now, having got possession of this stately palace or castle, what doth he
but makes it a garrison for himself, and strengthens and fortifies it
with all sorts of provision, against the King Shaddai, or those that
should endeavour the regaining of it to him and his obedience again.
This done, but not thinking himself yet secure enough, in the next place
he bethinks himself of new modelling the town; and so he does, setting up
one, and putting down another at pleasure. Wherefore my Lord Mayor,
whose name was my Lord Understanding, and Mr. Recorder, whose name was
Mr. Conscience, these he put out of place and power.
As for my Lord Mayor, though he was an understanding man, and one too
that had complied with the rest of the town of Mansoul in admitting the
giant into the town, yet Diabolus thought not fit to let him abide in his
former lustre and glory, because he was a seeing man. Wherefore he
darkened him, not only by taking from him his office and power, but by
building a high and strong tower, just between the sun’s reflections and
the windows of my lord’s palace; by which means his house and all, and
the whole of his habitation, were made as dark as darkness itself. And
thus, being alienated from the light, he became as one that was born
blind. To this, his house, my lord was confined as to a prison; nor
might he, upon his parole, go farther than within his own bounds. And
now, had he had a heart to do for Mansoul, what could he do for it, or
wherein could he be profitable to her? So then, so long as Mansoul was
under the power and government of Diabolus, (and so long it was under
him, as it was obedient to him, which was even until by a war it was
rescued out of his hand,) so long my Lord Mayor was rather an impediment
in, than an advantage to the famous town of Mansoul.
As for Mr. Recorder, before the town was taken, he was a man well read in
the laws of his king, and also a man of courage and faithfulness to speak
truth at every occasion; and he had a tongue as bravely hung as he had a
head filled with judgment. Now, this man Diabolus could by no means
abide, because, though he gave his consent to his coming into the town,
yet he could not, by all the wiles, trials, stratagems, and devices that
he could use, make him wholly his own. True, he was much degenerated
from his former king, and also much pleased with many of the giant’s laws
and service; but all this would not do, forasmuch as he was not wholly
his. He would now and then think upon Shaddai, and have dread of his law
upon him, and then he would speak against Diabolus with a voice as great
as when a lion roareth. Yea, and would also at certain times, when his
fits were upon him, (for you must know that sometimes he had terrible
fits,) make the whole town of Mansoul shake with his voice: and therefore
the now king of Mansoul could not abide him.
Diabolus, therefore, feared the Recorder more than any that was left
alive in the town of Mansoul, because, as I said, his words did shake the
whole town; they were like the rattling thunder, and also like
thunder-claps. Since, therefore, the giant could not make him wholly his
own, what doth he do but studies all that he could to debauch the old
gentleman, and by debauchery to stupefy his mind, and more harden his
heart in the ways of vanity. And as he attempted, so he accomplished his
design: he debauched the man, and by little and little so drew him into
sin and wickedness, that at last he was not only debauched, as at first,
and so by consequence defiled, but was almost (at last, I say) past all
conscience of sin. And this was the farthest Diabolus could go.
Wherefore he bethinks him of another project, and that was, to persuade
the men of the town that Mr. Recorder was mad, and so not to be regarded.
And for this he urged his fits, and said, ‘If he be himself, why doth he
not do thus always? But,’ quoth he, ‘as all mad folks have their fits,
and in them their raving language, so hath this old and doating
gentleman.’
Thus, by one means or another, he quickly got Mansoul to slight, neglect,
and despise whatever Mr. Recorder could say. For, besides what already
you have heard, Diabolus had a way to make the old gentleman, when he was
merry, unsay and deny what he in his fits had affirmed. And, indeed,
this was the next way to make himself ridiculous, and to cause that no
man should regard him. Also now he never spake freely for King Shaddai,
but also by force and constraint. Besides, he would at one time be hot
against that at which, at another, he would hold his peace; so uneven was
he now in his doings. Sometimes he would be as if fast asleep, and again
sometimes as dead, even then when the whole town of Mansoul was in her
career after vanity, and in her dance after the giant’s pipe.
Wherefore, sometimes when Mansoul did use to be frighted with the
thundering voice of the Recorder that was, and when they did tell
Diabolus of it, he would answer, that what the old gentleman said was
neither of love to him nor pity to them, but of a foolish fondness that
he had to be prating; and so would hush, still, and put all to quiet
again. And that he might leave no argument unurged that might tend to
make them secure, he said, and said it often, ‘O Mansoul! consider that,
notwithstanding the old gentleman’s rage, and the rattle of his high and
thundering words, you hear nothing of Shaddai himself;’ when, liar and
deceiver that he was, every outcry of Mr. Recorder against the sin of
Mansoul was the voice of God in him to them. But he goes on, and says,
‘You see that he values not the loss nor rebellion of the town of
Mansoul, nor will he trouble himself with calling his town to a reckoning
for their giving themselves to me. He knows that though you were his,
now you are lawfully mine; so, leaving us one to another, he now hath
shaken his hands of us.
‘Moreover, O Mansoul!’ quoth he, ‘consider how I have served you, even to
the uttermost of my power; and that with the best that I have, could get,
or procure for you in all the world: besides, I dare say that the laws
and customs that you now are under, and by which you do homage to me, do
yield you more solace and content than did the paradise that at first you
possessed. Your liberty also, as yourselves do very well know, has been
greatly widened and enlarged by me; whereas I found you a penned-up
people. I have not laid any restraint upon you; you have no law,
statute, or judgment of mine to fright you; I call none of you to account
for your doings, except the madman—you know who I mean; I have granted
you to live, each man like a prince in his own, even with as little
control from me as I myself have from you.’
And thus would Diabolus hush up and quiet the town of Mansoul, when the
Recorder that was, did at times molest them: yea, and with such cursed
orations as these, would set the whole town in a rage and fury against
the old gentleman. Yea, the rascal crew at some times would be for
destroying him. They have often wished, in my hearing, that he had lived
a thousand miles off from them: his company, his words, yea, the sight of
him, and specially when they remembered how in old times he did use to
threaten and condemn them, (for all he was now so debauched,) did terrify
and afflict them sore.
But all wishes were vain, for I do not know how, unless by the power of
Shaddai, and his wisdom, he was preserved in being amongst them.
Besides, his house was as strong as a castle, and stood hard by a
stronghold of the town: moreover, if at any time any of the crew or
rabble attempted to make him away, he could pull up the sluices, and let
in such floods as would drown all round about him.
But to leave Mr. Recorder, and to come to my Lord Willbewill, another of
the gentry of the famous town of Mansoul. This Willbewill was as
high-born as any man in Mansoul, and was as much, if not more, a
freeholder than many of them were; besides, if I remember my tale aright,
he had some privileges peculiar to himself in the famous town of Mansoul.
Now, together with these, he was a man of great strength, resolution, and
courage, nor in his occasion could any turn him away. But I say, whether
he was proud of his estate, privileges, strength, or what, (but sure it
was through pride of something,) he scorns now to be a slave in Mansoul;
and therefore resolves to bear office under Diabolus, that he might (such
an one as he was) be a petty ruler and governor in Mansoul. And,
headstrong man that he was! thus he began betimes; for this man, when
Diabolus did make his oration at Ear-gate, was one of the first that was
for consenting to his words, and for accepting his counsel at wholesome,
and that was for the opening of the gate, and for letting him into the
town; wherefore Diabolus had a kindness for him, and therefore he
designed for him a place. And perceiving the valour and stoutness of the
man, he coveted to have him for one of his great ones, to act and do in
matters of the highest concern.
So he sent for him, and talked with him of that secret matter that lay in
his breast, but there needed not much persuasion in the case. For as at
first he was willing that Diabolus should be let into the town, so now he
was as willing to serve him there. When the tyrant, therefore, perceived
the willingness of my lord to serve him, and that his mind stood bending
that way, he forthwith made him the captain of the castle, governor of
the wall, and keeper of the gates of Mansoul: yea, there was a clause in
his commission, that nothing without him should be done in all the town
of Mansoul. So that now, next to Diabolus himself, who but my Lord
Willbewill in all the town of Mansoul! nor could anything now be done,
but at his will and pleasure, throughout the town of Mansoul. He had
also one Mr. Mind for his clerk, a man to speak on every way like his
master: for he and his lord were in principle one, and in practice not
far asunder. And now was Mansoul brought under to purpose, and made to
fulfil the lusts of the will, and of the mind.
But it will not out of my thoughts what a desperate one this Willbewill
was when power was put into his hand. First, he flatly denied that he
owed any suit or service to his former prince and liege lord. This done,
in the next place he took an oath, and swore fidelity to his great master
Diabolus, and then, being stated and settled in his places, offices,
advancements, and preferments, oh! you cannot think, unless you had seen
it, the strange work that this workman made in the town of Mansoul.
First, he maligned Mr. Recorder to death; he would neither endure to see
him, nor hear the words of his mouth; he would shut his eyes when he saw
him, and stop his ears when he heard him speak. Also he could not endure
that so much as a fragment of the law of Shaddai should be anywhere seen
in the town. For example, his clerk, Mr. Mind, had some old, rent, and
torn parchments of the law of Shaddai in his house, but when Willbewill
saw them, he cast them behind his back. True, Mr. Recorder had some of
the laws in his study; but my lord could by no means come at them. He
also thought and said, that the windows of my old Lord Mayor’s house were
always too light for the profit of the town of Mansoul. The light of a
candle he could not endure. Now nothing at all pleased Willbewill but
what pleased Diabolus his lord.
There was none like him to trumpet about the streets the brave nature,
the wise conduct, and great glory of the king Diabolus. He would range
and rove throughout all the streets of Mansoul to cry up his illustrious
lord, and would make himself even as an abject, among the base and rascal
crew, to cry up his valiant prince. And I say, when and wheresoever he
found these vassals, he would even make himself as one of them. In all
ill courses he would act without bidding, and do mischief without
commandment.
The Lord Willbewill also had a deputy under him, and his name was Mr.
Affection, one that was also greatly debauched in his principles, and
answerable thereto in his life: he was wholly given to the flesh, and
therefore they called him Vile-Affection. Now there was he and one
Carnal-Lust, the daughter of Mr. Mind, (like to like,) that fell in love,
and made a match, and were married; and, as I take it, they had several
children, as Impudent, Blackmouth, and Hate-Reproof. These three were
black boys. And besides these they had three daughters, as Scorn-Truth
and Slight-God, and the name of the youngest was Revenge. These were all
married in the town, and also begot and yielded many bad brats, too many
to be here inserted. But to pass by this.
When the giant had thus engarrisoned himself in the town of Mansoul, and
had put down and set up whom he thought good, he betakes himself to
defacing. Now there was in the market-place in Mansoul, and also upon
the gates of the castle, an image of the blessed King Shaddai. This
image was so exactly engraven, (and it was engraven in gold,) that it did
the most resemble Shaddai himself of anything that then was extant in the
world. This he basely commanded to be defaced, and it was as basely done
by the hand of Mr. No-Truth. Now you must know that, as Diabolus had
commanded, and that by the hand of Mr. No-Truth, the image of Shaddai was
defaced, he likewise gave order that the same Mr. No-Truth should set up
in its stead the horrid and formidable image of Diabolus, to the great
contempt of the former King, and debasing of his town of Mansoul.
Moreover, Diabolus made havoc of all remains of the laws and statutes of
Shaddai that could be found in the town of Mansoul; to wit, such as
contained either the doctrines of morals, with all civil and natural
documents. Also relative severities he sought to extinguish. To be
short, there was nothing of the remains of good in Mansoul which he and
Willbewill sought not to destroy; for their design was to turn Mansoul
into a brute, and to make it like to the sensual sow, by the hand of Mr.
No-Truth.
When he had destroyed what law and good orders he could, then further to
effect his design, namely, to alienate Mansoul from Shaddai her King, he
commands, and they set up his own vain edicts, statutes, and
commandments, in all places of resort or concourse in Mansoul, to wit,
such as gave liberty to the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes,
and the pride of life, which are not of Shaddai, but of the world. He
encouraged, countenanced, and promoted lasciviousness, and all
ungodliness there. Yea, much more did Diabolus to encourage wickedness
in the town of Mansoul; he promised them peace, content, joy, and bliss,
in doing his commands, and that they should never be called to an account
for their not doing the contrary. And let this serve to give a taste to
them that love to hear tell of what is done beyond their knowledge afar
off in other countries.
Now Mansoul being wholly at his beck, and brought wholly to his bow,
nothing was heard or seen therein but that which tended to set up him.
But now he, having disabled the Lord Mayor and Mr. Recorder from bearing
of office in Mansoul, and seeing that the town, before he came to it, was
the most ancient of corporations in the world, and fearing, if he did not
maintain greatness, they at any time should object that he had done them
an injury; therefore, I say, (that they might see that he did not intend
to lessen their grandeur, or to take from them any of their advantageous
things,) he did choose for them a Lord Mayor and a Recorder himself, and
such as contented them at the heart, and such also as pleased him
wondrous well.
The name of the Mayor that was of Diabolus’ making was the Lord Lustings,
a man that had neither eyes nor ears. All that he did, whether as a man
or an officer, he did it naturally, as doth the beast. And that which
made him yet the more ignoble, though not to Mansoul, yet to them that
beheld and were grieved for its ruin, was, that he never could favour
good, but evil.
The Recorder was one whose name was Forget-Good, and a very sorry fellow
he was. He could remember nothing but mischief, and to do it with
delight. He was naturally prone to do things that were hurtful, even
hurtful to the town of Mansoul, and to all the dwellers there. These
two, therefore, by their power and practice, examples, and smiles upon
evil, did much more grammar and settle the common people in hurtful ways.
For who doth not perceive that when those that sit aloft are vile and
corrupt themselves, they corrupt the whole region and country where they
are?
Besides these, Diabolus made several burgesses and aldermen in Mansoul,
such as out of whom the town, when it needed, might choose them officers,
governors, and magistrates. And these are the names of the chief of
them: Mr. Incredulity, Mr. Haughty, Mr. Swearing, Mr. Whoring, Mr.
Hard-Heart, Mr. Pitiless, Mr. Fury, Mr. No-Truth, Mr. Stand-to-Lies, Mr.
False-Peace, Mr. Drunkenness, Mr. Cheating, Mr. Atheism—thirteen in all.
Mr. Incredulity is the eldest, and Mr. Atheism the youngest of the
company.
There was also an election of common councilmen and others, as bailiffs,
sergeants, constables, and others; but all of them like to those
afore-named, being either fathers, brothers, cousins, or nephews to them,
whose names, for brevity’s sake, I omit to mention.
When the giant had thus far proceeded in his work, in the next place, he
betook him to build some strongholds in the town, and he built three that
seemed to be impregnable. The first he called the Hold of Defiance,
because it was made to command the whole town, and to keep it from the
knowledge of its ancient King. The second he called Midnight Hold,
because it was built on purpose to keep Mansoul from the true knowledge
of itself. The third was called Sweet-Sin Hold, because by that he
fortified Mansoul against all desires of good. The first of these holds
stood close by Eye-gate, that, as much might be, light might be darkened
there; the second was built hard by the old castle, to the end that that
might be made more blind, if possible; and the third stood in the
market-place.
He that Diabolus made governor over the first of these was one Spite-God,
a most blasphemous wretch: he came with the whole rabble of them that
came against Mansoul at first, and was himself one of themselves. He
that was made the governor of Midnight Hold was one Love-no-Light; he was
also of them that came first against the town. And he that was made the
governor of the hold called Sweet-Sin Hold was one whose name was
Love-Flesh: he was also a very lewd fellow, but not of that country where
the other are bound. This fellow could find more sweetness when he stood
sucking of a lust than he did in all the paradise of God.
And now Diabolus thought himself safe. He had taken Mansoul, he had
engarrisoned himself therein; he had put down the old officers, and had
set up new ones; he had defaced the image of Shaddai, and had set up his
own; he had spoiled the old law books, and had promoted his own vain
lies; he had made him new magistrates, and set up new aldermen; he had
builded him new holds, and had manned them for himself: and all this he
did to make himself secure, in case the good Shaddai, or his Son, should
come to make an incursion upon him.
Now you may well think, that long before this time, word, by some one or
other, could not but be carried to the good King Shaddai, how his
Mansoul, in the continent of Universe, was lost; and that the runagate
giant Diabolus, once one of his Majesty’s servants, had, in rebellion
against the King, made sure thereof for himself. Yea, tidings were
carried and brought to the King thereof, and that to a very circumstance.
At first, how Diabolus came upon Mansoul (they being a simple people and
innocent) with craft, subtlety, lies, and guile. _Item_, that he had
treacherously slain the right noble and valiant captain, their Captain
Resistance, as he stood upon the gate with the rest of the townsmen.
_Item_, how my brave Lord Innocent fell down dead (with grief, some say,
or with being poisoned with the stinking breath of one Ill-Pause, as say
others) at the hearing of his just lord and rightful prince, Shaddai, so
abused by the mouth of so filthy a Diabolian as that varlet Ill-Pause
was. The messenger further told, that after this Ill-Pause had made a
short oration to the townsmen in behalf of Diabolus, his master; the
simple town, believing that what was said was true, with one consent did
open Ear-gate, the chief gate of the corporation, and did let him, with
his crew, into a possession of the famous town of Mansoul. He further
showed how Diabolus had served the Lord Mayor and Mr. Recorder, to wit,
that he had put them from all place of power and trust. _Item_, he
showed also that my Lord Willbewill was turned a very rebel, and
runagate, and that so was one Mr. Mind, his clerk; and that they two did
range and revel it all the town over, and teach the wicked ones their
ways. He said, moreover, that this Willbewill was put into great trust,
and particularly that Diabolus had put into Willbewill’s hand all the
strong places in Mansoul; and that Mr. Affection was made my Lord
Willbewill’s deputy in his most rebellious affairs. ‘Yea,’ said the
messenger, ‘this monster, Lord Willbewill, has openly disavowed his King
Shaddai, and hath horribly given his faith and plighted his troth to
Diabolus.’
‘Also,’ said the messenger, ‘besides all this, the new king, or rather
rebellious tyrant, over the once famous, but now perishing town of
Mansoul, has set up a Lord Mayor and a Recorder of his own. For Mayor,
he has set up one Mr. Lustings; and for Recorder, Mr. Forget-Good; two of
the vilest of all the town of Mansoul.’ This faithful messenger also
proceeded, and told what a sort of new burgesses Diabolus had made; also
that he had built several strong forts, towers, and strongholds in
Mansoul. He told, too, the which I had almost forgot, how Diabolus had
put the town of Mansoul into arms, the better to capacitate them, on his
behalf, to make resistance against Shaddai their King, should he come to
reduce them to their former obedience.
Now this tidings-teller did not deliver his relation of things in
private, but in open court, the King and his Son, high lords, chief
captains, and nobles, being all there present to hear. But by that they
had heard the whole of the story, it would have amazed one to have seen,
had he been there to behold it, what sorrow and grief, and compunction of
spirit, there was among all sorts, to think that famous Mansoul was now
taken: only the King and his Son foresaw all this long before, yea, and
sufficiently provided for the relief of Mansoul, though they told not
everybody thereof. Yet because they also would have a share in condoling
of the Misery of Mansoul, therefore they also did, and that at a rate of
the highest degree, bewail the losing of Mansoul. The King said plainly
that it grieved him at the heart, and you may be sure that his Son was
not a whit behind him. Thus gave they conviction to all about them that
they had love and compassion for the famous town of Mansoul. Well, when
the King and his Son were retired into the privy chamber, there they
again consulted about what they had designed before, to wit, that as
Mansoul should in time be suffered to be lost, so as certainly it should
be recovered again; recovered, I say, in such a way, as that both the
King and his Son would get themselves eternal fame and glory thereby.
Wherefore, after this consult, the Son of Shaddai (a sweet and comely
Person, and one that had always great affection for those that were in
affliction, but one that had mortal enmity in his heart against Diabolus,
because he was designed for it, and because he sought his crown and
dignity)—this Son of Shaddai, I say, having stricken hands with his
Father and promised that he would be his servant to recover his Mansoul
again, stood by his resolution, nor would he repent of the same. The
purport of which agreement was this: to wit, that at a certain time,
prefixed by both, the King’s Son should take a journey into the country
of Universe, and there, in a way of justice and equity, by making amends
for the follies of Mansoul, he should lay a foundation of perfect
deliverance from Diabolus and from his tyranny.
Moreover Emmanuel resolved to make, at a time convenient, a war upon the
giant Diabolus, even while he was possessed of the town of Mansoul; and
that he would fairly by strength of hand drive him out of his hold, his
nest, and take it to himself to be his habitation.
This now being resolved upon, order was given to the Lord Chief Secretary
to draw up a fair record of what was determined, and to cause that it
should be published in all the corners of the kingdom of Universe. A
short breviate of the contents thereof you may, if you please, take here
as follows:
‘Let all men know who are concerned, that the Son of Shaddai, the great
King, is engaged by covenant to his Father to bring his Mansoul to him
again; yea, and to put Mansoul, too, through the power of his matchless
love, into a far better and more happy condition than it was in before it
was taken by Diabolus.’
These papers, therefore, were published in several places, to the no
little molestation of the tyrant Diabolus; ‘for now,’ thought he, ‘I
shall be molested, and my habitation will be taken from me.’
But when this matter, I mean this purpose of the King and his Son, did at
first take air at court, who can tell how the high lords, chief captains,
and noble princes that were there, were taken with the business! First,
they whispered it one to another, and after that it began to ring out
through the King’s palace, all wondering at the glorious design that
between the King and his Son was on foot for the miserable town of
Mansoul. Yea, the courtiers could scarce do anything either for the King
or kingdom, but they would mix, with the doing thereof, a noise of the
love of the King and his Son, that they had for the town of Mansoul.
Nor could these lords, high captains, and princes be content to keep this
news at court; yea, before the records thereof were perfected, themselves
came down and told it in Universe. At last it came to the ears, as I
said, of Diabolus, to his no little discontent; for you must think it
would perplex him to hear of such a design against him. Well, but after
a few casts in his mind, he concluded upon these four things.
First, that this news, these good tidings, (if possible,) should be kept
from the ears of the town of Mansoul; ‘for,’ said he, ‘if they should
once come to the knowledge that Shaddai, their former King, and Emmanuel
his Son, are contriving good for the town of Mansoul, what can be
expected by me, but that Mansoul will make a revolt from under my hand
and government, and return again to him?’
Now, to accomplish this his design, he renews his flattery with my Lord
Willbewill, and also gives him strict charge and command, that he should
keep watch by day and by night at all the gates of the town, especially
Ear-gate and Eye-gate; ‘for I hear of a design,’ quoth he, ‘a design to
make us all traitors, and that Mansoul must be reduced to its first
bondage again. I hope they are but flying stories,’ quoth he; ‘however,
let no such news by any means be let into Mansoul, lest the people be
dejected thereat. I think, my lord, it can be no welcome news to you; I
am sure it is none to me; and I think that, at this time, it should be
all our wisdom and care to nip the head of all such rumours as shall tend
to trouble our people. Wherefore I desire, my lord, that you will in
this matter do as I say. Let there be strong guards daily kept at every
gate of the town. Stop also and examine from whence such come that you
perceive do from far come hither to trade, nor let them by any means be
admitted into Mansoul, unless you shall plainly perceive that they are
favourers of our excellent government. I command, moreover,’ said
Diabolus, ‘that there be spies continually walking up and down the town
of Mansoul, and let them have power to suppress and destroy any that they
shall perceive to be plotting against us, or that shall prate of what by
Shaddai and Emmanuel is intended.’
This, therefore, was accordingly done; my Lord Willbewill hearkened to
his lord and master, went willingly after the commandment, and, with all
the diligence he could, kept any that would from going out abroad, or
that sought to bring these tidings to Mansoul, from coming into the town.
Secondly, this done, in the next place, Diabolus, that he might make
Mansoul as sure as he could, frames and imposes a new oath and horrible
covenant upon the townsfolk:—To wit, that they should never desert him
nor his government, nor yet betray him, nor seek to alter his laws; but
that they should own, confess, stand by, and acknowledge him for their
rightful king, in defiance to any that do or hereafter shall, by any
pretence, law, or title whatever, lay claim to the town of Mansoul;
thinking, belike, that Shaddai had not power to absolve them from this
covenant with death, and agreement with hell. Nor did the silly Mansoul
stick or boggle at all at this most monstrous engagement; but, as if it
had been a sprat in the mouth of a whale, they swallowed it without any
chewing. Were they troubled at all? Nay, they rather bragged and
boasted of their so brave fidelity to the tyrant, their pretended king,
swearing that they would never be changelings, nor forsake their old lord
for a new. Thus did Diabolus tie poor Mansoul fast.
Thirdly. But jealousy, that never thinks itself strong enough, put him,
in the next place, upon another exploit, which was, yet more, if
possible, to debauch this town of Mansoul. Wherefore he caused, by the
hand of one Mr. Filth, an odious, nasty, lascivious piece of beastliness
to be drawn up in writing, and to be set upon the castle gates; whereby
he granted and gave license to all his true and trusty sons in Mansoul to
do whatsoever their lustful appetites prompted them to do; and that no
man was to let, hinder, or control them, upon pain of incurring the
displeasure of their prince.