Now this he did for these reasons:—

1. That the town of Mansoul might be yet made weaker and weaker, and so

more unable, should tidings come that their redemption was designed, to

believe, hope, or consent to the truth thereof; for reason says, The

bigger the sinner, the less grounds of hopes of mercy.

2. The second reason was, if perhaps Emmanuel, the Son of Shaddai their

King, by seeing the horrible and profane doings of the town of Mansoul,

might repent, though entered into a covenant of redeeming them, of

pursuing that covenant of their redemption; for he knew that Shaddai was

holy, and that his Son Emmanuel was holy; yea, he knew it by woeful

experience, for for his iniquity and sin was Diabolus cast from the

highest orbs. Wherefore what more rational than for him to conclude that

thus, for sin, it might fare with Mansoul? But fearing also lest this

knot should break, he bethinks himself of another, to wit:—

Fourthly. To endeavour to possess all hearts in the town of Mansoul that

Shaddai was raising an army, to come to overthrow and utterly to destroy

this town of Mansoul. And this he did to forestall any tidings that

might come to their ears of their deliverance: ‘For,’ thought he, ‘if I

first bruit this, the tidings that shall come after will all be swallowed

up of this; for what else will Mansoul say, when they shall hear that

they must be delivered, but that the true meaning is, Shaddai intends to

destroy them? Wherefore he summons the whole town into the market-place,

and there, with deceitful tongue, thus he addressed himself unto them:—

‘Gentlemen, and my very good friends, you are all, as you know, my legal

subjects, and men of the famous town of Mansoul. You know how, from the

first day that I have been with you until now, I have behaved myself

among you, and what liberty and great privileges you have enjoyed under

my government, I hope to your honour and mine, and also to your content

and delight. Now, my famous Mansoul, a noise of trouble there is abroad,

of trouble to the town of Mansoul; sorry I am thereof for your sakes: for

I received but now by the post from my Lord Lucifer, (and he useth to

have good intelligence,) that your old King Shaddai is raising an army to

come against you, to destroy you root and branch; and this, O Mansoul, is

now the cause that at this time I have called you together, namely, to

advise what in this juncture is best to be done. For my part, I am but

one, and can with ease shift for myself, did I list to seek my own case,

and to leave my Mansoul in all the danger; but my heart is so firmly

united to you, and so unwilling am I to leave you, that I am willing to

stand and fall with you, to the utmost hazard that shall befall me. What

say you, O my Mansoul? Will you now desert your old friend, or do you

think of standing by me?’

Then, as one man, with one mouth, they cried out together, ‘Let him die

the death that will not.’

Then said Diabolus again, ‘It is in vain for us to hope for quarter, for

this King knows not how to show it. True, perhaps, he, at his first

sitting down before us, will talk of and pretend to mercy, that thereby,

with the more ease, and less trouble, he may again make himself the

master of Mansoul. Whatever, therefore, he shall say, believe not one

syllable or tittle of it; for all such language is but to overcome us,

and to make us, while we wallow in our blood, the trophies of his

merciless victory. My mind is, therefore, that we resolve to the last

man to resist him, and not to believe him upon any terms, for in at that

door will come our danger. But shall we be flattered out of our lives?

I hope you know more of the rudiments of politics than to suffer

yourselves so pitifully to be served.

‘But suppose he should, if he get us to yield, save some of our lives, or

the lives of some of them that are underlings in Mansoul, what help will

that be to you that are the chief of the town, especially you whom I have

set up and whose greatness has been procured by you through your faithful

sticking to me? And suppose, again, that he should give quarter to every

one of you, be sure he will bring you into that bondage under which you

were captivated before, or a worse, and then what good will your lives do

you? Shall you with him live in pleasure as you do now? No, no; you

must be bound by laws that will pinch you, and be made to do that which

at present is hateful to you. I am for you, if you are for me; and it is

better to die valiantly than to live like pitiful slaves. But, I say,

the life of a slave will be counted a life too good for Mansoul now.

Blood, blood, nothing but blood is in every blast of Shaddai’s trumpet

against poor Mansoul now. Pray, be concerned; I hear he is coming. Up,

and stand to your arms that now, while you have any leisure, I may learn

you some feats of war. Armour for you I have, and by me it is; yea, and

it is sufficient for Mansoul from top to toe; nor can you be hurt by what

his force can do, if you shall keep it well girt and fastened about you.

Come, therefore, to my castle, and welcome, and harness yourselves for

the war. There is helmet, breastplate, sword, and shield, and what not,

that will make you fight like men.

‘1. My helmet, otherwise called an head-piece, is in hope of doing well

at last, what lives soever you live. This is that which they had who

said, that they should have peace, though they walked in the wickedness

of their heart, to add drunkenness to thirst. A piece of approved armour

this is, and whoever has it, and can hold it, so long no arrow, dart,

sword, or shield can hurt him. This, therefore, keep on, and thou wilt

keep off many a blow, my Mansoul.

‘2. My breastplate is a breastplate of iron. I had it forged in mine own

country, and all my soldiers are armed therewith. In plain language, it

is a hard heart, a heart as hard as iron, and as much past feeling as a

stone; the which if you get and keep, neither mercy shall win you, nor

judgment fright you. This therefore, is a piece of armour most necessary

for all to put on that hate Shaddai, and that would fight against him

under my banner.

‘3. My sword is a tongue that is set on fire of hell, and that can bend

itself to speak evil of Shaddai, his Son, his ways, and people. Use

this; it has been tried a thousand times twice told. Whoever hath it,

keeps it, and makes that use of it as I would have him, can never be

conquered by mine enemy.

‘4. My, shield is unbelief, or calling into question the truth of the

word, or all the sayings that speak of the judgment that Shaddai has

appointed for wicked men. Use this shield; many attempts he has made

upon it, and sometimes, it is true, it has been bruised; but they that

have writ of the wars of Emmanuel against my servants, have testified

that he could do no mighty work there because of their unbelief. Now, to

handle this weapon of mine aright, it is not to believe things because

they are true, of what sort or by whomsoever asserted. If he speaks of

judgment, care not for it; if he speaks of mercy, care not for it; if he

promises, if he swears that he would do to Mansoul, if it turns, no hurt,

but good, regard not what is said, question the truth of all, for it is

to wield the shield of unbelief aright, and as my servants ought and do;

and he that doth otherwise loves me not, nor do I count him but an enemy

to me.

‘5. Another part or piece,’ said Diabolus, ‘of mine excellent armour is a

dumb and prayerless spirit, a spirit that scorns to cry for mercy:

wherefore be you, my Mansoul, sure that you make use of this. What! cry

for quarter! Never do that, if you would be mine. I know you are stout

men, and am sure that I have clad you with that which is armour of proof.

Wherefore, to cry to Shaddai for mercy, let that be far from you.

Besides all this, I have a maul, firebrands, arrows, and death, all good

hand-weapons, and such as will do execution.’

After he had thus furnished his men with armour and arms, he addressed

himself to them in such like words as these: ‘Remember,’ quoth he, ‘that

I am your rightful king, and that you have taken an oath and entered into

covenant to be true to me and my cause: I say, remember this, and show

yourselves stout and valiant men of Mansoul. Remember also the kindness

that I have always showed to you, and that without your petition I have

granted to you external things; wherefore the privileges, grants,

immunities, profits, and honours wherewith I have endowed you do call

for, at your hands, returns of loyalty, my lion-like men of Mansoul: and

when so fit a time to show it as when another shall seek to take my

dominion over you into his own hands? One word more, and I have done.

Can we but stand, and overcome this one shock or brunt, I doubt not but

in little time all the world will be ours; and when that day comes, my

true hearts, I will make you kings, princes, and captains, and what brave

days shall we have then!’

Diabolus having thus armed and forearmed his servants and vassals in

Mansoul against their good and lawful King Shaddai, in the next place, he

doubleth his guards at the gates of the town, and he takes himself to the

castle, which was his stronghold. His vassals also, to show their wills,

and supposed (but ignoble) gallantry, exercise themselves in their arms

every day, and teach one another feats of war; they also defied their

enemies, and sang up the praises of their tyrant; they threatened also

what men they would be if ever things should rise so high as a war

between Shaddai and their king.

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 Diabolus; but he thought good, at 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 ensigns. 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.

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.

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, were

given ten thousand men. His ensign was Mr. Thunder; he bare the black

colours, and his scutcheon was the three burning thunderbolts.

The second captain was Captain Conviction; to him also were given ten

thousand men. His ensign’s name was Mr. Sorrow; he did bear the pale

colours, and his scutcheon was the book of the law wide open, from whence

issued a flame of fire.

The third captain was Captain Judgment; to him were given ten thousand

men. His ensign’s name was Mr. Terror; he bare the red colours, and his

scutcheon was a burning fiery furnace.

The fourth captain was Captain Execution; to him were given ten thousand

men. His ensign was one Mr. Justice; he also bare the red colours, and

his scutcheon was a fruitless tree, with an axe lying at the root

thereof.

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.

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 harness as became their

degree and that service which now they were going about for their King.

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_, _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 servants, go thou in my name,

with this thy force, to the miserable town of Mansoul; and when thou

comest thither, offer them first conditions of peace; and command

them that, casting off the yoke and tyranny of the wicked Diabolus,

they return to me, their rightful Prince and Lord. Command them also

that they cleanse themselves from all that is his 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

merciful.

‘But if they shall, notwithstanding thy summons and the producing 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. They

then, having a great way to go, (for the town of Mansoul was far off from

the court of Shaddai,) 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 bewail 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.

Well, to be short, the captains came up before the town, march up to

Ear-gate, sit down there (for that was the place of hearing). So, when

they had pitched their tents and entrenched themselves, they addressed

themselves to make their assault.

Now the townsfolk at first, beholding so gallant a company, so bravely

accoutred, 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, on 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-beloved

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 entrenched 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 sitting

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 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? Fie, fie! put 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 the town of Mansoul.

‘I will leave off now to chide, 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.’

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. ‘Ah,’ 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 Ear-gate, and there, in

the name of the great Shaddai, to summon 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 Ear-gate, and there sounded his trumpet for a hearing;

but 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 Ear-gate, 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.

Then the captains and other field officers called a council of war, 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.

So Captain Boanerges commanded his trumpeter to go up to Ear-gate again,

and, in the name of the great King Shaddai, to give it a very loud

summons to come down without delay to Ear-gate, 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 Ear-gate, 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.

Then stood up my Lord Willbewill, who was the governor of the town, (this

Willbewill 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 message 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 Willbewill, ‘I will carry thy words to my lord, and

will know what he will say.’

But the trumpeter 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 Willbewill, ‘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 Willbewill returned from off the wall, 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 Willbewill, 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 lie still in our

trenches, and see what these rebels will do.’

Now when the time drew nigh that audience by Mansoul 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 storm the

corporation, they at first were put to great consternation of spirit; but

after they a little were 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 summon 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 Ear-gate as

sure as they could. 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 came up and showed himself over the wall; but when the

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

summonses 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 were the black colours, and whose scutcheon

was the three burning thunderbolts, 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 broad seal) ‘to reduce you to his

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 brethren; 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, (his were the pale

colours, and for a scutcheon he had the book of the law wide open, etc.,)

‘Hear, O Mansoul! Thou, O Mansoul, wast once famous for innocency, but

now thou art degenerated into lies and deceit. 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, specially 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.

If you say you have not sinned, or 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? Yea, 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. 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

that we seek our own profit in this our service, 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.’

Then stood forth Captain Judgment, whose were the red colours, and for a

scutcheon he had the burning fiery furnace, and he said, ‘O 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.

‘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. 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. Will he esteem thy

riches? No, not gold, nor all the forces of strength. He hath prepared

his throne for judgment, for he will come with fire, and with his

chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebukes

with flames of fire. 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 this oration to the town of

Mansoul, it was observed by some that Diabolus trembled; 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 thy hands

be strong, in the day that he shall deal in judgment with thee? 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.’

Then stood forth the fourth captain, the noble Captain Execution, and

said, ‘O town of Mansoul, once famous, but now like the fruitless bough,

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 to the root of the trees:

every tree, therefore, that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down

and cast into the fire.

‘Thou, O town of Mansoul, hast hitherto been this fruitless tree; thou

bearest nought but thorns and briars. Thy evil fruit bespeaks thee not

to be a good tree; thy grapes are grapes of gall, thy clusters are

bitter. Thou hast rebelled against thy King; and, lo! we, the power and

force of Shaddai, are the axe that is laid to thy root. 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.’ 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-ground 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?’

These brave speeches of these four noble captains the town of Mansoul

refused to hear; yet a sound thereof did beat against Ear-gate, 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 Ill-Pause that was in the

town, that they might 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 Ill-Pause draws breath in Mansoul, all good

consideration will be confounded, and nothing but mischief will come

thereon.’

Then Diabolus, who was there present, being loath to lose his Ill-Pause,

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’ 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 whencesoever you come, and though your designs be

ever 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.

‘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, 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 will 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. Wherefore arise

with bag and baggage, and begone, or we will let fly from the walls

against you.’

This oration, made by old Incredulity, was seconded by desperate

Willbewill, 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 be gone. 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.’

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 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 Willbewill took special care that the gates

should be secured with double guards, double bolts, and double locks and

bars; and that Ear-gate 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 Willbewill 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 deaf men; men advantageous for that service,

forasmuch as they mattered no words of the captains, nor of the soldiers.

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 Ear-gate; 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.’ 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

Ear-gate two great guns, the one called High-mind, and the other Heady.

Unto these two guns they trusted much; they were cast in the castle by

Diabolus’ founder, whose name was Mr. Puff-up, 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 townsfolk 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 valour, let fly as fast at the town and at Ear-gate;

for they saw that, unless they could break open Ear-gate, it would be but

in vain to batter the wall. Now the King’s captains had brought with

them several slings, and two or three battering-rams; with their slings,

therefore, they battered the houses and people of the town, and with

their rams they sought to break Ear-gate open.

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 Ear-gate, 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 Willbewill, and the conduct of old

Incredulity, the Mayor, and Mr. Forget-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 entrenched

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 service to Shaddai. The

captains then told them of their design, and bid 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 Willbewill’s men sallied out at the

sallyport or postern of the town, and fell in upon the rear of Captain

Boanerges’ 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 Willbewill’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 Willbewill’s men had done, and whom they had taken prisoners.

Then Diabolus called for Willbewill, to know the certainty of this

matter. So he asked him, and he told him. Then did the giant send for

the prisoners, and, 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, and 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 use of them against Shaddai and his men.

Farewell.’

So they came, and he received them; and he made of two of them sergeants;

but he made Mr. Man’s-Invention his ancient-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 Lord Mayor’s house, and so laid him more open than

he was before. They had almost, with a sling, slain my Lord Willbewill

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

Ear-gate, 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 entrenched 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 hit, 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 terrifying 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 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 shoutings 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’ trumpeter a summons to Mansoul to yield up herself to the

King, the great King Shaddai. They sent it once, and twice, and thrice;

not knowing but that at some times there might be in Mansoul some

willingness to surrender up themselves unto them, might they but have the

colour of an invitation to do it under. Yea, 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 fickleness of the thoughts of

my Lord Willbewill. Diabolus also began to rave; wherefore Mansoul, as

to yielding, was not yet all of one mind; therefore they still lay

distressed under these perplexing fears.

I told you but now that they of the King’s army had this winter sent

three times to Mansoul to submit herself.

The first time the trumpeter went he went with words of peace, telling

them that the captains, the noble captains of Shaddai, did pity and

bewail the misery of the now perishing town of Mansoul, and were 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.

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 chafe and heat 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.

He went again the third time, and dealt with them yet more roughly;

telling them that now, since they had been so horribly profane, he did

not know, not certainly know, whether the captains were inclining 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 summonses, and especially the last two, did so distress the

town that they presently call a consultation, the result of which was

this—That my Lord Willbewill should go up to Ear-gate, and there, with

sound of trumpet, call to the captains of the camp for a parley. Well,

the Lord Willbewill sounded upon the wall; so the captains came up in

their harness, 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 then brave Lord Willbewill, 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.’

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 provisos and foolish cavils, you laid

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 Ill-Pause, 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

with the highest disdain, refuse and reject such things, as the greatest

of iniquities.

‘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, and said, ‘And who, being

out of the hands of their enemies, as ye see we are now, will be so

foolish as to put the staff out of their own hands into the hands 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 an

hair they chance to step out of the way; and by others, that he requireth

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?’

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 congee, 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 Ear-gate, (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 of

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 they, ‘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!’ 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 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,

‘Oh 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?’

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,

unseasonable, and ungodly speech.’

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 an high lord as theirs is, deserved a

better treatment at your hands.

Then said old Incredulity, ‘This is but little better. But, Sir,’ quoth

he, ‘what I spake 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.’

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.’

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 counsel 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 Willbewill, Mr. Prejudice,

old Ill-Pause, 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.’

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. 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 awhile; 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. Benumbing; and my Lord

Understanding had like to have been slain with an arquebuse, but that he

that shot did not 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 Willbewill’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’ll assure you, he had, by some of the Lord

Understanding’s party, his crown 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 more harm

was done on both sides, but this must not be forgotten; it was now a

wonder to see my Lord Willbewill 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.

Now, when the uproar was over, Diabolus sends for my Lord Understanding

and Mr. Conscience, and claps them both up in prison as the ringleaders

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; yea, 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.

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.’ 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 Ear-gate, 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

refuse the golden offers of Shaddai, and trust to the lies and falsehoods

of Diabolus? Think you, when Shaddai shall 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. Yea, 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 loath to leave me as I am loath

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 consult, 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 sent them another summons, more sharp and severe than the last;

but the oftener they were sent to, to reconcile 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.’

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 them day and night. By thus doing, we shall

stop the growth of their rampant spirit; for a lion may be tamed by

continual molestation.

‘Secondly, 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.’

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 Shaddai 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. They were for shutting their gates, and for keeping us out of

the town. They also mounted their guns, they sallied out upon us, and

have done us what damage they could; but we pursued them with alarm upon

alarm, requiting them with such retribution as was meet, and have done

some execution upon the town.

‘Diabolus, Incredulity, and Willbewill are the great doers against us:

now we are in our winter quarters, but so as that we do yet with an high

hand molest and distress the town.

‘Once, as we think, had we had but one substantial friend in the town,

such as would but have seconded the sound of our summons as they ought,

the people might have yielded themselves; but there were none but enemies

there, nor any to speak in behalf of our Lord to the town. Wherefore,

though we have done as we could, yet Mansoul abides in a state of

rebellion against thee.

‘Now, King of kings, let it please thee to pardon the unsuccessfulness of

thy servants, who have been no more advantageous in so desirable a work

as the conquering of Mansoul is. And send, Lord, as we now desire, more

forces to Mansoul, that it may be subdued; and a man to head them, that

the town may both love and fear.

‘We do not thus speak because we are willing to relinquish the wars, (for

we are for laying of our bones against the place,) but that the town of

Mansoul may be won for thy Majesty. We also pray thy Majesty, for

expedition in this matter, that, after their conquest, we may be at

liberty to be sent about other thy gracious designs. Amen.’

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.

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 who 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. 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. 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 flew like

lightning round about at court; yea, 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;

yea, so affected were they with this work, 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.

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, oh! 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 show how they were pleased at the

thoughts of his coming gave a shout that made the earth rend at the sound

thereof. Yea, 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.

1. The first was that famous captain, the noble Captain Credence. His

were the red colours, and Mr. Promise bare them; and for a scutcheon he

had the holy lamb and golden shield; and he had ten thousand men at his

feet.

2. The second was that famous captain, the Captain Good-Hope. His were

the blue colours; his standard-bearer was Mr. Expectation, and for his

scutcheon he had the three golden anchors; and he had ten thousand men at

his feet.

3. The third was that valiant 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.

4. 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 doves.

5. The fifth was the truly loyal and well-beloved 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.

These were Emmanuel’s captains; these their standard-bearers, their

colours, and their scutcheons; 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.

But when they set out for their march, oh, how 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 some from the court that rode

reformades for the love that they had to the King Shaddai, and for the

happy deliverance of the town of Mansoul.

Emmanuel also, when he had thus set forwards to go to recover the town of

Mansoul, took with him, at the commandment of his Father, fifty-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;

there they lay till the first four captains came thither to acquaint them

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

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 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-grounds, as

Plain-Truth 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 placed 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 Ear-gate, with intent to break that open.

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 their 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 in it, was hung 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 hung 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 should hang out the black flag

of defiance against them, whose scutcheon was the three burning

thunderbolts; 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

abhorrence 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.’

Therefore he sent to the town of Mansoul, to let them know what he meant

by those signs and 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

leaguer 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 Mouth-gate, 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 great Shaddai! 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 a 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, my image, and

all that ever is mine. Ask else thy captains, and they will tell thee

that Mansoul hath, in answer to all their summonses, shown love 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, then, 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.