‘1. Even while he was yet with them in Mansoul, he kept himself close,
and more retired than formerly.
‘2. His speech was not now, if he came in their company, so pleasant and
familiar as formerly.
‘3. Nor did he, as in times past, send to Mansoul, from his table, those
dainty bits which he was wont to do.
‘4. Nor when they came to visit him, as now and then they would, would he
be so easily spoken with as they found him to be in times past. They
might now knock once, yea, twice, but he would seem not at all to regard
them; whereas formerly at the sound of their feet he would up and run,
and meet them halfway, and take them too, and lay them in his bosom.’
But thus Emmanuel carried it now, and by this his carriage he sought to
make them bethink themselves, and return to him. But, alas! they did not
consider, they did not know his ways, they regarded not, they were not
touched with these, nor with the true remembrance of former favours.
Wherefore what does he but in private manner withdraw himself, first from
his palace, then to the gate of the town, and so away from Mansoul he
goes, till they should acknowledge their offence, and more earnestly seek
his face. Mr. God’s-Peace also laid down his commission, and would for
the present act no longer in the town of Mansoul.
Thus they walked contrary to him, and he again, by way of retaliation,
walked contrary to them. But, alas! by this time they were so hardened
in their way, and had so drunk in the doctrine of Mr. Carnal-Security,
that the departing of their Prince touched them not, nor was he
remembered by them when gone; and so, of consequence, his absence not
condoled by them.
Now, there was a day wherein this old gentleman, Mr. Carnal-Security, did
again make a feast for the town of Mansoul; and there was at that time in
the town one Mr. Godly-Fear, one now but little set by, though formerly
one of great request. This man, old Carnal-Security, had a mind, if
possible, to gull, and debauch, and abuse, as he did the rest, and
therefore he now bids him to the feast with his neighbours. So the day
being come, they prepare, and he goes and appears with the rest of the
guests; and being all set at the table, they did eat and drink, and were
merry, even all but this one man: for Mr. Godly-Fear sat like a stranger,
and did neither eat nor was merry. The which, when Mr. Carnal-Security
perceived, he presently addressed himself in a speech thus to him:—
‘Mr. Godly-Fear, are you not well? You seem to be ill of body or mind,
or both. I have a cordial of Mr. Forget-Good’s making, the which, sir,
if you will take a dram of, I hope it may make you bonny and blithe, and
so make you more fit for us, feasting companions.’
Unto whom the good old gentleman discreetly replied, ‘Sir, I thank you
for all things courteous and civil; but for your cordial I have no list
thereto. But a word to the natives of Mansoul: You, the elders and chief
of Mansoul, to me it is strange to see you so jocund and merry, when the
town of Mansoul is in such woeful case.’
Then said Mr. Carnal-Security, ‘You want sleep, good air, I doubt. If
you please, lie down, and take a nap, and we meanwhile will be merry.’
Then said the good man as follows: ‘Sir, if you were not destitute of an
honest heart, you could not do as you have done and do.’
Then said Mr. Carnal-Security, ‘Why?’
_Godly_. Nay, pray interrupt me not. It is true the town of Mansoul was
strong, and, with a _proviso_, impregnable; but you, the townsmen, have
weakened it, and it now lies obnoxious to its foes. Nor is it a time to
flatter, or be silent; it is you, Mr. Carnal-Security, that have wilily
stripped Mansoul, and driven her glory from her; you have pulled down her
towers, you have broken down her gates, you have spoiled her locks and
bars.
And now, to explain myself: from that time that my lords of Mansoul, and
you, sir, grew so great, from that time the Strength of Mansoul has been
offended, and now he is arisen and is gone. If any shall question the
truth of my words, I will answer him by this, and suchlike questions.
‘Where is the Prince Emmanuel? When did a man or woman in Mansoul see
him? When did you hear from him, or taste any of his dainty bits?’ You
are now a feasting with this Diabolonian monster, but he is not your
Prince. I say, therefore, though enemies from without, had you taken
heed, could not have made a prey of you, yet since you have sinned
against your Prince, your enemies within have been too hard for you.
Then said Mr. Carnal-Security, ‘Fie! fie! Mr. Godly-Fear, fie!—will you
never shake off your _timorousness_? Are you afraid of being
sparrow-blasted? Who hath hurt you? Behold, I am on your side; only you
are for doubting, and I am for being confident. Besides, is this a time
to be sad in? A feast is made for mirth; why, then, do you now, to your
shame, and our trouble, break out into such passionate melancholy
language, when you should eat and drink, and be merry?’
Then said Mr. Godly-Fear again, ‘I may well be sad, for Emmanuel is gone
from Mansoul. I say again, he is gone, and you, sir, are the man that
has driven him away; yea, he is gone without so much as acquainting the
nobles of Mansoul with his going; and if that is not a sign of his anger,
I am not acquainted with the methods of godliness.
‘And now, my lords and gentlemen, for my speech is still to you, your
gradual declining from him did provoke him gradually to depart from you,
the which he did for some time, if perhaps you would have been made
sensible thereby, and have been renewed by humbling yourselves; but when
he saw that none would regard, nor lay these fearful beginnings of his
anger and judgment to heart, he went away from this place; and this I saw
with mine eye. Wherefore now, while you boast, your strength is gone;
you are like the man that had lost his locks that before did wave about
his shoulders. You may, with this lord of your feast, shake yourselves,
and conclude to do as at other times; but since without him you can do
nothing, and he is departed from you, turn your feast into a sigh, and
your mirth into lamentation.’
Then the subordinate preacher, old Mr. Conscience by name, he that of old
was Recorder of Mansoul, being startled at what was said, began to second
it thus:—
‘Indeed, my brethren,’ quoth he, ‘I fear that Mr. Godly-Fear tells us
true: I, for my part, have not seen my Prince a long season. I cannot
remember the day, for my part; nor can I answer Mr. Godly-Fear’s
question. I doubt, I am afraid that all is nought with Mansoul.’
_Godly_. Nay, I know that you shall not find him in Mansoul, for he is
departed and gone; yea, and gone for the faults of the elders, and for
that they rewarded his grace with unsufferable unkindness.
Then did the subordinate preacher look as if he would fall down dead at
the table; also all there present, except the man of the house, began to
look pale and wan. But having a little recovered themselves, and jointly
agreeing to believe Mr. Godly-Fear and his sayings, they began to consult
what was best to be done, (now Mr. Carnal-Security was gone into his
withdrawing-room, for he liked not such dumpish doings,) both to the man
of the house for drawing them into evil, and also to recover Emmanuel’s
love.
And, with that, that saying of their Prince came very hot into their
minds, which he had bidden them do to such as were false prophets that
should arise to delude the town of Mansoul. So they took Mr.
Carnal-Security (concluding that he must be he) and burned his house upon
him with fire; for he also was a Diabolonian by nature.
So when this was passed and over, they bespeed themselves to look for
Emmanuel their Prince; and they sought him, but they found him not. Then
were they more confirmed in the truth of Mr. Godly-Fear’s sayings, and
began also severely to reflect upon themselves for their so vile and
ungodly doings; for they concluded now that it was through them that
their Prince had left them.
Then they agreed and went to my Lord Secretary, (him whom before they
refused to hear—him whom they had grieved with their doings,) to know of
him, for he was a seer, and could tell where Emmanuel was, and how they
might direct a petition to him. But the Lord Secretary would not admit
them to a conference about this matter, nor would admit them to his royal
place of abode, nor come out to them to show them his face or
intelligence.
And now was it a day gloomy and dark, a day of clouds and of thick
darkness with Mansoul. Now they saw that they had been foolish, and
began to perceive what the company and prattle of Mr. Carnal-Security had
done, and what desperate damage his swaggering words had brought poor
Mansoul into. But what further it was likely to cost them they were
ignorant of. Now Mr. Godly-Fear began again to be in repute with the men
of the town; yea, they were ready to look upon him as a prophet.
Well, when the Sabbath day was come, they went to hear their subordinate
preacher; but oh, how he did thunder and lighten this day! His text was
that in the prophet Jonah: ‘They that observe lying vanities forsake
their own mercy.’ But there was then such power and authority in that
sermon, and such a dejection seen in the countenances of the people that
day, that the like hath seldom been heard or seen. The people, when
sermon was done, were scarce able to go to their homes, or to betake
themselves to their employs the week after; they were so sermon-smitten,
and also so sermon-sick by being smitten, that they knew not what to do.
He did not only show to Mansoul their sin, but did tremble before them,
under the sense of his own, still crying out of himself, as he preached
to them, ‘Unhappy man that I am! that I should do so wicked a thing!
That I, a preacher! whom the Prince did set up to teach to Mansoul his
law, should myself live senseless and sottishly here, and be one of the
first found in transgression! This transgression also fell within my
precincts; I should have cried out against the wickedness; but I let
Mansoul lie wallowing in it, until it had driven Emmanuel from its
borders!’ With these things he also charged all the lords and gentry of
Mansoul, to the almost distracting of them.
About this time, also, there was a great sickness in the town of Mansoul,
and most of the inhabitants were greatly afflicted. Yea, the captains
also, and men of war, were brought thereby to a languishing condition,
and that for a long time together; so that in case of an invasion,
nothing could to purpose now have been done, either by the townsmen or
field officers. Oh, how many pale faces, weak hands, feeble knees, and
staggering men were now seen to walk the streets of Mansoul! Here were
groans, there pants, and yonder lay those that were ready to faint.
The garments, too, which Emmanuel had given them were but in a sorry
case; some were rent, some were torn, and all in a nasty condition; some
also did hang so loosely upon them, that the next bush they came at was
ready to pluck them off.
After some time spent in this sad and desolate condition, the subordinate
preacher called for a day of fasting, and to humble themselves for being
so wicked against the great Shaddai and his Son. And he desired that
Captain Boanerges would preach. So he consented to do it; and the day
being come, and his text was this, ‘Cut it down, why cumbereth it the
ground?’ And a very smart sermon he made upon the place. First, he
showed what was the occasion of the words, namely, because the fig-tree
was barren; then he showed what was contained in the sentence, namely,
repentance, or utter desolation. He then showed, also, by whose
authority this sentence was pronounced, and that was by Shaddai himself.
And, lastly, he showed the reasons of the point, and then concluded his
sermon. But he was very pertinent in the application, insomuch that he
made poor Mansoul tremble. For this sermon, as well as the former,
wrought much upon the hearts of the men of Mansoul; yea, it greatly
helped to keep awake those that were roused by the preaching that went
before. So that now throughout the whole town, there was little or
nothing to be heard or seen but sorrow, and mourning, and woe.
Now, after sermon, they got together and consulted what was best to be
done. ‘But,’ said the subordinate preacher, ‘I will do nothing of mine
own head, without advising with my neighbour Mr. Godly-Fear. For if he
had aforehand understood more of the mind of our Prince than we, I do not
know but he also may have it now, even now we are turning again to
virtue.’
So they called and sent for Mr. Godly-Fear, and he forthwith appeared.
Then they desired that he would further show his opinion about what they
had best to do. Then said the old gentleman as followeth: ‘It is my
opinion that this town of Mansoul should, in this day of her distress,
draw up and send an humble petition to their offended Prince Emmanuel,
that he, in his favour and grace, will turn again unto you, and not keep
anger for ever.’
When the townsmen had heard this speech, they did, with one consent,
agree to his advice; so they did presently draw up their request, and the
next was, But who shall carry it? At last they did all agree to send it
by my Lord Mayor. So he accepted of the service, and addressed himself
to his journey; and went and came to the court of Shaddai, whither
Emmanuel the Prince of Mansoul was gone. But the gate was shut, and a
strict watch kept thereat; so that the petitioner was forced to stand
without for a great while together. Then he desired that some would go
into the Prince and tell him who stood at the gate, and what his business
was. So one went and told to Shaddai, and to Emmanuel his Son, that the
Lord Mayor of the town of Mansoul stood without at the gate of the King’s
court, desiring to be admitted into the presence of the Prince, the
King’s Son. He also told what was the Lord Mayor’s errand, both to the
King and his Son Emmanuel. But the Prince would not come down, nor admit
that the gate should be opened to him, but sent him an answer to this
effect: ‘They have turned their back unto me, and not their face; but now
in the time of their trouble they say to me, Arise, and save us. But can
they not now go to Mr. Carnal-Security, to whom they went when they
turned from me, and make him their leader, their lord, and their
protection now in their trouble; why now in their trouble do they visit
me, since in their prosperity they went astray?’
The answer made my Lord Mayor look black in the face; it troubled, it
perplexed, it rent him sore. And now he began again to see what it was
to be familiar with Diabolonians, such as Mr. Carnal-Security was. When
he saw that at court, as yet, there was little help to be expected,
either for himself or friends in Mansoul, he smote upon his breast, and
returned weeping, and all the way bewailing the lamentable state of
Mansoul.
Well, when he was come within sight of the town, the elders and chief of
the people of Mansoul went out at the gate to meet him, and to salute
him, and to know how he sped at court. But he told them his tale in so
doleful a manner, that they all cried out, and mourned, and wept.
Wherefore they threw ashes and dust upon their heads, and put sackcloth
upon their loins, and went crying out through the town of Mansoul; the
which, when the rest of the townsfolk saw, they all mourned and wept.
This, therefore, was a day of rebuke and trouble, and of anguish to the
town of Mansoul, and also of great distress.
After some time, when they had somewhat refrained themselves, they came
together to consult again what by them was yet to be done; and they asked
advice, as they did before, of that reverend Mr. Godly-Fear, who told
them that there was no way better than to do as they had done, nor would
he that they should be discouraged at all with that they had met with at
court; yea, though several of their petitions should be answered with
nought but silence or rebuke: ‘For,’ said he, ‘it is the way of the wise
Shaddai to make men wait and to exercise patience, and it should be the
way of them in want, to be willing to stay his leisure.
Then they took courage, and sent again and again, and again, and again;
for there was not now one day, nor an hour that went over Mansoul’s head,
wherein a man might not have met upon the road one or other riding post,
sounding the horn from Mansoul to the court of the King Shaddai; and all
with letters petitionary in behalf of, and for the Prince’s return to
Mansoul. The road, I say, was now full of messengers, going and
returning, and meeting one another; some from the court, and some from
Mansoul; and this was the work of the miserable town of Mansoul, all that
long, that sharp, that cold and tedious winter.
Now if you have not forgot, you may yet remember that I told you before,
that after Emmanuel had taken Mansoul, yea, and after that he had new
modelled the town, there remained in several lurking places of the
corporation many of the old Diabolonians, that either came with the
tyrant when he invaded and took the town, or that had there, by reason of
unlawful mixtures, their birth and breeding, and bringing up. And their
holes, dens, and lurking places were in, under, or about the wall of the
town. Some of their names are the Lord Fornication, the Lord Adultery,
the Lord Murder, the Lord Anger, the Lord Lasciviousness, the Lord
Deceit, the Lord Evil-eye, the Lord Blasphemy, and that horrible villain,
the old and dangerous Lord Covetousness. These, as I told you, with many
more, had yet their abode in the town of Mansoul, and that after that
Emmanuel had driven their prince Diabolus out of the castle.
Against these the good Prince did grant a commission to the Lord
Willbewill and others, yea, to the whole town of Mansoul, to seek, take,
secure, and destroy any or all that they could lay hands of, for that
they were Diabolonians by nature, enemies to the Prince, and those that
sought to ruin the blessed town of Mansoul. But the town of Mansoul did
not pursue this warrant, but neglected to look after, to apprehend, to
secure, and to destroy these Diabolonians. Wherefore what do these
villains but by degrees take courage to put forth their heads, and to
show themselves to the inhabitants of the town. Yea, and as I was told,
some of the men of Mansoul grew too familiar with some of them, to the
sorrow of the corporation, as you yet will hear more of in time and
place.
Well, when the Diabolonian lords that were left perceived that Mansoul
had, through sinning, offended Emmanuel their Prince, and that he had
withdrawn himself and was gone, what do they but plot the ruin of the
town of Mansoul. So upon a time they met together at the hold of one Mr.
Mischief, who was also a Diabolonian, and there consulted how they might
deliver up Mansoul into the hands of Diabolus again. Now some advised
one way, and some another, every man according to his own liking. At
last my Lord Lasciviousness propounded, whether it might not be best, in
the first place, for some of those that were Diabolonians in Mansoul, to
adventure to offer themselves for servants to some of the natives of the
town; ‘for,’ said he, ‘if they so do, and Mansoul shall accept of them,
they may for us, and for Diabolus our Lord, make the taking of the town
of Mansoul more easy than otherwise it will be.’ But then stood up the
Lord Murder, and said, ‘This may not be done at this time; for Mansoul is
now in a kind of a rage, because by our friend, Mr. Carnal-Security, she
hath been once ensnared already, and made to offend against her Prince;
and how shall she reconcile herself unto her lord again, but by the heads
of these men? Besides, we know that they have in commission to take and
slay us wherever they shall find us; let us, therefore, be wise as foxes:
when we are dead, we can do them no hurt; but while we live, we may.’
Thus, when they had tossed the matter to and fro, they jointly agreed
that a letter should forthwith be sent away to Diabolus in their name, by
which the state of the town of Mansoul should be showed him, and how much
it is under the frowns of their Prince. ‘We may also,’ said some, ‘let
him know our intentions, and ask of him his advice in the case.’