So a letter was presently framed, the contents of which were these:—

‘To our great lord, the Prince Diabolus, dwelling below in the infernal

cave:

‘O great father, and mighty Prince Diabolus, we, the true Diabolonians

yet remaining in the rebellious town of Mansoul, having received our

beings from thee, and our nourishment at thy hands, cannot with content

and quiet endure to behold, as we do this day, how thou art dispraised,

disgraced, and reproached among the inhabitants of this town; nor is thy

long absence at all delightful to us, because greatly to our detriment.

‘The reason of this our writing unto our lord, is for that we are not

altogether without hope that this town may become thy habitation again;

for it is greatly declined from its Prince Emmanuel; and he is uprisen,

and is departed from them: yea, and though they send, and send, and send,

and send after him to return to them, yet can they not prevail, nor get

good words from him.

‘There has been also of late, and is yet remaining, a very great sickness

and fainting among them; and that not only upon the poorer sort of the

town, but upon the lords, captains, and chief gentry of the place, (we

only who are of the Diabolonians by nature remain well, lively, and

strong,) so that through their great transgression on the one hand, and

their dangerous sickness on the other, we judge they lie open to thy hand

and power. If, therefore, it shall stand with thy horrible cunning, and

with the cunning of the rest of the princes with thee, to come and make

an attempt to take Mansoul again, send us word, and we shall to our

utmost power be ready to deliver it into thy hand. Or if what we have

said shall not by thy fatherhood be thought best and most meet to be

done, send us thy mind in a few words, and we are all ready to follow thy

counsel to the hazarding of our lives, and what else we have.

‘Given under our hands the day and date above-written, after a close

consultation at the house of Mr. Mischief, who yet is alive and hath his

place in our desirable town of Mansoul.’

When Mr. Profane (for he was the carrier) was come with his letter to

Hell-Gate Hill, he knocked at the brazen gates for entrance. Then did

Cerberus, the porter, for he is the keeper of that gate, open to Mr.

Profane, to whom he delivered his letter, which he had brought from the

Diabolonians in Mansoul. So he carried it in, and presented it to

Diabolus his lord, and said, ‘Tidings, my lord, from Mansoul, from our

trusty friends in Mansoul.’

Then came together from all places of the den Beelzebub, Lucifer,

Apollyon, with the rest of the rabblement there, to hear what news from

Mansoul. So the letter was broken up and read, and Cerberus he stood by.

When the letter was openly read, and the contents thereof spread into all

the corners of the den, command was given that, without let or stop,

dead-man’s bell should be rung for joy. So the bell was rung, and the

princes rejoiced that Mansoul was likely to come to ruin. Now, the

clapper of the bell went, ‘The town of Mansoul is coming to dwell with

us: make room for the town of Mansoul.’ This bell therefore they did

ring, because they did hope that they should have Mansoul again.

Now, when they had performed this their horrible ceremony, they got

together again to consult what answer to send to their friends in

Mansoul; and some advised one thing, and some another: but at length,

because the business required haste, they left the whole business to the

prince Diabolus, judging him the most proper lord of the place. So he

drew up a letter as he thought fit, in answer to what Mr. Profane had

brought, and sent it to the Diabolonians that did dwell in Mansoul, by

the same hand that had brought theirs to him; and these were the contents

thereof:—

‘To our offspring, the high and mighty Diabolonians that yet dwell in the

town of Mansoul, Diabolus, the great prince of Mansoul, wisheth a

prosperous issue and conclusion of those many brave enterprises,

conspiracies, and designs, that you, of your love and respect to our

honour, have in your hearts to attempt to do against Mansoul. Beloved

children and disciples, my Lord Fornication, Adultery, and the rest, we

have here, in our desolate den, received, to our highest joy and content,

your welcome letter, by the hand of our trusty Mr. Profane; and to show

how acceptable your tidings were, we rang out our bell for gladness; for

we rejoiced as much as we could, when we perceived that yet we had

friends in Mansoul, and such as sought our honour and revenge in the ruin

of the town of Mansoul. We also rejoiced to hear that they are in a

degenerated condition, and that they have offended their Prince, and that

he is gone. Their sickness also pleaseth us, as does also your health,

might, and strength. Glad also would we be, right horribly beloved,

could we get this town into our clutches again. Nor will we be sparing

of spending our wit, our cunning, our craft, and hellish inventions to

bring to a wished conclusion this your brave beginning in order thereto.

‘And take this for your comfort, (our birth, and our offspring,) that

shall we again surprise it and take it, we will attempt to put all your

foes to the sword, and will make you the great lords and captains of the

place. Nor need you fear, if ever we get it again, that we after that

shall be cast out any more; for we will come with more strength, and so

lay far more fast hold than at the first we did. Besides, it is the law

of that Prince that now they own, that if we get them a second time, they

shall be ours for ever.

‘Do you, therefore, our trusty Diabolonians, yet more pry into, and

endeavour to spy out the weakness of the town of Mansoul. We also would

that you yourselves do attempt to weaken them more and more. Send us

word also by what means you think we had best to attempt the regaining

thereof: namely, whether by persuasion to a vain and loose life; or,

whether by tempting them to doubt and despair; or, whether by blowing up

of the town by the gunpowder of pride, and self-conceit. Do you also, O

ye brave Diabolonians, and true sons of the pit, be always in a readiness

to make a most hideous assault within, when we shall be ready to storm it

without. Now speed you in your project, and we in our desires, to the

utmost power of our gates, which is the wish of your great Diabolus,

Mansoul’s enemy, and him that trembles when he thinks of judgment to

come. All the blessings of the pit be upon you, and so we close up our

letter.

‘Given at the pit’s mouth, by the joint consent of all the princes of

darkness, to be sent, to the force and power that we have yet remaining

in Mansoul, by the hand of Mr. Profane, by me, Diabolus.’

This letter, as was said, was sent to Mansoul, to the Diabolonians that

yet remained there, and that yet inhabited the wall, from the dark

dungeon of Diabolus, by the hand of Mr. Profane, by whom they also in

Mansoul sent theirs to the pit. Now, when this Mr. Profane had made his

return, and was come to Mansoul again, he went and came as he was wont to

the house of Mr. Mischief, for there was the conclave, and the place

where the contrivers were met. Now, when they saw that their messenger

was returned safe and sound, they were greatly gladded thereat. Then he

presented them with his letter which he had brought from Diabolus for

them; the which, when they had read and considered, did much augment

their gladness. They asked him after the welfare of their friends, as

how their Lord Diabolus, Lucifer, and Beelzebub did, with the rest of

those of the den. To which this Profane made answer, ‘Well, well, my

lords; they are well, even as well as can be in their place. They also,’

said he, ‘did ring for joy at the reading of your letter, as you well

perceived by this when you read it.’

Now, as was said, when they had read their letter, and perceived that it

encouraged them in their work, they fell to their way of contriving

again, namely, how they might complete their Diabolonian design upon

Mansoul. And the first thing that they agreed upon was to keep all

things from Mansoul as close as they could. ‘Let it not be known, let

not Mansoul be acquainted with what we design against it.’ The next

thing was, how, or by what means, they should try to bring to pass the

ruin and overthrow of Mansoul; and one said after this manner, and

another said after that. Then stood up Mr. Deceit, and said, ‘My right

Diabolonian friends, our lords, and the high ones of the deep dungeon, do

propound unto us these three ways.

‘1. Whether we had best to seek its ruin by making Mansoul loose and

vain.

‘2. Or whether by driving them to doubt and despair.

‘3. Or whether by endeavouring to blow them up by the gunpowder of pride

and self-conceit.

‘Now, I think, if we shall tempt them to pride, that may do something;

and if we tempt them to wantonness, that may help. But, in my mind, if

we could drive them into desperation, that would knock the nail on the

head; for then we should have them, in the first place, question the

truth of the love of the heart of their Prince towards them, and that

will disgust him much. This, if it works well, will make them leave off

quickly their way of sending petitions to him; then farewell earnest

solicitations for help and supply; for then this conclusion lies

naturally before them, “As good do nothing, as do to no purpose.”’ So to

Mr. Deceit they unanimously did consent.

Then the next question was, But how shall we do to bring this our project

to pass? and it was answered by the same gentleman—that this might be the

best way to do it: ‘Even let,’ quoth he, ‘so many of our friends as are

willing to venture themselves for the promoting of their prince’s cause,

disguise themselves with apparel, change their names, and go into the

market like far country-men, and proffer to let themselves for servants

to the famous town of Mansoul, and let them pretend to do for their

masters as beneficially as may be; for by so doing they may, if Mansoul

shall hire them, in little time so corrupt and defile the corporation,

that her now Prince shall be not only further offended with them, but in

conclusion shall spue them out of his mouth. And when this is done, our

prince Diabolus shall prey upon them with ease: yea, of themselves they

shall fall into the mouth of the eater.’

This project was no sooner propounded, but was as highly accepted, and

forward were all Diabolonians now to engage in so delicate an enterprise:

but it was not thought fit that all should do thus; wherefore they

pitched upon two or three, namely, the Lord Covetousness, the Lord

Lasciviousness, and the Lord Anger. The Lord Covetousness called himself

by the name of Prudent-Thrifty; the Lord Lasciviousness called himself by

the name of Harmless-Mirth; and the Lord Anger called himself by the name

of Good-Zeal.

So upon a market-day they came into the market-place, three lusty fellows

they were to look on, and they were clothed in sheep’s russet, which was

also now in a manner as white as were the white robes of the men of

Mansoul. Now the men could speak the language of Mansoul well. So when

they were come into the market-place, and had offered to let themselves

to the townsmen, they were presently taken up; for they asked but little

wages, and promised to do their masters great service.

Mr. Mind hired Prudent-Thrifty, and Mr. Godly-Fear hired Good-Zeal.

True, this fellow Harmless-Mirth did hang a little in hand, and could not

so soon get him a master as the others did, because the town of Mansoul

was now in Lent, but after a while, because Lent was almost out, the Lord

Willbewill hired Harmless-Mirth to be both his waiting man and his

lackey: and thus they got them masters.

These villains now being got thus far into the houses of the men of

Mansoul, quickly began to do great mischief therein; for, being filthy,

arch, and sly, they quickly corrupted the families where they were; yea,

they tainted their masters much, especially this Prudent-Thrifty, and him

they call Harmless-Mirth. True, he that went under the visor of

Good-Zeal, was not so well liked of his master; for he quickly found that

he was but a counterfeit rascal; the which when the fellow perceived,

with speed he made his escape from the house, or I doubt not but his

master had hanged him.

Well, when these vagabonds had thus far carried on their design, and had

corrupted the town as much as they could, in the next place they

considered with themselves at what time their prince Diabolus without,

and themselves within the town, should make an attempt to seize upon

Mansoul; and they all agreed upon this, that a market-day would be best

for that work; for why? Then will the townsfolk be busy in their ways:

and always take this for a rule, when people are most busy in the world,

they least fear a surprise. ‘We also then,’ said they, ‘shall be able

with less suspicion to gather ourselves together for the work of our

friends and lords; yea, and in such a day, if we shall attempt our work,

and miss it, we may, when they shall give us the rout, the better hide

ourselves in the crowd, and escape.’

These things being thus far agreed upon by them, they wrote another

letter to Diabolus, and sent it by the hand to Mr. Profane, the contents

of which were these:—

‘The lords of Looseness send to the great and high Diabolus from our

dens, caves, holes, and strongholds, in and about the wall of the town of

Mansoul, greeting:

‘Our great lord, and the nourisher of our lives, Diabolus—how glad we

were when we heard of your fatherhood’s readiness to comply with us, and

help forward our design in our attempts to ruin Mansoul, none can tell

but those who, as we do, set themselves against all appearance of good,

when and wheresoever we find it.

‘Touching the encouragement that your greatness is pleased to give us to

continue to devise, contrive, and study the utter desolation of Mansoul,

that we are not solicitous about: for we know right well that it cannot

but be pleasing and profitable to us to see our enemies, and them that

seek our lives, die at our feet, or fly before us. We therefore are

still contriving, and that to the best of our cunning, to make this work

most facile and easy to your lordships, and to us.

‘First, we considered of that most hellishly cunning, compacted,

threefold project, that by you was propounded to us in your last; and

have concluded, that though to blow them up with the gunpowder of pride

would do well, and to do it by tempting them to be loose and vain will

help on, yet to contrive to bring them into the gulf of desperation, we

think will do best of all. Now we, who are at your beck, have thought or

two ways to do this: first we, for our parts, will make them as vile as

we can, and then you with us, at a time appointed, shall be ready to fall

upon them with the utmost force. And of all the nations that are at your

whistle, we think that an army of doubters may be the most likely to

attack and overcome the town of Mansoul. Thus shall we overcome these

enemies, else the pit shall open her mouth upon them, and desperation

shall thrust them down into it. We have also, to effect this so much by

us desired design, sent already three of our trusty Diabolonians among

them; they are disguised in garb, they have changed their names, and are

now accepted of them; namely, Covetousness, Lasciviousness, and Anger.

The name of Covetousness is changed to Prudent-Thrifty, and him Mr. Mind

has hired, and is almost become as bad as our friend. Lasciviousness has

changed his name to Harmless-Mirth, and he is got to be the Lord

Willbewill’s lackey; but he has made his master very wanton. Anger

changed his name into Good-Zeal, and was entertained by Mr. Godly-Fear;

but the peevish old gentleman took pepper in the nose, and turned our

companion out of his house. Nay, he has informed us since that he ran

away from him, or else his old master had hanged him up for his labour.

‘Now these have much helped forward our work and design upon Mansoul; for

notwithstanding the spite and quarrelsome temper of the old gentleman

last mentioned, the other two ply their business well, and are likely to

ripen the work apace.

‘Our next project is, that it be concluded that you come upon the town

upon a market-day, and that when they are upon the heat of their

business; for then, to be sure, they will be most secure, and least think

that an assault will be made upon them. They will also at such a time be

less able to defend themselves, and to offend you in the prosecution of

our design. And we your trusty (and we are sure your beloved) ones

shall, when you shall make your furious assault without, be ready to

second the business within. So shall we, in all likelihood, be able to

put Mansoul to utter confusion, and to swallow them up before they can

come to themselves. If your serpentine heads, most subtile dragons, and

our highly esteemed lords can find out a better way than this, let us

quickly know your minds.

‘To the monsters of the infernal cave, from the house of Mr. Mischief in

Mansoul, by the hand of Mr. Profane.’

Now all the while that the raging runagates and hellish Diabolonians were

thus contriving the ruin of the town of Mansoul, they (namely, the poor

town itself) was in a sad and woeful case; partly because they had so

grievously offended Shaddai and his Son, and partly because that the

enemies thereby got strength within them afresh; and also because, though

they had by many petitions made suit to the Prince Emmanuel, and to his

Father Shaddai by him, for their pardon and favour, yet hitherto obtained

they not one smile; but contrariwise, through the craft and subtilty of

the domestic Diabolonians, their cloud was made to grow blacker and

blacker, and their Emmanuel to stand at further distance.

The sickness also did still greatly rage in Mansoul, both among the

captains and the inhabitants of the town; and their enemies only were now

lively and strong, and likely to become the head, whilst Mansoul was made

the tail.

By this time the letter last mentioned, that was written by the

Diabolonians that yet lurked in the town of Mansoul, was conveyed to

Diabolus in the black den, by the hand of Mr. Profane. He carried the

letter by Hell-Gate Hill as afore, and conveyed it by Cerberus to his

lord.

But when Cerberus and Mr. Profane did meet, they were presently as great

as beggars, and thus they fell into discourse about Mansoul, and about

the project against her.

‘Ah! old friend,’ quoth Cerberus, ‘art thou come to Hell-Gate Hill again?

By St. Mary, I am glad to see thee!’

_Prof._ Yes, my lord, I am come again about the concerns of the town of

Mansoul.

_Cerb._ Prithee, tell me what condition is that town of Mansoul in at

present?

_Prof._ In a brave condition, my lord, for us, and for my lords, the

lords of this place, I trow for they are greatly decayed as to godliness,

and that is as well as our heart can wish; their Lord is greatly out with

them, and that doth also please us well. We have already also a foot in

their dish, for our Diabolonian friends are laid in their bosoms, and

what do we lack but to be masters of the place! Besides, our trusty

friends in Mansoul are daily plotting to betray it to the lords of this

town; also the sickness rages bitterly among them; and that which makes

up all, we hope at last to prevail.’

Then said the dog of Hell-Gate, ‘No time like this to assault them. I

wish that the enterprise be followed close, and that the success desired

may be soon effected: yea, I wish it for the poor Diabolonians’ sakes,

that live in the continual fear of their lives in that traitorous town of

Mansoul.’

_Prof._ The contrivance is almost finished, the lords in Mansoul that

are Diabolonians are at it day and night, and the other are like silly

doves; they want heart to be concerned with their state and to consider

that ruin is at hand. Besides you may, yea, must think, when you put all

things together, that there are many reasons that prevail with Diabolus

to make what haste he can.

_Cerb._ Thou hast said as it is; I am glad things are at this pass. Go

in, my brave Profane, to my lords, they will give thee for thy welcome as

good a _coranto_ as the whole of this kingdom will afford. I have sent

thy letter in already.

Then Mr. Profane went into the den, and his lord Diabolus met him, and

saluted him with, ‘Welcome, my trusty servant: I have been made glad with

thy letter.’ The rest of the lords of the pit gave him also their

salutations. Then Profane, after obeisance made to them all, said, ‘Let

Mansoul be given to my lord Diabolus, and let him be her king for ever.’

And with that, the hollow belly and yawning gorge of hell gave so loud

and hideous a groan, (for that is the music of that place,) that it made

the mountains about it totter, as if they would fall in pieces.

Now, after they had read and considered the letter, they consulted what

answer to return; and the first that did speak to it was Lucifer.

Then said he, ‘The first project of the Diabolonians in Mansoul is likely

to be lucky, and to take; namely, that they will, by all the ways and

means they can, make Mansoul yet more vile and filthy: no way to destroy

a soul like this. Our old friend Balaam went this way and prospered many

years ago; let this therefore stand with us for a maxim, and be to

Diabolonians for a general rule in all ages; for nothing can make this to

fail but grace, in which I would hope that this town has no share. But

whether to fall upon them on a market-day, because of their cumber in

business, that I would should be under debate. And there is more reason

why this head should be debated, than why some other should; because upon

this will turn the whole of what we shall attempt. If we time not our

business well, our whole project may fail. Our friends, the

Diabolonians, say that a market-day is best; for then will Mansoul be

most busy, and have fewest thoughts of a surprise. But what if also they

should double their guards on those days? (and methinks nature and reason

should teach them to do it;) and what if they should keep such a watch on

those days as the necessity of their present case doth require? yea, what

if their men should be always in arms on those days? then you may, my

lords, be disappointed in your attempts, and may bring our friends in the

town to utter danger of unavoidable ruin.’

Then said the great Beelzebub, ‘There is something in what my lord hath

said; but his conjecture may, or may not fall out. Nor hath my lord laid

it down as that which must not be receded from; for I know that he said

it only to provoke to a warm debate thereabout. Therefore we must

understand, if we can, whether the town of Mansoul has such sense and

knowledge of her decayed state, and of the design that we have on foot

against her, as doth provoke her to set watch and ward at her gates, and

to double them on market-days. But if, after inquiry made, it shall be

found that they are asleep, then any day will do, but a market-day is

best; and this is my judgment in this case.’

Then quoth Diabolus, ‘How should we know this?’ and it was answered,

‘Inquire about it at the mouth of Mr. Profane.’ So Profane was called

in, and asked the question, and he made his answer as follows:—

_Prof._ My lords, so far as I can gather, this is at present the

condition of the town of Mansoul: they are decayed in their faith and

love; Emmanuel, their Prince, has given them the back; they send often by

petition to fetch him again, but he maketh not haste to answer their

request, nor is there much reformation among them.

_Diab._ I am glad that they are backward in a reformation, but yet I am

afraid of their petitioning. However, their looseness of life is a sign

that there is not much heart in what they do, and without the heart

things are little worth. But go on, my masters; I will divert you, my

lords, no longer.

_Beel._ If the case be so with Mansoul, as Mr. Profane has described it

to be, it will be no great matter what day we assault it; not their

prayers, nor their power will do them much service.

When Beelzebub had ended his oration, then Apollyon did begin. ‘My

opinion,’ said he, ‘concerning this matter, is, that we go on fair and

softly, not doing things in a hurry. Let our friends in Mansoul go on

still to pollute and defile it, by seeking to draw it yet more into sin

(for there is nothing like sin to devour Mansoul). If this be done, and

it takes effect, Mansoul, of itself, will leave off to watch, to

petition, or anything else that should tend to her security and safety;

for she will forget her Emmanuel, she will not desire his company, and

can she be gotten thus to live, her Prince will not come to her in haste.

Our trusty friend, Mr. Carnal-Security, with one of his tricks did drive

him out of the town; and why may not my Lord Covetousness, and my Lord

Lasciviousness, by what they may do, keep him out of the town? And this

I will tell you, (not because you know it not,) that two or three

Diabolonians, if entertained and countenanced by the town of Mansoul,

will do more to the keeping of Emmanuel from them, and towards making the

town of Mansoul your own, than can an army of a legion that should be

sent out from us to withstand him. Let, therefore, this first project

that our friends in Mansoul have set on foot, be strongly and diligently

carried on, with all cunning and craft imaginable; and let them send

continually, under one guise or another, more and other of their men to

play with the people of Mansoul; and then, perhaps, we shall not need to

be at the charge of making a war upon them; or if that must of necessity

be done, yet the more sinful they are, the more unable, to be sure, they

will be to resist us, and then the more easily we shall overcome them.

And besides, suppose (and that is the worst that can be supposed) that

Emmanuel should come to them again, why may not the same means, or the

like, drive him from them once more? Yea, why may he not, by their lapse

into that sin again, be driven from them for ever, for the sake of which

he was at the first driven from them for a season? And if this should

happen, then away go with him his rams, his slings, his captains, his

soldiers, and he leaveth Mansoul naked and bare. Yea, will not this

town, when she sees herself utterly forsaken of her Prince, of her own

accord open her gates again unto you, and make of you as in the days of

old? But this must be done by time, a few days will not effect so great

a work as this.’

So soon as Apollyon had made an end of speaking, Diabolus began to blow

out his own malice, and to plead his own cause; and he said, ‘My lords,

and powers of the cave, my true and trusty friends, I have with much

impatience, as becomes me, given ear to your long and tedious orations.

But my furious gorge, and empty paunch, so lusteth after a repossession

of my famous town of Mansoul, that whatever comes out, I can wait no

longer to see the events of lingering projects. I must, and that without

further delay, seek, by all means I can, to fill my insatiable gulf with

the soul and body of the town of Mansoul. Therefore lend me your heads,

your hearts, and your help, now I am going to recover my town of

Mansoul.’

When the lords and princes of the pit saw the flaming desire that was in

Diabolus to devour the miserable town of Mansoul, they left off to raise

any more objections, but consented to lend him what strength they could,

though had Apollyon’s advice been taken, they had far more fearfully

distressed the town of Mansoul. But, I say, they were willing to lend

him what strength they could, not knowing what need they might have of

him, when they should engage for themselves, as he. Wherefore they fell

to advising about the next thing propounded, namely, what soldiers they

were, and also how many, with whom Diabolus should go against the town of

Mansoul to take it; and after some debate, it was concluded, according as

in the letter the Diabolonians had suggested, that none were more fit for

that expedition than an army of terrible doubters. They therefore

concluded to send against Mansoul an army of sturdy doubters. The number

thought fit to be employed in that service was between twenty and thirty

thousand. So then the result of that great council of those high and

mighty lords was—That Diabolus should even now, out of hand, beat up his

drum for men in the land of Doubting, which land lieth upon the confines

of the place called Hell-Gate Hill, for men that might be employed by him

against the miserable town of Mansoul. It was also concluded, that these

lords themselves should help him in the war, and that they would to that

end head and manage his men. So they drew up a letter, and sent back to

the Diabolonians that lurked in Mansoul, and that waited for the

back-coming of Mr. Profane, to signify to them into what method and

forwardness they at present had put their design. The contents whereof

now follow:—

‘From the dark and horrible dungeon of hell, Diabolus with all the

society of the princes of darkness, sends to our trusty ones, in and

about the walls of the town of Mansoul, now impatiently waiting for our

most devilish answer to their venomous and most poisonous design against

the town of Mansoul.

‘Our native ones, in whom from day to day we boast, and in whose actions

all the year long we do greatly delight ourselves, we received your

welcome, because highly esteemed letter, at the hand of our trusty and

greatly beloved, the old gentleman, Mr. Profane. And do give you to

understand, that when we had broken it up, and had read the contents

thereof, to your amazing memory be it spoken, our yawning hollow-bellied

place, where we are, made so hideous and yelling a noise for joy, that

the mountains that stand round about Hell-Gate Hill, had like to have

been shaken to pieces at the sound thereof.

‘We could also do no less than admire your faithfulness to us, with the

greatness of that subtilty that now hath showed itself to be in your

heads to serve us against the town of Mansoul. For you have invented for

us so excellent a method for our proceeding against that rebellious

people, a more effectual cannot be thought of by all the wits of hell.

The proposals, therefore, which now, at last, you have sent us, since we

saw them, we have done little else but highly approved and admired them.

‘Nay, we shall, to encourage you in the profundity of your craft, let you

know, that, at a full assembly and conclave of our princes and

principalities of this place, your project was discoursed and tossed from

one side of our cave to the other by their mightinesses; but a better,

and as was by themselves judged, a more fit and proper way by all their

wits, could not be invented, to surprise, take, and make our own, the

rebellious town of Mansoul.

‘Wherefore, in fine, all that was said that varied from what you had in

your letter propounded, fell of itself to the ground, and yours only was

stuck to by Diabolus, the prince; yea, his gaping gorge and yawning

paunch was on fire to put your invention into execution.

‘We therefore give you to understand that our stout, furious, and

unmerciful Diabolus is raising, for your relief, and the ruin of the

rebellious town of Mansoul, more than twenty thousand doubters to come

against that people. They are all stout and sturdy men, and men that of

old have been accustomed to war, and that can therefore well endure the

drum. I say, he is doing this work of his with all the possible speed he

can; for his heart and spirit is engaged in it. We desire, therefore,

that, as you have hitherto stuck to us, and given us both advice and

encouragement thus far, you still will prosecute our design; nor shall

you lose, but be gainers thereby; yea, we intend to make you the lords of

Mansoul.

‘One thing may not by any means be omitted, that is, those with us do

desire that every one of you that are in Mansoul would still use all your

power, cunning, and skill, with delusive persuasions, yet to draw the

town of Mansoul into more sin and wickedness, even that sin may be

finished and bring forth death.

‘For thus it is concluded with us, that the more vile, sinful, and

debauched the town of Mansoul is, more backward will be their Emmanuel to

come to their help, either by presence or other relief; yea, the more

sinful, the more weak, and so the more unable will they be to make

resistance when we shall make our assault upon them to swallow them up.

Yea, that may cause that their mighty Shaddai himself may cast them out

of his protection; yea, and send for his captains and soldiers home, with

his slings and rams, and leave them naked and bare; and then the town of

Mansoul will of itself open to us, and fall as the fig into the mouth of

the eater. Yea, to be sure that we then with a great deal of ease shall

come upon her and overcome her.

‘As to the time of our coming upon Mansoul, we, as yet, have not fully

resolved upon that, though at present some of us think as you, that a

market-day, or a market-day at night, will certainly be the best.

However, do you be ready, and when you shall hear our roaring drum

without, do you be as busy to make the most horrible confusion within.

So shall Mansoul certainly be distressed before and behind, and shall not

know which way to betake herself for help. My Lord Lucifer, my Lord

Beelzebub, my Lord Apollyon, my Lord Legion, with the rest, salute you,

as does also my Lord Diabolus; and we wish both you, with all that you

do, or shall possess, the very self-same fruit and success for their

doing as we ourselves at present enjoy for ours.

‘From our dreadful confines in the most fearful pit, we salute you, and

so do those many legions here with us, wishing you may be as hellishly

prosperous as we desire to be ourselves. By the letter-carrier, Mr.

Profane.’

Then Mr. Profane addressed himself for his return to Mansoul, with his

errand from the horrible pit to the Diabolonians that dwelt in that town.

So he came up the stairs from the deep to the mouth of the cave where

Cerberus was. Now when Cerberus saw him, he asked how did matters go

below, about and against the town of Mansoul.

_Prof._ Things go as well as we can expect. The letter that I carried

thither was highly approved, and well liked by all my lords, and I am

returning to tell our Diabolonians so. I have an answer to it here in my

bosom, that I am sure will make our masters that sent me glad; for the

contents thereof are to encourage them to pursue their design to the

utmost, and to be ready also to fall on within, when they shall see my

Lord Diabolus beleaguering the town of Mansoul.

_Cerb._ But does he intend to go against them himself?

_Prof._ Does he! Ay! and he will take along with him more than twenty

thousand, all sturdy Doubters, and men of war, picked men from the land

of Doubting, to serve him in the expedition.

Then was Cerberus glad, and said, ‘And is there such brave preparations

a-making to go against the miserable town of Mansoul? And would I might

be put at the head of a thousand of them, that I might also show my

valour against the famous town of Mansoul.’

_Prof._ Your wish may come to pass; you look like one that has mettle

enough, and my lord will have with him those that are valiant and stout.

But my business requires haste.

_Cerb._ Ay, so it does. Speed thee to the town of Mansoul, with all the

deepest mischiefs that this place can afford thee. And when thou shalt

come to the house of Mr. Mischief, the place where the Diabolonians meet

to plot, tell them that Cerberus doth wish them his service, and that if

he may, he will with the army come up against the famous town of Mansoul.

_Prof._ That I will. And I know that my lords that are there will be

glad to hear it, and to see you also.

So after a few more such kind of compliments, Mr. Profane took his leave

of his friend Cerberus; and Cerberus again, with a thousand of their

pit-wishes, bid him haste, with all speed, to his masters. The which

when he had heard, he made obeisance, and began to gather up his heels to

run.

Thus, therefore, he returned, and went and came to Mansoul; and going, as

afore, to the house of Mr. Mischief, there he found the Diabolonians

assembled, and waiting for his return. Now when he was come, and had

presented himself, he also delivered to them his letter, and adjoined

this compliment to them therewith: ‘My lords, from the confines of the

pit, the high and mighty principalities and powers of the den salute you

here, the true Diabolonians of the town of Mansoul. Wishing you always

the most proper of their benedictions, for the great service, high

attempts, and brave achievements that you have put yourselves upon, for

the restoring to our prince Diabolus the famous town of Mansoul.’

This was therefore the present state of the miserable town of Mansoul:

she had offended her Prince, and he was gone; she had encouraged the

powers of hell, by her foolishness, to come against her to seek her utter

destruction.

True, the town of Mansoul was somewhat made sensible of her sin, but the

Diabolonians were gotten into her bowels; she cried, but Emmanuel was

gone, and her cries did not fetch him as yet again. Besides, she knew

not now whether, ever or never, he would return and come to his Mansoul

again; nor did they know the power and industry of the enemy, nor how

forward they were to put in execution that plot of hell that they had

devised against her.

They did, indeed, still send petition after petition to the Prince, but

he answered all with silence. They did neglect reformation, and that was

as Diabolus would have it; for he knew, if they regarded iniquity in

their heart, their King would not hear their prayer; they therefore did

still grow weaker and weaker, and were as a rolling thing before the

whirlwind. They cried to their King for help, and laid Diabolonians in

their bosoms: what therefore should a King do to them? Yea, there seemed

now to be a mixture in Mansoul; the Diabolonians and the Mansoulians

would walk the streets together. Yea, they began to seek their peace;

for they thought that, since the sickness had been so mortal in Mansoul,

it was in vain to go to handygripes with them. Besides, the weakness of

Mansoul was the strength of their enemies; and the sins of Mansoul, the

advantage of the Diabolonians. The foes of Mansoul did also now begin to

promise themselves the town for a possession: there was no great

difference now betwixt Mansoulians and Diabolonians: both seemed to be

masters of Mansoul. Yea, the Diabolonians increased and grew, but the

town of Mansoul diminished greatly. There were more than eleven thousand

men, women, and children that died by the sickness in Mansoul.

But now, as Shaddai would have it, there was one whose name was Mr.

Prywell, a great lover of the people of Mansoul. And he, as his manner

was, did go listening up and down in Mansoul to see, and to hear, if at

any time he might, whether there was any design against it or no. For he

was always a jealous man, and feared some mischief sometime would befal

it, either from the Diabolonians within, or from some power without. Now

upon a time it so happened, as Mr. Prywell went listening here and there,

that he lighted upon a place called Vilehill, in Mansoul, where

Diabolonians used to meet; so hearing a muttering, (you must know that it

was in the night,) he softly drew near to hear; nor had he stood long

under the house-end, (for there stood a house there,) but he heard one

confidently affirm, that it was not, or would not be long before Diabolus

should possess himself again of Mansoul; and that then the Diabolonians

did intend to put all Mansoulians to the sword, and would kill and

destroy the King’s captains, and drive all his soldiers out of the town.

He said, moreover, that he knew there were above twenty thousand fighting

men prepared by Diabolus for the accomplishing of this design, and that

it would not be months before they all should see it.

When Mr. Prywell had heard this story, he did quickly believe it was

true: wherefore he went forthwith to my Lord Mayor’s house, and

acquainted him therewith; who, sending for the subordinate preacher,

brake the business to him; and he as soon gave the alarm to the town; for

he was now the chief preacher in Mansoul, because, as yet, my Lord

Secretary was ill at ease. And this was the way that the subordinate

preacher did take to alarm the town therewith. The same hour he caused

the lecture bell to be rung; so the people came together: he gave them

then a short exhortation to watchfulness, and made Mr. Prywell’s news the

argument thereof. ‘For,’ said he, ‘an horrible plot is contrived against

Mansoul, even to massacre us all in a day, nor is this story to be

slighted; for Mr. Prywell is the author thereof. Mr. Prywell was always

a lover of Mansoul, a sober and judicious man, a man that is no tattler,

nor raiser of false reports, but one that loves to look into the very

bottom of matters, and talks nothing of news, but by very solid

arguments.

‘I will call him, and you shall hear him your own selves;’ so he called

him, and he came and told his tale so punctually, and affirmed its truth

with such ample grounds, that Mansoul fell presently under a conviction

of the truth of what he said. The preacher did also back him, saying,

‘Sirs, it is not irrational for us to believe it, for we have provoked

Shaddai to anger, and have sinned Emmanuel out of the town; we have had

too much correspondence with Diabolonians, and have forsaken our former

mercies: no marvel then, if the enemy both within and without should

design and plot our ruin; and what time like this to do it? The sickness

is now in the town, and we have been made weak thereby. Many a good

meaning man is dead, and the Diabolonians of late grow stronger and

stronger.

‘Besides,’ quoth the subordinate preacher, ‘I have received from this

good truth-teller this one inkling further, that he understood by those

that he overheard, that several letters have lately passed between the

furies and the Diabolonians in order to our destruction.’ When Mansoul

heard all this, and not being able to gainsay it, they lift up their

voice and wept. Mr. Prywell did also, in the presence of the townsmen,

confirm all that their subordinate preacher had said. Wherefore they now

set afresh to bewail their folly, and to a doubling of petitions to

Shaddai and his Son. They also brake the business to the captains, high

commanders, and men of war in the town of Mansoul, entreating them to use

the means to be strong, and to take good courage; and that they would

look after their harness, and make themselves ready to give Diabolus

battle by night and by day, shall he come, as they are informed he will,

to beleaguer the town of Mansoul.

When the captains heard this, they being always true lovers of the town

of Mansoul, what do they but like so many Samsons they shake themselves,

and come together to consult and contrive how to defeat those bold and

hellish contrivances that were upon the wheel by the means of Diabolus

and his friends against the now sickly, weakly, and much impoverished

town of Mansoul; and they agreed upon these following particulars:—

1. That the gates of Mansoul should be kept shut, and made fast with bars

and locks, and that all persons that went out, or came in, should be very

strictly examined by the captains of the guards, ‘to the end,’ said they,

‘that those that are managers of the plot amongst us, may, either coming

or going, be taken; and that we may also find out who are the great

contrivers, amongst us, of our ruin.’

2. The next thing was, that a strict search should be made for all kind

of Diabolonians throughout the whole town of Mansoul; and that every

man’s house from top to bottom should be looked into, and that, too,

house by house, that if possible a further discovery might be made of all

such among them as had a hand in these designs.

3. It was further concluded upon, that wheresoever or with whomsoever any

of the Diabolonians were found, that even those of the town of Mansoul

that had given them house and harbour, should to their shame, and the

warning of others, take penance in the open place.

4. It was, moreover, resolved by the famous town of Mansoul, that a

public fast, and a day of humiliation, should be kept throughout the

whole corporation, to the justifying of their Prince, the abasing of

themselves before him for their transgressions against him, and against

Shaddai, his Father. It was further resolved, that all such in Mansoul

as did not on that day endeavour to keep that fast, and to humble

themselves for their faults, but that should mind their worldly employs,

or be found wandering up and down the streets, should be taken for

Diabolonians, and should suffer as Diabolonians for such their wicked

doings.

5. It was further concluded then, that with what speed, and with what

warmth of mind they could, they would renew their humiliation for sin,

and their petitions to Shaddai for help; they also resolved, to send

tidings to the court of all that Mr. Prywell had told them.

6. It was also determined, that thanks should be given by the town of

Mansoul to Mr. Prywell, for his diligent seeking of the welfare of their

town: and further, that forasmuch as he was so naturally inclined to seek

their good, and also to undermine their foes, they gave him a commission

of scout-master-general, for the good of the town of Mansoul.

When the corporation, with their captains, had thus concluded, they did

as they had said; they shut up their gates, they made for Diabolonians

strict search, they made those with whom any were found to take penance

in the open place: they kept their fast, and renewed their petitions to

their Prince, and Mr. Prywell managed his charge and the trust that

Mansoul had put in his hands, with great conscience and good fidelity;

for he gave himself wholly up to his employ, and that not only within the

town, but he went out to pry, to see, and to hear.

And not many days after he provided for his journey, and went towards

Hell-Gate Hill, into the country where the Doubters were, where he heard

of all that had been talked of in Mansoul, and he perceived also that

Diabolus was almost ready for his march, etc. So he came back with

speed, and, calling the captains and elders of Mansoul together, he told

them where he had been, what he had heard, and what he had seen.

Particularly, he told them that Diabolus was almost ready for his march,

and that he had made old Mr. Incredulity, that once brake prison in

Mansoul, the general of his army; that his army consisted all of

Doubters, and that their number was above twenty thousand. He told,

moreover, that Diabolus did intend to bring with him the chief princes of

the infernal pit, and that he would make them chief captains over his

Doubters. He told them, moreover, that it was certainly true that

several of the black den would, with Diabolus, ride reformades to reduce

the town of Mansoul to the obedience of Diabolus, their prince.

He said, moreover, that he understood by the Doubters, among whom he had

been, that the reason why old Incredulity was made general of the whole

army, was because none truer than he to the tyrant; and because he had an

implacable spite against the welfare of the town of Mansoul. Besides,

said he, he remembers the affronts that Mansoul has given him, and he is

resolved to be revenged of them.

But the black princes shall be made high commanders, only Incredulity

shall be over them all; because, which I had almost forgot, he can more

easily, and more dexterously, beleaguer the town of Mansoul, than can any

of the princes besides.

Now, when the captains of Mansoul, with the elders of the town, had heard

the tidings that Mr. Prywell did bring, they thought it expedient,

without further delay, to put into execution the laws that against the

Diabolonians their Prince had made for them, and given them in

commandment to manage against them. Wherefore, forthwith a diligent and

impartial search was made in all houses in Mansoul, for all and all

manner of Diabolonians. Now, in the house of Mr. Mind, and in the house

of the great Lord Willbewill, were two Diabolonians found. In Mr. Mind’s

house was one Lord Covetousness found; but he had changed his name to

Prudent-Thrifty. In my Lord Willbewill’s house, one Lasciviousness was

found; but he had changed his name to Harmless-Mirth. These two the

captains and elders of the town of Mansoul took, and committed them to

custody under the hand of Mr. Trueman, the gaoler; and this man handled

them so severely, and loaded them so well with irons, that in time they

both fell into a very deep consumption, and died in the prison-house;

their masters also, according to the agreement of the captains and

elders, were brought to take penance in the open place to their shame,

and for a warning to the rest of the town of Mansoul.

Now, this was the manner of penance in those days: the persons offending

being made sensible of the evil of their doings, were enjoined open

confession of their faults, and a strict amendment of their lives.

After this, the captains and elders of Mansoul sought yet to find out

more Diabolonians, wherever they lurked, whether in dens, caves, holes,

vaults, or where else they could, in or about the wall or town of

Mansoul. But though they could plainly see their footing, and so follow

them by their track and smell to their holds, even to the mouths of their

caves and dens, yet take them, hold them, and do justice upon them, they

could not; their ways were so crooked, their holds so strong, and they so

quick to take sanctuary there.

But Mansoul did now with so stiff an hand rule over the Diabolonians that

were left, that they were glad to shrink into corners: time was when they

durst walk openly, and in the day; but now they were forced to embrace

privacy and the night: time was when a Mansoulian was their companion;

but now they counted them deadly enemies. This good change did Mr.

Prywell’s intelligence make in the famous town of Mansoul.

By this time, Diabolus had finished his army which he intended to bring

with him for the ruin of Mansoul; and had set over them captains, and

other field officers, such as liked his furious stomach best: himself was

lord paramount, Incredulity was general of his army, their highest

captains shall be named afterwards; but now for their officers, colours,

and scutcheons.

1. Their first captain was Captain Rage: he was captain over the election

doubters, his were the red colours; his standard-bearer was Mr.

Destructive, and the great red dragon he had for his scutcheon.

2. The second captain was Captain Fury: he was captain over the vocation

doubters; his standard-bearer was Mr. Darkness, his colours were those

that were pale, and he had for his scutcheon the fiery flying serpent.

3. The third captain was Captain Damnation: he was captain over the grace

doubters; his were the red colours, Mr. No-Life bare them, and he had for

his scutcheon the black den.

4. The fourth captain was Captain Insatiable; he was captain over the

faith doubters: his were the red colours, Mr. Devourer bare them, and he

had for a scutcheon the yawning jaws.

5. The fifth captain was Captain Brimstone: he was captain over the

perseverance doubters; his also were the red colours, Mr. Burning bare

them, and his scutcheon was the blue and stinking flame.

6. The sixth captain was Captain Torment: he was captain over the

resurrection doubters; his colours were those that were pale; Mr. Gnaw

was his standard-bearer, and he had the black worm for his scutcheon.

7. The seventh captain was Captain No-Ease; he was captain over the

salvation doubters; his were the red colours, Mr. Restless bare them, and

his scutcheon was the ghastly picture of death.

8. The eighth captain was the Captain Sepulchre: he was captain over the

glory doubters; his also were the pale colours, Mr. Corruption was his

standard-bearer, and he had for his scutcheon a skull, and dead men’s

bones.

9. The ninth captain was Captain Past-Hope; he was captain of those that

are called the felicity doubters; his standard-bearer was Mr. Despair;

his also were the red colours, and his scutcheon was a hot iron and the

hard heart.

These were his captains, and these were their forces, these were their

standards, these were their colours, and these were their scutcheons.

Now, over these did the great Diabolus make superior captains, and they

were in number seven: as, namely, the Lord Beelzebub, the Lord Lucifer,

the Lord Legion, the Lord Apollyon, the Lord Python, the Lord Cerberus,

and the Lord Belial; these seven he set over the captains, and

Incredulity was lord-general, and, Diabolus was king. The reformades

also, such as were like themselves, were made some of them captains of

hundreds, and some of them captains of more. And thus was the army of

Incredulity completed.

So they set out at Hell-Gate Hill, for there they had their rendezvous,

from whence they came with a straight course upon their march toward the

town of Mansoul. Now, as was hinted before, the town had, as Shaddai

would have it, received from the mouth of Mr. Prywell the alarm of their

coming before. Wherefore they set a strong watch at the gates, and had

also doubled their guards: they also mounted their slings in good places,

where they might conveniently cast out their great stones to the

annoyance of their furious enemy.

Nor could those Diabolonians that were in the town do that hurt as was

designed they should; for Mansoul was now awake. But alas! poor people,

they were sorely affrighted at the first appearance of their foes, and at

their sitting down before the town, especially when they heard the

roaring of their drum. This, to speak truth, was amazingly hideous to

hear; it frighted all men seven miles round, if they were but awake and

heard it. The streaming of their colours was also terrible and dejecting

to behold.

When Diabolus was come up against the town, first he made his approach to

Ear-gate, and gave it a furious assault, supposing, as it seems, that his

friends in Mansoul had been ready to do the work within; but care was

taken of that before, by the vigilance of the captains. Wherefore,

missing of the help that he expected from them, and finding his army

warmly attended with the stones that the slingers did sling, (for that I

will say for the captains, that considering the weakness that yet was

upon them by reason of the long sickness that had annoyed the town of

Mansoul, they did gallantly behave themselves,) he was forced to make

some retreat from Mansoul, and to entrench himself and his men in the

field without the reach of the slings of the town.

Now having entrenched himself, he did cast up four mounts against the

town: the first he called Mount Diabolus, putting his own name thereon,

the more to affright the town of Mansoul; the other three he called

thus—Mount Alecto, Mount Megara, and Mount Tisiphone; for these are the

names of the dreadful furies of hell. Thus he began to play his game

with Mansoul, and to serve it as doth the lion his prey, even to make it

fall before his terror. But, as I said, the captains and soldiers

resisted so stoutly, and did do such execution with their stones, that

they made him, though against stomach, to retreat, wherefore Mansoul

began to take courage.

Now upon Mount Diabolus, which was raised on the north side of the town,

there did the tyrant set up his standard, and a fearful thing it was to

behold; for he had wrought in it by devilish art, after the manner of a

scutcheon, a flaming flame fearful to behold, and the picture of Mansoul

burning in it.

When Diabolus had thus done, he commanded that his drummer should every

night approach the walls of the town of Mansoul, and so to beat a parley;

the command was to do it at nights, for in the daytime they annoyed him

with their slings; for the tyrant said, that he had a mind to parley with

the now trembling town of Mansoul, and he commanded that the drums should

beat every night, that through weariness they might at last, if possible,

(at the first they were unwilling yet,) be forced to do it.

So this drummer did as commanded: he arose, and did beat his drum. But

when his drum did go, if one looked toward the town of Mansoul, ‘Behold

darkness and sorrow, and the light was darkened in the heaven thereof.’

No noise was ever heard upon earth more terrible, except the voice of

Shaddai when he speaketh. But how did Mansoul tremble! it now looked for

nothing but forthwith to be swallowed up.

When this drummer had beaten for a parley, he made this speech to

Mansoul: ‘My master has bid me tell you, that if you will willingly

submit, you shall have the good of the earth; but if you shall be

stubborn, he is resolved to take you by force.’ But by that the fugitive

had done beating his drum, the people of Mansoul had betaken themselves

to the captains that were in the castle, so that there was none to

regard, nor to give this drummer an answer; so he proceeded no further

that night, but returned again to his master to the camp.

When Diabolus saw that by drumming he could not work out Mansoul to his

will, the next night he sendeth his drummer without his drum, still to

let the townsmen know that he had a mind to parley with them. But when

all came to all, his parley was turned into a summons to the town to

deliver up themselves: but they gave him neither heed nor hearing: for

they remembered what at first it cost them to hear him a few words.

The next night he sends again, and then who should be his messenger to

Mansoul but the terrible Captain Sepulchre; so Captain Sepulchre came up

to the walls of Mansoul, and made this oration to the town:—

‘O ye inhabitants of the rebellious town of Mansoul! I summon you in the

name of the Prince Diabolus, that, without any more ado, you set open the

gates of your town, and admit the great lord to come in. But if you

shall still rebel, when we have taken to us the town by force, we will

swallow you up as the grave; wherefore if you will hearken to my summons,

say so, and if not then let me know.

‘The reason of this my summons,’ quoth he, ‘is, for that my lord is your

undoubted prince and lord, as you yourselves have formerly owned. Nor

shall that assault that was given to my lord, when Emmanuel dealt so

dishonourably by him, prevail with him to lose his right, and to forbear

to attempt to recover his own. Consider, then, O Mansoul, with thyself,

wilt thou show thyself peaceable, or no? If thou shalt quietly yield up

thyself, then our old friendship shall be renewed; but if thou shalt yet

refuse and rebel, then expect nothing but fire and sword.’

When the languishing town of Mansoul had heard this summoner and his

summons, they were yet more put to their dumps, but made to the captain

no answer at all; so away he went as he came.

But, after some consultation among themselves, as also with some of their

captains, they applied themselves afresh to the Lord Secretary for

counsel and advice from him; for this Lord Secretary was their chief

preacher, (as also is mentioned some pages before,) only now he was ill

at ease; and of him they begged favour in these two or three things—

1. That he would look comfortably upon them, and not keep himself so much

retired from them as formerly. Also, that he would be prevailed with to

give them a hearing, while they should make known their miserable

condition to him. But to this he told them as before, that ‘as yet he

was but ill at ease, and therefore could not do as he had formerly done.’

2. The second thing that they desired was, that he would be pleased to

give them his advice about their now so important affairs, for that

Diabolus was come and set down before the town with no less than twenty

thousand doubters. They said, moreover, that both he and his captains

were cruel men, and that they were afraid of them. But to this he said,

‘You must look to the law of the Prince, and there see what is laid upon

you to do.’

3. Then they desired that his highness would help them to frame a

petition to Shaddai, and unto Emmanuel his Son, and that he would set his

own hand thereto as a token that he was one with them in it: ‘For,’ said

they, ‘my Lord, many a one have we sent, but can get no answer of peace;

but now, surely, one with thy hand unto it may obtain good for Mansoul.’

But all the answer that he gave to this was, ‘that they had offended

their Emmanuel, and had also grieved himself, and that therefore they

must as yet partake of their own devices.’

This answer of the Lord Secretary fell like a millstone upon them; yea,

it crushed them so that they could not tell what to do; yet they durst

not comply with the demands of Diabolus, nor with the demands of his

captain. So then here were the straits that the town of Mansoul was

betwixt, when the enemy came upon her: her foes were ready to swallow her

up, and her friends did forbear to help her.

Then stood up my Lord Mayor, whose name was my Lord Understanding, and he

began to pick and pick, until he had picked comfort out of that seemingly

bitter saying of the Lord Secretary; for thus he descanted upon it:

‘First,’ said he, ‘this unavoidably follows upon the saying of my Lord,

“that we must yet suffer for our sins.” Secondly, But,’ quoth he, ‘the

words yet sound as if at last we should be saved from our enemies, and

that after a few more sorrows, Emmanuel will come and be our help.’ Now

the Lord Mayor was the more critical in his dealing with the Secretary’s

words, because my lord was more than a prophet, and because none of his

words were such, but that at all times they were most exactly

significant; and the townsmen were allowed to pry into them, and to

expound them to their best advantage.

So they took their leaves of my lord, and returned, and went, and came to

the captains, to whom they did tell what my Lord High Secretary had said;

who, when they had heard it, were all of the same opinion as was my Lord

Mayor himself. The captains, therefore, began to take some courage unto

them, and to prepare to make some brave attempt upon the camp of the

enemy, and to destroy all that were Diabolonians, with the roving

doubters that the tyrant had brought with him to destroy the poor town of

Mansoul.

So all betook themselves forthwith to their places—the Captains to

theirs, the Lord Mayor to his, the subordinate preacher to his, and my

Lord Willbewill to his. The captains longed to be at some work for their

prince; for they delighted in warlike achievements. The next day,

therefore, they came together and consulted; and after consultation had,

they resolved to give an answer to the captain of Diabolus with slings;

and so they did at the rising of the sun on the morrow; for Diabolus had

adventured to come nearer again, but the sling-stones were to him and his

like hornets. For as there is nothing to the town of Mansoul so terrible

as the roaring of Diabolus’s drum, so there is nothing to Diabolus so

terrible as the well playing of Emmanuel’s slings. Wherefore Diabolus

was forced to make another retreat, yet further off from the famous town

of Mansoul. Then did the Lord Mayor of Mansoul cause the bells to be

rung, ‘and that thanks should be sent to the Lord High Secretary by the

mouth of the subordinate preacher; for that by his words the captains and

elders of Mansoul had been strengthened against Diabolus.’

When Diabolus saw that his captains and soldiers, high lords and

renowned, were frightened, and beaten down by the stones that came from

the golden slings of the Prince of the town of Mansoul, he bethought

himself, and said, ‘I will try to catch them by fawning, I will try to

flatter them into my net.’

Wherefore, after a while, he came down again to the wall, not now with

his drum, nor with Captain Sepulchre; but having all besugared his lips,

he seemed to be a very sweet-mouthed, peaceable prince, designing nothing

for humour’s sake, nor to be revenged on Mansoul for injuries by them

done to him; but the welfare, and good, and advantage of the town and

people therein was now, as he said, his only design. Wherefore, after he

had called for audience, and desired that the townsfolk would give it to

him, he proceeded in his oration, and said:—

‘Oh, the desire of my heart, the famous town of Mansoul! how many nights

have I watched, and how many weary steps have I taken, if perhaps I might

do thee good! Far be it, far be it from me to desire to make a war upon

you; if ye will but willingly and quietly deliver up yourselves unto me.

You know that you were mine of old. Remember also, that so long as you

enjoyed me for your lord, and that I enjoyed you for my subjects, you

wanted for nothing of all the delights of the earth, that I, your lord

and prince, could get for you, or that I could invent to make you bonny

and blithe withal. Consider, you never had so many hard, dark,

troublesome, and heart-afflicting hours, while you were mine, as you have

had since you revolted from me; nor shall you ever have peace again,

until you and I become one as before. But, be but prevailed with to

embrace me again, and I will grant, yea, enlarge your old charter with

abundance of privileges; so that your license and liberty shall be to

take, hold, enjoy, and make your own all that is pleasant from the east

to the west. Nor shall any of those incivilities, wherewith you have

offended me, be ever charged upon you by me, so long as the sun and moon

endure. Nor shall any of those dear friends of mine that now, for the

fear of you, lie lurking in dens, and holes, and caves in Mansoul, be

hurtful to you any more; yea, they shall be your servants, and shall

minister unto you of their substance, and of whatever shall come to hand.

I need speak no more; you know them, and have sometime since been much

delighted in their company. Why, then, should we abide at such odds?

Let us renew our old acquaintance and friendship again.

‘Bear with your friend; I take the liberty at this time to speak thus

freely unto you. The love that I have to you presses me to do it, as

also does the zeal of my heart for my friends with you: put me not

therefore to further trouble, nor yourselves to further fears and

frights. Have you I will, in a way of peace or war; nor do you flatter

yourselves with the power and force of your captains, or that your

Emmanuel will shortly come in to your help; for such strength will do you

no pleasure.

‘I am come against you with a stout and valiant army, and all the chief

princes of the den are even at the head of it. Besides, my captains are

swifter than eagles, stronger than lions, and more greedy of prey than

are the evening wolves. What is Og of Bashan! what is Goliath of Gath!

and what are an hundred more of them, to one of the least of my captains!

How, then, shall Mansoul think to escape my hand and force?’

Diabolus having thus handed his flattering, fawning, deceitful, and lying

speech to the famous town of Mansoul, the Lord Mayor replied to him as

follows: ‘O Diabolus, prince of darkness, and master of all deceit; thy

lying flatteries we have had and made sufficient probation of, and have

tasted too deeply of that destructive cup already. Should we therefore

again hearken unto thee, and so break the commandments of our great

Shaddai, to join in affinity with thee, would not our Prince reject us,

and cast us off for ever? And, being cast off by him, can the place that

he has prepared for thee be a place of rest for us? Besides, O thou that

art empty and void of all truth, we are rather ready to die by thy hand,

than to fall in with thy flattering and lying deceits.’

When the tyrant saw that there was little to be got by parleying with my

Lord Mayor, he fell into an hellish rage, and resolved that again, with

his army of doubters, he would another time assault the town of Mansoul.

So he called for his drummer, who beat up for his men (and while he did

beat, Mansoul did shake) to be in a readiness to give battle to the

corporation: then Diabolus drew near with his army, and thus disposed of

his men. Captain Cruel and Captain Torment, these he drew up and placed

against Feel-gate, and commanded them to sit down there for the war. And

he also appointed that, if need were, Captain No-Ease should come in to

their relief. At Nose-gate he placed the Captain Brimstone and Captain

Sepulchre, and bid them look well to their ward, on that side of the town

of Mansoul. But at Eye-gate he placed that grim-faced one, the Captain

Past-Hope, and there also now he did set up his terrible standard.

Now Captain Insatiable, he was to look to the carriages of Diabolus, and

was also appointed to take into custody that, or those persons and

things, that should at any time as prey be taken from the enemy.

Now Mouth-gate the inhabitants of Mansoul kept for a sally-port;

wherefore that they kept strong; for that it was it by and out at which

the townsfolk did send their petitions to Emmanuel their Prince. That

also was the gate from the top of which the captains did play their

slings at the enemies; for that gate stood somewhat ascending, so that

the placing of them there, and the letting of them fly from that place,

did much execution against the tyrant’s army. Wherefore, for these

causes, with others, Diabolus sought, if possible, to land up Mouth-gate

with dirt.

Now, as Diabolus was busy and industrious in preparing to make his

assault upon the town of Mansoul, without, so the captains and soldiers

in the corporation were as busy in preparing within; they mounted their

slings, they set up their banners, they sounded their trumpets, and put

themselves in such order as was judged most for the annoyance of the

enemy, and for the advantage of Mansoul, and gave to their soldiers

orders to be ready at the sound of the trumpet for war. The Lord

Willbewill also, he took the charge of watching against the rebels

within, and to do what he could to take them while without, or to stifle

them within their caves, dens, and holes in the town-wall of Mansoul.

And, to speak the truth of him, ever since he took penance for his fault,

he has showed as much honesty and bravery of spirit as any he in Mansoul;

for he took one Jolly, and his brother Griggish, the two sons of his

servant Harmless-Mirth, (for to that day, though the father was committed

to ward, the sons had a dwelling in the house of my lord,)—I say, he took

them, and with his own hands put them to the cross. And this was the

reason why he hanged them up: after their father was put into the hands

of Mr. True-Man the gaoler, they, his sons, began to play his pranks, and

to be ticking and toying with the daughters of their lord; nay, it was

jealoused that they were too familiar with them, the which was brought to

his lordship’s ear. Now his lordship being unwilling unadvisedly to put

any man to death, did not suddenly fall upon them, but set watch and

spies to see if the thing was true; of the which he was soon informed,

for his two servants, whose names were Find-Out and Tell-All, catched

them together in uncivil manner more than once or twice, and went and

told their lord. So when my Lord Willbewill had sufficient ground to

believe the thing was true, he takes the two young Diabolonians, (for

such they were, for their father was a Diabolonian born,) and has them to

Eye-gate, where he raised a very high cross, just in the face of

Diabolus, and of his army, and there he hanged the young villains, in

defiance to Captain Past-Hope, and of the horrible standard of the

tyrant.

Now this Christian act of the brave Lord Willbewill did greatly abash

Captain Past-Hope, discouraged the army of Diabolus, put fear into the

Diabolonian runagates in Mansoul, and put strength and courage into the

captains that belonged to Emmanuel, the Prince; for they without did

gather, and that by this very act of my Lord, that Mansoul was resolved

to fight, and that the Diabolonians within the town could not do such

things as Diabolus had hopes they would. Nor was this the only proof of

the brave Lord Willbewill’s honesty to the town, nor of his loyalty to

his Prince, as will afterwards appear.

Now, when the children of Prudent-Thrifty, who dwelt with Mr. Mind, (for

Thrift left children with Mr. Mind, when he was also committed to prison,

and their names were Gripe and Rake-All; these he begat of Mr. Mind’s

bastard daughter, whose name was Mrs. Hold-fast-Bad;)—I say, when his

children perceived how the Lord Willbewill had served them that dwelt

with him, what do they but, lest they should drink of the same cup,

endeavour to make their escape. But Mr. Mind, being wary of it, took

them and put them in hold in his house till morning; (for this was done

over night;) and remembering that by the law of Mansoul all Diabolonians

were to die, (and to be sure they were at least by father’s side such,

and some say by mother’s side too,) what does he but takes them and puts

them in chains, and carries them to the selfsame place where my lord

hanged his two before, and there he hanged them.

The townsmen also took great encouragement at this act of Mr. Mind, and

did what they could to have taken some more of these Diabolonian

troublers of Mansoul; but at that time the rest lay so squat and close,

that they could not be apprehended; so they set against them a diligent

watch, and went every man to his place.

I told you a little before, that Diabolus and his army were somewhat

abashed and discouraged at the sight of what my Lord Willbewill did, when

he hanged up those two young Diabolonians; but his discouragement quickly

turned itself into furious madness and rage against the town of Mansoul,

and fight it he would. Also the townsmen and captains within, they had

their hopes and their expectations heightened, believing at last the day

would be theirs; so they feared them the less. Their subordinate

preacher, too, made a sermon about it; and he took that theme for his

text, ‘Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the

last.’ Whence he showed, that though Mansoul should be sorely put to it

at the first, yet the victory should most certainly be Mansoul’s at the

last.

So Diabolus commanded that his drummer should beat a charge against the

town; and the captains also that were in the town sounded a charge

against them, but they had no drum: they were trumpets of silver with

which they sounded against them. Then they which were of the camp of

Diabolus came down to the town to take it, and the captains in the

castle, with the slingers at Mouth-gate, played upon them amain. And now

there was nothing heard in the camp of Diabolus but horrible rage and

blasphemy; but in the town good words, prayer, and singing of psalms.

The enemy replied with horrible objections, and the terribleness of their

drum; but the town made answer with the slapping of their slings, and the

melodious noise of their trumpets. And thus the fight lasted for several

days together, only now and then they had some small intermission, in the

which the townsmen refreshed themselves, and the captains made ready for

another assault.

The captains of Emmanuel were clad in silver armour, and the soldiers in

that which was of proof; the soldiers of Diabolus were clad in iron which

was made to give place to Emmanuel’s engine-shot. In the town, some were

hurt, and some were greatly wounded. Now, the worst of it was, a

chirurgeon was scarce in Mansoul, for that Emmanuel at present was

absent. Howbeit, with the leaves of a tree the wounded were kept from

dying; yet their wounds did greatly putrefy, and some did grievously

stink. Of the townsmen, these were wounded, namely, my Lord Reason; he

was wounded in the head. Another that was wounded was the brave Lord

Mayor; he was wounded in the eye. Another that was wounded was Mr. Mind;

he received his wound about the stomach. The honest subordinate preacher

also, he received a shot not far off the heart but none of these were

mortal.

Many also of the inferior sort were not only wounded but slain outright.

Now, in the camp of Diabolus were wounded and slain a considerable

number; for instance, Captain Rage, he was wounded, and so was Captain

Cruel. Captain Damnation was made to retreat, and to intrench himself

further off of Mansoul. The standard also of Diabolus was beaten down,

and his standard-bearer, Captain Much-Hurt, had his brains beat out with

a sling-stone, to the no little grief and shame of his prince Diabolus.

Many also of the doubters were slain outright, though enough of them were

left alive to make Mansoul shake and totter. Now the victory that day

being turned to Mansoul, did put great valour into the townsmen and

captains, and did cover Diabolus’s camp with a cloud, but withal it made

them far more furious. So the next day Mansoul rested, and commanded

that the bells should be rung; the trumpets also joyfully sounded, and

the captains shouted round the town.

My Lord Willbewill also was not idle, but did notable service within

against the domestics, or the Diabolonians that were in the town, not

only by keeping them in awe, for he lighted on one at last whose name was

Mr. Anything, a fellow of whom mention was made before; for it was he, if

you remember, that brought the three fellows to Diabolus, whom the

Diabolonians took out of Captain Boanerges’s companies, and that

persuaded them to list themselves under the tyrant, to fight against the

army of Shaddai. My Lord Willbewill did also take a notable Diabolonian,

whose name was Loose-Foot: this Loose-Foot was a scout to the vagabonds

in Mansoul, and that did use to carry tidings out of Mansoul to the camp,

and out of the camp to those of the enemies in Mansoul. Both these my

lord sent away safe to Mr. True-Man, the gaoler, with a commandment to

keep them in irons; for he intended then to have them out to be

crucified, when it would be for the best to the corporation, and most for

the discouragement of the camp of the enemies.

My Lord Mayor also, though he could not stir about so much as formerly,

because of the wound that he lately received, yet gave he out orders to

all that were the natives of Mansoul, to look to their watch, and stand

upon their guard, and, as occasion should offer, to prove themselves men.

Mr. Conscience, the preacher, he also did his utmost to keep all his good

documents alive upon the hearts of the people of Mansoul.

Well, awhile after, the captains and stout ones of the town of Mansoul

agreed and resolved upon a time to make a sally out upon the camp of

Diabolus, and this must be done in the night; and there was the folly of

Mansoul, (for the night is always the best for the enemy, but the worst

for Mansoul to fight in,) but yet they would do it, their courage was so

high; their last victory also still stuck in their memories.

So the night appointed being come, the Prince’s brave captains cast lots

who should lead the van in this new and desperate expedition against

Diabolus, and against his Diabolonian army; and the lot fell to Captain

Credence, to Captain Experience, and to Captain Good-Hope, to lead the

forlorn hope. (This Captain Experience the Prince created such when

himself did reside in the town of Mansoul.) So, as I said, they made

their sally out upon the army that lay in the siege against them; and

their hap was to fall in with the main body of their enemies. Now

Diabolus and his men being expertly accustomed to night-work, took the

alarm presently, and were as ready to give them battle, as if they had

sent them word of their coming. Wherefore to it they went amain, and

blows were hard on every side; the hell drum also was beat most

furiously, while the trumpets of the Prince most sweetly sounded. And

thus the battle was joined; and Captain Insatiable looked to the enemy’s

carriages, and waited when he should receive some prey.

The Prince’s captains fought it stoutly, beyond what indeed could be

expected they should; they wounded many; they made the whole army of

Diabolus to make a retreat. But I cannot tell how, but the brave Captain

Credence, Captain Good-Hope, and Captain Experience, as they were upon

the pursuit, cutting down, and following hard after the enemy in the

rear, Captain Credence stumbled and fell, by which fall he caught so

great a hurt, that he could not rise till Captain Experience did help him

up, at which their men were put in disorder. The captain also was so

full of pain, that he could not forbear but aloud to cry out: at this,

the other two captains fainted, supposing that Captain Credence had

received his mortal wound; their men also were more disordered, and had

no list to fight. Now Diabolus being very observing, though at this time

as yet he was put to the worst, perceiving that a halt was made among the

men that were the pursuers, what does he but, taking it for granted that

the captains were either wounded or dead, he therefore makes at first a

stand, then faces about, and so comes up upon the Prince’s army with as

much of his fury as hell could help him to; and his hap was to fall in

just among the three captains, Captain Credence, Captain Good-Hope, and

Captain Experience, and did cut, wound, and pierce them so dreadfully,

that what through discouragement, what through disorder, and what through

the wounds that they had received, and also the loss of much blood, they

scarce were able, though they had for their power the three best hands in

Mansoul, to get safe into the hold again.

Now, when the body of the Prince’s army saw how these three captains were

put to the worst, they thought it their wisdom to make as safe and good a

retreat as they could, and so returned by the sally-port again; and so

there was an end of this present action. But Diabolus was so flushed

with this night’s work, that he promised himself, in few days, an easy

and complete conquest over the town of Mansoul; wherefore, on the day

following, he comes up to the sides thereof with great boldness, and

demands entrance, and that forthwith they deliver themselves up to his

government. The Diabolonians, too, that were within, they began to be

somewhat brisk, as we shall show afterward.

But the valiant Lord Mayor replied, that what he got he must get by

force; for as long as Emmanuel, their Prince, was alive, (though he at

present was not so with them as they wished,) they should never consent

to yield Mansoul up to another.

And with that the Lord Willbewill stood up, and said, ‘Diabolus, thou

master of the den, and enemy to all that is good, we poor inhabitants of

the town of Mansoul are too well acquainted with thy rule and government,

and with the end of those things that for certain will follow submitting

to thee, to do it. Wherefore though while we were without knowledge we

suffered thee to take us, (as the bird that saw not the snare fell into

the hands of the fowler,) yet since we have been turned from darkness to

light, we have also been turned from the power of Satan to God. And

though through thy subtlety, and also the subtlety of the Diabolonians

within, we have sustained much loss, and also plunged ourselves into much

perplexity, yet give up ourselves, lay down our arms, and yield to so

horrid a tyrant as thou, we shall not; die upon the place we choose

rather to do. Besides, we have hopes that in time deliverance will come

from court unto us, and therefore we yet will maintain a war against

thee.’

This brave speech of the Lord Willbewill, with that also of the Lord

Mayor, did somewhat abate the boldness of Diabolus, though it kindled the

fury of his rage. It also succoured the townsmen and captains; yea, it

was as a plaster to the brave Captain Credence’s wound; for you must know

that a brave speech now (when the captains of the town with their men of

war came home routed, and when the enemy took courage and boldness at the

success that he had obtained to draw up to the walls, and demand

entrance, as he did) was in season, and also advantageous.

The Lord Willbewill also did play the man within; for while the captains

and soldiers were in the field, he was in arms in the town, and wherever

by him there was a Diabolonian found, they were forced to feel the weight

of his heavy hand, and also the edge of his penetrating sword: many

therefore of the Diabolonians he wounded, as the Lord Cavil, the Lord

Brisk, the Lord Pragmatic, and the Lord Murmur; several also of the

meaner sort he did sorely maim; though there cannot at this time an

account be given you of any that he slew outright. The cause, or rather

the advantage that my Lord Willbewill had at this time to do thus, was

for that the captains were gone out to fight the enemy in the field.

‘For now,’ thought the Diabolonians within, ‘is our time to stir and make

an uproar in the town.’ What do they therefore but quickly get

themselves into a body, and fall forthwith to hurricaning in Mansoul, as

if now nothing but whirlwind and tempest should be there. Wherefore, as

I said, he takes this opportunity to fall in among them with his men,

cutting and slashing with courage that was undaunted; at which the

Diabolonians with all haste dispersed themselves to their holds, and my

lord to his place as before.

This brave act of my lord did somewhat revenge the wrong done by Diabolus

to the captains, and also did let them know that Mansoul was not to be

parted with for the loss of a victory or two; wherefore the wing of the

tyrant was clipped again, as to boasting,—I mean in comparison of what he

would have done, if the Diabolonians had put the town to the same plight

to which he had put the captains.

Well, Diabolus yet resolves to have the other bout with Mansoul. ‘For,’

thought he, ‘since I beat them once, I may beat them twice.’ Wherefore

he commanded his men to be ready at such an hour of the night, to make a

fresh assault upon the town; and he gave it out in special that they

should bend all their force against Feel-gate, and attempt to break into

the town through that. The word that then he did give to his officers

and soldiers was Hell-fire. ‘And,’ said he, ‘if we break in upon them,

as I wish we do, either with some, or with all our force, let them that

break in look to it, that they forget not the word. And let nothing be

heard in the town of Mansoul but, “Hell-fire! Hell-fire! Hell-fire!”’

The drummer was also to beat without ceasing, and the standard-bearers

were to display their colours; the soldiers, too, were to put on what

courage they could, and to see that they played manfully their parts

against the town.

So when night was come, and all things by the tyrant made ready for the

work, he suddenly makes his assault upon Feel-gate, and after he had

awhile struggled there, he throws the gate wide open: for the truth is,

those gates were but weak, and so most easily made to yield. When

Diabolus had thus far made his attempt, he placed his captains (namely,

Torment and No-Ease) there; so he attempted to press forward, but the

Prince’s captains came down upon him, and made his entrance more

difficult than he desired. And, to speak truth, they made what

resistance they could; but the three of their best and most valiant

captains being wounded, and by their wounds made much incapable of doing

the town that service they would, (and all the rest having more than

their hands full of the doubters, and their captains that did follow

Diabolus,) they were overpowered with force, nor could they keep them out

of the town. Wherefore the Prince’s men and their captains betook

themselves to the castle, as to the stronghold of the town: and this they

did partly for their own security, partly for the security of the town,

and partly, or rather chiefly, to preserve to Emmanuel the

prerogative-royal of Mansoul; for so was the castle of Mansoul.

The captains therefore being fled into the castle, the enemy, without

much resistance, possess themselves of the rest of the town, and

spreading themselves as they went into every corner, they cried out as

they marched, according to the command of the tyrant, ‘Hell-fire!

Hell-fire! Hell-fire!’ so that nothing for a while throughout the town of

Mansoul could be heard but the direful noise of ‘Hell-fire!’ together

with the roaring of Diabolus’s drum. And now did the clouds hang black

over Mansoul, nor to reason did anything but ruin seem to attend it.

Diabolus also quartered his soldiers in the houses of the inhabitants of

the town of Mansoul. Yea, the subordinate preacher’s house was as full

of these outlandish doubters as ever it could hold, and so was my Lord

Mayor’s, and my Lord Willbewill’s also. Yea, where was there a corner, a

cottage, a barn, or a hogstye, that now was not full of these vermin?

Yea, they turned the men of the town out of their houses, and would lie

in their beds, and sit at their tables themselves. Ah, poor Mansoul! now

thou feelest the fruits of sin, yea, what venom was in the flattering

words of Mr. Carnal-Security! They made great havoc of whatever they

laid their hands on; yea, they fired the town in several places; many

young children also were by them dashed in pieces; and those that were

yet unborn they destroyed in their mothers’ wombs: for you must needs

think that it could not now be otherwise; for what conscience, what pity,

what bowels of compassion can any expect at the hands of outlandish

doubters? Many in Mansoul that were women, both young and old, they

forced, ravished, and beastlike abused, so that they swooned, miscarried,

and many of them died, and so lay at the top of every street, and in all

by-places of the town.

And now did Mansoul seem to be nothing but a den of dragons, an emblem of

hell, and a place of total darkness. Now did Mansoul lie almost like the

barren wilderness; nothing but nettles, briars, thorns, weeds, and

stinking things seemed now to cover the face of Mansoul. I told you

before, how that these Diabolonian doubters turned the men of Mansoul out

of their beds, and now I will add, they wounded them, they mauled them,

yea, and almost brained many of them. Many did I say, yea most, if not

all of them. Mr. Conscience they so wounded, yea, and his wounds so

festered, that he could have no ease day nor night, but lay as if

continually upon a rack; but that Shaddai rules all, certainly they had

slain him outright. Mr. Lord Mayor they so abused that they almost put

out his eyes; and had not my Lord Willbewill got into the castle, they

intended to have chopped him all to pieces; for they did look upon him,

as his heart now stood, to be one of the very worst that was in Mansoul

against Diabolus and his crew. And indeed he hath shown himself a man,

and more of his exploits you will hear of afterwards.

Now, a man might have walked for days together in Mansoul, and scarcely

have seen one in the town that looked like a religious man. Oh, the

fearful state of Mansoul now! now every corner swarmed with outlandish

doubters; red-coats and black-coats walked the town by clusters, and

filled up all the houses with hideous noises, vain songs, lying stories,

and blasphemous language against Shaddai and his Son. Now also those

Diabolonians that lurked in the walls and dens and holes that were in the

town of Mansoul, came forth and showed themselves; yea, walked with open

face in company with the doubters that were in Mansoul. Yea, they had

more boldness now to walk the streets, to haunt the houses, and to show

themselves abroad, than had any of the honest inhabitants of the now

woful town of Mansoul.

But Diabolus and his outlandish men were not at peace in Mansoul; for

they were not there entertained as were the captains and forces of

Emmanuel: the townsmen did browbeat them what they could; nor did they

partake or make stroy of any of the necessaries of Mansoul, but that

which they seized on against the townsmen’s will: what they could, they

hid from them, and what they could not, they had with an ill-will. They,

poor hearts! had rather have had their room than their company; but they

were at present their captives, and their captives for the present they

were forced to be. But, I say, they discountenanced them as much as they

were able, and showed them all the dislike that they could.

The captains also from the castle did hold them in continual play with

their slings, to the chafing and fretting of the minds of the enemies.

True, Diabolus made a great many attempts to have broken open the gates

of the castle, but Mr. Godly-Fear was made the keeper of that; and he was

a man of that courage, conduct, and valour, that it was in vain, as long

as life lasted within him, to think to do that work, though mostly

desired; wherefore all the attempts that Diabolus made against him were

fruitless. I have wished sometimes that that man had had the whole rule

of the town of Mansoul.

Well, this was the condition of the town of Mansoul for about two years

and a half: the body of the town was the seat of war, the people of the

town were driven into holes, and the glory of Mansoul was laid in the

dust. What rest, then, could be to the inhabitants, what peace could

Mansoul have, and what sun could shine upon it? Had the enemy lain so

long without in the plain against the town, it had been enough to have

famished them: but now, when they shall be within, when the town shall be

their tent, their trench and fort against the castle that was in the

town; when the town shall be against the town, and shall serve to be a

defence to the enemies of her strength and life: I say, when they shall

make use of the forts and town-holds to secure themselves in, even till

they shall take, spoil, and demolish the castle,—this was terrible! and

yet this was now the state of the town of Mansoul.

After the town of Mansoul had been in this sad and lamentable condition,

for so long a time as I have told you, and no petitions that they

presented their Prince with, all this while, could prevail, the

inhabitants of the town, namely, the elders and chief of Mansoul,

gathered together, and, after some time spent in condoling their

miserable state and this miserable judgment coming upon them, they agreed

together to draw up yet another petition, and to send it away to Emmanuel

for relief. But Mr. Godly-Fear stood up and answered, that he knew that

his Lord the Prince never did nor ever would receive a petition for these

matters, from the hand of any whoever, unless the Lord Secretary’s hand

was to it; ‘and this,’ quoth he, ‘is the reason that you prevailed not

all this while.’ Then they said they would draw up one, and get the Lord

Secretary’s hand unto it. But Mr. Godly-Fear answered again, that he

knew also that the Lord Secretary would not set his hand to any petition

that himself had not an hand in composing and drawing up. ‘And besides,’

said he, ‘the Prince doth know my Lord Secretary’s hand from all the

hands in the world; wherefore he cannot be deceived by any pretence

whatever. Wherefore my advice is that you go to my Lord, and implore him

to lend you his aid.’ (Now he did yet abide in the castle, where all the

captains and men-at-arms were.)

So they heartily thanked Mr. Godly-Fear, took his counsel, and did as he

had bidden them. So they went and came to my Lord, and made known the

cause of their coming to him; namely, that since Mansoul was in so

deplorable a condition, his Highness would be pleased to undertake to

draw up a petition for them to Emmanuel, the Son of the mighty Shaddai,

and to their King and his Father by him.

Then said the Secretary to them, ‘What petition is it that you would have

me draw up for you?’ But they said, ‘Our Lord knows best the state and

condition of the town of Mansoul; and how we are backslidden and

degenerated from the Prince: thou also knowest who is come up to war

against us, and how Mansoul is now the seat of war. My Lord knows,

moreover, what barbarous usages our men, women, and children have

suffered at their hands; and how our homebred Diabolonians do walk now

with more boldness than dare the townsmen in the streets of Mansoul. Let

our Lord therefore, according to the wisdom of God that is in him, draw

up a petition for his poor servants to our Prince Emmanuel.’ ‘Well,’

said the Lord Secretary, ‘I will draw up a petition for you, and will

also set my hand thereto.’ Then said they, ‘But when shall we call for

it at the hands of our Lord?’ But he answered, ‘Yourselves must be

present at the doing of it; yea, you must put your desires to it. True,

the hand and pen shall be mine, but the ink and paper must be yours; else

how can you say it is your petition? Nor have I need to petition for

myself, because I have not offended.’ He also added as followeth: ‘No

petition goes from me in my name to the Prince, and so to his Father by

him, but when the people that are chiefly concerned therein do join in

heart and soul in the matter, for that must be inserted therein.’

So they did heartily agree with the sentence of the Lord, and a petition

was forthwith drawn up for them. But now, who should carry it? that was

next. But the Secretary advised that Captain Credence should carry it;

for he was a well-spoken man. They therefore called for him, and

propounded to him the business. ‘Well,’ said the captain, ‘I gladly

accept of the motion; and though I am lame, I will do this business for

you with as much speed, and as well as I can.’