A RELATION OF THE HOLY WAR

The Holy War

by John Bunyan

A RELATION OF THE HOLY WAR, THE HOLY WAR by John Bunyan



IN my travels, as I walked through many regions and
countries, it was my chance to happen into that famous
continent of Universe. A very large and spacious country it
is: it lieth between the two poles, and just amidst the four
points of the heavens. It is a place well watered, and
richly adorned with hills and valleys, bravely situate, and
for the most part, at least where I was, very fruitful, also
well peopled, and a very sweet air.

The people are not all of one complexion, nor yet of one
language, mode, or way of religion, but differ as much as, it
is said, do the planets themselves. Some are right, and some
are wrong, even as it happeneth to be in lesser regions.

In this country, as I said, it was my lot to travel; and
there travel I did, and that so long, even till I learned
much of their mother tongue, together with the customs and
manners of them among whom I was. And, to speak truth, I was
much delighted to see and hear many things which I saw and
heard among them; yea, I had, to be sure, even lived and died
a native among them, (so was I taken with them and their
doings,) had not my master sent for me home to his house,
there to do business for him, and to oversee business done.

Now there is in this gallant country of Universe a fair and
delicate town, a corporation called Mansoul; a town for its
building so curious, for its situation so commodious, for its
privileges so advantageous, (I mean with reference to its
origin,) that I may say of it, as was said before of the
continent in which it is placed, There is not its equal under
the whole heaven.

As to the situation of this town, it lieth just between the
two worlds; and the first founder and builder of it, so far
as by the best and most authentic records I can gather, was
one Shaddai; and he built it for his own delight. He made it
the mirror and glory of all that he made, even the top-piece,
beyond anything else that he did in that country. Yea, so
goodly a town was Mansoul when first built, that it is said
by some, the gods, at the setting up thereof, came down to
see it, and sang for joy. And as he made it goodly to
behold, so also mighty to have dominion over all the country
round about. Yea, all were commanded to acknowledge Mansoul
for their metropolitan, all were enjoined to do homage to it.
Aye, the town itself had positive commission and power from
her King to demand service of all, and also to subdue any
that anyways denied to do it.

There was reared up in the midst of this town a most famous
and stately palace; for strength, it might be called a
castle; for pleasantness, a paradise; for largeness, a place
so copious as to contain all the world. This place the King
Shaddai intended but for himself alone, and not another with
him; partly because of his own delights, and partly because
he would not that the terror of strangers should be upon the
town. This place Shaddai made also a garrison of, but
committed the keeping of it only to the men of the town.

The walls of the town were well built, yea, so fast and firm
were they knit and compact together, that, had it not been
for the townsmen themselves, they could not have been shaken
or broken for ever. For here lay the excellent wisdom of him
that builded Mansoul, that the walls could never be broken
down nor hurt by the most mighty adverse potentate, unless
the townsmen gave consent thereto.

This famous town of Mansoul had five gates, in at which to
come, out at which to go; and these were made likewise
answerable to the walls, to wit, impregnable, and such as
could never be opened nor forced but by the will and leave of
those within. The names of the gates were these: Ear-gate,
Eye-gate, Mouth-gate, Nose-gate, and Feel-gate.

Other things there were that belonged to the town of Mansoul,
which if you adjoin to these, will yet give farther
demonstration to all, of the glory and strength of the place.
It had always a sufficiency of provision within its walls; it
had the best, most wholesome, and excellent law that then was
extant in the world. There was not a rascal, rogue, or
traitorous person then within its walls; they were all true
men, and fast joined together; and this, you know, is a great
matter. And to all these, it had always (so long as it had
the goodness to keep true to Shaddai the King) his
countenance, his protection, and it was his delight, etc.

Well, upon a time, there was one Diabolus, a mighty giant,
made an assault upon this famous town of Mansoul, to take it,
and make it his own habitation. This giant was king of the
blacks, and a most raving prince he was. We will, if you
please, first discourse of the origin of this Diabolus, and
then of his taking of this famous town of Mansoul.

This Diabolus is indeed a great and mighty prince, and yet
both poor and beggarly. As to his origin, he was at first
one of the servants of King Shaddai, made, and taken, and put
by him into most high and mighty place; yea, was put into
such principalities as belonged to the best of his
territories and dominions. This Diabolus was made 'son of
the morning,' and a brave place he had of it: it brought him
much glory, and gave him much brightness, an income that
might have contented his Luciferian heart, had it not been
insatiable, and enlarged as hell itself.

Well, he seeing himself thus exalted to greatness and honour,
and raging in his mind for higher state and degree, what doth
he but begins to think with himself how he might be set up as
lord over all, and have the sole power under Shaddai. (Now
that did the King reserve for his Son, yea, and had already
bestowed it upon him.) Wherefore he first consults with
himself what had best to be done; and then breaks his mind to
some other of his companions, to the which they also agreed.
So, in fine, they came to this issue that they should make an
attempt upon the King's Son to destroy him, that the
inheritance might be theirs. Well, to be short, the treason,
as I said, was concluded, the time appointed, the word given,
the rebels rendezvoused, and the assault attempted. Now the
King and his Son being all and always eye, could not but
discern all passages in his dominions; and he, having always
love for his Son as for himself, could not at what he saw but
be greatly provoked and offended: wherefore what does he, but
takes them in the very nick and first trip that they made
towards their design, convicts them of the treason, horrid
rebellion, and conspiracy that they had devised, and now
attempted to put into practice, and casts them altogether out
of all place of trust, benefit, honour, and preferment. This
done, he banishes them the court, turns them down into the
horrible pits, as fast bound in chains, never more to expect
the least favour from his hands, but to abide the judgment
that he had appointed, and that for ever.

Now they being thus cast out of all place of trust, profit,
and honour, and also knowing that they had lost their
prince's favour for ever, (being banished his court, and cast
down to the horrible pits,) you may he sure they would now
add to their former pride what malice and rage against
Shaddai, and against his Son, they could. Wherefore, roving
and ranging in much fury from place to place, if, perhaps,
they might find something that was the King's, by spoiling of
that, to revenge themselves on him; at last they happened
into this spacious country of Universe, and steer their
course towards the town of Mansoul; and considering that that
town was one of the chief works and delights of King Shaddai,
what do they but, after counsel taken, make an assault upon
that. I say, they knew that Mansoul belonged unto Shaddai;
for they were there when he built it and beautified it for
himself. So when they had found the place, they shouted
horribly for joy, and roared on it as a lion upon the prey,
saying, 'Now we have found the prize, and how to be revenged
on King Shaddai for what he hath done to us.' So they sat
down and called a council of war, and considered with
themselves what ways and methods they had best to engage in
for the winning to themselves this famous town of Mansoul,
and these four things were then propounded to be considered
of.

First. Whether they had best all of them to show themselves
in this design to the town of Mansoul.

Secondly. Whether they had best to go and sit down against
Mansoul in their now ragged and beggarly guise.

Thirdly. Whether they had best show to Mansoul their
intentions, and what design they came about, or whether to
assault it with words and ways of deceit.

Fourthly. Whether they had not best to some of their
companions to give out private orders to take the advantage,
if they see one or more of the principal townsmen, to shoot
them, if thereby they shall judge their cause and design will
the better be promoted.

1. It was answered to the first of these proposals in the
negative, to wit, that it would not be best that all should
show themselves before the town, because the appearance of
many of them might alarm and frighten the town; whereas a few
or but one of them was not so likely to do it. And to
enforce this advice to take place it was added further, that
if Mansoul was frighted, or did take the alarm, 'It is
impossible,' said Diabolus (for he spake now), 'that we
should take the town: for that none can enter into it without
its own consent. Let, therefore, but few, or but one,
assault Mansoul; and in mine opinion,' said Diabolus, 'let me
be he.' Wherefore to this they all agreed.

2. And then to the second proposal they came, namely, Whether
they had best go and sit down before Mansoul in their now
ragged and beggarly guise. To which it was answered also in
the negative, By no means; and that because, though the town
of Mansoul had been made to know, and to have to do, before
now, with things that are invisible, they did never as yet
see any of their fellow-creatures in so sad and rascally
condition as they; and this was the advice of that fierce
Alecto. Then said Apollyon, 'The advice is pertinent; for
even one of us appearing to them as we are now, must needs
both beget and multiply such thoughts in them as will both
put them into a consternation of spirit, and necessitate them
to put themselves upon their guard. And if so,' said he,
'then, as my Lord Diabolus said but now, it is in vain for us
to think of taking the town.' Then said that mighty giant
Beelzebub, 'The advice that already is given is safe; for
though the men of Mansoul have seen such things as we once
were, yet hitherto they did never behold such things as we
now are; and it is best, in mine opinion, to come upon them
in such a guise as is common to, and most familiar among
them.' To this, when they had consented, the next thing to
be considered was, in what shape, hue, or guise Diabolus had
best to show himself when he went about to make Mansoul his
own. Then one said one thing, and another the contrary. At
last Lucifer answered, that, in his opinion, it was best that
his lordship should assume the body of some of those
creatures that they of the town had dominion over; 'for,'
quoth he, 'these are not only familiar to them, but, being
under them, they will never imagine that an attempt should by
them be made upon the town; and, to blind all, let him assume
the body of one of those beasts that Mansoul deems to be
wiser than any of the rest.' This advice was applauded of
all: so it was determined that the giant Diabolus should
assume the dragon, for that he was in those days as familiar
with the town of Mansoul as now is the bird with the boy; for
nothing that was in its primitive state was at all amazing to
them. Then they proceeded to the third thing, which was:

3. Whether they had best to show their intentions, or the
design of his coming, to Mansoul, or no. This also was
answered in the negative, because of the weight that was in
the former reasons, to wit, for that Mansoul were a strong
people, a strong people in a strong town, whose wall and
gates were impregnable, (to say nothing of their castle,) nor
can they by any means be won but by their own consent.
'Besides,' said Legion, (for he gave answer to this,) 'a
discovery of our intentions may make them send to their king
for aid; and if that be done, I know quickly what time of day
it will be with us. Therefore let us assault them in all
pretended fairness, covering our intentions with all manner
of lies, flatteries, delusive words; feigning things that
never will be, and promising that to them that they shall
never find. This is the way to win Mansoul, and to make them
of themselves open their gates to us; yea, and to desire us
too to come in to them. And the reason why I think that this
project will do is, because the people of Mansoul now are,
every one, simple and innocent, all honest and true; nor do
they as yet know what it is to be assaulted with fraud,
guile, and hypocrisy. They are strangers to lying and
dissembling lips; wherefore we cannot, if thus we be
disguised, by them at all be discerned; our lies shall go for
true sayings, and our dissimulations for upright dealings.
What we promise them they will in that believe us, especially
if, in all our lies and feigned words, we pretend great love
to them, and that our design is only their advantage and
honour.' Now there was not one bit of a reply against this;
this went as current down as doth the water down a steep
descent. Wherefore they go to consider of the last proposal,
which was:

4. Whether they had not best to give out orders to some of
their company to shoot some one or more of the principal of
the townsmen, if they judge that their cause may be promoted
thereby. This was carried in the affirmative, and the man
that was designed by this stratagem to be destroyed was one
Mr. Resistance, otherwise called Captain Resistance. And a
great man in Mansoul this Captain Resistance was, and a man
that the giant Diabolus and his band more feared than they
feared the whole town of Mansoul besides. Now who should be
the actor to do the murder? That was the next, and they
appointed one Tisiphone, a fury of the lake, to do it.

They thus having ended their council of war, rose up, and
essayed to do as they had determined; they marched towards
Mansoul, but all in a manner invisible, save one, only one;
nor did he approach the town in his own likeness, but under
the shade and in the body of the dragon.

So they drew up and sat down before Ear-gate, for that was
the place of hearing for all without the town, as Eye-gate
was the place of perspection. So, as I said, he came up with
his train to the gate, and laid his ambuscado for Captain
Resistance within bow-shot of the town. This done, the giant
ascended up close to the gate, and called to the town of
Mansoul for audience. Nor took he any with him but one Ill-
pause, who was his orator in all difficult matters. Now, as
I said, he being come up to the gate, (as the manner of those
times was,) sounded his trumpet for audience; at which the
chief of the town of Mansoul, such as my Lord Innocent, my
Lord Willbewill, my Lord Mayor, Mr. Recorder, and Captain
Resistance, came down to the wall to see who was there, and
what was the matter. And my Lord Willbewill, when he had
looked over and saw who stood at the gate, demanded what he
was, wherefore he was come, and why he roused the town of
Mansoul with so unusual a sound.

Diabolus, then, as if he had been a lamb, began his oration,
and said: 'Gentlemen of the famous town of Mansoul, I am, as
you may perceive, no far dweller from you, but near, and one
that is bound by the king to do you my homage and what
service I can; wherefore, that I may be faithful to myself
and to you, I have somewhat of concern to impart unto you.
Wherefore, grant me your audience, and hear me patiently.
And first, I will assure you, it is not myself, but you - not
mine, but your advantage that I seek by what I now do, as
will full well be made manifest, by that I have opened my
mind unto you. For, gentlemen, I am (to tell you the truth)
come to show you how you may obtain great and ample
deliverance from a bondage that, unawares to yourselves, you
are captivated and enslaved under.' At this the town of
Mansoul began to prick up its ears. And 'What is it? Pray
what is it?' thought they. And he said, 'I have somewhat to
say to you concerning your King, concerning his law, and also
touching yourselves. Touching your King, I know he is great
and potent; but yet all that he hath said to you is neither
true nor yet for your advantage. 1. It is not true, for that
wherewith he hath hitherto awed you, shall not come to pass,
nor be fulfilled, though you do the thing that he hath
forbidden. But if there was danger, what a slavery is it to
live always in fear of the greatest of punishments, for doing
so small and trivial a thing as eating of a little fruit is.
2. Touching his laws, this I say further, they are both
unreasonable, intricate, and intolerable. Unreasonable, as
was hinted before; for that the punishment is not
proportioned to the offence: there is great difference and
disproportion between the life and an apple; yet the one must
go for the other by the law of your Shaddai. But it is also
intricate, in that he saith, first, you may eat of all; and
yet after forbids the eating of one. And then, in the last
place, it must needs be intolerable, forasmuch as that fruit
which you are forbidden to eat of (if you are forbidden any)
is that, and that alone, which is able, by your eating, to
minister to you a good as yet unknown by you. This is
manifest by the very name of the tree; it is called the "tree
of knowledge of good and evil;" and have you that knowledge
as yet? No, no; nor can you conceive how good, how pleasant,
and how much to be desired to make one wise it is, so long as
you stand by your King's commandment. Why should you be
holden in ignorance and blindness? Why should you not be
enlarged in knowledge and understanding? And now, O ye
inhabitants of the famous town of Mansoul, to speak more
particularly to yourselves you are not a free people! You
are kept both in bondage and slavery, and that by a grievous
threat; no reason being annexed but, "So I will have it; so
it shall be." And is it not grievous to think on, that that
very thing which you are forbidden to do might you but do it,
would yield you both wisdom and honour? for then your eyes
will be opened, and you shall be as gods. Now, since this is
thus,' quoth he, 'can you be kept by any prince in more
slavery and in greater bondage than you are under this day?
You are made underlings, and are wrapped up in
inconveniences, as I have well made appear. For what bondage
greater than to be kept in blindness? Will not reason tell
you that it is better to have eyes than to be without them?
and so to be at liberty to be better than to be shut up in a
dark and stinking cave?'

And just now, while Diabolus was speaking these words to
Mansoul, Tisiphone shot at Captain Resistance, where he stood
on the gate, and mortally wounded him in the head; so that
he, to the amazement of the townsmen, and the encouragement
of Diabolus, fell down dead quite over the wall. Now, when
Captain Resistance was dead, (and he was the only man of war
in the town,) poor Mansoul was wholly left naked of courage,
nor had she now any heart to resist. But this was as the
devil would have it. Then stood forth he, Mr. Ill-pause,
that Diabolus brought with him, who was his orator; and he
addressed himself to speak to the town of Mansoul; the tenour
of whose speech here follows:-

'Gentlemen,' quoth he, 'it is my master's happiness that he
has this day a quiet and teachable auditory; and it is hoped
by us that we shall prevail with you not to cast off good
advice. My master has a very great love for you; and
although, as he very well knows, that he runs the hazard of
the anger of King Shaddai, yet love to you will make him do
more than that. Nor doth there need that a word more should
be spoken to confirm for truth what he hath said; there is
not a word but carries with it self-evidence in its bowels;
the very name of the tree may put an end to all controversy
in this matter. I therefore, at this time, shall only add
this advice to you, under and by the leave of my lord;' (and
with that he made Diabolus a very low congee;) 'consider his
words, look on the tree and the promising fruit thereof;
remember also that yet you know but little, and that this is
the way to know more: and if your reasons be not conquered to
accept of such good counsel, you are not the men that I took
you to be.'

But when the townsfolk saw that the tree was good for food,
and that it was pleasant to the eye, and a tree to be desired
to make one wise, they did as old Ill-pause advised; they
took and did eat thereof. Now this I should have told you
before, that even then, when this Ill-pause was making his
speech to the townsmen, my Lord Innocency (whether by a shot
from the camp of the giant, or from some sinking qualm that
suddenly took him, or whether by the stinking breath of that
treacherous villain old Ill-pause, for so I am most apt to
think) sunk down in the place where he stood, nor could be
brought to life again. Thus these two brave men died - brave
men, I call them; for they were the beauty and glory of
Mansoul, so long as they lived therein; nor did there now
remain any more a noble spirit in Mansoul; they all fell down
and yielded obedience to Diabolus; and became his slaves and
vassals, as you shall hear.

Now these being dead, what do the rest of the townsfolk, but,
as men that had found a fool's paradise, they presently, as
afore was hinted, fall to prove the truth of the giant's
words. And, first, they did as Ill-pause had taught them;
they looked, they considered they were taken with the
forbidden fruit; they took thereof, and did eat; and having
eaten, they became immediately drunken therewith. So they
open the gate, both Ear-gate and Eye-gate, and let in
Diabolus with all his bands, quite forgetting their good
Shaddai, his law, and the judgment that he had annexed, with
solemn threatening, to the breach thereof.

Diabolus, having now obtained entrance in at the gates of
the town, marches up to the middle thereof, to make his
conquest as sure as he could; and finding, by this time, the
affections of the people warmly inclining to him, he, as
thinking it was best striking while the iron is hot, made
this further deceivable speech unto them, saying, 'Alas, my
poor Mansoul! I have done thee indeed this service, as to
promote thee to honour, and to greaten thy liberty; but,
alas! alas! poor Mansoul, thou wantest now one to defend
thee; for assure thyself that when Shaddai shall hear what is
done, he will come; for sorry will he be that thou hast
broken his bonds, and cast his cords away from thee. What
wilt thou do? Wilt thou, after enlargement, suffer thy
privileges to be invaded and taken away, or what wilt resolve
with thyself?'

Then they all with one consent said to this bramble, 'Do thou
reign over us.' So he accepted the motion, and became the
king of the town of Mansoul. This being done, the next thing
was to give him possession of the castle, and so of the whole
strength of the town. Wherefore, into the castle he goes; it
was that which Shaddai built in Mansoul for his own delight
and pleasure; this now was become a den and hold for the
giant Diabolus.

Now, having got possession of this stately palace or castle,
what doth he but makes it a garrison for himself, and
strengthens and fortifies it with all sorts of provision,
against the King Shaddai, or those that should endeavour the
regaining of it to him and his obedience again.

This done, but not thinking himself yet secure enough, in the
next place he bethinks himself of new modelling the town; and
so he does, setting up one, and putting down another at
pleasure. Wherefore my Lord Mayor, whose name was my Lord
Understanding, and Mr. Recorder, whose name was Mr.
Conscience, these he put out of place and power.

As for my Lord Mayor, though he was an understanding man, and
one too that had complied with the rest of the town of
Mansoul in admitting the giant into the town, yet Diabolus
thought not fit to let him abide in his former lustre and
glory, because he was a seeing man. Wherefore he darkened
him, not only by taking from him his office and power, but by
building a high and strong tower, just between the sun's
reflections and the windows of my lord's palace; by which
means his house and all, and the whole of his habitation,
were made as dark as darkness itself. And thus, being
alienated from the light, he became as one that was born
blind. To this, his house, my lord was confined as to a
prison; nor might he, upon his parole, go farther than within
his own bounds. And now, had he had a heart to do for
Mansoul, what could he do for it, or wherein could he be
profitable to her? So then, so long as Mansoul was under the
power and government of Diabolus, (and so long it was under
him, as it was obedient to him, which was even until by a war
it was rescued out of his hand,) so long my Lord Mayor was
rather an impediment in, than an advantage to the famous town
of Mansoul.

As for Mr. Recorder, before the town was taken, he was a man
well read in the laws of his king, and also a man of courage
and faithfulness to speak truth at every occasion; and he had
a tongue as bravely hung as he had a head filled with
judgment. Now, this man Diabolus could by no means abide,
because, though he gave his consent to his coming into the
town, yet he could not, by all the wiles, trials, stratagems,
and devices that he could use, make him wholly his own.
True, he was much degenerated from his former king, and also
much pleased with many of the giant's laws and service; but
all this would not do, forasmuch as he was not wholly his.
He would now and then think upon Shaddai, and have dread of
his law upon him, and then he would speak against Diabolus
with a voice as great as when a lion roareth. Yea, and would
also at certain times, when his fits were upon him, (for you
must know that sometimes he had terrible fits,) make the
whole town of Mansoul shake with his voice: and therefore the
now king of Mansoul could not abide him.

Diabolus, therefore, feared the Recorder more than any that
was left alive in the town of Mansoul, because, as I said,
his words did shake the whole town; they were like the
rattling thunder, and also like thunder-claps. Since,
therefore, the giant could not make him wholly his own, what
doth he do but studies all that he could to debauch the old
gentleman, and by debauchery to stupefy his mind, and more
harden his heart in the ways of vanity. And as he attempted,
so he accomplished his design: he debauched the man, and by
little and little so drew him into sin and wickedness, that
at last he was not only debauched, as at first, and so by
consequence defiled, but was almost (at last, I say) past all
conscience of sin. And this was the farthest Diabolus could
go. Wherefore he bethinks him of another project, and that
was, to persuade the men of the town that Mr. Recorder was
mad, and so not to be regarded. And for this he urged his
fits, and said, 'If he be himself, why doth he not do thus
always? But,' quoth he, 'as all mad folks have their fits,
and in them their raving language, so hath this old and
doating gentleman.'

Thus, by one means or another, he quickly got Mansoul to
slight, neglect, and despise whatever Mr. Recorder could say.
For, besides what already you have heard, Diabolus had a way
to make the old gentleman, when he was merry, unsay and deny
what he in his fits had affirmed. And, indeed, this was the
next way to make himself ridiculous, and to cause that no man
should regard him. Also now he never spake freely for King
Shaddai, but also by force and constraint. Besides, he would
at one time be hot against that at which, at another, he
would hold his peace; so uneven was he now in his doings.
Sometimes he would be as if fast asleep, and again sometimes
as dead, even then when the whole town of Mansoul was in her
career after vanity, and in her dance after the giant's pipe.

Wherefore, sometimes when Mansoul did use to be frighted with
the thundering voice of the Recorder that was, and when they
did tell Diabolus of it, he would answer, that what the old
gentleman said was neither of love to him nor pity to them,
but of a foolish fondness that he had to be prating; and so
would hush, still, and put all to quiet again. And that he
might leave no argument unurged that might tend to make them
secure, he said, and said it often, 'O Mansoul! consider
that, notwithstanding the old gentleman's rage, and the
rattle of his high and thundering words, you hear nothing of
Shaddai himself;' when, liar and deceiver that he was, every
outcry of Mr. Recorder against the sin of Mansoul was the
voice of God in him to them. But he goes on, and says, 'You
see that he values not the loss nor rebellion of the town of
Mansoul, nor will he trouble himself with calling his town to
a reckoning for their giving themselves to me. He knows that
though you were his, now you are lawfully mine; so, leaving
us one to another, he now hath shaken his hands of us.

'Moreover, O Mansoul!' quoth he, 'consider how I have served
you, even to the uttermost of my power; and that with the
best that I have, could get, or procure for you in all the
world: besides, I dare say that the laws and customs that you
now are under, and by which you do homage to me, do yield you
more solace and content than did the paradise that at first
you possessed. Your liberty also, as yourselves do very well
know, has been greatly widened and enlarged by me; whereas I
found you a penned-up people. I have not laid any restraint
upon you; you have no law, statute, or judgment of mine to
fright you; I call none of you to account for your doings,
except the madman - you know who I mean; I have granted you
to live, each man like a prince in his own, even with as
little control from me as I myself have from you.'

And thus would Diabolus hush up and quiet the town of
Mansoul, when the Recorder that was, did at times molest
them: yea, and with such cursed orations as these, would set
the whole town in a rage and fury against the old gentleman.
Yea, the rascal crew at some times would be for destroying
him. They have often wished, in my hearing, that he had
lived a thousand miles off from them: his company, his words,
yea, the sight of him, and specially when they remembered how
in old times he did use to threaten and condemn them, (for
all he was now so debauched,) did terrify and afflict them
sore.

But all wishes were vain, for I do not know how, unless by
the power of Shaddai, and his wisdom, he was preserved in
being amongst them. Besides, his house was as strong as a
castle, and stood hard by a stronghold of the town: moreover,
if at any time any of the crew or rabble attempted to make
him away, he could pull up the sluices, and let in such
floods as would drown all round about him.

But to leave Mr. Recorder, and to come to my Lord Willbewill,
another of the gentry of the famous town of Mansoul. This
Willbewill was as high-born as any man in Mansoul, and was as
much, if not more, a freeholder than many of them were;
besides, if I remember my tale aright, he had some privileges
peculiar to himself in the famous town of Mansoul. Now,
together with these, he was a man of great strength,
resolution, and courage, nor in his occasion could any turn
him away. But I say, whether he was proud of his estate,
privileges, strength, or what, (but sure it was through pride
of something,) he scorns now to be a slave in Mansoul; and
therefore resolves to bear office under Diabolus, that he
might (such an one as he was) be a petty ruler and governor
in Mansoul. And, headstrong man that he was! thus he began
betimes; for this man, when Diabolus did make his oration at
Ear-gate, was one of the first that was for consenting to his
words, and for accepting his counsel at wholesome, and that
was for the opening of the gate, and for letting him into the
town; wherefore Diabolus had a kindness for him, and
therefore he designed for him a place. And perceiving the
valour and stoutness of the man, he coveted to have him for
one of his great ones, to act and do in matters of the
highest concern.

So he sent for him, and talked with him of that secret matter
that lay in his breast, but there needed not much persuasion
in the case. For as at first he was willing that Diabolus
should be let into the town, so now he was as willing to
serve him there. When the tyrant, therefore, perceived the
willingness of my lord to serve him, and that his mind stood
bending that way, he forthwith made him the captain of the
castle, governor of the wall, and keeper of the gates of
Mansoul: yea, there was a clause in his commission, that
nothing without him should be done in all the town of
Mansoul. So that now, next to Diabolus himself, who but my
Lord Willbewill in all the town of Mansoul! nor could
anything now be done, but at his will and pleasure,
throughout the town of Mansoul. He had also one Mr. Mind for
his clerk, a man to speak on every way like his master: for
he and his lord were in principle one, and in practice not
far asunder. And now was Mansoul brought under to purpose,
and made to fulfil the lusts of the will, and of the mind.

But it will not out of my thoughts what a desperate one this
Willbewill was when power was put into his hand. First, he
flatly denied that he owed any suit or service to his former
prince and liege lord. This done, in the next place he took
an oath, and swore fidelity to his great master Diabolus, and
then, being stated and settled in his places, offices,
advancements, and preferments, oh! you cannot think, unless
you had seen it, the strange work that this workman made in
the town of Mansoul.

First, he maligned Mr. Recorder to death; he would neither
endure to see him, nor hear the words of his mouth; he would
shut his eyes when he saw him, and stop his ears when he
heard him speak. Also he could not endure that so much as a
fragment of the law of Shaddai should be anywhere seen in the
town. For example, his clerk, Mr. Mind, had some old, rent,
and torn parchments of the law of Shaddai in his house, but
when Willbewill saw them, he cast them behind his back.
True, Mr. Recorder had some of the laws in his study; but my
lord could by no means come at them. He also thought and
said, that the windows of my old Lord Mayor's house were
always too light for the profit of the town of Mansoul. The
light of a candle he could not endure. Now nothing at all
pleased Willbewill but what pleased Diabolus his lord.

There was none like him to trumpet about the streets the
brave nature, the wise conduct, and great glory of the king
Diabolus. He would range and rove throughout all the streets
of Mansoul to cry up his illustrious lord, and would make
himself even as an abject, among the base and rascal crew, to
cry up his valiant prince. And I say, when and wheresoever
he found these vassals, he would even make himself as one of
them. In all ill courses he would act without bidding, and
do mischief without commandment.

The Lord Willbewill also had a deputy under him, and his name
was Mr. Affection, one that was also greatly debauched in his
principles, and answerable thereto in his life: he was wholly
given to the flesh, and therefore they called him Vile-
Affection. Now there was he and one Carnal-Lust, the
daughter of Mr. Mind, (like to like,) that fell in love, and
made a match, and were married; and, as I take it, they had
several children, as Impudent, Blackmouth, and Hate-Reproof.
These three were black boys. And besides these they had
three daughters, as Scorn-Truth and Slight-God, and the name
of the youngest was Revenge. These were all married in the
town, and also begot and yielded many bad brats, too many to
be here inserted. But to pass by this.

When the giant had thus engarrisoned himself in the town of
Mansoul, and had put down and set up whom he thought good, he
betakes himself to defacing. Now there was in the market-
place in Mansoul, and also upon the gates of the castle, an
image of the blessed King Shaddai. This image was so exactly
engraven, (and it was engraven in gold,) that it did the most
resemble Shaddai himself of anything that then was extant in
the world. This he basely commanded to be defaced, and it
was as basely done by the hand of Mr. No-Truth. Now you must
know that, as Diabolus had commanded, and that by the hand of
Mr. No-Truth, the image of Shaddai was defaced, he likewise
gave order that the same Mr. No-Truth should set up in its
stead the horrid and formidable image of Diabolus, to the
great contempt of the former King, and debasing of his town
of Mansoul.

Moreover, Diabolus made havoc of all remains of the laws and
statutes of Shaddai that could be found in the town of
Mansoul; to wit, such as contained either the doctrines of
morals, with all civil and natural documents. Also relative
severities he sought to extinguish. To be short, there was
nothing of the remains of good in Mansoul which he and
Willbewill sought not to destroy; for their design was to
turn Mansoul into a brute, and to make it like to the sensual
sow, by the hand of Mr. No-Truth.

When he had destroyed what law and good orders he could, then
further to effect his design, namely, to alienate Mansoul
from Shaddai her King, he commands, and they set up his own
vain edicts, statutes, and commandments, in all places of
resort or concourse in Mansoul, to wit, such as gave liberty
to the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the
pride of life, which are not of Shaddai, but of the world.
He encouraged, countenanced, and promoted lasciviousness, and
all ungodliness there. Yea, much more did Diabolus to
encourage wickedness in the town of Mansoul; he promised them
peace, content, joy, and bliss, in doing his commands, and
that they should never be called to an account for their not
doing the contrary. And let this serve to give a taste to
them that love to hear tell of what is done beyond their
knowledge afar off in other countries.

Now Mansoul being wholly at his beck, and brought wholly to
his bow, nothing was heard or seen therein but that which
tended to set up him.

But now he, having disabled the Lord Mayor and Mr. Recorder
from bearing of office in Mansoul, and seeing that the town,
before he came to it, was the most ancient of corporations in
the world, and fearing, if he did not maintain greatness,
they at any time should object that he had done them an
injury; therefore, I say, (that they might see that he did
not intend to lessen their grandeur, or to take from them any
of their advantageous things,) he did choose for them a Lord
Mayor and a Recorder himself, and such as contented them at
the heart, and such also as pleased him wondrous well.

The name of the Mayor that was of Diabolus' making was the
Lord Lustings, a man that had neither eyes nor ears. All
that he did, whether as a man or an officer, he did it
naturally, as doth the beast. And that which made him yet
the more ignoble, though not to Mansoul, yet to them that
beheld and were grieved for its ruin, was, that he never
could favour good, but evil.

The Recorder was one whose name was Forget-Good, and a very
sorry fellow he was. He could remember nothing but mischief,
and to do it with delight. He was naturally prone to do
things that were hurtful, even hurtful to the town of
Mansoul, and to all the dwellers there. These two,
therefore, by their power and practice, examples, and smiles
upon evil, did much more grammar and settle the common people
in hurtful ways. For who doth not perceive that when those
that sit aloft are vile and corrupt themselves, they corrupt
the whole region and country where they are?

Besides these, Diabolus made several burgesses and aldermen
in Mansoul, such as out of whom the town, when it needed,
might choose them officers, governors, and magistrates. And
these are the names of the chief of them: Mr. Incredulity,
Mr. Haughty, Mr. Swearing, Mr. Whoring, Mr. Hard-Heart, Mr.
Pitiless, Mr. Fury, Mr. No-Truth, Mr. Stand-to-Lies, Mr.
False-Peace, Mr. Drunkenness, Mr. Cheating, Mr. Atheism -
thirteen in all. Mr. Incredulity is the eldest, and Mr.
Atheism the youngest of the company.

There was also an election of common councilmen and others,
as bailiffs, sergeants, constables, and others; but all of
them like to those afore-named, being either fathers,
brothers, cousins, or nephews to them, whose names, for
brevity's sake, I omit to mention.

When the giant had thus far proceeded in his work, in the
next place, he betook him to build some strongholds in the
town, and he built three that seemed to be impregnable. The
first he called the Hold of Defiance, because it was made to
command the whole town, and to keep it from the knowledge of
its ancient King. The second he called Midnight Hold,
because it was built on purpose to keep Mansoul from the true
knowledge of itself. The third was called Sweet-Sin Hold,
because by that he fortified Mansoul against all desires of
good. The first of these holds stood close by Eye-gate,
that, as much might be, light might be darkened there; the
second was built hard by the old castle, to the end that that
might be made more blind, if possible; and the third stood in
the market-place.

He that Diabolus made governor over the first of these was
one Spite-God, a most blasphemous wretch: he came with the
whole rabble of them that came against Mansoul at first, and
was himself one of themselves. He that was made the governor
of Midnight Hold was one Love-no-Light; he was also of them
that came first against the town. And he that was made the
governor of the hold called Sweet-Sin Hold was one whose name
was Love-Flesh: he was also a very lewd fellow, but not of
that country where the other are bound. This fellow could
find more sweetness when he stood sucking of a lust than he
did in all the paradise of God.

And now Diabolus thought himself safe. He had taken Mansoul,
he had engarrisoned himself therein; he had put down the old
officers, and had set up new ones; he had defaced the image
of Shaddai, and had set up his own; he had spoiled the old
law books, and had promoted his own vain lies; he had made
him new magistrates, and set up new aldermen; he had builded
him new holds, and had manned them for himself: and all this
he did to make himself secure, in case the good Shaddai, or
his Son, should come to make an incursion upon him.

Now you may well think, that long before this time, word, by
some one or other, could not but be carried to the good King
Shaddai, how his Mansoul, in the continent of Universe, was
lost; and that the runagate giant Diabolus, once one of his
Majesty's servants, had, in rebellion against the King, made
sure thereof for himself. Yea, tidings were carried and
brought to the King thereof, and that to a very circumstance.

At first, how Diabolus came upon Mansoul (they being a simple
people and innocent) with craft, subtlety, lies, and guile.
ITEM, that he had treacherously slain the right noble and
valiant captain, their Captain Resistance, as he stood upon
the gate with the rest of the townsmen. ITEM, how my brave
Lord Innocent fell down dead (with grief, some say, or with
being poisoned with the stinking breath of one Ill-Pause, as
say others) at the hearing of his just lord and rightful
prince, Shaddai, so abused by the mouth of so filthy a
Diabolian as that varlet Ill-Pause was. The messenger
further told, that after this Ill-Pause had made a short
oration to the townsmen in behalf of Diabolus, his master;
the simple town, believing that what was said was true, with
one consent did open Ear-gate, the chief gate of the
corporation, and did let him, with his crew, into a
possession of the famous town of Mansoul. He further showed
how Diabolus had served the Lord Mayor and Mr. Recorder, to
wit, that he had put them from all place of power and trust.
ITEM, he showed also that my Lord Willbewill was turned a
very rebel, and runagate, and that so was one Mr. Mind, his
clerk; and that they two did range and revel it all the town
over, and teach the wicked ones their ways. He said,
moreover, that this Willbewill was put into great trust, and
particularly that Diabolus had put into Willbewill's hand all
the strong places in Mansoul; and that Mr. Affection was made
my Lord Willbewill's deputy in his most rebellious affairs.
'Yea,' said the messenger, 'this monster, Lord Willbewill,
has openly disavowed his King Shaddai, and hath horribly
given his faith and plighted his troth to Diabolus.'

'Also,' said the messenger, 'besides all this, the new king,
or rather rebellious tyrant, over the once famous, but now
perishing town of Mansoul, has set up a Lord Mayor and a
Recorder of his own. For Mayor, he has set up one Mr.
Lustings; and for Recorder, Mr. Forget-Good; two of the
vilest of all the town of Mansoul.' This faithful messenger
also proceeded, and told what a sort of new burgesses
Diabolus had made; also that he had built several strong
forts, towers, and strongholds in Mansoul. He told, too, the
which I had almost forgot, how Diabolus had put the town of
Mansoul into arms, the better to capacitate them, on his
behalf, to make resistance against Shaddai their King, should
he come to reduce them to their former obedience.

Now this tidings-teller did not deliver his relation of
things in private, but in open court, the King and his Son,
high lords, chief captains, and nobles, being all there
present to hear. But by that they had heard the whole of the
story, it would have amazed one to have seen, had he been
there to behold it, what sorrow and grief, and compunction of
spirit, there was among all sorts, to think that famous
Mansoul was now taken: only the King and his Son foresaw all
this long before, yea, and sufficiently provided for the
relief of Mansoul, though they told not everybody thereof.
Yet because they also would have a share in condoling of the
Misery of Mansoul, therefore they also did, and that at a
rate of the highest degree, bewail the losing of Mansoul.
The King said plainly that it grieved him at the heart, and
you may be sure that his Son was not a whit behind him. Thus
gave they conviction to all about them that they had love and
compassion for the famous town of Mansoul. Well, when the
King and his Son were retired into the privy chamber, there
they again consulted about what they had designed before, to
wit, that as Mansoul should in time be suffered to be lost,
so as certainly it should be recovered again; recovered, I
say, in such a way, as that both the King and his Son would
get themselves eternal fame and glory thereby. Wherefore,
after this consult, the Son of Shaddai (a sweet and comely
Person, and one that had always great affection for those
that were in affliction, but one that had mortal enmity in
his heart against Diabolus, because he was designed for it,
and because he sought his crown and dignity) - this Son of
Shaddai, I say, having stricken hands with his Father and
promised that he would be his servant to recover his Mansoul
again, stood by his resolution, nor would he repent of the
same. The purport of which agreement was this: to wit, that
at a certain time, prefixed by both, the King's Son should
take a journey into the country of Universe, and there, in a
way of justice and equity, by making amends for the follies
of Mansoul, he should lay a foundation of perfect deliverance
from Diabolus and from his tyranny.

Moreover Emmanuel resolved to make, at a time convenient, a
war upon the giant Diabolus, even while he was possessed of
the town of Mansoul; and that he would fairly by strength of
hand drive him out of his hold, his nest, and take it to
himself to be his habitation.

This now being resolved upon, order was given to the Lord
Chief Secretary to draw up a fair record of what was
determined, and to cause that it should be published in all
the corners of the kingdom of Universe. A short breviate of
the contents thereof you may, if you please, take here as
follows:

'Let all men know who are concerned, that the Son of Shaddai,
the great King, is engaged by covenant to his Father to bring
his Mansoul to him again; yea, and to put Mansoul, too,
through the power of his matchless love, into a far better
and more happy condition than it was in before it was taken
by Diabolus.'

These papers, therefore, were published in several places, to
the no little molestation of the tyrant Diabolus; 'for now,'
thought he, 'I shall be molested, and my habitation will be
taken from me.'

But when this matter, I mean this purpose of the King and his
Son, did at first take air at court, who can tell how the
high lords, chief captains, and noble princes that were
there, were taken with the business! First, they whispered
it one to another, and after that it began to ring out
through the King's palace, all wondering at the glorious
design that between the King and his Son was on foot for the
miserable town of Mansoul. Yea, the courtiers could scarce
do anything either for the King or kingdom, but they would
mix, with the doing thereof, a noise of the love of the King
and his Son, that they had for the town of Mansoul.

Nor could these lords, high captains, and princes be content
to keep this news at court; yea, before the records thereof
were perfected, themselves came down and told it in Universe.
At last it came to the ears, as I said, of Diabolus, to his
no little discontent; for you must think it would perplex him
to hear of such a design against him. Well, but after a few
casts in his mind, he concluded upon these four things.

First, that this news, these good tidings, (if possible,)
should be kept from the ears of the town of Mansoul; 'for,'
said he, 'if they should once come to the knowledge that
Shaddai, their former King, and Emmanuel his Son, are
contriving good for the town of Mansoul, what can be expected
by me, but that Mansoul will make a revolt from under my hand
and government, and return again to him?'

Now, to accomplish this his design, he renews his flattery
with my Lord Willbewill, and also gives him strict charge and
command, that he should keep watch by day and by night at all
the gates of the town, especially Ear-gate and Eye-gate; 'for
I hear of a design,' quoth he, 'a design to make us all
traitors, and that Mansoul must be reduced to its first
bondage again. I hope they are but flying stories,' quoth
he; 'however, let no such news by any means be let into
Mansoul, lest the people be dejected thereat. I think, my
lord, it can be no welcome news to you; I am sure it is none
to me; and I think that, at this time, it should be all our
wisdom and care to nip the head of all such rumours as shall
tend to trouble our people. Wherefore I desire, my lord,
that you will in this matter do as I say. Let there be
strong guards daily kept at every gate of the town. Stop
also and examine from whence such come that you perceive do
from far come hither to trade, nor let them by any means be
admitted into Mansoul, unless you shall plainly perceive that
they are favourers of our excellent government. I command,
moreover,' said Diabolus, 'that there be spies continually
walking up and down the town of Mansoul, and let them have
power to suppress and destroy any that they shall perceive to
be plotting against us, or that shall prate of what by
Shaddai and Emmanuel is intended.'

This, therefore, was accordingly done; my Lord Willbewill
hearkened to his lord and master, went willingly after the
commandment, and, with all the diligence he could, kept any
that would from going out abroad, or that sought to bring
these tidings to Mansoul, from coming into the town.

Secondly, this done, in the next place, Diabolus, that he
might make Mansoul as sure as he could, frames and imposes a
new oath and horrible covenant upon the townsfolk:- To wit,
that they should never desert him nor his government, nor yet
betray him, nor seek to alter his laws; but that they should
own, confess, stand by, and acknowledge him for their
rightful king, in defiance to any that do or hereafter shall,
by any pretence, law, or title whatever, lay claim to the
town of Mansoul; thinking, belike, that Shaddai had not power
to absolve them from this covenant with death, and agreement
with hell. Nor did the silly Mansoul stick or boggle at all
at this most monstrous engagement; but, as if it had been a
sprat in the mouth of a whale, they swallowed it without any
chewing. Were they troubled at all? Nay, they rather
bragged and boasted of their so brave fidelity to the tyrant,
their pretended king, swearing that they would never be
changelings, nor forsake their old lord for a new. Thus did
Diabolus tie poor Mansoul fast.

Thirdly. But jealousy, that never thinks itself strong
enough, put him, in the next place, upon another exploit,
which was, yet more, if possible, to debauch this town of
Mansoul. Wherefore he caused, by the hand of one Mr. Filth,
an odious, nasty, lascivious piece of beastliness to be drawn
up in writing, and to be set upon the castle gates; whereby
he granted and gave license to all his true and trusty sons
in Mansoul to do whatsoever their lustful appetites prompted
them to do; and that no man was to let, hinder, or control
them, upon pain of incurring the displeasure of their prince.

Now this he did for these reasons:-

1. That the town of Mansoul might be yet made weaker and
weaker, and so more unable, should tidings come that their
redemption was designed, to believe, hope, or consent to the
truth thereof; for reason says, The bigger the sinner, the
less grounds of hopes of mercy.

2. The second reason was, if perhaps Emmanuel, the Son of
Shaddai their King, by seeing the horrible and profane doings
of the town of Mansoul, might repent, though entered into a
covenant of redeeming them, of pursuing that covenant of
their redemption; for he knew that Shaddai was holy, and that
his Son Emmanuel was holy; yea, he knew it by woeful
experience, for for his iniquity and sin was Diabolus cast
from the highest orbs. Wherefore what more rational than for
him to conclude that thus, for sin, it might fare with
Mansoul? But fearing also lest this knot should break, he
bethinks himself of another, to wit:-

Fourthly. To endeavour to possess all hearts in the town of
Mansoul that Shaddai was raising an army, to come to
overthrow and utterly to destroy this town of Mansoul. And
this he did to forestall any tidings that might come to their
ears of their deliverance: 'For,' thought he, 'if I first
bruit this, the tidings that shall come after will all be
swallowed up of this; for what else will Mansoul say, when
they shall hear that they must be delivered, but that the
true meaning is, Shaddai intends to destroy them? Wherefore
he summons the whole town into the market-place, and there,
with deceitful tongue, thus he addressed himself unto them:-

'Gentlemen, and my very good friends, you are all, as you
know, my legal subjects, and men of the famous town of
Mansoul. You know how, from the first day that I have been
with you until now, I have behaved myself among you, and what
liberty and great privileges you have enjoyed under my
government, I hope to your honour and mine, and also to your
content and delight. Now, my famous Mansoul, a noise of
trouble there is abroad, of trouble to the town of Mansoul;
sorry I am thereof for your sakes: for I received but now by
the post from my Lord Lucifer, (and he useth to have good
intelligence,) that your old King Shaddai is raising an army
to come against you, to destroy you root and branch; and
this, O Mansoul, is now the cause that at this time I have
called you together, namely, to advise what in this juncture
is best to be done. For my part, I am but one, and can with
ease shift for myself, did I list to seek my own case, and to
leave my Mansoul in all the danger; but my heart is so firmly
united to you, and so unwilling am I to leave you, that I am
willing to stand and fall with you, to the utmost hazard that
shall befall me. What say you, O my Mansoul? Will you now
desert your old friend, or do you think of standing by me?'

Then, as one man, with one mouth, they cried out together,
'Let him die the death that will not.'

Then said Diabolus again, 'It is in vain for us to hope for
quarter, for this King knows not how to show it. True,
perhaps, he, at his first sitting down before us, will talk
of and pretend to mercy, that thereby, with the more ease,
and less trouble, he may again make himself the master of
Mansoul. Whatever, therefore, he shall say, believe not one
syllable or tittle of it; for all such language is but to
overcome us, and to make us, while we wallow in our blood,
the trophies of his merciless victory. My mind is,
therefore, that we resolve to the last man to resist him, and
not to believe him upon any terms, for in at that door will
come our danger. But shall we be flattered out of our lives?
I hope you know more of the rudiments of politics than to
suffer yourselves so pitifully to be served.

'But suppose he should, if he get us to yield, save some of
our lives, or the lives of some of them that are underlings
in Mansoul, what help will that be to you that are the chief
of the town, especially you whom I have set up and whose
greatness has been procured by you through your faithful
sticking to me? And suppose, again, that he should give
quarter to every one of you, be sure he will bring you into
that bondage under which you were captivated before, or a
worse, and then what good will your lives do you? Shall you
with him live in pleasure as you do now? No, no; you must be
bound by laws that will pinch you, and be made to do that
which at present is hateful to you. I am for you, if you are
for me; and it is better to die valiantly than to live like
pitiful slaves. But, I say, the life of a slave will be
counted a life too good for Mansoul now. Blood, blood,
nothing but blood is in every blast of Shaddai's trumpet
against poor Mansoul now. Pray, be concerned; I hear he is
coming. Up, and stand to your arms that now, while you have
any leisure, I may learn you some feats of war. Armour for
you I have, and by me it is; yea, and it is sufficient for
Mansoul from top to toe; nor can you be hurt by what his
force can do, if you shall keep it well girt and fastened
about you. Come, therefore, to my castle, and welcome, and
harness yourselves for the war. There is helmet,
breastplate, sword, and shield, and what not, that will make
you fight like men.

'1. My helmet, otherwise called an head-piece, is in hope of
doing well at last, what lives soever you live. This is that
which they had who said, that they should have peace, though
they walked in the wickedness of their heart, to add
drunkenness to thirst. A piece of approved armour this is,
and whoever has it, and can hold it, so long no arrow, dart,
sword, or shield can hurt him. This, therefore, keep on, and
thou wilt keep off many a blow, my Mansoul.

'2. My breastplate is a breastplate of iron. I had it forged
in mine own country, and all my soldiers are armed therewith.
In plain language, it is a hard heart, a heart as hard as
iron, and as much past feeling as a stone; the which if you
get and keep, neither mercy shall win you, nor judgment
fright you. This therefore, is a piece of armour most
necessary for all to put on that hate Shaddai, and that would
fight against him under my banner.

'3. My sword is a tongue that is set on fire of hell, and
that can bend itself to speak evil of Shaddai, his Son, his
ways, and people. Use this; it has been tried a thousand
times twice told. Whoever hath it, keeps it, and makes that
use of it as I would have him, can never be conquered by mine
enemy.

'4. My, shield is unbelief, or calling into question the
truth of the word, or all the sayings that speak of the
judgment that Shaddai has appointed for wicked men. Use this
shield; many attempts he has made upon it, and sometimes, it
is true, it has been bruised; but they that have writ of the
wars of Emmanuel against my servants, have testified that he
could do no mighty work there because of their unbelief.
Now, to handle this weapon of mine aright, it is not to
believe things because they are true, of what sort or by
whomsoever asserted. If he speaks of judgment, care not for
it; if he speaks of mercy, care not for it; if he promises,
if he swears that he would do to Mansoul, if it turns, no
hurt, but good, regard not what is said, question the truth
of all, for it is to wield the shield of unbelief aright, and
as my servants ought and do; and he that doth otherwise loves
me not, nor do I count him but an enemy to me.

'5. Another part or piece,' said Diabolus, 'of mine excellent
armour is a dumb and prayerless spirit, a spirit that scorns
to cry for mercy: wherefore be you, my Mansoul, sure that you
make use of this. What! cry for quarter! Never do that, if
you would be mine. I know you are stout men, and am sure
that I have clad you with that which is armour of proof.
Wherefore, to cry to Shaddai for mercy, let that be far from
you. Besides all this, I have a maul, firebrands, arrows,
and death, all good hand-weapons, and such as will do
execution.'

After he had thus furnished his men with armour and arms, he
addressed himself to them in such like words as these:
'Remember,' quoth he, 'that I am your rightful king, and that
you have taken an oath and entered into covenant to be true
to me and my cause: I say, remember this, and show yourselves
stout and valiant men of Mansoul. Remember also the kindness
that I have always showed to you, and that without your
petition I have granted to you external things; wherefore the
privileges, grants, immunities, profits, and honours
wherewith I have endowed you do call for, at your hands,
returns of loyalty, my lion-like men of Mansoul: and when so
fit a time to show it as when another shall seek to take my
dominion over you into his own hands? One word more, and I
have done. Can we but stand, and overcome this one shock or
brunt, I doubt not but in little time all the world will be
ours; and when that day comes, my true hearts, I will make
you kings, princes, and captains, and what brave days shall
we have then!'

Diabolus having thus armed and forearmed his servants and
vassals in Mansoul against their good and lawful King
Shaddai, in the next place, he doubleth his guards at the
gates of the town, and he takes himself to the castle, which
was his stronghold. His vassals also, to show their wills,
and supposed (but ignoble) gallantry, exercise themselves in
their arms every day, and teach one another feats of war;
they also defied their enemies, and sang up the praises of
their tyrant; they threatened also what men they would be if
ever things should rise so high as a war between Shaddai and
their king.

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

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

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

To each of these captains the King gave a banner, that it
might be displayed, because of the goodness of his cause, and
because of the right that he had to Mansoul.

First, to Captain Boanerges, for he was the chief, to him, I
say, were given ten thousand men. His ensign was Mr.
Thunder; he bare the black colours, and his scutcheon was the
three burning thunderbolts.

The second captain was Captain Conviction; to him also were
given ten thousand men. His ensign's name was Mr. Sorrow; he
did bear the pale colours, and his scutcheon was the book of
the law wide open, from whence issued a flame of fire.

The third captain was Captain Judgment; to him were given ten
thousand men. His ensign's name was Mr. Terror; he bare the
red colours, and his scutcheon was a burning fiery furnace.

The fourth captain was Captain Execution; to him were given
ten thousand men. His ensign was one Mr. Justice; he also
bare the red colours, and his scutcheon was a fruitless tree,
with an axe lying at the root thereof.

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

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

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


A COMMISSION FROM THE GREAT SHADDAI, KING OF MANSOUL, TO HIS
TRUSTY AND NOBLE CAPTAIN, THE CAPTAIN BOANERGES, FOR HIS
MAKING WAR UPON THE TOWN OF MANSOUL.


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

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


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

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

Having travelled thus for many days, at last they came within
sight of Mansoul; the which when they saw, the captains could
for their hearts do no less than for a while bewail the
condition of the town; for they quickly saw how that it was
prostrate to the will of Diabolus, and to his ways and
designs.

Well, to be short, the captains came up before the town,
march up to Ear-gate, sit down there (for that was the place
of hearing). So, when they had pitched their tents and
entrenched themselves, they addressed themselves to make
their assault.

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

'Gentlemen,' quoth he, 'although you are my trusty and well-
beloved friends, yet I cannot but a little chide you for your
late uncircumspect action, in going out to gaze on that great
and mighty force that but yesterday sat down before, and have
now entrenched themselves in order to the maintaining of a
siege against the famous town of Mansoul. Do you know who
they are, whence they come, and what is their purpose in
sitting down before the town of Mansoul? They are they of
whom I have told you long ago, that they would come to
destroy this town, and against whom I have been at the cost
to arm you with CAP-A-PIE for your body, besides great
fortifications for your mind. Wherefore, then, did you not
rather, even at the first appearance of them, cry out, "Fire
the beacons!" and give the whole town an alarm concerning
them, that we might all have been in a posture of defence,
and been ready to have received them with the highest acts of
defiance? Then had you showed yourselves men to my liking;
whereas, by what you have done, you have made me half afraid
- I say, half afraid - that when they and we shall come to
push a pike, I shall find you want courage to stand it out
any longer. Wherefore have I commanded a watch, and that you
should double your guards at the gates? Wherefore have I
endeavoured to make you as hard as iron, and your hearts as a
piece of the nether millstone? Was it, think you, that you
might show yourselves women, and that you might go out like a
company of innocents to gaze on your mortal foes? Fie, fie!
put yourselves into a posture of defence, beat up the drum,
gather together in warlike manner, that our foes may know
that, before they shall conquer this corporation, there are
valiant men in the town of Mansoul.

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

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

Well, before the King's forces had sat before Mansoul three
days, Captain Boanerges commanded his trumpeter to go down to
Ear-gate, and there, in the name of the great Shaddai, to
summon Mansoul to give audience to the message that he, in
his Master's name, was to them commanded to deliver. So the
trumpeter, whose name was Take-heed-what-you-hear, went up,
as he was commanded, to Ear-gate, and there sounded his
trumpet for a hearing; but there was none that appeared that
gave answer or regard, for so had Diabolus commanded. So the
trumpeter returned to his captain, and told him what he had
done, and also how he had sped; whereat the captain was
grieved, but bid the trumpeter go to his tent.

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

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

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

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

The trumpeter answered, 'I am servant to the most noble
captain, Captain Boanerges, general of the forces of the
great King Shaddai, against whom both thyself, with the whole
town of Mansoul, have rebelled, and lift up the heel; and my
master, the captain, hath a special message to this town, and
to thee, as a member thereof; the which if you of Mansoul
shall peaceably hear, so; and if not, you must take what
follows.'

Then said the Lord Willbewill, 'I will carry thy words to my
lord, and will know what he will say.'

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

Then said the Lord Willbewill, 'I will do your errand to the
town.'

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

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

Then said the brave Boanerges, 'Let us yet for a while lie
still in our trenches, and see what these rebels will do.'

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

Well, when the utmost time was come, Boanerges was resolved
to hear their answer; wherefore he sent out his trumpeter
again to summon Mansoul to a hearing of the message that they
had brought from Shaddai.

So he went and sounded, and the townsmen came up, but made
Ear-gate as sure as they could. Now when they were come up
to the top of the wall, Captain Boanerges desired to see the
Lord Mayor; but my Lord Incredulity was then Lord Mayor, for
he came in the room of my Lord Lustings. So Incredulity came
up and showed himself over the wall; but when the Captain
Boanerges had set his eyes upon him, he cried out aloud,
'This is not he: where is my Lord Understanding, the ancient
Lord Mayor of the town of Mansoul? for to him I would deliver
my message.'

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

Then Captain Boanerges, whose were the black colours, and
whose scutcheon was the three burning thunderbolts, taking no
notice of the giant or of his speech, thus addressed himself
to the town of Mansoul: 'Be it known unto you, O unhappy and
rebellious Mansoul, that the most gracious King, the great
King Shaddai, my Master, hath sent me unto you with
commission' (and so he showed to the town his broad seal) 'to
reduce you to his obedience; and he hath commanded me, in
case you yield upon my summons, to carry it to you as if you
were my friends or brethren; but he also hath bid, that if,
after summons to submit you still stand out and rebel, we
should endeavour to take you by force.'

Then stood forth Captain Conviction, and said, (his were the
pale colours, and for a scutcheon he had the book of the law
wide open, etc.,) 'Hear, O Mansoul! Thou, O Mansoul, wast
once famous for innocency, but now thou art degenerated into
lies and deceit. Thou hast heard what my brother, the
Captain Boanerges, hath said; and it is your wisdom, and will
be your happiness, to stoop to, and accept of conditions of
peace and mercy when offered, specially when offered by one
against whom thou hast rebelled, and one who is of power to
tear thee in pieces, for so is Shaddai, our King; nor, when
he is angry, can anything stand before him. If you say you
have not sinned, or acted rebellion against our King, the
whole of your doings since the day that you cast off his
service (and there was the beginning of your sin) will
sufficiently testify against you. What else means your
hearkening to the tyrant, and your receiving him for your
king? What means else your rejecting of the laws of Shaddai,
and your obeying of Diabolus? Yea, what means this your
taking up of arms against, and the shutting of your gates
upon us, the faithful servants of your King? Be ruled then,
and accept of my brother's invitation, and overstand not the
time of mercy, but agree with thine adversary quickly. Ah,
Mansoul! suffer not thyself to be kept from mercy, and to be
run into a thousand miseries, by the flattering wiles of
Diabolus. Perhaps that piece of deceit may attempt to make
you believe that we seek our own profit in this our service,
but know it is obedience to our King, and love to your
happiness, that is the cause of this undertaking of ours.

'Again I say to thee, O Mansoul, consider if it be not
amazing grace that Shaddai should so humble himself as he
doth: now he, by us, reasons with you, in a way of entreaty
and sweet persuasions, that you would subject yourselves to
him. Has he that need of you that we are sure you have of
him? No, no; but he is merciful, and will not that Mansoul
should die, but turn to him and live.'

Then stood forth Captain Judgment, whose were the red
colours, and for a scutcheon he had the burning fiery
furnace, and he said, 'O ye, the inhabitants of the town of
Mansoul, that have lived so long in rebellion and acts of
treason against the King Shaddai, know that we come not to-
day to this place, in this manner, with our message of our
own minds, or to revenge our own quarrel; it is the King, my
Master, that hath sent us to reduce you to your obedience to
him; the which if you refuse in a peaceable way to yield, we
have commission to compel you thereto. And never think of
yourselves, nor yet suffer the tyrant Diabolus to persuade
you to think, that our King, by his power, is not able to
bring you down, and to lay you under his feet; for he is the
former of all things, and if he touches the mountains, they
smoke. Nor will the gate of the King's clemency stand always
open; for the day that shall burn like an oven is before him;
yea, it hasteth greatly, it slumbereth not.

'O Mansoul, is it little in thine eyes that our King doth
offer thee mercy, and that after so many provocations? Yea,
he still holdeth out his golden sceptre to thee, and will not
yet suffer his gate to be shut against thee: wilt thou
provoke him to do it? If so, consider of what I say; to thee
it is opened no more for ever. If thou sayest thou shalt not
see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in
him. Yea, because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee
away with his stroke; then a great ransom cannot deliver
thee. Will he esteem thy riches? No, not gold, nor all the
forces of strength. He hath prepared his throne for
judgment, for he will come with fire, and with his chariots
like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his
rebukes with flames of fire. Therefore, O Mansoul, take heed
lest, after thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked,
justice and judgment should take hold of thee.'

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

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

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

'O Mansoul, patience and forbearance do not act for ever: a
year, or two, or three, they may; but if thou provoke by a
three years' rebellion, (and thou hast already done more than
this,) then what follows but, 'Cut it down'? nay, 'After that
thou shalt cut it down.' And dost thou think that these are
but threatenings, or that our King has not power to execute
his words? O Mansoul, thou wilt find that in the words of
our King, when they are by sinners made little or light of,
there is not only threatening, but burning coals of fire.

'Thou hast been a cumber-ground long already, and wilt thou
continue so still? Thy sin has brought this army to thy
walls, and shall it bring it in judgment to do execution into
thy town? Thou hast heard what the captains have said, but
as yet thou shuttest thy gates. Speak out, Mansoul; wilt
thou do so still, or wilt thou accept of conditions of
peace?'

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

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

So Incredulity, at Diabolus' command, began, and said,
'Gentlemen, you have here, as we do behold, to the
disturbance of our prince and the molestation of the town of
Mansoul, camped against it: but from whence you come, we will
not know; and what you are, we will not believe. Indeed, you
tell us in your terrible speech that you have this authority
from Shaddai, but by what right he commands you to do it, of
that we shall yet be ignorant.

'You have also, by the authority aforesaid, summoned this
town to desert her lord, and, for protection, to yield up
herself to the great Shaddai, your King; flatteringly telling
her, that if she will do it, he will pass by and not charge
her with her past offences.

'Further, you have also, to the terror of the town of
Mansoul, threatened with great and sore destructions to
punish this corporation, if she consents not to do as your
wills would have her.

'Now, captains, from whencesoever you come, and though your
designs be ever so right, yet know ye that neither my Lord
Diabolus, nor I, his servant, Incredulity, nor yet our brave
Mansoul, doth regard either your persons, message, or the
King that you say hath sent you. His power, his greatness,
his vengeance, we fear not; nor will we yield at all to your
summons.

'As for the war that you threaten to make upon us, we must
therein defend ourselves as well as we can; and know ye, that
we are not without wherewithal to bid defiance to you; and,
in short, (for I will not be tedious,) I tell you, that we
take you to be some vagabond runagate crew, that having
shaken off all obedience to your King, have gotten together
in tumultuous manner, and are ranging from place to place to
see if, through the flatteries you are skilled to make on the
one side, and threats wherewith you think to fright on the
other, to make some silly town, city, or country, desert
their place, and leave it to you; but Mansoul is none of
them.

'To conclude: we dread you not, we fear you not, nor will we
obey your summons. Our gates we will shut upon you, our
place we will keep you out of. Nor will we long thus suffer
you to sit down before us: our people must live in quiet:
your appearance doth disturb them. Wherefore arise with bag
and baggage, and begone, or we will let fly from the walls
against you.'

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

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

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

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

Now when the captains saw the answer of the great ones, and
that they could not get a hearing from the old natives of the
town, and that Mansoul was resolved to give the King's army
battle, they prepared themselves to receive them, and to try
it out by the power of the arm. And, first, they made their
force more formidable against Ear-gate; for they knew that,
unless they could penetrate that, no good could be done upon
the town. This done, they put the rest of their men in their
places; after which, they gave out the word, which was, 'YE
MUST BE BORN AGAIN.' Then they sounded the trumpet; then
they in the town made them answer, with shout against shout,
charge against charge, and so the battle began. Now they in
the town had planted upon the tower over Ear-gate two great
guns, the one called High-mind, and the other Heady. Unto
these two guns they trusted much; they were cast in the
castle by Diabolus' founder, whose name was Mr. Puff-up, and
mischievous pieces they were. But so vigilant and watchful,
when the captains saw them, were they, that though sometimes
their shot would go by their ears with a whiz, yet they did
them no harm. By these two guns the townsfolk made no
question but greatly to annoy the camp of Shaddai, and well
enough to secure the gate; but they had not much cause to
boast of what execution they did, as by what follows will be
gathered.

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

They from the camp also did as stoutly, and with as much of
that as may in truth be called valour, let fly as fast at the
town and at Ear-gate; for they saw that, unless they could
break open Ear-gate, it would be but in vain to batter the
wall. Now the King's captains had brought with them several
slings, and two or three battering-rams; with their slings,
therefore, they battered the houses and people of the town,
and with their rams they sought to break Ear-gate open.

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

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

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

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

'Anything, my darling, - The three men that are the bearers
of this letter have a desire to serve me in the war; nor know
I better to whose conduct to commit them than to thine.
Receive them, therefore, in my name, and, as need shall
require, make use of them against Shaddai and his men.
Farewell.'

So they came, and he received them; and he made of two of
them sergeants; but he made Mr. Man's-Invention his ancient-
bearer. But thus much for this, and now to return to the
camp.

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

They also dismounted the two guns that stood upon the tower
over Ear-gate, and laid them flat in the dirt. I told you
before that the King's noble captains had drawn off to their
winter quarters, and had there entrenched themselves and
their carriages, so as with the best advantage to their King,
and the greatest annoyance to the enemy, they might give
seasonable and warm alarms to the town of Mansoul. And this
design of them did so hit, that I may say they did almost
what they would to the molestation of the corporation. For
now could not Mansoul sleep securely as before, nor could
they now go to their debaucheries with that quietness as in
times past; for they had from the camp of Shaddai such
frequent, warm, and terrifying alarms, yea, alarms upon
alarms, first at one gate and then at another, and again at
all the gates at once, that they were broken as to former
peace. Yea, they had their alarms so frequently, and that
when the nights were at longest, the weather coldest, and so
consequently the season most unseasonable, that that winter
was to the town of Mansoul a winter by itself. Sometimes the
trumpets would sound, and sometimes the slings would whirl
the stones into the town. Sometimes ten thousand of the
King's soldiers would be running round the walls of Mansoul
at midnight, shouting and lifting up the voice for the
battle. Sometimes, again, some of them in the town would be
wounded, and their cry and lamentable voice would be heard,
to the great molestation of the now languishing town of
Mansoul. Yea, so distressed with those that laid siege
against them were they, that, I dare say, Diabolus, their
king, had in these days his rest much broken.

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

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

The captains also, in the deep of this winter, did send by
the mouth of Boanerges' trumpeter a summons to Mansoul to
yield up herself to the King, the great King Shaddai. They
sent it once, and twice, and thrice; not knowing but that at
some times there might be in Mansoul some willingness to
surrender up themselves unto them, might they but have the
colour of an invitation to do it under. Yea, so far as I
could gather, the town had been surrendered up to them before
now, had it not been for the opposition of old Incredulity,
and the fickleness of the thoughts of my Lord Willbewill.
Diabolus also began to rave; wherefore Mansoul, as to
yielding, was not yet all of one mind; therefore they still
lay distressed under these perplexing fears.

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

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

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

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

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

1. If that those of their own company, as the now Lord Mayor
and their Mr. Forget-Good, with then brave Lord Willbewill,
might, under Shaddai, be still the governors of the town,
castle, and gates of Mansoul.

2. Provided that no man that now serveth under their great
giant Diabolus be by Shaddai cast out of house, harbour, or
the freedom that he hath hitherto enjoyed in the famous town
of Mansoul.

3. That it shall be granted them, that they of the town of
Mansoul shall enjoy certain of their rights and privileges;
to wit, such as have formerly been granted them, and that
they have long lived in the enjoyment of, under the reign of
their king Diabolus, that now is, and long has been, their
only lord and great defender.

4. That no new law, officer, or executioner of law or office,
shall have any power over them, without their own choice and
consent.

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

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

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

'I count that old Ill-Pause, the ancient enemy of Mansoul,
did draw up those proposals that now you present us with as
terms of an agreement; but they deserve not to be admitted to
sound in the ear of any man tha