Mansou!! how long wilt thou love thy sinful, sinful simplicity, and ye fools delight in your scorning? As yet despise you the offers of peace and deliverance? As yet will ye refuse the golden offers of Shaddai, and trust to the lies and falsehoods of Diabolus? Think you, when Shaddai should have conquered you, that the remembrance of these your carriages towards him will yield you peace and comfort, or that by ruffling language you can make him afraid as a grasshopper? Doth he entreat you for fear of you? Do you think you are stronger than he? Look to the heavens, and behold and consider the stars, how high are they? Car you stop the sun from running its course, and hinder the moon from giving her light? Can you count the number of the stars, or stay the bottles of heaven? Can you call for the waters of the sea, and cause them to cover the face of the ground? Can you behold every one that is proud, and abase him, and bind their faces in secret? Yet these are some of the works of our King, in whose name, this day, we come up unto you, that you may be brought under his authority. In his name, therefore, I summon you again to yield up yourselves to his captains."

At this summons the Mansoulians seemed to be at a stand, and knew not what answer to make. Wherefore Diabolus forthwith appeared, and took upon him to do it himself; and thus he begins, but turns his speech to them of Mansoul.

"Gentlemen," quoth he, "and my faithful subjects, if it is true what this summoner hath said concerning the greatness of their King, by his terror you will always be kept in bondage, and so be made to sneak; yea, how can you now, though he is at a distance, endure to think of such a mighty one? And if not to think of him while at a distance, how can you endure to be in his presence? I, your prince, am familiar with you, and you may play with me as you would with a grasshopper. Consider, therefore, what is for your profit, and remember the immunities that I have granted you.

"Farther, if all be true that this man hath said, how comes it to pass that the subjects of Shaddai are so enslaved in all places where they come? None in the Universe so unhappy as they, none so trampled upon as they.

use it; yea, a king you have too, if you can tell how to love and obey him."

Upon this speech the town of Mansoul did again harden their hearts yet more against the captains of Shaddai. The thoughts of his greatness did quite quash them, and the thoughts of his holiness sunk them in despair. Wherefore, after a short consultation, they (of the Diabolonian party they were) sent back this word by the trumpeter: That for their parts they were resolved to stick to their king, but never to yield to Shaddai. So it was but in vain to give them any further summons, for they had rather die upon the place than yield.

And now things seemed to be gone quite back, and Mansoul to be out of reach or call; yet the captains, who knew what their Lord could do, would not yet be beat out of heart. They therefore sent them another summons, more sharp and severe than the last; but the oftener they were sent unto to be reconciled to Shaddai, the further off they were. As they called them, so they went from them, yea, though they called them to the Most High. So they ceased that way to deal with them any more, and inclined to think of another way. The captains therefore did gather themselves together to have free conference among themselves, to know what was yet to be done to gain the town and to deliver it from the tyranny of Diabolus. And one said after this manner, and another after that. Then stood up the right noble the Captain Conviction, and said, "My brethren, mine opinion is this:

"First, That we continually play our slings into the town and keep it in a continual alarm, molesting of them day and night; by thus doing we shall stop the growth of their rampant spirit. For a lion may be tamed by continual molestations.

"Secondly, This done, I advise that in the next place we with one consent draw up a petition to our Lord Shaddai; by which, after we have showed our King the condition of Mansoul and of affairs here, and have begged his pardon for our no better success, we will earnestly implore his Majesty's help, and that he will please to send us more force and power, and some gallant and well-spoken commander to head them; that so his Majesty may not lose the benefit of these his good beginnings, but may complete his conquest upon the town of Mansoul."

To this speech of the noble Captain Conviction they as one man consented, and agreed that a petition should forthwith be drawn up

and sent by a fit man away to Shaddai with speed. The contents of the petition were thus:

"Most gracious and glorious King, the Lord of the best world and the builder of the town of Mansoul! we have, dread Sovereign, at thy commandment, put our lives in jeopardy, and at thy bidding made a war upon the famous town of Mansoul. When we went up against it, we did, according to our commission, first offer conditions of peace unto it; but they, great King, set light by our counsel and would none of our reproof; they were for shutting of their gates and for keeping us out of the town.

"They also mounted their guns, they sallied out upon us, and have done us what damage they could, but we pursued them with alarm upon alarm, requiting of them with such retribution as was meet, and have done some execution upon the town.

"Diabolus, Incredulity, and Will-be-will are the great doers against us; now we are in our winter quarters, but so as that we do yet with an high hand molest and distress the town.

"Once, as we think, had we had but one substantial friend in the town, such as would but have seconded the sound of our summons. as they ought, the people might have yielded themselves; but there were none but enemies there, nor any to speak in behalf of our Lord to the town; wherefore, though we have done as we could, yet Mansoul abides in a state of rebellion against thee.

"Now, King of kings, let it please thee to pardon the unsuccessfulness of thy servants, who have been no more advantageous in so desirable a work as the conquering of Mansoul is; and send, Lord, as we now desire, more forces to Mansoul, that it may be subdued, and a man to head them that the town may both love and fear.

"We do not thus speak because we are willing to relinquish the wars, (for we are for laying of our bones against the place,) but that the town of Mansoul may be won for thy Majesty. We also pray thy Majesty, for expedition in this matter, that after their conquest we may be at liberty to be sent about other thy gracious designs. Amen."

The petition, thus drawn up, was sent away with haste to the King by the hand of that good man, Mr. Love-to-Mansoul.

When this petition was come to the palace of the King, who should it be delivered to but to the King's Son? So he took and read it, and because the contents of it pleased him

well, he mended it, and also in some things added to the petition himself. So after he had made such amendments and additions as he thought convenient, with his own hand he carried it in to the King; to whom, when he had with obeisance delivered it, he put on authority, and spake to it himself.

Now the King, at the sight of the petition, was glad, but how much more think you when it was seconded by his Son! It pleased. him also to hear that his servants that had camped at Mansoul were so hearty in their work and so steadfast in their resolves, and that they had already got some ground upon the famous town of Mansoul.

Wherefore the King called to him Emman uel his Son, who said, Here am I, my Father. Then said the King, Thou knowest, as I do myself, the condition of the town of Mansoul, and what we have purposed, and what thou hast done to redeem it. Come now, therefore, my Son, and prepare thyself for the war, for thou shalt go to my camp at Mansoul. Thou shalt also there prosper and prevail, and conquer the town of Mansoul.

Then said the King's Son, Thy law is within my heart. I delight to do thy will. This is the day that I have longed for, and the work that I have waited for all this while. Grant me, therefore, what force thou shalt in thy wisdom think meet, and I will go, and will deliver from Diabolus and from his power thy perishing town of Mansoul. My heart has been often pained within me for the miserable town of Mansoul; but now it is rejoiced, but now it is glad; and with that he leaped over the mountains for joy, saying,

"I have not, in my heart, thought any thing too dear for Mansoul; the day of vengeance is in my heart for thee, my Mansoul; and glad am I that thou my Father hast made me the Captain of their salvation; and I will now begin to plague all those that have been a plague to my town of Mansoul, and will deliver it from their hand."

When the King's Son had said thus to his Father, it presently flew like lightning round" about at court; yea, it there became the only talk what Emmanuel was to go to do for the famous town of Mansoul. But you cannot think how the courtiers too were taken with the design of the Prince. Yea, so affected were they with this work and with the justness of the war that the highest lord and greatest peer of the kingdom did covet to have commissions under Emmanuel to go to

help to recover again to Shaddai the miserable town of Mansoul.

Then it was concluded that some should go and carry tidings to the camp that Emmanuel was to come to recover Mansoul, and that he would bring along with him so mighty and impregnable a force that he could not be resisted. But oh how ready were the high ones at court to run like lackeys to carry these tidings to the camp that was at Mansoul! Now when the captains perceived that the King would send Emmanuel his Son, and that it also delighted the Son to be sent on this errand by the great Shaddai his Father, they also, to show how they were pleased at the thoughts of his coming, gave a shout that made the earth rend at the sound thereof; yea, the mountains did answer again by echo, and Diabolus himself did totter and shake.

For you must know that though the town of Mansoul itself was not much, if at all, concerned with the project, (for, alas for them! they were woefully besotted, for they chiefly regarded their pleasure and their lusts,) yet Diabolus their governor was, for he had his spies continually abroad, who brought him intelligence of all things; and they told him. what was doing at court against him, and that Emmanuel would certainly come with a power to invade him. Nor was there any man at court nor peer of the kingdom that Diabolus so feared as this Prince. For if you remember I showed you before that Diabolus had felt the weight of his hand already. | So since it was he that was come, this made him the more afraid. Well, you see how I have told you that the King's Son was engaged to come from the court to save Mansoul, and that his Father had made him captain of the forces. The time therefore of his setting forth being now expired, he addressed himself for his march, and taketh with him, for his power, five noble captains and their forces.

The first was that famous captain, the noble Captain Credence; his were the red colours, and Mr. Promise bare them; and for a scutcheon he had the holy lamb and golden shield. And he had ten thousand men at his feet.

The second was that famous captain, the Captain Good-hope; his were blue colours. His standard-bearer was Mr. Expectation, and for a scutcheon he had the three golden anchors. And he had ten thousand men at his feet.

The third captain was that valiant captain, the Captain Charity, whose standard-bearer was Mr. Pitiful. His were the green colours, and for his scutcheon he had three naked orphans embracing the bosom. And he had ten thousand men at his feet.

The fourth was that gallant commander, the Captain Innocent, whose standard-bearer was Mr. Harmless. His were the white colours, and for his scutcheon he had the golden doves.

The fifth was the truly loyal and well-beloved captain, the Captain Patience, whose standard-bearer was Mr. Suffer-long. His were the black colours, and for a scutcheon he had three arrows through the golden heart.

These were Emmanuel's captains, these their standard-bearers, their colours, and their scutcheons, and these the men under their com mand. So, as was said, the brave Prince took his march to go to the town of Mansoul. Captain Credence led the van, and Captain Patience brought up the rear. So the other three with their men made up the main body, the Prince himself riding in his chariot at the head of them.

But when they set out for their march, oh how the trumpets sounded, their armour glit tered, and how the colours waved in the wind! The Prince's armour was all of gold, and it shone like the sun in the firmament. The captains' armour was of proof, and was in ap pearance like the glittering stars. There were also some from the court that rode reformades, for the love that they had to the King Shaddai and for the happy deliverance of the town of Mansoul.

Emmanuel also, when he had thus set for. ward to go to recover the town of Mansoul, took with him, at the commandment of his Father, fifty-four battering-rams, and twelve slings to whirl stones withal. Every one of these was made of pure gold, and these they carried with them in the heart and body of their army all along as they went to Mansoul.

So they marched till they came within less than a league of the town, and there they lay till the first four captains came thither to acquaint him with matters. Then they took their journey to go to the town of Mansoul, and unto Mansoul they came. But when the old soldiers that were in the camp saw that they had new forces to join with, they again gave such a shout before the walls of the town of Mansoul that it put Diabolus into another fright. So they sat down before the town, not

now as the other four captains did-to wit, against the gates of Mansoul only-but they environed it round on every side and beset it behind and before, that so now let Mansoul look which way it would, it saw force and power lie in siege against it. Besides, there were mounts cast up against it.

The Mount Gracious was on the one side, and Mount Justice on the other. Farther, there were several small banks and advance grounds, as Plain-truth-hill and No-sin-banks, where many of the slings were placed against the town. Upon Mount Gracious were planted four, and upon Mount Justice were placed as many; and the rest were conveniently placed in several parts round about the town.

Five

of the best battering-rams--that is, of the biggest of them were placed upon Mount Hearken, a mount cast up hard by Ear-gate, with intent to break that open.

Now, when the men of the town saw the multitude of the soldiers that were come up against the place, and the rams and slings, and the mounts on which they were planted, together with the glittering of the armour and the waving of their colours, they were forced to shift, and shift, and again to shift their thoughts; but they hardly changed for thoughts more stout, but rather for thoughts more faint. For though before they thought themselves sufficiently guarded, yet now they began to think that no man knew what would be their hap or lot.

When the good Prince Emmanuel had thus beleaguered Mansoul, in the first place he hangs out the white flag, which he caused to be set up among the golden slings that were planted upon Mount Gracious. And this he did for two reasons: 1. To give notice to Mansoul that he could and would yet be gracious if they turned to him. 2. And that he might leave them the more without excuse should he destroy them, they continuing in their rebel

lion.

So the white flag, with the three golden doves in it, was hanged out for two days together, to give them time and space to consider. But they, as was hinted before, as if they were unconcerned, made no reply to the favourable signal of the Prince.

Then he commanded and they set the red flag upon the mount called Mount Justice. It was the red flag of Captain Judgment, whose scutcheon was the burning fiery furnace. And this also stood waving before them in the wind for several days together. But look! how they

carried it under the white flag when that was hanged out, so they did also when the red one was; and yet he took no advantage of them.

Then he commanded again that his servant should hang out the black flag of denance against them, whose scutcheon was the three burning thunderbolts. But as unconcerned was Mansoul at this as at those that went before. But when the Prince saw that neither mercy nor judgment, nor execution of judg ment would or could come near the heart of Mansoul, he was touched with much compunetion, and said, Surely this strange carriage of the town of Mansoul doth rather arise from ignorance of the manner and feats of war, than from a secret defiance of us and abhorrence of their own lives; or, if they know the manner of the war of their own, yet not the rites and ceremonies of the war in which we are concerned when I make wars upon mine enemy Diabolus.

Therefore he sent to the town of Mansoul to let them know what he meant by those signs and ceremonies of the flag; and also to know of them which of the things they would choose, whether grace and mercy, or judgment and the execution of judgment. All this while they kept their gates shut with locks, bolts, and bars, as fast as they could. Their guards also were doubled, and their watch made as strong as they could. Diabolus also did pluck up what heart he could to encourage the town to make resistance.

The townsmen also made answer to the Prince's messenger in substance according to that which follows:

"Great sir, as to what by your messenger you have signified to us-whether we will ac cept of your mercy or fall by your justice?we are bound by the law and custom of this place, and can give you no positive answer. For it is against the law, government, and the prerogative-royal of our king to make either peace or war without him. But this we wil do: we will petition that our prince will come down to the wall, and there give you such treatment as he shall think fit and profitable for us."

When the good Prince Emmanuel heard this answer, and saw the slavery and bondage of the people, and how much content they were to abide in the chains of the tyrant Diab olus, it grieved him at the heart. And in deed when at any time he perceived that any were contented under the slavery of the giant he would be affected with it.

there, and that Emmanuel would not take it from him by force, the inhabitants boasted even of his valour, saying, Who is able to make war with him?

Then, said he, I will go down to the gates myself and give him such an answer as I think fit. So he went down to Mouth-gate, and here addressed himself, to speak to Emmanuel, (but in such language as the town understood not,) the contents whereof were as follow:

"O thou great Emmanuel, Lord of all the world! I know thee that thou art the Son of the great Shaddai. Wherefore art thou come to torment me and to cast me out of my possession? This town of Mansoul, as thou very well knowest, is mine, and that by a twofold right: 1. It is mine by right of conquest; I won it in the open field. And shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive be delivered? 2. This town of Mansoul is mine also by their subjection. They have opened the gates of their town unto me. They have sworn fidelity to me, and have openly chosen me to be their king. They have also given their castle into my hands; yea, they have put the whole strength of Mansoul under

me.

'Moreover, this town of Mansoul hath disavowed thee; yea, they have cast thy law, thy name, thy image, and all that is thine behind their back; and have accepted and set up in their room my law, my name, my image, and all that ever is mine. Ask else thy captains, and they will tell thee that Mansoul hath, in answer to all their summons, shown love and loyalty to me, but always disdain, despite, contempt, and scorn to thee and thine. Now thou art the Just One and the holy, (and shouldst do no iniquity;) depart then, I pray thee, therefore, from me, and leave me to my just inheritance peaceably."

This oration was made in the language of Diabolus himself. For although he can, to every man, speak in their own language, (else he could not tempt them all as he does,) yet he has a language proper to himself, and it is the language of the infernal cave or black pit. Wherefore the town of Mansoul (poor hearts!) understood him not, nor did they see how he crouched and cringed while he stood before Emmanuel their Prince.

Yea, they all this while took him to be one of that power and force that by no means could be resisted. Wherefore, while he was thus

Well, when this pretended king had made an end of what he would say, Emmanuel, the golden Prince, stood up and spake; the contents of whose words follow:

"Thou deceiving one," said he, "I have, in my Father's name, in my own name, and on the behalf and for the good of this wretched town of Mansoul, somewhat to say unto thee. Thou pretendest a right, a lawful right, to the deplorable town of Mansoul, when it is most apparent to all my Father's court that the entrance which thou hast obtained in at the gates of Mansoul was through thy lies and falsehood. Thou beliedst my Father and thou beliedst his law, and so deceivedst the people of Mansoul. Thou pretendest that the people have accepted thee for their king, their captain, and right liege lord, but that also was by the exercise of deceit and guile. Now, if lying, wiliness, sinful craft, and all manner of horrible hypocrisy will go in my Father's court (in which court thou must be tried) for equity and right, then will I confess unto thee that thou hast made a lawful conquest. But, alas! what thief, what tyrant, what devil is there that may not conquer after this sort? But I can make it appear, O Diabolus, that thou, in all thy pretences to a conquest of Mansoul, hast nothing of truth to say. Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou didst put the lie upon my Father, and madest him to Mansoul the greatest deluder in the world? And what sayest thou to thy perverting, knowingly, the right purport and intent of the law? Was it good also that thou madest a prey of the innocency and simplicity of the now miserable town of Mansoul? Yea, thou didst overcome Mansoul by promising to them happiness in their transgressions against my Father's law, when thou knowest, and couldest not but know hadst thou consulted nothing but thine own experience, that that was the way to undo them. Thou hast also thyself, (O thou master of enmity!) of despite, defaced my Father's image in Mansoul, and set up thy own in its place, to the great contempt of my Father, the heightening of thy sin, and to the intolerable damage of the per ishing town of Mansoul.

"Thou hast moreover (as if all these were but little things with thee) not only deluded and undone this place, but by thy lies and fraud.