they told the first part of Emmanuel's speech to the prisoners; to wit, how he reflected upon their The messengers, disloyalty to his Father and himself, in telling their and how they had chose and closed tale, fright the prisoners. with Diabolus, had fought for him, hearkened to him, and been ruled by him, but had despised him and his men. This made the prisoners look pale; but the messengers proceeded, and said, He, the Prince, said, moreover, that yet he would consider your petition, and give such answer thereto as would stand with his glory. And as these words were spoken, Mr. Weteyes gave a great sigh. At this they were all of them struck into their dumps, and could not tell what to say. Fear also possessed them in a marvellous manner; and death seemed to sit upon some of their eyebrows.' Now, there was in the company a notable sharpwitted fellow, a mean man of estate, Old Inquisitive. and his name was old Inquisitive. This man asked the petitioners if they had told out every whit of what Emmanuel said. And they answered, Verily, no. Then said Inquisitive, I thought so, indeed. Pray, what was it more that he said unto you? Then they paused awhile; but at last they brought out all, saying, The Prince did bid us bid Captain Boanerges and Captain Conviction bring the prisoners down to him to-morrow; and that Captain Judgment and Captain Execution should take charge of the castle and town till they should hear further from him. They said also that when the Prince had commanded them thus to do, he immediately turned his back upon them, and went into his royal pavillion.

* Conscience.

But O how this return, and especially this last clause of it, that the prisoners must go out to the Prince into the camp, brake all their loins in pieces! Wherefore, with one voice, they set up a cry that reached up to the heavens.2 This done, each of the three prepared himself to die; and the Recorder said unto them, This was the thing that I feared; for they concluded that to-morrow, by that the sun went down, they should be tumbled out of the world. The whole town also counted of no other but that, in their time and order, they must all drink of the same cup. Wherefore the town of Mansoul spent that night in mourning, and sackcloth, and ashes. The prisoners also, when the time was come for them to go down before the prince, dressed themselves in mourning attire, with ropes upon their heads. The whole town of Mansoul also showed themselves upon the wall, all clad in mourning

1 See Grace Abounding, No. 210-212.—(ED.) 2O! how gladly now would I have been anybody but myself, anything but a man, and in any condition but my own; for there was nothing did pass more frequently over my mind than that it was impossible for me to be forgiven my transgression, and to be saved from wrath to come.'-Grace Abounding, No. 149; see also No. 140.—(ED.)

* Vain thoughts.

weeds, if, perhaps, the Frince, with the sight thereof, might be moved with compassion. But O how the busybodies that were in the town of Mansoul did now concern themselves! They did run here and there through the streets of the town by companies, crying out as they ran in tumultuous wise, one after one manner, and another the quite contrary, to the almost utter distraction of Mansoul.

Well, the time is come that the prisoners must go down to the camp, and appear before the Prince. And thus was the manner of their The prisoners going down. Captain Boanerges went had to trial. with a guard before them, and Captain Conviction came behind, and the prisoners went down bound in chains in the midst; so, I say, the prisoners went in the midst, and the guard went with flying colours behind and before, but the prisoners went with drooping spirits.

Or, more particularly, thus:

How they went.

The prisoners went down all in mourning; they put ropes upon themselves; they went on smiting of themselves on the breasts, but durst not lift up their eyes to heaven. Thus they went out at the gate of Mansoul, till they came into the midst of the Prince's army, the sight and glory of which did greatly heighten their affliction. Nor could they now longer forbear, but cry out aloud, O unhappy men! O wretched men of Mansoul! Their chains still mixing their dolorous notes with the cries of the prisoners, made noise more lamentable.*

They fall down prostrate before him.

So, when they were come to the door of the Prince's pavilion, they cast themselves prostrate upon the place. Then one went in and told his Lord that the prisoners were come down. The Prince then ascended a throne of state, and sent for the prisoners in; who when they came, did tremble before him, also they covered their faces with shame. Now as they drew near to the place where he sat, they threw themselves down before him. Then said the Prince to the Captain Boanerges, Bid the prisoners stand upon their feet. Then they stood trembling before him, and he said, Are you the men that heretofore were the servants They are upon of Shaddai? And they said, Yes, Lord, yes. Then said the Prince again, Are you the men that did suffer yourselves to be corrupted and defiled by that abominable one Diabolus? And they said, We did more than suffer it, Lord; for

their trial.

3 I thought also of Benhadad's servants, who went with ropes upon their heads to their enemies for mercy. 1 Ki. xx. 31. -Grace Abounding, No. 251.—(ED.)

This godly sorrow was a prelude to joy unspeakable and full of glory. This sort of weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. They went forth weeping, bearing precious seed, but were soon to return with joy, bringing their sheaves with them.-(Burder.)

* Sins.

we chose it of our own mind. The Prince asked further, saying, Could you have been content that your slavery should have continued under his tyranny as long as you had lived? Then said the prisoners, Yes, Lord, yes; for his ways were pleasing to our flesh, and we were grown aliens to a better state. And did you, said he, when I came up against this town of Mansoul, heartily wish that I might not have the victory over you? Yes, Lord, yes, said they. Then said the Prince, And what punishment is it, think you, that you deserve at my hand for these and other your high and mighty sins? And they said, Both death and the deep,1 Lord; for we have deserved no less. He asked again if they had ought to say for themselves, why the sentence that they confessed that they had deserved should not be passed upon They condemn them? And they said, We can say themselves. nothing, Lord; thou art just, for we have sinned. Then said the Prince, And for what are those ropes on your heads? The prisoners answered, these ropes * are to bind us withal to the place of execution, if mercy be not pleasing in thy sight. So he further asked, if all the men in the town of Mansoul were in this confession as they? And they answered, All the natives,* Lord; but for the Diabolonians † that came into our town when the tyrant got possession of us, and lusts. we can say nothing for them.2 Then the Prince commanded that a herald A victory should be called, and that he should, proclaimed. in the midst, and throughout the camp of Emmanuel, proclaim, and that with sound of trumpet, that the Prince, the Son of Shaddai, had, in his Father's name, and for his Father's glory, gotten a perfect conquest and victory over Mansoul, and that the prisoners should follow him, and say, Amen. So this was done as he had comJoy for the manded. And presently the music victory. that was in the upper region sounded melodiously. The captains that were in the camp shouted, and the soldiers did sing songs of triumph to the Prince, the colours waved in the wind, and great joy was everywhere, only it was wanting as yet in the hearts of the men of Mansoul.3

* Powers of the

soul.

r Corruptions

1 'Death and the deep; or bottomless pit.—(ED.) 2 The distinction between inbred sins and the evil suggestions of the enemy is very difficult to be drawn. The gold, silver, and precious stones will be purified and polished; while the wood, hay, and stubble will be burned up. 1 Co. iii. 12, 13. The natives or powers of the soul are pardoned, while the corruptions and lusts are to be crucified. Reader, this is solemn, searching heart-work.—(ED.)

The work of conversion is accomplished-the heart taken; the victory of Emmanuel over Mansoul is proclaimed; the heavenly host rejoices; Diabolus is driven from the town, but the King of glory has not yet entered-his gracious presence is not yet felt in the soul; the gates are open; he will enter, and will not tarry. Is this to show that Heart Castle is to be

They are par

commanded to proclaim it toin

morrow

Mansoul.

Then the Prince called for the prisoners to come and to stand again before him, and they came and stood trembling. And doned, and are he said unto them, The sins, trespasses, iniquities, that you, with the whole town of Mansoul, have from time to time committed against my Father and me, I have power and commandment from my Father to forgive to the town of Mansoul; and do forgive you accordingly. And having so said, he gave them written in parchment, and sealed with seven seals, a large and general pardon, commanding both my Lord Mayor, my Lord Will-bewill, and Mr. Recorder, to proclaim, and cause it to be proclaimed to-morrow by that the sun is up, throughout the whole town of Mansoul. Moreover, the Prince stripped the prisoners of their mourning weeds, and them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.' Is. Ixi. 3,

gave

Their rags are taken from them.

ation.

Then he gave to each of the three, jewels of gold, and precious stones, and took A strange alteraway their ropes, and put chains of gold about their necks, and ear-rings in their ears. Now the prisoners, when they did hear the gracious words of Prince Emmanuel, and had beheld all that was done unto them, fainted almost quite away; for the grace, the benefit, the pardon, was sudden, glorious, and so big, that they were not able, without staggering, to stand up under it.* Yea, my Lord Will-be-will swooned outright; but the Prince stepped to him, put his everlasting arms under him, embraced him, kissed him, and bid him be of good cheer, for all should be performed according to his word. He also did kiss, and embrace, and smile upon the other two that were Will-bewill's companions, saying, Take these as further tokens of my love, favour, and compassion to you; and I charge you, that you, Mr. Recorder, tell in the town of Mansoul what you have heard and seen. Then were their fetters broken to pieces before their faces, and cast into the Their guilt. air, and their steps were enlarged under them. Then they fell down at the feet of the Prince, and kissed his feet, and wetted them

5

prepared for him, after it has been occupied by infernals ? The preparation of the heart is with bim,' and then comes the answer of the tongue.' Pr. xvi. 1.—(ED.)

6

4 I had such strange apprehensions of the grace of God that I could hardly bear up under it; it was so out of measure amazing, when I thought it could reach me, that I do think, if that sense of it had abode long upon me, it would have made me incapable of business.-Grace Abounding, No. 252.-(ED.) For the meaning of 'their steps were enlarged,' consult Ps. xviii. 36, and Pr. iv. 12. It is here most admirably introduced. After having been shut up and environed by the most distressing fears and awful alarms of conscience, the soul is now at liberty, and walks in peace; the Rock of ages supporting their hopes, full of heavenly anticipations and holy enjoyments.-(ED.)

They are sent

and tabor.

strong voice, saying, 'Blessed be the glory of the Lord from this place.' Eze. iii. 12. So they were bid rise up, and go to the town, and tell to Mansoul what the Prince had done. He commanded also that one with a pipe and tabor should home with pipe go and play before them all the way into the town of Mansoul. Then was fulfilled what they never looked for, and they were made to possess that which they never dreamed of.1 The Prince also called for the noble Captain Credence guards them Captain Credence, and commanded home. that he and some of his officers should march before the noblemen of Mansoul with flying colours into the town. He gave also unto Captain Credence a charge, that meet about that time that the Recorder did read the general pardon in the town of Mansoul, that at that very time he

When faith and pardon

together, judg cution depart

ment and exe

from the heart. should with flying colours march in at Eyegate with his ten thousands at his feet, and that he should go until he came by the high street of the town, up to the castle gates, and that himself should take possession thereof against his Lord came thither. He commanded, moreover, that he should bid Captain Judgment and Captain Execution to leave the strong hold to him, and to withdraw from Mensoul, and to return into the camp with speed unto the Prince.

And now was the town of Mansoul also delivered from the terror of the first four captains and their Inen.2

[CHAPTER IX.]

[CONTENTS:-The liberated prisoners return to Mansoul, where they are received with great joy-The inhabitants request Emmanuel to take up his residence among them-He consents-Makes a triumphal entry amid the shouts of the people-The town is new modelled, and the image of Shaddai erected.]

Well, I told you before how the prisoners were entertained by the noble Prince Emmanuel, and how they behaved themselves before him, and how he sent them away to their home with pipe and tabor going before them. And now you must think that those of the town that had all this while waited to hear of their death, could not but be exercised with sadness of mind, and with thoughts that pricked like thorns. Nor could their thoughts be kept to any one point; the wind blew with them

1 What a change! When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing; then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. Who is like unto thee, pardoning iniquity, transgression, and sin? Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity. Blessed is the man to whom God imputeth righteousness without works.' Ro. iv. 6.—(Burder.)

hearts were like a balance that had been disquieted with a shaking hand. But at last, as they with many a long look looked over the wall of Mansoul, they thought that they saw some returning to the town; and thought again, Who should they be too, who should they be! At last they discerned that they were the prisoners; but can you imagine how their hearts were surprised with wonder, especially when they perceived also in what equipage and with what honour they were sent home? They went down to the camp in black, but they came back to the town in white; they went down A strange alter. to the camp in ropes, they came back ation. in chains of gold; they went down to the camp with their feet in fetters, but came back with their steps enlarged under them; they went also to the camp looking for death, but they came back from thence with assurance of life; they went down to the camp with heavy hearts, but came back again with pipe and tabor playing before them. So, so soon as they were come to Eyegate, the poor and tottering town of Mansoul adventured to give a shout, and they gave such a shout as made the captains in the Prince's army leap at the sound thereof.

Alas for them, poor hearts! who could blame them, since their dead friends were come to life again? for it was to them as life from the dead, to see the ancients of the town of Mansoul to shine in such splendour. They looked for nothing but the axe and the block; but behold, joy and gladness, comfort and consolation, and such melodious notes attending of them that was sufficient to make a sick man well. So when they came up, they saluted each other with Welcome! welcome! and blessed be he that has spared you. Is. xxxiii. 24. They added also, We see it is well with you, but how must it go with the town of Mansoul? and, Will it go well with the town of Mansoul? said they. Then answered them the Re- Conscience. The corder and my Lord Mayor, O tidings! understanding. glad tidings! good tidings of good and of great joy to poor Mansoul! Then they gave another shout that made the earth to ring again. After this they inquired yet more particularly how things went in the camp, and what message they had from Emmanuel to the town, So they told them all passages that had happened to them at the camp, and everything that the Prince did to them. This made Mansoul wonder at the wisdom and grace of the Prince Emmanuel. Then they told them what they had received at his hands for the whole town

2 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.' The four captains no longer denounce the wrath of God; the end of their ministry is accomplished, and their awful speeches are no more heard. This is well expressed in the margin. When faith and pardon meet together, judgment and execution depart from the heart.-(Burder.)

of Mansoul; and the Recorder delivered it in these O the joy of words-PARDON, PARDON, PARDON for pardon of sin! Mansoul; and this shall Mansoul know to-morrow. Then he commanded, and they went and summoned Mansoul to meet together in the market-place to-morrow, there to hear their general pardon read.

But who can think what a turn, what a change, what an alteration this hint of things did make in the countenance of the town of Mansoul! No man of Mansoul could sleep that night for joy; in every house there was joy and music, singing Town-talk of the and making merry, telling and hearing King's mercy. of Mansoul's happiness, was then all that Mansoul had to do; and this was the burden of all their song-0, more of this at the rising of the sun! more of this to-morrow! Who thought yesterday, would one say, that this day would have been such a day to us? And who thought, that saw our prisoners go down in irons, that they would have returned in chains of gold! yea, they that judged themselves as they went to be judged of their judge, were by his mouth acquitted, not for that they were innocent, but of the Prince's mercy, and sent home with pipe and tabor. But is this the common custom of princes? do they use to show such kind of favours to traitors? No! this is only peculiar to Shaddai, and unto Emmanuel his Son.2 Now morning drew on apace, wherefore the Lord Mayor, the Lord Will-be-will, and Mr. Recorder came down to the market-place at the time that the Prince had appointed, where the townsfolk were waiting for them; and when they came, they came in that attire and in that glory that the Prince had put them into the day before, and the street was lightened with their glory. So the Mayor, Recorder, and my Lord Will-be-will drew down to Mouthgate, which was at the lower end of the market-place, because that of old time was the place where they used to read public matters. Thither therefore they came in their robes, and their tabret went before them. Now the eagerness of the people to know the full of the matter was great. Then the Recorder stood up upon his feet, and first beckoning with his hand for a reading the silence, he read out with loud voice the pardon. pardon. But when he came to these

The manner of

1 Reader, have you experienced this holy joy, 'unspeakable, and full of glory?' What can we render to God for such a blessing. Our light afflictions, which grind us to the earth, are but for a moment in comparison with an eternal weight of glory.' 'The inhabitants shall not say, I am sick;' there is to cause of sickness or pain, for they are 'forgiven their iniquity.' Is. xxxiii. 24.-(ED.)

2 Man bestows favours on the most worthy, but God extends mercy to enemies, rebels, and beggars; whom he strips of their filthy rags of pride and self-righteousness, blots out their sins by the blood of his cross, and arrays with the best robe of salvation. (Masou.)

VOL. III.

words, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, pardoning iniquity, transgression, and sin,' Ex. xxxiv. 6; and to these, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven,' &c., Mar. iii. 28; they could not forbear but leap for joy. For this you must know, that there was conjoined herewith every man's name in Mansoul; also the seals of the pardon made a brave show.3

upon the flesh.

When the Recorder had made an end of reading the pardon, the townsmen ran up upon Now they tread the walls of the town, and leaped and skipped thereon for joy; and bowed themselves seven times with their faces towards Emmanuel's pavilion, and shouted out aloud for joy, and said, Let Emmanuel live for ever! Then order was given to the young men in Mansoul, Lively and warm that they should ring the bells for joy. thoughts. So the bells did ring, and the people sing, and the music go in every house in Mansoul.*

the camp.

When the Prince had sent home the three prisoners of Mansoul with joy, and pipe, and tabor; he commanded his captains, with all The carriage of the field-officers and soldiers throughout his army, to be ready in that morning that the Recorder should read the pardon in Mansoul, to do his further pleasure. So the morning, as I have showed, being come, just as the Recorder had made an end of reading the pardon, Emmanuel commanded that all the trumpets in the camp should sound, that the colours should be displayed, half of them upon Mount Gracious, and half of them upon Mount Justice.5 He commanded also that all the captains should show themselves in all their harness, and that the soldiers should shout for joy. Nor was Captain Credence, Faith will not though in the castle, silent in such a day, but he, from the top of the hold, saved, showed himself with sound of trumpet to Mansoul, and to the Prince's camp.

be silent when Mansoul is

Thus have I showed you the manner and way that Emmanuel took to recover the town of Mansoul from under the hand and power of the tyrant Diabolus.

Now when the Prince had completed these, the outward ceremonies of his joy, he again commanded that his captains and soldiers should show unto Mansoul some feats of war. So they presently addressed themselves to this work. But 0, with what agility,

The Prince displays his graces before Mansoul.

They marched, they counter-marched, they opened to the right and left, they divided and subdivided, they closed, they wheeled, made good their front and rear with their right and left wings, and twenty things more, with that aptness, and then were all as they were again, that They are ravished at the sight of they took, yea, ravished the hearts that were in Mansoul to behold it. But add to this, the handling of their arms, the managing of their weapons of war, were marvellous taking to Mansoul and me.1

them.

his men will dwell with them for ever.

When this action was over, the whole town of Mansoul came out as one man to the Prince in the camp to thank him, and praise him for his abundant favour, and to beg that it would please his They beg that grace to come unto Mansoul with his the Prince and men, and there to take up their quarters for ever. And this they did in most humble manner, bowing themselves seven times to the ground before him. Then said he, All peace be to you. So the town came nigh, and touched with the hand the top of his golden sceptre, and they said, O that the Prince | Emmanuel, with his captains and men of war, would dwell in Mansoul for ever; and that his battering rams and slings might be lodged in her for the use and service of the Prince, and for the help and strength of Mansoul. 'For,' said they, 'we have room for thee, we have room for thy men, we have also room for thy weapons of war, and a place to make a magazine for thy carriages. Do it, Say, and hold to Emmanuel, and thou shalt be King and Captain in Mansoul for ever. Yea, govern thou also according to all the desire of thy soul, and make thou governors and princes under thee of thy captains and men of war, and we will become thy servants, and thy laws shall be our direction.'

it, Mansoul.

They added, moreover, and prayed his Majesty to consider thereof; for,' said they, if now, after all this grace bestowed upon us thy miserable town of Mansoul, thou shouldest withdraw, thou and thy captains from us, the town of Mansoul will die.2 Yea,' said they, our blessed Emmanuel, if thou shouldest depart from us now thou hast done so much good for us, and showed so much mercy unto us; what will follow but that our joy will be as if it had not been, and our enemies will a second time come upon us with more rage than at the

And me,' shows the personal interest of the author in this soul's conflict with the prince of darkness. The war is to be carried on, therefore must Mansoul learn the art of war, and see the King in his beauty, glory, and power, that he may have confidence in him. Christ, by faith, dwells in the heart, and all is rapture and ecstacy; and they, for a time, see nothing of the Diabolonians who yet lurked in their walls.-(ED.)

Their fears.

desire of our eyes, and the strength and life of our poor town, accept of this motion that now we have made unto our Lord, and come and dwell in the midst of us, and let us be thy people. Besides, Lord, we do not know but that to this day many Diabolonians may be yet lurking in the town of Mansoul, and they will betray us when thou shalt leave us, into the hand of Diabolus again; and who knows what designs, plots, or contrivances have passed betwixt them about these things already; loth we are to fall again into his horrible hands. Wherefore, let it please thee to accept of our palace for thy place of residence, and of the houses of the best men in our town for the reception of thy soldiers, and their furniture.' 3

The Prince's question to Mansoul.

Their answer.

Then said the Prince, If I come to your town, will you suffer me further to prosecute that which is in mine heart against mine enemies and yours, yea, will you help me in such undertakings?' They answered, We know not what we shall do; we did not think once that we should have been such traitors to Shaddai as we have proved to be; what then shall we say to our Lord? Let him put no trust in his saints, let the Prince dwell in our castle, and make of our town a garrison, let him set his noble captains, and his warlike soldiers over us. Yea, let him conquer us with his love, and overcome us with his grace, and then surely shall he be but with us, and help us, as he was, and did that morning that our pardon was read unto us, we shall comply with this, our Lord, and with his ways, and fall in with his word against the mighty.

We

One word more, and thy servants have done, and in this will trouble our Lord no more. know not the depth of the wisdom of thee our Prince. Who could have thought that had been ruled by his reason, that so much sweet as we do now enjoy should have come out of those bitter trials wherewith we were tried at the first? but, Lord, let light go before, and let love come after; yea, take us by the hand, and lead us by thy counsels, and let this always abide upon us, that all things shall be for the best for thy servants, and come to our Mansoul, and do as it pleaseth thee. Or, Lord, come to our Mansoul, do what