you also in your own eyes, from all false traitors that may creep in among you.

Then he commanded that those that waited upon him should go and bring forth out of his treasury those white and glistering robes that White robes. I, said he, have provided and laid up in store for my Mansoul. So the white garments were fetched out of his treasury, and laid forth to the eyes of the people. Moreover, it was granted to them that they should take them and put them on, according, said he, to your size and stature. So the people were put into white, into fine linen, white and clean. Re. xix. 8.

Then said the Prince unto them, This, O Mansoul, is my livery, and the badge by which mine are known from the servants of others. Yea, it is that which I grant to all that are mine, and without which no man is permitted to see my face. Wear them therefore for my sake who gave them unto you; and also if you would be known by the world to be mine.

But now! can you think how Mansoul shone? It was fair as the sun, clear as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners. Ca. vi. The Prince added further, and said, No prince, That which dis potentate, or mighty one of Universe, Mansoul from giveth this livery but myself; behold other people. therefore, as I said before, you shall be known by it to be mine.

tinguisheth

And now, said he, I have given you my livery, let me give you also in commandment concerning them; and be sure that you take good heed to my words. First, Wear them daily, day by day, lest you should at sometimes appear to others as if you were none of mine. Secondly, Keep them always white, for, if they be soiled, it is dishonour to me. Ec. ix. 8, Thirdly, Wherefore gird them up from the ground, and let them not lag with dust and dirt. Fourthly, Take heed that you lose them not, lest you walk naked, and they see your shame.1 Re. iii. 2. Fifthly, But if you should sully them, if you should defile them-the which I am greatly unwilling you should, and the prince Diabolus would be glad if you would-then speed you to do that which is written in my law, that yet you may stand, and not fall before me, and before my throne. Lu. xxì. 36. Also this is the way to cause that I may not leave you nor forsake you while here, but may dwell in this town of Mansoul for

ever. Re. vii. 15-17.

And now was Mansoul, and the inhabitants of it, as the signet upon Emmanuel's right hand; where was there now a town, a city, a corporation

that could compare with Mansoul-a town redeemed from the hand and from the power of Diabolus-a town that the King The glorious state Shaddai loved, and that he sent Em- of Mansoul. manuel to regain from the prince of the infernal cave-yea, a town that Emmanuel loved to dwell in, and that he chose for his royal habitation—a town that he fortified for himself, and made strong by the force of his army? What shall I say? Mansoul has now a most excellent Prince, golden captains and men of war, weapons proved, and garments as white as snow. Nor are these benefits to be counted little but great. Can the town of Mansoul esteem them so, and improve them to that end and purpose for which they are bestowed upon them?

When the Prince had thus completed the modelling of the town, to show that he had great delight in the work of his hands, and took pleasure in the good that he had wrought for the famous and flourishing Mansoul, he commanded, and they set his standard upon the battlements of the castle. And then,

The will.

First, He gave them frequent visits, not a day now but the elders of Mansoul must come to him, or he to them, into his palace. Now they must walk and talk together of all the great things that he had done, and yet further promised to do for the town of Mansoul. 2 Co. vi. 16. Thus would he often do with the Lord-Mayor, my Understanding. Lord Will-be-will, and the honest subordinate preacher Mr. Conscience, and Mr. Recorder. But 0! how graciously, how lovingly, how courteously, and tenderly did this blessed prince now carry it towards the town of Mansoul! In all the streets, gardens, orchards, and other places where he came, to be sure the poor Hungry should have his blessing and benediction; yea, he would kiss them, and if they were ill, he would lay hands on them, and make them well. The captains also he would daily, yea, sometimes hourly encourage with his presence and goodly words. For you must know that a smile from him upon them would put more vigour, more life and stoutness into them, than would anything else under heaven.

thoughts.2

3 A token of beauty.

pardon.

Secondly, When the elders and A token of townsmen did not come to him, he would send in much plenty of provision unto them, meat that came from court, wine and bread that were prepared for his Father's table. Yea, such delicates would he send unto them, and therewith would so cover their table, that whoever saw it confessed that the like could not be seen in any kingdom,

Thirdly, If Mansoul did not frequently visit him as he desired they should, he would walk out to them, knock at their doors and desire entrance, that amity might be maintained betwixt them and him. If they did hear and open to him, as commonly they would, if they were at home, then would he renew his former love, and confirm it too with some new tokens and signs of continued favour. Re. iii. 20.

The danger of wandering thoughts.

Ca. v. 2.

And was it not now amazing to behold, that in that very place where sometimes Diabolus had his abode, and entertained his Diabolonians to the almost utter destruction of Mansoul, the Prince of princes should sit eating and drinking with them, while all his mighty captains, men of war, trumpeters, with the singing-men and singing-women of his Father, stood round about to wait upon them! Now did Mansoul's cup run over, now did her conduits run sweet wine, now did she eat the finest of the wheat, and drink milk and honey out of the rock! Now she said, How great is his goodness! for since I found favour in his eyes, how honourable have I been!

Mansoul's glory.

The blessed Prince did also order a new officer in the town, and a goodly person he was; his name was Mr. God's-peace. Col. iii. 15. This man was set over my Lord Will-be-will, my Lord Mayor, Mr. Recorder, the subordinate Preacher, Mr. Mind, and over all the natives of the town of Mansoul. Himself was not a native of it, but came with the Prince Emmanuel from the court. He was a great acquaintance of Captain Credence and Captain Goodhope; some say they were kin, and I am of that opinion too. Ro. xv. 13. This man, as I said, was made governor of the town in general, especially over the castle, and Captain Credence was to help him there. And I made great obser

How blessed is the Christian who lives in the holy enjoyment of his high and heavenly privileges! Every day is a feast-day, bringing fresh discoveries of grace and foretastes of glory. (ED.)

This is a beautiful representation of the holy enjoyment of Divine things, when the soul is emancipated from sin, and enjoys a little heaven on earth, It is in Bunyan's Grace

vation of it, that so long as all things went in Mansoul as this sweet-natured gentleman would, the town was in most happy condition. Now there were no jars, no chiding, no interferings, no unfaithful doings in all the town of Mansoul, every man in Mansoul kept close to his own employment. The gentry, the officers, the soldiers, and all in place observed their order. And as Holy conceptions, for the women and children of the Good thoughts. town, they followed their business joyfully, they would work and sing, work and sing from morning till night; so that quite through the town of Mansoul now, nothing was to be found but harmony, quietness, joy, and health. And this lasted all that summer.

6

[CHAPTER XII.]

[CONTENTS:-Carnal-security prevailing in the town, a cool

ness takes place between the inhabitants and Emmanuel; who, being greatly offended, privately withdraws-Godlyfear, who detects the cause of his removal, excites the people to destroy Mr. Carnal-security-Measures are then taken to induce Emmanuel to return.]

But there was a man in the town of Mansoul, and his name was Mr. Carnal-security. This man did, after all this mercy bestowed The story of Mr. on this corporation, bring the town of Carnal-security. Mansoul into great and grievous slavery and bondage. A brief account of him and of his doings take as followeth :—

Mr. Self-conceit.

When Diabolus at first took possession of the town of Mansoul, he brought thither with himself a great number of Diabolonians, men of his own condition. Now among these there was one whose name was Mr. Self-conceit, and a notable brisk man he was, as any that in those days did possess the town of Mansoul. Diabolus then perceiving this man to be active and bold, sent him upon many desperate designs, the which he managed better, and more to the pleasing of his Lord, than most that came with him from the dens could do. Wherefore finding of him so fit for his purpose, he preferred him, and made him next to the great Lord Will-be-will, of whom we have written so much before. Now the Lord Will-be-will being in those days very well pleased with him, and with his achievements, gave him his daughter, the Lady Fear-nothing, to wife. Now of my Lady Fear-nothing did this Mr. Carnal-sceuriSelf-conceit beget this gentleman Mr. ty's original. Carnal-security. Wherefore there being then in Mansoul those strange kinds of mixtures, it was Abounding, No. 252-'I had strange apprehensions of the grace of God, so that I could hardly bear up under it; it was so out of measure amazing, that I think if it had abode long upon me, it would have made me incapable of business.(ED.)

Carnal security, or comfort and security in the flesh, instead of living on Christ by faith.-(ED.)

hard for them in some cases to find out who were natives, who not; for Mr. Carnal-security sprang from my Lord Will-be-will by mother's side, though he had for his father a Diabolonian by nature.1 Well, this Carnal-security took much after his father and mother; he was self-conIlis qualities. ceited, he feared nothing, he was also a very busy man; nothing of news, nothing of doctrine, nothing of alteration, or talk of alteration, could at any time be on foot in Mansoul, but be sure Mr. Carnal-security would be at the head or tail of it; but to be sure he would decline those that he deemed the weakest, and the strongest stood always with them, in his way of standing, that he supposed was the

Ile is always for

side.

strongest side.

Now when Shaddai the mighty, and Emmanuel his Son made war upon Mansoul to take it, this Mr. Carnal-security was then in town, and was a great doer the people, encouraging them in among their rebellion, putting of them upon hardening of themselves in their resisting of the King's forces; but when he saw that the town of Mansoul was taken and converted to the use of the glorious Prince Emmanuel, and when he also saw what was become of Diabolus, and how he was unroosted, and made to quit the castle in the greatest contempt and scorn, and that the town of Mansoul was well lined with captains, engines of war, and men, and also provision, what doth he but slily wheel about also; and as he had served Diabolus against the good Prince, so he feigned that he would serve the Prince against his focs.

the misery of

And having got some little smattering of Emmanuel's things by the end, being bold, he ventures himself into the company of the townsmen, and attempts also to chat among them. Now How Mr.Carnal- he knew that the power and strength tee of the town of Mansoul was great, and Mansoul. that it could not but be pleasing to the people if he cried up their might and their glory. Wherefore he beginneth his tale with the power and strength of Mansoul, and affirmed that it was impregnable. Now magnifying their captains, and their slings, and their rams; then crying up their fortifications, and strong holds; and lastly, the assurances that they had from their Prince that Mansoul should be happy for ever. But when he

1 Vices are so disguised, that no merely human vigilance or sagacity can detect them lurking in the walls of Mansoul; hence the necessity of the cry, 'Search me, and try me, O God.'-(ED.)

"I have not been able to find any illustration of this saying. It probably means, that without any inquiry into the former state of Mansoul-its lost, helpless, hopeless, miserable condition, and its cry, Lord, save, I perish! Carnal-security, proud of the elevation of Mansoul, considered it safe, without the trouble of prayer or watchfulness. How essential it is that we examine premises before we jump at conclusions, or take things by the end!-(ED.)

saw that some of the men of the town were tickled and taken with his discourse, he makes it his business, and walking from street to street, house to house, and man to man, he at last brought Mansoul to dance after his pipe, and to grow almost as carnally secure as himself; so from talking they went to feasting, and from feasting to sporting; and so to some other matters. Now Emmanuel was yet in the town of Mansoul, and he wisely observed their doings. My Lord Mayor, my Lord Will-be-will, and Mr. Recorder, were also all taken with the words of this tattling Diabolonian gentleman, forgetting that their Prince had given. them warning before to take heed that they were not beguiled with any Diabolonian sleight. He had further told them that the secur- It is not grace ity of the now flourishing town of received, but grace improv Mansoul, did not so much lie in her ed, that preserves the soul present fortifications and force, as in from temporal dangers. her so using of what she had, as might oblige her Emmanuel to abide within her castle.3 For the right doctrine of Emmanuel was, that the town of Mansoul should take heed that they forget not his Father's love and his; also that they should so demean themselves as to continue to keep themselves therein. Now this was not the way to do it, namely, to fall in love with one of the Diabolonians, and with such an one too as Mr. Carnalsecurity was, and to be led up and down by the nose by him. They should have heard their Prince, feared their Prince, loved their Prince, and have stoned this naughty pack to death, and took care to have walked in the ways of their Prince's prescribing, for then should their peace have been as a river, when their righteousness had been like the waves of the sea.

Now when Emmanuel perceived that, through the policy of Mr. Carnal-security, the hearts of the men of Mansoul were chilled, and abated in their practical love to him;5 first, he bemoans them, and condoles their state with the Secretary, saying, O that my people had hearkened unto me, and Emmanuel bethat Mansoul had walked in my ways! I would have fed them with the finest of the wheat, and with honey out of the rock would I have sustained them. Ps. lxxxi. 16. This done, he said in his heart,

moans Mansoul.

3 Carnal-security, the offspring of Self-conceit and Fearnothing, is one of our most subtle enemies, and needs our utmost vigilance. To rejoice in our fortifications, or the doctrines of grace, is our duty and privilege; but all our trust must be in our living union to our ever-living Head.—(ED.)

4 Led by the nose;' to discover by any strong smell; to be led without resistance, or inquiring the reason. (ED.)

A child in religion would naturally inquire why Carnalsecurity was not forthwith seized, tried, and executed. But by the time that he had rendered himself liable to punishment no jury could have been found in Mansoul to convict him. God's ways are not as our ways; he is permitted to carry on his treason, that the solid peace of Mansoul might be promoted. Thus the bitter comes before the sweet, to make the sweet the sweeter.'-(Ed.)

I will return to the court and go to my place, till Mansoul shall consider and acknowledge their offence. And he did so, and the cause and manner of his going away from them was thusThe cause was, for that Mansoul declined him, as is manifest in these particulars,

The way of Mansoul's backsliding.

1. They left off their former way of visiting of him, they came not to his royal palace as afore. 2. They did not regard, nor yet take notice that he came, or came not to visit them. 3. The love-feasts that had wont to be between their Prince and them, though he made them still, and called them to them, yet they neglected to come at them, or to be delighted with them. 4. They waited not for his counsels, but began to be headstrong and confident in themselves, concluding that now they were strong and invincible, and that Mansoul was secure, and beyond all reach of the foe, and that her state must needs be unalterable for ever.1

Now, as was said, Emmanuel perceiving that by the craft of Mr. Carnal-security, the town of Mansoul was taken off from their dependence upon him, and upon his Father by him, and set upon what by them was bestowed upon it; he first, as I said, bemoaned their state, then he used means to make them understand that the way that they went on in was dangerous. For he sent my Lord High Secretary to them, to forbid them such ways; but twice when he came to them he found them at dinner in Mr. Carnal-security's parlour, and perceiving also that they were not willing to reason about matters concerning their good, They grieve the Holy Ghost and he took grief and went his way. The which when he had told to the Prince Emmanuel, he took offence, and was grieved also, and so made provision to return to his Father's

Christ.

court.

Christ withdraws not all at once.

Now the methods of his withdrawing, as I was saying before, were thus, 1. Even while he was yet with them in Mansoul, he kept himself close, and more retired than formerly. 2. His speech was not now, if he came in their company, so pleasant and familiar as formerly. 3. Nor did he, as in times past, send to Mansoul from his table those dainty bits which he was wont to do. 4. Nor when they came to visit him, as now and then they would, would he be so easily spoken with as they found him to be in times past. They might now knock once, The working of yea twice, but he would seem not at their affections. all to regard them; whereas formerly, at the sound of their feet, he would up and run, and meet them half way, and take them too, and lay them in his bosom.

10 Christian, beware of the first step in backsliding! While you seck the Saviour's face, and walk humbly with God, you are safe.—(ED.)

He is gone.

But thus Emmanuel carried it now, and by this his carriage he sought to make them bethink them. selves and return to him. But, alas! they did not consider, they did not know his ways, they regarded not, they were not touched with these, nor with the true remembrance of former favours. Wherefore what does he but in private manner withdraw himself, first from his palace, then to the gate of the town, and so away from Mansoul he goes, till they should acknowledge their offence, and more earnestly seek his face. Ho. v. 15. Mr. God's-peace also laid down his commission, and would for the present act no longer in the town of Mansoul.2 Eze. xi. 21.

Thus they walked contrary to him, and he again by way of retaliation, walked contrary to them. Le. xxvi. 21–24. But, alas! by this time they were so hardened in their way, and had so drunk in the doctrine of Mr. Carnal-security, that the departing of their Prince touched them not, nor was he remembered by them when gone; and so, of consequence, his absence not condoled by them. Je. ii. 32.

Now there was a day wherein this old gentleman Mr. Carnal-security did again make a Atrick put upon feast for the town of Mansoul, and Mr. Godly-fear, there was at that time in the town one Mr. Godlyfear, one now but little set by, though formerly one of great request. This man old Carnal-security had a mind, if possible, to gull and debauch, and abuse as he did the rest, and therefore He goes to the he now bids him to the feast with his neighbours; so the day being come they prepare, and he goes and appears with the rest of the guests; and being all set at the table, they did eat and drink, and were merry even all but this one man. For Mr. Godly-fear sat like a stranger, and did neither eat, nor was merry. The which when Mr. Carnal-security perceived, he presently addressed himself in a speech thus to him:

feast and sits there like a stranger.

Talk betwixt curity and Mr. Godly-fear.

Mr. Carnal-se

CARN. Mr. Godly-fear, are you not well? you seem to be ill of body or mind, or both. I have a cordial of Mr. Forget-good's making, the which, Sir, if you will take a dram of, I hope it may make you bonny and blithe, and so make you more fit for we feasting companions.

GODLY. Unto whom the good old gentleman discreetly replied, Sir, I thank you for all things courteous and civil, but for your cordial I have no list thereto. But a word to the natives of Mansoul-you the elders and chief of Mansoul, to me it is strange to see you so jocund and merry, when the town of Mansoul is in such woful case.

CARN. Then said Mr. Carnal-security, You want sleep, good Sir, I doubt. If you please lie down and take a nap, and we, meanwhile, will be merry. 2 Christ and the Spirit, and consequently peace, withdraw from the carnally secure.-(Mason.)