• We could also do no less than admire your faithfulness to us, with the greatness of that subtlety that now hath showed itself to be in your heads to serve us against the town of Mansoul. For you have invented for us so excellent a method for our proceeding against that rebellious people; a more effectual cannot be thought of by all the wits of hell. The proposals, therefore, which now at last you have sent us, since we saw them, we have done little else but highly approved and admired them. what strength they could; though, had Apollyon's | noise for joy, that the mountains that stand round advice been taken, they had far more fearfully about Hell-gate-hill had like to have been shaken distressed the town of Mansoul. But, I say, they to pieces at the sound thereof. were willing to lend him what strength they could, not knowing what need they might have of him, when they should engage for themselves, as he. Wherefore, they fell to advising about the next thing propounded, to wit, what soldiers they were, and also how many, with whom Diabolus should go against the town of Mansoul to take it; and after some debate, it was concluded, according as in the letter the Diabolonians had suggested, that none was more fit for that expedition than an army of terrible Doubters. They, therefore, concluded to send against Mansoul an army of sturdy Doubters. The number thought fit to be employed in that service was between twenty and thirty thousand. So then, the result of that great council of those high and mighty lords was, that Diabolus should even now, out of hand, beat up his drum An army of Doubt for men in the land of Doubting, ers as to which land lieth upon the confines of the place called Hell-gate-hill, for men that might be employed by him against the miserable town, Mansoul. It was also concluded that these lords themselves should help him in the The princes of war, and that they would, to that end, the pit go with head and manage his men. So they them. drew up a letter and sent back to the Diabolonians that lurked in Mansoul, and that waited for the back-coming of Mr. Profane, to signify to them into what method and forwardness they at present had put their design. The contents whereof now followeth against the town of Mansoul. Our natives ones, in whom from day to day we boast, and in whose actions all the year long we do greatly delight ourselves, we received your welcome, because highly-esteemed, letter, at the hand of our trusty and greatly beloved, the old gentleman, Mr. Profane; and do give you to understand that when we had broken it up, and had read the contents thereof, to your amazing memory be it spoken, our yawning hollow-bellied place, where we are, made so hideous and yelling a Doubts are dangerous and potent, as well as numberless enemies; they are dishonourable to God's free, sovereign, unasked, unmerited, and everlasting love and mercy in Christ Jesus.-(Mason.) VOL IIL 'Nay, we shall, to encourage you in the profundity of your craft, let you know, that, at a full assembly and conclave of our princes, and principalities of this place, your project was discoursed, and tossed from one side of our cave to the other, by their mightinesses; but a better, and as was by themselves judged, a more fit and proper way by all their wits could not be invented, to surprise, take, and make our own, the rebellious town of Mansoul. 'Wherefore, in fine, all that was said that varied from what you had in your letter propounded, fell of itself to the ground, and yours only was stuck to by Diabolus the prince; yea, his gaping gorge and vaunting paunch was on fire to put your invention into execution. We, therefore, give you to understand that our stout, furious, and unmerciful Diabolus, is raising for your relief, and the ruin of the rebellious town of Mansoul, more than twenty thousand Doubters to come against that people. They are all stout accustomed to war, and that can therefore well and sturdy men, and men that of old have been endure the drum. Í say, he is doing of this work of his with all the possible speed he can; for his heart and spirit is engaged in it. therefore, that as you have hitherto stuck to us, far; that you still will prosecute our design, nor and given us both advice and encouragement thus shall you lose, but be gainers thereby; yea, we intend to make you the lords of Mansoul. We desire, One thing may not by any means be omitted, that is, those with us do desire that every one of you that are in Mansoul would still use all your power, cunning, and skill, with delusive persuasions, yet to draw the town of Mansoul into more sin and wickedness, even that sin may be finished and bring forth death. 'For thus it is concluded with us, that the more vile, sinful, and debauched the town of Mansoul is, the more backward will be their Emmanuel to come to their help, either by presence, or other relief; yea, the more sinful, the more weak, and so the more unable will they be to make resistance when 2 U-2 x Take heed, Man we shall make our assault upon them to swallow 'As to the time of our coming upon Mansoul, we as yet have not fully resolved upon that, though at present some of us think as you, that a market-day, or a market-day at night, will certainly be the best.1 However do you be ready, and when you shall hear our roaring drum without, do you be as busy to make the most horrible confusion within. 1 Fe. v. 8. So shall Mansoul certainly be distressed before and behind, and shall not know which way to betake herself for help. My Lord Lucifer, my Lord Beelzebub, my Lord Apollyon, my Lord Legion, with the rest salute you, as does also my Lord Diabolus, and we wish both you, with all that you do or shall possess, the very self-same fruit and success for their doing, as we ourselves at present enjoy for ours. CERB. Then was Cerberus glad, and said, And is there such brave preparations a-making to go against the miserable town of Mansoul; and would I might be put at the head of a thousand of them, that I might also show my valour against the famous town of Mansoul.3 PROF. Your wish may come to pass; you look like one that has mettle enough, and my lord will have with him those that are valiant and stout. But my business requires haste. CERB. Ay, so it does. Speed thee to the town of Mansoul with all the deepest mischiefs that this place can afford thee. And when thou shalt come to the house of Mr. Mischief, the place where the Diabolonians meet to plot, tell them that Cerberus doth wish them his service, and that if he may, he will with the army come up against the famous town of Mansoul. also. PROF. That I will. And I know that my lords From our dreadful confines in the most fearful that are there will be glad to hear it, and to see Pit, we salute you, and so do those you many legions here with us, wishing you may be as hellishly prosperous as we desire to be ourselves. By the Letter-carrier, Mr, Profane.' Then Mr. Profane addressed himself for his return to Mansoul, with his errand from the horrible pit to the Diabolonians that dwelt in that town. So he came up the stairs from the deep to the mouth of the cave where Cerberus was. Now when Cerberus saw him, he asked how matters did go below, about, and against the town of Mansoul. More talk bc PROF. Things go as well as we can expect. The letter that I carried thither was tween Profane highly approved, and well liked by all and Cerberus. my lords, and I am returning to tell our Diabolonians so. I have an answer to it here in my bosom, that I am sure will make our masters that sent me glad; for the contents thereof is to encourage them to pursue their design to the utmost, and to be ready also to fall on within, when they shall see my Lord Diabolus beleaguering of the town of Mansoul. 1 At the season when the affairs of the world fill the heart, beware of being 'overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this world.' Be sober, be vigilant, O my soul; attend to the author's repeated warning, Take heed, Mansoul!'-(ED.) "Some may imagine this to be an incredible number of doubts, but when the nine divisions of this army are presently enumerated, it will be readily acknowledged that our doubts are innumerable.-(ED.) So after a few more such kind of compliments, Mr. Profane took his leave of his friend Cerberus, and Cerberus again, with a thousand of their pitwishes, bid him haste with all speed to his masters. The which when he had heard, he made obeisance, and began to gather up his heels to run.* Thus therefore he returned, and went and came to Mansoul, and going as afore to the house of Mr. Mischief, there he found the Diabolonians assembled, and waiting for his return. Now when he was come, and had presented himself, he also delivered to them his letter, and adjoined this compliment to them therewith: My Lords from the confines of the pit, the high and mighty principalities and powers of the den salute you here, the true Diabolonians of the town of Mansoul. Wishing you always the most proper of their benedictions, for the great service, high at- Profane returntempts, and brave achievements that you have put yourselves upon, for the restoring, to our prince Diabolus, the famous town of Mansoul. 3 ed again to Mansoul This was therefore the present state of the miser According to Milton, Cerberus was the parent of Melancholy, a fit leader of Doubters. able town of Mansoul: she had offended her Prince, and he was gone; she had encouraged the powers of hell, by her foolishness, to come against her, to seek her utter destruction. True, the town of Mansoul was somewhat made sensible of her sin, but the Diabolonians were gotten into her bowels; she cried, but Emmanuel was gone, and her cries did not fetch him as yet again. Besides she knew not now whether ever or never he would return and come to his Mansoul again, nor did they know the power and industry of the enemy, nor how forward they were to put in execution that plot of hell that they had devised against her. They did indeed still send petition after petition to the Prince, but he answered all with silence. They did neglect reformation, and that was as Diabolus would have it, for he knew, if they regarded iniquity in their heart, their King would not hear their prayer; they therefore did still grow weaker and weaker, and were as a rolling thing before the whirlwind. They cried to their King for help, and laid Diabolonians in their bosoms,1 what therefore should a King do to them? Yea, there seemed now to be a mixture in Mansoul, the Diabolonians and the Mansoulians would walk the streets together. Yea, they began to seek their peace, for they thought that since the sickness had been so mortal in Mansoul, it was in vain to go to handy-gripes with them. Besides, the weakness of Mansoul was the strength of their enemies; and the sins of Mansoul the advantage of the Diabolonians. The foes of Mansoul did also now begin to promise themselves the town for a possession; there was no great difference now betwixt Mansoulians and Diabolonians, both seemed to be masters of Mansoul. Yea, the Diabolonians increased Good thoughts, and grew, but the town of Mansoul good concep diminished greatly. tions, and good There was more desires. than eleven thousand of men, women, and children that died by the sickness in Mansoul. [CHAPTER XIV.] 3 [CONTENTS: The plot discovered by Mr. Prywell-Preparations made for defence-More Diabolonians executed The army of Doubters approach the town-An assault made upon Eargate, which is repelled-The drummer beats a parley, which is disregarded-Diabolus attempts to deceive by flattery, but is answered by the Lord Mayor —Jolly and Griggish, two young Diabolonians, executed --Gripe and Rakeall hanged-Anything and Loosefoot imprisoned.] But now, as Shaddai would have it, there was one whose name was Mr. Prywell, a great lover of the people of Mansoul. And he, as his manner 1 This is an awful state, when we encourage evil thoughts and propensities in the heart, and pray to God against them. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.' P's. lxvi. 18.—(ED.) 2 Hand-to-hand combat; wrestling.(F.D.) was, did go listening up and down in Mansoul to see, and to hear, if at any time he might, whether there was any design against it or no. The story of For he was always a jealous man, and Mr. Prywell. feared some mischief sometime would befal it, either from the Diabolonians within, or from some power without. Now upon a time it so happened as Mr. Prywell went listening here and there, that he lighted upon a place called Vilehill in Mansoul, where Diabolonians used to meet; so hearing a muttering-you must know that it was in the night he softly drew near to hear; nor had The Diabolonian he stood long under the house-end, for plot discovered, there stood a house there, but he heard and by whom. one confidently affirm that it was not or would not be long before Diabolus should possess himself again of Mansoul, and that then the Diabolonians did intend to put all Mansoulians to the sword, and would kill and destroy the King's captains, and drive all his soldiers out of the town.1 Conscience. The subordinate Preacher awakened. He said, moreover, that he knew there were about twenty thousand fighting men prepared by Diabolus for the accomplishing of this design, and that it would not be months before they all should see it. When Mr. Prywell had heard this story, he did quickly believe it was true, wherefore he went forthwith to my Lord Mayor's house, and acquainted him therewith; who, sending for the subordinate Preacher, brake the business to him, and he as soon gave the alarm to the town Understanding. for he was now the chief preacher in Mansoul-because as yet my Lord Secretary was ill at ease. And this was the way that the subordinate Preacher did take to alarm the town therewith; the same hour he caused the Lecture-bell to be rung, so the people came together; he gave them then a short exhortation to watchfulness, and made Mr. Prywell's news the argument thereof. For, said he, an horrible plot is contrived against Mansoul, even to massacre us all in a day; nor is this story to be slighted, for Mr. Prywell is the author thereof. Mr. Prywell was always a lover of Mansoul, a sober and judicious man, a man that is no tattler, nor raiser of false reports, but one that loves to look into the very bottom of matters, and talks nothing of news but by very solid arguments. I will call him, and you shall hear him your ownselves; so he called him, and he came and told his tale so punctually, and affirmed its truth with such ample Prywell tells his news to Mansoul. 3 Awful is the state of that soul, when it is difficult, by the conduct, to know whether it is a professor or one of the profane. Alas, how common a case! Eleven thousand acts of piety, holy thoughts, and aspirations after God, were lost by the wretched backslider.—(Ed.) 4 Mr. Prywell represents holy jealousy and careful selfexamination; which, when prayerfully used, is sure to detect the plots of Satan.--(ED.) grounds, that Mansoul fell presently under a conviction of the truth of what he said. The Preacher did also back him, saying, Sirs, it is not irrational for us to believe it, for we have provoked Shaddai to anger, and have sinned Emmanuel out of the town; we have had too much correspondence with Diabolonians, and have forsaken our former mercies; no marvel then if the enemy, both within and without, should plot our ruin; and what time like this to do it? The sickness is now in the town, and we have been made weak thereby. Many Good desires. a good meaning man is dead, and the Diabolonians of late grow stronger and stronger. Besides, quoth the subordinate Preacher, I have received from this good truth-teller this one inkling1 further, that he understood by those that he overheard, that several letters have lately passed between the Furies and the Diabolonians, in order to our destruction. When Mansoul heard all this, and not being able to gainsay it, they lift up their voice and wept. Mr. Prywell did also, in the presence of the townsmen, confirm all that their subordinate Preacher had said. Wherefore they now set afresh to bewail their folly, and to a doubling of petitions to Shaddai and his Son. They also brake the thing to the business to the captains, high commanders, and men of war in the town of Mansoul, entreating of them to use the means to be strong, and to take good courage, and that they would look after their harness, and make themselves ready to give Diabolus battle, by night and by day, shall he come, as they are informed he will, to beleaguer the town of Mansoul. They take alarm. They tell the captains. They come to sult. 2 When the captains heard this, they being always true lovers of the town of Mansoul, what do they, but like so many Samsons, they shake gether to con- themselves, and come together to consult and contrive how to defeat those bold and hellish contrivances that were upon the wheel, by the means of Diabolus and his friends, against the now sickly, weakly, and much impoverished town of Mansoul; and they agreed upon these following particulars A hint or intimation.-(ED.) Military dress and equipments.-(ED.) 2. The next thing was, that a strict search should be made for all kind of Diabolonians throughout the whole town of Mansoul; and every man's house, from top to bottom, should be looked into, and that too, house by house, that if possible a further discovery might be made of all such among them as had a hand in these designs. He. xii. 15, 16. 3. It was further concluded upon, that wheresoever or with whomsoever any of the Diabolonians were found, that even those of the town of Mansoul that had given them house and harbour, should to their shame, and the warning of others, take penance in the open place. Je. ii. 34; v. 26. Eze. xvi. 52. 4. It was moreover resolved by the famous town of Mansoul, that a public fast, and a day of humiliation should be kept throughout the whole corporation, to the justifying of their Prince, the abasing of themselves before him for their transgressions against him, and against Shaddai his Father. Joel i. 14; ii. 15, 16. It was further resolved, that all such in Mansoul as did not on that day endeavour to keep that fast, and to humble themselves for their faults, but that should mind their worldly employs, or be found wandering up and down the streets, should be taken for Diabolonians, and should suffer as Diabolonians for such their wicked doings. 5. It was further concluded then, that with what speed, and with what warmth of mind they could, they would renew their humiliation for sin, and their petitions to Shaddai for help; they also resolved to send tidings to the court of all that Mr. Prywell had told them. Je. xxxvii. 4, 5. When the corporation, with their captains, had thus concluded, they did as they had said; they shut up their gates, they made for Diabolonians strict search, they made those with whom any were found to take penance in the open place. They kept their fast, and renewed their petitions to their Prince, and Mr. Prywell managed his charge, and the trust that Mansoul had put in his hands, with great conscience, and good Mr. Prywell fidelity; for he gave himself wholly goes a scouting. up to his employ, and that not only within the town, but he went out to pry, to see, and to hear. And not many days after, he provided for his follow them. Examine all things watchfully; search out evil diligently. If evil thoughts have been harboured, let sincere penitence drive them out. Be humble, prayerful, thankful; 4 Reader, how wise are these regulations ! seek carnestly to and you will be safe and happy.-(ED.) great news. journey, and went towards Hell-gate-hill, into the country where the Doubters were, where he heard of all that had been talked of in Mansoul, and he perceived also that Diabolus was almost ready for his march. So he came back with speed, and calling the captains and elders of Mansoul together, he told them where he had been, what he He returns with had heard, and what he had seen. Particularly, he told them that Diabolus was almost ready for his march, and that he had made old Mr. Incredulity, that once brake prison in Mansoul, the general of his army; that his army consisted all of Doubters, and that their number was above twenty thousand. He told, | moreover, that Diabolus did intend to bring with him the chief princes of the infernal pit, and that he would make them chief captains over his Doubters. He told them, moreover, that it was certainly true that several of the black-den would with Diabolus ride Reformades2 to reduce the town of Mansoul to the obedience of Diabolus their prince. He said, moreover, that he understood by the Doubters, among whom he had been, that the reason why old Incredulity was made general of the whole army, was because none truer than he to the tyrant; and because he had an implacable spite against the welfare of the town of Mansoul. Besides, said he, he remembers the affronts that Mansoul has given, and he is resolved to be revenged of them. But the black princes shall be made high commanders, only Incredulity shall be over them all, because, which I had almost forgot, he can more easily, and more dexterously beleaguer the town of Mansoul than can any of the princes besides. He. xii. 1. Now when the captains of Mansoul, with the elders of the town, had heard the tidings that Mr. Prywell did bring, they thought it expedient, without further delay, to put into exccution the laws that, against the Diabolonians, their Prince had made for them, and given them in commandment to manage against them. Wherefore, forthwith a diligent and impartial search was made in all houses in Mansoul for all and all manner of Some Diabolon- Diabolonians. Now in the house of ians taken in Mr. Mind, and in the house of the Committed to great Lord Will-be-will were two Diabolonians found. In Mr. Mind's house was one Lord Covetousness found, but he 1 Incredulity is general-in-chief of all the Doubters, to show that incredulity, or unbelief, is the source of all the doubts and fears that distress the Christian.-(ED.) Mansoul and prison. 2 Volunteers.-(ED.) If evil thoughts are subdued and kept in irons, i.e., checked instantly when they appear, they will die in such a prison. The idea was naturally suggested to the author by the number of pions persons who perished in prison, in Bunyan's time, for conscience sake. The Quakers alone have a list of about four hundred of their Society who thus perished.-(ED.) 3 had changed his name to Prudent-thrifty. In my Lord Will-be-will's house, one Lasciviousness was found; but he had changed his name to Harmlessmirth. These two the captains and elders of the town of Mansoul took, and committed them to custody under the hand of Mr. Trueman the jailer; and this man handled them so severely, and loaded them so well with irons, that in time they both fell into a very deep consumption, and died in the prison-house; their masters also, ac- The Lord Willcording to the agreement of the captains and elders, were brought to take penance in the open place to their shame, and for a warning to the rest of the town of Mansoul. Now this was the manner of penance in those days. The persons offending, being Penance, what. made sensible of the evil of their doings, were enjoined open confession of their faults, and a strict amendment of their lives.1 be-will and Mr. Mind take pen ance. After this, the captains and elders of Mansoul sought yet to find out more Diabolonians, wherever they lurked, whether in dens, caves, holes, vaults, or where else they could, in, or about the wall or town of Mansoul. But though they could plainly see their footing, and so follow them, by their tract and smell, to their holds, even to the mouths of their caves and dens, yet take them, hold them, and do justice upon them, they could not, their ways were so crooked, their holds so strong, and they so quick to take sanctuary there. But Mansoul did now with so stiff a hand rule over the Diabolonians that were left, that they were glad to shrink into corners. Time was when they durst walk openly, and in the day, but now they were forced to embrace privacy, and the night -time was when a Mansoulian was their companion, but now they counted them deadly enemies. This good change did Mr. Prywell's intelligence make in the famous town of Mansoul.5` By this time Diabolus had finished his army, which he intended to bring with him for the ruin of Mansoul; and had set over them captains, and other field-officers, such as liked his furious stomach best. Himself was lord paramount, Incredulity was general of his army. Their highest captains shall be named afterwards, but now for their officers, colours, and escutcheons. 1. Their first captain was Captain Rage, he was captain over the Election-doubters; his were the red colours, his standard Diabolus's army. 4 This must not be mistaken for Popish or Protestant confessions, penances, or absolutions. The narrative is entirely spiritual and internal. Conscience, not man, accuses; the open confession is unreservedly to God, accompanied by godly sorrow, watchfulness, and prayer, with fruits meet for repentance.-(Ed.) 5 How subtle and insidious is sin! in what holes and corners it conceals itself! breaking out occasionally when we thought ourselves near to perfection, and making us cry out, 'O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me ?'-(ED.) |