burned his house upon him with fire, for he also did tremble before them, under the sense of his was a Diabolonian by nature. So when this was past and over, they bespeed themselves to look for Emmanuel their Prince, and they sought him, but they found him not. Cant. v. 6. Then were they more confirmed in the truth of Mr. Godly-fear's sayings, and began also severely to reflect upon themselves for their so vile and ungodly doings; for they concluded now that it was through them that their Prince had left them. Then they agreed and went to my Lord SecreThey apply them- tary, him whom before they refused selves to the holy to hear, him whom they had grieved Ghost: but he is grieved, &c. with their doings, to know of him, for he was a seer and could tell where Emmanuel was, and how they might direct a petition to him. But the Lord Secretary would not admit them to a conference about this matter, nor would admit them to his royal place of abode, nor come out to them to show them his face, or intelligence. Is. Ixiii. 10. Ep. iv. 30. 1 Th. v. 13. And now was it a day, gloomy and dark, a day of clouds and of thick darkness with Mansoul. Now they saw that they had been foolish, and began to perceive what the company and prattle of Mr. Carnal-security had done, and what desperate damage his swaggering words had brought poor Mansoul into. But what further it was like to cost them, that they were ignorant of. Now Mr. Godlyfear began again to be in repute with the men of the town: yea, they were ready to look upon him as a prophet. sermon. Well, when the Sabbath-day was come, they went to hear their subordinate Preacher; but O how he did thunder and lighten this day! His text was that in the prophet Jonah, They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercies.' ii. 8. But A thundering there was then such power and authority in that sermon, and such a dejection seen in the countenances of the people that day, that the like hath seldom been heard or seen. The people, when sermon was done, were scarce able to go to their homes, or to betake themselves to their employs the week after, they were so sermon-smitten, and also so sermon-sick by being smitten, that they knew not what to do. Ho. v. 13. He did not only show to Mansoul their sin, but 1 The sermon and its effects remind us strongly of Bunyan's Burren Fig-tree. Cut it down! Fetch out the axe! The Lord shakes the sinner, and whirls him upon a sick-bed. Death, fetch him away to the fire-fetch this barren professor to hell! Death and hell are at his bed-side, with grim looks, staring him in the face.' This passage in the Holy War' probably led the author, two years after, to preach and publish that smart sermon, so full of thunder and lightning, from the text put into the mouth of Boanerges.-(ED.) 2 How does a carnal careless-walk obscure the eye of faith, whose evidences become weaker, until revived by the Word and Spirit of God!-(Mason.) 'I could, for whole days together, feel my very body, as well as my mind, to shake and The subordinate acknowledge his fault, and bewails his compliance with Mr. Carnal-sc curity. own, still crying out of himself, as he preached to them, Unhappy man that Preacher doth I am! that I should do so wicked a thing! That I a preacher! whom the Prince did set up to teach to Mansoul his law, should myself live senseless, and sottishly here, and be one of the first found in transgression. This transgression also fell within my precincts, I should have cried out against the wickedness, but I let Mansoul lie wallowing in it, until it had driven Emmanuel from its borders. With these things he also charged all the lords and gentry of Mansoul, to the almost distracting of them. Ps. lxxxviii. About this time also there was a great sickness in the town of Mansoul, and most of A great sickness the inhabitants were greatly afflicted; in Mansoul. yea, the captains also, and men of war, were brought thereby to a languishing condition, and that for a long time together; so that in case of an invasion, nothing could to purpose now have Sin doth cause been done, either by the townsmen or field officers. O how many pale faces, soul, weak hands, feeble knees, and staggering men were now seen to walk the streets of Mansoul. Here were groans, there pants, and yonder lay those that were ready to faint. He. xii. 12, 13. Re. iii. 2. to be weak, both body, and graces. and The garments too which Emmanuel had given them were but in a sorry case; some were reut, some were torn, and all in a nasty condition; some also did hang so loosely upon them, that the next bush they came at was ready to pluck them off. Is. iii. 24. After some time spent in this sad and desolate condition, the subordinate Preacher called for a day of fasting, and to humble themselves for being so wicked against the great Shaddai, and his Son; and he desired that Captain Boanerges would preach.3 So he consented to do it, and the day was come, and his text was this, 'Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?' and a very Boanerges doth smart sermon he made upon the place. preach to ManFirst, he showed what was the occasion of the words, to wit, because the fig-tree was barren; then he showed what was contained in the sentence, to wit, repentance, or utter desolation. He then showed also by whose authority this sentence was pronounced, and that was by Shaddai soul. totter under a sense of the dreadful judgment of God.'-(Grace Abounding, No. 164.) A miserable state for a warrior surrounded by active enemies.—(ED.) 3 Preaching captains were not uncommon in Bunyan's time; even Queen Elizabeth permitted lay preachers. Sir J. Cheke, the High Sheriff of Oxford, preached in his sheriff's gown and gold chain, in St. Mary's pulpit, at Oxford University. If men of similar piety and talent would volunteer, it would not be a bad example for our gracious Victoria to follow. —(ED.) The men of Man fected. La. iii. 44. answer. himself. And lastly, he showed the reasons of the their trouble they say to me, Arise and save us. point, and then concluded his sermon. But he was But can they not now go to Mr. Carnalvery pertinent in the application, inso- security, to whom they went when they turned sonl much af much that he made poor Mansoul from me, and make him their leader, their lord, tremble. For this sermon, as well as and their protection, now in their A dreadful the former, wrought much upon the hearts of the trouble? Why now in their trouble men of Mansoul; yea it greatly helped to keep do they visit me, since in their prosperity they awake those that were roused by the preaching that went astray. Je. ii. 27, 28. went before. So that now throughout the whole town there was little or nothing to be heard or seen but sorrow and mourning, and woe.1 Now after sermon they got together and conThey consult sulted what was best to be done. But, what to do. said the subordinate Preacher, I will do nothing of mine own head, without advising with my neighbour Mr. Godly-fear. For if he had afore, and understood more of the mind of our Prince than we, I do not know but he also may have it now, even now we are turning again to virtue. So they called and sent for Mr. Godly-fear, and he forthwith appeared; then they desired that he would further show his opinion Mr. Godly-fear's about what they had best to do. Then said the old gentleman as followeth : It is my opinion that this town of Mansoul should, in this day of her distress, draw up and send an humble petition to their offended Prince Emmanuel, that he in his favour and grace will turn again unto you, and not keep anger for ever. advice. court. When the townsmen had heard this speech, they did with one consent agree to his advice; so they did presently draw up their request, and the next They send the was, But who shall carry it? at last Lord Mayor to they did all agree to send it by my Lord Mayor. So he accepted of the service, and addressed himself to his journey; and went and came to the court of Shaddai, whither Emmanuel the Prince of Mansoul was gone. But the gate was shut, and a strict watch kept thereat so that the petitioner was forced to stand without for a great while together. La. iii. 8. Then he desired that some would go in to the Prince and tell him who stood at the gate, and what his business was. So one went and told to Shaddai, and to Emmanuel his Son, that the Lord Mayor of the town of Mansoul stood without at the gate of the King's court, desiring to be admitted into the presence of the Prince, the King's Son. He also told what was the Lord Mayor's errand, both to the King and his Son Emmanuel. But the Prince would not come down, nor admit that the gate should be opened to him, but sent him an answer to this effect:-They have turned the back unto me, and not their face, but now in the time of This answer made my Lord Mayor look black in the face; it troubled, it perplexed, it rent him sore. La. iv. 7, 8. And now he began again to see what it was to be familiar with Diabolonians, such as Mr. Carnal-security was. When he saw that at court, as yet, there was little help to be expected, either for himself, or friends in Mansoul, he smote upon his breast and returned The Lord Mayor weeping, and all the way bewailing the returns, and how. lamentable state of Mansoul. Well, when he was come within sight of the town, the elders, and chief of the people of Mansoul went out at the gate to meet him, and to salute him, and to know how he sped at court. But he told them his tale in so doleful a manner, that they all cried The state of Manout, and mourned, and wept. Wherefore they threw ashes and dust upon their heads, and put sackcloth upon their loins, and went crying out through the town of Mansoul; the which when the rest of the townsfolk saw, The whole town they all mourned and wept. This, cast down. therefore, was a day of rebuke and trouble, and of anguish to the town of Mansoul, and also of great distress. soul now. again. advice. After some time, when they had somewhat refrained themselves, they came together They consult to consult again what by them was yet to be done; and they asked advice, as they did before, of that Rev. Mr. Godly fear, who told them, that there was no way better than to Mr. Godly-fear's do as they had done, nor would he that they should be discouraged at all with what they had met with at court; yea, though several of their petitions should be answered with nought but silence or rebuke; for, said he, it is the way of the wise Shaddai to make men wait and to exercise patience, and it should be the way of them in want to be willing to stay his leisure." a Then they took courage, and sent again, and again, and again, and again; for there See now what was not now one day, nor an hour that is the work of a backsliding went over Mansoul's head, wherein saint awakened. man might not have met upon the road one or other riding post, sounding the horn from Mansoul to the court of the King Shaddai; and all with letters petitionary in behalf of, and for the Prince's return to Mansoul. The Groaning desires. 2 See Ps. xxv. 3; xxvii. 14; xxxvii. 7; lxii. 5. Ln. iii. 26. 1 Mansoul had withdrawn from a faithful ministry, and sat under the preaching of milder and unfaithful men, but Godlyfear having roused them to burn Carnal-security's house, they flock to the awakening alarms of a faithful Boanerges.--(ED.) | Ho. xii, 6.—(ED.) VOL. III. 42 road, I say, was now full of messengers, going and returning, and meeting one another; some from the court, and some from Mansoul, and this was the work of the miserable town of Mansoul all that long, that sharp, that cold, and tedious winter.1 Now, if you have not forgot, you may yet re A memento. member that I told you before that after Emmanuel had taken Mansoul, yea, and after that he had new modelled the town, there remained in several lurking places of the corporation many of the old Diabolonians, that either came with the tyrant when he invaded and took the town, or that had there, by reason of unlawful mixtures, their birth and breeding, and bringing up. And their holes, dens, and lurking places were in, under, or about the wall of the town. Some of their names are, the Lord Fornication, the Lord Adultery, the Lord Murder, the Lord Anger, the Lord Lasciviousness, the Lord Deceit, the Lord Evil-eye, the Lord Blasphemy, and that horrible villain the old and dangerous Lord Covetousness. These, as I told you, with many more, had yet their abode in the town of Mansoul, and that after that Emmanuel had driven their prince Diabolus out of the castle.3 Mansoul heeded caution, nor execution. 2 Against these the good Prince did grant a commission to the Lord Will-be-will and not her Prince's others; yea, to the whole town of Manput his com- soul, to seek, take, secure, and destroy mission into any or all that they could lay hands of; for that they were Diabolonians by nature, enemies to the Prince, and those that sought to ruin the blessed town of Mansoul. But the town of Mansoul did not pursue this warrant, but neglected to look after, to apprehend, to secure, and to destroy these Diabolonians. Wherefore, what do these villains, but by degrees take courage to put forth their heads, and to show themselves to the inhabitants of the town; yea, and as I was told, some of the men of Mansoul grew too familiar with some of them, to the sorrow of the corporation, as you yet will hear more of in time and place.* 1 When roused from carnal security by godly fear, the soul feels, more than ever, the value and essential importance of prayer. No poor harassed sinner had experienced this dread state of uncertainty more than Bunyan; a suspense like a sharp, a cold, a tedious winter to a poor man destitute of common comforts. All these feelings are remarkably displayed in the Grace Abounding- I felt also such a clogging and heat at my stomach, by reason of my terror, that I was, especially at some times, as if my breast bone would have split asunder.' -No. 164. It was like the mark that the Lord God did sct on Cain, even continual fear and trembling. Thus did I wind, and twine, and shrink under the burden that was upon me.'-No. 165.—(Ed.) The apostle calls covetousness 'idolatry.' Ep. v. 5. Col. iii. 5. It is a worshipping of mammon, and justly deserves the stigma which Bunyan puts on it-That horrible villain, the old and dangerous Lord Covetousness.' His vigour increases with his age, contrary to other vices.-(Ed.) [CHAPTER XIII.] [CONTENTS :-The Diabolonians take courage from the depar ture of Emmanuel, and plots are formed in hell for a counter-revolution in Mausoul-Covetousness, Lasciviousness, and Anger, by changing their names, are introduced into respectable families, where they corrupt their masters, and do incredible mischief-An army of twenty thousand doubters raised to surprise the town.] Well, when the Diabolonian lords that were left, perceived that Mansoul had, through sinning, offended Emmanuel their Prince, and The Diabolonians that he had withdrawn himself and plot. was gone, what do they but plot the ruin of the town of Mansoul, So upon a time they met together at the hold of one Mr. Mischief, who also was a Diabolonian, and there consulted how they might deliver up Mansoul into the hand of Diabolus again. Now some advised one way, and some another, every man according to his own liking. At last, my Lord Lasciviousness propounded whether it might not be best, in the first place, for some of those that were Diabolonians in Mansoul, to adventure to offer themselves for servants to some of the natives of the town. For, said he, if they so do, and Mansoul shall accept of them, they may for us, and for Diabolus our Lord, make the taking of the town of Mansoul more easy than otherwise it will be. But then stood up the Lord Murder, and said, This may not be done at this time, for Mansoul is now in a kind of rage; because by our friend Mr. Carnal-security she hath been once ensnared already, and made to offend against her Prince; and how shall she reconcile herself unto her Lord again, but by the heads of these men? Besides, we know that they have in commission to take and slay us wherever they shall find us; let us therefore be wise as foxes; when we are dead we can do them no hurt, but while we live we may. Thus when they had tossed the matter to and fro, they jointly agreed that a letter should forthwith be sent away to Diabolus in their name; by which the state of the They send to hell town of Mansoul should be showed for advice. him, and how much it is under the frowns of their Prince; we may also, said some, let him know our intentions, and ask of him his advice in the case.5 Converted persons have still the world, the flesh, and the devil to cope with-enemies without and within, lurking in the walls, in holes, and dens in Mansoul; but the Lord has promised to give grace and glory. Ps. lxxxiv. 11.-(Mason.) 4 Emmanuel gives a strict charge to destroy all Diabolonians, but this was neglected, and the consequence was that they became to Mansoul what the Canaanites were to Israel. 'If ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come to pass, that these which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorus in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwcll.' Nu. xxxiii. 55.-(Burder.) Thus poor sinners are in league with hell against thei So a letter was presently framed, the contents he delivered his letter which he had brought from of which was this- the Diabolonians in Mansoul. So he carried it in and presented it to Diabolus his lord, and said, To our great Lord, the Prince Diabolus, dwelling Tidings, my lord, from Mansoul, from our trusty below in the Infernal Cave. "O great Father, and mighty Prince Diabolus, We, the true Diabolonians, yet remaining in the rebellious town of Mansoul, having received our The copy of their beings from thee, and our nourishment letter. at thy hands, cannot with content and quiet endure to behold, as we do this day, how thou art dispraised, disgraced, and reproached among the inhabitants of this town; ner is thy long absence at all delightful to us, because greatly to our detriment. friends in Mansoul. Deadman's beli, and how it Then came together from all places of the den Beelzebub, Lucifer, Apollyon, with the rest of the rabblement there, to hear what news from Mansoul. So the letter was broken up and read, and Cerberus he stood by. When the letter was openly read, and the contents thereof spread into all the corners of the den, command was given that, without let or stop, Deadman's bell should be rung for joy. So the bell was rung, and the princes rejoiced that Mansoul was like to come to ruin. Now the clapper of the bell went, The town of Mansoul is coming to dwell with us, make room for the town of Mansoul. This bell, therefore, they did ring, because they did hope that they should have Mansoul again." went. Now, when they had performed this their horrible ceremony, they got together again to consult what answer to send to their friends in Mansoul, and some advised one thing, and some another; but, at length, because the business required haste, they left the whole business to the Prince Diabolus, judging him the most proper lord of the place. So he drew up a letter as he thought fit, in answer to what Mr. Profane had brought, and sent it to the Diabolonians that did dwell in Mansoul, by the same hand that had brought theirs to him, and this was the contents thereof— The reason of this our writing unto our Lord is, for that we are not altogether without hope that this town may become thy habitation again; for it is greatly declined from its Prince Emmanuel, and he is up-risen, and is departed from them; yea, and though they send, and send, and send, and send after him to return to them, yet can they not prevail, nor get good words from him. There has been also of late, and is yet remaining, a very great sickness and faintings among them, and that not only upon the poorer sort of the town, but upon the lords, captains, and chief gentry of the place; we only, who are of the Diabolonians by nature, remain well, lively, and strong, so that through their great transgression on the one hand, and their dangerous sickness on the other, we judge they lay open to thy hand and power. If therefore it shall stand with thy horrible cunning, and with the cunning of the rest of the Princes with thee, to come and make an attempt to take Mansoul again, send us word, and we shall to our utmost power be ready to deliver it into thy hand. Or, if what we have said, shall not by thy fatherhood be thought best, and most meet to be done, send us thy mind in a few words, and we are all ready to follow thy counsel, to the hazarding of our lives, and what else we have. 'Given under our hands the day and date above 'Beloved children and disciples, my Lord Forwritten, after a close consultation at the house nication, Adultery, and the rest, we have here, in of Mr. Mischief, who yet is alive, and hath our desolate den, received, to our highest joy and his place in our desirable town of Mansoul.' content, your welcome letter, by the hand of our trusty Mr. Profane, and to show how acceptable When Mr. Profane-for he was the carrier your tidings were, we rung out our bell for gladMr. Profane is was come with his letter to Hell-gate-ness, for we rejoiced as much as we could, when brings the let hill, he knocked at the brazen gates ter to Hell- for entrance. Then did Cerberus, itere presents the porter for he is the keeper of that gate-open to Mr. Profane, to whom carrier, and he gate-hill, and it to Cerberus, the porter. own souls. May the Lord, by his Word and Spirit, break the horrid confederacy!-(Mason.) The gate-keeper of Pluto's palace in hell, with three heads, every hair being a snake; supposed by some to represent the word, flesh, and devil; or the consumer of mankind. (ED.) To our offspring, the high and mighty Diabolonians, that yet dwell in the town of Mansoul, Diabolus, the great Prince of Mansoul, wishath a prosperous issue and conclusion of those many brave enterprises, conspiracies, and designs. that you of your love and respect to our honour, have in your hearts to attempt to do against Mansoul. we perceived that yet we had friends in Mansoul, and such as sought our honour and revenge in the ruin of the town of Mansoul. We also rejoice to hear that they are in a degenerated condition, and that they have offended their Prince, and that he 2 As there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, so likewise is there joy in hell over one backsliding saint. But almighty grace must prevail. O for watchfulness unto prayer!-(Mason.) is gone. Their sickness also pleaseth us, as doth | come to Mansoul again, he went and came as he was also your health, might, and strength. Glad also wont to the house of Mr. Mischief, for there was the would we be, right horribly beloved, could we get conclave, and the place where the contrivers were this town into our clutches again. Nor will we be met. Now when they saw that their messenger sparing of spending our wit, our cunning, our craft, was returned safe and sound, they were greatly and hellish inventions, to bring to a wished conclu- gladed thereat. Then he presented them with his sion this your brave beginning, in order thereto. letter which he had brought from Diabolus for them, the which, when they had read and considered, did much augment their gladness. They asked him after the welfare of their friends, as how their Lord Diabolus, Lucifer, and Beelzebub did, with the rest of those of the den. To which this Profane made answer, Well, well, my lords, they are well, even as well as can be in their place. They also, said he, did ring for joy at the reading of your letter, as you will perceive by this when you read it. cap And take this for your comfort, our birth and our offspring, that shall we again surprise it and take it, we will attempt to put all your foes to the sword, and will make you the great lords and tains of the place. Nor need you fear, if ever we get it again, that we after that shall be cast out any more, for we will come with more strength, and so lay far more fast hold than at the first we did. Besides, it is the law of that Prince that now they own, that if we get them a second time they shall be ours for ever. Mat. xii. 43–45. Do you therefore, our trusty Diabolonians, yet more pry into, and endeavour to spy out, the weakness of the town of Mansoul. We also would that you yourselves do attempt to weaken them more and more. Send us word also by what means you think we had best to attempt the regaining thereof; to wit, whether by persuasion to a vain and loose life, or whether by tempting them to doubt and despair, or whether by blowing up of the town by the gunpowder of pride and self-conceit. Do ye also, O ye brave Diabolonians and true sons of the pit, be ye always in a readiness to make a most hideous assault within, when we shall be ready to storm it without. Now speed you in your project, and we in our desires, the utmost power of our gates, which is the wish of your great Diabolus, Mansoul's enemy, and him that trembles when he thinks of judgment to come!1 All the blessings of the pit be upon you, and so we close up our letter. Now, as was said, when they had read their letter, and perceived that it encouraged them in their work, they fell to their way of contriving again, to wit, how they might complete their Diabolonian design upon Mansoul. And the first thing that they agreed upon was, to keep all things from Mansoul as close as they could.2 Let it not be known, let not Mansoul be acquainted with what we design against it. The next thing was, how, or by what means, they should try to bring to pass the ruin and overthrow of Mansoul, and one said after this manner, aud another said after that. Then stood up Mr. Deceit, and said, My right Diabolonian friends, our lords, and the high ones of the deep dungeon, do propound unto us these three ways 1. Whether we had best to seek its ruin by making of Mansoul loose and vain? 2. Or whether by driving them to doubt and despair? 3. Or whether by endeavouring to blow Take heed, Manthem up by the gunpowder of selfconceit? soul! Now, I think, if we shall tempt them to pride, that may do something; and if we tempt them to wantonness, that may help. But, in my mind, if we could drive them into desperation, that would knock the nail on the head, for then we should have them, in the first place, question the truth of the love of the heart of their Prince towards them, and that will disgust him much. This, if it works well, will make them leave off quickly their way of sending petitions to him; then farewell earnest solicitations for help and supply, for then this conclusion lies naturally before them, As good do nothing as do to no purpose. So to Mr. Deceit they unanimously did consent. Then the next question was, But how shall we 2 Ignorance and carnal security, or idleness, are the strong. holds of sin in the soul. The more we study to become ac quainted with Divine truth, and labour to show forth the glory of God, the safer and happier we must become.-(Ed.) |