soul. we shall make our assault upon them to swallow them Take heed, Man- up. Yea, that may cause that their mighty Shaddai himself may cast them out of his protection; yea, and send for his captains and soldiers home, with his slings and rams, and leave them naked and bare, and then the town of Mansoul will of itself open to us, and fall as the fig into the mouth of the eater. Na. iii. 12. Yea, to be sure that we then with a great deal of ease shall come upon her and overcome her. As to the time of our coming upon Mansoul, we as yet have not fully resolved upon that, though at present sonre 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 Pe. 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. From our dreadful confines in the most fearful Pit, we salute you, and so do those 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 be 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. 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. 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. 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 attempts, and brave achievements that you have put yourselves upon, for the restoring, to our prince Diabolus, the famous town of Mansoul. Profane returned again to Mansoul. 'Hence, loathed Melancholy, Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born, 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shricks, and sights unholy! To gather up the heels,' or 'take to the heels,' implies great haste. (ED.) 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 got ten 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 exccution that plot of hell that they had devised against her. 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 and 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 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.* 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, 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 Diabo-for he was now the chief preacher in lonians. 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 conceptions, and good diminished greatly. There was more desires. than eleven thousand of men, women, and children that died by the sickness in Mansoul. 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 ho 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. [CHAPTER XIV.] 3 [CONTENTS: The plot discovered by Mr. Prywell-Preparations made for defence-More Diabolonians executedThe 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.' Ps. lxvi. 18.-(Ed.) 2 Hand-to-hand combat; wrestling.—(ED.) Conscience. The subordinate Preacher aнаkened. Mansoul-because as yet my Lord Secretary was you Mansoul. tells 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.) 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. grounds, that Mansoul fell presently under a con- 2. The next thing was, that a strict search should viction of the truth of what he said. The Preacher be made for all kind of Diabolonians throughout 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 They take alarm. 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 They tell 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 beleaguer3 the town of Mansoul. 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 1 A hint or intimation.-(ED.) Military dress and equipments.-(ED.) 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. made Scout master-gene 6. It was also determined that thanks should be given by the town of Mansoul to Mr. Prywell for his diligent seeking of the welfare Mr. Prywell is of their town; and further, that forasmuch as he was so naturally inclined ral. to seek their good, and also to undermine their foes, they gave him a commission of Scout-mastergeneral, for the good of the town of Mansoul.* 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; Reader, how wise are these regulations! seek carnestly to and you will be safe and happy.-(ED.) 3 Lord Will-be-will's house, one Lasciviousness was be-will and Mr. Mind take pen journey, and went towards Hell-gate-hill, into the | had changed his name to Prudent-thrifty. In my 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. great news. 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 execution 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 prison. 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 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.) 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. ♦ This must not be mistaken for Popish or Protestant confessions, penances, or absolutions. The narrative is entirely spiritual and internal. Conscience, not man, accnses; the open confession is unreservedly to God, accompanied by godly sorrow, watchfulness, and prayer, with fruits meet for repentance.- -(ED.) 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.) bearer was Mr. Destructive, and the great red dragon he had for his escutcheon. Re. xii. 3, 4, 13–17. 2. The second captain was Captain Fury, he was captain over the Vocation-doubters; his standardbearer was Mr. Darkness, his colours were those that were pale, and he had for his escutcheon the fiery flying serpent. Nu. xxi. 3. The third captain was Captain Damnation, he was captain over the Grace-doubters; his were the red colours, Mr. Nolife bare them, and he had for his escutcheon the black den. Mat. xxii. 13. Re. ix. 1. 4. The fourth captain was the Captain Insatiable, he was captain over the Faith-doubters; his were the red colours, Mr. Devourer bare them, and he had for an escutcheon the yawning jaws. Pr. xxvii. 20. Ps. xi. 6. 5. The fifth captain was Captain Brimstone, he was captain over the Perseverance-doubters; his also were the red colours, Mr. Burning bare them, and his escutcheon was the blue and stinking flame. Ps. xi. 6. Re. xiv. 11. 6. The sixth captain was Captain Torment, he was captain over the Resurrection-doubters; his colours were those that were pale, Mr. Gnaw was his ancient-bearer, and he had the black worm for his escutcheon. Mar. ix. 44-48. 7. The seventh captain was Captain Noease, he was captain over the Salvation-doubters; his were the red colours, Mr. Restless bare them, and his escutcheon was the ghastly picture of death. Re. vi. 8.; xiv. 11. 8. The eighth captain was the Captain Sepulchre, he was captain over the Glory-doubters; his also were the pale colours, Mr. Corruption was his ancient-bearer, and he had for his escutcheon a scull, and dead men's bones.1 Je. v. 16.; ii. 25. 9. The ninth captain was Captain Pasthope, he was captain of those that are called the Felicity-doubters; his ancient-bearer was Mr. Despair, his also were the red colours, and his escutcheon was the hot iron and the hard heart.1 1 Tim. iv. 2. Ro. ii. 5. These were his captains, and these were their forces, these were their ancients, these were their colours, and these were their escutcheons. Now, over these did the great Diabolus make superior captains, and they were in number seven, as, namely, the Lord Beelzebub, the Lord Lucifer, 1 We are here presented with a very curious, but accurate, division into classes of all our doubts and fears, each under the most appropriate captain, ancient-bearer, or ensign, and standard. As all Christians are more or less subject to their painful visits, it will be useful to scrutinize our doubts; and, having ascertained their nature or class, then prayerfully to compare them with the sacred Oracles, and find that key which opens all the gates in Doubting Castle.—(ED.) 2 The roaring of the drum,' alluding to that roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The roaring of a lion is a terrific noise in the night; but Satan has no more power to the Lord Legion, the Lord Apollyon, the Lord Python, the Lord Cerberus, and the Lord Belial; these seven he set over the captains, and Incredulity was lord-general, and Diabolus was king. my completed. The Reformades also, such as were like themselves, were made some of them cap- Diabolus his ar tains of hundreds, and some of them captains of more, and thus was the army of Incredulity completed. So they set out at Hell-gate-hill, for there they had their rendezvous, from whence they came with a straight course upon their march toward the town of Mansoul. Now, as was hinted before, the town had, as Shaddai would have it, received from the mouth of Mr. Prywell the alarm of their coming before. Wherefore they set a strong watch at the gates, and had also doubled their guards, they also mounted their slings in good places, where they might conveniently cast out their great stones, to the annoyance of the furious enemy. Nor could those Diabolonians that were in the town do that hurt as was designed they should, for Mansoul was now awake. But, alas! poor people, they were sorely affrighted at the first appearance of their foes, and at their sitting down before the town, especially when they heard the roaring of their DRUM.2 1 Pe. v. 8. This, to speak truth, was amazingly hideous to hear; it frighted all men seven miles round, if they were but awake and heard it.3 The streaming of their colours were also terrible and dejecting to behold. He makes an Eargate, and is repelled. assault upon When Diabolus was come up against the town, first he made his approach to Eargate and gave it a furious assault, supposing, as it seems, that his friends in Mansoul had been ready to do the work within; but care was taken of that before, by the vigilance of the captains. Wherefore, missing of the help that he expected from them, and finding of his army warmly attended with the stones that the slingers did sling-for that I will say for the captains, that considering the weakness that yet was upon them, by reason of the long sickness that had annoyed the town of Mansoul, they did gallantly behave themselves-he was forced to make some retreat from Mansoul, and entrenches himto intrench himself and his men in the field, without the reach of the slings of the town. Ja. iv. 7. He retreats and self. hurt the saints of God than has the noise of a drum. It may annoy, terrify, and drive us to the bosom of Christ, but it cannot destroy.-(ED.) 'It is for want of hope (a sound scriptural hope, arising from faith, and its purifying effects upon the soul), that so many brisk professors, that have so boasted and made brags of their faith, have not been able to endure the drum in the day of alarm and affliction.'-(Bunyan's Israel's Hope Encouraged, vol. i. p. 580.) 3 Those tumultuous thoughts, that, like masterless hellhounds, roar and bellow, and make a hideous noise within me.'-Grace Abounding, No. 174.—(Ed.) |