Secondly,thisdone,inthenextplace,Diabolus,thathemightmakeMansoulassureashecould,framesandimposesanewoathandhorriblecovenantuponthetownsfolk:—Towit,thattheyshouldneverdeserthimnorhisgovernment,noryetbetrayhim,norseektoalterhislaws;butthattheyshouldown,confess,standby,andacknowledgehimfortheirrightfulking,indefiancetoanythatdoorhereaftershall,byanypretence,law,ortitlewhatever,layclaimtothetownofMansoul;thinking,belike,thatShaddaihadnotpowertoabsolvethemfromthiscovenantwithdeath,andagreementwithhell。NordidthesillyMansoulstickorboggleatallatthismostmonstrousengagement;but,asifithadbeenaspratinthemouthofawhale,theyswalloweditwithoutanychewing。Weretheytroubledatall?Nay,theyratherbraggedandboastedoftheirsobravefidelitytothetyrant,theirpretendedking,swearingthattheywouldneverbechangelings,norforsaketheiroldlordforanew。ThusdidDiabolustiepoorMansoulfast。
Thirdly。Butjealousy,thatneverthinksitselfstrongenough,puthim,inthenextplace,uponanotherexploit,whichwas,yetmore,ifpossible,todebauchthistownofMansoul。Whereforehecaused,bythehandofoneMr。Filth,anodious,nasty,lasciviouspieceofbeastlinesstobedrawnupinwriting,andtobesetuponthecastlegates;wherebyhegrantedandgavelicensetoallhistrueandtrustysonsinMansoultodowhatsoevertheirlustfulappetitespromptedthemtodo;andthatnomanwastolet,hinder,orcontrolthem,uponpainofincurringthedispleasureoftheirprince。
Nowthishedidforthesereasons:—
1。ThatthetownofMansoulmightbeyetmadeweakerandweaker,andsomoreunable,shouldtidingscomethattheirredemptionwasdesigned,tobelieve,hope,orconsenttothetruththereof;forreasonsays,Thebiggerthesinner,thelessgroundsofhopesofmercy。
2。Thesecondreasonwas,ifperhapsEmmanuel,theSonofShaddaitheirKing,byseeingthehorribleandprofanedoingsofthetownofMansoul,mightrepent,thoughenteredintoacovenantofredeemingthem,ofpursuingthatcovenantoftheirredemption;forheknewthatShaddaiwasholy,andthathisSonEmmanuelwasholy;yea,heknewitbywoefulexperience,forforhisiniquityandsinwasDiaboluscastfromthehighestorbs。Whereforewhatmorerationalthanforhimtoconcludethatthus,forsin,itmightfarewithMansoul?Butfearingalsolestthisknotshouldbreak,hebethinkshimselfofanother,towit:—
Fourthly。ToendeavourtopossessallheartsinthetownofMansoulthatShaddaiwasraisinganarmy,tocometooverthrowandutterlytodestroythistownofMansoul。Andthishedidtoforestallanytidingsthatmightcometotheirearsoftheirdeliverance:’For,’thoughthe,’ifIfirstbruitthis,thetidingsthatshallcomeafterwillallbeswallowedupofthis;forwhatelsewillMansoulsay,whentheyshallhearthattheymustbedelivered,butthatthetruemeaningis,Shaddaiintendstodestroythem?Whereforehesummonsthewholetownintothemarket—place,andthere,withdeceitfultongue,thusheaddressedhimselfuntothem:—
’Gentlemen,andmyverygoodfriends,youareall,asyouknow,mylegalsubjects,andmenofthefamoustownofMansoul。Youknowhow,fromthefirstdaythatIhavebeenwithyouuntilnow,Ihavebehavedmyselfamongyou,andwhatlibertyandgreatprivilegesyouhaveenjoyedundermygovernment,Ihopetoyourhonourandmine,andalsotoyourcontentanddelight。Now,myfamousMansoul,anoiseoftroublethereisabroad,oftroubletothetownofMansoul;
sorryIamthereofforyoursakes:forIreceivedbutnowbythepostfrommyLordLucifer,(andheusethtohavegoodintelligence,)thatyouroldKingShaddaiisraisinganarmytocomeagainstyou,todestroyyourootandbranch;andthis,OMansoul,isnowthecausethatatthistimeIhavecalledyoutogether,namely,toadvisewhatinthisjunctureisbesttobedone。Formypart,Iambutone,andcanwitheaseshiftformyself,didIlisttoseekmyowncase,andtoleavemyMansoulinallthedanger;butmyheartissofirmlyunitedtoyou,andsounwillingamItoleaveyou,thatIamwillingtostandandfallwithyou,totheutmosthazardthatshallbefallme。Whatsayyou,OmyMansoul?Willyounowdesertyouroldfriend,ordoyouthinkofstandingbyme?’
Then,asoneman,withonemouth,theycriedouttogether,’Lethimdiethedeaththatwillnot。’
ThensaidDiabolusagain,’Itisinvainforustohopeforquarter,forthisKingknowsnothowtoshowit。True,perhaps,he,athisfirstsittingdownbeforeus,willtalkofandpretendtomercy,thatthereby,withthemoreease,andlesstrouble,hemayagainmakehimselfthemasterofMansoul。Whatever,therefore,heshallsay,believenotonesyllableortittleofit;forallsuchlanguageisbuttoovercomeus,andtomakeus,whilewewallowinourblood,thetrophiesofhismercilessvictory。Mymindis,therefore,thatweresolvetothelastmantoresisthim,andnottobelievehimuponanyterms,forinatthatdoorwillcomeourdanger。Butshallwebeflatteredoutofourlives?
Ihopeyouknowmoreoftherudimentsofpoliticsthantosufferyourselvessopitifullytobeserved。
’Butsupposeheshould,ifhegetustoyield,savesomeofourlives,orthelivesofsomeofthemthatareunderlingsinMansoul,whathelpwillthatbetoyouthatarethechiefofthetown,especiallyyouwhomIhavesetupandwhosegreatnesshasbeenprocuredbyyouthroughyourfaithfulstickingtome?Andsuppose,again,thatheshouldgivequartertoeveryoneofyou,besurehewillbringyouintothatbondageunderwhichyouwerecaptivatedbefore,oraworse,andthenwhatgoodwillyourlivesdoyou?Shallyouwithhimliveinpleasureasyoudonow?No,no;youmustbeboundbylawsthatwillpinchyou,andbemadetodothatwhichatpresentishatefultoyou。Iamforyou,ifyouareforme;anditisbettertodievaliantlythantolivelikepitifulslaves。But,Isay,thelifeofaslavewillbecountedalifetoogoodforMansoulnow。Blood,blood,nothingbutbloodisineveryblastofShaddai’strumpetagainstpoorMansoulnow。Pray,beconcerned;Ihearheiscoming。Up,andstandtoyourarmsthatnow,whileyouhaveanyleisure,Imaylearnyousomefeatsofwar。ArmourforyouIhave,andbymeitis;yea,anditissufficientforMansoulfromtoptotoe;norcanyoubehurtbywhathisforcecando,ifyoushallkeepitwellgirtandfastenedaboutyou。Come,therefore,tomycastle,andwelcome,andharnessyourselvesforthewar。Thereishelmet,breastplate,sword,andshield,andwhatnot,thatwillmakeyoufightlikemen。
part2
Part2
’1。Myhelmet,otherwisecalledanhead—piece,isinhopeofdoingwellatlast,whatlivessoeveryoulive。Thisisthatwhichtheyhadwhosaid,thattheyshouldhavepeace,thoughtheywalkedinthewickednessoftheirheart,toadddrunkennesstothirst。Apieceofapprovedarmourthisis,andwhoeverhasit,andcanholdit,solongnoarrow,dart,sword,orshieldcanhurthim。This,therefore,keepon,andthouwiltkeepoffmanyablow,myMansoul。
’2。Mybreastplateisabreastplateofiron。Ihaditforgedinmineowncountry,andallmysoldiersarearmedtherewith。
Inplainlanguage,itisahardheart,aheartashardasiron,andasmuchpastfeelingasastone;thewhichifyougetandkeep,neithermercyshallwinyou,norjudgmentfrightyou。Thistherefore,isapieceofarmourmostnecessaryforalltoputonthathateShaddai,andthatwouldfightagainsthimundermybanner。
’3。Myswordisatonguethatissetonfireofhell,andthatcanbenditselftospeakevilofShaddai,hisSon,hisways,andpeople。Usethis;ithasbeentriedathousandtimestwicetold。Whoeverhathit,keepsit,andmakesthatuseofitasIwouldhavehim,canneverbeconqueredbymineenemy。
’4。My,shieldisunbelief,orcallingintoquestionthetruthoftheword,orallthesayingsthatspeakofthejudgmentthatShaddaihasappointedforwickedmen。Usethisshield;manyattemptshehasmadeuponit,andsometimes,itistrue,ithasbeenbruised;buttheythathavewritofthewarsofEmmanuelagainstmyservants,havetestifiedthathecoulddonomightyworktherebecauseoftheirunbelief。
Now,tohandlethisweaponofminearight,itisnottobelievethingsbecausetheyaretrue,ofwhatsortorbywhomsoeverasserted。Ifhespeaksofjudgment,carenotforit;ifhespeaksofmercy,carenotforit;ifhepromises,ifheswearsthathewoulddotoMansoul,ifitturns,nohurt,butgood,regardnotwhatissaid,questionthetruthofall,foritistowieldtheshieldofunbeliefaright,andasmyservantsoughtanddo;andhethatdothotherwiselovesmenot,nordoIcounthimbutanenemytome。
’5。Anotherpartorpiece,’saidDiabolus,’ofmineexcellentarmourisadumbandprayerlessspirit,aspiritthatscornstocryformercy:whereforebeyou,myMansoul,surethatyoumakeuseofthis。What!cryforquarter!Neverdothat,ifyouwouldbemine。Iknowyouarestoutmen,andamsurethatIhavecladyouwiththatwhichisarmourofproof。
Wherefore,tocrytoShaddaiformercy,letthatbefarfromyou。Besidesallthis,Ihaveamaul,firebrands,arrows,anddeath,allgoodhand—weapons,andsuchaswilldoexecution。’
Afterhehadthusfurnishedhismenwitharmourandarms,headdressedhimselftotheminsuchlikewordsasthese:
’Remember,’quothhe,’thatIamyourrightfulking,andthatyouhavetakenanoathandenteredintocovenanttobetruetomeandmycause:Isay,rememberthis,andshowyourselvesstoutandvaliantmenofMansoul。RememberalsothekindnessthatIhavealwaysshowedtoyou,andthatwithoutyourpetitionIhavegrantedtoyouexternalthings;whereforetheprivileges,grants,immunities,profits,andhonourswherewithIhaveendowedyoudocallfor,atyourhands,returnsofloyalty,mylion—likemenofMansoul:andwhensofitatimetoshowitaswhenanothershallseektotakemydominionoveryouintohisownhands?Onewordmore,andI
havedone。Canwebutstand,andovercomethisoneshockorbrunt,Idoubtnotbutinlittletimealltheworldwillbeours;andwhenthatdaycomes,mytruehearts,Iwillmakeyoukings,princes,andcaptains,andwhatbravedaysshallwehavethen!’
DiabolushavingthusarmedandforearmedhisservantsandvassalsinMansoulagainsttheirgoodandlawfulKingShaddai,inthenextplace,hedoublethhisguardsatthegatesofthetown,andhetakeshimselftothecastle,whichwashisstronghold。Hisvassalsalso,toshowtheirwills,andsupposed(butignoble)gallantry,exercisethemselvesintheirarmseveryday,andteachoneanotherfeatsofwar;
theyalsodefiedtheirenemies,andsangupthepraisesoftheirtyrant;theythreatenedalsowhatmentheywouldbeifeverthingsshouldrisesohighasawarbetweenShaddaiandtheirking。
NowallthistimethegoodKing,theKingShaddai,waspreparingtosendanarmytorecoverthetownofMansoulagainfromunderthetyrannyoftheirpretendedkingDiabolus;buthethoughtgood,atfirst,nottosendthembythehandandconductofbraveEmmanuelhisSon,butunderthehandofsomeofhisservants,toseefirstbythemthetemperofMansoul,andwhetherbythemtheywouldbewontotheobedienceoftheirKing。Thearmyconsistedofabovefortythousand,alltruemen,fortheycamefromtheKing’sowncourt,andwerethoseofhisownchoosing。
TheycameuptoMansoulundertheconductoffourstoutgenerals,eachmanbeingacaptainoftenthousandmen,andthesearetheirnamesandtheirensigns。ThenameofthefirstwasBoanerges,thenameofthesecondwasCaptainConviction,thenameofthethirdwasCaptainJudgment,andthenameofthefourthwasCaptainExecution。ThesewerethecaptainsthatShaddaisenttoregainMansoul。
Thesefourcaptains,aswassaid,theKingthoughtfit,inthefirstplace,tosendtoMansoul,tomakeanattemptuponit;forindeedgenerallyinallhiswarshedidusetosendthesefourcaptainsinthevan,fortheywereverystoutandrough—hewnmen,menthatwerefittobreaktheice,andtomaketheirwaybydintofsword,andtheirmenwerelikethemselves。
ToeachofthesecaptainstheKinggaveabanner,thatitmightbedisplayed,becauseofthegoodnessofhiscause,andbecauseoftherightthathehadtoMansoul。
First,toCaptainBoanerges,forhewasthechief,tohim,I
say,weregivententhousandmen。HisensignwasMr。
Thunder;hebaretheblackcolours,andhisscutcheonwasthethreeburningthunderbolts。
ThesecondcaptainwasCaptainConviction;tohimalsoweregivententhousandmen。Hisensign’snamewasMr。Sorrow;hedidbearthepalecolours,andhisscutcheonwasthebookofthelawwideopen,fromwhenceissuedaflameoffire。
ThethirdcaptainwasCaptainJudgment;tohimweregivententhousandmen。Hisensign’snamewasMr。Terror;hebaretheredcolours,andhisscutcheonwasaburningfieryfurnace。
ThefourthcaptainwasCaptainExecution;tohimweregivententhousandmen。HisensignwasoneMr。Justice;healsobaretheredcolours,andhisscutcheonwasafruitlesstree,withanaxelyingattherootthereof。
Thesefourcaptains,asIsaid,hadeveryoneofthemunderhiscommandtenthousandmen,allofgoodfidelitytotheKing,andstoutattheirmilitaryactions。
Well,thecaptainsandtheirforces,theirmenandunderofficers,beinghaduponadaybyShaddaiintothefield,andtherecalledalloverbytheirnames,werethenandthereputintosuchharnessasbecametheirdegreeandthatservicewhichnowtheyweregoingaboutfortheirKing。
Now,whentheKinghadmusteredhisforces,(foritishethatmustereththehosttothebattle,)hegaveuntothecaptainstheirseveralcommissions,withchargeandcommandmentintheaudienceofallthesoldiers,thattheyshouldtakeheedfaithfullyandcourageouslytodoandexecutethesame。Theircommissionswere,forthesubstanceofthem,thesameinform,though,astoname,title,placeanddegreeofthecaptains,theremightbesome,butverysmallvariation。Andhereletmegiveyouanaccountofthematterandsumcontainedintheircommission。
ACOMMISSIONFROMTHEGREATSHADDAI,KINGOFMANSOUL,TOHIS
TRUSTYANDNOBLECAPTAIN,THECAPTAINBOANERGES,FORHIS
MAKINGWARUPONTHETOWNOFMANSOUL。
’O,thouBoanerges,oneofmystoutandthunderingcaptainsoveronetenthousandofmyvaliantandfaithfulservants,gothouinmyname,withthisthyforce,tothemiserabletownofMansoul;andwhenthoucomestthither,offerthemfirstconditionsofpeace;andcommandthemthat,castingofftheyokeandtyrannyofthewickedDiabolus,theyreturntome,theirrightfulPrinceandLord。CommandthemalsothattheycleansethemselvesfromallthatishisinthetownofMansoul,andlooktothyself,thatthouhastgoodsatisfactiontouchingthetruthoftheirobedience。Thuswhenthouhastcommandedthem,(iftheyintruthsubmitthereto,)thendothou,totheuttermostofthypower,whatintheeliestosetupformeagarrisoninthefamoustownofMansoul;nordothouhurttheleastnativethatmovethorbreatheththerein,iftheywillsubmitthemselvestome,buttreatthousuchasiftheywerethyfriendorbrother;forallsuchIlove,andtheyshallbedearuntome,andtellthemthatIwilltakeatimetocomeuntothem,andtoletthemknowthatIammerciful。
’Butiftheyshall,notwithstandingthysummonsandtheproducingofthyauthority,resist,standoutagainstthee,andrebel,thendoIcommandtheetomakeuseofallthycunning,power,might,andforce,tobringthemunderbystrengthofhand。Farewell。’
Thusyouseethesumoftheircommissions;for,asIsaidbefore,forthesubstanceofthem,theywerethesamethattherestofthenoblecaptainshad。
Whereforethey,havingreceivedeachcommanderhisauthorityatthehandoftheirKing,thedaybeingappointed,andtheplaceoftheirrendezvousprefixed,eachcommanderappearedinsuchgallantryasbecamehiscauseandcalling。So,afteranewentertainmentfromShaddai,withflyingcolourstheysetforwardtomarchtowardsthefamoustownofMansoul。
CaptainBoanergesledthevan,CaptainConvictionandCaptainJudgmentmadeupthemainbody,andCaptainExecutionbroughtuptherear。Theythen,havingagreatwaytogo,(forthetownofMansoulwasfarofffromthecourtofShaddai,)
marchedthroughtheregionsandcountriesofmanypeople,nothurtingorabusingany,butblessingwherevertheycame。
TheyalsolivedupontheKing’scostinallthewaytheywent。
Havingtravelledthusformanydays,atlasttheycamewithinsightofMansoul;thewhichwhentheysaw,thecaptainscouldfortheirheartsdonolessthanforawhilebewailtheconditionofthetown;fortheyquicklysawhowthatitwasprostratetothewillofDiabolus,andtohiswaysanddesigns。
Well,tobeshort,thecaptainscameupbeforethetown,marchuptoEar—gate,sitdownthere(forthatwastheplaceofhearing)。So,whentheyhadpitchedtheirtentsandentrenchedthemselves,theyaddressedthemselvestomaketheirassault。
Nowthetownsfolkatfirst,beholdingsogallantacompany,sobravelyaccoutred,andsoexcellentlydisciplined,havingontheirglitteringarmour,anddisplayingoftheirflyingcolours,couldnotbutcomeoutoftheirhousesandgaze。
ButthecunningfoxDiabolus,fearingthatthepeople,afterthissight,should,onasuddensummons,openthegatestothecaptains,camedownwithallhastefromthecastle,andmadethemretireintothebodyofthetown,who,whenhehadthemthere,madethislyinganddeceivablespeechuntothem:
’Gentlemen,’quothhe,’althoughyouaremytrustyandwell—
belovedfriends,yetIcannotbutalittlechideyouforyourlateuncircumspectaction,ingoingouttogazeonthatgreatandmightyforcethatbutyesterdaysatdownbefore,andhavenowentrenchedthemselvesinordertothemaintainingofasiegeagainstthefamoustownofMansoul。Doyouknowwhotheyare,whencetheycome,andwhatistheirpurposeinsittingdownbeforethetownofMansoul?TheyaretheyofwhomIhavetoldyoulongago,thattheywouldcometodestroythistown,andagainstwhomIhavebeenatthecosttoarmyouwithCAP—A—PIEforyourbody,besidesgreatfortificationsforyourmind。Wherefore,then,didyounotrather,evenatthefirstappearanceofthem,cryout,"Firethebeacons!"andgivethewholetownanalarmconcerningthem,thatwemightallhavebeeninapostureofdefence,andbeenreadytohavereceivedthemwiththehighestactsofdefiance?Thenhadyoushowedyourselvesmentomyliking;
whereas,bywhatyouhavedone,youhavemademehalfafraid—Isay,halfafraid—thatwhentheyandweshallcometopushapike,Ishallfindyouwantcouragetostanditoutanylonger。WhereforehaveIcommandedawatch,andthatyoushoulddoubleyourguardsatthegates?WhereforehaveI
endeavouredtomakeyouashardasiron,andyourheartsasapieceofthenethermillstone?Wasit,thinkyou,thatyoumightshowyourselveswomen,andthatyoumightgooutlikeacompanyofinnocentstogazeonyourmortalfoes?Fie,fie!
putyourselvesintoapostureofdefence,beatupthedrum,gathertogetherinwarlikemanner,thatourfoesmayknowthat,beforetheyshallconquerthiscorporation,therearevaliantmeninthetownofMansoul。
’Iwillleaveoffnowtochide,andwillnotfurtherrebukeyou;butIchargeyou,thathenceforwardsyouletmeseenomoresuchactions。Letnothenceforwardamanofyou,withoutorderfirstobtainedfromme,somuchasshowhisheadoverthewallofthetownofMansoul。Youhavenowheardme;doasIhavecommanded,andyoushallcausemethatIdwellsecurelywithyou,andthatItakecare,asformyself,soforyoursafetyandhonouralso。Farewell。"
Nowwerethetownsmenstrangelyaltered;theywereasmenstrickenwithapanicfear;theyrantoandfrothroughthestreetsofthetownofMansoul,cryingout,’Help,help!thementhatturntheworldupsidedownarecomehitheralso。’
Norcouldanyofthembequietafter;butstill,asmenbereftofwit,theycriedout,’Thedestroyersofourpeaceandpeoplearecome。’ThiswentdownwithDiabolus。’Ah,’
quothhetohimself,’thisIlikewell:nowitisasIwouldhaveit;nowyoushowyourobediencetoyourprince。Holdyoubuthere,andthenletthemtakethetowniftheycan。’
Well,beforetheKing’sforceshadsatbeforeMansoulthreedays,CaptainBoanergescommandedhistrumpetertogodowntoEar—gate,andthere,inthenameofthegreatShaddai,tosummonMansoultogiveaudiencetothemessagethathe,inhisMaster’sname,wastothemcommandedtodeliver。Sothetrumpeter,whosenamewasTake—heed—what—you—hear,wentup,ashewascommanded,toEar—gate,andtheresoundedhistrumpetforahearing;buttherewasnonethatappearedthatgaveanswerorregard,forsohadDiaboluscommanded。Sothetrumpeterreturnedtohiscaptain,andtoldhimwhathehaddone,andalsohowhehadsped;whereatthecaptainwasgrieved,butbidthetrumpetergotohistent。
AgainCaptainBoanergessendethhistrumpetertoEar—gate,tosoundasbeforeforahearing;buttheyagainkeptclose,camenotout,norwouldtheygivehimananswer,soobservantweretheyofthecommandofDiabolustheirking。
Thenthecaptainsandotherfieldofficerscalledacouncilofwar,toconsiderwhatfurtherwastobedoneforthegainingofthetownofMansoul;and,aftersomecloseandthoroughdebateuponthecontentsoftheircommissions,theyconcludedyettogivetothetown,bythehandofthefore—
namedtrumpeter,anothersummonstohear;butifthatshallberefused,saidthey,andthatthetownshallstanditoutstill,thentheydetermined,andbidthetrumpetertellthemso,thattheywouldendeavour,bywhatmeanstheycould,tocompelthembyforcetotheobedienceoftheirKing。
SoCaptainBoanergescommandedhistrumpetertogouptoEar—
gateagain,and,inthenameofthegreatKingShaddai,togiveitaveryloudsummonstocomedownwithoutdelaytoEar—gate,theretogiveaudiencetotheKing’smostnoblecaptains。Sothetrumpeterwent,anddidashewascommanded:hewentuptoEar—gate,andsoundedhistrumpet,andgaveathirdsummonstoMansoul。Hesaid,moreover,thatifthistheyshouldstillrefusetodo,thecaptainsofhisprincewouldwithmightcomedownuponthem,andendeavourtoreducethemtotheirobediencebyforce。
ThenstoodupmyLordWillbewill,whowasthegovernorofthetown,(thisWillbewillwasthatapostateofwhommentionwasmadebefore,)andthekeeperofthegatesofMansoul。Hetherefore,withbigandrufflingwords,demandedofthetrumpeterwhohewas,whencehecame,andwhatwasthecauseofhismakingsohideousanoiseatthegate,andspeakingsuchinsufferablewordsagainstthetownofMansoul。
Thetrumpeteranswered,’Iamservanttothemostnoblecaptain,CaptainBoanerges,generaloftheforcesofthegreatKingShaddai,againstwhomboththyself,withthewholetownofMansoul,haverebelled,andliftuptheheel;andmymaster,thecaptain,hathaspecialmessagetothistown,andtothee,asamemberthereof;thewhichifyouofMansoulshallpeaceablyhear,so;andifnot,youmusttakewhatfollows。’
ThensaidtheLordWillbewill,’Iwillcarrythywordstomylord,andwillknowwhathewillsay。’
Butthetrumpetersoonreplied,saying。’OurmessageisnottothegiantDiabolus,buttothemiserabletownofMansoul;
norshallweatallregardwhatanswerbyhimismade,noryetbyanyforhim。Wearesenttothistowntorecoveritfromunderhiscrueltyranny,andtopersuadeittosubmit,asinformertimesitdid,tothemostexcellentKingShaddai。’
ThensaidtheLordWillbewill,’Iwilldoyourerrandtothetown。’
Thetrumpeterthenreplied,’Sir,donotdeceiveus,lest,insodoing,youdeceiveyourselvesmuchmore。’Headded,moreover,’Forweareresolved,ifinpeaceablemanneryoudonotsubmityourselves,thentomakeawaruponyou,andtobringyouunderbyforce。AndofthetruthofwhatInowsay,thisshallbeasignuntoyou,—youshallseetheblackflag,withitshot,burningthunder—bolts,setuponthemountto—morrow,asatokenofdefianceagainstyourprince,andofourresolutionstoreduceyoutoyourLordandrightfulKing。’
SothesaidLordWillbewillreturnedfromoffthewall,andthetrumpetercameintothecamp。Whenthetrumpeterwascomeintothecamp,thecaptainsandofficersofthemightyKingShaddaicametogethertoknowifhehadobtainedahearing,andwhatwastheeffectofhiserrand。Sothetrumpetertold,saying,’WhenIhadsoundedmytrumpet,andhadcalledaloudtothetownforahearing,myLordWillbewill,thegovernorofthetown,andhethathathchargeofthegates,cameupwhenheheardmesound,and,lookingoverthewall,heaskedmewhatIwas,whenceIcame,andwhatwasthecauseofmymakingthisnoise。SoItoldhimmyerrand,andbywhoseauthorityIbroughtit。"Then,"saidhe,"IwilltellittothegovernorandtoMansoul;"andthenIreturnedtomylords。’
ThensaidthebraveBoanerges,’Letusyetforawhileliestillinourtrenches,andseewhattheserebelswilldo。’
NowwhenthetimedrewnighthataudiencebyMansoulmustbegiventothebraveBoanergesandhiscompanions,itwascommandedthatallthemenofwarthroughoutthewholecampofShaddaishouldasonemanstandtotheirarms,andmakethemselvesready,ifthetownofMansoulshallhear,toreceiveitforthwithtomercy;butifnot,toforceasubjection。Sothedaybeingcome,thetrumpeterssounded,andthatthroughoutthewholecamp,thatthemenofwarmightbeinareadinessforthatwhichthenshouldbetheworkoftheday。ButwhentheythatwereinthetownofMansoulheardthesoundofthetrumpetsthroughoutthecampofShaddai,andthinkingnootherbutthatitmustbeinordertostormthecorporation,theyatfirstwereputtogreatconsternationofspirit;butaftertheyalittleweresettledagain,theyalsomadewhatpreparationtheycouldforawar,iftheydidstorm;else,tosecurethemselves。
Well,whentheutmosttimewascome,Boanergeswasresolvedtoheartheiranswer;whereforehesentouthistrumpeteragaintosummonMansoultoahearingofthemessagethattheyhadbroughtfromShaddai。
Sohewentandsounded,andthetownsmencameup,butmadeEar—gateassureastheycould。Nowwhentheywerecomeuptothetopofthewall,CaptainBoanergesdesiredtoseetheLordMayor;butmyLordIncredulitywasthenLordMayor,forhecameintheroomofmyLordLustings。SoIncredulitycameupandshowedhimselfoverthewall;butwhentheCaptainBoanergeshadsethiseyesuponhim,hecriedoutaloud,’Thisisnothe:whereismyLordUnderstanding,theancientLordMayorofthetownofMansoul?fortohimIwoulddelivermymessage。’
Thensaidthegiant(forDiaboluswasalsocomedown)tothecaptain,’Mr。Captain,youhavebyyourboldnessgiventoMansoulatleastfoursummonsestosubjectherselftoyourKing,bywhoseauthorityIknownot,norwillIdisputethatnow。Iask,therefore,whatisthereasonofallthisado,orwhatwouldyoubeatifyouknewyourselves?’
ThenCaptainBoanerges,whoseweretheblackcolours,andwhosescutcheonwasthethreeburningthunderbolts,takingnonoticeofthegiantorofhisspeech,thusaddressedhimselftothetownofMansoul:’Beitknownuntoyou,OunhappyandrebelliousMansoul,thatthemostgraciousKing,thegreatKingShaddai,myMaster,hathsentmeuntoyouwithcommission’(andsoheshowedtothetownhisbroadseal)’toreduceyoutohisobedience;andhehathcommandedme,incaseyouyielduponmysummons,tocarryittoyouasifyouweremyfriendsorbrethren;buthealsohathbid,thatif,aftersummonstosubmityoustillstandoutandrebel,weshouldendeavourtotakeyoubyforce。’
ThenstoodforthCaptainConviction,andsaid,(hiswerethepalecolours,andforascutcheonhehadthebookofthelawwideopen,etc。,)’Hear,OMansoul!Thou,OMansoul,wastoncefamousforinnocency,butnowthouartdegeneratedintoliesanddeceit。Thouhastheardwhatmybrother,theCaptainBoanerges,hathsaid;anditisyourwisdom,andwillbeyourhappiness,tostoopto,andacceptofconditionsofpeaceandmercywhenoffered,speciallywhenofferedbyoneagainstwhomthouhastrebelled,andonewhoisofpowertoteartheeinpieces,forsoisShaddai,ourKing;nor,whenheisangry,cananythingstandbeforehim。Ifyousayyouhavenotsinned,oractedrebellionagainstourKing,thewholeofyourdoingssincethedaythatyoucastoffhisservice(andtherewasthebeginningofyoursin)willsufficientlytestifyagainstyou。Whatelsemeansyourhearkeningtothetyrant,andyourreceivinghimforyourking?WhatmeanselseyourrejectingofthelawsofShaddai,andyourobeyingofDiabolus?Yea,whatmeansthisyourtakingupofarmsagainst,andtheshuttingofyourgatesuponus,thefaithfulservantsofyourKing?Beruledthen,andacceptofmybrother’sinvitation,andoverstandnotthetimeofmercy,butagreewiththineadversaryquickly。Ah,Mansoul!suffernotthyselftobekeptfrommercy,andtoberunintoathousandmiseries,bytheflatteringwilesofDiabolus。Perhapsthatpieceofdeceitmayattempttomakeyoubelievethatweseekourownprofitinthisourservice,butknowitisobediencetoourKing,andlovetoyourhappiness,thatisthecauseofthisundertakingofours。
第3章