第6章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"THE HOLY WAR",免费读到尾

  ’Asformyself,ODiabolus,Iamcomeagainsttheebylawfulpower,andtotake,bystrengthofhand,thistownofMansouloutofthyburningfingers;forthistownofMansoulismine,ODiabolus,andthatbyundoubtedright,asallshallseethatwilldiligentlysearchthemostancientandmostauthenticrecords,andIwillpleadmytitletoit,totheconfusionofthyface。

  ’First,forthetownofMansoul,myFatherbuiltanddidfashionitwithhishand。Thepalacealsothatisinthemidstofthattown,hebuiltitforhisowndelight。ThistownofMansoul,therefore,ismyFather’s,andthatbythebestoftitles,andhethatgainsaysthetruthofthismustlieagainsthissoul。

  ’Secondly,Othoumasterofthelie,thistownofMansoulismine。

  ’1。ForthatIammyFather’sheir,hisfirstborn,andtheonlydelightofhisheart。Iamthereforecomeupagainsttheeinmineownright,eventorecovermineowninheritanceoutofthinehand。

  ’2。Butfurther,asIhavearightandtitletoMansoulbybeingmyFather’sheir,soIhavealsobymyFather’sdonation。Hisitwas,andhegaveitme;norhaveIatanytimeoffendedmyFather,thatheshouldtakeitfromme,andgiveittothee。NorhaveIbeenforced,byplayingthebankrupt,tosellorsettosaletotheemybelovedtownofMansoul。Mansoulismydesire,mydelight,andthejoyofmyheart。But,’3。Mansoulisminebyrightofpurchase。Ihaveboughtit,ODiabolus,Ihaveboughtittomyself。Now,sinceitwasmyFather’sandmine,asIwashisheir,andsincealsoIhavemadeitminebyvirtueofagreatpurchase,itfolloweththat,byalllawfulright,thetownofMansoulismine,andthatthouartanusurper,atyrant,andtraitor,inthyholdingpossessionthereof。Now,thecauseofmypurchasingofitwasthis:MansoulhadtrespassedagainstmyFather;nowmyFatherhadsaid,thatinthedaythattheybrokehislawtheyshoulddie。Now,itismorepossibleforheavenandearthtopassawaythanformyFathertobreakhisword。

  WhereforewhenMansoulhadsinnedindeedbyhearkeningtothylie,IputinandbecameasuretytomyFather,bodyforbody,andsoulforsoul,thatIwouldmakeamendsforMansoul’stransgressions,andmyFatherdidacceptthereof。

  So,whenthetimeappointedwascome,Igavebodyforbody,soulforsoul,lifeforlife,bloodforblood,andsoredeemedmybelovedMansoul。

  ’4。NordidIdothisbyhalves:myFather’slawandjustice,thatwerebothconcernedinthethreateningupontransgression,arebothnowsatisfied,andverywellcontentthatMansoulshouldbedelivered。

  ’5。NoramIcomeoutthisdayagainstthee,butbycommandmentofmyFather;itwashethatsaiduntome,\"GodownanddeliverMansoul。\"

  ’Whereforebeitknownuntothee,Othoufountainofdeceit,andbeitalsoknowntothefoolishtownofMansoul,thatI

  amnotcomeagainsttheethisdaywithoutmyFather。

  ’Andnow,’saidthegolden—headedPrince,’IhaveawordtothetownofMansoul。’ButsosoonasmentionwasmadethathehadawordtospeaktothebesottedtownofMansoul,thegatesweredouble—guarded,andallmencommandednottogivehimaudience。Soheproceededandsaid,’OunhappytownofMansoul,Icannotbutbetouchedwithpityandcompassionforthee。ThouhastacceptedofDiabolusforthyking,andartbecomeanurseandministerofDiaboloniansagainstthysovereignLord。Thygatesthouhastopenedtohim,buthastshutthemfastagainstme;thouhastgivenhimanhearing,buthaststoppedthineearsatmycry。Hebroughttotheethydestruction,andthoudidstreceivebothhimandit:Iamcometotheebringingsalvation,butthouregardestmenot。

  Besides,thouhast,aswithsacrilegioushands,takenthyself,withallthatwasmineinthee,andhastgivenalltomyfoe,andtothegreatestenemymyFatherhas。Youhavebowedandsubjectedyourselvestohim,youhavevowedandswornyourselvestobehis。PoorMansoul!whatshallIdountothee?ShallIsavethee?—shallIdestroythee?WhatshallIdountothee?ShallIfalluponthee,andgrindtheetopowder,ormaketheeamonumentoftherichestgrace?

  WhatshallIdountothee?Hearken,therefore,thoutownofMansoul,hearkentomyword,andthoushaltlive。Iammerciful,Mansoul,andthoushaltfindmeso:shutmenotoutofthygates。

  ’OMansoul,neitherismycommissionnorinclinationatalltodotheehurt。Whyfliestthousofastfromthyfriend,andstickestsoclosetothineenemy?Indeed,Iwouldhavethee,becauseitbecomestheetobesorryforthysin,butdonotdespairoflife;thisgreatforceisnottohurtthee,buttodelivertheefromthybondage,andtoreducetheetothyobedience。

  ’Mycommission,indeed,istomakeawaruponDiabolusthyking,anduponallDiabolonianswithhim;forheisthestrongmanarmedthatkeepsthehouse,andIwillhavehimout:hisspoilsImustdivide,hisarmourImusttakefromhim,hisholdImustcasthimoutof,andmustmakeitahabitationformyself。Andthis,OMansoul,shallDiabolusknowwhenheshallbemadetofollowmeinchains,andwhenMansoulshallrejoicetoseeitso。

  ’Icould,wouldInowputforthmymight,causethatforthwithheshouldleaveyouanddepart;butIhaveitinmyheartsotodealwithhim,asthatthejusticeofthewarthatIshallmakeuponhimmaybeseenandacknowledgedbyall。HehathtakenMansoulbyfraud,andkeepsitbyviolenceanddeceit,andIwillmakehimbareandnakedintheeyesofallobservers。

  ’Allmywordsaretrue。Iammightytosave,andwilldelivermyMansouloutofhishand。’

  ThisspeechwasintendedchieflyforMansoul,butMansoulwouldnothavethehearingofit。TheyshutupEar—gate,theybarricadeditup,theykeptitlockedandbolted,theysetaguardthereat,andcommandedthatnoMansoulonianshouldgoouttohim,northatanyfromthecampshouldbeadmittedintothetown。Allthistheydid,sohorriblyhadDiabolusenchantedthemtodo,andseektodoforhim,againsttheirrightfulLordandPrince;whereforenoman,norvoice,norsoundofmanthatbelongedtotheglorioushost,wastocomeintothetown。

  SowhenEmmanuelsawthatMansoulwasthusinvolvedinsin,hecallshisarmytogether,(sincenowalsohiswordsweredespised,)andgaveoutacommandmentthroughoutallhishosttobereadyagainstthetimeappointed。Now,forasmuchastherewasnowaylawfullytotakethetownofMansoulbuttogetinbythegates,andatEar—gateasthechief,thereforehecommandedhiscaptainsandcommanderstobringtheirrams,theirslingsandtheirmen,andplacethematEye—gateandEar—gate,inordertohistakingthetown。

  WhenEmmanuelhadputallthingsinareadinesstogiveDiabolusbattle,hesentagaintoknowofthetownofMansoul,ifinpeaceablemannertheywouldyieldthemselves,orwhethertheywereyetresolvedtoputhimtotrytheutmostextremity?Theythen,togetherwithDiabolustheirking,calledacouncilofwar,andresolveduponcertainpropositionsthatshouldbeofferedtoEmmanuel,ifhewillacceptthereof,sotheyagreed;andthenthenextwas,whoshouldbesentonthiserrand。Now,therewasinthetownofMansoulanoldman,aDiabolonian,andhisnamewasMr。Loth—

  to—stoop,astiffmaninhisway,andagreatdoerforDiabolus;him,therefore,theysent,andputintohismouthwhatheshouldsay。SohewentandcametothecamptoEmmanuel,andwhenhewascome,atimewasappointedtogivehimaudience。Soatthetimehecame,andafteraDiabolonianceremonyortwo,hethusbeganandsaid,’Greatsir,thatitmaybeknownuntoallmenhowgood—naturedaprincemymasteris,hehassentmetotellyourlordshipthatheisverywilling,ratherthangotowar,todeliverupintoyourhandsonehalfofthetownofMansoul。IamthereforetoknowifyourMightinesswillacceptofthisproposition。’

  ThensaidEmmanuel,’Thewholeisminebygiftandpurchase,whereforeIwillneverloseonehalf。’

  ThensaidMr。Loth—to—stoop,’Sir,mymasterhathsaidthathewillbecontentthatyoushallbethenominalandtitularLordofall,ifhemaypossessbutapart。’

  ThenEmmanuelanswered,’Thewholeisminereally,notinnameandwordonly;whereforeIwillbethesolelordandpossessorofall,orofnoneatall,ofMansoul。’

  ThenMr。Loth—to—stoopsaidagain,’Sir,beholdthecondescensionofmymaster!Hesays,thathewillbecontent,ifhemaybuthaveassignedtohimsomeplaceinMansoulasaplacetoliveprivatelyin,andyoushallbeLordofalltherest。’

  ThensaidthegoldenPrince,’AllthattheFathergivethmeshallcometome;andofallthathegivethmeIwilllosenothing—no,notahoofnorahair。Iwillnot,therefore,granthim,no,nottheleastcornerofMansoultodwellin;I

  willhavealltomyself。’

  ThenLoth—to—stoopsaidagain,’But,sir,supposethatmyLordshouldresignthewholetowntoyou,onlywiththisproviso,thathesometimes,whenhecomesintothiscountry,may,foroldacquaintance’sake,beentertainedasawayfaringmanfortwodays,ortendaysoramonth,orso。

  Maynotthissmallmatterbegranted?’

  ThensaidEmmanuel,’No。HecameasawayfaringmantoDavid,nordidhestaylongwithhim,andyetithadliketohavecostDavidhissoul。Iwillnotconsentthatheevershouldhaveanyharbourmorethere。’

  ThensaidMr。Loth—to—stoop,’Sir,youseemtobeveryhard。

  Supposemymastershouldyieldtoallthatyourlordshiphathsaid,providedthathisfriendsandkindredinMansoulmayhavelibertytotradeinthetown,andtoenjoytheirpresentdwellings。Maynotthatbegranted,sir?’

  ThensaidEmmanuel,’No;thatiscontrarytomyFather’swill;forall,andallmannerofDiaboloniansthatnoware,orthatatanytimeshallbefoundinMansoul,shallnotonlylosetheirlandsandliberties,butalsotheirlives。’

  ThensaidMr。Loth—to—stoopagain,’But,sir,maynotmymasterandgreatlord,byletters,bypassengers,byaccidentalopportunities,andthelike,maintain,ifheshalldeliverupalluntothee,somekindofoldfriendshipwithMansoul?’

  Emmanuelanswered,’No,bynomeans;forasmuchasanysuchfellowship,friendship,intimacy,oracquaintance,inwhatway,sort,ormodesoevermaintained,willtendtothecorruptingofMansoul,thealienatingoftheiraffectionsfromme,andtheendangeringoftheirpeacewithmyFather。’

  Mr。Loth—to—stoopyetaddedfurther,saying,’But,greatsir,sincemymasterhathmanyfriends,andthosethataredeartohim,inMansoul,mayhenot,ifheshalldepartfromthem,evenofhisbountyandgood—nature,bestowuponthem,asheseesfit,sometokensofhisloveandkindnessthathehadforthem,totheendthatMansoul,whenheisgone,maylookuponsuchtokensofkindnessoncereceivedfromtheiroldfriend,andrememberhimwhowasoncetheirking,andthemerrytimesthattheysometimesenjoyedonewithanother,whileheandtheylivedinpeacetogether?’

  ThensaidEmmanuel,’No;forifMansoulcometobemine,I

  shallnotadmitofnorconsentthatthereshouldbetheleastscrap,shred,ordustofDiabolusleftbehind,astokensofgiftsbestoweduponanyinMansoul,therebytocalltoremembrancethehorriblecommunionthatwasbetwixtthemandhim。’

  ’Well,sir,’saidMr。Loth—to—stoop,’Ihaveonethingmoretopropound,andthenIamgottotheendofmycommission。

  Supposethat,whenmymasterisgonefromMansoul,anythatshallyetliveinthetownshouldhavesuchbusinessofhighconcernstodo,thatiftheybeneglectedthepartyshallbeundone;andsuppose,sir,thatnobodycanhelpinthatcasesowellasmymasterandlord,maynotnowmymasterbesentforuponsourgentanoccasionasthis?Orifhemaynotbeadmittedintothetown,maynotheandthepersonconcernedmeetinsomeofthevillagesnearMansoul,andtherelaytheirheadstogether,andthereconsultofmatters?’

  ThiswasthelastofthoseensnaringpropositionsthatMr。

  Loth—to—stoophadtopropoundtoEmmanuelonbehalfofhismasterDiabolus;butEmmanuelwouldnotgrantit;forhesaid,’Therecanbenocase,orthing,ormatterfalloutinMansoul,whenthymastershallbegone,thatmaynotbesolvedbymyFather;besides,itwillbeagreatdisparagementtomyFather’swisdomandskilltoadmitanyfromMansoultogoouttoDiabolusforadvice,whentheyarebidbefore,ineverything,byprayerandsupplicationtolettheirrequestsbemadeknowntomyFather。Further,this,shoulditbegranted,wouldbetograntthatadoorshouldbesetopenforDiabolus,andtheDiaboloniansinMansoul,tohatch,andplot,andbringtopasstreasonabledesigns,tothegriefofmyFatherandme,andtotheutterdestructionofMansoul。’

  WhenMr。Loth—to—stoophadheardthisanswer,hetookhisleaveofEmmanuel,anddeparted,sayingthathewouldcarrywordtohismasterconcerningthiswholeaffair。Sohedeparted,andcametoDiabolustoMansoul,andtoldhimthewholeofthematter,andhowEmmanuelwouldnotadmit,no,notbyanymeans,thathe,whenhewasoncegoneout,shouldforeverhaveanythingmoretodoeitherin,orwithanythatareofthetownofMansoul。WhenMansoulandDiabolushadheardthisrelationofthings,theywithoneconsentconcludedtousetheirbestendeavourtokeepEmmanueloutofMansoul,andsentoldIll—Pause,ofwhomyouhaveheardbefore,totellthePrinceandhiscaptainsso。SotheoldgentlemancameuptothetopofEar—gate,andcalledtothecampforahearing,whowhentheygaveaudience,hesaid,’I

  haveincommandmentfrommyhighlordtobidyoutellittoyourPrinceEmmanuel,thatMansoulandtheirkingareresolvedtostandandfalltogether;andthatitisinvainforyourPrincetothinkofeverhavingMansoulinhishand,unlesshecantakeitbyforce。’SosomewentandtoldtoEmmanuelwhatoldIll—Pause,aDiabolonianinMansoul,hadsaid。ThensaidthePrince,’Imusttrythepowerofmysword,forIwillnot(foralltherebellionsandrepulsesthatMansoulhasmadeagainstme)raisemysiegeanddepart,butwillassuredlytakemyMansoul,anddeliveritfromthehandofherenemy。’AndwiththathegaveoutacommandmentthatCaptainBoanerges,CaptainConviction,CaptainJudgment,andCaptainExecutionshouldforthwithmarchuptoEar—gatewithtrumpetssounding,coloursflying,andwithshoutingforthebattle。AlsohewouldthatCaptainCredenceshouldjoinhimselfwiththem。Emmanuel,moreover,gaveorderthatCaptainGood—HopeandCaptainCharityshoulddrawthemselvesupbeforeEye—gate。Hebidalsothattherestofhiscaptainsandtheirmenshouldplacethemselvesforthebestoftheiradvantageagainsttheenemyroundaboutthetown;

  andallwasdoneashehadcommanded。

  Thenhebidthatthewordshouldbegivenforth,andthewordwasatthattime,’EMMANUEL。’Thenwasanalarmsounded,andthebattering—ramswereplayed,andtheslingsdidwhirlstonesintothetownamain,andthusthebattlebegan。NowDiabolushimselfdidmanagethetownsmeninthewar,andthatateverygate;whereforetheirresistancewasthemoreforcible,hellish,andoffensivetoEmmanuel。ThuswasthegoodPrinceengagedandentertainedbyDiabolusandMansoulforseveraldaystogether;andasightworthseeingitwastobeholdhowthecaptainsofShaddaibehavedthemselvesinthiswar。

  AndfirstforCaptainBoanerges,(nottounder—valuetherest,)hemadethreemostfierceassaults,oneafteranother,uponEar—gate,totheshakingofthepoststhereof。CaptainConviction,healsomadeupasfastwithBoanergesaspossiblyhecould,andbothdiscerningthatthegatebegantoyield,theycommandedthattheramsshouldstillbeplayedagainstit。Now,CaptainConviction,goingupveryneartothegate,waswithgreatforcedrivenback,andreceivedthreewoundsinthemouth。Andthosethatrodereformades,theywentabouttoencouragethecaptains。

  Forthevalourofthetwocaptains,madementionofbefore,thePrincesentforthemtohispavilion,andcommandedthatawhiletheyshouldrestthemselves,andthatwithsomewhattheyshouldberefreshed。CarealsowastakenforCaptainConviction,thatheshouldbehealedofhiswounds。ThePrincealsogavetoeachofthemachainofgold,andbidthemyetbeofgoodcourage。

  NordidCaptainGood—HopenorCaptainCharitycomebehindinthismostdesperatefight,fortheysowelldidbehavethemselvesatEye—gate,thattheyhadalmostbrokenitquiteopen。ThesealsohadarewardfromtheirPrince,asalsohadtherestofthecaptains,becausetheydidvaliantlyroundaboutthetown。

  InthisengagementseveraloftheofficersofDiaboluswereslain,andsomeofthetownsmenwounded。Fortheofficers,therewasoneCaptainBoastingslain。ThisBoastingthoughtthatnobodycouldhaveshakenthepostsofEar—gate,norhaveshakentheheartofDiabolus。NexttohimtherewasoneCaptainSecureslain:thisSecureusedtosaythattheblindandlameinMansoulwereabletokeepthegatesofthetownagainstEmmanuel’sarmy。ThisCaptainSecuredidCaptainConvictioncleavedowntheheadwithatwo—handedsword,whenhereceivedhimselfthreewoundsinhismouth。

  BesidesthesetherewasoneCaptainBragman,averydesperatefellow,andhewascaptainoverabandofthosethatthrewfirebrands,arrows,anddeath:healsoreceived,bythehandofCaptainGood—HopeatEye—gate,amortalwoundinthebreast。

  Therewas,moreover,oneMr。Feeling;buthewasnocaptain,butagreatsticklertoencourageMansoultorebellion。HereceivedawoundintheeyebythehandofoneofBoanerges’

  soldiers,andhadbythecaptainhimselfbeenslain,butthathemadeasuddenretreat。

  ButIneversawWillbewillsodauntedinallmylife;hewasnotabletodoashewaswont,andsomesaythathealsoreceivedawoundintheleg,andthatsomeofthemeninthePrince’sarmyhavecertainlyseenhimlimpasheafterwardswalkedonthewall。

  Ishallnotgiveyouaparticularaccountofthenamesofthesoldiersthatwereslaininthetown,formanyweremaimed,andwounded,andslain;forwhentheysawthatthepostsofEar—gatedidshake,andEye—gatewaswell—nighbrokenquiteopen,andalsothattheircaptainswereslain,thistookawaytheheartsofmanyoftheDiabolonians;theyfellalsobytheforceoftheshotthatweresentbythegoldenslingsintothemidstofthetownofMansoul。

  Ofthetownsmen,therewasoneLove—no—Good;hewasatownsman,butaDiabolonian;healsoreceivedhismortalwoundinMansoul,buthediednotverysoon。

  Mr。Ill—Pausealso,whowasthemanthatcamealongwithDiaboluswhenatfirstheattemptedthetakingofMansoul,healsoreceivedagrievouswoundinthehead;somesaythathisbrain—panwascracked。ThisIhavetakennoticeof,thathewasneverafterthisabletodothatmischieftoMansoulashehaddoneintimespast。AlsooldPrejudiceandMr。

  Anythingfled。

  Now,whenthebattlewasover,thePrincecommandedthatyetoncemorethewhiteflagshouldbesetuponMountGraciousinsightofthetownofMansoul,toshowthatyetEmmanuelhadgraceforthewretchedtownofMansoul。

  WhenDiabolussawthewhiteflaghungoutagain,andknowingthatitwasnotforhim,butMansoul,hecastinhismindtoplayanotherprank,towit,toseeifEmmanuelwouldraisehissiegeandbegone,uponpromiseofreformation。Sohecomesdowntothegateoneevening,agoodwhileafterthesunwasgonedown,andcallstospeakwithEmmanuel,whopresentlycamedowntothegate,andDiabolussaithuntohim:

  ’Forasmuchasthoumakestitappearbythywhiteflagthatthouartwhollygiventopeaceandquiet,Ithoughtmeettoacquainttheethatwearereadytoacceptthereofupontermswhichthoumayestadmit。

  ’Iknowthatthouartgiventodevotion,andthatholinesspleaseththee;yea,thatthygreatendinmakingawaruponMansoulis,thatitmaybeaholyhabitation。Well,drawoffthyforcesfromthetown,andIwillbendMansoultothybow。

  ’First,Iwilllaydownallactsofhostilityagainstthee,andwillbewillingtobecomethydeputy,andwill,asIhaveformerlybeenagainstthee,nowservetheeinthetownofMansoul。Andmoreparticularly,’1。IwillpersuadeMansoultoreceivetheefortheirLord;

  andIknowthattheywilldoitthesoonerwhentheyshallunderstandthatIamthydeputy。

  ’2。Iwillshowthemwhereintheyhaveerred,andthattransgressionstandsinthewaytolife。

  ’3。Iwillshowthemtheholylawuntowhichtheymustconform,eventhatwhichtheyhavebroken。

  ’4。Iwillpressuponthemthenecessityofareformationaccordingtothylaw。

  ’5。And,moreover,thatnoneofthesethingsmayfail,I

  myself,atmyownpropercostandcharge,willsetupandmaintainasufficientministry,besideslectures,inMansoul。

  ’6。Thoushaltreceive,asatokenofoursubjectiontothee,yearbyyear,whatthoushaltthinkfittolayandlevyuponusintokenofoursubjectiontothee。’

  ThensaidEmmanueltohim,’Ofullofdeceit,howmovablearethyways!Howoftenhastthouchangedandrechanged,ifsobethoumighteststillkeeppossessionofmyMansoul,though,ashasbeenplainlydeclaredbefore,Iamtherightheirthereof!Oftenhastthoumadethyproposalsalready,noristhislastawhitbetterthanthey。Andfailingtodeceivewhenthoushowedstthyselfinthyblack,thouhastnowtransformedthyselfintoanangeloflight,andwouldst,todeceive,benowasaministerofrighteousness。

  ’Butknowthou,ODiabolus,thatnothingmustberegardedthatthoucanstpropound,fornothingisdonebytheebuttodeceive。ThouneitherhastconsciencetoGod,norlovetothetownofMansoul;whence,then,shouldthesethysayingsarisebutfromsinfulcraftanddeceit?Hethatcanoflistandwillpropoundwhathepleases,andthatwherewithhemaydestroythemthatbelievehim,istobeabandoned,withallthatheshallsay。Butifrighteousnessbesuchabeauty—

  spotinthineeyesnow,howisitthatwickednesswassocloselystucktobytheebefore?Butthisisby—the—bye。

  ’ThoutalkestnowofareformationinMansoul,andthatthouthyself,ifIwillplease,wiltbeattheheadofthatreformation;allthewhileknowingthatthegreatestproficiencythatmancanmakeinthelaw,andtherighteousnessthereof,willamounttonomore,forthetakingawayofthecursefromMansoul,thanjustnothingatall;foralawbeingbrokenbyMansoul,thathadbefore,uponasuppositionofthebreachthereof,acursepronouncedagainsthimforitofGod,cannever,byhisobeyingofthelaw,deliverhimselftherefrom(tosaynothingofwhatareformationisliketobesetupinMansoulwhenthedevilisbecomecorrectorofvice)。Thouknowestthatallthatthouhastnowsaidinthismatterisnothingbutguileanddeceit;

  andis,asitwasthefirst,soisitthelastcardthatthouhasttoplay。Manytherebethatdosoondiscerntheewhenthoushowestthemthyclovenfoot;butinthywhite,thylight,andinthytransformation,thouartseenbutofafew。

  ButthoushaltnotdothuswithmyMansoul,ODiabolus;forI

  dostilllovemyMansoul。

  ’Besides,IamnotcometoputMansouluponworkstolivethereby;shouldIdoso,Ishouldbelikeuntothee:butIamcomethatbyme,andbywhatIhaveandshalldoforMansoul,theymaytomyFatherbereconciled,thoughbytheirsintheyhaveprovokedhimtoanger,andthoughbythelawtheycannotobtainmercy。

  ’Thoutalkestofsubjectingofthistowntogood,whennonedesirethitatthyhands。IamsentbymyFathertopossessitmyself,andtoguideitbytheskilfulnessofmyhandsintosuchaconformitytohimasshallbepleasinginhissight。Iwillthereforepossessitmyself;Iwilldispossessandcasttheeout;Iwillsetupmineownstandardinthemidstofthem;Iwillalsogovernthembynewlaws,newofficers,newmotives,andnewways;yea,Iwillpulldownthistown,andbuilditagain;anditshallbeasthoughithadnotbeen,anditshallthenbethegloryofthewholeuniverse。’

  WhenDiabolusheardthis,andperceivedthathewasdiscoveredinallhisdeceits,hewasconfounded,andutterlyputtoanonplus;buthavinginhimselfthefountainofiniquity,rage,andmaliceagainstbothShaddaiandhisSon,andthebelovedtownofMansoul,whatdothhebutstrengthenhimselfwhathecouldtogivefreshbattletothenoblePrinceEmmanuel?So,then,nowwemusthaveanotherfightbeforethetownofMansoulistaken。Comeup,then,tothemountains,youthatlovetoseemilitaryactions,andbeholdbybothsideshowthefatalblowisgiven,whileoneseekstohold,andtheotherseekstomakehimselfmasterofthefamoustownofMansoul。

  Diabolus,therefore,havingwithdrawnhimselffromthewalltohisforcethatwasintheheartofthetownofMansoul,Emmanuelalsoreturnedtothecamp;andbothofthem,aftertheirdiversways,putthemselvesintoaposturefittogivebattleonetoanother。

  Diabolus,asfilledwithdespairofretaininginhishandsthefamoustownofMansoul,resolvedtodowhatmischiefhecould(if,indeed,hecoulddoany)tothearmyofthePrinceandtothefamoustownofMansoul;for,alas!itwasnotthehappinessofthesillytownofMansoulthatwasdesignedbyDiabolus,buttheutterruinandoverthrowthereof,asnowisenoughinview。Wherefore,hecommandshisofficersthattheyshouldthen,whentheyseethattheycouldholdthetownnolonger,doitwhatharmandmischieftheycould,renderingandtearingmen,women,andchildren。’For,’saidhe,’wehadbetterquitedemolishtheplace,andleaveitlikearuinousheap,thansoleaveitthatitmaybeanhabitationforEmmanuel。’

  Emmanuelagain,knowingthatthenextbattlewouldissueinhisbeingmademasteroftheplace,gaveoutaroyalcommandmenttoallhisofficers,highcaptains,andmenofwar,tobesuretoshowthemselvesmenofwaragainstDiabolusandallDiabolonians;butfavourable,merciful,andmeektotheoldinhabitantsofMansoul。’Bend,therefore,’

  saidthenoblePrince,’thehottestfrontofthebattleagainstDiabolusandhismen。’

  Sothedaybeingcome,thecommandwasgiven,andthePrince’smendidbravelystandtotheirarms,anddid,asbefore,bendtheirmainforceagainstEar—gateandEye—gate。

  Thewordwasthen,’Mansouliswon!’sotheymadetheirassaultuponthetown。Diabolusalso,asfastashecould,withthemainofhispower,maderesistancefromwithin;andhishighlordsandchiefcaptainsforatimefoughtverycruellyagainstthePrince’sarmy。

  ButafterthreeorfournotablechargesbythePrinceandhisnoblecaptains,Ear—gatewasbrokenopen,andthebarsandboltswherewithitwasusedtobefastshutupagainstthePrince,werebrokenintoathousandpieces。ThendidthePrince’strumpetssound,thecaptainsshout,thetownshake,andDiabolusretreattohishold。Well,whenthePrince’sforceshadbrokenopenthegate,himselfcameupanddidsethisthroneinit;alsohesethisstandardthereby,uponamountthatbeforebyhismenwascastuptoplacethemightyslingsthereon。ThemountwascalledMountHear—well。

  There,therefore,thePrinceabode,towit,hardbythegoinginatthegate。Hecommandedalsothatthegoldenslingsshouldyetbeplayeduponthetown,especiallyagainstthecastle,becauseforshelterthitherwasDiabolusretreated。

  Now,fromEar—gatethestreetwasstraighteventothehouseofMr。RecorderthatsowasbeforeDiabolustookthetown;

  andhardbyhishousestoodthecastle,whichDiabolusforalongtimehadmadehisirksomeden。Thecaptains,therefore,didquicklyclearthatstreetbytheuseoftheirslings,sothatwaywasmadeuptotheheartofthetown。ThendidthePrincecommandthatCaptainBoanerges,CaptainConviction,andCaptainJudgment,shouldforthwithmarchupthetowntotheoldgentleman’sgate。ThendidthecaptainsinthemostwarlikemannerenterintothetownofMansoul,andmarchinginwithflyingcolours,theycameuptotheRecorder’shouse,andthatwasalmostasstrongaswasthecastle。Battering—

  ramstheytookalsowiththem,toplantagainstthecastlegates。WhentheywerecometothehouseofMr。Conscience,theyknocked,anddemandedentrance。Now,theoldgentleman,notknowingasyetfullytheirdesign,kepthisgatesshutallthetimeofthisfight。WhereforeBoanergesdemandedentranceathisgates;andnomanmakinganswer,hegaveitonestrokewiththeheadofaram,andthismadetheoldgentlemanshake,andhishousetotrembleandtotter。ThencameMr。Recorderdowntothegates,and,ashecould,withquiveringlipsheaskedwhowasthere?Boanergesanswered,’WearethecaptainsandcommandersofthegreatShaddaiandoftheblessedEmmanuel,hisSon,andwedemandpossessionofyourhousefortheuseofournoblePrince。’Andwiththatthebattering—ramgavethegateanothershake。Thismadetheoldgentlemantremblethemore,yetdursthenotbutopenthegate:thentheKing’sforcesmarchedin,namely,thethreebravecaptainsmentionedbefore。Now,theRecorder’shousewasaplaceofmuchconvenienceforEmmanuel,notonlybecauseitwasneartothecastleandstrong,butalsobecauseitwaslarge,andfrontedthecastle,thedenwherenowDiaboluswas,forhewasnowafraidtocomeoutofhishold。AsforMr。Recorder,thecaptainscarrieditveryreservedlytohim;asyetheknewnothingofthegreatdesignsofEmmanuel,sothathedidnotknowwhatjudgmenttomake,norwhatwouldbetheendofsuchthunderingbeginnings。ItwasalsopresentlynoisedinthetownhowtheRecorder’shousewaspossessed,hisroomstakenup,andhispalacemadetheseatofthewar;andnosoonerwasitnoisedabroad,buttheytookthealarmaswarmly,andgaveitouttoothersofhisfriends,andyouknow,asasnowballlosesnothingbyrolling,soinlittletimethewholetownwaspossessedthattheymustexpectnothingfromthePrincebutdestruction;andthegroundofthebusinesswasthis,theRecorderwasafraid,theRecordertrembled,andthecaptainscarrieditstrangelytotheRecorder。Somanycametosee,butwhentheywiththeirowneyesdidbeholdthecaptainsinthepalace,andtheirbattering—ramseverplayingatthecastlegatestobeatthemdown,theywererivetedintheirfears,anditmadethemallinamaze。And,asIsaid,themanofthehousewouldincreaseallthis;forwhoevercametohim,ordiscoursedwithhim,nothingwouldhetalkof,tellthem,orhear,butthatdeathanddestructionnowattendedMansoul。

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