captains, in whose valour we used to put most confidence, are as wounded men. Besides, Lord, our enemies are lively, and they are strong, they vaunt and boast themselves, and do threaten to part us among themselves for a booty. They are fallen also upon us, Lord, with many thousand Doubters, such as with whom we cannot tell what do; they are all grim-looked, and unmerciful ones, and they bid defiance to us and thee.

Our wisdom is gone, our power is gone, because thou art departed from us, nor have we what we may call ours, but sin, shanie, and confusion of face for sin. Take pity upon us, O Lord, take pity upon us thy miserable town of Mansoul, and save us out of the hands of our enemies. Amen.'

This petition, as was touched afore, was handed by the Lord Secretary, and carried to court by Capt. Credence ; he carried it out at Mouth-gate, and came to Emanuel with it. Now how it came out, I do not know, but it reached the ears of Diabolus. So Diabolus charged the town of Mansoul with it, saying, Thou rebellious and stubborn bearted Mansoul, I will make thee to leave off petitioning; art thou yet for petitioning? I will make thee to leave off Yea, he knew also who the messenger was; and it made him to fear and rage. Then said he to his Diabolians, O Oye stout ones, be it known unto you, that there is a treachery batcht against us in the rebellious town of Mansoul; for albeit the town is in our possession, yet these miserable. Mansoulians have attempted to dare, aud have been so hardy as yet to send to the court of Emanuel for help. This I give you to understand, that ye may yet know how to carry it to the wretched town of Mansoul. Wherefore, O my trusty Diabolians, I command that yet more and more ye distress Mansoul, and vex it with your aviles. Let this be the reward of the Mansoulians, for their desperate rebellion.

When Diabolus had done thus, he went the next way up to the castle gates, and demanded that upon pain of death

death the gates should be opened to him, and that entrance should be given to him and his men that followed after. To whom Mr. Godly-fear replied, That the gate should not be opened unto him, nor his men. He said moreover, That Mansoul, when she had suffered awhile, should be made perfect, strengthened, and settled.

Then said Diabolus, Deliver me then the men the men that have petitioned against me, especially Capt. Credence that carried it to your Prince, deliver that varlet into my bands, and I will depart from the town:

Then did my Lord Mayor reply, O thon devouring tyrant, be it known unto thee, we shall hearken to none of thy words; we are resoleed to resist thee as long as a captain, a man, a sling, or a stone to throw at thee shall be found in the town of Mansoul. But Diabolus answered, Do you hope, do you wait, do you look for help and deliverance? You have sent to Emanuel, but your wickedness sticks too close in your skirts, to let innocent prayers come out of your lips. Think you, that you shall be prevailers, and prosper in this design? You will fail in your wish. you will fail in your attempts; for 'tis not only I, but your Emanuel is against you. Yea, it is be that hath sent me against you to subdue you; for what then do you hope, or by what means avill you escape? -Then said the Lord Mayor, We have sinned indeed, but that shall be no help to thee, for our Emanuel hath said it, and that in great faithfulness. And him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. He hath also told us, O our enemy, that all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven to the sons of men. Therefore we dare not despair, but will look for, and wait for mercy.

And now by this time Capt. Credence was returned and come from the Court from Emanuel to the castle of Mausoul, and he returned to them with a pacquet. So my Lord Mayor hearing that Capt. Credence was come, withdrew himself from the noise of the roaring of the

tyrant,

tyrant, and left him to yell at the wall of the town, or against the gates of the castle. So he came up to the captain's lodgings, and saluting him, he asked him of his welfare, and what was the best news at court? But when he asked Capt. Credence that, the water stood in his eyes. Then said the captain, Cheer up, my Lord, for all will be well in time: And with that he first produced his pacquet, and laid it by; that the Lord Mayor and the rest of the captains took for a sign of good tidings. Now a season of grace being come, he sent for all the captains and elders of the town, to let them know that Capt. Credence was returned from the court, and that he had something in general, and something in special concerning them. When the Captain had saluted them, he opened his pacquet, and thence did draw out of it several notes for those that he had sent for. And the first note was for my Lord Mayor, wherein was signified: The Prince Emanuel had taken it well that my Lord had been so true and trusty in his office, and had engaged so faithfully in his cause against Diabolus. He also signified that he should shortly receive his reward.

The second note that came out, was for the noble Lord Will-be-will, wherein there was signified, That Emanuel did well understand how valiant and courageous he had been for the honour of his Lord. The Prince had taken it well that he had been so faithful to Mansoul, in keep so strict an hand and eye over the Diabolians that still lay lurking in the town. He also understood that my Lord had with his own hand done great execution upon some of the chief of the rebels there, to the good example of the whole town; and that shortly his Lordship should have his reward.

The third note was for the subordinate preacher, and signified, That his Prince took it well from him, that he had so honestly and faithfully performed his office, and trust committed to him by his Lord, while he exhorted, No. 6. rebuked

Ff

rebuked, and forewarned Mansoul according to the laws of the town, &c. And shortly he should receive his reward.- -The fourth note came out for Mr. Godlyfear, wherein his Lord signified, That he was the first man in Mansoul that detected Mr. Carnal-Security, as the only one that through his subtilty and cunning, had obtained for Diabolus a defection and decay of goodness in the blessed town of Mansoul. His Lord gave him to understand, that he still remembered his tears and mourning for the state of Mansoul. Emanuel also noticed how stoutly he stood it at the gates of the castle against the threats and attempts of the tyrant, and how he had put the townsmen in a way to make their petition to their Frince, so as that he might accept thereof, and as that they might obtain an answer of peace; and that therefore shortly he should receive his reward.

After all this, there was yet produced a note which was written to the whole town of Mansoul, whereby they perceived, that their Lord took notice of their so often repeating of petitions to him, and that they should see more of the fruits of such their doings in time to come. Their Prince did also therein tell them, That be took it well, that their heart and mind now at last abode fixed upon him and his rays, tho' Diabolus bad made such inroads upon them, and that neither flatteries on the one band, nor hardships on the other, could make them yield to serve bis cruel designs. There was also inserted at the bottom of this note, That bis Lordship had left the town of Mansoul in the bands of the Lord Secretary, and under the care and conduct of Capt. Credence, saying, Beware that you yield yourselves unto their governance, and in due time you receive your reward.

shall

So after the brave Capt. Credence had delivered his notes to those to whom they belonged, he retired to my Lord Secretary's lodgings, and there spends his time in conversing with him; for they two were very

great

great one with another, and did indeed know more how things would go with Mansoul than did all the townsmen besides; the Lord Secretary also loved Capt. Credence dearly, yea, many a good bit was sent him from my Lord's table; also he might have a shew of countenance when the rest lay under the clouds. So after some time for converse was spent, the captain betook himself to his chambers to rest. But it was not long after but my Lord did send for the captain again; so he came, and they greeted one another with usual salutations. And the Lord Secretary took him and had him aside, and after a sign or two of more favour, he said, I have made thee the Lord Lieutenant over all the forces in Mansoul; so that from this day forward all men in Mansoul shall be at thy word. Thou shalt therefore manage according to thy place the war for thy Prince, and for the town of Mansoul, against the force and power of Diabolus, and at thy command shall the rest of the captains be.

Now the townsmen began to perceive what interest the captain had with the court, and with the Lord Secretary. Wherefore what do they, after some lamentation that they made no more use of him in their distresses, but send by their subordinate preacher to the Lord Secretary, to desire him that all that ever they were and had, might be put under the care and conduct of Capt. Credence. So their preacher went and did his errand, and received this answer from the mouth of his Lord, That Capt. Credence should be the great doer in all the King's army against his enemies, and also for the welfare of Mansoul. But all this was done with all imaginable secresy, because the foes had yet great strength in the town. But,

To return to our story again: When Diabolus saw himself thus boldly confronted by the Lord Mayor, and perceived the stoutness of Mr. Godly-fear, he fell into a

rage,