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Only the King and his Son foresaw all this long before, yea, and sufficiently provided for the relief of Mansoul, tho' they told not every body thereof. Yet, because they also would have a share in condoling of the misery of 'Mansoul, therefore they also did, and that at a rate of 'the highest degree, bewail the losing of Mansoul; Gen. vi. 5, 6. The King said plainly, that it grieved bim at the heart, and you may be sure that his Son was not a whit behind him. Thus they gave conviction to all about them, that they had love and compassion for the famous town of Mansoul. Well, when the King and his Son were retired into the privy-chamber, there they again consulted about what they had designed before, to wit, That as Mansoul should in time be suffered to be lost, so as certainly it should be recovered again. Recovered I say, in such a way as that both the King and his Son would get themselves eternal fame and glory thereby. Wherefore, after this consult, the Son of Shaddai (a sweet and comely person, and one that had also great affection for those that were in affliction, but one that had mortal enmity in his heart against Diabolus, because he was designed for it, and because Diabolus sought his crown and dignity). Isa. xlix. 5. 1 Tim. i. 15. Hos. xiii. 14. This Son of Shaddai, I say, having stricken hand with his father, and promised that he would be his servant to recover Mansoul again, stood by his resolution, nor would he repent of the same. The purport of which agreement was this, to wit, That at a certain time prefixed by both, the King's Son should take a journey into the country of Universe, and there in a way of justice and equity, by making of amends for the follies of Mansoul, he should lay the foundation of her perfect deliverance from Diabolus, and from his tyranny.

Moreover, Emanuel resolved to make, at a time convenient, a war upon the giant Diabolus, even while he

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was possessed of the town of Mansoul; and that he would fairly, by strength of hand, drive him out of his hold, his nest, and take it to himself, to be his habitation.

This now being resolved upon, order was given to the Lord Chief Secretary, to draw up a fair record of what was determined, and to cause that it should be published in all the corners of the kingdom of Universe. A short breviat of the contents thereof, you may if you please take here as follows:

Let all men know, who are concerned, that the Son of Shaddai, the great King, is engaged by covenant to his Father, to bring bis Mansoul to him again; yea, and to put Mansoul too, through the power of his matchless love, into a far better, and more happy condition than it was in before it was taken by Diabolus.

These papers therefore were published in several places, to the no little molestation of the tyrant Diabolus; for now, thought he, I shall be molested, and my habitation will be taken from me.

But when this matter, I mean this purpose of the King and his Son, did at first take air at court, who can tell how the High Lords, Chief Captains, and noble. Princes that were there, were taken with the business! First, they whispered it to one another, and after that it began to ring throughout the King's palace, all wondering at the glorious design that between the King and his Son was on foot for the miserable town of Mansoul. Yea, the courtiers could scarce do any thing either for the King or kingdom, but they would mix with the doing thereof a noise of the love of the King and his Son, that they had for the town of Mansoul.

Nor could these Lords, high Captains, and Princes, be content to keep this news at court: yea, before the records thereof were perfected, themselves came down and told it in Universe. At last it came to the ears, as

I said, of Diabolus, to his no little discontent. For you must think it would perplex him to hear of such a design against him: Well, but after a few casts in his mind, he concluded upon these four things.

First, that this news, this good tidings (if possible) should be kept from the ears of the town of Mansour: For, said he, if they shall once come to the knowledge that Shaddai their former King, and Emanuel his Son, are contriving of good for the town of Mansoul, what can be expected by me, but that Mansoul, will make a revolt from under my hand and government, and return again to him?

Now to accomplish this his design, he renews his flattery with my Lord Will-be-will, and also gives him strict charge and command, that he should keep watch by day and by night of all the gates of the town, especially Ear-gate and Eye-gate: For I hear of a design, quoth he, a design to make us all traitors, and that Mansoul must be reduced to its first bondage again. I hope they are but flying stories, quoth he; however, let no such news by any means be let into Mansoul, lest the people be dejected thereat; I think, my Lord, it can be no welcome news to you, I am sure it is none to me. And I think that at this time it should be all our wisdom and care to nip the head of all such rumours as shall tend to trouble our people: Wherefore I desire, my Lord, that you will in this matter do as I say. Let there be strong guards daily kept at every gate of the town. Stop also and examine from whence such come, whom you perceive do come from far hither to trade; nor let them by any means be admitted into Mansoul, unless you shall plainly perceive that they are favourers of our excellent government. I command moreover, said Diabolus, that there be spies continually walking up and down the town of Mansoul, and let them have power to suppress and destroy any they shall perceive to be plot

ting against us, or that shall prate of what by Shaddai and Emanuel is intended.

This therefore was accordingly done. My Lord Willbe-will hearkened to his Lord and Master, went willingly after his commandment, and with all the diligence he could, kept any that would, from going out abroad, or that sought to bring these tidings to Mansoul, from coming into the town.

Secondly, This done, in the next place, Diabolus, that he might make Mansoul as sure as he could, frames and imposes a new oath, and horrible covenant upon the towns-folk.

To wit, That they should never desert him, nor his government, nor yet betray him, nor seek to alter his laws; but that they should own, confess, stand by, and acknowledge him for their rightful King, in defiance to any that do, or hereafter shall, by any pretence, law, or title whatsoever, lay claim to the town of Mansoul, Isa. xxviii, 15. Thinking belike that Shaddai had not power to absolve them from this covenant with death, and agreement with hell. Nor did the silly Mansoul stick or boggle at all at this most monstrous engagement, but as if it had been a sprat in the mouth of a whale, they swallowed it without any chewing. Were they troubled at it? Nay, they rather bragged and boasted of their so brave fidelity to the tyrant their pretended king, swearing that they would never be changelings, nor forsake their old Lord for a new.

Thus did Diabolus tie poor Mansoul fast, but jealousy that never thinks itself strong enough, put him upon another exploit, which was yet more, if possible, to debauch this town of Mansoul. Wherefore he caused by the hand of one Mr. Filth, an odious, nasty, lascivioùs piece of beastliness to be drawn up in writing, and set upon the gates, whereby he granted and gave licence to all his true and trusty sons in Mansoul, to do

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whatsoever their lustful appetites prompted them to do, and that no man was to let, hinder, or controul them, upon pain of incurring the displeasure of their Prince.. Now this he did for these reasons:

1. That the town of Mansoul might be yet made weaker and weaker, and so more unable, should tidings come, that their redemption was designed; to believe, hope, or consent to the truth thereof. For Reason says, The bigger the sinner, the less ground for bope of mercy:

2. The second reason was, If perhaps Emanuel, the Son of Shaddai their king, by seeing the horrible and prophane doings of the town of Mansoul, might repent, though entered into a covenant of redeeming them, of pursuing that covenant of their redemption; for he knew that Shaddai was holy, and that his Son Emanuel was holy; yea, he knew it by woeful experience; for, for the iniquity and sin of Diabolus, was he cast from the highest orbs. Wherefore what more rational than for him to conclude, that thus for sin it might fare with Mansoul: but fearing lést also this knot should break, he bethinks himself of another, to wit,

3. Thirdly, to endeavour to possess all hearts in the town of Mansoul, that Shaddai was raising of an army, to come to overthrow, and utterly to destroy the town of Mansoul; and this he did to forestall any tidings that might come to their ears, of their deliverance; for, thought he, if I first spread this abroad, the tidings that might come after, will all be swallowed up of this; for what else will Mansoul say, when they shall hear that they must be delivered, but that the true meaning is, Shaddai intends to destroy them? Wherefore he summons the whole town into the Market-place, and there, with deceitful tongue, thus he addressed himself unto them.

Gentlemen, and my very good friends, you are all, as you know, my legal subjects, and men of the famous town of

Mansoul;

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