burnt his house upon him with fire, for he also was a Diabolonian by

nature.

When this was past and over, they besped themselves to look for Emanuel their Prince; and they sought him, but they found Song of Sol. v. 6. him not. Then they were more confirmed in the truth of Mr. Godly-Fear's sayings, and began also severely to reflect upon themselves for their vile and ungodly doings; for they concluded now, that their Prince had left them.

They apply themselves to

the Holy Ghost, but he is grieved,

Then they agreed and went to my Lord Secretary, whom before they refused to hear, and had grieved with their doings, to know of him, for he was a seer, and could tell where Emanuel was, how they might direct a petition to him. But the Lord &c. Secretary would not admit them to a conference about this matter, nor would admit them to his royal palace, nor come out to them.*

A thundering

sermon.

Now was it a day gloomy and dark, a day of clouds and of thick darkness with Mansoul. Now they saw that they had been foolish, and began to perceive what the company and prattle of Mr. Carnal-Security had done, and what desperate damage his swaggering words had brought poor Mansoul into. But what further it was likely to cost them, that thev were ignorant of. Now Mr. Godly-Fear began to be in great repute with the men of the town; yea, they were ready to look upon him as a prophet. Well, when the sabbath-day was come, they went to hear their subordinate preacher: but oh, how did it thunder and lighten this day! His text was that in the prophet Jonah, "They that observe lying vanities, forsake their own mercies." But there was then such power and authority in that sermon, and such a dejection seen in the countenances of the people that day, that the like hath seldom been heard or seen. The people, when sermon was done, were scarce able to go to their homes, or to betake themselves to their employs the week after; they were so sermon-smitten, and also so sermon-sick, that they knew not what to do. He not only showed Mansoul their sin, but trembled before them, under the sense of his own, still crying out of himself, as

Jonah ii. 8.

Hosea v. 13.

* But they rebelled and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. Isa. lxviii. 10. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Eph. iv. 30. Quench not the Spirit. 1 Thess.

v. 19.

The subordinate preacher doth ac

fault, and bewails

his

with Mr. Carnal

he preached to them, "Unhappy man that I am! that I should knowledge his do a wicked thing! That I, a preacher! whom the Prince did compliance set up to teach Mansoul his law, should myself live senseless Security. and sottishly here, and be one of the first found in transgression! This transgression also fell within my precincts; I should have cried out against the wickedness; but I let Mansoul lie wallowing in it, Psalm lxxxviii. until it had driven Emanuel from its borders!". With these things he also charged all the lords and gentry of Mansoul, to the almost distracting of them.

About this time also, there was a great sickness in Mansoul, and most of the inhabitants were greatly afflicted. Yea, the captains, also, and men of war were brought to a languishing condition, and that for a long time

together; so that in case of an invasion, nothing could to purpose now Heb. xii. 12, 13. have been done, either by the townsmen, or field officers.* Oh,

Isa. iii. 24.

to be weak, bath body and soul, and graces.

Sin doth cause how many pale faces, weak hands, feeble knees, and staggering men, were now seen to walk the streets of Mansoul! Here were groans, there pants, and yonder lay those that were ready to faint.

* Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Rev. iii. 2.

The garments, too, which Emanuel had given them, were but in a sorry case; some were rent, some were torn, and all in a nasty condition; some also hung so loosely upon them, that the next bush they came at was ready to pluck them off.

After some time spent in this sad and desolate condition, the subordinate preacher called for a day of fasting, and to humble themselves for being so wicked against the great Shaddai, and his Son. And he desired that Captain Boanerges would preach; which he consented to do; and the day being come, his text was this, "Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?" and a very smart sermon he made upon the text. First, he showed what was the occasion of the words, to wit, because the fig-tree was barren. Then he showed what was contained in the sentence, to wit, repentance, or utter desolation. He next showed by whose authority this sentence was pronounced, and that was by Shaddai himself. And, lastly, he showed the reasons of the point, and then concluded his sermon. But he was very pertinent in the application, insomuch that he made poor Mansoul tremble; for this sermon, as well as the former, wrought much upon the hearts of the men of Mansoul; yea, it greatly helped to keep awake those that were roused by the preaching that went before; so that now throughout the whole town there was little or nothing to be heard or seen but sorrow, and mourning, and woe.

Now, after sermon, they got together, and consulted what was best to be done. "But," said the subordinate preacher, "I will do nothing of mine own head, without advising with my neighbour Mr. Godly-Fear." So they called and sent for Mr. Godly-Fear, and he forthwith appeared. Then they desired that he would further show his opinion about what they had best to do. Whereupon the old gentleman said as followeth : "It is my opinion that this town of Mansoul should, in this day of her distress, draw up and send an humble petition to their offended Prince Emanuel, that he, in his favour and grace, will turn again unto them, and not keep his anger for ever."

When the townsmen had heard this speech, they unanimously agreed to his advice; so they presently drew up their request, and the next question was, But who shall carry it? At last they all agreed to send it by my Lord Mayor, who accepted the service, and addressed himself to his journey; after which, he came to the court of Shaddai, whither Emanuel

the Prince of Mansoul was gone. But the gate was shut, and a strict watch kept thereat; so that the petitioner was forced to stand without for a great while together.* Then he desired that some would go in to the Prince, and tell him who stood at the gate, and also what his business was. Accordingly one went and told Shaddai, and Emanuel his Son, that the Lord Mayor of the town of Mansoul stood without at the gate of the King's court, desiring to be admitted into the presence of the Prince, the King's Son. He also told the Lord Mayor's errand, both to the King and his Son Emanuel. But the Prince would not come down, nor admit that the gate should be opened, but sent an answer to this effect: “They have turned their back unto me, and not their face; but now in the time of their trouble, they say unto me, Arise and save us. But can they not now go to Mr. Carnal-Security, to whom they went when they turned from me, and make him their leader, their lord, and their protector? And now in their trouble they visit me, from whom in their prosperity they went astray."+

A dreadful

answer.

This answer made my Lord Mayor look black in the face; it troubled, Lam. iv. 7, 8. it perplexed, it rent him sore. And now he began to see what it was to be familiar with Diabolonians, such as Carnal-Security was. When he saw that at court, as yet, there was little help to be expected, either for himself or friends in Mansoul, he smote upon his breast, and returned weeping, and all the way bewailing the lamentable state of Mansoul.

When he was come within sight of the town, the elders and chief of the people of Mansoul went out at the gate to meet him, and to salute him, and to know how he sped at court. But he told them his tale in so doleful a manner, that they all cried out, and mourned, and wept. Wherefore they threw ashes and dust upon their heads, and put sackcloth upon their loins, and went crying out through the town of Mansoul; which when the rest of the townsfolk saw, they all mourned and wept. This, therefore, was a day of rebuke, trouble, and anguish to the town of Mansoul, and also of great distress.

• Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer. Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through. Lam. iii. 8, 44.

+ Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise and save us. But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble. Jer. ii. 27, 28.

After some time, when they had somewhat recovered themselves, they came together to consult again what was yet to be done; and they asked advice, as they did before, of the Rev. Mr. Godly-Fear; who told them, that there was no way better to do, than to do as they had done, nor would he that they should be discouraged at all with what they had met with at court; yea, though several of their petitions should be answered with nought but silence or rebuke: "for," said he, "it is the way of the wise Shaddai to make men wait, and to exercise patience; and it should be the way of them in want, to be willing to stay his leisure.

See now what is the work of a

awakeued.

Then they took courage, and sent again, and again, and again, and again; for there was not a day, nor an hour that went over Mansoul's head, wherein a man might not have met upon the backsliding saint road one or other riding post from Mansoul to the court of the King Shaddai, and all with letters petitionary in behalf of, and for the Prince's return to Mansoul. The road, I say, was now full of.

Groaning

desires.

messengers, going and returning, and meeting one another; some from the court, and some from Mansoul; and this was the work of the miserable town of Mansoul all that long, that sharp, that cold, and tedious winter. Now you may remember, that I told you before, that after Emanuel had taken Mansoul, yea, and after he had new-modelled the town, there remained, in several lurking-places of the corporation, many of the old

Z