that resistance might be made on his behalf (if any that heretofore followed Diabolus should make an attempt to possess it) he rode in triumph over him quite through the town of Mansoul, and so out at and before the gate called Eye-gate, to the plain where his camp lay.

But you cannot think, unless you had been there (as I was) what a shout there was in Emanuel's camp, when they saw the tyrant bound by the hand of their noble Prince, and tied to his chariot wheels. And they said, He hath led captivity captive, and hath spoiled principalities and powers: Diabolus is subjected to the power of the sword, and made the object of all derision.*

Those also that rode reformades, and that came down to see the battle, shouted with that greatness of voice, and sung with such melodious notes, that they caused' them that dwelt in the highest orbs to open their windows, put out their heads, and look down to see the cause of that glory, Luke xv. 7. 10.

The townsmen also, so many of them as beheld this sight, were as it were astonished, while they looked betwixt the earth and the heavens. True, they could not tell what would be the issue of things as to them, all things being then done in such excellent methods; and I cannot tell how, but things in the management of them seemed to cast a smile towards the town; so that their eyes, their heads, their hearts, and their minds, and all that they had were taken and held while they observed Emanuel's order.

So when the brave Prince had finished this part of his triumph over Diabolus his foe, he turned him up in the midst of his contempt and shame, having given him a charge no more to be a possessor of Mansoul. Then went he from Emanuel, and out of the midst of his camp, to inherit the parched places in a salt land, seeking rest, but finding none, Matt. xii. 34.

Now

*Thus is depicted Christ's ascension, when he triumphed over all the force of death and hell, obtained eternal redemption for us, and received of his Father all power in heaven and earth.

R

Now captain Boanerges and captain Conviction were both of them men of very great majesty; their faces were like the faces of lions, and their words like the roaring of the seas; and they still quartered in Mr. Conscience's house, of whom mention was made before. When therefore the high and mighty Prince had thus far finished his triumph over Diabolus, the townsmen had more leisure to view and behold the actions of their noble captains. But the captains carried it with that terror and dread in all they did (and you may be sure they had private instructions so to do) that they kept the town under continual heart-aching, and caused (in their apprehension) the well-being of Mansoul for the future to stand in doubt before them, so that for some considerable time they neither knew what rest or ease or peace or hope meant.*

Nor did the prince himself as yet abide in the town of Mansoul, but in his royal pavilion in the camp, and in the midst of his Father's forces. So at a time convenient he sent special orders to captain Boanerges to summons Mansoul, the whole of the townsmen, into the castle-yard, and then and there, before their faces, to take my lord Understanding, Mr. Conscience, and that notable one the lord Will-be-will, and put them all three in a ward, that they should set a strong guard upon them, until his pleasure concerning them was further known. Which orders, when the captains had put them in execution, made no small addition to the fears of the town of Mansoul; for now, to their thinking, were their former fears of the ruin of Mansoul confirmed. Now what death they should die, and how long they should be in dying, was that which most perplexed their heads and hearts; yea, they were afraid that Emanuel would command them all into the deep,, the place that the

The terrifying alarms of some awakened sinners are intended to bring them to a sight of their danger, that they may flee to God for refuge from the avenger.

the prince Diabolus was afraid of; for they had deserved it. Also to die by the sword in the face of the town, and in the open way of disgrace, from the hand of so good and so holy a prince, that, too, troubled them sore: the town was also greatly troubled for the men committed to ward, for that they were their stay and their guide; and for that they believed, that if those men were cut off, their execution would be but the beginning of the ruin of the town of Mansoul. Wherefore what do they, but together, with the men in prison, draw up a petition to the Prince, and sent it to Emanuel by the hand of Mr. Would-live. So he went, and came to the Prince's quarters, and presented the Petition; the sum of which was this:

'Great and wonderful Potentate, victor over Diabolus, and conqueror over the town of Mansoul: we the miserable inhabitants of that most woeful corporation, humbly beg that we may find favour in thy sight, and remember not against us our former transgressions, nor yet the sins of the chief of our town, but spare us according to the greatness of thy mercy, and let us not die, but live in thy sight; so shall we be willing to be thy servants, and, if thou shalt think fit, to gather, our meat under thy table. Amen.

So the petitioner went, as was said, with his petition to the Prince; and the Prince took it at his hand, but sent him with silence. This still afflicted the town of Mansoul; but yet considering that now they must either petition or die (for now they could not do any thing else,) therefore they consulted again, and sent another petition, which was much after the form and method of the former.

When the petition was drawn up, by whom should they send it, was the next question; for they would not send it by him by whom they sent the first, (for they thought that the Prince had taken some offence at the

manner

*The prayers of the humble will open the gates of heaven, and bring down showers of blessings from the loving heart and bountiful hand of the Almighty, who delights in shewing mercy.

manner of his deportment before him,) so they at tempted to make captain Conviction their messenger with it; but he said, that he neither durst nor would petition Emanuel for traitors, nor be to the Prince an advocate for rebels: yet withal, said he, our Prince is good, and you may adventure to send it by the hand of one of your town: provided he went with a rope about his head, and pleaded nothing but mercy.*

Well, they made, through fear, their delays as long as they could, and longer than delays were good; but fearing at last the danger of them, they thought, but with many a fainting in their minds, to send their petition by Mr. Desires-awake; so they sent for Mr. Desires-awake. Now he dwelt in a very mean cottage in Mansoul; and he came at his neighbour's request. So they told him what they had done, and what they would do concerning petitioning, and that they desired of him that he would go therewith to the Prince. Then said Mr. Desires-awake, Why should not I do the best I can to save so famous a town as Mansoul from destruction? They therefore delivered the petition to him, and told him how he must address himself to the Prince, and wished him ten thousand good speeds. So he came to the Prince's pavilion, as the first, and asked to speak with his Majesty: so word was carried to Emanuel, and the Prince came out to the man. When Mr. Desiresawake saw the Prince, he fell flat with his face to the ground, and cried out, O that Mansoul might live before thee! and with that he presented the petition. The which when the Prince had read, he turned away for a while, and wept; but, refraining himself, he turned again to the man, (who all this while lay crying at his feet as at

first,)

Miserable, condemned malefactors can plead for nothing but mercy! Though called, justified, and sanctified, "God be merciful to me a sinner "" may be the dying language of every believer. But it is good. in the darkest seasons to wait upon the Lord, who will suddenly come to his temple, Mal. iii. 1.

first,) and said to him, go thy way to thy place, and I will consider of thy requests."

Now you may think that they of Mansoul that had sent him, what with guilt, and what with fear, lest their petition should be rejected, could not but look with many a longing look, and that too with strange workings of heart, to see what would become of their petition. At last they saw their messenger come back; so when he was come, they asked him how he fared? what Emanuel said? and what was become of the petition? But he told them that he would be silent till he came to the prison to my lord mayor, my lord Will-be-will, and Mr. Recorder. So he went forwards towards the prison-house, where the men of Mansoul lay bound. But O! what a multitude flocked after, to hear what the messenger said. So when he was come, and had shewed himself at the gate of the prison, my lord mayor shewed himself as white as a clout, the Recorder also quaked; but they asked, and said, Come, good sir, what did the great Prince say to you? Then said Mr. Desires-awake, When I came to my Lord's pavilion, I called, and he came forth; so I fell prostrate at his feet, and delivered to him my petition (for the greatness of his person and the glory of his countenance, would not suffer me to stand upon my legs.)-Now as he received the petition, I cried, O that Mansoul might live before thee! So when for a while he had looked thereon, he turned about, and said to his servant, Go thy way to thy place again, and I will consider of thy requests. The messenger added moreover, and said, The Prince to whom you sent me, is such a one for beauty and glory, that whoso sees him, must love and fear him; I for my part can do no less: but I know not what will be the end of these things. At this answer they were all at a stand, both they in prison, and they that

If the Lord seem to turn a deaf ear to the prayers of his people, they should not be silent, but rather more importunate; bearing in mind this comforting truth and declaration, "I said not unto the seed of Jacob, (namely, my people,) Seek ye me in vain." Isa, xlv. 19.