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vision; what doth he but wheel about also, and, as he had served Diabolus against the good Prince, so le feigned that he would serve the Prince against his foes; and having got some little smattering of Emanuel's things by the end (being bold) he ventures himself into the company of the townsmen, and attempts also to chat among them. Now he knew that the power and strength of the town of Mansoul was great, and that it could not but be pleasing to the people, if he cried up their might and their glory; wherefore he beginneth his tale with the power and strength of Mansoul, and affirmeth that it was impregnable;* now magnifying the captains and their slings, and their rams; then crying-up their fortifications and strong holds; and, lastly, the assurance that they had from their Prince, that Mansoul should be happy for ever.

But when he saw that some of the men of the town were tickled and taken with this discourse, he makes it his business, and walking from street to street, house to house, and man to man, he brought also Mansoul to dance after his pipe, and grow almost as carnally secure as himself; so from talking they went to feasting, and from feasting to sporting, and so to some other matters (now Emanuel was yet in the town of Mansoul, and he wisely observed their doings): my lord mayor, my lord Will-be-will and Mr. Recorder, were also taken with the fair words of this tattling Diabolonian gentleman; forgetting that their Prince had given them warning before, to take heed that they were not beguiled with any kind of Diabolonian sleight; he had further told them, that the security of the now flourishing town of Mansoul did not so much lie in her present fortifications and force, as in her so using of what she had,

as

Here destruction is represented as the sure follower of pride and self-sufficiency.

† Mr. Bunyan seems to be of opinion (as indeed are most theologians) that self-righteousness is nothing; and that it is only by the grace of God that we can be enabled to withstand the wiles of the Devil.

as might oblige her Emanuel to abide within her castle. For the right doctrine of Emanuel was, that the town of Mansoul should take heed that they forget not his Father's love and his; also that they should so demean themselves as to continue to keep themselves therein. Now this was not the way to do it, namely, to fall in love with one of the Diabolonians, and with such an one as Mr. Carnal-security was, and to be led up and down by the nose by him: they should have heard their Prince, feared their Prince, loved their Prince, and have stoned this naughty pack to death, and taken care to have walked in the ways of their Prince's prescribing; for then should their peace have been as a river, and their righteousness had been like the waves of the sea.

Now when Emanuel perceived that through the policy of Mr. Carnal-security the hearts of the men of Mansoul were chilled and abated in their practical love to him: .

First, he bemoans them, and bewails their state with the Secretary, saying, "O that my people had hearkened unto me, and that Mansoul had walked in my ways 1 I would have fed them with the finest of the wheat; and with honey out of the rock would I have sustained them." This done, he said in his heart, I will return to the court, and go to my place, till Mansoul shall consider and acknowledge their offence. And he did so, and the cause and manner of his going away from them was thus, for that Mansoul declined him, as is manifest in these particulars :

1. They left off their former way of visiting him, they came not to his royal palace as afore.

2. They did not regard, nor yet take notice, that he came, or came not to visit them.

3. The love-feasts that had wont to be between their Prince and them, though he made them still, and called them to them, yet they neglected to come to them, ar to be delighted with them.

* A careless walk brings darkness and desertion of soul.

4. They

4. They waited not for his counsel, but began to be headmost and confident in themselves, concluding that now they were strong and invincible, and that Mansoul was secure, and beyond all reach of the foe, and that her state must needs be unalterable for ever.

Now, as was said, Emanuel perceiving, that, by the craft of Mr. Carnal-security, the town of Mansoul was taken off from their dependence upon him, and upon his father by him, and set upon what by them was bestowed upon it; he first, as I said, bemoaned their state; then he used means to make them understand that the way they went on in was dangerous: for he sent my lord high Secretary to them, to forbid them such ways; but twice when he came to them, he found them at dinner in Mr. Carnal-security's parlour; and perceiving also that they were not willing to reason about matters concerning their good, he took grief and went his way. The which when he had told to the Prince Emanuel, he was grieved also, and returned to his Father's court.

Now the methods of his withdrawing, as I was saying before, were thus:

1. Even while he was yet with them in Mansoul, he kept himself close and more retired than formerly.

2. His speech was not now, if he came into their company, so pleasant and familiar as formerly.

3. Nor did he, as in times past, send to Mansoul from his table those dainty bits which he was wont to do.

4. Nor, when they came to visit him, as now-andthen they would, would be so easily spoken with, as they found him in times past. They might now knock once, yea twice, but he would seem not at all to regard them; whereas formerly he would fun and meet them half way, and take them too and lay them in his bosom.

Thus Emanuel carried it now; and by this his carriage he thought to make them bethink themselves, and

return

return to him. But alas! they did not consider, they did not know his ways, they regarded not, they were not touched with these, nor with the true remembrance of former favours, Ezek. xi. 21. Hos. v. 15. Lev. xxvi. 21-24. Wherefore what does he but in private manner withdraw himself from his palace, then to the gate of the town, snd so away from Mansoul he goes, until they should acknowledge their offence, and more earnestly seek his face. Mr. God's-peace also laid down his commission, and would for the present act no longer. Thus they acted contrary to him, and he again. by way of retaliation, walked contrary to them, Jer. ii. 32. But alas! by this time they were so hardened in their way, and had so drunk in the doctrine of Mr. Carnal-security, that the departure of their Prince touched them not, nor was he remembered by them when gone; and so of consequence his absence was not hewailed by them.

Now there was a day wherein this old gentleman, Mr. Carnal-security, again made a feast for the town of Mansoul, and there was at that time in the town one Mr. Godly-fear; one now but little set by, though formerly one of great request. This man, old Carnal-security had a mind, if possible, to gull and abuse as he did the rest, and therefore he now bids him to the feast with his neighbours. So the day being come, they prepare, and he goes and appears with the rest of the guests; and being all set at the table, they ate and drank, and were merry, even all but this one man (for Mr. Godlyfear sat like a stranger, and neither ate nor was merry)* which when Mr. Carnal-security perceived, he addressed himself in a speech thus to him :

'Mr. Godly-fear, are you not well? you seem to be ill of body or mind, or both. I have a cordial of Mr. Forget-good's making, which, Sir, if you will take, I hope it may make you bonny and blithe, and so make you more fit for us feasting companions.'

Unto

*The fear of God is as the fountain of life-a sovereign preservative from sin,

Unto whom the good old gentleman discreetly replied: Sir, I thank you for all things courteous and civil; but for your cordial, I have no list thereto. But a word to the natives of Mansoul: You the elders and chief of Mansoul, to me it is strange to see you so jocund and merry, when the town of Mansoul is in such woeful case.'

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Then said Mr. Carnal-security, You want sleep, good Sir, I doubt. If you please, lie down and take a nap, and we, the mean while, will be merry.'

Then said Mr. Godly fear as follows:* Sir, if you were not destitute of an honest heart, you could not do as you have done, and do.'

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Then said Mr. Carnal-security, 'Why?'

Godly-fear. Nay, pray interrupt me not. It is true, the town of Mansoul was strong, and (with a proviso) impregnable; but you have weakened it, and it now lies obnoxious to its foes; nor is it a time to be silent; it is you, Mr. Carnal security, that have stripped Mansoul, and driven her glory from her; you have pulled down her towers, you have broken down her gates, you have spoiled her locks and bars.

And now to explain myself: From that time that my lords of Mansoul, and you, Sir, grew so great, from that time the Strength of Mansoul has been offended, and now he is risen and gone. If any shall question the truth of my words, I will answer him by this and suchlike questions: Where is the Prince Emanuel? When did a man or woman in Mansoul see him? When did you hear from him, or taste any of his dainty bits? You are now feasting with this Diabolonian monster, but he is not your prince; I say, therefore, though enemies from without, had you taken heed, could not have made a prey of you, yet since you have sinned against your Prince, your enemies within have been too hard for you.'

Then

*The whole of this conversation between Mr. Godly-fear and Mr. Carnal-security is certainly an excellent lesson, and cannot be too much impressed on the minds of sinners.

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