Mr Pry- of scout-master-general, for the good of the town well goes of Mansoul. a-scout ing When the corporation, with their captains, had thus concluded, they did as they had said; they shut up their gates, they made for Diabolonians strict search, they made those with whom any were found to take penance in the open place; they kept their fast, and renewed their petitions to their Prince; and Mr Prywell managed his charge and the trust that Mansoul had put in his hands with great conscience and good fidelity, for he gave himself wholly up to his employ, and that not only within the town, but he went out to pry, to see, and to hear. And not many days after he provided for his journey and went towards Hell-gate Hill, into the country where the Doubters were, where he heard of all that had been talked of in Mansoul, and he perceived also that Diabolus was almost ready for his march, &c. So he came back with speed, and calling the captains and elders of Mansoul together, he told them where he had been, what he had heard, and what he had seen. Particularly he told them that Diabolus was almost ready for his march, and that he had made old Mr Incredulity, that once brake prison in Mansoul, the general of his army; that his army consisted all of Doubters, and that their number was above twenty thousand. He told, moreover, that Diabolus did intend to bring with him the chief princes of the infernal pit, and that he would make them chief captains over his Doubters. He told them, moreover, that it was certainly true that several of the black den would, with Diabolus, ride reformades to reduce the town of Mansoul to the obedience of Diabolus their prince. taken in Mansoul He said, moreover, that he understood by the DiaboloDoubters among whom he had been that the nians reason why old Incredulity was made general of the whole army was because none truer than he to the tyrant, and because he had an implacable spite against the welfare of the town of Mansoul. Besides, said he, he remembers the affronts that Mansoul has given him, and he is resolved to be revenged of them. But the black princes shall be made high commanders, only Incredulity shall be over them all, because, which I had almost forgot, he can more easily and more dexterously beleaguer the town of Mansoul than can any of the princes besides.1 Now, when the captains of Mansoul, with the elders of the town, had heard the tidings that Mr Prywell did bring, they thought it expedient, without further delay, to put into execution the laws that against the Diabolonians their Prince had made for them and given them in commandment to manage against them. Wherefore, forthwith a diligent and impartial search was made in all houses in Mansoul for all and all manner of Diabolonians. Now, in the house of Mr Mind, and in the house of the great Lord Will-be-will, were two Diabolonians found. In Mr Mind's house was one Lord Covetousness found, but he had changed his name to Prudent-Thrifty. In my Lord Will-be-will's house one Lasciviousness was found, but he had changed his name to HarmlessMirth. These two the captains and elders of the town of Mansoul took, and committed them to custody under the hand of Mr Trueman, the gaoler; and this man handled them so severely, 1 Heb. xii, 1. Tracking and loaded them so well with irons, that in time out of the they both fell into a very deep consumption, and Diabolo- died in the prison-house. Their masters also, nians according to the agreement of the captains and elders, were brought to take penance in the open place to their shame, and for a warning to the rest of the town of Mansoul. Now, this was the manner of penance in those days: the persons offending, being made sensible of the evil of their doings, were enjoined open confession of their faults, and a strict amendment of their lives. After this, the captains and elders of Mansoul sought yet to find out more Diabolonians, wherever they lurked, whether in dens, caves, holes, vaults, or where else they could, in or about the wall or town of Mansoul. But though they could plainly see their footing, and so follow them by their track and smell to their holds, even to the mouths of their caves and dens, yet take them, hold them, and do justice upon them, they could not; their ways were so crooked, their holds so strong, and they so quick to take sanctuary there. But Mansoul did now with so stiff a hand rule over the Diabolonians that were left, that they were glad to shrink into corners: time was when they durst walk openly, and in the day; but now they were forced to embrace privacy and the night; time was when a Mansoulian was their companion; but now they counted them deadly enemies. This good change did Mr Prywell's intelligence make in the famous town of Mansoul. By this time Diabolus had finished his army which he intended to bring with him for the ruin of Mansoul; and had set over them captains and other field-officers such as liked his furious stomach The best himself was lord paramount, Incredulity was several general of his army, their highest captains shall be captains named afterwards; but now for their officers, colours, and scutcheons :— 1. Their first captain was Captain Rage: he was captain over the Election-Doubters; his were the red colours; his standard-bearer was Mr Destructive, and the great red dragon he had for his scutcheon.1 2. The second captain was Captain Fury: he was captain over the Vocation-Doubters; his standard-bearer was Mr Darkness, his colours were those that were pale, and he had for his scutcheon the fiery flying serpent.2 3. The third captain was Captain Damnation : he was captain over the Grace-Doubters; his were the red colours, Mr No-Life bare them, and he had for his scutcheon the black den. 4. The fourth captain was the Captain Insatiable: he was captain over the Faith-Doubters; his were the red colours, Mr Devourer bare them, and he had for a scutcheon the yawning jaws.4 5. The fifth captain was Captain Brimstone: he was captain over the Perseverance-Doubters; his also were the red colours, Mr Burning bare them, and his scutcheon was the blue and stinking flame.5 6. The sixth captain was Captain Torment: he was captain over the Resurrection-Doubters; his colours were those that were pale, Mr Gnaw was his ancient-bearer, and he had the black worm for his scutcheon.6 1 Rev. xii. 3, 4, 13, 15, 17. 5 Ps. xi. 6. Rev. xiv. II. 2 Num. xxi, 6. 4 Prov. xxvii. 20. They set 7. The seventh captain was Captain No-Ease: out he was captain over the Salvation-Doubters; his were the red colours, Mr Restless bare them, and his scutcheon was the gastly picture of death.1 8. The eighth captain was the Captain Sepulchre: he was captain over the Glory-Doubters; his also were the pale colours, Mr Corruption was his ancient-bearer, and he had for his scutcheon a skull and dead men's bones.2 9. The ninth captain was Captain Past-Hope: These were the captains, and these their forces, completed. So they set out at Hell-gate Hill, for there they 31 Tim. iv. 2. Rom. ii. 5. 1 |