the last; but the sooner they were sent to reconcile to Shaddai, the farther off they were, Hos. xi. 2. "As they called them, so they went from them," yea, though they called them to the Most High.

The captains leave off to summons, and betake them

So they ceased to deal any more with them in that way, and inclined to think of another way. The captains, therefore, gathered themselves together, to have free conference among themselves to prayer. selves, to know what was yet to be done to gain the town, and deliver it from the tyranny of Diabolus. And one said after this manner, another after that. Then stood up the right noble Captain Conviction, and said, " My brethren, my opinion is this:

Captain Conviction's advice.

"First, That we continually play our slings into the town, and keep them in a continual alarm, molesting them day and night; by thus doing, we shall stop the growth of their rampant spirits: for a lion may be tamed by continual molestation.

"Secondly, this done, I advise, that, in the next place, we, with one consent, draw up a petition to our Lord Shaddai, by which, after we have shewed our king the condition of Mansoul, and of affairs here, and have begged his pardon for our no better success, we will earnestly implore his majesty's help; and that he will please to send us more force and power, and some gallant and wellspoken commander to head them, that so his majesty may not lose the benefit of these his good beginnings, but may complete his conquest upon the town of Mansoul"."

5 Preachers of the gospel must be unwearied in their endeavours to save their hearers; but they must pray as well as

To this speech of the noble Captain Conviction they as one man consented, and agreed that a petition should forthwith be drawn up, and sent by a fit man away to Shaddai with speed. The contents of the petition were thus :

"Most gracious and glorious King, the Lord The petition of of the best world, and Builder of the captains to the town of Mansoul; we have, King Shaddai. dread Sovereign, at thy command, put our lives in jeopardy, and at thy bidding made war upon the famous town of Mansoul. When we went up against it, we did, according to our commission, first offer conditions of peace unto it, Matt. xxii. 5. Prov. i. Zech. vii. 10—13. But they, great king, set light by our counsel, and would none of our reproof. They were for shutting their gates, and so keeping us out of the town: they also mounted their guns, they sallied out upon us, and have done us what damage they could; but we pursued them with alarm upon alarm, requiting them with such retribution was meet, and have done some execution upon

the town.

as

"Diabolus, Incredulity, and Will-be-will, are the great doers against us: now we are in our winter-quarters, but so as that we do yet with an high hand molest and distress the town.

"Once, as we think, had we had but one substantial friend in the town, such as would have but seconded the sound of our summons as they ought, the people might have yielded themselves: but there were none but enemies there, nor any

preach, for painful experience and repeated disappointments will convince them that Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but God alone can give the increase. To him therefore they wisely apply for further assistance.

to speak in behalf of our Lord to the town: wherefore, though we have done as we could, yet Mansoul abides in a state of rebellion against thee.

"Now, King of kings, let it please thee to pardon the unsuccessfulness of thy servants, who have been no more advantageous in so desirable a work as the conquering of Mansoul is: and send, Lord, as we now desire, more forces to Mansoul, that it may be subdued; and a man to head them, that the town may both love and fear.

"We do not thus speak because we are willing to relinquish the war (for we are for laying our bones against the place,) but that the town of Mansoul may be won for thy Majesty. We also pray thy Majesty, for expedition in this matter, that, after conquest, we may be at liberty to be sent about other thy gracious designs. Amen." The petition, thus drawn up, was sent away with haste to the king by the hand of that good man, Mr. Love-to-Mansoul.

Who carried this petition.

To whom it was delivered.

When this petition was come to the palace of the king, who should it be delivered to, but the king's son. So he took it, and read it; and because the contents of it pleased him well, he mended it, and also in some things added to the petition himself. So after he had made such amendments and additions as he thought convenient, with his own hands, he carried it unto the king: to whom when he had with obeisance delivered it, he put on authority, and spake to it himself.

6 Jesus Christ is our great advocate above. He receives, amends, and presents our prayers; and those petitions which have the glory of God for their object, cannot but be acceptable to him.

The king receives it with gladness.

Now the king, at the sight of the petition, was glad; but how much more, think you, when it was seconded by his son! It pleased him also to hear that his servants, who encamped against Mansoul, were so hearty in the work, and so stedfast in their resolves, and that they had already got some ground upon the famous town of Mansoul.

Wherefore the king called to him Immanuel his The king calls son, who said, Here am I, my

his son, and tells him that he shall go to conquer the town of Man

father. Then said the king, Thou knowest, as I do myself, the condition of Mansoul, and what thou hast done to redeem it. Come now therefore, my son, and prepare thyself for the war, for thou shalt go to my camp at Mansoul; thou shalt also there prosper and prevail, and conquer the town of Mansoul.

soul; and he is pleased at it.

He solaceth

himself in the

work.

Heb. x.

Then said the king's son, "Thy law is within my heart: I delight to do thy will," This is the day that I have thoughts of his longed for, and the work that I have waited for all this while. Grant me therefore what force thou shalt in thy wisdom think meet; and I will go, and will deliver from Diabolus, and from his power, thy perishing town of Mansoul. My heart has been often pained within me, for the miserable town of Mansoul: but now it is rejoiced, but now it is glad; and with that he leaped over the mountains for joy, saying, I have not in my heart thought any thing too dear for Mansoul; the day of vengeance is in mine heart for thee, my Mansoul; and glad am I that thou, my father, hast made me the captain of their salvation, Heb. ii. 10. And I will now begin to plague all that have been a plague to my town

H

of Mansoul, and I will deliver it from their hands'.

The highest peers in the kingdom covet to go on this design.

When the king's son had said thus to his father, it presently flew like lightning round about at court: yea, it there became the only talk, what Immanuel was to go to do for the famous town of Mansoul. But you cannot think how the courtiers too were taken with this design of the prince; yea, so affected were they with this work, and with the justness of the war, that the highest lord and greatest peer of the kingdom coveted to have commissions under Immanuel, to go and help to recover again to Shaddai that miserable town of Mansoul 8.

Then was it concluded that some should go and carry tidings to the camp, that Immanuel was to come to recover Mansoul; and that he would bring along with him so mighty so impregnable a force, that he could not be resisted. But oh! how ready were the high ones at court to run like lacquies to carry these tidings to the camp that was at Mansoul!

The camp shout for joy. when they hear the tidings.

Now when the captains perceived that the king would send Immanuel his son, and that it also delighted the son to be sent on this errand by the great Shaddai his father; they also, to shew how they were pleased at the thoughts of

7 The salvation of souls is "the pleasure of the Lord," and it shall prosper in his hands. How does this bespeak the infinite value of an immortal spirit, and how should it engage all the people of God to seek, not only their own personal salvation, but that also of their fellow sinners throughout the world. 8 Angels are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation," and glad they are to be employed in promoting their eternal welfare.