[CHAPTER VI.]
Then it was concluded that some should go and carry tidings to the camp that Emmanuel 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 lackeys to carry these tidings to the camp that was at Mansoul! Now, when the captains perceived that the King would send Emmanuel his Son, and that it also delighted the Son to be sent on this errand by the great Shaddai, his Father, they also, to show how they were pleased at the thoughts of his coming, gave a shout that made the earth rend at the sound thereof. Yeah, the mountains did answer again by echo, and Diabolus himself did totter and shake.
For you must know, that though the town of Mansoul itself was not much, if at all, concerned with the project—for, alas for them, they were wofully besotted, for they chiefly regarded their pleasure and their lusts—yet Diabolus their governor was; for he had his spies continually abroad, who brought him intelligence of all things, and they told him what was doing at court against him, and that Emmanuel would shortly certainly come with a power to invade him. Nor was there any man at court, nor peer of the kingdom, that Diabolus so feared as he feared this Prince. For, if you remember, I showed you before that Diabolus had already felt the weight of his hand. So that, since it was he who was to come, this made him the more afraid. Well, you see how I have told you that the King's Son was engaged to come from the court to save Mansoul, and that his Father had made him the Captain of the forces. The time, therefore, of his setting forth being now expired, he addressed himself to his march and took with him, for his power, five noble captains and their forces.
The first was that famous captain, the noble Captain Credence. His were the red colors, and Mr. Promise bore them, and for a scutcheon, he had the holy lamb and golden shield. And he had ten thousand men at his feet (John 1:29; Eph 6:16).
The second was that famous captain, Captain Good-hope. His colors were blue, his standard-bearer was Mr. Expectation, and for a scutcheon, he had the three golden anchors. And he had ten thousand men at his feet (Heb 6:19).
The third captain was that valiant captain, Captain Charity. His standard-bearer was Mr. Pitiful, his were the green colors, and for his scutcheon he had three naked orphans embraced in the bosom. And he had ten thousand men at his feet (1 Cor 13).
The fourth was that gallant commander, Captain Innocent. His standard-bearer was Mr. Harmless, his were the white colors, and for his scutcheon he had the three golden doves (Heb 10:16).
The fifth was the truly loyal and well-beloved captain, Captain Patience. His standard-bearer was Mr. Suffer-long, his were the black colors, and for a scutcheon he had three arrows through the golden heart (Heb 6:12).
These were Emmanuel's captains, these their standard-bearers, their colors, and their scutcheons. And these are the men under their command. So, as was said, the brave Prince took his march to go to the town of Mansoul. Captain Credence led the van, and Captain Patience brought up the rear. So the other three, with their men, made up the main body; the Prince himself riding in his chariot at the head of them.
But when they set out for their march, oh how the trumpets sounded, their armor glittered, and how the colors waved in the wind! The Prince's armor was all of gold, and it shone like the sun in the firmament. The captains' armor was proof and, in appearance, like the glittering stars. There were also some from the court that rode reformades, for the love that they had to the King Shaddai, and for the happy deliverance of the town of Mansoul.
Emmanuel also, when he had thus set forward to go to recover the town of Mansoul, took with him, at the commandment of his Father, forty-four battering-rams, and twelve slings, to whirl stones withal. Every one of these was made of pure gold, and these they carried with them in the heart and body of their army, all along as they went to Mansoul.
So they marched till they came within less than a league of the town. And there they lay till the first four captains came thither to acquaint him with matters. Then they took their journey to go to the town of Mansoul, and unto Mansoul they came. But when the old soldiers that were in the camp saw that they had new forces to join with, they again gave such a shout before the walls of the town of Mansoul, that it put Diabolus into another fright. So they sat down before the town, not now as the other four captains did, to wit, against the gates of Mansoul only; but they environed it round on every side, and beset it behind and before; so that now, let Mansoul look which way it will, it saw force and power lie in siege against it. Besides, there were mounts cast up against it.
The Mount Gracious was on the one side, and Mount Justice was on the other; further, there were several small banks and advance-ground—as Plain-truth Hill, and No-sin Banks—where many of the slings were placed against the town. Upon Mount Gracious were planted four, and upon Mount Justice were planted as many; and the rest were conveniently placed in several parts round about the town. Five of the best battering-rams—that is, of the biggest of them—were placed upon Mount Hearken; a mount cast up hard by Ear-gate, with intent to break that open.
Now, when the men of the town saw the multitude of the soldiers that were come up against the place, and the rams and slings, and the mounts on which they were planted, together with the glittering of the armour and the waving of their colours, they were forced to shift and shift, and again to shift their thoughts, but they hardly changed for thoughts more stout, but rather for thoughts more faint. For though before they thought themselves sufficiently guarded, yet now they began to think that no man knew what would be their hap or lot.
When the good Prince Emmanuel had thus beleaguered Mansoul; in the first place he hangs out the white flag, which he caused to be set up among the golden slings that were planted upon Mount Gracious. And this he did for two reasons: 1. To give notice to Mansoul that he could and would yet be gracious if they turned to him. 2. And that he might leave them the more without excuse, should he destroy them, they continuing in their rebellion.
So the white flag, with the three golden doves on it, was hung out for two days together, to give them time and space to consider. But they, as was hinted before, as if they were unconcerned, made no reply to the favorable signal of the Prince. Then he commanded, and they set the red flag upon that mount called Mount Justice. It was the red flag of Captain Judgment, whose scutcheon was the burning fiery furnace, and this also stood waving before them in the wind for several days together. But look how they carried it under the white flag when that was hung out, so did they also when the red one was, and yet he took no advantage of them.
