Thegarments，too，whichEmmanuelhadgiventhemwerebutinasorrycase;somewererent，someweretorn，andallinanastycondition;somealsodidhangsolooselyuponthem，thatthenextbushtheycameatwasreadytopluckthemoff。
Aftersometimespentinthissadanddesolatecondition，thesubordinatepreachercalledforadayoffasting，andtohumblethemselvesforbeingsowickedagainstthegreatShaddaiandhisSon。AndhedesiredthatCaptainBoanergeswouldpreach。Soheconsentedtodoit;andthedaybeingcome，andhistextwasthis，’Cutitdown，whycumberethittheground？’Andaverysmartsermonhemadeupontheplace。
First，heshowedwhatwastheoccasionofthewords，namely，becausethefig—treewasbarren;thenheshowedwhatwascontainedinthesentence，namely，repentance，orutterdesolation。Hethenshowed，also，bywhoseauthoritythissentencewaspronounced，andthatwasbyShaddaihimself。
And，lastly，heshowedthereasonsofthepoint，andthenconcludedhissermon。Buthewasverypertinentintheapplication，insomuchthathemadepoorMansoultremble。Forthissermon，aswellastheformer，wroughtmuchupontheheartsofthemenofMansoul;yea，itgreatlyhelpedtokeepawakethosethatwererousedbythepreachingthatwentbefore。Sothatnowthroughoutthewholetown，therewaslittleornothingtobeheardorseenbutsorrow，andmourning，andwoe。
Now，aftersermon，theygottogetherandconsultedwhatwasbesttobedone。’But，’saidthesubordinatepreacher，’I
willdonothingofmineownhead，withoutadvisingwithmyneighbourMr。Godly—Fear。ForifhehadaforehandunderstoodmoreofthemindofourPrincethanwe，Idonotknowbuthealsomayhaveitnow，evennowweareturningagaintovirtue。’
SotheycalledandsentforMr。Godly—Fear，andheforthwithappeared。Thentheydesiredthathewouldfurthershowhisopinionaboutwhattheyhadbesttodo。Thensaidtheoldgentlemanasfolloweth:’ItismyopinionthatthistownofMansoulshould，inthisdayofherdistress，drawupandsendanhumblepetitiontotheiroffendedPrinceEmmanuel，thathe，inhisfavourandgrace，willturnagainuntoyou，andnotkeepangerforever。’
Whenthetownsmenhadheardthisspeech，theydid，withoneconsent，agreetohisadvice;sotheydidpresentlydrawuptheirrequest，andthenextwas，Butwhoshallcarryit？AtlasttheydidallagreetosenditbymyLordMayor。Soheacceptedoftheservice，andaddressedhimselftohisjourney;andwentandcametothecourtofShaddai，whitherEmmanuelthePrinceofMansoulwasgone。Butthegatewasshut，andastrictwatchkeptthereat;sothatthepetitionerwasforcedtostandwithoutforagreatwhiletogether。ThenhedesiredthatsomewouldgointothePrinceandtellhimwhostoodatthegate，andwhathisbusinesswas。SoonewentandtoldtoShaddai，andtoEmmanuelhisSon，thattheLordMayorofthetownofMansoulstoodwithoutatthegateoftheKing’scourt，desiringtobeadmittedintothepresenceofthePrince，theKing’sSon。HealsotoldwhatwastheLordMayor’serrand，bothtotheKingandhisSonEmmanuel。ButthePrincewouldnotcomedown，noradmitthatthegateshouldbeopenedtohim，butsenthimananswertothiseffect:’Theyhaveturnedtheirbackuntome，andnottheirface;butnowinthetimeoftheirtroubletheysaytome，Arise，andsaveus。ButcantheynotnowgotoMr。
Carnal—Security，towhomtheywentwhentheyturnedfromme，andmakehimtheirleader，theirlord，andtheirprotectionnowintheirtrouble;whynowintheirtroubledotheyvisitme，sinceintheirprosperitytheywentastray？’
TheanswermademyLordMayorlookblackintheface;ittroubled，itperplexed，itrenthimsore。AndnowhebeganagaintoseewhatitwastobefamiliarwithDiabolonians，suchasMr。Carnal—Securitywas。Whenhesawthatatcourt，asyet，therewaslittlehelptobeexpected，eitherforhimselforfriendsinMansoul，hesmoteuponhisbreast，andreturnedweeping，andallthewaybewailingthelamentablestateofMansoul。
Well，whenhewascomewithinsightofthetown，theeldersandchiefofthepeopleofMansoulwentoutatthegatetomeethim，andtosalutehim，andtoknowhowhespedatcourt。Buthetoldthemhistaleinsodolefulamanner，thattheyallcriedout，andmourned，andwept。Whereforetheythrewashesanddustupontheirheads，andputsackclothupontheirloins，andwentcryingoutthroughthetownofMansoul;thewhich，whentherestofthetownsfolksaw，theyallmournedandwept。This，therefore，wasadayofrebukeandtrouble，andofanguishtothetownofMansoul，andalsoofgreatdistress。
Aftersometime，whentheyhadsomewhatrefrainedthemselves，theycametogethertoconsultagainwhatbythemwasyettobedone;andtheyaskedadvice，astheydidbefore，ofthatreverendMr。Godly—Fear，whotoldthemthattherewasnowaybetterthantodoastheyhaddone，norwouldhethattheyshouldbediscouragedatallwiththattheyhadmetwithatcourt;yea，thoughseveraloftheirpetitionsshouldbeansweredwithnoughtbutsilenceorrebuke:’For，’saidhe，’itisthewayofthewiseShaddaitomakemenwaitandtoexercisepatience，anditshouldbethewayoftheminwant，tobewillingtostayhisleisure。
Thentheytookcourage，andsentagainandagain，andagain，andagain;fortherewasnotnowoneday，noranhourthatwentoverMansoul’shead，whereinamanmightnothavemetupontheroadoneorotherridingpost，soundingthehornfromMansoultothecourtoftheKingShaddai;andallwithletterspetitionaryinbehalfof，andforthePrince’sreturntoMansoul。Theroad，Isay，wasnowfullofmessengers，goingandreturning，andmeetingoneanother;somefromthecourt，andsomefromMansoul;andthiswastheworkofthemiserabletownofMansoul，allthatlong，thatsharp，thatcoldandtediouswinter。
Nowifyouhavenotforgot，youmayyetrememberthatItoldyoubefore，thatafterEmmanuelhadtakenMansoul，yea，andafterthathehadnewmodelledthetown，thereremainedinseverallurkingplacesofthecorporationmanyoftheoldDiabolonians，thateithercamewiththetyrantwhenheinvadedandtookthetown，orthathadthere，byreasonofunlawfulmixtures，theirbirthandbreeding，andbringingup。
Andtheirholes，dens，andlurkingplaceswerein，under，oraboutthewallofthetown。SomeoftheirnamesaretheLordFornication，theLordAdultery，theLordMurder，theLordAnger，theLordLasciviousness，theLordDeceit，theLordEvil—eye，theLordBlasphemy，andthathorriblevillain，theoldanddangerousLordCovetousness。These，asItoldyou，withmanymore，hadyettheirabodeinthetownofMansoul，andthatafterthatEmmanuelhaddriventheirprinceDiabolusoutofthecastle。
AgainstthesethegoodPrincedidgrantacommissiontotheLordWillbewillandothers，yea，tothewholetownofMansoul，toseek，take，secure，anddestroyanyorallthattheycouldlayhandsof，forthattheywereDiaboloniansbynature，enemiestothePrince，andthosethatsoughttoruintheblessedtownofMansoul。ButthetownofMansouldidnotpursuethiswarrant，butneglectedtolookafter，toapprehend，tosecure，andtodestroytheseDiabolonians。
Whereforewhatdothesevillainsbutbydegreestakecouragetoputforththeirheads，andtoshowthemselvestotheinhabitantsofthetown。Yea，andasIwastold，someofthemenofMansoulgrewtoofamiliarwithsomeofthem，tothesorrowofthecorporation，asyouyetwillhearmoreofintimeandplace。
Well，whentheDiabolonianlordsthatwereleftperceivedthatMansoulhad，throughsinning，offendedEmmanueltheirPrince，andthathehadwithdrawnhimselfandwasgone，whatdotheybutplottheruinofthetownofMansoul。SouponatimetheymettogetherattheholdofoneMr。Mischief，whowasalsoaDiabolonian，andthereconsultedhowtheymightdeliverupMansoulintothehandsofDiabolusagain。Nowsomeadvisedoneway，andsomeanother，everymanaccordingtohisownliking。AtlastmyLordLasciviousnesspropounded，whetheritmightnotbebest，inthefirstplace，forsomeofthosethatwereDiaboloniansinMansoul，toadventuretoofferthemselvesforservantstosomeofthenativesofthetown;’for，’saidhe，’iftheysodo，andMansoulshallacceptofthem，theymayforus，andforDiabolusourLord，makethetakingofthetownofMansoulmoreeasythanotherwiseitwillbe。’ButthenstooduptheLordMurder，andsaid，’Thismaynotbedoneatthistime;
forMansoulisnowinakindofarage，becausebyourfriend，Mr。Carnal—Security，shehathbeenonceensnaredalready，andmadetooffendagainstherPrince;andhowshallshereconcileherselfuntoherlordagain，butbytheheadsofthesemen？Besides，weknowthattheyhaveincommissiontotakeandslayuswherevertheyshallfindus;letus，therefore，bewiseasfoxes:whenwearedead，wecandothemnohurt;butwhilewelive，wemay。’Thus，whentheyhadtossedthemattertoandfro，theyjointlyagreedthatalettershouldforthwithbesentawaytoDiabolusintheirname，bywhichthestateofthetownofMansoulshouldbeshowedhim，andhowmuchitisunderthefrownsoftheirPrince。’Wemayalso，’saidsome，’lethimknowourintentions，andaskofhimhisadviceinthecase。’
Soaletterwaspresentlyframed，thecontentsofwhichwerethese:—
’Toourgreatlord，thePrinceDiabolus，dwellingbelowintheinfernalcave:
’Ogreatfather，andmightyPrinceDiabolus，we，thetrueDiaboloniansyetremainingintherebellioustownofMansoul，havingreceivedourbeingsfromthee，andournourishmentatthyhands，cannotwithcontentandquietenduretobehold，aswedothisday，howthouartdispraised，disgraced，andreproachedamongtheinhabitantsofthistown;noristhylongabsenceatalldelightfultous，becausegreatlytoourdetriment。
’Thereasonofthisourwritinguntoourlord，isforthatwearenotaltogetherwithouthopethatthistownmaybecomethyhabitationagain;foritisgreatlydeclinedfromitsPrinceEmmanuel;andheisuprisen，andisdepartedfromthem:yea，andthoughtheysend，andsend，andsend，andsendafterhimtoreturntothem，yetcantheynotprevail，norgetgoodwordsfromhim。
’Therehasbeenalsooflate，andisyetremaining，averygreatsicknessandfaintingamongthem;andthatnotonlyuponthepoorersortofthetown，butuponthelords，captains，andchiefgentryoftheplace，（weonlywhoareoftheDiaboloniansbynatureremainwell，lively，andstrong，）
sothatthroughtheirgreattransgressionontheonehand，andtheirdangeroussicknessontheother，wejudgetheylieopentothyhandandpower。If，therefore，itshallstandwiththyhorriblecunning，andwiththecunningoftherestoftheprinceswiththee，tocomeandmakeanattempttotakeMansoulagain，sendusword，andweshalltoourutmostpowerbereadytodeliveritintothyhand。Orifwhatwehavesaidshallnotbythyfatherhoodbethoughtbestandmostmeettobedone，sendusthymindinafewwords，andweareallreadytofollowthycounseltothehazardingofourlives，andwhatelsewehave。
’Givenunderourhandsthedayanddateabove—written，afteracloseconsultationatthehouseofMr。Mischief，whoyetisaliveandhathhisplaceinourdesirabletownofMansoul。’
WhenMr。Profane（forhewasthecarrier）wascomewithhislettertoHell—GateHill，heknockedatthebrazengatesforentrance。ThendidCerberus，theporter，forheisthekeeperofthatgate，opentoMr。Profane，towhomhedeliveredhisletter，whichhehadbroughtfromtheDiaboloniansinMansoul。Sohecarrieditin，andpresentedittoDiabolushislord，andsaid，’Tidings，mylord，fromMansoul，fromourtrustyfriendsinMansoul。’
ThencametogetherfromallplacesofthedenBeelzebub，Lucifer，Apollyon，withtherestoftherabblementthere，tohearwhatnewsfromMansoul。Sotheletterwasbrokenupandread，andCerberushestoodby。Whentheletterwasopenlyread，andthecontentsthereofspreadintoallthecornersoftheden，commandwasgiventhat，withoutletorstop，dead—
man’sbellshouldberungforjoy。Sothebellwasrung，andtheprincesrejoicedthatMansoulwaslikelytocometoruin。
Now，theclapperofthebellwent，’ThetownofMansouliscomingtodwellwithus:makeroomforthetownofMansoul。’
Thisbellthereforetheydidring，becausetheydidhopethattheyshouldhaveMansoulagain。
Now，whentheyhadperformedthistheirhorribleceremony，theygottogetheragaintoconsultwhatanswertosendtotheirfriendsinMansoul;andsomeadvisedonething，andsomeanother:butatlength，becausethebusinessrequiredhaste，theyleftthewholebusinesstotheprinceDiabolus，judginghimthemostproperlordoftheplace。Sohedrewupaletterashethoughtfit，inanswertowhatMr。Profanehadbrought，andsentittotheDiaboloniansthatdiddwellinMansoul，bythesamehandthathadbroughttheirstohim;andthesewerethecontentsthereof:—
’Toouroffspring，thehighandmightyDiaboloniansthatyetdwellinthetownofMansoul，Diabolus，thegreatprinceofMansoul，wishethaprosperousissueandconclusionofthosemanybraveenterprises，conspiracies，anddesigns，thatyou，ofyourloveandrespecttoourhonour，haveinyourheartstoattempttodoagainstMansoul。Belovedchildrenanddisciples，myLordFornication，Adultery，andtherest，wehavehere，inourdesolateden，received，toourhighestjoyandcontent，yourwelcomeletter，bythehandofourtrustyMr。Profane;andtoshowhowacceptableyourtidingswere，werangoutourbellforgladness;forwerejoicedasmuchaswecould，whenweperceivedthatyetwehadfriendsinMansoul，andsuchassoughtourhonourandrevengeintheruinofthetownofMansoul。Wealsorejoicedtohearthattheyareinadegeneratedcondition，andthattheyhaveoffendedtheirPrince，andthatheisgone。Theirsicknessalsopleasethus，asdoesalsoyourhealth，might，andstrength。Gladalsowouldwebe，righthorriblybeloved，couldwegetthistownintoourclutchesagain。Norwillwebesparingofspendingourwit，ourcunning，ourcraft，andhellishinventionstobringtoawishedconclusionthisyourbravebeginninginorderthereto。
’Andtakethisforyourcomfort，（ourbirth，andouroffspring，）thatshallweagainsurpriseitandtakeit，wewillattempttoputallyourfoestothesword，andwillmakeyouthegreatlordsandcaptainsoftheplace。Norneedyoufear，ifeverwegetitagain，thatweafterthatshallbecastoutanymore;forwewillcomewithmorestrength，andsolayfarmorefastholdthanatthefirstwedid。Besides，itisthelawofthatPrincethatnowtheyown，thatifwegetthemasecondtime，theyshallbeoursforever。
’Doyou，therefore，ourtrustyDiabolonians，yetmorepryinto，andendeavourtospyouttheweaknessofthetownofMansoul。Wealsowouldthatyouyourselvesdoattempttoweakenthemmoreandmore。Senduswordalsobywhatmeansyouthinkwehadbesttoattempttheregainingthereof:
namely，whetherbypersuasiontoavainandlooselife;or，whetherbytemptingthemtodoubtanddespair;or，whetherbyblowingupofthetownbythegunpowderofpride，andself—
conceit。Doyoualso，OyebraveDiabolonians，andtruesonsofthepit，bealwaysinareadinesstomakeamosthideousassaultwithin，whenweshallbereadytostormitwithout。
Nowspeedyouinyourproject，andweinourdesires，totheutmostpowerofourgates，whichisthewishofyourgreatDiabolus，Mansoul’senemy，andhimthattrembleswhenhethinksofjudgmenttocome。Alltheblessingsofthepitbeuponyou，andsowecloseupourletter。
’Givenatthepit’smouth，bythejointconsentofalltheprincesofdarkness，tobesent，totheforceandpowerthatwehaveyetremaininginMansoul，bythehandofMr。Profane，byme，Diabolus。’
Thisletter，aswassaid，wassenttoMansoul，totheDiaboloniansthatyetremainedthere，andthatyetinhabitedthewall，fromthedarkdungeonofDiabolus，bythehandofMr。Profane，bywhomtheyalsoinMansoulsenttheirstothepit。Now，whenthisMr。Profanehadmadehisreturn，andwascometoMansoulagain，hewentandcameashewaswonttothehouseofMr。Mischief，fortherewastheconclave，andtheplacewherethecontriversweremet。Now，whentheysawthattheirmessengerwasreturnedsafeandsound，theyweregreatlygladdedthereat。ThenhepresentedthemwithhisletterwhichhehadbroughtfromDiabolusforthem;thewhich，whentheyhadreadandconsidered，didmuchaugmenttheirgladness。Theyaskedhimafterthewelfareoftheirfriends，ashowtheirLordDiabolus，Lucifer，andBeelzebubdid，withtherestofthoseoftheden。TowhichthisProfanemadeanswer，’Well，well，mylords;theyarewell，evenaswellascanbeintheirplace。Theyalso，’saidhe，’didringforjoyatthereadingofyourletter，asyouwellperceivedbythiswhenyoureadit。’
Now，aswassaid，whentheyhadreadtheirletter，andperceivedthatitencouragedthemintheirwork，theyfelltotheirwayofcontrivingagain，namely，howtheymightcompletetheirDiaboloniandesignuponMansoul。AndthefirstthingthattheyagreeduponwastokeepallthingsfromMansoulascloseastheycould。’Letitnotbeknown，letnotMansoulbeacquaintedwithwhatwedesignagainstit。’
Thenextthingwas，how，orbywhatmeans，theyshouldtrytobringtopasstheruinandoverthrowofMansoul;andonesaidafterthismanner，andanothersaidafterthat。ThenstoodupMr。Deceit，andsaid，’MyrightDiabolonianfriends，ourlords，andthehighonesofthedeepdungeon，dopropounduntousthesethreeways。
’1。WhetherwehadbesttoseekitsruinbymakingMansoullooseandvain。
’2。Orwhetherbydrivingthemtodoubtanddespair。
’3。Orwhetherbyendeavouringtoblowthemupbythegunpowderofprideandself—conceit。
’Now，Ithink，ifweshalltemptthemtopride，thatmaydosomething;andifwetemptthemtowantonness，thatmayhelp。
But，inmymind，ifwecoulddrivethemintodesperation，thatwouldknockthenailonthehead;forthenweshouldhavethem，inthefirstplace，questionthetruthoftheloveoftheheartoftheirPrincetowardsthem，andthatwilldisgusthimmuch。This，ifitworkswell，willmakethemleaveoffquicklytheirwayofsendingpetitionstohim;thenfarewellearnestsolicitationsforhelpandsupply;forthenthisconclusionliesnaturallybeforethem，\"Asgooddonothing，asdotonopurpose。\"’SotoMr。Deceittheyunanimouslydidconsent。
Thenthenextquestionwas，Buthowshallwedotobringthisourprojecttopass？anditwasansweredbythesamegentleman—thatthismightbethebestwaytodoit:’Evenlet，’quothhe，’somanyofourfriendsasarewillingtoventurethemselvesforthepromotingoftheirprince’scause，disguisethemselveswithapparel，changetheirnames，andgointothemarketlikefarcountry—men，andproffertoletthemselvesforservantstothefamoustownofMansoul，andletthempretendtodofortheirmastersasbeneficiallyasmaybe;forbysodoingtheymay，ifMansoulshallhirethem，inlittletimesocorruptanddefilethecorporation，thathernowPrinceshallbenotonlyfurtheroffendedwiththem，butinconclusionshallspuethemoutofhismouth。Andwhenthisisdone，ourprinceDiabolusshallpreyuponthemwithease:yea，ofthemselvestheyshallfallintothemouthofthecater。’
Thisprojectwasnosoonerpropounded，butwasashighlyaccepted，andforwardwereallDiaboloniansnowtoengageinsodelicateanenterprise:butitwasnotthoughtfitthatallshoulddothus;whereforetheypitchedupontwoorthree，namely，theLordCovetousness，theLordLasciviousness，andtheLordAnger。TheLordCovetousnesscalledhimselfbythenameofPrudent—Thrifty;theLordLasciviousnesscalledhimselfbythenameofHarmless—Mirth;andtheLordAngercalledhimselfbythenameofGood—Zeal。
Souponamarket—daytheycameintothemarket—place，threelustyfellowstheyweretolookon，andtheywereclothedinsheep’srusset，whichwasalsonowinamanneraswhiteaswerethewhiterobesofthemenofMansoul。NowthemencouldspeakthelanguageofMansoulwell。Sowhentheywerecomeintothemarket—place，andhadofferedtoletthemselvestothetownsmen，theywerepresentlytakenup;fortheyaskedbutlittlewages，andpromisedtodotheirmastersgreatservice。
Mr。MindhiredPrudent—Thrifty，andMr。Godly—FearhiredGood—Zeal。True，thisfellowHarmless—Mirthdidhangalittleinhand，andcouldnotsosoongethimamasterastheothersdid，becausethetownofMansoulwasnowinLent，butafterawhile，becauseLentwasalmostout，theLordWillbewillhiredHarmless—Mirthtobebothhiswaitingmanandhislackey:andthustheygotthemmasters。
ThesevillainsnowbeinggotthusfarintothehousesofthemenofMansoul，quicklybegantodogreatmischieftherein;
for，beingfilthy，arch，andsly，theyquicklycorruptedthefamilieswheretheywere;yea，theytaintedtheirmastersmuch，especiallythisPrudent—Thrifty，andhimtheycallHarmless—Mirth。True，hethatwentunderthevisorofGood—
Zeal，wasnotsowelllikedofhismaster;forhequicklyfoundthathewasbutacounterfeitrascal;thewhichwhenthefellowperceived，withspeedhemadehisescapefromthehouse，orIdoubtnotbuthismasterhadhangedhim。
Well，whenthesevagabondshadthusfarcarriedontheirdesign，andhadcorruptedthetownasmuchastheycould，inthenextplacetheyconsideredwiththemselvesatwhattimetheirprinceDiaboluswithout，andthemselveswithinthetown，shouldmakeanattempttoseizeuponMansoul;andtheyallagreeduponthis，thatamarket—daywouldbebestforthatwork;forwhy？Thenwillthetownsfolkbebusyintheirways:andalwaystakethisforarule，whenpeoplearemostbusyintheworld，theyleastfearasurprise。’Wealsothen，’saidthey，’shallbeablewithlesssuspiciontogatherourselvestogetherfortheworkofourfriendsandlords;yea，andinsuchaday，ifweshallattemptourwork，andmissit，wemay，whentheyshallgiveustherout，thebetterhideourselvesinthecrowd，andescape。’
Thesethingsbeingthusfaragreeduponbythem，theywroteanotherlettertoDiabolus，andsentitbythehandtoMr。
Profane，thecontentsofwhichwerethese:—
’ThelordsofLoosenesssendtothegreatandhighDiabolusfromourdens，caves，holes，andstrongholds，inandaboutthewallofthetownofMansoul，greeting:
’Ourgreatlord，andthenourisherofourlives，Diabolus—
howgladwewerewhenweheardofyourfatherhood’sreadinesstocomplywithus，andhelpforwardourdesigninourattemptstoruinMansoul，nonecantellbutthosewho，aswedo，setthemselvesagainstallappearanceofgood，whenandwheresoeverwefindit。
’Touchingtheencouragementthatyourgreatnessispleasedtogiveustocontinuetodevise，contrive，andstudytheutterdesolationofMansoul，thatwearenotsolicitousabout:forweknowrightwellthatitcannotbutbepleasingandprofitabletoustoseeourenemies，andthemthatseekourlives，dieatourfeet，orflybeforeus。Wethereforearestillcontriving，andthattothebestofourcunning，tomakethisworkmostfacileandeasytoyourlordships，andtous。
’First，weconsideredofthatmosthellishlycunning，compacted，threefoldproject，thatbyyouwaspropoundedtousinyourlast;andhaveconcluded，thatthoughtoblowthemupwiththegunpowderofpridewoulddowell，andtodoitbytemptingthemtobelooseandvainwillhelpon，yettocontrivetobringthemintothegulfofdesperation，wethinkwilldobestofall。Nowwe，whoareatyourbeck，havethoughtortwowaystodothis:firstwe，forourparts，willmakethemasvileaswecan，andthenyouwithus，atatimeappointed，shallbereadytofalluponthemwiththeutmostforce。Andofallthenationsthatareatyourwhistle，wethinkthatanarmyofdoubtersmaybethemostlikelytoattackandovercomethetownofMansoul。Thusshallweovercometheseenemies，elsethepitshallopenhermouthuponthem，anddesperationshallthrustthemdownintoit。
Wehavealso，toeffectthissomuchbyusdesireddesign，sentalreadythreeofourtrustyDiaboloniansamongthem;
theyaredisguisedingarb，theyhavechangedtheirnames，andarenowacceptedofthem;namely，Covetousness，Lasciviousness，andAnger。ThenameofCovetousnessischangedtoPrudent—Thrifty，andhimMr。Mindhashired，andisalmostbecomeasbadasourfriend。LasciviousnesshaschangedhisnametoHarmless—Mirth，andheisgottobetheLordWillbewill’slackey;buthehasmadehismasterverywanton。AngerchangedhisnameintoGood—Zeal，andwasentertainedbyMr。Godly—Fear;butthepeevisholdgentlemantookpepperinthenose，andturnedourcompanionoutofhishouse。Nay，hehasinformedussincethatheranawayfromhim，orelsehisoldmasterhadhangedhimupforhislabour。
’NowthesehavemuchhelpedforwardourworkanddesignuponMansoul;fornotwithstandingthespiteandquarrelsometemperoftheoldgentlemanlastmentioned，theothertwoplytheirbusinesswell，andarelikelytoripentheworkapace。
’Ournextprojectis，thatitbeconcludedthatyoucomeuponthetownuponamarket—day，andthatwhentheyareupontheheatoftheirbusiness;forthen，tobesure，theywillbemostsecure，andleastthinkthatanassaultwillbemadeuponthem。Theywillalsoatsuchatimebelessabletodefendthemselves，andtooffendyouintheprosecutionofourdesign。Andweyourtrusty（andwearesureyourbeloved）onesshall，whenyoushallmakeyourfuriousassaultwithout，bereadytosecondthebusinesswithin。Soshallwe，inalllikelihood，beabletoputMansoultoutterconfusion，andtoswallowthemupbeforetheycancometothemselves。Ifyourserpentineheads，mostsubtiledragons，andourhighlyesteemedlordscanfindoutabetterwaythanthis，letusquicklyknowyourminds。
’Tothemonstersoftheinfernalcave，fromthehouseofMr。
MischiefinMansoul，bythehandofMr。Profane。’
NowallthewhilethattheragingrunagatesandhellishDiabolonianswerethuscontrivingtheruinofthetownofMansoul，they（namely，thepoortownitself）wasinasadandwoefulcase;partlybecausetheyhadsogrievouslyoffendedShaddaiandhisSon，andpartlybecausethattheenemiestherebygotstrengthwithinthemafresh;andalsobecause，thoughtheyhadbymanypetitionsmadesuittothePrinceEmmanuel，andtohisFatherShaddaibyhim，fortheirpardonandfavour，yethithertoobtainedtheynotonesmile;butcontrariwise，throughthecraftandsubtiltyofthedomesticDiabolonians，theircloudwasmadetogrowblackerandblacker，andtheirEmmanueltostandatfurtherdistance。
ThesicknessalsodidstillgreatlyrageinMansoul，bothamongthecaptainsandtheinhabitantsofthetown;andtheirenemiesonlywerenowlivelyandstrong，andlikelytobecomethehead，whilstMansoulwasmadethetail。
Bythistimetheletterlastmentioned，thatwaswrittenbytheDiaboloniansthatyetlurkedinthetownofMansoul，wasconveyedtoDiabolusintheblackden，bythehandofMr。
Profane。HecarriedtheletterbyHell—GateHillasafore，andconveyeditbyCerberustohislord。
ButwhenCerberusandMr。Profanedidmeet，theywerepresentlyasgreatasbeggars，andthustheyfellintodiscourseaboutMansoul，andabouttheprojectagainsther。
’Ah！oldfriend，’quothCerberus，’artthoucometoHell—GateHillagain？BySt。Mary，Iamgladtoseethee！’
PROF。Yes，mylord，IamcomeagainabouttheconcernsofthetownofMansoul。
CERB。Prithee，tellmewhatconditionisthattownofMansoulinatpresent？
PROF。Inabravecondition，mylord，forus，andformylords，thelordsofthisplace，Itrowfortheyaregreatlydecayedastogodliness，andthatisaswellasourheartcanwish;theirLordisgreatlyoutwiththem，andthatdothalsopleaseuswell。Wehavealreadyalsoafootintheirdish，forourDiabolonianfriendsarelaidintheirbosoms，andwhatdowelackbuttobemastersoftheplace！Besides，ourtrustyfriendsinMansoularedailyplottingtobetrayittothelordsofthistown;alsothesicknessragesbitterlyamongthem;andthatwhichmakesupall，wehopeatlasttoprevail。’
ThensaidthedogofHell—Gate，’Notimelikethistoassaultthem。Iwishthattheenterprisebefollowedclose，andthatthesuccessdesiredmaybesooneffected:yea，IwishitforthepoorDiabolonians’sakes，thatliveinthecontinualfearoftheirlivesinthattraitoroustownofMansoul。’
PROF。Thecontrivanceisalmostfinished，thelordsinMansoulthatareDiaboloniansareatitdayandnight，andtheotherarelikesillydoves;theywanthearttobeconcernedwiththeirstateandtoconsiderthatruinisathand。Besidesyoumay，yea，mustthink，whenyouputallthingstogether，thattherearemanyreasonsthatprevailwithDiabolustomakewhathastehecan。
CERB。Thouhastsaidasitis;Iamgladthingsareatthispass。Goin，mybraveProfane，tomylords，theywillgivetheeforthywelcomeasgoodaCORANTOasthewholeofthiskingdomwillafford。Ihavesentthyletterinalready。
ThenMr。Profanewentintotheden，andhislordDiabolusmethim，andsalutedhimwith，’Welcome，mytrustyservant:I
havebeenmadegladwiththyletter。’Therestofthelordsofthepitgavehimalsotheirsalutations。ThenProfane，afterobeisancemadetothemall，said，’LetMansoulbegiventomylordDiabolus，andlethimbeherkingforever。’Andwiththat，thehollowbellyandyawninggorgeofhellgavesoloudandhideousagroan，（forthatisthemusicofthatplace，）thatitmadethemountainsaboutittotter，asiftheywouldfallinpieces。
Now，aftertheyhadreadandconsideredtheletter，theyconsultedwhatanswertoreturn;andthefirstthatdidspeaktoitwasLucifer。
Thensaidhe，’ThefirstprojectoftheDiaboloniansinMansoulislikelytobelucky，andtotake;namely，thattheywill，byallthewaysandmeanstheycan，makeMansoulyetmorevileandfilthy:nowaytodestroyasoullikethis。
OuroldfriendBalaamwentthiswayandprosperedmanyyearsago;letthisthereforestandwithusforamaxim，andbetoDiaboloniansforageneralruleinallages;fornothingcanmakethistofailbutgrace，inwhichIwouldhopethatthistownhasnoshare。Butwhethertofalluponthemonamarket—day，becauseoftheircumberinbusiness，thatIwouldshouldbeunderdebate。Andthereismorereasonwhythisheadshouldbedebated，thanwhysomeothershould;becauseuponthiswillturnthewholeofwhatweshallattempt。Ifwetimenotourbusinesswell，ourwholeprojectmayfail。
Ourfriends，theDiabolonians，saythatamarket—dayisbest;
forthenwillMansoulbemostbusy，andhavefewestthoughtsofasurprise。Butwhatifalsotheyshoulddoubletheirguardsonthosedays？（andmethinksnatureandreasonshouldteachthemtodoit;）andwhatiftheyshouldkeepsuchawatchonthosedaysasthenecessityoftheirpresentcasedothrequire？yea，whatiftheirmenshouldbealwaysinarmsonthosedays？thenyoumay，mylords，bedisappointedinyourattempts，andmaybringourfriendsinthetowntoutterdangerofunavoidableruin。’
ThensaidthegreatBeelzebub，’Thereissomethinginwhatmylordhathsaid;buthisconjecturemay，ormaynotfallout。
