Fergus Hume - "Madame Midas"

Alphonse Daudet - "Fromont and Risler, v3"

Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne - "Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte, v7"

Laura Lee Hope - "The Story of a Lamb on Wheels"

New Philadelphia Book Publisher Highlights Local Talent
Book and Publishing News from Publishers Newswire(tm)

Looking for Child to be on Cover of a New Book, 'The Model Child'
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Philadelphia literary world will celebrate the launch of two new players today, April 10th: Kay Square Press, a new publishing company focused on Philadelphia-area artists, their stories, and their art; and Kay Square's first release, 'With the Rich and Mighty: Emlen Etting of Philadelphia' (ISBN: 978-0-9815129-0-7), a critical biography by Kenneth C. Kaleta.

FlatSigned Press Alleges Don Imus Remarks Damage Legacy of President Gerald R. Ford
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Nathan Yungerberg, an accomplished model scout and professional child photographer is launching a nation-wide casting call to find the cover model for his highly anticipated book release, 'The Model Child: A Parents Guide to the Child Modeling Industry' (ISBN: 978-0-9817018-0-6).

Books: The Works of John Bunyan Volume 3

J >> John Bunyan >> The Works of John Bunyan Volume 3




And first for Captain Boanerges, not to under-value the rest, he
made three most fierce assaults, one after another, upon Ear-gate,
to the shaking of the posts thereof. Captain Conviction, he also
made up as fast with Boanerges as possibly he could, and both
discerning that the gate began to yield, they commanded that the
rams should still be played against it. Now Captain Conviction
going up very near to the gate, was with great force driven back,
and received three wounds in the mouth. And those that rode
Reformades, they went about to encourage the captains.

For the valour of the two captains made mention of before, the
Prince sent for them to his pavilion, and commanded that a while
they should rest themselves, and that with somewhat they should
be refreshed. Care also was taken for Captain Conviction, that he
should be healed of his wounds. The Prince also gave to each of
them a chain of gold, and bid them yet be of good courage. Nor did
Captain Good-hope nor Captain Charity come behind in this most
desperate fight, for they so well did behave themselves at Eye-gate,
that they had almost broken it quite open.[159] These also had a
reward from their Prince, as also had the rest of the captains,
because they did valiantly round about the town.[160]

In this engagement several of the officers of Diabolus were slain,
and some of the townsmen wounded. For the officers, there was one
Captain Boasting slain. This Boasting thought that nobody could
have shaken the posts of Ear-gate, nor have shaken the heart of
Diabolus. Next to him there was one Captain Secure slain; this
Secure used to say that the blind and lame in Mansoul were able to
keep the gates of the town against Emmanuel's army (2 Sam 5:6).
This Captain Secure did Captain Conviction cleave down the head
with a two-handed sword, when he received himself three wounds in
his mouth. Besides these, there was one Captain Bragman, a very
desperate fellow, and he was captain over a band of those that threw
fire-brands, arrows, and death; he also received, by the hand of
Captain Good-hope at Eye-gate, a mortal wound in the breast.

There was, moreover, one Mr. Feeling, but he was no captain, but
a great stickler to encourage Mansoul to rebellion, he received a
wound in the eye by the hand of one of Boanerges' soldiers, and
had by the captain himself been slain, but that he made a sudden
retreat.

But I never saw Will-be-will so daunted in all my life: he was not
able to do as he was wont; and some say that he also received a
wound in the leg, and that some of the men in the Prince's army have
certainly seen him limp, as he afterwards walked on the wall.[161]

I shall not give you a particular account of the names of the
soldiers that were slain in the town, for many were maimed and
wounded, and slain; for when they saw that the posts of Ear-gate
did shake, and Eye-gate was well-nigh broken quite open; and also
that their captains were slain, this took away the hearts of many
of the Diabolonians; they fell also by the force of the shot
that were sent by the golden slings into the midst of the town of
Mansoul.[162]

Of the townsmen, there was one Love-no-good, he was a townsman,
but a Diabolonian, he also received his mortal wound in Mansoul,
but he died not very soon. Mr. Ill-pause also, who was the man that
came along with Diabolus when at first he attempted the taking of
Mansoul, he also received a grievous wound in the head, some say
that his brain-pan was cracked; this I have taken notice of, that
he was never after this able to do that mischief to Mansoul as
he had done in times past. Also old Prejudice and Mr. Anything
fled.[163]

Now when the battle was over, the Prince commanded that yet once
more the white flag should be set upon Mount Gracious, in sight
of the town of Mansoul; to show that yet Emmanuel had grace for
the wretched town of Mansoul.

When Diabolus saw the white flag hanging out again, and knowing
that it was not for him, but Mansoul, he cast in his mind to play
another prank, to wit, to see if Emmanuel would raise his siege
and begone, upon promise of a reformation.[164] So he comes down
to the gate one evening, a good while after the sun was gone down,
and calls to speak with Emmanuel, who presently came down to the
gate, and Diabolus saith unto him:

'Forasmuch as thou makest it appear by thy white flag, that thou
art wholly given to peace and quiet; I thought meet to acquaint
thee that we are ready to accept thereof upon terms which thou
mayest admit.

'I know that thou art given to devotion, and that holiness pleaseth
thee; yea, that thy great end in making a war upon Mansoul is that
it may be an holy habitation. Well, draw off thy forces from the
town, and I will bend Mansoul to thy bow.

'[Thus] I will lay down all acts of hostility against thee, and
will be willing to become thy deputy, and will, as I have formerly
been against thee, now serve thee in the town of Mansoul. And more
particularly--1. I will persuade Mansoul to receive thee for their
Lord, and I know that they will do it the sooner when they shall
understand that I am thy deputy. 2. I will show them wherein they
have erred, and that transgression stands in the way to life. 3.
I will show them the holy law unto which they must conform, even
that which they have broken. 4. I will press upon them the necessity
of a reformation according to thy law. 5. And, moreover, that
none of these things may fail, I myself, at my own proper cost and
charge, will set up and maintain a sufficient ministry, besides
lectures, in Mansoul.[165] 6. Thou shalt receive, as a token of
our subjection to thee continually, year by year, what thou shalt
think fit to lay and levy upon us, in token of our subjection to
thee.'[166]

Then said Emmanuel to him, 'O full of deceit, how movable are thy
ways! How often hast thou changed and rechanged, if so be thou
mightest still keep possession of my Mansoul, though, as has been
plainly declared before, I am the right heir thereof? Often hast
thou made thy proposals already, nor is this last a whit better
than they. And failing to deceive when thou showedst thyself
in thy black, thou hast now transformed thyself into an angel of
light, and wouldest, to deceive, be now as a minister of righteousness
(2 Cor 11:14).

'But know thou, O Diabolus, that nothing must be regarded that thou
canst propound, for nothing is done by thee but to deceive; thou
neither hast conscience to God, nor love to the town of Mansoul;
whence then should these thy sayings arise, but from sinful craft
and deceit? He that can of list and will propound what he pleases,
and that wherewith he may destroy them that believe him, is to
be abandoned with all that he shall say. But if righteousness be
such a beauty-spot in thine eyes now, how is it that wickedness
was so closely stuck to by thee before. But this is by the by. Thou
talkest now of a reformation in Mansoul, and that thou thyself,
if I will please, will be at the head of that reformation, all the
while knowing that the greatest proficiency that man can make in
the law, and the righteousness thereof, will amount to no more
for the taking away of the curse from Mansoul than just nothing
at all; for a law being broken by Mansoul, that had before, upon
a supposition of the breach thereof, a curse pronounced against
him for it of God, can never, by his obeying of the law, deliver
himself therefrom. To say nothing of what a reformation is like to
be set up in Mansoul, when the devil is become corrector of vice.
Thou knowest that all that thou hast now said in this matter is
nothing but guile and deceit; and is, as it was the first, so is it
the last card that thou hast to play. Many there be that do soon
discern thee when thou showest them thy cloven foot; but in thy
white, thy light, and in thy transformation thou art seen but of
a few. But thou shalt not do thus with my Mansoul, O Diabolus,
for I do still love my Mansoul.

'Besides, I am not come to put Mansoul upon works to live
thereby--should I do so, I should be like unto thee--but I am come
that by me, and by what I have and shall do for Mansoul, they may
to my Father be reconciled, though by their sin they have provoked
him to anger, and though by the law they cannot obtain mercy.

'Thou talkest of subjecting of this town to good, when none desireth
it at thy hands. I am sent by my Father to possess it myself, and
to guide it by the skilfulness of my hands into such a conformity
to him as shall be pleasing in his sight. I will therefore possess
it myself, I will dispossess and cast thee out: I will set up mine
own standard in the midst of them: I will also govern them by new
laws, new officers, new motives, and new ways. Yea, I will pull
down this town, and build it again, and it shall be as though it had
not been, and it shall then be the glory of the whole universe.'[167]

When Diabolus heard this, and perceived that he was discovered in
all his deceits, he was confounded and utterly put to a nonplus--;
but having in himself the fountain of iniquity, rage and malice
against both Shaddai and his Son, and the beloved town of Mansoul,
what doth he but strengthen himself what he could, to give fresh
battle to the noble Prince Emmanuel? So then, now we must have
another fight before the town of Mansoul is taken. Come up then,
to the mountains you that love to see military actions, and behold
by both sides how the fatal blow is given: while one seeks to hold,
and the other seeks to make himself master of the famous town of
Mansoul.

Diabolus, therefore, having withdrawn himself from the wall to his
force that was in the heart of the town of Mansoul, Emmanuel also
returned to the camp; and both of them, after their divers ways,
put themselves into a posture fit to bid battle one to another.

Diabolus, as filled with despair of retaining in his hands the
famous town of Mansoul, resolved to do what mischief he could, if
indeed, he could do any, to the army of the Prince, and to the
famous town of Mansoul; for, alas! it was not the happiness of the
silly town of Mansoul that was designed by Diabolus, but the utter
ruin and overthrow thereof; as now is enough in view. Wherefore
he commands his officers that they should then, when they see that
they could hold the town no longer, do it what harm and mischief
they could; rending and tearing of men, women, and children (Mark
9:26-27). For, said he, we had better quite demolish the place,
and leave it like a ruinous heap, than so leave it that it may be
an habitation for Emmanuel.[168]

Emmanuel again, knowing that the next battle would issue in his
being made master of the place, gave out a royal commandment to
all his officers, high captains, and men of war, to be sure to
show themselves men of war against Diabolus and all Diabolonians;
but favourable, merciful, and meek to all the old inhabitants of
Mansoul. Bend, therefore, said the noble Prince, the hottest front
of the battle against Diabolus and his men.

So the day being come, the command was given, and the Prince's men
did bravely stand to their arms; and did, as before, bend their
main force against Ear-gate, and Eye-gate. The word then, 'Mansoul
is won,' so they made their assault upon the town. Diabolus also,
as fast as he could with the main of his power, made resistance
from within, and his high lords and chief captains for a time
fought very cruelly against the Prince's army.

But after three or four notable charges by the Prince, and his
noble captains, Ear-gate was broken open, and the bars and bolts
wherewith it was used to be fast shut up against the Prince, were
broken into a thousand pieces. Then did the Prince's trumpets
sound, the captains shout, the town shake, and Diabolus retreat to
his hold. Well, when the Prince's forces had broken open the gate,
himself came up and did set his throne in it; also he set his
standard thereby, upon a mount, that before by his men was cast
up to place the mighty slings thereon.[169] The mount was called
Mount Hear-well; there, therefore, the Prince abode, to wit, hard
by the going in at the gate. He commanded also that the golden
slings should yet be played upon the town, especially against the
castle, because for shelter thither was Diabolus retreated. Now
from Ear-gate the street was straight, even to the house of Mr.
Recorder that so was before Diabolus took the town, and hard by
his house stood the castle, which Diabolus for a long time had
made his irksome den. The captains, therefore, did quickly clear
that street by the use of their slings, so that way was made up to
the heart of the town. Then did the Prince command that Captain
Boanerges, Captain Conviction, and Captain Judgment should
forthwith march up the town to the old gentleman's gate. Then did
the captains in the most warlike manner enter into the town of
Mansoul, and marching in with flying colours, they came up to the
Recorder's house, and that was almost as strong as was the castle.
Battering-rams they took also with them, to plant against the
castle-gates. When they were come to the house of Mr. Conscience,
they knocked and demanded entrance. Now, the old gentleman, not
knowing as yet fully their design, kept his gates shut all the
time of this fight. Wherefore Boanerges demanded entrance at his
gates, and no man making answer, he gave it one stroke with the
head of a ram, and this made the old gentleman shake, and his
house to tremble and totter. Then came Mr. Recorder down to the
gate, and, as he could, with quivering lips, he asked who was
there. Boanerges answered, We are the captains and commanders of
the great Shaddai, and of the blessed Emmanuel his Son, and we
demand possession of your house for the use of our noble Prince.
And with that the battering-ram gave the gate another shake; this
made the old gentleman tremble the more, yet durst he not but open
the gate. Then the King's forces marched in, namely, the three
brave captains mentioned before. Now the Recorder's house was a
place of much convenience for Emmanuel, not only because it was
near to the castle, and strong, but also because it was large,
and fronted the castle, the den where now Diabolus was: for he
was now afraid to come out of his hold. As for Mr. Recorder, the
captains carried it very reservedly to him; as yet he knew nothing
of the great designs of Emmanuel; so that he did not know what
judgment to make, nor what would be the end of such thundering
beginnings. It was also presently noised in the town, how the
Recorder's house was possessed, his rooms taken up, and his palace
made the seat of the war; and no sooner was it noised abroad, but
they took the alarm as warmly, and gave it out to others of his
friends, and you know as a snow-ball loses nothing by rolling, so
in little time the whole town was possessed that they must expect
nothing from the Prince but destruction; and the ground of the
business was this. The Recorder was afraid, the Recorder trembled,
and the captains carried it strangely to the Recorder, so many came
to see; but when they with their own eyes did behold the captains
in the palace, and their battering-rams ever playing at the castle
gates to beat them down, they were riveted in their fears, and it
made them as in amaze. And, as I said, the man of the house would
increase all this, for whoever came to him, or discoursed with
him, nothing would he talk of, tell them, or hear, but that death
and destruction now attended Mansoul.[170]

'For,' quoth the old gentleman, 'you are all of you sensible that
we all have been traitors to that once despised, but now famously
victorious and glorious Prince Emmanuel. For he now, as you see,
doth not only lie in close siege about us, but hath forced his
entrance in at our gates; moreover, Diabolus flees before him, and
he hath, as you behold, made of my house a garrison against the
castle, where he is. I, for my part, have transgressed greatly, and he
that is clean it is well for him. But, I say, I have transgressed
greatly in keeping silence when I should have spoken, and in
perverting of justice when I should have executed the same. True,
I have suffered something at the hand of Diabolus, for taking part
with the laws of King Shaddai; but that, alas! what will that do?
Will that make compensation for the rebellions and treasons that I
have done, and have suffered without gainsaying, to be committed
in the town of Mansoul? Oh, I tremble to think what will be the
end of this so dreadful and so ireful a beginning!'

Now, while these brave captains were thus busy in the house of the
old Recorder, Captain Execution was as busy in other parts of the
town, in securing the back streets, and the walls. He also hunted
the Lord Will-be-will sorely; he suffered him not to rest in any
corner. He pursued him so hard, that he drove his men from him, and
made him glad to thrust his head into a hole. Also, this mighty
warrior did cut three of the Lord Will-be-will's officers down
to the ground; one was old Mr. Prejudice, he that had his crown
cracked in the mutiny; this man was made by Lord Will-be-will keeper
of Ear-gate, and fell by the hand of Captain Execution. There was
also one Mr. Backward-to-all-but-naught, and he also was one of
Lord Will-be-will's officers, and was the captain of the two guns
that once were mounted on the top of Ear-gate, he also was cut
down to the ground by the hands of Captain Execution. Besides
these two there was another, a third, and his name was Captain
Treacherous, a vile man this was, but one that Will-be-will did
put a great deal of confidence in; but him also did this Captain
Execution cut down to the ground with the rest.[171]

He also made a very great slaughter among my Lord Will-be-will's
soldiers, killing many that were stout and sturdy, and wounding of
many that for Diabolus were nimble and active. But all these were
Diabolonians; there was not a man, a native of Mansoul, hurt.[172]

Other feats of war were also likewise performed by other of the
captains, as at Eye-gate,[173] where Captain Good-hope and Captain
Charity had a charge, was great execution done; for the Captain
Good-hope, with his own hands, slew one Captain Blindfold, the
keeper of that gate; this Blindfold was captain of a thousand
men, and they were they that fought with mauls; he also pursued
his men, slew many, and wounded more, and made the rest hide their
heads in corners.

There was also at that gate Mr. Ill-pause, of whom you have heard
before; he was an old man, and had a beard that reached down to his
girdle: the same was he that was orator to Diabolus; he did much
mischief in the town of Mansoul, and fell by the hand of Captain
Good-hope.

What shall I say, the Diabolonians in these days lay dead in every
corner, though too many yet were alive in Mansoul.[174]

[CHAPTER VIII.]

[CONTENTS:--The principal inhabitants hold a conference, and agree
to petition the Prince for their lives--The castle gates broken
open--Emmanuel marches into Mansoul--Diabolus is made prisoner,
and bound in chains--The inhabitants, greatly distressed, petition
again and again--At length a free pardon is obtained, and universal
joy succeeds.]

Now the old Recorder, and my Lord Understanding, with some others
of the chief of the town, to wit, such as knew they must stand
and fall with the famous town of Mansoul, came together upon a
day, and after consultation had, did jointly agree to draw up a
petition, and send it to Emmanuel, now while he sat in the gate of
Mansoul. So they drew up their petition to Emmanuel, the contents
whereof were this, That they, the old inhabitants of the now
deplorable town of Mansoul, confessed their sin, and were sorry
that they had offended his princely Majesty, and prayed that he
would spare their lives.[175]

Upon this petition he gave no answer at all, and that did trouble
them yet so much the more. Now all this while the captains that
were in the Recorder's house were playing with the battering-rams
at the gates of the castle, to beat them down. So after some
time, labour, and travail, the gate of the castle that was called
Impregnable was beaten open, and broken into several splinters;
and so a way made to go up to the hold in which Diabolus had hid
himself.[176] Then was tidings sent down to Ear-gate, for Emmanuel
still abode there, to let him know that a way was made in at the
gates of the castle of Mansoul. But oh! how the trumpets at the
tidings sounded throughout the Prince's camp, for that now the
war was so near an end, and Mansoul itself of being set free.[177]

Then the Prince arose from the place where he was, and took with
him such of his men of war as were fittest for that expedition,
and marched up the street of Mansoul to the old Recorder's house.

Now the Prince himself was clad all in armour of gold, and so he
marched up the town with his standard borne before him; but he
kept his countenance much reserved all the way as he went, so that
the people could not tell how to gather to themselves love or hatred
by his looks. Now as he marched up the street, the townsfolk came
out at every door to see, and could not but be taken with his
person, and the glory thereof, but wondered at the reservedness of
his countenance; for as yet he spake more to them by his actions
and works, than he did by words or smiles. But also poor Mansoul,
as in such cases all are apt to do, they interpreted the carriages
of Emmanuel to them, as did Joseph's brethren his to them, even
all the quite contrary way. For, thought they, if Emmanuel loved
us, he would show it to us by word or carriage; but none of these
he doth, therefore Emmanuel hates us. Now if Emmanuel hates us,
then Mansoul shall be slain, then Mansoul shall become a dunghill.
They knew that they had transgressed his Father's law, and that
against him they had been in with Diabolus his enemy. They also
knew that the Prince Emmanuel knew all this; for they were convinced
that he was as an Angel of God, to know all things that are done
in the earth. And this made them think that their condition was
miserable, and that the good Prince would make them desolate.

And, thought they, what time so fit to do this in as now, when he
has the bridle of Mansoul in his hand. And this I took special
notice of, that the inhabitants, notwithstanding all this, could not;
no, they could not, when they see him march through the town, but
cringe, bow, bend, and were ready to lick the dust of his feet.
They also wished a thousand times over, that he would become their
Prince and Captain, and would become their protection. They would
also one to another talk of the comeliness of his person, and how
much for glory and valour he outstripped the great ones of the
world. But, poor hearts, as to themselves their thoughts would
chance, and go upon all manner of extremes; yea, through the working
of them backward and forward, Mansoul became as a ball tossed, and
as a rolling thing before the whirlwind[178] (Isa 18:13, 23:18).

Now when he was come to the castle gates, he commanded Diabolus
to appear, and to surrender himself into his hands. But oh! how
loath was the beast to appear! How he stuck at it! How he shrunk!
aye, how he cringed! Yet out he came to the Prince. Then Emmanuel
commanded, and they took Diabolus and bound him fast in chains,
the better to reserve him to the judgment that he had appointed for
him. But Diabolus stood up to entreat for himself, that Emmanuel
would not send him into the deep, but suffer him to depart out of
Mansoul in peace.

When Emmanuel had taken him and bound him in chains, he led him
into the marketplace, and there, before Mansoul, stripped him of
his armour in which he boasted so much before. This now was one
of the acts of triumph of Emmanuel over his enemy; and all the
while that the giant was stripping, the trumpets of the golden
Prince did sound amain; the captains also shouted, and the soldiers
did sing for joy. Then was Mansoul called upon to behold the
beginning of Emmanuel's triumph over him in whom they so much had
trusted, and of whom they so much had boasted in the days when he
flattered them.

Thus having made Diabolus naked in the eyes of Mansoul, and before
the commanders of the Prince, in the next place he commands that
Diabolus should be bound with chains to his chariot wheels. Then
leaving some of his forces, to wit, Captain Boanerges, and Captain
Conviction, as a guard for the castle-gates, that resistance might
be made on his behalf, if any that heretofore followed Diabolus
should make an attempt to possess it, he did ride in triumph over
him quite through the town of Mansoul, and so out at, and before
the gate called Eye-gate, to the plain where his camp did lie (Eph
4).

But you cannot think unless you had been there, as I was, what a
shout there was in Emmanuel's camp when they saw the tyrant bound
by the hand of their noble Prince, and tied to his chariot wheels!
And they said, He hath led captivity captive; he hath spoiled
principalities and powers; Diabolus is subjected to the power of
his sword, and made the object of all derision![179]