The Holy War | Page 5

cast down
to the horrible pits,) you may he sure they would now add to their former pride what
malice and rage against Shaddai, and against his Son, they could. Wherefore, roving and
ranging in much fury from place to place, if, perhaps, they might find something that was
the King's, by spoiling of that, to revenge themselves on him; at last they happened into
this spacious country of Universe, and steer their course towards the town of Mansoul;
and considering that that town was one of the chief works and delights of King Shaddai,
what do they but, after counsel taken, make an assault upon that. I say, they knew that
Mansoul belonged unto Shaddai; for they were there when he built it and beautified it for
himself. So when they had found the place, they shouted horribly for joy, and roared on it
as a lion upon the prey, saying, 'Now we have found the prize, and how to be revenged on
King Shaddai for what he hath done to us.' So they sat down and called a council of war,
and considered with themselves what ways and methods they had best to engage in for
the winning to themselves this famous town of Mansoul, and these four things were then
propounded to be considered of.
First. Whether they had best all of them to show themselves in this design to the town of
Mansoul.
Secondly. Whether they had best to go and sit down against Mansoul in their now ragged
and beggarly guise.
Thirdly. Whether they had best show to Mansoul their intentions, and what design they
came about, or whether to assault it with words and ways of deceit.
Fourthly. Whether they had not best to some of their companions to give out private
orders to take the advantage, if they see one or more of the principal townsmen, to shoot
them, if thereby they shall judge their cause and design will the better be promoted.
1. It was answered to the first of these proposals in the negative, to wit, that it would not
be best that all should show themselves before the town, because the appearance of many
of them might alarm and frighten the town; whereas a few or but one of them was not so
likely to do it. And to enforce this advice to take place it was added further, that if
Mansoul was frighted, or did take the alarm, 'It is impossible,' said Diabolus (for he spake
now), 'that we should take the town: for that none can enter into it without its own
consent. Let, therefore, but few, or but one, assault Mansoul; and in mine opinion,' said
Diabolus, 'let me be he.' Wherefore to this they all agreed.
2. And then to the second proposal they came, namely, Whether they had best go and sit
down before Mansoul in their now ragged and beggarly guise. To which it was answered
also in the negative, By no means; and that because, though the town of Mansoul had
been made to know, and to have to do, before now, with things that are invisible, they did
never as yet see any of their fellow-creatures in so sad and rascally condition as they; and
this was the advice of that fierce Alecto. Then said Apollyon, 'The advice is pertinent; for
even one of us appearing to them as we are now, must needs both beget and multiply

such thoughts in them as will both put them into a consternation of spirit, and necessitate
them to put themselves upon their guard. And if so,' said he, 'then, as my Lord Diabolus
said but now, it is in vain for us to think of taking the town.' Then said that mighty giant
Beelzebub, 'The advice that already is given is safe; for though the men of Mansoul have
seen such things as we once were, yet hitherto they did never behold such things as we
now are; and it is best, in mine opinion, to come upon them in such a guise as is common
to, and most familiar among them.' To this, when they had consented, the next thing to be
considered was, in what shape, hue, or guise Diabolus had best to show himself when he
went about to make Mansoul his own. Then one said one thing, and another the contrary.
At last Lucifer answered, that, in his opinion, it was best that his lordship should assume
the body of some of those creatures that they of the town had dominion over; 'for,' quoth
he, 'these are not only familiar to them, but, being under them, they will never imagine
that an attempt should by them be made upon the town; and, to blind all, let him assume
the body of