Episode 76, The Holy War. We're winding down. I think we only have about two months, two months left of this story. While Diabolus raged against and threatened Mansoul because Captain Credence went to Prince Emmanuel to deliver a petition written by the hand of the Lord Secretary, a petition written on paper and with ink supplied by Mansoul, Captain Credence met with the good prince and returned, bringing encouragement for the leaders of the town. Prince Emmanuel had taken it well that my Lord Mayor had been so true and trusty in his office. He also signified at the close of his letter that my Lord Mayor should shortly receive his reward. The second note to come out was for the noble Lord Willbewill. And this was signified that his Prince Emmanuel well understood how valiant and courageous he had been for his Lord's honor, both now in his absence and also when his name was held in contempt by Diabolus. It was also signified that his prince had taken it well that he had been so faithful to the town of Mansoul in his keeping of so strict a hand and eye over it and so strict a reign upon the neck of the Diabolonians who still lay lurking in their several holes in the famous town of Mansoul. He signified moreover, how he understood that my lord had, with his own hand, executed some of the chief of the rebels there, to the great discouragement of the adverse party and to the good example of the whole town of Mansoul. and that shortly his lordship should have his reward. The third note came out for the subordinate preacher. This was signified that his prince took it well concerning him, that he had so honestly and so faithfully performed his office and executed the trust committed to him by his lord, while he exhorted, rebuked, and forewarned Mansell according to the laws of the town. He signified, moreover, that he took it well at his hand that he called to fasting and to sackcloth and ashes when Mansoul was under her revolt. Also, that he called for the aid of the Captain Boanerges to help in so weighty a work, and that shortly he also should receive his reward. The fourth note came out for Mr. Godly Fear, and this is what his lord thus signified, that his lordship observed that he was the first of all the men in Mansoul to detect Mr. Carnal Security as the only one that, through his subtlety and cunning, had obtained for Diabolus a defection and decay of goodness in the blessed town of Mansoul. Moreover, his Lord gave him to understand that he still remembered his tears and mourning for the state of Mansoul. It was also observed within the same note that his Lord took notice of his detecting that this Mr. Carnal Security, at his own table among his guests, in his own house, and that in the midst of his jolliness, had been all the while seeking to perfect his villainies against the town of Mansoul. Emmanuel also took notice that this reverend person, Mr. Godly Fear, stood stoutly to it at the gates of the castle against all the threats and attempts of the tyrant, and that he had put the townsmen in a way to make their petition to their prince so as that he might accept it, so that they might obtain an answer of peace, and that therefore, he should shortly receive his reward. Remember, it was Mr. Godly Fear that told the town of Mansoul to go to the Lord's secretary, the Holy Spirit, to write the letter, to write the petition to Emmanuel. After all this, he produced yet another note. This one was written to the whole town of Mansoul, whereby they perceived that their lord had taken notice of their so often repetitious petitions to him, and that they should see more of the fruits of such their doings in time to come. Their prince also told them in his note that he took it well that their heart and mind, now at last, lived fixed upon him and his ways, though Diabolus had made such inroads upon them, and that neither flatteries on the one hand nor hardships on the other could make them yield to serve his cruel plans. There was also a postscript inserted at the bottom of this note, that his lordship had left the town of Mansoul in the hands of the Lord Secretary and under the conduct of Captain Credence, saying, Beware that you continue to yield yourself unto their governance, and in due time you shall receive your reward. So after the brave Captain Credence delivered his notes to those for whom they belonged, he retired to my Lord Secretary's lodgings and spent time in conversing with him there. For they, too, were very great one with another, and indeed knew more how things would go with Mansoul than did all the townsmen besides. The Lord Secretary also loved Captain Credence dearly. Yes, many a good bit was sent to him from my Lord's table. Also, he might have a show of countenance when the rest of Mansoul lay under the clouds. So after, in other words, belief, your faith in Christ is lifted up even though you might feel down in the dumps. and is also nourished by the Lord's, the Holy Spirit's table, the Lord Secretary's table. So after they spent some time in conversation, the captain went to his own chambers to rest. But it was not long afterward that my Lord sent for the captain again. So the captain came to him and they greeted one another with the usual salutations. Then the captain said to the Lord's secretary, what has my Lord to say to his servant? So the Lord's secretary took him aside privately. And after a sign or two of more favor, he said, I have made you the Lord's lieutenant over all the forces in Mansoul. So that from this day forward, all men in Mansoul shall be at your word and you shall be one to lead Mansoul in and lead her out. You shall therefore manage, according to your position, the war for your prince and for the town of Mansoul against the force and power of Diabolus. And at your command shall the rest of the captains be. Now the townsmen started to perceive what interest the captain had, both with the court and also with the Lord Secretary in Mansoul. For no man before was as fast when sent, nor brought such good news from Emmanuel as he. Therefore, what they did, after some lamentation that they had not made more use of the captain in their distresses, was sent by their subordinate preacher to the Lord Secretary to desire of him that all that they ever were and had might be put under the government care, custody, and conduct of Captain Credence. So their preacher went and completed his errand. and received this answer from the mouth of his lord, that Captain Credence should be the great doer in all the king's army, against the king's enemies, and also for the welfare of man's soul. So he bowed to the ground and thanked his lordship, and returned and told his news to the townsfolk. But all this was done with all imaginable secrecy, because the foes had yet great strength in the town, But to return to our story again, when Diabolus saw himself thus boldly confronted by the Lord Mayor and perceived the stoutness of Mr. Godly Fear, he fell into a rage and immediately called a council of war that he might take revenge on Mansoul. So all the princes of the pit came together and old incredulity at the head of them with all the captains of his army. So they consulted in what to do. Now, the effect and conclusion of the council that day was how they might take the castle because they could not consider themselves masters of the town as long as it was in the possession of their enemies. So one advised this way and another advised that. But when they could not agree in their verdict, Apollyon, that president of the council, stood up, and thus he began. My brotherhood, he said, I have two things to propose to you. My first is this. Let us withdraw ourselves from the town into the plain again, for our presence here will do us no good, because the castle, The castle is still in our enemies' hands. Nor is it possible that we should take that as long as so many brave captains are in it, and that this bold fellow, godly fear, is made the keeper of its gates. Now, when we have withdrawn ourselves into the plain, they, of their own accord, will be glad of some little ease, and it may be, of their own accord, they again may begin to be continued.